The only reason I'm pumping out these chapters so fast is because I am already 14 chapters in with this story. I just haven't had the guts to publish it until recently. Here we meet the mysterious Clarity for the first time.

There's a little cameo of a certain Irish YouTuber here. Cookies to anyone who knows about the guy.

And thanks to 'DeadGirl19' for the review. Glad you like the story so far, I just hope you don't hate me after the next few chapters come up.

Chapter 2 – Guess Who's Back

Erskine Ravel stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable and eyes emotionless. Strange, Valkyrie thought, the left seems clouded. He was pale and sickly, the light blue turtleneck he wore – the collar of which he was fiddling with – hung from a frame that was thinner than what was normal and his dulled brown hair was unkempt, flopping over his eyes.

"Erskine?" Ghastly asked disbelievingly.

A bitter smile met the traitor's face; one that did reach his eyes, but only revealed regret and self-loathing. "The one and only," he proclaimed spitefully. "So who wants the pleasure of beating me up first?"

"What's going on?" asked the androgynous voice from earlier. Its owner quickly joined Erskine at the door.

"Clarity," Skulduggery began. "Care to explain?"

Clarity turned out to be of similar build and height to Skulduggery; looking roughly twenty years of age. Their pale face was effeminate, defined by a strong jawline, high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes with irises the colour of amethyst, oval pupils and obsidian sclera, all framed by short, choppy, raven black hair. Around their neck was a purple-and-black neckerchief, which complimented the black shirt and dark blue jeans they wore, and a jet black metal brace encased their lower right arm. Flittering shadows danced over its gleaming surface.

"What's to explain?" Clarity asked. "Didn't China tell you? Erskine was placed into my custody six months ago."

Icy silence was all that they needed as an answer. "I guess not," they muttered. "Come inside, if you don't mind."

Saracen nodded. "Good idea."

Everyone piled into the RV and found a place to sit or stand. Erskine had retreated to the passenger seat in the front.

"Okay," Skulduggery said. "One of you had better start explaining what's going on, or else I'll-."

"Clarity got me out after witnessing a certain… incident when they visited me at the gaol," Erskine quickly said. "They appealed to take custody over me, and Grand Mage Sorrows complied. They… kept it private because they didn't want anyone to try going after me."

"I trusted her to tell you," Clarity continued. "Seems I put too much faith in her."

"Is that why you delayed your trip to Canada?" Anton asked.

Clarity nodded. "I wasn't leaving him there any longer. And before any of you ask; no. I am not obligated to tell you why."

The quick nods from most of the Dead men told Valkyrie that Clarity wasn't to be argued with.

The cryptid turned to her, an apologetic smile on their face. "Well, this is hardly the first impression I had been hoping for," they said, holding out their hand. "It's Valkyrie, right?"

Valkyrie smiled and shook the offered hand. "That's me. And don't worry about that. Something tells me you're not one to be judged from first impression alone."

"That's true. First impressions do tend to be tossed out of the window with me."

"So I've heard."

After proper greetings were given, everyone exited the caravan, intending to meet the remainder of Clarity's band of travellers.

Erskine hung back, quickly entering the bathroom to check himself. After satisfying himself with the fact that his appearance did not reveal what had happened to him whilst remaining presentable, he exited…

…to find Anton waiting for him.

Fear rose in his gut, but he swallowed it down and looked Anton in the eye. The steely grey irises betrayed no emotion.

"If you're going to beat me into the ground, then get it over with," he whispered, looking away.

Anton was silent for a moment. "The last time I saw you," he began. "You had your arm in a sling, a limp and bruises on your neck. Not only that, but you looked about as half-starved as you do now. You refused to say more than one syllable to me at a time, and if I raised my voice even slightly, it was as if I'd threatened to let my Gist loose on you. You changed there, Erskine. But I don't know how or why."

Erskine shook his head. "What's it matter to you?" he asked, bitterness tainting his tone. "Why the hell do you care?"

"Because through all you've done, you were my friend once. And believe me, I'm not one for sentiment, but part of me wants to try to bring back the friend you once were."

Anton didn't receive a reply, and was instead passed by as Erskine wordlessly exited the RV.

Valkyrie had set up a buffet for her guests, and when Tanith arrived (she was none too happy about Erskine being there), it turned into a party. Or at the very least a dance competition. So far, no one had managed to best Tanith, but Jack Septic-Eye; a human/anthropomorphic jackalope hybrid who possessed the powers of an Empathy Stirrer had managed to hold his own longer than anyone else.

Erskine had remained on the side lines of the social get-together, choosing to sit in the corner and slowly eat the sandwich he'd picked up from the table. Valkyrie's dog, Xena, had padded over at some point, and sat down next to him.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Startled by the sudden appearance of the Skeleton Detective, Erskine jumped. "Oh… Skulduggery," he muttered. "Listen, I don't want any trouble, okay?"

"You'd better not. Otherwise I won't hesitate to lay you out on the floor."

The fear in Erskine's eyes surprised Skulduggery. "I-I…"

"I don't want your excuses."

"I know."

"Shut up. If I get even the slightest inkling that you are betraying Clarity's trust, then I will make your life a living hell."

Erskine simply nodded, and relaxed as Skulduggery finally turned and left. Xena seemed to notice his discomfort, and placed her head on his knee, allowing him to stroke her. He felt sick, the unwanted wave of memories resurfacing and forcing a sickening bile to rise up his throat, but he managed to swallow it down before he did actually vomit.

He hadn't recovered as well as he'd thought…

The plot thickens... Like soup! *shot for the bad joke*

So, yeah. Erskine's alive, but he's still a traitor.