"Why are we here again?" Kormac muttered. The scoundrel had convinced them to enter the main guild hideout. And, of course, it was located in the sewers under the city.
"Because there are important artifacts here. With Nigel dead, we can safely plunder what they have before they realize what hit them," Lyndon said calmly.
"I doubt we will find a cure for your stench here," Greed snickered from Gurzick's crown. He had Gurzick join up with them the moment the vile book was secured away. "In fact, I'm sure it will only spread to us in a nearly permanent way."
"I can agree to that," Byden muttered lightly. Imperael was still with them, and even he was disturbed by the smells and looks of the passages before them. He knew that humans could be messy, but this put it at a whole new level of disgust.
"Don't think about it," Vincent said. He did have to ignore the sight of a bubbling spot in the waters below them. The stench that the popped bubbles gave out alone was horrific enough. A few of the party members cringed at the sight of the pile of dead bodies in a heap near the edge of a set of planks. That clearly added to the smell and decay of the place. As well as the heat from the decomposition they gave off.
"So...you had to leave them there for everyone to see?" Lou-yu frowned.
"Where else are we to put them?!" Lyndon seemed to shrug at the glances given at him. "We couldn't bury them. And those were supposed to get dumped into the water. Someone was being lax on the job. Anyways, come on. I know where we have to go. Ah, we may also need to visit the hideout in Westmarch, too. Yes, it's in the main sewer there, too..."
"Is there no form of spell you can use to fix this?" Kormac seemed to plead at Lou-yu.
"I wish there was. Trust me. If I could cast one, I'd be using it," he frowned hard. "Even now, if I used a form of fire spell, I may turn this whole place into an explosion!"
"What do you...oh. Never mind," Byden sighed.
"Are we really resorting to fart jokes?" Lyndon groaned.
"Not surprising," the Nephalem smirked.
"He is correct, though, in all seriousness," the Monk frowned. "It would be rather dangerous. The only time such a spell should be cast is when we know it is safe."
"There is enough methane gasses built up here that a lit match would easily turn this place into an inferno!" Lou-yu said. "Let's just hurry up and be done with this. I need fresh air."
"Preferably outside of this town," Greed snorted.
"Agreed," Imperael nodded and trudged forward. At the sight of something scurrying around alongside them, he stopped them. "Who is there?!"
"Stop!" Lyndon said to keep them from attacking, and he moved quickly to where the small motion was trapped in a corner. "I don't recognize you. You're new here. Aren't you?"
"I..." a small voice came out. It was clearly that of a young boy and quite scared.
"It is all right, child. We will not harm you. What is your name?" Jozin asked.
"Um...Lamb..." the boy shivered and stepped out of hiding. He looked like a young, scrawny boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He bore a small shield and a short, copper sword. His pants looked torn and dirty. It was the same with his tunic and boots.
"Lamb? Hmm. That's...an interesting name," Lyndon mused.
"Are you an orphan, Lamb?" Byden asked.
"Yeah. The ones here found me. After my parents died, I was lost. They said...if I did what I was told...that I could be one of them. I just did mild stealing. But..." he frowned. "it felt wrong, too."
"You were being raised in a justified way. I can understand how stealing did not feel right to you. You do not need to do that anymore," Jozin said sternly.
"Here. Wash your face a bit," Byden said and offered the boy a flask of water with a rag. Now that it was done, likely for the first time in a few months, a rather striking condition revealed itself.
"You have a bruise!" Kalgor growled at the boy's cheek. "They hit you?!"
"Sometimes..." Lamb shivered. Now he blinked at Kalgor moving stand next to him.
"I'll care for this one. Salauriel will understand," the Barbarian nodded. "I will train him how to fight with true honor."
"I approve of that decision," Imperael nodded. Lamb stared at the massive Archangel and actually blushed a bit when Imperael bent down to give him a fond tussle of his dirty hair. That strengthened the boy's resolve to join them in full. It was why Imperael did it.
"Or we could all care for him. If he's been here, then I'm sure he knows how to fend for himself, if we get into small fights," Lou-yu chuckled. Vincent was already nodding with agreement.
"Who has been training you?" Eirena asked Lamb.
"Um...Nigel was. He taught me how to pick-pocket really good," the boy said.
"You know," Byden mused. "try to pick-pocket the monsters we come across. It's not really stealing from people, and it will help us in the end."
"Oh! I can do that!" Lamb grinned. Then his belly rumbled. When he started to look around for something to scavenge, the Barbarian stopped him with a small shake of his head.
"Here. Eat this," Kalgor said and handed over a lump of salted meat. "It's not much, but it will hold you over for now. You likely haven't had much to eat. That will change."
"I'll get him something. New clothes and good food, of course," Greed said. "After we leave this nasty place, that is. Even I have standards!"
"But, you send your minions down here all the time!" Lyndon scowled.
"And, now that I know you lived in these places, they'll be here a lot more!" Greed laughed. "I'll always steal something from you before you can steal it back! I'll always find things from others, but I'll gladly steal from you!"
"Oh, boy..." the Nephalem sighed. Sohar was only chuckling softly and was making his way over to a pile of rags. When he saw something moving, his interest had clearly peaked. Pulling the rags away, he discovered a small cat. Even more odd was the power that seemed to come from it.
"Oh! And what are you?" he mused at the black and white cat. Clearly a male and trussed up in an unusual harness, he mewed at him and purred around his legs. "You have been imbued with a rare power! Ah! You have a name-tag. Henri. You shall stay with me now."
"He was likely chasing the rats down here," Byden said.
"Like the scoundrel?" Imperael muttered out softly. The Nephalem coughed to hide a laugh at that. Kalgor smirked with a slight nod.
"There are a few chests over here," Vincent called out. Gurzick was quick to scamper over to inspect them. Then he jumped back when one of the chests snapped back at him!
"You found Nigel's personal Mimic!" Lyndon blinked. "It usually hides about and does a bit of guarding over his things. But, now that he's dead..."
"Huh?" Byden blinked. The Mimic seemed to glance at Lyndon with surprise. If Nigel was dead, then it needed a new owner of sorts. Now it had to figure out who to choose to follow.
"Interesting! And it's not even magical," Lou-yu said and crouched down to study it. The small, wooden chest blinked an eyeball at him from the keyhole, seemed to stand up on two shadowy legs, and trotted over to him rather happily. It liked this one! "Ah..."
"I think you made a new friend," Jozin chuckled. The chest yawned with a form of inky blackness within it and gave a small glare at Lyndon. Greed already liked it. The Mimic was now ready to follow the Wizard around. It clearly didn't want to stay any longer than it had to.
"Okay. Um...I guess you can come with me," Lou-yu smiled. He got nudged in the leg. "Do you carry anything?"
"It can guard things in one place, but, when it's traveling with us, it's good at finding gold for you. It's...what I was trained to do, too," Lamb said.
"Oh! I see. Okay. Sure! I can definitely keep you around," the Wizard laughed softly.
"Find gold if you want to," Kalgor told Lamb. "I will not force you."
"You're getting me out of here! It's the least I can do," the boy smiled.
"Don't let them come to my lair!" Greed muttered with a touch of a pleading tone. That got them all laughing. As they continued through the guild, other items and artifacts were quickly found and claimed. Many of the pieces were clearly stolen by various means. As much as they wanted to look everything over, they were only on borrowed time.
"I can hear them coming back," Lyndon frowned. "A new leader is bound to be voted on. We need to get out of here."
"Can you take us somewhere that has a bath?" Kormac asked.
"And a place for laundry," Jozin sighed. His clothing was clearly saturated with the smell and various dirty splashes of fouled water.
"I know where to take you all," Greed said and made a portal. The party went through it and found themselves in the High Heavens.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Imperius growled. He was in the middle of a meeting with the Council. Anaurael was safely tucked away in her chambers with Izarius, Mithus, and Darius. Azarius was with Imperius to help out with any quick messages. Tyrael looked over now, and he coughed at the stench the group gave off. They were trying to figure out where the rival Greed Goblins tended to congregate. They were being far too secretive now. There was also another issue that had come about that had Tyrael a touch concerned.
"We were playing in this scoundrel's home. They need a good scrubbing, so I brought them here," Greed seemed to chuckle from Gurzick's crown.
"We found a various number of rare artifacts that we need to go over with you. But, before we do that...um..." the Nephalem sighed. "A bath? Please?"
"I shall have them tended to," Auriel nodded and called for her supporters.
"Give me their clothing and armors. I shall have them cleaned," Azarius said.
"Ugh..." Imperius seemed to shiver. "Just...keep an eye on them all..."
"It shall be done," Itherael nodded. Anarius looked over at them and seemed to chuckle softly. He knew that the group was going to be fine.
"I am looking forward to see what all they have acquired," Cain's ghost said with amusement. "Much of it may prove useful to bringing down our enemies."
"What was being discussed?" Imperael asked. The sunlight had bathed him with pure Light to effectively remove any foul odors from him. It was a benefit to being an angel of Heaven.
"I received a rather interesting notice from Lorath. A Khazra scout bore a white flag. He wanted to talk to us. He approached one of our outposts near New Tristram. And, yes, he's under careful guard right now," Tyrael said calmly. "He was trying to ask for help."
"Hmm. Well...we'll have to see," the Nephalem said. "As of right now, though, I need a bath."
"The Khazra scout isn't going anywhere. Take your time," Tyrael nodded.
"Tyrael, Anaurael is asking for you," Izarius said when he appeared in the chamber. Then he paused and looked at the group. "Ah...I'll refrain from asking where you all were..."
"Thanks," Vincent muttered. His angelic mate had already appeared to retrieve him. The others with their respective angelic mates had appeared to fetch them to take them away. The ones without such partners were taken to various rooms of privacy to bathe and get their armors and clothing cleaned.
"I am worried," Anaurael said softly to Tyrael when he appeared. He had agreed to sit with her and share in a roasted suckling pig feast with a form of enthusiastic pleasure.
"How is that?" he frowned.
"The Khazra scout that you told me of. I really hope it isn't a trap to catch us unawares," she sighed. "At the same time, I do know that Itherael told me they were enchanted. That the Coven had used them against their will."
"He told you?"
"Yes. I had asked him about the origins of the Khazra. Even Cain had confirmed this, too. They used to be human, and a demon changed them. To me, as much as I know the damage they did, I also feel a lot of pity for them."
"I know there are some Khazra that don't need to be enchanted. They just...do what they can because they can. Like on the outskirts of various roads and trading pathways. It sort of reminds me of the rogues and bullies that inhabit other places. It has been said that they were usually lethargic and kept to themselves until recently. The ones around New Tristram, that is. In other places, they would run rampant here and there. For the more docile ones, well, it would make sense, if they were enchanted," he frowned and moved to press a kiss to her forehead. "We'll find out in time."
"Take Imperael with you," she smiled.
"I think he would insist on joining us," he laughed softly and let her lean into him. "How is Itherael's offspring? Any movement yet?"
"Tyrael, you know that doesn't happen for a bit more time. Yes, three months have passed, but it may be another week," she blushed at him. He tilted her face to his to give her a gentle kiss.
"I know. I just like the way you blush," he chuckled. She blushed again, and he gave her a fond squeeze. "I understand that I've been a touch lacking to you. We are all doing what we can to ensure that Heaven will be protected. Not only that, but you need protection, too. I was told of the attack on your dreams. I fear we may need to consult with Myriam. Maybe even Talarine, if we can find her."
"I think we should, too," she nodded. "He knows my name now. I'm sure of it."
"I know that all too well," he growled and shook his head. "Let's finish eating."
"Okay," she nodded and let him kiss her in a loving way before diverting his attention to the rest of the meal before them. When it was demolished, he gave out a loud yawn. "You haven't been sleeping very well. Have you?"
"Not really," he admitted.
"I need to rest, too," she smiled. He gave her a small grin to show how he was going to rest with her. In New Tristram, however, Lorath was getting a plate of food ready for the captured Khazra scout.
"If he came to us peacefully, then he will be treated as a mild guest," Lorath said to the guard.
"Shouldn't waste anything on him," the guard scowled.
"Tyrael's orders. You going to complain to him?" he asked. At that bit of news, the guard frowned hard and kept quiet. "I thought so. Move aside, please."
The guard shuffled over to give just enough access to the small cell the Khazra was held in. All of his weapons were confiscated, of course, but any Khazra was still dangerous, if they needed to be. When Lorath was seen with the food, the goatman all but ran up to the bars from hunger. It was shoved under the grating, and the food was quickly wolfed down. A mug of water was given next. The goatman looked up at him and said, "Thank you."
"How can you speak to me?" Lorath asked and pulled up a chair to sit down. It was the first thing the scout said, since he was placed in the cell. He had tried to talk to the outpost watch, and he waved the white, tattered cloth when they wouldn't listen. Now he knew he could talk freely in what broken sentences he could muster. If this human fed me, then he could be an ally.
"Practiced. Raiding parties. My clan. Need help," the scout shivered.
"How do you need help?" Lorath asked gently.
"Spells. Control us. Hurt us. Help," he seemed to plead in his goatish voice. Now Lorath frowned hard. "We know where. Can show you!"
"You know where it's all coming from?"
"Yes!" he brayed.
"Can you draw a map?" Lorath asked. At the sharp nod the scout gave, Lorath rose up to fetch a parchment with a lump of coal to draw with. He pushed those under the bars, and the scout now drew out a crude map. It took some time, but the map was carefully pushed back under the bars. Lorath studied it and narrowed his eyes. "You made two maps. So, two different locations. One of these areas looks like the Southern Highlands. The other looks like...the fields. Where the farmers would grow their crops."
"Yes. Spells there. Come from there," the scout nodded.
"As for the Highlands, well...hmm," Lorath frowned.
"Cave there. Find it. Moon Clan. Need help," he shivered.
"Are you from the Moon Clan, too?" Lorath asked.
"Yes," he nodded. "Want peace. No fight."
"I can get that. You used to be somewhat peaceful. Certain tribes, that is," Lorath sighed.
"Yes," he nodded again. "Want peace."
"Okay. We'll figure something out," Lorath said and rose up.
"You help us. We help you. We have power. Magic. Can help," the scout said.
"That's true. Your shamans are very powerful. We'll see what we can do to help you," he smiled. The scout rose up and sighed. He knew their kind was making a bad reputation, and he lost himself in his thoughts. I want to show that there were some Khazra out there that didn't want the wars. Before the enchanting of my kind, my clan simply hunted and lived peacefully by themselves. When the Coven came, I watched my whole family get enchanted and later slaughtered for trying to attack other places meaninglessly. Even I was also enchanted for a while, but my clan shaman was able to resist the spell and free a number of them.
I was picked to help try and bridge a way of trust. I had learned most of the basic language humans spoke rather successfully. I was the clan's last hope. I want to avenge my family. The best way to do that was to kill off the Coven members that were still trying to maintain the spells. I vowed to my dying brother that I would do this. Right before they died, the spell would wear off. They would recall what they did. They died with complete shame and regret. He knew that he had to succeed in getting help to keep his promise. He had no choice in it.
"What are you thinking of?" Lorath asked softly. He could tell the scout was upset.
"Family. All dead. From spells," the scout shivered. "When die, spell leaves. They know all. See bad things. Never wanted..."
"That's harsh," Lorath agreed. He reached through the bars and placed a hand on the hairy shoulder. A few tears fell from the scout's muzzle.
"Made promise. Would kill them. Avenge family."
"We'll make sure you get the killing blows," Lorath vowed.
"Thank you. For hearing me."
"You're welcome," he said and now moved quickly to find one of the waiting angels in Tyrael's chambers. He knocked on the door and was let in. "I got more information from the scout."
"You seem troubled by it?" the angel asked.
"Yes," Lorath sighed and relayed the entire conversation. The angelic warrior was clearly intrigued over what was going on. He also felt a touch of remorse, too. He had an idea on how to help the scout claim vengeance.
"Let us bring this one to Heaven. We need to evaluate him," he suggested.
"You'll need to bring someone down that can convince the guards to let him go," Lorath said. The warrior nodded, vanished away, and came back with Imperael.
"Who needs to be convinced?" Imperael growled out dangerously. Lorath coughed to hide his bark of laughter and led the Archangel to where the Khazra was being held. At the glare given to the guard, the man cleared his throat and quickly walked off. Any other guards that were hanging around the cell were quickly off on other errands. When the Khazra saw the massive Archangel, he seemed to cower and fold his ears back with fear and submission. "Don't worry. I am here to help you. Come with me."
At that, he simply ripped the cage door off its hinges. The scout shivered, but he moved over to get a massive hand placed over him. He was quickly teleported away to the Angiris Council chamber. At the sight of Imperius glowering over the Khazra scout, the poor goatman wanted to faint dead away, but he forced himself to remain calm. If anything, he was hopeful.
"Your situation was explained in full to us," Imperius started.
"SIRE, BEFORE YOU QUESTION THIS ONE, I WANT YOU STUDY THE AURA COMING FROM THIS CREATURE. CAN YOU NOT SENSE IT?" Anarius asked.
"Hmm..." Imperius thought aloud and studied the scout. "This one...does seem to have more Light than others we have seen..."
"Imperius?" he heard in the distance, and he turned to see Anaurael walking over with Tyrael.
"She insisted to be here," Tyrael said. Imperius sighed, but he moved to scoop her up into his arms. She smiled softly at him and blushed at his gentle squeeze.
"You should be resting," he said.
"I know. I missed you," she said. He gave a deep sigh of relief at her tight hug around her neck. Then he turned with her to assess the Khazra. "So, you are the one that has asked for aid?"
"Yes..." the scout said weakly. He looked away, but then paused when she had moved in front of him to smile softly with comfort. When one of his ears perked up, she giggled. That seemed to convince him that she wasn't there to tease him or slight him. She clearly showed her concern. To her, this goatman could easily be in his late teens. He had that look and sensation about him. Even his horns were still growing in and weren't at full mass.
"Can you tell us what you can?" she asked. He nodded and began to tell them what he could in his broken language. In the middle of his story, the Nephalem appeared with a quick teleport from another angel to see what was going on. At the sight of the Khazra, a weapon was raised, but Anaurael stepped in front of the scout with her arms spread out to shield him. "Stop! This one has Light!"
"What?" the champion paused and put down the weapon.
"He came to us for aid," she said calmly. "Please brief the Nephalem."
"I will do so," Tyrael said. She nodded and turned to the scout to have him continue his story. The goatman was just in shock that she defended him. He felt completely humbled.
"Thank you..." he said weakly.
"You're welcome," she smiled and gestured for him to continue. Imperael now moved to ensure no further attacks would happen to the scout. The goatman could only sigh with relief. Once his sad tale was told, Anaurael turned to look at Imperius. He held his arms out to her, and she was quick to head into them to get held again. "What do you think, love?"
"Tyrael, find out where these foul cretins are. Imperael...do as you must," Imperius seemed to smirk. Izarius looked over when Malthael appeared in his ghostly form for those that could see him.
"I wish...to hunt..." Malthael droned out.
"I CAN ALLOW IT THE MOMENT THE TRUE ENEMY IS FOUND," Anarius nodded. Malthael nodded back in kind. He felt that his presence was needed. He wasn't sure why.
"I'm sorry for attempting to attack you before. It won't happen again," the Nephalem said.
"Is okay. It happens," the scout shrugged.
"A Khazra? Here?!" Kormac growled. Then he paused at the glare that Imperael gave him.
"This one is different," the Nephalem said. "Yes, I was the same way as you."
"Better warn the others before they come here," Tyrael muttered to Agrius.
"Of course, Wise Tyrael," his lieutenant nodded and was quick to send the word. When Gurzick appeared, he was a touch surprised at the scout, but he hopped over to talk to him at length. They spoke easily in the odd dialect the goatman knew well. On hearing the scout's tale, Gurzick was furious. Greed was already sending out goblins to start scouting around.
"What you name?" Gurzick asked the goatman.
"Boryak," he said in his braying tone.
"I always wondered about the Khazra," Byden chuckled.
"Indeed! Now would be the time to learn of their cultures. Maybe we can even merge our strengths together to fight for the common good," Cain chuckled from where he stood. The scout was simply beside himself with disbelief. I was successful in my mission. I made the bridge of trust. It was very narrow, but it was there. Once their enemies were dead, that bridge could continue to grow.