Chapter 9: Bringing Down the House

The two murderers drank deep into the night, swapping tales of past deeds, bullying the local dregs, and making spectacles of themselves. After consuming a good amount of booze, they went into the numerous backrooms of the Copper Coronet to observe the numerous forms of "entertainment".

First came gladiator betting, slaves of the establishment were tossed into a ring with substandard equipment, and forced to face off against all sorts of monsters and animals for the amusement of the drunken hollering masses. There was much killing, as more often than not the slave wouldn't survive the fight. Each time a man fell to the claws of his opponent, there would be much cheering and rejoicing.

Then came the dog fights, the canines being half starved and placed into a pit to kill one another. Admist the snarls and howls of pain, Korgan and Argon were right in the middle of everything, as the more the night drew on, the more people came in, the establishment was booming by the early morning.

Naturally, carnage and death aside, Argon wasn't one to miss out on the concept of "company" mentioned earlier either, there being a fully functional brothel which was a good part of the backrooms. There were numerous men with escorts on their arms strolling about the halls, being ushered to private bedrooms for some frivolous intimacy. From behind closed door and the thin walls, one could hear the merriments taking place.

Throughout the course of the night, Argon was shown to at least three separate rooms for the evening, and each time bedding with yet another girl. They weren't stunningly attractive; more of the simple farmgirl prettiness than the dazzling inner beauty, but Argon wasn't too choosey. Most were young but not naive, having been in the business for quite some time. They took Argon in stride, but it could not be denied that their eyes were glazed over and their bodies limp when it was over.

Not only that, be he was able to seduce the brothels owner, Madame Nin, a voluptuous and scantily clad prize herself, and after warming up with the girls, he finished things off with her, staying with her for the rest of the evening. Korgan was elsewhere, though doing what, Argon couldn't say. Maybe he had found a stubby wench who struck his fancy…Or maybe drinking more, which undoubtedly sounded like him.

The morning came slowly, and Argon found himself getting out of bed. He didn't sleep. And not just because of his nighttime exercises. He just didn't sleep that much these days. He didn't seem to need it. Another perk of his Bhaal blood it seemed. Getting out from under the spun gold of Madame Nin's hair, Argon dressed and rearmed himself, before stepping out into the hall.

He found his dwarven friend upstairs as well, stretched across a bed, snoring deeply, snuggling up against, not a naked young woman, but rather a whole barrel of ale which he undoubtedly confiscated from downstairs. With a grin, Argon moseyed downstairs, sat himself down, and ordered some breakfast. The only one awake at the moment was the fat barkeep Bernard.

All around the common room were the remnants of the previous evening's fun. Drunk men, littered the tables, the prostitutes still unclothed and sleeping stretched across the tabletops in undignified positions. All and all there was a piquant smell of blood, sweat, alcohol, and sex in the air. Home of vulgarity and indecency indeed. But who said these people wanted to be decent?

As he ate, Argon began to contemplate matters. Last night, he had extended an invitation to Korgan to join in his frolicsome butchery, but now…thinking hard, he wasn't sure things would pan out quite so nicely.

Argon wasn't sure if Korgan would last too long, especially if life was to continue normally for him. As he often got himself into many bloody situations involving more warriors, beasts, and foes than one man should have any hopes of surviving. He did survive because of his tainted blood, but Korgan wasn't so blessed as he.

Not to mention that Argon didn't know any healing magic, nor have anyone around who was versed in such talents. Of course, it would have been laughable indeed for Argon to have any abilities to heal, him being a skilled taker of life…not preserving it.

On the other hand, during the evening, Korgan had told many tales of his exploits, killing untold amount of men and beasts alike, not differentiating friend from foe, hacking down his own men in his bloodlust. He sounded very able-bodied indeed. In addition, being a dwarf, his resilience was even greater than an average man, far greater, so he was an ideal canadate for being a killer.

Then there was the whole seperate matter of what it might do to his reputation to actually have a companion, even a bloodthirsty and violent one. People might think he was going soft or something…

Before he settled upon a course, things began to grow more interesting. The main door to the establishment opened, and with much clanking and shuffling, in walked a whole battalion of men clad in plate armor. Their faces grim, their swords drawn, and their crest boldly stated their origins. The Most Noble Order and Radiant Heart. Not only that, but with them came several figures clad in heavy robes, mages no doubt. The whole lot of them surveyed the room with a grimace, some shielding their mouths and noses with a hand. Apparently, this sort of revelry wasn't in their taste.

Argon felt him smile widen, and he rose from his spot. Sooner than expected…He was sitting in a position where he could see the door, but those by the door couldn't see him. He lifted up, and slipped into the morning shadows. He wanted to watch the unfolding drama unobserved before he did anything. There was much fun to be had, and viewing the spectacle might prove to be entertaining.

The brigade advanced, easily three dozen of them total, casting judgmental expressions throughout the room. But also, their eyes were alert…wary. They were looking for something…Or someone. The knights reached the bar, scanning the room intently.

"Lehtinan!" the one in the lead barked out sternly, banging a mailed hand atop the counter, "We know you're in here somewhere, you spineless reprobate! Get out here now!" After a few near viscous moments of silence, the fish-eyed half inebriated owner came staggering out from the kitchen. He was quite unaware that he had women's undergarments wrapped around his neck, acting as a somewhat tasteful neckerchief. The knights gave disapproving looks, their faces clearly disgusted by the crudeness they saw around them.

"It would seem you have yet to pull yourself from the bowels of filth, miserable sinner." Lehtinan gave them a leery eye, and a distasteful smile, wobbling even as he stood.

"Greetings…hurrrmm…to you noble knight. What brings you to…heemm…my door?"

"Cease with the banter, wretched fool. We are not here in this pit of lewdness to suffer your mock pleasantries! We are here under direct orders of our superiors of the Most Noble Order and Radiant Heart, as well as the Council of Six. We have received word that there was a criminal of the highest order here at some point last night. I want to know where he is!"

"Criminal? Well…hurmmm…I wouldn't know much about that. We here don't question a mans…hummm…background here. It's not good for business."

"Is that what you call these squalid corrupt surroundings, treacherous swine? To have such disregards for decency of man and woman alike is appalling! But enough of your stalling…" The knight advanced, and took the much frailer looking man by the front of his sweat soaked shirt. "I want answers! Where is the mass murder Argon the Terrible? He was here last night, and I want to know where he is now! Is he still here, or did he leave? Speak!"

"I'm unsure as to who you mean," Lehtinan mumbled, though it was clear that his answer obviously not satisfactory.

"Don't play coy with me, scoundrel, else we'll have your hide in the lockup before the hour is over! The man is a famous murderer, wanted all across the Sword Coast for acts of butchery and killings of the vilest sort. He was in here, and I know you know who I mean! Now where is he? Answer!"

"You guys looking for me?" The whole lot of them turned on their heels. They had been so focused on the ham-handed interrogation of the gutless bar owner, that they never heard Argon slip out a side door, and all but march up behind them. He was across the room, his expression sly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword teasingly, fingers tapping the pommel.

There was some murmuring among the numerous holy warriors, as they glanced at one another, their expressions growing more uneasy. These men were indeed paladins, who fight all manner of evil, but this particular evil that they were facing now was in a class of its own. Evil straight from the gods themselves. Plenty of reason to be apprehensive.

"So," the first knight growled, advancing through the ranks, "We meet at last villain. I had hoped beyond hope that we would never have to face the Terror of the Sword Coast ourselves, and that the gods themselves would strike you down for your wretched crimes. But it seems that duty must be ours. I pray your soul is prepared for the fiery end that awaits you in the Abyss. In the name of all that is good and right, we must destroy you."

"What an ugly thing to say…" Argon answered, "You're here to kill me? How lucky for you. And for me…I was hoping that weedy pompous squire from last night would snitch on me, just to round up some of you guy's. I love it when my little schemes work so perfectly…"

"You mean you intentionally gave away your location?" the leader asked him, looking unconvinced and bewildered. "Why?"

"So I could have the pleasure of slaughtering all those that came after me, storming in with thoughts of vengeance and justice. That's why…" At this, the men crouched, and spread out, shifting among the still unconscious commoners. The wizards lifted their hands, ready to begin casting. They must have taken his words as a hostile act.

"Oh no no no no…" Argon told them with a wicked grin, "We can't have you righteous fellows doing that…Hurting innocent people? For shame…" The warriors looked around, at the whole room of bystanders. In a fight of this caliber, there was sure to be a huge clash, and such a surrounding would cause innumerable casualties.

The leader of the force seemed to be quivering with rage, but he sighed.

"For the sake of honor and the well-being of these civilians, we shall fight outside." Before the contingent could move, Argon was already rushing their way in a ground-shuddering charge, yanking his fearsome flaming blade free as he ran.

"WE'LL FIGHT NOW!" The wizards had been waiting, being of the Cowled Wizards, and the last thing on their minds was the safety of the people around them. They were terrified and had spells ready to fire the moment things turned ugly. So, when Argon stampeded their way, the four wizards, three men and a woman let fly their numerous attacks. Two roaring fireballs, a crackling bolt of lightning, and a shower of glowing missile projectiles.

There was a blast at the point of impact, and the room was engulfed with fire, as the walls and ceiling began to burn. Not to mention the innumerable people still sleeping in the blast radius, being fried instantly, dying in their uncouth sleep.

But even through the flames, Argon kept coming, moving right through them, the missiles and lightning bolt having no effect. He didn't want them all dead just yet. As Argon ripped into him enemies, he only gutted one mage, and delivered a horrendous punch to the face of another, before effectively tearing into the sea of glimmering steel before him.

Their cuirasses may have been metal, but Argon's inhuman strength and his flaming sword made it inconsequential, slicing right through the middle of them. On his first pass, he had dropped six of them and wounded four others. He grinned at their terrified expressions…

And with a deep throated roar that surprised all, Korgan leapt clear off of one of the second floor balconies, swinging on a lantern hanging from the ceiling, and fell atop easily five knights. He was lucky not to have landed on one of their swords, for he wasn't wearing his armor. Must have been too excited for that, as the melee had started so suddenly. All he had on were his basic clothes, his helmet, and clenching both battle axes in hand. The knights were having a hard time rising from the takedown, none having expected a surprise attack from above.

"Aye lad," he hollered over the din, "Remind me ta kick yer teeth in when this be over! Ye were about ta start tha killin' without me!" And with axes in hand, Korgan rushed a small group of paladin's, his blades sinking deep into their less guarded legs and feet, making the larger men double over in pain, leaving their heads exposed for cleaving. With two obvious enemies, the knights were struck with indecision, not sure which one to attack first. Argon took full advantage of this hesitancy.

The giant Bhaalspawn was using both fist and sword to fight his opponents, paying no nevermind to the raging inferno around him. Despite his own magical armor, he could feel their blades strike him, piercing his armor, but to no avail. It seemed as if no one could hurt him. And he kept going, slashing and hacking anything that dared cross his path. Wisely, Korgan was well away from Argon, taking on his own disoriented group across the room. With each hit, there was a satisfying scream, and a blast of blood as another paladin fell.

By this time, the occupants of what used to be the Copper Coronet, what was left of them had risen to the sounds of war, the building around them crumbling to pieces in the fire, and began running in a frenzied panic. In the heat of things, Bhaalspawn, dwarf, and paladin alike couldn't differentiate one person from another, and many screaming bystanders fell in the chaos.

All around them, there were the sounds of battle, the clanging of steel, the screams of the innocent, the splatters of blood, torrents of it staining the floors, the smell of fire…it was beautiful. A perfectly sculpted scenario of pure destruction and death. Bhaal would have surely been proud. Eventually, the combatants had to run, for the building was coming down on top of them. As everyone ran, Argon and Korgan struck at their enemy's backs, bringing more down. It was wholly unclear if any of the Order managed to escape the massacre, or the wizards for that matter.

For it would be hard to tell, as the burnt skeleton of the Copper Coronet buckled under the stress, and fell to the earth in piles of scorched wood and stone. Undoubtedly, there were numerous human bones under the wreckage.

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The remnants of the building were sparing, there were only a few charred walls left standing, the roof having caved in, and the second floor nonexistent. Argon was sitting on the brittle remains of one of the many staircases, letting the morning sun make his skin warm. It was a fine way to start off the day. It was impossible to tell how many people had perished in either the combat or in the raging firestorm, but it must have surely been a large number. That was always a good thing to him.

There was some tramping of footsteps, and from around one of the remaining walls came Korgan, bloodied and a bit crispy. Yet he was still grinning, his armor and equipment resting under one arm, a keg of booze under the other. He was laughing, as he sat down next to Argon.

"Aye," he breathed out, "Now that was somethin' I've been needin' fer a long time…A violent fight like that hasn't been so bloody in a long time…" he lifted the barrel to his mouth swallowing down a good amount. After taking a breath, he slapped Argon on the knee, laughing. "Well lad, I'd say yer plan worked out mighty well…All them bloody paladins, an' a few wizards to boot! A dwarf can't ask fer a better scrap than that! Tis a fine day already with that bloodshed!"

Argon didn't respond but nodded, giving a grin. Their minds regarding murder were quite alike. It was a wonder that Korgan wasn't a Bhaalspawn as well. Korgan took another drink, then scratched his charred beard.

"An' it pains me ta say this," he told Argon, "but we might have ta part ways fer a time lad. Though not by choice I'll tell ye. From what I've seen, yer as good at killin' and causin' havoc as the stories 'bout ye…So much so that I think I've found meself a new hero in life! Har har! But I've got some business I need ta take care off as well, regardin' some of the pus-spewin' maggots that were part of me last party…Don't suppose ye're interested? Plenty of loot ta be had by all!"

"No thanks," Argon rejected, "Treasure isn't really my thing…I kill for the kick of it. And besides…I got a wizard to hunt down, and pay him back by ripping his stomach out. And with the way things are, it might take a while to find him."

"Spellcaster aye? I understand perfectly. I hate them bloody wheedle-wormed pansy-ass freaks as well, and ye got a bone ta pick! Well lad, I'll be off then, but not before I wish ye well on yer endeavor. An' if ye be needin' a keen axe ta cleave some heads, just remember ol' Korgan Bloodaxe…"

"I'll do that." With that, Korgan started off, but stopped suddenly, clapping a hand across his brow.

"Oh damn me careless head, I've almost forgotten. Here lad," Korgan fished out of the debris a still functional flagon, and poured some of his barrel into it, offering it to the giant. "We can't part ways lest we got a drink! One fer the road!" Argon took the cup, and the two drank down the fiery liquor. The dwarf belched, and tossed the empty case aside.

"See ye around laddie!" And off he went, strutting along singing a dwarven song, putting his armor in place as he walked. Argon watched him go. I must be getting soft, he told himself with a smile, thinking back to all the people he had let go in the past few days. It made him chuckle. But maybe I will see him around. That might not be so bad…After sitting for a few moments longer amongst the ruins; he pushed himself up, and stretched.

"Alone again…Oh well. I wonder what other…mischief I can cook up…"