Here we go Part 2 (because I know you've secretly been dying for this one.) I may not post any more chapters for a little while after this because I have absolutely no idea what's happening for the next two weeks.I may get lots of time I may get none. *shrug*

Anyway, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I only own the story not the Nix stuff. *golem voice* But it's My precious story... *end golem voice*

FLAWLESS EVIL

and Die in Chaos (Part 2)

Reece stood on the grassy hilltop as the troops made their first assault against the city of Belisaere. Six mordicants were scattered among his troops as well as several hundred dead hands, the mordicants were effective at breaching the walls and the living axe-wielding barbarians easily disrupted the aqueducts creating openings for the dead to enter.

The generals selected from his new order led many of these troops, there were casualties of course, but it had been a long time since the soldiers of Belisaere had had real fighting. That was if any of them ever had, and none of them had ever fought barbarians before, let alone mordicants. They fell like chaff with only small pockets of them putting up real resistance.

He watched one particular struggle with interest. Three charter mages of remarkable skill stood atop a building being protected by nearly thirty soldiers. While the soldiers did their best against the dead hands and barbarians the charter mages took turns lobbing giant balls of fire at the nearest mordicant which was having serious trouble getting anywhere.

He smiled amused, at least he wasn't conquering a completely pathetic city.

He began to walk down the main streets of Belisaere towards the palace, gradually leaving the fighting behind none challenged him as they were all either near the wall or hidden away in their homes with the doors firmly locked.

Except one did challenge him, a soldier from the wall had seen him and followed him on other streets until he could get ahead of Reece and cut him off. Now he stepped out in front of Reece, his sword drawn and a murderous gleam in his eyes.

"You shall go no further white fiend," he cried as he ran at Reece with his sword.

Reece drew both of his knives and spoke a word, they each flashed and the two delicate-looking knives hardened into something stronger than diamonds. As the soldier swung Reece crossed his knives and blocked the stroke pushing it aside. He then jabbed quickly at the soldiers should but the knife deflected off the armour.

When the soldier swung a second time Reece ducked instead and rose only to block the back swing of the blade in the same fashion as before. The swordsman was good but Reece wasn't going to let himself be killed. On the soldiers third stroke Reece pivoted and spun inside the soldiers reach, he jabbed back over his shoulders with both hands and felt the soldier recoil as both blades stabbed into the neck.

Reece stepped away breathing heavily as he watched the soldier slump to the ground. He would not be stopped.

***

When the lights appeared in the sky to the west Touchstone immediately sent scouts to determine the source. When the soldiers reported in he was stunned, he was a good king though and a good leader, within hours he had the troops ready for an attack and when dawn came with the assault they were as ready as they could be.

Now he stood in the throne room with his older generals poring over a map of the city and running through the reports brought in by messenger boys. He wiped sweat out of his eyes as he read through the ninth report saying a group of defenders had been over-run.

"My king, these barbarians and dead are soon going to reach the palace, they are a formidable force that we cannot stand against." The old general who said this leaned on a walking stick. His eyes had grown progressively wilder as time had gone on. Now he looked like he was about ready to crack.

There was an assortment of muttered assents and disagreements among the other assembled generals and dignitaries. One of them spoke up with a suggestion, "Perhaps we should withdraw the troops to the palace and just defend this place? It would be a far easier place to defend."

"And leave the people to the mercy of those dead things? I think not!" Touchstone's angry tone immediately silenced the general until one of the others spoke up.

"If we lose all of our troops fighting in defence of the City then we're all dead, if we withdraw to the palace we can win and then retake the city before they kill everyone." The general said this very matter-of-factly and there was a general muttering of agreement among all the other generals, touchstone had to admit the idea had merit.

It was at that moment though that the building shook and an explosion echoed through the halls. The group turned as several of the guards that had remained at the palace rushed towards the entranceway. Touchstone caught one of them on their way, "As soon as you know what it is report to me ok?"

The guard nodded nervously as he followed his comrades and the generals began to huddle together in fear as there came the sound of shouting from the halls somewhat distant. The guard that Touchstone had caught finally came running back in with two other guards who immediately bolted upstairs. Saluting the king he said, "The palace is under attack by a magician, he may be the one you told us about sir, he's all white."

Touchstone cursed and one of the older generals promptly sat down. Moments later about fifty guards poured into the room from upstairs, all that was left within the palace's upper rooms, and they were just in time. No sooner than they had arrived than the large doors to the throne room burst open under extreme force, the body of a guard sailing through the air to land with a clatter only metres away from the map table.

Reece stood silhouetted in the doorway, a white aura surrounding him and making the air crackle. In one hand he held a long thin knife and in the other he held a bell, the clapper held tightly so it would not accidentally ring.

As he strode into the room the guards formed a ring around him but none of them dared to attack. Slowly the white-mancer approached the king until he was but four metres from his royal person.

Reece unexpectedly sheathed his knife and, now holding the bell in both hands, sank to his knees. With a voice that could have frozen fire he said, "Why hello your majesty, I'm so glad to see you."

He lifted his head and looked at Touchstone… and he smiled… a perfect smile… a perfectly evil smile…

Reece rang his bell, just one note rang out. That was all it needed.

The mournful tone of Astarael echoed hauntingly through the stone palace, it's deep but clear tone piercing deep into the soul of all who heard it. Oddly enough the sound did not escape the palace but no place within the palace was spared from its touch.

King Touchstone was indubitably and irrevocably dead.

Shoot me if you want. this is just the beginning...

Please R&R, I love you GOGHOTi and Astraels Ashes (a.k.a Timayyyyyyyyy)