"Okay, so what are we thinking now than?" Sophia yawned as her gaze wandered to the tavern window again. The sun had already begun to set, and the glowing orange seemed much warmer than the night ahead would actually be. The conversation between the four figures that still dominated the centre table had gone on for hours, mostly in very similar circles. Sophia's mind had drifted long before her eyes had, and now she only thought of the warmth of her rented bed that she longed to return to.
"Well, by my counts we've eliminated taking a ship due to the large cost," Taiko rumbled as he stared at the small pile of flagons in front of him. As if on cue, the bartender dutifully appeared at their table, sweeping the flagons away to join their many dirtied companions in the washbasin behind the bar. "We also want to get out of this Kami forsaken Principality as fast as we can, and since the best chance for a ship would be to travel to Chaville, the capital of this blasted place. I'm sick and tired of pampered and preened nobles thinking they know exactly what everyone has to do, and aren't afraid to tell them. I don't think I could keep myself from ramming my sword down their throats just to silence them."
"Which leaves us traveling by land," Lynn piped in as Brutus yawned deeply under the table, "Which could be a problem since then we would most likely need horses, and I am the only one that has a horse, and a good horse would cost more than the cost of travel to most destinations on the inner sea."
"But the horse would serve you well for much time to come afterwards," Shadow rasped as he rubbed his eyes. This was taking much longer then he had first anticipated. "It would be an investment for the future. Then, you could easily travel to the neighboring Principality of Helenia, where arrogant nobles should be a problem you need not worry about. What do you all say?"
"Helenia sounds like it could work, should we find a horse that can take me." Taiko rose from the table in a groan of wood and metal. "We should leave as early as we can. I suggest we leave tomorrow if at all possible."
"Alright, I will try to find you a horse before we leave then." Lynn responded with a tired smile.
"I agree. Just make sure you folks don't go and leave me behind, or I will be terribly cross with you all." The look in Sophia's eyes suggested she was joking, at least partially.
Shadow slunk towards entrance to the tavern, and in a whisper of his cloak gently closed the door behind him.
"So, the three of us will meet at first light tomorrow to prepare for heading out. I wish you ladies a peaceful night until then." Taiko's voice echoed hollowly through the wood.
Shadow couldn't help but smile. "Good, the grand oaf has already forgotten about me. Too much of a direct influence always makes me worry. Sometimes you just can't be subtle I guess, but this charge needs things even more blunt than I can normally provide. He's lucky I'm no good with a hammer." Shaking his head, Shadow watched as the three others left the tavern, and headed off to sleep in their rented beds. With a yawn, Shadow followed suit.
The Montbert Villa was as cold and lightless as the chill morning that attempted to pierce the gloom with the first rays of sun. Wreathed in bandages, Jormangander shouldered the doors aside, walking into the dim entrance hall. A few scattered servants went about their daily tasks. One of them, an older made, looked up at Jormangander with gloom filled eyes. Sadly shaking her head, the woman returned to her work. The other servants wouldn't meet Jormangander's gaze as he climbed the stairs. Despite his wounds, Jormangander refused to limp before these weak fools.
A closed-door greeted him. From beyond, the slight scratching noise of a quill on parchment. With a heavy sigh Jormangander knocked. The scratching stopped, and his master's tired voice called out. "You may enter Jormangander."
The northman opened the door, and closed it behind him with a faint click of the latch. Only a single small lantern was barely burning on the desk. Most of the ledgers seemed unmoved since Jormangander's last visit. "How did you know it was me?" He gritted his teeth as a wave of pain washed over him like a blast of flame, but it quickly subsided.
"I told all the other servants not to disturb me." Lord Gui had degenerated quickly over the course of only a day. The man's once proud eyes were rimmed red and raw, desperation clinging around their edges. He wore the same clothes that he had been wearing when last Jormangander visited, and the lines upon the man's face were deeper than ever. "I have though much over the hours since you brought me the news. I realize that without Francisco here, there are few things that I would truly be capable of using your services for. Having you in my employ has kept my mind at ease for these past weeks, and was also helping to turn Francisco into a more responsible, even if still hard to guide him forward. Had you the opportunity to keep with him for a longer time I think you would have truly become a young man capable of inheriting this company. Unfortunately, now we shall never know. In light of everything, I am afraid that it has now become time that I terminate your service to me. You have been an incredible employee, and also a great friend. I hope that your future carries with it more joy then these last moments in my employ. As I am terminating our contract early, I shall of course pay you a severance bonus, and since you were a friend to me and Francisco there is also slightly more to it then I would give most."
From a small drawer inside his desk, Lord Gui drew out a small satchel that rang with the sweet sound of silver ringing together from within. Joining the bag was a folded letter, taken from beneath a quill still wet with ink. Scribed across the front of it was Jormangander's name. Jormangander's eyes went from the bag, to the letter, and then back to his former master.
"Where should I take this letter?" Jormangander asked quietly. There was a tone in Lord Gui's voice that he did not like, for it said goodbye.
"Take it to my lawyer. It bears my seal and he shall know what to do with it. In exchange for it however, there is a small request that I hope to make, but not as your employer. It is completely up to you if you wish to accept it or not."
"And what would that request be?"
"Should you ever find the man responsible for my son's death, I would ask of you to kill him for my son's memory."
The smile that crossed Jormangander's face made him forget his pain, forget his recent defeat, and set the ice flowing through his veins again. When he responded, there was determination and a sense of future satisfaction in his voice; "I shall slaughter the bastard happily."
Lord Montbert visibly relaxed, and a small smile crossed his face. "I am glad to hear that my friend. I shall be able to rest easier knowing that. I believe I have kept you long enough. Please, live well Jormangander."
As Jormangander walked out of the door, he hesitated for a brief moment as he looked back on his former master. The man still looked exhausted, but there seemed to be slightly less weight upon his shoulders. Closing the door behind him, there was still something that had been in Gui's voice left him slightly uneasy. A resounding crack from a matchlock pistol from the study clarified the familiar yet never pleasant tone in his lord's voice.
"We aren't done Zelna, not by a long shot," Jormangander growled as his feet pounded across the stairs, "I may serve you because I must, but that pet of yours and I have unfinished business to attend to. I'll find the others you gave your offer to, get their answer, and then time for us to have a chat. Given the fact that there are two useless women amongst them, I should probably find them in the market somewhere."
"I hate this city more and more," Taiko rumbled as he, Lynn, Brutus, and Sophia walked the decorated and bustling streets of the market. "All the horses are either narrow assed pampered ponies that couldn't even hope to carry my great mass of muscle around, or else so expensive I could buy a house for the same. We need to get out of here so that I can kill something, or someone."
Lynn laughed lightly as Brutus continued to peer from one horse to another. "It will take a fine horse to carry you I'm afraid. You are a large man, but I'm sure we'll be able to find something that might be affordable."
Sophia nudged Lynn as she peered down the street. Her grey eyes followed the void in the crowd that was slowly forming around a small, bandaged swathed, yellow bearded man. The man's cold blue eyes saw the three of them, and he began moving stiffly towards them. "What the hell happened to him?"
"Looks like he got in a fight without us." Taiko said slightly bitterly.
As Jormangander reached the group he grunted forward. "I'm here to see whether you lot have decided to join the Hands of Tarnished Souls."
"And hello to you too," Taiko responded with a shake of his head. "What happened to you? You look like absolute shit."
"Got in a fight with Zelna."
"Didn't win did you." Taiko let the words roll out smugly.
"Still standing aren't I. So, do you guys plan on joining them or not." Jormangander ignored the tone of Taiko's voice and held his gaze.
Taiko shrugged his massive shoulders. "Nope. We've decided that we're sick of this entire blasted Principality. We're sick of all the shit, nobles and religious nuts included. Plan is to go to Helenia, and find something better for us to do. I'm not willing to kill all the wretches that would get in our way just so some other group could take over and be just as bad as the rest."
"Sounds like your decided then. Well, good luck with that. Try not to die. If we cross paths in the future, then you'd better get out of my way or I'll have to put you down." Jormangander turned on his heels and headed further into the market district.
"Well, that was awkward as always," Sophia sighed shaking her head. "Shall we see about getting you a horse now?"
Brutus barked happily as he trotted over towards one horse seller, Lynn followed the dog's steps. The man was simply dressed, young, with slight paunch hanging beneath his clothes. A table of country-style knick knacks were scattered across it, with three horses hobbled behind the table. The three animals were drinking lightly from a nearby trough, or eating hay from a small pile placed at their hooves. The young man looked severely out of place, and quite nervous as all the nobles and finely dressed citizens walking the streets, most of whom turned their noses up at him. Seeing the young lady with a dog approaching his small assortment of belongings he smiled, slight relief washing over his shoulders.
"Greeting miss," The young man's voice was energetic and merry, with a hint of an accent from beyond Gabriel's borders. "That is a fine looking dog that you have there. Care to buy him a treat, a decoration for his collar, perhaps something for yourself." His hands gestured quickly around the various odds and ends of his table, lifting some up to show the way they glittered in the light, brushing others for the twinkling sounds they made as various stones and bones clattered together.
"Actually, I was hoping to look over your horses and see if any of them are suitable for my friend over there." Lynn smiled sweetly as she gestured towards Taiko. The young man's mouth fell open slightly as he looked upon the great mass of man and armour that stood looking over the horses. He eventually regained his composure.
"You may look over my horses if you please," he responded politely. "They may not be any purebred steeds of noble bloodline, but I like them fine enough. If it pleases sir and m'lady, please take a look."
Brutus walked up to the horses, sniffing lightly at their hooves, while Lynn began brushing her hand across the first's flank. The black horse was young, energetic, but shifted nervously beneath her hands and at Brutus' attention. As Lynn walked over towards the second horse, she could feel that the third wouldn't even have to be looked at.
The horse before her was a fine mare, no more than seven years at the oldest. Her coat was of light grey with light white patterns that resembled small flowers. There was barely a twitch to her tail as Brutus sniffed and pawed around her. Lynn whispered softly as she leaned against the horse's side, and a soft whinny was the horse's response. Gentle fingers traced the horse's well-muscled core, and soft, well-groomed coat.
"What is the horse's name, and how much are you asking for her?" Lynn asked, hand still resting on the side of the horse.
"Her name's Buttercup. She's a fine horse indeed. I'm asking ten gold crowns for her. More than most horses of her birth, I know, but she's worth every copper, I promise."
"Buttercup, you're not serious are you." Taiko looked incredulously at Lynn.
"She's a stunning creature, and ten gold crowns is a small price to pay indeed." Lynn smiled, and gestured for Taiko to hand over the coins. When he only stared back, jaw clenched, Lynn had to open her eyes and give him her golden-eyed glare. Taiko shook his head but reached into his armour, and when his hand emerged it dropped the required coin into Lynn's hands. Lynn quickly handed the coins to the young man.
"Thank you very much," a bright smile covered his face as he responded. "I wish you all the very best, may God watch over you."
Taiko shook his head as they walked away, Lynn still cooing softly to Buttercup. "Good indeed," the large man grumbled, "But we can change the horses name at least, right."
"I don't think so," the contented smile on Lynn's face as stroked the horse between the eyes was full of serenity. "She responds to her name very well, and she's an incredibly smart horse. I doubt you could have found a better horse had you gone looking through the purebred stables that commonly cater to the nobles of the city. So now we have a horse for you Taiko, and Sophia can ride on the back of Valkyrie with me."
"Sounds like we're ready to leave then at least," Taiko muttered. He walked over and stroked Buttercup's side. "She is a fine horse though, isn't she. Let's get out of this city."
Pushing the door to the lawyer's office open, Jormangander stepped into the plush and perfumed lawyer's office. Jormangander had been here once before, on professional business. Then and now, the reek of manipulation, superiority, and downtrodden justice hung in the room more pronounced than the green silk curtains or crystal chandelier. Sitting behind a heavily oiled desk of dark wood sat the lawyer whom Lord Montbert had used for all his business. The man behind the desk was even more heavily oiled then the wood before him. Adding to it his skeletal frame and bulging green eyes, and the man appeared as though he was being viewed through bubbled and flawed glass. The grimace the lawyer gave Jormangander made him even more hideous to look upon.
"And what do I owe the pleasure of your company today Jormangander?" The lawyer's voice was just as oily as the rest of him and his room.
"I have a letter from Lord Montbert." Jormangander matched the lawyer's disgusted look. "This will be the last time you see me, you won't have to see me again after that."
"I'm sure we are both in mutual agreement that this shall be for the best then. Now, show me that letter and I will settle your account."
Taking the letter from his belt, Jormangander threw it down onto one of the cloth covers of the lawyer's desk. Lifting the letter from the desk, a slight flick of the wrist brought a silver knife into the lawyer's hand from his silken sleeve. With the slightest of movements the top of the envelope was sliced open, and the parchment within removed and unfolded.
A low growl escaped from the lawyer's lips, like that of a starved wolf. His bulging eyes rose to look at Jormangander, then back to the paper. Three times more this pattern of up and down eyes occurred. With bulged eyes narrowed, his deft hands unlocked one of the large drawers of his desk, and his hands began to search. After a few moments of searching, a large roll of parchment was dropped upon the table.
"Apparently this now belongs to you." The bitterness in the lawyer's voice overwhelmed the oiliness. "I don't know why he would give it to a mere servant. I may have to ask him when next I see him."
"Slim chance of that happening," Jormangander responded as he unfurled the parchment before him. He looked up at the lawyer, a smirk crossing his features. "This is the writ of ownership for the Montbert shipping galley Elise."
"Indeed it is. As I said, I don't know why he would give it to you. It is currently in port in Chaville. It shall remain there for a while yet, as there mooring fees have been paid in advance. Have a pleasant day."
"I will." Jormangander rolled the writ of ownership up, and tucked it securely into his backpack. Leaving the office of the lawyer, Jormangander headed back towards the slums to inform Zelna of the others' decision.
"They said what!" Fury tore through Zelna's voice as he glared down at the bandaged warrior in front of him. "That mercenary said that he wouldn't kill people for our cause, we don't have gold to pay that oaf. What else was there?"
"They turned you down, they don't want to be part of your group." Jormangander coolly met Zelna's glowering eyes. "I asked, they said no, and that they were planning on leaving the city as soon as possible.
Fenix sat atop the broken remnants of the smashed table, enjoying another of his small packets of stew. Around him, once again petrified mid card game, five of the members of The Hands of Tarnished Souls sat with their wooden cards held midair. Finishing his last few morsels of stew, Fenix tested the edges of his bandages, wincing at the soreness and pain, before including his own voice in the conversation. "What's the problem? It's their choice if they want to join or not. If they don't believe this is the right path for them, may they go on the path of their choosing."
A swishing of cloth, and the light footsteps of a smaller frame awoke the frozen men from their stupor. Cursing they threw the cards into a pile, gathered up their small amounts of coin, and scattered to the far corners of the room. Their heads were lowered as The Tarnished Daughter whisked her way into the chamber.
"They cannot be allowed to leave because they know too much about our operation here." The young girl's voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried clearly to all gathered. "They know where we are, they know what we are, and they suspect what we are capable of. Should they inform the Church as to our whereabouts, then we would all be at great risk. None turn down our offer. We shall simply have to make a stronger offer to them. Father, I will need you to send Kolushu to persuade them not to leave the city, and to reconsider where they wish to stand. I shall send Bodenrah to supervise and observe."
A creature appeared before The Tarnished Daughter following a wave from her hands. From afar, it might have been confused with a young woman, long hair falling in front of her face, graceful limbs and soft curves. It was due to the long, razor like claws that extended from the tips of her fingers, and the layer of blood that seemed to cling and flow across her flesh, that made it clear this was no normal being. The red pools that were her eyes looked over the men gathered in the room, and none save Jormangander and Fenix looked up to meet its gaze. Her red eyes showed no signs of compassion.
"Bodenrah will be in need of clothing for this mission," The Tarnished Daughter looked around the room, and her gaze fell upon the pock-faced man who couldn't seem to win at cards. "Your clothes shall suffice." The man stripped down quickly, tossing his clothes over to the creature. She put them on, and then gracefully moved towards the exit of the hall.
Zelna snapped his fingers, and his shadowy and rune-covered minion once again graced the space before him. Jormangander's eyes narrowed, his focus bent on the creature that had appeared.
"Kolushu, I need you to track the guests that we invited to join our covenant." Zelna murmured to the entity before him. "They do not wish to join us. Convince them, by any means necessary."
"Yes, my master." Kolushu's voice was like ice cracking in the midst of winter. He vanished without a sound.
"There is one more matter that I need to talk to you about now Zelna." There was ice in Jormangander's eyes and voice. "After I spoke with my former master, he killed himself. I though you should know."
"That was... unexpected." Remorse did not reach Zelna's voice, nor his eyes. "That was not the my intent."
"Intent or not, that is what happened." Jormangander's voice became even colder. "Before he died however, he made a request of me. He told me to find the individual responsible for his son's death, and kill it. That means your pet Kolushu will meet my hammer one day."
A dark smile crossed Zelna's lips. "Perhaps, when you have served me well, I shall give you the chance. Do not expect him to go easy on you however."
"He'd better not, because I sure as hell won't be going easy on him."
With a parting grin, Zelna turned to leave, escorting The Tarnished Daughter back into the compound. Jormangander sat down in one of the corners, leaning his head against the cool stone and closed his eyes. Resting where he was, Fenix turned to watch the other men returning to their cards. Several more hands were dealt out before anyone was willing to say anything. In the end, it was the naked, shivering man that opened his mouth, once he was sure Zelna and The Tarnished Daughter weren't coming back.
"You know," he muttered as he teeth chattered slightly, "I heard that most cults were filled with women, beautiful and filled with desire. Our group, we have one woman, too young, the daughter of the leader, and creepier then all hell. On top of everything else, her creatures even steal my clothes."
"On the bright side," piped in one of the other men, a sly look in his eyes, "At least you can't lose your shirt to us in cards today."
It took two men to drag the naked man from their other companion before too many of his few remaining teeth were knocked out.
Walking away from the third wagon owner he had talked to, Shadow could only shake his head. "It shouldn't be this hard to find transport to Helenia," he grumbled to himself, "I have coin, and I also have legitimate need. I suppose the fact that it's winter would reduce the traffic somewhat, but to find none is just disheartening."
"It seems you are having difficulty finding a way out." The voice was like icy water poured down Shadow's spine. Looking behind him, Shadow reached for his scimitar as he found the dark creature that served Zelna. "That weapon won't be necessary, I am here to make you an offer."
"What do you want with me monstrosity?" Shadow's hand never left his blade's hilt.
"My master greatly wishes you to join with his cause." Pins of light amidst the darkness glimmered as Kolushu examined Shadow and his weapon.
"I must decline his offer." There was no doubt in Shadow's rasping voice. "I merely follow one wherever his path should take him."
"So if he were to join with us, you would join also?" There was almost dark delight in Kolushu's voice.
"If he were to choose, yes." Shadow's eyes narrowed. "But he must choose. If you attempt to harm him into joining, then I would be forced to try to destroy you."
Kolushu laughed, a hissing and rasping noise that sent shudders up Shadow's spine. "I shall not hurt him, I merely intend to persuade." Setting off through the crowds, Kolushu's passing made many shiver, even though they could not seer him. Cursing under his breath Shadow gave chase.
Scant moments later, Shadow could see Kolushu's destination. Leading their horses through the streets, Taiko, Lynn, and Sophia walked the calm streets. Few enough other people walked the streets, enjoying the briskness of the day. When Kolushu materialized before the adventurers, the regular people scattered, although only a few even thought to scream.
"I am here to convince you to change your decision to leave my master behind," The tone of Kolushu's voice was of absolute confidence.
"That will not happen abomination," Taiko responded with a grimace, "we've made our decision and if your master doesn't like it there's nothing he can do to change it. Now get out of our way you wretched creature."
"You make foolish choices," There was darkness in Kolushu's voice to match his appearance. It raised one clawed hand as if examined its nails, then turned to face Taiko's horse. "That is a beautiful horse that you have with you. It would be a pity if something were to happen to her."
Taiko's sword sang as it was drawn from its scabbard, tearing through the air and Kolushu. The creature of darkness allowed the blade to pass through its form harmlessly.
"Have you not realized that you are incapable of harming us?" Kolushu's question was punctuated with a blast of frigid laughter. Arm stretched forwards, the creature slowly walked towards Buttercup, laughing all the while. Sheathing his blade Taiko reached out to grasp Kolushu's arm. Taiko's fingers found purchase. There was no more laughter from Kolushu as Taiko wrapped his second hand around and began to crush and twist the arm he held.
"You can't be doing that!" Kolushu's voice had risen to the shrill screech of iron on steel.
"Oh, but I am." There was a large smile on Taiko's lips as he gave a savage twist.
Had Kolushu been human, the force of Taiko's twisting and tearing would have splinted the bone and removed the limb from its socket. Even as the unnatural creature that he was, Kolushu found himself shrieking as ghostly strands split and tore, and dark essence began to evaporate into the air like steam. The creature vanished from sight, but Taiko was pleased to find that he still held on to the invisible creature, and so gave another savage twist as he began to walk his hands up Kolushu's arm.
With a grin Shadow ran to the group, scimitar flying from its sheath. Whirling to Taiko's side, Shadow plunged his sword into the side of Kolushu's head. There were times when Shadow cursed being able to see spirits and hear them, but then there were times like this that made it all worthwhile.
"Aim here." Shadow hissed out to Taiko.
"I'll break him how, and when I see fit," Taiko roared back to the shrouded man beside him. With another savage twist Taiko added more bends into Kolushu's arm.
Despite unnatural power, and flowing movement, Kolushu was unable to extract his arm from Taiko's steel grip. Up and up the arm Taiko's great hands went, snapping and breaking the strangely fluid limb beneath them. Kolushu's screams filled Shadow's ears, and he couldn't help but smile at the abomination's pain. When Taiko's hands wrapped around Kolushu's neck, the big man allowed himself a broad smile, and then gave a savage twist. Kolushu's head snapped sharply to the side, and the creature's runes flared a bloody red. Then, the creature dissolved into the shadows of the street.
"Did I kill it?" Taiko stared at his hands, which he could no longer feel anything in his grasp.
"Indeed you did." A smug grin crossed Shadow's lips as he said those words.
"It seems that Zelna won't let us leave peacefully." Sophia allowed her daggers to slip back into her clothes. "How shall we deal with this turn of events?"
"I have an idea, but it could end terribly." Lynn stroked Valkyrie's nose gently to calm the horse. When the others only stared at her, she sighed. "Follow me."
Zelna's scream echoed throughout the entryway of the Hands of Tarnished Souls. The man had fallen to his knees, hands covering his helmed face. Blood leaked out between his fingers. Silence filled the room while Jormangander and Fenix stared at the fallen man. The usual assortment of card players did all they could to ignore their leader's pain, and more importantly evade his notice. The Tarnished Daughter walked behind her father, laying a delicate hand across his shoulder.
"They destroyed him!" Zelna screamed as he jerked to his feet, gloved hands flying from his face. His eyes and nose still have rivulets of blood falling from them. "Those worthless, inconsequential, wretched bastards dared to destroy Kolushu! It's impossible, unacceptable! They will suffer for this, they will suffer!"
"Calm yourself, you are disgracing yourself in front of the others." The Tarnished Daughter's voice was calm, quiet, yet it struck Zelna like one of Jormangander's hammers. "They shall pay for what they have done, one day. For now, Bodenrah shall continue to monitor them to ensure that they do not do anything hasty."
Fenix turned to face Jormangander. "Is Taiko still with them?" Fenix asked with a shake of his red hair.
"Last time I saw them he was." Jormangander yawned while he tore into a small cooked pigeon one of the other Hand members had brought him.
"Then I think our hosts may be disappointed in the lack of subtlety behind how that lot responds."
"Well Lynn you were right, I think this is a horrible idea." Taiko stared up at the building before the group, and his expression was once of extreme distaste.
Most of the noble men and women that walked the streets gave Taiko the same look he was giving the building before him. After all, it was not often that a large armed man wandered through the wealthiest of districts in La Roche, only to stand before the centre of the Vatican Church's authority within the grand mercantile centre. Stained windows graced the grand building's walls, and gold and silver lined its many crenellations and beautiful arches. Great wooden doors gleamed in the late afternoon light, and standing to either side of them were Church guards, silver lacing their steel breastplates, and decorative pommels of long swords at their hips.
"We don't need their help," Taiko grumbled as he surveyed the scenes of blessed enlightenment and prosperity provided by Christ and his Apostles. "We don't need these people and their one god to stand up to Zelna. With the Kami by our side I have already been able to slaughter one of their minions. What's a few more right?"
"And do you have any idea how you killed it?" Light disdain dripped from Sophia's comment.
"Well, no, but I'm sure I could do it again." Chest puffed out, Taiko cut quite the impressive figure.
Sophia however, wasn't impressed. "You will forgive me if I don't trust my life to your being sure that you can do it again. I prefer a bit more surety in my life."
"Bah, no faith. I guess we have no choice but to go in then." There was little enthusiasm to Taiko's voice as he said it.
"Come on then, let's go." Lynn's voice lacked enthusiasm just as much as Taiko.
Shadow watched from across the street, blending in as best he could. There was not even the inclination of him attempting to enter the church with the others. While the other three approached the entrance, he remained back and observed.
One of the men flanking the entranceway raised a hand before the adventures reached them. "State your business." His voice was plain and bored, similar to his face.
"If there is an Inquisitor here, we should like to speak with them."
Both men's eyes narrowed. "And why would an Inquisitor wish to speak with you. If this is about turning in a witch or demon for the bounty, then take them in to the city guard. The Inquisitor has no time for common folk like yourselves."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Lynn sighed as she said the words, and drew out the pendant she wore around her neck. When the guards saw the mark of a Saint on it, they both went ghostly pale.
"My apologies, I had no idea," the one stammered, colour getting worse and worse. "Please, follow me. I am sure that the Inquisitor would be happy to see you immediately."
"Thank you." Lynn smiled, but there was sadness in it.
The guards swiftly opened the door, and the one that had spoken gestured them to follow. The interior of the church gleamed even more pronounced than the exterior. Lampyridae lanterns paned in multicoloured glass cast warm glows across the curtained wall and carpeted floors. A cross hung by chain above gorgeously carved wooden doors. Lead down one of the side paths, the group passed many robed men and boys, piles of parchment held in their hands, chain necklaces bouncing from their chests. Through several winding paths they traveled, and past many sealed doors. Finally they reached a well-carved, yet simple door. Their guide knocked, waited a moment, and then opened the door.
The room beyond was a small office filled with practical, well-made furniture. A bookcase covered one wall, holy tomes covering its shelves. The centre of the room was dominated by a large oak desk, sturdy and solid, with ink pen and paper along one corner, with a golden crucifix of Abel standing tall on the other corner. Simple wooden chairs sat before the table, with a single chair of dark wood and cushioning behind it. Sitting in that chair was the man that had posted the writ for any mages in the city.
No longer clad in his emblazoned armour, the man still cut an intimidating figure. With chiseled jaw set in his perpetual frown and cleanly shaven face was focused on a piece of paper before him. Currently he wore black robes with the Blood Cross of the Inquisition across its chest, leaving his hands free to write across the paper with ink pen in hand. Jagged scars covered both his hands, as well as up his forearms whenever revealed by his sleeves snaking up from his rapid movements. Some of the scars bore the smooth lines of refined blades, while others held the jagged marks of great beast claws. His hair was cropped short, deep black but with extensive grey streaks spreading throughout, and with the opening of the door his cold slate eyes glared into the escort opening the door.
"My apologies for the interruption Inquisitor Elphras, but there is a Saint here to see you?" The man managed to keep the majority of the quaver from his voice when the Inquisitor's eyes fell upon him.
"A Saint you say," the ink pen hung loosely in the Inquisitor's hand, hovering motionlessly in the air. As cold grey eyes looked over the group behind the guard, the eyes narrowed further. "I am assuming, sir, that you were smart enough to examine this Saint's credentials to ensure that they are who they claimed to be, and not some rabble daring to defile the position of Saint. If you did not, and their claim is found to be void, I shall have to have you executed along with the rest of them for blasphemy."
Colour drained from the guard's face, and his sputtering did not gain him any composure. "Well, I, um, she has the necklace bearing the symbol of a Saint. Never would such an important symbol fall into the hands of non-believers I should think."
"You think correctly. Alright then, please come forward my Saint, and tell me what you will." Inquisitor Elphras' eyes switched back and forth between Lynn and Sophia, until Lynn finally stepped forward, followed by Brutus. "As I expected. Otherwise your dog should never have been let in here. If I might examine the necklace."
Placing the necklace into the Inquisitor's hand, Lynn stood silently, hand idly scratching Brutus behind the ears. Slowly rolling the necklace through his fingers, Inquisitor Elphras dried the tip of his ink pen on a corner of cloth before setting the pen down. He handed the necklace back to Lynn.
"You may return to your post sir." The Inquisitor's grey eyes followed the man's swift retreat following his decree. His eyes then turned to Lynn. "My apologies for doubting, but with the state of this city I had my doubts that a true Saint would be willing to grace my presence. I ask you your forgiveness, and I shall listen to what you say."
Lynn was stunned for a moment, and nearly forgot to respond. When she did, there was no quaver in her voice. "It was only your duty I'm sure. You have my forgiveness. The matter that I come to speak to you about is that my companions and I have found the source of the recent disturbances in La Roche. They call themselves the Hands of Tarnished Souls, and they have a base hidden beneath the slums."
"Truly, and how did you come by this information?" The Inquisitor's eyes had narrowed, but only by a fraction.
"We were invited to join their ranks due to our skills in combat, and my being a Saint, and so they took us to where they are based from. We turned them down of course, but we fear we may not be able to deal with them ourselves."
"You are wise then." Cold eyes turned to look over those standing in the hall outside his office before the Inquisitor continued. "And you can vouch that you and your friends remain untarnished by influence of these dark entities."
"Yes, of course. We are not affected by them." Lynn nearly tripped over her tongue as she rushed to get the words out. "There is nothing to fear from us."
"Good, then there shall be no need to cleanse you." A dark fire burned within Inquisitor Elphras' eyes. "If you could show me where the base is located you and your friends may leave. I shall have to prepare for the fiery cleansing of the slums."
After marking the area of the slums on one of the Inquisitor's maps, Lynn and the others quickly left. None said a word until they were back in the fresh air outside.
"I think that went particularly well," Sophia smiled as she gave Lynn a light squeeze on the shoulder. "We get to leave, and the Inquisitor will hopefully keep Zelna and his friends so busy that they won't be able to stop us. If we are terribly lucky they might even kill our skull wearing friend for us."
"I somehow don't expect us to be that lucky." Gloom clung to Lynn's words. "We had better get out of here. The West gate should get us to Helenia yes?"
"I believe you are correct." Taiko nodded heavily. "Let's get out of this place."
From across the street Shadow nodded, and began following his charge once more. None of them noticed the blood-soaked young woman standing in the shadows of the church. She hissed and clicked her bladed nails together, and vanished from sight.
Standing with their belongings gathered, Jormangander and Fenix waited impatiently for Zelna and The Tarnished Daughter to finish their conversation. Bodenrah had made her return in near silence, heading deep into the headquarters to find her mistress. Shortly thereafter Zelna and his daughter had banished all of the Hands of Tarnished Souls regulars further into the lair, and instructed Jormangander and Fenix to get their belongings together. Since then the two summoners had been quietly whispering back and forth, although Jormangander could hear enough to know that they were planning on leaving. Finally the summoners turned to regard the two injured men standing about.
"Your friends have forced us to mover our plans in a way that we did not anticipate." The Tarnished Daughter nearly grumbled, sounding more like a spoiled child then a powerful magic user. "They have contacted the Inquisition and informed them of our location. Therefore, Zelna, myself, and our most trusted servants shall leave here in order to reform in another location. You two shall travel with your former companions. We need you to keep track of them, and then, once the time is right, we shall exact our vengeance. The rest of our members shall have to, alas, serve as martyrs in order to make the Inquisition think that they have rooted us out."
"Alright, as we aren't being sacrificed with the rest, we can probably deal with following them." Jormangander replied offhandedly as he checked the straps of his backpack. "Just don't plan on having us join the others as martyrs and we should be fine."
"Glad to hear it." She smiled sweetly up at him. "Then please, take this with you. It will allow us to find you when the time is right. Do stay safe."
The Tarnished Daughter handed a small pendant to Jormangander. It's surface was rough, the colouration blotchy and uneven. It was the kind of object found in back alley stalls, given to and by those without the money for anything better. Rusted chain formed the links to encircle the neck, although they looked like they would snap at the lightest of pressure.
"Not really my kind of thing, but I'll hold onto it." Jormangander slipped the ugly pendant into a pouch on his belt. He then turned to Fenix. "Let's go."
The two men left, heading off towards the west gate.
"Well this I don't believe," the surprise in Taiko's voice was palpable as he, Sophia, Lynn and Shadow waited in the small line to leave La Roche. Shadow of course, pretended that he wasn't actually waiting with them, although Sophia and Lynn both recalled him. Taiko continued talking while shaking his head. "Look who decided to join the fun."
As the others turned to see what had drawn Taiko's attention, they saw Jormangander walking down the street towards them, with Fenix limping slightly in his wake.
"Look who I found." Jormangander announced it proudly, a slight smile on his lips.
"The guy without a shirt?" Taiko responded instantly, his own lips curling into a similar small grin.
"I could wear a shirt if I wished," Fenix responded with a slight wince, "But I choose not to."
"Perhaps you should choose to, might help keep all your organs inside you, rather then being spilled by slum rats." Taiko's grin split his face clean in two by this point.
"Bah, that would ruin the challenge for me then. We can't make it too easy on ourselves, otherwise we get sloppy." Fenix rolled his shoulders and flexed slightly, ignoring the wave of pain the movements caused.
"You just need to find tougher enemies my friend," Taiko's grin spread more as he slapped Fenix on the back. That movement, and the resulting pain from it, stole from Fenix his heroic pose. Lynn stifled a small, snorted laugh, while Sophia just rolled her eyes.
"Men," Sophia muttered to herself. "Shall we get going then, as you three babble on? I do warn you though, if any of you decide to whip down your trousers to try and end this argument, I will have to give you all a spanking."
"Woman, you couldn't hurt me if I was naked and unarmed, let alone with all my armour on." Jormangander huffed as he eyed the woman with disdain.
"I might just surprise you if you give me the chance." Sophia's grey eyes glittered impishly.
"That could be fun to see," Taiko laughed. "But, I think while we wait to reach these inefficient paper pushers to get to our point in line so that we may leave this accursed city, allow me to entertain you all with a fine song in honour of our leaving."
Taiko slipped his tonkori off his back, deftly tested a few notes. With a slight frown he readjusted a few of the strings. As his fingers began to dance across them, a peaceful smile crossed his face, and he added his voice to the notes of his instrument.
"Across waves, across mountains, where roads do not go,
These feet that have traveled so far in the night,
Continuing forward as dawn lights our way,
The light shines on forward forever again,
Guiding our footsteps by rays from above,
A new day arises, with joy, hope, and perhaps love..."
