The Imperial Guard soldier was having bad dreams. He was dreaming of being hit full force by a blue dragon's immense fire blast; his skin scorched, his brain screamed in agony, and he was getting reduced to a mere skeleton. It made him shudder in his sleep.
"Hey, you," a rough voice whispered.
Alexandros' eyes popped open in alarm. He glanced around the dim cave, lighted only by a few torches on the walls. Rosheil was fast asleep beside him; the wizard's weary face was frowning in his sleep. The voice called for him again, and Alex finally saw the person he was talking to. It was a black knight, standing right in front of his chained body.
"You, soldier," the knight spoke so softly that Alexandros had to arch his head forward, almost breaking his neck in the process. The Imperial Guard moved his hands in an attempt to get closer, but the chains swiftly pulled him back again.
"What?" Alexandros uttered. Was his execution date set early? If so, why was a knight being sent to kill him instead of that big blue dragon?
"Keep it down, will you? I'm not like my comrades; I don't like seeing people die brutally, nor do I enjoy murdering innocent humans."
"What's your name?"
"I'm Dagak, a member of the Kinshra Black Knights. Except, I don't like their ways. Mind you, I was forced into service of the Kinshra."
"Well Dagak, you still haven't explained about your difference from your bloodthirsty comrades." Alexandros murmured weakly. He glanced around hurriedly again; no knight other than Dagak was in sight. "By the way, my name's Alexandros Buchelof, an Imperial Guard member."
"My whole family was killed in the Misthalin-Morytania war in the past," Dagak murmured softly. "I was the only survivor; I knew that violence was a bad thing. As I grew up, I watched more and more people die brutally, to assassination, to wars, and eventually I was forced to join the Kinshra Division of Draynor. However, though, whenever I was sent out on a mission, I refuse to kill; I merely wound them to the point of unconsciousness. I try to make it look real, so I wouldn't get into trouble. I've been trying to free prisoners the others have captured, but so far I've only managed to free an adventurer named Allen Hawkins. And I didn't do it by myself either; I was aided by a powerful Tzhaar-Ket, apparently the adventurer's bodyguard. I saw the chance to free you when most of my comrades left, drunk and tired, so here I am."
"You're really going to try to set me free?" Alexandros asked, bewildered at the black knight's kindness.
"Yes, of course. I won't let others die when I can help it."
"You mean it, Dagak?"
"Yes."
"Ah, thank you. I can't believe there's still some Kinshra Black Knights in the world who are still merciful and kind, like you."
"Meh, I really hope more of the others can be like me, too."
"Are you able to set my friend, that wizard over there, free as well?"
"I might be, it depends on whether I can set you free first. I know he's scheduled to be burnt in the morning, so I've got to hurry then, right?"
"All right, let's do it. But, if they find out you freed me, they'll torture you and kill you!"
"That's a risk I'm willing to take, for the sake of saving others' lives when they can be saved."
"And what exactly is your plan, Dagak?"
"I'll remove your chains with this key I stole from the storage chamber, and escort you out of here. Hopefully I can trick the others by saying you're a new member of the Kinshra; the others are really stupid."
"I've noticed."
"All right, let's get going!"
Dagak slowly lumbered over to the entrance of the cave, his footsteps barely making any noise against the cave floor. He looked around sharply; there was no one in sight. Dagak then headed back to Alexandros and produced a dusty old key from a pocket, inserting it into a small lock on the chains. There was a little click, and the chains released themselves from Alexandros, falling onto the ground heavily. The soldier froze, but Dagak motioned for him to continue. The two of them quickly walked out of the cave as quietly as they could, and were a ways away, on a stony path, when two black knights emerged suddenly from behind a tall bush, yawning sleepily. Their Black Spears were lying on the ground.
"Damn, the guards," Dagak hissed. "I forgot…"
"Halt!" one of the knights demanded roughly. "Oh, it's only Dagak, continue on…"
"Wait a sec," the other knight yelled loudly. "Who is it that you're taking with you, Dagak?"
"Oh, it's just little Alex; I'm bringing him to the bank to get his cash out to buy armor from the Kinshra armory. In short, he's been recruited." Dagak hurriedly lied. Alexandros' body tensed, ready for combat.
"I see. However, I do recognize him, Dagak! You've freed a prisoner!"
The two knights grabbed their spears from the ground. "Get him!"
"Run!" Dagak urged Alexandros. "Don't worry about me; hurry on!"
"Are you sure?" Alexandros uttered in horror.
Dagak merely nodded as he turned back to face the two attacking knights. The lead knight stabbed forward with his spear, but Dagak dodged quickly and punched him on the head, knocking him facedown onto the ground. The knight groaned and went limp, presumably unconscious. Alexandros shook his head and ran up the path. There was a yell and a thud; Alexandros spun around in time to see the other knight drive his spear into Dagak's exposed chest, causing blood to spurt out. Dagak smiled at Alexandros one more time, and crumpled onto the ground, lifeless.
"Dagak!" Alexandros screeched. "I'll avenge you!" He waited for Dagak's killer to catch up to him, and used his Battleaxe to easily defeat the Black Knight. As the knight collapsed, his platebody completely crushed by the force of the axe, the soldier saw five more knights emerge from the cave, clutching Black Spears. They pointed at Alexandros and marched forward. Alexandros had no time to mourn Dagak's death as he ran forward, towards the direction of the Wizards' Tower. I'll avenge you, Dagak, Alexandros thought. Also, I'll rescue you soon, Rosheil.
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Victoros Paladine was angry, and was seeking revenge. That weak, cowardly traitor Joseph Dolciban had to be near, as did Victoros' precious Godsword. The Slayer's backpack felt lighter as almost all the gold pieces in it were taken by Joseph. The Slayer walked down the path leading to the Goblin Village briskly; he needed his Sword back, without it, he would be a disgrace to his former Slayer comrades. If anything happens to that Sword, I'll rip that traitorous archer's head off personally, Victoros thought angrily as he walked down several stone steps, taking three at a time.
Joseph Dolciban sat near a windmill south of the Goblin Village, his backpack lying on the ground next to him, left wide open. Victoros' Godsword was resting on the bench beside him, as well as several bottles of Dwarven Stout. Those Goblins had a small, rusty inn, but at least their Dwarven Stout was as good as those in the other inns. However, the bottles were empty; he had drunk them all in less than five minutes. He looked tiredly into the large meadow sprawled in front of him.
Joseph walked forward a bit and picked up an empty bottle of wine which had been thrown in the meadow and tipped it upside down; there was absolutely nothing in it. Despite stating that he would make his family proud, he was still miserable. He had given into his love of all alcoholic drinks when he continuously remembered the problems he had caused. He sighed, clutched the empty bottle tightly, and walked back to the bench, where he sat down again. He had been here for over an hour now, continuously looking for more drink, yet regretting all of the past events the whole time. Looking at the bottles he had collected and drunk, Joseph thought he might be able to make a living as a bottle seller.
"Just my luck," Joseph groaned in a terribly slurred voice.
Not too far away a figure appeared. Only a few people had passed Joseph so far, and most of them were harmless travelers. All of them had kept their distance due to his highwayman-like clothing. Also, whenever someone came by, Joseph would grab Victoros' Godsword in his hand, wave it around wildly, and occasionally shout an insult just for the fun of it, terrifying them. Joseph looked at the figure with half-open eyes; it was getting closer and closer with every step. Suddenly, Joseph recognized the figure's face. It was Victoros.
"It's a ghost!" Joseph yelled, smashing the empty wine bottle on a nearby fence, cracking it. He picked up another bottle and hurled it at Victoros with all his might; the Slayer merely knocked it aside with a gentle thrust of his hand. Victoros stepped nearer, and Joseph pointed the broken wine bottle he had cracked earlier at the Slayer, who was sporting a very angry and pissed expression. Victoros pushed the wine bottle away, and pulled Joseph to his feet. The archer tried to reach for Victoros' Sword, but was too late as Victoros himself picked it up quickly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, ghost?" Joseph roared, his voice still slurred.
"I think you'll find that Sword's mine, my friend!" Victoros sneered as he clutched his Saradomin Godsword tightly. Finally, his Sword was back!
Victoros glared at Joseph for a moment, then punched him hard in the stomach and hurled him against the fence. He clanged against the fence and slid to the ground, groaning and wincing in pain. Victoros then used his Godsword to completely break the empty bottles sitting on the bench into millions of pieces.
"Hey ghost; you just ruined my alcohol drink bottle collection!" Joseph grunted. Victoros stared hard at him until his jaw dropped open. The archer's face went dead white.
"How did you survive?" Joseph stammered, barely able to speak.
"No thanks to you, you dirty deserter, but luckily for me, I'm a fully trained Slayer, which means I was able to survive any type of bad condition," Victoros answered haughtily.
"I didn't mean to let you die, honest, I was scared~"
Joseph Dolciban stopped and leant over, his eyes wide. He stood up slowly until he was arched over the ground, staggering about on his weakened feet. He opened his mouth wider and vomited all over the once green grass.
"Now I'm certainly not a psychic, but it's clear that you've become a drunkard," Victoros spat. He disliked drunken alcoholics.
"I'm depressed; I've had a very bad time, probably worse than yours. But now you're back, you can help me, right?" Joseph exclaimed, still stammering. He rubbed his stomach absently as he stared at the Slayer.
"Why should I? I've got better things to do than waste my time with someone like you. Besides, you're a thief, and I especially dislike highwaymen. You said you wore that outfit only to disguise yourself, but actually, I think you're a true highwayman! Now leave me alone!" Victoros angrily shouted at the shocked Joseph.
"Please help me, Victorez!" Joseph uttered pleadingly.
"You can't even say my name properly, can you? What use would an alcoholic like you be to me?"
"I'll give you your money back if you help me."
"What makes you think I'm gonna negotiate for my own possessions?" Victoros bellowed in anger. He strode towards Joseph and reached into the archer's pockets, grabbing out fistfuls of his own money.
"You can't just assault me like that!" Joseph exclaimed.
"Of course I can, it's my own money," Victoros snapped. "You're no threat to me, but on the other hand, I'm in a position to threaten you, so open up your ears and listen! If you continue to follow me, I'll use this Sword to cut your head off. Is that clear?" Victoros held his gleaming Godsword high up above his head.
"Uh…I suppose so…" Joseph grumbled.
Victoros set off, and Joseph waited for the Slayer to be a fair distance away before staggering shakily after him.
"What the hell, get away from me!" Victoros yelled as he saw Joseph coming slowly.
*******************************************************
Alexandros finally arrived back at the Wizards' Tower. He opened the repaired front door and headed up the stairs until he arrived at Kondaz's study room. He opened the door and slouched in, collapsing on a chair, out of breath. The soldier had managed to outrun the lazy black knights with his agility, and they had headed back to their cave. Alexandros looked up and came face to face with Kondaz, Johan, and a stranger clad in green robes, clutching an ancient, battered Book of Balance.
"Who's this stranger here?" the stranger asked in a friendly tone.
"He's on our side, and he's an Imperial Guard, so show some respect!" Kondaz snapped. He turned back to Alexandros.
"I sensed you've managed to escape from the Black Knights. You haven't been able to save Rosheil, but at least you now know where their cave is. Go on, tell us."
"All right…" Alexandros grumbled as he pushed himself upright. The stranger walked close to him and smiled.
"You're an Imperial Guard eh? I've got some good and bad news for you, though," the stranger stated. He extended a hand before saying, "I'm Nicolas!"
*********************************************************
"Stop following me, brat!" Victoros shouted desperately.
He lifted his Sword and pointed it menacingly at Joseph, who continued to stagger forwards.
"Go on, Victoros, kill me," Joseph grunted. "I said your name right, correct?"
"Sure you did, but I'm going to kill you anyway. Just think of the pain you'll get, fool," Victoros snapped edgily.
"You won't kill a person, would you? Not a great Slayer like you." The archer screeched.
"Damn right I wouldn't, but if the consequences call for an execution…" the Slayer raised his Sword a bit higher.
"If you let me accompany you I'll fix all my past wrongdoings. Seriously, I will!" Joseph exclaimed loudly. His speech was no longer slurred.
"Damn Joseph Dolciban, what a determined lad you are. Tell me why you wish to accompany a Slayer of my caliber so badly."
"I felt seriously bad because I thought I caused your death, and I'd been a thief who took your possessions just because it felt good! Also, when I got to Taverley I met this young woman, her name was Eliza, and she got murdered right in front of my eyes. I failed to save her in time, but I managed to avenge her by killing her murderer right there."
"And this is why you felt bad?"
"Yes, correct. I left a life to die, watched another die, and killed someone else! It's not fair!" Joseph yelled.
"Calm down, lad. I had no idea what you've been through; but I want you to start by not stealing anymore. Next time I might not be so merciful."
"Does that mean I can accompany you on your journeys?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Victoros groaned as he watched Joseph dance in joy.
"Thank you, great Victoros, I'm really glad," Joseph cheered, still dancing. "I'll be EXTREMELY loyal to you from now on, don't worry!"
"Right then, let's get going, shall we? Falador's our destination, the quicker we get to there, the happier I'll be," Victoros explained. Joseph nodded, and he followed the Slayer as they walked south towards the majestic walled city of Falador.
**********************************************************
"What the hell is wrong with these Faladorian guards…" Zazime snarled, pissed off. The guards had refused him access to the city once again. Zazime returned back to the old cottage that Gerard had rented for them in Port Sarim, throwing dirty looks back at the laughing guards as he walked.
"We'll get to the bottom of this, right, Gerard?"
"Hopefully, yes. Maybe this whole economy thing is coming from Falador itself…" Gerard mused as he glanced at Falador in the distance.
"Right, Zazime, we'll get to the bottom of this, like you said. We will." Gerard stood up, and opened the door. The two headed out towards the direction of Falador.