Standing outside of Castle Renais once more, you clutched the cool glass vial that you had hidden safely away in your warm dark pocket.
The castle was no longer crumbling, and the ivy and weeds that had begun to overcome the castle had been hacked away, the castle's exterior forced into a picturesquely beautiful scene.
The castle looked better.
The guards who manned the gate looked as though they had been taken straight off the roads, where they had probably just finished robbing some poor soul. A dark aura pervaded the castle grounds.
The castle looked worse.
You shook the vial and watched the clear liquid within slosh back and forth. How could something so seemingly harmless be so deadly, you wondered.
When you approached the castle gate, the two guards blocked your path with spears – not in the normal crossed fashion. Instead, they pointed the spears at you menacingly, stopping you midway in crossing the drawbridge.
"What're you here for?" one snarled at you. "Lord Riev ain't taking any visitors."
"I'm here to see Lord Orson," you replied. "I thought he was in charge of Castle Renais?" you phrased it as a question, not a challenge. Any trace of mockery could result in dire results, you realized.
"Lord Orson? Oh, that creepy bastard. Nobody ever sees him. All he does is spend time with that thing…"
"Well, I'm here to see him. I'm a servant of the castle, coming back from my leave. Let me in," you repeated.
"Alright, suit yourself," one guard shrugged and lowered his spear. "Chances are Orson doesn't even remember who you are."
"Hold up," the other guard growled. "We gotta clear it with Lord Riev first."
"Clear what with Riev?"
You spun around, chills running up your spine from hearing the familiar voice once more.
"Lord Lyon!" the guards fearfully glanced at one another.
"Well," one guard began. "This guy wants to go in and see Orson. But we wanted to check it with Lord Riev, to make sure he's not dangerous or nothing."
"He's fine. Let him in," the man placed a hand on the back of your shoulder, and you could not suppress the involuntary shudder that traveled up your body.
The guards stepped aside, and allowed the two of you to pass.
"I don't like Lyon. Creepy little shit," you heard one mutter to the other.
"Shut up, you nincompoop. Do you think he can't hear us?"
Lyon grinned, revealing sharp white teeth. Out of the corner of your eyes, he saw his hands moving quickly in a complex pattern.
From behind you, there was a flash of bright light, a whoosh, and a short-lived scream that cut off almost immediately after it started.
You shuddered again.
Once inside, you turned to him, confused and angry. "What have you done to Lord Orson? What have you done to the castle? And why are you treating me so nicely?"
He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. "What have I done?" He mockingly gestured at himself, playing the innocent. "I've done nothing. You see, I have more…important matters to deal with than the state of Castle Renais and its hermit lord. I've entrusted this castle to Riev – this is simply a checkup, to see how things are going. And besides…you amuse me."
Almost as if on cue, a dark form materialized before Lyon and yourself.
"Riev. Are the preparations ready?"
The dark, shambling, shape nodded, grinning ingratiatingly. "Yes, my lord. We have much to discuss."
"Indeed? Well enlighten me, Riev. Ah, and I must mention – you'll need to station some new guards at the front gate."
"Again? My lord, may I just use undead? Humans willing to serve me are so difficult to come by."
"No, Riev. There is already enough dissent growing in the countryside. Stationing undead at the front gate would only serve to declare your existence as a necromancer within Castle Renais."
"…I understand, my lord." Riev paused, then glanced at you disdainfully. "But what is that doing here?"
You kept your head held high. "I am here to see my master. Where is he?"
"Ah. So you must be the only one of Orson's loyal servants, blindingly dedicated even to the very end," he sneered. "Then I'll turn that question right back on you. Where do you think he is? Here's a hint: he hasn't left the room that he is in for weeks. "
You knew. The question that you had asked had merely been a formality, and the passing glimmer of hope that Riev might say otherwise died as quickly as it had flitted, unbidden, into your mind.
You started down that long corridor once more, heart feeling heavier with each step.
A/N: I'm going to finish this up soon, I promise! Bah, this is why I don't take up long projects...I eventually lose enthusiasm and then regain it two months later :T Now what will our Janx do when he sees his master? /hmmm...