The YoungWorld

Fort Europe · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:42 am Post subject: A Treacherous Wind Will Blow

A Treacherous Wind Will Blow

This story is taken from a role play that spanned not just the last TYW forum, but the forum before that as well.

I will post the story chapter by chapter for you to read... and trust me, it is a good read.

Like most role plays, this story is as yet unfinished. Therefore, when all the chapters have been posted, the role play may continue... Please see the OOC thread for more details.
_________________

Fort Europe · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:43 am Post subject:

Chapter One

A man, large and tall, sat at a bar in the small town of Falkirk in the country of Melinad. Wearing Jet Black armor, with a tower shield as tall as any man, and a blade in a intricate sheathe, he sit sipping his whiskey.

"Evening Stranger. What brings you to our small town?" Asked the bartender, trying to stir up small talk.

"When you move from town to town in this country, trying to find a home, the king becomes suspicious, scared someone will find out how much of a tyrannical, murderous ass he is." The man responded.

"Shh! Don't speak badly about the king, his guards are outside!"
Horacius Mecrast looked up, his face now seen in the dim light. It was one of a long life of hard battles, scarred and dirty. His black eyes would pierce the hardiest of men. His skin was of fair tone, and he was obviously a hardy warrior.

"If I was worried about some petty guards, do you think I would have spoken?" He said with a smile at the bartender. The bartender quickly disappeared into the back room, and the entire bar fell silent as three city guards entered the bar with blades drawn.

‘No wonder the people here live in fear. This place is under rule by a monster.’ Horacius thought to himself.

"Who dare speak against the King?!" The lead guard howled out.

"I do." Horacius said, standing.

"You! Halt! You will come with us!"
"Lay your hands on me and I'll cut them off." Horacius pulled his own blade from its sheath. He held up his shield with his left hand and stared at the three guards through his helm.

"The next move is yours, walk away, or die." He said. The guards looked at each other and sheathed their blades.

"We'll let it slide… This time." They said, leaving.

"Hrmph... Cowards." Horacius sheathed his blade and sat back down “Damn pity nobody in this country will stand up to these bastards."

Horacius finished his drink and walked outside. He looked up at the night sky and rubbed his chin. This must be stopped. I've been in this country for a month, and all I see are people being killed day by day by a horrible King. Driven into poverty, tortured by unknown forces. Someone has to stop this...

"I've never been known to let evil live." Horacius whispered to himself, chuckling. But, going in myself will be suicide, there are too many forces I don't know anything about under this King, hell, the people don't even know his name. I'll need to hunt for anyone else who will stand up against him.

***

Sat in a dark corner of that self same bar ,wrapped in a long grey cloak and cradling a glass of whiskey was Faldrine. This was no coincidence, as a man of the law Inspector Faldrine had been tracking the fugitive Mecrast across the years. Mecrast was a criminal in the eyes of the law, a man with no morality and no respect for life. Mecrast, a former Paladin of the Holy Order had slain forty members of that same Order. Faldrine had vowed to pursue the fugitive to the four corners of the world if necessary in order to bring justice to those he had murdered.

Traveling alone suited Faldrine, he had no family to speak of, devoting his time to the pursuit of the law, his only companion being the Longsword he carried on his back made of a material known as Titanium alloy, a metal far stronger than the steal blades carried by the average person, a gift from an old friend. There were times of course that he longed for the comfort of a young woman’s breast, a temptation that could easily be fulfilled in these times by the services of a prostitute, of which there was plenty to choose from.

From his seat in the corner, Faldrine had watched Mecrast as he had picked a fight with three members of the Royal Guard. The King of this land had decreed that his guard should be located in all populated areas to break up crowds before they could get out of hand. Faldrine wondered whether this was an intelligent move or one made out of fear for the King's own safety. The result had been the peoples harsh resentment of any form of authoritative figure, some had even turned against the church, but none of that concerned Faldrine. He had a job to do, which at that moment was leaving the bar. Faldrine downed the last of his whiskey and stood up, pulling the hood of his cloak further over his head so he would not be recognised, then followed Mecrast from the bar.

"I've always had an uncanny knack for knowing when people are following me..." Horacius said loudly standing out in the streak, so that the figure he knew was following him would reveal himself.

"There's no sense in hiding... I heard your steps follow me out here." Horacius turned around and leaned against the well in the middle of the town hall.

The moment he was outside, Faldrine wished he had stayed put. He turned in the opposite direction to the gruff voice that greeted him, pulling the cloak around him as the cold air bit into his skin. To the uneducated eye he would have looked like just another patron heading home, but for some reason Mecrast had sensed his presence. Faldrine didn't stand out, his ability to blend into the background he considered to be the only thing that had kept him alive in some instances, this was probably one of them. This time Faldrine had been close, perhaps too close. Timing never seemed to be on his side, he was consistently turning up just too late to catch his prey. It was possible for him to blame his information, sources were extremely unreliable at the best of times and these days loyalty could only be brought.

***

Just down the street, there was a commotion as a running youth knocked over a set of crates while attempting to run backwards, taunting the guards chasing after him. The boy was small, and up on his feet in no time, luckily, since the guards were almost on him before he could get moving again. He turned, running down towards the bar like there was fire on his heels.

"You filthy ingrates'll nevar catch me! Just stop trying!" Boas chuckled as he jumped on a nearby stack of crates, pouncing off and grabbing an edge of the wall, pulling himself up onto the building right next to the tavern, looking down at the guard while sticking his tongue out.

"Ya ain't never caught me, and ya never will!" He laughed to himself as he ran to the back of the roof, ducking down and making it look like he jumped off as the guards rushed around to the other side, running off after someone who wasn't even there. Boas couldn't help himself as he turned around, walking back over to where he jumped up and sitting on the roof edge, his clothes a little tattered, and he hadn't had a decent wash in a day or two.

Smiling to himself, he pulled his prize out of a little pack where he kept his 'tools', a loaf of bread. "Nuthin' like stalin' food..." He took a few bites, relaxing, it had been really his first day in this town, so he hadn't had a chance to talk to the locals for their needs yet...first thing was always to get himself fed and a place to stay, and he needed a bath...
"So, save me the trouble of finding you, and show yourself." Horacius pulled his blade out and twirled it in his hand, keeping his eyes peeled.

Baos blinked at the gruff voiced man staring in his direction, "Ew Talkin' to me?" He took another bite of his bread, hopping down off the roof...he'd be able to get back up easy enough, so it wouldn't be a problem… plus if the guy wanted trouble he could just run... better than staying to fight...

"Can't say I was following ya...more 'r less runnin' away." He chuckled a bit, stretching, "But I dun see any'ne else here..."

Baos finished off the last of his bread, wiping off his hands on his clothes, if they could be called that. Then he waited...maybe the guy had something for him to do...then again...how could anyone have known about him here yet? Unless he was a guard, or with them, that made Baos tense a bit.

"No, I wasn't, but in your distraction, I don't know where the sound I had pinpointed is now... Ah well…" Horacius looked at the tiny man. He sheathed his blade again and stood straight.

"Running from the guard..." Horacius spit onto the ground and looked around, the moonlit night not having enough light to see the man who he was looking for. Horacius looked back at the small man.

"What are you running for?"

Baos chuckled, stretching a bit, it didn't seem like he was in any immediate danger and those crates were nearby so he could disappear in a few seconds. Really, no matter what the circumstances he loved having a way out.

"Oi, I stole a bit from the filthy pigs. Seems they didn't like it but they can'a catch me any'ay." A smirk crossed his face, and Boas tensed up a bit...if this was one of the guards...about now would be when he showed it, which meant Boas had to be extra careful. He hated those swine.

Horacius laughed. "Well, not exactly the best way to get back at the bastards, but it works." He could see the little man tensing up. "Relax. I'm not a guard.”

You could literally see the tension being wiped away form Boas as he relaxed, leaning up against the wall, "Good... I l'ke to take breaks f'rm runnin' ev'ry now 'n then."

He stretched a bit, "I do what I can rea'y, I can' fight… so I steal." He smiled a bit, "Not to ment'n I hav't have a decent meal 'n days... 'n they have more then eno'gh lyin' ‘round."

"A modern day robin hood, eh?" Horacius reached into his satchel and pulled out of few pieces of currency. He tossed them to the thief. "Do yourself a favor, buy yourself a meal and don't steal for a day or two... Technically, I'd tell ya not to steal all together... But I don't give a damn about these bastards." Horacius said with a laugh. He turned around.

"I guess we part ways here, perhaps our paths will cross again." Horacius started walking out of the town hall and over toward a nearby abandoned shack. He punched through the wood put up over the back door with his hand and went inside. After entering into the home, Horacius lit a flame in the fireplace by using his blade, and got comfortable on the ground next to the fire.

"Always gets cold at night around here." He said to himself. Horacius looked up at the ceiling, and decided it would be wise to set up a barrier against the person he felt trailing him earlier, in case he continued to. Horacius went into the middle of the room, only a few feet from himself, and stuck a piece of wood there. He wasn't going to set the trap until he was going to sleep. If that cloaked fool follows me in here, he'll be in for a rude surprise.

***

As the cold of the night enveloped the small town, Faldrine slipped away with the shadows. The fugitive Mecrast had won the upper hand this time, but his days were numbered and he couldn't run for ever. Faldrine had long since placed his faith with God and the law and with these he knew that as a righteous man he would reap his reward when the lord saw fit for him to receive it. The darkness had brought with it a fresh fall of snow which would no doubt slow Mecrast's movements and postpone any planned departure from this town until the light returned. The town lay in darkness, too small and insignificant to be rewarded the luxury of street lighting and the shadows drew long between the houses where candle light lit the snow through the windows.

Faldrine had stayed long enough to hear the conversation between Mecrast and a peasant boy who had happened upon him the same moment the fugitive had left the pub. He took a note of the boy's description with the intention of passing it onto the local guard in the morning, the boy was a thief and should receive punishment like any man. In reflection, the boy may have inadvertently given the Inspector that extra moment to escape from Mecrast's almost instinctive turn, but it was merely coincidental. Mecrast had known he was being watched, though it was impossible to tell how. The beast of a man appeared to possess a sixth sense for danger on which no doubt he relied. Faldrine was certain the fugitive had a flaw, a weakness that could be exploited. The man was a criminal, a man of ill morals and greed. Greed. He considered the word, playing it through his mind as an idea formed.

Returning to the inn at which he had taken logging for the duration of his stay in this somewhat outlandish town, Faldrine continued to mull his idea, perceiving the possibility of a plan as it shaped in his head. The inn was of a moderate standard by all reckonings, somewhat modest looking from the exterior, it's interior was by contrast warm and welcoming with fine solid silver on the tables and gold on the mantle above a glowing hearth in the fire place. The beds, as he had found the night previous, were soft and dressed with soft white linen sheets which were washed daily by a young maid of little more than fourteen years, the daughter of the proprietor. Faldrine gave her a warm smile as he passed through the inn's kitchen then asked the landlord for a bowl of soup having missed the evening meal. He retired to his room where he spent the hour before he slept in prayer.

***

Fort Europe · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:00 pm Post subject:

Chapter 2.

Baos had blinked as he took the gold, grinning happily. The best thing that'd happened to him in a long time, but now he had to find a place to sleep. He couldn't go to any inn which left him only one alternative. Turning around he jumped back up on the crates, hoisting himself back up on the roof and jumping from one to the next until he reached the blacksmith's house. it was always the warmest. On that roof he had stashed his pack, which had extra clothes, and a blanket that he'd lifted off a guard a few years ago It was tattered to oblivion. He also had a dagger. He’d never had to use it, but it made him feel safer sleeping out in the open to have some kind of weapon. Sighing, he settled down, using the clothes as a pillow and pulling the blanket over him...it was cold...he was shivering...but at least he could get some rest. Come morning he had to start in on his work.

***

Horacius held out his hands over to block of wood and felt the warmth as it began to glow. Finally it stopped and Horacius left the piece of wood with its ingenious trap set in the middle of the room. He lay down in front of the soft glowing flame, sighed and fell asleep.

Early in the morning before the sun had risen, Horacius awoke to the screams of a woman, running through the night. Horacius arose, avoiding his trap, and exited the building. Once he was outside, his feet crunched in the snow as he walked out to where he could see the road. There, moving down the street at a fair sprint was a woman, screaming in terror. Further up the road were two town guards. Horacius kept hidden beside the house, his jet black armor making him impossible to see in the darkness. The woman fell in the middle of the street, crashing into the snow. She groaned in pain and the guard was upon her. One of the guards raised his blade as he reached the stricken female, about to strike her down.

"Hold it!" Horacius yelled, arising from the shadows, "What has this woman done?"

The guards laughed, turning to Horacius, "This is not your concern. Go back inside." They went to turn back to the woman, but Horacius stepped forward.

"It is my concern, and you will answer my question!" Horacius said, hard.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" The guards said, turning to Horacius and preparing to fight.

"What has she done to deserve death?" Horacius practically shouted, standing now tall over the diminutive guard,

"They tried to rape me!" Screamed the woman, crying with fear.

"Shut up, wench!" The taller of the two guards said, kicking her .

"She... she didn't pay for her meal." The shorter one piped up feebly.

"That is not reason enough to kill her. You keep your citizens crippled and poor, ravage them, and kill them when they try and survive! Her punishment should be a day at most in Jail, not this!"

"She will be punished, and you are not going to stop us!"

"Those will be your last words..." Horacius said, holding out his hand, which began to glow, he shot a beam of light into the air, which exploded into a false sun, blinding the guards. Before they could recover, Horacius had cut them both in half at the waist. Finally Horacius resheathed his blade, and held out his hand to the woman. She took his hand and he helped her up.

"Are you alright?" Horacius said, his voice tempered to a softer tone.

"Yes... T-Thank you..." She said, wiping the blood from her lip.

"Have you anywhere to go?" He asked.

"No... My family was killed years ago..." Tears still rolling down her cheek.

Horacius scowled and spit on the corpses next to him. "Hold still." Horacius said, holding out two fingers. Carefully he placed a hand to her face, and lifted her chin to him. The blood faded and the tears stopped as She trembled in fear from him until he healed her, then she looked up, with tears drying from her eyes. Horacius reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins. He raised her hand and put the money in it.

"Take this, go buy yourself some clothes, and some food."

The woman smiled and took the money. "Thank you,” She said, “What is your name?"

"Horacius."

"Thank you... I will remember that name."

"Now go, before more guards come."

The woman ran off into the night, and Horacius knelt down next to the guards, and took the sacks of money off of their corpses. He then carried it over to the middle of the street, and threw the money along the road.

"Those you failed to help in life, will be fed by your death." Horacius turned and walked back into the house, and made sure the flame in the fireplace was out. He reached down and disarmed his trap, then through the door he departed, and disappeared into the night.

***

As the first rays of sun sparkled through the large bay window of the room, Faldrine woke. He carefully removed his arm from where it had been wrapped beneath the warm body of the landlord's daughter, caressing her cheek with the other. Her skin as soft as the sheets she cleaned, or the bed in which they had spent the night. He kissed her gently on the forehead then rose, collecting his clothes in silence and slipped into the bathroom to dress and shave. Moments later he was gone, leaving only a pure white rose upon her pillow as a reminder for her when she woke.

He returned to the square, to where he had left Mecrast the previous night to find two bodies carved horrifically on the ground, blood soaking the otherwise fresh snow in which they lay. There had clearly been a struggle, footprints came and went in a verity of directions. One set clearly lead to a small wooden hut marked with a small sign on one side of the door partly faded and written in the local language. Sarn d'lil Auflaque, Beware of the Dog. The irony of the sign was not lost on Faldrine though he showed no sign of amusement. Mecrast had clearly been the cause of this of that, he was certain, but he had no proof. A gut feeling simply wasn't enough to go on. The fugitive had slain these two guards in cold blood like a wild animal taking down its prey.

These were innocent men, servants of their nation and protectors of the people, with families of their own no doubt. Now they were nothing more. Duty bound, Faldrine walked back in the direction he came from in order to alert the local guards who came at once. No doubt the two guards would be given a virtuous death ritual in the local custom, their having died honorably in service. The guards were lifted onto a cart, as another shower of snow began to fall, covering the stains of blood left behind. As they left, Faldrine took up position close by. If Mecrast was still inside the dog kennel he would soon be awake and like any animal would go in search of food. He had only to bide his time and wait for the fugitive to rise from his slumber and the chase would be back on. On looking inside however, he found the fugitive was long gone. Mecrast was clever, too clever to stay too close to the scene of a crime, and surely clever enough not to return to it either.

As the sun rose from the horizon, Faldrine moved on to the edge of the small town. All that lay beyond was plains of open snow covered farmland which sparkled elegantly in the golden light. The clouds had broken and the warmth of day was melting the top layer of snow. From the town gate he looked out across the barren landscape to where the fugitive Mecrast walked, further into the distance following the road west. The road was little more than a dirt track, used by carts and the occasional carriage en-route to Gorbak, the nation's capital some forty miles in that direction.

According to the landlord of the inn Faldrine had resided in the previous two nights, there were several villages that lay at various intervals along the road, the closest being Feldranak. From what he understood, Feldranak was a small saloon town not a mile across with only two places of residence for visitors. The saloon it's self or the county jail house, however the inn keeper had been kind enough to provide Faldrine with the address of a family that would provide him a more preferable hospitality should he need it.

Feldranak was just over seven miles away, a distance easily covered by a couple of hours walking, however the landscape was too open to follow Mecrast so closely. He had been caught out just the night before for getting too close to the fugitive and nearly paid the price. The state of the two guards he had discovered that very morning giving evidence of what he could expect if not careful. As Mecrast disappeared into the distance Faldrine discovered his chance, and slipped under the covers of one of the carts heading out of town. Several carts passed this way each hour and provided the perfect cover, and he was certain to arrive at Faldranak ahead of Mecrast.

***

In the morning sunlight Horacius returned to that area of town. The dispatched guards had been cleared away, and there was no sign of a fight. Horacius smirked.

‘Certainly know how to make it look like nothing happened, don't they.’ He thought with some consideration of the matter. Horacius walked into a nearby store, and bought a piece of bread while he decided where to go next.

With the bread in his hand Horacius walked out of the town, he decided it would be best to get on the move. He needed to get to a bigger place, he needed to gather information. In order for him to make a move on this king, and his peons, he needed information. Exiting the town to the west, Horacius continued his walk down the road, a dusty path through the grass. He looked around. The countryside was nothing but grass and forest. There were no country homes like in great valleys of his own country.

‘It's hard to maintain control outside of the city…’ he reflected. Horacius stopped, and glanced up into the noon sun, he reached for his flask, lifted his helmet and drank a few gulps of water. In his pause, he noticed an old sign, fallen off a post nearby. He picked it up.

Feldranak, 3 miles. "Feldranak… the saloon town… perfect for information..." Horacius whispered to himself, beginning to walk on the road again. As Horacius walked on he was passed by a caravan carrying a disturbed set of goods. He glanced over at it remotely, and then turned back to his path. Horacius followed the road, which lead onwards until he eventually arrived. he town was something of a ghost town, there wasn't a soul nearby. Horacius looked around, and saw nothing but the caravan he had seen earlier, lying there empty.

"H...Help me..." Said a man, as he crawled out of the doorway belonging to the saloon. The man was nearly dead. Horacius' eyes grew wide in horror as he saw the man. He had obviously been tortured, both his eyes removed, and his legs pouring blood as he crawled towards the street. Finally, He lay there unmoving. Dead. Horacius pulled out his blade and held up the shield. Slowly, he began to walk into the building nearby, looking down at the corpse in the doorway. As he entered, the building was a sight of horror. Blood splattered across the floor and up some of the walls, and various bodies were scattered across the floor, some missing limbs while one was entirely decapitated. Horacius made his way towards the back room and quickly ducked up against the wall as he saw a dark figure in a cloak, standing inside with two others.

"No more will this town be a threat..." The voice hissed, a horrifying echoing screech. The voice that rang out was one which could strike fear into any man. Horacius bit down hard, fighting the fear that the voice caused. The two other cloaked figures disappeared into thin air, while the first began to move toward Horacius. He stepped back and walked into the other room. The cloaked figure passed Horacius, not seeing him, left the saloon and disappeared out of sight. Horacius charged out and looked around.

"What the hell was that thing?" Horacius had heard of many supernatural beings in his time, but nothing like that. He had seen a brief glimpse under the cloaked hood as it passed, and saw not face but rotting flesh, and two black abysses with red dots where one would expect to see eyes. He looked out into the deserted street, nothing. Horacius walked back into the saloon as he sheathed his blade.

‘I have a bad feeling that those things are in allegiance with whatever tyrant that is running this hellhole.’ His thoughts concluded.

***

Arriving in Feldranak, Faldrine had left the cart, and its owner at the saloon and made his way to the village hall as was customary for a man of his rank and position. He the mayor of the town sat in his office with the local magistrate and a couple of other villagers playing some form of card game. Turning down an invitation to join the game, he explained who he was and why he was there, giving a brief description of Mecrast. He hadn't been there all that long when a cry was heard outside. Moments after a small crowd of people, probably half the village, came running in.

From the jumbled array of semi reliable witness reports he was able to gather from amongst them, he ascertained that a hooted man had begun a mass murder spree at the saloon. A woman with long blonde hair was screaming at the top of her voice, swearing blind that she had seen three of them, but no one else seemed to be able to confirm this either way. Another said that the man was moving like a shadow, appearing, disappearing and moving with lightning speed. Eventually he caught the eye of the magistrate, who had organised some basic defenses at the buildings entrances, and muttered a single word. "Mecrast".

With the Magistrate and two brave volunteers, Faldrine headed out for the saloon at the other end of the village. A strange quiet had settled over the village which was busy just forty minutes earlier. There was no one in the streets, as though a curfew had been called. Faldrine unsheathed his sword from his back, the Bovingtonian longsword reflecting the light of the day against the white drifts of snow. They arrived at the Saloon to find mangled bodies everywhere. Body parts were strewn across the Saloon floor, and a barmaid was strung up by her neck above the bar. There in the centre of the room was Mecrast, stood with his back to the entrance and slowly sheathing his own sword.

***
_________________

Fort Europe · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:01 pm Post subject:

Chapter Three

The four men stopped at the entrance way to the building under a sort of porch which offered some shelter and warmth from inside, with Faldrine at the back of the group. The magistrate stepped forwards and replied to the questioning issued by the murderer who had clearly been the cause of such chaos.

"So, you must be the one trailing me... And you've brought goons." Horacius scowled, as he knew he was being accused for this action.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Horacius walked past the four men, knowing they would not attack him straight on just yet. As he got outside, he stood in the light and turned around.

"I am Inspector Dalsong, Magistrate of this here town,” the tallest of the four men said, turning to face Horacius. “And this is Inspector Faldrine and my two Lieutenants." He said as Mecrast turned to face them. "Now would you care to explain yourself?"

Faldrine allowed the young man to speak as it was he who had the authority here. There would be time to confront Mecrast alone later, he was sure. The two others had moved outwards in opposite directions flanking the fugitive incase he tried to run for it. They had all now seen what Mecrast could do to a group of unarmed civilians, but the local law enforcers appeared to be confident of bringing him down, despite Faldrine's warnings. Horacius laughed.

"You are truly idiots... You think I am responsible for this slaughter, yet I have no blood on me. Tell me... How exactly I could I have dismembered these people without getting blood on my clothing?" Horacius shook his head.

"I came here from the east, when I got here, that man," Horacius said, pointing to the man on the ground, "Crawled out moaning for help. I checked inside, saw the blood and heard talking. Some horror in a hood was inside with two others. They were obviously mages of some kind I am certain, they practically disappeared when I arrived." Horacius looked at the men flanking him.

"Now, you should put away your weapons before accusing an innocent man. But that's what you guys do around here isn't it? Punish the innocent, and leave the corrupt to run the society." Horacius scowled at the Magistrate and awaited Faldrine to show himself.

‘Lies.’ Faldrine's instinct was to come out and say it, confront the beast before him and expose him for what he really was. Mecrast was a killer, he'd killed all those innocents at the Order house. He had slaughtered the guards back in the last village, and now he was here, caught at the scene with bodies all around him and now the devilish creature was lying through his teeth. Only his sense of duty prevented him from speaking, the Magistrate was in charge here, as was the way of things. Without the Magistrate's consent Faldrine had no authority here, he was just there to help. Fortunately Dalsong was thinking along the same lines, for he laughed out loud at the proclamation made by the fugitive.

"Disappeared you say, into thin air these three Mages." The magistrate laughed again, "and you scared them away. Next you will be telling me they had glowing red dots for eyes, and melted skin beneath their cloaks!" He turned to the rest of the ensemble. "I have heard of such things, myths and stories told to children, that is all." He turned back to Mecrast, "Such creatures do not exist in this verse except in a delusional mind."

One thing bugged Faldrine though, maybe it was just an oversight and close inspection would reveal the truth of things, but as the fugitive had said, there was no fresh blood on his clothes, none at all. One would have expected plenty in the fight that had clearly occurred here. Mecrast should have been covered from head to toe in the guts of his own prey, and yet there was nothing save for a patch around his ankle. Was there a truth to the words of this killer, had this truly been the work of someone else. The woman back at the village hall had claimed to have seen three men, were they the same three men as Mecrast had described in his tale. For his part however, Faldrine held his tongue.

Horacius stepped forward "You truly are the pawn of a corrupt leader. You tell me I am lying, yet you continue to stand here, not even investigating the scene, simply on the whim of that fool back there." He said, pointing at Faldrine.

"Don't think I don't remember you. I remember you even now from all those years ago Faldrine. Look at the room, blood is everywhere, limbs lie around the room. I have no blood on me.” Horacius pulled his blade and held it out in his hand. The two lieutenants instinctively reached for theirs, but Horacius only spoke on.

"Look at my blade, not a drop of blood. If you had any brains at all, you'd realise their blood be dripping from it." Horacius continued rationally, resheathing his blade, and then more forcefully he said, "Now back off! If you want to continue this foolish accusation, it is your choice. But a man of the law, as you say you are, would know better. But from what I've seen there ain't a no justice here, only tyranny. If that’s true then pull your blades and start a fight, ‘cause that's all you guys seem to be good at."

The fugitive was right, there was no evidence to suggest that he had been aparty to this crime beyond his presence at the scene. No case would ever hold against a judge or jury without such evidence and Faldrine knew it. For Dalsong however, Faldrine wasn't certain, the other inspector was the magistrate here, and probably judge and jury too. Faldrine's morality on the issue was clear. There would not be a fair trial while Dalsong was in charge here. Yet he could do nothing to prevent it, his sense of duty and service to the law outweighed that of morals and instincts. He had no place to intercede here, and so he remained silent. Dalsong stepped confidently forward.

One moment the Magistrate was standing there, his purpose as clear as his intention to arrest the criminal before him. He was confident that Mecrast was the cause of or at least party to this scene before him despite Mecrast's objections, and undisputable evidence to the contrary. The next however was quite different. Faldrine himself could have sworn that he had seen the glint of a blade passed, and heard the flap of a cloak as it broke the air, but his logical mind told him not to trust as such was impossible. Mecrast hadn't moved, his blade still sheathed and there had been no sign of anyone else approaching, nor leaving. Then it happened, not quickly mind, more in slow motion, as if somehow unreal.

A bright red line formed around the neck of the Magistrate as he stopped his forward pace in mid flow, and as Faldrine watched with a quizzical look forming across his face he could only imagine a similar look upon the face of Dalsong. The soft thud of something hitting the ground was enough to awaken him from the trancelike state he had unknowingly slipped into. There on the ground was the head of the Magistrate, his body still standing, frozen in place by shock. The effect the sight had on Faldrine who stood his ground unwavering was also clear on the faces of the two volunteers as they turned and ran full pelt from the scene, and then he saw them, not one but three.

***

"Son of a... It's them!" Horacius said, pulling his blade. He turned and held up his shield, facing the three cloaked figures. The large one in front spoke out.

"People such as you must be purged! None shall corrupt!" The voice rang out, in the same horrifying tone. Horacius was too angry to be affected this time.

"The only thing that is going to be purged is that damn voice of yours!" Horacius yelled, holding out his blade and charging towards them. The three beings quickly dodged, split by two eruptions of flame from the ground and they disappeared.

"Run Faldrine, we have to get out of the open!"

There was no argument from Faldrine, but as fast as they had appeared they were gone again, lost like phantom shadows moving between street lamps. They ran for the shelter of a building and positioned their backs to the wall. Glad to have his own sword in his hands Faldrine stood poised for the next attack. From where he was, he could see Mecrast, anger boiling visibly across his face. He cared little for the fugitive, his judgment of Mecrast's character was based only upon his crimes, but survival was more important. When the attack came, the beasts had separated, one going for Mecrast, the others for Faldrine.

He spun, deflecting the first and parrying the second with the confidence of a skilled swordsman, then lashed out himself catching one of the proclaimed mages across the upper arm. It fell back, but appeared to be rendered no pain. Faldrine however was slow to recover, and was swept off his feet as he overstepped and lost balance. The blade came again, and this time he was quicker, putting up a strong block, but that was all he could manage. The two creatures were upon him and he resigned himself to his fate, the hope of the two lieutenants returning with reinforcements quickly fading from his thoughts.

***

Horacius deflected the attack of the oncoming mage, and turned to the two on Faldrine, leaping upward and coming down across the back of one of the mages. The mage roared out, and the cloak fell to the ground as if there was nothing inside it. The other turned, knocked Horacius onto his back and sent him sliding across the dirt. It flew off into the air followed closely by the other. Horacius got to his feet, and sheathed his blade. The sound of the beings had left, they would not be back, not for some time at least. Horacius knelt down beside the fallen magistrate and looked at the severed head.

"Clean... Not even slowing on the bone..." Horacius stood, shaking his head.

"Get up." He said to Faldrine, looking down at the man that has accused him of crimes without warrant for many years. However, Horacius never had the chance to confront the man personally, only his shadow. But he didn't get up. The last thing Faldrine remembered was having two beasts upon him and no chance of escape, he must have taken a blow to the head. Everything around him went dark and his consciousness slipped away.

***
_________________

Fort Europe · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:05 pm Post subject:

Chapter Four

Faldrine woke an hour later somewhere else, the warmth indicating that he was inside, and the sweet smell of dried corn wafted through the room. He opened his eyes, and immediately regretting it he closed them again. Pain rushed to his head. When he opened them again a moment later the pain had abated slightly and a nurse of some kind had come over to see to him. The room appeared to be some sort of infirmary, probably in a factory, for small villages of this style rarely had the need for a hospital. The mayor stood in the doorway, talking to a short woman Faldrine couldn't quite make out, while two other women busied themselves with looking after their patient.

"For such a tough guy, you sure did give up easily." Said Horacius, appearing in the doorway. He walked in to the room, his boots clinking against the wooden floor. He took a seat in a chair across from Faldrine. "You're lucky... your fugitive just saved your life. So, would you mind telling me why have been are tailing me all these years?"

Trying to sit up, Faldrine scoffed at the words of Mecrast who he could now see as plain as day. Neither the movement or the sound manifested as he had intended and slumped back onto the bed once more, confusion spreading across his mind. The fugitive could so easily have taken his leave in this opportunity, afforded a head start of several days by Faldrine's bad luck, but there he sat as if completely oblivious to the crimes that hung over him. Was it true that Mecrast had saved his life and brought him here? Could it be that this felon believed he was innocent of any wrong doing, and if so then why was he perpetually running from the law?

"You are a thief…" He eventually said, having summoned the strength to do so. "Of the worst possible kind… To take the life of another for whatever reason is to take something that does not belong to you, a grievous sin under any God…” he coughed, struggling to speak. He took a moment to breathe, his strength not yet returned to him. He would have preferred to have done this on his own terms, not like this. Then something occurred to him. "You saved my life... why?"

"Because it is my job, despite that I cast away my allegiance to the order. You see, they may call me the fallen Paladin, but I am not really the one who has fallen from the path." Horacius took off his helm. "I am not fleeing… I am travelling. Helping those in need, like those of this country." Horacius set the helm on the ground, and pulled his chair closer to Faldrine.

"You want to know the real story? About what happened to the Order of the Radiant Heart? I won't deny I killed those men, but it was not in cold blood. Any man of the law, of God, any man such yourself, would know that those who murder, and their accomplices must be punished. I was the hand of justice, seeking retribution for those who had been slain."

“It is the place of a court to deal in justice for such people, not the individual.” Faldrine argued. His moral point was clear now in his mind. “Laws bare a purpose greater than you or me, and should never be broken lest you desire to reap the wrath of God... Sins must be punished. "

Horacius looked at Faldrine. “You may not believe me, but I trust you are a knowledgeable man, and you won’t follow blindly what the law tells you. Not when the law is corrupt." Horacius looked down at the ground.

"It started when I was off on a mission for the Order. I had been sent to Malgranadad, a small human trade town, which was being overrun by a group known as the Wyverns. While I was gone, someone, order the torture and murder... of my wife, and my two sons." Horacius gulped hard and continued his story.

"I returned victorious, as I always had. The leader of radiant heart, a sorcerer named Falkirk, told me of my families demise. He told me nothing was to be done, that it was not the job of the Order, that they didn’t know who was involved. He was right... But what bothered me was that the law wouldn’t investigate either. So, I took upon myself, and hunted down information. Over two months, I tracked the murderers. I found the truth. I discovered the first in a tavern, and I... I interrogated him. I needed more information to find the others. He refused to answer. He laughed at me, looked me right in the eye, and told me that my wife 'felt good'.” Horacius frowned at the memory.

Faldrine closed his eyes, easing the pain throbbing in his head. Unable to move far, he was forced to listen to this monologue as Mecrast argued his case.

“I found the second, a sniveling, frightened little man.” Horacius continued. “With some persuasion he told me what I needed to know. He told me how he had assaulted my poor boys, taken them bound and gagged from behind. I cut off his left arm, and his manhood for that.” He looked up, making sure Faldrine was listening. “Falkirk... It was Falkirk that ordered the executions. The one man I had looked up to since I was but a Squire, he had ordered my family slain in cold blood." His eyes sank back to look at the floor.”

"So, I went back to the Order, and confronted Falkirk myself. I knew better than to accuse him wrongly, the murderer could have been lying. Falkirk offered the information willingly though, knowing what I had learned.” Horacius lowered his head further, a tear falling from his eye.

"He told me, that I was getting too powerful. I was a threat to his control. The Order began to follow me, more than him... And he ordered it. He ordered it so that he could kill me when I found out, and claim it was because I had come to kill. Every man of the order who refused to help him, was killed and burnt. The remaining were loyal to Falkirk, all forty of them came after me. The men who I had looked up to, all my life, had come to kill me. Even my master was there, the one who had trained me as a boy.”

" I destroyed the order, and gave retribution to all those the corruption had harmed. The Order was no longer a organisation of law and righteousness, so I cast myself from it, and sent their souls to hell. I am not murderer. I killed in the name of the law, as the only man not corrupted by that power. Justice had to be paid”

Horacius sat there for some time and when he finally looked up Fadrine said. “If that is the truth, then the law would have punished them justfully, the evidence of the case would have been heard. One man cannot deem himself judge and executioner. The law requires you to stand trial, if the evidence shows you acted in self defense as you claim then you may have your name and your freedom restored. Horacius looked at Faldrine.

"I saved you because I had to. Because it was the just, and right, thing to do. You have hunted me, sent your peons, sent men, and all of them returned with their lives. I killed none, because none of you were doing anything wrong, you just had not seen the corruption of your 'laws'. The only law that matters is the law of man and God. I did not run, I just knew if you were to confront me before you were ready, you would never believe me, and I would have to kill an innocent man." Horacius stood.

"You may never believe me, and may continue to chase me. But know this, I am no longer bound by the laws of any politician. I follow the law of man, and the law of God. In my book, those laws comes first. Should you not believe me, and by God I know it would be hard for me to do the same in your position, then God himself will show you the truth.” Horacius turned to leave the room.

"Think on it. When you've made your decision, I'll be waiting for you in the bar in Danralak.” With that, Horacius left the infirmary in silence.

***

Given no chance to make a reply, Faldrine who had listened carefully to the story was left with only his thoughts for guidance. His entire life he had served the law, the son of a judge, he knew no different. The law must be followed without exception. Could it be that he had been misguided? His mind raced, going over and over what Mecrast had told him. Power corrupts, this he knew and a man of the law has an obligation to oppose corruption. The laws of God came first and foremost. The laws of God were plain and simple, the first being the one that had guided him for all the years he had pursued Mecrast: Thou shalt not kill.

Mecrast had said he followed the laws of God, and yet he had killed, he had taken the lives of countless others over the years and yet he claimed as he clearly believed, that they were all in the service of the law. Who was he to judge who should live and who should die. A Paladin should know better than to disregard the laws of God. Mecrast had taken these laws into his own hands, dealt justice as he saw fit in revenge for the death of his own kin, when he should have turned to the authorities. If he had acted in self defense, or the defense of others, then there may be justification, even reprieve, but could such a thing be claimed for so many deaths? As an Inspector, Faldrine had the power to uphold the law in any case, he could remove a King from power, if said King was proven to have broken the laws of God, and he could have brought justice in this case also. Faldrine had no family. His parents had both died of illness when he was young. He had taken no wife despite his years, so knew not the anguish and torment of loosing those close to him. But there was never a need for murder.

Faldrine lay there for several hours until he slipped back into sleep, in which time he thought only of the words Mecrast had spoken. By his own admission Mecrast had broken the law, though it was not inconceivable as to why he had done so. And this man had saved his life, as an act he had said of what was right and just. He had done as any righteous man would have done in saving a life. This act in and of its self threw Faldrine's mind into torment. Was Mecrast truly a righteous man, had he misjudged so terribly the character of the man he had pursued for so long? Had this act been justice enough? The questions rolled through his mind sending, it spinning with no answers apparent. When he woke the first light of the new day shone through a frosted window. Faldrine gathered his clothes and left the infirmary. He took a cane to help him balance and wrapped his cloak close around him and headed out into the snow covered morning.

***

Horacius entered the town of Danralak, a small merchant settlement on the coast, just west of the infirmary. He went into the tavern, and upon reaching the bar he sat down to have a drink.

"Whiskey." He said to the bartender. The bartender was gave him the whiskey as ordered and Horacius took of his helm. The blood above his brow had dried there after the fight.

‘That beast must've caught me on the head...’ Horacius thought, thinking back on the battle.

"Quite the cut you have there." Said a female voice behind him.

Horacius looked over, "Yeah." She was a short girl with long brown hair under a flat cap, and wore a tanned leather outfit typical of merchants in the area.

"Been in a fight recently, huh?" She asked with curiosity.

"You could say that."

"My name's Serenia Faldrine, here from Malithius."

"That's a long way..." ‘and my hometown,’ he added to himself.

"Yeah, I got stuck here, the leaders here have locked up my crew, left me to my own. I've been trying to gather information, but no one knows a thing." She replied earnestly.

"So I noticed..." Horacius looked to the door, "No guards in this town, huh?"

"No, they have no hold on this town, good place for information. The travelers that pass through here are of their own law. Oh they tried to enforce law here, but found their guards dead and buried all too often." Horacius nodded, and sipped his whiskey. "So, stranger, what's your name?" She said.

"Ah, excuse me, I'm Horacius."

"Last name?" She prompted.

"Mecrast."

Serenia's eyes grew wide and her eyebrows rose slightly, and then narrowed. "Horacius Mecrast... He's the fallen paladin... You are a liar." She laughed.

"If you know my title, then you should know how I killed the dragon of Malithius, and how I got this." Horacius said, lifting the hilt of his sword from the sheath.

"That sword!" She exclaimed, "You are him!" Her face lighting up with joy, "I owe you my brother’s life, you saved him once."

"I’m glad that he survived... What was his name?"

"Haggard... Haggard Dahn."

"Hmph... Haggard Dahn... Troublemaker." Horacius said. They both laughed and she sat on the stool beside him.

"So why are you out here?" She asked once the laughing had subsided.

"I have been traveling. I have been trying to gather information about the tyrant that runs the place, and what is happening here."

"So we share a common goal." Serenia responded, looking down. Horacius looked over at her face. She was shockingly beautiful, and her youthful eyes were a brilliant green. She was not very old, not more than eighteen, and had long well groomed blonde hair. She smiled at him, showing impressively white teeth.

"I haven't been able to find anything for information. The town I went to in search of information was destroyed by three men in cloaks."

"The Black Dawn..." Serenia responded, "Men, if you can call them that, under the king's order. They have existed since recorded history, and have been present in all things here. I'm an information gatherer, you see. Some people call us Rogues... But, I don't think that is fitting, it makes us seem like criminals."

"Well... I killed one..." Horacius stated complacently.

"Did you burn the cloak?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

"No..."

"Then it is not dead... burning the cloak is the only way to kill one.” She said with some confidence.

"Well, interesting. Perhaps you could help me gather information. I need to know more about this land"

"I would love nothing more than to join you!" She exclaimed, as if she was waiting for him to ask. "I'm not helpless in battle either." She said, enthusiastically pulling her dagger out a flipping it across her fingers.

"Who said you were going to travel with me?" Horacius said with a frown. She didn’t look old enough or strong enough, even if she was skilled with a blade. The significance of the girl’s surname was not lost on him either.

"I’m offering to help." She said. “and I need yours to save my crew. I'll go get my things." She stood up. The leather armour hugged the curves of her fine body, and Horacius made note of that as she walked out of the bar.

"Small world..." Horacius said, downing his drink and slamming the glass on the table.

***

The sun had long since passed over by the time Faldrine reached his rendezvous at the bar in Danralak where the felon Mecrast was expecting him. He discarded the cane he had used to aid his still weak body. He wanted to be able to stand upright when he faced Mecrast. As he neared the bar, he saw an extremely attractive girl exit, his eyes followed her as she walked. Had he paid more attention to her face rather than her features he might have recognised her as a native of Malithius. He had been the magistrate there before his promotion to full inspector some twelve years previous.

As it was, Faldrine’s mind was entirely occupied with the thoughts that had overwhelmed it since he had woken in the infirmary the day before. Mecrast's words and actions that day had shaken Faldrine to the core, forcing him to analyse his entire moral structure. His own judgment and beliefs thrown into turmoil, unable to process the idea that he may have been entirely wrong about the character of the man he had chased for so long.

He entered the bar, and immediately spotted Mecrast standing with a glass containing some form of liquid at the bar it’s self. Choosing not to confront his foe too quickly he sat down at a table and waited to be served. He sat close enough to the door that he could make a quick escape if needed, and in a position that Mecrast could not fail to see. This also had the advantage of evening the playing field slightly, forcing Mecrast to come to him. Faldrine was an educated man, and not to be trifled with in a mental fight, but at that moment the only thing he was actually focused on was trying to calm his thoughts into a cohesive and rational order in an attempt to control his mind and discover the best course of action.

***
_________________

Fort Europe · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject:

Chapter Five

Horacius sat there not for long before glancing back at the door, and seeing Faldrine sitting there. Horacius chuckled.

"Trying to make himself feel in control by making me come to him." Horacius said, lowly.

"Very well, Faldrine." Horacius said, louder, standing and walking over. He took the chair across from Faldrine.

There is a saying as old as time that can be used to describe the kind of situation Faldrine may have found himself in at that moment, 'even the best laid plans do not survive contact with the enemy'. This would have been true had Faldrine actually had a plan of what he wanted to say when Mecrast arrived at his table, for only a blank expression adorned his face. As it was, his mind matched his expression, for all his intelligence and teachings Faldrine was entirely unable to form a cohesive sentence in his mind at that moment, plagued with the rush of thoughts that bombarded his very soul.

With Mecrast sat opposite everything became twice as hard, words eluded him and he began to feel his own confidence slipping out from under him. A part of Faldrine had reached the point at which he was considering letting the man before him go, while in contrast his moral centre urged him to seize the fugitive while he had the chance. As he sat there, a war being fought inside his head, he wondered just who it was that was sat on the other side of the table. Was it the beast, the murdering felon he had chased all these years or the Paladin, the Guardian of Paradise Mecrast claimed to be.

"Why the two guards?" He said. The words had escaped as the thought appeared, the question however needed to be asked for more reason than one. Faldrine was certain Mecrast had killed the two guards, though he had no solid proof, and no motive either. At the time, as far as he was concerned the ill-fated upholders of the law in the border town had been killed for no reason other than Mecrast's urge to kill. Now however, the growing part of his conscience that believed Mecrast's story needed an explanation, looking for a stronger card for its hand in the war raging within him.

The guards he had learnt after the incident were related, the younger of the two being the son of the older, who's widow was now left without anyone to provide for her daughter and two new born twins. Society being as it was then prevented women from working, and treated single mothers harshly. The town priest had been kind enough to offer her the takings from the church charity box, but it wasn't much and many feared the children would not last the winter. This would not normally concern Faldrine but at that moment it made up the last remaining argument for the prosecution that was his moral and ethical foundation, and which vowed to bring their murderer to justice.

"The two gaurds in the town?" Horacius shook his head, "They were trying to rape a poor woman, not much more than a child herself. Probably would have killed her too. I had been sleeping in the small abandoned hut when I heard her screams. I watched from the shadows as she fell in the snow while trying to run away, and the two guards came upon her and were about to attack her."

Horacius paused, looking Faldrine in the eyes. Faldrine was the type of man who was keen at seeing truth in words. Horacius knew this. So, Horacius looked him right in the eyes, not averting them. He knew his words would tell the story, and his eyes would reinforce the truth. As Mecrast spoke, Faldrine managed to return some small level of order and sense to his thoughts, and replied in short order. He could indeed see the honesty within the Mecrast's eyes as the other clearly intended him to, his words calm and calculated too, so as to make an impact on Faldrine. By contrast however his reply came out terse.

"I showed myself, asking them what she had done. They had said she had stolen a piece of bread. I told them that would only warrant a few days in jail. She said they had tried to rape her and were going to kill her. She was poor, she said and could not feed herself. They told me to leave or die. I told them to stop, and then they came at me. Afterwards, I gave the woman a few coins and told her to feed herself, and not to steal again.”

Horacius stopped his story, and looked at Faldrine, who was taking it all in.

"The Guards of this Country are not just, they are corrupt, and torture, rape, and kill the innocent. This woman was not innocent, but a poor starving beggar, she did not deserve death for stealing a piece of bread."

Horacius wiped his face and then cleared his throat. He sat there, calmly, awaiting Faldrine's reaction.

"So you killed those men without a second thought. Not once did it cross your mind that she could have been lying about the rape? A thief can never be trusted. Your evidence therefore was based on solely the robust way you say she was handled?"

Faldrine took in a deep breath and calmed himself slightly, then continued, this time in a tone that sounded more as though he was instructing a child than conversing with a killer.

"Perhaps to your mind, as once a guardian of paradise, such actions seem wrong, but this is not our land. It is not for us to judge how these townsfolk are to be treated by the citizens of this land, and we are bound by their laws as much as they would be if they were in Malithius. The people of the town here, the poor, are expected under the laws of the land to pay respect to its citizens, namely the land owners, the law keepers and the rich. For stealing that loaf of bread, the woman you aided would have spent up to a year in a gaol house, or a chain gang working the mines. If as you said she refused to obey the guards when she was caught, her sentence would have been lifted to five at least, and if she'd become violent against those guards then yes, the laws of this land allow for death to be a punishment."

He sighed, which created more of a harsh gravelly sound than anything due to the natural depth of his voice.

"I do not condone death, in any form, and the need for these people to kill for such petty crimes is beyond comprehension, but I cannot argue against the law, I am bound by my duty and the oath I swore by, and while I remain a guest in this land I must obey, as must you. By the same degree however, I have no authority here. I could turn you in... but in that I am left with a moral dilemma..."

For the first time since he arrived in the bar, Faldrine lent back in his chair.

"...If I turn you in, you will be killed, and we've already established that I can't condone that. Plus there is the consideration that you saved my life yesterday, for which I am in your debt."

"There is law, and then there is tyrannical law. I don't give a damn what the law here is. There is right, and there is wrong. If the law states that the starving should die for trying to stay alive, then the law is unjust." Horacius stood up.

"Turn me in, and more of these people will die.”He scowled. "If you can't see the criminal acts in this place, then you are just as bad as the rest of the law makers here." Horacius spat into the nearby bucket, "I'm going to find out what the hell is going on here. You can either assist me in finding the truth, or you can turn a blind eye to what you know is right, because you are too scared to turn your back on what you have been following for so long." Horacius leaned in close to Faldrine.

"I know what it's like to abandon your beliefs. But, at some point you have to be your own person. If you don't, you'll end up dead. So, I leave you with two options, turn me in, and ignore the lives of everyone here, or assist me in finding out what is going on. The time has come to stop being a pawn, Faldrine. "

***

A tall thin man, well dressed in a large black leather coat, and sporting a fine mustache watched Horacius leave the Inspector in dramatic style. It was a typical behaviour of people these days, and the man was not inclined to approve. He finished his drink in a swift gulp and then used the back door to enter the yard. His coat opened slightly to reveal black armour and a curiously styled rapier. Awaiting him was his horse and a squire. He whistled to get the attention of both.

"Jenks. You will take a message to the head of our order. Tell him.... tell him our friend has made an amusing little alliance. And make sure he knows that our friend thinks he killed a member of the Black Dawn. I'll track him on foot. Now go!"

Once Jenks had scampered off, the man mounted his stallion. He muttered a few words and his appearance began to flicker. It wasn’t really anything special, just a trick of the eye, but to any casual observer the large rider appeared to be nothing more than a small old man on the horse. Close up the truth would be seen, but at a distance the man would not stand out at all. Still, it was with caution that he rode out into the street.

***

Left to his thoughts, Faldrine sat for several moments after the fugitive had walked out. He knew Mecrast wouldn't leave this town without an answer and that was enough to give the inspector time to think. Booking a room in the inn, Faldrine decided to take all the time he needed before giving his response. Not that he was in the habit of stalling, but because he knew not which road he should take. His entire moral structure had been called into question, but with only the word of a man he believed to be a murderer and a thief he had little to go on. The only thing that was certain, was that this man he had chased for so long with the intention of bringing him down, removing every civil liberty the man had, had saved his life. The prey had saved the life of its own hunter, and claimed it to be just. Once in his room, Faldrine paced endlessly. How could it be justified, surely it was the righteous thing to do, but in his own mind Mecrast was not a righteous man... or had he been so mistaken? This thought occupied him long into the night until eventually, so extremely exhausted by all he had endured, he dropped to the bed and slept.

***

Later that night Horacius returned to the inn where he met Serenia in the hallway.

"So, maybe we should fill each other in on what we know." He asked. Serenia nodded, and Horacius walked into the room he had purchased for the night. Serenia followed and they sat down at a table.

"Members of the Black Dawn do not die unless you burn their cloaks, they are warriors of the dark, and seem to be controlled by the king. Wherever his guards have problems, the Black Dawn seem to follow quickly." Serenia paused, and looked up into Horacius' eyes, which were deep in thought, "From my investigation…"

Horacius held up his finger. "Write it." He whispered. She wrote down what she was about to say, telling of Senfrando Gerundo, the head of the Kings Guards, he lived about 50 miles southwest of them.

Horacius wrote down that there was someone listening in. He rose, and slowly walked over to the window...

"Was it me you were looking for?" The black figure stepped out of a shadow in the other corner of the room, hand on his sword hilt. The face of Horacius was a picture of surprise.

"You’re good Mecrast, very good. But you don't know every trick old boy. And kindly put any thought of springing an attack against me out of your mind, or this dagger will have to go into Serenia's neck.” The man said earnestly. Horacius looked on with a blank expression, it was extremely rare for him to be caught so off guard.

“Yes, I know who both of you are,” The man continued, “and believe me when I say that it is in your interest to keep calm and listen. My... organisation is in the business of information. Information leads to knowledge and knowledge is power. As such, we have a large network of operatives, some orthodox and some not. We understand you wish to take down the King. Whilst he has been of some service, his actions of recent years have become far too much of a hindrance to our order.”

“So it’s a deal you want.” Horacius said at last. “What is in it for us?”

“We can get you close, and we have sources that would otherwise be unavailable to you. We are willing to offer you our services… for a price… of sorts." The figure steps closer and looks Horacius deep in the eyes.

"You rescue a member of our order from the Kirstan Prison, and we will get you so close to the king you could kiss him... or slide a blade into him, which ever you prefer. Is that acceptable?"
_________________