ã€ŠTales of Cephinã€‹


 Eye of The Beholder

    Dorian couldn¡¯t help but fidget ever so slightly as the headmaster¡¯s attendant led him forth into the somewhat sparse surroundings of the study. He¡¯d met the man once before, upon his admission, but had seldom been given the chance to speak with him let alone view the likes of his office. The space was tidy; almost to a degree that  suggested a lack of use. Its sprawling shelves contained what looked at first glance to be a rather expensive collection of books that seemed to be scarcely touched with pockets of dust collecting along the frays of their leather bound covers. The desk was what Dorian assumed to be of an expensive sort, though he knew little of proper craftsmanship, he could at least tell that its darkened exterior was likely mahogany based upon its rich brown hue with the ever so slight hint of reddish warmth brought out by that of the scarlet curtains in which it sat before.

    ¡°The headmaster is running a bit late and will be with you soon enough.¡± The assistant remarked casting his eyes down the hallway every so often. ¡°You can go ahead and have a seat. I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t mind.¡±

    Dorian nodded making his way over toward the two chairs propped before the desk. ¡°Do you know why he wanted to see me?¡±

    The attendant shook his head nervously glancing back down the hallway once more. ¡°It¡¯s probably best if he tells you.¡±

    ¡°Oh what, am I in trouble or something?¡± He asked with a laugh only to be met with a rather grave and nervous look from the attendant. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. What could I possibly have done?¡±

    ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s best if he answers any questions that you may have.¡±

    ¡°Listen, if I at any point did something that the headmaster considered disrespectful or wrong. I assure you that it was by no means intentional.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s here.¡± The attendant muttered. A look of relief washing over his previously uncomfortable disposition as the headmaster entered.

    ¡°Thank you very much Aldin, I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±

    The attendant gave a curt bow closing the door behind him as he exited leaving the two alone to discuss the matters he seemed so keen upon avoiding.

    ¡°So Dorian,¡± The head master began circling around him and on toward the other side of his desk before taking a seat behind it. ¡°I assume you know why you¡¯re here?¡±

    ¡°Headmaster Hiram, I assure you if I¡¯ve done anything to offend you or anyone else at this campus then I sincerely apologize and wish for you to know that-¡±

    The headmaster raised his hand silencing the young man, His eyes squinted gaining a new sort of scrutiny within their piercing view causing Dorian to shift within his seat and drop his gaze.

    ¡°Lying is something that offends me, quite a bit actually; people pretending to be things that they aren¡¯t. Trying so desperately to deceive others and in some cases even themselves. I know what you are. I can see what you are. So why don¡¯t you drop this whole act of yours and change back?¡±

    Dorian¡¯s eyes went wide at the man¡¯s words an eerie sense of unease fully eating away at him with the realization of what the other meant. ¡°Headmaster, I assure you, what you see is truly me. I just-¡±

    ¡°You can change back now by choice, or in a few moments under duress. It makes no difference to me either way, so which will it be?¡±

    Dorian averted his gaze managing for a moment more to hold back the well of tears that threatened to burst forth. No longer trusting himself to speak he simply did as the man had asked watching as the once brown skin upon his arm took on a new chalk white hue. He felt the stumble along his face smooth away as his eyes and hair bleached themselves in time with all else upon him.

    ¡°I thought as much, true sight never lies. An often overlooked spell, but useful enough nonetheless.¡± The headmaster stood, taking his eyes from the changeling for the first time since entering upon the room. ¡°Normally I¡¯d have one such as yourself locked away for the safety of the students seeing as how I can¡¯t begin to imagine what you¡¯ve done with the real Dorian.¡±

    ¡°I am the real Dorian. I¡­ I didn¡¯t kill or impersonate anyone if that¡¯s what you¡¯re implying. I don¡¯t need to do that in order to look human. I can look however I want, please. I¡¯m not dangerous-¡±

    ¡°So I should just let you scamper away? A thing that can look however it wishes. You may hold no malicious will at this very moment, but am I to arm you with magic and unleash you upon Isadore to replace me or Lyric forbid the Grand Cleric himself? No, the potential for danger is to great you will be detained here for the time being and then marked with the Changelings¡¯ brand. You won¡¯t be fooling anyone else anymore.¡±

    Feeling his anger finally overcome him Dorian stood forth knocking his chair over his tears now permitted to flow free with the outburst. ¡°That isn¡¯t fair, I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡±

    ¡°If you aren¡¯t planning to use your abilities for anything amiss then you should welcome the brand to prove it.¡±

    ¡°Why? So people can regard me with fear as you do? To want nothing to do with me, and then just exile me from within society like I¡¯m some sort of monster or perpetual other?¡±

    ¡°How society chooses to view you and your ilk is of little concern to me so long as my students and city remain safe from those who would prey upon it.¡± The head master sat once more running a hand throughout his darkened hair and then pulling upon his ear. ¡°The guards are on their way. I highly suggest that you don¡¯t resist when they arrive they already possess such little reason to be gentle as it is.¡±

    Dorian opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it again soon after. It was clear from his earlier diatribe that headmaster cared very little for any defense that he may propose, and if he were to run it¡¯d be a snowball¡¯s chance in hell that he¡¯d actually escape given his current positioning within the building. His best bet as of this moment would be to feign a broken spirit, and bide his time until a better opportunity would arise for a more probable escape. Bending down he reshifted his appearance to its previous state and went about in picking up his chair before sitting within it once more.

    ¡°You win.¡± He mumbled feeling the other man¡¯s eyes upon him once more. A smug sense of satisfaction seeming to resonate from within his icy blue eyes.

    ***

    Dorian hadn¡¯t been sat within his improvised cell for long before the fiend first appeared to him. The thing had arrived as if in a blaze of fire its bluish skin and white eyes seeming to glow with the cool hue of ice. His hair was snow like; white with the slightest inclination of a beard upon his chin, overall he was handsome, tall, and well-dressed enough as if he might¡¯ve been a noble of some sort. But perhaps most distinct of all in his appearance was the robust set of horns and whip like tail that protruded from within his form.

    Surprised by the sudden intrusion Dorian leapt back nearly toppling over before the creature reached forth for his arm, steadying him once more upon his feet before releasing it as quickly as it¡¯d been extended.

    ¡°My you are quite the timid one.¡± He laughed a charming smile beginning to tug away at the corner of his lips.

    ¡°Ya¡­ you¡¯re a fiend.¡±

    ¡°Devil to be more precise, but yes. Fiend is more of an umbrella term.¡±

    ¡°How did you-¡± The question died upon his lips making room for yet another. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Why I simply wish to help you my dear. After all, you are in quite a pinch are you not?¡± He smiled again. ¡°What do you say the two of us make a deal?¡±

    ¡°You want to extort me.¡± Dorian more so stated than asked. The Fiend turned then staring intently into the other man¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I mean to do no such thing. I want to help you, but in a way that¡¯s mutually beneficial.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that you¡¯d help me escape in some way in exchange for some absurd price or other.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it to be too absurd.¡± The devil took a seat in the room¡¯s one chair before glancing back upon Dorian. ¡°But I suppose that much stands for you to decide.¡± Dorian rolled his eyes looking about for a place to be seated before reluctantly giving up and continuing to stand before the devil. ¡°My dearest Dorian, if you¡¯d like a seat, I assure you my lap is always available.¡±

    Dorian rolled his eyes, trying his best to ignore the beast¡¯s attempts to unbalance him. ¡°What exactly is it that you want?¡±

    ¡°What I want is for your potential to not be wasted. I¡¯ve been looking for another warlock for quite some time, and as it would seem to stand I¡¯ve chosen you.¡±

    ¡°Because I¡¯m desperate?¡±

    ¡°There are plenty of desperate people within this city Dorian, people who perform all sorts of acts in hopes of garnering my attention.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll maybe grant a favor here and there as I have a quota to fulfill, but I am quite selective in who I make deals with as that bounds the individuals onto me.¡±

    ¡°So is this some sort of job offer?¡±

    ¡°If it helps you to conceptualize it in that way then by all means be my guest, but I assure you we¡¯d possess more than an employer employee relationship. I¡¯m not some sort of aloof god and you don¡¯t seem to me to be much of the paladin type.¡±

    Glancing away from the fiend Dorian affixed his eyes to the locked bedroom door before meeting the man¡¯s line of sight for the first time within their discourse. ¡°And what do I get out of it?¡±

    The fiend smiled, ¡°Now you¡¯re asking the right sort of questions. Well for starters I find that mortals have extremely short life spans. Which isn¡¯t particularly useful. I can¡¯t make you immortal per se, but I can significantly slow the evolutionary failure that is aging. What¡¯re you Twenty?¡±

    ¡°Twenty-two.¡±

    ¡°By the time you¡¯re forty you¡¯ll look twenty-five. Next I can take whatever flimsy magic that you¡¯ve been learning here and supplement it with my own. This power will be yours to do with as you see fit. And finally, and probably most important to you, I can get you out of here.¡±

    Dorian pouted. ¡°Okay, so what¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°My, I knew that you were a smart one. It¡¯s funny, the first of my current warlock¡¯s stopped me after I mentioned slowing the aging process. Between you and me I think he was afraid of going bald.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re avoiding the question.¡±

    ¡°Am I? Well to be rather concise you¡¯d simply be mine.¡±

    ¡°You mean like slavery?¡±

    ¡°No not at all, that¡¯s such an ugly word. Think of it more so as¡­ a mutually beneficial contract that extends onward toward other ends.¡±

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡±

    ¡°I suppose that if you were to look toward a sort of mortal equivalent then the closest thing might be what this plane considers marriage, although it doesn¡¯t quite work as a one to one transfer I suppose the term will have to suffice.¡±

    Dorian nodded, ¡°Okay, say I agree to this¡­ marriage, then what? What do you get out of it?¡±

    The fiend shrugged, ¡°Well for starters I suppose I get you.¡± He winked, ¡°Aside from that I could use a warlock in helping with a few plans that I have for later down the line, and your particular skillset will be quite handy in doing as much.¡±

    ¡°So you want a blank check?¡±

    ¡°I prefer the term partnership, but call it whatever you¡¯d like.¡±

    Dorian exhaled thinking the matter over for a time or two before turning towards the fiend once more. ¡°Okay, if I agree to this, and help with whatever plans you have, will you do the same with me?¡±

    ¡°It depends on what you have in mind.¡±

    ¡°What the headmaster¡¯s doing isn¡¯t fair.¡± Dorian felt his voice break then the beginnings of tears threatening to slip from within the heights of his eyes. ¡°I was a model student, and now I¡¯m being treated as¡­ some sort of monster, because of what I am.¡±

    ¡°You want revenge?¡±

    ¡°No, I want justice.¡±

    ¡°Dorian dear, there¡¯s no such thing as justice. No one ever really gets what they deserve, but this is more or less in line with what I can do. And I¡¯d hate to see such a pretty face cry. Consider it done.¡± The fiend smiled extending his hand. ¡°Do we have a deal?¡±

    Dorian nodded as he wiped along the edges of his eyes taking the devil¡¯s hand into his own. Feeling the fiend¡¯s intense flames spiral around them, he knew that from this moment forth that all else would be different.

    ***

    Hell was far from how the legends depicted it. Though there was an overall essence of a soul crushing misery the layout was far more akin to a simple office as  opposed to the flames of damnation for whence he¡¯d expected. Sitting in a chair much akin to the one within the headmaster¡¯s office Dorian made note of the dark wood desk before him that now housed the devil, but perhaps most perplexing of all was the strange cube like device off toward his side. It was pale, almost matching the otherwise bland walls in color. Within it sat a slightly curved black square that seemed to protrude outwards ever so slightly with a bevy of gray vines leaking out from the objects exterior.

    ¡°This is-¡±

    ¡°Different than you expected? Yeah, I get that a lot. I assure you the outside is far more akin the rumors surrounding this place.¡±

    ¡°Torture and damnation?¡±

    The fiend shrugged, ¡°Mostly just fire, but what¡¯re you going to do?¡±

    Dorian nodded unable to peel his eyes from the device. ¡°What is that?¡±

    ¡°This?¡± The devil asked pointing toward the cube with a smile. ¡°We call them computers. The mortal plane is probably a few centuries off from devising something of the sort. You¡¯ll most likely be long dead before then. I wouldn¡¯t trouble yourself too much with its finer details.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s it for?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, Oh, I suppose somehow both torture and pleasure. But that¡¯s neither here nor there. What¡¯d you say we get this paper work out of the way.¡± The devil said as he bent over digging throughout the desk¡¯s drawers.

    ¡°There¡¯s paperwork?¡±

    ¡°Have to have a paper trail for everything, boss¡¯s orders.¡± Sitting back up to his full height the fiend placed a rather thick set of pages between the two of them. ¡°This is the standard array that I offered onto my other warlocks, it really doesn¡¯t have anything in it that I didn¡¯t mention before.¡±

    ¡°Then why is it like a hundred pages as opposed to one.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all semantics and legal jargon. I wouldn¡¯t worry myself with it if I were you.¡±

    ¡°You understand why I don¡¯t trust you, right?¡±

    ¡°Dorian, If you¡¯d like to read through that entire contract then be my guest.¡±

    ¡°Fine, I will.¡±

    ***

    ¡°I need you to turn to page fifty-three section three subparagraph two.¡±

    The devil rubbed at his temples doing as he was asked.

    ¡°What is this? What is BDSM?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a sex thing, all this section is saying is that your consent is implied for any such sexual activity unless otherwise withdrawn with a safe word that will be established at the time. Can we move on now?¡±

    ¡°Why is this in here?¡±

    ¡°Do you have a problem with it?¡±

    ¡°I mean, I guess not.¡±

    ¡°Then can we move on?¡±

    ¡°I suppose, but what¡¯s this part about a tattoo?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s your warlock mark, it¡¯s so other fiends and other entities know not to fuck with you. Don¡¯t worry, it disappears when you shape shift. Are we finished?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I haven¡¯t finished reading yet.¡±

    The devil dropped his head along the desk before grunting.

    ***

    Satisfied by his scrutiny in reviewing the document Dorian met the devil¡¯s eyes before returning them onto the paper lain before him. Below what little of text remained sat four simple lines; the top two containing the devil¡¯s name: Sebastien as well as a  signature allowing for Dorian to print and sign his own name respectively below.

    Watching as the contract faded within a fit of flame Dorian felt a searing heat overtake his right wrist. Grunting at the pain he dropped the pen flipping his hand over to examine its cause only to feel as the pain faded leaving in its wake a blackened and distinct triangle like marking  housing an eye within as well as a small three lying beneath.

    Sensing his question Sebastien began to speak: ¡°Your warlock mark, designed it myself in fact.¡± He smiled then, although Dorian failed in seeing it as his eyes remained fixed upon his latest marking.

    ¡°Why is there a three below it?¡±

    ¡°Because I currently have three warlocks. If one of you dies or I decide to pick up another then the number will change. Speaking of I prefer if my playthings are somewhat acquainted with one another, and I¡¯ll be needing their services regardless in order to help you achieve your¡­justice I believe it was.¡± Sebastien smiled. ¡°What¡¯d you say we pull them down here.¡±

    Snapping his fingers the fiend watched on as twin flames burst to life before him each containing the silhouette for which Dorian guessed belonged to his before mentioned subordinates. As the flames died down the figures came more clearly into view with the taller of the two being an orc.

    His hair was dark, cropped, and shaved along it¡¯s sides with the top being swept back into a form resembling the likes of rather short wave. While his figure would¡¯ve normally come across with some weight of intimidation given his overall muscular physique and height Dorian couldn¡¯t help but to find him somewhat amusing given that his red eyes were bright with terror as he patted and blew upon a flame still alight along his right elbow.

    The woman who¡¯d arrived with him was of a different demeanor entirely. She seemed to stand at a height similar enough to Dorian¡¯s own. Her hair was of a pale almost white tone that disguised its length, if only somewhat, by being pulled into a tight braid draped over her right shoulder. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to regard Dorian only briefly with a callous disinterest before turning back toward that of Sebastien.

    ¡°Right then, I believe introductions are in order. Jacklyn and Luriel, Dorian. Dorian, Jacklyn and Luriel.¡±

    ¡°Got a thing for humans now, Sebastian?¡± The orc asked before giving Dorian a sneer.

    ¡°He isn¡¯t exactly human. Speaking of, why don¡¯t you show your new friends that little trick of yours. Now¡¯s as good a time as any.¡±

    Turning toward the fiend Dorian gave him a bemused look before relenting and allowing the fa?ade of his form to fall before quickly retaking it. ¡°Happy?¡±

    ¡°No need for such hostility Dorian, you shouldn¡¯t be ashamed of such talents.¡±

    ¡°More like a fucking curse.¡±

    ¡°Aw, does the newbie have self-worth issues? Mmm, poor thing.¡± Luriel laughed his voice deep and robust within its mocking tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, why don¡¯t you ask your hairline?¡±

    The laughter stopped as the orcs eyes seemed to alight with a fierce mix of anger and surprise. His hand subconsciously moving to rub throughout his hair.

    ¡°Careful Luriel, it appears that this kitten has claws¡± Jacklyn muttered through a suppressed chuckle.

    ¡°Why you little-¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Sebastien cut in, ¡°As amusing as this all is I owe Dorian here a little favor as a condition of his deal, and the two of you are going to help in precisely that.¡±

    ¡°You called me down here to help this runt? I was busy.¡±

    The fiend raised an eyebrow, ¡°To busy for me?¡±

    ¡°No sir¡­ I was¡­ that¡¯s not¡­what do you need us to do?¡±

    ¡°Good, compliance is always appreciated. Dorian this is your revenge and I suspect that you¡¯re one above a simple and sloppy killing. So I can, with time, create a potion that would allow for a true polymorph of the headmaster to appear as you organically would until the day that he dies. You get your justice, he gets your would be punishment, and I gain the foothold in Isadore that I need for¡­ other purposes.¡±

    ¡°Wait, how does that gain you a foothold?¡±

    ¡°Oh that little caveat, I simply need for you to shift and replace him.¡±

    ¡°You want for me to become the exact monster that he feared? That validates everything that he said!¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so dramatic. No it doesn¡¯t, It¡¯s called poetic justice, because you wouldn¡¯t be in this situation had he not forced your hand. He¡¯s getting what he deserves plain and simple. Plus it¡¯ll only be temporary until you, ¡®the headmaster¡¯, decide to step down.¡± Sebastien shrugged, ¡°Unless of course you find that you like the position.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s absurd, I¡¯m not going to do that. I¡¯m not going to be what they made me out to be. Why don¡¯t you just make another permanent polymorph potion or whatever it is and turn one of them into him.¡±

    ¡°One with a conscience Sebastien, that¡¯s new.¡±

    The fiend ignored Jacklyn¡¯s remark responding instead to that of Dorian¡¯s. ¡°Because they have other parts to play in what is to be your revenge. Crafting such a potion is difficult enough and one mistake in its concoction would be fatal. The ingredients needed for it are also¡­troublesome shall we say.¡±

    ¡°Troublesome how?¡±

    ¡°Well they¡¯re rare for one, as well as difficult to acquire.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s their part to play?¡±

    ¡°Theirs and yours. This is for you after all.¡±

    ¡°So you keep saying. I¡¯ll go after whatever ingredients that you need, but I will not replace and act as the head master.¡±

    Sebastien shrugged, ¡°If that¡¯s the way you¡¯d prefer it, now you¡¯ll be working together for each of these as it¡¯s preferable that none of you make your way back here as corpses.¡±

    ¡°And what exactly will we be gathering?¡± Jacklyn cut in.

    Sebastien exhaled adverting his gaze, ¡°A Beholder¡¯s eye.¡±

    ¡°A fuckin¡¯ what?¡± Luriel stepped forth his gaze moving between the three of them, ¡°You mean those giant heads that can kill you by lookin¡¯ at you? Why can¡¯t you do it? You¡¯re immortal!¡±

    ¡°And I assure you the Beholder knows that as well, and would likely turn me to stone on sight. An eternity in such a form doesn¡¯t exactly sound preferable to me.¡±

    ¡°Then why do we have to go!?¡±

    ¡°Worst case scenario it just kills you.¡±

    ¡°What Luriel is trying to ask, is how do we kill it.¡±

    ¡°You most likely don¡¯t. You get what you came for, and then you escape.¡±

    ¡°Or we die?¡±

    ¡°Correct, there¡¯s one in the mortal plane that I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on for such an occasion.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Wait, have you been planning this?¡± Dorian asked, a slight air of suspicion making its way into his tone.

    ¡°No, it was more for the purposes of a potential alliance, but that time has passed. He seemed potentially adequate for such a task given that he doesn¡¯t immediately kill anything that walks into his lair.¡±

    ¡°Sebastien, buddy. I¡¯ve got a great idea, how about we just don¡¯t do this.¡± Luriel spoke up staring intently toward the other man before Dorian broke through the silence with words of his own

    ¡°Is this potion the only way to change him?¡±

    Sebastien nodded.

    ¡°Then send me. It¡¯ll be done.¡± Dorian slid his chair back and stood as the fiend stared on somewhat transfixed by the determined look within his eye.

    ¡°My Dorian, you¡¯re much¡­ braver than I at first took you to be. Luriel of course I can send you back. There¡¯s no reason that you have to accompany him and Jacklyn if you¡¯re too afraid.¡±

    The orc blushed standing once more to his full height, ¡°Now wait just a minute. I¡¯m not¡­ Of course I¡¯ll go.¡±

    ¡°Excellent, I¡¯ll pull you back once the deed is done.¡± Sebastien snapped his fingers watching on as pillars of flame engulfed the three sending them onward toward the mortal plane. ¡°And so our game begins, let¡¯s hope that these three are more durable than the last set.¡±

    ***

    To Dorian¡¯s surprise the flames did not burn despite their warmth. When they¡¯d finally died down he found himself facing the opening of a darkened cave, it¡¯s entrance unnaturally rounded in a way far too perfect for the imprecise hands of mother nature. Hearing the snow crunch behind him Dorian turned to see Luriel shivering as he moved toward him.

    ¡°It¡¯s cold as shit. I never shoulda fuckin¡¯ agreed to this. I know, what if I just killed ya here and told Sebastien that the beholder got ya.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t scare me.¡±

    ¡°Oh is dat right?¡± The orc asked pulling a small ax from the loop within his belt. ¡°Let¡¯s see if ya ¡®old on to dat sentiment after I carve ya up like a pumpkin.¡±

    Rolling his eyes at the other¡¯s musings Dorian clenched his fist feeling as a static array of power sparked it¡¯s way to life around his enclosed hand. Within a moment¡¯s notice he tossed the crackling red energy towards Luriel who¡¯d only managed to stammer back in response, but before the power reached forth against its intended target it warped around the orc as if some invisible shield or other prevented the blow from landing. The explosion behind him was startling and near immediate acting only to punctuate the before lain gesture.

    ¡°It¡¯s a clause in the contract, we can¡¯t kill or even harm one another, but I¡¯m guessing that you knew as much. So what, you¡¯re trying to scare me?¡±

    A laugh pulled the pair¡¯s attention away from one another as Jacklyn walked past the two. ¡°I think that I can see why he chose you now, you¡¯ll fit in well enough. Now, what¡¯d ya say you two measure your dicks after we finish with this job.¡±

    Dorian stepped back somewhat surprised by her words his only response that of the embarrassed blush burning it¡¯s way throughout his face.

    ¡°Whatever gets me out of here sooner. So tell me oh Jackie, What¡¯s the plan?¡±

    ¡°Well first off charging in their weapons drawn is likely to get all of us killed. In addition to that we¡¯re unlikely to beat it flat out in combat. Beholder¡¯s are known for their paranoia and fear as well as for their power; our best bet is to out think it. And in order to do that we¡¯ll need to understand it. As it stands right now we¡¯ll need to sneak in and further survey the situation. Follow me, and for the love of Sebastien, stay quiet.¡± She turned then, moving almost silently toward that of the thing¡¯s layer.

    Rolling his eyes Luriel crouched down following in her stead as quietly as could be managed for one of his size. Dorian moved forward soon after; hoping above all else that if things did take a turn for the worst that the orc would at least provide for some adequate cover.

    The cave¡¯s interior, like its entrance, seemed almost perfectly rounded as the group entered within it. The immediate area was dark smelling only of molten ash with its ground feeling to be soft as if the rock beneath their feet was covered by a thickened layer of a yet unknown substance.

    Continuing to move forward through his pitch black surroundings Dorian felt himself bump into a figure for which he assumed to be Luriel. Hearing only a low and guttural growl Dorian stepped back mumbling a half formed apology.

    ¡°Watch yourself ya fuckin¡¯ doxy.¡±

    Dorian rolled his eyes not caring to engage with the other man, and instead directed his question toward Jacklyn. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why¡¯d you stop.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s the matter? Those changeling eyes don¡¯t let ya see in the dark?¡±

    ¡°Luriel, give it a rest. We¡¯re doing this for Sebastien.¡±

    ¡°Always the loyal pet aren¡¯t you Jack- huh, shit, fuckin¡¯ bitch.¡±

    Dorian listened as the orc stumbled back and fell silent.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you change into something that can see in the dark?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way it¡¯s¡­I guess you could call it an illusion.¡± Jacklyn sighed rubbing a hand throughout her hair. ¡°How exactly are you seeing in this?¡±

    ¡°Devil¡¯s sight, it¡­it¡¯s a gift from Sebastien, he¡¯s probably given you one as well, although he¡¯s unlikely to tell you what it is until you prove yourself. Luriel give us some light.¡±

    ¡°Oh and now ya need ma-¡±

    ¡°Do it.¡±

    ¡°¡­Hellish flame.¡±

    The room lit with a pale and red illumination spawned from the likes of Luriel¡¯s hand. As the orc moved closer toward the two Dorian could better make out his surroundings and was immediately surprised to see the blackened precipice that lay before them.

    ¡°I imagine it goes down quite a little ways. So, unless either of you is keen for a leap of faith I suppose we find a different way.¡±

    ¡°I doubt there¡¯s another way, this cave isn¡¯t naturally formed. The thing probably made it with its eye rays given all of the ash on the floor. And since it can fly, it wouldn¡¯t need to make a path that we can walk on. Our best bet is probably to get a hand from Sebastien.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t work,¡± Jacklyn began as she tried to peer into the depths of the gap. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like¡­ ¡®aiding¡¯ in the tasks that he gives us. The hole doesn¡¯t look so wide. I¡¯d say our best bet is to climb down and hope that it doesn¡¯t end in a spike pit or any other nonsense.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a great idea, this thing could go down for literal miles and it may very well get wider as it extends.¡±

    ¡°Oh and you have something better?¡±

    Dorian paused glancing as far as the small flame would allow before returning his gaze onto the other two. ¡°I still say we call Sebastien, tell him we got stuck. He has to understand.¡±

    ¡°Listen doxy, you haven¡¯t known Sebastien as long as we ¡®ave. He¡¯s not the understanding type. The boring lecturin¡¯ type definitely, but understandin¡¯ is a no. And I prefer not to get in trouble again if ya catch ma drift. So, either ya come up with something better than Jacklyn or we¡¯re climbin¡¯ down.¡±

    ¡°Fine, just, give me a minute.¡±

    ¡°Oh by all means, princess.¡±

    Dorian rolled his eyes his gaze once more searching throughout that of the cave before turning back onto the others. ¡°I have an idea, we can¡¯t hurt each other, the contract prevents it. So, in theory if one of you were to push me down their I should avoid any immediate impact.¡±

    Jacklyn raised an eyebrow, ¡°And you thought that climbing down was a stupid idea?¡±

    ¡°No, Jacklyn this is the first thing that he¡¯s said that I¡¯ve liked.¡±

    Dorian swallowed taking a step closer toward the hole before giving a curt nod toward the orc. ¡°Enjoy it while you can.¡±

    Luriel smiled wasting no time before charging forth and knocking the smaller man toward the pit. The impact was immediate with the orc stumbling back, a sense of warped confusion overtaking his before arrogant smile as the other stood still before him. He¡¯d taken to covering his face just now beginning to peek from between his fingers as Luriel tried once more; his efforts only leading on to that of which had transpired just before.

    ¡°I¡­I can¡¯t push him, It¡¯s like running up against a damn wall.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯d you think is easier for the spell to accomplish: defying gravity itself or simply stopping you?¡±

    ¡°Well that¡¯s right bullshit. What if I dropped him?¡±

    Before Jacklyn could respond the orc had already taken a hold of Dorian¡¯s wrist to the sound of a surprised yelp. Raising him above his head he tried once more to be rid of the changeling only to find that despite his deepest desires he remained incapable of releasing his grip.

    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s not working, put me down. Now!¡±

    Grumbling through his frustrations Luriel replaced the man upon the ground before sitting along it himself. Crossing his legs he rested his head within a hand before glaring up toward the still startled changeling, ¡°Well, any other bright ideas.¡±

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

    ¡°Well then, if you boys are done rough housing what¡¯d you say we climb down?¡±

    ¡°Oh I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you.¡± The voice seemed calm, almost reassuring, but that did little to stop the trio from stumbling back and drawing their weapons forth.

    ¡°Aight, you¡¯ve got three second to show yourself before I light whateva¡¯ ya are up. One¡­¡± Dorian gripped the handle of his knife, tossing a nervous glance toward his companions. ¡°Two¡­¡±

    The figure stepped forth toward the fire¡¯s light revealing himself to be a rather slim if slightly starved man. His glasses were cracked with his long hair¡¯s few gray strands seeming to interrupt the flow of his callous green eyed stare as it sized each of them up. ¡°That pathway¡¯s a bit complicated you see. It goes for miles and leads on to all sorts of deadly traps made just for bipeds such as yourselves.¡±

    ¡°Where did you come from?¡± Jacklyn demanded as she moved forth, her dual daggers reflecting bits of reddish light when it seemed to suit them.¡±

    ¡°Why, the beholder¡¯s lair, that¡¯s what you¡¯re looking for after all, correct? I could show you the correct way, given of course that you have something to offer.¡±

    ¡°That depends, what¡¯d you want.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about what I want. Master Laios always has need for new items. Come, it shouldn¡¯t be too long of a trek given that I know the correct passages to take.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a pathway?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, but it¡¯s quite imperceptible to outsiders, and you¡¯ll find it quite difficult to open without the right¡­ shall we say key.¡±

    The man turned away then, moving back onto the shadows from whence he came. Though Dorian couldn¡¯t quite make out what the other was doing he held his guard none the less tightly gripping the handle of his knife as he strained to hear what all may be transpiring from behind the ill curtain of darkness. Hearing a metallic click and rustling of rocks the three watched on as the man reappeared gesturing for them to follow on to him and then disappearing once more. Throwing hesitant glances between themselves Jacklyn was the first to move forth motioning for the other two to follow behind as she held her weapons aloft.

    Seeing no other way by which to move forward Dorian followed after the other three bracing his eyes from the pale green glow seeming to encompass the passage by which they¡¯d entered. The area was narrow forcing to group to follow one behind the other in the stretch of its descending terrain.

    ¡°Like the glow rocks? The darkness was a bit hard on my eyes so master Laios put them in for me.¡±

    ¡°Uh, yeah. They¡¯re very¡­illuminating.¡±

    The man laughed, ¡°They sure are.¡±

    ¡°If we can ask, what exactly are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Oh, well that¡¯s a rather long story, filled with half-forgotten details by now. I think I came in search of something¡­although I¡¯m not quite sure what. There was a fight with my group over¡­ something. I think they died and I survived. It¡¯s all so foggy now, but I¡¯m sure that Master Laios will be more than happy to sort it out for you.¡±

    The group followed on in silence, trying to digest the man¡¯s words as they rounded throughout the ever denser space of the caverns. After some time or another they exited from within the tunnel and into a large rounded out husk some ways down into the world. This area housed many of the before mentioned glow stones along it¡¯s ceiling and walls giving the place an overall mystical look. Throughout the dwelling piles of books in various states of care were messily distributed along the floor as well as housed upon the few shelves found within the cave.

    Reaching over toward a nearby pile Dorian palmed through an old volume housing within it a language which at first he could not decipher. Squinting his eyes Dorian thumbed throughout the pages searching for any indication as to what the book may have been about. Finally relenting when he found no such hints he closed the volume and replaced it upon the pile before noticing that the others had made their way slightly deeper into the dwelling.

    ¡°I take it this is your master¡¯s hoard¡± Jacklyn asked

    ¡°Something like that, but you must have known as much given your appearance here.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You want something, of course you do, everyone does. I¡¯m guessing that it¡¯s a book of some importance seeing as how I¡¯m not the only one with a master.¡± He smiled then placing himself upon a pile before casually glancing between the three¡¯s faces. ¡°Tell me, which volume is it? Perhaps I can be of some aid in convincing him.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not look-¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine Luriel,¡± Dorian muttered before throwing the orc a look of warning. ¡°He knows. We don¡¯t know its name, perhaps it¡¯s long forgotten, but it¡¯s text is archaic and it seems to whisper secrets.¡±

    ¡°I see, and your master¡¯s purposes?¡±

    ¡°He¡­ hasn¡¯t told us.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s interesting. I don¡¯t know of us housing any books that ¡®whisper secrets¡¯ as you¡¯ve put it. But, I suppose I could have another look? Has he at least told you of its aura?¡±

    ¡°¡­Something from the far realm has touched it, so green I suppose.¡±

    The man studied Dorian for a few seconds more before standing. ¡°You are an interesting lot.¡± He opened his mouth as if to speak again only to be interrupted by the swelling sounds of his master¡¯s slow decent. The being appeared as if just awoken, it¡¯s many eyes blinking and scanning, slowly moving along the space below it before settling upon the band of four as they sat. The creature seemed to have no proper body of its own. Instead showing only a grotesque and illy formed semblance of a head. As opposed to hair it held long tentacle like stocks each of which held within their sockets eyes matching the always searching scrutiny of the one held within center. But perhaps what intimidated Dorian more so than any other crude aspect of the beast before him were the sharp teeth that knit their way into a callous and manic smile just managing to meet the base of its center eye.

    Seeing the monster had finished within its decent the group¡¯s guide rushed forth bowing somewhat lowly before the thing. ¡°Master Laios, these individuals,¡± He stood gesturing toward the group before returning his gaze on toward the beast, ¡°Were up top, and they claim to be in search of a book for their fiendish master. Something touched by the far realm or other.¡±

    The Beholder squinted each of its eyes seeming to fix onto a different warlock. ¡°And what gifts do they come bearing for the pleasure of examining my collection?¡± It¡¯s voice was callous and rough seeming to gargle in a way not uncommon from that of stirred gravel.

    ¡°Master, you understand, they work for a devil and devils are known to grant favors.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±

    ¡°And that thing that you would like more than any other...¡±

    The monster¡¯s eyes went wide then as if the thought had just occurred to him. ¡°And their master¡­ he could grant it?¡±

    ¡°I believe so, but let us ask our guests.¡±

    No, they cannot know, no one can. I speak only with their fiend. Bring him here at once.¡±

    Jacklyn stepped forward then ushering the servant aside before speaking. ¡°Laios was it, you understand that Sebastien isn¡¯t coming down here without properly knowing why. Especially when¡­the book hasn¡¯t even been confirmed to lie here.¡±

    ¡°The fiend will come or there will be no deal.¡±

    The woman squinted, ¡°Fine, he¡¯ll be here, but he needs to be summoned first, and for that we¡¯ll need the room.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°You wish to look through my collection and then make your escape just like all that came before. You may not leave.¡±

    She rolled her eyes, ¡°Then leave us with your servant.¡±

    ¡°Why!? Why don¡¯t you want me here? DO YOU WISH TO CONSPIRE AGAINST ME!?¡± They always do this, they always wish to trick me. Oh, but I got them first, because I saw it coming. I will remain, and that is final.¡±

    ¡°Then Sebastien will not come.¡±

    ¡°Why not!?¡±

    ¡°Because you won¡¯t leave the room. Your aura reeks of the far realm and it prevents him.¡±

    ¡°Then he must find another way! Walk for all I care. I will not leave and neither will you.¡±

    ¡°¡­I suppose he could use one of us as a host, just give me a moment to confer with my¡­ colleagues.¡±

    ¡°Fine, but you cannot leave the room.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I got as much.¡±

    She turned away from the beast then moving more so towards Dorian and Luriel as she beckoned each of them closer.

    ¡°What¡¯re you talkin¡¯ about. Sebastien isn¡¯t coming here, and what¡¯s this host nonsense. He can¡¯t-¡±

    ¡°Shut up. Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do. Dorian,¡± She pointed towards him, the expression on her face remained hard. ¡°You are going to make yourself look like Sebastien and tell him whatever he wants to hear. Just distract him long enough for Luriel to cut off one of his eye stocks, then in the chaos I¡¯ll contact Sebastien and he¡¯ll pull us out.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re making a lot of assumptions here.¡±

    ¡°And are any of them false?¡±

    ¡°What if he keeps one of his ten eyes fixated on you two? Pretty hard to sneak up on something that can see everything, and you saw how paranoid he was already. And what about the servant? What if he¡¯s actually dangerous?¡±

    ¡°You have a better idea?¡±

    ¡°¡­Maybe just a slight amendment to yours.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±

    ***

    Breaking from within their huddle Jacklyn walked back toward the beholder confirming all in which she had previously lain forth onto him.  ¡°We¡¯ll need to perform a ritual of course.¡±

    The monster rolled it¡¯s eyes before refocusing upon the woman. ¡°Fine, just get him here.¡±

    Nodding she returned onto the others, ¡°Make a show of it. It can¡¯t look too easy. We have to play toward the expectations.¡± Forming a circle they each locked hands with Luriel choosing instead to grip along the width of Dorian¡¯s wrist eliciting a sigh of annoyance as the three began within their chanting. A minute of this display passed with little incident as Dorian began to convulse mumbling nonsensical half phrases for which he believed to sound demonic enough. When the time came at last the other two released him as his skin took that tell tale bluish tint of the fiend for which he¡¯d met just hours before. Normally Dorian¡¯s shifts were close enough to instantons, but he drew this one out hoping to illicit reactions of surprise and ah from his current audience. When he was finished he turned toward the group of by standers flashing them his most charming of smiles. Though he had not known the fiend for very long Dorian believed that he¡¯d felt enough for the thing¡¯s personality to replicate it if only along the lines of a surface level impression.

    ¡°Ah my darling Jacklyn and my¡­ disappointing Luriel, why have you summoned me?¡± The words felt strange as they left his lips, but felt all too right for the fiend to say. Jacklyn played along well enough offering him a quick curtsey while Luriel mumbled beneath his breath just barely stifling the urge to fire back.

    ¡°Lord Sebastien, we wish not to disturb you, but as you can see we require your assistance in acquiring the book. Our gracious host here,¡± she gestured toward the beholder, ¡°Seems to be in need of some favor or other.¡±

    ¡°I see, and what exactly will this favor entail?¡± Dorian stepped forward closing what little distance there was between himself and the monster. Its eyes focused upon him, seeming to search for any ill intent or deceit. Finding none, it spoke:

    ¡°I need¡­the information for which I divulge does not leave this lair.¡±

    ¡°Understood, now on with it.¡±

    ¡°I¡­there¡¯s an ability that has always eluded my grasp. I¡­I can¡¯t read, and I¡¯d very much like to.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Dorian stepped back confusion overtaking his before calm veneer. ¡°Tha¡­that¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Do not mock me fiend! Can you do it or not?¡±

    ¡°Of¡­ye, yeah. I can. I just, I need you to¡­Focus your gaze upon me, and only me.¡±

    ¡°Oh and ya jus¡¯ gonna do ¡®em a favor wit¡¯ out so much as any leverage?¡± Luriel asked as he made his way between Dorian and the beholder. ¡°I say we ge¡¯ a gesture o¡¯ good faith before you and ¡®em do anything.¡±

    ¡°Luriel, I know what I¡¯m doing. Get out of the way.¡±

    The orc squinted his already towering form seeming to grow all the more as he stepped closer toward the ¡®fiend¡¯. ¡°Make me.¡±

    Dorian¡¯s new tail shifted restlessly as he took a step back. Clenching his fist he felt that same spark of hellish power carry it¡¯s way throughout the entirety of his arm. The energy felt wilder than it had before. The red light for which it emitted sent with it a slight array of stern particles in some way or other mimicking his own nervous energy. Thrusting his arm forth he, with a cry of shock and awe, watched as the energy once more wrapped its way around the orc and onward toward the beholder that lay behind.

    The impact was sudden and immediate; landing with an electric boom towards the beast¡¯s center eye. Laios blinked his eyes close upon instinct alone letting loose a grave and guttural roar as his stocks extended outward in a manner reflecting his shock.

    Jacklyn¡¯s movements were quick with a surgeons precision. Moving forward and cutting away at the lowest hanging stock she caught the prize within her outstretched arms watching as a swell of reddened flame began to glow around her and her allies pulling them from within this plane of existence and onward toward that of another.

    ***

    The room by which they entered was the all too familiar setting of Sebastien¡¯s office. The fiend sat poised behind his desk a hungry grin adorning his face as he regarded the three.

    ¡°My, how well you three play together, and Dorian I must say I love the new look. Too bad about the height though, it¡¯s almost a perfect copy.¡±

    Ducking his head and blushing at the remark Dorian shifted back toward that of his before human appearance. ¡°How¡¯d you know when to pull us out?¡±

    ¡°Dorian darling,¡± Sebastien stood making his way around the desk and toward the three, ¡°I¡¯m always watching my warlocks. It¡¯s especially easy when you¡¯re all in the same location.¡±

    ¡°Would you have pulled us out if we were in immediate danger?¡±

    The fiend shrugged turning himself toward Jacklyn and gazing into the severed eye for which she offered him. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, most likely not, but who knows.¡± The cauldron¡¯s in the other room. If the three of you are ready then I am as well.¡±

    ¡°Sebastien, not that this hasn¡¯t been fun and all, but I was actually in the middle of somethin¡¯ before ya pulled me down ¡®ere.¡±

    The devil waved his hand carelessly throughout the air. ¡°Yes of course, just one last thing, for me Luriel.¡± He smiled.

    ¡°O¡¯ course.¡±

    ¡°Do be a sweetheart and go light the cauldron¡¯s fire. When you¡¯re done devil¡¯s coins are in there usual spot.¡± The orc nodded, trailing off into the other room not so much as sparing a glance in the other¡¯s direction.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t he just wonderful?¡±

    ¡°Not exactly the word I¡¯d use.¡±

    Sebastien shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll come to appreciate him eventually. Jacklyn, dear, when he¡¯s done with that go ahead and drop the beholder¡¯s eye in. You can grab a coin as well, oh and pick up a ticket too. I¡¯ll be seeing you later this weekend.¡± The devil winked.

    ¡°Of course, sir.¡± She turned away from the fiend making her way toward the door before pausing. ¡°Dorian, it¡¯s been¡­ you aren¡¯t as stupid as Luriel. I hope that you continue to be useful to Sebastien.¡±

    ¡°Thank you?¡±

    She nodded, exiting from within the room and on toward the other leaving the two as they stood within a moment of silence.

    ¡°And from you Dorian,¡± the fiend reached over plucking a hair from within his head forcing from him a small whimper, ¡°The hair of a Changeling. So what¡¯d you say we finish this?¡± Sebastien smiled at him once more before moving on into the other room gesturing for him to follow.

    As they entered within the room its dwellings were far more akin to a lounge than the before office space for which they¡¯d left. The area sat decorated with various bits of fine art and box like furniture that Dorian had yet to see. Within the center of all of it sat the black rimmed cauldron boiling away above the hellish flame Luriel had ignited. Walking over toward the sickly smelling concoction Sebastien threw Dorian¡¯s freshly plucked hair into the batch. Turning he sat down before the brew gesturing over toward the couch adjacent to the chair.

    ¡°You can have a seat, this¡¯ll take a minute or two.¡±

    Nodding Dorian sat along the couch¡¯s end closes to the fiend his eyes moving away from the devil and onto the brew before sinking away toward the flames that stirred its continual boiling.

    ¡°Hm, tell me. What¡¯re you thinking about? Reconsidering this far in?¡±

    Dorian shook his head, ¡°No, Jacklyn said that you¡¯d given her and Luriel gifts. Something about her eyes, and hellfire for him.¡±

    ¡°Devil¡¯s Sight and Hellish Flame.¡± Sebastien shrugged, ¡°It seemed to fit for them.¡±

    ¡°She said that you probably gave me something as well.¡± He glanced over meeting the fiends eyes as they seemed to light up with something akin to amusement.

    ¡°Yes, I did. You see devils have certain abilities, and I chose to share some of those abilities with my warlocks as a little added bonus. Of course the extent of the abilities are lessened. I wouldn¡¯t want to burn through your mortal souls after all. So I¡¯m guessing that want me to spoil what yours is.¡±

    ¡°That might be helpful.¡±

    The fiend only shook his head in response. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I will. Besides, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find out soon enough, and when you do I promise to tell you its proper name. How¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°You love making things difficult don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°It comes with the job, speaking of. This should be done by now. Dorian would you be a doll and hand me that glass vial over there?¡±

    The changeling nodded turning his gaze toward the wooden table by which he¡¯d been directed plucking from it one of medium size that he believed he could conceal easily enough. Handing the bottle over he watched as the fiend scooped a fair share of the potion from within the cauldron swirling the sickly yellow liquid around as a few bits of settlement moved on toward the glass¡¯s bottom.

    ¡°You uh, made a lot.¡±

    Sebastien shrugged, ¡°I owe someone a favor. They¡¯ll get the rest. You shouldn¡¯t need much more than this anyway.¡± He turned thrusting the potion toward Dorian¡¯s open hands. ¡°Now he doesn¡¯t have to ingest it, a splash upon his skin will work almost as well.¡±

    ¡°Almost?¡±

    "It will act within a slower manner?¡±

    ¡°How much slower?¡±

    ¡°What would normally be instantaneous would instead take about 10-20 minutes. I¡¯d only really go with that method as a last result. Now I¡¯m going to send you back to the mortal plane, I¡¯d normally have you use a devil¡¯s coin, but they can be a little¡­ unreliable as far as exact positioning goes. I¡¯ll try to get you as close to his office as I can.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not coming with me?¡±

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t look so disappointed.¡± He smiled, ¡°I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ve found out by now that I don¡¯t baby my warlocks, Dorian. I¡¯ve held up my end of the bargain. Now you either succeed or fail on your own. However, I promise that I will be watching with captivated interest. Now hold still, I¡¯m sending you back.¡±

    The fiend raised his hand a swell of scarlet flame burning along its surface as well as upon Dorian¡¯s feet with the fire¡¯s growing intensity moving on toward a ravenous crescendo. Gazing back onto the devil before him Dorian gave him a curt nod feeling himself fade away from within this plane and onto the other.

    ¡°Sebastien¡­thank you, for everything.¡±

    ¡°Oh darling, think nothing of it, you¡¯ll more than pay me back throughout the course of your life.¡±

    And with that he was gone leaving Dorian to stand alone, potion in hand, facing towards that of the all too familiar headmaster¡¯s door.

    Hiding the bottle within the folds of his robes Dorian pushed forth opening the office¡¯s door and spying the headmaster sitting somewhat tensely behind his desk. The man raised his head upon hearing the door¡¯s metallic click his eyes narrowing as they locked on to the all too familiar figure before them.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t take very long to turn back up it seems. And here I thought we¡¯d have to search the entire grounds to find you.¡± Running his hands throughout his hair Headmaster Hiram  stood making his way toward the other side of his desk before beckoning Dorian forth. ¡°I suppose you have a reason for coming back then. Have a seat, we can be civil about this.¡±

    ¡°You want to talk? Fine, answer me this Headmaster: Why are people such as yourself so concerned with appearances of civility when you in fact hold plans all to the contrary.¡±

    Hiram raised his eyebrows, his before stern expression melting away to one of unmistakable contempt. ¡°I see that you¡¯ve somewhat developed a bit more of an attitude since your few hours away. Where did you go exactly? There were no points of exit from your dorm save for the one guarded door, and no one saw you exit from within it¡­ unless of course you had an accomplice of sorts.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re trying to keep me busy before your guards arrive then you can forget it, because I¡¯m ending this now.¡±

    ¡°Was it a fiend? There were scorch marks along the floor and the room smelled distinctly of brimstone. You¡¯re tangling with forces that you¡¯re far from understanding, Dorian.¡±

    The changeling ignored the remark, instead moving towards the headmaster closing a large amount of the distance between the two. Reaching along his belt line he pulled forth a knife turning its blade toward that of the other.

    ¡°So this is it? You kill-¡±

    ¡°Shut up! Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen: You have a choice to make.¡± With his free hand Dorian reached within the folds of his robes pulling forth the potion that Sebastien had gifted. ¡°You can either drink this, or you can die where you stand.¡±

    The Headmaster smiled, leaning himself back upon the desk. ¡°That seems somewhat of a false dichotomy to me, wouldn¡¯t you say? I¡¯m not entirely sure what sort of lies this fiend has spun to make you think that this is going to work, but surely you must understand that I am headmaster of this school for a reason.¡±

    The man moved faster than Dorian had expected. His right arm extending forth with a sudden force that seemed to push the changeling back with a hefty gust. Dropping the knife and vial Dorian flew forth across the room scrunching his eyes closed as he collapsed against the opposing wall.

    Struggling to his feet he scarcely recovered in time to avoid the headmaster¡¯s haphazard knife swing. The man¡¯s expression seemed wild and almost blood thirsty as he swung once more slashing this way and that cutting upon the edge of Dorian¡¯s robes forcing the changeling to retreat all the more before his back was pressed to the southward wall.

    Seeing his chance Hiram lunged forward knife in hand only to be halted in place by that of his own likeness standing before him. Though his hesitation was brief it¡¯d been more than enough to provide Dorian with the opportune opening to hit the headmaster with a charged up bout of shock and awe.

    Feeling the electric sting of the attack Hiram felt himself fly forth throughout the air as the overall shock resonated throughout his slightly shaking form. Seeing his opportunity Dorian raced back to the headmaster¡¯s desk and scooped the vial from its place along the floor. Rushing his way toward the other man he knelt atop him pressing his knees into his shoulders to force the other onto stillness. Removing the vials cork with his teeth he forced the half lucid headmaster¡¯s mouth to open with his free hand making sure to pour the likes of the concoction into it.  Moving away from the headmaster Dorian fell back as a feeling of aspiration took hold of him. Breathing deeply he watched as the other man roused himself and began to cough.

    ¡°What did ya, ah fuck, it tastes like sweat and mud.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s devil¡¯s polymorph; the transformation will be permanent and only the true sight of a god could manage to see through it.¡±

    A look of realization donned along the headmaster¡¯s face as his hand reached higher toward that of his growing and ever whitening hair. Pulling at it he saw the little pigment held within his skin begin to fade away to that of almost sickly white. Standing, his hollow eyes searching, the once headmaster stumbled to view his reflection within the office¡¯s window.

    ¡°Reverse this!¡±

    Dorian shook his and made his way before the office¡¯s only exit. ¡°You¡¯re now just as guilty as I was when you brought me here. So I believe that the same fate is more than fitting onto you.¡±

    Hiram looked away from himself and back towards Dorian. ¡°Oh so you care to prove my point then, commit the exact crimes for which I accused you and replace me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re little game of reverse psychology isn¡¯t going to work. When Sebastien first proposed the idea to me, I was utterly disgusted by it, but now I realize that the only real injustice would be in letting people like you define what I¡¯m supposed to be. I wouldn¡¯t be a monster as you claim,¡± Dorian looked Hiram in the eyes for the first time since he¡¯d begun speaking, His body beginning to shift in appearance to the other man¡¯s likeness as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯d be a better version of you, because while you¡¯re rotting away within some cell of your own making I will be removing this stain of corruption that you and the city¡¯s officials have sewn from the inside out. And the world will be all the better for it. Now hold still.¡±

    Raising his arm, Dorian charged one last shock of energy unleashing it to its full capacity against his now look alike. The reaction was immediate to the point of satisfaction as the man fell stiff as a board before him.

    ***

    A week had passed since Dorian¡¯s ascension the clothes that he now wore were somewhat ill fitting; although not on to the point that a casual glance would ascertain as much. Turning away from the mirror and toward the fiend along his desk Dorian did a small spin in place before moving closer to the other.

    ¡°So, how do I look?¡±

    Sebastien smiled, ¡°You¡¯ve done quite well for yourself my darling, although I must say that I do prefer your other face to this one. And you possessed no problems with their true sight.¡±

    Dorian shook his head, ¡°No, so that¡¯s my gift then?¡±

    ¡°It is, I call it ¡®The Greatest Lie¡¯ of course it manifests quite differently in devils, but I imagined it to be helpful to you as well.¡±

    ¡°It has been, but answer me this: How did you know that I¡¯d come around to replacing the headmaster?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t, although you choosing to not do so wouldn¡¯t have been a breaking point for me. However, I''m very happy that you¡¯ve decided to strengthen my foothold in Isadore. The college is quite influential within their politics after all.¡± Dorian nodded, sitting down into a chair before the desk. ¡°No, my dear, by all means, it¡¯s your desk now. Take a seat behind it as you should.¡±

    Complying Dorian stood moving around as he felt the fiend¡¯s eyes upon him. Sitting down he offered an open armed gesture. ¡°Better?¡±

    ¡°Much.¡±

    Dorian sighed, ¡°Not that I¡¯m not happy to see you Sebastien, but why exactly are you here? I have a lot of things that I need to get done, if I¡¯m going to go about in fixing this school. Also, I¡¯m still a novice mage so¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry about that. You¡¯ll have plenty of time to fix the school and learn magic, but all work and no play makes for such a dull toy.¡±

    Dorian¡¯s eyebrow arched, ¡°You¡¯re here because you¡¯re horny?¡±

    ¡°Is that a problem? If so, I could go find Luriel or Jacklyn, I¡¯m sure they wouldn¡¯t mind entertaining me.¡±

    ¡°No, no it¡¯s¡­ I¡¯m glad you picked me, I¡¯m just, a little surprised.¡±

    ¡°Really? Is that so, sooner or later we¡¯ll work that uncertainty out of you, but for now it¡¯s cute. So, shall we?¡±

    Dorian blushed, taking the fiend¡¯s offered hand as the two shifted planes much in the same way as they had upon their first meeting.

 Inn Unfortunate Company

    The crowd before Val¨¦re was one of the usual sort; a few drifters here, the odd one who''d come in to avoid the ever-cooling weather there, and of course the few regulars who''d no doubt fallen prey to alcoholism at one time or another. They were always easy; whether it was to spot, read, or perhaps most important of all: to rob. He''d made a little game of it by this point in time. A patron or two would walk in and he''d guess at what brought them in, weighing their worth. Waiting and watching to see which method best suited his approach given that they amounted to as much, and so far, no one of the like had, at least until now.

    The two were shivering as they each entered the tavern. A man and woman alike him with the distinctive markings of a Half-Elf and her with that of a Tiefling¡¯s. Each sporting within their stride a given rhythm and mannerism that perhaps implied that they''d known each other for quite some time. He was tall, but not uncomfortably so, while she instead stood to be slightly shorter than Val¨¦re who himself wasn''t particularly tall. Their clothing while mostly suited to the weather was clearly foreign made and of a superior quality to the common tapestry that the bar''s usual rift-raft rattled about within. They were wealthy, at least more so than anyone he''d seen thus far throughout the town and given as much he''d be sure to make his move tonight and be far upon his way by the time that either of them had realized that anything was amiss.

    Standing, Val¨¦re made his way towards that of the bar taking a seat beside the quickly warming couple as they engaged each other in what he was sure was an argument that they''d surely had more than a few times along their various travels.

    "I''m telling you Maz, we''re not even remotely near Elowen."

    "Sure we are, just have a little faith. I''m sure it''s just another few miles east of here. We''ll get a room for the night, relax by the fire, and tomorrow we''ll be there before you know it. Now what''d you say we get some drinks?"

    The woman rolled her eyes a clear annoyance taking hold of her already stiff disposition. Allowing for just the chance that Val¨¦re had been awaiting.

    "I''m sorry to intrude, but I couldn''t help but overhear. Did you say Elowen?"

    "I did. " The man began a slight air of suspicion invading his before friendly tone.

    "Yes I thought so, my cousin is from there, and I''m afraid that your lady friend here is right. You seem to have veered slightly off course unless you are taking the scenic route."

    "I told you." She remarked with an air of triumph.

    "Of course, you aren''t so far off that it''d take you more than a day¡¯s trip to correct. I could of course show you the way, oh and where are my manners. I¡¯m Val¨¦re Boniface." He smiled extending a hand to each of them.

    "Mazin, but I prefer to go by Maz." The man remarked accepting his extended hand before his companion did much the same.

    "Avani," she replied.

    ¡°A pleasure to make both of your acquaintance. May I join you? I believe that I have a map on my person that may in fact be of some interest to each of you."

    The two glanced at one another, "Why of course," Maz answered "Hell, let''s get a table then."

    Val¨¦re nodded following as the two led him to a booth far closer to that of the fire. Taking his seat and palming throughout his bag he managed to produce the before mentioned map making note of their current location as he did so. "If I''m not being too forward, why exactly are you two choosing to travel during such a bitterly cold part of the year?"

    The two glanced at one another seeming to share something unspoken before Maz began to answer. "It''s... kind of complicated. Let''s just say that our move wasn''t one of our own choice, and that we''d rather not speak of it for the time being."

    Val¨¦re raised an eyebrow. "That''s fine, I understand completely. Now onto the matter of your travels." He said gesturing back towards the map and laying forth the few corrective steps for which the pair would need take in hopes of reaching their desired location. Before long, the two had an intimate understanding of not only the area''s layout but so to the likes of its wildlife, various paths, and areas for which were best avoided whether it be from natural or manmade danger. When all was said and done and Val¨¦re seemed pleased enough with his work he stood rolling up the map and set about in departing turning very clearly toward the door as he did so.

    "Val¨¦re, are you not staying in this inn?" Maz asked, a note of concern seeping its way into his tone.

    Val¨¦re suppressed a smile before turning back towards his most gracious hosts. "No, this is a bit embarrassing, but I''m afraid I haven''t the coin to do so. Things are a bit tight at the moment."

    "Well nonsense, you''ve been of such great help to us. I know, we''ll put you up for the night, right Avani?"

    "Oh, I couldn''t impose."

    "You wouldn''t be." Avani cut in, "Honestly we insist."

    "Well," Val¨¦re chuckled "Who am I to disappoint the lady? I accept." He finished sitting back upon his side of the booth as the two smiled in that same polite manner his targets always displayed when such a mark of trust had been implanted within their minds. The three continued on for some time talking within their small group all the while growing ever more endeared to one another until it became late enough that they''d decided to depart on into their own separate rooms all agreeing to reconvene once again for breakfast.

    Entering into his new abode Val¨¦re struck a match lighting the likes of the dresser''s gas lantern only for the flame itself to snuff out as soon as he caught view of the figure before him. His glance was short lived, but he recognized her all the same with her elongated and snow-white hair, dazzling red eyes that seemed to study him as he stood transfixed, and the startling black antlers sprouting from within her head acting within a stark contrast to that of her otherwise pale appearance.

    "Beshaba..."

    "Val¨¦re Boniface, what is that some sort of joke? Is that really what you''re going by these days?"

    He swallowed, "I like the sound of it."

    "I''m sure that you do." She smiled, a cockroach managing to escape from within the holds of her mouth. The small insect scurrying its way across her neck and towards her chest only to be squashed with the loud smack of her hand resonating throughout the room.

    "My eyes are up here, Val¨¦re."

    "What do you want?"

    "I can''t stop by to see an old friend?"

    "We''re not friends."

    "I suppose you''re right. You always were more of a plaything. I''m simply here because I''m bored. So, tell me, what game are you playing with these two? I haven''t been watching for a while and I must say you''ve gotten far better at lying since I last saw you. Maybe I should up the difficulty with a bit of bad luck."

    Val¨¦re stiffened at the suggestion. A flash of his former life nearly forming itself before he shook the thought away as Beshaba began to laugh, her tone now taking on the tenor of a false pity. "You always did frighten so easily but worry not. I won''t interfere. At least not yet. You see in truth I''m back because things are about to get a hell of a lot more interesting for you, and I''d really hate to spoil that bit of fun for myself by being so¡­over eager. I''ll see you soon Val¨¦re." She smiled again disappearing as the gas lantern lit once more.

    ***

    Val¨¦re hadn''t slept well that night; laying restlessly as he thought over all in which the goddess had said. He couldn''t help but wonder if he''d for some reason mistaken her meaning for that of another as she''d been purposefully cryptic within her delivery of as much. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes he readied himself for the morning''s meeting with the couple forgetting all else for the time being. He''d done much to set up the likes of his con yesterday evening, but today would serve in either making or breaking what little remained within his overall scheme. The two likely wouldn''t wish to stay another night within the inn given what information he''d amassed before taking on this job. In addition to that he hadn''t the time necessary to have them comfortable with him accompanying them any further along in their expressed travels. No, if he were to make a move, he''d have to do it now if any of his earlier work were set in paying off.

    Exiting his room Val¨¦re journeyed down the inn''s old, wooden stairs spotting the pair as he came into the tavern along the first floor. Catching Avani''s eyes he gave her a wink followed by a friendly smile continuing on toward the table by which they''d procured before his arrival only for her to bashfully turn away as a hint of crimson began creeping its way within her cheeks. Smiling again he turned toward Mazin who seemed to have just noticed his arrival and in turn greeted him with a smile of his own.

    "Ah Val¨¦re, we''re so happy that you could join us again."

    "Believe me, the pleasure¡¯s all mine, especially if the two of you haven''t managed to eat breakfast yet."

    "No, just a bit of coffee. Although now that the three of us are all together I see no reason why we can''t."

    "Excellent."

    The three went on from there devouring their soon arrived meal making various amounts of small talk amongst themselves and delving into their continued plans.

    Throughout what would be their time spent within the general area. Val¨¦re paid enough attention adding in a word here and there while smiling and laughing along at all the moments in which it would''ve been polite enough to do so, but his mind couldn''t help but to wander as to the previous night with Beshaba''s worrying words. Would she mess with him as she often used to while he was busy working away at this con? Or would she perhaps be content enough to watch for now as she''d promised, saving up her strength for whatever such event she''d alluded to taking place within his near future? Regardless of the goddesses¡¯ course Val¨¦re relaxed knowing that now was not the time for him to fall prey to such forces. He needed this pay day more than ever if he were to continue forth. So, in ridding the idea from within his mind he probed once more hoping beyond all else that he''d played his part well enough thus far. If the following were to succeed he''d have to be indispensable. And with that thought held in bay, he began to speak once more.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "I imagine you two are quite eager to set off upon the road again now that you have the proper directions."

    Maz looked up from his plate. "Why I believe that we are."

    Val¨¦re nodded starting to saw at a bit of his eggs, "I can understand as much. You know a group of three is far more intimidating than two, and as I said yesterday the paths around here has been known to be occupied by various groups of roaming bandits."

    "Are you suggesting coming along Val¨¦re?" Avani asked with a teasing smile.

    "Well, I was simply being economical is all. Like I said earlier I''m a bit short on funds for the time being, and my cousin lives where you just happen to be heading. Safety in numbers and all that."

    "I suppose that there is an advantage in as much." Maz replied, taking a sip from upon his glass as his eyes darted to the side.

    "Besides this area''s a bit less progressive, so I imagine a group of bandits would think twice before coming after the two of you with a half-orc in tow." Shit, don''t over sell it.

    "Right..."

    Fuck  "Not that I was implying that you guys were thinking that or..." Val¨¦re trailed off seeing a look of discomfort cross between the two. "Would you excuse me for a moment, I have to use the restroom." Not waiting for a response, Val¨¦re shuffled his way across the room and on toward the restroom quickly turning to face himself toward that of the lavatory''s mirror. "It''s now or never, get your fucking head in the game." He mumbled before refocusing upon his loftily held task and returning toward that of his group''s table.

    Once reseated Val¨¦re began anew hoping beyond any shadow of a doubt that his previous gaff would be seen as nothing more than a normal linguistic misstep on behalf of one who was nervous not for the means of a scheme falling through, but instead for one who wished to make a good impression upon his humbling hosts. And in thinking through as much, he sold himself upon the performance not merely embodying his character of the helpful stranger, but instead allowing for himself to become such a being as well.

    ¡°Listen, I know that it¡¯s a big thing to allow someone whom you¡¯ve known for basically a day to tag along upon your journey especially with the state of the world at this, hell, every moment. I just wanted to say that it was wrong for me to spring such a request upon you and expect an immediate answer especially after you¡¯ve been so generous thus far. I¡¯m sorry, and it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want me to tag along.¡±

    ¡°Val¨¦rie relax,¡± Avani said practically stifling a giggle, ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to apologize for. It was just an awkward turn of phrase. Honestly, it¡¯s kind of cute how nervous you are.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not nervous.¡±

    She laughed, ¡°No, of course you¡¯re not. You can come with us, honestly you¡¯ve been helpful enough as it is and as far as we can tell the more the merrier.¡±

    Val¨¦rie nodded suppressing a smile as he did so. ¡°I take it that we¡¯ll be leaving soon?¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow, if you can manage it.¡± Maz spoke, finishing whatever little bits of his meal remained.

    Val¨¦rie shrugged, "That seems reasonable enough to me."

    "Well that''s good, I was worried that the short notice may have disrupted any sort of plans that you may have had. Speaking of as much what exactly were you doing in this inn again? You said that you couldn''t afford to stay here after all."

    Val¨¦rie paused, somewhat taken aback by the other''s scrutinizing gaze. "I did in fact say as much, and if you must know I simply came in to avoid the rather harsh nature of the season¡¯s elements."

    "See, nothing suspicious." Avani spoke up, a nervous smile painting her otherwise pretty face.

    "Suspicious what do you mean?"

    "Oh noth-"

    "She means that I don''t trust you. You see Val¨¦rie, I started thinking about your story a bit last night and the nature of coincidence present in you not being a patron of this inn and yet just so happening to be here when we arrived. Especially given that you''re clearly not a resident of this town or perhaps even the country given lack of an accent. So, tell me who are you really Val¨¦rie, and why are you so intent on coming with us?"

    "..."

    "Nothing to say? No more lies to tell. Not quite ready to talk your way out of this one? You know, you almost had me, but-"

    "Fine, you''ve got me. I haven''t been entirely forth coming with who I am, and that''s not fair to either of you. If you want the truth, then you can have it. My name is Kaldir Azenif and I am currently fleeing from the hellish forced labor in which I lived under for most of my life." Maz''s smile faded. "I lied to you for the same reason that I''ve been forced to lie to everyone ever since I escaped, because I am being hunted by my former master Dieter the Conquer. So yes, I was going to rob you once we set out tomorrow, but it was only for that of my own survival.¡±

    ¡°That was¡­¡± Maz trailed off. ¡°Listen Val¡­ Kaldir, I didn¡¯t-¡±

    ¡°We obviously didn¡¯t know¡± Avani cut in, an overall look of sadness and concern seeming to take hold of her before unsure face. ¡°And I suppose that the three of us are perhaps birds of a feather seeing as how we too are on the run from someone.¡±

    ¡°Avani-¡±

    ¡°He opened up to us Mazin, I think that we owe him at least somewhat of an explanation as to who we are.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t owe me anything. I was going to rob you in case you¡¯ve forgotten.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t, and don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll make it up to us in due time. But if we¡¯re going to move forward as a group then it¡¯s high time that we stop withholding the truth from one another.¡±

    Val¨¦re nodded. ¡°If that¡¯s to be the case, then I suggest we go somewhere with a few less prodding eyes and eager ears.¡±

    ¡°I suppose that is the wisest course of action,¡± Maz responded as he raised himself from the holds of his chair.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming your room then?¡±

    The pair glanced across at one another, before nodding at last. ¡°I¡¯ll pay for our breakfast and meet Avani and you up there.¡±

    ***

    It hadn¡¯t taken long after their departure for Maz to arrive within the room swiftly closing the door behind him as he made his way over onto the end of the bed where he¡¯d apparently felt most comfortable. Val¨¦re sat not far from him at the room¡¯s closest imitation of a desk while Avani stood somewhat restlessly gazing back from one end of the now crowded room back onto the other seeming to work up whatever nerve necessary to speak the truth of her story into being.

    ¡°Well, now that we¡¯re all here, I guess I can start.¡±

    ¡°Avani you don¡¯t-¡± Val¨¦re began, stopping as she raised her hand to silence him.

    ¡°I want to. Mazin and I are political dissidents from the city of Dahlia. And though I wouldn¡¯t by any stretch of the imagination call us major figures in the movement, what we did was more than enough to rifle a few feathers. Because as it turns out people don¡¯t like hearing things that contradict their particular narrative lens. Nevertheless, we had to flee the city with its law enforcement on our tail and we¡¯ve¡­we¡¯ve¡­¡±

    ¡°Been running ever since. There have been a few close calls, but by keeping an eye out we¡¯ve been able to stay at least a step ahead of them at every turn.¡±

    ¡°And then you got lost?¡±

    ¡°I guess you could say we¡¯ve been lost for a while in one way or another.¡±

    ¡°May ask what happened in Dahlia.¡±

    ¡°Just a bunch of bullshit with different factions and people being a bit too comfortable for the social change that¡¯s so obviously needed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s really vague, but I think I get the gist.¡±

    Maz laughed, ¡°Yeah, I guess that could apply to anything, huh. Well, so now you know.¡±

    ¡°As you do of me, and I believe that we¡¯re the better because of it.¡±

    ¡°I think so too.¡±

    Val¨¦re stood beginning to make his way over toward the door, ¡°I guess I¡¯ll see you two bright and early tomorrow to get the hell out of here. The more space between us and them, the better. But, if I may ask, why Elowen?¡±

    Maz shrugged, ¡°Big city with a lot of strange faces. Who¡¯s going to notice two or I guess three more?¡±

    ¡°Fair enough, good night.¡± Val¨¦re turned away from the two only to feel the cool and gentle touch of Avani¡¯s hand stay him for just a moment more.

    ¡°You know Val¨¦re,¡± her voice stifled, taking on a much softer tone, ¡°There¡¯s no reason that you have to spend the night within your room all alone.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not wrong, I wouldn¡¯t mind a distraction after all this bullshit if you wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    Val¨¦re smiled, ¡°No I suppose I wouldn¡¯t so long as you two are up for it.¡±

    ***

    The rays of the morning¡¯s sun were harsh upon the eyes of Val¨¦re as he stirred from the midst of his slumber managing to recall the finer details of last night¡¯s excursion as he spied the two idle bodies lain beside him. Smiling to himself he moved carefully throughout the bed his feet landing along the wooden floor and began to dress once more before leaving the room.

    Upon his return he brought with him two steaming plates of the tavern¡¯s finest only to find that within his absence the two had still somehow reframed from rising. Setting the plates along the makeshift desk Val¨¦re walked toward their side of the bed before giving them a gentle nudge shocking them back onto the land of the living.

    ¡°Hey, sleeping beauty, prince charming, what happened to leaving at the crack of dawn.¡±

    ¡°Mmm, shit. What time is it? And what smells so good?¡± Maz asked rubbing along his eyes as he seemed to come back into himself.¡±

    ¡°Breakfast in bed, don¡¯t worry I put it on your tab.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell if that¡¯s sweet or cheap.¡± Avani remarked reaching for her and Maz¡¯s plate.

    ¡°A little bit of both, so I guess that neutralizes it. You should eat quickly. I want to get out of here as soon as possible.¡±

    "Someone¡¯s in a rush.¡±

    ¡°Avani, Val- I mean Kaldir-¡±

    ¡°You can just stick with Val¨¦re, I¡¯ve gone by it long enough at this point.¡±

    ¡°Right, Val¨¦re isn¡¯t wrong we should probably all be in a rush. We¡¯ve stayed here long enough as it is.¡±

    ¡°I know, I know, but maybe we can just take things a little easier this once.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re almost to the finish line at this point. We can take it easy in Elowen. And if we need anything for the trip I can go and grab it while you guys enjoy what will probably be the last hot meal for the next few days.¡±

    ¡°You know, that doesn¡¯t sound like a bad idea. There¡¯s a shop down the street isn¡¯t there?¡±

    ¡°Yup, I¡¯ll grab the coin purse and be back before you know it.¡±

    It didn¡¯t take Val¨¦re long to acquire the few supplies for which they¡¯d need and to return onto the two who¡¯d already packed and paid what few debts remained with the inn. Seeking to continue within their efficiency the three departed toward the trails making their way onward to the southern city of Elowen and leaving all that had occurred before behind within their wake.

    ***

    ¡°And you got them just like that?¡±

    ¡°Of course. They¡¯re asleep along the other side of the creek as promised, and as I¡¯m sure that you aren¡¯t particularly interested within my methods I¡¯ll take the pay and be on my way.¡±

    The man smiled at Val¨¦re before gesturing toward his two subordinates who began walking toward the camp as per his instructions before disappearing over the hill. It wasn¡¯t long after before the distinct and unpleasant sounds of the two¡¯s screaming began to overtake whatever peace the forest had once held within it before that too soon died down into a muffled plea.

    Rubbing his neck Val¨¦re turned back onto the man speaking once more in what he hoped sounded at least somewhat like a calm tone. ¡°Can I have my payment now.¡±

    ¡°Not until I lay my eyes upon them. Relax it shouldn¡¯t take but a second or so before the boys bring ¡®em over.¡±

    Running his hand throughout his hair Val¨¦re watched as the two men came over the hill with Maz and Avani in tow the two seeming to be somewhat dazed as they were dragged along only for their eyes to widen when catching site of Val¨¦re as well as the man standing by his side.

    ¡°You son of a bitch, you sold us out!¡± Maz shouted attempting to break free from his captor¡¯s hold only to fall in line after having his arm uncomfortably repositioned by the underling.

    ¡°Val¨¦re, was any of it even true.¡± Avani asked, her voice barely that of whisper as she made no effort to fight her now free flowing tears.¡±

    Val¨¦re averted his gaze looking now toward that of the jailer before him. ¡°You¡¯ve seen them, now my pay.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s a no then,¡± Maz spat the hatred clear throughout his tone.

    ¡°Relax, I¡¯ve got it right here.¡± The jailer chimed before pulling a bag from within his pocket and handing it off to Val¨¦re. ¡°As promised. And as for you two: Aramis, Daud get ¡®em loaded up. We¡¯ve got a long ride back to Dahlia.¡±

    ¡°Yes sir.¡± One of the men responded before taking the two on toward their carriage.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for this Val¨¦re, if it¡¯s the last thing I do.¡± Maz shouted out before the muffling of a gag began to drown out the likes of his fury.

    ¡°Hey uh, Boniface. You do pretty good work. I¡¯ve been trying to catch these two for months, and you have what, three days and they¡¯re yours. You give me a call if you ever need any more work.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯ll be sure to do that.¡± Val¨¦re mumbled before walking off throughout what remained of the trail.

    ***

    He hadn¡¯t expected her, though he could hardly count himself as surprised when he saw her reflection throughout the glass curvature of his brandy bottle acting in tandem with that unusual bone deep chill that always seemed to accompany her whenever made such appearances.

    ¡°It¡¯s funny, and here I always thought that you didn¡¯t like to drink.¡± She whispered, her voice seeming to carry within it that insidious amusement for which he was now beginning to detest more so than anything else.

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he half mumbled before taking another swig, the liquid¡¯s putrid taste instantly overcoming all other sensations for which he¡¯d previously known. ¡°Are you here to punish me?¡±

    She laughed, ¡°Val¨¦re I don¡¯t punish bad people. I simply came to tell you that I enjoyed the show. You really have become quite the adept liar from that little boy that I used to know.¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I paid you a compliment and that¡¯s your response? Well, I suppose your manners haven¡¯t much improved, but that¡¯s to be expected. I¡¯ll let it slide this time though since I¡¯m in such a good mood. Honestly, I forgot how much fun you could be, and from here on out I¡¯m going to be paying extra special attention and even throwing a challenge in every now and again just for a bit of¡­ I don¡¯t know, extra. Enjoy your drink Val¨¦re, I doubt that it will be your last.¡±

 Corpse Caper

    Inigo flinched as the cuff was tightened upon his wrist. He hadn¡¯t meant for it to go this far, and on the off chance that it had, which it did, he hadn¡¯t meant to be captured afterward. Sighing, the young mage relented within the shackle¡¯s hold before throwing the guard one last look as he exited from within the cell. His arms were stretched high above his head, almost uncomfortably so, and as he stood there within the flickering torch light he thought over his actions searching for the exact moment in which things had gone so wrong. But, before his mind was allowed to stray too far from his current circumstance the door opened once more only for a guard to enter in with an older, elvish boy.

    Inigo smiled, his features brightening as he shouted on to the other. ¡°Elsdon!¡±

    ¡°No, shut up!¡± Inigo relented with Elsdon¡¯s scowl, his pointed ears seeming to twitch as they heated with a blush. Sighing he turned to the guard and gave him a brief nod allowing for the man to exit through the door and close it once more. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you!?¡±

    ¡°I-¡±

    ¡°No, shut up! That question was rhetorical, and I wanna yell at you!¡± The elf clenched his fists and buried his eyes within the heel¡¯s of his hands. Exhaling, he removed them before stumbling forward to stand before the other boy. Inigo was shorter than he was with paler hair and wide blue eyes that almost made him appear harmless. His face still held a bit of baby fat that only really served in making him look younger. In truth, he was hard to stay angry at, but Elsdon tried his best regardless. ¡°I am convinced at this point that the only reason that you¡¯re my underclassman is because Professor Marston hates me. I am going to give you exactly ten minutes to explain what the fuck in Vizaneer¡¯s world you were thinking before I just leave you here.¡±

    Inigo watched the other boy trying against all else to keep his eyes free of the hurt in which he felt. ¡°It was¡­an investment opportunity?¡±

    ¡°An investment opportunity? Well let¡¯s go over what your little ¡®investment opportunity¡¯ cost you. You¡¯re being charged with: breaking and entering, theft, desecration of a corpse, necromancy- ¡±

    ¡°Necromancy!¡± Inigo jerked against his chains. The rusted metal beginning to click as it held him in place. ¡°That¡¯s bullshit!¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t seem to think so, and I wasn¡¯t finished: solicitation, trespassing, attempted purchase of illegal substances, and destruction of property.¡± Inigo blinked. ¡°Now, I¡¯m finished.¡±

    ¡°You can make it go away though right¡­your dad¡¯s-¡±

    ¡°Yes, my father. Not yours¡­ Iggy, did Majin talk you into this?¡± The boy blushed adverting his gaze. ¡°Gods you¡¯re stupid. Sometimes I wonder how you even tested into Athanase.¡± Elsdon sighed his ears dropping ever so slightly along with his gaze. ¡°Tell me what happened; from the start. I want to hear it in your own words.¡±

    Inigo nodded.

    ***

    Inigo couldn¡¯t help but feel his nerves flutter as he opened the door onto the other boy. Elsdon was in class, but by this point it wouldn¡¯t be long before he was released to return to the dorm.

    ¡°You¡¯re late, like way late.¡± He muttered before allowing the tiefling to step within the room¡¯s hold. The other boy was taller, but not by much, his horns were the only thing that gave him any sort of edge upon the other. His uniform was ill fitting, and almost sloppily done, but Inigo knew this more so as a subtle sign of rebellion than anything to do with a lack of monetary means. Closing the door behind the other Inigo turned to face the tiefling before rolling his eyes in faux annoyance. ¡°You know Elsdon doesn¡¯t like for you to sit on his bed.¡±

    Majin shrugged, allowing for his tail to sway ever so slightly as his white eyes creased with a mischievous smile. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think he likes me in here at all.¡±

    Inigo snorted, ¡°And he said that you were too stupid to take a hint.¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should let him keep believing that, but I¡¯ve got something that you¡¯re going to love.¡± Inigo raised an eyebrow before taking a seat across from the other. ¡°So, I know a guy, who knows a guy who has heard rumor that there¡¯s a guy in town paying top dollar for¡­ a no longer living individual.¡±

    ¡°You came here, because you want to sell a corpse to a necromancer!?¡±

    ¡°Hey, no one said that he was a necromancer.¡±

    ¡°Why else would he want a body!?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not really our concern, and if it was there could be tons of reasons. He asked for a very specific corpse¡­specificish. Maybe it¡¯s a long lost family member.¡± Inigo merely rolled his eyes. ¡°Or¡­he could be. You know what, it actually doesn¡¯t matter; we have enough to declare plausible deniability.¡±

    ¡°Majin that¡¯s not going to fly when this inevitably goes south.¡±

    The tiefling shook his head, ¡°We¡¯re not going to get caught.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve never been caught before.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve never done this before. No Majin, this is stupid.¡±

    ¡°Come on, this won¡¯t work with only one person.¡±

    ¡°Then take it to someone else.¡±

    ¡°Most everyone else here won¡¯t even talk to me.¡±

    Inigo rolled his eyes, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because you wanna steal a corpse.¡±

    Majin pouted his already pink skin seeming to flush all the more as his tail curled ever so slightly, ¡°That¡¯s not why and you know it.¡±

    ¡°It certainly doesn¡¯t help.¡± The boy sighed before standing up and moving towards the door. ¡°My answer¡¯s still no, and I hope that you¡¯re smart enough not to try without me.¡± Inigo opened the door and gestured slightly for the other boy to leave. ¡°Elsdon, will be back soon; you should probably go.¡±

    Majin¡¯s gaze fell onto the floor before he too stood up. ¡°Fine, I just thought that you¡¯d be more interested given that you could probably see Noella Roslyn¡¯s boobs.¡±

    Inigo closed the door catching the mischievous glint within the tiefling¡¯s eyes as he smiled. ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t tell you? I know where we can get a polymorph potion. It¡¯s supposed to be the good shit that¡¯s permanent; rumor has it that it was made by an actual devil. We split it into fourths, each take a swig and turn into girls. Then we go into the locker room, see all the boobs that we want, and change back like nothing ever happened. ¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s- you¡¯re so full of- that¡¯s dumb.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± The tiefling leaned in, ¡°Seeing boobs is dumb?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not¡­your plan is!¡±

    Majin shook his head. ¡°Trust me, it¡¯s easy money. The hardest part will be carrying the body.¡±

    ¡°Well if the end goal is the polymorph potion then why can¡¯t we do, I don¡¯t know literally anything else.¡±

    ¡°Iggy, this is basically a delivery job. You¡¯re not really going to find anything easier that pays this much. Believe me, I looked.¡±

    ¡°Well maybe you didn¡¯t look hard enough.¡±

    The tiefling shrugged as he made his way around the other and back toward the bed. ¡°Maybe I didn¡¯t, but if there is we¡¯re not going to find it before that thing is sold off. Littleman said that he could hold on to it for about two days, and that was with sweet talking¡­and some silver.¡±

    Inigo bit his lip and reluctantly met the other boy¡¯s eyes. ¡°When are we supposed to do this then?¡±

    Majin smiled, ¡°I was hoping for tonight.¡±

    ***

    It hadn¡¯t been particularly hard for Inigo to sneak off from campus as he¡¯d done it several times before when the circumstances called for as much. The few guards working along the campus kept their checks to a minimum, and their routes hadn¡¯t changed any from the semester¡¯s earlier months.

    Feeling the night¡¯s cool chill along his skin Inigo couldn¡¯t help but to wish that he¡¯d dressed a little warmer. He¡¯d only been out for a few minutes, as he opted to leave later given the other boy¡¯s track record, and already he was beginning to shiver. They¡¯d each agreed to meet along the edge of Hakam Street; a good block or so away from the campus, and Inigo couldn¡¯t help but to feel his nerves begin to flutter as he stood alone.

    Glancing through the darkened space he relaxed a bit once he saw Majin approaching. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± The tiefling asked with his trademark smile. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±

    ¡°You know I showed up about fifteen minutes after I said that I would, and you¡¯re still somehow late.¡±

    Majin shifted looking a bit embarrassed. ¡°Sorry, I had to make sure that Romayne was really out.¡±

    ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s just get this over with before someone catches us.¡±

    The two walked in step side by side as each fell into a soft silence. Majin had begun to fiddle with a coin, passing it through the gaps within his fingers before making it disappear whole sale. He smiled towards Inigo, but the other boy hadn¡¯t seemed to notice. Majin pouted as he watched the other shiver.

    ¡°Are you actually that cold or are you trying to make me feel guilty?¡±

    Inigo glanced up and stifled his shivering a bit. ¡°It¡¯s freezing out here.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that bad.¡±

    ¡°Maybe not to you.¡±

    Majin glanced down to his hand watching as the coin slipped down from his sleeve. ¡°We¡¯ll be there soon,¡± he mumbled. Inigo nodded as he let out a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that I made you wait.¡±

    ¡°You already apologized.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­but you didn¡¯t¡­¡± Majin shook his head, ¡°It¡¯ll be worth it, okay.¡±

    ¡°Majin, if I didn¡¯t think that I wouldn¡¯t be out here.¡±

    ¡°Are you mad at me?¡±

    Inigo glanced up, raising an eyebrow. ¡°No? You¡¯re always late.¡±

    ¡°No, not about that. Like- oh, left up here.¡± The two turned along the streets end. ¡°Like in general.¡±

    ¡°Mmm, still no. Why¡¯re you asking?¡±

    ¡°Um, just curious.¡±

    Inigo watched the other boy for a moment more before reaffixing his gaze onto the street before them. They walked on for a while longer although neither was sure how much time had truly passed before they¡¯d left the upper city districts. Despite this the change seemed almost instantaneous within the area¡¯s construction. Its buildings were smaller and older; although they held none of the grace or history seen throughout the other more aged parts of the city. Many of the gleam glass lanterns left to hang above seemed dimmer than Inigo was entirely comfortable with, although it very well might have been his imagination.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me that we were going to the lower district,¡± Inigo hissed.

    Majin looked at him, his eyes seeming to hold a strange astonishment within them. ¡°Did you think that we were going to steal from one of the Drakon churches? Iggy, they won¡¯t even let me in there unsupervised. They¡¯d fucking hang me for breaking in let alone stealing a body. Besides, how else would I have gotten the tip about this place?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get stabbed for my wallet, Majin.¡±

    The boy rolled his eyes. ¡°Oh please, that hardly ever happens. Besides the church is right there.¡±

    True to the other¡¯s word Inigo glanced ahead to spot the temple. It, like most of its surroundings, was smaller when compared on to its contemporaries although it seemed as if much more effort were put into maintaining it. Its roof was triangular with two sparse columns laid before it as well as what appeared to be a grayish tone of paint. In truth it was unremarkable save for a small statue set before its few stairs. It was nice enough, although somewhat weather warn with bits of his paint set to stripping away. He was dressed within a thick robe with a hood and various wraps that failed in concealing the true length of his hair as bits spilled down from along the outskirts.

    ¡°Dacian.¡±

    Inigo blinked, ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Dacian, the statue. He¡¯s like the god of death in the heathen religions.¡±

    ¡°Um, thanks¡­¡±

    ¡°What!? You were the one staring at it; I figured I¡¯d answer before you asked.¡± Majin shrugged before moving closer toward the temple¡¯s doors. Inigo followed watching the other boy kneel as he pulled a lock pick from within his uniform¡¯s pocket.

    ¡°Did you used to worship here¡­you know before converting.¡±

    Majin shook his head as he struggled with the lock. ¡°No, that was my parent¡¯s thing. I mean, not here but you know the whole god thing. Shit.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to break it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to break it.¡± The tiefling scowled before the lock pick¡¯s metallic snap forced a sigh from him. ¡°Well, we¡¯re not getting in this way.¡± Majin stood not so much as bothering to pull the pick¡¯s remains from where it sat wedged within the door¡¯s lock. ¡°A window then?¡±

    Inigo shook his head. ¡°Too loud.¡±

    ¡°Well then what¡¯d you suggest? Because that was my only pick.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure that we need a pick.¡±

    Majin raised an eyebrow watching the other closely for a moment more before speaking. ¡°You wanna try magic? Let me guess you saw something cool in Elsdon¡¯s textbook that you just have to try? Iggy, we don¡¯t even know the fundamentals yet.¡±

    ¡°Consider it self-teaching.¡±

    ¡°You mean like last time?¡±

    Inigo rolled his eyes. ¡°Oh let it go, that was like a month ago. I¡¯m trying it, besides it¡¯s better than smashing a window, and I¡¯ll only try something easy; nothing forceful so stand back.¡± The smaller boy cracked his knuckles before eyeing the door. It¡¯d be easy; he¡¯d make for the proper movements and draw from the correct plane. The door was locked and he wanted it to be unlocked; something that was indeed very possible. So he''d pull from the hellish plane then. At least he was pretty sure that he would. Taking a deep breath Inigo raised a his wrist only to feel the thin flesh of Majin¡¯s tail wrap upon it.

    ¡°What¡¯re you even trying to do?¡±

    Inigo tore his hand free of the other¡¯s hold. ¡°It¡¯s simple, I just need to change the door to a different potential¡­like a manipulation of what it already is, it¡¯s classic school of potentialities.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°Yeah? What spell? What if there¡¯s like a ward on the door to stop you? Hmm?¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯d¡­ You weren¡¯t thinking about that when you went to pick the lock. There¡¯s no reason to even assume that anyone here can even use magic.¡±

    ¡°No, but it¡¯s better to be safe than sorry, in¡¯t it?¡± The sound of a muffled voice pulled both boy¡¯s attention toward the darkened street as a man stood eyeing them with a strange mix of curiosity and boredom. He was larger than either of them could ever hope to be. His clothing and hair were dark acting only to conceal him all the more within the street¡¯s shadows. As he stepped forward into the wayward light it became clear that his face was masked, although it did little to disguise the protruding tusks that marked him as an orc nonetheless.

    ¡°You know, Littleman mentioned that I¡¯d have some competition with this place, but he never said that it¡¯d be a couple of first year brats from the local school. So why don¡¯t you kids play nice and piss off.¡±

    The two boy¡¯s froze each watching the would be burglar with cautious eyes as he rolled those of his own. A cool sweat began to pour along Inigo¡¯s temples as he felt his mouth begin to dry with the realization of what he¡¯d gotten himself into. Raising his hands slowly as not to show harm Inigo gestured for Majin to do the same, although he was unable to tell if the other boy actually complied.

    ¡°We¡­were actually just leaving. In fact we didn¡¯t even see you here, right Majin?¡±

    The tiefling was silent before stepping forward to match the older man¡¯s intense gaze. His own white eyes were squinted with scorn as his tail seemed to furl and twitch behind him. ¡°Listen pal, this is our score. So why don¡¯t you just fuck off and find something else.¡±

    If the burglar was surprised by the outburst he didn¡¯t show it instead scanning his eyes over the two before speaking. ¡°So they¡¯re letting ashlings into that prissy, little school of yours now? Unfortunately for you kid you¡¯re not as scary as you look.¡±

    ¡°I could say the same to you, ugly.¡±

    The orc laughed, ¡°That¡¯s quite the mouth. I¡¯m not going to feel nearly as bad about this next part now.¡± Reaching along his side the orc placed his hand into a strange bag that Inigo hadn¡¯t at first noticed. It was dark like the rest of his clothing although once opened its felt surface seemed to cover with the likes of red, protruding eyes that turned at once onto its owner and then toward the boys who stood before him.

    As the man dug throughout it a strange noise began to admit forcing Majin to take a few startled steps back. Its sound was callous and inhuman bursting free through a sporadic and gravely tone that sounded almost like one of laughter. The orc smirked beneath his mask before pulling a stick free and frowning as the bag laughed once more this time allowing for a thin, red fabric to fall free of its opened maw.

    The orc scowled before elbowing the bag into silence. ¡°Damn, fuckin¡¯ thing.¡± The bag seemed to growl but soon fell silent with the man¡¯s scolding. Returning his attention on to Majin he swung the stick towards his head only for the other boy to avoid it within the last second.

    Stumbling all the more the tiefling fell back before hurrying onto his feet. Inigo had joined him by this point pulling him along as they raced throughout the street with the orc¡¯s thunderous steps hot along their trail.

    Ducking down an alleyway the two hurried in step hoping beyond all else that the other would either give up the chase or simply lose track of them wholesale. The surrounding area was darker than where they¡¯d come from. There were no torches lit along the alley¡¯s walls and as such Inigo began to stumble about over various pieces of trash and gods know what else. Seeing his friend struggling to move Majin took hold of his wrist and began to guide him along. Their breath came out in hot pants as they each scurried through the narrow area only stopping when faced by the likes of large, locked gate before them.

    Cursing their luck Majin threw his gaze back. The coast was clear for the moment being, but he knew without a doubt that given another few seconds the man would resurface trapping them both in place like rats. Glancing towards the gate once more the tiefling looked over toward his companion before relenting to the sound of the orc¡¯s thunderous foot falls.

    ¡°Majin-¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± He hissed before pulling upon the gate¡¯s rusted exterior. ¡°It¡¯s locked.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I can tell. Can orcs see in the dark?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I¡¯ve never met an-¡±

    Majin fell silent once he spotted the figure along the alley¡¯s mouth. Each step was meticulous as he made his way beyond the opening kicking bits of trash aside as he ran his club along the area¡¯s walls. The sound of its harsh scrapping sent a chill throughout Inigo as he tried, against the pressing dark, to make out any such detail of the thing moving before them.

    ¡°Y-you don¡¯t have to kill us the money¡¯s yours! Ya-you¡¯ll never have to see or hear from either one of us again. We didn¡¯t even see your-¡±

    The orc lifted his club pointing it toward the two of them as they each took a wary step back. ¡°Ya talk a lot don¡¯t ya? I¡¯m not gonna kill ya kid, but ya friend¡¯s mouth hurt ma feelins quite a bit. And after I was bein¡¯ so nice and all.¡±

    Majin raised his hands in what he hoped to be a pacifying manner. ¡°Lo-look, I¡¯m sorry okay. You¡¯re not ugly. I can¡¯t even see your face.¡±

    ¡°Nut uh uh, you¡¯re not sorry. You¡¯re just scared.¡±

    The tiefling¡¯s tail quivered. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. I swear.¡±

    The orc considered both of them for a time before replacing his club within the bag. Its eyes reopening as it once again made those sickening sounds. ¡°Are you willing to prove it?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes?¡±

    ¡°You wanted to steal the corpse right? Well how about a runner¡¯s up prize. I¡¯m really not in the mood to carry that heavy coffin after chasing you two down the block. So you can do it for me. And then after I get paid you can run back off to that little school of yours and we¡¯ll call ourselves even. We got a deal?¡±

    ***

    The orc kicked the temple¡¯s door open with ease as he gestured for the other two to enter in before him. The area seemed minimal within its furnishings only really housing the like of its absolute necessity in pews and the podium beyond. In truth Inigo was surprised to find that it wasn¡¯t all too different from one of Lord Vizaneer¡¯s own temples minus the usual decadence.

    Steeling himself the boy walked forward after Majin¡¯s own tentative steps his mind all to aware of the man who trailed in behind them with a relaxed and almost self-satisfied saunter. The three moved in step coming on to the building¡¯s back room of funeral rights. A few coffin¡¯s were displayed before them though none seemed to hold too keen upon a lens of professional craftsmanship with some even still being covered by their palls. Despite this the area seemed sobering within its quiet atmosphere and Inigo thought over for the first time since setting about in this quest if it were truly worth it. Getting involved in criminal activity and desecrating the body of someone who¡¯d perished for his own perceived personal gain. They were heathens yes, but they were still people at the end of the day. The boy sighed suppressing the thoughts; at this point he really didn¡¯t have much of a choice in the matter regardless of what he now felt.

    ¡°Middle one.¡± The orc croaked as his large hand went on to point to the dark coffin in-between. Inigo bit his lip to keep from commenting upon the obviousness of them already knowing as he and Majin made their way towards it. At first glance nothing appeared to be all too special about it and a part of Inigo wondered why the necromancer had even bothered in being specific about his request. Reaching tentatively for the to top most handles Inigo froze once Majin took a hold of his wrist.

    ¡°We should probably check inside to make sure that the body¡¯s there. It¡¯s supposed to be a dwarf right?¡± The orc watched them for a time before nodding and gesturing for them to do as much. Releasing a slight sigh Majin moved to the coffin¡¯s side gently pulling Inigo along with him as he did so.

    It opened smoothly, its lid concealing the two as Inigo glanced down and the pale faced man beneath. He¡¯d always been told that the dead looked as if they were sleeping, but the corpse below quickly absolved him of any such belief. The body was pale with a clear lack of warmth in its uncommon stillness. There was no rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, and Inigo was sure beyond all else that his eyes would¡¯ve been glassy and vacant if they were open. The thought made him feel sick as he reached up to close the lid once more, but Majin¡¯s hand stopped him.

    ¡°We can still salvage this.¡± He began to whisper. ¡°If we can lose this guy and get the body to the necromancer first then he¡¯ll pay us and not him.¡±

    Tearing his gaze away from the corpse he met the tiefling¡¯s eyes, and to his surprise even he looked unsure. ¡°Majin we¡­we never should have done this. No tricks, let¡¯s just get through this.¡±

    ¡°Iggy, this can¡¯t all be for nothing.¡±

    ¡°We get there first and then what? Best case scenario? He finds us later and takes the money by force?¡±

    ¡°Well, is it there or not?¡± The orc¡¯s voice was loud above their own hushed tones.

    ¡°Ye-¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not sure, I don¡¯t think this was the description given.¡±

    Inigo threw Majin a panicked glare, but the other boy ignored him as the orc made his way to their side. Licking his lips nervously the tiefling watched as the orc glanced down eyeing the body. He acted then, his hand reaching out and into the bag its various folds opening to reveal those same scarlet eyes as before. This time turning themselves upon Majin as it began once more within its horrid laugh.

    Feeling the other¡¯s provocation the orc glared onto the boy before reaching forth to stop him, but by then it was too late as the bag began to loosen its hold upon him and wrap its strap along the tiefling¡¯s wrist. Majin shouted within a slight panic and struggled to step back as he pulled his hand free of the satchel his fingers still wrapped around the same wooden club that the orc had before threatened them with.

    Swinging the weapon in both panic and malice Majin winced as the wood collied itself side long along the orc¡¯s temple. The visceral crack was all too sobering as the man fell over and knocked the coffin free from along its display.

    Inigo watched in horror as the body rolled onto the floor and the orc struggled to regain his footing, only to be struck once more upon the head and collapse wholly along the ground motionless. ¡°Oh my god.¡± Turning his gaze away from the orc Inigo eyed his friend to find him too along the ground as he struggled with the bag around him. Hurrying to his side he grabbed hold of the satchel and began to pull at it as well. He couldn¡¯t help but shiver as the thing turned a few of its eyes upon him and began to hiss and snap with a new set of horrid and jagged, yellow teeth protruding from along its flap.

    Inigo let go in a panicked haste watching on as the bag seemed to tie itself along the tiefling¡¯s shoulder before nonetheless relaxing and closing its eyes after a glance between the two.

    ¡°M-Majin¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I¡¯m okay.¡± He mumbled before lightly touching along the bags strap and trying to remove it. It¡¯s eyes opened seeming to glare up at the boy as it began to hiss once more. Getting the idea Majin relented with a quiet sigh before throwing Inigo a helpless glance and then looking back on to the bag. ¡°O-okay, I get it; you don¡¯t wanna come off. That¡¯s¡­fine, you can just stay there for now.¡± The thing stopped in its hissing once released and closed its eyes once more.

    Standing up the tiefling looked over to the fallen orc before gesturing warily. ¡°Is he¡­¡±

    Inigo met his eyes, standing as well as he hesitantly checked the man¡¯s pulse. Sighing in relief he shook his head and wiped at his eyes. ¡°N¡­no his pulse is strong.¡±

    Majin relaxed before tensing once again and glancing about the room. ¡°Iggy, Wh-where¡¯s the club?¡± His voice was soft and fearful; sounding almost broken within its delivery.

    ¡°The club?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! The one that I hit him with! Where is it!? Did you take it?¡±

    Inigo watched the tiefling his eyes displaying a clear sense of concern for the other. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s here somewhere¡­are you feeling okay?¡±

    Majin rolled his eyes and began to glance around the room his voice not rising above a quiet mumble as he set about in searching for the weapon. ¡°It has to go back inside of the bag. It isn¡¯t safe out here.¡±

    ¡°Majin, it probably just slid across the floor or-¡±

    ¡°Or maybe you stole it! I saw the way that you were looking at it.¡± The tiefling stepped forward grabbing the shorter boy by his shirt¡¯s collar and pulling him close. ¡°Give it back to me, now Inigo!¡±

    Inigo scowled before taking a deep breath. ¡°Look, that bag is obviously messing with your head or something. It¡¯s either enchanted or maybe it¡¯s purely magic¡­I don¡¯t have the club Majin, but I will help you find it. Just let go, okay?¡± Majin swallowed, before releasing the other. Watching him closely and biting at his lip he finally nodded.

    Restoring the room from its current state of disrepair took slightly longer than the two had hoped, but in the process they¡¯d managed to restore the body to its former place of dwelling as well as recover the club to Majin¡¯s utter relief. When all was said and done the two looked toward one another before glancing back on to the orc before them.

    ¡°So should we tie him up or leave him?¡±

    Majin shrugged, ¡°We don¡¯t exactly have anything to do it with nor do we have time for this. Let¡¯s just get the body to the necromancer and be done with it.¡±

    ¡°You still want to do that after all of this!?¡±

    ¡°Iggy, if we don¡¯t then this was all for nothing.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a sunken cost fallacy and you know it.¡±

    Majin rolled his eyes. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re almost don-¡±

    ¡°What if there are other guys, Majin? Or, I don¡¯t know, he wakes up and hunts us down? You really wanna go deeper into the lower district and risk that? At least on campus we don¡¯t have to worry about this shit.¡±

    Majin dropped his gaze away from Inigo¡¯s own before glancing over toward the coffin. ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re worried then you can just go back to campus, but I¡¯m at least making this worth something.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t walk down the streets alone with a coffin. Can you even carry that thing by yourself?¡±

    The tiefling ignored the remark before closing what little distance stood between him and the body. Opening the coffin¡¯s lid he tentatively reached out before wrapping his arms around the dwarf¡¯s waist and beginning to lift. He seemed to struggle at first with the body¡¯s weight, but after repositioning himself and his method of carry toward a bridal style he managed to lift it fully and move towards the door.

    ¡°Majin, you¡¯re being ridiculous¡­come on put the body back. At least cover it up first, asshole.¡± Grabbing a hold of one of the other coffin¡¯s palls Inigo made his way to the tiefling and flung it over top of the body. ¡°Fine, you win. Let¡¯s just get this over with, okay. I¡¯m not going to let you do this alone.¡±

    Majin bit his lip and paused in step before meeting the other boy¡¯s eyes. ¡°That was¡­kind of emotional blackmail. I¡¯m sorry, Iggy. I just don¡¯t want this to all be for nothing.¡±

    ¡°I know, let¡¯s just finish this.¡±

    ***

    The necromancer¡¯s disclosed location was farther to reach than the two had previously believed. Several times they¡¯d been concerned about missing it or taking a wrong turn along a street or another. Their arms had grown tired throughout their journey and they¡¯d opted to trade off the burdened carry every ten minutes or so, but finally when their hope had almost been lost entirely they came upon the proper address.

    Breathing a sigh of relief Inigo moved to pass the body back onto Majin only for the tiefling to meet his own eyes with a strange bewilderment.

    ¡°We¡¯re here, I¡¯m not taking it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your turn. Just take it back, my arms hurt.¡±

    Majin rolled his eyes before leaning forward and knocking upon the door.

    ***

    Inigo paused as he met Elsdon¡¯s sharp, emerald eyes. They were watching him with a relaxed scrutiny by this point as he stood within his torch lit cell. ¡°Um Elsdon, could you ask the guard for some water? And can you get him to take the shackles off? They¡¯re really starting to get uncomfortable.¡± He shook his wrist for added effect allowing for the rusted chains to clatter against the stone wall.

    ¡°When we¡¯re done. What happened next?¡±

    "Um¡­we gave him the body and he paid us, then we got caught in the black market.¡±

    Elsdon raised an eyebrow. ¡°The necromancer, what did he look like?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I um¡­I didn¡¯t see his face. He was wearing a mask.¡±

    ¡°Oh, was he now.¡±

    Inigo adverted his gaze. ¡°¡­Yes.¡±

    ¡°You know, you probably have the second most obvious tell after my little sister, but she¡¯s eight. Iggy come on, talk to me. Did he threaten you?¡±

    The boy shook his head.

    ¡°Iggy, the guards want something, and if I¡¯m going to get you out of here then I need something. Do you at least know where the body is-¡±

    Elsdon¡¯s words were cut short by the harsh creaking of the dungeon¡¯s iron door. The sound was louder than either boy¡¯s voice had been and it pulled their attention fully as a guard made his way in with a well dressed man. He appeared to be within his late thirties or perhaps early forties evidenced by the light sprinkling of salted age throughout his otherwise black hair. He walked with a pristine level of self-assurance that suited his tall stature well.

    In seeing him Elsdon quickly snapped to attention before meeting his eyes and muttering about in a fit of vocalized surprise. ¡°Professor Marston!¡±

    The professor waved his hand somewhat dismissively at the young elf. ¡°Relax Elsdon, you¡¯re not in trouble; I don¡¯t hold you in account for your fresher¡¯s actions. Why don¡¯t you go wait in the hallway and keep an eye on young Majin. Make sure that he isn¡¯t up to any mischief or other. I¡¯ll handle Inigo.¡±

    The boy nodded before throwing Inigo a troubled glance. ¡°Of course, Professor.¡± Watching as the senior offered a curt bow and exited Professor Marston waited a few choice seconds before turning his gaze towards Inigo. The boy¡¯s throat tightened as he met the professor¡¯s auburn eyes.

    ¡°Professor, I swear I didn¡¯t-¡±

    The man raised his hand cutting the student off. ¡°I know, because you literally can¡¯t discuss my¡­let¡¯s say ¡®extracurricular¡¯ activities with anyone who doesn¡¯t already know which right now includes you, myself, and Majin.¡±

    Inigo swallowed dropping his gaze. ¡°You charmed me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what a charm is, but yes I put a spell on the two of you. I couldn¡¯t risk them giving you a truth serum. Besides, it doesn¡¯t look like you would¡¯ve needed one as it is. Looking through your rap sheet it appears that you¡¯ve already been busy spilling your guts. How many times have you told your little story today?¡±

    Inigo dropped his gaze from the other man¡¯s own. ¡°Only twice, once to the investigator and again to the investigator.¡±

    ¡°Did they threaten you? They wouldn¡¯t torture a minor, especially not a human student of Athanase.¡±

    Inigo shook his head. ¡°I was worried about Majin.¡±

    The man nodded before taking a slow step forward. ¡°That¡¯s very noble of you.¡± Pulling a small key from within his robes he affixed his eyes to Inigo¡¯s left cuff and set in to work upon it. ¡°You know I could have you expelled for what you did last night.¡±

    ¡°I¡­I know.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m not going to.¡±

    Inigo blinked as his left hand fell free and alongside his waist. It was chaffed and still stung with a slight air of discomfort. The professor moved on toward his right hand freeing that one as well. ¡°Ya-you¡¯re not?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe that your lives should be wholly reshaped for minor mistakes made within youth. No one was hurt, and everyone got what they wanted.¡± The professor smiled and stepped back allowing for Inigo to rub along his sore wrists. ¡°Speaking off.¡± Reaching into his robes and replacing the key he pulled forth a small bottle holding within it a dark and swamp like liquid.

    Inigo blushed at the sight of the potion. ¡°You um, you knew about that?¡±

    The professor nodded. ¡°Majin told me in my questioning of him. It¡¯s okay, I was young once too.¡± Holding the potion up the professor smiled before tossing it into the wall the glass¡¯s shattering sound forcing Inigo to flinch. ¡°But I¡¯m not anymore. You don¡¯t need to peep on your classmates you little perv.¡±

    Inigo watched as the dark liquid slid along the wall its surface already beginning to dry as a pang of guilt and remorse tugged along the interior of his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m actually glad that you went after it; those things are too dangerous to be in this plane of existence.¡±

    ¡°Y¡­yes professor. Can I ask you a question?¡±

    The man glanced down at him. ¡°I imagine that you have a couple, but go ahead.¡±

    Inigo nodded, ¡°Why would you want to study a form of dark magic like necromancy.¡±

    Professor Marston studied the young man for a time before a smile pulled upon the corners of his mouth. ¡°Because there¡¯s no such thing as dark magic Inigo. These are artificial distinctions made by those with small minds, afraid of what they may unearth. The pursuit of knowledge must not be limited by such arbitrary morals; I¡¯m sure that you¡¯re smart enough to see that.¡±

    Inigo inclined his head as he bit slightly upon his lip. ¡°Yes professor.¡±

    The man¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Good, because my last lab assistant didn¡¯t seem to believe as much, and I could use a new one,¡± he shrugged, ¡°or two. You don¡¯t have any dwarf in you by chance do you? They¡¯ve always been a particularly sanctimonious bunch in my experience.¡± Professor Marston¡¯s teeth gleamed as he met his student¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°N-no sir.¡±

    ¡°Good, then I suppose that we can put all of this behind us. I¡¯ll have a work schedule for you and Majin by Monday. You¡¯ll both be paid the standard student worker allowance, of course, so there will be no more need for criminal activity¡­unless I deem it necessary. But we¡¯ll cross that bridge when we get to it, for the most part you two will keep your noses clean. The priest made it clear that the charges would be reinstated if you didn¡¯t.¡± Professor Marston tapped upon his chin, pausing for a brief moment. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t touch Majin¡¯s bag of holding. There¡¯s something wrong with it, and I wasn¡¯t quite able to get it off of him¡­at least not yet. Fascinating little thing, I don¡¯t quite think that it¡¯s from this plane of existence.¡±

    Inigo nodded watching the other man for a few seconds before working up the nerve to speak. ¡°Y-yes professor.¡± The boy bit his lip then. ¡°Um, one more question: Do I have a choice in these ¡®extracurricular activities¡¯?¡±

    The man smiled before gesturing for Inigo to follow him from within the cell. ¡°Of course you do, and I¡¯ve already made it for you."

 Dear Isabella

    William Dately promised himself that he wouldn¡¯t cry; not when he had to be strong for her. She¡¯d been so afraid just a few hours ago, and though she¡¯d fallen asleep through absolute necessity he feared that even there she wouldn¡¯t find peace. She hadn¡¯t the night before or even the one before that. No, Isabella had only complained of her illness taken form throughout the shape of brisk nightmares set in torturing her through both mind and body. She spoke of a strange horned man who spoke funnily and seemed to constantly laugh at some joke for which she was unaware. Dately had told her that these visions weren¡¯t real and possessed no true power, but after seeing her wide frightened eyes he simply relented and agreed to stay with her throughout the night.

    Wiping the urge to sleep from within his mind Dately stood up from the small chair plastered beside his daughter¡¯s bed. He offered a quick kiss along her brow flinching somewhat at the intense heat of her fever. It seemed worse than before, although he hoped more than anything else that it was merely his imagination.

    ¡°Daddy?¡± Her voice was soft offering within it the slightest hint of her still stuffed nose. ¡°Are you leaving to work on your play?¡±

    Dately offered her a small smile and nodded. ¡°I am?¡±

    ¡°Will you tell me a story first?¡±

    He sat down along the edge of her bed wiping a few brown strands from along her face. ¡°Oh, and what kind of story, mouse?¡±

    ¡°A good one.¡±

    ¡°Oh, a good one? And here I was hoping to pedal off one of the bad one¡¯s on you.¡± Dately clicked his tongue as the girl laughed. ¡°You¡¯re too smart for me, duck. Let¡¯s see, a good one. Oh I know. How about one with Mr. Mouse?¡± He reached past her then pulling the stuffed animal from where it sat with the other such toys.

    It was clearly older than the rest and lacked the same cutesy appeal as some of the more modern toys. In many ways it was actually quite ugly with its oversized teeth and ears, discolored tail, and overly sad eyes. But Isabella hadn¡¯t seemed to mind, in fact she¡¯d latched on to it all the more saying that he didn¡¯t deserve to be lonely based upon his looks. Even the ugly animals need friends, daddy. He¡¯d been proud of her then and had latched on as well crafting various stories for the two to share.

    Offering her the animal and smiling when she took hold of it Dately began to think aloud. ¡°Okay, one story and then back to bed. Sound fair?¡± Isabella simply hugged the toy all the tighter and nodded her compliance. ¡°Now then.¡±

    There once was a mouse who was setting about

    When he spied a piece of cheese that had been set out

    But tried as he might he could not reach

    So seeing his need a crow came to preach

    ¡°Worry not mouse, for I can fly.

    I¡¯ll surely scurry up and bring that cheese by.

    All it will cost you is the larger end

    For I am much bigger and bringing it by to begin.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what a crow sounds like?¡±

    Dately raised an eyebrow at his daughter¡¯s protest. ¡°Oh? You don¡¯t think so?¡± She shook her head. ¡°Higher or lower, then?¡±

    ¡°Higher! Like when they caw.¡±

    ¡°Like this: CAW CAW!¡±

    ¡°Noooo, that¡¯s lower!¡±

    ¡°Oh, it is? Silly me, I always mix up the two. Let me try again; Caw Caw. Is that better?¡± Isabella nodded through a laugh. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Dately cleared his throat before continuing on.

    Shaking his head the mouse would not be

    ¡°You ask to much sir, so scurry off and flee.¡±

    Rolling his eyes the crow flew away

    Only for a fox to come out of the gray.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of your peril oh Mr. Mouse

    And assure you I will bring the cheese to your house.¡±

    ¡°But what will it cost¡± asked the mouse.

    ¡°Oh nothing to major just a little favor

    Now shall we be done and you sign this here waiver?¡±

    Thinking about it the mouse relented

    And saw that in fact he only benefitted.

    So nodding his head and looking a gander

    He received his cheese and couldn¡¯t so much as slander.

    ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s slander mean?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Oh, It¡¯s like when you say bad things that aren¡¯t true about someone.¡±

    But as the years went by the fox returned

    To ask for all in which he¡¯d earned

    ¡°Oh hello mouse, I see you are well

    Boy oh boy, my payment sure would be swell.¡±

    Thinking a tick, and recalling for a bit.

    The mouse relented and said ¡°Fine, ask for it.¡±

    ¡°Well as you recall I wanted a favor

    And seeing as how I¡¯m wanting a particular flavor

    I ask for a bit, one meal for another

    For you to give to me that of your lover.¡±

    Shaking his head and refusing as much

    The mouse couldn¡¯t believe that he¡¯d ask for such.

    ¡°You can¡¯t have Mrs. Mouse for she is my love

    Why have you come here as if just to shove.¡±

    ¡°You made a promise to me all those years ago

    And I am here to now make it all so.¡±

    Knocking the mouse aside with shinning white teeth

    The fox ate up his wife as if she were beef.¡±

    ¡°Noooo, he ate his wife!?¡± Dately nodded attempting to suppress his smirk. ¡°That¡¯s not a happy ending!¡±

    ¡°Not all stories have a happy ending, mouse. But they do all have something to learn; a high price paid up front is better than an unknown price paid later. Now try to get some rest, Belle. Daddy needs to go work on the play. Dately leaned over and kissed her brow once more before standing fully and bringing her blankets up to her neck. ¡°Sleep tight, I love you.¡±

    ¡°I love you too, daddy.¡±

    ¡°Do you want the door open or closed.¡±

    ¡°Ummm, open.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the boss.¡± Blowing out her night side candle Dately exited from within the room leaving his daughter to sleep off what remained of her fever.

    ***

    Dately awoke to the sound of birds chirping. He¡¯d been exhausted last night and had made little progress in regards to his play. His eyes were still somewhat blurred as he sat up from along his desk wiping the crust from within their corners he cursed the spilled ink that lay dried along the page¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Shit.¡± Examining the damage Dately let out a small sigh of relief as the dark flow hadn¡¯t seemed to erase anything all to important upon the draft. Picking the bottle and quill up and replacing them a new he stood before glancing down at his blackened hands and sleeves. He¡¯d need to buy ink later, and perhaps have his jacket cleaned though it was old and was perhaps unworthy of the costly fees.

    Pulling it from along himself and draping it across the chair he relented in seeing that the ink had so too bled into his shirt¡¯s sleeves. Stifling his annoyance he bit his lip. It¡¯d be a problem for later, but for the moment he¡¯d see after Isabella. She¡¯d seemed to be within better spirits when he¡¯d told his story, and perhaps she¡¯d be up to helping him in the kitchen as she¡¯d always enjoyed doing with her mother. Some normalcy would be good for the two after the last few weeks.

    Exiting from within his office Dately made his way down the hall and on to his daughter¡¯s room. Offering a gentle knock along the opened door he peaked in before speaking. ¡°Mouse, are you feeling better? Do you wanna help me make breakfast?¡±

    There was no response from Isabella as she laid still along the bed. Taking a tentative step within the space Dately felt as his blood ran cold. ¡°Isabella, sweetheart.¡±

    As he drew closer he saw that there was no rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. Her grip upon Mr. Mouse had gone slack, and her skin seemed pale even for that of Dahlia¡¯s winter chill.

    Feeling a subtle panic begin to take hold of his throat Dately hurried off on to his daughter¡¯s side. Her flesh was cold when he gripped her wrist lacking of that all too human warmth in addition to that of any such pulse. He swallowed then, just managing to choke out a desperate plea as he began to slightly shake her.

    ¡°Isabella, come on baby, wake up. Wake up, it¡¯s okay¡­daddy¡¯s here.¡±

    Despite his urging her body remained limp and in seeing as such he pulled her into a tight embrace and began to weep.

    ***

    Dately couldn¡¯t bear to watch as the men moved the body from within the room, so he stood off to the side his gaze a distant and almost purely hollow venue focused on nothing in particular.

    ¡°Will-Will.¡±

    Dately blinked turning slowly on to the pestering voice. Although it took him a fair few seconds he recognized the man as the first of the responders to arrive. He was shorter, although not by much. His hazel eyes held within them a look of forced sympathy only highlighted by the overall relaxed nature of his stance. He continued on in his speech as he saw that he now possessed Dately¡¯s full attention. ¡°We¡¯re going to go ahead and take her over to the temple. It¡¯s important to start the rights of passage as soon as possible to make sure that her soul doesn¡¯t get lost between planes. You could accompany us if you¡¯d like.¡±

    Dately shook his head. ¡°You go ahead. I need to¡­I need time to¡­I thought that she was getting better. She seemed so much more lively last night, you know. She laughed and she¡­¡± Dately trailed off and against his better judgement he glanced into Isabella¡¯s room.

    ¡°Will, there wasn¡¯t anything that you could have done. The gods, Dacian, sometimes he just-¡±

    ¡°He just what?¡±

    The man glanced away, his gaze shifting as his teeth pressed into his bottom lip. ¡°It was¡­it was just her time to go.¡±

    ¡°Seven? Seven was her time to go? Look, I get that you do this every week or so; collecting bodies for your god. But you don¡¯t have to fake sympathy for me. You can just go. Your jobs done after all, right?¡±

    The man opened his mouth as if to speak more, but closed it soon after before nodding curtly and stepping towards the stairs. Dately watched him leave, his black cloak billowing behind him like that of a darkened cloud.

    Hearing the front door close behind the men Dately took a tentative few steps into what had been Isabella¡¯s room. He wanted to straighten it, to make the bed and open the curtains on to the morning¡¯s light, but it didn¡¯t feel right. To change it from how she¡¯d left it with a few toys laid haphazardly across the floor and all other manner of mess. It made it feel, lived in as if she would come back and continue on within her play.

    Glancing around he noticed Mr. Mouse where he lay adjacent to her indented, pink pillow. It seemed wrong for the toy to be left alone given how tightly Isabella had clung to it. She¡¯d practically taken the thing everywhere with her, and yet it still sat here. Picking up the toy Dately met it¡¯s beady eyes and in that moment he no longer felt the need to bite back his emotions.

    ***

    The stench of alcohol was heavy upon his breath as Dately glanced around the fading kitchen light. His fogged mind was unsure of the time although he knew that it  had to be late. The table was a mess of bottles for which he struggled to avoid contact with as he stood from within his seat. Stumbling, he braced himself along the chair¡¯s back before clenching his eyes closed. The room seemed to be spinning, and he wasn¡¯t in the best particular mood to deal with it. Taking a step away from his crutch he repressed the urge to vomit. Just a few choice steps and he¡¯d be able to relax within his own bead, taken away by the easy distractions of his subconscious. But that wasn¡¯t true, not anymore. If anything it was simply a short term solution to his ills as his inebriation had been. In the end he¡¯d wake up alone to inhabit this reality in which his wife had left him and his daughter had died.

    Dately tried to shake his head of the thought as he began in the arduous walk to the houses second floor. The stairs had seemed to increase in number as he made his way along them, but after some time in his struggle he found himself stumbling against a wall and into the littered and lonesome mess of Isabella¡¯s room. It took him a scarce moment to notice, his hands wiping along his ever blushed face. He was drunk, but not so much so to have lost his way. The house wasn¡¯t that big and in truth this was the last place in which he wished to occupy.

    Turning back toward the exit he blinked his eyes before biting along the cusp of his lip and journeying back into the hold of the room. Mr. Mouse remained in place along his daughter¡¯s pillow. The thing seemed so alone and within the same vein as he himself. Picking the felt toy up he began to pet it before wandering back off and into the hall.

    ¡°I suppose that you don¡¯t want to be alone either.¡± His voice came through in a harsh and broken whisper as he pulled the toy closer onto his chest. Mr. Mouse did not answer although even in his inebriated state Dately hadn¡¯t expected as much.

    Leaving the room for his own Dately closed the door carefully behind him. Its slight squeak forcing a delayed wince from him as the chill of the night¡¯s air made itself known.

    Blinking and rubbing along his eyes he marveled to find himself standing upon his room¡¯s balcony. Glancing around he watched on at the expansive city beyond him; how it seemed so unchanged by Isabella¡¯s death while his entire world had been shattered to pieces. Looking back into what should have been the warm comforts of his room Dately took note of the plush toy lain upon his bed. He didn¡¯t remember placing the mouse there, but as things currently stood that much was to be expected.

    Affixing his attention back on to the city beyond Dately took a deep breath; his condensation hanging out like a thick cloud of smoke.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to jump are you?¡±

    Dately jumped at the spoken words of the other turning himself directly on to their sound. The man was leaning along the edge of the balcony¡¯s rail, but even scrunched over as it was it was clear to see that he stood well below Dately¡¯s own height. His skin was of a scarlet hue with broad horns and wholly yellow eyes that seemed to watch him with a particular interest.

    ¡°W-who-¡±

    ¡°You smell like a brewery.¡± The man cut him off his thick tail rising up alongside him to wag idly. ¡°It¡¯s a shame really, you¡¯ll need to be sober for this next part, and these are never particularly pleasant to take.¡± Standing independent of the balcony¡¯s aid the man reached within his finely tailored jacket and pulled from it a small vile with a thin dark liquid swirling within. ¡°Here.¡± Extending his hand he offered Dately the vial with an expectant look. ¡°Relax, it¡¯s a sobriety potion. I¡¯ve been told it tastes just like alcohol.¡±

    Watching the man Dately extended a tentative hand and took the offered solution before pulling its cork free and downing the bitter liquid. It was somehow worse than alcohol within its peculiar taste, and he couldn¡¯t help but flinch heavily at the result to the man¡¯s over all laughter.

    The two waited a fair few seconds before Dately grunted and took hold of his now throbbing head. ¡°Shit.¡±

    ¡°Hangover? Unfortunate.¡±

    ¡°Uh, how did you get in here. Who the hell are you?¡±

    The man shrugged, ¡°I let myself in and figured that I¡¯d speak up now before you did something that we¡¯d both regret. As for a name you call me Cyrus; I¡¯m the Devil of Dahlia.¡±

    Dately shot his head up after hearing the other¡¯s remark though he soon regret it as another sting of pain made itself known throughout his mind. He¡¯d heard of devils before, but had believed them to be the product of legends by those who wished for some excuse or other to do away with the Tiefling race.

    He searched the man¡¯s face for some semblance of sardonic humor or other, but found none. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±

    ¡°But, I am.¡± Cyrus smiled, ¡°Would you be more comfortable inside. I know that humans tend to catch a chill in lower temperatures.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    The devil shrugged and offered a small smile. ¡°Have it your way.¡±

    ¡°What ever you¡¯re selling I¡¯m not interested, so you can just go?¡±

    ¡°Even if I were offering your daughter?¡±

    Dately watched the fiend carefully searching his face for any sense of deceit before speaking. ¡°You could do that?¡±

    Cyrus shook his head. ¡°Maybe if you were born a few thousand years ago I could, but then the gods got all uppity about ¡®their territory¡¯ and what not. Nasty little bit of legal work their actually. I¡¯m afraid that dead is dead now¡­well as far as we¡¯re concerned, anyway.¡±

    ¡°Get out.¡±

    ¡°William, I didn¡¯t say that I couldn¡¯t help you.¡±

    ¡°Get out, I don¡¯t care about anything else. And I don¡¯t want whatever fucking, shit you¡¯re offering.¡±

    The devil blinked as he straightened his posture and fiddled with his cuff. ¡°I said that I couldn¡¯t bring her back to like. I didn¡¯t say that I couldn¡¯t help her live on.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about? What does that even mean!?¡±

    ¡°It means that I¡¯m here to offer you a favor. One in which I hope you¡¯ll gladly accept.¡±

    ¡°And what? I work for you or-¡±

    Cyrus raised his hand effectively silencing the man. ¡°No, that¡¯s a common misunderstanding with mortals. A deal binds us together. A favor is one transaction for a promised future transaction. Understood?¡±

    Dately nodded.

    ¡°Good. I read over a few of your stories before showing myself. They¡¯re cute and I¡¯m sure that children just love them. You¡¯re an artist, though not a very successful one from what I¡¯ve surmised.¡±

    ¡°Get to the point.¡±

    Cyrus raised an eyebrow before relenting to his before held smirk. ¡°There are other sick children out there, not unlike your own daughter. Wouldn¡¯t it be something if your stories could reach them? Help them, and not in some sort of abstract emotional sense. No, really heal them. You could save other parents a fate such as the one befallen you.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯re you offering me this now? Why not before?¡±

    ¡°You weren¡¯t on my radar before. Really, I¡¯m only here at all because an associate of mine is looking for new talent. Ellios Vanguard, lives right here within the city. You go to him saying that I sent you, he buys the rights to and publishes your stories or adapts them into plays or whatever, you both become tremendously wealthy, and children with what would otherwise be deadly illnesses miraculously recover.¡±

    ¡°And what do I owe you in return?¡±

    ¡°You work with Vanguard exclusively. That¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Well, as far as the favor part goes. There are some rules.¡±

    ¡°Such as?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t tell anyone that the stories have this effect. I really don¡¯t need a certain god to find out that this is happening. It¡¯s not illegal purse, but it¡¯s definitely a gray area.¡±

    ¡°Okay, anything else?¡±

    ¡°The process for this spell is going to be a little complicated, because the spell is complicated¡­You know it¡¯s better if I just show you.¡±

    Dately flinched as he felt the stark heat of a bright flame encompass the two of them before feeling it die away all the same as they stood within his office. Glancing around for the devil he spotted him as he began to clear objects away from upon Dately¡¯s desk.

    Sighing, Cyrus placed a green flower along the now clear table before turning to face the man behind him. ¡°This is one of Lyric¡¯s green carnations, and this,¡± He pulled a dark feather free from within his vest¡¯s outer pocket. ¡°Is a feather from one of Dacian¡¯s angels. Whenever you¡¯re to write your story boil the carnation within a pot of water and use this feather,¡± he held the black feather aloft once more, ¡°as your utensil within its ink. Now this is important, the spell won¡¯t work unless you use a devil¡¯s scarlet flame as its source of heat. I¡¯m going to provide one for you, but it won¡¯t last forever. Understand?¡±

    Dately nodded his head as he watched the devil move over toward his fire place and begin to pile wood within it. ¡°Ellios owes me for this. I don¡¯t usually put this much effort in, but you¡¯re a complicated case. Both of you are.¡± The last part was more mumbled than his earlier exchange, but Dately heard him nonetheless.

    It didn¡¯t take long for Cyrus to finish his work and light the wood a flame with that of his fingertips. Standing up and dusting his clothing clean he smiled toward Dately revealing his sharp fangs as his thick tail began to wag behind him. ¡°We¡¯ll seal it with a handshake then.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what happens after I run out of ink?¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯re out of ink and the favors over,¡± the devil shrugged. ¡°The stories penned within the ink and reproductions of them should still carry the magic however, just nothing new. So,¡± Cyrus extended his hand on to the other, ¡°what¡¯d you say?¡±

    Swallowing whatever reluctance remained within his throat Dately reached forth and took hold of the devil¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±

    ***

    Lord William Dately sat somewhat transfixed as the actors before him rehearsed. They had begun a bit stiffly and seemed almost awkward within their portrayals, but when given the right amount of both direction and time they¡¯d more than loosened up to truly encompass what their, what his characters were truly meant to be. Leaning over within his booth he readjusted his glasses before the sound of chamber¡¯s doors made him known to Ellios¡¯s entrance.

    ¡°You¡¯re late.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re only rehearsing, William. Besides I wouldn¡¯t be late if we could just meet within my office as normal. What on Cephin is so important that you had to drag me down here anyhow? And why do you insist on sitting way up here? My knees aren¡¯t exactly what they used to be.¡± Ellios sat down alongside his associate being sure to smooth the folds along his pristine, emerald robes. His auburn hair was beginning to gray around his temples¡¯ edge with a slight bit of recession that the man had gone to an extra effort to hide just above that. His hands were decorated with various gold rings all of which he¡¯d told Dately the meaning of at one time or another though the man had long since forgotten over the two¡¯s five year partnership.

    ¡°It¡¯s my box. Plus I feel that the actors give more¡­ natural performances if they don¡¯t know that the boss is watching let alone both of them.¡±

    Ellios nodded as he adjusted one of his rings. ¡°I assume that you didn¡¯t invite me here just to see the show with you.¡±

    ¡°Astute as always Ellios. No, some things need to be seen for themselves to be understood.¡±

    ¡°Okay, so show me.¡±

    ¡°Just watch.¡±

    Ellios relented with a slight sigh and allowed for a silence to fall between the two as the actor¡¯s once again took their first marks. The show seemed standard at first with each reading throughout their cursory lines and taking form as their character¡¯s throughout. They¡¯d opted to rehearse within costume as to better grasp what it would feel like given the night of their performance a month from now.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it, what am I supposed to be-¡±

    Dately raised his hand, silencing the other man as he simply pointed back on to the stage. Ellios scowled no longer wishing to hide his annoyance as he returned his gaze back toward the display below. They were working throughout the scene in which Isabelle moved on through to Mr. Mouse¡¯s world. He¡¯d read over it a few times and had even seen an earlier version by which other actors read for the role. Ellios had personally found the whole thing to be a bit on the nose, but never truly had the heart to tell Dately. The portrayal had obviously meant a lot to him, and writing it had at least seemed somewhat therapeutic for the man.

    Refocusing his gaze he moved it from the actors and on to Everett as he sat within the empty seating. His chin rested firmly along the intersection of his thumb and fore finger as he sat leaned over within a hunched state. He wore a hat who¡¯s name Ellios could not recall despite it being emphasized to him about a dozen or so times within their workings together.

    ¡°Alright William, I get it you have an eye for detail-¡±

    ¡°The girl.¡±

    Ellios glanced down at the young actress before shrugging. ¡°What about her? We had to cast a bit older. You know what it¡¯s like working with young kids. No one will notice.¡±

    ¡°No, I understand, The way that she keeps glancing toward the director.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s looking for direction, William.¡±

    Dately shook his head, ¡°No, she looks¡­ nervous.¡±

    ¡°She probably is. She¡¯s a kid.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°No, I did my research; this isn¡¯t her first role.¡±

    ¡°So that makes her immune to nerves?¡± Ellios rolled his eyes his chair softly creaking as he leaned back within it. ¡°You know I have a business to run right? One that pays the bills and makes all of this possible. So why don¡¯t you stop being coy and tell me exactly what you want.¡±

    Dately tore his eyes away from the stage and met Ellios¡¯s own for the first time since his entering. ¡°We should fire Everett.¡±

    Ellios raised his eyebrows. ¡°Excuse me? You know he¡¯s the best in the city, right?¡±

    ¡°No, he¡¯s the alleged best on the mainstream scene. I¡¯m sure that if we looked-¡±

    ¡°Opening night is in a month, and what do you even want to fire him for? An actress being ¡®nervous¡¯ around him? Who cares, honestly you¡¯re probably just seeing things. If you have something of substance to say about production then you know where to find me.¡± Elios stood before turning away from his friend and slipping his gloves back on.

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    The producer paused, ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard things about him¡­¡±

    ¡°What sort of things?¡±

    Dately bit his lip, ¡°There are rumors that he¡­assaulted a young actress in a previous production of his.¡±

    ¡°Lyric above, William. That¡¯s just slander slung by his detractors. Have you even actually talked to him about it?¡±

    Dately shook his head. ¡°I talked to the actress though she was reluctant to speak to me at first, but after hearing her story I believe her.¡±

    ¡°And this was part of your research I take it?¡± Ellios retook his seat tearing his gloves free and replacing them into his pockets.

    ¡°It was, she¡¯s been black listed by the way.¡±

    ¡°Well did she have any evidence?¡±

    ¡°Other than her story?¡±

    ¡°Obviously.¡±

    ¡°She seemed distraught.¡±

    Ellios rolled his eyes. ¡°So what¡¯s the rule now? We just fire someone on the grounds of an unsubstantiated accusation? Give me a break. What if someone said that about you? Would you want me to throw you to the wolves? She was probably just looking to spread a bit of gossip to get her name in the papers again. You know how these types are; didn¡¯t get enough attention from mommy and daddy as a child so now they need it from everyone.¡±

    ¡°Look, you put me in charge of the creative end of things, because I understand it better. I don¡¯t tell you how to advertise for the shows or help the production avoid taxes. This is a creative decision and I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡±

    ¡°Have you ever even talked to the man beyond phatic expressions? At least have lunch with him before doing something so drastic on the words of a harlot. I¡¯ve gotta go, don¡¯t do anything insane.¡± Standing once more Elios briefly regarded the other before resmoothing his robe and exiting the booth. Dately watched him leave before returning his gaze on toward the show below. Perhaps he had been overzealous within his haste, the two would speak as Elios recommended; man to man.

    ***

    The restaurant was a blare of utter chaos as Dately sat enjoying his afternoon coffee. The taste was bitter along his tongue though it kept him alert as he scribbled throughout his journal. He enjoyed people watching; most especially the lower classes. They carried themselves differently than those within his circle; far less care for anything in regards to their overall appearance, always seeming slacken over by an utter sense of restless anxiety interwoven with a robust tiredness. On days when he was feeling more romantic he liked to tell himself that he wrote for them. That his work made their lives all the easier, but in truth he knew that it was most likely the other way around if there was any relationship at all. That would change soon enough with his play¡¯s debut if the devil was to be believed.

    He watched a dwarvish family for the moment with their restless sons. They were giving what he assumed to be their mother, though it was hard to tell with the beard, a very hard time. One of the five in desiring more attention had knocked his plate onto the floor and when the woman still hadn¡¯t taken notice he began to, within a louder and more obnoxious manner, eat from the ground. The woman had eventually gotten the message as signaled by her shriek of utter repulsion and pulling of the child back into their booth.

    Dately couldn¡¯t help but to laugh. He had at one point desired a son as most men did, but in seeing things like this he was more than happy to be blessed with a daughter instead. Isabella had always been so much quieter and would never have done something as repulsive, although perhaps that was more so a dealing in class as opposed to one of sex. He would most likely never know. Returning his gaze back on to the group he watched as another dwarf approached with a large sign in hand. He was dressed within the smeared mining gear and mouthed something for which Dately could not hear on to the woman who simply nodded and motioned for the children to stand and join her as she too pulled a sign free of the floor for which Dately had not before noticed.

    The play write watched as they left, his attention being pulled from the strange group as the director took a seat across from him. The portly man seemed uncomfortable within his space as he affixed his narrow eyed gaze upon Dately.

    ¡°Sorry about that, Will, can I call you Will?¡±

    "Lord Dately is fine.¡±

    Everett nodded, ¡°Of course, Lord Dately, and apologies for my tardiness. I had a bit of trouble finding this¡­restaurant. Honestly, I thought that I¡¯d misheard you when I finally located the place. Did you want to maybe go somewhere else, maybe somewhere more¡­ high end?¡±

    Dately smiled, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t, here is fine.¡±

    ¡°¡­Right.¡±

    Everett glanced around and opened his mouth as if to had something further, but was interrupted by the sound of a chipper waitress¡¯ voice. She asked for their orders or if they¡¯d prefer more time with the menu.

    Handing his menu back toward the smiling woman Dately began to speak. ¡°I¡¯ll have your chicken shapes.¡±

    ¡°¡­And I suppose that I¡¯ll have a bit more time with the menu.¡±

    The waitress nodded and left the two in peace to continue from whence they¡¯d left off.

    ¡°Chicken shapes?¡±

    ¡°Some sort of dwarven dish.¡± Dately waved his hand. ¡°My daughter used to absolutely love it. I used to bring her here all the time. You know, no where in the inner district can you get this sort of deep fried food. It¡¯s very cultural to the dwarves. I used to try to make it for Isabella, but she said that I never did it correctly. I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll love it.¡±

    Everett nodded, ¡°Well with a glowing recommendation like that how could I not try them.¡± He smiled though it did not meet his eyes as he closed and replaced the menu. ¡°¡­Lord Dately, is there a reason that you invited me here?¡±

    Dately raised an eyebrow before glancing up at the other man. ¡°Is a social call not enough? I just figure that you and I don¡¯t really know each other all that well.¡±

    ¡°¡­I-¡±

    ¡°But if you really must know; I¡¯m deciding whether or not to fire you.¡± Everett closed his mouth his eyes searching the man¡¯s for some indication or other of humor, but they were left wanting and instead only found an otherwise cold disposition. ¡°Celiana Edwards.¡± The name left Dately¡¯s mouth with little in terms of emotion though he could feel the beginnings of rage heighten within him as he studied the director once over. ¡°Does that name mean anything to you?¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re referring to the allegations.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°And you spoke with her?¡±

    ¡°I did, she maintains that they¡¯re true. I imagine that you maintain that they¡¯re false.¡±

    Everette sat all the straighter as he met Dately¡¯s eyes. Bits of perspiration were beginning to clump and run into one another as they streaked down along the man¡¯s forehead. ¡°Of course I do.¡±

    ¡°I thought that you¡¯d say that, and we would be at an impasse, but when I spoke with Ms. Edwards she had this particular look in her eyes; as if she was reliving something, something that she¡¯d rather forget. And when I spoke to young Eleanor she had the exact same look whereas you possess one of a guilty man.¡±

    ¡°Will-¡±

    ¡°Lord Dately.¡±

    Everett frowned and let out a small sigh before allowing for a smirk to overtake the before downturned corners of his lips. ¡°You¡¯re not going to fire me.¡± His tone was defiant, self assured within its delivery and by that point Dately had had enough.

    He opened his mouth to speak, but found that he couldn¡¯t utter the words as he desired. It wasn¡¯t that he¡¯d forgotten the phrase or didn¡¯t wish to speak them more so that he was simply unable to form the correct combination with both tongue and mouth. He scowled as the director smiled all the more.

    ¡°Tongue tied, Will?¡±

    ¡°Explain yourself.¡±

    Everette shrug. ¡°I believe that we possess a mutual friend; perhaps you could go ask Cyrus.¡±

    The play write¡¯s eyes widened at the mention of the devil, but before he could speak once more the waitress returned placing his portions before him with that all too cheery smile. ¡°And have you made up your mind, sir?¡±

    Everette leaned back along his side of the booth and matched the waitress¡¯ smile to the best of his ability. ¡°Actually I believe that my friend here was just leaving. I¡¯d be more than happy to take his plate though and cover the tab after his glowing recommendation.¡±

    The woman nodded as she slid the steaming plate across to the other. ¡°Of course, just let me know if you need anything else.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to do that, sweetheart.¡± Everette watched as the waitress left before returning his gaze over toward that of the play write. ¡°Thank you for inviting me out to lunch, Will.¡±

    ***

    Dately eyed his business partner offering little in the ways of reluctance before the man finally gave in with a small sigh.

    ¡°Fine, you wanna talk to him; I¡¯ll call, but don¡¯t be upset when it turns out to be something that you don¡¯t want to hear.¡±

    The play write shrugged. ¡°Ellios, I assure you that I can handle it.¡±

    Ellios rolled his eyes as he stood fiddling with the folds of his emerald robe. ¡°Honestly, you really should just let this whole thing go.¡±

    ¡°I should let the sexual abuse of children go.¡±

    The producer paled, before turning himself away and on to the painting behind him. ¡°¡­No, I suppose you couldn¡¯t.¡±

    Dately studied the other man as he lowered the painting onto the ground and began to fiddle with a safe for which he could not see, but nonetheless knew was there. Waiting patiently he thought over what he¡¯d say when the devil arrived. A moral plea was unlikely to work, in fact it perhaps guaranteed that the devil would simply laugh in his face. He¡¯d have to offer something in exchange for action. He¡¯d been lucky enough the first time with his favor being a simple extension of Ellios¡¯s will, but now he needed to put his own skin into the game; to offer something of value on to the fiend.

    ¡°Here.¡±

    Dately glanced up meeting the other man¡¯s eyes. Ellios was sat back within his desk; his hands clasped around a small hand mirror brimmed within silver along its back and handle. The craftsmanship was fantastic with flame like designs winding around the item¡¯s face before cultivating along its top with a scarlet eye seemingly cut from the deep reds of a ruby.

    ¡°It¡¯s a devil¡¯s vanity. Don¡¯t look into it until you¡¯re ready to talk to him.¡± Ellios extended the item out making sure to keep it face down as Dately wrapped his fingers around it. He was surprised to find it warm to the touch, and felt as his nerves began to bunch.

    ¡°A vanity isn¡¯t just a mirror, you know.¡±

    Ellios smiled, ¡°And I¡¯m sure that you two will enjoy discussing the various nuances of language. Using it will probably leave you with a headache. It gets worse the longer that you''re on it so I¡¯d make it quick.¡± The producer bit his lip before glancing back on to the mirror and then his friend. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this William, no one will think any less of you for looking the other way. Cyrus is¡­difficult to deal with, I of all people should know.¡±

    ¡°Isabella would, in fact she¡¯d be Eleanor¡¯s age had she survived. Could you imagine that Ellios?¡± He met the other man¡¯s eyes. ¡°Your own daughter?¡±

    Ellios shook his head before standing. ¡°No, I couldn¡¯t¡­I hope you find the justice that you¡¯re looking for William. I uh, I need to go for a walk. Lock that mirror back up for me when you¡¯re done, will ya?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Dately watched the other man leave before reshifting his attention toward the mirror clutched within his hand. He let out a deep sigh before turning it over and gazing within it.

    To his surprise the reflection was dark and at first showed him nothing, but after a time or two the surface seemed to shimmer as if it were a disturbed pool of blackened water. He saw the devil then, his breath catching within his throat at the other¡¯s appearance. His head began to ache then, though it was subtle and easily bearable.

    ¡°What do you want Vanguard- My, William Dately. We haven¡¯t spoken in quite some time. So he loaned you his little magic mirror then? This outta be good. Something else I can help you with?¡±

    ¡°Everette Archie.¡±

    The devil raised an eyebrow his thin lips curving into a smile that managed to reveal the ends of his fangs. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that you¡¯ll have to be a bit more specific.¡±

    ¡°You offered him a favor, something that stops me from firing him.¡±

    Cyrus tapped along his chin, a quizzical look over taking the yellow hue of his eyes. ¡°Mmm, maybe it¡¯s familiar.¡±

    ¡°Maybe?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember every person that I give a favor to Dately. Hell, my warlocks are lucky if I remember their names. If you say that I offered him a favor then sure I probably-¡± The devil snapped his fingers then. ¡°Ohh, the fat director. I do remember him.¡±

    ¡°Okay, well you see that¡¯s a problem, because I need to fire him.¡±

    ¡°Well yes, I imagine that that would be a problem.¡± The devil smiled once more. ¡°So what do you want?¡±

    ¡°I want you to undo the deal.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not how it works; we¡¯ve each fulfilled our end of the bargain and that¡¯s all that can be said for it. If you¡¯d caught me earlier maybe I could, but not now.¡±

    Dately sighed a sting of pain running throughout his skull, ¡°Then¡­ugh, will you offer me a new favor at least?¡±

    ¡°That depends, what exactly do you have to offer?¡±

    ¡°I suppose that that depends as well; what exactly do you want?¡±

    Cyrus smiled, his face moving closer toward the glass. ¡°Well that¡¯s a start at least. You¡¯ve worked your way into a far more prestigious position since we last spoke; this allows for quite a few new¡­opportunities. People like stories as an intellectual pursuit. It can shape the way they think about things even if on a subconscious level. Of course everyone knows that; no one ever just writes ¡®Orcs bad¡¯ on a piece of paper and assumes that it¡¯ll start a war. No, but a few 100,000 words in just the right sequence at just the right time can turn any idea into a reality, even without magic.¡± The devil winked and paused as if expecting a response. When receiving none he continued on: ¡°I¡¯ve got a friend who works on the board of Silver-Hand Mines, and some shit stirrers have been giving his bottom line quite a bit of trouble. Something along the lines of unionizing or some such nonsense. The two organizers aren¡¯t human, half elf and tiefling, so it really shouldn¡¯t be so hard to other them. I assume by this point that you understand what I want. A play; a bit more adult in nature than your usual work, but I¡¯m sure that you can handle it. From their maybe public opinion begins to shift and maybe a new law gets popular enough to pass, the silver continues to flow, and your little problem goes away. Everyone¡¯s happy.¡±

    ¡°Except for the miners.¡±

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t be like that; they really don¡¯t know what¡¯s best for them. They¡¯ve been ideologically possessed by radicals and can¡¯t see the broader consequences of what exists around them. In truth if-¡±

    Dately flinched as the pain returned in force, and raised his free hand to quiet the devil. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    He smiled, ¡°Wonderful. Now I suppose it¡¯s on to your end.¡±

    ¡°I-I  want evidence; something that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt what that piece of shit did.¡±

    ¡°As much can be arranged.¡±

    ***

    William Dately couldn¡¯t help but squint within the ill fitting light of the moon¡¯s over hanging presence. The night had seemed all the colder as he watched his breath hang within the air as a thick cloud. Crumpling the small page within his hand he nodded to himself before stepping fully onto the house¡¯s porch and rapping his knuckles along the wooden door. The sound was firm and reassuring; there would be no turning back now for tonight would be the end to all of this.

    The woman who answered the door was shorter than Dately with an curtain of black hair that fell loosely along her shoulders. She seemed tired with a slight sluggish disposition centered throughout her movements as well as bags beneath her scrutinizing gaze. The Lord recognized her immediately as Eleanor¡¯s mother.

    ¡°Lady Eisner I take it?¡±

    The woman nodded.

    ¡°Lord William Dately, I hope that I¡¯m not interrupting, but there was just something that I needed to check on. May I come in?¡±

    Lady Eisner stepped aside opening the door to the man all the more. ¡°You¡¯re the writer, right?¡±

    Dately nodded fiddling with his cuff as he entered within the dwelling. ¡°I am, and you¡¯re Eleanor¡¯s mother. I¡¯ve been watching the rehearsal¡¯s and she¡¯s been doing a fantastic job.¡± The play write continued on throughout the foyer as he heard the door click closed only to be followed by the distinctive sound of Lady Eisner¡¯s shoes following not far after him.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m happy to hear it.¡± Her tone was forced as she passed him offering a small smile that did not meet her eyes. He swallowed, following after the woman and into the den as she took a seat and gestured for him to do the same across from her. ¡°What can I do for you Lord Dately?¡±

    ¡°Yes well it¡¯s been brought to my attention recently that there might have been¡­that there have been some problems on set in regards to Eleanor¡¯s treatment and safety.¡±

    Lady Eisner raised a thin eyebrow to the remark crossing one leg over the other as she leaned forth. Her eyes narrowed with her mouth drawing into a thin line. ¡°You people said that this wouldn¡¯t happen again. It¡¯s going to cost a lot more this time around.¡±

    Dately blinked. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not much in the mood to play games, Mr. Dately. Make your offer and I¡¯ll tell you if it¡¯s enough. If it isn¡¯t then I suppose we can go that other way; postage isn¡¯t very expensive after all. And I still have a friend or two at the Dahlia Times.¡±

    Dately could scarcely believe the words for which he was hearing in tandem with the disposed and borderline disinterested tone coming from Lady Eisner. He sat in silence for a long time her face unchanging as he studied her. ¡°You took a bribe on behalf of your daughter¡¯s abuser, and then you sent her back to him.¡±

    ¡°Lord Vanguard said that he would handle the situation. He obviously failed in as much, and so here you are.¡±

    Dately swallowed, ¡°Vanguard?¡±

    ***

    Ellios flinched at the swirl of scarlet flame before him. Its heat and brightness almost impossibly tense as he moved to shield his eyes. Despite their many dealings the man had never truly grown accustomed to this part or really anything about the devil for that matter. In truth the fiend had become more of a last result whose attention or ire he hated to draw.

    ¡°Do the flames feel that hot to you from so far away?¡±

    Ellios lowered his guard and took in a deep breath before nodding if only slightly.

    ¡°That¡¯s fascinating,¡± Cyrus offered a smile, ¡°So, what can I do for you this time. Vanguard?¡±

    The producer scowled, ¡°That depends, are you actually going to do as I ask this time? You want him to write propaganda!? What the fuck for!?¡±

    The devil shrugged his tail swaying slightly behind him as he took a seat before the other man. ¡°Eaves dropping, really? Well not that it¡¯s any of your business, but I owe someone a favor.¡±

    ¡°You were supposed to ask for his stake in the company. If this whole thing goes south, which it looks like it is, then this is going to get very ugly legally speaking.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not my problem.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your warlock!¡±

    The devil raised an eyebrow surprising a small chortle. ¡°So you are. Am I supposed to do everything at your behest?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to do what¡¯s best for the both of us, because my best interest is your best interest. That¡¯s what you said when we met, right?¡±

    ¡°You know, I have a friend; he keeps warlocks as pets, thinks they¡¯re cute and babies them in all sorts of ways. I however, am not particularly interested in that sort of thing, but to each their own. Let me ask you something,¡± Cyrus leaned back within his seat. ¡°did you have that girl¡¯s best interest at heart?¡± Ellios frowned. ¡°No, I suppose not.¡±

    ¡°So what is this? Some sort of punishment for my immorality?¡±

    ¡°Immorality? Do you believe that what you did was wrong, Ellios?¡±

    ¡°¡­It was necessary.¡±

    ¡°The only one punishing you is yourself,¡± Cyrus shrugged, ¡°and I suppose Dately when he gets here. Oh, is that what this whole thing is about? You think that he¡¯ll do something drastic?¡±

    Ellios bit his lip, a hand moving to rub along his wrist and then fiddle with his rings as he moved forward. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but yes: I would like for you to be here in case things become heated. I just need to explain to him why I did what I did. He¡¯ll be angry, but he¡¯ll get over it. In the mean time I¡¯d like for him not to do anything regrettable.¡±

    ¡°Vanguard, If you want a body guard then hire one for yourself. I have better things to do than babysit mortals.¡± Cyrus stood up, his hand fiddling with a link that had come loose along his cuff.

    ¡°Wait! What if I can help you with the strike? In a way without William? He¡¯s talented, but his work usually takes a while.¡±

    The fiend glanced up from along his sleeve his slight smile showing a hint of his  fangs. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±

    ***

    William Dately hadn¡¯t been altogether surprised to find Ellios absent from within his office that night. Though the man usually worked long hours the play write¡¯s realizations in tandem with the other¡¯s odd behavior were more than adequate an explanation as to his disappearance. What did come as a shock however; was when he entered into the other¡¯s estate to be met by that of the devil. He¡¯d been banging along the door¡¯s fine wooden structure demanding entry; half expecting and all too willing to remain outside all night if need be.

    His rage had cooled then as the devil¡¯s golden eye¡¯s poured into his own and bid him entry. He¡¯d followed within a muted silence before meeting his partner within the den. The producer had averted his eyes when he entered the devil gesturing for him to take a seat across as he snapped a reddish flame to life within the fire place.

    Dately complied, his mind running blank as he sank into the plush couch and glanced between the two. Ellios was drinking; scotch by the looks of it. He gestured as if to offer Dately a glass, but seemed to think better of it before reconsidering whole sale and pouring one regardless. His hand shook.

    ¡°I understand that you¡¯re angry William, but I would like an opportunity to explain myself. If you would allow as much.¡± The producer leaned over offering the glass on to the other, but simply placed it before him when Dately¡¯s hand did not meet his own. Ellios cleared his throat before repositioning himself within his seat. ¡°Everything that I did-¡±

    ¡°You went behind my back, tacitly endorsed the sexual abuse of a child, and now you want to make excuses. Worst of all you don¡¯t even have to courage to face me yourself. No, you call him in.¡± He pointed to the devil, his earlier anger returning in force. ¡°What the fuck kind of man are you?¡±

    Ellios flinched lowering his glass and raising his hands in what he hoped to be a pacifying manner. They were talking; that was good. It was better than falling whole sale into a fight. ¡°He¡¯s just here to ensure our safety. To make sure that things don¡¯t get out of hand.¡±

    ¡°I came here on the off chance that what I heard was a lie, but I can see now that it wasn¡¯t.¡± Dately stood up not bothering to throw the producer another glance.

    ¡°Wait where are you going. William! Do not walk out on me! William!¡± Ellios shot up throwing a glare toward Cyrus¡¯s way. The fiend simply smiled before disappearing and reinhabiting to block the door way.

    Dately glared at the beast before turning back to face Ellios. ¡°Tell him to move.¡±

    ¡°Not before I¡¯ve spoken my piece; you owe me that much!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t owe you a gods damned thing.¡±

    Ellios¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You owe me a lot more than you think. While you got to play around living out your life¡¯s dreams I was the one making all of this shit happen. Do you know why I couldn¡¯t tell you, William? Because you¡¯re fucking soft!¡± Dately¡¯s eyes widened as the producer took a step forward and around the table. ¡°You have never been able to do what it takes to succeed. You wanna cry about one little girl who suffered a little bit to make thousands in silver? What about all the other kids working to make your merchandise? Do you think that those Mr. Mouse plushies just spring up by themselves? What about the miner¡¯s strike that you were more than happy to crush for your own benefit? What about the paper that you write on? The Caprice Confederation doesn¡¯t have a large lumber industry after all. And we both know how uncivilized the non-human countries can be. You¡¯re more than fine with so called injustice as long as you don¡¯t have to see it, right!?¡±

    Ellios was unprepared for the strike when it made contact along side his cheek. The blow was stinging eliciting a harsh sound of hard bone against flesh as he stumbled back. His hand moved towards his lip on instinct as he pulled it away to reveal a tinge of crimson along his finger¡¯s edge. Stumbling back onto his feet the producer glared at the other man as a swell of anger made itself known within his chest. He was unconscious of the next part as he spat the leaking blood back into Dately¡¯s face. ¡°Got that out of your-"

    Ellios¡¯s line was cut short as the other man charged him; his arms wrapping around his waist as the two were thrown over the couch. The impact was heavy upon his back forcing a bit of air from within his core. He was unprepared when Dately¡¯s next blow collided once more with his face. The effect was dizzying as his head began to swim. He was vaguely aware of the devil¡¯s seemingly far off laughter before the blows ceased and the weight lifted from along his chest.

    Dately fought against the devil¡¯s pull; an elbow aligning within his torso as his legs so too began to kick. Cyrus seemed amused by the efforts, but gave no other reaction save to restrain him. His movements were quick; more so than Dately had expected, and to his overall surprise the beast¡¯s hold seemed iron tight as if he¡¯d been shackled whole sale.

    ¡°There¡¯s really no point in your struggling. Honestly, I doubt that there¡¯s anyone in this plane capable of breaking my grip except for me.¡±

    Dately ignored the devil; his thrashing becoming all the more erratic as the beast pulled him back. He watched as Ellios struggled back onto his feet though he still seemed dazed as he watched Dately. The well composed man seemed almost unfamiliar to him within those moments. His hair was ruffled and lacked within its usual well ordered sheen. His eyes panicked with an almost somber note as they failed to meet his own. Gone was the before assured self confidence that the man had always managed to carry himself with and Dately knew within that moment that he despised him for it.

    ¡°It took you long enough.¡± Ellios¡¯s breath was heavy as he struggled to straighten himself before altogether relenting within the effort.

    ¡°Oh you¡¯re fine.¡±

    Ellios scoffed before addressing Dately. ¡°You can¡¯t leave until we work this out. So what¡¯d you say that you stop-¡±

    ¡°We aren¡¯t working this out Ellios! This business, our partnership, our friendship; it¡¯s fucking finished! You ruined that!¡±

    For the first time that night the producer looked surprised as he opened his mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t¡­¡± He swallowed and dropped his eyes before addressing the devil only. ¡°Can you make him forget¡­Just everything relating to this? Please, I¡¯ll give you whatever you want.¡±

    The devil roared with laughter. ¡°Things relating to this and only this, no? Memory manipulation is imprecise, difficult. So many coils all interwoven with one another. How a person feels about things. Really who they are as a whole.¡± Cyrus shrugged, ¡°It¡¯d be much less hassle to just kill him though I don¡¯t exactly see what I¡¯d be getting out of that. I promised to play body guard; nothing more and nothing less.¡±

    Ellios bit his lip. ¡°S-silence?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡±

    ¡°Can you make it so that he can¡¯t speak about this? Like bind him to silence; I¡¯ve heard of mages doing it. Surely you can.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I suppose I could.¡±

    Dately had since ceased within his struggling as he listened to the two men speak. He had panicked at first, but in hearing the devil¡¯s noncommittal tone an idea sprang to mind. All he would need was an escape, a simple favor, and he could take care of the rest. He¡¯d inform the city guard and though the business would know doubt come to an end it would more than be worth it as there was no other way for which to continue forth. He calmed his breathing and allowed for himself to lay slack against the devil. It would have to be something that the beast was incapable of refusing as he¡¯d likely only have one shot.

    ¡°William, I really am sorry that it has to be this way¡­it¡¯s just that-¡±

    "Ellios, I really don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±

    The producer relented, ¡°I understand, and I hope that you will too one day. Nothing comes for free after all.¡±

    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t. Cyrus, I¡¯m offering you a blank check to do with whatever you want on the condition that you release me.¡± Dately didn¡¯t have to turn around to know that the devil was smiling as he felt his grip loosen.

    ¡°Deal.¡±

    He wasted no time in breaking away from the beast and making a break for the door. Ellios watched on in rapt horror as his partner grabbed hold of the handle and began to exit. Everything within the moment seemed to slow on to a crawl as he threw the devil a panicked glance only for him to shrug and mumble words for which he could not hear. It would all come undone if Dately were allowed to progress. All of their hard work, all of his sacrifice; it would all be for nothing purely because his friend couldn¡¯t see.

    His body seemed to move upon its own volition within those few, scarce moments. He¡¯d hurried over toward the table unthinking and grasped hold of the scotch bottle tossing it with all his strength towards the other. The impact was immediate the sound of its loud shatter coursing throughout the walls of his house in a seeming echo as it collided it time with the back of William Dately¡¯s head. The man fell limp at the collusion.

    ***

    The woman before him was beautiful with blonde hair tied back into a tight braid.   She was self-assured, that much was all to clear by the broad smile plastered across her face as she sat reclined at a large desk with a few strands of her flaxen hair seeming to blow within a wind of which Dately could not feel.

    ¡°William Dately.¡± The woman shifted slightly her voice holding within it a soft and musical quality for which the play write found truly enchanting. ¡°You have had a very unfortunate turn of events my friend.¡± She leaned forward then her right leg overlapping with her left as she began to study him.

    Dately swallowed as he felt himself shrink within his seat¡­had he been sitting before? The details were hard to recall, even in the broadest of scopes. Everything around him seemed unreal, almost fabricated as if he existed now only within a dream.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, do I know you?¡±

    The woman frowned, an expression of hurt flashing throughout her eyes. ¡°Of course you do.¡± She snapped her fingers perking up ever so slightly, ¡°Allow for me to give you a hint: I¡¯m The First Muse.¡±

    ¡°¡­I-¡±

    ¡°The Always Imagined? Forever Dreamer? The Great Beauty? Oh come now; you must have heard at least one of these before.¡±

    Dately shook his head.

    ¡°I suppose coming up with your own aliases will do that. I really don¡¯t even know why I waste my time.¡± She sighed before offering her hand toward the other allowing for a green flower to grow within her palm.

    ¡°Lyric.¡±

    ¡°The one and only,¡± she winked before taking her hand back and placing it into her lap. ¡°I¡¯d love to offer you one of my flowers, truly I would, but alas we¡¯re having a bit of legal trouble.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Dately bit his lip and searched his mind for any such answers as to how he¡¯d ended up here. His hand moved toward the back of his head with fingers combing throughout his hair. He felt the wound, though none of its blood as he remembered the injury that had likely brought him about. ¡°He killed me.¡±

    The goddess frowned. ¡°If it makes you feel any better it was an accident.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t.¡±

    She shrugged, ¡°I suppose that it was worth a try.¡±

    ¡°You said that there was legal trouble.¡±

    Lyric¡¯s mouth straightened. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s been a counter claim made upon your soul.¡± She uncrossed her legs and glanced down at her desk. ¡°A devil says that you owe him an unspecified and unfulfilled favor. Unfortunately, I really can¡¯t let you into my domain in accordance with the cold peace despite your obvious artist¡¯s heart.¡±

    ¡°The cold peace?¡±

    ¡°A legal matter.¡± Lyric waved her hand as if the mere mention of such things repulsed her. ¡°I have my top aids fighting on behalf of your admittance, and luckily they were able to keep you out of hell until the dispute is resolved. However, these sorts of thing take time.¡±

    ¡°How much time exactly?¡±

    The goddess shrugged and offered a sympathetic smile. ¡°It could be a while, perhaps centuries¡­or a millennia. It¡¯s hard to tell, really.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve upset you.¡±

    ¡°No- it¡¯s just that¡­I wasn¡¯t exactly ready to die.¡±

    ¡°Well most people aren¡¯t, but I assume that you¡¯re referring to the unfinished business with your former partner. That was quite the ugly matter I suppose.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was¡­Is there any way to, maybe help me finish it since we have so much time?¡±

    The goddess shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s not how I do things.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­¡±

    ¡°Now now, it¡¯s not all doom and gloom. I think I have something here that could in fact lighten the mood.¡± The goddess stood up and gestured for Dately to do the same. ¡°Follow me won¡¯t you. I think that you¡¯re going to like this next part.¡±

    ***

    No one cried harder than Ellios Vanguard at the funeral of William Dately. He¡¯d done everything within his power to make sure that his friend would have a proper send off. He¡¯d organized for a performance of one of the man¡¯s older works, set about in announcing a new printing of plays for which he had not finished within an anthology set and donated the proceeds to a few of the city¡¯s larger orphanages, and in seeing that even that held no effect on rectifying his guilt he brought the man¡¯s land and converted the home into a museum in his honor hoping that all may learn of his story or at least¡­ a version of his story.

    In the end it never seemed to be enough and if he were honest about it was true beyond all else that he¡¯d grown to hate himself. He longed for someone to talk to, for someone to be honest with, and even briefly considered the fiend before laughing the idea away as bitter self-indulgence.

    Instead he¡¯d thrown himself into his work hoping that if he could perhaps do justice to the stories of Mr. Mouse then he too could see some way to his own redemption. He¡¯d hired security to stand by at rehearsals and keep an eye upon Everette Archie. He was still unable to fire the man, but at least this measure made his predatory nature nearly impossible to act upon. In the end the play performed well both monetarily and critically. He¡¯d gone to it¡¯s opening night and was not ashamed to say that he wept as the curtain came to a close. There would be other performances of course, but for the time being he¡¯d had his fill.

    It was a fair evening when he¡¯d come back from the theatre and found his office to be strange, though he couldn¡¯t quite place his finger upon why. Clearing his throat and closing the door behind him Ellios glanced around the area before shrugging the feelings off as mere paranoia.

    Making his way toward his desk he couldn¡¯t help but flinch as the apparition of William Dately appeared before him within his chair. The thing did not at first speak, but simply motioned for him to sit within one of the seats before it. Ellios obliged though the whole scenario felt unreal.

    The ghost, if that¡¯s what it was, seemed not too dissimilar to the man that he¡¯d been in life though with a faint glow or shimmer seeming to resonate from around him. The two watched each other for some time before Ellios finally dropped his gaze and began to mumble on to himself words of comfort for which even he couldn¡¯t clearly make out.

    ¡°Look at me.¡± The spirits words held within them a strange resonance and echo like quality as if he were speaking from within a cave.

    Ellios simply shook his head in response or lack thereof.

    ¡°Nothing happens until you look at me.¡±

    ¡°A-are you real?¡±

    ¡°Not as much as I was; I can¡¯t interact with the mortal plane save through vessels of Lyric, and luckily enough for the two of us you just happen to count.¡±

    The producer nodded wiping along his eyes before meeting the other¡¯s and speaking. ¡°William, I am so sorry. I never wanted any of this to happen. I¡¯ve been trying to make things right and-¡±

    ¡°I know, we¡¯ve been watching for a while. The play was quite lovely actually, my favorite part was the security that you hired. Although some would argue that it¡¯s too late for such matters.¡±

    ¡°And what do you argue?¡±

    The ghost shrugged, ¡°Only that you can¡¯t fix the past no matter how you may try to spin it. It¡¯s always there in a permanent state of imperfection waiting for someone to unearth all of its horrendous secrets.¡± The specter laughed within its detached echoey tone ¡°At least it¡¯ll be of aid to the children, I suppose.¡±

    Ellios nodded, ¡°William, why¡¯re you here, exactly?¡±

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s been a bit of legal trouble do to the meddling of your patron, and I¡¯ve been cursed to journey throughout the mortal plane until it¡¯s resolved.¡± Dately shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ve got to do something to kill the time. I thought about punishing you for a long time, and I suppose that I¡¯m still considering it. Although helping young artists find their voice sounds so much more fulfilling, besides I wouldn¡¯t want to set a bad example for Isabella.¡± Ellios blinked, his expression morphing from one of sadness to utter confusion though Dately ignored him. ¡°It turns out that my little girl had the heart of an artist putting her beneath Lyric¡¯s per view. And the goddess was more than happy to allow her to accompany me. She can¡¯t grow up of course, neither of us age anymore, how you die is how you stay so that¡¯s unfortunate. But I¡¯m grateful for the consolation prize nonetheless.¡±

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±

    ¡°No, I suppose that you wouldn¡¯t. Could I offer you one last piece of advice, from an old friend?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°This guilt that you¡¯re feeling, it can¡¯t be buried beneath unrelated good deeds. Sooner or later it¡¯ll eat you alive. Turn yourself and Everett Archie in Ellios. Its time that you both faced real justice.¡±

    Ellios shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t do that William.¡±

    Dately shrugged, ¡°If that¡¯s what you believe. I hope that you can find peace within yourself if not forgiveness from me.¡±

    Ellios opened his mouth as if to retort, but closed it once more and instead watched as the specter left him to his own thoughts. Unfortunately for him that was the last place in which he wanted to occupy.

    ***

    The man who had once been William Dately exited from within the building. His body, or lack thereof, stood unfeeling towards the winds for which he knew blew past. His conversation had taken a fair bit longer than he¡¯d expected, but he was glad to have said his piece and in turn be capable of moving forward.

    He found Isabella not far from where he¡¯d left her. The girl had obviously grown bored and had begun to draw figures within the snow of a rotund rodent that he knew all too well to be her beloved Mr. Mouse.

    ¡°Having fun, mouse?¡±

    Isabella glanced up and shook her head. ¡°No, I was just doodling.¡±

    Dately nodded and knelt down alongside her. ¡°I can see that. It looks pretty good. No wonder Lyric had to let you in.¡± Isabella giggled causing her father to smile. ¡°Well since you¡¯re just about wrapping up what¡¯d you say we go somewhere new with all sorts of undiscovered stories to hear and read.¡±

    ¡°Like where?¡±

    The play write shrugged, ¡°Anywhere. Tell ya what, why don¡¯t you pick a direction and we¡¯ll go and see what we run into.¡±

    Isabella raised her hand from within the snow and tapped along her chin for a few seconds. ¡°Even that way?¡± She asked pointing off toward the south with a broad grin.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not.¡± Standing up Dately offered his hand toward his daughter and helped her onto her feet. ¡°Shall we?¡±

    She nodded, raising her arms high above her head allowing for Dately to lift her onto his side as he did many times before within life. And as he began to walk off throughout the snow he left no trail behind him save for those of bad memories that he hoped would soon be forgotten as he and Isabella moved on to start a new.