= ( ALCADAR – LADY FIRDANNA ) =

Firdanna stood on the fighting step of the east wall of her post. Her knukles were white due to the way she was gripping the hilt of her sword. There must have been sixty fighters in the band that was approaching the border. At the head of the band rode an individual in silvery full plate armour, at his side rode another knight carrying the glowing banner of the temple of the Thunderer.

Firdanna spat over the parapet. This whole situation was rapidly growing out of control. The priests and champions of the Thunderer prided themselves on being the champions of virtue, and the protectors of the people. But she was well aware that the sanctimonious asses didn’t act as if the local peasants were people.

She remained at her post as the Hasvettians approached her fort. Finally she was able to make out the symbol on their leader’s shield. She sighed in resignation. It was indeed Druusus Swiftsword. There was no way she was going to be able to talk sense to that vainglorious idiot. But she had to try.

The band of the Thunderer’s followers stopped within easy hailing distance of the walls of Fort Remembrance. Druusus’ herald rode closer.

“Hello the Fort, Our lord’s glorious Paladin, Druusus Swiftsword greets Lady Firdanna.”

“Good Day Druusus,” shouted Firdanna. “I seek your help in arresting my deserters. Will you return them as our treaty stipulates. Their heads will suffice.”

The herald’s mouth opened and closed as his train of thought was derailed. Druusus spurred his horse forward. “What do you mean Firdanna, they came to raise the alarm about the Demon Overlord who has risen in your realm.”

“There is NO Demon Overlord Druusus,” replied an exasperated Firdanna. “The damn peasants panicked when their charlatan of a prophet bit of more than he expected. Now turn over those cowards for punishment as the treaty stipulates.”

Druusus stared at the figure standing all by herself on the wall of the border fort. “Maybe you’re right Firdanna, but I note you didn’t deny there was a demon. Any demon is business for the Thunderer’s forces. And I can not reward men who warned me of the presence of a demon by handing them over for punishment.”

Firdanna’s lips narrowed in annoyance. “Lord Druusus I will inform Baron Fullbright of your invasion. I have to do my duty.”

Druusus laughed, “At least you don’t intend to fight us. Wise choice.”

Firdanna watched, fuming, as Druusus led his followers deeper into the Kingdom of Domeras in his demon hunt.

As the Thunderer’s band disappeared into the west, Firdanna’s shoulders slumped and she made her way into her office to use the mirror to inform her superiors of the latest news.

= = O = =

Faldanna glared in disbelief at Baron Fullbright’s face in the post’s communications mirror. “You can’t be serious Baron. You must know there is no Demon Overlord.”

Fullbright smirked at Faldanna. “I must treat the possibility with all seriousness Faldanna. You will hand over your duties to Sir Naavar when he arrives. Then you will gather your forces and move to reinforce Lord Druusus. You will aid him in killing the Demon Overlord. Understand?”

Faldanna clenched her fists in frustration, “And my Geas?”

“Pfft! Consider it lifted Faldana.” Fullbright picked up a small pink crystal. He showed it to Faldanna in the mirror before placing it on a small steel plate and smashing it with the hilt of his knife. The minute Faldanna saw the crystal break she felt the weight of the geas lift from her shoulders.

“I do not trust the Thunderer or his fanatics,” stated Faldanna, her eyes flat and expressionless.

“You need not reinforce the Thunderer’s paladin. You can hunt the demon with just your forces,” offered Fullbright.

“I’ll do just that my lord Marshall,” Faldanna smiled mirthlessly. “And there is no Demon Overlord.”

Fullbright smirked, “Your problem Faldanna. Find one.”

It was only with extreme self-control that Faldanna managed to put the mirror away. Her earnest desire was to hurl it at the nearest wall. She hunched forward in her chair as she did her best to calm herself. Slowly she straightened. “Just you wait, you vindictive bastard, you haven’t won yet. I’ll find some way to bring you down yet. This I swear.”

As she rose from her chair, her eyes were drawn to a new black stain on her desk. It was located where her clenched fists had rested. She froze for a moment as she sought her core, she smiled coldly as she felt her dark mana swirling freely, no longer locked down.

“You did me a favour Fullbright. You idiot. You freed my magic when you destroyed the geas,” then she laughed mirthlessly.

= ( ALCADAR – BRAZOS’ CREW ) =

They were camped in a secluded clearing near the northern edge of the Haunted Forest.

A couple of days previously they had found a motley collection of bandits in their way while they were heading south. They had had to divert to the east to avoid them. Not the best option but they only had a limited amount of ammunition. They were not equipped to fight an army.

Then yesterday, they had cut south into the forest when they had spotted the smoke of several campfires further to the east one morning as they were breaking camp.

“I still say we could have taken them Brazos,” said Oliveira.

“Most likely,” agreed Brazos. “But what about the next lot?”

Duke nodded, “Yeah, there will be a next lot, won’t there. What with that quest and reward.”

Natercia grinned showing a glint of fang, “I can bless us with battle luck, and them with infertility. But I can’t conjure up bullets.”

“Battle luck?” asked Brazos.

“Yes. It would make our shooting more accurate, and buff us against magic. It would almost guarantee a win, but,” she shrugged.

There was a rustle in the tallest tree at the edge of their clearing and a wide-eyed gorgon princess dropped down from it into the clearing. “They are getting ready to fight!” she exclaimed.

Brazos blinked, he looked at the little princess, “Who are Dee?”

“Why, the bandits and the knight’s company. The bandits have a big black flag with a white horned skull on it. The knights have a glowing silver banner,” she explained.