AN: Thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.

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Those gathered about the table with the large map of the city were the dwarves, my Undying, our "guest" who was currently glaring daggered into my skull, my apprentices, and a few of the elders of the village. Yes, I included the farmers, for they had as much of a stake in this as I. However, there's was for absolute freedom, whilst I simply desire it for our world conquest. For now, we simply contemplated on how to tackle this city before moving on to the main continent and the wilderness of the third.

"Well, Persephone?" I called out to the human, causing all eyes to turn in her general direction, "Where would you place my servants and Undying, if we desired to removed the key positions of the guard and strike fast and hard at the monarchy within?"

"Yes," her eyes, which was full of hatred only moments before speaking, was now without light as the collar embedded in her skin took control of her mind, "I would have them attack the towers all across the walls." She spoke quickly, reaching over to grab a few of the Undying figurines, and placing each one upon the drawn out parapet atop the walls, "Each of these holds a large brass bell, which, once rung, will cause the whole of the city to respond with their own alarm bells.

"Now, if you're wanting to attack the castle, you may want to try the hidden passage within the well to the right of the main church's door. It's the only one I know of that still leads to a series of catacombs which will then lead you to the main courtyard of the castle."

"Very well," I spoke slowly, watching her expression return to one full of hatred, as she recalled what she had just said, "How well trained are the city guards, as opposed to those within the castle?" This query was voiced to all, as the human would not hold all of the answers to such a thing.

"My Lord God?" Called out one of the elders from the village. Of whom had shrank into his chair, as all eyes turned in his direction, "I was a stable boy when I was young, and would always dream about being one of the guard. However, I've soon found out they were nothing more than lazy brutes who did nothing beyond drinking, gambling, and whoring. The only ones you need to look out for are those under the king's wives, as they are well trained and not at all lazy."

"Hmm," my voice hummed softly as my gaze fell upon the dwarves, "Would you and yours care to have a bit of exercise, my dear dwarves?" They turned towards my person, and grinned an evil grin as they reached for their hidden weapons to caress lovingly.

"Aye, lad," spoke one of their number, of whom was of the darker haired and skin colour, "we would like that very much."

"Then it is settled. You and yours will accompany San'yuu and his escort into the castle. Once you are there, do whatever you wish, for I care nothing about them. However, no one is to go near the king, as he is to receive a message from my apprentice before meeting his demise.

"Understand?"

"Aye lad. Everyone but the king is fair game." They grinned and rushed off to speak to their own kind, as I turned back towards those still gathered.

"Auua, Shauu, you both are to be in charge of the dragonfolk who are to be joining us in this venture. Whereas Sal'ruum and Val'ruum," I turned towards the twins, narrowing my eyes for the briefest of moments, "you two will be in charge of the Undying destined to attack the towers. Perform the task without a flaw, and you will have earned your extra arms."

The twins became excited at the prospect of moving up the ladder of my Undying's hierarchy. For the prospect of having four arms, instead of two, means they would not only be able to perform their duties better, but have earned the trust of their Lord. "Thank you, My Lord God," they spoke quickly, slamming their fists against their chests with a resounding boom, "We will not fail you."

"Pray that you do not," growled Auua, who had long ago earned his extra arms, "For Lord Brutus will tear you apart if he finds out about your failure." The pair grew solemn once they heard these words, whilst Shauu used the flat of her primary clawed hand to smack the back of the Orangutan's head. Whereas I simply rubbed my temples from the imaginary headache forming behind my eyes.

"Yes," I spoke slowly, staring in their general direction for a time before casting my gaze into their own. The pair turned away almost as soon as I had done so, to which I sighed slowly, "Brutus has a habit of rampaging when something goes awry, but calms down as soon as everything is put to right. So complete your duty, and do it well. Else he will be taking it out of your hide.

"San'yuu," I called out to the older Dragonock, who simply glanced in my general direction for a time before returning to gaze upon Siuun. Of whom was in the process of exploring his clawed fingers with her own, and did not wish to cast his attention elsewhere in case she decides to remove them so that she may do whatever she so desires. Yes. Such a thing has happened many times before, and will continue until her demise.

"San'yuu, you will be given a company of five of the hirelings. These will accompany your person into the throne room, whereupon you will deliver the message that Veni Deus Venenum is coming for him. Once completed, I shall given you your elixir as you return to the dragonfolk village. Understand?"

"Why the village?" He asks and winces as the girl-child places the fingers into her small maw. Whereupon she looks upon with large, crimson orbs devoid of pupils and irises. Many of the elders gasped and muttered something about a "Crazed Child", as they slowly moved away from the pair.

"Why?" I mused with a small grin upon my features, "You are going to be their leader, of course."

*****

The day-star sank below the horizon once more, casting the world of Azara into perpetual darkness for which none dared enter without a great many light sources. For the darkness throughout the world caused many of its monsters and beast to emerge from their dens and lairs in order to seek out and devour those caught unawares. However, this night would soon be filled with more light than naught, as the being known only as Veni Deus Venenum sat atop his iron scaled dragon called Suun.

High above the city, did his eyes flare into life, allowing him and those around him to see within the darkness a little better than most. Of which was only given to himself, the dragon, Shoriin, and the young Dragonock called Siuun. They each stared down below, whilst being strapped to the being atop the dragon, and spotted several blurred forms slowly climbing the walls. Of which were hugging the walls as the beastfolk patrolling such a thing passed them by with a large orb of magelight illuminating the world about them.

Yes. Such a thing was dangerous, as it marked them as great targets by those who would seek to harm them. However, the only fear they had was of the denizens of the darkness, which were far below their high walls of stone, wood, and magick. They believed themselves safe from the darkness, and had grown complacent because of such things. However, this night will truly be their undoing, as the unknown creatures which hugged the walls quickly climbed to the towers where their bells hung in a dusty silence. For they have not been used for many cycles, and have been neglected even to that very night.

Unfortunately for these bell ringers, they were the first to fall, as these silent unknowns each leapt through the open windows, splattering the insides with their blood as they raced along the walls to silence all others before they managed to alert the sleeping world below. Once completing their tasks, these creatures then raced over towards the gatehouse nearest the north gate, whereupon they did remove anyone and everyone before slowly opening the great doors to allow those waiting below to enter. These creatures who were to enter were of the dragon race of creatures used as slaves by the rest of the world called Azara, and were given the tools of war.

Each of them were given a single task. "Kill. Kill those who have wronged your person. Kill their families, as they had slaughtered or abused your own. Kill the world they so desired and accomplished through the blood, sweat, and tears of you and your kin, for they deserve that and more. So kill them, and become free from your burdens of slavery forevermore."

Yes. They would kill, slaughter, maim, dismember everyone and everything these dragonfolk latched onto, but for now, they had to enter the city. Of which they did so, but not as silently as one would expect. No. Instead, the great gates of the northern part of the city squealed and groaned as they swung open. This noise woke many a citizen, and more than a few grew curious as to why the gates were opening. Or perhaps, they were simply curious to know where the noise had come from.

Those who were far too curious for their own good, stepped out of their homes nearest the gate and, lighting a coal lantern in their grip, shined the light upon a sea of crimson eyed monsters wielding the tools or war. Many of these did not realise what was happening, and raised their lanterns higher in order to see more of these creatures. Of whom also contained those with emerald and sapphire coloured eyes, as they stared upon those with such instruments of light.

This then led to one of the lightbearers to scream loudly, awakening much of the nearby houses as the sea of monsters howled, roared, and charged into the city with their tools raised high, before falling down upon their intended victims. Upon the walls, however, was another group of monsters, but these held bows or staves, and conjured great orbs of red flames with a dark centre before sending them into the city below.

This blatant destruction was what caused the screams to intensify, as the city's inner bells rang fiercely in a call to arms against those of whom would dare attack them. Although this attracted the mercenaries, guards, and adventurers to the battle at hand, it also attracted a large horde of monsters waiting outside the southern gate. Once they heard the bells ringing loudly, did they howl and roar with such strength to make these walls of stone, wood, and magicks quake. For it was not just their voices which struck the gates so fiercely, but also their weapons, claws, and fists.