For ages the cycle of insults continued. Virgil was worried all of Utradem would have fallen to the cambian horrors before Hokron and the frost Witch began the negotiations. But, with quite a lot of guidance from Virgil, Hokron and the frost Witch began talks of alliance.

“If you two are all but finished wasting your breath, is it not time to move on to the purpose of our visit?” Virgil asked.

“And what might that purpose be my dearest Virgil?” The frost Witch replied in a cold voice. Virgil flinched at the mention of his name. He quickly regained his composure and was about to respond when Hokron stepped in front of him.

“Do not feign ignorance Witch. Your eyes are not so blind as to miss Undvik’s charge. It will not take long for him and his immortal army to reach Alcoz. Without our aid you will soon fall into his grasp. As will all life if we are not to join togethor now.” Hokron’s voice was low and unwavering. The frost Witch stopped and pondered for a few moments.

“I have held Alcoz through ten hundred sieges. Whether it be the church of light, the armies of man, or the monsters of the bloody marsh none have come close to taking my tower. None ever will. I do not need your aid but, you do need mine. I will not lift a hand to save Utradem unless you make it worth my while. Of course, you do have something I want don’t you Virgil?”

“Do not speak my name so easily Witch I-“ Virgil’s reply was soon interrupted.

“Oh Virgil, Virgil, my dearest Virgil, I did not think you were so gullible. To believe in such superstition as witches having power over one through their names. I could have sworn you knew better.” The frost Witch began to taunt. His patience finally at its end Virgil wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword and commanded.

“Pim, Witch of frost, heed my command and remember your debt. Never again shall my name be tarnished by your tongue. Never again shall you oppose my command. As of this moment I, Virgil, force you to repay what is owed. From now until the end of time, you must join me in fulfilling my OATH. From this moment on, you shall serve in both life and in death.”

Alcoz was shaken to its core by the winds of the covenant. All frosting was immediately blown from the tower. As Virgil spoke each word stretched out and took physical form. The words began to illuminate the room before flying forward and branding themselves onto Pim. The words of power threw Pim to the floor. The sound of the crushing wind blocking out her screams of agony. Even Hokron struggled to stand firm in the presence of such magic.

When the last word branded itself unto Pim the winds of covenant vanished as abruptly as they entered. The contents of the throne room were eviscerated and thrown about. The blood and remains of Pim’s lovers stained every surface. Hokron and Virgil stood over Pim as she writhed and silently cried in agony. Hokron let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding. An oath joining ritual was extremely risky. It’s requirements so specific that it was only ever recorded being used three times in the history of Utradem.

Hokron knew Virgil had met the requirements to join Pim in his oath long ago, but never wanted to force him into using the spell. Even now a tinge of guilt continued to eat away at him. But it was necessary, Undvik needed to be stopped. Hokron took one last deep breath before breaking the silence.

“Pim, witch of frost, recite your oath.”

“I… In both death and life, I am to serve. Never shall I knowingly bring harm to my master nor shall I ever refuse his command. From now until the end of time, I serve Hokron the son of light.”

***

The sounds of battle echoed throughout the valley. Maybe battle was the wrong way to describe it. This was nothing but a massacre. After being hit by two volleys of arrows from the hwachas the caravan’s forces were in shambles. Any of the guards who could still fight were quickly overwhelmed and executed.

Everything became so foggy as I repeatedly awoke only to once again lose consciousness.

At first, I was trapped beneath a mountain of arrows. I couldn’t move nor feel anything. My eyes were so blurry I could barely make out a few colors. I tried to focus on my vision to see what was happening. As soon as I did everything went black.

I awoke once more. I was still trapped beneath the arrows. My eyes were still to blurry to see. I could feel a warm tingle in my ears. Before long I could I was hearing faint noises. A fire crackling, screaming, and the sort of crackling you get when you drive over gravel. I caught the smallest bit of what believed to be conversation. It was a deep rumble followed by the occasional baritone groan. I wanted t know what they were saying but the moment I began to focus on the voice I was once again plunged into darkness.

I could feel. I was being dragged forward. My body was still to numb to feel the pain but I could feel the grip upon my arms and the abrasion against my legs. The sound of flesh being dragged against stone filled my ears. I opened my eyes but was met with a blurry darkness. A warm liquid began to drip down my face and I began to smell.

Blood.

So much blood.

I heard a high-pitched scream.

“Please stop, I’m begging you please! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!”

The Seamstress? So, she was caught as well. I tried to resist my captors, but my body wouldn’t move. No! I might not get another chance like this. I have a potential ally right next to me, someone who can help me. I can’t let them take me away. I need to break free and help the Seamstress. Togethor we might be able to escape. I need to help her. Shit stop!

I don’t want to be alone.

But I couldn’t move. As her screams faded into the distance and I was dragged further and further away, everything went black.

“I did not think I would get a cellmate. You really are full of surprises fair Challenger.”

The voice broke me out of my slumber, and I could hear chains rattling as I began to thrash about.

“Nngh, nnngh!” I tried to speak but something was in the way.

“Your still gagged eh? You must be a recent addition to the cell then. My guess is that your eyes are slit, and you have been chained to the wall in five places yes? Oh! Right! Your first time captured. Speak once for yes and twice for no.”

After a quick check it appeared the voice was correct. When I opened my eyes, I was met with only darkness and pain. Chains affixed both my arms and legs to the wall with little wiggle room. A separate chain was fastened down on my stomach. Making it hard to breath. There was also a sharp pain in my chest slightly below the chain. After a short pause, I realized the voice was waiting for my answer.

“Nngh.”

“I figured. The God Killers are not very creative in their imprisoning. Ah, the God Killers are the ones who attacked us by the way. Any who bear the twin swords and skull are apart of that brainless bunch. You really must have pissed them off to earn yourself a spot with me. My guess it is due to the dagger stuck in your chest now is it not? The repulsion of those who are not chosen by the dagger is legendary. It is said that it will burn an unworthy man’s arm off just for attempting to wield it. I suppose the fools did not believe the legends were true. Serves them right!” The voice chuckled for a bit before continuing.

“I didn’t think they would truly gain the Prince’s blessing. I suppose he is finally cracking down on those who still choose to worship. Just another step in his path to godhood I suppose.”

Wait godhood? I consider trying to ask but figured my meaning wouldn’t get through the gag. I waited for him to continue. Instead I was greeted by the sounds of two guards entering into the cell.

“It looks like it is time for our ritual beheading.”

Our what?

Before I could fully comprehend what was said pain began to overwhelm me. Blow after blow landed on my neck. Until finally everything went dark.

“Welcome back! For a challenger you sure do take your time to regenerate. Maybe I am just biased. Afterall, I have been doing this for ages. Dying that is. It’s part of the reason me and my followers always look like walking corpses. We are killed so often our bodies are not given enough time to properly regenerate. Not like it’s ever bothered me.” The voice paused for a while. Letting the silence take the cell. Before long we were beheaded once again.

We fell into this pattern, regenerating and being killed over and over. The anticipation of the beheading was far worse than the actual pain. Being left alone in your head waiting for someone to come and kill you just to regenerate and die again really wears down on your mental fortitude. I began praying that my cellmate would continue talking anything to keep my mind off of the beheading. After three more deaths my prayers were answered.

“It wasn’t always this way. Utradem that is. It was once a beautiful world one where all could live in peace and service to the Gods. It is always times like these, when I’m strapped down and tortured, that I become so sentimental. I used to preside over thousands. I did everything I could to help people connect with the Gods. I am a servant of the light, but often times I would work hardest to help those who were rejected by light find another God. I did everything I could, but it was never enough. I thought myself pathetic. I, the one they called the cardinal of light, could not protect my people. When I noticed light becoming more and more disillusioned with his followers I panicked.” The Cardinals voice broke as he spoke.

“I doubted myself, hated myself. How could I save this situation? How could I bring the people back to the Gods? I did everything I could to show my love for the gods. What a fool I was. No one can truly love another while hating themselves. I walk this pilgrimage as penance. I walked throughout Utradem praying to every God. Gifting them all the love I can muster. Soon enough others began to follow me and even more began to try and halt my path. It was maybe a hundred solstice ago that my will was born anew. I did not deserve the title of cardinal but so long as I did wield it, I would protect those who still loved the Gods. It would appear I have failed once again in that regard.”

I listened focusing on every word. At first it was just as a distraction to keep me from focusing on the pain. But soon I found myself invested in his story. There was so much about this world I still didn’t know. We sat in silence for a bit. Until eventually I heard the rattling of keys and the door unlock.

“I suppose that is enough moping for now. Hold still fair Challenger.” The Cardinal spoke once more now in his usual calm and charismatic voice.

As the executioner entered the room, I heard chains shake and move. Then an instant later there was a soft muffle and a cold snap. A cold hand brushed up against my face and undid my gag.

“I shall undo your chains.” I heard a click as the key was inserted. One by one my chains were undone, and I soon found myself free on the ground. The Cardinal gently took me by the arm and moved me.

“If we are to escape you will need to regain your sight. Here take the dagger and drain the God Killer. I shall guide your hand.”

Our hands moved in unison stopping only once to briefly hover over the body before plunging the dagger into the executioner. I drained. The warmth of vitality flooded into me. It felt…

Heavenly.

I felt my eyes pop back into shape and the wound in my side heal over in an instant. In a matter of seconds my blindness was cured. I was greeted by the sight of a cold dark stone cell. Its floor stained red with blood. A husk of a young man laid still below me emptily staring into the ceiling. The cardinal had helped himself to the executioner’s clothes. Although the sleeves of the woolen shirt didn’t hide the gaping holes of torn flesh on the cuff of his arms. Noticing my stare, the Cardinal spoke.

“The easiest way to escape the chains is to tear yourself from them. I often find the pain is well worth the result.” He reached down and took the man’s sword before handing it to me. “As a member of the clergy I am prohibited from wielding weapons.”

I looked down at the corpse of the executioner.

“But snapping necks is ok?”

“I like to think of myself as a progressive priest. We have stalled long enough. Let’s go save the others that we might continue the pilgrimage.”

With that the Cardinal opened the cell door and we both walked out into an entire platoon of God Killer guards.