At the top of a cloud covered mountain, two men stood face to face in a large ring. Static randomly popped in the dry, elevated air. With tensions lingering, each slid into fighting stances, both barebacked and outfitted in only training pants. A spark of erratic energy zapped off one man's back while chunks of loose earth floated around the other's.

Without holding back, Lathrathus kicked out two golden bolts of lightning shattering the earthen walls thrown at him in retaliation. The sheer force of the attack sent dirt debris rocketing in all directions, pelting Hominum into falling back. A large piece sliced a valley just above his right shoulder, and another smaller fragment lodged itself into the lower right abdomen. Shrugging off the shock, Hominum proceeded to clap his hands to the floor, causing two seven-feet tall clay golems to rise. The golems both charged forward, bellowing a roar of intimidation. Though troublesome, Lathrathus ducked low and bolted past the first golem to send the second flying with a solid punch to the center of mass, its stomach caved in with sharp cracks emigrating from the point of impact.

While he was focused on taking down the lumbering golem, the dirt below Lathrathus turned to slush, gripping his feet. A series of fist sized rocks shot down from above, striking in a relentless rain. Lathrathus attempted deflecting the falling artillery, but only ended up taking a shot above the eye and upper arm. Slight traces of blood leaked from wounds, dripping warm blood down his taunt skin.

"Your mind must be in the deep. Under normal circumstances, that would have never worked," Hominum said, waving his hand to remove the dirt stuck to the bruised man.

"It's that eccentric bitch Olivina. She is throwing chaos into my lands. I cannot even send out a message without it being intercepted by her fucking shadow puppets," Lathrathus said, launching a golden bolt into Hominum's second golem for an explosive display.

"Sounds like you've got your plate full, but don't forget that you cannot retreat from our agreement."

Buttoning up a clean white shirt, Lathrathus said, "Just keep your side of the deal clean and i'll handle mine."

Some day he might be pushed into desperate measures, but the situation was still salvageable. The artifact was still within reach and unknown to all those who posed a threat.

0---0

"Jonaca! Step outside! You are wanted for questioning." Cospal said, sword unsheathed for any violent response.

"What do you want? I've got nothing to hide!" Jonaca could be seen peeking out a window adjacent to the front door.

"We know you have been dealing in Rathium which is illegal under imperial law. Come out quietly with answers and your transgressions will be evaluated lightly."

Opening the door slowly, Jonaca stepped out in front of the single room cabin. Sweeping his head to see himself completely surrounded, the upper twenty cycle age man dropped his sword and walked right up to Cospal.

"I'll surrender for clemency. Ask your questions. Selling Rathium was honestly just a means to an end. I can handle a few years in prison,” Jonaca said.

"A few years? You are going to rot in prison for life. We have evidence you murdered the farmer, the twin merchants, and the family of four," Captain Wendy kicked Jonaca in the knees forcing them to buckle.

"What the fuck? What evidence? I demand to see this so called evidence!" Jonaca shouted.

"In the home of the family you massacred, your name was written in blood. Also, the stab wounds had matched across all victims. This is all tied together with the fact that you were involved with selling the farmers supply of Rathium to the family. You are the last missing piece to the whole thing," Captain Wendy said, locking Jonaca's hands in a magical brace.

"So why did you do it? You're connected to it all and your name written in blood is enough to convict you for life. Might as well tell us your motive," Cospal casually said.

Hair disheveled, Jonaca responded, "That slut was cheating on me. We met by chance when I started selling to her brother. She told me she loved me! It was all great until one day I showed her where I kept the stash of drugs. There at the farm she met my connection, the farmer, who I was paying to store the Rathium."

"All this because of an affair?" Cospal asked.

"YOU HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA! I went to check on the supply when I saw her strapped onto that disgusting table. She was choking on that farmer’s fat cock while being repeatedly pounded by that ridiculous machine. You can't possibly fathom the amount of pain I felt at that moment. I left, but I returned later to pay that bichako farmer in full. After that, I got rid of the merchant twins; They were just loose ends honestly. And then, that stupid bitch's brother caught wind I was cleaning up so he threatened to turn me over to the authorities. So you know what I did? I broke in and fucked up their entire family. You happy? You get all the answers you were looking for? Send me away already. I'm done," Jonaca spat on the ground, laid on his back, and closed his eyes.

"Carry him to the mayor. Tell him this murder is a gift," Stiggs ordered.

Two imperial soldiers lifted Jonaca over their shoulders and headed to their mounts.

"Wow. What an interesting few days," I said, smiling like an idiot.

"Yup, this one was definitely a unique one for me too," Cospal nodded.

Scratching my head I asked, "So how did you know he was the killer? I don't remember finding his name written in blood. You didn't even look at the bodies very closely. That was all me and Sir Cospal."

"It's an old interrogation technique. Basically, you act like you already caught him. Sometimes you need to make minor false adjustments which they sometimes will correct, indirectly validating their involvement. This time, he sang like a bird without any assistance. It's rare when it comes out this easy though," Captain Wendy said, shrugging her shoulders.

"So... You bluffed him into a confession?"

"Yup."

Times like this make up for all the boring days traveling.

I kind of wish there were more murders.