The elder of Ruby returned to her house. The renovations to modernize her old two-story dwelling were all but complete. A large sitting room in the front near the main entrance. Separate privy and kitchen layouts. Finally, a grand staircase leading up to the second floor instead of old crumbling hand holds. She looked around with a scowl on her face. Her finery didn’t seem to be enough anymore. Raising in the ranks to the seat of Ruby, largely due to her affiliation with the church, bestowed upon her all the power she ever dreamed of, then out of nowhere an upstart outsider said the most disrespectful thing she ever heard. None of her status protected her from the shame of his words. Sure, he said it to all in attendance, but the others acted as if reprisal was beneath them. They chocked it up to a young mans folly. Disrespected in our own seat of power, the previous elder of Diamond wouldn’t have allowed that. Add on to all that, she may have failed the quest the fates bestowed upon her to kill the green-eyed child of ruin. She hoped Anry and his friends have solved the problem for her with a well-placed boulder. That boy strikes true nine times out of ten.

After a few hours of relaxing in her new bath with ruby adornments, a servant knocked on the door. This servant wore clothes of spun wool and had a ruby broach on his right shoulder. The knocking was soft at first and the elder of ruby just ignored it. Then the knocking became more persistent, and she began to think something may be wrong. She would have been content to wait for the good news of that man’s accidental death over dinner. Now she had to answer.

“What is it?” the elder of ruby asked.

“My elder, I come with news from Anry.” The servant said through the door.

“Well, speak damn you.” The elder said as she extricated herself from the bath.

“Anry would like to tell you in person. He waits in your sitting room.” Replied the servant.

“Bring refreshments, this is a story I will remember for a long time.” She said as she shook off and dressed herself. Thinking to check her slate she noticed there was no notification for quest completion. Someone was going to pay if this pissant wasn’t dead.

Twenty minutes later the elder of ruby in her red robes came down the central staircase at an accelerated pace. When she saw Anry and one other standing in the doorway she gestured for them to sit down. She wondered if they had been standing the whole time, it would be only proper while waiting for one's elder to arrive. A servant rushed over with some large grubs and root vegetables.

“Care to explain.” Said the elder of ruby.

“My elder, we had half the soldiers return to the barracks, by your order, to minimize any potential threat to the people. They left the great hall with a much smaller entourage, but the general was still with them.” Said Anry.

“That crafty granite born. How did he know we were going to try something? Well did you get him? Since you are here with your tail between your legs, I think not.” Said the elder angrily.

“I threw a rock like I normally do and almost got him. It was a big rock.” Anry sullenly said.

“You missed? You never miss. That was the whole point. It could have been laughed off as an accident that he was where you were throwing. Not good. What else?” She asked.

“They made it into the barracks and closed the gate. Military personnel only. The General asked me personally to return home or he’d tell my ma. I didn’t want to fight one of our own. The Child of Ruin is one thing.” Anry replied.

“That was a good decision, but it puts us in a bind. This needs to get done. Any other news?” She asked once again eyebrows furrowed.

“He also intends to bring them to quell the massing moss ghouls. They may just die in that conflict anyway. The green eyed one didn’t look like much and carried no weapon from what I’ve heard.” Anry stated flatly.

“That is a brilliant idea Anry. I know you can’t get into the barracks but that’s fine. We have followers in there as well. I need you to give this to Lenny’s brother. He’s part of the guard forces. He’ll know what it means and what to do.” Said the elder. She then held out her hand and ruby dagger with a cross piece in the symbol of Amon sprouted from her palm. Anry examined it closely.

“Don’t scratch yourself with that. It is one time use. Praise Amon’s glory.” Said the elder of ruby.

“Ok but where can I find Squiggy?” asked Anry.

Deacon sat in a meditative pose while the others discussed battle strategy with the general. He decided to focus on his skills and abilities in his down time. Armand was born to lead, and he should let him. Contemplating all that’s happened to him in the last couple of weeks after that long talk, made him anxious. What was he doing? For one he’s killed so many people and it hasn’t really sunk in. In fact, he found it to be easier and easier each time. That was a troubling thought since he’d rather help people than be a murder hobo. Isn’t that why he insisted on learning alchemy. He hasn’t made potion one yet but the cogs in his head were turning. Why did it have to be a liquid? Couldn’t he make condensed pills? The benefit would be longer lasting effects. He’d have to inquiry in town once they reached it. Has to be a professional alchemist somewhere, right? While thinking of new things he could do he found his mind wandering to the field of stars again. Only this time no horizon spanning grin, no, this time there was a beautiful woman in a black dress. This dress accentuated everything you can think of and she was headed right toward Deacon.

“Cheshire said you learned to meditate. That is good, it helps you reach a higher plain of existence.” Said the woman.

“Who are you? I mean don't get me wrong I’m happy you are here but isn’t this supposed to be a place for me to do personal reflection?” Deacon asked.

“I am Bael Goddess of Change and Death.” Bael answered.

“Am I…dead?” Deacon choked out.

“No silly, you mortals always say that. You often forget we have two titles even though I just said them.” Bael tittered.

“RUN!” said a loud voice in Deacons head.

“Do you know what that is? I keep hearing it.” Deacon asked Bael.

“Oh, you need to put points into Intellect, don’t let Cheshire know I said that he likes his avatars dumb. No that is why I’m here. Soul Bargain huh? You can’t hide from me forever.” Bael said.

“The voice is Zageracks? I thought he passed on in the cave.” Deacon's soul form hopped around nervously.

“Relax mortal I’m merely delivering a message. We will meet soon enough in your world. I’m looking forward to it. As for you, sneaky little beastie, didn’t you have enough trouble with that trap Amon put you in? Dragging this one along with you will only lead to more problems. He is a deity and beyond your tenets of worthy or unworthy. I’ll let this little game play out and when its done I GET YOUR SOUL!” Said Bael so close to Deacon's face their eyes were almost touching, “Nice to meet you Deacon I will see you soon and I will come bearing gifts. I’m so glad you chose this class, but it looks like my time is up. We will have a lot of fun together.” Bael said as she melted into a black and brown sludge that drained away into the cosmos.

“What happened here?”, said the voice of Cheshire, “I couldn’t reach your soul space for far too long. It was like someone had their foot on the door while I was trying to push it open.”

“Uh I think I just met your sister; she said her name was Bael.” Deacon responded.

“Damn it, did she touch you? Never mind, I came here to tell you to pay attention. Important details are coming up in the battle planning you shouldn’t miss. Go.” Cheshire said as his smile turned around, and shot off into the distance.