This here is my original intro for William Foxwind, the dashing rogue who killed the black dragon Dreadustraszus. Later on I returned to this and altered various details, but here is the original in all of it's classic glory. I apologize ahead of time for any formatting mayhem. Copy and paste are just not my friends!
Dreadbane & The Wrath
of Dreadustraszus
Wind whispers secrets among the minds
of men and mer. Its soft touch spreads paranoia, and its icy kiss
leaves the weak crawling on all fours. Tonight, the wind carries a
new message. Sly sleuth and slithering tongue twist and bound across
the cityscape this night, for the fox suffers a greater loss. Blood
ties are forcefully broken, brothers are torn apart, and the voice of
new bonds will one day be spoken. The moon reaches the highest of its
eventide run, and soon a greater darkness shall dominate the world.
Who then will stand? The fox shall not. The darkest of hearts must
fall before rising into the glory of victory and light. The taint of
evil must be washed away by the sympathetic caress of love and
friendship. And so, beginning on this night, destiny unfolds.
*****
A shadow stands in a dark alley, as
droplets of stressed anxiety shine on his young freckled face. He
waits uncertainly for someone that will soon be exiting out of a
nearby pub, hoping they never will, for the shadow is young and not
ready to do what he has been called upon for. The shadow has an ally.
He is calm, cool, and collected. Panicking, the shadow calls out to
his friend, “Cor, William—“
“Silence, you bloody fool! The
alleys carry your damned squealing voice!”
The shadow’s counterpart, a young
man of handsome visage and cunning build, kneel silently beside his
friend; exuding pride, overconfidence, and vanity. He had good
reason, for he was William Foxwind. He turned to his quivering friend
with the smallest whisper of sympathy.
“I know you’re scared, but dammit
if you make one more outburst like that, I’ll personally cut your
throat.”
“I’m sorry! This is my first time
doing a job like this… I can’t help it if I’m scared.”
“Your fear has no place here! Take a
bloody deep fucking breath, Lord Legious is supposed to be leaving
out the back door any moment to—“
“Meet with the Red Knives… I read
the contract.”
The two went quiet. William worried
for his younger counterpart. Assassination jobs were risky, but
sometimes they had to be done. The death of Lord Legious was one that
would shed more than a little light on William’s home city of
Fallabor. Legious had long terrorized the brothel in which William
was raised. Fate’s Embrace had suffered crimes of harassment,
theft, rape, and murder from the goons of Legious. Unorthodox
mothers had suffered, and William was determined to exact vengeance.
The high pay for such a job was not far from his mind.
Minutes stretched by ever more slowly
as all sounds faded except for that of the young man’s panicked
breaths. Past contracts had beckoned for thievery, and other petty
crimes… but murder? To end one’s life, to feel it extinguished
beneath your own hands as one would snuff out a candle. Not everyone
was meant to kill. Only fourteen years old and already being
asked to murder? Much against the beliefs of William Foxwind,
not everyone could be pushed to kill. Lord Legious is a
terrible man, to be sure. He has caused more pain and suffering in
fair Fallabor than even the feared cult of assassins, The Red Knives.
Shouldn’t such a man be brought to justice, though? Shouldn’t he
be tried? The boy grew ever more panicked now, as he heard muffled
voices coming from beyond the door that held his now tearful gaze.
*****
The pub was nearly empty tonight. All
was quiet but for the sounds of the bartender scrubbing a mug raw, a
young bard tuning a cheap lute with a broken string, and the melody
of idle chatter among acquaintances and friends. Lord Saxund Legious
looked around the room with moderate disgust. These people of
Fallabor were all underlings to him. None could compare to his
greatness. Meager worms for him to step on, all for the execution of
one thing: power. He alone had conquered this city. Legious
had become the most feared figure across the seas, and none could
compare or comprehend the level of strength his criminal organization
had mustered. Tonight he would secure his greatness. Soon he would
meet with an assassin from the Red Knives, and discuss a deal that
would end all rivalries to his empire. A dark looking elf entered the
pub’s front entrance, armed to the teeth with various enchanted
daggers and adorned with over a dozen vials of seemingly volatile
substances. Legious immediately recognized the elf as his Red Knives
contact. Gesturing to him with the slightest of nods, Legious stood
from his place at the bar and started for the rear exit, followed by
two guards. The Red Knives agent caught up subtly, and offered a hand
of greeting, which received only a disdainful sneer. Legious allowed
his head to turn towards the agent only slightly as he began
conversation. “I’m tired of you petty scoundrels and your
inability to follow schedules.”
“Forgive me, Lord. Do remember, were
it not for the Red Knives, there would be no celebrations on this
night.”
“Beg pardon, young agent, but do not
assume for even a moment that your group has held any sort of
influential part in this. Everything has gone thus because of my
plans, my leadership. There would always be another killer who
will take a bag of pretty coin to do my bidding.”
“Perhaps, Lord, but you be sure and
remember The Red Knives, lest there be trouble for you in the
future.”
Lord Legious reached the back exit,
laid his hand on the handle, and halted. He turned to the agent with
a composed face, yet his eyes blazed with outrage. “Do you threaten
me, scum?”
“No, I simply give fair warning.”
“Well then let me return the favor.
Once this night is through with, I’ll be turning my attention on
the Red Knives. Best bring that message to your leader when we’re
done here.” Sneering in distaste, Legious opened the rear exit.
*****
The excitement of the impending kill
burned in William’s heart as if he had been reunited with a lost
love. His attuned senses could pick up the cold accusing voice of
Lord Legious and several others converse beyond the pub door. He held
his shortsword with such calmness that it was an almost lazily loose
grip. He was ready. As soon as the door opened, blood would be spilt.
Silhouettes were now visible in the crack of light beneath the door,
and William welled up with excitement.
Next to William, the young boy was
beginning to shake almost violently. William seemed not to notice, or
didn’t care. He could do this, he was in control. At least he
thought he was, until blood began to seep from the cobblestone walls.
Its crimson droplets trickled down the cracked stone and collected in
vile pools around the boy’s feet. He looked down to his trembling
hands, and was mortified to find them red with this blood. The blood
held the boy in place with sickening warmth. Its terrible symbol
paralyzed him and seeped into his very flesh. The stink of it was a
sweet metallic one that clawed its way into his nose and grappled
with his mind. Tears now poured down his face to join the stream of
blood below. William turned his eyes from the door and gazed into the
boy’s. The look of concerned anger in his face threw the boy over
the edge. It appeared as though William was speaking, but the boy had
no idea what it was he was trying to convey. Lips moved and no sound
was made.
William’s eyes darkened as he
whispered with rage again to his foolish counterpart “Get your head
on the bloody fucking mission! Dammit boy! Wake up!”
The boy stirred. William was giving
him a stare that would pierce the void itself. “What…?”
“Wake the fuck up! You’ll get us
both killed!”
The door to the pub opened wide, and
William immediately took cover behind a wooden crate. Two brutish
looking guards exited the pub wearing armor adorned with the
Fallabrian guard crest, and the Legious family crest scratched over
it, an eagle clutching the world. Under the payroll of Legious no
doubt, thought William. William waited, and watched as Legious
himself exited the pub behind the guards, trading aggressive words
with what looked like a Red Knives member. “So, you will take care
of the Mercenaries Guild?” inquired Legious to the Knives member.
“It will be done, Legious. Do you
have the astral diamonds?”
“Of course.”
Legious withdrew a small leather coin
purse adorned with magical runes. The crime lord whispered something
in what sounded like deranged Primordial, and the purse unsealed
itself. He then quickly and carelessly counted and handed off, as far
as William could count, five astral diamonds. The Red Knives agent
appeared to be quite offended, and said in an almost furious tone,
“Five? You promised the guild ten! What treachery is this?”
“Treachery? There is none here. Your
cult has shown half the respect I deserve, and thus earn half pay.
Perhaps, if you are unhappy, I can notify the city council of your
guild’s unlawful dealings?”
“It is not a question of respect!
You fucking liar! You expect us to take down one held in such high
regard for fifty thousand gold? Our guild could be undone!”
Legious turned to face the Knives
member and moved close, so much that the assassin could feel fury
radiating from him. “Your stupidity could rival your incompetence
and greed ten-fold. The diamonds are not your only payment. I allow
your guild to survive, without me you would all be nothing. So
silence your unworthy tongue!”
Legious was distracted by the
assassin. The assassin was looking to the ground in angry shame. The
guards’ eyes rested on the main street at the end of the alley.
William saw his moment. With the slightest sound, he withdrew a
dagger in his off-hand, stepped forth from his hiding place, and ran
the plain steel across the throat of the first guard. Without
stopping, he then slipped the blade of his shortsword between the
plates of the second guard’s chest armor. Two down, thought
William, and by now that red-headed friend of mine should have his
dagger on Legious’s throat.
No such luck. William looked to
Legious to find him nothing but ready, with no red-haired boy
threatening him. William’s eyes darted to his friend’s hiding
spot, and saw him fleeing back towards the street, leaving a trail of
tears behind. Anger and disappointment welled up inside of William,
but he tried not to let the tables turn. The Red Knives assassin
hurled a blade at the fleeing boy’s back, and he dropped to the
ground. This isn’t bloody happening, William thought. He
threw his off-hand dagger at the assassin, and swung his shortsword
towards Legious, only to have both attacks elegantly parried by
seemingly appearing weapons.
William’s heart was in his throat.
Keep your cool, William, this is nothing. “Now now mates,
two against one isn’t really my style!” He sprung back and forth,
trying to stun and confuse, lunging his shortsword at every opening
that revealed itself. It was useless, however; the combined skill of
the assassin and Legious was too much. Not one attack made it passed
their defenses. Dozens of attacks were made on both sides in a matter
of seconds. William landed none, yet Legious and the assassin had
already managed to nick and cut his arms and torso. A cunning
flourish from the assassin knocked William’s sword aside, and
Legious pounded the rogue’s face with the pommel of his blade.
Will’s vision blurred. He lost grip
of his sword, and fell to his knees. I’m in deep sodding trouble
now! He could barely make out Legious’s voice muttering one
last thing before losing consciousness, “Don’t kill him yet; find
out who he is and where he’s from. After that, take care of him,
and make it slow. I want this rat to really squirm for daring to
attack me.”
*****
A rush of icy cold water forced
William awake. He took a deep breath, only to have the cruel taste of
salt water flood his mouth. His wounds from the previous battle now
stung as if pried open with curious hands, and he could feel new
unfamiliar wounds burning on his back. He tried to move, but
couldn’t. His wrists and ankles had been bound with rope. No
problem, ropes never kept me down. But, I have the oddest feeling
that I’m sinking rapidly.
William looked to his feet. In the
near nonexistent light, all he could see was that something else had
been tied to his ankles. Likely an anvil, knowing my luck, he
thought. Reaching down to the rear of his left thigh, he grabbed for
his dagger. It wasn’t there. Just my luck, I get the one smart
goon in Fallabor. Stay calm Will, there’s a way out! He checked
several other hiding places for weapons. All of them had been
removed. Whatever weight was dragging him down now hit the sea floor.
William’s lungs began to cry in discomfort. The water is making
the ropes tighten; I can’t get my wrists out.
In desperation, Will gave his
left arm a harsh jerk, then another, and another. He continued for
several seconds until he heard a loud snap followed by a wave of
pain. It took all his willpower to not scream out the last of his
rapidly diminishing air. His left hand now dislocated, he managed to
work his right hand out from the ropes, and easily undid the slacking
ropes holding him to what he now saw was a rusty anchor. Leaving the
binds on his ankles, he pushed himself off the sea floor and hustled
towards the surface. I don’t think I’ll make this one. I can’t
see any sign of the surface! Will continued to swim as fast as he
could with his wounds hindering him. He could feel the world shaking,
and his chest was ready to explode. In his last waking moments, he
broke the surface. Spitting up water, and gasping for air, William
did everything he could to remain afloat while keeping quiet. For
all I know, whoever did this is still lingering around.
Taking in his surroundings, Will’s
best guess put him not too far away from Fallabor’s shoreline. He
began to make his way towards the glowing outline of the city. It was
not easy, he felt his wrist move gently from the force of the water,
and every touch of it pained him. His bound ankles meant he had to
double his effort. Just one more stroke. Small goals. One more
stroke. The bloodied teen managed to reach the shore, and nearly
collapsed. He looked around, and found a broken bottle. Rubbing it
against the ropes, he freed himself. William crawled to his feet, and
began to make his way back to Fate’s Embrace, on the eastern edge
of the city. Not long now… just get to Fate, she’ll fix you
up.
*****
Fate sat worrying next to a poorly
made bed. Upon the hay filled mattress, a beautiful young girl, about
fourteen years of age. Fate stroked the young girl’s dark brown
bangs with motherly care. “Oh Jenna, sweetheart, your brother will
be back soon,” Fate whispered to the sleeping teen, but more for
herself. Dried tears matted Fate’s dark exotic skin, and she felt
new tears beginning to join them. “Will, where are you?”
A woman dressed in night clothes
entered the room. “Fate, it’s Will! He’s beat up real bad!”
“Oh, thank the
gods!”
Fate got up immediately, and ran to
the first floor entrance of her brothel. There stood a broken man of
eighteen years, supported by two women. His dark brown hair stuck to
his bleeding face, his eyes rolled around with concussed confusion,
and he smelled strongly of the sea. Fate supported the man, and lead
him to his room. “Will, what happened to you?”
William’s
response was broken apart into short hustled outbursts, “Legious…
got away…”
“What happened to
Derek?”
“Bloody…
red-head ran away. Got himself… killed.”
“Jenna won’t be
too happy to hear about that.”
William mumbled something about being
overjoyed, and then happily passed out. Poor little fox, he’s
had such a rough night, Fate thought to herself. She patched him
up, and did whatever healing she could. She turned to one of the young women nearby. “Head to the Church of Pelor and get a cleric.” The girl
obeyed, and left immediately. Fate sat on the floor next to William’s
bed, and fell asleep with her head upon the mattress.
*****
The next morning was bright and clear.
The seagulls swooped in from the bay to attack the previous day’s
rubbish, screaming their harsh battle cries. The hammers of various
blacksmiths could be heard striking their respective anvils in
Fallabor’s industrial quarter, crafting many armors and weaponry.
The poor got into ideal positions for their day of begging, and the
middle classes were already heading out to their various jobs. Nobles
remained high in the safe elegance of their regal homes, looking down
on the city. It was no later than eight, William guessed, as he
exited Fate’s Embrace. He couldn’t quite remember the entire trip
home last night but Fate filled him in on what had transpired. She
had even paid for a cleric’s healing. Twenty gold coins, I’ll
have to pay Fate back for that one, he thought. Now where is
that sis of mine?
Not a moment sooner, Jenna came
skipping out of Fate’s Embrace. “Hello big brother!” she gave
Will a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey Jenna! Ready to run some
errands with me?”
“Oh! But Will! You promised we would
get to have fun today!”
“Come on, sis, how could you not
have fun just being around me?” Will blew on his nails and
polished them on his jacket, giving a smug look. Jenna gave him a
punch in the arm, and Will beamed at her with feigned shock. "Hey!
Looks like we didn't land too far from the apple tree, pretty soon
here you'll be stronger than me! So, where would you like to go?"
"The market district!"
"Bah! Of course. Typical teenage
girl. Ready to spend all of your copper on clothing?"
"William, we both know you like
clothes as much as any girl!" Jenna gave a light laugh, and Will
couldn't help but smile too. "And you know, dear sister,
one must always be prepared for any situation! You never know
when you could end up, for example, tied up to an anchor underwater."
"What are the odds of that
happening?"
"Likely." William and Jenna
paused, looked at each other, and then burst out laughing. Jenna held
her hand up to her mouth trying to control herself. “Why are we
laughing?”
“Dramatic irony!”
Jenna’s laughter stopped instantly,
and she gave William a stern look. “Will! Do I even want to know
what happened last night?” William began to whistle and look
around. Jenna pierced him with a stare, and Will let his whistling
fade away. “Hey look at that! The King’s Pawn pawnshop has some
new merchandise! Check this out,” he held up a wooden carving of an
aboleth, “it’s a… well it’s wonderful!”
Jenna crossed her
arms. “Will, what are you hiding?”
“Now, sis, it’s me. What aren’t
I hiding?”
“Could you be serious? For once?
Just for me?”
“Sister,” Will put down the
carving, and put his hands on Jenna’s shoulders, “let’s put our
worries aside for one day. Fate will explain when we get home.”
“All right, but only if you buy me
something. And you have to actually buy it! No stealing!”
William laughed. “You suck the
happiness from my life, sister. I love you”
“Yes, I guess I love you too. I’ll
need to think about it.”
“Mum and Dad would be proud.” The
siblings walked the market district of Fallabor until sundown,
laughing and joking as they went. Despite their rough circumstances,
the two were close. William had been looking after Jenna since he was
five, when their parents left them. He did what he could to scrounge
money together. From petty thievery, street performances, and even
begging to the more dangerous jobs that Fallabor’s gangs delved in.
All he had done had just been to earn a bit more copper here and
there. Maybe a meal, maybe the comfort of a warm bed. Then William
met Fate. She admired how he cared for his sister, and after watching
over them for a few months she let them stay in her brothel. William
was endlessly grateful to Fate, and spent most of his days using his
talents to earn money for Fate’s Embrace. On top of it all, he’d
had some gold saved up to put Jenna through school. Jenna and Will
had done well, and life was looking up.
The siblings arrived home in time for
dinner. They sat sprawled out in the barroom, laughing and swapping
stories with the whores of the house over bread and cabbage soup.
Occasionally the conversations would turn towards sensual topics, and
Will would cover Jenna’s ears. The talking went on for hours into
the night, and eventually the teens decided to turn in for bed.
Before they made it to their respective bedrooms, Fate invited the
pair into her room for a talk.
William examined the small quarters in
which Fate spent her time both relaxing and working. It was small
indeed, having room for only a bed, nightstand, and desk. Will,
Jenna, and Fate were currently quite cramped. The walls were adorned
with maps and artifacts from distant lands. Will could identify the
elven land Corinthia, the mysterious Draconian Frostlands, and the
Dwarven clan home Dankil. Upon Fate’s nightstand rested a holy
symbol of Arteros, a deity that Will knew little about. Next to it
was a painting of Will and Jenna, painted by one of the more artistic ladies living with Fate. The small room, combined with the dark
cherry colored stain of the maple wood walls, the faint smell of
burning herbal incenses, and the dim glow of a single candle made for
a very comfortable environment. Will’s eyes now fell onto a
beautiful cutlass mounted above Fate’s bed. The blood red guard was
adorned with small plate scale, forming the shape of a blooming rose.
The blade itself was silver in color, and had small razor sharp barbs
protruding from both its bladed and non-bladed sides. A weapon of
both beauty and death, William thought.
“I see you eyeing my sword, little
fox,” said Fate with a smile.
“It’s a beautiful weapon.”
“Yes, the Vile Rose. It served me
well for many years. I feel the rose still has a little ick in her
though.” Fate raised an eyebrow at William. “You know why we’re
here, Will. We’re here to talk to Jenna.”
Jenna looked to Will. “Yes, that’s
right! You owe me an explanation!”
Fate held her hand up to William.
“I’ll tell her, Will.”
“Thank any gods involved in this
blessing! That’s a weight off my back!” he replied as he leaned
back onto the wall.
Fate looked at Jenna with nothing but
sympathy and love. She reached out for the teen’s hand and held it
comfortingly. “Jenna, sweetheart, Derek was killed last night.”
Jenna gave a little gasp, and looked
back and forth between Will and Fate. “How? How did this happen?”
“Last night, Will and Derek went out
on a Job for the Mercenaries Guild. They were supposed to kill Lord
Saxund Legious and end his reign of terror once and for all. Derek
wasn’t ready for such a job, and he panicked. He was killed. I’m
sorry, Jenna, I know how much you two cared for each other—“
Jenna turned to Will with glossy eyes,
and smacked him across the face. “You! You dragged him into this!
You could have left Derek well alone, but you just had to pull him
into your life of crime and death!” Her eyes began pouring tears,
and Will just looked at her with guilty shock. He hadn’t expected
her to react this way. They were siblings, best friends, and all they
had in this world. Surely she’d forgive him. “Jenna… I swear
I—“
“Don’t speak! Just leave me
alone!” She left the room quickly, and William was left there,
astonished. His hands were reaching out slightly, as if Jenna would
come back any moment and apologize. She didn’t come back. Will let
his weight fall onto the desk before him, and Fate stood by him and
put her arm around his shoulder. “Now Will, she’s young, and she
was in love. It’s expected for her to overreact. You’re her
brother, and she loves you. Just give the poor girl some time. Now,
why don’t you get to bed? After all, I don’t think you’re fully
recovered yet.”
“Yes… I should be getting to bed,
I suppose. But blimey Fate! Derek was a bloody wanker! Jenna needs
someone who can protect her, not some whiney little pup who wants to
own a bakery when he grows up. And that curly wiry red—“
“That’s enough, Will. Not every
man in the world is as strong and brave as William Foxwind.”
Fate’s calm soothing voice quieted
Will, and with a courteous nod, he left for his bedroom. On his way
out, Fate called to him, and he halted. “William, there shall come
a time, I think, when your actions will speak for everyone. You will
be the voice of reason, the courage in the heart of the world.
There’s greatness in you, William.” She approached Will, and
placed her hand on his heart. She said quietly, “You just need to
open up!” She sent him off with a light smack on the head.
Sleep didn’t come easy that night.
William tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before his body
finally gave in to the comforting solace of sleep and dreams. His
mind stirred over the events of the past few days. He heard Jenna’s
soft sweet voice, and then the anger she had just shown. Finally, he
saw the eyes of Legious, and in them was his home burning. Everything
he had ever loved, bathed in the flames of Saxund’s fury. The dream
became so real, William swore he could feel the flames lapping at his
body. It wasn’t until he awoke the he realized the flames were all
too real.
*****
William awoke to find his room
scorched in fire. He leapt from his bed just as wooden beams crashed
down onto it, spreading their blaze onto the hay mattress. Will threw
on some clothing in a matter of seconds, and grabbed his bag of
recently replaced weaponry. He stepped into the hallway outside of
his room, almost bumping into several wenches fleeing for their lives,
carrying clothes, life savings, and other important belongings. Will
ran to Jenna’s room, calling out her name. When he burst into her
room, she was gone. All of her belongings remained. I sense foul
play, thought William. Now worried, he sprinted for Fate’s
room. All of her belongings remained too, except for a few of the
maps on the walls, and, to Will’s surprise, the Vile Rose.
Fear now stung William’s heart like
a freezing icicle. He ran back into the hallway, and stopped one of
the women running passed. “Marian! Where are Fate and Jenna?”
“I don’t know, Will! They must
have gotten out!” The girl named Trish continued down the hall and
proceeded to descend the stairs. Shaking bad thoughts out of his
mind, William followed. As he passed the last door before the stairs,
he saw a glimmer of silver out of the corner of his eye. There wasn’t
enough time to prevent the blow to his skull from the mace, and
William went tumbling down the stairs to the main hall. Doing
everything he could to avoid serious injury, William managed to land
at the bottom of the stairs without falling unconscious.
His face had landed
only a few inches from a rather noble looking boot. He followed the
boot upwards to its owner. Lord Saxund Legious stood above him,
holding a gagged and terrified Jenna Foxwind in his left arm, and a
dagger on Jenna’s throat in the other. In no time at all, that same
noble boot pounded William’s face into the floor, and Will now felt
hot drops of blood trickle down his face. His eyes spun around, and
they fell upon an all too familiar figure in lying in the distance.
Fate, face down in a pool of her own blood, with the Vile Rose lying
not far from her hand. Anger and loss filled Will’s heart like a
river. This is entirely my fault, he thought, as tears slipped
down his cheeks. He focused his rage, his pain, his fear, all of it
into strength. He palmed a shuriken hiding in his left leather
vanguard, and lashed out at Legious’s ankle. Legious roared in
anger, and became distracted with the pain in his left leg. Will used
the moment to his advantage, rolled onto his back, and threw the
shuriken at the currently easiest target, Legious’s right hand. The
throw was hindered by Will’s position, and the shuriken managed to
tang off of Saxund’s dagger, sending both weapons spinning through
the air. Jenna broke free of the Lord’s grip, and ran for the front
door, only to be intercepted by the dark looking elf from the Red
Knives.
Will spun, kicking
Legious to the floor, and quickly crawled over to the Vile Rose. He
felt power surge through him as he grasped the handle of the cutlass.
It fit his hand perfectly, and he used his new found hope to bolster
his hop off the floor. As he turned to face Legious, he found that he
too was on his feet, armed with a royal cutlass. Will examined his
opponent and his weapon. Enchanted, likely something to make his
enemies suffer. His stance suggests he’s trained in dueling. I need
to use everything I have on this guy. The Red Knives assassin
handed off Jenna to exiting goons, and then ran to Legious’s aid,
armed with a dagger and shortsword. That… changes everything,
thought William.
William looked at
his foes, and they looked back. The fire was forcefully tearing down
the building, and lit up the main hall with a violent firestorm.
Burning ashes coated the once beautiful maple floor, and Will had a
spark of innovation. He dipped the Vile Rose into a pile of burning
coals, and flung Fate’s blade like a spring. The coals sprayed the
elf’s eyes, and he screamed in agony. Will ran for the elf, staying
low, and scooping up more hot coals in his gloved left hand. The pain
in Will’s hand was nothing compared to the pain in the elf’s eyes
as the coals burned their way through flesh and glove. The assassin’s
dagger hand twitched, trying to stab out at William before falling to
the ground with a high pitched scream, and Will swung at Legious with
a rapid flourish. Each blow was parried and met with an equally
skilled and powerful flourish from the Lord. The duelists circled
each other as sparks and smoke drifted up between them. “You are
quite a talented duelist, boy, but you’re a fool to challenge
someone as high and mighty as myself,” called Legious.
“I was always
told that I bite off more than I can chew.”
With a smile Legious ran at the rogue
and swung. Will blocked a series of strong blows, and returned his
own quick combo of dexterous swings. This process continued for
several seconds until both fighters heard a heavy crackling and
groaning from above. William tumbled backwards, and Legious leapt out
of the way as part of the second floor came crashing down in the
middle of the main hall. Will had landed next to Fate’s body, and
he took from her a beaded necklace while he had a free moment.
Looking toward the new flaming ruin, Will saw the shape of Legious
beyond the flames. He looked down at Fate, “Well, looks like you
were right. Let’s see if I really am meant for greatness.”
William sprinted up the burning wood
pile and leapt through the fire with his sword held high. Legious
held his sword up to block. As the blades collided, power rumbled
through the room. This was no longer a battle of two men, but of two
weapons. Magical energy built between the blades, and a look of shock
shown upon both the combatants’ faces. Legious’s sword shattered
and the two were thrown back forcefully; Will landing before the wood
pile, and Legious colliding with the front wall. Saxund stood up
calmly, laughing slightly. “Your talents exceed those of anyone I
have faced, and I can feel natural power flowing through you. You
could pose a far more dangerous threat than I once thought, and so
now I must say goodbye.”
Ignoring Legious’s idle banter,
William quickly smothered a flame burning into his forearm and stood,
ready to attack again. The rogue held his blade in an offensive
stance and charged. Before he made it to Legious, the Lord had thrust
his hand forward, releasing an arc of red energy. The sound of
thunderous plasma deafened William, and the arc blasted him back
through the wood pile, shattering and splintering every fiber of wood
touched. The brothel let out a cry of pain as the walls snapped and
cracked. Will couldn’t move, his muscles refused to obey his
commands. He could hear Legious’s laughter near the front door. The
Lord said one last thing before exiting the collapsing building,
“Defeat your greatest enemies while they are still weak, before
they are even a real threat. That is how the strong grow stronger.
Now, little fox, lay there and die like the coward you are.”
Will looked around desperately. I
can’t believe I’m yet again about to die a helpless fool, from
the same bloody man. William found the elf laying not too far to
his right. If I could just get my arm to move, I might be able to
reach his equipment. With a surge of effort, Will got his arm to
reach out and grab the assassin’s potion belt, and began reading
off the labels. Regeneration potion, essence of speed, essence of
strength. Aha! Essence of aegis! Will popped the cap off with his
thumb, and drank the elixir. A bubble of white liquid-like energy
sparkled into existence around William, just as the building
collapsed with a furious roar and hellish blaze.
Time slowed down.
He watched his home, his world, and all he knew collapse around him.
He saw Jenna for one more moment; she was screaming outside the door,
in the hands of a guard, reaching out for Fate’s Embrace. I’ll
never see her again. I lost. I failed. Stupid bloody idiot… you
thought you could change the world. Good bye Jenna, my little sister.
I love you. Lumber and ash poured down onto the barrier, and the
floor beneath Will shattered. He was falling; it was nice, it felt
like being free. No more worries. Sure, the barrier had stopped most
of the rubble, but even its protecting light would soon be gone. Will
thought about one of his earliest memories: he’s five years old,
and mum has just told him to wait by the street torch with Jenna
while she goes to get father. They’re moving to a town called
Baridan soon. Jenna’s too young to realize how great it is, but
Will is ecstatic. Mum and dad don’t come back, though. Why didn’t
they come back?
There was a loud
shattering sound as the barrier broke down and let the weight of the
building come crashing in. Everything was dark now and maybe a little
bit cold, too. Will didn’t yell or scream. He didn’t make a
sound.
