Lieut and his brother had lingered in Nivalna for several more days after speaking with Kreha and during that time had talked with the stranger from the tavern again, only to confirm the contract to kill King Arendt. Suspicious of the man, Lieut had demanded half the pay in advance to help by provisions, even though it was not really needed, seeing they only required horses and no foods stuffs or other sundries.

This came as a relieving factor to Lieut, it gave him confidence that he was still the same, only requiring water to survive while the PBE’s kept him vigorous. It was one of the few things that had kept him sane once Lieut realised that some of this memories had vanished. The enhancements of his body were still all working, and he could see that Raith felt relieved also.

After the brief preparations had been made, he and Raith had set off, out of Nivalna and across the flat and tortured land of Scaroul to the northeast and to the city of Alabast, the capitol of I’ender.  Their journey so far had been a rather dull affair and a drizzling and humid rain had followed them from Nivalna and did not look like moving on any time soon. No bandits or monsters accosted them which added to the boredom, and during the night they sat silently around a small fire made from wet wood. 

It was now the third day out and the rain had finally eased, though the overcast skies and humidity remained. Around them was nothing but rolling green hills covered in woody ground covering plants and grass. In the dells between the hills stood more trees alongside streams and rivers that poured into small lochs, but the road over the small hills stayed on the open tundra.

On the fourth day from Nivalna around midday they finally found some relief to their boredom. Lieut heard it first, the cries of someone in battle and the tremendous roar of some beast.

Lieut and Raith shot each other an excited smiled and spurred their horses forward and over the next rise. It was there Lieut saw a lone fighter doing battle with a great chimera at the foot of a stony crag. The single warrior with white hair and pale skin dived under a swat of the chimera’s lion like paw, the beast’s claws skipping off the sword in the Helwyr’s hands. As soon as the Helwyr jumped to her feet the snake tail snapped at her and sprayed venom. Again the Helwyr dived aside and the venom splattered across the grass, sending acrid smoke into the air.

Lieut’s eyes sparked and he kicked his horse on faster, charging right towards the chimera, but his horse balked at the last moment and sent him tumbling to the ground. He cursed the steed as he rolled to his feet and drew forth his sword. The chimera roared at Lieut as he twisted around a great sweep of the beast’s claw and cut a deep bloody line along its muscled shoulder. Lieut moved quickly and darted for the snake tail but the chimera agilely jumped away and right into to the slashing sword of Raith. Again the chimera tried to escape from the stinging blades but the Helwyr helped them corner it against the large rocks.

With the animal distressed and trying to avoid their blades Lieut darted forward his sharp sword slashing quickly and certainly, severing the snake tail from the rest of the chimera’s body. The snake fell to the ground and began to twitch violently in its death spasms, while the chimera let out a pitiful wail as it collapsed to the ground, stunned.

The chimera would have recovered from the its temporary daze and jumped back into the battle with renewed anger, but the Helwry was not about to let that happen and she lunged at the lion head of the chimera, her keen blade driving under its chin and out the top of its head, right between its goat like horns.

The great beast’s wails ended and its body twitched uncontrollably as the Helwyr pulled her sword from its head, sadness showing clearly in the Helwyr’s yellow eyes.

Lieut stood back from the dead chimera, his heart also heavy with sadness at seeing such a magnificent beast perish. Before he flicked the blood from his sword and returned it to his shoulder he looked to the lions head pommel of his blade, and to him the gem stones of the lion’s eyes seemed to glow a bit dimmer.

“I thank you, warriors from Nevārance,” the Helwyr said, grabbing his attention. “I am Rivian of Gerrald, the Helwyr. I fear I would have been hard pressed if it were not for your timely arrival.”

“I am Raith,” Lieut’s brother replied, “And this is my brother Lieut. Were you hired to kill this chimera?”

Rivian nodded, “By King Arendt no less, it had been plaguing this road between Alabast and Nivalna. Killing merchants and stopping the trade of the diamonds and pearls from Scaroul. A lot of rich men wanted it dead, and placed a handsome bounty for its death, but it is sad to see such a beast die.”

“Then why kill it?” Lieut asked seriously.

“Artāre bids me do the will of the people,” Rivian replied, “And that was to slay this chimera, such is the holy duty of the Helwyr. I do expect those from Nevārance to understand.” 

Lieut nodded absently and moved away to look for his horse.

“Are you two heading to Alabast?” Rivian asked nicely as she bent down and cut away some of the chimera’s mane with a dagger. “Perhaps we could ride together?”

Lieut did not reply.

“I see no harm in it,” Raith said, “You have a horse?”

Rivian brought her fingers to her lips and blew a shrill whistle which was replied by a whinny of a white horse that trotted over one of the hills. Alongside Rivian’s horse came Lieut’s and Raith’s also.

Lieut shook his head at his steed as it trotted up to him, “Coward,” he chastised the bay gelding.

The horse snorted and nodded its head, seeming to apologise for what had happened. Lieut smirked and swung up into the saddle, giving the horse a pat on the neck as he seated himself.

“Let us be going if you still intend on joining us.” Lieut said when he noticed that Rivian was still bent over the chimera.

“One moment,” the Helwyr replied, “People pay a lot of money for rare ingredients that this chimera can provide.”

Lieut sighed loudly, but he and his brother waited for Rivian to finish. Thankfully she did not take long and they were soon trotting their horses away from the carcass of the ancient chimera. In all, Rivian had only collected a few parts from the chimera, some of its mane, a few teeth and claws, a couple internal organs, and the whole head of the snake. Lieut did not bother asking what they were used for, because in truth he did not care. Raith however asked a few questions and readily engaged the Helwry in conversation.

Lieut was always amused at his brother, seeming so friendly compared to him. But Raith’s demeanour changed dramatically when it came time to kill or do battle. It was as if Raith could simply put on a mask of cold cruelty when he killed, and take it off as soon as he had finished. But with Lieut it was the other way around, he felt that he had to be someone else when talking to strangers and could be himself when the fighting started.

As they rode along in a line across the road, Raith and the Helwyr talked easily. Rivian’s stark white hair was tied back in a high ponytail and her yellow eyes glinted happily as she spoke with Raith. Despite the many scars across her body Lieut admitted to himself that she was quite attractive, with an athletic frame and small bust. Rivian wore a tight singlet-like top made of leather which laced up at the front and even tighter leather pants and small shoes that resembled slippers, though much more practical. Resting easily at her hip was a marvellous sword in a hardwood sheath, which she could use with deadly ease.

The Helwyr were probably the few who could challenge a warrior from Nevārance’s skill with a sword, but Lieut could see that Helwyr were severely held back by their devotion to the God Artāre. Curiously Rivian did not constantly preach the word of Artāre or praise The Five for good fortune every time something happened, and as the days slipped by as he and his brother travelled the road with Rivian, Lieut began to like her more. 

“You were at The Lightning Battle on the Morrow Plains?” Raith asked in surprise as they rode along.

“Aye, I was,” Rivian nodded, “I was on the left flank of King Lienthor’s army, alongside Lord Fornest. He saved my life once so I was returning the debt, else I would never have joined the stupid war. During the battle we unexpectedly moved further to the south and away from the main column as we fought Cardonian’s men. As we battled in the shallows of Lake Ire a Karaken took the chance for an easy meal and attacked us. All we could do was run.”

“I thought Helwry were meant to fight monsters like that,” Lieut remarked dryly.

“This one was the size of a house,” Rivian replied with a slight laugh, “No, I could not fight that, so both armies ran. However our ill luck had not run out just yet and a swarm of Rhakshar came to take advantage of the Karaken’s wake. I tried my best to fight them off as the soldiers retreated, but one got the better of me, knocking me on the side of the head and dragging me down into the dark water. I thought Lord Fornest was beside me and would save me, but no, he had fled with the rest. I lost hold of my sword, but still I fought, stabbing at the exoskeleton of the fiend’s claw with a dagger, but it was no use and it dragged me deeper. Thankfully I can hold my breath for a long time and I know some spells that stopped me from drowning, but if I had not got free the Rhakshar would have eaten me. Darkness crept around me and I knew it was the end.”

“Clearly it was not,” Raith remarked when Rivian had paused.

“No,” Rivian shook her head, “I thought it was, but by some miracle Artāre saved me. There was a great rumble that shook the very water and then minutes later a glorious light shone down from the surface followed by an unearthly roar. The Rhakshar let me go and darted for a cave in the rocks. As I swum to the surface I knew that it had only been by the grace of Artāre that I had survived. I do not remember much after that, but I awoke a few weeks later in the tent of a Mōrgul cat and I learnt of the tremendous wave of Fog. Somehow I knew that it had been by Artāre’s design that it had happened, and by coincidence it had saved me.”

Lieut shook his head subtlety, for it had not been any God of The Five that had caused that wave of Fog. It had been him, as he shattered the great crystal which Kreha was imprisoned in. Lieut did not say anything though, and he thought it best that Rivian have her delusions than be asked invasive questions.

Raith and Rivian continued to talk as the days wore on, and Lieut remained quiet unless directly spoken to.           

“We shall likely see Alabast tomorrow,” Rivian remarked pleasantly as they sat around a fire one evening.

Rivian was helping herself to the braised rabbit that she had killed with skilful shot from the small crossbow she kept in her saddlebags. More than once on this trek Rivian had regarded Lieut and Raith with more than passing curiosity at their dieting habits. Lieut had noticed and knew it was only a matter of time until she would ask them.

“I would think that all people from Nevārance did not eat if I had not met some before,” Rivian continued, “But the two of you are different than the average Nevārancien. Why is it you only need water to survive?”

Lieut and Raith looked to one another, neither of them knowing how to respond.

“Does it matter?” Lieut asked simply trying to avoid the topic.

“I am curious, so yes,” Rivian was quick to reply.

“We are different, like you said,” Raith shrugged, “Different in a way that you are different to humans.”

“I was subjected to Fog and other potions and poisons whilst in my mother’s womb,” Rivian said, “Are you saying the same thing happened to both of you? I did not think there was Fog in Nevārance?”

“There isn’t, and that is not what happened to us,” Lieut said seriously.

“So,” the Helwyr said when no further response came, “What did happen to you?”

“Everyone has secrets,” shrugged Lieut.

“Forgive us Rivian, but we would rather not speak of it,” Raith added politely and gave the Helwyr a slight smile.

“Alright,” Rivian sighed and went back to eating her meal and sipping the wine she kept in a large skin flask.

“So you are similar to us Helwyr,” Rivian said once she had finished eating and they sat staring into the fire.

Lieut shrugged and half nodded.

“Does that mean you are also infertile like us?” a mischievous smile came to Rivian’s lips.

Both Lieut and Raith looked up from the flames in surprise, not really knowing how to respond. Raith stumbled over a few words, but Lieut looked back to the fire. He truly did not know, and it was a realisation that concerned him for some reason.

Rivian laughed out loud at Raith’s further attempts at a response, and quickly he gave up.

“Well I am,” Rivian continued to laugh, “Some women might think it a curse, but to me it is a relief. So, if you two are interested maybe the three of us could have some fun.”

Rivian gave Lieut and Raith a sly smile and a wink, and neither Lieut nor his brother knew how to respond. Rivian let out another heartfelt laugh and bid them a good night and rolled over to go to sleep.

“Plenty of room under my blankets boys,” Rivian smiled alluringly.

Lieut and Raith looked at each other awkwardly before turning their gazes back to the fire. Initially Lieut had thought taking Rivian up on her offer to be absurd, and inappropriate, but the more he thought about it the more the idea seemed a pleasant one. Lieut continued to stare into the fire and fantasise about him and Rivian, but then the image of Rivian changed in his mind and in place was a blurry image of a beautiful elf with tanned skin and blood red hair. He had seen this elf before, and he knew that he was close to her at one time, but the name escaped him and the features of the face remained a blur. Throughout the night he tried desperately to find a name to the blurred yet beautiful face of the elf. He could feel the name at the tips of his tongue but every time he grasped for it, the name vanished into smoke.

Mercifully Lieut’s torment ended when the dawn came the next day, Rivian arose without the need to be prompted and they set off along the road. They crossed the wide River Myst which came down from the Foglort Forest in the north and passed through the town Falweld, but not before they were forced to pay a toll. Soon though, the large town was far behind them and the beginnings of the farms on the outskirts of Alabast drifted past. As they rode along Rivian felt the desire to express her disappointment at Lieut and Raith not taking her up on her night time offer.

“That was the first time I have ever been refused,” Rivian reflected as they rode along, “I am hardly upset, but it is odd that a man would say no.”

Again Lieut and Raith glanced at each other awkwardly.

“I once met a man from Sesserrech,” Rivian smiled, “It was in the Morrow Plains, and my let me tell you he knew how to please a lady. Vythe Varrintine was his name, he had raven black hair and deep brown eyes, and a magnificent body too. The things we did together,” Rivian smiled widely, “Never saw him again though.”

Rivian’s smile remained for the remainder of the morning, though Lieut did not notice. The name of Vythe Varrintine had sparked a sense of recognition within him, though he could not place it.

By afternoon heavy clouds had rolled in and brought a steady fall of cold rain that made the roads muddy. Thankfully the walls of Alabast had come into view as they rounded the next hill, and soon they would be out of the unnatural cold. The fields around Alabast were farmed and many outlying cottages could be seen right up to the base of the tall walls. Meandering through the fields before Alabast ran the swift River Aluin which branched off from River Myst to the northwest and rushed into the Golden Sea just south of the city walls.

Surrounding the capitol of I’ender stood a tall grey stone wall many parapets with flags flapping in the cold wind at their pinnacle. Great wooden doors bound with grey iron marked the entrance to the city and into the many streets of Alabast that ran around the base of a rounded hill. Crowned upon the hill were the white walls of the royal keep and five great towers stood proudly soaring over the common folk. Four of the towers marked the four corners of the castle and at the centre stood the tallest tower, and the King’s private chambers. At the peak of all of the towers flew the proud flag of I’ender, the white unicorn on a grey field.

Lieut’s golden eyes lingered on the central tower of the castle, wondering and calculating as they rode closer to the gates.

“Hold there,” a guard demanded as they rode up to the entrance, “We don’t like your kind here Nevāranciens.”

“I am a Helwry,” Rivian snapped, “Or are you blind as well as fat? I am Rivian of Gerrald, perhaps you have heard of me?”

“’Course I have,” the guard replied stiffly, “You travel in evil company ma’am.”

“Artāre teaches us understanding and acceptance,” Rivian said religiously, “The only evil in this land is the evil that we bring to it. These two men saved my life, and ride with me. Will you let us pass?”

The guard glanced around uneasily and looked to the other guardsmen for aid, but they shrugged in response.

“Alright, yous can go through,” the guard grumbled, “But keep them from Nevārance in line or it be on your head Helwyr.”

Rivian ignored the threat and spurred her horse forward, and Lieut and his brother followed quickly.

The city streets were muddy and the unnaturally cold rain continued to fall as they rode through the turning roads. Many of the people they passed gave them looks mixed with fear and outrage and they soon stopped out the front of a small tavern called The Unicorns Urchin.

“I am heading to the keep to get the bounty for the chimera,” Rivian said when they stopped, “First round is on me when I get back, and maybe something else.”

The Helwry laughed, and Lieut felt uncomfortable.

“You boys are planning on staying right?” Rivian asked curiously.

“A few nights at the most,” Raith replied with a slight smile, “Look for us here.”

“I will definitely do that,” Rivian smiled widely and bid them farewell before trotting her horse down the streets and towards the castle.

Lieut dropped down from his horse and led the way around the back of The Unicorns Urchin and to a small stable and yard. There a young lad came out to meet them, but his face turned white when he realised who had come. Lieut sighed and tossed the reins to the lad along with a gold coin and Raith did the same. With his hands shaking the boy took the horses and Lieut headed inside the tavern with his brother close behind him.

Inside they continued to receive looks of shock, but none were brave enough to tell them to leave. With suspicious eyes following him, Lieut led the way to a table in a dark corner of the smoky room. No barmaids approached them to ask their order, so Raith headed to the bar to talk with one of them.

Lieut watched curiously as he saw the face of the barmaid turn from an expression of fear to responding positively to what Raith was saying. Lieut shook his head in wonder at how his brother had changed so much to a point of almost being socially normal. Raith had changed so much quicker than himself, if he had been the one to head to the bar it would have ended in frustration and anger. No doubt he would had got the pitcher and cups, but only through threats, while his brother returned without such an incident.

“How do you do that?” Lieut asked Raith as his brother returned.

Raith shrugged and took up his chair, “I don’t know, it just seems natural.”

“That is what I do not understand,” Lieut shook his head and poured himself a cup of water.

“Give it time brother,” Raith remarked sincerely.

A wave of anger flooded through Lieut, “You speak with such certainty, yet what do you know of it?”

Raith’s pale purple eyes narrowed dangerously, “I know as much as you, is it my fault I have accepted it quicker?”

Lieut sighed angrily, “Enough of this, how shall we approach our task?”

Raith studied him closely for a few minutes before sighing heavily, “Wait until dark?” suggested Raith with a shrug.

“Like thieves in the night?” Lieut scoffed and shook his head.

“The shadows will aid us,” Raith replied quickly, “Should we just charge in and kill everything in our path?”

 A thin smile came to Lieut’s lips, “Now that would be fun.”

“Now you sound like Nar’to,” Raith said and he took a drink from his cup.

Lieut’s eyes drifted across the bar room as he remembered their brother, the one he had been forced to kill in Port Na’brath.

“Ever we shall differ in opinion,” Lieut heard Raith sigh, but his attention was held by a young woman walking calmly through the maze of tables.

The young woman with straight black hair and bare feet walked through the clouds of smoke, a smile on her face. She wore nothing but a light white dress that fell mesmerizingly to the middle of her thigh.

“Kreha,” Lieut shook his head as the young woman sat down at a chair at the table. “We constantly seem to meet in the strangest of places.”

“Yes we do indeed,” Kreha smiled and clapped her hands excitedly.

“Do you always have to speak like that?” Raith asked with a sigh.

A dark cloud seemed to suddenly grow around Kreha and she looked dangerously at Raith, making him shrink back from the power.

“Like what?” Kreha asked, her voice sinister, “Like a crazy person?”

Raith did not reply and his hands moved cautiously towards the hilts of his swords.

“We wonder how sane you would be after you go through what we have?” Kreha glared, the darkness continuing to grow around her. “Locked in a crystalline prison after seeing the one you love kill themselves in despair. No one to talk to for thousands of years, until you realise that there are many to talk to, but they all have the same voice.”

“But you were not locked in that prison, for we met in the ruins of Ingruil,” Lieut said curiously, and Kreha snapped her dark eyes upon him.

“Illusions,” Kreha waved him away and the growing malice around her vanished, “Although we did not know until too late, Azarě allowed us to see through the Fog that cascaded through our prison and at the many things happening in the world. We did not know until too late that we could use that Fog to wonder around Essinendeür. But all illusion and primitive magicks.”

Lieut did not hear the response for something suddenly nagged at his thoughts, he remembered going through Ingruil on his trek to the south, but he could not think why he had gone that way. From Port Na’brath he could have easily just headed south along the West March. So much of that venture was so vague to him, but no matter how hard he tried he could not find clarity.

“Are you still an illusion?” Raith asked cautiously.

Kreha smiled widely, “Of course not sillys. But we are not here to talk of nothing, no we are not. You need a distraction and aid when you kill the King”

Lieut glanced around the tavern thinking their conversation would be overheard, but no one seemed to be paying attention to their table.

“Why don’t you just kill the man yourself?” Raith asked with a sigh.

Kreha narrowed her eyes, “We are busy, else we would. Yes indeed we would.”

Kreha’s eyes sparkled dangerously.

“What aid?” asked Lieut curiously and Kreha pulled a thin glass vial out of the air.

“Twist top, throw so it smashes,” Kreha smiled and handed Lieut the vial.

Lieut held the vial in front of him as he looked at the strange metal cap and Fog coloured liquid within the vial.

“But be careful,” Kreha warned, “Must be behind something solid when it smashes else we won’t be able to put you two back together again.”

Kreha laughed and jumped to her feet, “Tootles.”

With that, the mysterious Kreha skipped through the bar room and out the door, leaving Lieut and Raith to wonder what this vial would actually do. With a shrug Lieut pocketed the vial and took a drink of his water, he would find out what it did soon enough.

Minutes later Rivian came in through the very door that Kreha had departed from, looking angry and frustrated.

“Barman,” Rivian called out as she entered, “Beer and steak.”

Grumbling under her breath Rivian strode through the tavern and dropped down in the empty chair at Lieut’s table.

“Damn Arendt,” the Helwry spat, “The pompous bastard. I hope his castle crumbles atop his head.”

“What happened?” Raith asked, leaning forward in his seat.

“The son of a whore paid me half of what was agreed,” Rivian growled and banged her fist on the table. “Where in the Abyss is that beer?”

Just then one of the serving girls hurried across the room with a mug of beer and a plate of thick cut steak.

“Praise Artāre,” Rivian sighed heavily as she took a long swallow of the golden liquid.

“I would have thought the contract for service would have cemented the deal,” Raith remarked sourly.

Rivian nodded enthusiastically, “You would think that, wouldn’t you? But no, apparently Kings are above such honourable agreements. He said: ‘Take the gold or take a trip to the dungeons.’ I could not believe my ears, ‘You spit on the will of Artāre’ I asked in surprise. ‘Doing your Gods will should be reward enough for you’ Arendt replied and basically had me thrown out of the door saying he had to return to the preparations for the party he is having tomorrow morning.”

“Son of a whore,” Rivian swore again after another swallow of beer, “He was throwing fortunes into that party of his but could not find enough to honour the deal and pay for my hard work.”

Rivian continued to complain about what had happened and more alcohol was consumed. As the night wore on she and Raith were talking merrily and Rivian had seemed to have forgotten about her bad fortune. Lieut thought it was thanks to the strong drink but he could see that the change in Rivian’s mood had been helped greatly by Raith.

“You boys never said why you were coming to Alabast,” Rivian said after another drink.

“Nothing important,” Lieut shrugged.

“We also have business with the King,” Raith elaborated, causing Lieut to glare at his brother.

Rivian scoffed, “If it is anything short of killing the bastard I don’t care.” Rivian laughed and Raith joined in, causing Lieut to continue to glare at his brother.

Rivian sighed heavily again, “I think I will call it a night boys,” she said as she stood up, “Bath and then bed I think, either of you are welcome to join me.”

The Helwry laughed happily again and stumbled to stairs at the back of the bar. Once again Lieut felt uncomfortable by Rivian’s remark, but looking to his brother he could see that Raith no longer felt the same.

Lieut clenched his jaw in frustration as he rose to leave, “I am going for a walk,” he declared and Raith shrugged. “I will meet you out the front of the tavern before dawn.”

“To use the party as a distraction, good idea,” Raith nodded in reply and Lieut moved through the bar room.

Lieut left the tavern and headed off into the dark streets of Alabast. The rain was still falling and covered the empty streets in dull a dreary mood. He wandered down the wide roads and through narrow alleyways for no better reason than to occupy the time and try understanding the changes he was seeing in his brother.

Though it annoyed him to admit, Raith had become a lot more accepting of his new found mental freedom. Before they had both come to Essinendeür they had been virtually mind controlled to fulfil certain tasks, a Purpose. But during their time in Essinendeür, and seemingly with Kreha’s aid through the Fog, that mental control had been broken. But still the sudden freedom had brought with it much confusion for him and Raith, yet his brother had been more accepting of it then he had.

“Why does it bother me so much?” Lieut asked himself, steam wafting from his mouth with every syllable.  

A shiver ran up his spine and he continued his slow trudge through the unnaturally cold street, having no answer to the question.

By the time Lieut arrived back at The Unicorns Urchin the rain had stopped and Raith was waiting for him out the front of the tavern.

“Enjoy your walk?” Raith asked pleasantly.

“No,” replied Lieut as they left the tavern.

Raith smirked as he fell into step behind Lieut as they headed towards the castle on the hill.

“What did you do during the night?” Lieut asked, leading the way along the crust of the snow drifts.

Raith sudden seemed uncomfortable when Lieut looked over his shoulder, and did not reply.

“What did you do?” Lieut asked more curiously and stopped to look at his brother.

Raith shrugged and looked away. 

“You stayed at the tavern,” Lieut stated more then asked, coming to the realisation.

Raith shuffled uncomfortably and scratched the back of his head.

“You stayed with Rivian at the tavern?” Lieut could hardly believe it.

“Yes,” Raith blushed, looking at his feet, “I was curious.”

Surprisingly angry Lieut turned around and continued up the winding road towards the castle, his hands clenched at his sides.

Raith said no more about his night with Rivian, and Lieut was in no way eager to learn more. He could not understand why it angered him so much, it was not like he was jealous of Raith, or was he? But why would he be? It made no sense to him. Thankfully they were drawing closer to castle where he could vent his anger upon someone.

“Who gets the King?” Raith asked as they stopped and gazed up at the keep, its walls still a hundred metres up the hill.

“Whoever gets to him first,” Lieut replied with a thin smile.

His brother returned the smile and they moved from the road and climbed up the rest of the hill and in between the rich houses that were built on the slope.

“When will you use the vial Kreha gave you?” Raith asked as they moved quickly up the incline.

“When the party starts and Arendt makes a welcoming speech. Which I assume he will,” Lieut simply replied and Raith nodded.

They reached the foot of the great white walls just as Inüer broke above the eastern horizon and pushed aside the grey clouds. They moved from each other’s company then, Raith moved away to the eastern side and Lieut stayed where he was.

The walls of the keep were smooth and no hand holds could be seen anywhere, so Lieut pulled from one of the pouches on his belt a small grappling hook with a thin line attached to it. With a single swing he found a hold at the top of the wall and virtually ran up the side, slowing as he neared the top and dropping into the yard below without being seen. As chance would have it the guards were changing shifts and they were either tired from lack of sleep or drowsy from just awaking. Not that they would have posed much of a problem otherwise, but this state made it infinitely easier to move through the extensive gardens and from the yard into the lower corridors of the castle.

Much of the castle was already awake, preparing for the grand party and making King Arendt’s large breakfast. The King had no children to occupy his time, and his most recent wife was yet to produce an heir so it was well known that Arendt spent his time eating, drinking and making merry with the Lords of his kingdom and the rich men of Alabast.

Lieut moved like death through the dim subterranean hallways, mixing with the shadows while he waited for the festivities to begin.

Although this party held no specific significance, with the Gathering Dark festival being many days ago, and the Winter solstice not for many days yet, King Arendt had spared no expense. Musicians had been hired along with bards, jesters, performers and many other attractions, expensive and rare foods had been brought from the far corners of the continent and it was rumoured that the King had bought special gifts for all invited. It was to be a festival of grand proportions and to be held over five days, there was to be a tournament on the third day with many knights coming to prove their valour, though none had arrived yet. Although the festival started with this breakfast the real celebrations would begin that evening with most of the dignitaries arriving throughout the day.

A thin smile came to Lieut’s face when he thought of the horror all the Lords and Ladies would feel when they arrived to discover that King Arendt was dead.

The dull strum of music echoed through the castle stone as the party had begun in the main hall at the centre of the palace. Lieut moved patiently along the corridor and through a side door that led into the throne room where everyone was.

It was a long hall lined with pillars that held up the balcony and a wide gallery in front of the ivory throne which sat upon a dais in front of a grand stain glass window designed as a picture of a rearing white unicorn. Many wealthy looking individuals stood around the hall wearing beautiful clothes of expensive and colourful fabrics, talking among themselves as they waited for King Arendt to greet them. A band played to the left of the entrance at the opposite end of the throne and many servants meandered through the crowd bearing drinks for the wealthy as they laughed at the jesters dancing around and making fools of themselves.

As he entered Lieut moved quickly to the shadows that the pillars and second floor balcony provided and waited.

Hanging from the high roof were several crystal chandeliers which bathed the entire hall in the glow of different colours. But their light was not needed for Inüer had risen into the eastern sky and cast His golden light through the large window and lit up the entire throne room. The light cascaded through the many colours of the window and bounced off the decorations that curled around the pillars and hung from the balcony.

Just then a loud gong sounded and a herald called out loudly from atop the single stair that led up to the balcony at the side of the throne.

“Presenting his Royal Grace King Arendt, son of Arthin,” the herald shouted, “King of I’ender and Lord of Alabast.”

A cheer rose up from the crowd as the fat King waddled down the stairs and stood in front of his throne, his wife following obediently behind him along with the castle Magi and two of the elite guard. The light from Inüer cast the King in a golden halo and his gold and diamond studded crown flashed magnificently. A rich cloak of grey and white draped over Arendt’s shoulders and the expensive garments he wore. Arendt’s many ringed hand waved to gathered nobles to silence so that he might greet them.

“My dear subjects,” King Arendt’s voice wined, “It pleases me greatly to look down upon your bright faces. I pray you are enjoying my generous hospitality, but I must ask you all for restraint. For this celebration is but the beginning of five days of debauchery and indulgence.”

A cheer rose up from the crowed, and the King waved them to be silent again.

“Let it not be said that I do not know how to host a grand celebration,” Arendt smiled, “I am a generous King, so may I generously invite you all to share with me the beginning of these festivities. May gold always line your pockets and may there always be a drink in your hand.”

The crowd cheered again and many coloured streamers fell from the ceiling with the bright flash of sparkles.

Lieut saw his chance and pulled forth the vial Kreha had given him, as he twisted the top he could instantly fell the power of magicks build within it. From behind one of the pillars he launched the vial high into the air to shatter upon the middle chandelier. He watched in awe as the glass dissipated and the Fog coloured liquid burst into droplets. But as the pulse of magicks grew a rush of wind could be heard and the droplets streamed together and into a ball before exploding outwards. Lieut’s eyes widened and he quickly pulled his head back behind the pillar as the explosion of ice blasted through the hall. The music suddenly stopped and all was deathly quiet except for the slight sound of creaking ice.

Lieut peered out from behind the pillar and quietly gasped at the sight of all the people frozen solid and the blue of the ice covering everything. But not everyone had been frozen for it seemed that the castle Magi was still powerful with his magicks and had stopped the wave of freezing ice to touch the dais upon which he stood with the King and queen, and the two elite guards. The Magi’s protective shield fell away and the two guards wearing plate mail and full face visors darted in front of the King. Cautiously the two elite guards moved down the step of the dais, their swords flashing brightly in the light from Inüer that still streamed through the large window.

Lieut watched silently as one of the guards tapped a frozen Lord with his sword. The guard jumped back in horror, falling to the ground and letting out a cry as the nobleman shattered like glass. As the heavily armoured guardsman crashed to the ground, a groan of protest rumbled from the very stone of the castle and a chandelier fell from the ceiling shattering several people as it smashed into the ground. Another groan echoed and the whole castle seemed to shake with bits of stone falling from the ceiling and balcony.

Lieut darted from the cover of the pillar, his feet found firm footholds on the icy stone as he raced across the throne room and towards the closest guard. The elite guard saw him coming and lunged ahead, but Lieut was too quick and spun under the sword swing and severed the man’s leg at the knee. The next guard was upon him then having recovered from his horror. More shattered stone fell from the ceiling along with another chandelier, the balcony above the entrance collapsed with a roar and sent more groans through the keep.

Lieut knocked the shield of the elite guardsman away and cut back like lightning, his sword slicing through the guard’s hauberk and opening his neck. Lieut felt a pulse of magicks and turned to the Magi just in time to see a blast shoot towards him, instinctively he slapped the spell away with his sword which caused the spell to dissipate into its raw form of the Fog and be absorbed by the special Anther Crystals which were set at the crosspiece of his blade.

Lieut darted towards the Magi as more large stones fell from the ceiling around him and the ground shook beneath his feet. The Magi desperately sent ball of energy towards him, but that met the same fate as the spell. Lieut lunged up the step of the dais his large sabre leading the way through the Magi’s magickal protection and deep into his chest.

Ripping his sword free Lieut turned to the King who had been standing ridged in fear. As the King’s eyes met his golden orbs that spell that seemed to hold the King suddenly broke and the man stumbled backwards with a squeal. Lieut took a step towards King Arendt ready to finish the job but he stopped as two black metal swords stabbed out through King Arendt’s chest and two pale purple eyes appeared over the man’s shoulder.

Lieut sighed angrily and flicked the blood from his sword before returning it to the specialised clips which were built into his silver shoulder guard.

“Looks like I win,” Raith smiled coldly as he sheathed his swords and looked down at the dead King at his feet.

“After I did all the work,” Lieut huffed.

Another violent shudder ran through the castle and arrested his and Raith’s attention. Larger blocks of stone fell from the roof and walls revealing the bottom floor of the tower that was built over the top of the throne room.

“Time to leave,” Raith remarked, and Lieut readily agreed.

“The exit is blocked,” Lieut observed as much more of the ceiling crashed into the throne room.

Just then the entire left balcony crashed to the ground along with the left side of the roof. The great stone tumbled into the ground sending tremors through the entire keep and causing the floor to give way and fall into the lower hallways and corridors. Screams could be heard above the tumble of rubble along with the shouts of the guards and their heavy feet. Lieut looked up through the hole in the ceiling and to the shaking tower that loomed above.

“Out the window,” Lieut said to Raith together they darted towards the stain glass window which had thousands of cracks running through it.

The window shattered when Lieut and his brother charged into it and the sky opened before them, along with the hundred foot drop to the wave of the Golden Sea below. Lieut turned as he fell just in time to see a cowering figure of the queen behind the ivory throne and the falling of the central tower as it crashed down into the keep sending dust and debris into the air.