The next morning Cassandra is gone as is her things and most of the webbing. I am not sad to see her gone. Relieved really.

I fixed Luce breakfast and walked her home. Told the church and paladins about the prince and his full plate training. Told them if done right with in that time they should be able to do the Parkour training in full plate like they were wearing street clothes.

They took it under advisement.

I saw Luce a few more times but her days off were few and far between. But she and Axe were doing the armor training like I told them. Other than days off when we would go out somewhere, have a little fun, go back to my place and fuck each-others brains out, we did not see each other.

I was completing my classes and designing a cart for my own use. Better suspension and capable of withstanding the massive speeds I was capable of with the greaves of speed. (sprint at 90 mph, run at 60mph) It had 2 parts really an area for storage, merchandise and such and another for me. Sort of a miniature gypsy caravan. I load it down and run around town with it. Sometimes, during the summer I would fill it with blue ice and water and run around giving water to people in simple thin wooden cups. 100 of those cups only cost me 5 cp. They were easy to make and biodegradable and could be reused a few times if one was careful. Many people were thankful for the cold water during that time and it was a good workout for me.

Then one day, a week after my last class, with no warning to anyone I packed my bags, my cart and left. I had all kinds of easy to keep and hopefully sellable items. From blue Ice to local items to packs of the cups and notebooks, pens and ink and such. All pretty small items really. Even a few 'ready packs' of the non-magical sort. I had 2 Marvel packs for myself and a special hidden compartment in the wagon that was actually a 'stable' storage area. Meaning I could carry my Marvel Packs inside it. The space was actually in another dimension with the door in the cart as a stable gate to it. Handy as a bolt hole or smugglers spot. Shielded from detection spells and took most of my 4000 to pay for. But I am thinking it's worth every copper.

Luce I knew for one was going to be pissed I took off without so much as a goodbye, but I had to do it that way. To many would try and stop me. As it was the only reason I was able to get out the gates was I had expanded my running with the cart to the outer farms and roads. Testing myself and my cart I would say. So the day I left via the east gate, saying I was just going to run down to the next village (done it before, several times, first few times with guards in the back, to make sure I did come back) but eventually they trusted me to return on my own as I never was gone more than 3 days and I think they suspect that I have a girl or two in the surrounding villages.

I took a different route though. There is a V cross going toward the village, the other road, which I have run a couple times, goes to a border crossing between Corrinel and Asparka. I been as far as the border but never past it cause the guards there have been told not to let me through. My ideas are making the guilds here too much money and they want to keep me for that reason alone. Thing is I never did this run With the greaves before. So by the time I get to them they Can't stop me. They do try but I am going full out and it was either stand in the way and Die or move out of the way.

I made one miscalculation. I thought once passed the border I would be home free. Did not count on them having a way to communicate with the town or that the town would send out mages to stop me. I ended up pushing my limits and actually only escaped the mages do to the residents of the next state stopping them. But they wanted me and my Idea's for themselves. So I ended up close to a fight there. Their leader, huge bear of a man, "You now belong to us boy." I snort, leap forward and cut off his head, then killed a dozen of their finest warriors before leaping back to my cart and Running again. Full speed for as long as I could. About 2 hours actually. I was not going to let anyone enslave me and I would kill anyone who tried. May not have been the brightest of moves, but damn it I was royally pissed at their attitude.

I actually found refuge in a deserted ruin of a town. Which I found as strange as it was on a major trade route. But the locals who had been hounding me came to a dead stop and then called in reinforcements to surround the town.

Learned why after dark, when the dead came out to play. One zombie type knocked on my door, I opened the peep hole and looked at him, then the surroundings. I closed the door and did not answer any further knocks. The cart shook a few times, violently as something heavy hit the sides, but it held, skidded a little and nothing more.

I was sitting in the back, crossbow and a dozen bolts sitting next to me, eating a sandwich when a mist flowed around the door and formed in the small front area. The woman that came in to focus was interesting to look at and found herself in a very bad place. I had several blessed items between me and the door and around the windows. She glanced around and shivered, "ok you are not so stupid after all."

I shrug, "Better safe than sorry." I point out. I take a bite of my sandwich. She watches me eat, "Why are you in this town ?"

"I was chased here actually. Locals want to enslave me for my idea's. I did not take to that so killed a few then ran."

She considers that, "But you have no horses for your cart."

"What part of Ran are you missing ? I meant it literally." she slowly nods, "ok not human either."

I tap my legs, "Greaves of Speed." She makes an 'Ah' expression. Thinking, "So you’re an inventor then ?" I shake my head, "Scholar of ancient civilizations and lost knowledge's really. Plus my own people are more advanced technologically than the locals. I know Just enough of my peoples technology to give an edge to whomever finds me. The first place I was trading my knowledge for money and such. But then I learned while they were happy for the trade they had no intentions on letting me leave, ever. So I ran away. The trick worked but only so far. They sent mages after me in to this country. The spy network here realized who I was and sent a regiment to capture me. I killed the leader and a few of his better guards, creating an opening and ran for it. Till I got here. They all stopped at the road surrounding the place and last I saw were setting up a siege line."

She slowly nods, "Well that does explain the increased wards around the town."

I shrug, "They don't worry me much to tell the truth. Mortals are not much of a threat to me. Mages though, they can be a nuisance." she nods to that eyeing the charm nearest her. I have been staring at her chest the whole time, it's a nice chest. She clears her throat, "My eyes are up here" She points, I nod, "As is your ability to charm, so I will stick with staring at your lovely chest. Charming in its own way and leaves my self-control intact." I note her grin, "Ok educated", she said,

I nod, "Used to date a paladin to. She is not going to be happy with me either. " She smirks, "You left without telling her I take it." I nod, "Safer that way. Until she catches up at any rate."

"You may as well get out now and save yourself the pain. Your never leaving you know." I snort at that. "I wait for daylight, use a couple spells I got and be gone before you crawl out of your holes tomorrow night." She humphs, "Think you know everything do you ?"

"Oh hell no. But I got an angry Paladin of war behind me and the unknown in front of me, I will take the unknown thank you very much."

She pauses, "Your ex is a Paladin of War ? Which god ?"

"Not god of war, Spirit of War, which means she gets Necromantic Powers in addition to those of being a paladin." I take another bite of my sandwich. She looks more nervous, "oh that is not good. The locals will just lock her and her people in here with us. This place is a prison for Necromancers you see. And well their pets." I nod, "Necropolis." she nods. "Your surprisingly calm about this." I shrug, "I am a created lifeform, My soul is under the control of those who made me. They have me on a mission. I can't really do much other than follow my directives." She thinks that over, "Crap" I grin. "So what is your primary mission" she ask eventually, "Kick Destinies teeth in pretty much covers it. She has gotten out of control lately trying to abolish free will. My nature makes me a walking loop hole in her control. Bit of controlled chaos with enough Law and Order in my system to keep her from being able to overtly manipulate me."

She considers then "Um, be back soon, maybe." she turns to gas and vanishes. I would try to listen but she moves out of range.

I go back to eating my sandwich and thinking about my bolt hole. It occurs to me that it's the Door that is the key to it. So I start to play desperately. I open the storage nooks from the inside and the bolt hole and fill it with everything I can leaving the charms for last. I have 1 Marvel pack with my most needed items in it, then I carefully work to pull up the frame of the bolt hole from both sides. I am sure though to have the hole partially closed when I pull it free. Then I remove the nails and check. I open the door, and there is my 'closet'. Well more like warehouse really. It's a 8000 cubic feet inside (20ft x 20ft x 20ft). Though it has shelves and a small living space to. With the door closed I am able to put it in to my bag. I kept out the crossbow and my staff (enchanted to lv 2, found it last week in the magic shop). Not very good with the crossbow really, but I am worse with an actual bow. Also I got it cheap for 'target practice'.

By the time the vampire comes back the inside of my wagon is empty save for the holy objects and me. She stares at the space and then I me, "Bag of Holding, Figure I may have to leave the cart behind if I need to escape."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She nods, "Wilikers" she says, eyes wide. I open my eyes wide and snort, "wilikers ? Really ?" she shrugs, "It's one of the few words I got that does not piss off or annoy the Liches."

Now I am curious, "What other words or phrases you got ?" She looks around then, "Ok but no telling them or I catch hell." I nod.

She takes a breath and recites, "DOH', Holy Bat Shit Batman, SHAZAM!, Mary Mother of God and Irish Setters, Great Scotts Watson!, um." I am shaking my head, "Whoa, hold it. Shazam, Batman ?" she shrugs, "This is not my original world. I was an intern with a team of scientist. That's um, what is the local term ?" I answer, "Scholars or Sages usually, unless it's something esoteric like quantum physics then mages works."

She nods stops and looks at me, "What ?"

I shrug, "Which did you prefer, Marvel or DC ?" her mouth now is in her lap, "How ?"

I grin, "Accidental wormhole opened when a Galactic Dragon flew between the Earth and the Sun frying all the magical dampening devices the various churches had erected around the world. I ended up here. Died here, was brought back by a Pantheon Priest, and the gods of his pantheon rebuilt me like a magical version of the Bionic man."

She is clapping her hands, "Oh Wonderful. Someone from home, wait, what year are you from ?"

I think, "2038. Spring time in South Carolina."

I watch her, "Please don't tell them that. " she squirms, "I have to, they are the only ones keeping me moderately sane. Do have any idea what it's like to be a vampire and not have any blood ?"

I shake my head, "Not really no." I dig out a cup, "If not for their spells I would be with the other vampires right now. Dust or contained and insane. What are you doing ?"

"Snack." I state, then I pop 1 claw and she breaths, "Oh Shades of Wolverine." I nod, "Pretty much, weaker version crossed with spiderman on top of it. So speed, strength and the ability to jump really far."

The smell of my blood fills the room and I watch her fangs come out and her eyes turn red, "You may not want to do that. Starving vs holy symbols is not a good mix." I fill the cup and then show her my wrist, she watches the wound heal over then vanish, "Low grade regeneration. Not up to Wolvie's level, but decent none the less." using the butt of a bolt I push the cup with in her reach, "I would suggest sipping, but at least try not to spill it." she takes it, sniffs it then slowly pours it in her mouth and sighs as it is all gone. Then licks the cup. "Careful with the cup, they are thin wood. Sort of this realities version of a Solo cup." she nods, "Thank you. Your blood is Divine. Was that because you felt sorry for me or cause we are from the same world ?"

I shrug, "I have been through starvation. The US collapsed in 2028 from a truly insane president. Tried to funnel all the money and power to himself and the rich and caused a complete economic disaster. Total anarchy reigned for about 2 years then states started to pull themselves together. The south reformed the Confederacy and stabilized the region. Several other states never recovered and well by my time new countries dot the America's. Some legit, some just run by the ones with the most guns."

She nods, "Ok now I am hoping that is Not my world." I nod, "Possibly a parallel world. Trust me on this, I saw LOTS of different worlds on my trip here. Was not a fun ride. My car got totaled at the end of it to." she winces.

"We were working on making a stable particle field and something went wonky and we were sucked in. Back when this town still had Normal people in it. Before the Necromancers came and started experimenting. I learned that one of our scientist was a vampire and in order to protect us from the Necromancers he turned us all. Instead of allowing us to just Leave the town. I don't think he was in his right mind." she tells me.

I nod, "Could have been under their power, otherwise I don't see why he would not leave."

She shrugs, "He was one of the first to go mad from the hunger and the Necromancers used him and the others trying to find a way to hold the madness off and why are you rubbing your head like that ?"

"They enspelled your maker, used him to capture and turn you all, and then turned you all in to Guinea pigs and probably put spells on you to keep you in line. I know the type. I have studied up on them." she frowns and nods, "I suspect as much but I can't do anything about it you know." she has finished what was in the cup then pushes it back to me, looking hopeful.

I sigh and give her another cup of ME, "Last one for a little while. Even I need time to build up after donating." she nods and this time sips it.

"ok well the reason I am back is Destiny is blamed for our being trapped here. They see her as screwing up their plans."

I nod, "World domination or similar most likely" she makes a face and nods then gestures in a 'I can't talk about it' way. I shrug, "They are hoping to use me to put a good sized crack in the wards so their legions of undead can poor forth, killing at will and adding to their potential army ?"

She nods, "That sums it up nicely."

I lean back and 'pray' on it. What I am getting is DO NOT let them out. I ask about the girl and unknown to her several of the items around her glow, 3 shoot her in the back, knocking her out. Then, I don't know What it is. One of Them, the Entities, but my mind can't wrap itself around what I am seeing. So I close my eyes and just experience it. "Sorry about that. I am what I am and can't change it. I am Order in pure form. NOT the form our rogue Destiny Goddess wants me to be however. I am part of the Balance and desire to remain part of the Balance. That said, this child should never have come here. Their experiment did not have the power to do that. Some outside force, possibly magical, sent them here. Destiny did lock them in to the town, not the Necromancers persay. But it is best for all concerned that they and the undead here remain here. I know you would love to free the girl. It's not a good idea. Partly as she is not of this world and her kind of vampire is unknown here. She is from a parallel of your world. What you call a World of Darkness. She is of the 5th generation clan Toreador. " I nod, "Artist clan, Sune's kind of people."

I Feel a grin, "Yes actually. And for that reason alone she would let the creature run free. I am Order, not supposed to Do things like that. But on the other quad she would put Destiny in a bind and That intrigues me."

"How is it she can take mist form ? It's not a power they possess."

"Ah good observation. The Necromancers crossed her with the local kind of vampire. Her 'sire' and the rest were all under their power and many of her memories are incorrect. Tampered with. Very tempted to set that right."

"Fine by me, Removing their control spells would be good to." Order is quiet, I peek, but the rolling cloud of cubes and math symbols gives me a headache.

"Fine, I don't like chaos that much, but I really don't like forced control on a person's free will either. That really surprised Law by the way. He always thought I was against free will. But then I would be no better than the unbalanced ones. No Free Will is necessary to allow people to grow and become what is best for everyone. It's a long slow road, but the end shall prove the balance right."

I grin, "Good speech."

I feel a nod, "Thank you. I have to give it to myself sometimes to stay motivated. Some days the road feels longer than others."

I nod, "I can understand the sentiment. I prefer a more ordered life myself . Like my habits you know. well the good ones, the bad ones I am still working on over coming." I feel a sort of laugh then the presence is gone.

I open my eyes, look around. Then on instinct, grab the girl and stuff her in the bag. Then I put all but my most powerful symbols in the bag to. Those last ones I put around my person to ward off the undead.

I scoot to the door, look around one final time and sigh, I am going to miss this cart.

I quietly get out only to find I am surrounded. The zombies look at me and one says, "Your doomed you know." I point to a medallion. He shrugs, "We are neutral, they have no power over us." and reaches for me, his arm burns off. Holding the stump I grin, "You may be neutral but the ones controlling you are evil, so the charms can still destroy you. Besides, these were blessed by the Gods themselves, not their priest."

That actually has many moving back from me. But only so far. They separate me from my cart and a skeleton in a robe with glowing eye sockets, standing on the remains of a roof, "She tell you the plan ?"

I nod, "Yes she did and the gods say No. I say, Buh Bye" I leap suddenly up and forward and then using the speed and the zombies heads and buildings to run for the eastern border. The Necromancers really don't try to stop me. One fellow says "The wall will stop him." I go Over the wall then run Through a glowing field like it's not there. It's only there to stop the Undead, not the living. I did have a moment where I was worried that my bag or who is in it would not make it through but that proved to be no problem either.

The soldiers who try and stop me learn 'I can fly' sort of. 250ft long leaps and not carrying if I kill anyone on impact does wonders in clearing a path for me. Also the fact that most of the camp is asleep and by the time they are able to wake up I am Long gone.

I slow from all out to a comfortable running speed. I guestimate about 45 or 50 mph. Without the cart to pull I am able to run longer and actually pass the far eastern border before sunrise. I don't really stop till I am part way through the next land to tell the truth. Well after dawn.

A lot of my trip was cross country as roads, while nice, were too dangerous. So now I am lost. Well I was lost to start with but I had maps. Maps don't do much good when you don't know where you are to begin with.