Screeeeeeech. Er’Dan hated the sound of rock on concrete, but keeping track of the days was one of the things keeping him sane. Today in particular was ‘special’, if you wanted to use such flashy terms in reference to prison life. Today marks the beginning of his 2nd year behind bars, serving out a life sentence for the death of Valna Listane, a beautiful bachelorette but more importantly the mayors daughter. It was supposed to be a simple kidnapping, he had done scores before without incident…. ‘A team’ we called ourselves. A team who let personal feelings outweigh reality, killing everyone else and sending Er’Dan rent free to his new home.
Time to waste another evening sleeping on this rock slab. Er’Dan turns over and pulls his laughably small blanket up to his chin.
“Wh-hat? Whats happening?” Er’Dan wakes to the sound of his cell being unlocked. He sees three very armed guards outside his cell, with what appears to be the guard captain approaching him where he lay in his cell. None of them seem too happy to see the man who had a hand in killing their mayors daughter, but this is treatment Er’Dan has gotten accustomed too over the last year.
“Get Up. I brought you a change of clothes, someone wants to speak to you.” The guard captain tosses a bundle of clothes on the bed and turns sideways, to give a semblance of privacy. Er’Dan slowly begins to get dressed, all the while watching the guards. The two guards outside the cell have their eyes locked on Er’Dan, one of which has his hand to his hilt. “Let’s go,” The captain says again, and steps outside the cell. Er’Dan follows him, where the captain proceeds to cuff his wrists. Having no friends, no family, and a whole lot of enemies, who could possibly want to speak with him?
The walk was short, thankfully, because Er’Dan does not play well when restrained for too long. They approached a large mahogany door, where the captain knocks twice very sharply. The door creaked opened slowly, and a woman came out. “Is this Er’Dan?” She barks sharply, to no one in particular, but turns towards the captain, whom gives a slight nod. “Uncuff him now please,” she requests.
“Uncuff him!? Are you nuts? This is the sole survivor of the horrific explosion at the Mayors house, killing Valna as well as the rest of the criminal trash he brought with him.” The guard captain’s voice wavers slightly as he says this, taking a quick glance towards Er’dan.
“UNCUFF HIM now, or do you not value the service you provide this jail? The service I pulled many strings to get for you? ….Uncuff him now.”
Hands shaking, the captain unlocks Er’Dan’s shackles, all while keeping an eye on the prisoner himself. The woman nods as he finishes and then shoos the guards away. “You know as well as I he will not want to see any of you,” the woman calls out as the guards turn their back to leave. She then enters the mahogany doors and motions for Er’Dan to follow, of which he obliges.
They enter a large office, with bookcases full of never opened books lining every available wall space. In the dead center of the room is a large, also mahogany, desk with very plush looking leather chairs on either side of it. There is a single large window directly in the back of the room, overlooking the moat surrounding the prison. A tall, robust man is standing at this window with his arms folded across his chest, peering into the city lights in the distance. The woman taps Er’Dan’s shoulder, and motions to approach. An elf who’s perception is always running at full strength, he can clearly tell this figure brooding by the window not only controls the operations of this prison, but seems to have his thoughts outside of this place as well. As he continues to approach the window, recognition is still not given to his presence, as if in a power play requiring him to speak first. Finally crossing the large room and joining the figure, he takes note of the large boulders and violent waves in the moat below outside of the window.
“You called for me?” Er’Dan asks in a confident tone.
“Yes, Darksbane, I have a task for you.” The man slowly turns to Er’Dan revealing a wide smile, and an eye patch over his left eye with scars all around it. “I believe we have a common goal.” The man turned towards the desk in the center of the room and regards the woman still near the entrance to the office. “You may leave, Ashlane, thank you,” to which Ashlane gives a curt nod and slips back into the prison halls, the large doors banging loudly as they close behind her. “Er’Dan Darksbane! I am pleased to see there wasn’t too much hassle bringing you here. Please sit.” The man turns and motions to the chair on the far side of the desk.
“Why have you called me here?” Er’Dan asks as he moves to take the indicated seat.
“Right to the point I see, I like that. I have read that you were a very direct man.” His smile ever present as he stares at Er’Dan.
“Elf,” Er’Dan quickly replies with just a slight air of hostility.
“Of course, I meant no disrespect.” The man approaches and takes the seat across from Er’Dan. “My name is Heinrich Pazno, I run this prison, and have great influence in this city. Because of my connections, I am able to offer you something no one else can. Would you care for a drink as we discuss the matter?”
“With respect, I would rather hear this offer you have in mind instead of a drink,” Er’Dan replies, almost suspiciously. Eyes darting back and forth over the desk, all Er’Dan can see as a possible weapon is the nameplate on the desk, a roughly 8 inch piece of thin steel that simply says H. Pazno.
“You do not get to my position without being a smart man Er’Dan, intuitive even. Unfortunately, the nameplate is bolted down. I’ve had greater threats sit across from me in my office than you. I am well aware of your past, what you are capable of, and what you would do to get your needs satisfied.” Heinrich once again stands, and slowly starts to walk around the desk towards Er’Dan. “I am not your enemy Er’Dan, and after all is said and done you may even call me a friend.” Heinrich reaches Er’Dan, and leans in behind him and says very softly, “Does the name Dalvin Voidwalken mean anything to you?”
Er'Dan’s entire body tenses up, his fingers begin to turn white from the strain of his grip on the arm rests of his chair. “Of course I know that name,” Er'Dan says through gritted teeth. “You know damn well Dalvin was with me at the Mayor’s home, his actions ruined everything. His actions put me in your prison. His actions left him under a pile of rubble, dead, as he deserved.” Er’Dan turns to lock eyes with Heinrich, “Why are you speaking his name?”
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Heinrich stands back up and nods several times, the emotion from Er’Dan was exactly what he was looking for, was what he needed. “Er’Dan, this is why I need you, and you specifically. Dalvin is not dead. On that night, before the building crumbled, he was able to find an alcove to hide out in and avoid the bulk of the damage he would have otherwise sustained. When the rubble was being cleared away, he made his presence known and killed 2 men as he left the scene. Since then Dalvin has been…. busy with other city officials, attempting to murder as many as he can in anger over the loss of his love, Valna.” Heinrich left hand raises and gently touches his eye patch, as if having a fond memory. “I myself was almost one of Dalvin’s victims.”
In a rare, rare moment, Er’Dan’s otherwise always solemn demeanor drops, “I couldn’t care less about your damned dead officials, and frankly I don’t care about your missing eye either, but if what you say is true and that filth still walks this Earth, my sole mission will be to end his life. Whatever allegiance I had to Dalvin died back with the rest of our crew, it’s fitting I finish what his shortsightedness started.”
“I knew it!” Heinrich clasps Er’Dan’s shoulder, obviously satisfied with his prisoner’s answer. “You could do with some charisma, but I have complete faith that you will do as you say.” Heinrich strolls over to the large window again to survey the sights of the city, chuckling under his breath. “Now, there is still the matter of the mayors daughter, dead, which put you here in my care. This is what I propose; End Dalvin, report back to me with sufficient evidence of the deed, and you’ll be a free man…. Well, free*ish*.” Heinrich takes a long pause, “I would ask that you serve as my bounty hunter, hit man, after Dalvin’s successful departure from this world. You would be called prisoner no longer, but you would be in my service until I decide I no longer need of you.”
“And if I refuse after killing Dalvin? What’s stopping me from fleeing your reach then?”
“You underestimate the power and people I control in this city Er’Dan. Refusal would mean death for you, and it would not end quickly.”
Er’Dan nods. He knew if Dalvin was still out there, he would die by Er’Dan’s hand regardless if it was done for this Heinrich or done out of his own vengeance. At least he would get out of this wretched prison and back to the forests that feel natural to his elven soul, and back to the hunt he desperately craves. He stands, and approaches Heinrich at the window. “Alright Heinrich, I will accept your proposal. I will need you to supply me with some necessities, but I am ready to begin the hunt immediately.”
Heinrich ever grinning, turns and extends his hand, to which Er’Dan takes. “Ill have you out of this filthy place by the evening. But, Darksbane, do not cross me.” Heinrich says as he clasps his second hand over the handshake, his smile for a millisecond briefly fading. “Ashlane!” He turns and shouts, as the large mahogany door immediately opens and the woman appears. “Please bring my new companion back to his cell.” He then regards Er’Dan one last time, “Do not worry, it will not be for long. Good luck.” Heinrich then turns back to the window, clearly finished with the conversation.
Er’Dan felt what could only be described as electricity coursing through his body, through his very veins. His instincts told him to not fully believe the deal that was laid out before him, but the reality was he wouldn’t be sleeping on a rock this evening. Dalvin was alive? He accepted everything Heinrich told him about Dalvin as truth, but felt like some information was missing. Regardless of his intentions, or expected results from that fateful evening over a year ago, Er’Dan had a hand in killing one of the most important, respected and loved people of this town. Heinrich was willing to release me for a simple contract? And face the town’s questioning gaze? These questions would not be answered today, he realized they may never be answered for him, but he knew what immediately laid ahead of him: Dalvin.
It was with Er’Dan deep in these thoughts that Ashlane found him, back in his cell which she had escorted him to after the meeting with Heinrich. She had the guard captain with her, carrying a bundle of leather armor, a full quiver and longbow, a short sword and some daggers, as well as a knapsack that appeared rather full. Ashlane unlocked Er’Dan’s cell with the captain’s keys, and opened the door wide enough to allow him to drop off the package. The captain seemed subdued, he regarded Er’Dan very differently than he had that morning. Never meeting the eye of the soon-to-be released prisoner, the captain retreats from the cell and waits several feet outside of the cell door. “Please, outfit yourself as you would like, and meet me outside of your cell when you are ready,” Ashlane says, as she also exits the cell and waits near the captain.
Er’Dan reached for the longbow, and laid it over his lap as his sat on the edge of his stone bed. A calming warmth came over him as his fingers caressed the weapon. The longbow had always been his instrument of destruction, an extension of himself, and Heinrich had procured one of a particularly strong, flexible wood. Er’Dan knew it would be this weapon that would remove Dalvin from this world, it was with this weapon he would earn the freedom he desperately sought. He surveyed the rest of the items the captain had brought him, and realized that Heinrich knew him better than he had thought. The daggers and short sword were both weapons he favored when danger closed around him, and even the leather armor was exactly Er’dans size, already painted black and studded as he preferred. The knapsack held a matching black cloak, roughly two weeks rations, a bedroll with the necessary items to make camp, and a small sack of golden coins. It was clear that Heinrich had planned for his proposal to be accepted, and that he had laid these plans in advance. Glancing towards the two outside of his cell, he saw his momentary captors indeed were giving him his privacy and time to get ready. He donned the armor, equipped the weaponry, grabbed the sack of goods and left his cell for the last time.
The captain insisted that he follow behind as Ashlane led Er’dan to what he presumed was an exit. Er’dan was aware the captain held the hilt of his sword the entire time they were traversing the prison, ready at a moments notice to cut into him if he were to make any misstep. It was no worry to him, but telling of how his reputation may be received back out in the ‘real world’, as the other prisoners liked to call it. The mayor’s daughter was incredibly loved, and her death shocked the city. No one still living knew of the relationship she carried with Dalvin, or that she was involved with any crime. When Er’Dan was found to be the only survivor, his face was used on every poster and news article across not only this large city, but most neighboring ones as well. He was for all intents and purposes the face of crime to most of the citizens, and from the captains reactions over the course of the day, it seemed like his crime was still well remembered.
“Er’Dan, I must stress how unorthodox this situation is, and your actions the moment you leave this prison will reflect upon Heinrich.” Ashlane stops and turns towards Er’Dan, her face wrought with worry. “I know you are very perceptive, and likely realize there is more to Heinrich than he lets on. Please, whatever agreement you two have made, stick to it. Once you leave these doors,” Ashlane motions to tall steel double doors about 10 yards further down the hall they had been traveling, “It may seem like you are alone, free. Eyes are everywhere Er’Dan, and Heinrich controls a lot of those eyes.”
“Ashlane, was it?” Er’Dan replies, “Rest assured that both your employer and myself have a shared interest.” As he mentions employer, he notes Ashlane’s eyes dart away from him. “You will see me again soon, after my task is complete.”
“I believe you…..their is just so much at stake.” Ashlane wipes a lone tear that had escaped past her face. “Well, I don’t want to hold you up much longer, I know you are eager to leave. I look forward to your return.” Ashlane turns away from Er’Dan and leaves, in a visibly distraught state. He did not know where all the sudden emotion came from, but he had a strong hunch that the connection between her and Heinrich is stronger than either will let on. Er’Dan looked towards the captain, still clutching the hilt of his weapon as he looks past him, unable to make eye contact. Chuckling under his breathe, Er’Dan grabs the handle of the steel door and pushes – the world awaits.