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"Did ya' hear about the place?" a rough whisper.

"Aye, I did at that," another equally rough voice answered.

"Whole place just up and disappeared! If ya' asked me I'd say the duke gutted 'em and tossed 'em to the wolves," the rough whisper coming from a table in the bar. "Good riddance of the snobbish lot I'd say."

"Aye, let 'em kill each other. 'Nother one goes down, 'nother will take its place," sloshing his drink the other man peered into his mug.

Interesting. The rumors seemed to have spread this far. Being so close to the capitol, he'd have thought every citizen knew no bounds of the duke's benevolence. It seemed like the only thing the people knew to talk about.

His Grace is so kind!

His Grace is so charitable!

Pfffft.

If he had to hear another sermon in the streets about how great and mighty this duke of theirs is, he may have to rethink his original plan. He had already heard of the village disappearing mysteriously. That's why he came all the way here. To the Neos dukedom. He had to make sure. 

The two men at the table continued their conversation. He listened intently.

"Ya know what else is strange," the drunk man went on.

The other man perked up. "Ya?"

They both lowered their heads as if speaking a great secret. Glancing around to note the half-filled bar room. Cupping their mouths.

"They also said it was the work of the Dead Forest," the man whispered.

"No way!"

"Yes way. But ya didn't hear it from me, ya got it," ambling his way out and back to wherever his home lie.

Looks like the information he recieved is similar all over the dukedom. A village gone and no one truly knows what happened. Not even the soldiers that were sent to investigate the empty homes. No tracks. No signs of a struggle.

Very interesting indeed.

Downing his mug of pissed-ale he tipped the bartender and sauntered out. No other choice then. He'll simply have to travel to the village personally. On his way out of town he noticed he picked up a few stragglers. Not even full dark yet, they would have to be incredibly foolish to attempt what they were thinking, or truly desperate. He'll handle it depending on the case. If they left him alone, then no harm done, otherwise he can spare the time.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

When he finally passed the last bend of the homes and towards the exit gate he felt them then. 

Three.

No, four.

Two in front. One behind. And one on the roof.

"Halt stranger!" one of the two hooligans called out.

He shook his head and sighed audibly. "How can I help you gentlemen?"

"We know you're not from around here."

"And so...? Carry on. I'm a busy man."

Both hooligans slipped out small knives. "I don't think you understand the situation you're in." Spitting out the last part as if a curse. "Sir."

"Yes, yes. You have weapons and I'm at an incredible disadvantage with four of you against myself. O woe is me, I don't know where I am and don't know the danger of traveling alone in these godforsaken lands. Boo hoo," He made a deadpanned mocking face.

Confused, the hooligans stood tensely. Not sure what to do. They looked to one another asking questions silently.

He continued to stare at these men. Thugs or thiefs, maybe, making do with stranger's purses. There were likely cutthroats out there as well taking bounties on less fortunate men. And the small women out there selling their bodies on the streets. He grimaced internally. Was it always like this in Neos?

He was disappointed.

All the tools at their disposal and the Strangers choose self-destruction. 

How pitiful.

"Don't let these finery fool you fellas," he flourished his coat adorned with buttons and lace, likely worth a silver a piece. Twisting to show his defenseless attire. In the process of doing so he lodged up a pebble on the road with his foot. Relaying the pebble to the other he kicked up to the roof. 

A crashed sounded. The home's roof, on which one of the hooligan sat atop, gave way to a crater. Moments later a thud was heard on the side of the home. Likely, the fool fainted and fell from the blow being so close.

He didn't plan on killing any of these pitiful creatures.

The three men surrounding him stared in shock at the display. Staring wide-eye, unable to move. They suddenly realized how large he was. Towering and domineering over them all. Making them feel unworthy to be in his presence.

He walked to the two in front. Backhanding them each on the cheek before they could even comprehend his sudden arrival. He carried them to the last member who turned his head to stare at him as if he had appeared out of nowhere. The thug's eyes bulging even more and his face a stroke of panic. Falling onto his behind and scurrying away.

He gently laid down the two men he was carrying. Attempting to make eye contact with the last conscious member. Sighing, when he noticed the man may have a case of shock. 

He waited a breath.

Then another.

"Take your friends and stop doing this. Work an honest job. Build up your community. Nurture it. Grow with it. Make real men of yourselves," he spoke firmly.

Deciding he was done with this town he continued his trek toward the exit gate again. To find the mysterious imperri he felt some days ago.

Perhaps this time he will find the other half. The one they lost. The missing piece to stopping Umbra.