“I see why your having so much difficulty.” Lean Paul said as he looked out over the graveyard from a rooftop a block away. He sat in a simple folding chair eyes locked on the storm cloud surrounded by graves. Filthy Mike and the boys lay on the rooftop behind him. Mike was cradling his knee while the swordsmen in their ranks was still a rigid plank of a man. His arms began to loosen as the effects of that screech wore off. The only unharmed member of the team sat upright holding his black lacquered bow.
“Once the clouds showed up, I couldn’t get a clean shot. Once he ruined Mike’s leg, I started our exit plan. How can a level Nineteen do all these things?” asked the archer.
“Apparently, he’s Chimera’s champion. No idea what kind of abilities that gets you. There hasn’t been one in recent history. That’s why I charged triple the going rate.” said Lean Paul.
“He was fast enough to avoid all those sword strikes. I didn’t think that was possible.” Said the archer.
“He has tremendous strength as well. It would take quite a blow to cripple Filthy Mike. Now I understand the dented skull and concussion from yesterday. We should have listened to that damn skull. I hate when that thing is right. Good investment though. Any reason you chose the church of Radiant’s graveyard?” Lean Paul asked.
“That was my idea. I thought at the very least if he had some kind of demon in him, the congregation would pour out of the church to stomp it out.” Mike said between clenched teeth.
“You know this is a snatch and grab contract, right? How would you be able to get the target away from them?” Lean Paul asked standing and moving over to look at Mike’s leg.
“I’ve got a man on the inside.” Mike said stifling a scream as Lean Paul melded his hand into the leg with his right and began repairing the damage.
Deacon stood alone in the graveyard surrounded by black storm clouds. His head moving left and right as he waited for their inevitable reappearance. There was a clap of thunder from the skies above him. Deacon looked up into the sky to see there was indeed a storm coalescing directly above his current position. Where the clouds he produced were only billowing around inside his aura’s range, the one above was easily ten times as large. Activity within his pocket storm started to increase as purple lightning started to lance out around his position. It was quickly mimicked by the storm above him. He checked his soul energy bar and noticed it was down to one hundred percent and steadily dropping. Deacon decided it might be best to put this genie back in the bottle.
“Deacon!” cried out an unfamiliar voice.
He looked around to see where the voice was coming from. There was a patch of green haze twenty feet to his right. It called his name and pulsated with a green light. Stepping toward the light was his first mistake as his foot hit a patch of loose gravel. The ground gave way beneath him, and he fell headfirst into an open grave. It now appeared as if the mini storm on the ground was funneling into the grave after him.
“Ice in my veins.”
Deacon managed to snap out of his bewilderment and utter his trigger phrase to switch back to Nether energy. The clouds swiftly dissipated. Then there was a blast of heat and a woosh of flames above the hole in the ground. Fire was pouring out of somewhere in the area he was just standing. Not wanting to pop his head up, he decided to phase through the dirt and come out behind the now charged tombstone.
Above ground was full contingent of armored soldiers and a man wearing ornate robes. He had a cylindrical hat with fabric cut out in the shape of the sun. Now that Deacon got a good look, all the armored soldiers had that same emblem on their breastplates. From the southern end of the cemetery ran the rest of the Regulators.
“Okay folks, I think there has been a misunderstanding here,” Deacon said raising his hands above his head.
“You are no storm demon. How did you get in here?” Asked the robed man.
“Would you believe some kidnappers dropped me in a portal in an attempt to abduct me,” Deacon said.
“No.” said the robed man.
By this time, the rest of the Regulators had been stopped by the soldiers and separated. Amanda was gesturing wildly, while Ralph and Tantus were calmly explaining the situation. Deacon went on to explain the events of what happened to him while being marched into the large cathedral to the god Radiant. He left out several important details about his abilities though. The robed man waived away the soldiers and was shocked to learn that Deacon didn’t know who he was as they entered the five story tall basilica.
“Tourist? No matter, I’m High Priest Turnbull of the church of Radiance. We worship Radiant obviously, God of the Sun and Fire.” Informed the High Priest.
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“I’m Deacon, Champion of Chimera. I apologize if I disturbed your worshipers or something.” Deacon said.
“Well when we looked outside and saw a horned creature surrounded by dark menacing clouds in our cemetery, I believe people were correct to be alarmed,” the High Priest said.
“Again, really sorry about that. If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll take my party and get out of your hair.” Deacon attempting to excuse himself but getting stopped by a bejeweled hand from the High Priest.
“You managed to enter our holy place without exploding into flames. That tells me you are no threat. For the sun shall scorch all that oppose it and brighten the days of all that make peace with it. Under that circumstance I’m inclined to let you leave. On the other hand, I’ve never met a god’s champion before, and I have some questions.” Said the Turnbull.
“Fire away.” Deacon said with a snicker. The High Priest was not amused.
“Why are you in the capital? Champions of lore are known to show up to avert disasters.” Asked Turnbull.
“I was summoned by the King. Something I very much would like to prepare for before I’m called to attend him.” Deacon replied.
“So King Reagan is actually going to declare war on the empire. The Champion’s Advantage is a war time bonus too good to pass up. But you represent Chimera. There’s no telling what that bonus would be. That shortens the list of questions I have. I received an invitation to the Crystal Throne tonight. It also explains why you are being actively hunted. Perhaps Vasilly wants to prevent you from having this meeting with the King. That won’t do. Albertson.” called Turnbull.
“Yes, your eminence?” came a response from down the hallway.
“I need a contingent of Paladins to escort the champion here on his errands. At least until he reaches the halls of his majesty.” Commanded the High Priest.
“Oh that won’t be necessary, I have my party with me…” Deacon was cut off by another upraised hand from Turnbull.
“Nonsense. Consider this a gift from the Church of Radiance. You wouldn’t turn down a gift from a High Priest, would you?” Turnbull asked not waiting for a response.
The rest of the Regulators showed up shortly thereafter followed by five soldiers in chainmail armor. Deacon now knew them as Paladins of Radiance. They all had the same spikey mace that when looked at the right way resembled a sun. Ralph started peppering them with questions about being a Paladin and how long it took to get to their specializations. Deacon thought that was significant but filed it away in the back of his mind for later.
They were then back out on the street with Paladins clearing a path for them. It made it look like someone who was too important to be walking on the streets decided to go out for a stroll. Deacon didn’t know he could be so embarrassed.
“What the hell was all that?” Amanda asked Deacon.
“Not sure what you mean. How did you find me anyway? Looks like they dropped me on the far end of Temple Lane,” Deacon asked trying to refocus here inquires.
“Well you disappeared right in front of Tantus, who then came running after us interrupting Ralph’s chat with the clergy in the Temple of Mantarok. When we came back outside, we didn’t even know where to start until Ralph pointed up. That’s when we saw an unseasonably dark cloud over one temple. That was all the sign we needed that we should head in that direction. You are a great many things but subtle isn’t one of them.” Amanda chided.
“Was it those same goons?” Tantus asked.
“Yes, but they have some new gear now. It’s like every time they get away, they come back with another new method of dealing with me. The second I engage one, another attacks from a different angle. Tough to nail them down. Originally, I tried to disable and capture them, but now the gloves are off.” Deacon explained.
“Looks like Armand and Elle will be meeting us at Mentalba’s new place.” Typhus said as they rounded the corner toward what looked like the land of fabrics.
Deacon noticed that fabrics of every kind could be found all the little stalls and shops. He assumed this must be the Crystal Cascade’s equivalent of a garment district. At the end of the road sticking out of a back alley was a sign that just said, Mentalba’s. Deacon was surprised by the greeting he received upon entering the little shop. Mentalba flung his arms around Deacon and showed him around the shop. While the storefront was smaller the back of the shop was cavernous. There were tables set up everywhere with some actual people on one side and free floating sewing needles on the other.
“You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Not only are the standard everyday clothes you helped me design flying off the racks, but custom suits have become the new standard for the merchant class. Anyone who sells anything worth any real money is wearing our suits. It’s all thanks to you. Come, come I have new clothes for you--but wait your measurements have changed. A tailor knows these things.” Mentalba excitedly babbled.
It took another hour of modifications before Deacon had a new wardrobe disappearing into his bag. Deacon actually took some of that time to design a traditional tuxedo he’d like specially made for his meeting with the King. That lit Mentalba up like a Christmas tree. Not so much Deacon’s crude sketching of a tuxedo, top hat, and cane, but the concept that his work would be seen in front of the Griffin Kingdom’s monarch.
As they left Deacon warned Mentalba that he was already on the Minister of the Interior’s radar and to mind his P’s and Q’s. When asked what they were, Deacon didn’t know the answer and just said it was an expression from his homeland. On the way back to the guild they were joined by Armand and Elle. The combined parties explained what happened and Armand praised Deacon for not taking using a lethal strategy. He went on to tell them that quests have been put up for the capture of these three men with all active guilds. The reward is being paid out by the Desentes family.
Upon reaching the guild house they noticed a strangely dressed man wearing a hat with bells on it. His clothes were two toned. Blue on one side and red on the other. He stood patiently outside the entrance to the Adventurer’s Guild. Once Deacon’s entourage showed up, he began bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Are you Deacon?” asked the strange man.
“Who’s asking?” Deacon answered back.
“I’m Hani al-Hamdani, Jester to the Crystal Throne. I have a summons for you from his majesty King Edric Reagan.” Said the obvious Jester.
Typhus broke out in uproarious laughter. Followed by everyone else.