Nireh placed the coins on the shopkeeper's counter. The wooden surface had seen many years. Deep scratches gouged the face of the deeply stained oak slab.

She tried on her new purchase. Her old set of armour was reduced to rags. Chain should hold much better, she thought to herself. The numerous rings of the mail clinked as she adjusted the fit.

"Planning on staying for a few days?" The middle-aged shopkeeper asked. The hinges of his wooden coin chest squeaked with the shutting of the lid.

"Perhaps, if the tavern is to my liking," Nireh spoke flatly. The surrounding plains of Offquar were empty and wide. The absence of cramped city slums and claustrophobic verticality made her uneasy, though she was not averse to the countryside meadows.

"Well, the wine's good and the beds are clean," he said. "But you won't have much in the way of company. It's been getting quieter as more of our folk have gone missing. Cruel and strange times these are."

"How long has this gone on for?" She asked, no longer absent-minded in speech.

"Almost a year now," he responded sadly. He paused for a while. "Hmm, you look quite capable and resourceful, strong too. Perhaps you could help us?"

Nireh's voice now took its usual mocking tone. "Flattery will find you no charity, sir."

The middle-aged man's lined face failed to hide his disdain for the maiden's words. "You'd be paid well, of course."

She struggled to contain her fiendish smirk. "Go on..."

The shopkeeper returned with the village lawman in tow.

The latter explained better the situation to Nireh and told her what was required. Her job, if she took it, was to find the location of the missing residents and, if possible, to free them if they were held captive.

"This is the best I can offer for your help," he said, handing her a signed promissory note. Full success would award her 200 gold pieces.

Satisfied with the amount, she agreed.

Nireh was no ranger but she was perceptive enough. Her enforcer days honed her skills of observation. Within the hour, she had discovered torn fabric and the faded tracks of a horse some way beyond the north-western gates, in the direction of the mountains. The residents did not know much of that area, save that it was three days distance by foot. The north-western road had not seen use in many years since the closing of the quarry, and the village folk mostly kept to their borders.

After purchasing additional supplies for the journey, Nireh made for the gate. Her unruly, coal hair swayed behind her, a black flame in the late morning sun.

The first day of her journey was fairly uneventful. The spring weather was quite fair with clear skies and a gentle breeze. The usual climate of the country was hot and wet. Entu was known for its humidity, especially during the warmer seasons.

Taking a moment to peer into the great distance, the mountains seemed no nearer to Nireh. She soon resumed her march on the dirt road, following the sparse horse tracks.

Some hours had passed when a reddish glint caught her eye. To the side of the road, by a few trees, she spotted a bronze ring lying on the grass. Stooping down, she picked it up and studied it for a while. At first glance, it appeared fairly mundane. No stones beset its surface. Under greater scrutiny, the modest thing yielded subtle ornamentations. The geometric markings had an ancient, alien quality. She pocketed it and returned to her path.

The second day started much the same. Midday brought a gentle shower which dampened the way. The air was filled with the redolence of moistening soil and foliage.

Much later in the day, Nireh heard the whinnying of a horse and the rustling of leaves further ahead to the right side of the road. The right-curving path, dense thickets, and soon-setting sun did not aid in visibility. Instinctively, her left hand was at her opposite hip.

Stolen novel; please report.

The sound of steel drawn against leather was followed by a sprinting footfall. A dark, hooded figure came into view. It lunged at Nireh, murderous steel flashing in its grip.

She dodged the attack. Her blade was now drawn.

Both combatants circled each other. Who would strike next?

Nireh feinted low with her left hand, then struck high with her right.

The assailant took shield to face. A deep cut to the torso swiftly followed. He groaned and then collapsed.

His killer sighed in relief, adrenaline still fresh in her veins. She was shaken, but thankfully unscathed.

Nireh examined the now-dead man. Strangely, his eyes were corpse-like. Faint notes of decay reached her nose. She found four gold pieces on his carcass but nothing else.

The fast receding sound of hooves snagged her attention. The galloping moved vaguely southwards. Was this the horse whose tracks she followed? Was it wise to give chase? She could not risk getting lost in unfamiliar territory. The sun was now setting and she needed to find a safe place to make camp.

The mountains, now closer, seemed much larger. It was the third day. Nireh's pace was good, but the harder ground yielded no more tracks. The day was overcast, with the crepuscular rays of morning painting the wilderness with washes of bleak melancholy. The closer she got to the mountains, the more barren the land seemed. The surrounding emptiness and her restless sleep brought several questions to her mind. Where exactly was she going? Would she find Offquar's missing? Were they still alive?

More hours passed with the sun now firmly placed in the afternoon. It was quiet, too quiet. At first, she did not notice it. But now, the leaden silence was all-consuming, trance-like. Her immediate surroundings were without life.

"Hello there, wanderer," a sad voice called quietly.

Alerted, Nireh spun around searching for the source of the voice. Her deep amber eyes searched but found nothing.

"Who dares to sneak up on me?" Nireh snarled. "Reveal yourself, now!"

"Please, do not be alarmed," came the same voice. It was that of a woman. "I cannot reveal myself any more so than I have already done."

"What!?" Nireh was still on edge. "Do I converse with a shade, or is this a trick of the mind?"

"I can assure you that this is no trick," the voice replied. "You carry my beloved ring, this I can feel. It would seem that the alignment of certain conditions has granted us this meeting."

"But where are you? I hear your voice but I see you not!"

"I am not quite sure," answered the faint voice. "My perception appears to be tethered to your senses. Perhaps your mind is indeed host to our communion."

The voice paused a while. "If you wish it, I would take you to what you seek, for I desire to be revenged, my lady."

Nireh deliberated for a time. She withdrew the bronze ring from her belt pouch. Resting on her olive palm, it gleamed dimly in the miserable daylight. She sighed.

"Very well. Say your piece."

Sunset was fast approaching. It would be a few more hours before Nireh reached the ascending stone path hewn into the mountain's flank. Following it, she would find the ruins of the fort, Nomolos.

She recalled what the shade had earlier disclosed to her. The ruins had remained abandoned for many years, but this was no longer the case. A reclusive conjurer now lurked within its mouldering walls.

Nireh stopped for a while. She sat down and rested behind a large protrusion of rock. It hid her from the watchful eyes of the mountain.

"You cannot rest here for long, Lady Nireh."

"Indeed, I cannot," Nireh replied. Her body was tired.

The disembodied voice paused for a while before continuing. "If you would grant me an answer, why have you taken this quest?"

"My reasons are simple: blood and gold." Nireh was nonchalant in her answer. "Why do you ask, Felicia?"

"Truly?" The ghostly voice was taken aback. "You were not impelled by higher morality?"

"No, and you did not answer my question."

"That is true, I did not."

A sanctimonious ember flickered in Felicia's answer. "To put it plainly, I do not sense in you the virtues of a hero."

"You sense correctly. I am no hero. My duty is to myself and my wants." Nireh's voice was cold and sharp.

Sensing the growing tension, Felicia tried to soften her approach. "Do you not care for the fate of the captured?"

"No. I care only for my reward."

"Your self-interest could be misconstrued for evil."

"I never claimed allegiance to the ideals of good."

"And your perspective on societal standards, on law?"

"I tolerate that which is to my benefit."

Nireh contemplated for a moment and sighed. "In this way, I am perhaps cruel and indeed selfish, and... proudly so."

"Your wickedness pleases you!?"

Nireh anticipated the enquiring taunt. "How direct, ha-ha. Do not be so quick to forget your want for revenge."

The ghostly woman took recourse in a temporary, moody silence.