Halligan stepped into the small tavern tucked into a corner of the upper city. A few of the wealthy citizens sat at the tables enjoying their afternoon meals. A minstrel sat on the stage playing a lyre which filled the room with a soothing ambience. The bartender noticed him and gestured to a booth nestled in a back corner of the tavern. Halligan nodded and made his way to the booth. Baron sat on one end with his head in his hands and a near-empty mug in front of him.

Baron raised his head and gave Halligan a sad smile, “Thanks for meeting with me, Sir Halligan,” he said.

“Your message made it sounded urgent master Baron,” Halligan said taking a seat, “But there’s something else that needs to be addressed,” Baron looked at him in confusion, “Your family's criminal activities.”

“You found out about that,” Baron sighed heavily, “That’ll make this conversation easier then.”

“What do you mean,”

Baron quickly scanned the room before leaning in closer, “I fear my father has lost his mind,” he whispered, “He was not happy when you rescued Taela from Samon, and now I fear he may be acting against the Duke and his family.”

“What do you mean,” Halligan sneered, “Why would your father be mad about us saving a girl, and why would he be after the Duke?”

“The Tome of Elithis was in my father’s possession,” Baron hissed, “I stole it from his vault, but was afraid to give it directly to the Church. So, when I saw Solomon arrive, I thought I could help you find it. My father had Taela kidnapped as a way of punishing me. As for the Duke, he tried to get the nobility to go after one of his rivals, but it didn’t work.”

“So you are linked to the monster,”

“Three years ago, a necromancer met with my father,” Baron shook his head, “He said he could use the tome to create a soldier like no one had seen before. I told my father he shouldn’t do it, but I think the book was starting to corrupt him.”

“Why would your father want this monster,” Halligan scratched his head.

“You saw it right?” Halligan nodded and Baron chuckled, “Then why wouldn’t he. Imagine if he had an entire army of them, then no one could oppose him. Truthfully, I think he was afraid of losing his power, and didn’t want to rely on people.” Baron sighed, “However, he hasn’t called on it lately. Without the tome, I doubt he can properly control it.”

“Do you know where it is?”

Baron shook his head, “If I did, I would tell you, but my father is constantly having it move.”

"I understand,” Halligan nodded, “I’ll speak with the Duke and see what to do next,” he stood up and patted Baron’s shoulder, “Thanks for telling me.”

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Taela stared at the basket across from her. A bottle of fine wine sat on a plush pillow with laced ribbons decorating the basket. A letter leaned against the wine with the Decker’s seal stamped in the wax. Taela couldn’t take her eyes from the liquid sloshing in the dark bottle with a freshly waxed seal. The carriage rocked to a halt, and she slowly exited the carriage with her package.

The beautiful, whitewashed building of the Rose Garden greeted her. It’s vibrant flowers adorning the windows and entrance welcomed her, and the rich mahogany door with golden decorations shaped like voluptuous women beckoned to her. With a trembling lip and tears streaming down her eyes, Taela stepped into the brothel. The sweet scent of cinnamon embraced her as she stepped into the foyer.

“Welcome,” a prostitute stepped into the foyer and gasped. Taela gave her a shy smile, and was quickly embraced by the prostitute, “Taela, you’re safe!”

The commotion caused more women to come into the foyer, and they warmly greeted her. Taela laughed and cried as each woman hugged her, and for a moment she was happy.

“Taela!” Reina ran down the stairs and embraced her, “You’re back, thank the Virtues your back,” she cried into Taela’s hair.

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Taela embraced her aunt and buried her face into her bosom. The two held each other crying. As they pulled away, Reina kissed Taela’s head.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,”

“I’m… sorry auntie,” Taela wiped at her eyes, “I’m sorry I made you worry.”

“It’s fine,” Reina dragged her niece upstairs, “Come, lets get you taken care of.” Reina brought Taela upstairs into her common room and took the basket from her and set it on the table. “Did the monster do anything to you?”

“I-it…humiliated…” Taela broke into tears and hugged her aunt.

Reina gently brushed Taela’s hair and whispered, “You’re safe now, I’m not letting anything happen to you again,” she lifted Taela’s face, “Why don’t we take a bath and talk about the future.” Taela nodded with a smile.

Reina and Taela entered the large bath connected to the common room. The warm water had scented oils and herbs floating in the water, and the two women stripped out of their clothes.

“Taela…what’s that?” Reina gestured to the slave crest.

Taela covered it up and looked at the ground, “Sire… didn’t want me to openly talk about the monster.”

“That bastard!” Reina snarled, “Don’t worry Taela, I’ll find someone who can remove that crest.”

Taela nodded as she followed her aunt to the bath. They both sighed in relief as they dropped into the water. Taela enjoyed the silence and let the warmth seep into her.

“I think it’s time you left the Decker’s service,” Reina said with a small smile, “You need to start planning for the future.”

“I’m not sure,” Taela ran her hand through her hair, “Baron needs me.”

“Taela,” Reina held Taela’s face and spoke sternly, “You need to think about yourself, and at this point, I don’t think the Deckers will be around much longer. I think it’s time we distance ourselves from them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Reina sighed heavily, “I think it’s safe to say that the monster will win this war. We need to be proactive so we can secure our place without Decker’s power. That way, if the monster comes for us, we have something to negotiate with.”

Taela nodded, “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m going to take complete control over the city’s prostitution industry,” Reina gave her a toothy smile, “No more independents, they either work for me or they don’t work at all,” her laughter filled the room, “My second brothel in the lower city is nearing completion. I’ll speak with Samon about securing guards and having the independent prostitutes rounded up.”

“Samon’s dead,”

“Shit!” Reina snarled, her fists splashed into the water, “Then I’ll have to rely on my own men. I have a few that I can trust with this project, but Samon’s reputation would have been a big help.” She lifted a leg out of the water and watch the droplets run down her calf, “Did you learn anything while you were captured?”

Taela nodded and sank into the water, “Yes,” she gave her aunt a scared look, “We should leave it’s followers alone, especially the women. It has a possessive nature, and it almost seems like it sees its followers as extensions of itself.”

“Sounds like a man,” Reina scoffed, “But you’re right. We should avoid angering it for now. Maybe, we should let the Church know about it, and Decker’s possession of the tome.” She smiled deviously.

“That may be for the best,” Taela nodded.

Reina stepped out of the bath and dried herself with a perfumed towel. Taela followed her into the common room while securing the sash of her robe. Reina sneered as she picked up the bottle and letter from Decker.

“Does he think I can be bought so easily,” Reina scoffed, tossing the letter back into the basket, “Even if it is my favorite vintage.” Taela hugged herself as she watched her aunt open the bottle and pour two glasses and handed her one. “Cheers,” Reina smiled taking a sip. Her face scrunched in disgust, “Damn bastard sent a bad bottle!”

Reina took Taela’s glass before she could drink and slammed both onto the table. She stumbled towards the couch and sweat poured down her face. Foam formed at the edges of her mouth as her eyes started to glaze over. Reina fell with the next step, her breath fast and shallow.

Taela kneeled next to her aunt, “I’m sorry,” she whispered, brushing the hair away. “That… damn monster,” tears dropped onto Reina’s face, “It made me do this.” Reina’s breathing stopped as she cried in pain.

Footsteps pounded outside the room, and the prostitutes stormed in, “What’s wrong?”

“Madame Reina!”

“What happened?”

The bartender placed a hand on Taela’s shoulder, “He…he poisoned the wine,” Taela wiped away the tears, “I couldn’t go against him.” She opened her robe to show them the crest, “I’m sorry Katrina.”

Katrina picked up the letter, “This is Decker’s doing?” Taela nodded.

“But why?”

“I doesn’t make sense?”

Katrina snapped, “Madame Reina and Decker were arguing as of late,” she said holding Taela, “Apparently, their relationship was strained to the point that he felt it would be easier to kill her, and have Taela take over. Am I right?”

Taela nodded, “Yes,”

“Then we can’t support Decker anymore!” the prostitutes snarled at the letter, “We can’t let him get away with this.”

Katrina tapped her chin, “We can’t go against him. We’re not powerful enough,” she said pursing her lips.

“W-we know… who can,” Taela sniffled.

“The Legion,” Katrina sighed and grabbed a key from Reina’s desk, “I’ll withdraw some money from the vault, and go make an offering to the Legion.” She turned to the others, “After we take care of Madame Reina.”

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Reviled sat in the darkness. All it could remember from its birth was pain and harrowing screams, but there was one thing that stood out.

My sweet child. Come to me.

Reviled release a low growl, “Just a little longer mother,” it said, “Soon, you’ll be free from Decker.”