Reviled sat at the mouth of an alley keeping watch on the tavern across the street. The building was in desperate need of repair, but that was true for all the buildings in the slums. The streets were completely shrouded in darkness with only the moonlight providing little comfort through the occasional gap in the clouds. Reviled nestled itself deeper into the shadows. Only the wicked and destitute were up at this time of night, the ones that it could freely devour without worry, but it didn’t want to take the chance of discovery. The sound of footsteps drew Reviled’s attention away from the tavern. Meridith stepped into view. She tried to pull up the low collar of her dress to better cover herself.
“You are late,” Reviled said standing up.
“Forgive me, master,” Meridith said from the shadows. “It took me longer to get ready than I expected.”
Reviled stared down at her with a chuckle, “You seem…uncomfortable. Do you not care for our present? It wasn’t easy to acquire.”
“I’m honored for the gift,” Meridith said trying to keep her hands to her sides, “I’m just not used to such…revealing clothing.”
“We’re glad you like it. To think that the young paladin had such excellent taste in clothing.”
Meridith pulled up the hood of her cloak, “Di-did they suffer?”
“Be careful what you ask,” Reviled said turning away, “You may not like the answer.”
“Y-you’re right,” Meridith said.
“Take heart, their deaths were quick,” Reviled turned back to the tavern.
Meridith stared at the building, “I take it we’re here to hire the thieves guild.”
“Yes,” Reviled said handing her a coin purse, “You will be our proxy.”
“That explains the dress,”
Reviled pointed at her, “Would you rather they remember your face?” Meridith sneered into the darkness, “Exactly.”
“And what if something goes wrong?” She said twirling a lock of coppery hair.
Reviled held out its hand, and the shadows coalesce into a rat. “We will be watching,” Reviled said, “We’ll come to your aid should things go wrong.”
Meridith stood taller, “Hopefully that won’t happen,” she said.
Reviled vanished into the darkness, “Ask the bartender for a golden goose.”
Meridith headed towards the tavern. The patrons’ cheers echoed through the night, and the stench of old ale poured through the door. Meridith stepped into the tavern, and all went still. Leering eyes drunk her in. Meridith clasped her hands in front of her as she walked towards the bar.
“Sweetie,” a filthy man said slapping his knee, “I got a comfy seat right here.”
Meridith sighed sharply, “No thanks,” she said with a sweet smile while throwing him a middle finger. Snickering filled the tavern.
“What can I get ya?” the bartender asked.
“I’m looking for a golden goose.”
The bartender chuckled and pointed to a flight of stairs, “You can find it in the cellar.”
Meridith headed down and knocked on the cellar door. The door opened to reveal a lavishly decorated room. Meridith quietly looked around the room. People gathered on plush cushions around ornate hookahs filling the room with a sweet scent. A guard stood by another door at the back of the room.
“Are you here for business or pleasure, sweetheart?” a half-dressed man with messy hair approached.
“Business, I’m looking for the guild master,”
“That would be me. Taern, at your service,” he said gesturing towards an unoccupied hookah. The man laid on his side and offered Meridith the pipe, but she waved it away. “What would you like us to repossess for your boss?”
“How do you know I’m working for someone?” Meridith said.
“We often get pretty, little things sent in here to hire us,” Taern said taking a deep draw.
“My master wants you to steal a spell book currently in the possession of Bartholomew Decker.”
Taern erupted into a coughing fit, “Your boss is mad,” he said pounding onto his chest, “Bartholomew Decker is the target?”
“Yes,” Meridith said tossing the coin purse, “My master is willing to pay handsomely.”
Taern dumped empty the pouch and started counting the gold coins. “Your boss really wants this book. Describe it for me.”
“It’s a thick leather-bound book with golden inlay and an ivory queen ant motif on front,” Meridith said, “But this isn’t a book that Decker would display openly.”
“Good to know,” Taern said, “I’ll need you to come back in two days. I should have a team ready for us to plan this little…heist.”
Meridith stood up, “Then I’ll see you soon.”
“Looking forward to it.” Taern said with a hungry smile.
Meridith sighed in relief when she stepped out of the tavern. She didn’t get far when something furry brushed against her leg and a rat stared up at her.
“Two days,” Reviled voice came from the rat, “We expected it to take longer.”
Meridith picked up the rat, “I’m not sure we can trust them,”
Reviled chuckled, “That’s an understatement,” Meridith sneered in pain as the rat bit her and licked at her blood. She felt the magic dance on her skin, “We’ve bound this familiar to you for your safety. You can summon it by calling our name.”
“Thank you master,” she said, “Do you have any more need for me?”
“You’re free to do as you wish.” The rat dematerialized.
Meridith quickly rushed through the slum streets and kept her eyes on the alleys. The night wasn’t nearly as dark by the time Meridith entered her house and fell onto the bed. She gave herself in to the exhaustion.
Just another day at the guild. Meridith stood at the board pinning up the new jobs. The adventurers stood behind her impatiently waiting. Meridith pinned the last job and the adventurers rushed forward, but someone grabbed Meridith pulling her out of the way. Meridith looked up at the grizzled adventurer.
“You should be more careful,” he said.
Meridith smiled while playing with her hair, “Thanks, Laegyn,” she said, “Are you looking for a job?”
“Not today,” Laegyn said, “My party’s still recovering from the last one.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy your day off,”
“Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?" he said.
Meridith tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, “I’d love to.”
“I’ll meet you here tonight.” Laegyn waved leaving the guild.
Meridith couldn’t wait for the day to end, and of course it would be this day the guild master had her work late. The streetlamps were already lit by the time she stepped out of guild hall. Laegyn stood by the front entrance.
“I’m sorry for making you wait,” Meridith said.
“Don’t be,” Laegyn offered up his arm.
Meridith took his arm and the two walked down the quiet street. The small talk flowed easily between the two of them, and Meridith couldnt stop herself from smiling. She knew this would be a memory worth cherishing, but the scream that came from the alley to their right changed everything.
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Laegyn pulled his arm away to draw his sword, “What was that?” he said stepping into the alley.
Meridith followed behind him. The alley ended in a closed space with crates and boxes stored along the walls, and a woman lying in the center. Laegyn rushed over and turned the woman’s face towards them. Terror painted the dead woman’s face as blood seeped out of a hole in the center of her forehead.
Meridith gasped in horror, “By the Virtues.” A deep, metallic growl came from behind her.
Meridith turned and found herself staring into a pair of dark red eyes piercing through a foggy glass dome with blood dripping from its lower face. A clawed hand reached out to grab her, but Laegyn pulled her behind him.
“Stay behind me.” Laegyn said bringing up his short sword.
The monster reached into its cloak and pulled out a short, jagged sword of its own, and charged towards Laegyn. Meridith watched in terror as the two fought. The monster moved in ways that were inhuman. Laegyn chained three quick strikes together, but the monster dodged all three by mere inches. Meridith gasped as Laegyn backed off with a grunt as he raised his left hand to his chest. She didn’t see the monster attack but blood painted its sword.
Meridith finally had a horrifying revelation as she watched Laegyn struggle. The monster blocked the exit, but Laegyn could easily slip past the monster to get the guards. He would have to leave her behind though.
The monster held up its hand, “Mirage,” it said. Its figure became distorted.
“Damn, it can use magic,” Laegyn said backing away.
The monster charged forward, and the clash of metal filled the air. The two stood in place for an eternity.
Meridith took a hopeful step, “Laegyn,” but her hopes quickly vanished as Laegyn fell to the ground.
The monster’s lower face opened revealing a long, bladed tongue soaked in blood. Meridith fell to the ground. Her legs unwilling to work as the monster approached, so she closed her eyes. She could feel the warmth of blood as it fell onto her dress. She flinched as the monster’s tongue glided against her right cheek.
“You are…with the guild,” the monster said in its cold mechanical voice, “You may be of use to us. Do you want to live?”
“Yes,” Meridith said, “I don’t want to die!”
“Very well,” the monster said. Meridith heard cloth tearing and felt cold metal on her stomach. The cold turned to searing heat. The pain forced her to open her eyes, and she looked on in dread as a magical seal, a circle with six jagged lines coming out of the center, was branded onto her abdomen. “You are now bound to us.”
Meridith jolted awake. She wrapped herself in the sheets. She felt cold despite the room being warmed in the morning light. She lost track of the number of times she’s had that nightmare in the last month. Meridith slowly rose from her bed and covered the one mirror with a blanket. She couldn’t stand the sight of her curse. Fully dressed, Meridith prayed to the gods that her suffering would end as she went to work.
The guild hall was filled with loud rookies talking about their dreams. Meridith rushed to the counter trying to fight back the pain behind her eyes.
“You don’t look so well.” Another receptionist said.
“I didn’t sleep well,” Meridith said with a sad smile.
“Perhaps you should take some time off. I’m certain master Aberny would let you.”
“I’d rather focus on my work,”
The doors burst opened. A man wearing a sharp, black suit with golden buttons and braids stormed into the guild. His graying-black hair and beard were properly groomed. The man drew everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to speak with the guild master,” the man said.
“Who should we say is calling?”
“Bartholomew Decker,”
“Right away Mister Decker,” Meridith said, “I’ll show you to the guild master,” She led Decker upstairs to a set of double doors. She knocked on the door and opened it, “Sir, Bartholomew Decker is here to see you.” Decker pushed her out of his way.
“Mister Decker, how can I help you?” The round, aging guild master said.
“I’m here about the job I commissioned several months ago,” Decker said, “The one hunting the wererats.”
Aberny looked through his paperwork, “Isn’t that an ongoing job?”
“It is, but no one has taken it,” Decker crossed his arms, “And its keeping my company from maintaining the sewers.”
The guild master pulled out a paper, “According to this, the job was taken by Jal’s party,” he turned to Meridith, “What happened?”
“Jal’s party hasn’t reported back in six days,” Meridith said, “I need to finish the paperwork to mark them as missing-in-action.”
“That’s disappointing,” Aberny rubbed his eyes, “Jal’s and his party were the best of our rookies. I’m surprised they couldn’t handle a few wererats.”
“Regardless, I’m disappointed in the guild’s performance,” Decker said, “I’m pulling the job and request a refund.”
“Very well, mister Decker,” Aberny said, “A receptionist can help you cancel your job, but it will take me some time to get your refund.”
“Fine, but don’t take too long.” Decker said storming out of the room.
The door slammed shut.
“Something isn’t right sir,” Meridith said, “Those types of jobs are necessary for the guild.”
“Agreed,” the guild master said, “Decker’s acting suspicious, but right now there is nothing that we can do. Speaking of which,” he gave Meridith a hard stare, “You were late again today. Care to explain?”
“I apologize sir,” she said, “It’s…b-been rough…” she couldn’t hold back the tears.
The guild master placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, “I understand,” he said, “I should have realized you were still suffering from Laegyn’s death. But I’m afraid this isn’t working,” Meridith stared at him in shock. “This is the third group to go missing under your watch,” he said, “I have to protect the reputation of this guild, and the other adventurers are starting to voice some concerns,” The guild master scribbled out a note and handed it to her, “I’m sorry Meridith, but I must let you go. Go collect your pay.”
“Yes sir,” she said taking the note. Meridith walked downstairs.
Meridith was on the verge of breaking under the weight of her suffering. Everyone knew that she was with Laegyn when he died. Gossip spread quickly through the guild, and she wasn’t surprised that rumors about her were spreading, but she wouldn’t have thought the guild master would act on them. What was she supposed to do now? A stupid question. She knows exactly what she needs to do, but she’ll have to wait until tomorrow night.
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Meridith stared at the rundown tavern. She had to stop herself from fidgeting with the low collared dress.
Reviled’s familiar appeared from the shadows, “You seem disturbed,” it said.
“Of course, I am!” she said, “I’m heading into a den of criminals,
“We will be there to intervene,” it said.
“How can I trust a monster?”
“You are a part of us,” Reviled said, “Your suffering is our own, and we do not want that.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Meridith said walking away.
“It’s the truth.”
The tavern was hardly occupied when Meridith stepped inside. The bartender nodded to the cellar stairs, and she headed downstairs. The guard at the door opened it before she had a chance to knock. His smile sent shivers down Meridith’s back. Taern along with two other men stood around a table.
“Welcome back, sweetheart,” Taern said with a twisted smile, “I was able to get a group together,”
“I can see that,” Meridith said crossing her arms, “But can they handle the job?”
“I’m sure,” Taern said with a nod.
Meridith gasped as she was forced onto the table. The guard held her down as the two men bound her hands and feet in ropes. Meridith tried to scream, but Taern gagged her with a wadded cloth. The guard tossed Meridith into a corner after they were done.
“See sweetheart,” Taern said, “I told you they could do the job.” Meridith stared daggers at him, but Taern playfully patted her on the cheek. “Don’t be like that sweetheart,” he said, “Decker paid us more. It’s just business.” Taern let his hand wander, “I’m hoping we get a bonus.”
Meridith jerked away and curled up in the corner. Taern’s laugh caused goosebumps to form on her arms.
One of the thieves knelt next to her running a hand through her hair. “I can’t wait,” he said. Meridith growled and snapped her head to the side smacking the thief in the head. She screamed in pain as the thief violently pulled on her hair, “You bitch!”
“Enough!” Taern said, “Decker wants her unharmed.”
The thief threw her to the ground and stormed off. Meridith stared as the thieves gathered around the table talking about their route through the sewers, but her focus was on the black rat that stared right at her. Footstep drew her attention.
Taern stood over her with a bottle and rag, “See you in a bit, sweetheart,” he said forcing the rag to her face. Meridith’s struggled but her shouts slowly quieted as she stopped struggling, and the last thing she saw was Taern’s sick smile.
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“I’d like to see that schmuck’s face when he realizes he lost his girl.” One of the thieves said.
“This will be a good lesson for him,” Taern said, “Always be prepared for betrayal, and always know your place.”
The second thief sneered, “To think someone’s stupid enough to target Bartholomew Decker.”
“Stay focused boys,” Taern said cautiously looking around, “Something’s been off with the sewer lately.”
“Bet it has to do with that killer.”
“Just be ready…for…anything?” Taern said, but his focus was drawn to a person standing in the shadows beyond the torchlight. “Who are you?”
“The girl, drop her,”
“So, you’re the boss,” Taern said with a smile, “Decker might give us the girl if we bring you in.” Shouts erupted from the back. The two thieves were attacked by two wererats. The rats were tearing at their preys’ throats with teeth and claws. Taern stepped back as he saw the wererats’ molting fur and glassy eyes. “Zombies,” he said turning to the figure, “You’re a necromancer.” He slapped the guard’s arm, “Get him.”
The bulky man dropped the woman onto the ground and charged forward with his club. Taern watched as the figure disappeared behind his guard as they fought, but he stared in disbelief as his bodyguard fell to the ground.
The figure placed his hand over the dead guard, “Rise,” he said and dark red energy radiated from his hand into the corpse. The body slowly rose with a sickly gurgle. The figure stepped into the light, and Taern took a step back. The light bounced off sharp metallic clawed hands and feet, and dark-red eyes stared through a foggy, glass visor. The monster turned to look at the woman, “You caused her suffering,” it said grabbing Taern by the throat and lifting him off the ground, “We shall return it in kind.”
Taern watched as the monster’s lower mouth opened into three mandibles with sharp metallic teeth. A bladed tongue shot out of the mouth, and Taern screamed in pain. He could feel warm blood stream down his left cheek.
“Dammit!” Taern said, “You’re dead. You hear me- “The monster grabbed his tongue.
“Stop talking,”
Taern screamed as the monster pulled. The strain caused his jaw to cramp, and he could feel the muscles tearing. Taern’s tongue came free with a final pull. Blood flooded into his throat as he screamed, and he coughed up blood over the monster. The monster retracted its tongue.
Taern gurgled cries echoed through the tunnels as the monster pulled his head towards its mouth. The mandibles slammed down onto his head. The pressure on both sides of his head slowly increased, and his choking screams mixed with grinding gears. Warmth streamed down the sides of his head. The pain became excruciating right before the darkness overtook him.
Reviled threw the corpse onto the ground as it picked the bones shards out of its mandibles, “We shouldn’t do that again,” it said. Its mouth closed but it didn’t feel right. Reviled turned to the zombie wererats, “Devour the corpses then return to the sanctuary, but leave the valuables,” it turned to the large zombie, “Gather the valuables then follow us.” The zombies groaned in acknowledgement. Reviled gently picked up Meridith. “Damn you Decker,” it said with a growl, “We’ll make you suffer.”