“Belmyr! Rannyr!” Thurdren yelled in anguish as he rushed down the stairs to inspect his sons’ health.

“I’m alright, father,” Rannyr responded as he slowly got up onto his feet. “I’m just banged up a bit.”

“Bavarax, stay with me,” Narziros cried as his brother’s conditions became grim with every second that passed.

“Father...Is that lady...dead?” Belmyr asked as he began to cough; green liquid can be seen pouring out of his mouth.

“No, but she is gone,” Thurdren replied as he pulled up his son closer to him; Belmyr winced in pain. “It’s okay, son. There’s no need to suffer any longer. Ya will always be remembered as a hero,” Thurdren said as he began to shed a tear.

“I love...ya...dad. Rannyr...make sure...ya...” Belmyr said he looked at his brother, drawing his final breath as Thurdren places his forehead on Belmyr’s.

“I’ll meet you in Tenera,” Thurdren said as he placed Belmyr’s head gently on the ground.

“Persephiel?” Sir Gregory said as he placed a hand on Persephiel’s forehead, golden-white light emits from his hands.

After the light dissipated from his hand, she snapped back into reality slowly, groaning as she opened her eyes slowly.

“Huh, where am I?” Persephiel said as she began to rub the back of her head.

“You’re in the Courtyard of Clan Ironshield. You tried to attack Mirla but she got you before you could attack her,” Sir Gregory said as he began to help her up slowly.

“Oh, right,” Persephiel said painfully through her cringing face.

“Hey, let’s gather ‘round,” Saryn said as he began to walk down the stairs looking down at all of the destruction caused by one person, everybody looking up at him. “How’s the wounded?”

“Bavarax is going to require some serious attention,” Narziros said worriedly, glistening tears streaming down his face. “He won’t be able to fight anytime soon. I have to take him to our land. He will be able to heal quicker there.”

"My oldest is now gone from this world. Rannyr will be fine, but now, he must take his brother’s place in the kingdom,” Thurdren said, his voice breaking. “Bavarax managed to save Rannyr’s life and tried to save Belmyr’s. I owe yer brother a debt. I want ya to inform me when he has awakened."

“I will personally see to it,” Narziros said.

“I’m alright,” Persephiel said as Sir Gregory helped her walk over to the others. “I’ll just need a little bit of time to recover.”

“King Thurdren, have you noticed anything happening to your people?” Sir Gregory said.

“What do ya mean?” Thurdren responded.

“Like a curse that you couldn’t explain,” Sir Gregory replied. “Something made from darkness itself.”

“Not really,” Thurdren responded with an eyebrow raised. “Why do ya ask?”

“Before all of this happened, I have been investigating a curse that has been plaguing the land, which is how Saryn became possessed by Zineus,” Sir Gregory said.

“I’m sorry, but my people haven’t really been affected by anything,” Thurdren responded. “I wish I could be more of an assistance to yer investigation.”

“Then that narrows it down,” Sir Gregory pondered. “That actually helps more than you think.”

With the king confused by his response, Selene said with much concern, “What’s your inclination?”

“Remember what I said about the curse?” Sir Gregory said. “This curse seems similar to a life siphon spell.”

“You know about that?” Selene inquired.

“Yes, I have to know dark magic in order to identify it,” Sir Gregory said. “All Templars and Paladins must know what it looks like and feel like. We have to have mages perform it on us to know what it feels like and how to counter it.”

“Hmm that’s interesting,” Selene said. “So, to answer your question, it does seem similar to a life siphon spell. However, I haven’t completed the “Tome of Various Curses and Hexes” in order to know if it’s even possible.”

“Finish it and get back to me, I’ll even speak to the mages who performed the life siphon spell on us during our training,” Sir Gregory responded. “If I had to deduct a reason as to the life siphon spell, especially in Saryn’s case, a life siphon spell is being utilized to bring back someone.”

“So, what you’re saying is that the life siphon spell that was used on me,” Saryn replied. “Is being utilized to bringing someone back like Zineus.”

“You pulled the words right out of my mouth,” Sir Gregory responded.

“How sure are you on this?” Persephiel asked.

“So, let’s break it down,” Sir Gregory said. “Saryn has been cursed for almost forty years. Since he is semi-immortal, draining portions of his essence is small and minute that it would go unnoticed. Unlike the citizens of Brehling that I have found. The spell on a human being is rapid that it would take several years off of them in an instant over the course of a week. I’ve noticed as many as fifty people within Brehling and one-hundred people in other villages near the city of Brehling. However, I have not seen any semi-immortal like Saryn being utilized for the curse until we witnessed his growth at the ruins. So, to finally answer your question dear, I am about eighty-five percent sure that this life siphon spell is refueling Zineus in a way.”

“How do we find this bastard?” King Thurdren replied.

“We can’t,” Sir Gregory responded.

“No one really knows the true origins of Zineus except for what is public knowledge,” Selene replied. “It’s almost like historical texts about him were either hidden away or burned to ash. Not even the gods know how to find him.”

“Right you are,” Sir Gregory said. “If the gods knew where to find him, we wouldn’t have a thing to worry about. They would come down and take him away to Zion, themselves.”

“Then we must remain vigiliant,” King Thurdren said. “I just don’t know what to do at this point.”

“So, I would like to say that we all have reasons why we are fighting back. Mirla attacked my city when Selene and I were just ten years old, taking away Selene’s parents. My mother died ten years ago and I sincerely believe she had one of her agents infiltrate our home to kill my father instead. She has killed people that we care for deeply in order to steal what wasn’t hers for her Master,” Saryn said as he walked over to Thurdren. “We fight to protect our own and others who suffer from this plight. Will you join our fight?”

“I will personally be there during the fight,” Thurdren said as he stood up, looking up at Saryn. “Rannyr and I will avenge Belmyr.”

“But father, what about our kingdom. Who will be here to protect what is ours?” Rannyr said unsettlingly.

“I know that ya will only learn of this when ya have children. There’s more to life than material possessions. There’s no sense in having material possessions without people ya care for to share it with,” Thurdren said as he looked back at Rannyr. “I will send Korrath with you as a representative for our people.” Thurdren said, look back at Saryn, holding out his hand.

“I’m glad that you will join the war efforts,” Saryn said as he shook the king’s hand. “I have one more thing that I have to do.” Saryn said he as looked at Selene then nodded at Beleryn, who can be seen eying him with a puzzled, questioning look. “This journey has shown me that life is short and that it wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t share it with you,” Saryn said as he took Selene’s hand as Beleryn reached into a leather pouch. “I picked this up for you a while ago. I had Beleryn hold onto it for a while until the time is right,” Saryn said as Beleryn handed him a tiny object, Selene’s eyes began to widen. “I wouldn’t be the same man today had you not come into my life that day we first met. I would like to spend every single day with you. Will you marry me?” Saryn said as he knelt down, putting his fist out, relaxing his fingers, revealing a tiny amethyst ring as others began to smile, forgetting what had just transpired.

“Yes, I will! I’ve been waiting for you to ask me for a very long time. What took you so long?!” Selene said as she wrapped her arms around him as he stood up, kissing him passionately.

“Congratulations are in order but we still have a battle in our midst,” Thurdren said as he walked up the stairwell. “Rannyr, grab servants and have them prep the wooden pyre for Belmyr.”

“Yes, father. I’ll get to it right away,” Rannyr said as he looked down at his brother, tears falling down his face.

Rannyr picked up Belmyr’s body, hoisting him over his shoulder. Rannyr headed towards the castle as Narziros picked up Bavarax’s unconscious body and began to spreads his wings.

“Congratulations, you two. I shall see you both sometime in the near future with or without my brother. For now, I bid all of you farewell and safe travels,” Narziros said as he lifted off into the air slightly, speaking to his friends before leaving.

“We hope that he makes it,” Saryn replied.

“I hope so too,” Narziros replied. “I’ll send word as soon as I know something. Goodbye for now. Sir Gregory, take care of yourself and don’t do something stupid. I won’t be here to rescue you,” Narziros responded as he chuckled lightly.

“It’s you, who needs the rescuing,” Sir Gregory shouted. “I eagerly wait for word on his condition. Take care, brother.”

Narziros quickly impaled the skies with speed as with each distance, he became harder to see from the group.

“Well, I guess it’s time to meet this Korrath and head to Talimdryl,” Saryn said.

“Indeed. We will be meeting in a week,” Thurdren said as his head to Saryn a bit while still watching the battlefield, before descending down the stairs, heading towards the front gate. Everyone followed Thurdren and Saryn. After five minutes of walking, they reach the front gate as it began to open. A slew of Dwarves and Korrath being to walk through.

“Korrath, please come here,” Thurdren said with a smile. Korrath makes his way towards the king. “I have some people that I want ya to meet. This is Saryn, Prince of Talimdryl. I’ll be sending ya with him as a representative for our people. We will be there in a week,” Thurdren said as he placed his hand at the middle of Korrath’s muscular back.

With a nod of approval, Korrath said, “Yes, lord of Korrath. Korrath shall follow this elf back home.”

With a nod in return, Saryn said, “I saw you battling the other orcs. I’m very impressed by your combat abilities.”

“Yes, Korrath is. Korrath thanks you for compliment. Orc, no brethren of Korrath. Orcs killed parents of Korrath,” Korrath said. “Dwarves good allies of Korrath. They are Korrath’s brethren.”

“Aye, my young lad,” Thurdren said as he chuckled through his smile, patting him on the back. “We are still helping him learn how to speak. He never grew out of it.”

“Indeed, but I think I like him just the way he is,” Saryn said. “Definitely a good ally to fight alongside with.”

“Aye. Well, I don’t want to keep all of ya any longer than we have. We will be seeing ya in a week,” Thurdren said as he walked back to his castle, all of his men and women passing him as they enter it. “Korrath, make sure ya treat them the same way ya would treat us, ya hear?” Thurdren said as he turned around, heading inside of the castle.

“Yes, lord of Korrath,” Korrath said as he knelt down and placed his fist against his chest, bowing his head.

“Alright, everyone ready to go home?” Saryn said as he looked back at everyone.

Something hits him like a ton of bricks as if something terrible happened, Beleryn said with much concern growing upon his soft features, “Yes, we need to see how everything is turning out at the Guildhall.”

“I completely forgot about the guild. Let’s check up on that before we see my father,” Saryn said.

“If you didn’t mind, I would like to stay at Talimdryl for now as we prepare it,” Sir Gregory said as he placed his arm around Persephiel. She looked at him with a smile before looking back at Saryn.

“Right now, my place is wherever war preparations are. I will have to rebuild our city later,” Persephiel said.

“Persephiel, you may want to conceal your true form. We don’t want to risk putting you in anymore danger since Zineus and his allies have been ramping up their efforts. We don’t know who to trust outside of the people here,” Sir Gregory whispered to Persephiel as they catch up to Saryn, Selene, Beleryn, and Korrath.

“I understand,” Persephiel nodded, then shifted her form into a High Elf noble. Addressing the others, she said, “From now on until it is safe, you will regard me as Lady Setsanna from Thalnora. Sir Gregory will act as my guardian.”

Sir Gregory’s eyes lit at her words, then his gaze went distant and he shook his head. “A thought just occurred to me. Why was Mirla here? Was she after us or was she after the dwarves? I’m very confused as to what her goals are.”

“I have no clue,” Beleryn said as he began to mull over the thought as well.

“Did anyone say anything to anyone about where we would be,” Sir Gregory said.

“Lieutenant Tal’anna wanted to know why we were racing out of the castle. I just told her that were heading off to the Zionia to find ingredients for a spell to find Saryn,” Selene said as she came to the realization.

The thought of someone close plotting against them twisted Saryn’s insides. They would need to seek out Tal’anna as soon as they arrived. It was time for some answers.

***

A short, elderly handmaiden, who looks to be suffering from pain, can be seen walking past Vyr’kas in the Western Wing of the castle, bumping into him.

With a hint of disgust, Vyr’kas said disgruntledly, “Can you watch where the hell you are going, peasant!”

“Is that anyway to speak to me?” The handmaiden said, a hint of pain in her voice.

“Speak to you, I'm your prince! You will mind your tongue if you know what’s good for you!” Vyr’kas said as he pulled out his sword, swinging it back.

“So, you would kill the only one who has helped you?” The handmaiden whispered.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

“Helped me?” Vyr’kas said bewilderedly.

“I’m Mirla, you dimwit,” the handmaiden retorted with hate-fueled eyes, gripping him by the upper part of his plate mail, pulling him close to her. “You will regard me as Adrina the handmaiden. I’ve also procured that vial from Saryn’s lab that you wanted,” Adrina said, handing a vial of clear liquid.

Guards can be heard running to the sound of all of the commotion.

“Get your hands off of the prince or we will put you down!” A guard exclaimed.

“Everything is fine,” Vyr’kas said, turning to the hostile guards. “She was just hounding me for not taking my medicine. Thank you, Adrina. That will be all.”

“You’re welcome, sire,” Adrina said with a smile. “Now, go take your medicine before I force it down your throat.”

“Yes, mam,” Vyr’kas said as he ran up the stairs to his room.

***

They arrived at Talimdryl just as a series of eerie black clouds formed overhead. The three-day journey had been grueling but uneventful, and it seemed that it was not over. A flash of lightning surged above them and rain poured in as sheets, covering the ground quickly.

Raising his voice to combat the roaring sounds of thunder and rain, Saryn said, “Beleryn, we must make our way to the guildhall.”

“What of Tal’anna and her knowledge of our journey?” Selene said.

“We will have to deal with that in morning,” Saryn shouted. “Right now, we must get out of this rain.”

She spurred her horse forward; the others close behind. Rain pelted them as they made their way to the castle.

As they approached the gates, several soldiers unsheathed their swords. “Halt! You shall go no further,” A soldier shouted at the group.

“Sergeant Bra’the, let us pass,” Saryn shouted.

“Is that you, sire?” Sergeant Bra’the motioned for the other soldiers to re-sheathe their weapons.

“Yes, now stand aside and lower the gates. No one comes inside the city unless I say otherwise.”

“Why, my lord? If I may ask,” Sergeant Bra’the said with a puzzled look as they near the gates.

“I believe that evil has infiltrated Talimdryl once again,” Saryn said as he passed by Sergeant Bra’the.

A worried expression crossed the sergeant’s face as he gave the command to lower the gates.

The group race towards the guildhall. The guildhall’s doors are swinging back and forth with the wind. The building looks as if it’s been abandoned. As Selene stopped in front of the building, Saryn jumps off of the horse. He quickly headed inside of the building as rain crackled heavily on the roof. Inside of the building is trashed and bodies of the masters and guild members can be seen strewn about the room. Blood can be seen everywhere soaking into the wood. Saryn fell to his knees in defeat, placing his hands on the floor. He curled his hand into a fist, pounding them viciously into the wood. Selene, Beleryn, Lady Setsanna, Sir Gregory, and Korrath walk into the building. Selene ran over to Saryn, placing a hand on his shoulder as everyone looked upon the scene with horror.

“Melin’dra? No, no, no,” Beleryn said, running over to a woman toward the back who has a knife stuck inside of her abdomen. Beleryn looked at the knife dreadfully then proceeded to pull out the knife. Blood began to pour out of the open wound.

Melin’dra looked up at Beleryn and a sigh of relief poured out of her mouth.

“Bel, you’re a sight...,” Melin’dra said as she began to cough up blood. “For sore eyes

Beleryn lifted her up a bit, sitting underneath her. Melin’dra winced through his embracement.

“Mel, what happened?” Beleryn said as a tear began to fall down on his face.

“I don’t know brother. All I know is the few masters were arguing amongst themselves as to who would be the next Grand Master of the Guild. Then when I came into the room, I saw masters attacking each other. Guildmembers at each other’s throats while others fled the building in terror. Two of the masters and a handful of the guildmembers had red eyes like the fires of the underworld. I tried to break it up but one of them stabbed me,” Melin’dra gasped. “They continued to their bloodthirsty barrage against everyone here until it was down to the last one. Master Rav’vys tried to…,” Melin’dra said, her eyes closed as her body goes limp.

“Sir Gregory!” Beleryn screamed as he looked up at the door then back down at Melin’dra.

“There’s nothing anyone can do at this point,” Melin’dra whispered as Sir Gregory rushed over.

“We need to take you to a safer place,” Sir Gregory said. “This location has been tainted by pure evil.”

“No, just do it here! We can protect you while you heal her. She is the only family that I have left. I can’t lose her,” Beleryn said impatiently as her eyes began to close.

Nodding, Sir Gregory knelt down and placed his hand on Melin’dra’s solar plexus and her third eye. They all watched tensely as nothing seemed to happen for a moment, then golden-white light began to emit from his hands before pouring into her body.

They all watched silently for a moment, Melin’dra eerily still as the light faded. Sir Gregory moved away, his face tense with worry. Saryn was sure that no one dared breathe as they waited.

Then Melin’dra’s eyes fluttered, and as one, they all sighed in relief as she awakened and sat up slowly Amazement brightened her features as Beleryn pulled her into a hug. Melin’dra still clutching her brother, looked to Sir Gregory. “Thank you,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I cannot begin to repay you.”

With a small bow of his head, Sir Gregory smiled. “No need. Yours and Beleryn’s happiness is payment enough.”

“What did Master Rav try to do?” Beleryn said.

“Master Rav?” Melin’dra said.

“Yes, you said Master Rav’vys tried to before your eyes closed,” Beleryn replied.

“He tried to save me, but the guildmembers dragged him down to the cellar as he tried to fight back,” Melin’dra replied. “You could hear were his screams as if they tortured him to death. A few minutes later, sounds of metal clanking against one another flooded his screams, which became non-existent.”

Saryn clapped a hand on Sir Gregory’s shoulder, about to thank him as well when Selene said, “Melin’dra, are you okay?” Her tone stopped him cold, and he looked from Sir Gregory to where Melin’dra still sat on the floor.

His eyes widened as he saw her tears had turned red. Streams of blood now flowed from her eyes and from her ears.

“Of course, I am,” Melin’dra said, as she looked at Selene. “I’m so happy to be here another day.”

“Mel, your eyes are bleeding,” Beleryn said with a horrified expression.

“Really?” Melin’dra said as she lets go of Beleryn, placing her hands on her eyes, wiping the blood from her face, peering down at her hands. Her eyes widened at the sight of blood and her veins turned black with each second as it began to engulf her body.

“What the hell is going on?” Beleryn exclaimed, looking at Sir Gregory with a piercing gaze.

“I have no clue,” Sir Gregory said as he shook his head, confused.

“What do you mean you have no clue?!” Beleryn said as he stepped closer to Sir Gregory. “You’re the one that “healed her”.”

“What’s going on?” Lady Setsanna said in bewilderment.

“I’m telling you the truth,” Sir Gregory said as he stepped back a bit. “I had nothing to do with this.”

Lady Setsanna ran over to them, Korrath following in suit. Black veins ran up more and more of Melin’dra’s body as her blood turning black. A horrified expression washed over Lady Setsanna’s face. Melin’dra’s body is jerked backwards, sounds of bones cracking and cries of pain echoing throughout the temple. Everyone gasped in disbelief and terror. Beleryn stopped yelling at Sir Gregory for the moment, watching his sister’s body being tormented by an unknown source. The unknown force pushed her forward to the ground and she lifted herself up off the floor slowly, spitting out black liquid as it poured out of her mouth. Beleryn knelt down at Melin’dra’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Mel, are you okay?” Beleryn said fearfully.

“Brother, I’m fading quickly. Something has a hold over me,” Melin’dra said, sides heaving heavily. “Whatever you do, don’t let this negatively affect who you are.”

“What do you mean by something has a hold on you?” Beleryn said as he moved his head closer.

“Because I have a hold of her,” A familiar voice protruded out of her mouth, looking up at Beleryn, Melin’dra’s eyes now completely blackened as she began to stand up. “Thank you all for letting me out.”

“Zineus!” Sir Gregory responded.

“I will not let you take my sister,” Beleryn said, pulling out his dagger, thrusting it into Melin’dra’s chest.

“How pathetic. No mere toys can undo what has already been done. Haven’t you already witnessed the power that I possess,” Zineus said as Melin’dra gripped the blade of the dagger, ripping it out of her chest, tossing it to the ground. She waved her hand in front of Beleryn, forcefully pushing far away from her.

“No but this can,” Persephiel said, placing a hand on the wound. “Eia’ta bannis akumad’ou’mai hele es venuka.”

Light surges through Melin’dra’s wound as it pierces out of her eyes and mouth, her body contorting backwards against Lady Setsanna’s hand. Her veins go back to normal as the discoloration began to fade. A cloud of black smoke disintegrated out of her body as Melin’dra sank to the ground, unable to move. Sir Gregory walked over to Melin’dra, placing his hands on her. Light began to surge then flickered, losing connection to her. Beleryn slowly crawled his way back to his sister. Melin’dra mustered up the strength to view upon her brother once more.

“I tried to heal her but I can’t establish a strong connection,” Sir Gregory said regrettably. “She needs to be healed by a Templar. She’s too far gone that my magic has no effect on her now.

“Okay, so where is the Templar?” Beleryn said with much concern.

“He’s on the other side of town,” Saryn responded.

“Heed my words, brother,” Melin’dra said weakly, slowly moving her hand towards Beleryn. “Stay the same person that I always knew. Don’t let this change who you are.”

Beleryn managed to pick himself up off the floor, inching his way closer to his sister. He grabbed her hand, griping it firmly, kneeling in front to her.

“Mel, please stay with me,” Beleryn said, a tear falling down his face.

“I’ll always be with you,” Melin’dra said as she smiled at her brother. “Everything will be okay,” Melin’dra said as her eyes closed, her hand relaxing, becoming cold to the touch.

“Mel... Mel... Please come back. Say everything is going to go back to normal,” Beleryn said, realizing Melin’dra’s condition.

“Hey, Bel. I understand...,” Sir Gregory said, placing his hand on Beleryn’s shoulder.

“Get away from me!” Beleryn said as sorrow filled his conscious. “Just leave me be. All of you.”

“Beleryn, listen to me,” Sir Gregory said, placing his hand on under Beleryn’s arm, lifting him up.

Beleryn fiercely gazed upon Sir Gregory. Sir Gregory pulled him into a tight hug.

“We are deeply saddened by your loss. You’re not alone,” Sir Gregory said as Beleryn pushed Sir Gregory away from him.

“Let me go,” Beleryn said, tears streaming down his face. “Your healing caused all of this to happen.”

“The blade that you pulled out of her body must have been cursed,” Sir Gregory said reassuringly, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

Beleryn slumped, tears streaming down his face. “I just want her back,” he cried loudly, pounding his fists into Sir Gregory. “I want my sister back!”

“I understand that you do,” Sir Gregory replied. “I wish you didn’t have to go through this.”

“It pains all of us to see this happen to anyone especially Melin’dra,” Saryn replied.

“We will make them pay for their grievous deeds,” Selene responded. “Melin’dra will not die in vain.”

“Think of her when we go into battle,” Sir Gregory said as he pulled away, looking upon the lifeless corpse of his sister. “Let her death fuel your rage against the ones responsible for her death.”

“We can bury her in the garden,” Saryn said respectfully, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Yes, I think she would like that very much,” Beleryn said, his tone of voice becoming a lot lighter. “Something small, not too glorious. She was never that kind of person.”

“Let’s take her inside of the castle,” Saryn said. “We’ll take care of the guildhall tomorrow morning.”

“I’m sorry, Mel,” Beleryn said as he picked up his sister’s body, wishing this was all just a nightmare and she would wake up.

They leave the building, making their way towards the castle. As their procession approached it, uneasiness filled Saryn. There was something wrong. He could feel it in his bones.

“Do any of you feel that?” Saryn whispered as if the darkness he was touched with was linked to another.

Selene looked at him, then the others, and shook her head. “Feel what?”

He couldn’t explain what it was though. Something was off with the guards that they passed by. A feeling that the guards were more resolute than before. What event could have spurned this change grew in his mind. Was the recent attack on Dhon Varlorn that spurred it? How would they have known about it this quickly? Was the attack on the guild that spurred it? Mirla has to be behind this somehow, but how? Is she here? Why were the guards not responding to it? Where did the masters go? Many thoughts filled his head as paranoia sunk in.

With a shake of his head, he said lightly, “Perhaps I’m just being paranoid.”

They reached the castle doors just as they were pushed open. King Vel’dryn and Vyr’kas peered at them from the threshold.

“Ver’niya told me that you were at the gates. I’m glad that you’re alive and well. Don’t ever scare me like that again,” King Vel’dryn boomed excitedly. “Let’s get all of you out of the rain. What happened?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either,” Vyr’kas said, crossing his arms. “Where did you go?”

“That’s a story for another day. We came home an hour ago to find that the guildhall has been touched by evil. Death and decay now haunt it,” Saryn said, turning to Beleryn. “I told Beleryn that we would bury Melin’dra in the garden and get her a nice headstone.”

“When did this happen?” King Vel’dryn said bewilderedly.

“From the signs of fresh blood, the chaos that ensued was not more than twenty minutes before we arrived,” Sir Gregory replied.

This is the first that I'm hearing about this. I will personally see to the investigation to ensure that this matter is handled properly,” King Vel’dryn said shockingly, looking up at Beleryn. “Beleryn, I express my deepest condolences for the loss of your sister. If you would take her to infirmary, I will have them prep her for burial tomorrow. She will be remembered and buried amongst this land like the kings and queens who passed before us.”

“That means a lot, your highness,” Beleryn said, trying to force a smile.

“Pa, we also have some good news to tell you,” Saryn said as he gripped Selene’s hand. “Can we head inside?”

“Of course, we can,” King Vel’dryn said as he noticed the High Elf. “Now, who is this beautiful creature?”

“This is Lady Setsanna of Thalnora,” Sir Gregory said. “Her caravan was attacked on the side of the road. We came to her aid and she decided that it would be better to go back once everything has calmed down.”

“It’s a pleasure to have you here,” King Vel’dryn said, taking her hand, kissing the top of it softly. “Come inside. We have extra rooms for guests.”

“Why, thank you, your highness,” Lady Setsanna said, curtsying the king. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the esteemed king of Talimdryl.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” King Vel’dryn said. “If you’d follow me, we’ll see to it that you are taken care of. Are all of you hungry?” Turning to a nearby servant, the king said, “Make the necessary food preparations for seven people.”

“Pa, that’ll be eight people,” Saryn said, walking closer to his father.

“Eight?” King Vel’dryn said bewilderedly. “Who's the other person?”

“Our friend here, Korrath,” Saryn said, turning his head towards the rest of the group, gesturing his hand towards the Half-Orc.

“Oh my, I didn’t realize we had someone else,” King Vel’dryn said, being taken aback. "I, uh... I’m completely sorry... for the miscalculations.”

“Korrath accepts your apologies. No harm done, lord of land,” Korrath said, placing a fist on his chest, bowing his head respectfully.

“Korrath, I would love to hear about how you came in the company of my son,” King Vel’dryn said, grabbing his hand, shaking it. “But it can wait. Go ahead change clothes and we will reconvene here in an hour’s time.”

After changing into his fine clothes and drying his chair, Saryn made a quick detour to debrief his father on what had transpired with the sorceress Mirla, and also of his betrothal. The king had been troubled by the news that Saryn brought, but was thrilled to hear about his engagement to Selene. Thinking of marrying his childhood love added a spring to his step as Saryn headed down towards his laboratory. As he pulled out a key from his tunic, he opened the door, walking over to his desk. He picked up a list containing different types of ingredients and a quill.

“What do I need to get from the market?” Saryn said out loud to his self, dipping the quill in the ink bottle and walking over to shelves. “Almost out of White Sage. Out of Seraph’s Grace,” Saryn looked down at the list, jotting numbers. “I’m good on Chamomile and Lavender leaves. Alright, let’s move onto toxins. First, venoms from spiders,” Saryn said, flipping the sheet of paper over, moving over to another shelf containing jars of glands. “Black Scarlett is good. The Six-Eyed Wanderer is a bit low. The Blue Herus is out. Next, venoms of snakes,” Saryn said, moving his head downward the same shelf, this area containing jars of liquids. “All of the snake venom is accounted for. Nothing new to purchase. Alright, let’s move to vials,” Saryn said, moving his head further down the shelf. “Everything is here except for... Imperial Nightshade,” Saryn said, eyes widening, stumbling back a bit, dropping the list on the floor, bracing his self on a nearby chair. “These vials were all just filled, I can’t be missing any of them.”

A knock on the door had him looking up just as Selene walked inside.

“What’s wrong?” she said, eyeing him worriedly.

“A vial of Imperial Nightshade is gone. Did you or Beleryn come into the lab recently?” Saryn said, thinking of possibilities.

“Well, we came in here to find my tomes and grimoires. We needed Seraph’s Grace and white sage. We grabbed a handful of white sage but saw that you were out of Seraph’s Grace. That’s it. What is Imperial Nightshade?” Selene said worriedly.

“Imperial Nightshade is one of the deadliest poisonous plants here in Dir’lunde. One drop of it can paralyze an individual, but an entire vial can kill someone in an instant,” Saryn said, gesturing to the vials. “If it’s in someone else’s possession then we have a major problem on our hands.”

“We can look for it later. We are almost late for dinner,” Selene said, grabbing Saryn’s hand, pulling him to the door.

“You’re right. Maybe it is here or I might’ve placed it somewhere else.” Saryn responded, standing up slowly. “It’s just not like me to be careless like that. Let’s go.” As several thoughts crossed his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder who exactly would need that lethal poison. Did Beleryn take it for the guild’s use and just forgotten to inform him? The answer still remained a mystery, which can only be answered by asking the man himself. If he didn’t take it then that can only mean that someone broke into his laboratory with such skill that even as a master lock picker he was impressed.

As they walked to the main hall, Selene wrapped her arm around his, placing her head on his shoulder, but his thoughts were still on who might have taken the Nightshade. As far as he knew, only he, Selene, and Beleryn had a key to his lab. If Selene hadn’t taken it, that left his best friend. His forehead creased as he wondered why Beleryn would take such a poison.

"There you guys are. I’ve been trying to find both of you,” Beleryn called out, hurrying to catch up to Saryn and Selene. “I was heading towards the lab to get you.”

“We just left the lab,” Saryn said, his voice flat. He turned harsh eyes upon his friend. “I was doing inventory and found some things missing.”

He watched as Beleryn’s gaze flickered to Selene. “The only time I was in your lab was when Selene needed my help finding ingredients and her tomes,” Beleryn said uneasily, walking alongside Saryn. “That was the day we left to find you.”

“One thing was taken from the lab. A vial of Imperial Nightshade from the handful that I had made,” Saryn said, stopping abruptly.

Saryn watched Beleryn’s eyes widened in shock. “Imperial Nightshade?!” Beleryn blurted by mistake. Realizing he spoke too loudly; he lowered his voice. “Why would you have that?”

“I’ve had to use it before to gain sensitive intel against the enemies of Talimdryl,” Saryn said, looking back at Beleryn.

“I’m guessing you had suspected me based upon your change of tone,” Beleryn replied, disheartened by the impartial accusation.

“You know me too well,” Saryn said apologetically. “It’s just only three people have the key to my Lab; you, Selene, and myself.”

“I have my key right here,” Beleryn responded, pulling out a gold, elaborate engraved key, with Beleryn’s initials on it, out from his shirt for a quick second, tucking back into his shirt.

“Same here,” Selene said, pulling out the same key, with Selene’s initials, from her underneath her blouse that is safely tucked away.

With the lack of evidence of the missing vial, Saryn calmed his troubled nerves before saying, “Then we must be vigilant. I have a suspicion that we may be living under the same roof as the evil that I sensed when we arrived home tonight.”

“The same one that cursed my sister?” Beleryn said sadly.

“The very same,” Saryn said, whispering to the others. “Alright, we are about to be in the somewhat public eye. Let’s not give away that something happened.”