Marris’s skull crunched most satisfyingly under Mikhail’s boot heel. Fat, useless worm. The master had made a grave error entrusting the incompetent baron with even the tiniest portion of this great task. Mikhail, no, Sir Darkness, had rectified that error.

Sir Darkness wiped the brains off his boot and stalked back up the stairs. Perhaps it would be best not to mention that the master had made an error in judgment with the baron. Sometimes the great warlock could be touchy about such comments. If he asked, Sir Darkness would simply say the baron had outlived his usefulness. Perhaps the escape of the prisoners could be pinned on him as well. The dead couldn’t defend themselves after all.

At the top of the steps one of his minions waited, head bowed, showing the proper respect. “My lord, what is the trouble?”

“The prisoners have escaped.”

“I’ll organize search teams at once.”

“No! I will deal with the prisoners and whoever took them myself. Keep everyone inside. It will be safer.”

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“As you command, my lord.”

The Black Knight smiled behind his mask. That was the way he should be spoken to at all times. If his family had shown him such respect they might still be alive. But probably not. His father at least had to die in order for Sir Darkness to be born and rise to his current height. The rest were nothing but anchors holding him down. Better to cut them away so he could soar.

He reached the stables at the rear of the fortress. Horses snorted and whinnied in fear at his approach. Stupid beasts. Did they not realize what an honor it was to be chosen as the mount of Sir Darkness?

He dragged the first horse he came to out of its stall. The beast tried to resist, but it was no match for the strength granted him by his armor.

When they reached the open center of the stable Sir Darkness poured corruption into the terrified horse. Its brown hair turned black and its eyes became flaming pits. The horse stopped fighting as the demonic power took control of it, bending the animal to his will and shaping it into an appropriate mount for Sir Darkness.

When the process was finished he grabbed a handful of its mane and swung up onto the horse’s back. At the far end of the stables a hidden door let them out into the desert. The moment they left the fortress his mount leapt into the air.

Mikhail sensed many life forces a short distance away at one of the oases that dotted the badlands. His prisoners were there. He would either reclaim them or send their souls to hell.