Despite a beautiful morning, a morning that was once calm, a morning that was once enjoyable, things turned as I sensed them through my bones. It was an unsettling sensation. One that wrecked havoc through my body. One I only got when I was around Marcel. A feeling of danger and anger. A feeling of urgency and a need to protect. All bundled into one.
Along with this sudden rush and sensation came a warming sensation that singled me that Maria was watching me through the bond.
Sometimes I dreaded watching her like when her parents died or I tried to do something sneaky and romantic. Like I’ve said before, the bond is a blessing and a curse sometimes.
Brushing her warmth aside I refocused on the task ahead, finding the thing that sent my draconic sensation into overdrive. Something was not right and I was determined to figure out what.
So, first step utilize a spell called Locate Creature. I knew it was either a fiend or a devil, so I had a fifty fifty chance of guessing the right one. I decided to go with, devil for a chance that it may not be Marcel. The spell after all has a thousand foot reach, so if it’s a devil other than Marcel I’d know about it. And based on the danger sensation my draconic self is telling me they would have to be in that range.
Once the spell took hold, I soon found I was right. There was another devil in my kingdom and I had to stop them. Maybe if I was lucky, it would be the other creature that Marcel still had hanging around, that I had yet to find.
I opened my draconic senses up and tuned out most of the kingdom. I did this to be able to home in on what was causing chaos in my kingdom.
There you are… I thought as I was able to pinpoint their location.
Please be careful. Maria spoke through the bond as she could sense my adrenaline start to build up.
Always am. I responded to her.
I heard a soft chuckle, sure you are. Her voice was almost a tease as I knew what she was referring to.
I turned her out a bit to refocus on the task at hand. I wasn’t ignoring her exactly, I however, needed to remain and stay focused.
I took off in a direction towards the castle. The ping I had was in a North, North-East direction. In the second ring of the kingdom. Why the second? That was a question I doubted I would get answers.
I picked up my pace and moved swiftly against the cobbled stone streets. Racing towards a direction I hoped was the correct way. Thankfully, with the spell activated I soon found I was going in the right direction.
As I got close I slowed my pace just a bit, Remember Maria, turn away if it becomes too much. I was always worried about her seeing gruesome things.
I need to learn to tolerate it. She responded to me through the bond. That response made me happy and sad at the same time. It upset me that she has to learn to tolerate things like this but I was happy that she is willing to build a tolerance to things like this. Considering what is to come.
Alright then… if it becomes too much..
I know, I will tune out, Maria responded.
Good.
I proceeded to the location I was detecting with the spell. I was trying to stealth my way there, however, with my amount of armor, sometimes stealth wasn’t always an option. Regardless, I eased into the situation with caution.
I tuned into my surroundings, utilizing my observation skills and picked up a bit of a conversation. Very brief but it wasn’t much.
“Please….” A man begged. “W… Why?”
My heart pounded in my chest. My feet moved closer.
“Begging will get you nowhere.” A second man’s voice spoke. This voice was more gnarly and harsher than the first one.
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At this point I had moved close enough to where I could peak around a building corner and see a man wearing nothing but black pants and suspenders. He had wings on his back and dark black eyes. The other man was cowering on the ground pleading for his life.
“Please! I have kids!” The man shouted as he cried.
And I couldn’t stand it any more. “STOP!” I shouted as I raced out of my hidden spot and ran towards them, sword drawn.
“Ha!” The devilish creature laughed. “Good luck stopping me today!”
As I rushed towards him he vanished and reappeared thirty feet away from me. My heart pounded as I searched frantically. A low growl escaped my lips as my eyes fell upon the devilish creature. “LEAVE…” I growled.
“Not a chance.” The devil said. “I have my orders. And they must be filled. Starting with this foolish heap of a man.” He snarled as he turned and looked at the broken down man that seemed to have wet himself at this point.
“Leave him be….” I snarled back and rushed at him once more. And once again, he vanished before me and reappeared next to the weeping man.
“Sorry Théoden, but you failed here.” He spoke with a grin as he snapped the guys neck with ease and swiftly.
“NO!” I shouted as the man’s body went limp.
I raced towards both of them. The devil vanished before I even got to them and reappeared behind me.
I had two thoughts that ran through my mind. Heal the man. Fight the devil. Heal.
Without even thinking about it, I placed my hand over the man and tried to bring him back to life. The only downside to this spell was the time it took to bring a soul back into its body.
As for within that minute I needed to bring him back, I felt this man’s presence fade and fade quickly.
“Why?” I asked as I looked over at the devil who hovered above the ground with a smirk on his face.
“Not allowed to say.” The devil spoke.
“Marcel?” I questioned. I study the devil’s body for any faults as I speak. His body posture never faltered. Never changed. God, that irritated me so.
“Eh, what’s it to ya?” The devil responded.
“What’s it to me?” I questioned back. I stood up and drew my sword and stared directly at the devil. With a firm voice, I spoke, “I am the protector of these lands. I protect my people. IF my kingdom is under attack today, or any other day, you will be answering to me.” By the end of my statement, my voice was almost in a low growl. My hands gripped my sword tightly as I gave the devil creature a second to respond before making my attack.
“Well, protector, it’s going to be a fun day.” The devil responded.
With his response, my anger, my adrenaline kicked into high gear. I lunged at the devil and managed to strike him in the left leg. As I pierced my sword into his leg I infused the wound with a radiant burst of energy as my sword was set to the highest degree.
The devil shouted in agony as he vanished and reappeared thirty feet away. And as he reappeared I quickly lunged at him again. But I missed as he seemingly vanished without another trace.
I scanned the area, but failed to sense anything in the heat of the moment. “Where are you?” I snarled as I looked around frantically. “Damn it!” I shouted as I failed to sense or see that devil. “I hate teleportation sometimes.”
Easy Théoden. Check on the man. Maria reminded me through the bond.
I nodded and went back and checked on the man who remained untouched and cold. Even though I felt his soul leave, I still attempted the revivify.
I hung my head low, as the minute passed and the spell failed.
It’s alright Theo. Maria whispered to me through the bond.
Losing someone is never alright.
You know you can’t save everyone. Maria reminded me. That I knew but it was still a tough pill to swallow sometimes.
I know. It still bothers me. I told her.
I know. And I am sorry. Her voice, ever so soft and gentle. Always calmed my emotions down.
Thanks love.
Did you listen to what he said? It’s going to be a fun day. Maria said, reminding me of what the devil spoke.
That’s right! Fuck. I need my guards on the ground now.
I instantly started alerting my guards and asking for extra rounds as today may be a day filled with chaos. A day filled with tragedy to a degree.
Perhaps this is what Marcel meant by three… Maria reminded me of the signal that Marcel gave Crimson. Today did mark the third day since he visited, that is counting the day he visited.
Please stay in the castle today. I really hoped she would listen to me, as I did not want her in any danger.
I will. And I want you to be safe today. She told me with as much of a firm and caring voice as she could.
I will try my best. I responded. I love you.
I love you too Théoden. Please be safe. She responded to me. I felt her warmth fade out as I knew she had to try and focus on her own work at hand. As I also knew that she would be checking in on me often today as well.