Fable - Ask The Less Dead

[Colette]

Blinding lights and a loud sound assaulted the younger guard's senses. One second she was pressed up against the stone wall of the underground passage and the next absolute chaos was erupting. As her hearing continued to ring she could make out faint voices approaching.

Then, her eyes flickered back into function, she saw a green skinned creature hobbling towards the front of their squad. It was approaching the major with a spear pointed directly at him. He said something, the blonde soldier couldn't make out what, and then he formed an offensive stance.

She recognized it from her training with Talus. His feet were in the proper position, though spaced more fully than if he were wielding a sword. A month or two ago she would've hesitated here. Too shocked by the flashing distraction that half-blinded her. Instead this entire situation caused her adrenaline to flow. Caused her to think back on training and instinct.

This creature was about to skewer her superior officer. Then it would likely go after Donric too. She couldn't let that happen.

A hand darted backwards, grasping an arrow which was decorated by colorful fletching. She pulled back on her bow string and aimed high, released, and the arrow flung straight through the goblin's shoulder blade. Even with her ears still ringing she could hear the clack of a spear hitting the earthen floor and the howl of the injured attacker as he grasped at the arrow protruding from just above his arm.

Colette readied a second arrow while approaching him and aimed for his chest. She held, not releasing, as she indicated, "if you value your life keep still and keep quiet."

 

[Talus]

As soon as the flash of light erupted Talus phase-walked. His entire body became a ghostly after-image of itself, the world erupting into a shade of blue.

He could see the man running behind the goblin, the open tunnel, and then six more of the incensed greenskins that were hiding behind a nearby cart. Beyond the tunnel lay an open hall, the room large enough to fit a stable.

As Colette loosed her arrow Talus snapped back into reality. "Lookout!"

Talus shouted as another goblin suddenly launched himself out of the darkness and directly at Colette as she walked forward.

The Dreadlord dashed forward, his blade coming up in one swift slash to bisect the greenskin as his remaining fellow poured into the tunnel.

 

[Donric Mannir]

Donric stood with his sword readied and in a combat stance. He was a competent swordsman, better than competent, but he wasn't fast. His heavy-set and stocky figure belied his immense strength, but also meant he was slower than many of his colleagues. As a result, he was unable to react to the fight that happened and concluded in seconds. He was, however, ready.

It would take more than a Goblin in a dark tunnel to surprise him and he knew, whether or not his colleagues believed it, that he'd be capable of dispatching it.

Thankfully, his patience paid off. After Talus bisected one of the diminutive creatures, a final one materialised from the shadows and charged at the group.

Two heavy cuts followed. Donric's size over the creature saw his first strike split the haft of the goblin's weapon in half, whilst his second didn't so much slice the creature's head but, instead, splattered it.

"So uh... Do we wanna chase the poison guy, or get some answers from this greenskin?" He spoke, prodding the terrified Goblin Colette had maimed with the tip of his blade.

 

[Colette]

Colette surely wasn't a model member of the Anirian Guard despite her excellence with a bow and her modest progress in the recent months. However, her training had served her well as though she glanced at the two new goblins that appeared her arrow's aim had never left the subdued goblin she had injured earlier ensuring he didn't move an inch.

Still, watching Talus and Donric strike down their green-skinned foes in such a gruesome manner caused the girl to wince. She wasn't certain if she'd ever really get used to the bloodshed and violence that accompanied guard duties.

"We should question this one," she said while nodding her head towards the injured creature. Though it wasn't human, and it had tried to attack her, she hoped they didn't intend to slaughter the beast once they were finished. "Answer us honestly and we'll see that you stand a fair trial in the Anirian court system."

The goblin locked his eyes with her and issued a half-hearted snicker. Once his laughter had cleared his verdant lips he spat, "fair trial? They'll take two minutes to find me guilty before wrappin' the noose 'round my neck."

She bit her lip at his quip but remained silent so that Talus or Donric could ask what they felt to be appropriate of their prisoner.

 

[Talus]

Talus glanced around for a few moments, his eyes scouting the dark as he attempted to find any other Goblins lurking within the dark. When none came the Major slowly turned around, his features stern as Colette spoke with the greenskin.

A frown touched his features.

A part of him wished that he could have argued with the Goblins point of view, but it was more than true. An Anirian Court would see the little man hanged without so much of a second thought. Other species had been steadily moving to the city, but Goblins?

Goblins were all together alien to many here.

For a second he hesitated, and then slowly he stepped forward.

"I promise you." As Talus spoke his face suddenly shifted. Skin and flesh were stripped away, a ghostly visage of horror separating from his features and standing out. "I can do much worse than any court."

His voice distorted as he spoke, and the goblin let out a low screech of horror as he attempted to scramble away in fear.

 

[Donric Mannir]

Donric snorted loudly as the court was mentioned. He shook his head towards Colette and visibly displayed his displeasure. A curious face. Donric grumbled, moaned and complained freely, but his face was something else, something different.

As Talus psychologically tortured the goblin, Donric waited a few moments until he was done squirming. Waited a few moments for Talus to finish frying the goblin's brain, before sidling up beside him. From his medical pouch, Donric passed the goblin some snuff and spoke in a low and gentle voice. Almost calming.

"Look, you know about Dreadlords don't you? Course you do. This here is Major Talus, the leading Dreadlord in the Anirian Guard. Archons? Pfft, nothing on this guy. So, tell us what you know or he moves past party tricks." Donric rose from his seated position next to the Goblin and moved to step away.

"Alright ALRIGHT, just... Just don't set the Dreadlord on me again." The goblin shuddered, his large eyes still staring at Talus with a look of almost complete fear.

"These nobles... The Opels? They've got some connections with the underdark - been paying goblins and rous for years. Stealing here, murder there, told us to go after some halfies in the slums and then that greasy poison guy upstairs." He shuddered, remembering the black goop that had scarred and burned his companion.

"W...What are... What will you do with me?" He spoke, his teeth chattering from fright.

 

[Colette]

It was odd. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity, however brief, at the greenskin. Talus had completely frightened the thing with his magic and she couldn't blame him. The gesture was so violent, sudden, and other-worldly that it gave Colette goosebumps and the dreadlord was on her side. Donric's insinuation that true torture, or worse, only made the subdued prisoner shake even more violently.

But he did answer and his answer was... disturbing.

"House Opel?" she questioned, "you're certain?" The goblin replied with a swift nod. House Opel was a minor house, quite wealthy though not to the degree of the Great Houses. They excelled at the trading of goods and were well known for crafting a rather famous type of Anirian Ale. Opel Pine is what they called it. They imported pine trees from up north somewhere and actually brewed the pine needles into the ale, it was quite tasty.

Colette's mouth formed a crooked shape before she spoke her thoughts into existence, "we'll need proof. The word of a goblin won't convince anyone." They needed to track down the other fleeing party. The one who had killed the dreadlord. Perhaps that would be a more credible witness. As for their prisoner, well, Colette reasoned they'd need to have a Guardsman come to take the fellow into custody.

"Major? Should I go and fetch someone? Perhaps Franklin or Camile? They can escort this one to a proper holding cell."

 

[Talus]

For a moment he hesitated.

The games of Noble Houses were dangerous, complex, and...well utterly nonsensical at times. Working with members of the UnderDark made sense if you were trying to turn a profit, but killing Half-breeds? His lips thinned.

There was something more here. "Aye, only people you trust. This goblin is to be kept safe at all cost."

This was going to get dangerous now.

"Cease the lockdown as well, tell people the Murderer escaped." A dangerous move, but would perhaps make House Opel think they had not yet been discovered. "Then we pay a visit to House Opel."

They were missing something, and Talus intended to find out what.

 

[Donric Mannir]

Donric shot a steady glance towards Colette at the mention of Franklin and Camille. He didn't mind Camille, a good soldier and a steady sword. Franklin, however, gave off bad vibes.

"If it's people we trust grab Jeron over Franklin, he's an old hand he knows not to question things." He nodded, failing to add that Jeron lost his tongue in a training incident and lacked the ability to question things regardless.

"There's a halfie tavern in the slums we could take him to? They don't ask questions as long as the coin's right. I'm sure they've seen a lot of stranger folk than a goblin and a few guards." He mumbled his suggestion. He'd tried to take Colette to the Siren's Spittoon before, but she'd mentioned something about the clientele and the area.

"So... uh, what are you going to say to House Opel?" He spoke nervously. Donric was not familiar with the nobility in Vel'Anir, nor any nobility save for Colette - he thought at least. Deep within him, he still possessed some level of deference to the nobility that came from being part of the lower class.

He sighed, this day was just getting worse and worse.

 

[Colette]

Colette nodded and then went back up the tunnel. She didn't like Jeron much, the fact he couldn't speak gave her the creeps. But Donric did have a point, Franklin was a known gossiper. Camile and Jeron accompanied the straw-haired girl back to the pair of Talus and Donric before shackling and moving the goblin up the shaft.

"They're lifting the lockdown. Residents seem relieved," the younger guardsman notified the duo.

Squinting her eyes a bit Colette gave her thoughts on Donric's suggestion, "not sure how much the half-breed bar will tell us." It was a half truth. She doubted halfies would want to discuss such crimes with the Anirian Guard but she also just flat out didn't like the place.

As for House Opel, well, that was a delicate situation. One that she was uncertain if any of the three of them knew how best to handle. "I don't really know the proper etiquette for flagging something like this up to the nobility," she stated. Hoping to clarify to Donric, for the hundredth time, that her family was middle class. Despite his insistence that she had noble blood.

 

[Talus]

"The bar is just to Keep the goblin safe." He clarified to Colette as he thought about their next step.

Talus could hear the nerves in both of their voices. They were clearly uncomfortable with the idea of going up against the nobility, even a minor House could easily ruin the life of a soldier.

The Major himself wasn't that worried, mostly because he remembered what he and Hal had done to House Oudin. He doubted that such would be the solution here, and even if it was...well he would have to do his best to protect them. His lips thinned.

"Donric." He turned to the elder Guardsmen. "I need you to fetch the Red Rangers."

Also known as the 23rd Scouting Regiment, the Red Rangers were the best archers in The Eastern Army. Most of them rotated in and out between the city and the various other armies, but they were good at what they did. "Meet us in front of the Opel's Palace."

Then he turned to Colette.

"I need five other Guardsmen on full dress armor." This would have to be done carefully, but he had a plan.

 

[Donric Mannir]

Donric grinned at Talus' order, then glanced back towards Colette beaming ear to ear. He liked the Eastern Army much better than the others. In fact, Donric came to know many of the Red Rangers in particular as he beat them all at cards.

The Northern/Eastern intra-card tournament was a sight to behold. The rival stemmed back a solid three years, ever since toeless Tyrn lost his rations to one of the Eastern boys and a small-time riot had ensued within the barracks. Now, whenever the mood took them, the tournament would happen and Donric revelled in relinquishing his comrades of their rations.

Donric nodded towards Talus, fingered a small badge on his uniform. It looked like a very roughly hewn makeshift medal designed to look like a set of cards but instead looked almost like a badger.

"Right you are sir, I'll get those rangers here sharpish." He was off, ready and eager to boss about the Red Rangers.

Today would be a good day after all.

 

[Colette]

"Got it," she replied swiftly to the order. Full dress likely meant a few of the guards they had brought with them. Adorned in more lovely peacock feathers. She was certain that Donric would've preferred it if Talus had ordered them all to change into their Northern Army regalia. Scruffy cloth protruding from worn down leather or chainmail rather than the shimmering glisten of the full dress plate.

Colette ascended back up towards the pristinely dressed guardsmen who were beginning to disperse due to the lifting of the lockdown. "You three," she said while pointing at two male and one female guard, all three looked extremely muscular and were about a foot taller than the straw-haired guard. She figured if Talus wanted intimidation these three would deliver.

Quickly she grabbed two other guards. She knew these two, Bengie and Rosalie. They were sweethearts but, more importantly, they were more similar in stature to Colette. Low muscle mass and faces that looked innocent, very much nonthreatening. She explained to the five of them that they were to accompany Talus onward towards the estate of House Opel.

Returning to Talus she announced, "ready sir," and hopefully the five she brought back would suit whichever direction he had planned.

 

[Talus]

Talus made his way through the city as swiftly as he could as soon as Colette collected those he'd requested. Their pace was brisk, though not so fast that they would arrive before Donric and the Red Rangers.

The night was still young, and thus the streets were mostly empty.

A few drinks however fell into their way more than once, yet each time they saw the well dressed Guardsmen they quickly scrambled to get out of the way for fear of interfering with anything that was going on. Talus himself was the least well dressed of any of them, but the Dreadlord Insignia on his chest was more than enough.

Within just an hour of having Ordered Donric to fetch the Rangers, Talus and Colette met them just half a block away from the Opel Palace.

Most of the Rangers were dressed in simple leathers, each colored with a slash of red over their right shoulder. A few had a second slash on their left, signifying that they had done at least ten years of service. "I need you to take up positions all around the palace. Roof tops, alleys, cover it best you can."

There was no greeting or hello, just quick and terse orders.

 

[Donric Mannir]

It didn't take long for Donric to get to the Eastern Army barracks. Conveniently for everyone, they were located in the next quarter from where the murder had taken place. He smiled gloatingly as he entered the courtyard of the place, remembering his recent victory a few months back.

On the far side of the barracks lied a large shooting range and a squat brick building painted hastily in a sun-bleached reddish-orange. The home of the Red Rangers, some of the finest archers in the Guard - or at least they had been before Colette joined.

As he approached, a small arrow shot past his head and several more followed. Donric laughed, he always enjoyed the rangers death-defying banter and today was no different.

"Alright, you muddy fucks. Major Talus needs to borrow whoever we've got of your squadron for an important mission."

A few short snickers followed and several figures eventually weaved themselves out of the confines of the building. Each one looking particularly dishevelled and unprofessional - not that Donric cared.

Once content with the crew, he lead them back towards the Opel palace and merged with the rest of the contingent there.

Donric briefly introduced Talus to Strafey Ston, the senior ranger of the group, before they set about their task.

 

[Colette]

Colette nodded affirmatively and took up her position as they approached the palace of House Opel. Despite being am minor house the estate was huge. Centrally located in the heart of the city itself it was likely only rivaled by the estates of the other Great Houses and the royal family.

The expert marksman from the Northern Division of the Anirian Guard was placed off to the flank, near the closest alleyway towards Anir Square, the literal hub of the great city. She held her bow tightly in one hand but refrained from grabbing an arrow. It was still unknown to her precisely what Talus' plan must've been but she was certain that to go in with weapons drawn was likely a poor decision.

Could a minor house really be so sinister as to order murder? It seemed impossible.

The noble houses, whether it was a minor one or any of the seven fabled 'great' houses, were pure and wholesome. They served the citizens of Vel Anir steadfastly and never resorted to such underhanded tactics. Or at least, she had been told so her entire life. Growing up in a middle classed, working family, she never had a reason to question these beliefs. Surely the agencies and foundations that made up their great society were just as righteous as she and her hard working family.

A lump was choked down the girl's throat as she awaited further orders, while also perking up her ears to try and overhear what it is that Talus wished to do next.

 

[Talus]

Talus marched up the steps of the Estate with the six Guardsmen, Colette, and Donric at his back.

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword and he tried to paint the most stern expression that he possibly could. Fingers tightened, and then he stepped up to massive set of double doors and gave a thunderous knock.

A few seconds passed, and then one of the doors slowly opened. Beyond it was a woman, dressed in servants quarters. Confusion dawned on her face as she saw them, and she was about to open her mouth when Talus spoke.

"I am Major Talus Morrid, Dreadlord and Commander of the White Guard." Talus hoped that none of his soldiers blinked as he spoke the name of their 'Company' and simply continued to speak. "By my Order and the authority of Vel Anir I demand to see the head of this House immediately."

The maid servant looked absolutely flabbergasted, glanced at the soldiers and then quickly nodded.

"Y-yes Sir."​

Without another word the girl turned around and ran, immediately rushing towards the left of the estate and leaving the door open. Talus lingered for a moment, and then pushed the heavy wood aside to step into the foyer.

 

[Donric Mannir]

The perks of being a guard were that you could carry weapons without being questioned. Donric stood, astride Talus - roughly the same height - but almost half again his width. He was a not-so grizzled veteran who carried with him an aura of intimidation and strength. That said, even Donric felt uncomfortable walking into the Opel estate with a shield drawn and his mace in hand.

He breathed deeply to try and calm himself, then leaned into Colette as they strode into the foyer. "Is this making you think of home... all this... uh... extravagance and space?" He hissed towards her. He knew the girl was a noble, but he wasn't quite sure where her family sat in the social strata. He, however, was very low down and was acutely aware that this foyer alone contained almost double the space of his familial home.

He glanced around the colours of the room. The Opel family crest seemed to feature lots of greens and a particular shade of brown that Donric would commonly refer to as 'baby-shit'. It was hardly flattering and to top it off the whole place smelled of incense.

In the distance, he saw a flurry of movement as several armoured figures stepped into the foyer. House Guards. He spat. The only good house guard was a dead one. Most people went to the home guard when they wanted the easy life, they grew fat and complacent and enjoyed a cushy life with excellent pay. There was a deep rivalry between the Guard and the House Guards. Bastards.

 

[Colette]

The White Guard? But that wasn't the name of their division. Colette wasn't even sure what the White Guard was. Had Talus just... lied? To a noble house?

Regardless of the moral conundrum his gambit seemed to pay off as the group was led into the foyer of the minor family's extravagant home. It was a lovely area, smelling of sweet incense that made the blonde haired guard instantly relax. A darling shade of brown was used frequently and it looked absolutely stunning when compared to the various emeralds it stood next to. It must've been the house colors of Opel.

Could a noble family really betray Vel Anir? Hire goblins to go out and murder? Seemed ludicrous to her.

Then, to interrupt her open-mouthed adoration of the dazzling foyer was Donric. Nudging her and insinuating for the umpteenth time that she was, in fact, part of the nobility. Her blue eyes turned a fierce red as she stared at the medic. "Don, I've told you before. My father is a stone-mason. We lived several blocks from Anir Square. My home could probably fit inside this foyer."

She silenced herself as another door opened and a contingency of House Guards approached the Northern Divisional Guards. The House Guards armor was almost as ornate as the issued armor they were wearing, minus the peacock feathers. Colette didn't fancy a career as a soldier but she figured that if she did she'd want to work as a House Guard. They got to spend all of their time is place such as this and probably got far better rations too.

 

[Talus]

"Now is not the time." He told his soldiers quietly, fingers gripping the hilt of his sword a bit more tightly as he spotted the House Guard stepping up.

Minor Noble Houses generally did not have private armies, but even those who were not the most wealthy still maintained a dozen or so House Guard. Talus did not know the Status of House Opel, but the fact that their men were armored and dressed to fight did not surprise him.

His lips thinned as he spotted a figure within the midst of the House Guard. He was thin and tall, black hair slicked back with an expression of confidence of his face.

"Major Talus of the White Guard is it? I'm afraid I've never...well, that doesn't matter. Who do you think you are stepping into my House like this? What authority do you have?"

The nobility had power in Vel Anir, but that power could be kept in check. That was what Talus told himself, what he forced himself to believe. "I have the authority of the people of Vel Anir."

He said as he stepped forward.

"We have a credible witness that places you at the center of a conspiracy." A goblin was hardly credible...but they were here to create pressure, not necessarily tell the truth. "I'm placing you under arrest."

 

[Donric Mannir]

"So he owns his own quarrying business... You and your family must be loaded." His mind drifted momentarily as he tried to picture what Colette's family homestead looked like. Clearly, for a man from such humble beginnings, anything was a vast improvement to his background.

He barely noticed the scuffle. Several of the house guards stepped forward to block the path of Talus and prevent him from getting to their master. Donric smiled as he recognised the face of one of the fellows.

"Colette, it's bloody... Pissy Petro! He's the one I told you about, left the Guard to join a house guard because he couldn't stop piddling himself until he fainted at every battle!" Donric sauntered over, making sure to put Talus between him and the house guard as he gained a newfound sense of confidence.

"Helmut Opel, the White Guard has been formed under the command of Major Talus - you boys may know him as the Guard's personal Dreadlord... Yeah, the one who steals souls." He spat the words towards the House guard as they grew deathly pale at the thought of sizing up to a Dreadlord.

"Now how about this ends peacefully, before Major Talus decides it's quicker and easier to absorb you all in his... his... soul prison." He faltered for a moment, but the sheer brazen confidence seemed to overcome any doubts and several members of the Opel Guard dropped their weapons.

 

[Colette]

"It's an honest bus-," she was interrupted by the appearance of the House Guard and Talus' request to be silent. She would've explained, yet again, that her family was of modest means and in many Anirian circles she'd be viewed to be just as poor as Donric. But maybe there wasn't much point to such protesting. He'd likely believe she had an extravagant upbringing forever.

Colette's eyes widened as Talus announced they were going to place a noble under arrest. Then her sky-colored eyes doubled in size as Donric mentioned the name 'Pissy Petro' in the presence of Anirian nobility.

Surely this was all some sort of vivid dream. This certainly couldn't be happening right now. Such a lewd statement uttered in the presence of a noble and her commanding officer announcing they'd be placing him under arrest. Colette had assumed, naively, that they were merely here to question the man on the allegation that he had hired goblins to carry out murders. She never even thought that they'd place one under arrest.

Nobles were powerful, if they didn't have him dead-to-rights it was likely he'd see to it that all of them were court-martialed. They might even go after their family. How could the blonde haired soldier ever face her father again if she caused his business to be seized by the Anirian state?

Summoning a bit of courage, and trying to cool tensions, she explained in a soft voice, "Sir Opel, we must escort you to a holding cell and get more information from you. Please advise your House Guard to stand down."

 

[Talus]

Talus did not have a soul prison, and he was somewhat surprised that Donric knew that he could even take the soul of a being.

Perhaps he did not know, and was just bluffing, but either way some of the confidence of the House Guardsmen was clearly shaken. Others however only gripped their weapons more tightly, and the ringing of drawn swords echoed through the hall.

"How dare you peasant scum!"​

The words made Talus cringe somewhat, mostly because he could sense some of his own guardsmen not take the insult well.

"KILL THEM! I'll deal with the consequences later."​

There was a second of hesitation from the House Guard, but only a second. It was the man Donric had dubbed Pissy Petro that acted first. His blade flashed from it's scabbard in a breath, and it quickly flickered towards the medic's neck.

Talus' own sword slipped free of it's scabbard, meeting that of Petro's as his foot came up and crashed into the man's knee. "Arrest them all!"

He called to the guards.

 

[Donric Mannir]

Donric hadn't needed to draw a weapon, he had placed himself between Talus and the House Guard for a reason. He knew the Dreadlord would save him, he'd seen how fast the Major reacted at training. He found himself smiling as Talus broke the man's knee.

Casually, he withdrew his mace and unbuckled his shield without a care in the world. Once finished, he sauntered over to the melee currently erupting between his own contingent and the House Guard.

"Jeez, reminds me of the time Major Talus turned that entire group of mountain bandits inside out with a wink." He spoke to no one in particular as he waded into the confrontation. A couple of the nearest enemy guards faltered upon hearing that, and Donric was quick to shove one aside with his shield and strike the second one with a harsh blow to the head with his mace.

"Remember the time Major Talus..." Donric kept talking, making up random stories of Talus' gruesome and terrifying feats. With each story, a guard was left distracted, terrified and inevitably faltered. The House Guard, on paper, had the advantage - home territory and experienced professionals - yet the demoralisation from facing a Dreadlord was palpable.

It helped that Donric was a seasoned hand, his shield turned several nasty blows towards himself and his comrades and his mace answered those blows and then some.

"Apparently, he's too dangerous even for the Viraks." This was a fun one. Nobody had quite known or understood why Talus had joined the Guard - especially when several of his cohorts went to Virak - it made the lie all the more terrifying for the House Guard.

 

[Colette]

As Donric gave murmurs of Talus' fabricated past deeds Colette quickly seized any of the house guards who laid down their arms. Fetching shackles from one or two of her compatriots. She hadn't drawn her sword and had placed her bow away. Choosing instead to simply detained those who had become injured or who were willingly surrendering.

Colette had yet to take a human life or even really shed any human blood aside from scrapes in the training ring. She was hopeful, possibly naively so, that she'd get through her service in the Anirian Guard only taking the lives of non-humans. That made their deaths feel further away. Less serious.

The look of terror on Lord Opel's face was striking. Two of the house guards nearest him laid down their arms and willingly gave up. Colette jumped on the opportunity and grabbed the noble by his wrist, attempting to pull him closer so she could properly detain him. "Sir, please, we can sort this out down at the holding cell. I just need to place these on you for both of our safety."

He was having none of it. Angered and insulted the nobleman cried out, "you foul she-witch," before his came flying towards the girl. A firm fist struck the side of her cheek causing Colette to relinquish her hold on the noble and he descended backwards into the rabble of the handful of guards still willing to fight off the Anirians working for Talus.

She adjusted her jaw and rubbed the part of her cheek that was already beginning to swell. Perhaps she could make an exception for spilling human blood today.