Dance of the Dead

The sun crested over the side of the cliff off in the distance as the three riders made their way along the road. To their sides grew farmland where a few men and women were making their way back to a village that was further up. The village was small but held a number of people to work the farms and the lake to the east that dropped into the ocean beyond the cliff. The homes were mostly built out of mud, rock, and thatch but this seemed to suit the people just fine that lived there.

Vareloc stopped his horse and looked over the village, further on was a pass that led up to a fort and tower that was built on the cliff overlooking the sea. The fort was known as the Krakens Eye and was a lookout for invading ships from the sea.

Kriska rode up close to Vareloc and brushed her hand over the armor on his shoulder. "It shall be the focal point of your reign my love, but remember your promise to me," Kriska said in a very alluring voice. Vareloc turned to her and smiled under his helm, "Of course my love how could I keep something as precious as your request from you on this night of all nights at that." 

The general sat on a horse behind them with his tattered blood red cloak fluttering from the wind. Vareloc turned to the general who nodded in return and turned his horse toward the north along another path. Vareloc and Kriska followed behind the general without another word as they made their way along the pathway.

As the sun dipped into the ocean the generals eyes took on a hellish green glow under his blood red hood that highlighted his greyish skin. Vareloc removed his helmet and let his long silver hair fall over his tattoo of the white skull that was drawn on his face that covered his coal black skin. Kriska looked to him with lust and desire, the power he held and his ruthlessness had brought her an ectasy she had never known before, and she liked it immensely.

The three travelled on till they came to a small stone wall. Beyond the wall was an ancient graveyard with at least a hundred graves. Some of the graves were shattered but most of those intact held a shield, helm, or weapon to signify they were soldiers of another time. In the middle of the graveyard stood a tattered flag its colors of green and orange. The symbol was that of a golden scaled fish though worn from the many years it stood there. The general just stared at the emblem from his horse with hatred from his glowing eyes that could topple a mountain. Vareloc jumped off and tied his horse to the nearest tree "well done general it must be a pleasure to know that soon you will command your enemies even after their death, stay and watch the pass my friend, come my love we have work to do...

The captain of the fort stood on its wall looking out to the sea and then turning to look out to the village below. Music and laughter could be heard from the village as the man smiled. He looked to the moon and started to realize a faint green was showing from its glow. Shrugging it off he continued to listen to the laughter and music of the people while leaving the wall.

He made his way to the back of the fort and entered a room where his men laughed, drank, and were playing cards. They yelled over to the captain who nodded to them and sat down drawing up some cards of his own. A man next to him patted him on the back and offered him a drink. "Not this night my friend something is in the air, as I feel a chill in my bones." The man next to him laughed, "Oh come now captain its been almost ten years since we had a skirmish of any kind, let alone we haven't seen any ships except for those of merchants and fishing vessels. Though the men could use a good battle I will be honest, even an old fashioned goblin raid would suffice. Hell we have some lads here who have never even shed blood, just noble boys sent to appease their fathers." The captain sighed, "this is true my old friend but is peace not something we have all fought for long ago, would we really want the chaos and death that comes from war?" The man took a sip of his ale "this is true captain peace is better than the alternate, I just miss the action is all, I'm not getting any younger that's for sure." The men laughed at this and continued to play cards.

An hour later bells rang throughout the fort, the men stared at each other in surprise. The captain rose, "if this is a prank or such someone will be scrubbing the outer walls for months!" The men laughed but as the bell continued to ring worry started to show in their faces. The captain ran out and noticed a dozen or more men watching from the walls looking out to the village. A few of the soldiers were barring the gates of the fort with utter panic in their eyes. "Who ordered that gate closed and why the hell is the bell being rung? I want answers dam it and I want them now!" He made his way up to the wall looking out to where the soldiers were looking and he found his answers. He thought back to their conversation at the table and realized the men had got what they wished for... may the gods help them all.

The soldiers watched from the walls as the village was burning and the people lay slaughtered under the glow of the fires. A small army of undead soldiers stood around the village blood and gore dripping from their ancient weapons. In the center a women with raven black hair and the palest skin was conjuring a green mist that engulfed the entire village. One of the soldiers screamed in horror as the villagers rose from the dead. Then the oddest of things happened... the dead began to dance! 

Their movements were as natural as if they were at a royal ball. Women found the nearest man or a soldier and pulled them into the dance while even the children drenched that were drenched in blood circled the adults spinning and twirling to a song only they could hear, it was the dance of the dead and one of the most nightmarish scenes the soldiers would ever witness. The laughter coming from the woman in the center sent chills through the soldiers as she grabbed on to a knight in black armor and pulled him into the dance both laughing with madness.

The captain and the soldiers couldn't look away as it felt like the spectacle before them lasted an eternity. The two in the center encased in the glow of the fire stopped dancing and looked to the fort with a malicious smile. The man in armor turned and bowed to the woman as she curtsied back to him as if they really were at a dance. Another man entered the circle whose eyes glowed in a green like the mist that was cast. He bellowed something in a forgotten language and the village erupted into madness. Screaming to the skies the men, women, and undead children charged the fort with blood lust on their minds.

Some of the soldiers started to flee to the back of the wall; one even threw himself off into the ocean below in terror. The captain shouted to his men to stand their ground as the walls would hold these monstrosities back. He would never in the few seconds left of his life ever be as wrong as he was now. The villagers reached the fifteen foot walls and instead of stopping like a nest of spiders they climbed the wall with an uncanny ease and were soon upon the soldiers.

Enjoying the sounds of the screaming soldiers that were being torn apart the trio and the undead soldiers behind them made their way to the gates. Sitting on his horse Vareloc spoke words of an ancient language and the gates exploded with an invisible force. The general signaled to his army of the dead and they charged into the fort killing any of the living that remained. Vareloc and Kriska sat on their horses and watched the slaughter before them with madness in their eyes while holding hands. The Krakens Eye was now their home and the starting point for one of the darkest wars the lands will ever see...

The City and the Forge

The two figures travelled on horseback through the forest at a mild gallop. The sun was shining beams of light through patches in the canopy of the trees above. The one leading was a female with short black curly hair and freckles known as Ashintina Hawkfeather. The man behind her has short cropped salt and pepper hair and a beard with a scar across his eye that was covered in a blue tattoo, and he is Morningar Silvertyr.

They rode on while Morn sang a travelling song and Ash sighed to him. "You do know Morn that goblins, orcs, and wolves keep to these forests where your singing can be heard... oh and not to mention the spiders in the deeper parts that drop out of the trees." Morn stopped and started to look up into the trees a little worried. Ash smiled she knew he didn't care about the others but spiders always gave him chills. Now it wasn't that she didn't like his voice. Actually without him knowing she loved when he sang but she found his confidence a little lacking at times, especially when danger could be a foot.

She kept constant watch as they continued on, "Morn? Why are we heading this way anyway?  You never said much except it's time you met my good friend the Forge." Morn smiled "trust me Ash you will find this much to your liking plus not to mention we are not far now, you see the clearing is just ahead." Turning around she saw the break in the forest and a clearing of grassy plains. As they broke through the trees the wind greeted them with a cold chill. They both drew there forest green cloaks closer to them; Morn even donned his hood as the cold was felt on his face. As the wind blew the grass on the plains were like waves in the sea, it made Morn smile, he always liked this journey to Aroch.

Further ahead smoke could be seen over a hill a little ways away. Morn smiled and pointed beyond where smoke could be seen over a hill, nodding to Ash as she kept watch around them. She was a soldier through and through always expecting the worse, while most times finding it. What Ash didn't realize though was that Morn may seem aloof at times but in reality if danger appeared an arrow would be waiting without hesitation from him. They rounded the hill and Ash's mouth was agape at the sight before her. She turned to Morn with amazement "my lady welcome to Aroch the city of steam and home to the dwarven smiths."

The city was an amazing site to behold as it broke out of the grey mountain to its back. Around an iron fence that towered over the city protecting all within. In the center stood a large tower made of wood and metals where a circle rotated over and over producing a sound like lightning, while rushing water from the mountain behind the village circled around the tower. Homes and shops dotted the city made of the same metals and wood and each seemed to have steam coming from there roofs.

As they approached Morn turned to Ash "my reaction was the same when I first encountered Aroch. The dwarves built this as a trading post allowing humans and elves to live and sell there wares, while they do the crafting in the mountains. Each home has a small forge that is powered by magic, metal and water to produce heat. Though deeper in the mountains they use this to burn the hottest forges creating some of the most magnificent creations you can only dream of. It is here we need to get you a true weapon worthy of any hunter of darkness that is if you are still so determined to follow the path I am on."

She nodded to Morn in agreement and looked back to the city with utter amazement. They reached the gates and two dwarves with crossbows awaited them. One stared laughing when he noticed the male rider. "As I live by the stone is it a year already Silvertyr or have you come back for a rematch early?" The dwarves lowered there crossbows and Ash relaxed her guard. "For the record gentlemen that dragon's ale was quite strong, especially when smashed over your head." Morn laughed as he jumped off his horse to embrace arm to arm with the dwarf. "Well ye did say anything goes and who be the lass with you ye didn't go get married now did ya? Ye know Oryll will be heartbroken if so the poor lassie." Ash jumped down from her horse "oh another girl awaits the bard how surprising." Morn sighed as the dwarves laughed "no Ash not as one may think. Ok where is he oh wait let me guess." The dwarf pointed to the building near the tower the picture above the doorway showed a dwarf running from stone boulders. "Yep I hope ye healed up from the last time, he is itching for another go and has been training since then, but I still be betting on you just so ye know." The dwarf laughed as he called a young boy to take the horses, Ash looked at them quizzically.

Morn shook his head as he made his way to the tavern as large group of yelling came from the windows. Ash looked to Morn with curiosity again "do I want to know and what’s this about betting on you?" He sighed "nope you do not want to know in the least, welcome to the Falling Boulders Tavern." They opened the door and the yelling was even louder as they entered. It was your typical tavern though with a few changes. First a forge dotted the center that was cooking various meat and was also surrounded by running water like outside. To the side was a set of railings and people hanging over it yelling down to something. Looking down was a circular pit where two men fought one another. Men, women, and dwarves yelled in unison as punches and kicks were thrown, while to the side some played drums to escalate the fight.

One dwarf in particular caught notice of Morn and threw his hands in the air. He was dressed in various leathers and very muscled, while his hair and beard was the color of a dark fire orange. "Morn? Morn you stone crawler haha I knew you wouldn’t miss our next dance, get yer arse in the pit!" The dwarf jumped into the pit grabbing both fighters by the head and slamming them against each other knocking them both out. The crowd roared with laughter and started yelling "Forge"over and over! Morn turned to Ash sighed and handed her some of his gear. "Do me a favor if he wins don't let him shave my beard the last time it took me forever to grow it back the way I wanted." With that he took a running jump and spun into the pit. The crowd roared even louder and more people came rushing in from outside to watch the battle. 

The drums intensified as the dwarf and human circled each other. “Same rules as before unless you need a mug to help again dwarf?” Morn said as he danced in fast to hit the dwarf in the face. "Aye lad and still quick I see, but I got some new tricks for you this time human and no mugs needed!" Forge scrambled around and feinted as he lashed out and hit Morn in the stomach.

Ash watched the two square off as a dwarf gave her a mug of ale and smiled revealing a few missing teeth. "You'll need this trust me if your with Silvertyr, I have been helping Forge train for this fight not of my choosing mind ye." She raised her mug watching the two fighters and admiring Morn's style and skill. "Yes I can see you have, who usually wins when they do this anyway?" The dwarf took a swig of his ale leaving foam in his beard, "well this has to be there tenth fight now and Silvertyr has won one match so far." Ash looked at the dwarf with a look of worry and surprise and then looked back to the fight while starting to drink faster.

They both showed signs of fatigue but neither was letting up in this fight. "By the way lad yer early this year did ya miss yer yearly beatings?” Morn side stepped a punch to his knee. "Not in the least dwarf I have a partner it seems now and she needs your skills of the fire when this contest is done, she is watching above as we speak." Forge looked up to catch Ash's smile and was captivated by her green eyes. "Thanks Ash, I knew that would work!" Morn yelled and caught Forge in the face with a kick from his boot. Forge stumbled back shaking his head and Morn didn't miss a second of this chance as he rolled into the dwarf with a forceful uppercut. The crowd roared as the dwarf slammed into the ground dust blasting up all around, this year belonged to Morn and put two wins now on his belt.

After a few drinks Ash, Morn, and Forge made there way into the mountain. The mountain was a honey comb of tunnels passing by multiple homes while some clanged with the sounds of banging from within. "Ye got lucky lad if it wasn't for yer lady friend I would have had ya!" Morn laughed hitting Forge on the back and making him cringe with pain "perhaps my friend perhaps, but lady luck was on my side this year." Ash turned to Morn and smiled "oh is that what I am now, and I see what the guardsman meant about Oryll she did seem jealous of me but she is cute I'll give her that." Forge laughed as they walked deeper in the hallway "well the Boulders had her since she was a pup, I think its his singing she likes most, you should hear when they do a duet she howls like the best of them."

They all laughed as they entered Forge's home, it was a sight to behold as a huge forge of fire took up most of the room with various circular gears turning water and making vast amounts of steam. "Very impressive Forge I have never seen anything like it!" Ash said as she couldn't keep her eyes off the room and the forge itself. "Thank ye lass and trust me you'll never see anything like it anywhere else, dwarven craftsman to its finest. Speaking of which I have just the idea for a sword for you so please get comfy and tell me how ye met this stone crawler here I call me friend. Oh and Morn just so ye know when we are done here I am going with you, no arguments I am bored of this place besides someone has to make sure you live for our next rematch!"....

A Crack in the Ice

The fire cracked and popped as the wild boar roasted over the spit. Ashintina cleaned her sword and shield as Moringar sang a song of the ancient days of old. Ashintina was a young girl in her late 20's with an average and yet curvy build. Her pale skin highlighted her emerald eyes and her curly raven black hair that was cut to her shoulders. Moringar was also of an average build while also looking to be in his early 30's with short cropped salt and pepper hair and a short cut beard. The fire glowed off his blue tattoo that covered the left side of his face and his eye that had a scar from his temple to his cheek. He stopped singing for a moment to rotate the boar and watch Ashintina under the light of the fire.

"Ash I have been meaning to ask this". She stopped polishing the shield and looked up "hmmm?  oh wait a moment here you best not have any ideas that mind of yours bard, because my sword is nice and sharp now!" Morn laughed as he sat back down "oh come now great warrior at least give me more credit then that, besides I'm not as fond of you as you wish I would be."

She eyed him with that look she always gave him when he came close to crossing the line with her. "Good keep it that way and continue to romance your tavern wenches that keep falling for your words and honeyed voice so easily, because it doesn't work on me bard." She stood up and started to mock one of the girls she was speaking about. "Oh my lord please sing to us about your adventures while we keep you warm at night tee hee."  She smiled and sat back down to polish her shield as Morn got up and bowed to her with a smile.

"A good impression I must say you should do that more often and oh and thank you for the compliment on my voice. No what I was going to ask was what got you into the line of a mercenary anyway?  I mean for one such as beautiful and strong of heart as yourself there must be a grand tale to tell? " Morn awaited her reply and noticed she stopped outright from cleaning her shield as she looked out into the sky. Again she mocked her voice "oh my lord you think I am beautiful?" She gave him that look again and sighed. "I would prefer to leave that tale for another day as you still have yet to tell me yourself about the ship you just so happened to own when we first met. Though I can tell your looking for some sort of story to pass the night with, and since there are no females about to woo I will grace you with one. Now not a word to that last comment and I will tell you of one of my toughest battles and how I got this shield I am cleaning here." Morn appeared pleased and gave all his attention to Ash as she began her tale...

I had travelled into the north by guarding various caravans when the chance arose. It was here in a small town I found myself waiting for my next job. The wait wasn't long as the town guard found me a little drunk and arm wrestling the locals in the tavern. Well after a few buckets of water later and one guards broken hand for thinking he could help dry me off, I ended up standing before the mayor. He had pardoned my actions because there was something much bigger plaguing his town. Word it seems was brought to the mayor about my deeds of fending off bandits and orcs while protecting the caravans and my talents could be used for just this situation. As it so happened an ice troll had taken up residence in the area and was capturing any traders that came through the northern pass.

Well what could I say the coin was good, I needed the reputation, and not to mention I was also young and a fool at that. I only ever heard tales of trolls before and figured this would be easy. It also didn't help that after what I did to that guards hand my fate could have been much worse if I had declined. So with an easy decision ahead of me I spent the morning fully sobering up and went on my way to find this troll.

I packed my gear that consisted of my armor, a spear, a few health potions and some climbing gear for the mountains. I then made my way up the pass through the icy mountains looking for signs of my adversary. It wasn't before long I came upon a cave that showed signs I had reached my destination. There were bones thrown all about the entrance and while some were only half eaten animals others resembled that of humans. I now knew why the troll was capturing them and what it was doing to these poor souls. As well as the blood and gore there were destroyed carts and trading supplies all around. It was afternoon when I found the trolls home and like any animal I figured it should be out hunting, but boy was I dead wrong.

As I made my way into the lair I heard the sounds of sobbing, without haste I rushed in looking to free who made those sounds and in my haste I set myself up for a nasty trap that was awaiting me. Now before I get into what was to happen next let me give you the layout of this lair. The troll had chosen a breath taking place for its home as the ice itself was made of blues and greens that reflected light all around. The cavern also held within it an interesting surprise but I will get to that soon. Now the sobbing noise was coming from a hole that was broken into the back of the cave in the floor that I believed was made by the troll itself.

Making my way to the hole I found a man and women holding on to one another awaiting there doom. They looked as if the troll had thrown them in to save for later. Looking up at me when I approached they had terror and joy in there eyes. They asked me if I saw another man the girl was calling her father, and as I was about to answer I heard a monstrous roar from the side of me. Turning around a large grey creature was standing on two feet before me, with spikes on its head and a club made of pure ice. Blood was dripping off its large fangs and behind I now saw the creature had waited in a hole till my attention was elsewhere. It must have caught my scent or heard me approach, because this was not the dumb creature I was thinking it would be, I was in deep trouble here.

I swore as the creature came charging at me, and realizing it's plan too late, it slammed me with its arm aiming my fall for the hole.  Fate was on my side though as I just missed it and slid even further away on the ice. The monster was furious and with its massive ice club came charging again ready to squash me. Swearing for the second time I realized my spear was laying on the ground near the opening as I had put it down when I was getting rope out to help the others. This time however I was ready and quickly dodged as the club came crashing down where I was once. It was then I noticed something that changed the tide of the battle and allowed me to be here this night to tell you this tale.

The ice started to crack like an intricate web around the troll. I looked below me and found there was a structure below us. This was the edge I needed and realized then what I had to do. The troll roared again at me echoing off the carvern and I'll tell you Morn that roar could scare the bravest of knights or kings no matter how fearless they boasted to be. It went to crush me again but while using my surroundings I quickly slid away as the club came crashing down cracking the ice even more. The thunder of the second smash echoed off the walls and I started to hear chunks of ice break off below us. I started praying to any god that would hear me that this plan doesn't back fire as I made my way to my spear just in case.

I quickly slid my way to my spear and as the troll advanced the ice gave way as I hoped it would. The hole itself luckily only broke where the troll did the most damage and I stood where I made my stand holding my spear and shaking for my life. I looked down to find that the drop was about six or seven feet give or take and the troll was laying in the ice barely breathing. The room below looked to be of some sort of armory in a fort that the ice must have covered all around the structure ages ago. Where the ice had broken it looked as if it smashed right through the roof dropping our furry friend to his doom.

Debating with myself I could now leave the creature and save the captives hoping it would die soon enough or I could jump down and kill the monster with my spear ending its torment. My stout heart as you call it got the best of me and I jumped. As my spear was about to pierce the trolls heart the creature surprised me yet again. When the troll hit the bottom it had only knocked the wind out of it and thinking it was dying it surprised the hell out of me as it roared at me as I was plummeting to it.

As I fell downward the troll moved to block my spear which pierced through its arm instead of it's heart as I intended. I tried to hold on to the spear but the troll had the strength of ten men. It flung me off and I crashed into the wall behind us. Now it was my time to have the wind knocked out of me. The troll roared as it broke the spear still embedded in its arm, and made its way to me while kicking the fallen ice in my direction.

I had to think quick and yet again the fates had decided to save me, because laying by my side was a magnificent shield made of a dark bronze in the shape of a lions head. I grabbed the shield and blocked the ice coming at me with a concussive force. 

Now I really don't know how to explain this next part it could be divine help or just something I activated on the shield but what it was I am here now to tell you of this. As the troll was coming toward me the lion in the shield had roared and shot fire out of it's mouth engulfing the troll in flames. I knew this was my final chance to end this here and now as the troll roared in agony. It all happened in a matter of moments as I dropped the shield, grabbed an axe which happened to be the closest weapon, and using a table I ran to, I jumped onto the troll while embedding the axe in it's skull.

My strike was true as the troll stumbled around and crashed to the ground. I panted heavily and dropped to my knees knowing I had nothing left to give in this battle. I was bloodied and battered but I was victorious and I had gained a very impressive artifact to boot. The troll laid there twitching and writhing in the flames as I moved about looking for a way out. Most of the weapons were rusted except for a few so I grabbed a sword and my new shield and made my way above through the opening. After helping the young couple out of the hole we found the father who was barely alive and missing an arm. I gave him one of my healing potions which had helped and we made our way out of the hellish den.

I was rewarded of course and given free drinks and a room at the tavern till I was fully healed and ready to leave. It wasn't long before word got around and I was called for yet another task further north, but alas that is a tale for another night. 


"Wow that must have really impressed you because by the way master bard I think the boar is burning", she laughed as Morn who was so intrigued by the tale quickly realized that Ash was right and worked fast to save there dinner while laughing with her at his foolishness...

The Dark Pact

The door slammed open as the thunder roared outside. Kriska turned to find two figures standing in the doorway. The sound of rain hitting metal echoed into the room as lightning crashed behind them. There eyes glowed in the shadow as the flash of ightning showed for a brief moment that they were both well armed. The one to the left shut the door and stood watch, as the other figure walked further into the room toward the girl.

The room was a temple to the God of undeath who had many names. It was well hidden from all except for those who searched for such a union. Kriska was the high preistess and what they called in these lands a moonlight elf. She was exceptionally beautiful with her violet eyes that glowed from the candle light, her blue black hair flowed from under her hood, and her body was adorned by black tattoo's of various magical designs. Her black velvet hooded dress held tight to her fit body. Traces of her milk white skin were present in all the right places which left little to the imagination.

She stared at Vareloc and his skull white tattoo that adorned his face under his blood red hood. She bowed before him "The visions do not lie! Our champion has sought us out and we bid you welcome my lord. " Vareloc nodded and removed his red hood "the honor is mine lady Kriska Deathmantle or also known as the Speaker of the Dead, yes I have heard the tales of your viciousness . I come the for dreams of power that has been shown to me by our master, do you know of these? " She laughed and looked him dead in the eyes "yes my lord I have also been shown these visions and where I am to lead us. I have waited long for this journey and if we succeed much power awaits us both, but first we must make our pact before our master here and now."

She smiled as she took Vareloc by the hand and led him down a deep hallway. The general stood near the door not moving a muscle in meditation. At the end of the hall they came to a door with various magical symbols carved within. Kriska placed her hand on the door and spoke an ancient language. The symbols glowed with a dark purple color and the door opened.

Inside was an alter covered in a thick purple cloth. All around the room were lighted candles and various symbols on the floor and walls. She walked to the alter turned with a longing look and slipped off her robe while awaiting Vareloc to embrace her. The door closed behind them and a deep laughter could be heard all throughout the temple.

As the storm dissipated Kriska was putting together a pair of tight travelling clothes while singing to herself. Vareloc stirred awake and stared at the elf with a dark smile. She turned to Vareloc "our pact is made my lord and now only vast power awaits, the journey will be long but I shall be by your side and keep you warm at night. Does the other warrior require anything we have others in the temple that can see to his needs. She stared at him with lust in her eyes and a bit of insanity. "There is no need the general is no longer of this world and only follows my command as long as blood is spilled," Vareloc took her in his arms with a look of fierceness. She purred to him "well then that means we are in no rush then just yet."  

The next morning the sound of hooves were heard riding from the temple like thunder in the distant. Kriska, the general, and Vareloc made there way south at a fast gallop. In the road ahead lay an overturned cart and a women laying in the dirt. They rode up to survey the area. The woman's clothing was torn revealing flesh and dried blood. The general turned to them both and under his hood nodded to Vareloc. Kriska and Vareloc smiled to each other as an arrow sunk deep into the cart behind them.

The women got up with a dagger that was hidden under her body and waved it at the riders "get off your horses now"! On the sides of the road four men and two women approached. They wore old leathers while a few carried daggers and swords and the others had there bows ready to fire. The leader of the theives who carried a sword and dagger made his way closer to the group, "the lovely lady said off those horses or are you deaf! Also drop all weapons and items of value in front of you, and I will personally have to check for any secrets you may be carrying lovely elf."

Kriska smiled at the thief "mmmm I think I would like that." She jumped off her horse and walked up to the thief putting her arms out in an inviting way. The thief laughed and picked his lips as he went to put his hands on her body but realized to his horror a bit late what was really about to happen. Kriska laughed as she sent currents of electricity through the thief's body. As he crumpled to the ground Kriska looked backed to Vareloc, "but only if he does it."

As if on cue the general charged into the other thieves with his horse as Vareloc slammed the girl with the dagger in the face with his deadly mace, which sent her crashing into the cart and onto the ground. The general had rode down one of the thieves as he jumped off his horse landing in a crouching position. An arrow slammed into the generals stomach as he just turned and laughed at the thief ripping the arrow out without a hint of pain.

Vareloc spoke an ancient language as a ball of fire erupted from his hands and turned one of the theives to a mass of burning flesh. The general cut down two more theives as if they were but a small tree in the way. The last ran off screaming about demons on the road and vengeance from the dead.

Kriska walked back over casually while singing to herself as Vareloc only nodded and laughed at her. The general brought his horse back and nodded Vareloc as the bloodied girl was starting to rouse by the cart. Barely able to open her eyes she looked in horror at her fallen friends as she started gasping for forgiveness. Kriska walked past Vareloc with her hand brushing the chest piece of his armor. She bent down to the girl and pulled a vicious dagger from behind her.

The girl screamed as Kriska gutted her taking various organs and placing them in a leather bag. "It's a good thing you stopped us when you did my dear, I needed some new supplies for my spells and animals only give so much power." She started laughing as the last life flowed from the girl while Vareloc just sat on his horse and watched Kriska's work admiring her while thinking a bit insane but very useful while also very pleasing to the eyes, a dark pact indeed...