It was very early morning when Alrid opened his restless eyes for the hundredth time that night. The sun had not yet begun to rise. He sat up in his bed slowly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He had been having a restless night. With everything going on, it made sleeping more of a chore than it did if he were to just stay awake. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rRxkbA9ie
If he were a pure blooded elf he would not have to sleep at all but since his father was human, a good night's rest was required for him to function at his best.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBD49PEzzN
Truth be told, this past week had not been good to him. He would labor all day and when night came around he struggled to get to sleep and stay there. It was starting to frustrate him so he decided he would go for a walk again as he did on these kinds of nights.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73BZHK8Hg4
He dragged his weary body out of bed and slipped on his boots. He mumbled under breath, "Okay, you win. No sleep again." He chastised his body for punishing him for a reason he couldn't fathom.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLt4NaNpOD
He slipped his arms into his winter overcoat and buttoned the front. Walking past the foot of the bed, he grabbed his winter cloak and slung it around his shoulders and lifted the hood that covered his face in shadow. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Ym7Pqfyo
The passageways of the keep were eerily quiet at this time of night. Alrid found it to be more comforting than during the day when it was busy and chaotic. The night was his time anyway.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrn4mktrl9
He approached the main keep doors where Sir Kevin and Sir Michael stood guard on the Night Watch. "Couldn't sleep again, huh, Master Alrid?" Sir Kevin asked genuinely. Alrid still ranked higher than him being the next in line as the King's Hunter and it was customary for knights to address him by his first name until he gained the title.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvOX2x1M4a
Alrid shook his head, "And I am really starting to get annoyed with it." He paused for a moment and exhaled a deep breath, "I think I'll go for another walk." 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgJL5JVeOK
"It's quite cold out tonight. Stay warm out there, Master Alrid," Sir Michael spoke this time and opened the door on his side for Alrid. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm552fMlWb
"Thank you, Sir Michael. I will return before the sun," Alrid said as he stepped out of the warm keep and into the brisk night air.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrux69NqYm
The door was shut quietly behind him and Alrid took in the landscape. The fire pits had since died away and the houses remained mostly in ruin. The people of the castle had gone into the keep and slept in the Grand Hall where there was the center hearth keeping everyone warm as they slept.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRxHOpMtpS
He stood at the top of the keep steps for some time then. He wondered if his father was sleeping alright. His nightmares had been pretty consistent for some time now. He hoped his father was sleeping better than he was.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkP2czUvYc
He took a step forward and walked down the steps to the freshly fallen snow that arrived the night before. There was something about early mornings when all was still asleep that made Alrid feel melancholic. He greatly enjoyed that peaceful window of time. Though it would be more enjoyable if war hadn't been looming overhead.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEpXDspPa9
Alrid walked slowly, his cloak gently flowing in the silent breeze and all was quiet. His mind remained empty of all thoughts. He was just walking to walk and exist in the moment. To exist in this little window of peace that he loved so dearly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfjrNbzbzV
His ears had faintly picked up a sound that was out of place from the quiet town and he scanned his surroundings more in depth this time. The peaceful air grew sinister and he noticed it. A man was peering at him from the shadow of a wall.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwngb1bExJ3
Alrid kept his pace and demeanor unchanged. He wanted the man to think he had not noticed him yet. What the man probably didn't account for was that Alrid was an elf, well half elf anyway. And Alrid had very much been able to notice him in the dark. His eyesight was exceptionally better than any human, even in the dead of night.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hxa6oFG2V
Alrid strolled patiently to see what the man would do. He was willing to bet this man was one of the spies for Varamont. The man seemed to be growing impatient or perhaps bored, it was hard to tell which. One thing was clear though, that man was itching for a fight. Perhaps Varamont potentially saw Alrid as a threat. His elven blood made his perception a thorn in Varamont's side. One that needed to be removed.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWbjiQNJZ2
Alrid readied himself for an attempt on his life. His heart quickened its pace, pumping adrenaline through his veins. He was ready for whatever this man had planned.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTbZf3W0Bk
At least he thought he was when a second man swept in from his left and attempted to sweep his legs out from under him. Alrid was faster than the man and he avoided the sweep with a quick jump to his right.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d6CqTbHdk
The man switched tactics and came at him with a hunting knife. He had the blade facing the snow as he brought it down on Alrid. Alrid brought his right hand up to the man's hand with his palm facing outward. He swept his hand to the right, turning it as he gripped hard on the man's wrist. He squeezed the bones together and brought the man's arm down causing the man to lean forward.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa67rGucll
Alrid continued to twist it until the man's back faced him. He placed a hand on the man's cloak and grabbed it tight. Alrid brought his right knee up and into the man's nose. Hard.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Qz9VHWge
The man whimpered as it sent him sprawling backwards into the snow. Blood gushed from the man's broken nose as his hand flew up to hold it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgJ7C3Mj77
Alrid picked up the knife that had been dropped and found the first man running at him with a crazed look. Alrid had dispatched his friend so quickly that the first man barely had any time to intervene.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOrK4KbcBg
Alrid spun the knife around to hold the blade and in a second he let it slice through the air toward the man. In the dark, it seemed like the man had tripped as the knife buried itself in his thigh. Alrid had thrown it so fast, the man had no time to respond. He hit the snow hard and his bleeding leg stained it a dark crimson within seconds.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9JPOyDpcH
Alrid's breathing was heavy as he looked between the men. He still had yet to see their faces. Their hoods had hidden them in shadow.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nB6wQgE9
Before Alrid had gone to investigate the men he dug through the light snow and found a piece of rubble. He picked it up and turned towards the keep. Casually, he hurled the rubble at the keep doors and made a loud thud.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zGja06kLV
Not a moment later, the doors swung open where Sir Kevin and Sir Michael stepped out on high alert. Alrid waved over to them, his arm visible by the moonlight.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXtytCvKvT
The knights rushed over to Alrid with a not-so graceful stride through the fresh snow. "What in the hell happened here?" Sir Michael exclaimed. The snow had been saturated by the blood of the men.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv4wx2jB7i
"These men attempted to ambush me in the dark. Foolish they were," Alrid sighed. He then realized how this might look to someone who had not seen it happen. "Do not fret, they're not dead. We need answers from them. Bind their hands and get them to the dungeons. I am sure the king would like a word with them come sunrise."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64RyH2Axof
"Yes, Master Alrid," Sir Kevin said with a bow and a hurried step to collect the spies.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUwSz7ge1k
The knights produced binding rope woven specifically for making arrests. Sir Kevin went to the man with the knife still buried deep in his thigh while the other knight went to the broken nose man. They bound their hands in front of them and Sir Kevin had to assist his prisoner to walk.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FfLP3ZVoW
He wrapped one of the man's arms around his shoulder and hoisted him to stand. Alrid approached the man before Sir Kevin took him away, "Let us see who you are." He threw back his hood to reveal an old man with a head of gray hair and a scraggly beard.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HS9iAJX6L
His eyes were a deep and pure black. He did not speak when Alrid asked him, "What is your name?" Alrid paused for a moment, "Why did you attack me?" The man was silent and he stared at Alrid with empty eyes. Alrid waved a hand in front of his face with no response from the man. It was as if all life had left him and he was just a mindless drone.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dmGWI9Z73
"Show me the other one," Alrid called out to Sir Michael. He brought the man before Alrid and drew back his hood. His nose had been bleeding down his face like a river but he seemed not to take any notice of it anymore.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju9OLkmFiL
This spy was also an older man with gray hair and a shadow of a beard. His eyes were the same soulless black. "He is using the elderly," Alrid muttered under his breath. "The ones we would suspect the least." He decided he would think about this until he met with the king in the morning.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAouozGrS2
As Sir Kevin and Sir Michael lifted the prisoners to stand, Alrid scanned the castle grounds intently. His elven eyes pierced the night as if it were only dusk. He searched the land until Sir Kevin called to him, "Master Alrid! Are you coming in, sir?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFCQo7g31S
"No, that's alright. You go on ahead and get those two secured for the night. I am going to remain out here and keep watch until the king wakes." Alrid gently shouted in reply. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZQ6OkDgGO
Alrid began a slow and alert walk back up to the keep steps . Intently examining every ruined building and alleyway as he moved along. Once he made it to the steps he turned around to face the castle grounds. His winter cloak draped over his forearms as he lifted them to cross his chest. From there, he waited and watched.
The winter sun had risen a few hours ago and Alrid had remained vigilant throughout the night and thankfully it had been uneventful.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfbww6onhU
The keep door opened behind him to his left and King John sleepily stepped out to meet him. He wore his normal thick leather pants and a woolen shirt with his winter cloak wrapped about him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIwUhBFx9a
"Sir Kevin told me you would be out here," he said, breaking the silence that Alrid had leaned into. "He told me about your little encounter last night. Two of them, huh?" He looked to Alrid who looked completely exhausted.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU7qQS2Uj2
Alrid came back to reality at the king's voice, "Unfortunately, he speaks true," he finally decided to break his concentration and sat down after hours of standing on the top step. With an exhaled breath of relief he continued, "They ambushed me, or at least tried to."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dwVBiiXwu
"How do you think they knew when and where to try their hand?" King John asked as he gazed out over his snowy castle grounds.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxkiqVcwz5
"Well, I have been having terrible luck with sleep as of late and I enjoy taking walks to clear my mind. It's quiet out here then," Alrid dropped his gaze to the stone steps. "It helps me to keep an empty mind, if you'd believe me. I find it best to sort out matters when I don't think about them. Being mentally quiet for a while makes it simpler." He paused for a moment, "I have no doubt they had been watching me."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtAaRrso0b
The King side glanced at Alrid now, "I know what you mean about the quiet before the dawn. I too enjoy those moments between worlds, it seems." After a brief pause he spoke again, "I am glad you are safe. You are quite the capable fighter, young Alrid. I don't think I have ever told you that." He tapped Alrid's back in a fatherly manner, "Let's go see if our prisoners know anything, shall we?"
Alrid and the king made it to the bottom of the spiral staircase just outside the doors of the dungeon. It was a set of solid wooden doors about eight feet tall that had a horizontal steel bar set across them. Two knights stood guard now since there were prisoners inside. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqctvkxTavi
Normally, the dungeons lay vacant as King John did everything in his power to stop criminals before having to imprison them. He preferred a more tender approach. Only the criminals that were unpredictable were locked up down here.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaTjIMq8bB
As the king approached he gave a nod to the knights who then removed the steel bar and set it aside and opened both of the doors. The dungeon was revealed to them, eight total cells lay ahead. Four cells to each side and within the first two cells to the left were each of the men from the night prior, they both sat on the stone floor. There was a chair in each of the cells but they were not utilized.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNDLR9TAnW
The men sat in the same crookedly way. Their legs were splayed underneath them, knees pointing forward similar to the way a young child would sit. Their eyes still held that pitch-black emptiness which looked up to Alrid and the king as they came into view of the men.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhdDYNBnq4
"Good morning," King John attempted at their humanity. It was more of a test rather than a real greeting. They responded with slow blinks and blank stares.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQkvvc5U1k
"I don't think we will be getting anything out of them," Alrid scoffed as he folded his arms across his chest.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYyXZv0Q1i
The king crouched to meet their eye level and their eyes remained fixed on Alrid. The king looked from them to Alrid as he followed their gaze, "It seems they have only eyes for you, my boy. You were their target and they don't seem to have time for anyone else." He looked back to the men and tried again, "Can you tell me your names? Do you know who you are?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGL8mchujh
Again, no response. Only blank stares and dead eyes. The king stood, slightly upset that they weren't speaking. He looked to the young hunter, "Perhaps our demon friend could assist us when he arrives today."
It was midday when Melganoth arrived in the Kingdom of the Flag. The same winter sun cascaded its glowing rays through the sparse clouds. The air was still bitterly cold despite the sun's warmth.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSi0OE6WY6
Melganoth intentionally landed outside the gates so as to not further scare any of the already stressed townsfolk. He landed with a heavy but gentle thud, his weight shifting fully on the ground. As he approached the castle gates, they began to open for him. He was expected.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxLffMtoqG
The guard on the battlements waved a friendly que to enter. The king had indeed delivered on his promise to inform everyone of his arrival. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7807G4rh7
Melganoth continued with his thunderous steps to the gate. His wings had been pulled in close to his back and just barely cleared the underside of the gate.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJJxmbI0T0
Sir Derrick had been waiting for him since he was informed by a lookout that a demon had been spotted. And there was only one demon left in all of existence. He approached Sir Derrick, "Good afternoon my good knight. I believe I am expected by the king." The demon towered over the six foot tall knight. There were not many taller than Sir Derrick so it was quite foreign to him to have to look up to someone.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51UWe4JAXS
"You are indeed. The king awaits you in the keep. Please, right this way." Sir Derrick lifted an arm in the direction of the keep. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3l0EuMa5l
Most of the townsfolk had never seen a demon before or had not seen one in twenty years and even though they were aware that he would be arriving today, they were still taken aback. His sheer size would have drawn attention enough, him being a demon made him stand out all the more. People whispered to each other as they gawked at him. They meant no disrespect but it wasn't often a demon walked through your town.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFrA73Ze7i
Melganoth thought it best to be friendly and waved to those who seemed to be most afraid of him. He was there to help them after all.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt56kq24gm
"Do not fret over their glances. They are good people, they are just not used to seeing your kind anymore." Sir Derrick spoke over his shoulder as they walked.
Melganoth entered through the keep doors and met with the king in the entrance hall.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyuY1pBUSN
"Well met again, my friend. It is good to see you," King John said as the demon approached. "I am sure you made quite the stir outside. Most of them are not accustomed to seeing a demon in the flesh anymore."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEsR5HWc1c
"I sure do hope I haven't caused any more fear for them," Melganoth spoke with a gentle tone and a hint of worry behind it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo7JEnsb4Q
"They're good people, they know why you're here and I am sure in time they will welcome you among them. Perhaps you could introduce yourself later if you would like. I am sure they would enjoy that." King John reassured him, "Also, I have news."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyw8jgfVIB
Melganoth perked up an eyebrow at this, "Good news I hope." He said with an air of expectancy.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWQra9WhQ8
"I wish I could say that it was, my friend. But sadly it is not," the king paused for a moment. "Alrid was attacked last night."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx6P31mwVC
Melganoth wasted no time before he asked, "Is he alright? Do we know who it was that attacked him?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZSOjIMOws
The king raised a calming hand, "Yes, yes, he is just fine. You should see the men who tried him. They are down in the dungeon as we speak. However, we could not get them to spill any information. They seem to be dead but their bodies are being used like vessels for the magic. Like drones."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK47oE4X2xP
"Allow me to take a look at them," Melganoth commanded respectfully.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJsVmP8NeZ
"I was hoping you would be wanting to," the king said, "Right this way."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jKCDGQG0w
Before they even made it to the staircase, Melganoth stopped, "I can sense the abyss from here. Whatever is down there is powerful. They may seem docile but they showed their hand last night. We must not underestimate them. We must remain cautious." The king nodded his understanding and they continued on their way, more alert this time.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ893lY5ZhiY
They arrived at the bottom of the steps to find Sir David, Sir Kevin and Sir Michael. They stood guard at the dungeon entrance and were having a conversation. The area down here was large enough to accommodate Melganoth's size easily enough but with the heaviness of the abyss present, it made the room feel suffocating.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFZ3kEQTRz
Melganoth noticed immediately that Sir David had the abyss coursing through him. He was under complete control of the enemy. He was the spy they feared. The spy within the inner circle. The traitor turned his attention to the king, "Good afternoon, my liege." He played as if everything was normal. He surely knew what Melganoth was capable of and that he could see exactly that Sir David was within the enemy's council.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhajMWnp1cr
Melganoth's mind raced with questions, How do I tell the king? When do I tell the king? For now he decided to keep it to himself until he could inform the king without Sir David taking notice.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykBFZ5VIrN
"Afternoon, Sir David. I have brought Melganoth here to inspect the prisoners," King John stated plainly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ahSl9Gp3v
"Of course, my king," Sir David said as he removed the lock that was a plank of solid wood from the door and opened it for the king.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqElnxj6sAY
Something gnawed at Melganoth, something that told him to keep the king out of there. That Sir David had set a trap and was waiting to encase them in it. He had to do something.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhkbO81qyr
"My king," he said quickly. "Allow me to question them alone. I must have undivided concentration to fully read them." He did not actually need to be alone but he could not allow the king to enter. He didn't have a plan, he just needed the king to be anywhere but in there. "Perhaps we should have Evander and Alrid here. We should keep them informed of this process." He thought that if they could outnumber the knights then maybe it could prevent any action at all. At least until they could get to a less enclosed setting.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RazvswGPz
"Excellent idea," King John said with a pointed finger at the demon. He did feel that something was off about Melganoth. The way he had spoken to the king was rather odd from his normal demeanor. For now, he would bring the Hunters in and go from there. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79NZ0R9Hxz
King John started up the stairs as Melganoth cautiously entered the dungeon. He searched the room for any obvious traps. He found the two men in the cells to the left and once they caught sight of them they reacted fearfully. They each backed up to the wall and cowered away in the fetal position.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZFCQin4e3
The closer he came to them, the more they feared him. He crouched to meet their eye level and spoke softly, "Hello there. You need not be afraid. I am not here to harm you. I just want to see if you will speak with me. Perhaps you could start with your name?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwDBv2USLF
The men made no change in their fear. After Melganoth examined further, he felt something approaching him from behind.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7D85qSPgZ
Someone behind him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTtDjKTW5Y
Sir David stood there with his two knights, "How quite perceptive of you to send the king away." His voice was low and gruff, much more sinister than before. He knew that the demon that stood before him could see who he truly was.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK04DXZaO4
Melganoth stood and turned around slowly, "You will not stay hidden for much longer, you know that, don't you? Snake."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmsJ0JKOCA
Sir David clicked his tongue a few times, "Now, now, there is no need for such an attitude." His voice held a rage that bubbled under the surface about to flood the room. He kept it contained, but only just.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytRfibh51w
"What do you plan on doing with the spies once you find them?" Sir David asked doubtfully. "Even if you do find them, the king will never allow you to kill us all." He knew the king well and would not allow the death of his people. Even if they were traitorous.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KODj2cKSx
"Maybe not at first, but once he sees what his people become he may have a change of heart." Melganoth spit back, "They become you. Vile and deceitful. Your deeds have cost a great many lives of innocents and your own brethren while you hid away in the safety of the walls. The king told me of the assault. How perfectly timed it was and how you so coincidentally were nowhere to be found on the battlefield. Did you honestly think no one would come searching?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw0wKLxtFI
Sir David scoffed at the mention of his own people dying, "Honestly, do you think I care about any of the filth? They are the maggots of the world and deserve nothing less than death. Better yet, put them in chains."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfPwXPCrNE
Melganoth just needed to keep stalling the knights long enough for the king to return with the Hunters. He knew that speaking with the abyss-carriers was a fruitless endeavor but it bought him time. "How long?" he asked Sir David plainly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV53qCQiI0H
The knight laughed through his words, "Wouldn't you like to know?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByYUZOF11I
Just then, the king, Alrid and Evander entered through the open doors of the dungeon. Sir David and his knights turned their attention to them now, "Well isn't this nice?" Sir David spat, "We are all here together at last. Made it easy for us, you did."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m7umoLhSC
"Made it easy for you?" King John quickly realized what his good friend had become. But right now was not the time to try and reason with him. He was likely already gone.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9mE3cmVGg
Sir David's knights drew their swords as he spat venom, "Taking off the head of the snake." His voice had gone cold and sinister with a sickening low to it.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ucskD01PC
Melganoth readied himself, so much for waiting, the king, Evander and Alrid all drew their weapons in turn. The king spoke solemnly, "So, after all that we have done, this is how it ends, Sir David?"97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWRcp8Okeo
The knight spoke through a devilish smirk, "I should have left long ago. I did not need Varamont's influence to see that now."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppJcodb6lm
Before Sir David had time to act on anything, Melganoth swung his left arm into the breastplate of the knight and sent him flying to meet the wall at the far end of the dungeon. His armor clashed against the stone and he crumpled to the floor.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3GRKfW7Ma
The other two knights realized their leader had been taken out and dropped their weapons. At first it was thought they were surrendering but not once they began convulsing sporadically. Their armor began to break away and their bodies forcibly morphed. Their bones cracked and the flesh ripped away. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPjBkeBLrR
They hunched over onto all fours and their mouths elongated into snouts of canines and teeth to match. But before they could finish morphing entirely, Melganoth broke from his trance of watching them and grabbed each one by the scruff of their necks.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS5cYidYU2
Evander caught on to his plan and moved into action. He ran up to a cell and opened it. Melganoth threw one inside and Alrid joined in from behind by opening the cell across from it. The doors slammed shut as the king retrieved the cell keys from the ground where Sir Kevin had dropped them. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgSRzquneb
It took the combined efforts of the eleven foot tall demon, two hunters, one of elven blood and the king to hold the doors long enough for the king to lock them. The hounds ruthlessly attacked the door as they tried with reckless hate to get at them.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqY51dNvtV
Now that the hounds had been secured for the most part, King John turned his attention to his once-faithful knight who lay unconscious on the ground in a heap. His armor had been shattered at the breastplate where Melganoth had made contact.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbT0D71TQy
The king had Alrid and Evander drag him into the cell closest to the entrance on the right since Melganoth was much too big to fit. The king closed the door slowly and turned the lock closed, defeated.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBFIsM0xDA
It was David. All this time. The one that had been informing the enemy of everything. The canines continued to attack their doors with no signs of stopping. The king didn't care. He had lost a brother.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj227vnz19
"I just don't understand," he said. "After all that we've done. It was him." He fell to his knees. Evander stood behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He remained silent for his friend. For what was there to say?97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBHcg3MGZg
Melganoth had been examining the hounds meanwhile, "Curious," he said as he crouched down to inspect in further detail. Their skin had turned a sickly dark purple and all remnants of humanity had long since been erased. The two knights that used to be human were now abyssal-hounds. 97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuB7T0zPBK
"What's curious?" Alrid asked from beside him.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp2HFArvnF
The demon responded as the hounds continued to try to break their cages, "I have never seen such creatures. And did you see that transformation?" he said excitedly.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHFFRXryq
Alrid could tell that Melganoth had a fascination for the abyss. "I take it that you've studied the abyss in great detail." He said with morbid curiosity.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSRBe0sw9S
"Over twenty years, in fact. I was forced into studying its behaviors and properties. How it affected different living beings and how I could stop or reverse it." Melganoth grew inward. "I lost my family to it. My beloved and my two sons. Demons only take one mate for life and even if there were more of my kind left, I could not take another." He gave a brief silent moment, "For years I had hoped that one day I would understand it enough to free them of their shackles. But alas, I cannot even cure mine own curse."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvhxSn6Ujs
"Maybe one day you can be rid of it for good," Alrid did his best to reassure his new friend. "I hope that you do."97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnRjiqrtRv
"As do I, young Alrid," the demon stood slowly. "Now I must get a drink." Alrid noticed he began to grow tense as if something was causing him intense pain. His eyes closed and he grumbled words incoherently. The abyss was pulling at him. Trying to pull him under.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUGilrHizt
"I take it you don't mean an ale," Alrid said with concern as he watched the demon fight down the pull of the dark magic within.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Rl56WLpp
The king and Evander noticed then, "Let's get us all a drink, I wager," Evander said with an uplifting tone. "These traitorous fools won't be going anywhere.97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGzqdRlt9O
