Serverus Options

[Lord Veneficus]

I know, it is a bit short. But it's just a starter to see how you guys like it.

Serverus slowly crept along the dark halls of the Ayleid ruin. His delicately runed shortsword in his hand. He was a young Imperial of twenty years; with flowing black hair that reached just past his shoulders. A scar ran gracefully down his slightly muscular arm.

He had sworn to himself that he would kill the man who had so wrongfully murdered his first love, Marcella, the only person he had left in his life. The man was jealous and he attempted to court her. After failure at this task, he killed her and threw her body into the river. Serverus knew the man was here. He had spent many days and much gold hunting him down. The man was highly protected by men in ebony armor.

He entered a small room. Serverus searched through the contents of every container. There was a letter on a table next to a dented and scarred shield. He unfolded the letter and examined its contents.

Casimir,

I will gladly pay you five thousand gold pieces for ten more of your men. Send them to the clearing east of the Red Ring Road. I do not wish for my location to be revealed. I hope you understand why I need these men. I will see you there, my legionnaire friend.

A friend

Serverus laughed to himself. It was a little too late for the man to be concerned of his hideout being found. He folded the letter up and placed it into his pack; he then left the room and headed north, deeper into the ruin.

[Lord Veneficus]

Chapter IV

The marching grew loud and Serverus peered through the trees and saw ten of those men in ebony armor. There was a man in front; he was wearing Legion armor. Serverus knew this was the contact that Maeltor had written of in that letter. They all stood in formation at the center of the clearing.

A rustle in the bushes in front of the men made them jump. A figure emerged from the darkness and dusted himself off. He was wearing dark colored robes and a hood that hid his face. The man in Legion armor waved his hand and the ebony clad men withdrew their hands from the hilts of their swords.

“I hope you have my gold, Maeltor,” the Legion man said. Maeltor shook his head and dragged a large sack from the bush he was hiding in over to the man. Serverus realized that the Legion man was Cyrus, the man from the letter. Cyrus leaned over and opened the bag. It had exactly five- thousand gold pieces in it. He smiled and turned to his men. “All of you are under the command of my good friend, Maeltor. Do what he asks of you.” Cyrus turned and left the enclosure. Serverus leaned over to Marcus.

“I’m going to follow Cyrus. You keep watch over Maeltor,” he whispered. Marcus nodded and crept a bit closer to the edge of the clearing.

Serverus followed the sounds of twigs snapping and the quiet crunch of the leaves. He wanted answers from Cyrus; of course, he did not know how he would get a highly trained soldier to disclose any information on Maeltor.

Cyrus was on the Red Ring Road and Serverus had perched himself in a tree further ahead of him. He was waiting for his moment to bound from the shadows and tackle Cyrus to the ground.

Cyrus was right in front of the tree and Serverus dove from his branch. There was a great struggle, Serverus had been thrown off of Cyrus and they were back on their feet; both of their weapons drawn. Cyrus rushed at him and Serverus blocked the heavy blow. The strain was great on his arms, but he rolled from under the silver long sword and kicked Cyrus in the back of his leg. His legs buckled and he toppled over. But he was quickly back on his feet and his blade flew above Serverus’ head, cutting several hairs off in the process. Serverus landed a clean blow on Cyrus’ arm. He merely shook off the pain and threw a punch at Serverus. Serverus swung the flat of his blade at Cyrus’ outstretched arm and the sound of bones being snapped rung through the chilled night air. He attempted to run from Serverus in his heavy armor, but it slowed him down greatly. Serverus had pushed him to the ground, his blade to the throat of the corrupt Legion soldier.

“What does Maeltor plan to do with all of those men?” Serverus demanded through huffs.

“I’m not telling you a damned thing!” Cyrus shouted back. He was breathing rapidly and heavily. “I’d rather die!”

“Tell me or I’ll cut your throat!” Serverus pressed the blade harder to his neck.

“Okay! I’ll… tell you. He’s planning to take over one of the cities, I don’t know which one; I only agreed because he said he’d give me a part of the loot. I knew it was an idiotic thing to do, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“Is that it?” Serverus asked, his sword still pressed hard on Cyrus’ flesh.

“Yes! Please let me go, I have a family.” Serverus thought of what Cyrus had just said. He understood what it was like to have someone taken from him, but he could not take the chance. His anger got the best of him and he killed the soldier. Serverus dragged the body to the edge of Lake Rumare; he found a large stone and tied Cyrus’ feet to it. He shoved the rock the lake and Cyrus’ body was carried under.

Serverus sheathed his sword and made his way back to the large clearing…