by Eden Redd
Father Abel looked to Thorrin with a small grin, “Many pass through the town. I’m sure if you express that you are looking for something to help unwind, the locals will try everything they can to satisfy your needs for the right price. Gold is king in Moon Haven, and where it comes from is not a concern.”
“Are there any threats we should be aware of?” Jon asked.
The priest’s eyes turned cold as he looked away, “The Bone Queen runs everything in the Black Garden. Discretion is needed when dealing with anyone in the Garden. As long as you remain to the background, she will not send her minions for you. They are a scary lot and many do not return if they take you away.”
The priest turned his gaze to Jon and Ro, eyes taking in their white clothes, “I will provide you with some garb that will help you blend in. I suggest you enter the town in the evening. Moon Haven does not stir until the sun sets so there will be little to do and few people to speak with until then. I would also caution leaving town during the night. The dead travel in the forests and some crawl from the river. The guards do their best to keep them at bay but even they have their limits.”
Father Abel bowed before the three paladins, turned and walked toward a door to the side. When he disappeared, Jon, Ro and Thorrin looked to one another.
“I have a feeling this is a bad situation,” Jon said nonchalantly.
“The town does have a reputation,” Ro said as she leaned back into the pew.
“We could go in together, safety in numbers,” Jon said as he looked to Thorrin.
The paladin remained silent as he mulled everything over. He didn’t know Jon and Ro. The quest was time sensitive and he wished Vass was here. He knew she could be trusted to watch each other’s backs. As for the two players in front of him, he wasn’t so sure. Players bump into each other all the time in game but Thorrin felt this quest had a darker edge. He grew up hearing that the only people you could trust were family. The term family was used for anyone who grew close, whether blood or not. Talisa was family just as Emma was, but now he was out here in a strange town with two strangers who say they fight for the light. The player hoped Vass got the message and was on her way. Instincts cried out that he should go alone. The player let those inner voices carry before his lips parted.
“I will go it alone,” Thorrin said with a firm edge.
Jon looked to the paladin with surprise. Ro’s eyes contained a hint of sadness.
“You can’t be serious? Moon Haven is not a place for paladins. We would do well by sticking together,” Jon said with urgency.
Thorrin gave a disarming smile but his brow dictated he was firm in his decision, “I agree but the three of us walking in together will raise eyebrows. We can split up and cover more ground if we investigate separately.”
Jon shook his head, “You never split up the party.”
Thorrin smirked, “We are not a party. We haven’t formed a group and we won’t. I’m sure you’re here to do good but grouping together will only put us in danger. If the town is as bad as rumors say, then even an army of paladins will have a hard time taking it. If we are here to investigate then we will cover more ground if we go in separately.”
Jon gave Thorrin a sheepish look, “We are not as strong as you.”
The paladin gave Jon the once over and then looked to Ro, her strange armor gleaming in the small amount of light, “I’m sure if you two stick together, you will be fine. That armor looks like a unique set and that staff you’re carrying has some runes carved along it. I doubt it’s just for show.”
Jon stood at his full height but his eyes drooped, “Why are you so resistant to group for our own mutual protection?”
Thorrin let out a small sigh, “I don’t know either of you. I have not heard of any deeds or even whispers of who you are. No one can vouch for you. All I know is we happen to be in the same town and asked to do the same quest. You may be paladins but I need a little more than just your class.”
Jon’s eyes turned neutral, “I can understand that. We just thought you would be open to working with us. We haven’t made a name for ourselves yet, but maybe in time we will be known just like you.”
Ro kicked her short legs as she sat and smiled at Thorrin, “I’m okay with splitting the group. We should cover more ground. Will it be okay to call for you if we run into trouble we can’t handle?”
Thorrin looked to Ro’s almond shaped eyes. They carried a genuine nature as she stared. Her small smile made the player feel awful for being so stern but he wouldn’t back down. The quest had already taken a dark turn and he didn’t want to spend his time watching his back while trying to find the troll master. This was one time he had to go at it alone, for everyone’s safety.
Thorrin smiled at the pretty goblin, “I doubt there isn’t much you can’t handle but I will fight alongside you should you need it.”
Ro’s cheeks burned pink but this time she didn’t look away.
Father Abel emerged from the door with folded clothes in his hands. Walking over, he noticed a tension in the air as the three paladins grew silent. Stepping to them, he looked to each one and grimaced.
“Is everything well?” The priest asked.
Thorrin looked to him and nodded, “Everything is fine. We just came up with a plan. Come evening, we will see about finding and rescuing your missing troll master.”
Five
Thorrin walked the dirt road, his eyes drinking in the town of Moon Haven with every step. Shadows lengthened as the sun sank behind the horizon. The sky took a pinkish glow as pale clouds floated along. The edge of night moved across the heavens and the lone paladin walked on, a wary determination in his eyes.
The paladin spent the last few hours talking with Father Abel, Jon and Ro about the town. The priest of Vala was a fountain of information as he explained the streets, various businesses and dark corners. Thorrin made mental notes on what to expect. He knew he couldn’t go in half cocked and steeled himself against the very things he promised to fight. Jon and Ro were all ears and nodded a lot. The human and goblin paladins seemed like good players but Thorrin knew he had to stick to his decision. Something about the quest felt wrong. He wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow if he simply came across the quest but it came specifically from Talisa. He knew deep down she wouldn’t send him on a quest that could directly put him in danger, not after their last night and seeing the cold realization of her existence. The odd part was Jon and Ro. They came to him because they wanted help on this very quest before he even knew what Talisa wanted to see him about. The player didn’t think it was just a coincidence and he felt better knowing that he simply had to look out for himself. It didn’t push away the heaviness in his stomach for turning away two players that may actually need his help.
The paladin pressed on as night fell and smothered the land in ethereal darkness. The only beacons of light were dim stars and the two full moons rising in the distance. The shadows had grown black as pitch for several boot steps until something glowed. The town of Moon Haven changed as the paladin stepped closer. Strange neon colors glowed against dark walls of the outer buildings. The glow formed patterns and soon into pictures as red, green and orange flowers bloomed into view. Colored paintings of skulls appeared on the sides of buildings and towers. Thorrin’s eyes widened as he watched the town turn from shadow and darkness to a vibrant glow of flowers, skeletons and skulls. The player couldn’t help but find it beautiful as he stepped to the town entrance and walked in.
The streets stirred with life as wild paintings glowed with black light auras. The entire town was covered in the glowing artwork and some of it seemed to stir as if they were a living entity. Thorrin moved to a building, hand reaching out and touching the glowing artwork. His lips turned upward into smirk as his fingers came away with a glowing moss. The pictures and designs were not paintings but actually different kinds of glowing mosses. He couldn’t believe the detail as he walked along, wiping glowing blue moss on his dark leggings. The moss seemed to reac
t with the small breeze, shifting in color, turning flowers from blues to pinks and then to crimson reds.
The buildings themselves appeared a little run down, mixing beauty with ancient wood and stone works. Doors opened and people stepped out into the beautiful night. In the corner of Thorrin’s vision, he called up the map of town and watched a glowing dot of where he was in relation to the rest of the area. Father Abel gave very good details of the town and it filled his map with street names, alleys and shops.
The paladin froze as a man walked with a small body in his arms. Fingers curled as he watched with stunned eyes. The man had a haunted faraway gaze as he walked past the player. Thorrin looked down at the small bundle. The dead gaze of a small child looked up, unblinking into the night’s sky. Thorrin turned, unable to break his gaze as the man moved to a doorway and knocked. Seconds passed before the door opened and a robed figure stepped out.
“Please……again…” the desperate plea fell from the man holding the small, unmoving child.
The only thing visible from the robed figure was their pointed chin and sour lips as he spoke, “I told you it will only work for a few nights.”
“I know…I know….I just wanted to spend a little more time with her…..” The man sobbed and held out the small bundle.
The robed figure let out a sigh, “The plague took her. The more I raise her, the more she will hunger for your life. You put yourself in danger every time I do this.”
The man pulled the bundle back and held it close to his chest with one hand. His other hand reached to a side pouch and pulled out a fist full of gold coins. Tossing them to the dirt, he took hold of the bundle with both hands once again and extended them out.
The figure let out a satisfied grunt before lifting up pale hands and speaking arcane words. Thorrin couldn’t believe what he was watching as dark energy swirled around the figure’s fingers. Words carried power and when the last phrase was uttered, a dark stream of black energy flowed into the small child’s eyes, nose and open mouth. The father looked down with wide eyes, his face screwing up into mad glee. The bundle was motionless for a long moment before the little girl’s head moved. Eyes fluttered and lips parted as she turned her head to her father.
“Daddy….” The little girl said with no emotion, eyes blank and unfeeling.
The man clutched the small toddler to his chest, hugging her tightly, “Daddy’s here. We are going to spend the next few nights together, just us. We can drink tea and play with your dolls. It will be magical.”
The man turned and walked off, holding the dead eyed child. The robed figure knelt down and began picking up gold pieces one by one, oblivious of the man watching with contained horror. Thorrin stared as urges pulled at his heart. Seeing the sickening display of love, loss, greed and dark power caused his hand to move closer to his hammer. Death was a natural part of life and despite being in a game, Thorrin wanted to bury his hammer into the head of the greedy necromancer. The thought of raising loved ones for gold caused his stomach to twist and his brow to narrow.
The figure stood up and turned his gaze to the stranger on the street, “Greetings friend. Do you have a loved one you wish to bring back? Bring their corpse to me and I will give you a chance to say all the things you never said to them while they lived.”
Thorrin remained silent, easing his brow. The paladin code dictated he must smite evil but also knew that if he did that right now, there would be consequences. Turning away, he said nothing and continued his way toward the center of town.
“Think it over. I’ll be here, waiting,” The necromancer called out with a sardonic smile.
-1 to the Sphere of Light
The paladin gritted his teeth as he walked on. If he lingered then his inaction would drain his power. Focusing on the quest, he moved on through dark streets and glowing paintings.
The entire town seemed to awaken shortly after nightfall. The streets were filled with townsfolk as they moved about. A woman sat on the edge of a street, her robes ripped and filled with holes. Thorrin glanced at her and then at the monkey skeletons dancing before her. Two danced and kicked while two others tumbled and jumped. It was unnerving to see the hollow eye sockets and tiny moving jaws as they frolicked, imitating the living. Townsfolk stepped by her, tossing a gold coin or two into a small open sack. The necromancer bowed her head but said nothing as she moved a finger back and forth, causing the undead monkeys to change their dancing to bows. A wave of nausea came over the paladin as he was, once again, unable to do anything.
-1 to the Sphere of Light
Thorrin let out a sigh as he walked. As long as he didn’t know people were evil, his sphere would not take deductions. As a paladin, every creature is entitled the benefit of the doubt. It ensured that paladins didn’t go crazy, striking down every creature just because of misunderstandings or one foul act amid a lifetime of good. Accidents happen and misunderstandings can paint the wrong type of picture, leaving the paladin enough breadth to measure if a creature was good or evil. The same rule turned into a crutch if he knowingly saw an undead or necromantic act go unpunished, even one as small as undead monkeys made to dance for gold and entertainment.
Thorrin knew if he didn’t hurry, his power would continue to weaken. Losing two points was already having an effect on his stats. His Sphere of Light was high but the longer he stayed, the greater the disadvantage would be.
Unable to risk weakening his sphere, the player averted his eyes from his surroundings. Watching the dirt street, he moved on as he attempted to shield himself from the bold darkness entrenched in the town.
The sound of rushing water filled his ears and Thorrin looked up. He had passed through the northern part of town and reached the wide river known as Death’s Tongue. Intricate bridges crossed over the black river, connecting the north and south halves of town. The paladin stepped to the railing and cast his gaze downward. The river was black with water churnings against pillars. It looked like the middle of town was built over the banks. Pale things moved just below the surface along the pillars. Thorrin couldn’t tell if they were white fish or something far more sinister. Thinking it over, it was better not to dwell and the player moved to one of the bridges.
Wood creaked as he walked along the wide bridge. Couples walked by, talking in hushed tones. Thorrin looked to the river, his hand gliding over the bridge railing. Skin began to crawl as the stench of death rose up from the waters and caressed his senses. In reality, the player could feel his MEG suit vibrate and crawl, like fingers along his skin. They moved in odd patterns causing Thorrin’s shoulders to tense up. He knew this feeling well and despised it. It was his class ability to sense true evil and the town reeked of it. Something unnatural weighed heavy in the air and a pressure pushed against Thorrin’s chest.
Looking down the river, Thorrin could see to the east was a number of docks filled with small ships. They appeared to be river boats and the player made a mental note. One of them was chartered to take the troll master east to the ocean. Once he rescued the master, Father Abel would be waiting at the dock, ready to tell him which one to board and hand him a reward. The priest was insistent he not give up the name of which boat to avoid others finding out and hurting the crew. What they were attempting was going against what the Bone Queen wanted and Father Abel did not wish for others to be hurt from the fallout.
Thorrin understood and his mind lingered on the Bone Queen. She was a silent lady, her influence touching many of the important figures in town. Father Abel alluded to her power and influence, as her businesses offered what many places could not, or would not provide by way of individual perversions. She often set up contracts with those working for her and they had to perform them to the letter, or suffer extreme consequences. The rumors spoke of desperate people and players who would take a contract for a length of time for rewards of special magical weapons, armor or gold. The Bone Queen would keep the details of the contract to herself and pimp out the people to fulfill any sick perversion dictat
ed by her clients. Thorrin remembered shadows covering his own eyes as Father Abel spoke of people having the option to break the contract but would later be mysteriously murdered and stripped of everything they owned. Thinking back to the alert earlier today, the entire town and surrounding area was a Player Vs Player zone with allowed looting. Thorrin patted the leather handle of his hammer and continued walking across the bridge.
On the other side, Thorrin turned sharply and began walking west. Taking a darker street with less people, he walked close to the river. Shadows darkened doorways and the glowing paintings seemed to shift to his presence then the wind. Wrought iron fences lined up along balconies of two and three story buildings. The paladin kept alert as he stepped along the dirt street. It looked like the perfect area to get mugged and the player wasn’t taking any chances.
The glowing images turned to dark flowers with shades of purple, gray and violet. The skull paintings had pin points for eyes and they seemed to shift as the lone traveler continued his stroll. Thorrin saw that he had passed into the Black Garden Quarter. Scantily clad women and men appeared along iron railings, their eyes filled with come-hither gazes. Glass windows glowed as lanterns shined their light on near naked bodies. Oils shined on skin as bare-chested women cupped them flauntingly and ran fingers down pointed nipples. Men moved their hips in a suggestive manner and flexed for the traveler. All manner of races swayed in a seductive dance, from elves and succubi to goblins and humans. Their arms spread out as if to invite the stranger in the street to their warm beds, even if only for a moment.
Thorrin marched on, taking in his surroundings. He turned his gaze from one prostitute to another, feigning interest but continuing down the street. Some whistled while others licked their lips. Several dark elves shouted down to the player, their bodies naked except for glowing paint on their skin. Thorrin waved but walked on.
The Black Garden Quarter was large, and even in the street Thorrin could detect the stench of death and sex. It mixed together to form a seductive aroma, one where you hated yourself but couldn’t stop thinking about. Thorrin tried to ignore his growing erection but the kaleidoscope of naked bodies assaulted his senses from every angle. The quarter was meant to titillate and the paladin found his willpower tested as he walked toward a large wood and stone building at the end of the street.
