(Just before dawn, the day of the great surrender.)

Ozzy looked down at Suzette, "Ready? We don't have to go back right away."

She shook her head, "No. If I do that, I might not come back for a month. You have a plan? You always have a plan."

"I was thinking about these roles we have. Not much different from some of the jobs we had before where we had to act out a role. Let's stick to that. If we see Ben or Rolly, we can tell them. But maybe no one else for a bit. Feel out the situation, see what's up."

Suzette frowned, "I don't like it only because we have to play up the whole 'lonely barmaid/oblivious boyfriend' bit. After I close up, I expect you in our room, that's where I draw the line."

"Ok by me." Ozzy took her hand, opened the door and they walked through.

They appeared next to the fountain in Sedgewick. A rooster was crowing. Ozzy walked towards the barbecue pit, but did an exaggerated wave to Suzette before he wandered off. She waved back, then slowly walked to the henhouse to gather the eggs, a sad and lonely look on her face.

=*=

Ozzy wandered over to his pit, keeping a big smile on his face. He saw the smoke golem tending the fire. "About time you dragged your butt back over this way. I've had thieves trying to steal from me, and that angel is thrashing about something fierce. The pit's a bit tight with one angel and four thieves tossed in there."

"Players? You tossed players into the firepit? Didn't their bodies go away?"

Joe laughed. "Naw, the pit won't let them. Oh, there's just a shell left; they aren't real people, just visitors - don’t worry about them hurting much. The rest of them is off wherever players go to when they’re killed off." The golem paused and looked at him. "Speaking of which, I see a few things have changed. You got to the second tier and even picked up a Role. That's very nice. Makes it a lot easier to do some things. Stick to the Role when you can."

Ozzy wondered how much the smoke golem could see of his other changes, "Good advice. I've got an idea I want to test though. Are you about done with the Screaming Charcoal?"

Joe nodded, "Oh yes, have a few good batches. Multiple screams are really nice. You want to let this bunch go for now?"

Ozzy looked down into the fiery pit with five people chained to the walls. It was a bit disturbing, to say the least. He'd thought the pit would just kill them quickly. Oh well, that's what happens when you steal from a butcher. And he'd thought about a way to maybe make it up to the angel. "Yeah, can we drag out the angel? I need to talk to him, and we'll let the other ones go."

The fire pit grew much less hot. The screaming stopped. The remains of the four players dissolved into ash. Joe's arms turned smoky, enveloped the angel and dragged him out. He wasn't looking so good. Only a few charred feathers on his wings, his halo had melted, and his golden hair was all gone. Still, even with all the burns on him, he looked pretty good for being in the pit all those days.

"You bastard! Just wait until I get free! Do you know who my father is? He's going to have you chained up and scrubbing the floor of four dungeons for a centuries!"

Ozzy just patted the angel on the shoulder. "Now, now, there's no need for that talk, is there? Threats will only mean Joe has to toss you back in the pit and start up some more charcoal. But I got to thinking that maybe we got off on the wrong foot."

The angel's face got a bit fearful at the talk of tossing him back in. Biting back on his righteous anger, he concentrated on getting away, "Uh, right. Definitely the wrong foot. Tell you what, you let me limp off to home and I'll consider this little mis-understanding to be my fault. No hard feelings. Certainly won't tell my dad."

Ozzy smiled at him. The angel became unsure of why he was angry. This mortal had such great teeth!

"I'm glad you see things that way, but I got to thinking, you probably do have a better deal than that spawn of the underworld. Her terms just weren't that great. If you're up for it, I think maybe we can work a deal. What's your name, son? I'm Ozwald." Ozzy stuck out his hand and the angel took it.

"My name is Arnoniel of the 57th host. Uh..just call me Arnie; everyone does. What sort of deal would you like to make?"

Ozzy smiled again, "Well, first let's get you cleaned up a bit." Ozzy used his cantrip to clean off all the soot and charred skin from the angel. Arnie was rapidly healing, but looking a lot thinner. His hair didn't come back, nor his wings.

"By the glory of the light! You have radiance?" Ozzy just nodded at him benevolently.

"Yep, that's one of the reasons I think we can make a deal. See, I'd like to protect some innocent people and their property. If you're willing to give me a long term extended warranty on some of the buildings in this quaint little town, I'd be willing to pay your price. I need to do some good to balance out being tempted by that Harlot."

"Plus, imagine how good that will make you look back at the home office, Arnie! Sure, you took a bit of a beating, but you're sticking around, making the deals. Any idiot can make the easy deals. You're taking on a Butcher and walking away with contract. You've literally endured the fires of the underworld to help protect this town."

Arnie was silent. It was true! Any idiot could do the easy deals. What he'd accomplished was real hard-core angel stuff. This guy was tough, but Arnie endured his fire, struggled, and worn him down. The butcher probably knew he was about to escape! Dad was finally going to be so proud of him! He checked his radiance. He had four points and he was going to make this butcher take every point of it to protect his little town!

REJOICE! You have entered into a binding agreement with Arnoniel of the 57th host.

In return for protecting the homes and businesses currently in the town of Sedgewick, you have agreed to the following:

Take upon yourself 4 points of RAD. Pay the sum of 7 gold a year for 99 years. In the event of your permanent death, the contract will transfer to either your oldest child, or to yourself when you re-enter the cycle, if you have no children.

=*=

Arnie was so happy! Not only had he closed a deal and brought light to the soul of a corrupted Butcher, but the man had even taken him to a healer to see to his wounds. The healer was a holy man who chose to live in poverty in a stable. Benjamin had come to the door in only a nightshirt and a hat to greet them. And such a hat! To his angelic sight it was obviously a holy relic, gifted to the healer! And it looked so sharp too!

Benjamin had embraced Ozwald, obviously seeing that the man was well on his way to being redeemed. The Butcher had spoken in hushed tones with Benjamin, and then told Arnie that he had arranged for his wounds to be healed.

The holy man took him into his own abode, and laid hands on his wounds. He was whole again, but when he looked in the mirror, he despaired the loss of his golden hair, and his thin limbs, with no softness to the muscles. Seeing this, the holy man had counseled him. He explained the beauty of his new form. When everyone was running around with perfect muscles and golden locks, that was boring. He, on the other hand, looked rugged, tested in the fires of battle.

As Benjamin went out to see to the sick and injured of the town, Arnie counted his blessings. Such a nice little town. He also finished the bottle of gin the holy man suggested he try 'for medicinal purposes.'

Rejoice! Against all odds you have sealed the deal! Brought home the bacon! Got that signature on the dotted line!

For Bringing Light to the Darkness, For Protecting the Innocent, and for Enduring the Fires of the Underworld you are promoted to the 56th host of the warriors of light.

We also like the new look, and are signing you up for a management course. Take a couple of days off and then report in for training.

Wow, this day couldn't get any better!

HOLY QUEST!!! Protect the Innocent Village of Sedgewick from the Evil Invaders!

Join Fearless Leader in his quest against the evil forces of the Momco corporation.

Failure: Fearless Leader shakes his head sadly, disappointed, just like your father does.

Success: Your name will be added to the roll call of warriors who answered the Call of Valor!

Join the quest?! Yes! / No

Arney meant to click yes, but the gin had taken its toll and he was asleep. When he woke up the next day, he immediately joined up. Benjamin gifted him a tunic and bestowed upon him a sword with which to smite the wicked. Then he explained how best to help Fearless Leader save the town.