“Artifact,” Sims breathed as he stared at the sword.

Raylas stared as well. The sword was black, deeper than the night sky. It seemed to suck in the light that came around it from how dark it was. There was also a power radiating off of it. It drew you in as well as made you feel a primal dread, like the sword was a beast ready to go for the kill.

The knight holding the sword, his bloodlust overtaking the room, made the scene something out of his nightmares. His armor shone brightly like a beacon of hope with a sword of doom in his hands, he was a figure who marched out of legends. The orb, powerful and mysterious as it was, felt friendlier than the menacing figure in front of him.

Yet, at the same time, Sapphire was standing between him and the Knight of Death. Ice and cold swirled around both of them as a shield from the old man, but even her frost seemed to be sucked into the weapon.

Raylas tried to reach for his weapon but the rope held him. The most frustrating part was the guards didn’t even take his weapon but the rope kept him from being able to grab the dagger. There was also a string tying the chain together so he couldn’t tug at it to release the blade so he could cut the rope.

He sat back, watching the scene before him and praying for a way to survive.

“Not an artifact but a powerful sword crafted by a great mage,” Vodi said. “And one which I’m sure you won’t want to be at the receiving end of.”

Sim gulped, his eyes not breaking away from the sword. He released his broken sword and raised his hands into the air. The other guards, seeing their leader surrender, followed suit.

Vodi turned toward the girl, his twisted smile sent chills down Raylas’ spine. He was stern before but now he felt a hint of hostility from him, or is it a challenge. The old man seemed hungry as he looked between the two of them.

“Master…” the girl whispered, giving him a glance. Her eyes were glowing but there was sweat on her brow. The magic was taking its toll, they wouldn’t last against the monster knight.

“Stand down,” he said as calmly as he could. His voice shook giving away his fear but beneath the aura of the warrior he felt no shame. This was greater than the Captain, more than the wolves or even beneath the zombies. Only beneath the orb did he feel a figure more powerful.

Was this the power of a Knight of Kasan? It was extraordinary and horrifying. He was in awe.

“But Master–” She hesitated, her arms wide with the freezing wind blowing around them.

“Stand down,” Raylas repeated. “He… isn’t our enemy right now.”

“Listen to him, Sapphire,” Vodi said.

She shook as she took a few breaths before clenching her fists. The wind died down and the glowing in her eyes faded yet again. She moved toward Raylas and started to work on his bindings.

The Knight nodded, satisfaction on his face, and turned back to Sim. His aura reduced to the point he could breathe again. He gasped a breath, and reached out to pull the girl close by. If they got a chance he would make a break for the door. The old man’s armor should hold him back just enough for them to get out of the city, though surviving in the wild would be… difficult.

It was better than dying.

“Now explain,” he grumbled.

“I am trying to protect the–”

The sword slammed onto the table, slicing it clean in half. The edges steamed and the smell of something acidic wafted around the room.

“Second chance,” he chuckled. “You’re hiding something. There is no other reason to fear the inquisition unless you are doing something… very naughty.” He shook his finger at the man.

“I am protecting this town.” Sim gasped looking at the table. It had partially disintegrated from the strike.

“Protecting or endangering?” Vodi pushed.

Raylas caught his breath and looked between the guard and knight. Everyone was distracted and the Knight moved away from the opening. He was about to leap out of the chair when the girl spoke up.

“This is about the monster, isn’t it?”

The two men’s attention snapped toward her. Sim’s complexion seemed to grow a few shades paler. Vodi, noticing the change, smiled and chuckled.

“We defend the town from monsters,” Sim exclaimed. “We would never make any deals with them.”

“The girl never said anything about a deal,” Vodi pointed out. The weapon appeared to melt down and shrink. It solidified into the form of a cane and the knight leaned onto it.

Sim stammered for a moment, then dropped to the floor.

“We had no choice,” another guard piped up. “It was either us or it…”

Vodi nodded, his eyes not leaving Sim. He reached out and took a hold of a chair and sat down. The wood creaked beneath his weight.

He waved for someone to continue but the room fell silent.

Minutes passed until Sim deflated further and sighed.

“We ran across a dryad,” he admitted.

“A group of woodsmen?” Vodi asked.

Sim nodded.

“Did any survive?”

Sim shook his head. “It happened seven years ago,” he started. “Five men were killed when they accidentally hit a sacred grove. A group of us went to search for them and ran across her. Only me and two others lived to return.”

“Why didn’t you ask for help from the knights?”

“We couldn’t send anyone out,” Sim said. “Wolves attacked us every night. Bears during the day. Even the vegetation seemed to move to impede us, both inside and outside the town.” He leaned back and plopped against the wall. “We grew desperate, we fought but nothing worked. There were just too many beasts.

“Then they breached the gates,” he shivered.

“How many died?” the old man asked quietly.

“None,” he replied. “They were broken down, but nothing came in.

Raylas tilted his head, curious. How many days or weeks did this take? If it was a constant attack the village would be exhausted within only a couple days. No sleep, no rest, attacked from all sides? That would be the siege he would give. It was the kinds of attacks the Orc Druid did, after all. Using the forest around them to wear them down until they became nothing but food to fuel his corrupted rituals.

But that was a person, this is a monster. Why would a monster do all of this?

“What did she want?” He asked, his heart finally calming down. The aura of the knight still hung in the air, but it felt reduced. He could move… think. There was no dread in the air anymore, only a nagging fear like being watched.

Vodi arched his brow at him. “A monster wanting something?”

“Everyone wants something,” Raylas said. “Merchants want to fuel their greed with material things. Warriors want a good fight. Dryads and other intelligent creatures want things as well.”

“Do you have experience with these monsters?” Sapphire popped up, she appeared curious as well.

Raylas shivered at the attention, but there was no use running now. “The group I was in killed a dark druid a number of years ago. Goblins, knolls, a troll. We killed many monsters, but there was a dryad who was enslaved to the bastard. She didn’t want anything but the remains of the monster’s bodies after we took our spoils.”

“Just that?” Vodi asked.

“Just that,” he stated. “Food. She wanted food for her trees, for the plants and growth around her grove.” Raylas looked at Sim. “She wants food, doesn’t she.”

“We leave her grove alone,” he nodded. “Give her our leftovers of food. Buy anything to help her grow her plants from the merchants. Take only what we need from the hunt and give her what's left.

“In return she kept the animals away from us so we could work without needing to keep our guard up. She would defend us from goblins and other monsters, and she would point out the trees which needed to be removed for improved growth of the forest.”

“A bit of give and take,” Raylas pointed out.

“We have thrived the past seven years because of the deal,” Sim chuckled darkly. “Our wood quality has improved. Nobody is dying from wolf attacks while near the town. We have even attracted a dwarf to be our smith… but…”

“Threat of the inquisition,” Raylas concluded.

“To protect us from a repeat of the Remaking of the World, heretical acts shall be purged from the land,” Vodi quoted. “Those that profane their lips with praises to the false gods shall be purged. Those which contain the tainted blood of the lesser species shall be purged. Those which deal with demons or monsters, in ways which are not deemed acceptable by the church, shall be purged.”

“Exchanges are not forbidden, but also not accepted,” Sim sighed. “We have no clue when an order will arrive, but once one does, who knows if we could keep it a secret.” He gave Raylas a sorrowful glance. “But now I don’t know what to think about undead breaking in.”

“Why is that a concern?” Vodi asked.

“The wildlife are supposed to keep them away,” he explained.

“Wolves attacked us on our journey,” Raylas pointed out.

“That also shouldn’t have happened,” Sim said. “Something changed, but I have not had time to visit the Dryad. Not many are accepted by her to see her.”

“Who else is approved by the tree woman?” Vodi growled.

Sim flinched, but named off a few names from the town. One stuck out to Raylas.

“... and Darling, wife of the tavern keeper, is welcomed by her.”

“Only women are accepted. Sim is the only guy allowed near her since he never raised his sword when she made the deal,” a guard included.

Vodi stood up straight and the cane melted way back into his armor. He thanked the guards and turned to Raylas.

“You might have brought the undead to the town,” he said. “But you are not the cause of trouble. You are merely the light which illuminated that there was a problem to be solved.” He gave the guards a look, each flinched way from his harsh glare.

“Each of you go back to your duties and guard the town,” he ordered. “From this moment until I say so I am your commander. You will obey my orders or you will be killed as a heretic and traitor to the crown.”

“We never wanted–” a guard started.

“The only reason I am not killing you now is because you made the deal under duress,” Vodi explained. “But you are also not forgiven because you never notified a Patrol for seven years. I will see to your punishment after this situation is solved.”

“She means nobody harm if we leave her grove alone,” Sim cried out.

“That is what she wanted you to believe,” he said with a sad smile. “My orders, or death. That is your choice now.”

He turned to Raylas and beckoned him to follow. Raylas, hesitant, shuffled after him when he left, Sapphire right behind.

“You are an innocent in this matter,” the old man sighed. “For that you are forgiven of any punishments besides the guilt you have revealed their secret.”

“Don’t be too harsh with them,” the girl mumbled.

“If they listen well then I will see how much I can overlook this after I report it to my superior.” He looked sad as they left the barracks and entered into a white covered town. “If I must, I will limit the punishment to only a few…”

“But orders are orders,” Raylas continued.

“Orders are orders,” Vodi agreed. “A warrior who knows of duty?”

“Mercenary… former mercenary.”

“Even more surprising,” the old man chuckled. “I believed those scum only knew the clinking of coins.”

“I do enjoy my coin clinking,” Raylas joked.

Vodi let out a single, loud laugh before turning serious again.

“You will go to Darling and see what you can get out of her,” he said. He reached into a pouch and pulled out a small token. “If need be use this and extract info under my name. I will send my grandson to see you shortly. Don’t let her escape.”

He turned, his cloak billowing as he started down the street toward his home.

Raylas examined the token and his eyes widened. It was gold. Pure gold, with the stamp of dragon and greatsword along with the words ‘For Family, For Power, For Prosperity’ surrounding the rim.

The coin had to be worth a fortune, yet the knight gave it to him as if it was nothing.

“Shall I put that in the vault as well, Master?” Sapphire inquired, her eyes shining on the coin.

Raylas let out a panicked yelp.

“Not even if my life depended on it!” he yelped.

“Boo…” she whined, deflating. Her sparkling hair waved around dramatically as she played up her sorrow.

A dryad? A Knight who reeked of death? And a mad mage with the strength of a blizzard? What was he going to do?