Deacon left the Eugene’s Foot Parade to a look of disgust on Elle’s face. He followed her eyes back to the sign above the door. It was at this time he noted that she would never shop here. While Deacon came away with a few choice items he quickly determined that Eugene wasn’t interested in his designs for Air Force Deacons. He’d have to find a way to create rubber soles with alchemy. What he did get was two pair of steel toed boots and a pair of nice riding boots for just under five silver. Deacon was sticking to the black steel toed boots for now.

New Item- Steel Toed Combat Boots- These boots have a steel reinforced toe. This allows for a plus five percent damage when kicking.

Five percent wasn’t much but he was missing his combat bonus from his lost wrist wraps. Maybe he could find some more items one day that will make him more formidable. He kept thinking back to his fight with the guard, he decidedly lost that fight no matter the outcome. Deacon needed to increase his combat skills if he was going to take on even tougher opponents in the future. Anyone who concentrates on fighting immediately puts him on the back foot and he can’t rely on some crazy circumstance or artifact every time.

“Can we go? This place gives me the creeps.” Elle asked.

“I don’t see how purchasing boots helps us find Amanda.” Ralph replied.

“It doesn’t. Typhus, can Ralph come to dinner with us?” Deacon asked.

“I don’t see why not. He may have to wait in another room or something since they probably didn’t set a place for him. This is me just guessing though. Deep Dwellers events always hope more people show up.” Typhus answered.

“If anyone asks, he’s my bodyguard for the night. There is enough going on around me that’ll make sense.” Deacon replied.

“What is your plan exactly?” Ralph asked.

“We know we can uncurse… is that a word? Never mind, if we get her to Genevieve. I’m bait. She shows up to do something terrible to me. The only thing I know is that Ruby is obsessed with me for some reason. Enough she hatched a plan to attack me all the way here.” Deacon replied.

“Well you insulted her in her seat of power, ruined her schemes, and took away the civilization she was working hard to preserve.” Elle said.

“When you put it that way it sounds worse than it really was.” Deacon replied.

“She also believes you’re some kind of doom avatar based on what her god told her.” Typhus added.

“Out of context.” Deacon said.

“What context does that sound good in?” Ralph said.

“I object to the obvious dog piling that’s happening right now. Let’s head to the keep. I haven’t had a good meal in days.” Deacon huffed as he started walking toward the main road.

It didn’t take them long to get to Desentes Keep. The guard presence there was visible. There were town guards at the outer gates and no line. The group walked up to the gates, Typhus and Elle were let in immediately, but Deacon and Ralph were checked for weapons. Once Ralph showed his guild mark, he was let in as well. There were two horse drawn carriages as well as knights in plate mail armor patrolling the area between the barracks and the inner gate.

“Tight security.” Said Deacon.

“Well all three guild masters are expected to be here tonight and there were rumors of an attack on one of the local noble houses.” Elle said.

“Let me guess, House Taurant?” Deacon asked.

“How did you know? How do you even know another noble house other than Armand’s?” Elle said.

“A story for another time.” Deacon said.

They were led into the house by servant named Michael. They were brought to a sitting room where they found Jacob and Mr. Clean having a conversation over drinks. All four filed into the room and Michael closed the door behind them.

“Ralph, why are you here?” Jacob asked.

“I’m Deacon’s bodyguard this evening and every evening until we find Amanda.” Ralph replied.

“Excuse me Mr. Clean, guild business.” Jacob said breaking away from the Guild Master of the Mountains Shadow and working his way over to his guild mates.

“What’s this about Amanda? We gave her thirty-day suspension from Guild activity. Have you seen her again? Did she attack you?” Jacob asked Deacon looking concerned.

“She’s cursed.” Ralph said plainly.

“What?” replied Jacob.

“Yea we didn’t have time to tell you earlier. She has a ring on that is controlling her actions. I noticed it when she ambushed me two days ago. It feels like two days. I get a lot done in a day. It seems like something an enemy I made back Mulvaria has something to do with. I got a quest to save her.” Deacon explained in hushed clipped words.

“An enemy we made.” Typhus added. Deacon noted whenever it was a problem that included the Cardinal Unit, Typhus was very protective.

“Does this have anything to do with the Circle incident?” Jacob asked trying to be surreptitious.

“Oh good you know about that. We aren’t allowed to say it. What is the deal with that?” Deacon asked.

“Have a seat, it’s a story that doesn’t get told often so I suggest you pay attention.” Jacob said and gestured to the couches in the sitting room. Once everyone was situated, Jacob began to tell the story of the Hidden Circle.

“At one time there was a group of vampires that menaced the Iron Mountain Plateau. This was before it was part of the Griffin Kingdom. They called themselves that name. Their leader was a powerful magic user and instead of feeding directly he would send out what are called Sanguine Vessels. These are mortals that have earned the vampires favor. He used some kind of ritual to turn them into magic containers for blood that are very much still alive. They would go out and drain victims only to return and feed their master. It’s said they have a circular mouth with many small teeth, no hair, and very strong.” Explained Jacob.

Ralph and Deacon’s eyes shot wide open, and they looked at each other.

“You’ve seen one, haven’t you? We suspected as much. Fenris Desentes reported your altercation to his father who immediately sent for us. If I may continue? The Griffin King along with several other heroes at that time fought a fierce battle with the vampires expelling them from the Plateau. When the people were saved, they were eager to join the kingdom. The King asked that a temple to Astrael be built in case they ever returned. The pure holy light would keep them at bay and the bell in the tower would ring for any emergency.” Jacob finished taking a swig from his goblet.

“But none of that explains why we can’t say the name.” Deacon said.

“I’ll handle this, Chains of Power young Deacon. It’s an advanced form of Arcane energy from the Dimensional school. The chains will increase your powers and abilities, but it has a cost. The master vampire has a Fame Chain. The more people know about his organization the stronger he gets. We do not say that name. Understood?” said Mr. Clean. Deacon immediately saw notification appear from his slate.

Hidden Conditional Quest: You scratch my back- Quest Complete-Why was the information you gave Mr. Clean so important to him? Find out the secret behind the Hidden Circle. Success Conditions: Don’t speak the name Hidden Circle. You have earned a new level.

You have one unspent attribute point.

“Couldn’t you just say the name within the group over and over?” Deacon asked fascinated with concept.

“No they have to grow awareness and get new people to learn who and what they are. Slate messages don’t count. I noticed you read a notification. Did you have a quest or something about this?” Jacob asked.

“Yea I just got a level.” Deacon said.

“Me too.” Ralph said with a look of wonder on his face.

“It is very complex, these Chains of Power.” Came a new voice Deacon wasn’t familiar with. In came a tall man in pale blue robes with platinum colored hair. His eyes were large ovals of bright blue.

“May I introduce to you all, Verus Guild Master of the Tower. Greetings Verus.” Said Mr. Clean getting to his feet and bowing.

“As polite as ever Mr. Clean, speaking of Chains of…” Began Verus.

“No, no, none of that. We were speaking of the group we are here to discuss tonight.” Mr. Clean interjected.

“Right the vampires. Do we have any confirmed sightings beyond this group's escapades…What are you wearing?” Verus asked looking right at Deacon.

“It’s a suit. Formal wear from…my hometown.” Deacon said sheepishly.

“Where can I get one? Are those pockets in the vest? What for?” Verus asked. He continued asking questions for what seemed like five whole minutes as he appraised Deacons outfit.

“Excuse me Verus, you may be overwhelming my Novice. Do you think you can dial it back a little?” Jacob asked. Verus stopped asking questions and realized he’d leaned over and was pulling on Deacons jacket sleeve. Standing up straight, he smoothed out his robes and cleared his throat.

“Apologies young adventurer. Novice, you say, the power I see coming off of him says he’s at least an Adept. So much potential any interest in Magic?” Verus asked.

“Not really an option for me.” Deacon said leaning way back in his chair.

“Imp! Get the tailors address, I see a blue…suit in my future.” Versus said as he made his way over to the bar. Just then a small blue spirit appeared before Deacon with a quill and piece of parchment. Deacon told the spirit about Mentalba’s shop and how to find it. It then immediately vanished.

“Anyway,” Deacon said, “This seems like an important audience for just a report on what happened last night. What else is going on?”

“I’m guessing trouble. It’s very rare that all guild masters are called to the keep. Rarer still that Verus attends.” Jacob replied.

“I’m getting that feeling again.” Said Typhus.

“Don’t you start. Everything is running smoothly.” Deacon snapped back at Typhus.

“For now.” Said Typhus grinning.

“Why do you boys play this game? You know he can’t help it, but you just keep teasing him.” Elle said.

“Ms. Elle, to what are you referring.” Asked Mr. Clean.

“Please don’t.” Deacon side.

“Well it just seems that Deacon is magnet for trouble. He’s only been here a couple of days and he’s met both you and Verus. Jacob was a given, and now he’s inside Desentes Keep. How many other people can say all of those things happened in their first week in Iron Mountain Plateau?” Elle asked.

“So he’s fortunate? Nothing troubling about that.” Replied Mr. Clean.

“He was attacked in an alley by some kid, abducted, forced to fight in an underground arena, and fought off what we now know as a Sanguine Vessel. In the same period of time.” Elle finished.

“I believe I see your point. That’s a lot of excitement in a few days. So why is he reacting this way?” Verus asked.

“Because we named it.” Grinned Typhus.

“So this phenomenon has a name? What is it?” asked Mr. Clean. Jacob, Elle, and Typhus all looked at each other before turning to Mr. Clean and all said in unison, “Deactastrophe.”