SPEAKER_05 0:07

And now that Genekiss awoke to find herself bound in silver chains and lying prone across the saddled lap of the most feared bounty hunter, in all of Welkin, a man known simply as the Ghost. We begin here.

SPEAKER_06 0:39

This is the spell of the angry mage. Cast it slow to aid your foe.

SPEAKER_05 0:45

Jenna watched as the silver chains on her wrists prevented her spell from working. The ghost simply looked down at her and shook his head.

SPEAKER_06 0:54

Can't blame a girl for trying, right? I gotta admit, I thought you'd be taller. I mean, after a person hears all of the Bard songs about you, I couldn't help it. Have you heard the one that Billsby the Bard sings about you called Flush Them All to Death? It's actually pretty catchy, if not woefully exaggerated.

SPEAKER_05 1:16

The ghost glanced down at Jenna and raised his left eyebrow.

SPEAKER_06 1:20

Oh, come on. You seriously expect me to believe you single-handedly defeated eleven men inside of a bathroom stall? I mean, that is what the song is about. Have you heard it? Want me to sing some of it for you? I can sing it for you if you want. Therefore, trust and black. From head to toe. Fluff them all. Fluff them all to death. And stuff and fluff them all to spike, please. Flush them all to death. Several limbs lay left to right. He flush them all to death.

SPEAKER_05 2:25

If the ghost were capable of chuckling, he would have done so. Instead, he simply shook his head and kept his eyes forward.

SPEAKER_06 2:34

What? My singing voice isn't that bad, is it? Trust me, I've heard worse. Where are you taking me? Look, I know that King Peros hired you to capture me and kill two of my friends. I know that you faced Cravex, and according to him, he defeated you.

SPEAKER_05 2:54

The ghost, if he'd had eyes, would have rolled them at that comment.

SPEAKER_06 3:00

I assume that since you have me, that you killed my friend Seth. Interesting. You either couldn't or you're saving it for last. Honestly, whatever your reasons, capturing me now makes no sense. Paros died during the Battle of the Order of the Dragon. In case you missed that little fun fact. My master, in his dragon form, burned him alive. The whole reason the king hired you was so that I could distract my master and his dragon form in order for his legions to kill my master. My point is there is no one for you to deliver me to. Paros is taking the dirt nap. And even if you weren't, it would be a moot point. My master is dead. You should unchain me and let me go.

SPEAKER_05 3:53

At this point, the ghost stopped his horse and dismounted. Jenna looked around and tried to figure out exactly where they were. The ghost collected her and placed her gently on her shackled feet before sprinkling dust over his horse. Watching it vanish shortly thereafter.

SPEAKER_06 4:16

Watch it! I'm delicate. Magic dust, eh? Haven't seen that in some time. You are full of surprises. I don't know where we are, but I can sense the evil in this place. There are forces here that are making even me nervous. And I cast spells on dead things. Think about that.

SPEAKER_05 4:41

The ghost ignored Jenna, instead going into his backpack and removing several candles, placing them strategically on the ground. He then drew several symbols in the dirt with one of his daggers. Once he completed the drawing, the candles elimined of their own accord. Fear began wrapping itself around Jenna like a blanket as the winds began to stir. After several moments, the image of a woman appeared within the circle and the candles snuffed themselves out. The ghost placed his hand on Jenna's shoulder, forcing her to drop to her knees. He then bent his own knee and lowered his head, paying respect to the self-proclaimed goddess of the underworld, a woman known simply as Ursula. Jenna raised an eyebrow at Ursula's use of the ghost's real name. The ghost stood as Ursula spoke to him again, while peering down at Jenna.

SPEAKER_01 5:51

I see you got my raven.

SPEAKER_05 5:53

The ghost nodded.

SPEAKER_01 5:55

Jenna Kiss, first apprentice of Borough Cane of the Order of Necrology. That's cute. Do you know who I am?

SPEAKER_06 6:03

I don't know. Some chick I'm going to kill the minute I get out of these silver chains.

SPEAKER_05 6:10

The ghost raised his hand to slap Jenna, but Ursula stopped him.

SPEAKER_01 6:15

You will not strike a woman in my presence if you know what's good for you. Is that understood?

SPEAKER_05 6:21

The ghost slowly lowered his hand and nodded.

SPEAKER_01 6:26

Admittedly, it is debatable how much of a woman she actually is. But I digress. I am Ursula, the goddess and overseer of the mouth of Knife Hell. You say that as though I should tremble. Though I generally do. It matters little, you won't be alive long enough for it to be of any real consequence. You are simply a pawn in a game far too large for one so insignificant.

SPEAKER_06 6:56

If I were so insignificant, then you would have killed me already. You wouldn't have sent a raven to the most feared bounty hunter in all of Welkin to hand deliver me to you. He came to the royal city and abducted me in my sleep. He could have killed me there. But given the fact that we are out here in the middle of nowhere, and given the fact that my necromancer blood is literally crawling, I can only assume he had to bring me to this exact spot. I may not be a goddess, but I'm not an idiot. Where are we? Why am I here? What do you want of me?

SPEAKER_05 7:34

Ursula was impressed. Most mortals were crippled with fear when they encountered her, but not this one. It did make sense, however. Jenna was the first apprentice to a man that, until recently, was considered a rival in power to the provost. As a necromancer, Jenna would have been used to seeing a myriad of unnatural things over her lifetime. So it was not out of the realm of possibility to assume that she had encountered the gods, perhaps even demonic ones, such as herself. She decided to dispense with the Socratic method and put her cards on the table.

SPEAKER_01 8:16

You, my dear, are bait for your friend Thamro. You will be the reason he dies. I have ambitions that cannot be achieved with the two of you meddling. I am bringing you into my realm to draw him here, where he will be the most vulnerable. He will come to the Nine to retrieve you, and when he does, I will destroy him.

SPEAKER_06 8:41

Why not destroy him now? He's in Fenn, in bed, completely comatose. I know Ghosty here saw Seth when he kidnapped me in my sleep. Real manly move there, by the way.

SPEAKER_05 8:52

The ghost glared at Jenna.

SPEAKER_06 8:54

What's stopping you from killing him right now? It's because you can't, isn't it? You fear that sword of his, don't you?

SPEAKER_05 9:02

Ursula ignored Jenna and spoke to the ghost.

SPEAKER_01 9:05

You've done well, Xander. I give you my word that Thamro will be dealt with in due time. I know what he did to your wife, and that he also removed your tongue. I know you want revenge for these things, but as I mentioned in my raven to you, your wife lives.

SPEAKER_05 9:21

Jenna's eyes grew wide at learning the reason why the ghost did not speak, but even more so at what Seth had allegedly done to him and his wife. Upon hearing the news about his wife, the ghost began sobbing.

SPEAKER_01 9:37

Go to the town of the Twin Swords in Upper Centurion. There you should seek out a man they call one thousand years, as he is rumored to have lived that long. He is a monk that practices the way of the widow maker. So be careful. Your wife has been staying with him and his fellow monks. I warn you she will have no memory of you.

SPEAKER_05 9:58

The ghost nodded, but then looked back at Ursula, and though he spoke no words, she seemed to be able to understand him as if he were speaking.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

I do not know how she is alive. Is it not enough that she is? I offered you information of her whereabouts in exchange for the necromancer. I have paid you. Now finish her that I might collect her soul.

SPEAKER_05 10:39

The ghost stabbed Jenna and then watched as her life gave out. Meanwhile, Queen Marlena Paros arrived in the city of Gath, where her brother-in-law, the Earl of Gath, was the governor. Her heart raced as her mind flooded with memories of their past love. A love that, sadly, was never allowed to blossom. Marriages in Welkin, particularly the marriages of princes destined to become kings, are often arranged. Marlena was the daughter of King Rothgar Cassim of the Killian Isles, a once powerful land heavily fortified in the eastern seas of Welkin. The time of the ravages had decimated it, due in large part to the formation of its sole export, ice lava. Unlike typical volcanic lava, ice lava was born out of the battles that took place there between the blood mages who reigned in power during that era in Welcome history. Ice lava therefore was a mockery, a bastardization of the glaciers that formed in Killian via natural causes. No one knows what spells caused the glaciers to erupt with lava, just that every few hundred years they now did, and that ice lava had many practical uses. It could both cool and heat homes as large as palaces, never needing to be replaced, provided one could survive the process of actually extracting it. Several Welcomeites died attempting to gain these resources, while others were quite successful in doing so, eventually bleeding the resources dry. But that was not before King Rothgar Kasim built an empire on the backs of the extraction of ice lava and the subsequent exporting of it. Unfortunately for him, there was no need for repeat business. Once one had the ice lava, one never needed it again. This led to the need to align his kingdom with another prominent house in Welkin, House Peros. The marriage between Prince Ramsay's Peros, the firstborn son and future king by right, and the daughter of Rothgar, Princess Marlena Cassim, would strengthen both houses. And so that was what was done. But not before Marlena fell in love with Prince Ramsay's twin brother, Rylan Peros, a prince who would never be king, a prince who would forever live in the shadow of his slightly older brother. It was arguable that Rylan, who was now the Earl of Gath, an appointment given to him early in the reign of his brother, more to placate him than anything else, was the superior leader of the two. But what was not debatable was that Rowland was the more bitter. He had long hated his brother and resented Marlena for not running away with him. Now, in Finn's most vulnerable hour, she found herself seeking the aid of the man who was equal parts her friend and enemy. Our story continues here.

SPEAKER_03 14:22

Your grace, Ma present Queen Marlayo Paris of Finn. I was wondering when you might show up at my door, Marlena.

SPEAKER_04 14:29

Things must be rather desperate in Finn.

SPEAKER_07 14:32

My husband is dead, and I'm using farmers as soldiers. We're a bit past desperate, Rylan. May I call you Rylan?

SPEAKER_04 14:40

Rylan is reserved for my friends. You haven't called me anything since your marriage to my brother, so Earl or your grace will do.

SPEAKER_07 14:50

Are we really doing this? Here in the palace in front of all your advisers?

SPEAKER_04 14:54

Anything you say to me can be said in front of them. I can actually trust them.

SPEAKER_07 14:59

Ah, okay. So then we are being this petty. And by we I mean you. You have no idea the amount of pressure I was under to marry your brother.

SPEAKER_04 15:09

Don't do that. Don't you dare do that.

SPEAKER_07 15:11

Do what, Rylan? Tell the truth.

SPEAKER_04 15:13

Throw my brother and your supposed pressure in my face. You and I were in love, Marlena. You loved me. For once I had something that wasn't his. And instead of choosing me, you chose him.

SPEAKER_07 15:28

You seriously need to get over yourself. I did what I had to do. I didn't love Ramses the way I loved you. That's true. You don't think I wondered about you the entire time he and I were married? Ramses is dead, and he has no heir. Did it ever occur to you why?

SPEAKER_05 15:47

The Earl fell silent at this revelation, as did everyone within earshot of it in the palace.

SPEAKER_07 15:54

I did what my father requested of me to save House Cassim. We were going broke and needed to align with House Peros. Marriages build alliances. You know how this works, Rylan. Ramses was like a brother to me.

SPEAKER_04 16:08

Then we have something in common. He was like a brother to me as well. What is it you want? I don't have all day.

SPEAKER_07 16:16

You know what I want. Finn is a shell of its former self since the dragon and that cult of terrorists attacked us. I'd like Gath to assist us. Fortify our army for a time so that I can put our farmers back to work and help recruit and train our new legions.

SPEAKER_04 16:31

And why would I do that?

SPEAKER_07 16:33

Well, I could command you to if I chose. I am your queen.

SPEAKER_04 16:38

You cannot command me to do anything any more than I could command the suns to rise or set. Besides, any city that has the almighty Thamro as its protector should be fine.

SPEAKER_07 16:50

You know of him? Even here in Gath?

SPEAKER_04 16:53

A single man takes on a dragon and lives to tell the tale. Of course we know of it. There isn't a town within a hundred miles of Finn that does not. So you don't need me or my resources, Marlena. Let your talented new warrior protect you. And if that doesn't work, talk to the charred bones of my dead brother. Perhaps he will have an answer for you from the nine hells.

SPEAKER_05 17:17

Upon hearing this insult, the queen began walking up the stairs to the throne, but was stopped by the Earl's guards.

SPEAKER_07 17:25

I will not forget this insult or this insubordination.

SPEAKER_04 17:29

Good. It's high time I lived rent-free in your mind for a change, as opposed to you living in mine. Guards, escort the queen to the outskirts of town and make sure she does not return.

SPEAKER_05 17:40

The Gath guards did as commanded, escorting Queen Marlena from the palace. When she was gone, the Earl looked to his advisers. How quickly can we lay siege to Finn?

SPEAKER_03 17:52

Your grace, do you think that's the wisest course of action? I don't believe I asked for your opinion just now. Apologies, Highness, of course. We can begin preparations immediately and be at the Finn borders with the full detachment within seventy two hours. Do it. Highness, the surrounding regions may see this differently. It may generate sympathy for Finn. Besides, you said it yourself, they have a champion in Thamro, the likes of which we have never seen. And the likes of which we haven't seen since.

SPEAKER_04 18:21

Where is he? Why was he not here with the Queen? No. Prepare the detachment and begin the siege of Finn three days from now.

SPEAKER_02 18:29

Dismissed So how that does.

SPEAKER_08 18:46

That was so good. I am so proud of you. You sounded so regal and yet so jaded and hurt by the Queen. I cried a little. Seriously.

SPEAKER_05 18:57

More importantly, you ordered the siege of Finn. Three days from now, the Gathian forces will descend on the royal city, and the first of our wars will ensue. You'll never get away with this. Angelica, I thought I told you to kill him.

SPEAKER_08 19:14

And I thought I told you that we're not killing anyone else. He has a purpose.

SPEAKER_05 19:19

And what exactly would that purpose be? To blurt out exclamations he cannot actually actualize to her insults at me.

SPEAKER_04 19:30

Free me from these chains and I'll hurl more than that at you. You think you're so powerful with all your spells. Give me a sword, and I'll show you true strength. What did you just say to me?

SPEAKER_05 19:41

Ollie, don't. Did you say that I lacked true strength? Why? Because I cannot wield a sword like you.

SPEAKER_08 19:51

Back off, Ollie. He lives, okay? They're just words, remember? Just words.

SPEAKER_05 19:57

Spells are just words too. You do well to remember that, Rylan. Angelica, place him back in the dungeons before I change my mind.

SPEAKER_08 20:11

What if someone finds him? And what about his memory? If anyone asks him about this, he'll give us all up And what exactly will he say?

SPEAKER_05 20:20

A talking horse, a dead woman and a mage captured me, impersonated me, and sent my kingdom off to war. I'd actually enjoy seeing that. Useless here will sit on his throne in the meanwhile.

SPEAKER_02 20:40

I'm not sure what's wrong, but whatever you did to help me sound like him is fading. I can hold his image, but not his voice.

SPEAKER_08 20:49

Hmm. Ollie, this could be problematic.

SPEAKER_05 20:53

Really? You think so?

SPEAKER_08 20:56

Aww, you're so cute when you try to be sarcastic. Yes, I do think so, to answer your question.

SPEAKER_05 21:03

We may be forced to use a spell.

SPEAKER_08 21:06

What about Ellion?

SPEAKER_05 21:07

My thoughts exactly. The moment he notices will be the moment this all ends.

SPEAKER_08 21:13

What about a scroll? Scroll spells, they're all the same, useless.

SPEAKER_02 21:18

Are they? Angelica. You are resurrected with a scroll, and Elion ain't showed up. Then Dominique was resurrected with a scroll, and Elion ain't showed up either. Maybe scrolls work a little differently. Maybe he ain't tuned into those like he is to those metal spells y'all are so worried about.

SPEAKER_05 21:39

Hmm. This filthy beast has a point. Ellion has not appeared, and a scroll was used to bring back both Dominic and you, Angelica. I may have an option, but it is risky.

SPEAKER_08 21:56

What would that option be?

SPEAKER_05 21:58

The scrolls of malediction. There are two left.

SPEAKER_08 22:03

The same scrolls that caused Borough Cain to become a dragon? You want to use one of those again?

SPEAKER_05 22:09

First of all, Caine was a far inferior mage compared to me. Second, only one of the scrolls was for transformation. The second scroll deals with immortality, which, given that these are cursed, leads me to surmise that it will likely kill you. The third, however, and final scroll makes any spell you cast irreversible. We could cast it on useless and give him the permanent ability to imitate the people he becomes.

SPEAKER_08 22:42

I don't know, Ollie. I have a bad feeling about this.

SPEAKER_05 22:46

Well, let me know when you have a better idea.

SPEAKER_02 22:51

Yeah. Let us know when you have a better idea.

SPEAKER_05 22:54

Can you please shut up?

SPEAKER_02 22:56

Can you please shut up?

SPEAKER_08 22:58

So good. If all you had to do was play Ollie, then you wouldn't need any silly scroll.

SPEAKER_05 23:05

It is settled then. We'll use the third scroll of malediction on useless and then do what we just did here. Declare war on the royal city.

SPEAKER_08 23:18

You want to have all five armies arrive in the same location? And attack then? At the same time?

SPEAKER_05 23:25

Yes. I believe I do.