SPEAKER_07 0:07

And now them roll.

SPEAKER_01 0:23

Our story begins as the caravan of souls stops at the shrine of Orion, overseer of the Fifth Hell, also known as the Torso.

SPEAKER_02 0:36

Daegone approaches.

SPEAKER_05 0:38

He's a bootlicker and a fool. But he does serve at least one small purpose.

SPEAKER_02 0:44

And what exactly would that be?

SPEAKER_05 0:47

Well, if his mood is sour, then we also know the mood of Orion. I would much rather know Orion's temperament before standing before him.

SPEAKER_02 0:56

You make a strong argument. The minute Dagon's usefulness comes to an end, however, I plan to make him a permanent part of my morning star.

SPEAKER_05 1:13

Dagon? I wish I could say the same.

SPEAKER_03 1:16

This hall of collected souls looks a little light for my tastes.

SPEAKER_05 1:21

Then it's a good thing we don't answer to you.

SPEAKER_03 1:23

I serve at the pleasure of Orion. Do you understand what that means?

SPEAKER_02 1:29

No. But we are certain you will tell us. I wasn't speaking to you.

SPEAKER_05 1:34

If only that were true for me as well. Step aside, Minion. We're here for Orion, not you. I'm more than happy to show you that in a more physical manner, if words are not enough.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

Dagon remained in place, glaring at Sindel.

SPEAKER_05 1:48

Or you could stand there and continually preventing Orion from receiving this too light for your taste, Howl. Something I'm sure he will be thrilled about.

SPEAKER_02 1:56

We have the necromancer Jenna Kiss, the one he specifically asked for.

SPEAKER_03 2:01

Orion's requests have changed. He no longer wants the necromancer. He desires another.

SPEAKER_05 2:09

That isn't what we agreed to, Daggen. You know that. We were hired to do a job, and we expect to be paid the agreed-upon challenge.

SPEAKER_03 2:16

Would you like to go inside and explain that to Orion yourself? Or shall I have him come all the way out here and kill you where you stand instead?

SPEAKER_05 2:26

No. That won't be necessary.

SPEAKER_03 2:29

I didn't think so. Which one does he want? The boy there. The muscular one wearing the black mask with the tassels.

SPEAKER_05 2:38

Orion wants him? What for?

SPEAKER_03 2:41

Do we have a deal or not?

SPEAKER_05 2:43

I suppose we do. But I will not forget this slight daggone. We've been loyal to Orion for centuries. The direction of our loyalty could shift.

SPEAKER_03 2:51

So could the direction of Orion's anger. It currently does not point towards the two of you. But that could also change. I'll go and unchain him.

SPEAKER_02 3:03

Wait, what's that on your hip? This is the boy's sword. I'll keep it since you're not paying us for the full lot.

SPEAKER_01 3:13

No, I don't think you will. Dagon snatched the sword away from Baal Khan, who stared angrily at Dagon for several moments. Sindel gently touched her partner's arm, which calmed him. He stepped away and gathered himself as Dagon smiled, watching as Baal Khan went to unchain Thamro. While this was going on, Angelica and the Provost arrived via teleportation near the royal city at about the same place where Ursula had stripped the Provost of his powers. They needed to be here, a place where evil was very prevalent, to open a portal to the Nine Hells.

SPEAKER_04 3:57

Oliver, this might be a mistake. Are you sure you want to summon him?

SPEAKER_01 4:02

How much longer do you honestly believe your horse can prevent the Gath army from attacking the rural city?

SPEAKER_04 4:08

Preventing? We told him to go and attack Finn.

SPEAKER_01 4:12

Do you want to continue making my point or summon that filthy beast here?

SPEAKER_04 4:16

Slightly more than useless.

SPEAKER_06 4:23

Hey, what are y'all bringing me over here for? The posse of me was all set to attack the royal city.

SPEAKER_04 4:30

Those plans have changed, useless. We're trying to save the city now.

SPEAKER_06 4:34

You two need to make up your noggins. Besides, won't that just make Ursulou madder and stuff?

SPEAKER_01 4:41

We no longer care what she thinks. In fact, we are leaving to go and kill her. We need for you to go into the palace and warn the Queen.

SPEAKER_04 4:50

Ollie, the Queen has eyes. You don't think she may have noticed? Oh, I don't know. The army with the siege catapults outside of the palace walls.

SPEAKER_01 5:01

Not what I was referring to, but I do realize you've gone five entire minutes without saying anything sarcastic. So I understand your need to say that. What I was referring to were the four additional armies that will arrive if we fail to destroy Ursula. She needs to be warned so that she can flee while there is still time.

SPEAKER_04 5:24

What about the Myrmidons?

SPEAKER_01 5:26

They are not vast in number, though they are certainly capable. At best, however, they will only buy us time, and that is assuming they arrive before the siege begins. They cannot survive an all-out assault by five armies. No, the queen must be warned and she needs to evacuate the royal city.

SPEAKER_04 5:47

All of those innocent people are going to be homeless once that army attacks, Ollie.

SPEAKER_01 5:52

Castles and houses can be rebuilt, my dear. People cannot be useless. Go back to the royal city and warn the Queen. She must evacuate and save as many of her people as she can. The Myrmidons are coming to provide defense, but even they won't be enough when the other armies arrive. Do you understand?

SPEAKER_06 6:13

But why don't I just tell the army to go back home? I can change back into Earl Oak and order them to go back home just like I ordered them to come here, right?

SPEAKER_04 6:22

No, useless. Somebody thought it would be a good idea to use this scroll of malediction on you. Now all of the commands you gave to the army are permanent.

SPEAKER_06 6:33

And by somebody, I assume she means you, Ollie.

SPEAKER_01 6:37

She does. The only way to stop these armies now is for Angelica and I to stop Ursula.

SPEAKER_06 6:42

So let old useless get this straight. At first we wanted the armies to attack each other and die so we could give Ursulao an army. Now we don't like Ursulao no more. So now we don't want the armies fighting. You seem to have a solid grasp of the plot. What changed your mind? Was it the jammies? She stole your rainbow jammies, didn't she? That'd be fight worthy for me too.

SPEAKER_01 7:08

Yes, useless. She did, as a matter of fact. And it has angered me greatly. She has proven to be the very apex of evil. An evil that I must stop or die trying to.

SPEAKER_06 7:22

Well give her hell.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Oh I intend to. In the meanwhile, you have your orders. Godspeed, useless.

SPEAKER_04 7:38

You ready?

SPEAKER_01 7:39

Not particularly, no. What is it? Once we open this portal, my supply of magic dust will be exhausted. I will be powerless. For all of my bravado was useless a moment ago. I am afraid. Ursula could have destroyed me with my powers. What possible match will I be to her without them?

SPEAKER_04 8:03

Elon handpicked you and I to face her, right? That's what you told me and Thad before we went to Upper Centurion.

SPEAKER_01 8:11

That is correct.

SPEAKER_04 8:12

Then what makes you think he won't equip you? That he hasn't already equipped you.

SPEAKER_01 8:18

Look at my robes. They are still grey. I cannot feel the magical energies that I used to feel. I cannot do this on my own anymore. I am completely dependent on Elion to be my source of strength.

SPEAKER_04 8:33

Then you, my friend, are right where you need to be. I don't think he brought you to this point to let you fail, Ollie. Trust him.

SPEAKER_01 8:42

The provost nodded, but Angelica could tell in his expression that he was anything but confident. He had used the last of his magic dust to open a portal to the nine and was encouraged when he was able to pass all the way through. He had thought that he wouldn't be able to enter the nine without being dead.

SPEAKER_04 8:59

Ah, and I was so looking forward to killing you.

SPEAKER_01 9:03

I do not understand this. I thought a person had to be dead to enter the afterlife.

SPEAKER_04 9:09

In a way, you kind of are dead, only. The guy who walked around with his nose in the air, desiring power, killing people without so much as a thought. That guy is dead. The man I am looking at now is a new creature. That man is full of love and full of life.

SPEAKER_01 9:28

And full of fear.

SPEAKER_04 9:30

Two out of three ain't bad. Let's move.

SPEAKER_01 9:33

As Angelica and the Provost made way deeper into the Nine Hells, Thamrail was being brought before Orion.

SPEAKER_03 9:44

The one you requested, Highness. The Thamro. Bring it closer.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

Let me gaze upon it. Seth looked up, expecting to see a hideous demon. Instead, what he saw was a very handsome man. O'Rion had dark black hair, high cheekbones, a pencil thin beard and mustache, and a very strong jawline. He wore white robes with purple accents that bore a variety of runes and other symbology on them, gold boots and various gold jewelry. On his hippie wore twin swords, each boasting pearl handles and various jewels contouring their respective blades. In his right hand, a dove rested comfortably.

SPEAKER_11 10:37

Interesting. It is smaller than Orion expected. Span it up. Where is the banner?

SPEAKER_09 10:45

What? I have no idea who or what you're talking about.

SPEAKER_11 10:48

Dagon, it displeases Orion. Discipline it. Where is the Bannon? The Bannon is the first of its kind. The Thamros exist only because of that one. Orion's plants in Amlin were ruined by the actions of the Bannon, and therefore the Bannon must pay with its life.

SPEAKER_03 11:11

Perhaps the necromancer knows Thad Bannon's whereabouts, Hinas. She was with this one when Sindel's caravan found it.

SPEAKER_11 11:20

Orion no longer cares about the necromancer. As long as Ursula does not have the necromancer, then the necromancer's purpose has been served. Kill it.

SPEAKER_03 11:32

With great pleasure, Highness.

SPEAKER_09 11:35

Listen, Orion, or whatever it is you're supposed to be, I'm having a pretty rough day, and I'm running out of patience. You're going to unchain me and my friends, and you're going to let us go.

SPEAKER_11 11:45

It amuses Orion. It is bold. Orion likes this. Perhaps Orion shall destroy it. Perhaps Orion shall not. It will help Orion decide its fate.

SPEAKER_09 11:59

I already told you, I don't know what the Bannon is, who he is, or anything.

SPEAKER_11 12:03

No. Orion is past revenge against the Bannon. For now. Orion is now far more entertained by this one.

SPEAKER_09 12:11

I don't have time for this.

SPEAKER_11 12:13

Does this one not understand that it is dead? What is time to bed things? No matter. Orion requires one thing from this one, and then Orion will allow this one to leave. Does it understand Orion?

SPEAKER_09 12:27

It understands perfectly. Will Orion understand when it destroys Orion?

SPEAKER_11 12:33

Oh this one. Yes. This one shall do nicely in the service of Orion.

SPEAKER_09 12:39

You lost me. Service to you?

SPEAKER_11 12:42

This one does not yet fully understand the workings of the nine hells. The nine can be a place of great torment or a place of great power. Does this one wish to be in power or in torment? Orion has the power to provide both. This one can spend its days in hell with the collectors of the nine, tracking down straight souls and bringing them into Orion's hosts and places. It is a fine vocation. Or this one can spend eternity being tormented. Orion feels that this one is a stop for. Serve Orion or spend eternity in torment, the likes of which this one cannot possibly fathom. I would sooner die than serve you. This one is already dead. But if this one spends a few lifetimes in torment, Orion believes that this one will reconsider its decision. Remove this one.

SPEAKER_09 13:39

Wait, what sort of torment are you talking about? For how long?

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Orion watched as two of his minions carried Thamro off. While this was going on, the dark figure continued watching the caravan from the hills, far above it, biding its time. The figure turned to his companion.

SPEAKER_10 13:59

This doesn't make any sense. They only removed one soul from the caravan. I didn't see any piece change hands.

SPEAKER_08 14:06

It's not exactly the largest hall of souls I have seen. I'm not surprised they haven't received any shalom, though I would love to know why that one soul was so important. That said, this is Orion we're talking about. Gods only know what idiocy he is plotting. Just be thankful we're not in his employ. How many are down there?

SPEAKER_10 14:23

Two collectors, a few minions. Nothing we can't handle.

SPEAKER_08 14:26

There is no we, writer. The moment you no longer prove useful, I'll kill you myself.

SPEAKER_10 14:31

Are you still holding a grudge against me for that ancient history?

SPEAKER_08 14:35

Ancient history? You mean your complete betrayal of me to my sister? You mean how you poisoned my wine and cost me my throne? I was the tarragon.

SPEAKER_10 14:44

Keep your voice down. You technically betrayed me first. You sent me to Finn alone to die.

SPEAKER_08 14:52

Which you did anyway, I might point out.

SPEAKER_10 14:54

Seems your loyalties were misplaced. One day, Angelika will end up here in the Nine. And when she does, I will kill her.

SPEAKER_08 15:03

Oh no, Rider. That pleasure will be mine. For now, however, let's steal this caravan out from under their noses. Perhaps one of the other overseers will pay us for them.

SPEAKER_01 15:13

The Terragon and the Dark Rider moved silently towards the caravan of souls. As they did, they stopped when they saw Orion's minions carrying another soul out from his throne room. And this one appeared to be struggling to free himself. By the gods, it's him. You know him.

SPEAKER_08 15:30

It's the assassin. The one we hired to take out Damien Lucian. No wonder they want him. It looks as though they're taking him to be tortured. Forget my previous orders. We should free the others as a distraction. While Sindel and Baal Khan are scrambling to gather those loose souls, I'll take out the two minions. You may well fetch us a nice price, especially if Orion has taken an interest in him.

SPEAKER_01 15:52

The Tarragon and the Dark Rider move like whispers down the hillside. Before anyone knew what was happening, the Rider had freed the souls in the caravan.

SPEAKER_05 16:06

What treachery is this?

SPEAKER_03 16:08

It seems your captured souls are fleeing. Perhaps you should attend to that. What in the blazes?

SPEAKER_01 16:21

Dagon watched as the Tarragon dropped Orion's minions like bad habits, freeing Thamro. Thanks.

SPEAKER_08 16:28

Who are you? We'll make introductions later. Move.

SPEAKER_05 16:31

Perhaps you should attend to that, Dagon.

SPEAKER_01 16:33

Dagon ignored Sindel and ran after the Terragon and Thamro as they fled. Jenna grabbed Billsby the bard, casting a spell as she ran with him.

SPEAKER_00 16:42

Skies and lies, how broad they be. It's hard to catch what you can't see.

SPEAKER_01 16:49

What are you doing, Lasse?

SPEAKER_00 16:50

Saving our skins. This spell only works for a few minutes, and you have to remain pretty still. Did you see which way Seth ran?

SPEAKER_01 16:58

No, lass. I'm afraid I did not. Your handsome young puppa's on his own.

SPEAKER_00 17:03

And with all of hell after him, it would seem. We've got to help him.

SPEAKER_01 17:07

Without me, guitar, I can't cast my spells, lass. Can you magic one up for old Bilsby? Preferably with a supple maple neck and nylon strings to keep me calluses at a minimum.

SPEAKER_00 17:18

I'll see what I can do. I need to get my staff. Once I have it, we'll go after Seth. I just hope he can survive.

SPEAKER_01 17:25

If Jenna had not been invisible, then anyone looking at her would have seen the fear on her face. Seth was on the run in the nine hells from the collectors and the servants of Orion, god of the torso of Helm. Not to mention the fact that Ursula also wanted him dead. And who was the woman who had freed him? There was something familiar about her, she thought. What about Angelica and the Provost? They were now in the Nine Hells themselves, making their way to Ursula. Had they come all this way to die? And what about Queen Peros, Lysa, Kumara, and Cravex? What would happen to them when the army of Gath eventually attacked the Royal City? Fear not, gentle listener, the answers are coming in the next exciting episode of Thamro.