"Here are the direction, I don't know if you need em. Be there in three days time."

Not to be one to miss a party by any means, Brian had arrived at the location specified. Renna's Fort, also known as the Den of Shadows. Leading his horse, Brian made his way along the road that lead into the wood. His eyes panned around his surroundings, as he whistled to him. "This is no joke." He expected to be stopped by sentries at any moment, but to his surprise none came. Kneeling a moment took a better look at track patterns in the dirt road, plenty of them looked to have been leaving the area, and hardly any were headed towards the fort. Standing slowly, Brian looked around once more and noted the sun was no longer breaking through the tree tops that surrounded him, soon after that it began to rain. Brian didnt pay much head to it, he just continued on foot with his horse as the rain beat down on the forest, Brian smiled a bit as the dense forest provided a decent amount of cover. Truth be told it reminded him of Alana's Brooke back home in Tyrsis. After a bit of walking Brian came to a bit of a clearing, and had finally arrived at the Fort itself.

It was near exactly to what his contact in the Contractor's Guild advised. Rustic in appearance, it resembled an old stoned church long since abandoned. Brian was a bit impressed by the sight of the windowless walls, and the steepled roof reminded him of some of the buildings in the four lands. It wasn't the most practical of forts, especially since it only just as tall as the large trees that surrounded it. Brian paused a moment and looked a bit around. No sentries, no sign of activity in at least a few days. He liked the fact there was one way in and out, at least on the outside and if properly defended it could be fun to make a last stand there. The rain worsened, and the rumblings of thunder overhead gave the Fort an even darker disposition. Brian noted the moat and chuckled to himself. "Gotta have the moat, it's all about the moat." Setting his holding bag down, Brian approached the moat for a better look and quickly noted the slim board that looked to be used for entry. The large arched doors gave it a nice effect as well. Ignoring the rain, Brian stood in front of the Fort and called out. After a few tries and no one responding, Brian decided to try another avenue. He decided to let himself in.

After a few moments of assembling a plan of some sort, Brian walked over to his horse and grabbed his war bow and two mythril tipped arrows. Moving aside the arched doors a bit Brian saw where the board was attached via chain crank to the fort. Notching an arrow, Brian then drew back as hard as he could. A low curse escaped his lips as he felt pain from his ribs once more and those damned annoying cuts along his arm. With a twang of his arrow he let fly and watched as the arrow cut through the chain sending sparks in all directions and then embedded itself into the wall. Another notch of the 2nd mythril arrow, and he followed suit and watched as the board came down. Brian turned and lead his horse to some cover and set his bow back into place. Leaving everything else save his katana, Brian made his way along the board, and after a few swift kicks to the doors was able to wedge himself inside.

He pondered once more if this was a good idea. No one knew where he was, and he didn't know how long it would take for anyone to get to him. Still, he wanted to speak to her and he owed her, that much was certain.
Brian let his eyes adjust the the darkness of the upper hall. The dimly lit candles along the walls didn't help much. Then again neither did the eerie silence that was all around him. The only thing he could hear was the thunder outside, and the dripping of water from his own clothing. Ignoring his soaked state, Brian made his way through the hall. Brian used the candles as his only true source of direction, and wondered what he would do if he ran into anyone. Breaking a neck was truly the first thing that came to his mind, but this was far from being work related and in truth he was trying to distance himself from that. Especially after Renna had first hand knowledge what Brian had done on the Kher Ridge. Shaking his head a moment, Brian looked around once more and noted no furniture or any kind in the hall, it was empty save the candles. Soon Brian came to a stairwell and descended into the dark.

As soon as he left the stairs he cursed himself. The hall was cramped as hell, if he were caught here it would be one hell of close quartered fight, and he knew that wasn't good for him, as he loved to have room to work. Brian made his way down the dampened narrow corridor for what he thought might have been a quarter mile and finally heard evidence someone was inside. Brian continued on, and felt the change in the air, the warmth in the air was pleasant change, especially since he was still wet head to toe. Peeking into what he assumed to be a Throne Room he saw her, as she knelt on all fours on what appeared to be an Altar. His eyes panned the room quickly as he made note of the old pipe organ, and the robed bodies chained to the wall. His eyes widened as he noticed the head of one of then turning to face him, under the hood there appeared to be nothing, yet Brian had the feel of several eyes upon him. Moving back a bit into the narrow corridor Brian wondered what the hell he should do. Walking in and yelling "Honey I'm Home!" was outta the question, and he was afraid if he told her he was selling a subscription to Rhy'din Woman's World magazine she'd probably kick his ass even worse than the first idea. So instead he moved to the entry way and watched.

Brian watched for a few minutes and felt badly for it. He had seen Renna at bad times, but the look on her face this time made the others look like tea time. He knew she was having a rough time, she had admitted as much when they last spoke. She was choosing to go back to what she was, to become completely undead. Brian of course preached to her about why she should remain as she currently was, granted he didnt truly know why he did so. What was it about her that kept him on a short leash at times. Why was he so concerned? Maybe it was the fact she was quite a bit like Brian when he was younger. The rage and chaos, the turmoil and lust for the fight. Brian understood it better than most, especially when he gave himself to Darkin and Serial. Brian saw her cry on the alter and watched her scramble on the floor and finally put on the necklace, and decided to slowly walk into the room. His look a bit ragged, he was still wet head to toe, the bandages on his arms were starting to give out and began come undone, his hand moved stray wet locks from his face as he paused a good distance from her and spoke calmly.

"Hello Renna, I came as requested.. Forgive my intrusion, I let myself in.. I.. Well, did I catch you at a bad time?"

Yeah real great way to open that line of dialogue.. That's exactly what Brian said to himself, as he prepared for the worst.

"... Anytime is a bad time, Brian."

Brian heard her speak and truly wondered if this was indeed Renna. His eyes panned the room, as he noticed the bodies actions once more, and pondered a defensive position. But, in the end he decided he didn't want to incite Renna any further by anymore actions. Brian looked and listened carefully to Renna, she definitely seemed to be in some type of distress and she looked very fatigued, his eyes also caught sight of the Pentram and the caked blood on her head. Still he made no move towards her or for that fact anymore at all, save his looking around. He knew deep down inside, this was not by any means a smart idea. The last time they had fought Brian has used tools to assist him, and he had natural light. This time, things were very different and that didn't bode well at all. Still, Brian had to assume she didn't want to fight as they both were recovering from the events of the last few weeks.

"I have, asked you here for a reason-"

Brian continued to watch and listen. In truth he was a bit confused about everything, so he kept his mouth shut.

"And, due to recent events I have changed my mind on why I want to see you..."

Brian watched her approach and took a step back instinctively. His eyes betraying him, showing just how nervous he truly was. Then he heard them, the sounds of war drums in the distance. Son of a %&*@.. Was the only thing he thought to himself. Now he was indeed stuck and this was looking less promising by the moment. Brian only hoped Sorreah had indeed followed him into the Fort and could make it out, should he need her to. Once he came to focus himself, his eyes setting upon Renna as she spoke again.

"How is Charlotte?" A smile as she asked, "I hope she is fine, and you Brian - how is my-" Eyes flashed down as her hands went up to place her palm onto his cheeks, "killer, today?"


"She is resting.. Thanks to you, I have her back saf-". He stepped back from the touch her of hands and put a few steps distance between them
as she asked how her killed was. "What the hell are you talking about, Renna? Why have you summoned me?"

Brian looked about the room once more. A cold shiver ran down his spine, as he eyed Renna once more. He was most definitely on edge, and with good reason as the sounds of the approaching force grew closer. Watching Renna go into another fit and drop the floor caused Brian to focus once more. He stepped foward to assist her, and then at the last moment backed away.

His eyes widened as he took in the changes occuring to her directly in front of him. "Renna? Why are you doing this to yourself? I don't get it.. Look at you, I know this hurts." A true look of concern began to show on Brian's face, as he knelt to get a closer look. Rising just as quickly as he knelt, Brian backed away and began to scratch away at his gloved right hand.

"... Don't worry, about them returning... They will not harm you unless I order them so..."

Brian ignored what was said, as he absently fiddled with the glove on his hand. His eyes panned about the room a moment until he heard her cough and saw the blood once more. Without thought he went to reach out to Renna once more, and within an instant his fist clenched and he drew the gloved hand back, and scratched at it once more. "Damn it Renna, why did you summon me?" Brian looked to her once more, and his concerned look was replaced by one of annoyance. His eyes narrowed as he took a hesitant step foward. "You have no one to blame but yourself in this, just turn back."

"... The images Brian... They still are etched into my mind..."

Brian watched Renna rise slowly to her feet, as she asked the question. Hesitation kicked in as he took a few steps back and eyed her carefully. He pondered feigning ignorance on the entire matter, but decided against it entirely. He recalled the exchange between them and what Renna had seen. It was something Brian had put behind him many years ago and in an instant it all came back. The blood, the rage, the piled corpses he set on fire. It was not something Brian was proud of, but it was the truth. So many thoughts went through his head as to how he would answer her, and then she asked yet another question.

"I-I need to know something..."

Brian's eyes narrowed once more, as he now had an idea of where this was going. "Look Renna, this isn't.." As Renna cut him off.

"They were so beautiful and I just couldn't help but feel, how right I was back when I first met you..."

"Look this isn't wise, you aren't thinking this through.. Hell you didn't know me then.. You just wanted a hunter to kill your own daughter. I was dumb enough to get sucked in." Brian backed away as he spoke to her, he stopped in his tracks as he got a better look at Renna's declining features. She literally began to sink into herself, her skin darkening and sinking, flesh peeling and dropping from her body. Brian wanted to leave, and yet for some reason could not.

"Your such a killer, such a good one... And when you wear that gauntlet... When you defeated me... I saw the look in your eyes the same ones in those images... It suits you, Brian... It suits you so well, it makes me almost attracted to you."

Brian eyes narrowed as he stared coldly at Renna, his fists clenched as he stepped towards Renna, his hand sliding to the hilt of his sword as he drew the weapon and held it low, and began to pace. Catching her smirk, Brian turned to face the exit and heard the sounds of the approaching soldiers, he stopped pacing and looked between Renna and the exit as she spoke again.

"And even now that evil is still deep within you, still festering there... Without the use of the gauntlet..."

Brian didn't bother to answer, the rage inside him was building. Drawing back his sword, Brian wanted badly to take her head, but the truth was would have no real effect. Brian waivered a few moments longer and sheathed the sword once more. Brian stared at Renna as she showed off her now skeletal hand to him.

"I want us to remain friends, Brian, the Killer, but I will not let you hide away that thing which resides so deep within your soul... Let it free, become like me... Let's have fun?"

Again no answer from Brian as he stood in front of her and tried to hold back the anger that was welling inside him.

"I know you will say no, Brian, and anything you say will not make me change my plans of being at your side... And you, at Charlotte's."

Renna extended her hand to Brian, and waited for an answer. Brian continued to stare at her, and after a few minutes fully regained his composure and answered. "You don't want me, you want my rage. Yes you are right, I am quite the bit like you, or rather I was. Okay you have me. But I have conditions. Leave Charlotte alone, leave my family alone.. I will assist you.. But no Gauntlet, you get my assistance, no questions asked and this is my last job.. Are we agreed."

Brian probably was not in his right mind, but as it stood no one else knew where he was or what he was doing. If he could wrap this assignment up quickly no one would be the wiser. Whatever Renna had planned it could not be any worse than the acts Brian commited on the Kher Ridge. Renna leaves them be, Brian gets a clean slate in regards to what he owed Renna for saving Charlotte's life and his as well.

Brian watched as the prisoners were chained to the wall, he continued to watch as they screamed for their lives and were gutted like fish at the market. He still watched as flesh was torn, and bodies were shredded piece by piece, bones broken and souls shattered. As all of that occured in his sight, he never batted an eye. Brian finally looked to Renna once more, his eyes narrow and yet his rage had subsided. Yet he felt it's call once more as he heard Renna sigh in happiness.


"No Brian, I want you. Without you there is no rage - no gauntlet, that is fine, but this isn't a mere job, a simple task I wish you to undertake for my own dark desires... Oh no."

"A simple task? Then name it and I will take my leave."


"I want us to remain... Friends..." Her skeletal hand extended out to indicate him, "And we will help eachother... We may have discussed this before, but I want to show you how serious I really am."

Brian shook his head in disbelief. It was true that he and Renna seemed close in the Inn and other places, but they knew what they really was. It was a front, they only assisted when it served whatever they needed at the time. In truth to an extent Brian feared Renna, he feared what she saw in him and what she had found out. Sooner or later it would come to light, Brian hoped that would be before anyone else got wind, especially Charlotte. His thoughts went back and forth, if Renna needed something done, or assistance he didn't see a true problem with it. Hell that's what he does for every other person who has contracted his services. One more wouldn't kill him. "Alright, Renna. I will assist you. As to how serious you are i will just take your word on it. Be warned, I will not slaughter in your name. I don't care what I have done before, or what you have your lap dog doing in your name. Also I won't move against anyone at the Inn just because you ask me to. You can save that task for the Ronin." Brian watched her for a few moments, as she then spoke.


"And to regards of why I am doing this to my-" Pain again, a whimper, a stumble backwards, steadying herself for a moment as she panted there on the spot. "Punishment... I pushed Toby away in doing this... This way I could never him in the future in my actions and-" Blood splattered out from her mouth to the ground, "...No man, can look upon me again, and lust for my body... This way, I'll never love again..." Tilting her head up to him, blood staining her chin and lips.


Brian laughed... That was the only response that seemed to have been appropriate at the time. He laughed and looked around the room to those still surrounding them, and wiped his eyes. "That was rich. You have absolutely got to be &*^%ing me. Punishment? Lust? So you punished yourself cause you're an idiot. Truth be told I think you might have needed some more action oh Queen of the Damned. Then maybe you could find a more suitable hobby." It seemed that Brian had regained his senses for the most part, his sarcasm kicked in with no mercy. "I needed a good laugh to get me outta that slump, sweet cheeks. You have my thanks."

With that Brian turned and made his way for the exit, as he made his way, the monks cleared a path save one. Brian paused a moment and ignored the monk, as Renna spoke once more.

"I envy you, Brian... To lock away your evil. Just don't let it explode, for I foresee that it will happen, eventually.

Without a thought, Brian's hand went to the hilt of his sword as he closed the gap with the monk. A deft draw of the blade, as Brian then gutted the creature running the blade along it's side from front to back. A quick turn, as Brian then ran the blade through the small of the creature's back till the sword's hilt hit it's back. Using his foot, Brian kicked the creature behind it's knee sending it slamming down onto the stone floor while he pulled it's hood down off it's head. Pulling the blade out of the creature's bac, Brian then twirled the sword once and with a back handed slice sent the sword cutting into the creature's neck. The sword cut deep, but didn't get al the way through as Brian changed to a two handed grip and with one more strike took it's head. Blood spattered all over Brian and the creature, and droplets riddled the floor underneath them. With a swift kick Brian sent the headless body slamming into the stone floor, and moved to pick up the head with his gloved hand. A moment taken, as he looked at the creature. He had no idea what the hell it was, but that was of little concern as he then tossed the head towards the Altar.

"Don't presume to know me. Don't presume to envy anything. You wanted blood so bad, there it is. I'm headed home to my family."

Brian left the room and walked down the long corridor and eventually out of the Fort and headed home.