"When I get out of here? I'll come for you..." - Renna of the Dark, The Betrayer

?Yeah, yeah, yeah...like I said, Take a number." - Kairee

"Give me back, my body."

"How does it feel now? Lucy? Being in my shoes."

"Please... I just want to be normal."

"Normal? You are far from normal."

"Give it back, it's mine!"

"Bold words for the dead... Lucretia. Tell me... How is it one has an army and claims to be its lord... and yet, is a far cry from being feared? One might suppose you have been handling it... irresponsibly, or neglecting it altogether. Though, you can't be blamed for that... if you couldn't even remain in control of a body."

"And you are referring to my Mother's old name, Braxeus, I am merely here to look after them. And to keep them from her grasp. I do not wished to be feared... You are speaking of things you do not understand... Renna is gone. She will be never coming back. Now leave me alone, go back to your whore."

"Never coming back? Is she on holiday? Or is she... somewhere, where she ought not to be? And I'm not talking about Majorca.... Not only an incompetent general, but one who wears a bag over her head. Hm."

"She is where she had always been. Out of my life and out of my body. She disgusts me a much as you, disgust me. If your digging for her to get out, you are poorly mistaken. And in regards to my Army that is none of your business. Keep your mouth shut to matters that do not concern you. Keep to your dick, and sate your whore's crotch."

"Don't you mean... Her Army? I was wrong to call you legion. It implies organization and capable leadership... something Renna was never capable of... wouldn't you agree... Lucy? That Renna is incompetent... a common whore... treacherous... pathetic, falling for washed up old Jodiah Ayreg... never even able to handle a body, or her self-identity, the base function of sentience. Truly an idiot... but I am sure I only echo your thoughts. Certainly there is no reason for unpleasantly between us, if we have so much in common."

"A slip of the tongue, indeed it is her Army. I can tolerate you bad mouthing her but I will not tolerate you slandering my Lord. What business have you to come here? Are you here just to intimidate me? Are you just here to scope out your death? Braxeus? Man who has nothing but himself."

"Why should common sentiment intimidate... And why would you merely tolerate the expression thereof? You do not fool proper Lords."

"We have things to discuss child."

"Of course, Mum..." Long legs took her to the booth in no time, the curtain was pushed aside as she slid in across from Mother, and curtain of course, slid back to conceal.

Lucy was sat in the corner of the booth, the vodka bottle now gripped lightly, rising to her lips for several long gulps.
"Do not fret over that man. He and I have had bad blood since the beginning." She tilted her gaze up to stare at Zenobia, "Back to the matter at hand. I need you to do a chore for me. While the Den's Fort is being rebuilt my child, I want you to go North. Take some of the Monks and take either Mina or Mu to go along with you."

A leg crossed over the other as her arms folded over that ample chest of hers, though it wasn't flaunted, she merely had it. No fault of her own if her genetics worked out in her favour... Emeralds studied Mother carefully as she listened, slight nod offered to the words and orders spoken.
"Of course Mum. What is it you would have me do...North?" Something deliciously evil she hoped, but if she were to take Monks and Mina or Mu? It simply had to be. Such thoughts put a twisted smirk on her lips.

Lucy brought her voice to a whisper, to all those outside of the booth they would hear little mumbles. Inside of the booth however, were simple whispers.
"Move through the forests. Destroy everything in your path, move to the mountains and find me a dragon. Kill it. Bring me the corpse."

It was deliciously evil!

"Of course Mum!" Enthusiastic she sounded, though her voice was lowered too, so that none may hear, save for Mother. "Anything and everything that gets in our way, I shall cut down without hesitation." Voice lowered even more, sounding rather throaty. "You will have your dragon..." Lips then pursed in thought, emeralds narrowing as she ran a few thoughts through her head. "I believe I will take Mina with me for this mission, if Mu is still...unstable?"

"Her mind is destroyed but her abilities are as good as ever, maybe even if more deadly in her madness my dear. She might be a hand full though, so it is up to you who you wish to take. Every mortal that is cut down I will need. So I will arrange carts to be provided for you to use..." The Vodka bottle was once again sipped, and placed upon the table before her, eyes locked onto the closed curtain.
"Zenobia, this is your real first task for me, do not disappoint me and return with all of your force destroyed. If you come back like that, don't bother coming back at all."

Ever so slightly she leaned forward, expression suddenly becoming serious.
"If I were to fail in such a way, I would return so that you might punish me appropriately Mum... However I have no intention in doing such a thing. I promise you that I will not fail." A hand raised to brush some stray crimson wisps from her face.
"I will bring you so many bodies you'll not have room for them, I will cut down two dragons if need be. Anything you want Mum? I will bring you more."

Lucy's eyes narrowed, though she smiled. She lifted a hand up to cradle her creation's cheek. "Do better than your best my child, just bring me a dragon. Two, eight, ten? Just be sure you bring me one. I need it. We need it. There is some warning I will give you however... The North I do not know - I know not the creatures there so be careful. Anything that gives you a run for your money make sure to hunt every last one of them down. Exterminate their families. A lesson will then be learned. Leave none." She pulled back her hand.

She tilted her head so that she might nuzzle her cheek against Mother's cold fingers, if only for a moment before they were withdrawn.
"Of course Mum, I offer you no less than my best." Her legs uncrossed, both feet planting firmly on the ground. "I shall leave now to make preparations then, unless there is something else you require of me?" Inquired as a brow arched curiously.

Lucy shook her head, tilting back her head then to stare upon her creation. "I will be there for your departure. You will take one thousand, of the eldest Black Monks who were one of the first few to be created in my service. I will arrange it all. The carts cannot Shadow Walk, my child. I will send for horses."

"Of course Mum." A smile for her Mother, almost...loving? "I will go to the Den now, inform Mina of your plans? And I'll wait for you and the supplies...You'll not be dissapointed with me Mum."
Zenobia was General of the Black Monk army now... She knew what a great responsibility that was, and she would prove her worth to Mother. Already the shadows were moving around her, wrapping around her body as it started to pull her within.

Boughs would shift with a firm breeze, breaching the border of the forests highest oaks and pines. The undulation of the branches brought momentary alterations in the pattern of foliage, barely alerting others too the prescence of the Ranger so easily concealed within them. The cloak of teeming colors seemed less livid now, the camouflaging hues calming their natural toil to settle a fine mix of browns, greens and grays over his form. The cowl of his hood was pulled firmly over his head, drowning his statuesque features in ebon shadow. The tall man knelt upon the slim branch that was his perch, knees protruding distinctly outward underneath the cloak of living, ambiguous colors. Appendages and hands were placed on either side of his knees, gripping to the bough tightly as keen enhanced senses observed in definite interest. When the last wagon would move out of his sight, the cloak would be tossed behind him as he began to run, nearly floating over the branches that supported his body weight. The bough he stood on came to an end a considerable distance from the next branch and with an agile, practiced grace he dropped his body to grip the branch firmly between his palms. With a sudden tensing arch of his back his body swung upon the branch, using the pendulum like motion to gain momentum. Soon his body had flipped completely over with his hands gripping the branch and once the rotation was completed he released his grip, floating cleanly through the air, tucking his knees to his chest and the cloak flush against his body to turn a somersault. He would uncoil his lithe frame, stretching his arms outwards to catch the branch easily, pulling himself upon it in one smooth motion. And from there he would continue to track, watching, waiting, observing as Lucy's caravan moved through the forests he called home.

Mina had activated all of the eldest Black Monks - unshackling them from their restraints at her Queen?s mental command nearly an hour ago. They were all amassing away from the Throne room and towards the Main the hall where the Fort?s large iron doors were located, now under the new sub-leadership of Zenobia, General of the Black Monk Army.
The rest of the army?s ?newer? recruits lay still plastered across the walls the Throne room?s walls. Some were rotting, some were fresh, some even looked verging onto skeletal, but they simply were not ready for the big wide world. Not unlike the fully boned elite forces of Lucy?s army - they were older, had more experienced and had worked with Renna once before and were more than worthy for a one Monk on two mortal fight. That?s even without weapons.

From her usual hanging vantage point hanging high into the air close to the ceiling - various chains being trusted through her body, suspending her in the simple and overused crucifix position, Mina slowly lowered her horribly gaunt and frail frame to the ground. Bare feet touching the cold hard stone of one of the altar?s steps.
The chains seemed alive and connected directly to Mina?s back herself - spanning across the ceiling in a long succession of steel twined tentacles, each tipped in a long rusty iron meat hook. One of the newer patrons of the Army moved forward, slowly dragging down one of their robes over the statuesque form of Mina, pulling up the hood to hang over the already unnaturally long white hair hiding most of her face.

Another two had arrive at the Throne?s entrance, they did not bow to the Clairvoyant - she was not worthy of such respect yet.
?The Generaaal demandsssss your pressssencesss.? The gaunt lich-like voice echoed dully from the hood?s darkness, and without so much as a goodbye they turned and walked away.

Mina was used to her captors - the Black Monks - treating her in such a manner. They were after all eternally bound to the walls of the Throne room by her shackles and her chains. Preventing them free reign of the lands aboveground and free control to cause as much havoc has they so wished. Renna demanded control over them and so? Mina was drawn to the Shadows just for that job - and too, the abilities of Clairvoyance.

But then despite her important job of being Caretaker of the Black Monk army, Mina was the less used of the greater minions of Renna. Truthfully she wished that she were stronger physically so she could take on the tasks to make her Mother - her Queen, happy. She was jealous of Mu, but even more jealous of Zenobia - a newbie in her eyes who had snatched up the title of General in a matter of moments of her creation.

?SISTER!!!?

It was no wonder that Mu?s vocals chords had not snapped already under the strain of her screams.

The cry rung sharply in Mina?s near-rotten ears, the hood that covered her face; but not the expanse of dry frizzled white hair snaking out from the hood?s confines, turned to the side and directed her gaze up the alter steps and to the single Throne where the Queen of Shadows rightfully sits. There, chained to the base of it on all fours - naked with her long black hair laying about her youthful yet pale dead body, was Mu. The shackles at her wrists were tight and had cut deep into the skin from her struggles to free herself, her sharp jerks away from the full length of the chain were certainly painful to watch as she fell in an undignified mass of snarling hair and flailing hands.
The poor girl took commands from only Renna herself, anyone else? She?d attack them. Mu, the Priestess and once General of the Black Monk army was reduced to the status of savage pet.

Clairvoyant.

My Queen?

Bring me my Star.

Yes, my Queen.

Mina turned, leaving the last surviving Twin in her screams and thrashes, walking down the long tunnel and towards the staircase that would take her up, to the main hall. Grasped in her hands Renna?s Morning Star.

************************************************** *****************************

Lucy had stood before Zenobia. The elite Black Monks she had under her command had fallen to their knees before the Queen of Shadows with their heads already bowed. Complete silence save for the rattle of bones and shifting of cloaks in the wind was perhaps the only sound to be heard for quite some minutes.
Awkward silence you could say as Lucy stood there, gazing upon Zenobia in a most? Disapproving fashion. ?Prove to me you have what it takes to be the General. If not? I will make sure you will know the price of failure. I will not tolerate it. Not anymore. I have had enough of them to last me a life time. Do not fail me??

Mina appeared short thereafter her threat with Renna?s Morning Star grasped tightly in her hands, the echo of Mu?s cry, still even now reaching their ears. ?My Queen? The Star as you requested??

The Queen of Shadows adjusted her gaze on back to Zenobia, and then stared even more strictly than before. ?The Star represents me. It always had done since the very beginning with my Lord. You are to take my morning star and you will wield it. Know it that everyone who stands in my way will be crushed without mercy. Is that understood??

Mina bowed her head still holding the Star in her shaky weakened grip, offering it towards Zenobia; jealousy hiden by the wall of hood and hair. ?Yes, my Queen.?

Lucy grinned - more so to herself than actually any of her two minions; her children of which she was proud to create, and more so proud to see them act like were ready for war. Mina on the other hand really, really felt jealous and out of place. The look she gave Lucy with her mass of hood and white hair at the orders she was given by Zenobia showed that perhaps she was not all willing to follow the newer one's orders.

A glance then came from Lucy. Directly glaring down Mina. That was all it took for Mina to loosen up and listen to Zenobia's orders.

"Yes? General." Mina bowed her hood to Zenobia, turning slowly - though giving the Queen of Shadows one last curious glance, off she went following the crowds of black robed skeletal warriors, speaking in the demonic tongue of the Shadow Demons - a lich-like hiss, something almost out of this life.

As Mina left, Lucy slowly panned her gaze back to the knelt form of her child - her Zenobia, General of the Black Monk army.
"Do not underestimate the Clairvoyant, General. She is a valuable minion under my influence - do not think her weak for she has far more experience than you have currently..." Did the Queen know of the tension? Of course, she could read her minions like the back of her hand, she did not wish a civil war over two of her strongest minions over her approval ? that would be foolish and simply waste a lot of valuable time and energy.
?Though, perhaps my view will change. My favour is with her, for now.? Slowly she extended out a hand as she stepped up close to her, stroking a hand through her hair ? the fingertips skimming the flesh of her cheek, ?Let?s just see what you can do?? And with that, she let her hand part from her child?s face, wandering her way through the arched doors? Disappearing into the darkness, her voice echoed out from the dark shadowy hall. "Be safe."

With the last horde of Black Monks coming from the Den of Shadows?s comforting cold wallsm, the heavy iron doors closed leaving Clairvoyant and her Monks to the General?s charge.

Mina was loading up the carts as ordered and slowly and silently made her way back to the General, bowing her head again out of mock respect for her commander. ?We are ready to leave, General.?

How exciting it must had been to lead a caravan of silent skeletal companions and one Mina who hardly spoke at all. Such things were not perhaps the joy of the job that Zenobia had taken up.

Mina had done what the General had instructed with reluctant ease; really, even though she walked beside the much higher ranked minion she kept her pace slower than hers, so she could in fact trail slightly behind? Wanting to stand on over her back, waiting for her to do something wrong and so she could report back to the Queen and ?taddle-tale? the poor girl down from her high-horse.

Mina could only hope.

The movements of the caravan were perhaps slow than most, being careful, watching and waiting for anything to come in their way either it be neutral, ally or not; to slay them and store their bodies upon the carts that a few of the Black Monks occupied. Other Monks had taken the seats where the drivers once sat, willing the poor nearly deadly animals on until their last breath would be extinguished through complete exhaustion.

If and when that happened along the journey the Black Monks would have to simply push and pull the carts like the slaves should.

It wasn?t long before the second day would awaken with them yet still walking without fatigue or ache, their relentless slow march taking them far from the Den of Shadows and far from the City.

Moving off-course in a more north-westerly direction the dirt path shrank around them ? making it difficult for the carts to move upon the rocky and badly maintained ?road.? Sooner or later as the sun burned on high the poor animals that had hauled the carts for so long finally gave out, first one dropped, then another and before long all were dead, their bodies stored upon one of the carts; not wasting a single corpse they could get their hands on that could be brought back for the Queen?s service.

Perhaps some Undead steed would come in handy?

It was fast coming dark upon the second day ? the mountains now seen, but still, so far, far away?

"General. The Black Monks require flesh ? they grow hungry?? Mina finally now piped up for her near two-day silence, ?? I sense, life?? She sounded almost disgusted as the hood and hair tilted towards the right, ?? Humans? Hundreds of mortals? Something else? Several animalistic life forces? Something I cannot see or identify? Ten miles east... Two miles north...?

A bow of her head as she stopped, the other Black Monks following suit with the Clairvoyant, they were after all answering second to her. ?What are your orders, General??

Mina was not at all happy?

Zenobia was surely taking advantage of her time as her General, for now, throwing her orders around like she owned them... Secretly and as we expect of the darker minions, Mina was hoping for this all to end oh so quickly?

So far, it was dragging on.

Mina was not only physically getting tired from the hunger, but mentally too? She was restraining the urges to betrayer Zenobia and have her rot there in the forest? Broken and lost. Then Mina would once again be the Mistress?s favourite, right? There were after all more of them, than her.

Several miles didn?t seem far in hindsight, but walking there was surely no picnic. It would drag on still, a few hours would pass by and the Black Monks grew even MORE hungry and deceptive. A scrap had broken out between two over something as petty as nibbling on one of the dead horse?s legs. Mina easily silenced them with a glance? It was a surely a good thing that this was an isolated incident at the furthest cart. Mina didn?t want her responsibility - the Black Monks destroyed by an angry Zenobia...

Mina stopped, lifting her head, the mass of white hair shifting across her face. ?? Something?? She tilted her head, the hunger finding the images hazy and distant. ?I cannot see? Them perfectly? General?? Her head would scan the surroundings of the thickening foliage, for in the distance would be a hill, and that, was their destination. ?The mortals? Are there?? She pointed one thin and gnarled finger, ?And??

A screech, or something cutting the air. Mina took a single step forward, striding to stand right next to Zenobia. The impact of the arrow into Mina?s gut was perhaps strong for you see, it sent her a few paces back and to the ground with ease? The Cairvoyant after all was a weakling? At least Zenobia was better in that respect?

Protecting the General was top priority for the Black Monks, they scrambled from the carts hissing the most ear-deafening lich-like screech. The folds of their cloak shifting about skeletal ankles and face. Their old bones crack and creaking with each movement they made. They huddled around Zenobia, creating a wall of fabric and bone, preventing the arrows from fully finding their way to the General.

Mina on the other hand, was left to crawl with the shielding of only two Black Monks?The were dragging her too into the huddle of the minions.

?Seventeen?? Mina?s mass of white hair uttered, ?Mortal men? And women? The village is close - they know we are here? They are coming. More are coming??