I really like this store, I really do. I mean where the heck else am I gonna find so many vintage table top and board games from earth? Screw Ebay! This is where it?s at for me. Hmm, oh hey I had that, and that one too! Oh and look at that! ?Hangman?s Return?? didn?t they cancel that along with ?Thrill Kill? from EA? Bastards? Show some blood and a few bodies and suddenly it?s the end of the world or something. Stupid lawyers and soccer moms. Hey I know this CD! ?Let the bodies hit the floor?, isn?t that irony?

Speaking of bodies? It really didn?t take long for them to die. I have to admit to a slight moment of disappointment when it all came an end for the pair of them. I mean, I did get to make one watch me strangle the life out of the other. It was a rather poetic touch, letting their eyes lock while I released just enough to let the one I had been choking breath a bit, and then start again. Poetic and yet a lot of easy work for such an anticlimactic ending to two pieces of garbage that no one would really miss. It wasn?t like the streets were packed with all that stuff about the livestock and their little fundraiser. So I didn?t get to really play with my food, or anything too fun. Of course it doesn?t matter what I want, you see? I could complain until the end of time and it wouldn?t change a thing for me, because I end things in the manner my Lord Bhaal directs me to, and that is simply the way it is.

So I left the pair of them for the Watch to find, just like Lord Bhaal told me too.

Luckily for me, my Lord is pleased with my work and of course shows favor to me, this most unfortunate of souls that is wrapped in a pathetically fragile shell called humanity. He allows me to complain here and there, to speak my mind. Others had simply tossed me aside, much like an afterthought. Others, such as my parents who were pissed beyond all belief that I would rather read fantasy novels and play table top games down in the basement, and then later on the computer. Addressing me as the son they ?used to have?, or ?that child?. So what if I?d rather play in a candle lit room only exiting to eat, wash and go to school? My grades were good enough to warrant no calls from teachers, and my parents never got a call from the cops. Then again, no kids from school called either or for that matter when it came to me, no one called at all. Alright, so I was an introvert. I admit it, and have no problem with it. So what if I preferred the life of fantasy over the crap we call ?day to day? here. So what if I had no girlfriend, or any ?real? friends? I had my books and games, and I had a few play partners in D&D. I had Jolt Cola, Doritos and Magic Missiles to shoot into the darkness, if I wanted to!

Speaking of missiles, is that what I think it is?

?Crossbows & Catapults and Ravenloft??

My eyes look to the weathered boxes and I?m lost again, reliving so many hours of my life spent playing and strategizing. And just as I am feeling myself reach for the boxed game, I?m struck in the most divine nature by my Lord Bhaal, in a most inspiring way. The games are forgotten? well at the very least, I'll come back for them. It?s not like this Hobby Shop is going anywhere, and it?s not like any of these Rhydin folk have a use for Fantasy Board Games from earth, I mean these people live the fantasy, man! They have all of this? Hmm? Oh, yeah! Lord Bhaal?s direction for me? It?s good he?s so patient with me, since I tend to run in so many directions.

My hands lift and pull the hood of my jacket up and are quickly pocketed while I just stand there in the aisle of that shop, watching and listening to what my Lord has directed me to. The shadow of darkness offers me a smile of sorts, while I nod ever so obediently to his direction and that smile grows the more so, when I am shown not one string to cut, but two. Two lives to end and in doing so the Lord has shown me the ensuing blood bath that would follow in the wake of these two acts. A blood bath of such proportions that death itself would flow through the streets like the piss some of these people actually call Ale! Like? Like a trip to Costco, or BJ?s! Death in mass quantities and at such a cheap price too!

And just like that my Lord shows his favor to me, yet again!

And why does he do that you may ask? Because the cheap price I was talking about is only two small little red headed girls and their body guard. Only two aisles from me, no less. And from what my Lord showed me, this time I get to play with my food. Oh yeah! And I just found a sweet ?Jack of Blades? figure from ?Fable?. Gotta buy this before I get to work, who knows when I?ll see a figure like this again, and I do love that mask of his.

?Sweet dreams are made of this,
who am I to disagree.

I travel the world and the seven seas,
everybody's looking for something.

Some of them want to use you,
some of them want to get used by you.

Some of them want to abuse you,
some of them want to be abused...?


I'm hardly even noticed at all, save barely the smallest of glances from the slightly smaller of the two. Back and forth they banter with not a care in the world, and that body guard of there is no better. Look at him, chatting up that young stock girl like he has any idea that anime isn't manga, or that TSR doesn't own D&D anymore. Stupid poseur, all he wants is to get into those cute lucky star panties she's wearing underneath that short skirt of her fuku. Still, I can't blame the guy can I?

Actually, yes I can.

It's cause of guys like him, that guys like me couldn't get a date, even if we rolled the greatest saving throw ever. That's alright, though. Because in a little while, he'll be the one in need of a saving throw and he'll find himself on the wrong side of a 2D6 when he really needed a 2D10. See how those muscles of his help when he's bleeding like a stuck pig courtesy of a Colombian neck tie. Piece of crap, poseur.

Well he gave me an opening, so I figure it's time to get the formalities out of the way, so let's get this over with.

?Frustum auri potest Dominus offertur vobis remittet in die occisionis. Utrumque vestrum.?

The words were said plainly enough, so that each of them hear me while they pass. The younger taking a second to look back, while the other just yanked at her. Forgetting me, they grab that horn dog of a body guard, and out they go.

And I make my move as well and snag my back pack, of course after assuring the stock girl that I would come back for that Jack of Blades action figure, because that is a very nice mask that he wears. Then it's outside for me too.

Looks like they didn't get far, good.

Dark clouds and thunder in the distance, even better.

They're so cute, it's almost a shame. Almost. They would have made someone very happy someday, I imagine.

Oh well, today their deaths will please someone so much more the deserving and in the pleasure of their deaths I will find a reward and even better... happiness.

It's always nice to take note of all the little angles, when one works. Makes the payoff that much more the pleasurable. Personally I don't take pleasure from ending the lives of these two, but you see it's what is to follow this that I will take such pleasure in. Knowing that all of that began because the Lord Bhaal chose ME as his blade! ME!

Now the guard? Oh I'll take so much pleasure in killing him, then again I may make it that much more the worse, and leave him alive enough to watch me end the girls and then... he can die.

Oh, here we go!

Hmm, well false alarm on that one.

So I take a quick turn at a stall, and have a look at their goods. No idea what the heck I'll do with official soap on a rope, but the shapes are really intricate. Hey, is that a Miranda Class star ship shaped bar of soap!? Huh? Oh, game on again.

A quick look up makes me smile, while I follow them. Dark clouds settling over the area, and what do you know? It's sprinkling.

They stop again, and I take that opportunity for a duck & change, while the girls argue over what looks to be meat on a stick. Back and forth they go, one wanting one and the other something else. I finish up, and stash my pack quickly. Sliding the cowl of my cloak over my head, I continue to watch, and tug the rest closer to me. Looks like the guard has his hands full, but don't worry friend. You won't for too much longer, that I can promise you.



(*A gold offered can make the God of Murder overlook you for today. Both of you.)

?Thressa! Hey stop! Dood we're gonna-- HEY!?

Aleyah didn't even look back to Paul, as the pair weaved their way through the crowd in pursuit of Nathressa, who still had a good lead on her sister and warden.

Paul on the other hand was doing his best to keep Nathressa in sight, all the while keeping Aleyah nearby all the same. ?She's gonna get me killed, if your mother finds out I let her get away!?

?No way, Jose!?

?It's Paul!?

?I know that! Hey, where'd she go??

?What!??

?I don't see her do you??

?Huh? Wait, stop a sec. No I don't see her! Sh*t you're mother's gonna---?

?Gimme shoulders, man! We need elevation, stat!?

Paul had little time to even react to the girl's request, as Aleyah promptly shifted herself behind the warden, and then proceeded to climb his back. ?Gimme yer hand an don't let me fall!?

With little else to do save pray to whatever gods he had in tow, Paul did as he was asked and took Aleyah's hand, and kept himself still as the Ravenlock twin made like a spider monkey. ?Dad always says get the lay of the land, an we can't do that on the ground.?

?It's starting to rain harder, we need to find her!?

?Copy that, now sit still! I think I--- got her! Across the way, um--- 11 o'clock! Back against those shops by the alley!?

?Oh thank g--?

?No time for love Doctor Jones!?

And like her sister before, Aleyah was off to the races as she hopped down from Paul's shoulders making for her sister in the most direct way possible. Paul had little choice in the matter (as if the poor lad really had one to begin with, I mean really.) and took off after Aleyah, while trying to keep his wits. ?This wasn't supposed to happen!?

?I didn't do it this time!?

The pair closed that proverbial gap as the bobbed and weaved through the foot traffic, while honestly felt a helluva lot longer it had only taken them a few moments to finally clear the crowd and regain a direct eye on Nathressa, who seemed rather fixated on the wares of a particular stall that was hosted by an elderly man and woman.

?Nathressa!?

?Thressa! Hey what the hell man!??

If Nathressa heard the pair, she gave little inclination of such as the young girl simply stood there, taking one item in hand and then replacing with another, and then another. All the while she spoke rapidly, nodding to herself as she continued on.

?What's she doing??

?Aw man, I've seen this before. It'll be okay now, we just need to let her finish and it'll be gravy, promise.?

?She yours??

Paul and Aleyah followed the asked question, each nodding to the man who had spoken to them.

The woman with the man then spoke as well, ?She's a cute one, never seen such hair and eyes--- well look atcha both. Twins! Isn't this somethin' and on such a beautiful day, no less.?

Paul bowed before the pair, ?I'm sorry for the trouble to both of you, please forgive us.?

?Nonsense lad, she's alright. Just spooked us a bit, coming out of that crowd like that with no warning. I don't know what she saw, but she came here with a purpose obviously, yeah? But it's alright, cause it's the most exciting thing to happen to us today. Isn't that right dear??

The woman smiled and nodded rightly, ?That's right, husband.?

Nathressa was still in whatever zone she was in, as she sifted through what Paul assumed was junk. Aleyah however knew far better than that. ?It's okay, Paul. She's talking to them.?

?She's what??

The expression on Paul's face said it all, and was nearly matched by the husband and wife team who owned the stall. Aleyah simply nodded, ?I said she's talking to them, she wants to know where they came from an which one she'll be taking home.?

?She needs to hurry then, cause it's getting ready to really come down and we need to get out of this nasty weather. Look at those clouds!?

?It won't be long, I promise.?

The elderly woman smiled again, ?Oh it's beautiful out here!?

?Yeah what she sa-- what!??

?Didja say it's beautiful out here?? Aleyah looked to the rather darkened sky, with her hand lifted to block some of the droplets of rain. ?Cause it looks like it's gonna storm bad.?

?Sure did,? said the elderly woman as she peered at Aleyah once more, with slightly raised brow. ?I guess I can see why you wouldn't like the rain or the cold so much though.?

Aleyah simply shrugged softly, and went back to watching her sister. The woman's statement meaning little to the Ravenlock twin, however when it came to her warden the words hit a bit closer to home.

Paul's eyes shifted to the woman, ?What was that, ma'am??

?Hmm??, was her reply.

?I said what was that in regards to the child here, and her not liking the cold or water.?

?Oh well she doesn't, does she??

?How would you know to assume such a thing? Especially when you've never seen this child before.?

?Well, I was a...?

The woman's reply was cut off by the clearing of her husband's throat as he then moved next to her, offering a smile of assurance to Paul and Aleyah. ?Well, son... What little girl would really like the cold or the rain, hmm? I mean she's dressed a bit heavy for the time of year, so she must not be a fan of this weather. M'wife here didn't mean anything much of it, she just sometimes doesn't word things so well.?

?Ah, I understand.?

The young man?s hand slid to his side, his fingers finding the hilt of his sword as he glanced about the area once more, and then to the sky for a brief moment. He then glanced upon the girls, ?Aleyah we really need to get out of here. Your mother will---?

?They?re sad? But this one here is angry, why?s it angry??

The lilac eyes of Nathressa Ravenlock lifted to the older man and woman, as she held up what looked to be a sheathed dagger. Well what resembled one, actually. Cause it was weathered, and rusted as all get out and honestly looked like a serious piece of junk, and yet--- the child held it as if it were?well, alive.

?Why is it so angry??

?What?s she---?

?She can hear stuff sometimes,? replied Aleyah without as much as a thought. ?Momma says she?s sensitive to auras or something.?

Paul nodded, and like Nathressa looked to the man and woman who owned the stall.

The woman looked to the sheathed weapon with a great deal of surprise, ?Is that---? That?s not supposed to be there, young lady.? The woman gently took the weapon from Nathressa?s hand, and showed it to her husband who then took it from her. ?I thought this had been taken care of, dear. What?s it doing in that old bin??

The man undid the rusted clasp of the sheath, and slowly pulled the blade out a bit. His eyes widening a bit as he answered his wife, ?Hun, I have no idea in the slightest, we did get rid of this?months ago.?

?Whoa, Thressa! What the heck didja find??

?It?s angry, it hurt things.?

?What kind of things, Nathressa??

The man then spoke up once more, ?I?m sorry kids, this wasn?t supposed to be there and she?s right, this blade did hurt things. Lots of things.?

?Relic hunter Thressa, yeah!?

?You kids best not hear about this blade anymore, I?m sorry.? The man then wrapped up the weapon rather hastily and set it in a box behind he and his wife.

?It hurt animals, lots of animals.?

The woman nodded, ?It did, it?s an old blade.?

?An people too. Children.?

?Whoa, no way!?

Nathressa nodded, ?That?s what I saw. That?s why I ran here, cause it called me. I saw something else too.?

?You did? What else did you see Nathressa??

Aleyah, and the others looked to her sister who in turn looked to each of them a moment and then to the ground a bit, ?I saw a skull looking at me, and it had tears all around it, they were red.?

?Dood! Paul, come back!!?

?Don't leave! PAUL!?

Lilac eyes widened in a sheer panic, as small hands instinctively reached for one another taking such a vice gripped like hold, while utter confusion of the worse kind set in as the twins continued to watch the most dire of scenes play out before them.

The bloodied woman shrieked even louder, as she continued to slip on the soaked cobblestone in her attempt to get away from whatever the hell it was in the alleyway that had caused her horrendous state.

Paul drew his sword, placing himself between the woman and the mouth of the alley. ?Someone get her away from here, now!?

PAUL!!

?She?s hurt? What hurt her??

Stealing a glance back to the woman who was still sliding along the cobblestone for all she was worth, the man cried out again. ?Someone help her, now!?

Not a soul moved to assist?

?Why isn?t anyone helping!??

?We need to help!?

?Nathressa tugged at her sister?s hand, while taking a step forward. The young girl?s body shaking like no one?s business, as her eyes remained fixated on the woman and Paul. Aleyah, while shaking just as much as her sister, returned and nod and took a step forward too.?

?No! You girls need to stay where you are!?

The words causing the girls to stop dead in their respective tracks, as they looked back to the woman, who now had a hand on each of their shoulders with quite the firmed grip.

A grip that Aleyah was none too amused with as she struggled to free herself from the woman, ?Lemme go! They need help, why isn't anyone helping them!?

?Foolish girl, there's no helping them now! Just look!?

The words fell deaf on the Ravenlock girl as she continued the efforts to free herself with such desperation. Small hands worked fervently to undo the grip to no avail, ?Listen lady, we need to help them NOW! Lemme go! Damn it Lemme GO! Thressa help me! Thressa!??

?It hurts...?

?Thressa??

?Leyah, it hurts...?

?Thressa, what's wrong??

Nathressa gave no reply to her sister's plea. Instead the young girl was doubled over clutching her stomach as tightly as she could, while swaying a bit in step. A soft moan escaped the child as she stumbled nearly to a knee, only to be caught by Aleyah who had finally freed herself.

?Thressa, what's wrong!? What is it? Tell me, sis!?

?It--- hurts.?

Aleyah looked over her sister as best as she could, with such a worry that she had never felt before. Her body trembled ever the more so, as she checked and re-checked. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she knew that her sister was not in a good way, just like the woman before them.

?Thressa! It's gonna be okay sis!?

The reply from Nathressa Ravenlock came in a fit of coughing, coupled with some rather rough body spasms as well. The shuddering catching Aleyah off guard entirely as she screamed loudly, while still holding her sister. Her eyes shifted back to Paul, who was still trying to help the woman in the street all the while, keep whatever it was in the alley way at bay. Then she looked to the old man and woman, ?Help her! Please, help her!?

The man and woman simply--- watched.

With not a word they watched the pair before them.

?Help her! Please, help her!?

Her eyes went back to Paul, who actually looked to be a bit father away than she recalled as she screamed out once more to the soldier.

?Paul! PAUL! Help us Pa---!?

Something took the words from Aleyah... Something warm. Her eyes lowered to her arm to find it somewhat covered in a rather smeared and sticky crimson... The warmth causing her eyes to widen so much so, as she felt her sister slacken a bit. The shift in weight causing both girls to fall to the ground, as Aleyah used her body to cushion her sister who broke into another fit of coughing and in doing so confirmed Aleyah's worst fear, as Nathressa's lips were stained with crimson, along with the droplets that covered the front of her shirt.

?Thressa!? Thressa!??

Aleyah's stained hands wiped at her sisters mouth desperately as she felt for air. ?Thressa!?

Nathressa didn't answer her sister, as she coughed a bit and then stopped. Her head rolled back a bit, as Aleyah used her fingers to open her sister's eyes more so.

Such a glaze did she see in the eyes of her sister...

?Thressa!?

Another cough and another as Aleyah then shifted her sister forward, while using her own shirt to wipe the blood away, while tear filled eyes looked to the man and woman once more. ?Help her! PLEASE!?

?Hurts...?

Again, no response from the man and woman.

They simply?watched.

And once more Aleyah offered a plea, and then another and yet another. A cry for her mother, and father... A cry for Paul... A cry for Scathach, and Aife... A cry for anyone...

The only answer the child had gotten--- was silence.

A warm blanket... The embrace of a loved one... The feeling of knowing your loved ones are never too far away, and can always be at your side in a moments notice...

A warm cup of cocoa in the morning followed by the sweetest of kisses on your head?

A bedtime prayer, followed by a rather lovingly tuck into bed and that ever so fun check for 'monsters' under a bed or two? Or perhaps a monster hunt, instead?

That ever so wondrous feeling of having so much family gathered in one place, knowing that unconditional love was overflowing for each and every one of you. Knowing there was no judgment what so ever, when it came to each and every one of you?

That feeling of having that one absolutely safe place, where nothing can ever touch or hurt you.

Safe...

That's what they had been told since the day they had been born in Appleburg.

They had been told they were safe, and sound and always would be such so long as their mother, father and family drew breath. No harm would come to them, and they would always be loved and never judged.

And safe is what they had been for all of their lives, along with sound...

Never too far was a guardian or two, always willing to lay their own lives down for the sake of these two amazingly gifted children. And not simply out of a job mind you, but more so for love and respect.

The same as their parents had done for so many, since before these two children had been born, and ever since their birth.

They had kept people safe, and sound... At much risk and sacrifice to themselves, and so many others.

Blood, sweat and tears... Given, and accepted by those who had helped their parents as well.

So many times they had been written off somehow, only to turn the tide in the most miraculous of manners, and somehow come out on top, no matter how chaotic the outcome had been.

Imagine seeing this, time and again...

Imagine growing up within a pair of the largest shadows you and others had ever seen cast, and watching those individuals make the impossible seem as regular as waking and sleeping---granted while not seeing the real sacrifices to make such occur...

But put yourself in the place of two children who watched their unconventional family, make left right, and up down... Watch their mother sacrifice for so long while their father had been written off as 'dead', only to have him return and more so-- with hell literally on his heel.

Imagine watching your family fight tooth and nail on a daily basis only to have a chance to make some wrong right,even in the smallest of ways... Or to watch them literally go to war for the sake of not only themselves, but for so many others.

Imagine living as a child through the campaign known as 'Scarred' and watching your parents as such, and more so assisting in every way you could given your limited capacities as a youngling. Imagine if you would, watching a man wearing the face of your father wreak such havoc on the lands, only to have your mother gather anyone she could, to storm a valley for the sake of ending it, and somehow finding your father.

Imagine having such family as an Empress who returned from the dead, or a cat-girl who would turn such worlds upside down to watch you smile... An uncle and aunt so beautiful together and apart, and even better--- they cheated death... An incredible aunt who was not only a teacher to your own mother, but a savior to your father... An aunt who was a vampire, to only become a human and so much stronger for her struggles...

An 'aunt' who was at the same time the scourge of the realm, and yet-- the most angelic of souls... And a 'sister', who was every bit her mother and 'father' despite her blonde hair and constant misgivings when it came to her heritage of light and dark.

Not to mention the incredibly beautiful nephew she had blessed them with, albeit for a short time.

Imagine a household full of so many incredible individuals that comprise what some call the most amazing and eclectic families that Rhy'Din had ever seen, or would see for a long time to come.

Older sisters to depend on and harass to no end.

An aunt that could build anything, and everything... An uncle who controlled the air! An aunt who was a dragon, really! And so many other gifted people! A family that at times carried so much power within that, you felt---

Invincible...

Because let's be honest here, how the hell could you not feel that way!

Someone always finds a way to save the day, no matter how bad the deck is stacked against them. Someone is always there, someone is always---

There.

Now imagine being those girls, feeling that safe and loved...

Invincible...

And now imagine that every bit of that had been stripped from you in the most decisive and horrific of manners.

As you hold your suffering sister tightly to your shivering form, as tears stream ever so freely from those eyes of yours, all the while you continue to cry out until your throat burns in such ways...

As you feel the warmth of her blood on your own skin, and the very life of her own slipping away and more so-- there's nothing in this world or the next that you can do to help her, save--- to hold her.

I'd imagine you'd learn a most incredulous lesson in all honesty.

In the arms of your sister you'd learn that invincibility is a crock of literal sh*t...