"One down.." he murmurs in amusement as Thea and Alias string Ebon's body up on a wall. Iron chains criss cross the fallen man's torso snugly. Around them, the once prominent opera house remains silent in an ominous way. Shadows move along the balconies with the aura of restless spirits lingering in remembrance of old performances. A room of red velvet and decadence fallen into poverty. Something about the fall from grace appeals to him, keeps him coming back. Without a word, his thralls return to their previous tasks. There is much work to be done. "I wonder if they'll be impressed at all..." he trails off hearing something faint.

The emaciated form crept out of the darker shadows, its eyes sweeping the darkness as they glowed in the poor light. A soft cackle escaped its lips as it spotted its quarry and stepped toward the man that seemed to be admiring his macabre display. The decay of its body filled the chamber with a putrid odor. It reached over a long, thin hand to grasp the man on the shoulder.

Little reaction comes with the appearance of such a creature....no, having looked much like the thing before him, Cain would neither retract nor lash out. Instead he stills and looks to his eyes without fear. "Yes?"

He can smell something about the ghoulish creation...

The ghoul licked at its dried lips and seemed to offer a malevolent smile before speaking in a raspy voice. "You are summoned."

"Ah...understood." He acknowledges with a nod. "Tell your Master, or Mistress. I will come as directed." His task with Ebon done, all that remained was this last meeting.

"I will tell her. You will meet her in the deepest tunnels of the catacombs where they connect with the Crypt." Its venomous smile emphasized the implied capital C. Then the undead thing turned and stalked out of the chamber, back down the tunnel it had come from.

"Into the dragon's lair it would seem..." he whispers softly once the creature has left. He knew exactly where the creature meant, and he would not go down there unprepared, even if granted an audience. From an innocuous suit of armor, he removes it's gauntlet and slides it over his hand, one of the three sockets along the knuckles glitters with a dark jewell. Vindicator's first task long completed.

Fingers clench as he feels the reality warping energies of the stone. He turns and waves his hand, watching the opera house fall away and two steps bring him to the heart of the catacombs in the long tunnel leading to the Crypt.

At the far end of the tunnel, the opening yawns hungry, its stone arch carved into the likeness of a vampire's fanged mouth. At either side stood two pale-skinned humanoids clad in solid black armor, their eyes shining in the dim torchlight. Vampires. Armed with spears, they crossed them in response to Cain's approach.

Like preparing for a grand performance, Cain bows to their crossed spears. "So summoned, I came. Hopefully not prematurely."

One of the vampire guards seems to smile at the other in amusement. Then, mist that was concealed by the dark shadows of the cavern ceiling shifted and swirled before descending toward the floor. There, they coalesced into the small, thin, and curved frame of a hauntingly beautiful blonde elven woman, her skin pale like white stone and her eyes shining with the same predatorial red light. She wore a blue, full length dress that hug her figure firmly. "No, not at all. You're just in time."

"I do adore being punctual" He replies and rights himself in a bonelessly smooth display. One hand rests on the belt at his waist like a gunslinger, watching her form. That gauntleted hand tugs at the brim of his hat in a polite way.

She seemed to smile at the show of his manners. A man should always know how to respect a lady. She waved a dismissive hand to her guards and they quickly pivoted and retreated into the pitch black of Crypt des Enigma. "This meeting has been far too long in coming. I seem to recall you were interested in... my army. Truth be told, most would be shocked to know how an old crypt of a once respected family in Rhy'Din was being used, or the extra levels I dug into it."

"Indeed, though I'm not one of those that is shocked easily." Hands fall to watch her closely, hardly paying attention to the guards leaving, but understanding they would not be far away. "Never hurts to renovate and expand holdings."

She nodded in agreement, examining him much how a snake looks at its dinner. She seemed every bit the viper too. "And I believe that's why we're here tonight, isn't it? Otherwise you wouldn't be interested in my legions barracked within."

"Quite right." Another nod as the two continue to size one another up. "I have an army of rabid dogs...you have an army that can follow complex commands."

Dracina nodded, charmed by the comparison. "It depends on what form of undead they are. The zombies and skeletons are quite mindless, but do obey me to a fault. The higher forms I have at my command make for excellent soldiers and even... assassins. It all depends on what kind of servant you're looking for. So, what difficult task do your dumb dogs have trouble with?"

"They are generally only good for overwhelming in sheer numbers. An endless wave of fangs, blood, and mindless hunger. I have my broadsword. What I need, is a long-bow." Gesturing this is where she and hers come in. "Something small to use the larger chaos as cover."

The vampire countess stroked her chin in thought as she paced back and forth, her high heels strangely silent against the cavern floor. "Yes, yes, and what is this chaos that you have in mind? It must be ambitious indeed...."

"I am after an artifact that is...quite guarded. My hounds are expendable and can accomplish the task of clearing the resting place of the item. But they would not be able to get beyond it's less than physical defenses." He speaks simply.

Dracina's eyes seemed to fill with deviousness at the word "artifact." Nodding, her composure quickly returned. "Yes... complex defenses must require complex strategies to circumnavigate. Tell me about this artifact, what is it protected by. Every little detail may be important to how I might be able to... help you."

"The artifact itself, while once may have had a name, no longer does. It's been in Rhydin since before there were a town, to give its history some depth. It is currently in a hidden room beneath what has become the main training garrison...for the Watch. While, it is true many of the Watch are less than apt, they generally have enough wits about them to not break ranks and hold a formation." He waves his hand dismissively.

"My creatures have often made short work the Watch's members on a regular basis. Breaking them would be too easy. Is that all?" She almost looked unimpressed.

He shakes his head. "No, this garrison is never less than two thousand strong, and recently has been hosting several Scathachian...and thanks to an anonymous benefactor...their equipment has received a technological and esoteric upgrade." He says, mildly irritated.

Her eyes narrowed at the word "Scathachian." It was obvious it stirred a few deep feelings of hatred within the vampiress. "Mmm... two-thousand Watchmen, you say. Technological and esoteric upgrades? Yes, such defenses as the latter would require my most powerful undead creations. Nevertheless, I am confident my rank and file can handle the rest. After all, Bhaal's reckoning will be coming and bringing ruin to the Watch would serve in that purpose."

"The room itself..is heavily warded by the artifact itself. The few text I have managed to uncover, infer it pits raiders against one another, making them imagine each other transformed into ravening beasts. That is the key defense." He says gravely. "So, on the surface, a strong physical presence of both naturally skilled and semi trained soldiers. And below....pure mind games."

Dracina grinned wide when she realized how simple it would be. "Indeed, because the undead are unaffected by such parlor tricks. Our minds are not like the minds of the living...."

"Exactly." He nods slowly. "I seek your services in this aspect to distance myself from any direct association to the attack and theft."

She nodded firmly. "Very well then, Cain, you have yourself a deal. My legions will strike at the time of your choosing."

"And payment for your services?" He knew better to think that there wouldn't be some sort of catch.

Dracina's face become a show of manic malevolence. "Oh, there will come a time when I call upon a service from you."

"A stroke for a stroke. So be it, Lady Dracina." He tips his hat politely at the understanding. "Pleasure doing business with you."

She turned her back to head into the crypt. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine...."

Either she planned for that, or he knew to expect this, Cain watches her back with a low grin. "Indeed, you can have all the pleasure." Spurs jingle as he takes a step to return his own way, mad laughter echoing in his wake.