Dark Tidings

Suivant glared at him cock-eyed. "Can't you show a little more respect for the dignitaries of the Church?"

"Hell no." Fred said. "Furthermore, I hate your Church. I hate your ridiculous outfits. I hate you. But as long as I'm still breathing, I've got a contract to keep that little girl out of trouble."

Suivant sighed and closed the book he had been studying. "Things look bleak. Tarsa was a Songstress of Granas - the only one capable of sealing in Valmar's evil Horns. Even now, the pieces of Valmar, strewn across the land after the Battle of Good and Evil, stir in uneasy slumber. When they awake, they shall seek to consume each other in order to resurrect the evil God."

"So what do we do?" Fred asked. "Sharpen a pointy stick?"

Suivant sighed again and walked over to the window, staring at Valmar's Moon, dark-red and foreboding in the sky. "That evil moon... it is a terrible omen. Alas, our Church has been weakened over the centuries. Tell no one of my thoughts, Fred, but such is the truth - his Holiness, Pope Zera, has locked himself away from the people, surrounded himself with ineffectual bishops and effeminate courtiers. The Cathedral Knights spread terror across the land, purging entire villages of heresy. Sometimes I know not what to believe."

He turned to Fred with an intense look in his eyes. "But Tarsa... dearest Tarsa, must be saved! She is in grave danger! Tis no surprise that the Legion of Darkness has indeed sought to kidnap her and thus prevent the ceremony of sealing."

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Fred said. "Tell me where this Legion of Darkness is."

"Alas, no one knows." Suivant said. "During the Battle of Good and Evil, the nation of Cyrum sided with Valmar, lured by his evil promises of power."

"So all we have to do is go to Cyrum and bang on some doors?" Fred asked.

Suivant shook his head. "It is not that easy. After Valmar was defeated, the people of Cyrum, er... renounced his worship, and even now pay tribute to the Church. Valmar's most hardcore followers, bereft of state backing, were scattered to the four winds, hiding in the shadows and plotting their vengeance."

"Look here, Father All-Is-Doomed." Fred said impatiently. "You're gonna have to be a little more helpful than that if we're to get Tarsa back."

Skye suddenly flapped in through the window, startling Suivant and landing on Fred's shoulder.

"Skye!" Fred said. "So, did you see where they went?"

"That roc flew into the side of Agear Mountain, into some sort of cave." Skye said.

"Then it's settled." Fred said. "We leave immediately. With any luck, we can have her back safe and sound by tomorrow. Oh, and I'll definitely need some extra payment for these sorts of little side errands."

"Anything, anything!" Suivant said earnestly. "Just please, get Tarsa back! But Agear Mountain is a festering hotbed of monsters. Are you sure you don't want to take a squadron of guards with you?"

"No thanks." Fred said. "Your altar-boys and holy water aren't needed here - I work best alone. Now c'mon, Skye - no time to waste."

As Fred left, Suivant sat alone, laughing - a sinister, unfriendly laugh.

"Perfect." he said as his eyes glowed red. "Everything is going according to plan. HA HA HA HA HA!"

1. Meanwhile, Tarsa was stirring awake, blinking her eyes in the dim torchlight.

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