Masquerade+Mystery

Desyan woke with a throbbing pain in the back of his head. He look to either side of him, and saw two men, each in a cot. He examined his own body. Blankets covered him up to his torso, and a bandage. Then he remember, Where is the book? He tore himself out of the bed, pulling of the bandages. He stood up and started rummaging through his bed for the book. It was nowhere to be found. A man rushed into the room, and locked eyes with Desyan. “He has the book”. Desyan jumped up and got in the man’s face. “Where is the book?!” He screamed.

“The ‘book’ is going to be delivered to Her Holiness once you are safe and sound; OUT of the library.” The man seem to not be pleased with Desyan’s presents.

“Who are you, what is your name, and where the hell am I?” Desyan was confused with the man’s tone.

The man stepped back away from Desyan, waving his hand at the smell of the shapeshifter. “I am Norbu, follower of Her Holiness and Monk of the Lama-” He was cut of by the witty Desyan.

“Wait did you just say you were a lama?” He paused, excited as a little boy. “Can I pet you?” He reached out, stroking Norbu’s cloak.

Meanwhile, in a nearby small alcove, Cho was sitting with Acasius pressuring him for more knowledge. "So where is Simeon?"

Acasius sank into his seat, embarrassed. "I don't know."

"How can you not know?! You were with him, weren't you?"

"I followed him into the portal, where he ended up, I do not know. Sen made it clear that travel between worlds affected us differently." His emphasis on 'us' made it clear that he was not talking about Simeon.

"Who is Sen?" she asked.

"He was prohibited to say. He also failed to mention his reason why he couldn't say. I just know that he is Void-born like me, and he seems to know bits of my past and future..."

"Apparently, you aren't the only one who is good at riddles."

Acasius leaned forward and picked up the book he had brought from his cabin. He skimmed through a few pages and then put it down, clearly frustrated. "You told me that you 'felt' both of us leave the world and then again when I re-entered it. Since you're asking me where he is, I can only assume that you haven't felt anything. That means he is either on his way, or still trapped between dimensions."

"That's what I was afraid of."

Desyan poked his head into the room. "What exactly are you afraid of?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cho sighed. "Well, well, well. It appears our little cub is awake."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Cub? I thought I was a little bird." Acasius stifled a laugh in the corner as he kept reading his book.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cho smiled. "You were. Apparently you can be many things."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Let's just say I've been blessed." He sits down next to Madame Cho, who moved slightly away from him. "May I suggest another way up this mountain? I'm still picking the ice out of my toes!" He put he foot on a nearby table and began to remove his shoe. Madame Cho reached over and slapped his foot off.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Feet on the floor, if you please."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The three sat in silence for a few minutes until Acasius broke it by bluntly addressing Desyan. "Who are you?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I am Desyan, shapeshifter of the We-"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Oh, sit down." Cho. "This is Desyan, as mentioned. Deysan, Acasius. Acasius, Desyan."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"A pleasure to meet you," Acasius said, extending his hand.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan leaned back ignoring Acasius' offered hand. "Isn't it though?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Desyan, as you can see, has no lack of self-confidence." Madame Cho turned her attention back to the shapeshifter. "Why are you here?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I have this book for you." He dropped a golden book down on the table before him. Madame Cho reverently picked it up and began flipping through the pages. While her attention was on the tome, Desyan turned to Acasius. "So where are you from?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I live at the foot of the mountain."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Must be nice."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Quite, actually."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A few more minutes of silence passed as the two men sat together, the woman in white engrossed in her studies. "I think she's going to be busy for a while, so tell me about this house of yours."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Madame Cho closed the book. "Done! So why are you here, little cub? What exactly do you want?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I came here for you, of course." He stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cho growled deep in her throat. "I suggest you remove your hand if you want to keep it."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan backed away slowly. "I have a question about the book."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"That's better. Ask your question."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"When I was retrieving the book, I stumbled upon a tiger statue in a building that was unknown to me."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Indeed, how very interesting. What is the question?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"What does a tiger mean?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Well, a tiger can mean many things: bravery, cunning, stealth. In your case, however, I think the tiger means something different."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Taken aback, Desyan paused in his pursuit of questions for a moment. "Will you tell me how it relates to me then?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I wish I could, little cub. But, there are certain things one must find out for one's self. I fear that you would not believe me in any case if I told you now. This is a journey of understanding which you must undertake yourself."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"If you will not tell me, who else will know?" he walked away "The king! He'll tell me, or I'll make him tell me."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cho exchanged a glance with Acasius. "Actually, Desyan," she said, "going to see the king is an excellent idea. He may not have all of the information that you seek, but he could certainly point you in the right direction." She looked at Acasius, smiling slightly. "I'm afraid that if you go by yourself, you may do something... rash. I, myself, cannot accompany you, however," she winked at Acasius, "My friend here has no pressing business to attend to."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Of course I don't." He spit through gritted teeth.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan crossed to Acasius and clapped a hand on his back. "Glad to have you!" he exclaimed. "I'll go pack my things." He exited the room, leaving Cho alone with an angry Acasius.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"No other matters to attend to?" he hissed. "What about finding Simeon? That isn't important? Now I'm escorting this... child... to find a man that may or may not have information for him?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cho held up a hand. "I understand what you are saying, but trust me. Desyan is a young cub now, but he will grow into a tiger, and it is far better to have a cool head with him when he finds out his destiny. I sense that the three of us are connected. Leave finding Simeon to me."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Very well, I will go. What do you need me to do exactly?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"How are you at teaching?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Depends on what subject."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Patience, perseverance, determination, and honor."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Are those not lessons that one has to learn for themselves?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Indeed they are," she agreed, "but often times, one can learn these lessons by studying a role model." She paused. "That's you, by the way."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I don't know what to say," he replied.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Acasius, you have shown yourself on every occasion to possess all of those qualities in abundance."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius bowed his head in response. "Thank you, Cho. I'll do my-"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Hey! Are you ready?" Desyan interrupted, his bags slung over his shoulder. "We don't want to be late."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Late for what exactly?" Acasius asked.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"The party!"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Wait, a minute." Acasius shifted his gaze to Cho. "There's a party now?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Yes, my friend!" A devilish grin crept across Desyan's face. "And there will be plenty of women for both of us!" He rubbed his hands together and briskly exited the room.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius rose, putting his book into his satchel and slinging it over his shoulder. "You owe me," he whispered to Cho.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She embraced him warmly. "I know, dear friend. I know." She touched his medallion briefly. "Remember, you can call on me if you need."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Come on!" Desyan shouted. Acasius said his farewells to Cho and exited the room, only to meet an excited Desyan bouncing about the library. "Let's go!" He led him down a long hallway, through the library's center dome and towards the lamasery, waving to the monks and scholars as they passed. His loud voice echoed off the chambers of the library. The patrons all turned to him, and putting a finger to their lips, said shhh! He turned back to Acasius and gave him a confused look. "The people here need to lighten up."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Let's just get out of here." Acasius sighed. The two men walked out of the lamasery and began their trek down the mountain and to Soulovas. The first few moments between them were completely silent. Only a few nearby wolves could be heard as they hunted down a few white rabbits, tearing their limbs off when they were caught, and tossing them around to each other. Desyan broke the silence when a rabbit foot landed in front of him.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Oh, look!" he exclaimed. He reached down and picked it up, stuffing it in his coat pocket. "I hear these are lucky." They continued down the mountain, stopping occasionally for a water break. Once they had reached the village at the bottom, the sky had darkened and the sun was set.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Come with me,” Acasius said, motioning to a small cabin in a clearing nearby. “We can stay here for the night.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Is this your house you were talking about?” Desyan asked.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius started to make his way to the cabin’s door. “Yes, we can stay here until sunrise and discuss our travelling plans. We’ll also need supplies.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“There’s a village nearby. That won’t be any problem.” The two entered Acasius’ house and set up a map on the dinner table. Acasius made his way to his study and procured some parchment and writing implements from his desk. “I make the list of supplies. You plan out our travel plan. I’m no good with directions.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Like we are any better with directions. Vayle whispered inside Acasius’ head. We’re unfamiliar with the planet as it is.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Good thing we’ve gone on a few adventures with Cho, eh? Acasius replied. Directing his attention to the map and grabbing a pen, he nodded at Desyan and began to draw a route. “How did you manage to get here from Soulovas anyways?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I flew! Like a bird. You know, those things that wings?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Very funny, we’ll go my way then.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“And what is your way?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Ringence has a port west from here. We can board a ship and sail across the ocean to Soulovas from there. Much less work than flying.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan scoffed. “Very well, but I’m looking forward to see how this plan falls apart. Soulovas isn’t so friendly when it comes to relations with other countries.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We will see.” Acasius spit back. A few hours passed before the shipping route was mapped and the supplies list was completed. Desyan threw down the list and leaped onto the sofa next to him.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some shut-eye,” he yawned.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius bent over and picked up the list from the floor. “Booze?” he questioned. “Cigars? I told you only the necessities! I’m not lugging these useless items for you. Who knows how long this journey could be?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. “Come on, lighten up a bit.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius kept looking forward and replied with a stern "no."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Do you even have any friends?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius glared at him. "You mean besides Cho?” The next words were difficult for him. “Not really...” he choked. “I'm sort of new around these parts."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Oh, I see, well you’re not the only one whos having trouble making friends.” Desyan voice dropped almost to a mumble. “My whole life people have been out to get me, it’s like I’m a villain or something, but ever since I met Cho, I-” He paused and took a deep breath. “I’ve felt more at peace with myself, and I now feel like my life has a purpose.” He looked down, then back at Acasius. “Do you think your life has a purpose?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We all have a purpose in life, Desyan. For example, a farmer may think himself insignificant, unimportant even. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Without him, others may starve and perish. It is a matter of perception and different viewpoints. As for myself...” Acasius trailed off with a glazed look in his eyes. He was shocked back to reality when he heard Desyan snore from beside him. Acasius rolled his eyes and laid down on his bed, slowly drifting off to sleep. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">____ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Get up,” Acasius muttered, throwing a bag of supplies at a sleeping Desyan. “It’s time to leave.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan remained face down, swatting the air around him. “But I’m tired, I don’t want to get up!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Look, I let you sleep in. I was already up, shopping and packing our bags. We’re going to miss the boat unless we leave now.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“A boat? Why are we taking a boat when we can fly?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe you can fly, but I can’t.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“True.” Desyan swung his legs out from under the cover, and put them on the cold floor. He tossed the bag over his shoulder, shielding the morning sun from his eyes as he did. “I suppose I can eat on the road.” The two men then set out towards the fishing ports of Ringence.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Madame Cho’s words rang in Acasius’ ears as he walked. “There are mysterious forces at work, beyond even my comprehension. Be wary as you tread the roads of Tetravier, and keep a keen eye out for anything out of the ordinary.” She was worried, that much was clear, and this frightened Acasius. Something dangerous was lurking in the dark shadows of the world, but not even the Dragon of the East could bring it to light. He shook his head pressed onwards. He had to remain vigilant.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After a few hours of following the main road through the forest of Xandi-lat, Acasius and Desyan finally reached the verdant countryside of Ringence. Desyan jogged forward, out of the cover of trees and up a small hill before them. “Look!” he exclaimed. “The port is right there!” Acasius made his way up after him and sure enough, their destination lay before them.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He was lost in the beauty and simplicity of the city for a bit. The townspeople shopping around in the market, the small trawlers on the dock, the white sails of a bigger boat billowing in the wind... Then it hit him. “Desyan, we need to move. Now.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Wha-” he started, but Acasius was already barrelling down the hill. “Why are you running?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We’re going to miss the boat!” he shouted. “The sails!” Without questioning, Desyan followed Acasius towards the town.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s about a mile away,” Desyan huffed as he caught up. “Will we make it?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius glanced at him, making direct eye contact. “Do you trust me?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Trust you? I just met you!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ignoring his response, Acasius grabbed his arm and pulled him close. He pictured where the ship was docked and concentrated only on that. Within seconds, he felt the same pressure on his body, pressing down on his chest and almost collapsing his rib cage. When he opened his eyes, he saw a black purple mist with a shadow-like figure resembling a female in the distance. In the next second, the mist vanished and the two men we hurtling through the air above the boat, splashing down into the water on the other side.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Trust you?” Desyan whined as he floated in the water watching the boat was begin to leave. “Yeah right.” He swam over to the dock and pulled himself up, offering a hand to Acasius.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sorry,” Acasius mumbled as he collapsed on the pier.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What do we do now?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius paused for a bit. “I can’t take both us, could you fly over? I’m sure that the magnificent shapeshifter you are-”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Of course I can,” he scoffed. “I’m Desyan Puca!” He quickly morphed into a hawk and took off after the boat, leaving Acasius alone. He sat and watched as Desyan hovered above the stern and transformed back, signally it was safe.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius stood, looking down at his side. He plucked his egg off of his belt moved his finger around the groove in the top. With a small whir, the metal shell on top slowly opened to reveal a dark liquid inside. He sloshed it around before lifting the egg up to his mouth and taking a long drink. He felt it trickle down his throat, igniting his insides with warmth that soon turned to a feeling cold as ice.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Feeling reinvigorated, Acasius closed the egg which was now about half full and put it back in his belt. He stretched out his hand, palm open, then quickly grasped the air. He disappeared in a dark flash and reappeared next to Desyan on the boat an instant later. “We need to stay hidden,” he whispered to Desyan.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan nodded and silently morphed into a tiny mouse, skittering away behind a nearby barrel near the captain’s quarters. Acasius quickly dashed after him and crouched down. Desyan started to squeak as Acasius pulled his cloak over them, shielding them from view. After a few silent moments, Acasius changed position and sat down against the wall.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Don’t leave this corner,” Acasius warned. “They can’t see us now, and if you leave, the spell will be broken.” The mouse noticed a translucent veil, almost membranous in texture. As he accidentally sneezed, he noticed that it wavered in response; it was quite fragile.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I can induce a deep sleep, putting us in stasis for a few days until we arrive.” Acasius suggested. “Would you be alright with that?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan twitched his whiskers and squeaked again.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s perfectly safe and we won’t have to eat either. We’ll be frozen in time.” This time, he was hesitant in responding. “I’ll take that as a yes.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan saw a familiar sight as the boat docked into Soulovas. He wondered where Scout had gone, and if he was alright. As soon as they docked, Desyan rushed off the boat and began rummaging around on the dock, looking for anything that could explain when the party was. A woman wearing a tight fitted dress, stumbled toward Desyan. He watched her as she leaned over the water and began to vomit. She spent a few minutes keeled over before she finally looked up. Her eyes caught Desyan’s. He quickly fixed his shirt and ran his hands through his hair.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hello, beautiful,” he began. “I was wondering if you would like some place to rest, you seem ill.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Me and a couple of friends went to visit the new king last night, in honor of his father stepping down.” he women almost vomited over her words. “We drank all night, and then I slipped away into his bedroom, and found this.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The woman held up a stamped letter when the word Invitation written in black ink. Desyan eyes grew big, just as the woman pulled them away from him. “These are mine now,” she gloated. “And not a Soul can take them from me.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan, however, had other plans in mind.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What if I did something for you?” He started to move closer to the woman. “When I was a boy, I found out I was given a gift. A very special gift, if you know what I mean.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The woman swung her hand around and smacked Desyan in the face. “Don’t touch me you pervert!” She screamed. “Next time it will be more than just a slap.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan combed his hair back in place and brushed off the blow as the woman turned around, and walked towards the mainland. Desyan was not finished with her yet. He jumped up and ran after her, he face imprinted with a hand print.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I didn’t say I was done with you bitch,” He yelled as he grabbed the woman and spun her around. “Give me those paper.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Get you your hands off me you lunatic.” The woman tried to pull herself free.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Not until I get those paper.” Desyan growled, a strange anger taking over him.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Fine then.” The woman said calmly. “Have it your way.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She pull her leg up from under her, and kicked Desyan in the groin. A screaming pain surged through his body, and he fell face first on the dock, The sky above began to spin around over him, and he blacked out.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As He finally came to, he saw a blurry looking Acasius standing over him, waving what looked to be two piece of paper. “Maybe you should ask nicely next time.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“How... How did you get those?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Acting like a gentleman does have its benefits.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Acting like a gentleman does have its benefits” Desyan mimicked in a sassy tone.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Forget it. The point is, we have the invitations. It says here that the party is at sunset in the town hall.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What kind of party is it?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius handed Desyan his invitation. “It’s a masquerade ball. I don’t really see how they’re going to celebrate the new king’s coronation if they won’t even be able to tell which one he is.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Humm?” Desyan thought a lot loud. “That seems mysterious.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Well I’m going to go get ready for this ball. I’ll meet you there at sundown.” Desyan nodded in response and the two departed from another. A few hours later, Acasius was dressed in a stunning black tuxedo with a blue ceramic mask like on his face. It had the beak of a bird, and goggles for eyes. He stood around mingling for at least twenty minutes before Desyan came into view.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Where’s your mask?” he asked.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What mask?” Desyan asked. “I wouldn’t want to cover up this beautiful face.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Do you even know what a masquerade ball is?” Desyan paused for a second, kicking the dirt beneath him. “You aren’t allowed in without a mask.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just then, a well-dressed man walked up to them. “This is where the celebration is being held, correct?” Acasius nodded as he made eye contact with Desyan. “Thank you, sir.” His polite smile could be seen due to his ceramic opera mask only covering half of his face. As he turned to open the doors, Desyan grabbed him from behind and put him in a chokehold. Acasius quickly grabbed the mask off of the man’s face so it wouldn’t break.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Quick,” Desyan breathed as the man went unconscious. “Help me move him into this brush.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius grabbed up the body and tossed him out of sight. “Let’s just make sure we come back for him, alright?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yeah, whatever,” Desyan said as took the mask from Acasius and put it on. “Now let’s go find the king.” He then pushed the doors open and strode inside. (description of entrance hall)

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let’s split up,” Acasius suggested. “We can cover more ground that way.” He turned around to see the approval of his friend, but Desyan was nowhere to be found. He sighed and began to work his way through the crowd.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He scoured the room for any mask that was particularly flamboyant. The king ought to have the fanciest mask, he thought.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Or perhaps the simplest mask, Arden advised. He may not want to be seen with these rumors of regicide.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just then, a man passed by with a white mask that covered half of his face. “Desyan!” Acasius shouted. He spun around revealing a long gray beard. “Oh, my apologies, sir. I thought you were somebody else.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Not a problem, my boy!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s just that you have the same exact mask as him...”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The old man laughed. “Yes, I was going for a simple look this year. I don’t want to draw attention away from my son. It’s certainly a momentous occasion.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius took a sharp breath. “Yes, of course, your majesty.” He bowed down, but quickly glanced around for Desyan. Where is he?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As Desyan waded his way through the crowds of people, he keep a watchful eye on the balcony over looking. “That is where the king will stand.” He continued along, only stopping to talk to a women or two. As he came up to the bar, he connected eyes with a server, with a strange looking follower stuffed in his pocket. The server quickly pulled his mask over his eyes and backed away into the large room of people.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan sat up at the bar and pressed his fingers to his ears. “I wonder if the king is wearing a mask tonight.... He would have to be, it was his own party.” He looked along the bar and saw a man with a similar mask as his talking to some younger man, who seemed very interested in what the king was talking about. He jumped out of his seat and briskly pushed his way towards the pair. When he was only a short distance away, he could faintly understand what they were discussing, then he heard the familiar voice of Acasius.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“There you are my friend.” Desyan pronounced, placing his hands on Acasius shoulders. “Who is this your talking to?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve been looking for you! This,” He waved his hand toward the man before them. “Is the old king of Soulovas.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A warm sensation rippled through Desyan’s body. Here was the man he had been searching for. It was now time to get his answers. “What do you know about shape-shifting?” Desyan blurted out, not even thinking about what he was say. “I was born like this, but there are other people like me, who have other powers. What purpose do I have?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adnore and Acasius both at him in shock. Acasius quickly stood and put his hand over Desyan’s mouth as he tried to continue his rant. “I am sincerely sorry about my friend.” Acasius stuttered. “He has had a long day.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s alright.” Adnore said calmly. “I’ve been meaning to tell someone about these power happenings.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan squirmed out of Acasius hands a stole his chair. “Tell me then your majesty.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The old king fixed his coat, adjusted his chair, then waved for Acasius to come over and listen as well. The mood of their conversation then seem to then change, just as Adnore began his story. “You are not the only man who has a power. There are many other who possess these strange abilities. It all started when I was first became the king, long before your time. Once, the mages were forced away, planning on cursing our region. So they traveled out into the deep woods nearby to search for something powerful. One of the younger members then found a cave. It was then when they found it, the found the thing they wish they hadn’t.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before he could continue, a voice interrupted them. “Excuse me, sirs.” The three turned to see a waiter with three glasses of red wine on a silver platter next to them. “Care for a drink?” he asked.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Don’t mind if I do.” Desyan said. The waiter extended the tray towards them and Desyan quickly grabbed the one closest to him and gulped it down. The waiter smiled as Adnore and Acasius followed his lead and each grabbed their drinks.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Wait a second!” Acasius exclaimed. “A king mustn't drink from a broken glass.” He pointed out a chip around the rim of the glass. “Here, take mine instead.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adnore laughed. “Now, now. That really isn’t necessary.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I insist.“ Acasius smiled. The old man obliged and exchanged glasses with Acasius. As Adnore took a sip, Acasius locked eyes with the waiter and received a look of animosity.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Thaaaank you!” Desyan muttered as he swiped the glass from Acasius’ hand. He then proceeded to drink the wine, coughing slightly afterwards.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe you should take it easy,” Acasius joked as he clapped a hand on Desyan’s back. “Could I have one more glass of-” He stopped when noticed that the waiter wasn’t there anymore. He narrowed his eyes, but pushed it out of his mind when Desyan collapsed to the floor.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A young woman walked past then, an eyebrow raising at the sight of Desyan on the floor, although one would not be able to see it. Her masked covered the upper half of her face, the material just barely touching the middle of her cheek, resting upon her cheekbones. The middle of the mask snuck down her nose and ended before it reached the tip. Decorated with black and red feathers, she looked almost like some exotic bird. The clothing matched, black lace and a vibrant red silk making up the dress itself, as well as the cloak that she wore, the hood pulled up over her head. And if one looked hard enough, the fact that her eyes matched the entire ensemble, the iris a bright red, and the pupil the usual black. Her eyes traveled to the glass which had fallen to the ground, and her eyes widened. However, she began to walk away, keeping a steady pace, acting as though she hadn’t seen him.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Has--has he been poisoned?” Adnore’s calm voice seemed to change tone.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“M’lord we need to get you to safety.” Acasius pawed at the astonished king.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What about the boy, I still have much to tell him.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We can get to him later, but now we need to find you a place to hide!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As Desyan regained his consciousness, he watched as Adnore and Acasius pushed their way through the crowd. He tried to pull himself up by the chair, but his fingers lost feeling, and he slipped back on the floor. “What going on, I have no control.” Desyan heard a voice call in his head, but he only thought of it as his own thoughts. When his body finally seemed to calm, he picked himself up, bumping into a couple of guests. The room seemed to shake as he pushed his way through a group of people. “I can feel something fighting, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s fighting hard.” As the lights seemed to dim, Desyan felt himself change, whatever had taken over his body, was not letting him control his power. “Who had he become.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It was then, when people starting acting differently around him, giving him fake smiles from under their masks. He looked down at his clothes, noticing a black suit instead of his fancy shirt. Desyan shuffled his way past a drink table, greeted by the smiles of guest. Then he saw her. A women decorated in black and red feathers. She was sitting down near a table, slowly sipping on her wine. Desyan then felt drawn towards her, he had no control over his body at that moment. As attempted to fix his tie, he felt a wave of hot air breakout of his body, and then world seemed to stop spinning. He looked back down at his own familiar hands, and ran them through his hair. He was back to his sly ways. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He strutted towards the women with almost a hope in his step, he has never seen anyone so beautiful. Just as he came up to the table the women caught his eye, which struck a kind of distilled fear in himself.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Looking up, the woman saw him approaching, and a small grin crossed her features. He seemed to have shaken off the poison, at least, for the time being. It was still traveling throughout his system, however, most of the negative affects had been She straightened herself slightly, her eyes locking onto his. Predatory, aggressive, red onto light, calming, blue. She was sure she looked frightful, red eyes were uncommon. However, she allowed her small grin to become larger, and much warmer. Hopefully that would make him feel less terrified. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Can I help you with something?” she asked, taking another sip of the wine, peering at him from the rim of the glass. Her voice was a lower register, but smooth and sweet.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius led Adnore out of the main event hall down a few corridors until they reached a spiral staircase. “Quickly!” Acasius shouted. “We’ll go up here to the tower!” He pushed Adnore onto the first step and watched as he ran upwards. Acasius, however, waited at the bottom. His trained ears heard the light footsteps of someone following them. He reached towards his belt and unhooked his metal egg. He placed his fingers in the grooves and almost instantaneously, it morphed into a dark metal bow. It was decorated with varying sizes of fluorite and with one large white gem above the center, almost like a focusing crystal. The bowstring, however, was missing. Great, he thought.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The sound of the footsteps stopped. Acasius readied himself and slowly began his way up the staircase, his gaze never wavering from the corridor they came from. As he reached the top, he noticed that Adnore was huddling by a large statue of a tiger.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What in god’s name is going on?!” he asked, panicking.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius hurried over to the king of Soulovas and put a hand on his shoulder. “It will be fine,” he soothed. “That poisoned drink was for you. I knew it was because of the chip on the rim of the glass. It was a vial of poison that was dropped and cracked the glass a bit. Instead of getting new glasses, he figured that it would be easier to tell which glass was which. Unfortunately, our friend was not fast enough and he drank it.” Acasius paused for a moment, looking around the room. He quickly got up to check the staircase and heard the footsteps quickly stop. “The killer is on his way now.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Well, what are we going to do to stop him?” The old king spoke faintly.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius sighed. “Well, if I had a bowstring...” He rotated his bow, feeling where the string would normally go. Instead of nothing there, he felt a fibrous cord as he pulled back. The crystal in the center was dimly glowing as he held tension on the string. He then released the bow and held a finger to his lips, winking at Adnore.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just then, a man in a dark mask came up the stairs, a knife in each of his hands. “Then it will be all the easier to kill both of you.” His voice was harsh.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adnore stepped back, tripping over a set of stairs, he looked up behind him, notice the red eyed tiger.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve trying all night to kill you, but this man and his partner kept getting in my way.” The man in the mask slowly crept forward, clutching his knives tightly.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Who are you?” Adnore spoke with a strange tone.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In an instant the masked man tossed his knife towards the startled Adnore, just as Acasius fired his bow into the stomach the masked man. The man fell back, and watched as his knife only grazed the shoulder of Adnore, but still a smile formed on his death ridden face.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius turned back to Adnore helping him to his feet. “You have a cut on your shoulder my lord!” He brushed his hand over the wound.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ll be alright, lets get back down to the party and warn your friend. The two men ran towards the stairs, avoiding the masked dead body on the floor. Just as they took their first step, they heard a soft gravelly rise from the floor. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You didn’t think you could get away from me that easy now did you?” They turned just in time to see the man raise his hand and directed it at Adnore.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It almost seemed to happen in slow motion, Acasius saw the masked killer raise his hand. The blood from Adnore’s body drained completely, trickling towards the staircase and cascading downwards. His body was lifted into the air and thrown down below. In anger, Acasius fired a final dark arrow in the masked man chest. He flailed backwards and dissolved into a pool of blood that seemed stagnant.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius slowly made his way over to the pool, noticing a red stained note inside. He snatched it up and hurried down the stairs at full speed.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When he finally made it to the bottom, he saw a large crowd of people gathered around the dead king’s body. Fingers began to point at him. “It’s the murderer!” a man shouted from within the group.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“No!” Acasius shouted. “It isn’t me!” The Souls of Soulovas refused to listen, however, and the Voidling was soon encircled. As the man closest to him leaped towards him, but fell through him, as if Acasius was intangible. He smirked and proceeded to dash through the crowd, discovering Desyan speaking to a woman that seemed to have a dark aura around her.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We need to leave now!” Acasius barked at Desyan, grabbing his collar. Before he could respond, however, Acasius’ eyes met his. “I don’t care about your problem, I care about your life. We’re leaving.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desyan nodded and followed his friend as he burst through the double doors of the town hall. Acasius kept sprinting down the road while Desyan, however, stopped instantly. He quickly jumped into a nearby bush, took off his mask and placed it back on the unconscious man lying there.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acasius was staring back at Desyan as he leaped back onto the road and dashed towards him. Together, they made their way to the docks in hopes that a boat was readying its sails.