Rancorr's Tales: Comeuppance, part 6

Rancorr's Tales
Comeuppance, Part 6.

Vreen's stealthy guards threatened to jump out from where they hid as I ran up the steps to the Black Mace Cult. Elwell's phantom barrier threatened to repel my heedless charge. Sarvon's hidden traps loomed beyond the darkened doorway, ready to pierce my reckless body. And Tallon undoubtedly called the name of Allhanan to accept my soul as I came to the top of the wide steps.

My companions belatedly raced from their shadowy alley to call me back from, in their eyes, the insane action I had undertaken. But waiting for the world to pass me by has never been one of my better talents (now, when it comes to rocking the boat, I am truly a master!). I could no longer stomach the incessant conjecture on precisely what, where and how many dangers lurked at the entrance to the temple. So, as I have been known to do from time to time, I took the dragon by the horn and decided to check the temple's safeguards firsthand.

Blood Chalice welcome wagon As it turns out, there was no phantom barrier to protect the temple, and no darts leapt out to poison me. However it seemed Vreen was right and a handful of what I could only presume to be guards came at me from within the shadows of the temple. Behind me, my newfound friends raced up the steps with their weapons brandished and their anger (at me, no less!) stirred.

Ah, there's nothing like a little slice-em-up to get the blood pumping.

Now, I hadn't asked for any rescuing, but apparently my companions got the bizarre notion I needed help with these few guards. As the guards neared I observed a familiar symbol upon their surcoats. They were Blood Chalice mercenaries, which was an unfortunate career choice for them. A hundred different forms of frontal attack sprang into my mind, as the guards drew their own weapons. At the same time, a tiny voice in my mind lobbyed for something far more subtle than a sword fight.

Since I had found it in my search for vengeance, I kept the Blood Chalice signet ring on a chain around my neck. All the better to remind myself of my own career choice. I brandished the ring to the mercenaries as they came before me, just as that tiny voice had urged me to.

"Bretherin," I said, pretending myself out of breath, "I bring important news for Gruman!"

I spun on my heel, putting my back to the half dozen mercenaries, and pointed down the steps at my companions.

"And that collection of well-to-do dung wish to stop me!"

At my insinuation, the cadre of Blood Chalice mercenaries charged down the steps to impart death unto my new friends.

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