Marianne was suprised by the sudden attack of a large swarm of bats. They landed on her helmet, grabbed and tossed at her cape. Their claws tattered the decoration of her helmet. She fended them off with her hands and then drew the cloak in front of her face, to protect her eyes.
Torentor used this moment. Even it was at the center place of the city, he had no choice. He smashed his walking stick on the ground and whispered: "Come!" And from the staff a black fog quickly emerged and formed the figure of a small dragon, which was instantly rising into the air. Torentor jumped and hold on the feet of the shadowy dragon. The demonic being groaned and rised a bit clumsy over the city in south east direction. Katlin smiled evil. Her plan had worked out, the seconds that the keeper commander was distracted were enough for the plague bay agent to summon a demon out of his staff, to carry him away.
After some seconds she let loose the swarm of bats and they flew away. Marianne tossed away her cloak and scanned the marketplace. He was gone. The carrier of the evil was gone! She looked around hectically and her eyes were drawn to a barely visible dark cloud in the evening sky. He flew away. He was to far. She could not banish his magic anymore. She rushed back to the house of the order. Berik and his group were returning from patrol in this moment. He asked: "You look upset mother colonel. Can I be of any help?" She looked at him: "Why not? Why not today? Get our horses blade Berik. We hunt a black magician." Marianne was still thinking how the black magician was able to summon the bats to attack her without her noticing it? He also did not use an item. She was completly aware of his aura and there was no activity foreshading the use of magic. There must have been someone who helped him. He had an accomplice. Then she suddenly remembered the woman on the tower. She had not paid attention to her because she was not carrying the jar of evil. But right now it looks like that she at least helped the carrier. She was to far away for Marianne to feel magical activity. She could not stun her or suppress her magic with such a range between them. She had been proud and overconfident. Even Torqua had pointed her to the figure on the roof and she had ignored it.
She pressed her lips together mumbling: "What does take him so long to bring the horses?" The cloud was enlarging its lead every second. If he would fly to the plague bay he could reach the sea in some hours. But surprisingly it had headed to the south east and not directly south. Maybe he will try to cross the mountains. That would slow any pursuer down for several days. Most certainly they would not be able to reach him in time before he arrives in Kambozaan or Zir Magnon. Even though the agent would be out of the immediate grasp of the keepers both of these cities would be extremely dangerous. The plague bay was in war with everyone. They enslave everyone on who they could get their fingers on. They raid all coastal towns from the east to the west. The colonies of the empire in the south had to be protected by a fleet of the newest and fastest ships available. Consequently an agent from the plague bay would be in great danger in the seven cities, if his identity would be lifted by someone. She had to sent messengers to Letiz. Letiz had a fleet of heavily armed ships to protect the empire. It was the last large port in the east. She ran to the office of the magistrate.
Berik arrived with his and his mothers horse at the gates of the order house. Her mother could not be seen. He checked the saddles again, looked after the horseshoes, and stroke the neck of his horse while he was waiting.
The turmoil and chaos in the city seemed to quiet down as suddenly as it has broken out. People in the city were irritated. They wondered why they had been so angry. Some of them looked at a man they have battered down with consternation, helped him up and apologized over and over again. Business owner ran down into their shops and discovered the destruction that has come upon their life.
Zuge went on to the marketplace in search for Marianne. He had sent his guards away with the freed vampire woman. Her name was Marie. These moments are so rare, but one of the most important reasons why Zuge once became a justiciar. He wanted to free people who were bound in evil. Those for whom no way were open to lead a normal life. She could never had freed herself nor would she be able to ask for help, because her soul was tainted. It was flooded by evil thoughts and desires. But when it was given the possibility to choose, for just some seconds, these souls yearn for peace and freedom. She had grasped the offer from Torqua. Zuge was quite curious what will happen next with her. But he also feared for her. Evil masters never give their slaves away for free. She will be in danger for at least a long time of her life. Maybe her entire life. When he came upon the marketplace he couldn´t see Marianne anywhere. Since the chaos in the city was over Marianne either got hold on the jar or the carrier of the evil item had managed to escape. In both cases Marianne would be back at the orders house. Zuge decided to go there and look for her. He also wanted to tell her about Marie. Marianne would be very suspicious. She did not really believe in change in people. There were good humans and bad humans. Good humans sometimes changed to bad ones, but bad ones seldom changed for the good. They were to lazy, selfish and materialistic to become something good somedays. So she would probably not be happy that the vampire was still alive. Let´s see.
Rovan walked in front of the large portals to the order area. He looked inside and was astonished. He somehow feared to enter because it was such a large place, and a lot of men, wearing the keepers armor or symbols were inside. The keepers cleaned up, brought injured comrades inside, gathered up weapons, cleaned their swords, or just stood in small groups talking. He saw a young keeper standing close to the gate with two beautiful and well maintained horses. Rovan didn´t want to approach a large group of soldiers so he decided to walk over to the young man and ask him for further assistance. When he walked up to Berik, Berik stopped stroking the horse and looked at the boy who came up to him. Berik was not so much older but stronger and taller, and the diffrence looked quite more then 2 years.
"Torquas greetings. What brought you to the keepers house?", Berik asked kindly.
Rovan wanted to answer, but in this moment he felt a strong gust of wind and close behind him a large bat landed, and while it landed it turned larger into some kind of gargoyle-human crossing. Berik shouted out: "Monster!", drew his sword and rushed this creature. With the left winged arm the creature swiped Berik away, then it turned his face towards him, lying on the ground and it gnarled: "You have his smell upon you!" The creature opened his mouth and spout a stream of poisonous liquid on Berik. Just in this moment. Rovan jumped between the monster and Berik who was lying on the floor, his face in pain. Rovan was bathed in the liquid. But it doesn´t do anything to him. Standing in front of Berik he yelled at the monster: "Do not harm him! He is a keeper of Mahjagoth. He is a servant of Torqua. You may not enter here monster!" Berik and the men around him in the area who had witnessed this scenery looked at Rovan and the monster with open mouth. In this moment, Zuge came around the corner and whispered: "The father." The monster turned at Zuge and roared loudly. Zuge pushed his hands towards him and began casting a spell but the monster had yet turned into mist and faded away. Marianne came rushing towards Berik and kneeled besides him: "Hold still Blade, let me check your injuries." She then looked at Rovan. "Who by the seven gods are you young man."
"I am Rovan, from Auenfries."