The town smelt like piss, ale, and despair. It was a far cry from the gleaming skyscrapers and immaculate boardrooms I was accustomed to, but when you're mysteriously transported to a war-torn shithole, you can't complain.
I wandered through the muddy streets, my undead thrall trailing after me. It wasn't much, but it's better than nothing. The locals gave me a wide berth, their gaze darting between my bloodied garments and the pale thrall at my heels. Fear appeared to be the universal language in Kaeloria.
My first order of business was to find a place to hide and gather information. The local tavern, aptly named "The Bleeding Boar," looked like a good starting point. It was a dimly lit, smoke-filled cave of wickedness, with the stench of old beer and unclean bodies mingling like rival lovers.
I sat down on a stool at the bar, ignoring the guests' dubious expressions. The barman, a grizzled dwarf with a nose capable of detecting counterfeit money from a mile away, glanced at me suspiciously.
"What'll it be, stranger?" he said, his voice raspy as sandpaper.
"Ale," I said, placing a silver coin on the counter. "And any rumours you've heard about the battle at Blackthorn Ridge."
The dwarf's eyes narrowed, then the glimmer of silver relaxed his tongue. He leaned in, his breath hot and beery.
"Word is, Kael Emberheart's got himself a new weapon," he said insignificantly. "A blood wizard, they allege. "He used his black magic to shift the course of the war."
I raised an eyebrow, pretending disinterest. "A blood mage, huh?"That seems like superstitious nonsense."
The dwarf chuckled and made a deep rumbling sound. "Perhaps so, stranger. But I would never underestimate the power of blood. A blood mage is said to be able to manipulate life itself to their desire."
He paused to wipe a soiled towel across the bar. "Of course, that kind of power has a price. They call it "the blood price." Some claim it drives them insane, transforms them into monsters."
I smirked and ran my fingertip across the bloodstain on my sleeve. "Madness and power... a tempting combination."
The dwarf's eyes widened, and a spark of panic appeared on his face. He backed away, offering a brief apology. I watched him leave, a hungry grin spreading over my lips.
It appeared that my reputation preceded me. Good. I intended to utilise fear as a weapon.
I spent the remainder of the evening eavesdropping on conversations and learning about Kael Emberheart and his mercenary business. The warlord appeared to be a rising star in Kaeloria, possessing boundless ambition and brutality.
Rumours suggest that he actively sought out persons with magical talents and promised them power and status in exchange for their loyalty. It was certainly an enticing offer, but I had no intention of accepting it.
I was a player, not a pawn. I had my own game to play.
The tavern became increasingly crowded as the night proceeded, the air thick with the stench of sweat and spilled ale. A group of large mercenaries walked in, their laughter echoing like thunder.
I identified their insignia: a blood-red raven with a dagger in its talons. Emberheart's men.
They chose a table in the back, their voices increasing as they boasted of their military accomplishments. I listened intently, my mind racing as I pieced together the contents of their conversation.
They discussed a hidden fortress, a secret weapon, and a ceremony that may provide Emberheart extraordinary power. It was a gamble, a risky move, but the potential return was too good to pass up.
I finished my beer and left a generous gratuity on the counter. As I stood to leave, someone stepped from the shadows, blocking my route.
The woman was tall and lithe, with golden eyes. Her raven-black hair was braided with silver beads, and a wickedly curved blade hung from her waist.
"I've heard whispers of your... talents," she continued with a soft purr. "And I'm always looking for skilled individuals to join my cause."
When I met her eyes, my heart raced. "Who's asking?"
She smiled slowly, with a greedy grin. "Lyra Shadow Song, I believe that you and I can do great things together.
Lyra Shadowsong was a fearsome lady who mastered shadows and secrets, but she was also ambitious, resourceful, and clearly motivated to power. I considered her proposal, weighing the dangers and advantages.
In other words, she was my kind of person.
"I'm listening," I replied with a little smile on my lips.
The game was started, and I had a feeling things were about to get a lot more exciting.
I lifted an eyebrow, intrigued by her confidence. "Power, you say?"And why do you think I'd want to delegate that authority to anyone?
Lyra giggled in a deep, throaty tone that sent shivers down my spine. "Because I know who you are, Ash. A blood wizard with a hunger for power that rivals mine. You and I are two sides to the same coin. And together, we can achieve greatness."