Snippet #941928

The wraith let out a piercing howl as it writhed and twitched on the stone floor.

" You have failed me..." Raegus' voice was a deathly whisper, his eyes bulging with rage, " I send you to eliminate the guard and bring me Dimas, and all you succeded in doing was leaving them with a few scratches..." He twisted the ruby ring on his left hand and the wraith gave another cry, fumbling desperately on the ground.

" Master...We tried...They were....Strong...."

"Enough! I will hear no excuses!" The wraith let out an excrutiating shriek as Raegus vented his anger through use of his ring.

And then, he released it. The wraith remained on the ground, a ragged bundle of rotten clothing, as the mastermind turned away in disgust. He stared into the shrouded corners of his throne room as he pondered the problem.

" Dimas and his band are stronger than I thought...This could be problematic...But they know nothing yet, and without knowledge they cannot see me. And they cannot fight what they cannot see..." He falls silent for a moment, before spinning around, " And where is my dammed servant! Silas! I sent him out days ago, and I have heard nothing since!'

" Master....I do not know..." The wraith wheezes desperately, but Raegus just snorts and, placing a finger on his ring, puts the abomination out of its misery. Wit a final wail, the wraith crumples forwad and does not move again.

" I am sick of incompetent servants..." Raegus breathes as he looks at the wraith's corpse, as if it was something the cat dragged in.

Just then, another of the creatures stumbles into view. It's head is bowed fearfully and it walks gingerely closer to his master, as if ready to turn around and flee if necessary.

" Master..." It whispers, its voice unsteady.

Raegus ignores it.

" Master..." A little louder.

Still no reply.

"Master..." Raegus spins around, his eyes flashing, and the abomination falls onto one knee with a groan.

"Yes?"

" There are visitors at the door...They wish to speak with you..."

Raegus looks at the wraith a little longer before nodding. " Very well, send them in." And with that, he releases the creature form his power, straightens his robes a little, and then ascends the steps to his throne, sitting on the black seat with grace.

There is a groaning noise as the great doors to the throne room creak open, and within moments, three figures can be seen ascending the stair. In the middle is a little man, barely passed youth, his hair wild and uncleaned, his clothing torn and filthy. He wears the garb of a fishmonger. On either side of the man are Raegus' wraiths, the sound of their breathing rattling as the move. The undead creatures clutch the man by both of his arms, there pale fingers rotten and clenched, and drag him up the steps. As they reach the top, they throw him before Lord Raegus.

" Listener..." The young man whines, bowing, his shoulders shaking with fear. The wraiths have that affect on people. Raegus does not speak, but watches the pitiful fishmonger with cold eyes, waiting for him to speak. This had better be good.

" Listener...I have information...Captain Barlabus...He's docking soon....Within days...."

Raegus feels his heart leap with excitement, but does not show his emotion.

"You are sure of this?" His voice is level.

The man sqeaks and nods.

" How do you know?"

"My contact, sir...She wrote to me from a nearby port, told me when they would arrive..."

"And their cargo?"

" She said they picked something up, but would not tell me...A big seret...Yes...Big secret..."

Lord Raegus nodded. As it happened, he knew what was aboard that ship. Finally! He had waited so long.

" Very well, my child. You have served me splendidly. Take him away and pay him what I owe."

The wraiths nod and pick the man up as he bows and weeps with joy, overwhelmingly glad that his life is spared.

"Thankyou,my lord, thankyou!"

As the man is carried away, the mastermind strokes his chin thoughtfully, his eyes calculating. Eventually, he gestures to the shadows behind his throne, where a handful of retainers and advisors lurk.

" Braccus! Come..." A wild-looking man with a golden mane of hair appraoches the throne. He wears thick animal furs, and belts laden with jagged weapons. His face is brutally scarred, one eye covered by a leather strap.

" Yes, my lord?"

"Take your men to the docks. Secure the area and the warehouse. If any goblins attempt to enter the vaccinity, kill them. There must be no misunderstanding as to who is in charge here. Glagonar must NOT intercept that shipment, is that understood?"

" Yes, my lord, I won't let you down..."

" You had better not," The mercenary bows and turns to walk away, " Oh, and Braccus?" He turns back, " If Dimas turns up, make sure he wishes that his bitch of a mother never opened her legs."

The mercenary grins. " Will do, my lord." With that, he turns and paces away.