You all were able to escape that cursed place. But even then something felt amiss…
It was too easy, and no one is chasing you…
It appears that you had help in escaping, and that confirms just after your first night free, you awaken in the middle of the night, someone is near you, a beautiful silver haired woman with sparkling green eyes.
”Why Dearest, you was easy to find… Maybe I was wrong in helping you flee the salt mines?” she smiles in a sarcastic why then she continues ”There’s someone that want to meet you, someone that had enough trouble to help you escape, and that is able to provide you with anything you need to extract your vengeance.” she toss you a small paper ”A couple of travelling days from here, you’ll find an abandoned inn near the road. Be sure to get there in less than one week, Dearest.”
”Why Dearest, long time no see. Having fun are we?” she smiles to you, as a long lost friend ”Dear papa is waiting for you; here is where you shall meet him again.” she hands you a small piece of paper ”Be sure to not be late, Dearest. You know he does not like to be left waiting.”
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Mysty came to her feet in a rush, her reflexes propelling her as she shook off sleep, her oversized dagger taken from the guard in her right hand and a small flame in her left. What?. Mysty stood, somewhat shocked. A beautiful woman stood before her, dressed as if going to a ball. In the middle of a howling wilderness. Then she spoke. Arrogant, sarcastic, but with a promise of sorts. Mysty's mind raced with questions and possibilities.
My vengeance. What do you know about that? Who are you? Wait! Don't bother answering.
Mysty held up a hand as she made an effort to lock down the questions, her mind thinking quickly. Whoever this was, she knew about her, found her in the thicket she was sleeping and claimed to have helped her. Maybe she had. After her departure she had seen no pursuit. Which was odd.
hmmm.Going to this inn was the only way to get her answers. She looks at the piece of paper and then smiles. Within the week, then. I'll get my answers then, I suppose.
I'll see how this plays out. If whoever it is is on the level, I'll play the game. If not...I'll see what opportunity occurs.
By the way, what do I call you?
Mysty waits for the woman to speak.
Tiadora wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled.
”You can call me Tiadora, Dearest.” says the woman
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Mysty looks at Tiadora, in a bemused sort of way, her golden eyes gleaming. How in the hells did she find me? Maybe the voice told her. A mage? That would explain a lot.
Mysty puts the dagger back into the piece of rope she was using as a belt
So "Dearest", what now. Have you more information, or should I, and you, be on our way. Me to my destination, and you to yours. Perhaps you tell me of who I am to meet.
The woman how calls herself Tiadora look at you in a bemused way ”Well and here was I thinking you only looked like a child.” she smile at you like a caring mother ”Come now little pumpkin” she say extending her hand ”Dear mama will guide all the way…”
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Mysty's grin only grew at Tiadora's response.
Not a mage. The voice was...something from hell I bet. Which means...she may be too. Lets test that.
You know if you really worked at it you could be quite nasty. And we have only just met. The last person that treated me as a child was fishing his guts off the floor a few seconds later. And he thought he was nasty too. It's nice to be underestimated. Also pretending to be a child has its...advantages. People let their guard down to children. Much like, oh I don't know, pretending to be a highly attractive woman.
Mysty skipped up to the woman in white, acting like a raggedy little girl.
So lets go "Mama". I think I have a lot to learn from your example. And I would like a word with your boss.
”Sure thing Dearest.” says Tiadora, holding your hand and in the next instant you are in a whole different place.
Fausto wakes up, his senses alert. Lady Marissa? with a child?
As his hand caresses the piece of dress he took as a trophy from earlier today, the man quickly dismisses the notion this is a ghost. At least not Lady Marissa's ghost...
Fausto laughs back at the apparition, "Help me? What did you do? Send Marissa my way?
Seeing his precarious situation, the inquisitor quickly sees the wisdom of the offer, "Who is it that wants to meet me? And how did you know where I was? Wait... do you know who I am?"
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Mysty looks up at Tiadora, You know "mama", I am beginning to think you have a point.
Mysty looks at the human her golden eyes seeming to glow.
Focus, Mister. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, sir. That is you, sir, are being offered the opportunity to have an actual lifetime...and other nice things. Everything else is relative.
Mother?! No, after a closer inspection, Sourat concluded that she surely was not mother. He blinked away the sleep as a fit of coughs struck him. An ever stuffed nose meant that he made all manner of disgusting sounds. Slowly he got up and warily eyed the woman, wondering who she represented. Even in his sickness-induced delusional state of mind he couldn't help but wonder. But one thing he did not doubt. Whoever got him out, did not want him dead. And that meant he had at least one potential ally out there. Welcome news indeed.
With a hoarse voice he answered her. "Fine. I will do just that."
It was only after he gave her a dismissive answer that he felt a certain hunger growing inside. He had not seen such a fine woman in quite some time .. inadvertently, he licked his lips in a sickening manner as he snorted to temporarily clear his nose.
”Why, I’m surprised Dearest you were able to see behind my plots.” says the woman in a Mocking way ”but that is exactly what I have done. And if you want to know why, go to the place I’ve told you about.”
==//==
”Why are you looking at me that way Dearest.” the beautiful woman says ”If I did not knew better. I would think you wanted to ‘eat’ me.” her expression of pure concern.
"I haven't feasted in a long time. Forgive me, but I had too many opportunities to think of new and innovative flavors, but you hadn't made it to the list. Yet. ", he says with a menacing grin. In fact, he was only toying with her. She lacked the succulent innocence that he so savored. The other girl tho .. oh, she was a halfling. Too sinewy by far.
Plus, having to wake up a recently escaped man with a disturbing appetite in the middle of the night .. poor thing.
She didn't understand. It had nothing to do with power. With establishing dominance. Sensation in all forms, that's what it was about. Through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, one could find himself as he truly is. Like an artist he would push the beauty of those he feasted on to a higher level, if only if they would let him.
And so a cold smile formed on his pursed lips, eyes growing dull after the initial exchange. Already his forehead was covered in sweat as a virulent fever gnawed on his constitution. "My body is wracked with disease. All of my earthly possessions have been taken away from me. I live in a world that has rejected me. If you're telling me that I should not even dare dream of a mouthful of sweetness, a succulent promise of hope, now that's something worth dying for."
”Why, I’m surprised Dearest you were able to see behind my plots.” says the woman in a Mocking way ”but that is exactly what I have done. And if you want to know why, go to the place I’ve told you about.”
The man picked up the piece of paper and recognized a landmark or two, "Aye, I can be there in a couple of days. I have nothing better to do in the next few days and being farther away from this place is... good."
He scratches the stubble in his chin, "I'm guessing my questions will be answered there." He looks around and at himself, "I've just... hell, you know where I've been. That means I need tools for my... trade. Can you give help with that too?"
The inquisitor looks at the halfling, "And you, are you going to claim that you also helped with my escape?"
”Dearest, how you get there is too part of the test.” she points to the halfiling ”She passed hers.” looking at you again she continues ”Be sure to get there under one week time, Dearest. Now I must depart” the woman pick up the little one hands and disappears out of blue.
==//==
The woman smile at your comment, you know she is pleased by something, but you don’t know what ”Be sure to get there under one week time, Dearest. We will be waiting” she says and then grab the little one hand and disappears.
A delirous trek slowly brings Sourat closer to his destination. At night he tumbles and turns restlessly in his sleep, soaking up the pale moonlight as dark claws rip into his mind, turning his fragile state of mind upside down. No longer is the hunger for innocence dominating his ladder of desire, but a burning necessity to see the Mitrans drowning in an ocean of their own blood. There, he'll dive in and swim amongst the fallen, then, he'll close his eyes and have his Dark Mother embrace him.
Rose knew better than to think she was dreaming. Tia did this sort of thing a lot. It was something Rose had always envied a little.
She stood and stretched with a little squeek. "I'll get there as soon as I can. Wonder what daddy has up his sleeve this time."
Knowing Tia would be gone again the next time she turned around, off on some other errand Rose smiled. "It's good to see you again."
Rose checked the paper and started down the road.
Rose laughed as the little girl waved at her before they vanished. Cute little thing. Wonder what Tia has planned for her.
The trip wasn't great, but just about anything was better than prison or the salt mines. Who would have thought that a few dead bodies would have caused such a stir.
Lesson learned. She mused to herself. Now I see why Daddy gets other people to do his dirty work for him.
She was dirty and she hated it. Salt mines are no good for the complexion, or for the hair. She was still wearing the guard's uniform from the mines and since her shape change had worn off they were much too big. Another lesson learned. Only seduce short guards.
She took off the uniform tabard, turned it inside out so it looked like a simple tunic, and put it back on without the arming doublet of the oversized pants. She kicked off the boots and just wore the tabard like a poncho, belted snugly around the middle. She even left the guard's truncheon and sword behind. She didn't really want to be unarmed, but carrying weapons would raise suspicion.
The tabard was so big that it reached past her knees, but it was wide open from the sides displaying more skin than a decent young lady ought. Practically perfect for her purposes, really.
She walked for a time, enjoying the fresh air and the ground beneath her bare feet, eventually waving down a merchant caravan. A simple sob story about running away from an abusive father earned her a ride down the road.
"Why yes sir, he is a guard. He ripped my only dress, so I just grabbed the closest thing when I ran! I didn't realize they were his uniform until I was all the way through the woods! It's all I have!"
And then she slept, the caravan rocking her to sleep until they were far away from the stupid mines.
Sleeping with a drunk in a tavern let her steal an impressively full purse. He was even a halfway decent lay as long as she stayed well away from his breath, so she didn't even kill him. The next town over, she bought some clothes with the drunk's money and rented a tub at a bath house. She walked out a new woman. Suddenly she didn't have to ask for a ride with the merchants. They offered. She picked the one who traveled alone, and was unsurprised when he tried tried to get a little free with his hands a few hours later, so she let him do what he wanted, and then bashed in his head with a hammer when he fell asleep.
Then she had a horse!
The rest of the trip was pretty straight forward. She arrived at weeks end road weary, but feeling (and looking) much better than she had when she had started.
She'd planned on getting captured when this whole mess started, and other than the issue of not being in Branderscar on time everything had mostly worked out. She hoped her daddy had remembered to bring along her trunk. He was usually pretty good about that sort of thing. If he didn't, she'd have to borrow some clothes and equipment from Tia.
She let her horse go about four hours from her destination, smacking it's rump and sending it elsewhere.
When she reached the inn, she simply walked in like she owned it.
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Tiadora appeared with mysty at the inn. There was no sign of life, or movement at all, except for a hawk on the wing and the wind in the trees. A half falling off sign showed a buxum young lass offering a mug of ale. The crumbling paint disfigured her so her friendly smile had become a wanton smirk, her face all cracked.
now what, "mama"? Seems no one is here.
Tiadora laughed. Your powers of observation amaze me, pumpkin. The rest will be along, bye and bye. You just have to wait a while.
She raised a finger to mysty. attend now. Camp near here but do not enter the inn until others arrive. I have other duties. Have fun dearest. I'll look in from time to time. Oh and do clean up a bit
And with that she vanished.
definitely a devil of some sort. Oh well I guess I should make myself comfortable.
Mysty made herself a hide in the collapsed stable and waited. Gathering wood she lit a fire, and with aid of a metal tub boiled some water from the nearby stream. A little hunting later and she was eating roast squirrel. Then she washed herself as best she could. When she woke up the next day a packet was o the ground beside her.
in it was soap, a comb, a mirror and a couple of children's dresses. And two halfling daggers. It's nice to have friends. Well fiends any way.
Fausto shakes his head, "Test eh? You Lady don't know what I'm capable of."
Sighing and somewhat relieved that the apparition left him , the inquisitor once again studies the directions scribbled on the paper. only a couple of days away but I'll be dammed if I'm walking there
Now away from prying eyes, Fausto completely heals himself and mugs the first old man he comes across. Then it was time to make... er steal some money with one of his favorite cons.
TRAVEL
On the first night, the inquisitor found a tavern owner and introduced himself as a wandering priest, from the order of St. Macarius, those stupid priests that wandered the land and healed in the name of Mitra. After some minor healing, the tavern keeper led Fausto to a private chamber where his wife was terribly ill.
That was when Fausto decided to have fun. He demanded money for his healing and ended up stealing more money from the man and leaving his wife in her current state, the fat slob was going to die anyways. Intimidation was one of his specialties. The best part was that he never let on his ruse leaving the tavern keeper to think that a priest from St. Macarius was corrupted. Hopefully he would spread the news.
With a pouch with some money, the inquisitor acquired a horse and continued on his journey. He played the ruse two more times, gaining a bit more money. The best part was the way he continued to spread filth about corrupt priests. He knew the Mitran order was corrupted but he enjoyed letting people know just how corrupted.
After the fourth day, he arrived at the abandoned inn. He decided to wait around until the appointed time.
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As Fausto arrives, he smells smoke and cooking fish. On investigation he sees in a partly collapsed stable next to the inn a cooking fire. Beside it, on her haunches, is the halfling you encountered before. She is cleaned up, in a fresh dress and has two daggers strapped to her waist.
Heyho bigger. Took your time. We didn't get introduced when we met. I'm mysty. I think I saw you at the salt mine. Want some fish?
The time you spend here, you are able to notice that the inn despite of his appearance is not abandoned at all. You sometimes see people with a servant looking clothes moving about. The road is not a really used one. In your time here, you did not saw any traveler or caravan.
@To all except Lady Rose
After traveling, you reach the destination marked in the piece of paper. By all looks, it appears to be only an abandoned inn.
The same woman that meet you in the night and gave you the address is waiting for you at the door ”Dearest! Took you long enough!”
”You can call me Tiadora. Clean yourself, eat and be presentable for the master.” then she smiles ”Just do not take too long Dearest, the master is not a very patient man.” she turns in the door and clap her hands ” ”Slaves, take our guest to their room and help then clean themselves!” and then she adds ”Now!” this last word almost like a threat.
The place inside is surprisingly clean and well preserved, comparing to outside. You are taken to a room and as promised, hot water, delicious food and clean clothes (your exact size) wait for you.
@Lady
Tiadora is at the door, waiting for you. She waves in a friendly manner when you approach.
”I see you are enjoying yourself Dearest. How was your trip?” she claps her hand ”Slaves, help the mistress to her room and provide a hot bath, clean clothes and hot food for her.” she turns to you again ”As soon everyone else gets here, Daddy will see you all.”
Rose waved back. "You always know just what I need." she said with a grin as she hurried in. "I kind of enjoyed myself out there. I'm definitely ready to be done with all that fugitive nonsense though. How have things been while I've been away? How'd the thing at Branderscar go?"
That bath sounded wonderful. She planned on taking her time. Someone would let her know when her father was ready to see them all.
@Lady
”The butchers of Branderscar” she smiles ”This is how they are being called. But go now and prepare youself. We’ll have more time to talk later.”
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Mysty entered the Inn at last and was led to her room. She baths, then dreses, while eating all the time.
this is more like it she thought while bouncing on the bed a bit.
Clean sheets. Roasted beef fillets skewered on sticks, fresh green and pudding for afters. Who ever was organizing this was doing a great job.
Once she was ready, she checked her daggers, and moved out to meet the "master. "
Sourat is too tired to pay much attention to his surroundings. Delirious dreaming stole any and all rest he regained while resting and the trek to the inn further ravaged his wracked body. Purple spots formed a ring around cold dots of grey that peered into the room. The pale canvas of his face was covered with sweat and the prospect of being able to kick off his rags, dive into a warm bath and have soft hands roaming his body put a boyish smile on his face. Like that, he went forth and underwent the blessing of this master.
Once done, Sourat returned in a simple enough outfit that would suit an official out and about on duty. Sturdy leather boots complimented an outfit of a brown leather vest and pants and a red robe, open at the front, trimmed around the sleeves and bottom with gold thread. An intriguing metal disc, portraying a fat-bellied woman staring down at sharp teeth consuming her lower body, hangs around his neck on a leather thong. Sourat's eyebrows are still slick with sweat. Perhaps it is the scorching hot bath that is to blame. In silence he finds himself a seat, wanting all of this to be over already so he can close his eyes and find oblivion.
After taking your time, cleaning and eating or even in bedplay (with the slave), you put your new clothes, fit for nobility, and cut in your exact size. You then think you are ready to meet the ‘master’. You go to the mess hall and there, Tiadora is waiting for you, after both get to the mess hall, she leads you into a private study; a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly handsome fellow who smiles as you enter.
“Escaping the salt mines is no small feat! Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside,” he says with a wicked smile.
“But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious why I’ve helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god.”
“For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through for I have faced it myself.” With that, he pulls down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic ‘F’ brand. “I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father’s majesty. Have I found them in you?”
He rises and his eyes flash with hellfire and divine purpose. “Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princes of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus."
“Put aside forgiveness and I shall give you vengeance. Put aside mercy and be made powerful. Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war. What say you? Will you swear your allegiance or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?”
==/==
In the same room, another woman(Lady Rose), really beautiful observe the procedings. From time to time, the cardnal look in her direction and smiles.
The answer to the question seemed simple enough. Ally with the enemy of your enemy or make yet another enemy? Friends and allies were two things that Sourat did not possess and if this man had the power to see him escape from the salt mines, would he survive turning him into an enemy? Oh, the fire of choice, it burned. Already he felt his choice being made for him as a searing heat crept on him. He threw himself into that fire, falling onto his knees, and sweat dripped onto the floor as a sickening couch bellowed out of him. A hand was raised and like that, he pledged his allegiance.
The other lady in the room was stunning. She sat in a chair near the wall primly and quietly, every inch a proper young lady in the presence of a man of authority.
She wore tight red equestrian leggings beneath a ruffled black high-low saddle skirt that left her red-clad legs exposed from the tops of her thighs down to her high leather boots. The rest of the skirt flowed beneath her exposing a lining patterned in alternating black and red stripes. A high-necked corseted vest with many buttons closed modestly over a long sleeved red blouse. In spite of it's modest cut, it really only served to accentuate her impressive bust and narrow waist. Atop her head sat a small hat pinning a red lace birdcage veil that draped across half her face. Her hair was the same deep red as the accents of her clothing and was pulled back into a neat braid that she had pulled over one shoulder. Her exposed upswept ears spoke of a heritage that was not quite human.
Her gloved hands were folded in her lap atop her crossed legs as she sat straight and proper, eying those who entered with a small smile.
The tall and lean figure that was now kneeling sported short unkept auburn hair, the result of a prison barber that did not care for Sourat's long locks. It was starting to point in all directions by now. Under a dark ridge two cold grey eyes pierced forward. The sweat that glistened on his forehead seemed to cast a sickly haze over those eyes. Excessive flabs of skin indicated that the man once had weighed way more than he did now, but the hardships of prison and disease had taken its toll.
If it weren't for the pallor of his skin and the myriad signs of illness and affliction, you could go as far to call him handsome. Right now though, he is a dead man walking.
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Before you is the halfling you saw with tiadora, but now clean and dressed in thr manner of a court page. Black with a silver, or mithril, trim, attention is drawn to a golden badge on her chest, showing a rat snarling in attack. Her hair is a black as soot, tied into a neat pony tail and her face pale. On her face eyes glow with a golden light as she takes in the scene. She stands only about 2 foot, 7 inches and weighs under 30 pounds.
The only dissonant part are the two daggers nestle at her waist, along and her poise, as if she is about to spring. And the smile on her face of course.
Mysty looks at the Cardinal. you had me at burning
WASH UP
Fausto could not help but smile at his good fortune. He sized up the others but felt enough confidence to let himself enjoy the good life for a bit. Taking advantage of his host's graces, the man washed up, ate up, drunk up, and came downstairs to meet his new master. No doubt it had been time to pay for his 'benefits'. Not sure what the price would be but it couldn't be worse than the salt mines.
MEETING MASTER
Fausto is a man marked by hard lines, both in his face and in his body. His face is older beyond his years as is common in people that spend a lot of time outdoors. He keeps his hair short and sports a goatee.
It is easy to see that the outdoors keeps the man in top shape; hard, lean muscle covers his thin frame. He is dressed in a dark tunic.
Fausto's mouth was agape when the man presented himself as a high priest of Asmodeus. He had already given up on meeting someone of his stature. Not since the hated Mitrans had ran them all underground.
At the Cardinal's offer, the inquisitor steps forth. "Cardinal, I have already pledged my life and soul to our Dark Lord and would be honored to join your just cause."
He then kneels and etches the sign of Asmodeus over his heart, murmuring a prayer of thanks. Lifting his head up to the Cardinal, he states, "Make me useful and let me bask in His Glory. I am yours to command."
The inquisitor smiles, a disconcerting grin, "And if your orders allow me to kill a few Mitran zealots, I would be further in your debt."
“Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional. This is for you too my dear.” says the cardinal looking in the lady direction.
He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink – the Pact of Thorns, it is written the following:
Behold on this day Oathday in the eighth age of this world a perpetual Compact is made between Cardinal Adrastus Thorn (hereafter the Master) and those who would be bound to him as his acolytes (hereafter the Bound). Both the Master and the Bound shall hold fast and true to this Compact through all trial and tribulation. By blood and soul the Bound commit to the Compact and swear that it shall never be undone.
The Bound shall know and understand the Four Loyalties.
The First Loyalty is to their patron and god – mighty Asmodeus, first among the fallen, prince of the nine hells, our father below. They shall do all that can be done to further his worship and his glory.
The Second Loyalty is to their master – He who is called the Cardinal Adrastus Thorn, High Priest of Asmodeus in Talingarde. They shall do the Master no harm and obey his every commandment as long as those commandments do not clash with their First Loyalty.
The Third Loyalty is to their companions – the other Bound who serve alongside them. The Bound shall deal with each other fairly and honorably as long as doing so does not clash with their first or second loyalties. All treasure, wealth and reward garnered in their exploits will be equally shared with all of the Bound who aided in its acquisition.
The Fourth Loyalty is to themselves – for Asmodeus is the Lord of Ambition and all who serve him should strive to become great and powerful in his service as long as doing so does not clash with their first, second or third loyalties. By their weakness, ye shall know the unworthy.
The Bound swear that they cleave to and uphold the Four Loyalties even in the face of death and damnation.
The Master swears that as long as the Four Loyalties are upheld, he shall reward the Bound as they deserve for their deeds.
Thus it is written, and thus it shall be.
We being of sound mind and free will do so swear and let they who violates this Compact know all the wrath of Hell unending.
Signed,
One of the copies you sign is already signed by other four times, the names as following: Nahia, Seren, Eric, Eldred
The lady's sculpted eyebrows rose and she stood, smiling wide. She pulled off her short gloves, tugging one finger at a time and tucking it away in the pocket of her vest, then picked up the silver knife and sliced her hand with no hesitation.
Her palm became the ink well which she used to sign in large, graceful script-
She finished and handed the quill along to the next person in line and stepped back, her smile as wide as it would go. She bounced on the balls of her feet, barely able to contain her excitement.
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Mysty steps up, takes the knife, and without expression cuts her palm. She curls her hand to collect the blood, and once a suitable quantity had gathered, dipped the quill in it. She signed her name
Mysty Heartglow Pyros
She looks startled at the extra name, and then laughs aloud as her signature glows as red as flame.
It seems my name as changed a bit, just in time for my signing.
She steps back to her position, pulling out a clean handkerchief to bind her palm.
The scales were perfectly in balance when Sourat considered the deal. What was his life worth after it had been declared null and void? No one but him and Asmodeus seemed to value it. While he'd be tied to this God by signing the document, others would also be tied to him. The barren wasteland that he is right now needed some initial re-investment to get it back to an acceptable state and once there, well, he could always find new investors if necessary.
Drifting in this sea of thoughts he took the dagger, drew blood and used it to sign his name on the document.
Sourat Vi'Sapor
The inquisitor likes what he reads but his senses perk up when he is about to be bound to people he didn't really know. He looks at each in turn trying to seize them up but in the end gives in to the high priest's wisdom. A high priest of Asmodeus must have chosen well.
He walks up, grabs the dagger, and makes two deep slashes on his wrist. At the outpouring of blood, he lifts his hand to show everyone around him. He then signs his name Fausto
The man then steps back, his hand still bleeding profusely, and murmurs a prayer. "Should you bless this pact, Dark Lord, do not let me bleed to death before I do my part to usher in your glory."
Almost instantly, his wrist healed, leaving nothing but blood on his hand. Fausto smiled; with his Lord's blessing, he was now ready to serve in earnest.
“Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. You’ll find in your rooms two gifts I prepared. The first one is a holy symbol of Asmodeus, to remember you where your true loyalty lies. The second one is a magic accessory that will allow you to disguise as you enemies.” he stops for some moments then continues ”The others were trained by me before going into this mission, but I have no time to train you now. But the Fallen One choose you, you are ready.” he looks in the door’s direction and Tiadora appears on cue ”Tiadora provide you with any equipment you need, just tell her. You have three days to be ready. ” he looks over the window, his eyes glowing with unholy fire ”I’ve sent the Nessian Knot to arm Sakkarot army, and to throw open the gates of Balentyne. You’ll help then with the latter. All of then have one Iron Circlet as you just got, it's our symbol. They'll recognize it.” he looks at you again ”Be successful in your mission and you'll be handsomely rewarded. Fail me, and you’ll pray for hells comfort before I’m done with you. ”