Chapter 1: The Way East Is Blocked
"Halt!"
The rogue commander gave the order as our caravan was making its way east. The driver, Warriv, was puzzled at this action, as he had been through this way numerous times without incident, save a few zombies now and then.
"What's going on, Flavie?" he asked. "You know I have business in Lut Gholein."
"If I were to allow you to pass, you would march into certain death," she replied.
Seated inside the caravan, my only thought was that I had a mission that was a matter of life and death, and this rogue was interfering. I decided to intervene.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
She could tell by my armor and sheld I was not just some joker trying to pass through. "As I was telling Warriv here, going east will mean certain doom if I allow you to pass, outlander. You would be advised to turn back and return from wence you came."
"
You would be advised to stand aside and let us pass," I cautioned her. "I am Leviticus, a Knight of The 23rd Circle, on a mission that could determine the fate of the world, and every second you keep us here is a second lost." I sized her up, to determine whether to tell her more. "I have reason to believe The Dark Wanderer passed through here recently."
"The Dark what?" she asked, looking at me as though I'd had too much ale the night before. "I'm sorry, sir, but I have my orders not to allow passage until it is safe again."
"When will that be?" I asked sternly, not really expecting an answer. When she gave none, I demanded to see her leader immediately.
"How many are with you?" she asked.
"Five, including myself," I replied. "Are you going to allow passage?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to come with me," she replied. "Akara will want to know of your mission, whatever it is."
"Very well, then." I motioned to Warriv to follow the rogue. Maybe once I explained to her why stopping this Dark Wanderer was important to save the world, the rogues would allow us passage east.
* * * * *
Once we drove into what appeared to be a makeshift encampment, we got off the caravan, one by one. First there was Warriv, the driver. He was driving us to Lut Gholein, as he was on his way there himself. Of course I had to convince him (by way of a bribe) that it was imperative he take us with him. He was a stout man, of maybe forty years. He would wait for us by the caravan, until it was safe to travel eastward.
Then there was Marissa, a petite sorceress whom I'd met in my travels, and fell madly in love with. She had green eyes, dark hair, and slightly darkened skin. For some reason known only to her, she wore no armor, in spite of the danger we'd faced together, other than the clothes on her back. In spite of this, she'd managed to stay alive, as she was a walking arsenal of weapons. She interposed herself between me and the rogue, Flavie, to send the message I was spoken for, "in case these rogues had any ideas."
Following her was Kanine, a druid from the north. He only wore leather armorwith fur lined shoulders, and carried no weapons. He didn't need to; he was a shapeshifter, a werewolf. In his human form he had very long red hair, blue eyes, and a lean build. When he transformed into beast form, he had white fur, sharp teeth, and even sharper claws. He could assume this form whenever he wanted to, or when he forgot himself and flew into a rage.
Thanatos, the necromancer, was next. One word would describe him best:
albino. He had white hair, white skin, white eyes, and a frail looking build. He wore chain armor fashioned partially out of bone, so it looked like an exo-skeleton. Many fancied him a witch doctor; he has been know to raise the dead, concoct all kinds of healing potions, and practice black magic.
Finally, there was Katrina, an assassin from the Shadow Cat's Guild. She had short black hair, blue eyes that resembled those of a cat, and a curvacious build she used to seduce her victims to their deaths. Her black armor barely covered her, and she used claws for weapons. It was said she had a way of getting aroud without being seen, which aided her in killing people. A mercenary by trade, she was along for the promise of a big payday. I suspected maybe there was more than that, but so far, she'd not let on as to what.
Now, I suppose you're wondering why a Paladin of the 23rd Circle would be doing with a group like this. The reason is simple. You see, I was visited by an angel named Tyrael, who informed me of this Dark Wanderer. He told me it was a hero from Tristam, who had defeated Diablo in the town cathedral. In an attempt to contain the demon, he embedded the soulstone into his head. Soon after, he began talking incoherently, about heading east. Since then, the town had been ravaged by demons, and all the townsfolk were either slain or corrupted.
When I went to my circle to enlist volunteers for this mission, my fellow knights just laughed me out of the castle, saying I was deluded, insane, or maybe possessed myself. I was forced to set out to find volunteers elsewhere. Fortunately, I had friends outside the circle, and was able to assemble this small group.
The rogue Flavie led us into a small tent which was serving as temporary shelter. I explained my mission to Akara, the spritual leader of the rogues, who looked at me with intrigue. She however, explained that the way east was blocked; their monastery was taken over by a demon goddess named Andariel, and all who had attempted to retake it were either killed or made into Andariel's minions. The surviving rogues were forced to set up camp just west of the monastery, and kept watch to insure the demons didn't defile the grounds any further.
It was then another rogue spoke up, identifying herself as Kashya. "Your tale is quite interesting, outlander, but how do we know we can trust you? Akara my be our spiritual leader, but it is I who command the rogues in battle. As you said, your own order laughed at you; perhaps you've come to lure us to our deaths as well?"
There was mumuring in the crowd. Apparently most of the rogues agreed with Kashya; there was no way they were going to lay down their lives for an outlander who, for all they knew, could have been in league with this Andariel. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Kanine was trying to hold his rage in check; if he suddenly lost it and assumed werewolf form...
It was then a rogue scout ran into the tent. She whipered something to Kashya, who replied, "Are you sure?"
The scout nodded in the affirmative.
Kashya then turned her attention back to me. "My rogue scout has informed me of a terrible crisis! Blood Raven, once my most trusted lieutenant, has been corrupted by the demon goddess Andariel, and is defiling our burial grounds! We cannot allow this defilement! If you are truly our ally, you will go now and stop Blood Raven before she turns our sacred hallowed ground into a haven for demons!"
"All right," I replied. "We will leave immediately. But we will need a guide to show us the way there."
Kashya nodded in agreement. "Flavie, go with them," she commanded. "But, your girlfriend stays with us. If you betray us in any way, she dies."
Marissa was about to protest, but I took her aside. "Don't worry, love. I will not let anything happen to Flavie...or you."
I kissed her goodbye before heading toward the site where Blood Raven would no doubt be waiting for us.
. Congrats! Can't wait to see more.