scuff marks, made by a climbing glove, or something similar, that went around the circumference of the decorative sphere. "They were chasing someone," he said. "And that someone grabbed this banister, and swung around behind them. Very clever."
"What kind of man could do that?" Kassir wondered out loud.
Eogan grinned, knowing full well that this killing spree was the work of his own father, Garret. "The Scorpion," he said. "The assassin whom I killed."
Kassir had heard the story. He was not only impressed by the legendary tales of the Scorpion, but that Eogan had killed him. The fact that Garret was stunned and unable to fight due to the trauma of killing his own Queen was inconsequential. A kill was a kill. Such were the ways of the Jindala.
Kassir leaned against the corridor wall, folding his arms across his chest. "Where could the occupants of this inn have gone?" he asked.
"That is the question," Eogan agreed. "I will retrieve my Rangers, and we will track them down. You should come as well. While the Rangers are good trackers, they do not have the deductive skills that you have, my friend. That is why you are my Captain."
Kassir smiled again. Such a compliment from the Prince was not an easy thing to come by, especially one such as Eogan. The Jindala Captain would rise through the ranks quickly. If not within the Jindala forces, then within the Prince's own army.
For Kassir, life was getting better every day.
"Tell the men to return to Faerbane," Eogan ordered him. "I will gather my Dark Rangers and meet you back here in one hour. Stay and continue your search."
"Yes, my lord," Kassir replied.
Eogan stopped to contemplate the situation. If Garret had made a stop at this inn to kill the guards, there had to be a reason why. He knew that a man such as Garret did not frequent taverns, nor kill without a reason or contract. Something here had caught his attention.
Eogan was determined to find that something, and eliminate it.
The Prophet stood before the cloud of darkness that swirled and undulated within the mirror. Wisps of dark energy crept out of the glass, stroking her cheek and regenerating her flesh. She moaned with its touch, feeling its power penetrate her body and restore her youth and vigor.
She lived for these moments; when The Lifegiver would impart to her his healing energy in exchange for her loyalty. Because of this, she never questioned, and never doubted The Lifegiver's word. Now, as she enjoyed his dark embrace, he whispered to her in his echoing voice.
"Igraina," he said. "You honor me with your deeds. Your mind is a dark chasm. Your soul is vile and repulsive."
The Prophet smiled, turning her head to allow The Lifegiver to stroke her neck. "I live to serve you, Master," she moaned.
"You are my greatest Prophet," the darkness continued. "And the most beautiful to behold. One day, your body will belong to your King. But, your soul will be mine forever."
"I will stay with you until the end of time."
"Yes, you will," The Lifegiver said. "When your time here is done, I will keep you with me in the void, and you will become as I. We shall be eternal, and rule the Universe as one."
The Prophet sighed. "I look forward to it."
"Do not be hasty, Igraina. I need you here for now. My rule shall not be complete until this island is conquered."
"You need but command me," she said, "and I will make it so."
The darkness swirled faster, tracing the contour of The Prophet's body with greater enthusiasm. Two wisps of energy formed hands, and they went to her cheeks, holding her head straight at the mirror.
"Maebh is an obstacle to our plans," The Lifegiver said. "She must die."
The Prophet smiled widely, her teeth grinding with delight. "Who shall perform this deed?" she asked.
"You have already proven your loyalty," The Lifegiver replied. "It is up to the future King to prove himself."
"Eogan will, no doubt, bring about his own ascent to the throne."
The Lifegiver hissed his pleasure,
"What kind of man could do that?" Kassir wondered out loud.
Eogan grinned, knowing full well that this killing spree was the work of his own father, Garret. "The Scorpion," he said. "The assassin whom I killed."
Kassir had heard the story. He was not only impressed by the legendary tales of the Scorpion, but that Eogan had killed him. The fact that Garret was stunned and unable to fight due to the trauma of killing his own Queen was inconsequential. A kill was a kill. Such were the ways of the Jindala.
Kassir leaned against the corridor wall, folding his arms across his chest. "Where could the occupants of this inn have gone?" he asked.
"That is the question," Eogan agreed. "I will retrieve my Rangers, and we will track them down. You should come as well. While the Rangers are good trackers, they do not have the deductive skills that you have, my friend. That is why you are my Captain."
Kassir smiled again. Such a compliment from the Prince was not an easy thing to come by, especially one such as Eogan. The Jindala Captain would rise through the ranks quickly. If not within the Jindala forces, then within the Prince's own army.
For Kassir, life was getting better every day.
"Tell the men to return to Faerbane," Eogan ordered him. "I will gather my Dark Rangers and meet you back here in one hour. Stay and continue your search."
"Yes, my lord," Kassir replied.
Eogan stopped to contemplate the situation. If Garret had made a stop at this inn to kill the guards, there had to be a reason why. He knew that a man such as Garret did not frequent taverns, nor kill without a reason or contract. Something here had caught his attention.
Eogan was determined to find that something, and eliminate it.
The Prophet stood before the cloud of darkness that swirled and undulated within the mirror. Wisps of dark energy crept out of the glass, stroking her cheek and regenerating her flesh. She moaned with its touch, feeling its power penetrate her body and restore her youth and vigor.
She lived for these moments; when The Lifegiver would impart to her his healing energy in exchange for her loyalty. Because of this, she never questioned, and never doubted The Lifegiver's word. Now, as she enjoyed his dark embrace, he whispered to her in his echoing voice.
"Igraina," he said. "You honor me with your deeds. Your mind is a dark chasm. Your soul is vile and repulsive."
The Prophet smiled, turning her head to allow The Lifegiver to stroke her neck. "I live to serve you, Master," she moaned.
"You are my greatest Prophet," the darkness continued. "And the most beautiful to behold. One day, your body will belong to your King. But, your soul will be mine forever."
"I will stay with you until the end of time."
"Yes, you will," The Lifegiver said. "When your time here is done, I will keep you with me in the void, and you will become as I. We shall be eternal, and rule the Universe as one."
The Prophet sighed. "I look forward to it."
"Do not be hasty, Igraina. I need you here for now. My rule shall not be complete until this island is conquered."
"You need but command me," she said, "and I will make it so."
The darkness swirled faster, tracing the contour of The Prophet's body with greater enthusiasm. Two wisps of energy formed hands, and they went to her cheeks, holding her head straight at the mirror.
"Maebh is an obstacle to our plans," The Lifegiver said. "She must die."
The Prophet smiled widely, her teeth grinding with delight. "Who shall perform this deed?" she asked.
"You have already proven your loyalty," The Lifegiver replied. "It is up to the future King to prove himself."
"Eogan will, no doubt, bring about his own ascent to the throne."
The Lifegiver hissed his pleasure,
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