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money, would keep his fat trap shut and not question the sorts of devices that John required to be
sharpened.
And it was as expected. The near toothless lout did just that with no word or look at what sort of
man would carry such diabolical devices. And he smelled as bad as the land.
John then set out for the crossroads of need and insatiable desire. Along its rubbish-strewn streets,
he eyed a young man, dressed in enough rags to barely cover areas that most would consider private. At
the other end was a woman garbed in much the same.
The sun caught her stark-red hair and John knew exactly which path to take.
He walked to the entrance of an alleyway and motioned for his victim to join him. He gave a coy
smile, one that alluded to a desire other than what he intended. With his newly sharpened tools, he
waited with patience and a different form of desire set in his eyes one that would rid himself of any
softness.
He thought of the book of Revelation as he waited.
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last
to be more than the first.
With every step she took towards him he thought of his chances for redemption, lost.
With every footfall, he contemplated the challenge before him and immersed his heart and mind in
a sea of darkness he thought he had long abandoned.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,
which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to
eat things sacrificed unto idols.
His skills were old, unhoned, and required practice.
The cold blades in his hands slid against each other, a clean and deliberate slice. His ears delighted
in their slow grating.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
His victim sauntered towards him, a stride of those that have practiced this profession well. She
was a half-breed; and the part of her that was Naiad had taken control. Her yearning was ravenous; her
footsteps intense.
She drew near.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
except they repent of their deeds.
She stood before him and exposed her white flesh. She waited for his hunger, and he gave it to her
with all his might. The blades pierced her, in a place that suppressed her scream.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which
searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
The scarlet hair spilled over his arm and John trapped her soul in the crude ceramic urn he had
purchased in the market. It was set with a spell and sigils to house souls. John left her body in the alley
as well as his outer robe. It was stained crimson.
He strode into the street, making for the edge of the city and then hummed a few bars of Ave
Maria.
It somehow brought him comfort.
***
Seven days later, after hugging the shores of Lake Michigami and then heading south and west to
trace the broad path of the Illinois River, Paine and the others tracked the footprints of the survivors to
a small town called Perry. It lay ten miles north of where the Illinois River shook hands with the mighty
Mississippi. Great Bear chose to leave Two Moon to his own fate, determined not to delay finding the
survivors of Haven. No one had disagreed with him.
The Mississippi River, lined with white oak and red buckeye, swept past them. The soft sound of
the waters greeting the rock-strewn shore soothed Paine s frazzled state. He was tired of running.
As the midday sun melted into the horizon, they were greeted by some of the survivors
Haudenosaunee warriors on lookout. Great Bear spoke with them hurriedly in his native tongue, and
then charged on. The others spurred their horses to follow.
When they reached the camp, they found a large clearing full of people, their faces drawn and
filled with desolation. The few greetings they received were only half filled with cheer. Great Bear and
Truitt approached an old man and woman. Two men from Lindhome stood with them, Lastborn. They
were both dark of hair and eyes, brothers from what Paine could tell.
Paine dismounted and approached, catching Truitt's words. Lindhome is gone?
The taller of the brothers clenched his fists. Demons and wolfen poured into Lindhome from the
north hundreds of them. They came upon us in the night. The protection of Lindhome was breached
and the full evil of the Westwood flooded in.
Truitt looked up. How is that possible? The barrier should have kept the Westwood out.
The shorter one hung his head. Elenya's Soul was lost.
The old man that stood beside him reached to his chest, pressing his hand over his heart. He
muttered something inaudible. He looked at the brothers, bags under his aged eyes.
His sagging jowls quivered.
Truitt looked at the old man. Gregor, you were there when the orb was created, how could it have
been lost?
Gregor poked his staff into the ground. Someone has discovered the nature of its power and
turned it against us.
The taller of the two brothers eyed the Witch Hunter who stood beside Great Bear, still clamped in
chains. He spat on the ground.
What is her kind doing here?
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