A Conversation With Priestess

Once they're far enough away Doom stops and turns to her. She watches him with a strange look on her face. He can't quite read her expression. He decides to ignore it for now and speaks, "What is your name?" he asks and she looks away, staring off into the distance as if looking for something before looking back at him and answering.

"My name is Vox... Vox Lanoche..." she answers.

"Vox Lanoche..." he repeats and then nods, " Lanoche like Melanoche? You are named after your goddess?" he asks and she nods.

"Our entire group is named for our goddess and our role in her service,"

"What's the name of my new pet?" he asks and she narrows her eyes.

"I knew it... That's what you intend for her isn't it? Just a sex ****?" she says and he stares at her.

"Is that a problem?" he asks and though his voice remains casual, she seems to shiver and takes a step away, recognizing the implication that if she does have a problem with it, she would be stupid to voice it.

"N... no. It's fine. We are here to serve the Black Night which means we are here to serve you in whatever way you desire," she says and then looks away seemingly realizing what she just said.

"You're lucky I believe you'll be much more useful off my cock, at least for the time being," he assures her and then smiles, "now if you would answer my question?"

She crosses her arms, "Belleza Lanoche," she answers and then scowls, "you better not hurt her," she says and even with her obvious fear he can hear the determination in her voice.

"She mean something to you?" he asks, curious about this strange determination.

"O... Of course. They all do!" she says and then hesitates and sighs, "she's my little sister..." she admits.

"Bingo," he thinks to himself, his mind awash with ways to use this knowledge, but for right now he puts it aside.

"Don't worry, I am good to my pets, she will know nothing but pleasure and the power and luxury that will come to those who serve me well," he answers and this seems to at least satisfy her for the moment, "now that the formalities are passed, I suppose I should ask you the important question. Why did Melanoche drop me here?"

"I assume because we, her loyal servants, are stationed here," she answers and Doom nods as if satisfied before continuing.

"Of course, but why are you here? There must be some reason you chose this strange inhospitable area and why Melanoche would consider it a good place for me to start my campaign," he presses and she smiles in response.

"You're not a simple brute are you?" she states and though he realizes it is intended as a compliment, her attitude makes him fondly imagine all the things he will someday do to her, "you are correct, we are in actuality near a stronghold of the light. We have been stationed here and waiting for your arrival specifically because The Black Night thought this stronghold and the city nearby would be a good testing ground and first step for her champion," she explains.

"I see... Have you any useful tactical information about the stronghold or the city?" he asks.

"Yes. We have a spy in the city who has gotten a job delivering supplies from the city to the stronghold, they have access to both places as a result and have gotten us plenty of useful information. The stronghold has only one entrance, a large iron gate which is of course guarded by about four rangers who can spot approaching foes and fire upon them from behind the walls, the initial entrance is a hall to a steel gate, the hallway is a killing corridor, the same four rangers can easily fire into the hallway through **** holes lining the walls. Past that steel gate is a large open courtyard, the bulk of the stronghold's defenders are there. There are at our spy's count about 20 soldiers stationed within the stronghold, knights primarily, but the guard captain is a barbarian. If you take the courtyard, you will have access to the entirety of the stronghold, including the Stronghold Commander's chambers, barracks, armoury, mess hall and the alcoves the four hunters guarding the gate are secreted in. The Stronghold's Commander is a priestess and as our spy discovered a lesser noble. She might be useful as a hostage in the future," she explains and Doom crosses his arms already making plans.

For a normal **** he'd need far greater numbers than seem to be at his disposal, just getting inside would likely cost at least half of his forces, still that won't be an issue, he decides as a pretty good plan forms, but first he should consider all options available.

"What about the city?" he asks.

"The city is defended by natural barricades. It is on a raised plateau with only two methods of access that don't require flight or scaling large rocky cliffs. The first is the path from the stronghold, the second is opposite the stronghold and serves as the path out of the desert and into the country borders of Alms Amour. I'll explain more about Alms Amour later, as it won't be relevant unless we take the city. Accessing that path would be an easy way to attack the city, according to our spy the city doesn't have much in the way of defenses, a basic city guard made up almost entirely of volunteer citizens is all that protects it. The City is entirely reliant on The Stronghold. If the city was attacked and the stronghold wasn't available to help, even if they managed to get word to the nearest town for help they'd take some time to arrive," she informs him and he stands still, thinking about his options before speaking again.

"Clearly the best option would be to go around and attack the city from the other side then, but... I'm sensing there's something you aren't telling me about that plan," he says, glancing up at her to see her grin.

"Yeah... Going around the city would require trekking through an inhospitable desert and wouldn't be a straight path. There are plenty of dangers and obstacles in the desert we'd have to avoid and it would probably take us at least two weeks to successfully make it. By then we'd be almost out of supplies, tired and probably have suffered some casualties from the dangers in the desert," she explains.

"So... it's not actually a viable option is what you're saying?" he confirms and she nods.

"Maybe for you, but not for us. Do you think you'd be able to make the trek and take out the city and the stronghold by yourself?" she asks.

"Maybe, but I think I have a better plan... Give me about a day and then we're attacking the stronghold head on," he answers as he sits down on the sand, arms and legs crossed, his eyes closing.

"What? Head on, are you su-" she starts, but he cuts her off with a gesture.

"I need to focus. Go tell the others to get ready for combat," he commands and she hesitates and then hurries back to the others as he sits on the sand and tries to focus.