Bargains of the Condemned

This man has no shame, no guilt, and as far as you can see, no reason to still breathe. His open admittal of putting a woman and child into slavery is sickening, and his barely veiled talking of **** reminds you that you made the right decision, separating yourself from scum like this. You draw your sword, ready for whatever may come. If this is where you die, so be it. As you are about to charge, you are stopped by an unsettling sight.

The ground shifts underneath the legs of the villain holding Kalifa hostage, frightening the horses again, and worrying the men. From the shifting ground emanated large, skeletal hands, grasping and tearing at whatever it could. The kidnapper let go in terror, allowing Kalifa to break free and run. The man now injured and disoriented, you moved into seal the deal. Holding the sword at your side, your charged forward and led with a wide arc that cut clear across his chest, causing blood to splur out profusely. What friends he thought he had ran away in terror. The man had sunk on the ground, a distance away from the haunted bones still clawing at the air, holding his body in abject pain.

"You had your chance" You state as you hover over him, watching him grimace and grunt, unable to provide words "You had an opportunity to do the right thing, let bygons be bygons, but even that is too much for you. You are nothing but a blight on this earth, a cancerous rot that destroys everything around it. And now, you will be excised from it so the good of the world may flourish." Holding your sword tightly, you drive it straight through his larynx, making his passing short, final, and as painless as can be mustered in a killing blow. You stand up slowly, thankful that events were not as grim as you had predicted, but as you clean the blade, the dissapearing hands remind you that all is not answered.

You turn back and see Naveeh, with her daughter behind her. A strange talisman hung around her neck that you had not seen before, her skin had turned almost porcelain white, and her eyes had gone black.

"Witch!" You shout, as you hold your blade out

"Spare me your preaching and your threats!" She responds, angrily "I sought a way to protect my family, to keep Kalifa safe. No one would help me, no puritanical paladins, no law, no country. I took the only help that was offered!"

Her anger and grief causes you to pause, lowering your sword arm. She continues "I am nothing without my daughter. I would give anything, do anything, to keep her safe. Wouldn't you?" Guilt of your hasty judgement seeps in, and you swiftly sheath your weapon.

"I said I would, yes" You reply, contemplating the definitions of the word anything "my sisters are held by a dreadlord. I go to try and find a way to rescue them, and slay their captor."

Naveeh, the elvish witch's appearance slowly returns to normal as she sees that she is no longer a threat. "Than I am sure you will understand in time, if you do not already."

"There is one thing I do not understand, not yet" You say as you take a few steps closer "If you are a witch and you held this power, why not use it on your captor?"

"It would have only made things worse. Had I revealed myself and not killed him, my life would have been lost, and Kalifa would have lost the last soul who cared about her. I did what I could. His dreams were haunted, his body was wracked. Most times he could not bring himself to complete his desires, not that he should be given any mercy or remorse."

"Indeed. What are your plans now?" You ask.

"I don't know." She replied "Find a place to call home. With luck, piece and quiet. I hope such a place still exists."

"As do I, or else this war will have been for nothing." You slowly hold Naveeh's hand, and lift it to kiss her fingers. "My prayers go for you."

Her face contorted "I have no need of prayers...but thank you. I appreciate your sentiment. If only I could still be moved by them." Naveeh nudged her head forward "Looks like you've moved a step closer in your goals as well. I don't imagine anyone here will complain about you having his horse."

"No, I suppose not." You walk away with no other words spoken. The horse is hard to manage, but with some effort, you get it under control. Before you mush it to take off, you look back to see the two elves, and see that the young, timid Kalifa, had just peaked herself out from her mothers shadow to wave you farewell.