The Specter will lead you to the book

The **** extended beyond the palace. Rogue gangs roamed the city, ambushing honest folks with impunity. Jewels were stolen, men were beaten, women were humiliated in public. It was hard, but there was little that the two of them could do against a large army. Nathan stole a horse, and the two of you shared it to leave.

You hold the knife, and your prisoner, close to your breast. It was agitated, reliving events recent and past in a blur of confusion. He was a sadist, he specially loved the **** of the queen, his wife... and your own, just a few minutes ago.

"The book...The dark knight have one book, the ancient grimoire. Show me." There was a price, and there was no time for bargain. It would be his way.

There was a burnt church in one of the poorer boroughs. Hallow ground for the Dark Knight´s profane enchantments, raw power for him to enhance him and his mundane troops.

It was ludicrous for this treasure to be unguarded, but there was the grimoire, its pages open, in the ruined building. Nathan took the initiative and ordered you back, running towards the tome and triggering the traps on the way. Electricity and fire flared from the walls, but the halfling avoided each of the blasts deftly, reaching the tome without a scratch. He wrapped his tome just in time to dodge a chopping blade, animated by foul magic and dexterous skill.

Perhaps these, and more, would be enough to keep other thieves at bay, but your power could also tap on the foul energies gathered in this place. Your tongue lashed with eldritch energy, nullifying each trap with borrowed strenght. Nathan took advantage of the respite to hurry back with the book, you were out of the city before the hour expired.

You found refuge in a barn outside the city, the owners of the house certainly joined the reverie in the city. You wanted nothing but to rest, but there were debts that needed to be repaid now. The price, otherwise, would be too hard. "Nathan... I made a bargain, and it must be now repaid. I will require your help, for the spirit needs a vessel to interact with the mundane world" He didnt like the idea, but eventually surrendered to your pleas.

The ritual was brief, the weave is one you are particularly familiar with. Nathan closes his eyes, and the former King of Niran opened them. The perverse grin in his expression was even worse then you feared, you mildly wonder if the prize was worth the cost.