Dreams of darkness.

Looking around you can see only an odd fog. There is light from somewhere but it is dim and the fog is thick. As you rise to your feet you can tell you are still naked. A voice calls out from all around you, “I can give you power if you wish.”

The shop keepers warning is still fresh in your mind, “No thank you. I am fine.”

The voice does not give up so easily, “I see in your mind that you were warned not to agree to anything I offered. Do you trust that man you just met so implicitly that you won't even listen. He was like many others, misguided and swayed by the fears of simple minded men. Would you like to hear my offer? I don't demand anything, I only wish to let you know what it is I offer.”

“I don't know, it seems like a bad idea.”

“You have a great quest ahead of you. I know what you are going up against, what you have chosen for yourself to do. I can offer you a chance of success. Let me at least make you an offer.”

“What do you want of me in return? That is the real question, nobody gives anything for free. I have seen the rituals for magic power in this world already.”

“What you witnessed was a ritual to the god of **** and depravity. He relishes in sacrifice in his name. But you are right to be wary, many of the powers of the beyond. The gods and goddesses ask much of their followers in exchange for power. I am no different. I do ask something of my followers, and in exchange I grant them power to do with as they wish.”

“So what is it you demand?”

“Why nothing more than the service of the night. I am not a goddess of **** and assassins, of fanatical murderers that sacrifice themselves to me. I admit that I do attract that kind of follower, but that isn't my fault. Would you blame the ocean for the **** of a sailor? Would you blame a river for flooding a village built to close to it's banks? If a god grants someone the power to heal, and the life saved then kills another. Is it the fault of the healer? I think not. I do not have churches dedicated to my name, what I ask of my followers is to offer the touch of darkness to any that would take it. That is all.”

“What does that mean? Give the touch of darkness. Sounds pretty creepy to me.”

“You would not have been able to read the book if you did not wish it. I can sense you are the type that uses stealth and guile to overcome your tasks rather than brute ****. I can make you better, the touch of darkness is my magic. If someone you meet wants to learn how you can do what you do, all I ask is that you show them. If it is for them they will take to it like a moth to a flame. If not, it will flicker out and be no more than a shadow in their past.”

“Ok, you talk a good game. I admit what you are saying doesn't sound all that bad. But what is it you offer. I still don't think this is a good idea.”

“My power is used in different ways by different people. It is the power of shadows and darkness. But how you wield it is up to you. I can set you on a path if you like, then where you go is up to you. I can give you either the power to mold the stuff of shadow to make someone see whatever manner of illusion that you can think of, or hide something or someone. Or if you prefer I can give you direct access to the stuff of shadow so you can use it to move quickly and quietly, as well as form it into solid objects. Either I am sure will help you, all you need to do is agree to take me in. Do you wish my power?”