Confrontation

You feel some disorientation as you open your eyes in a completely different place. You’ve never been here, but from descriptions, you know you ended up right where you wanted to be, in front of the capital city of the former triumvirate. You notice several people staring and backing away, and you realize how startling your appearance must have been.

You shrug, and walk through the front gates, ignoring the chatter around you. The main road in front of you leads directly towards the castle, which is your destination. From the snatches of conversation you hear, you know some people have recognized you somehow. Apparently word of you has reached even this isolated kingdom.

As you walk, more and more people seem to gather as if you were expected somehow. However, no one tries to stop you, and you even hear some scattered cheering. It wouldn’t surprise you to learn that Marcus isn’t well liked by his people. Arriving at the castle, you’re stopped by a pair of guards.

They step in front of you, lowering spears to ward you away. One speaks tersely. “You cannot enter, it is forbidden!”

You look between them and sigh. “I’m expected. And in a VERY bad mood. Move, or be moved.”

They stare at you a moment, and one of them backs away, glancing at your left arm, which has begun to flicker with black fire. The other brandishes his spear threateningly. You sigh again, and with a moment’s concentration, the man goes flying backwards against the wall, armor clattering as he falls to the ground. He groans in pain as you walk past, into the castle.

Straight ahead are a pair of large, iron-bound oaken doors, obviously leading to the throne room. You assume that’s where you’ll find Marcus, and the few people in the hall scatter as you approach the doors. You don’t even break stride, the doors exploding off their hinges, splinters and metal shards bouncing away on the polished floor.

Ahead of you sits three thrones, and seated in the center one is Marcus, who gives you a mocking applause. “Very dramatic. That was a nice door, it’s going to be a pain to replace.”

You stop, twenty paces away. “Where. Is. Lynn.”

He shrugs. “The goblin is unharmed. And you arrived very promptly, that’s good.”

You shake your head. “That’s not what I asked. Where is she?”

He leans forward in the throne. “Beyond your reach for now. And before you do something stupid, know that only my magic can free her.”

You clench your fists, and take a calming breath. “Fine. What do you want.”

Marcus smiles. “See? That wasn’t so hard. Come with me, I will show you, both your goblin, and what I want from you.”