Briar's back ached.

The quiver she carried felt heavier than usual, though the bag
of monster spoils she was carrying certainly didn't help matters. Jasper ran excitedly
through her legs, clearly happy to be home again.

The Pursuers' guild hall was finally in sight. Amongst the cramped buildings in
Duskhold, the hall's towers were forced to climb high above as if the surrounding
structures were squeezing it upward. One of the tower's upper windows was flashing
wildly. She was glad Doren was getting his experimenting done early today. Maybe
she'd actually be able to go to sleep.

The ironclad doors opened into the familiar reception hall where those looking to
post contacts were met by the bubbly girl at the front desk. A small and mousey
Humota, Faymid was no less happy today than she always was.

"Briar! It's so good to see you! How was your hunt?" Echoes of her voice in the
large entry hall began to give her a headache. But she couldn't bring herself to not
respond.

"Hi Fay. A few complications but overall, I came out on top again."

"As you always do! That bag looks heavy though, don't let me keep me you.
Guild Master is on the roof!" Briar looked to the steep incline of stairs leading higher
into the guild hall. She couldn't help but feel her spirit drop at the prospect of the
climb.

Trudging up the many winding staircases eventually led her up to the final door
leading to the roof. After essentially falling into the door, she found herself buffeted by a
strong wind. The top of the Pursuers' guild hall was always higher up than she
remembered.

Guild Master Lyrella was standing, arms crossed, near the parapets on the edge
of the roof. She stood like a general grimly surveying a battlefield, her back perfectly
straight with her light scale armor gleaming in the light on the setting sun. Briar
approached confidently, knowing full well that Lyrella already knew she was there.

Stars above, could you have picked a less convenient place to have your daily
ruminations? Briar said, hefting the bag of monster parts off of her shoulder so they
squished loudly on the ground. The Guild Masters head moved only the slightest
amount so that she could see the other woman.

Looks like you ran into some complications?

Oh you could say that suffice it to say the Sylfeia were clearly not that villages
main problem. She explained as Jasper jumped into her arms and they stood next to
Lyrella, looking down over Duskhold. The little fox excitedly sniffed at Lyrella from his
position in Briars arms causing just the tiniest break in her stone like visage as a small
smile crept onto her face.

Well you look no worse for wear. Thats good, Im glad you made it in time. I
need you at one hundred percent. She said as her cold faade returned.

Look I need at least a little break, you can send someone else

Im not sending you anywhere Lyrella cut her off, Theyre bringing the fight
to us this time. The sky had darkened in the little time since they had reached the roof.
Lyrella turned to fire small jets of flame from her fingertips at the nearby torches on the
roof.

Ah theyre getting desperate arent they?

I had no problem with the followers of Primordials until they started

threatening us. Those Thrul-Vikahl worshippers issued a warning while you were away.
Either we bend the knee to them, or well be ousted from our bloodstained home.
Briar leveled a skeptical look at Lyrella, Their words, not mine. Fay gave me the letter
just this morning.

They did it in a letter? Bunch of cowards

Either way, even cowards are dangerous when part of a mob. Drop your spoils
in the vault and get ready. I doubt well get much sleep tonight.

Heaving her bag back over her shoulder, Briar quickly headed down to the
guilds vault. After throwing her bag inside, she headed up to her room to prepare for
the inevitable skirmish.

She had only had passing interactions with the new Primordial worshippers in
Duskhold, though she had heard they were gaining more influence and trying to push
out anyone who didnt follow their beliefs. In her mind, it didnt make much sense to
worship beings that actively didnt care about your existence.

It seemed to her like they thought life under the Primordials would mean they
could do whatever they wanted without consequence. She decided she would
personally teach them that wasnt the case. Gathering up as many arrows from her room
as her quiver could hold and quickly placing a small warding spell over Jasper, she
made her way back up to the roof.

When she returned to the roof, Lyrella was no longer alone. Some of the other
Pursuers had joined her. Doren, armed to the teeth with his strange alchemical creations
strapped all over his body, sat on one of the crenellations with his feet dangling over the
side. Faris stood directly next to Lyrella, one of his hands resting on her shoulder and
whispering softly in her ear. Hirona was practice sparring with an invisible opponent,
her saber whipping through the air was the only sound besides the breeze.

Briar joined the group silently, standing near the edge far enough away to give
Lyrella and Faris their space. Doren looked back at her and gave her a small nod. She
knew he was looking forward to whatever was about to happen, he had more trouble
with the Thrul-Vikahl followers than anyone else in the guild.

The streets far below were dark, darker than they should have been. The street
lamps had all been put out it seemed. Duskholds dark stone buildings did nothing to
help illuminate the paths that winded below them. All she could see was a slowly
moving purple light weaving its way through some of the buildings further in the city.
A thought entered her mind that forced her to break the silence.

Hey, we moved the non-combat staff somewhere safe right? I have a bad feeling
about this She said, watching Jasper carefully sniff the air around him.

Dont worry, Hirona answered as she stopped her sparring, Theyre in the safe
room below the hall. I told them to use the exit passage if they dont hear from us by
daybreak.

That shouldnt be needed, Lyrella said, well deal with this quickly and return
to business as usual.

They are more foolish than I thought, confronting us in our own keep. This is a
rather unneeded waste of resources and time, Faris replied, standing steadfast at
Lyrellas side.

Especially after the hunt Ive just been on Briar thought of the Sylfeia and the
cyclone spewing monstrosity. A couple of fanatics werent going to drive her from her
own home now.

The purple light was closer now, just a small ways down the road that led
straight to the guild halls door. Humanoid forms were illuminated by the pyrelights
they were conjuring. Most of them Humota and Ondo, with a smattering of Darakishi
throughout the mob. They made little noise, Briars heightened senses picked up only
the sound of their footfalls on the cobblestone.

Keep an eye on them Briar, Lyrella said, interrupting the renewed silence, you
see any movement you dont like you have permission to do as you see fit.
 Way ahead of you, she said as she removed her bow from her back. She kept an
arrow in the other hand, without nocking it. The mob had slowed to a stop directly in
front of the guild hall, all heads turned upwards to look at the group of them on the
roof. A voice echoed from the street below, catching all of them off guard for a moment.

Dissenters! The voice was pitched low. It was not angry, simply authoritative.
The volume increase from whatever spell the speaker was using made it feel as though
the words were rumbling in their chests, Have we not been kind? Have we not been
clear? You are no longer welcome among us!

A wave of her hand near her throat and Lyrella spoke at a similar volume, her
words seemed to hold no fear.

We have no quarrel with the followers of Thrul-Vikahl. Why do you continue to

threaten us?

You dare speak its inscrutable name as though youve heard the utterances?!
The voice shifted and Briar could only describe the emotion she was hearing as
righteous indignation. She tightened her hold on her arrow as he continued speaking,
Heretics! Heathens and apostates all of you! We gave you the chance to leave in peace,
but no longer. It demands fealty! And where there is none there must be ruin.

There are no demands, you fools! Faris voice joined his partners, impatient
fury was clearly present on his angled face; The Primordials care nothing for you! They
hardly acknowledge your existence, let alone are they interested enough to make
demands of you.

The mob, which up until now had stayed uniformly still, began to shift slightly as
different members reacted in different ways to Faris words. Briar could see some were
clearly uncomfortable with the turn of events as they awkwardly moved to hide
themselves further in the center of the group. Others were almost shaking in anger, eyes
full of hatred and malice glared up at the Pursuers from the street.

Would you have us follow your dear Progenitors then? To fight and die in the
name of beings that have given up on us? The Primordials have proven their powers
time and time again there is no room in Duskhold for those who believe in invisible
deities, Briars eyes noticed movement near the back of the group as the leader
continued to speak.

Our faiths are our own, Lyrella retorted, as are the faiths of everyone in this
city. We would not dare force them upon those who disagree with us. Leave us be, or
the consequences will be dire. Briar appreciated Lyrellas attempts to defuse the
situation, but from the look of the leader as well as the more imposing members of the
mob, peaceful negotiations were doomed to fail from the start.

You wish to speak of consequences? The leader spoke, a small chuckle in his
voice, You know nothing of consequences heretics!

A flash to the left of the mob. On top of a nearby building. Three forms moving
quickly to the roofs edge. Two with heavy crossbows, one with a gnarled staff giving
orders to the others. Briars arrow was in flight before they could even ready their
weapons.

She had never met a better shot than herself. Through the distance and the
driving wind, the staff wielder took the arrow through his neck. He crumpled to the
ground, causing the other two to look in his direction. She willed her arrowhead to
release its magic. Sparks of red light exploded outward and hung in the air, then
detonated.

The explosions launched the two crossbowmen off of the roof. The rest of the
mobs attention quickly shifted to the explosion. Everyone involved watched the bodies
flip end over end before ramming into adjacent buildings.

Time seemed to slow for her as everyone reacted. Words were clearly not going to
solve their disagreement. She watched the Thrul-Vikahl followers conjure and launch a
massive arcane missile at her. It crackled with sickly green magic and filled her nostrils
with the scent of burning flesh.

Lyrella and Faris reacted just as quickly, simultaneously raising a gleaming white
barrier to deflect the missile from their roof. As Doren jumped away from the roofs
edge he let loose a barrage of his handmade explosives down into the mob. Briar
guessed them to be nonlethal based on the disorienting flashes of light that followed the
ringing in her ears.

Jasper! Briar quickly turned to her companion she had to drop back onto the
ground as a hail of arrows and spells were flung at them, Head down to the safe room
and guard it, if anyone makes it inside you let me know! The foxs only response was a
throaty bark before he vaulted back into the keep.

Spread out and surround them! Faris called out over the sounds of arrows
hitting stone and spells searing the air. He and Lyrella flung themselves off the side of
the keep, using their magic to slow their descent onto the nearest building

Dont need to tell me Firing an arrow at the building where her first arrow
had pierced the enemy spellcaster, she kept a line of mana connecting her to the arrow.
She threw herself off the side of the keep and used her makeshift grappling hook to
land safely on top of the building as fire spells and crossbow bolts narrowly missed
sinking into her flesh.

While the leader of the group seemed to be missing now, she could see some of
the mob attempting to bludgeon their way through the keeps main doors. Doors which,
thankfully, seemed to be locked. Arrow after arrow she fired, picking off the more
imposing and violent members of the group below.

It was easy to see not everyone in the mob was there of their own volition. Some
were already fleeing further into the city while others simply stood and yelled without
firing any weapons. She figured these were forceful converts into the Thrul-Vikahl cult.
She did her best to avoid hitting them through the mayhem of the crowd trying to fend
off the Pursuers three pronged attack.

Unfortunately, she did not see the spellcaster who had conjured the siege spell
that broke the keeps doors open. Her only clue was the wave of blurry purple energy
that thrusted through the entrance. Whatever members still stood attempted to flood
into the guild hall.

Shit Jasper! Her mind filled with fear for her companion and the ones she
sent him to protect.

Another set of flashes from Dorens bombs continued to disorient the intruders
while Lyrella and Faris attempted to force them out with their magic. Briar wasted no
time in jumping from her rooftop perch into the fray below.

Cmon cmon! She weaved her way through the crowd, throwing people out
of her way, dodging maces and swords swinging by her face. Faintly, she could feel
Jasper warning her of intruders through their mental link. The message was foggy and
only served to make her more desperate to get inside

She briefly caught a vision of Hirona dispatching a small group of her own with
little effort as she also tried to make her way back into the guild hall. As Briar reached
the almost destroyed opening to their guild hall, she could already see the damage done
to the interior. Scorch marks along the walls, destroyed furniture, even the chandelier
had been quickly brought to the ground.

Racing to the basement stairs and almost jumping down them, she found a
terrible sight. Jasper was cornered in front of the safe rooms door by two Humota and
an Ondo warrior. Judging from the still bleeding corpse that laid near the bottom of the
stairs and the blood on Jaspers snarling mouth, he had already put up a good fight.
 Without a second thought she fired an arrow through the back of the Ondos
thick skull and watched him fold over. Nocking another arrow as both Humota turned
around, they rushed forward. One of them deflected her arrow with her shield as they
approached.

The one with the shield stood in front of the other, prepared to block her next
arrow. The one in back, the male, yelled to her over the sound of fighting above them as
he started to nock his own arrow.

Not a great archer who finds themselves without some protection huh? He
said with a smirk. The female shield bearer laughed with a strange gleeful madness in
her voice.

Not a great archer who turns their back to a potential threat huh? she replied,
watching as Jasper leapt onto the mans back and sunk his teeth deep into his neck. The
shield bearer turned at the sound of his agonized scream; Briar took full advantage of
the opportunity.

Her own arrow impaled the woman through the shoulder of her shield bearing
arm, her grip on the shield going limp as she her cry of pain joined the mans. Briar ran
forward, stomping her foot onto the womans sword hand and holding the arrow still
embedded in her shoulder.

The male archer could only gurgle out his misery through the blood that was
quickly filling his throat and mouth. He laid face down on the floor, Jasper standing
over him still snarling with fresh blood staining his snout.

Briar noticed the sounds of battle had slightly died down above her, she could
faintly pick out Hirona, Faris, and a few other Pursuers shouting out orders as she gave
her full attention to her captive. The woman looked up at her with what she probably
thought looked like conviction and strength. Briar could easily see the fear and pain in
her eyes, hardly hidden very well at all.

Too afraid to fight so you thought youd break in and help yourself to some
easier targets? Briar asked as she twisted her heel on the womans wrist.

Ah! She cried out, I mean nothing to you what do you want from me?

I know your leader left when the fighting started, who is he? Where did he go?

Heh youd think Ill just tell you? The woman spat at Briars face, the spittle
falling just short.

Dont make this harder than it has to be.

 Hah! You dont have the gall. Her voice, though in pain, still held an aspect of
lunacy in its tone, Only Thrul-Vikahl can make you strong enough. We will show you
its whispers!

Dont say I didnt give you a chance With a flick of her wrist, she twisted the
arrow in the womans shoulder only slightly. The effect was immediate.

AHH! The woman shrieked as the tendons in her shoulder were torn to shreds.

Dont make me do it again, please! Who. Is. He?

Youll all bow beforeAUGHH! This time she wrenched the arrow upwards,
just enough to cause the woman to try and shift away from it, B-Brauga his name is
Brauga! Y-you cant escape him, his will is Thrul-Vikahls own. It whispers to him f-from
under the c-city.

The sewers then? Where does he enter from? The womans pained visage
began to melt away, a deep throaty laugh building its way out of her throat as her eyes
glazed over.

I hear them! Words carved on my skull, I hear them! Hah! Beyond the dark they
lay, theyll return The woman was writhing, squirming on the floor even as the
arrow still pierced and pulled her flesh. Her voice became shrill and frantic, Come to
me! I want to hear it all!

Sleep! Briar lashed out with two fingers. She impacted the womans wriggling
forehead and sent a burst of clouding magic through her mind. She fell unconscious in a
moment, all emotion draining from her features as she laid limp.

Briar removed her arrow as quickly as she could, prepared to try and stabilize the
woman at least. She considered herself moral enough to not finish off an already
neutralized threat. Not to mention she thought the woman could still be useful if they
interrogated her further.

As she reached down to close the puncture wound, she found it already caked
over with some kind of purplish ooze. It flowed out of her body like blood, but more
viscous and in small spurts. The sight of it seeming to crawl its way over the womans
skin was revolting.

Briar dragged the woman upstairs as fast as she could, locking her in the nearest
room as she went to find the other Pursuers. Jasper faithfully followed behind her,
keeping a sharp eye out for any more surprise attacks. The guild hall was trashed, no
doubt about it, but there were no more noises coming from inside the keep.
 Stepping through the now much larger opening to their hall back into the streets,
Briar found herself part of a standoff. Anyone in the mob who was foolish enough to
still be trying to get into the keep was standing off against Lyrella, Faris, and Hirona.
They stood prepared, weapons and magic at the ready. Briar, on the other hand, had
simply had enough for one day.

Flee now and you will live to hear the whispers again! She yelled above the din
of the crowd as she nocked another arrow, it head glowing a brilliant yellow, Fight
and you will perish wallowing in silence!

Many in the crowd seemed visibly shaken at the declaration. They started to
slowly back away, being followed by the ones who seemed less intent on fighting in the
first place. Briar stepped forward slowly, continuing to push them back as she kept her
arrow at the ready.

When she had had enough, she fired the arrow into the air above them. Its
arrowhead shattered into dancing yellow lights that illuminated the dark city streets.
She had not made the lights harmful in any way, but the spectacle was enough for the
crowd to begin retreating quicker. Some began to run in the opposite direction of their
keep.

Finally, the Pursuers could relax. Lyrella and Faris glanced at each other before
checking on the others. Hirona reminded them that they should gather the rest of the
staff so they werent locked away any longer and the group hurried back inside to the
safe room.

Quite the cleanup project weve got on our hands, Hirona said. Briar could see
other Pursuers already beginning to tidy the place up. Her fellow archer, the Darakishi
they called Neesh, was already starting to clean up the glass from the fallen chandelier.

It can wait until after we see to the staff and someone I may have picked up
during the fighting. Briar said, leading the way towards the room where she left the
unconscious swordswoman. Faris and Hirona broke off to unlock the safe room while
Lyrella continued to follow Briar and Jasper.

Unlocking the room, Briar readied herself in case the woman had woken up by
pulling a small hidden dagger from her boot. It was for naught however. As the door
opened the sight they were greeted with made both women recoil in horror.

No longer was there a body lying in the middle of the room. Instead, a bulbous
mass of the same purplish ooze Briar had seen in the swordswomans wound gathered
into a vaguely humanoid shape on the floor.
 By the Beastmother, I was not expecting that Briar winced at the rippling
amalgamation of ooze. Lyrella wasted no time, spewing a gout of flame from her
fingertips and incinerating the goo as fast as she could.

Would you like to explain exactly what this is?!

It used to be a Humota she was trying to get into the safe room. I stopped her
and interrogated her and her wounds started to fill in with whatever this is.

Did you learn anything useful before she melted? Lyrella usually kept her
composure the best out of all of them, but the strange entity caused her faade to break
down slightly.

Well, I know where to look, Briar began, But if this is any indication we are
not going to like what we find there.