Winter for Conspiritors

            The first snow of winter had finally settled over the land and the Vanguard knew she was running short on time. It had been several months since she had slain Captain Humford and his cowardly nobles. She could kill a room of people without breaking a sweat but rooting out treachery and hidden plots was not her strong point. She requested permission from the King to behead every noble in court but was quickly denied. The treasonous wolves hid among the flock of sheep and the Vanguard lacked the subtly required to find a wolf without killing a flock of sheep.

            The Vanguard’s black metal boots crunched down on the fallen snow as she approached a large fortress in the northern part of the kingdom. Jillian Cole, the Vanguard, heard only whispers of treason during her travels and the only solid lead she had was the word of a cowering noble. The coward accused General Durm of being the leader of the traitors, but Jillian didn’t think it was wise to just burst in and start lobbing off heads. So the Vanguard approached the fortress of General Durm with her helmet off. She hoped that the general would see Jillian as a person and maybe let his guard down. She only needed him to slip up once and then she could put her helmet back on and do what she felt the most comfortable doing, removing heads from bodies.

            Jillian marched up to the gate of Durm Fortress. She had a confident stride, with her helmet tucked under her arm and her double-sided axe, strapped to her back. she had an assortment of large deadly weapons and while she wished she could bring them all, she knew it would be difficult to be diplomatic while carrying an armory on her back.

            As the Vanguard approached the large gate a man shouted from atop the stone wall “State your name and business here!” the guard’s voice was stern and Jillian could tell he was on edge. “I am an ambassador of the King, seeking an audience with General Durm” Jillian called back. The Vanguard’s mannerisms matched someone who had been in the military for years. In most situations her tone made her sound rigid or unfriendly but she had the perfect tone for speaking with members of the military.

            Without another word from the guards the gates opened. Jillian marched forward towards the keep. Her face was confident and cold but her mind was racing. Even at this late stage of her plan, she wasn’t sure what she would say to General Durm. As her body marched forward, her mind went back to her early years. Jillian Cole’s father would have known what to do in a situation like this. Jillian’s father, Jeriah Cole, was a silver-tongued devil who could get out of any situation with words. Jillian was more like her mother and grandfather, both great warriors who had slain hundreds of soldiers in their day.

            Jillian shook the thoughts from her head. “I don’t need to worry, this General Durm is a military man, he is most likely gruff and old. And since he is a traitor he is also probably arrogant. I am sure he will slip up, then I can slay him and go home to my books and wine” Jillian thought. Her eyes flashed with determination as she hastened her step.

            The door to the keep opened just as the Vanguard approached. To her surprise a smiling older man emerged from the entrance.
“I heard the Vanguard was approaching my fortress and my men panicked!” The man chuckled as he exclaimed. This was General Durm, a slender man in his fifties. His hair was black with gray on the back and sides. He had a trimmed beard, brown eyes and a slender face. His welcoming smile belied the true deadliness of his character.

“I honestly expected fire and brimstone, not a beautiful woman” Durm said as he gestured to the door. Jillian curled her mouth into a sneer but then relaxed her face. “It is good to meet you General Durm. I was raised to properly introduce ones self before entering their home. I am Jillian Cole, Ambassador for the king. I am also known as the Vanguard, but this is not Vanguard business, this is the King’s business” Jillian replied stiffly.

General Durm’s smile grew wider “Yes of course! So rude of me. I am General Theodore Durm. Would you please join me in the keep so we can discuss business?” he asked as he gestured again to the door. Jillian nodded and proceeded forward.  

            Inside the keep was a large room made of stone with plaster walls, each wall painted with colorful paintings. The middle wall in the far back had a picture of General Durm sticking a sword into a knight of the rival kingdom. Jillian had killed more than her share of people but didn’t find it necessary to paint a picture about it. The main room of the keep was clean and well lit with torches and a few window slits in the back. “I have won so many battles for the King that he allowed me to construct my own fortress. I have added many of my own details to this structure. The beautiful artwork, a few trap doors and an armory grand enough to make even the King’s armorer jealous!” the general boasted. Jillian nodded her head and winced at Durm’s bragging. Jillian was led through the main hall, up a set of stairs and into a smaller room. This looked to be a meeting room, well lit, with sturdy tables and chairs. Armed and armored guards followed closely behind Jillian as she was taken through the keep. 

            Jillian began to recall memories of when she was a little girl, all of the bragging and bluster was reminiscent of her father’s friends. Nobles and military leaders would boast about their accomplishments while Jillian played soldier with her wooden swords. A man named Arthur Delmont was one such friend and bragged almost as much as General Durm. It was at this early age that Jillian knew she didn’t want to be a noble lady. 

            Jeriah tried to teach little Jillian everything he knew about politics but the lessons fell on deaf ears. It wasn’t until she was the age of fifteen that she started to pay attention to the lessons the nobles taught. It was at this point when Arthur Delmont and his noble friends turned on Jillian’s father. One day their friendly smiles vanished and they convinced the Lord of the land that Jeriah Cole was guilty of treason. The noble men and women then tried to seize all they could from Jeriah. Jillian remembered that lesson and distrusted the rich and powerful ever since.

            General Durm finally sat down at his large meeting table. Jillian’s mind was brought back to the present. She smiled and nodded at whatever inane thing the general was talking about and he returned with a pleased smile.

            Jillian pulled the wooden chair out, her metal boots clanked against the stone floor. She sat down with a heavy thud “As lovely as your keep is and as much as I loved our conversation, I must discuss our business” Jillian said, still trying to be diplomatic. Durm gestured his hand for her to continue. “The King is concerned about the killing of Captain Humford and several noble men. He wants to make sure his MOST trusted allies are safe and accounted for” Jillian said with fake concern in her voice. General Durm’s expression brightened further. “I will admit, you had me worried. When the Vanguard approaches your keep, the mind assumes the worst. It is so encouraging to hear that both the King and the legendary Vanguard are concerned about me and the leaders of this land” General Durm said as he ran his fingers through his chin beard.

            Jillian flinched as she felt an old memory scratching at the back of her mind. A half forgotten thought, buried in time trying to claw its way from the depths. She felt dread and sick but didn’t know why. “I am very secure and comfortable as you can see. Now if I may ask, why was the Vanguard sent with this message and not an ordinary envoy?” Durm asked as he continued to fidget with his facial hair. Jillian didn’t answer, her face went pale as her mind raced. “W-what?” Jillian said as she stared at Durm with an unusual intensity. General Durm repeated his question as his fidgeting grew worse. 

“Everyone has a tell. You can never trust ‘Uncle’ Delmont when he fidgets with his beard!” Laughed Jeriah Cole. Nine-year-old Jillian laughed along with her father as Delmont sighed.
  Jillian snapped to her senses as she glared across the table at General Durm. “Uncle Delmont?” Jillian said, her words poured from her mouth like bile. General Durm froze and his face went pale. “Who is that, my dear?” Durm asked nervously.

            The pieces all fit together in her mind. Years of age, stress and battle marked Delmont’s face, he changed his name, he was promoted through the military ranks and now after all this time, he was sitting across from Jillian. The most twisted part was that Arthur Delmont was like a brother to Jeriah and the closest thing to family Jillian had at that point. He was also the traitorous snake who killed her father and was now a prime suspect in trying to overthrow the King.

            Jillian stopped thinking, she stopped reasoning, she was no longer an envoy to the King or a diplomat trying her best, she was The Vanguard. Jillian’s eyes burned fiery red and in the blink of an eyes had jumped up from her chair, pulled her axe from the straps on her back was now moving toward the snake known as General Durm.

With one hand Jillian swung her axe. With that axe she sliced through any chance at subtly just as she sliced through General Durm's neck.
The head of general Durm had a shocked expression, the same shocked expression as every guard and soldier in the room.

  Unquenchable blood thirst and rage flowed through the Vanguard at that moment. She had just murdered a military general inside of his own fortress, a fortress full of battle tested soldiers and would now need every ounce of strength to make it out alive.

The Fall of Conspirators

Cold wind blew in from the north and clashed with the warm air settling over the land below. It was the beginning of fall, the start of festivals, harvests and feasts. It was the time for thinking back on the year and preparing for winter. The beautiful fall scenery mixed with the chilly air and the cozy fires burning brightly in fireplaces.

This season was loved by many and tolerated by others. The villagers across the land lived their daily lives while enjoying the small pleasures of life.

Under the King’s rule most of the land prospered but there were forces at work which would undermine the King's progress. Many of the nobles and lords preferred laws that favored the few over the many. Several of these high ranking generals and lesser lords conspired to seize power for themselves. 

The world carried on unaware of the brewing battle and grasp for power. The delicate light of day shone brightly through the newly yellow and orange changing leaves of Fall. Far from the delicate light and tucked away in a dark room where men hunched over a table, plotting their dark design.

That autumn was important for the kingdom, but very few knew it. That autumn was the time for preparation for the winter, when the King’s soldiers would be spread out and hindered by the snow. When the lesser lords and generals could use snow and cold as a reason to spend longer days and nights at the castle.

In the small fort, located on the eastern side of the kingdom, in a small room sat several of the conspirators.  A tall knight dressed in black armor stepped into the room from a darkened doorway. The knight wasn’t wearing the traditional kingdom seal and the armor wasn't made from any distinguishable metal. Since it was a military fort seeing a knight wasn’t cause for alarm.
“What are you doing soldier? This is a private meeting” said the captain at the table. Captain Humford wore the blue, white and yellow kingdom colors, decorative armor, no helmet and had a large mustache. Anyone would assume he was important just by looking at him. The others at the table were lords of the surrounding lands and villages. They wore clothes made of fine silk and cloth and fancy hats with feathers sticking from the brim. They owned armor but felt safe enough to not wear it on this occasion. 

The black armored knight spoke, the voice echoed strangely from the slots in the helmet. “The chief advisor to the king suspects treachery and I was sent to handle the situation”
 The captain felt a twinge of nervousness shoot through him but he covered it up with anger. “I am a captain in the kings army, how dare you! You will be hanged, drawn and quartered for this! I’ll see to it personally! I will speak to the advisor and remind him of his place!” Shouted Captain Humford, his face growing red as he slammed his hand against the table. The nobles sat in their place, didn’t move and tried to put on a strong face to show they were upset by this ‘outrage’ as well but the nervousness in their eyes gave them away.

“I am not part of your kingdom and do not fear you judgment. None of you will be alive to pass your judgments anyway” Said the Black Knight. This made the lords cower and the captain stand up with his sword drawn.

The dark knight charged forward, holding a large sword with two hands. The captain flipped the table to block the knight then stabbed his sword over the table.
The knight stopped sharply then brought up the two handed sword blocking the strike from the captain’s sword.
“I am The Vanguard, slayer of men and the demon of the mountain pass. Struggling will just make this more painful for you” Said the knight, speaking through a deep voice and guttural breath.

This declaration terrified one of the lords, who had heard of the Vanguard before and the fearsome tales of his journey. The three lords stood up sharply when the table was flipped and after hearing the Vanguard’s threats, two of them drew their swords while the third ran for the door.

With supernatural speed and strength, the Vanguard crouched down, turned sideways and launched the two handed sword through the air. The sword spun sideways like a spinning buzz saw. It struck the fleeing noble in the back, went through his chest and pinned him to the wall.
The other two nobles and the captain all attacked at once, knowing this was their chance to outnumber and kill the weaponless knight.

The Vanguard raised its metal gauntlets to block the sword strikes, while moving backward toward the sword sticking out of the dead noble.
The Captain and the first noble were blocked by the gauntlets but the second noble was at enough of an angel that the sword went passed the gauntlet and struck the Vanguard in the side, between the gaps in the armor.

Blood trickled from the gap in the armor and marked the nobles sword. “So the Shadow Knight CAN bleed” Gloated the second noble.
The Vanguard stopped moving toward the sword and instead lunged at the noble. Red glaring eyes burned through the darkened slots in the Vanguard’s helmet. The Vanguard grabbed the second noble with its metal gauntlet clad hands. The Vanguard clenched both hands around the coward's neck, sinking the razor sharp fingers of the gauntlet deep into his throat. “That wound is nothing compared to the devastation you and your companions will feel. I will paint this room with your blood as a warming to any who strike at me with their blades!” Roared the Vanguard. The second noble only heard half of the threat before he passed out from blood and oxygen loss.

The other two men were struck with fear from this display. “Let us live, I will give you any amount. I can double whatever you are being paid” cried the remaining noble. The Captain scowled at the noble. “Show some backbone!” 

“I do not bend my will to weakness” said the Vanguard as it moved toward the sword. The captain ran to the side of the room so the Vanguard would have to split its attention between the Captain and the two nobles.
The Vanguard ripped the two handed sword from the dead noble and in one motion swung it at the captain. The blood of the dead noble flew off the blade then splattered the Captain’s face seconds before the Vanguards' sword cleaved the captains head from his shoulders. The captains blood then splattered against the stone wall behind him.

The headless captain toppled to the ground while the spineless noble stood shivering. “It was General Durms idea, we all just followed him. Please spare me” Said the noble. “It might have been his plan, but you followed it and you would have happily claimed any reward for doing so” replied the Vanguard.
The Vanguard walked slowly toward the noble, the two handed sword dragging along the ground and dripping with blood. “Even if your king pardoned you this moment, I would still kill you. Weakness and treachery needs to be punished. You will be punished”

Outside the sun shone brightly, the birds chirped and the trees swayed in the gentle breeze of the day. The cold hard wind of winter had not arrived for most but for the conspirators of the eastern fort, winter had already fallen on their lives and they would not see another spring. The sinister winter plan had not been halted, only slowed.

News would spread among the nobles and generals of the grizzly murder of Captain Humford and the three nobles. If the King’s advisor and the Vanguard hoped to stop the plot against the king they would have to work fast and could now expect heavier security around the heads of this scheme.

Joseph Stephens and the final day part 3

     Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams ran down into the subway, the air was cool and the small lights built into the ceiling didn’t provide much light. They were drenched with rain and wind blew into the subway entrance from outside. A mysterious storm was brewing in the city of Ales and the two friends were on the hunt for a 5 foot tall mouse woman with sharp claws and fangs. The Mouse lady ate humans and lived in the subway, she was quiet about her business though and a few disappearances a year never alerted the larger population.  

     Joseph pulled the Serpents dagger from his gray coat, Jaye was pulling candies from the pockets of his hoodie. The two friends walked down the stairs slowly as they listened for any unusual noises. The normal buzzing of people talking all at once while they waited for their train. The subway trains screeched and rattled as they zoomed by. Joseph realized he wouldn’t get anyone by listening for the Mouse lady, they had to hurry and find her. She was a giant mouse and would stand out in a crowd.         

          Joseph took off running through the subway corridors as his eyes scanned through the crowds of people for anything unusual. A shriek was heard and Joseph went running to find the source. A woman was screaming and a man was quaking in fear. “what happened?” Asked Joseph. The woman pointed at the train doors as they were closing. Jaye pulled out a crowbar and wedge it into the doors while Joseph squeezed onto the train. Jaye went to enter the train but the doors snapped shut and the subway train took off without him. “Ya lousy subway! You’ll hear from my lawyer!” Shouted Jaye, who then threw his claw hammer at the train as it took off. The hammer dented the back subway car and then fell into the tracks.

          Joseph readied his weapon as he walked through the subway car. All the seats were empty and everything was quiet except for the screeching of the metal wheels as they zoomed along the tracks. As Joseph walked closer to the driver’s car the screeching grew louder. This was the loudest subway train Joseph had ever been on and the emptiest one too.  The driver’s door flung open as Joseph approached it. The driver was dead in his chair and the mouse lady was covered in blood. She was screeching as she chewed on the severed arm of the driver. The train was making normal noises but the loudest noise was not the subway cars wheels but the mouse monster as it fed on human flesh.

       

          Joseph sprung forward with his serpent dagger. The mouse lady charged forward as well. When the two collided the mouse lady easily trampled over Joseph. The mouse monster wasn’t larger than Joseph but her strength and speed were super human.

   

          Joseph was knocked to the ground but held his dagger tightly. The mouse lady let out a blood curdling shriek, her yellow eyes flashed with a murderous glare, her fangs dripped with human blood and her claws were raised up ready to strike. Joseph had to moved quickly but the mouse lady was faster than he was.

          Joseph charged at the mouse with his shoulder out, keeping his dagger low so she couldn’t spot it. Joseph tackled into the mouse lady and the creature bit down onto Josephs shoulder. Blood spilled out over Joseph’s shirt and down his neck. Pain shot through him and he wanted to collapse from shock. He tried to bear the pain and gripped his dagger tightly. The mouse creature’s fangs sunk so deeply into Joseph’s shoulder that he could feel the fangs scratch his shoulder bone. His vision went dark and he began to tremble. He used all of his strength to push his dagger forward into the mouse monster. 

          Joseph stabbed the mouse lady with the serpent dagger using both hands. The poison of the dagger entered the mouse lady’s veins immediately. Joseph was released from the deathly bite and he collapsed to the ground. He dropped the dagger and tried to stop the bleeding by ripping his shirt to make a bandage.

 

          The poisoned mouse lady twitched and fell to the floor. Joseph slowly stood up and stumbled over to the drivers seat and pulled the emergency break. The train screeched to a halt and Joseph was thrown forward and hit his head on the console.

          Joseph woke up to the gentle voice of his friend Jaye Williams “You have all of the grace and finesse of a dead cow” He laughed. Joseph rubbed his head and slowly stood up. “How did you find me?” Joseph asked feeling woozy. “Your subway car was on a track, I followed the track. Also I had to get my claw hammer” Jaye replied.

 

          The mouse lady was dead and the only foe remaining was the half man, half dog, swordsman, known as Dishonored dog. Joseph was relieved and needed time to recover from battle. Jaye was tired from walking and needed a donut to recover from exercise

Joseph Stephens and the Crushing army

            A cloaked figure stood at the edge of a cliff that overlooked a valley. The Valley was covered in soldiers all marching under a red banner with a the gruesome image of a hammer crushing a skull. The cloaked figure smiled from under his crimson red cloak, he stuck out his hand and flames shot out through the air. The Army halted and began to cheer for their leader. The army was made up of human soldiers, orcs, golems, wizards, wolf riding goblins and some of the finest bowmen in the land. Such a mixed bag of creatures and professionals all marched under the same banner of their all-powerful master, The Archemage Williams. The Arch mage pulled out an enchanted relic, a powerful war hammer from an age gone by. “With this we will make the lands of old bow to us! We will conquer the world and reign over it for thousands of years!” Shouted the Archemage as a burst of flames shot up from the ground. the Army cheered loudly, sound of their cheering was a mighty roar that echoed through the land.

           

            In a quiet town on a quiet street a man named Joseph Stephens was cleaning up his house for springtime. His adventures were that off the tame variety, talking with the physical embodiment of Fall, winter, Spring and summer, having a bizarre thanksgiving with his friend and talking to fish who were bad luck. He never dreamed of looming armies and war torn lands. Joseph saw his friend Jaye Williams asleep on the couch and struck Jaye sharply with the end of his broom. “Wake up! You are supposed to be helping” Joseph said with an annoyed tone. “All will fall to my crushing might and vast armies” Jaye said half asleep. Joseph jabbed Jaye with the broom handle again, Jaye woke up fully with a start and tried to blast Joseph with a fireball. “Oh, right” Jaye said looking down at his hands. It was all a dream, No vast armies, no Archmage Williams and no crushing lands of old. “Archemage Williams shouldn’t have to put up with this” Jaye muttered. “What?” Joseph said only half listening. “Do we have any more cookies?” Jaye asked, completely forgetting his dream. “Only those chess cookies that I like” Joseph replied.

            So the Archemage Jaye Williams went into the kitchen and ate a chess cookie, though they weren’t his favorite. The land would be at peace for another day.

Red Winter

            The winter dragged on, snow was everywhere, the air was dry and icy and the wind blew so hard it could cut you to the bone. The streets were empty except for one large figure. A man built like a brick wall, covered in scars and ragged clothes marched down the street with a corpse like stiffness. The large man was carrying a bloody heart that was fresh enough to still be dripping blood. The large man lurched and jerked as he moved in a slow and rigid fashion. Large foot prints the size of a human head and drips of blood left a trail behind the walking monstrosity.

             Despite the slow aimless movements and the dumb expression on the man’s face, his eyes were sharp and had purpose, he knew where he was going and knew what unlucky soul he would visit next. the creature walked out in the open in the middle of town, but it was night and the freezing cold had kept everyone inside. The cold didn’t bother the monster but it was starting to freeze the heart that he carried.

            After almost a hour of walking the creature arrived at his destination, a small quiet house at the edge of town, it was secluded, private and no one could hear screams for miles. The creature placed his giant palm on the door and slowly pushed it open, the door creaked as it moved. The monster entered the house holding the half frozen bloody heart. There was a woman humming in the kitchen, music played from a near by radio. Each heavy step the monster took made the floor creak, but he moved slowly and with purpose. The radio drowned out whatever minimal noise the monster made as he snuck into the kitchen.

            The woman turned around and the monster lifted the heart into the air. “Happy Valentines day” The creature muttered shyly. The woman smiled and gave the large man a hug. “you are so sweet!” said the woman, who was also covered in scars and ripped clothes. She had pale green skin and glowing yellow eyes. The happy couple hugged, both closing their eyes and smiling as they enjoyed the moment. Then the woman’s eyes snapped open “wait, did you get frozen? I asked for fresh!”