| |
The Story So Far (2012):
RenQuest™: Darkness Descendant
Prologue
by Shane Hill
Three Draco Disciples ran heavily through the Bristol woods, burdened by the squirming
prize slung between them. When they were miles out of town and only pale moonlight
lit their way, they ventured to a small clearing. Ruby Nightshade set Thomas
the assassin to stand watch and the young witchling, Estella Foxglove, to tend
to their captive, Puddle the Fool, newly liberated from the spirit of Chaos
Himself thanks to the Heroes of the Band of the Twisted Claw.
Ruby
paced, impatient. “He told me....to bring her here. He said he knew what
to do,” she whispered.
“Who
told you?” asked Estella.
“Aye,
Ruby Nightshade, just whom were you planning on meeting here?” an unearthly
voice called from the darkness. A cloaked figure stepped from the forest, so
deftly and silently the shadows seemed to cling to him, making it almost
impossible to discern where his form began and the darkness ended. “Tell me,
Ruby, to whom were you delivering this poor creature?”
Ruby spun around. “Thoren? You told me you’d trade fair with me if
the spell worked!” There was only a cold silence. Ruby huffed. “This is no time
for your jesting!”
The
figure drew near. Two others emerged from the shadows to stand beside the
cloaked figure. A sudden fear enveloped Ruby. This was not Thoren moving toward
her. “But who” –
His cold sneer froze her in place. “Yes, no
time for jesting, indeed.”
He pulled Ruby close and whispered into her ear. “Ruby Nightshade,
you would look to Thoren Grymm for help? Then thou art a traitor to the Draco
Disciples.” The hood fell back from his face. Ruby was stunned. “Where is thine
gypsy hero now?” he breathed as he plunged his dagger into her side.
Ruby
slid to the ground, curling around her wound. Thomas and the others gathered
Puddle and joined the man. “Come,” he said, leading them into the shadows. “We
have much to do.”
Thoren arrived at the rendezvous point only to find Ruby
Nightshade crumpled motionless on the ground. Thoren rushed to her. Ruby’s eyes
were dim. Laboring, she raised her hands to his face. “He...he took her,” she gasped, and then fell
unconscious. “What fresh Hell is this?” Thoren
thought. “T’is time to put forth the call for Heroes once more.” |
