Chapter 1

The heavyset man entered the tavern, barely noticing as the noise level dimmed considerably on his arrival. His fevered thoughts consumed him as he took a table at the corner, leaving a trail of blood as he walked by. He noticed neither the hasty exit made by the tavern’s customers nor the arrival of several men, their insignias clearly indicating all save one as soldiers of the King’s Guard.

They deserved it. How dare they insult the one true king. Marduk was chosen by Modezarran himself….but no matter. A grim smile appeared over the man’s face. They shall never speak ill of the King again. After all, how could anyone speak without their tongue. As he thought this, he reached to caress the said organs hanging from a chain around his neck.

"Seth."

He heard someone call his name as if from a far away place.

"Seth."

Louder now and as he looked up, he came face to face with a man he had never seen before.

"How do you know my name?"

"I told him, Seth."

Another voice was heard. This one Seth knew, and sure enough, there standing behind the stranger was Lord Dorough.

As Howie made eye contact, he one again wondered what could have driven one of his men to this. Seth had always been a loyal employee and was never cruel or vicious in the least. But now, with the blood and horrid collection of tongues hanging from his neck, he resembled an ogre more than the man Howie had once known. The last Howie had seen Seth was 5 weeks ago before he had left for the mountains to do some trading. There were 8 other men with Seth, and about 2 weeks ago, word was sent that they had all been found dead. At about the same time, unusually gruesome murders started occurring around the docks and the King’s Guard and himself had been zealously trying to solve the crimes. At first, there was nothing to go on, but as time wore on, the murderer became more sloppy almost like he couldn’t care less whether he was caught or not. The trail had eventually lead to this part of town when several people reported seeing a blood-covered man entering the ‘Hanging Lantern’, one of the more popular taverns, bringing them to their current situation.

"What happened, Seth?"

"They wouldn’t stop insulting him, my Lord."

"Who?"

"The King. I couldn’t let them speak about King Marduk in such a manner, my Lord."

Silence met his admission as shock spread to the entire group. The simple reason being that the King’s Guard served King Barrett. Marduk was in fact ruler of Mynash, found at the edge of the northern borders, and the kingdom’s most hated enemy.

"His thoughts are not his own."

Another soldier said approaching the table. Both Howie and the General tensed, their stances becoming protective even though they knew the soldier could handle himself in a fight. Sympathetic blue eyes locked with Howie’s own.

"I’m sorry Howie, but the man you once knew is gone. His spirit anyway. This, his body is being controlled by someone else."

"Who did this, Seth?" asked the General, anger showing clearly from his green eyes.

Seth found his own anger returning as he picked up on the others lack of support for what he had done.

"Traitors! All of you! You serve the false king and you will pay."

With that he charged at the General, knocking him to the ground, even as he pulled out his dagger. Dimly he heard Lord Dorough shout "Kevin!", but all he wanted to do now was drive his dagger deep into the traitor’s heart. Suddenly, flames erupted from his hand and as he cried out in pain, dropping his dagger, Kevin punched him in the stomach and pushed the man off of him. The pain served to clear Seth's head and as he cradled his hand, he looked up to see the other soldier standing behind the General, one hand outstretched towards Seth. Somehow Seth realized that it was this man who had caused his hand to burn, even as he read the regret in the soldier’s eyes.

In the royal castle of Mynash, 5 spectators watched the scene unfolding thousands of miles away. Before them was a vast pool of water and reflected in its depths was the view as seen from Seth’s eyes just as the spell had been intended to do.

Marduk stepped forward, his excitement knowing no bounds as he announced "That’s him! The Dragon-child!"

"A child no more, so it would seem." Another voice added as Luke, High Priest of Modezarran stepped forward as well.

"Beautiful, even compared to his own race," he continued as he studied the vision presented to them.

Almost maniacally Marduk answered "It’s not his beauty that interests me, it is the blood that runs through his veins. End the life of this mortal. He has served his purpose and I do not wish for him to be interrogated further."

And so with a wave of his hand and a few spoken words, Luke used the spell that he had placed on Seth to end his life.

Back at the ‘Hanging Lantern’, they all watched as Seth clasped his hand to his chest as his heart finally failed him.