The Stalker

Solskin

I saw the smithy's eyes roll up into his head. He fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Xavier knelt down and pressed two fingers to his neck.

"He is just unconscious. Now, what should we do with him?" Xavier stood up sharply and gave the room one final glance.

"Well, we did just break into his house, so we can't exactly say he is guilty of any crime. Any evidence of illegal activities will be discarded." Mordred rambled on about legal proceedings from his position at the doorway before looking back at the street as our lookout.

"True, but why would he attack us if he wasn't doing anything wrong?"

With that, Xavier walked toward the walls and gave every weapon a close inspection. I followed his example and examined the other side. I saw a plain longsword on the far side, but it reflected the dim light better than the others. I picked it up. It was well balanced and was noticeably heavier than my current sword. I gave it a few test swings and it felt smooth and comfortable.

I looked at Xavier who was jabbing at the air with a rapier. He looked pleased with the sword and attached its sheath to his belt. He started looking at the armor stands. I noticed something strange about his current armour. They were worn and covered with white scars. The scars were too shallow to be from a sword and some were tainted with flecks of green.

Mordred

Being the responsible man that I was, I stood outside and watched the street for any signs of danger. I saw a pair of guardsmen marching straight toward us. They wore high quality chain mail from head to toe. Their swords were drawn and their shields held over their arms.

As any sane person would in my situation, I panicked, and ran back inside before noticing that my compatriots were looting the smithy.

"What are you doing!" I hissed angrily at them. "Imbeciles! I could lose my head for this!"

Pacing back and forth, I mentally listed every single consequence of being caught by the guard. I was promptly punched in the gut by Xavier, and roughly shoved out a window. Solskin and Xavier quickly swung out of the window and crouched low. Following their example, I huddled flat against the wall and began beseeching God that I was too important to rot in jail. Xavier edged to the corner and peeked his head out. He remained motionless as my heart pounded so hard I was afraid it would burst out of my ribcage. I was certain the guards could hear it. I felt as though an eternity passed as I waited for Xavier to give the OK. Then, Xavier crawled closer and whispered, "They are gone, but there is someone else watching us now. I will draw them away while you make toward the edge of town."

I conveyed the message to Solskin. Xavier swung back into the store and walked out the front door and back to the marketplace. I got up to leave, but Solskin pulled me back down and held me still. We waited for a few minutes, then got up and walked towards the edge of town.

Persephone

I watched Xavier leave the blacksmith store and head back toward the marketplace. I was convinced that he was aware of my presence. I thought about going after him, but decided to investigate the commotion earlier. I walked inside the store and examined everything. It was pitch black, with the only light source being the setting sun. I saw the smithy on the floor, unconscious. On the walls were weapons of no interest to me. Some weapons were missing, and others were on the floor. I headed into the back room. Strangely, the sound of my footsteps changed. I looked down, casting light onto my staff. I made out a faint frame of red around a section of floorboard. After further tapping, I realized there was a trapdoor. Opening it up, a horrible stench assailed my nose. Inside was a fresh corpse, surrounded by a pool of blood.

"May you find your journey to Hades be swift and pleasant." I placed a coin in his mouth walked back to the blacksmith. I flipped him onto his back and noticed a black dagger tattooed to the back of his neck. The symbol of the Three King's gang. Disgusted at the senseless loss of life, I pulled out my pocket watch and pointed it at the man. Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock struck twelve. Gathering my divine energy, I touched the man's forehead.

"To the judges, murderer. Begone and to the Horkos."

Black chains coiled around him like a python and dragged him into the ground. I exited the store to see the other two, making their way out of town without Xavier. Deciding to follow, I pulled up my hood and went after them.

Xavier

I entered the marketplace and bought a set of traveler's clothing, as my other's were worn to the point of rags. Conveniently, they sold bedrolls and tents as well. It was at this point I was sure the stalker wasn't behind me anymore. Their gaze was absent and I did not sense anyone suspicious near me. After changing, I went to meet up with the rest of the group.

I noticed her at the edge of town. She sat on a fence nearby Solskin and Mordred, pretending to rest. However, she intermittently glanced at them. Suspicious. I slowed my pace to a casual stroll and walked toward the group. She looked up at me as I passed, and I saw a brief flash of recognition in her eyes. I continued the group and joined the conversation, carefully not telling the others about our stalker. As we continued down the road, she followed us. With my suspicions confirmed, I drew my new rapier and turned around, pointing it at her.

"Would you care to tell us why you are following us?"

She was shocked and took a few hesitant steps back.

"Damn, the jig is up." She grumbled irritatedly.

Picking up her pace, she caught up with us and threw off her hood. She had short, unkempt, curly hair that completely covered one side of her face. She looked deathly pale and from her side, hung a pocket watch. I kept my sword pointed at her. With her finger, she pushed my blade away from her face and stated, "Persephone Xenith. Apostle of Thanatos and servant to Hades. Who are you?"

Mordred stepped forward,

"I am Mordred Leporum of Shiria and the one with the golden hair is Solskin… What was it?"

"Brandrson."

"And the buzzkill over there is Xavier. I don't believe you told last a last name."

"Just Xavier," I replied curtly. "Why were you following us?"

"You seemed interesting. That is all. I have nothing better to do other than travel to the Capital, and it seems that you are heading there as well."

She stared at me, searching for some little detail on me that had spiked her interest. I glared at her, and she dropped her gaze.

"Well, I suppose that you are right." Solskin admitted. "If we are all traveling toward the Capital, you can join us."

"Yes." Mordred agreed. "The more the merrier." Persephone raised an eyebrow at Mordred, and he just shrugged.

I ignored the rest of them and continued down the road as Mordred rambled on about the joys of traveling in a group. I always kept a few feet away. I was already irritated that Mordred and Solskin were tagging along. The addition of Persephone worsened my mood.

Mordred

While I was projecting an aura of camaraderie for everyone to relax, being the de facto leader, inwardly, my thoughts were racing. I needed more information! Earlier, when I was consulting with my peers on the possibility of extra-dimensional travel, they said it was merely a theoretical topic, and there was no evidence. I knew it happened, but what proof did I have, other than my faulty memories?

I felt as though it was connected: Xavier's odd spell and my own strangeness. I needed more time to ponder the subject.