Chapter 45, time piece 4

(Introlude)

( Kingdom of Pentir)

In the city of Hurst, a spy followed a young man dressed in a scorched leather apron and his well muscled companion dressed likewise. Like always, the two young men walked down the street, returning to their home after the hard day's work. Tonight was different. Reskeme, the spy's target, stopped, letting the other round the bend. Reskeme then glanced around suspiciously. The spy scoffed internally. What an amateur. The boy's feeble attempt at subtlety only made him look more suspicious to a trained spy. The spy watched as Reskeme placed a crumpled piece of parchment behind the brazier they had met next to the prior day. This had to be good, the spy thought.

Once the boy left and the spy was certain Reskeme was gone, the spy approached carefully, retrieving the crumpled note. The spy unfolded the document, expecting something inane or unimportant. His blood ran cold. He paled as he read and reread the words on the page. Written on the parchment in poor Laurentian script were several ominous words. 'I over heard guild master Lucas and another talking about how dangerous it was to continue bargaining with the dread Lord.' The spy's hands shook. He must confirm this immediately. Screw protocol, the spy ran, knowing he could catch up with his contact. The spy caught up with the boy outside of his house. The young man was alone, sitting on the stairs.

Gasping for breath, the spy held up the parchment.

" I see you have found my message!" said Reskeme, clearly displeased to see him. The spy waved away the question.

" Tell me! Are these words exactly what you heard them say?" Asked the spy, keeping his voice down and eyeing the area. He cast out his mana in a net, making sure there was no one to eavesdrop on them. Other than a little girl inside the house behind Reskeme, no one was listening.

" I will relay it the best i can. One person, I think it was a woman, said. Are you sure it is wise to continue bargaining with the dread lord? Guild master Lucas replied, Yes, we need more time to study the talismans." Said Reskeme.

the spy nodded

" And that is all?"

"Yes, I had to leave or they would have spotted me. What is a dread lord?" Said Reskeme.

" Good job, continue your investigation." said the spy before he turned and jogged away.

" What an ass." said Reskeme as the uncaring spy rushed away.

The spy needed to find a secluded spot to send an instant transmission. The Bishop needed to hear about this immediately. The spy winced at the thought, He would need to use up the one time use voice amulet connected to her eminence, the Bishop. It was late, but perhaps the Bishop was still awake to receive the message.

(Trisha)

Trisha shuffled nervously as the Bishop knelt next to the horrifying corpse of Kirt. Trisha shudder in remembrance. The mans violent shaking and frightened screams would probably haunt her for the rest of her life. Trisha was no stranger to death. She had seen people take lives and occasionally taken peoples' lives herself. Her thoughts flowed through her mind. They came to a jarring halt as a presence tried to force its way into her mind.

Trisha shook her head and mentally slapped the presence. Serves the demon right. She could feel it retreating down her arm and back to the timepiece on her wrist to sulk. The demon sure was persistent. No matter how many times she stopped it, the demon would try again when she wasn't paying attention.

Sometimes Victor would move In without her notice and subtly influence her. While other times he would try to take her over with all of his might. Each time, however, left her more mentally drained. There was only so much of his damned nagging she could take.

Trisha and the Bishop were in a dank, dusty cell underneath the cathedral, examining the two corpses by torchlight.

Well, the Bishop was examining the corpses and letting Trisha watch. Most disturbing of all was the book the Bishop was reading. Trisha peered at the cover, the very name of the book making her heart race. Introduction to power, demonic blood rituals. She could see where the demonic ritual stood out on Kirt's right forearm. The rune spiralled in a reddish purple script that drew Trishas focus like a master dancer.

" You gave these two a merciful death. They would have suffered for at least another two weeks if you hadn't killed them." Said the Bishop casually.

The woman stood, her white robe flowing around her somehow still clean, not even a spec of dirt or blood on the hem. That was odd, as the floor was the home of the two corpses and years of dust. The Bishop turned, the three symbols of the gods on her robe oddly resembling that of three eyes staring back at Trisha. Trisha snapped herself out of the introspection.

" What do you mean? What is that rune?" Asked Trisha.

" This is a rune of a leech demon, well that is what we call them. They are very similar to the leeches of the necrotic swamps of the forbidden lands. Once they link their fowl tentacles to prey, there is almost no hope of survival. You must be weary Trisha, Victor could devour your soul if he takes control over your body." said the Bishop.

" What! I'm going to take it off. There is no way I'm allowing anything like that." Said Trisha as she fumbled to remove the clasp holding the timepiece on her wrist.

Trisha swayed, feeling sick as something heavy and malevolent bombarded her senses with fatigue and drowsy ness. Trishas panicked attempts to remove the time piece halted as the Bishop raised one callused hand.

" Not yet. You cannot take it off until morning. I know you are scared, but you must endure. The demon needs time to wear down your defences, and in turn you need time to learn to fight him off." Said the Bishop.

" But I can hear him talk now! I really don't want this thing to eat my soul." Said Trisha, panic rising as she failed once again to remove the talisman from her wrist. Somehow, the demon was stopping her fingers from removing the clasp holding it on. Frustrated, Trisha glared at the timepiece and, channeling some of her mind mana, mentally slapped the demon. Pain wracked her as she felt Victor recoil from the mental attack.

" Oh really? That is new! The demon usually only talks once it has full control over its host. Perhaps your strange affinity with mind magic is creating some sort of link between you and Victor," said the Bishop..

" Screw that! Once it is morning, I'm taking this foul thing off. There is no way I'm creating a connection with a demon." said Trisha.

" You will do as I say, whether you like it has no bearing. You will do it. Dont forget, if I decide you are to much trouble, I will turn you in to the royal guard. I'm sure i don't need to remind you the sentence for being an accursed mind mage? Noone will give you the same chance I am." said the Bishop coldly.

Trisha shrunk back from the harsh words. She lower her head, hiding the trembling in her arms.

" Yes my lady, I will do as you say." said Trisha for once, understanding how Reskeme must have felt. To be forced into something and having no other choice as she feared the consequences. The other students may Envie her, but she was just a pawn moving to the beat of the Bishop's tune.

Well, for now, Trisha would do as the Bishop commanded. Eventually, she would gain the power to take back what was rightfully hers. One day she would hold the position of Bishop. All she needed to do was learn everything she could from the woman.

Trisha still needed to find Reskeme as she owed him, but she did not know where to look. Noah still hadn't told her, much to her dismay. But even if she had to travel the kingdom, Trisha would find that idiot Reskeme and make things right. For her own sake and that of her friend's, she would get stronger. If she had to stab some people to get there, then Trisha would do it.

Speaking of learning, Trisha said," What exactly does a leech demons ritual do?"

The Bishop held one hand over the corpse of Kirt. She seemed to be doing something, but no matter how hard Trisha strained her senses, she couldn't feel the familiar draw of mana.

"It a tether to the victim. The leech demon captures victims and uses the ritual to enforce the victim's obedience. If the human disobeys or fails, the demon can cause punishment or even hasten the affects of the ritual. ," Said the bishop.

" Wait, what are the rituals' affects? I can see that these two were sick, so does it kill them?" Asked Trisha.

Fortunately, yes, they die from the curse. The disturbing part is the fact that the ritual is not tethering the body but the human soul to the demon. It's how the demon grows In power until they can rival even a major demon in sheer might if not cunning. You are lucky Victor only had two victims. I have caught a leech demon who had nearly one hundred victims tethered to him. That was not my idea of a pleasant cleanup." Said the bishop.

Trisha recoiled. Nearly one hundred? And the Bishop talked as though it was a simple mopping of the floor to kill them all.

" Are you packed and ready for you trip tomorrow?" Asked the bishop. Changing the topic abruptly.

"I have. I thought we would head out before noon tomorrow. I'm not sure how long it will take to arrive in Pentir. I looked over the map in your office and I think we should arrive in four days.

" You are wrong. It will be a week by horse. However, if you travel east towards Whyndam and board a barge North, then you can cut off three days to arrive in the city of hurst within four days." Said the Bishop.

" Oh, I was thinking it would only take me four days by horse. The problem with the barge is I will need to get tickets and wait for room for the barge." Said Trisha.

" I already secured your passage for tomorrow evening. Plus an armed escort. I figured since you passed up the opportunity I would hire on the mercenary leader Elliot and his two men Carl and Roger." said the Bishop. Trisha's mind raced. Shit, she was an idiot.

" How?-

"Really? Need you ask? I have someone watching you at all times. Do you really think I would let someone with your potential risks walk freely in the city without supervision?" Asked the Bishop.

Anger welled in her chest. Trisha gaped down at the crouching woman. That was nothing short of witchcraft to have already sent messages on such short notice. And how was the Bishop spying on her? Trisha knew Eliya was loyal, her long-time friend would never betray her. Greg was a suspect, as he was a mercenary, but she was the one he worked for, not the Bishop.

Looking up at her, the bishop smiled. The woman could clearly see Trishas contemplating her words.

"It's good you suspect your friends. Who knows, both of them could be spying on you." Said the Bishop, bobbing her eyebrows playfully.

" Did you just bring me down here to threaten and patronize me?" Asked Trisha, unable to hide her anger.

" You will mask your emotions, girl. A lady does not reveal her weaknesses. I have many enemies in the court and they won't hesitate to take full advantage of your weakness." said the Bishop harshly. Trisha breathed deeply through her nose, flushing with embarrassment and anger.

" Yes my lady, I will work hard to rid myself of weakness." Said Trisha, the subservient tone falling out of her much too easily.

" Your moves so far are not complete missteps. Spreading a rumour throughout the entire city that you killed a thief's guild master will give you some aspect of envy or perhaps make you a hero to the common folk. Not a bad move, but it places a firm target on your back from the guild." Said the Bishop, seeming impressed for once.

" Thank you, my lady." Said Trisha. That wasn't her doing, well all she had done was let herself be seen leaving the Pit viper's guild house covers in blood.

" Anyway, I brought you down here with me for several reasons. It heavily warded this place from prying eyes and ears. I also wanted to show you the power of Victor and we need to talk about your mission. Lord Noah has told me of your friendship with the demon known as Reskeme." Said the Bishop as the woman pushed aside silky black hair to stare into Trisha's eyes.

Trisha swallowed and nodded her head.

" I will be straightforward. You have two missions. One is to steal or destroy the demonic ritual device in the guild elementals fury. For the second you will kill the demon, Reskeme." said the Bishop.

" You are telling me to kill my friend? What are you going to threaten my friends to force me to do it!" Asked Trisha, her voice trembling as she could not stop the retort.

" I am no monster Trisha. I truly intend to cultivate you as my apprentice. That would make you resentful and perhaps want to seek vengeance. I do not desire that of you. However, you know the demon Reskeme, he cannot be allowed to live. A demon should not be in the mortal world."

" But I can't do it. I betrayed him once already and I will not do so again." said Trisha, her thoughts drifting the when she helped arrest him the first time.

"My dear, if you do not do it, I will have to do it later. This is a choice for you and you alone." said The Bishop, for once some softness entering her tone.

"If you kill him, I will vouch for you on my life to her, majesty the queen, to get you a pardon for the sin of being a mind mage." Said the bishop.

Trisha gaped. She couldn't believe the Bishop's words. Was the Bishop offering Trisha true freedom from the law for what Trisha was? She could finally be free of the nagging in the back of her mind telling her she was one wrong move away from execution.

" What would you gain? I am not naïve enough to believe Reskeme would be worth that much to you dead." Said Trisha, her mind racing.

" Now that is the real question. I gain a lot. A legitimate apprentice, and it removes the possibility you will be found out for what you are. Aside from that, you know the reward for the mission and the fact that someone else will kill him if you do not." Said the Bishop.

" Can't I just tell him to leave the kingdom? To run as far away from our lands, so we never hear from him again?" Asked Trisha.

" He is a demon Trisha, demons know nothing but destruction and chaos. Everywhere that boy goes has been nothing but death and misery. In weeks, Reskeme has blown up a guild hall, killing dozens, burned down a church. Taken part in a war, killing an unknown amount of Darva and then killed the son of lord Marte." said the Bishop.

" Wait, he killed lord Mark Marte? How did you find out that?" Asked Trisha.

"Lord Noah didn't just let the demon free, he sent someone to follow the demon. And by doing so, we have confirmation that Reskeme did in fact murder lord Mark Marte." said the Bishop.

" Well, I can't really blame him. It was Mark who convinced Kelvin to hunt down Reskeme and arrest him." Said Trisha.

" Even so. Reskeme committed cold-blooded murder of a lord of the kingdom. Even if he was not a demon, Reskeme would be wanted for the murder of that young noble. And the sentence for that is death." Said the Bishop.

Trisha didn't give a rat's ass about the fact Reskeme killed mark. But the Bishop knew of the death, and her word was damming. By law, Reskeme was now a wanted fugitive for murder. Trisha paused. As the Bishop's apprentice, wasn't it her responsibility to carry out justice?

" I see you are starting to understand. We at the church do more than keep the demons at bay. We solve civil unrest, root out conspiracy to overthrow the reigning kings and queens and uphold justice." Said the Bishop.

" And you will break the law to uphold justice?" Asked Trisha.

" Some laws can be bent, as long as it's for the greater good. Make no mistake, my apprentice, you are on the side of good. We here at the church endeavour to make the kingdom as safe as possible. If we need to dirty our hands, then so be it. As followers of Lytheria, we will walk in the darkness so that others can stay in the light." Said the Bishop, her voice changing to that of a priest preaching a sermon.

" Yes, my lady. What about lord Noah? He wanted me to accompany him." Said Trisha.

" Noah will be just fine without you. He is going to meet with this Kellar flame caller. I believe I have enough of a hold over the master mage to keep Noah safe." Said the Bishop cracking a small smile. Trisha shook her head, unconsciously pushing out the irritating presence poking at her mind.

" Will there be anything else?" Asked Trisha.

" No! You may leave, come to my dining room in the morning to drop off the talisman containing Victor." Said The Bishop, waving Trisha away.

The Bishop paused, halting Trisha for a moment as something on the Bishop's wrist flashed a green hue several times. The Bishop raised one hand and the small bracelet shatter into sparkling dust. The Bishop's eye shot wide, several emotions crossing her usually stony face. Several moments later, the Bishop calmed her expression.

" Your mission, may be more dangerous than we first thought. Be vigilant Trisha, I have just received word that the guild has been making deals with a dread lord." said the Bishop.

" A dread lord? But my lady, I can only just contend with a minor demon." said Trisha.

" This will be your big test. The demon won't be in the physical world. I believe you can fight him off as long as they do not summon the demon to the mortal realm." said the Bishop.

" If you think i can do it, I will trust your judgment." said Trisha, mostly believing her own words.

" The danger will be high, but just think of the challenge. When will you ever get this chance? Firm your mind, don't hesitate to use all of your power and you should survive." Said the Bishop.

Trisha scrunched up her face in distaste as she contemplated the Bishop's words. She had no desire for the Bishop to change her mind on her offer. Trisha sigh as she ascended the stairs. What could she do?

Sure, she cared about Reskeme, but she had only known him for weeks. She balled her fists. Just like growing up in the guild, she had to fight for every scrap of coins and power. Trisha clenched her fists. She winced at the wound on her shoulder. Her stitches tugged against the inside of her shirt. Trisha scowled, well the healers only bandaged the wound with salve and stitches under order of the Bishop. Something about being more cautious next time.

That woman was infuriating. Trisha walked through a heavy wooden door into the main hallway of the cathedral. Was it just her mind playing tricks on her, or did the support pillars move while she was gone?

No, that couldn't be. Trisha walked past the guards heading for her room and, hopefully, a pleasant night's sleep.

"About time. Stop ignoring me. I have something to say!" yelled Victor. Trisha winced. For a moment, she was so wrapped up in her thoughts she had forgotten about the demon. Trisha nodded, listening intently instead of pushing the demon back.

" I'm going to flay your body layer by layer. And then burn you alive!" Trisha sighed, well with that disturbing image, Trisha walked up the stairs yawning. She forced the demon none too gently out of her mind.