9 Set Up For Destruction

It had been a full day since the demons received Savux's letter, and Leiytning responded with vague instructions. The same morning he received them -this morning- Savux followed them to the best of his ability.

In distant thought, Savux watched the field of dark clouds before him. They covered everything, blocking almost any sight of the sky. Every now and again, a clap of thunder would sound, and there would be a small, silent jolt of lightning. Though this place seemed baren, it was just because of how far it was from the center of this huge, neverending storm; the gargoyle's small territory, the Gavungu Eye.

Savux was on the tip of a tall mountain, the bottom of which was invisible with the cloud barrier below. The only other creature was his son, Eranox, who was visibly similar to him. Eranox was just shorter, with different-shaped wings and horns.

Savux stood at the edge of the overlook, with a note clutched in his hand. Eranox was perched on a nearby boulder, mindlessly fiddling with a twig and string, just because he was getting bored.

"'Things are only getting darker,'" Savux murmured.

When Eranox spoke, like all gargoyles, it was in their native tongue.

"'Did you say something?'"

Savux shook his head. "'No, I am only speaking to myself.'"

Eranox snorted, "'What are we doing, up here?'"

"'Don't start,'" Savux warily spoke. "'You insisted on tagging along, and I warned you that it wouldn't be the most exciting mission. I'm only discussing something with Master Leiytning, and probably returning straight afterward.'"

Eranox kept his eyes down. "'Yes, but'..." He sighed, "'Are you sure we can trust him as much as you do?'"

Savux spun back. "'Do not question him, Eranox.'" He grunted. "'Honestly, I'd expect you to be more respectful. He and Thundur saved your life when I was unable to do so myself, and that wasn't even when I was working as an informant.'"

"'It was a miracle for us, yes,'" Eranox agreed. "'However, that whole incident was probably just some small mission they might as well spare a few minutes for. Those things are more advanced than we are, especially the leaders. I can't help but think they're just using that incident to keep you as a pawn.'"

"'Ridiculous!'" Savux snapped. "'They've helped us so much already, so is it really wrong to expect something for themselves, in the process? Even now, they're trying to rid us of a corrupted leader that will only bring our people trouble.'" His eyes narrowed. "'Believe me, you naive thing, nothing good has ever come from Aubades or anything they work for. Yet here we are, stuck with an arrogant leader that hides in a fortress while we do all the work. When things go south, we'll be the ones getting killed.'"

Savux clenched his fists angrily, spitting off the side of the mountain.

"'Filthy coward. No wonder he's done this. I'd kill him myself, if I could.'" He glared down at Eranox. "'And you'll do better to accept that."

Eranox jumped down, standing straight. "'I am only pointing out possibilities. Maybe they spared a few minutes to save me, but they still haven't given us much of a reason to trust them.'"

"'Several years of successful work is my proof,'" Savux retorted. "'And'-"

"'Wise kid.'"

Eranox cringed when they heard that voice, knowing it could only be one person. None other than the very demon leader they just discussed, who was also courteous enough to use gargoyle tongue. Savux seemed undeterred, but couldn't help rolling his eyes.

"'Please forgive the gossip, Master Leiytning,'" he spoke. "'It seems my son is fond of rumors.'"

Leiytning just shrugged his shoulders. "'Doesn't matter. No one can blame him for inferring, and I'm aware that I don't come off as the most trustworthy of people.'"

Eranox panicked. "'N-No, sir, it's not that, it's'...er..."

"'Actual words would be preferable,'" Leiytning muttered. "'And stop acting so nervous; for the most part, I respect those who are more questioning than obedient.'"

Eranox looked calmer. "'Alright.'"

Savux continued, "'If you can dismiss him, perhaps we should proceed with the mission?'" He raised the note. "'You never clarified an exact plan, which made me a bit nervous about how you would execute this.'"

"'Execute' is the answer,'" Leiytning responded. "'Xarin is officially an Aubade pawn, which causes a domino effect, and we can therefore assume that every Storm Gargoyle besides you two is against us. As you're certainly aware, they're unlikely to rebel, and will continue being extorted.'"

"'It is not their fault,'" Savux insisted. "'They are taught this from the moment they are born. To be obedient, and accept their place. It is ingrained in them. It has kept us from growth in wealth, in population, and almost worst of all, in knowledge. Ignorant people are the easiest kind to control. I know that, thankfully, but so does Xarin.'"

"'I am well aware of that,'" said Leiytning. "'I have no disdain for your people, only for the leader that abuses them. Regardless, if they become an enemy, we will have to fight back. That's why we need to prevent it, promptly. Not only can gargoyles be difficult to deal with, but they also have access to things that the Aubades could misuse. It would be better to eliminate the problem as soon -and quietly- as possible.'"

Savux nodded. "'I agree. It would be a great relief to see him snuffed. Will you be able to handle him? I hear he is stronger than the last leader.'"

"'I will take care of that part,'" said Leiytning. "'What I need you to assist with is keeping the secret, and playing the incident off as something else. Xarin's death will -obviously- be suspicious, and if they don't find an immediate answer, they could start pointing fingers and alarming Corelia. Not to mention, we should also be sure that nobody similar takes his position. Now, you mentioned most of the villagers were on your side.'"

Savux nodded. "'Many of them are coming to understand our position, but they are too scared to take action against Xarin. They have no weapons, no ability to speak, and no power of their own.'"

"'Does he have any heirs, and what does his security look like?'" Asked Leiytning.

"'He has no heirs,'" said Savux. "'His security is tough, but without Xarin, and many angry villagers, I doubt they would be a problem. I honestly think, once they are given a more logical and fair point of view, things would be better. Not only would they calm down, they would be willing to stand up for themselves.'"

"'That would help your tribe,'" Leiytning replied. "'Good, but I still need to keep mine from getting in trouble. That's why I need you to help pass the cover story.'"

Savux nodded. "'What will the cover story be?'"

Leiytning held up a dagger. It wasn't his silver ritual-style one, though. It looked like a large tooth, with plants fibers and thick sticks for a hilt.

"'You are a blacksmith,'" said leiytning. "I'm sure you know where this came from.'"

"'It is a Dark Harpy's dagger,'" Savux spoke.

"'I was hoping to get an Aubade weapon, but that's harder than you think,'" said Leiytning. "'This will have to do, then.'"

"'Ah, now I see,'" Savux remarked. "'This will still work. Xarin already started a very petty dispute with them.'"

"'Precisely,'" Leiytning responded. "'Once I kill Xarin, I'll plant this as a scapegoat. Can I trust you to make sure others find it believable, though?'"

Savux nodded. "'Of course.'"

"'That would be it, then,'" said Leiytning.

"'Excellent. I wish you luck, Master Leiytning.'"

Leiytning just grunted, which could be presumed as a 'thanks' or 'farewell' in his own way. As he started off, Eranox couldn't help feeling a sense of uncertainty. After all, this was serious. It could be accomplished in just a couple of hours at most, maybe even a few minutes, but the death of a leader would spark a great panic nonetheless.

"'I know that look, Eranox,'" Savux spoke. "'I only ask you to trust us. This is for the best.'"

"'Killing our leader is best?'" Eranox argued.

"'You just heard more than enough to prove that,'" Savux insisted. "'Do not fall for Xarin's lies, when you know the truth. Anyone that is not a pampered noble in his caste will understand. Xarin has been as arrogant as the previous chiefs, which makes his union with Corelia all the more understandable.'"

Savux's eyes narrowed, his fist clenched. Eranox took one step back.

"'It's about time things start to change,'" Savux muttered. "'For more than just our own kind.'"

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

At the center of the Gavungu Eye was the Storm Gargoyles' fortress. The inside had been hectic for a while. Boxes of crystals, orbs, and other such magical items, were being stacked and thrown about. All while other gargoyle troops scurried to carry things out, barking commands back and forth.

The only one who watched, rather than helped, was a grander gargoyle. He was taller than most, with extravagant horns protruding from his head, and he wore a gold crown. Extravagant wings stuck through a torn, royal blue cape. The rest of his attire was noble-like, with gold and blue hues befitting royalty. Much different from the basic rags and loincloths the rest of his people wore. This was none other than Xarin, the leader of the Storm Gargoyles.

One of the troops broke from the bustle and ran up to the leader.

He cried, "'Sir, we lost the crate of shadow crystals!'"

Xarin growled, making the slightly smaller troop shrink under his dark glare.

"'How do you lose an entire box of crystals like that?'"

"'We think it was stolen,'" the troop insisted. "'By the damn Dark Harpies. They've been fluttering all about, lately. The crystals came from a cave they consider their own, so-'"

"'I already know, you fool!'" Xarin barked. "'That bunch of hens shouldn't be able to best us, and that cave is ours. Now shut up and get more crystals; fight a gloom, if you have to, just get it done!'"

"'Yes, sir!'"

The troop hid his shuddering and scurried off, leaving Xarin to sneer under his breath.

'Fools,' he bitterly thought. 'Is it really so hard to accomplish one damn task?'

He continued to watch over the crates and sacks being shoved about. Seeing the gargoyles carry out his orders, knowing he had full control of everything here, was a satisfying feeling. The reason behind it all came to mind, and though it concerned even Xarin himself, they believed it was for the best.

'If Corelia can keep her word, we will finally leave our mark. Whether we're remembered out of fear or respect, I will not care. We will be wealthy, we will be powerful, we will not be vanquished and forgotten, like so many before us.'

He gained a taunting smirk.

'Gargoyles are one of those kinds of people you push around. Not us, though. Not us! If mere mortals or filthy demons can leave a mark on this land, who says we can not?!'

"'Sir!'"

When his thoughts were interrupted, Xarin growled angrily. Another nervous, slightly smaller troop ran up to him.

"'What is it, now?'" Xarin interrogated.

"'B-Business, sir,'" the troop explained. "'You're needed in the storage area, but under very strange circumstances.'"

Xarin's eyes narrowed. "'What are you talking about, runt?'"

"'It's complicated,'" the troop insisted. "'One of our own seems very shaken, and is acting very strange. He's been calling for you, though. P-Please, just come and perhaps you can resolve this.'"

Xarin grunted irately, but didn't argue. He followed the troop through the familiar halls of his stormy fortress, making it very clear that he was annoyed and impatient. The entire way, however, the troop seemed to get more and more nervous, while Xarin only got more suspicious that something unorthodox was in the midst.

'What is this, really?'

As they drew awfully close to the storage area, Xarin discreetly reached for one of two daggers hidden under his cape. He rarely used them; he barely even fought on an actual battlefield, but knew enough to defend himself if necessary.

Eventually, they came upon two large double doors. Already, Xarin didn't like this.

"'Where are the guards?'" He interrogated. "'This room is to be guarded at all times; there are valuable things being stored, in here!'"

"'The one guard had to leave, sir,'" the troop squeaked. "'There was a personal emergency.'"

"'I don't care if he loses all his limbs!'" Xarin argued. "'His job is to protect my merchandise, not worry about his own problems!'"

"'Noted, s-sir,'" the troop stammered, proceeding inside the room.

As Xarin cautiously followed, he vigorously scanned the place for anything that was out of place. However, he could only see the usual things. Several crates, old weapons, armor, and other such things were piled up and scattered about. At the back of the room, there was a descending path and a large drawbridge-style entrance, where a wide tunnel was set for any large things being taken in or out of this room.

At the center of the room, there was another gargoyle, curled up on the ground while he muttered several strange, random phrases under his breath. Even to those who understood gargoyle tongue, it would just sound like a bunch of gibberish.

Xarin was angry, but before he could do much, the first troop scurried past him. As soon as he got close, though, the crazed creature began to cry out violently.

"'No! N-No!'" He twitched and convulsed, then cried harder, "'Chief Xarin! Chief!'"

Xarin stormed over to the crazed gargoyle. "'What is the meaning of this?!'"

The crazed guard looked more startled. "'No, no, no, no!'"

The other guard furrowed his brows. "'I brought you our chief, fool, what else would you want?'"

The crazed guard muttered, "'You shouldn't. I shouldn't have!'"

Xarin growled, "'What is this, really? Why would'-"

Suddenly, he was cut off by a loud whistle and a grotesque 'ripping' sound.

Either of the other gargoyles became startled when the first guard -the only sane one- was suddenly crumbled to the floor. Something had shot through his neck.

While the crazed guard coiled up tighter, unaware and shocked, Xarin only glared down at what he saw. The weapon in the guard's neck was a thin, static arrow that had sparked when it hit its target.

Xarin glared up, masking any fear. "'It can't be.'"