Dotty had tracked her target to a small village at a crossroads between Octavius and Lepidus in the Sera Sand-Sea, Oxtrad’s vast desert. The tall and broad Orcish woman stood out from the locals. No chance to pass through without question. Almost on queue with her thought, a timid street merchant approached her, almost straining his neck to meet her eyes two heads above his own.

“Ma’am? I don’t mean to offend but you are here on good business, I hope? We’ve seen much excitement in the past week for our humble homes to last us the year.”

“That’s why I’m here. An agent of Avernus hides among you.”

“You must be mistaken ma’am, a knight slew the devil-spawn but two moons ago.”

Dotty focused in on the merchant’s eyes and expression. He winced in cowardice, but told the truth. “Not mistaken. Late.” She looked back at the horizon. “Which way did this knight go?”

“West, ma’am, toward the setting sun.”

“Thank you.” She palmed the merchant a silver piece. As she began her journey through the town to the West road.

The merchant shouted after Dotty “Ma’am, he’s a good and noble sir.”

“Not in my line of work.” Dotty replied under her breath as her brows furrowed, and grip tightened around her sheathed blade.

Marching days and nights it took less time than Dotty thought it’d take to track down and catch up to the knight. The nights in the desert were cold, she wore heavy furs only removing once sun had broke, but tonight she’d found her mark. They still wore full plate and was resting by a small fire, admiring the night sky, occasionally twisting their head to a new section, but never back toward Dotty. She slowly drew her great sword and crept toward the single armour clad figure. Successfully approaching unseen and unheard she pointed her blade toward them.

“Move and lose your head.” She barked. The knight jumped slightly but didn’t make a hostile move. “Who do you serve?”

The knight remained looking into the sky, away from Dotty. Their voice monotone and almost haunting replied. “I work for myself, I am the slayer of fiends.”

“Slayer of Fiends? I’m not familiar. My mark was an agent of Zariel, I serve Dispater.” Dotty noticed that the so called Slayer of Fiends twitched at the mention of the archdevils.

“You serve devils?” The Slayer asked, hand reaching to their side.

“Ah, ah. Don’t move.” Dotty took a half step back in confusion, the knight seemed know of the devils but disgusted at their mention. “I serve, yes. You do not? How did you know of the agent? Your old cursed armour, I can feel it from here. All suggest you serve someone.”

“Folk don’t like fiends in their homes, I clean them up. Curse is another tale, no matter, all who serve the hells that cross my path will die.” The Slayer with great strength, rolled onto and over the fire, out of Dotty’s reach. Within a moment they stood facing each other blades at the ready.

The two moved in almost perfect harmony, reflecting each other’s attack with equal defense. Both sides growingly impressed and frustrated with the other’s skill, neither able to land a strike. This was going to be a fight of attrition, slowly wearing each other down until one makes a fatal slip. The seconds turned to minutes, turned to an hour of a near silent night save for the clashing of swords. The two both stepped back out of reach of each other, catching their breath or so Dotty thought until she focused on the knight, unmoving, not a single sign of exhaustion.

“The hells are you?”

“Not the hells. Aldrun, Slayer of Fiends, Queen Cursed.”

“Queen Cursed?” Dotty panted through breaths. “Really not from the hells?”

“No, but you are.” Aldrun took a step forward, raising his sword. Dotty raised a hand. Aldrun stopped.

“I don’t willingly serve Dispater, I made a deal I shouldn’t have.”

“Let me end it.” Aldrun took another step forward.

“Wait!” Dotty took a step back. “I am Huld Dottir. Friends call me Dotty.”

“Raise you sword, Huld Dottir.” Another step forward.

“So eager. Hold on.” Dotty took another back. “I sold my soul, I want it back, so I have been killing devils, demons, and fiends. Like you, right? You're cursed and seeking something.”

“I died a shameful death, the Queen of Oxtrad bound my soul to this armour. Now I seek a worthy death while carrying my old title, Slayer of Fiends.” The two stood in silence, waiting for the other to speak or make a move. Aldrun spoke again. “I think you are a worthy death.”

Dotty rose an eyebrow as Aldrun started the fight again, immediately matching each other’s moves. The two danced a deadly symphony under the cloud-less and star filled night. Dotty and Aldrun both had grown tired over the years with quick or messy fights, with little time or grace to enjoy the ballad of blades. Now they both fulfilled their desire. They could not only see their opponent’s moves with precision, but perfectly predicted their attacks before they had moved into position. Their minds fighting many seconds ahead of their bodies. The minutes drew on, wordlessly in their strikes, they could feel the other pulling and hesitating. Their complementing strength and endurance forming a bond unfamiliar to both. The fight slowing to a single swing and deflect every few seconds, almost testing each other to see who would end the fight first even though both knew neither wanted to continue. Dotty made a swing, Aldrun blocked and held the swords in a lock.

“Aldrun?” Dotty asked in a quizzing manner.

“Dotty.” Admitted Aldrun

The two sat opposite sides of the fire, swords still by their sides, unsure what their future held with each other. Whatever it held, they were enjoying this moment, sharing tales, laughing, and not so subtly trying to figure out the mind and nature of the other.

“So what exactly is under your helm?”

Aldrun tilted his head inquisitively. “Nothing.”

“Show me.”

“Really, I’m an empty suit.” Aldrun saw Dotty’s unimpressed look in the firelight, hesitated for a moment. “Fine.” He began lifting his visor, shook his head and instead removed the whole helm, revealing nothing but air underneath.

“Woah, can you remove everything and just float around?”

“Almost, I can remove all except chest plate. That’s what I’m bound to. Still feel pain and tire, no need to eat or breath though.”

“Huh really? So that break in the middle?”

“I was exhausted, then we kept going!”

Both laughed heartly into the early morning. The sun had not risen yet but the glow on the horizon made it clear it would soon. Dotty looked to her sword, then looked to Aldrun and smiled, tilting her head as if to say ‘another round?’. Despite being expression-less a simple nod from Aldrun was all she needed. The two rose with their blades. They began not a fight but a sparring match, slow at first as they silently showed each other techniques they’d otherwise rarely use, and adding flare to normal strikes. Dotty and Aldrun picked up pace. To an untrained observer they looked as if they were going to kill each other with the speed and ferocity they had gotten to. An early morning courier from the road saw the sun break the horizon silhouetting the two fighters dancing along the ridge of a dune, a knight in worn full plate fighting an Orc clad in heavy chain and guards. The courier stopped for a few minutes, equal parts admiring and fearing the combatants. The courier continued on, not wanting unintentionally draw the ire of either.

In early summer, Dotty and Aldrun had made an agreement to each other to continue fighting fiends as they searched for a way to restore each other’s freedom. It didn’t take long to hear about Master Movrag at Remon’s Academy in Sunwood, Covania’s shining capital. They had heard of many great mages in the city, but they only grew interest upon hearing Movrag was an Orc, just like Dotty, and Aldrun before his soul was bound to the armour. The Orcs thought if any mage would help it would be one that has faced the same indignities that all Orcs had to deal with in populated regions.

Dotty and Aldrun reached Sunwood without issue. They individually have travelled further and harder roads. Together on main roads, the journey was a walk in the park for them. Getting into the city proved to be the real challenge. Bureaucracy was both of their weakness, questions, forms, passes. They could face down a grown dragon by themselves with no backup and it’d be less stressing to them than ‘What is the nature of your business?’, ‘How long will you be staying?’, ‘Where will you be staying?’, ‘To visit the Academy, you need to fill out form POI-REMAC-204’. Papers and questions buzzed around them until they found themselves inside the gate, both unsure how they got in.

Aldrun looked down at his pass, seeing a list of classifications, War-Forged, Automaton, Construct, Conjuration, Golem, and finally circled and stamped at the bottom. Animated Object. Dotty saw his shoulder slump, took both of their papers and passes, shoving them recklessly into her rucksack. “Aldrun, we’ve both been called worse.”

“Still hurts hearing new ones.”

“I know.”

Readjusting themselves they walked deeper into the city, attempting to find their way to the Remon’s Academy, the two were given a cold shoulder by most until they found a small group of students at a cafe from the academy out for lunch. Dotty approached first, Aldrun still unsure of his standing within the city walls.

“Pardon me, I happened to notice your uniforms, you’re from Remon’s Academy yes?” A half-elven boy nodded in reply to Dotty. “My friend and I are looking for a Master Movrag and just needed directions.”

Two girls whispered something that Dotty barely caught, something about full blood orcs, the boy studied the pair, just as he was about to speak one girl chimed in. “We don’t speak to uncivilised brutes.”

The boy stood up quickly, “What’s wrong with you Tash? She made a simple and kind request.” The half-elf extended his hand out to Dotty. “Name is Oliver, I’ll take you to the academy.”

Dotty shook Oliver’s hand, gently as she could. “I’m Dotty, this here is Aldrun.” Before she knew it Oliver was leading them away the cafe. “What of your friends?”

“Well met Dotty and Aldrun, don’t worry about them, I’ve been trying to find a group to fit into, they weren’t it.” Oliver found the crowds much easier to maneuver today, then remembered the large orc and full armor clad knight closely following. “Something tells me you're far more interesting than that lot.”

Aldrun found his voice and curiosity. “Who told you? We know no-one here.”

Oliver laughed. “Comedians too. Glad I went out to lunch today.”

It didn’t take long for them to reach the academy, a guard stood outside, only slightly shorter than the two orcs. The guard held out his hand to halt the group, in return Oliver did a slight bow. “They’re with me on masters business.” He continued walking past the guard who shrugged his shoulders. “Welcome to Remon’s Academy my new friends. Hopefully Movrag isn’t teaching, this way, this way.”

Oliver led Dotty and Aldrun through a maze of grand rooms and hallways. Dotty trying to memorise every twist and turn in case they became trapped or lost. Aldrun attempted similar but resigned himself to watching for threats. Oliver stopped in front of a double door made of a dark wood. He knocked three times. Silence. About to knock again the doors opened by themselves. Oliver smiled back toward the pair, turned and led them in. A half-orc woman sat behind a large desk surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves, all filled with books, crystal balls, intricate instruments, neatly organised and presented. As the trio refocused on Movrag, she closed a book on her desk, held it in the air and released, instead of falling it drifted slightly before flying itself to a shelf where it slid into an awaiting space.

“How can I help you three?” Movrag asked while removing and folding her glasses. Dotty and Aldrun looked at each other, almost stunned at how refined and clean the half-orc looked. Her long dark hair braided and tied back, she wore a simple yet elegant robe with a subtle arcane weaves wrapping the fabric. She was a darker green than most half-orcs but she hid her tusks and natural muscle enough to put most folk at ease but still showing enough when a gentle reminder is needed.

“Master Movrag, I am Oliver, one of Master Owyn’s students. These two found me outside the academy seeking an audience with you. I must admit I did so in equal parts good will and intrigue.” Oliver stepped to the side when done, allowing and ushering Dotty and Aldrun forward.

Movrag rested an elbow on her desk and scratched her chin as the pair stepped forward. “Greetings Master Movrag, I am Huld Dottir and this is my good friend Aldrun, Slayer of Fiends.” Dotty tried taking a moment to compose herself in the alien situation. “I, we, have heard of your great power and hope you may be able to aid us. We travel light and have little coin, but we are fearsome and hard workers that offer our services to you in return.”

There was a moment of silence as Movrag studied her guests. “How might I aid you? Need to know details before I can even begin to think about putting you two to work.” She turned to Oliver who had tried sinking into the background. “Thank you for showing our guests to me, I feel as though this will be a private matter. I’ll pass word of kindness onto Owyn, he likes to reward those who go out of the way to aid others, go now.”

Oliver followed the command, slightly bowing toward Movrag and then to Dotty and Aldrun, giving a smile and deep look of disappointment he won’t be able to sit in. As he passed the threshold of the door it swung closed behind, leaving the orc, slayer, and half-orc alone.

“There’s something strange about you two. Tell me your tales.”

Dotty looked back to Aldrun, unsure of who to start with. Aldrun took a step forward, removing his helm he spoke. “I died a long time ago, an unworthy death. My body long gone, the Queen of Oxtrad had my soul captured and bound to this armour, I am now trapped in it seeking worthy death.” Aldrun glanced back toward Dotty, then back to Movrag. “Or to return to my body.”

“Expensive but longer your body is gone harder the restoration. How long have you been dead exactly?” In return to Movrag’s question Aldrun shrugged and produced an etching of worn text on parchment not even Dotty had seen yet, the erosion clearly visible even in the rough rubbing. Movrag read over it, parts missing but easily filled in the gaps. ‘Here lies Aldrun, Slayer of Fiends, Wielder of Rebutter, Saviour and friend of Hendertown. Birth unknown. Death 11826.’ She leant back in her chair. “511 years since you passed, and Hendertown, from memory it was wiped off the map by dragons near 400 years ago, most records destroyed, any long life beings that knew it well died in it’s destruction. And Rebutter, if you still have it?” Aldrun patted his sword but twisted his body away. “If you’re willing to share what you know of it with our historians, you may keep the sword just let them study it for a day or two I’ll consider it payment enough. It’ll take Master Hebaroot and myself some time to prepare. We have little time for such an undertaking, clerics may be able to do so on a shorter time frame but far more expensive and I think you’ll find that 500 years is too long ago for them.”

“We have a deal on the condition you can help my friend Dotty as well.” Aldrun nodded and stepped back, allowing Dotty to step forward.

“I..” She hesitated. “My husband died from a sudden and harsh sickness, I stood by his side throughout all, until his passing. In my grief I sought aid of the infernal.” At the mention Movrag sighed, leaning back in her chair again to hear the remainder. “I made a deal with the archdevil Dispater himself, a soul for a soul. He laid claim on mine and in return restored my husband’s life. My husband rightfully was furious with me, leaving me for another woman. Ever since I have been serving Dispater as a weapon against his enemies, I fear I can never earn my soul back.”

The Master wizard of divination and enchantment was silent, staring into Dotty’s eyes. “Huld, the terms were simple, soul for a soul. I cannot help you reverse the agreement. However, with a carefully word new deal you may earn it back but in return if you fail at the task provided you’ll forever be under the archdevil’s command. The deal has to be tempting enough, grand enough, the odds stacked incredibly against you, only favouring the archdevil’s ego.” As Movrag spoke, Dotty’s heart and mind raced. “You must be willing to lose everything. Forever. I can draft a deal for you, but you must fill in the grim terms. Whatever you are thinking of right now will not be enough to tempt Dispater.” Movrag looked toward Aldrun. “Another soul must be up for bargaining at the very least.”

“No.” Dotty stepped between Movrag’s view of Aldrun.

Dotty felt a cold glove rest on her shoulder. “The thought of making a deal with a devil never crossed my mind until now. We can die unworthy deaths alone. Make a deal, die together in greatest fight of our lives, or fight like the hells have never seen and emerge together.”

Dotty turned to Aldrun. “Are you sure?”

Aldrun nodded.

Outside Sunwood a small house and yard, housed the living space of Aldrun and Huld Dottir, neither able to get approval to rent within the city walls. Being told a better candidate had shown up, while the property remained available for weeks, sometimes months after, the two suspected it was along the lines that owners didn’t want an ‘animated armour’ or full-blooded orc in their precious investment. Even then, they were forced to relocate a couple times, as their sparring matches frightened nearby residents. Eventually learning and finding secluded spaces in the neighbouring woods where they only scared off birds and game.

Today they were out in such woods, finding a gentle creek and open space for their training. The chirping birds had fled after the first few clashes of metal at dawn. It was late afternoon, nearing evening. Neither had noticed the first couple bright stars had shown in the sky.

Dotty wiped sweat from her forehead with her arm, hunched over and panting. “Can you at least pretend to look tired?”

“I am tired.”

“I know, I know, but can you look the part? For me?”

Aldrun with exaggerated movement, threw his shoulders backward then forward, hunching over mimicking Dotty.

“Oh that’s it. You asked for it, old man!” Reinvigorated, Dotty stirred the fight back into full swing. They had a contract and offer ready for the archdevil Dispater weeks ago. For months, the two have been training, pushing each other to their limits and beyond. They each knew no matter how much training and preparation they did, they’d never be ready to face whatever the archdevil deemed worthy of returning Dotty’s soul. Putting both their souls at risk for the rest of time, with no chance of return. Neither had said it out loud but over the months had grown so in tune with the other’s thoughts and feelings no words needed to be said on the matter. They both knew the past couple weeks were only delaying to spend more time together in case they failed.

Aldrun nicked Dotty’s tricep. “You’re distracted.”

“I think it’s time.” admitted Dotty, lowering her sword

Aldrun lowered his sword in return. They stood in unmoving silence, staring at each other in the orange light of the setting sun. The water of the creek softly trickled. Wind rustled the treetops. A brave bird let out a quick song, no longer hearing the ring of steel. Aldrun stepped forward placing a hand on Dotty’s cut, removing he saw little blood and reapplied pressure.

“Thanks, it’s fine. Stop giving me that look.”

Aldrun spun around, looking around the woods. “What look? I only have one look.”

Dotty looked unimpressed but grew to a grin. “I think it’s time for both.”

“Both?” Aldrun returned to facing Dotty who had closed the little remaining distance, Aldrun’s helm and Dotty’s face mere inches apart. “You know I’m just steel.”

“I know, but if we-”

“We won’t.”

“If. If we fail, we wouldn’t have even tried. We have a chance now. Might be our last.”

Dotty had dropped her sword into the soft grass, placed her hand on Aldrun’s vambrace. The feeling for Aldrun was still so strange. He was used to feeling nothing but hard hits since being bound to the armour, he didn’t expect a soft touch. Aldrun gently as he could caressed Dotty’s cheek, on touching, she closed her eyes and pulled Aldrun into a hug, resting her head against Aldrun’s helm, feeling him hesitate slightly she loosened her grip but was met with Aldrun reaffirming the hug.

“I’m good, feeling is good if unfamiliar.” Aldrun looked up to the multiplying stars. “Do you know how to dance?”

Dotty opened her eyes and looked to the sky. Still locked in a hug, she began a soft sway between them. “Not a clue, you?”

Aldrun followed the sway. “Same.” Both chuckled slightly. Aldrun ran his hands along Dotty’s back, and she returned the action.

Dotty led them into a gentle spin and sway in the field, too clueless and nervous to try anything more complex than the simple attempt at dance. Aldrun led the exploration of touch as Dotty mirrored him. Both not entirely sure of how far they wanted or even could go. After a minute, a tension in their bodies released and became more natural. Slowly, Dotty’s armour and outer layers were removed, buckle by buckle, button by button. Their hands rarely leaving each other’s body unless undressing Dotty.

The two lowered themselves to the ground, Aldrun sitting as Dotty leant back in his arms, both facing the creek. Dotty took Aldrun’s hands into her own, guiding his hands over her body, the metal gloves cool at first but quickly warmed up, the harsher parts softened by the remaining clothing, not that Dotty really noticed, like Aldrun, used to hard hits and pain. Outside of keeping sharp points away from more sensitive parts, she let Aldrun take the lead as he felt her chest, muscled arms and abs. Dotty melting into Aldrun’s hold, enjoying the sensations.

After some time, Dotty held Aldrun’s hands in place, twisted herself around and pushed Aldrun’s back to the ground. Giving him a quick glance, he nodded in return. Dotty pressed herself against him as she began to feel and kiss every inch of Aldrun’s helm, chest plate, and arm pieces. Although his helm couldn’t express emotion, Dotty could feel Aldrun’s pleasure in every twitch and stretch he made, as she went around his metallic form.

They returned to caressing and exploring each other, Dotty nude, both exhausted and fulfilled by the time they slowed, wanting to go further but unable they embraced. Dotty broke the minutes of calm. “Now what? I get dressed and we march into the hells?”

“Dispater can wait a little longer.” Aldrun replied, holding Dotty close.

Dispater accepted Dotty’s deal, both her’s and Aldrun’s souls will belong to Dispater until the end of time, unless they can kill Chancellor Halgevur, Bane of Hope, Archduke of Minauros, Third city of the Nine Hells. In which case, Dotty’s soul would be returned to her and released from Archdevil Dispater’s service.

The two stood found seating at an arena hosted by Halgevur. Their target sat in sectioned off and raised platform only a dozen seats away from where Dotty and Aldrun sat. They planned to make their move once the arena fights began, hoping the display would distract most from their goal.

Aldrun looked over to Dotty after assessing the scene. She was nervous, a rare sight for her. “We can get him now. If you don’t want to wait.”

“You shouldn’t be here. This is a mistake.” Dotty remained staring at the empty arena.

“Look, they’re starting.” Aldrun pointed out to a gate on the far end from them that slowly opened.

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“I’m terrified. But I’m here with you, that’s all that matters.”

Dotty sighed and looked at Aldrun’s helm. “Your face better have expressions when we get it back.” Dotty looked back to see a bone devil emerging with a couple of warg. “But also oddly calming when I can’t see a terrified face.”

“Bone devil, can’t slash ‘em have to stab into gaps between the bone.”

“I know you’re trying to distract me.”

“The hells is that?” Aldrun looked in front of them where another devil had emerged from a gate out of their views.

“Steel devil, never fought one before?” Dotty looked to Aldrun shaking his head. “Neither have I, but heard tales of them shredding their foes to a fine mince.”

---

It wasn’t long until Dotty was proven right. The arena had become a bloody battlefield. There were no recognisable parts of the wargs remaining, bone armour scattered, and the steel devil screeching as a heavily scratched Aldrun pulled the head of the devil from its body trapped under Aldrun’s boot. The Bane of Hope floated from above his platform down to the arena where he came eye level with Dotty, hovering just above the viscera and out of blades reach.

“I must say, you two put on quite the display.” Halgevur spun around announcing to the crowd, arms stretched out. “Give our new fighters a round of applause.” The hoard of fiends erupted in thunderous noise, slowing as he lowered his left arm, right arm reaching for a cut on his cheek. Eyes narrowing on Dotty. “It was rude of you to think I was combatant. Time I teach you two a lesson in politeness.”

Dotty rushed forward hoping to catch Halgevur off guard, he flew back dodging Dotty’s sword by an inch. Aldrun followed up from the side planning to do the same, but like Dotty, he missed. Halgevur scoffed at their attempts, rose his right hand ready to snap his fingers.

“Kneel.” His fingers snapped, Dotty’s body contorted and moved against her will, forcing her to the ground. The Chancellor looked confusingly toward Aldrun. “How?”

Aldrun saw a moment and took it. With quick step and slide across the slick blood, slicing into Halgevur’s side. Halgevur looked directly at Aldrun, snapping his fingers once again to no effect. Aldrun made another charge, the Chancellor flicked his wrist moments before Aldrun reached him, sending the Slayer of Fiends through the air, into the crowd.

Returning to the writhing Dotty, Halgevur flicked his wrist down slamming her into the bloody muck, forcing her grip of her sword to fail. Then flicking up, he lifted her into the air. Halgevur brought her close, studying the fury in her eyes. Dotty tried speaking but the same force held her mouth closed.

“Hush now. Look to your partner.” Helgevur’s words rung in Dotty’s ears as her head twisted toward the ravaging crowd all fighting and clamouring over each other, trying to get to a treasure buried deep. “They call me the Bane of Hope, because all that try to end me give up before they can even get close. Your friend was curious. I can control flesh and bone with ease, even the steel devil they killed still has some hidden deep. They were also much better and faster than any construct or automaton I’ve seen.” A tear formed in Dotty’s eye, forced by the devil. “Now, now, I’m sure you both lived full lives, but it’s time for your sad story to end.”

A force slashed its way from inside the crowd, carving a path out and back to the arena. The suit of armour emerging from the horde alongside a ghost of an orc. The two cutting down fiends while remaining focused on the Archduke. Dotty feeling a weakness in the Archduke’s force, grabbed a knife strapped to her thigh, plunging it into the cut made by Aldrun. Both dropping to the muck.

Halgevur was the first to rise. “Still some hope left, I see.” He looked to the armour and ghost still fighting off the lesser demons, redirected to Dotty he rose his hand once more prepared to snap. He would have snapped if not for the ghostly orc that appeared by his side, lopping off his hand with swift action. Dotty grabbed her sword and with a roll slashed the back of the devil’s knees, causing him to drop to a kneel as his one good hand held the stump of the other.

Dotty made eye contact with the ghost, then glancing toward the suit cleaning up the rest of the horde, then back to the orcish ghost. “Aldrun?” The ghost nodded and shrugged at the same time before pointing his sword at Chancellor Halgevur’s chest. Dotty followed suit, pointing her sword into the Archduke of Minauros’ spine. The battered and failing armour walked over, placing the sword of Greyhawk against the Bane of Hope’s neck.

The devil opened his mouth to speak. Two blades sunk into him and the third opened his throat. No words came out.

Dotty looked up to see the ghost had gone. No movement or noise remained in the arena. Dotty and Aldrun were alone. “Who was that?”

“That was me.”

“You’re good looking. Seriously though, how long have you been able to do that?”

“Since I was bound to this armour and only when I’ve lost hope.”

Dotty looked at the body on the ground before looking back at Aldrun, smiling at him. “Time to get my soul back.”

It was the night before the ritual day to restore Aldrun’s body. Since the two couldn’t use training to recover Dotty’s soul anymore, Aldrun had spent countless days talking with scholars and historians as they examined the sword of Greyhawk and queried him on his past life and of Hendertown. Dotty insisted it was only twelve days, Aldrun insisted he’s never needed to count more than he has fingers, anymore is too many. The two sat on a lounge together. A low fireplace provided no warmth, but the soft crackle reminded both of their days roaming the wilds, with no home to return to and only the stars above their heads.

Dotty was reading a book titled ‘Bartholomew, Knight of Anera’ a book loaned to her by Movrag, detailing the discovery of a 10,000-year-old petrified Knight belonging to an unknown goddess, his restoration to life and struggles he had fitting into society before requesting to be re-petrified, not wishing to continue living but not wanting to die either. Aldrun on the other hand, had a book titled ‘Legend of Lady Greyhawk’ which the scholars freely gave to him after he allowed them to examine his sword, forged by the Lady herself. He pretended to read the book, skipping the pages without images or diagrams.

Aldrun closed his book, unable to find any new images within its pages. “Last night bound to this armour and we’re sitting around.”

Dotty remained focused on her book, but responded. “Should we be doing something?”

“I don’t know. Should we prepare?”

“Aldy, it’s all being sorted. All we have to do is show up in the morning.”

“What then?” Aldrun sighed.

Dotty put her book down, then faced Aldrun. “Then whatever we want. We’ll both be free from any control over us.”

“I don’t know what I want.”

“With our souls and bodies our own,” Dotty hesitated before continuing, “You could seek the worthy-”

“No.” Aldrun interrupted. A silence lingered for a moment. “Ever since we met, I have felt alive. I looked for death as it was all I wanted.”

Dotty eyes saddened at the thought of him seeking death, but smiled at the thought of the change. “Then we can leave the city, find a village and grow old. Together. Pick up the odd contract when we need coin, live a mostly quiet life. Few of us get to retire and this might be our chance.”

Aldrun thought for a while. “Can we rebuild Hendertown? It’s the only place I’ve ever called home.”

A simple nod is all Aldrun needed. He instead received Dotty’s head on his shoulder and as she agreed. “Of course. I love the idea.”

---

The following morning, Dotty and Aldrun packed light as they typically did for long distance travel, intending to not step foot in the shack outside of Sunwood that had sheltered them over the past months. Both were keen to leave the city behind them as soon as they were done with it. The walk to the academy seemed to drag longer than their usual trips to the academy. Reaching the outer gates they stopped. Each waiting for the other to be brave enough to continue. A voice called out from behind them, neither noticing it at first until it was right behind them.

“Hello? Anyone home?”

Dotty and Aldrun spun around, reflectively ready to fight until they saw Oliver’s shocked face.

“My apologies, please, I didn’t mean to frighten.”

Dotty was first to snap out. “No, we’re sorry, bit on edge today.” Both Dotty and Aldrun calmed.

Oliver let out a sigh of relief. “Today? This is it?”

“Yes, then we leave.” Aldrun spoke bluntly.

“Right, well I have a busy schedule, if I don’t see you in the flesh, I wish you all the best.” Oliver held out his hand and shook Aldrun’s hand, before turning to Dotty. “Make sure he remembers to eat and drink. Don’t want him starving to death after getting a stomach back.” Oliver held out his hand to Dotty who shook his hand in return. “I know you’re not the city type, but if you ever find yourselves here, we’ll have to have another lunch, one that you can join Aldrun.”

“Thank you, many feasts shall be had.” Aldrun thanked Oliver, “We still get lost. Do you have enough time to?”

“For friends, I always have time.”

Oliver led the pair to the small necromancy wing and the practical hall, there they found Masters Movrag and Hebaroot waiting, having just finished their preparations. While the other Masters of Remon’s Academy were intrigued no others where available to attend, the Grand Master Inawyn, highest rank in the academy, while unavailable to stay for the ritual itself, made time to examine the preparations and brief meeting with Aldrun and Dotty.

The two Masters drew symbols on Aldrun’s armour, another odd sensation for him but was growing used to odd feelings. Aldrun was so wrapped up in following the Movrag’s and Hebaroot’s orders it wasn’t until the ritual had begun that he noticed Dotty in the room's corner, looking terrified and watching every movement the wizards made, searching for a hostile intent that wasn’t there.

Light filled Aldrun’s vision. Pain surged across every part of him. He felt like screaming but nothing came out, tried to move but felt an incredible weight force him down. Visions, memories flooded Aldrun, from childhood not fitting in with full blood orcs, searching for his human father, aiding villages and towns, finding Hendertown, earning his title and ally-ship with the town, wielding Rebutter. Memory of his own shameful death. Waking up in the cold armour in an unfamiliar land and time, bound to serve a Queen, deserting his servitude, fearing another shameful death, slaying all fiends in his path, wanting to have a prideful death. The night he and Dotty fought, thinking she’d bring him the death he wished for, instead, she brought him life.

A final surge of pain caused Aldrun to scream, as he felt what he imagined what being flayed alive would feel like. He moved against his will, parts of him constricting and extending. Relief. Aldrun felt at peace.

Aldrun felt the heat of the sun, the sweat rolling down his back, the dryness of his throat. Most would consider the experience unpleasant, but for him, they were feelings he had only dreamed of feeling again. He tilted his head back, trying to catch whatever breeze he could. Dropping an axe, he wiped down his bald head before placing his hands on his hips.

“Can’t hide your tiredness now, can you old man?” Dotty laughed, finishing a last cut through a log.

Aldrun didn’t speak to the comment right away, opting to fetch the nearby waterskins, handing one to Dotty then taking a swig from the other. “Wizards said you were a hand full of years older.”

“They forgot you were born at least 500 years ago.” Claimed Dotty. The two looked into each other’s eyes “Fine, we’ll drop it for now old man. So much easier to read you now you have a face.”

Aldrun chuckled before looking back to the sky. “Good work this morning. Pick back up when sun is lower?”

Dotty followed Aldrun’s gaze. “Agreed. Come meet me at the hilltop soon.”

Raise his eyebrows, Aldrun reluctantly agreed, no doubt more town planning. He knew it wasn’t his strength, but he also was the one who put forth the idea of building a town.

Dotty leant against a large easel at the hill’s top, overlooking the area, their mostly complete home, start of reforming road, and rough plots marked out for more homes, farms, shops, and services. She made a slight tweak to the design as she waited for Aldrun. They had both already agreed she’d be best suited to run the management New Hendertown as Mayor, while Aldrun advised on its history and hold position of Captain.

Together at the hill, Dotty led Aldrun through an overgrown path. Aldrun knew where she was leading him right away, but followed her anyway. After a short trek, they emerged into a clearing. Trees and most bushes respected the boundary laid out by a short stone wall. Gravestones came into view. Dotty stopped at the foot of Aldrun’s gravestone. Aldrun looked to Dotty then to his own grave. It had been restored and a line added underneath, ‘Reborn 12338’ and a space next to his grave had been marked with a crude wooden markers which read, ‘For future Dotty’. Aldrun didn’t speak, only smiling.

Dotty wrapped an arm around Aldrun pulling him close. “I hope we live long, free lives. But know, no matter what we’ll be side by side until end of time.”

Returning the action, Aldrun leant his head against Dotty’s. “Thank you. I’ve been dead long enough. It’s time for both of us to live.”