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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.