The Rouge's Story

A Bargain with Death

The bonds on my wrists were really tight; the leather cords bit deeply into the skin, and when I wasn't careful, my hands went numb. At least they took the black hood off my head; the dark burlap itched my face horribly; which was especially annoying considering my hands were bound. I had to settle for vigourous face-twitching to relieve the million and one itches.

I took a good look around at the gallows; this is not the perspective I perfer, admittedly. The wood planks of the raised gallows creaked as I shifted weight, surveying the large number of surly, bare-chested executioners, clad only in leather pants and striking, pointed-tipped black hoods. (They had eye slits in theirs, of course.) I stood on the edge, bracketed by a pair of these goons, while the local judge and other high-ranking officers of the local militia stood at the other end. The judge was making a public speech to the small crowd of curious citizens below, damning me while all the while exaulting the noble militia men who captured me, some 3 days past, after a smuggling deal gone bad. What he failed to mention was the fact that it took 12 heavily armed men to subdue me - but not after dispatching 5 of them to an early grave. If my partner Haran had been with me, we could have fared much better.

The local townspeople gathered in the clearing surrounding the gallows avoided eye contact with me; just as well, I was putting up my best scowl today, bathing the crowd with a glower. I cared nothing for these people, of course. They looked the same as all other country bumpkins out here in this forgotten region of Welmyr. To them I must have appeared like a monster of a man with my large bulk and wild expressions.

Even as the executioners tested the slack of the noose and proper operation of the trap door, I was not particulary worried. Any minute Haran would come and get me out of this; I'm sure of it. I've gotten him out of similar circumstances, so at the very least, he owes me. If he wants to learn the location of some silver ore I smuggled out of Seafoot country, he'd better rescue me - and quickly.

Time passed; the judge was near the end of his speech, and still no help. At some pre-appointed cue, the executioners testing the noose stepped away, and the ones at my sides pushed me forward towards the center of the gallows. I swallowed hard; how could Haran desert me now? I blinked against the sweat dripping into my eyes; this can't be! Yes, for the first time, I feel myself being subdued by panic - raw panic.

Time seemed to ooze by slowly; I could no longer hear the voice of the judge, only the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. After an eternity, I stood on the trap door as the executioners fitted the sinewy noose around my bare neck. Continously, I scanned the edges of the crowd for the only person I had ever called a friend; no avail, no one to save me this time. I was on my own. I was a fool to trust another man; if I live through this, I swear I'll never make that error again!

The exectioners stood back. The judge put away his scroll, the officers began to dismount the gallows. I could see the muscles in the arms of the headsman tense as prepared to drop the door to seal my fate. I could only hope for quick death, that the noose would snap my neck quickly, and that I won't dangle from the end of the rope for many long minutes as I suffocate.

With a motion, the headsman released the door, and I fell. I fell for what felt like hours; thoughts of betrayal, thoughts of hatred flashed in my mind. I may have screamed; I don't remember now. The rope tightened; and at last, jerked at my flesh - and no snap - I was to hang here until I suffocated after all. Can't breathe - my vision blurs, and at last fades into darkness; I can feel my body twitch.....

Next I remember, I open my eyes - I think I opened my eyes - and saw only a skeletal face; a skeletal face crowned with a pair of horns. This horrible visage fills my mind entirely; I feel no pain, I can hear no other sound, not even the sound of my heart. At last the vile image of death speaks, the corruption of death filling my nostrils.

"Such a waste." His voice was deep, echoing about in some unseen chamber. "They always kill the good ones."

"I suppose you are the angel of Death, come to take me Hell. Well, I am not quite ready to go." I was quite surprised to find my voice.

The fleshless face boomed." I am not an angel, not by a longshot. I know who you are, and I know of your talents. I will keep this simple - I return unto you your life, and in exchange, you carry a little something to me."

"If you're not the angel of Death, then who the hell are you? And how do you intend on getting me out of this?" The idea of exacting a bit of vengance on a certain someone was appealing.

"Don't worry about who I am. Just remember one thing. Once I give you back your life, you are mine until the deal is complete. In exchange for your life, bring me the Egg of the Phoenix. Should you forfeit the deal, you forfeit your life. I will be with you, always; what you think, I hear. What you say, I listen. What you see, I see......" With that, his image faded quickly, before I could ask any questions. With a sharp pain, I blacked out.

The soft creak of rope awoke me. With a jerk, I lifted my head and opened my eyes - it was midnight, full moon. I still dangled from the end of the noose, but the pressure of the rope was like that of a necklace - I could breathe again. Better still, the bonds at my wrists were slack, and with a little effort, freed. I wasted no time in climbing up the rope to give the noose enough slack so as to slip my head out from around the rope. Silently, I swung the rope and dropped to the gallow floor, and leapt over the side.

There was a matter of revenge to take care of first.

The judge and executioners I left alone - they were only doing their jobs, after all - it was the hideout of Haran I sought this night, out in the fringes of Oldtown. He was out galavanting with the ladies again, as usual, and I had an easy time breaking into his little hideout. In the darkened chambers of his bedroom, I sought and found a gilded dagger, the same dagger I gave Haran one year ago as a gift. "To my only friend" it reads on the hilt. I felt this would be the perfect weapon, poetic justice, as it were.

Footfalls on the staircase - the crack of light around the door widened, and a tall figure crossed the moonbeams revealing the drunken fool who I had once called friend. I stepped out from the shadows, allowing a moonbeam to illuminate my face. "Haran, I have returned".

With a gasp, he reached for his side to snatch at a short sword but I was too fast - I grappled with Haran for a brief second, twisting his sword arm behind him while holding my dagger against the soft flesh of his neck. I had him twisted with his back towards me, my mouth inches from his ear. "Haran, I once claimed you as my only friend - I ask only one question, and I want a quick reply. Why did you betray me?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"Alas, I have no need for you any longer. The local militia needed a scapegoat, someone to blame for smuggling and rash of murders, and who better than a master smuggler such as yourself? With your death, I am gauranteed some immunity from the militia - Release me - you'll never make it out of here alive, fool!" Despite his bravado, he was quaking in his boots. The scent of urine became strong - he had wet his pants.

"Tough words from a coward. Remember this dagger?" He glanced at the blade. Before giving him another chance to speak, I drove it home, driving the double bladed shaft deep in his neck. I wrapped a hand around his mouth to stifle the scream. A moment later I tossed his lifeless body down, and retrieved the blade. After wiping the dagger clean on Haran's shirt, I ransacked his body and his room for gold and anything I could possibly pawn. I'll have to leave town, of course, and tonight, and I'll need money for provisions.

"Do not forget the deal." Said a voice. "You have had your fun. Do not waste any more time with your petty schemes; head directly to Illhaven, and begin the search for the Phoenix's Egg immediately. I mean to have the Egg within the month - if necessary, take in others with you - just get me that Egg!" I was sent to the floor as a blinding pain rippled through my body - this voice means business.

As the pain subsided, I realized that this was going to be a bad deal. I probably would have been better off dead..... Well, Illhaven is as good a town as any to escape to. I'll find this Egg soon enough, alright, but I bet it'd catch a fortune to those silly Druids who worship it. As for skull-boy, I can take him. When I return the Egg, I'll destroy him and keep the Egg for myself, and sell the Egg to the highest bidder.....