Millennial Judgement

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Yet now they come to cast judgement over the denizens of Ravenwood. At the end of every millennia the realms of the divine and demonic invade the world. Only to leave once one side has been pushed back to their realm. This event brings about a new millennia where Mankind gets time to choose their side. The eyes of all hold signs of one's alignment. Therefore few may hide their heart from another. Those whose hearts lay in deceit, domination, or any manner of Abysmal virtue their eyes begin with touches of darkness. As one becomes more engulfed so do their eyes begin to fill until the whole turns black and the iris runs red. To those of Celestial favor a golden iris will manifest. A sign to all of their selfless hearts and benevolent intentions. Celestial favor is harder to attain; one can seem to be selfless, honest, suffering long for the Celestial virtues before being granted the mark. Though rare during the Millennial Cycle some attain the favor of an alignment so great they become an embodiment of that realm. These now ageless beings are granted miraculous power. Celestial Ascended attain silver or white hair yet maintain the body of mankind whereas Abysmal favor changes the body to better express the corruption they are engulfed in. This cycle nears its end and both sides seek to prepare the souls of those that lay in the middle.. Or in the extermination of those that will not be swayed..

The fog in Ravenwood is thick this night. Such is not uncommon among a city that resides near a large lake and is surrounded by dense forest. Its buildings laden with a combination of dark oak and cobbled stone. The light stone foundations of the buildings contrast the much darker slate laden on the street. The roofs incline steeply and are adorned with various engraved weaves throughout the wood. The moisture in the air causes the stone to glisten and reflect even the smallest light. Much of its denizens are nestled in, sleeping the night away. Yet for those that have unlawful intentions this is the ideal night to go about one's secret works. In one of the many brothels within the massive city just such an occasion is about to unfold.

Loud is the music and loud are the people. Strong drinks and passionate intentions fill the air. Save for one who just arrived at the bar. Laying a cocked but unloaded crossbow on the bar. He then ties back long copper hair exposing grey eyes. One of which has two prominent black lines connecting to his pupil. Casually he sips at a mug of water. Some of which dripped down a short beard onto his recently roughed up lamellar armor. A working girl approaches, thinking him another intoxicated patron. She puts one hand on his tarnished bronze manica, “Got some coin for me tough guy?” She winks then slides one hand into his hair.

“Leave me be whore,” he quietly growled, not bothering to even look her way. She rolls her eyes and steps away from the frustrated man.

“Radimir!” one of the few sober and well dressed men hollered over. A smile over his face he smacks Radimir on the shoulder “So how have you fared against Roriks flea ridden crew?”

With a smirk Radimir turns, “Aye we did well, they weren't alone though they were meeting with Senator Erebus’s guards, his own son led the exchange.”

The man begins to look worried, “I assumed you called it off then,” he weakly states.

A slight smile now crossed Radimir’s face, “nonsense, I shot a bolt at the guards when the groups got close and they all panicked like children. Not knowing if they were being betrayed, the guards attacked the scum they were supposed to trade with.” Radimir chuckles, “most got away but the one carrying the vials took a bolt straight to the face...” Radimir seems to drift off into the memory.

“So?” the man asked, now annoyed, “what happened to the Senator's son and did you get the extract?”

“Worry not Malik, the story only gets better.” Radimir turns on the stool to face the man completely and continues in good spirits, “we charged in right as the guy with the herbs dropped. There weren't a lot of guards but they put up a good fight. We lost some men, no one important.” His smile grew as he continued, “their helms didn't help much when I showed them with the back of my axe.” Radimir says proudly tapping the axe at his hip, a bearded blade on the front with a studded hammer like back. “Anyway the guards and the son are dead, we grabbed the coin used for the deal, stripped the armor, and left the extract near the son's cor-”

“Why did you leave the nightshade?” Malik chimed in, “it was what you were sent to retrieve!” He spat out, growing angry.

Radimirs smile left, his face flickered into frustration, through gritted teeth he responded quietly yet firmly, “calm yourself!” Radimir collects himself slightly and continues. “I have the coin and enough republic armor in my wagon to make three times as much as your poison costs,” his smirk grows, “I left the poison near the senator's son then pitched and burned one of the dead guards. They will be found and with the upcoming election the city will care little for the deaths. The Senate will be far more concerned with why the son of the defending senator was in the slums with an illegal herb far too commonly used to poison opposi-”

“And even if they look into it, it would lead them to Roriks crew.” Malik interrupts again, “Not bad.” He says approvingly “Clever, how you thought of this on the go is.. surprisingly clever.. for a pit man. Just make sure you don't think you're clever enough to undercut the boss.”

Radimir smirks, “Aye, I won’t.”

Malik nods waving for Radimir to follow as he walks away, “your next job will be tomorrow night. I know it's soon but this is important and involves the deal with Vanehold”

Radimir grabs his crossbow, slings it over his shoulder, and follows Malik into the back hall, “don't get why you trust folk who align themselves with the abyss.”

Malik turns back, “I trust them more than that celestial monarchy to the south. Self righteous slavers far as I'm concerned! At least the tribes don't try to convert me. So long as Ravenwood stays independent we'll be fine. More the tribes fight, the more none of them will risk losing trade with the biggest source of ore in the region.”

They pass a few doors as well as some of Maliks guards before going down a set of stairs to the cellar. Within lay a quite well kept and laid out large area of tables with bunk beds in the back. At least 16 kids of varying ages litter the room with three women, one caring for the children. The others simply off to the side talking amongst themselves.

Malik turns to the one caring for the children, “Jenevieve this is Radimir.” She walks up. Her hair is thick and dark falling nearly to her waist as her oversized blouse and skirt modestly cover her from neck to foot. She doesn't make eye contact, simply points her head in Radimirs direction and nods. Malik continues, “he will be your escort when we move the kids tomorrow.”

Radimir looks her up and down, eyebrow raised. To Malik he asks, “is she another whore or a real woman?”

Malik, annoyed at the question, replies “She is a servant girl. I bought her debt a while ago. I had tried to convince her such work is far more lucrative. Yet she was pregnant when I got her and wouldn't even try it.” Malik eyes her with disappointment “Ida just sold her debt to someone else.” He shrugs “Buuut she stayed busy with other things and now keeps the kids content.” Malik snickers, “they wouldn't stop balling when we first snached them up.” One side of Ratimirs nose flares slightly at the remark though he hides it quickly before Malik looks back at him.

Now speaking to Jen Radimir states sternly, “look me in the eyes woman.” She brushes her thick dark hair from her face exposing two fair blue eyes free from any signs of the abyss. Radimir’s eyebrow raises as he continues, still stern but now almost reverent, “seems true enough. So who am I to kill next?”

Malik slightly laughs, “you don't have to kill anyone. In fact I'd prefer if you didn't kill anyone.” Still amused he calls over the tallest boy much older than most of the kids. “Jack here is a street boy. He volunteered to help us get some of the other kids. If you want a hand in anything just ask him he is well rounded in talents.”

Jack seems somewhere between 12 and 15 years of age. His curly hair lays nearly into his eyes, those eyes carrying flecks of black. He crosses his arms before smugly saying, “I'm just doing what I need to survive I just do it better than most others.”

Radimir responds mockingly, “aye a roach can survive real well yet it's still just a roach.” he then turns to Malik, “let's talk details somewhere private.”

“My office then.” Malik says turning now to the stairs leaving the cellar. They enter a room just next to the top of the cellar steps. It is small with a desk cluttered with papers. Malik looks through a few, “you'll be wanting this in case you're stopped by a patrol.” He hands over some papers to Radimir.

Radimir looking at the papers smirks saying, “Adoption papers? Who is gonna believe I adopted this many kids?”

“I don’t know.” Malik shrugs, “it was easy and cheap to get so I figured I'd get it. I'm sure you'll find a use for it, if not who cares.”

Radimirs tainted eye flickers, “what about that paper?” He points behind Malik at the desk. Malik turns around confused. Swiftly Radimir draws his axe and strikes a heavy blow to Maliks neck. Malik drops to the floor gasping for air yet inhaling only blood. Another heavy swing severs his neck completely digging into the floorboards beneath. Radimir spits on his corpse, pockets the adoption papers then turns to the door. Closing his eyes and clasping his hands together he prays, “celestial spirits, tell Omaja I have found the children. To come quickly to the brothel and expect resistance.”

The door to the office began to open, a guard's voice peering in, “boss?”

Radimir runs forward right as the door opens fully; he drives his foot into the man's chest, sending him flying into the hall's wall gasping for air. Continuing forward and spinning his axe around Radimir clubs the man's skull. A loud crack fills the air as he goes limp. Three other guards further down the hallway look over surprised.

One of Radimir’s eyes becomes completely engulfed in blackness, “come and die!” he roars out as a smile crosses his face. Two of the guards look at each other then move in slowly, weapons drawn. The one in the back readies a crossbow and reaches for a bolt. Looking at the crossbowman Radimir’s eyebrow raises and he turns and jumps down the stairs to the cellar.

Quickly he bursts through the door, the kids and Jennivieve jump, “get them all to the side!” He yells as he closes the door behind him. Jen quickly beckons them up and corrals them to the side of the room behind Radimir. Radimir steps to the side of the door preparing a bolt and shouldering his own crossbow. The moments following feel like forever. The door creaks first then slams open with a kick. After another several moments a head and a crossbow pop out quickly trying to survey the room. Right as their eyes met they both shot. Radimir’s bolt rattles into the guard's eye socket. His own bolt glancing off Radimir’s mannica and a scream rips out from behind him. Ignoring it Radimir drops his crossbow readying his axe as he closes the distance to the door, cleaving the panicked half blind crossbow man's neck and dropping him. Hoping to limit the advance of the other guards, Radimir takes a stand right at the doorway. The second guard charges in, ducking a swipe from Radimir’s axe and tackling him. As Radimir falls back puts both feet onto the man's hips. As he crashes down onto the stone floor he presses both legs and catapults the guard over him. The Third guard, still on his feet, rushes forward. Moving around Radimir’s legs and swinging his blade down on Radimir’s head. In a flash Radimir raises his armored limb blocking the blow. Nearly simultaneously he kicks out at the man's knee buckling it sideways causing the man to fall. Radimir just makes it to his feet when the guard now behind him grabs hold of his shoulder plate and makes a swing for his head. Radimir barely ducks it. Tucking into his arm he charges his armored shoulder into the man crashing him to the stone wall. Radimir then bites his axe into the man's exposed thigh. Radimir jumps back away from both men collecting himself. One guard clutches his now open leg. The second now back up keeping ground but not pushing clearly weary of the fight. A fourth guard now enters the room wielding a spear.

“Damn,” Radimir sighs to himself. Keeping a safe distance he thrusts the spear at Radimir who slaps it away with his gloved hand but cannot find a way to move in.

“Keep him back!” the second guard yells running over to the crossbow. Radimir tries to slip the spear and push forward however the spear firmly strikes him in the chest bending but not piercing the plate, “damniiiht!” he growls.

Commotion along with a few screams ignite from back up the stairs. Heavy footsteps are heard coming down. The guard near the door drops the crossbow. His hands up in submission as he walks back away from the door, “ascended,” he whispers to his mate with the spear, fear overcoming him.

In walks a tall man, his well worn breastplate and drawn sword glisten in the candlelight. His eyes shimmer a metallic gold, his skin a deep brown, contrasting his white hair dreadlocked and tied back. Through a full beard braided down to his chest his voice resonates both deep and commanding, “yield and I will spare you that your soul may yet have a chance to be cleansed before your judgment!” He points his longsword at the man with the spear and instantly the guard drops it, visibly shaken. Radimir finally notices Jenevieve crying over Jack who is struggling to breath with a bolt in his side. The dark skinned man sheaths his blade and walks toward them, “Radimir watch these men.” He commanded, his full attention now on the boy.

“Aye,You should let him bleed.” Radimir stated coldly, axe still ready and eyes on the guards. “He helped take the other kids. He is filth.”

The chain under the dark skinned man's plate shuffles as he takes a knee next to the young man trying hard to breathe. His voice is still deep but more compassionate now, almost sorrowful. He puts a hand on the boy's head looking into his fearful eyes, “your eyes are tainted young one yet we still have hope for you.”

Jen’s own eyes filled with tears as she pleads. “Help him!” The dark skinned man eyes her for a moment. He strips his gauntlets from his hands and lays them onto Jack's ribs. Then yanks the bolt out causing blood to trail onto the ground. Jack attempts to scream but barely has the breath to do so.

Laying both his hands firmly on the boy's wound he begins to whisper prayer. His eyes and hands illuminate, “make whole this one's flesh and preserve him that he may forgo judgement for a time. That he may have the chance to come to us worthy of our glory.” Jack inhales greatly, now breathing rapidly yet clearly. The dark skinned man's eyes return to a shimmer of gold. He releases his hands from the wound still bloody but completely closed without even a scar to show for it.

Jen amazed at the sight of the healing hugs the dark skinned man almost knocking him off balance. Smiling he stands and gently guides her hands off of him, “thank you my lady but come we have already tarried too long.”

Radimir motions toward the guards, “what about them?”

“Leave them,” the dark skinned man shugs, “if they try to report this they risk being labeled criminals for the abductions and traitors for their secret dealings with the tribes. Remember that, and the miracle you have witnessed today well,” he states firmly, eyeing the guards as he walks to the cellar door. He then pushes the dead crossbowman out of the doorway with his foot and he looks to Radimir seriously, “must you have done this in front of the children?” Radimir smirks and shrugs. The dark skinned man then holds open the door motioning for Jen and the kids to go up first.

Back above lies near silence. A few patrons lay wounded on the floor, the rest along with the working girls are corralled to one side of the establishment. Many warriors bearing iron chain or gambeson keep them there. They are warriors of the Celestial Monarchy though they bear no surcoat nor were any chosen who have golden eyes to better hide their affiliation. The Monarchy heard of the many abductions of children in Ravenwood’s lands a few months back. Suspecting the evils were connected with the abyss aligned tribes to the east the King offered aid. A formal straightforward request to send forces to discover and purge any offenders. Though this was denied by Ravenwoods senate, some in the Monarchy thought they should still intervene. Soon one of the more controversial clergy authorities orchestrated this covert arrangement. Sending in men as neutral merchants from the Monarchies' lands they acted in secret. One ascended was sent to both reside in authority and commune with the celestial spirits. While Radimir was chosen to infiltrate his tainted eyes and aggressive nature making it all the easier to walk among the corrupt.

They had been stalling their leave for nearly a week every night waiting for the call that finally came. The actions taking place tonight would clearly upset relations between Ravenwood and the Monarchy to the south. Not to mention infuriate the King who knew not about this. Risky as it was with the coming end to the Millenia much anxiety has risen among the celestial aligned people. Impeding any abysmal corruption and gathering as many to their lands to be taught the way is seen as of the utmost importance. Though they all agree on this the methods they go about it is something argued about much by those in authority lord, king, and clergy alike.

Radimir’s tainted eye had now resided back to the two lines. He readies his wagon along with many of the Monarchies warriors. They divided up the children along each of the wagons. His being the only one with a full covering and many compartments on the sides. He grabs some feed out of a compartment near the front. Then steps up to the mule shorter than most horses but a sturdy animal and requires less feed for the work. Her coat is thick black to gray, long hair near the hooves and a mane quite short. Feeding her from his hand as he pats her muscled neck. “Been a long night Kine. Just a bit more and we will rest well aye?” More than a few of the cityfolk have now noticed the event, though in the slums of Ravenwood it is common knowledge one does not report anything till long after the deeds are done. Lest the folk themselves are in danger of retaliation from those that work in the shadows. Beside that, there is a senator's son's corpse on the other side of the slums catching far more attention.

The dark skinned man approaches him with Jenevieve, Jack, a small boy around 4 to 6 and a girl around 10. “These ones will travel with you. Also I will ride with you till we break off at the valley.”

Radimir climbs up and readies the reins, “very well, climb in.” The back of the wagon is rather scarce with three shields of a flat top kite design, a few spears and a small barrel of bolts. An open faced nasal helm was nestled on top of one of the spears, its mail neckguard rattling as everyone got on. Most of its construction looked to be of iron yet the bands on the top and sides were of bronze.

Once the group settles in, the wagon gets moving. The dark skinned man finally introduces himself, “I am Omaja, what shall I call all you?” He smiles and seems to relax as he asks the question.

“I am Jenevieve,” Jen states then motions to the young girl to answer.

The young girl remains close, her arm looped through Jen’s. Her skin a light brown, much of her curly hair braided back. Very quietly she answers, “Eliana.”

Jack sits looking out the back of the wagon. His arms crossed he ignored the invitation. Radimir knotices the pause, smirks and calls back, “that's Roach.”

Jack, frustrated, looks back at Radimir for a moment before looking to the ground, “my name is Jack.”

Omaja gives no acknowledgement to Radimirs comment, “it is good to meet you Jack,” he says, still smiling.

The smallest boy now happily tries to stand for his turn. Quickly losing his balance due to the wagon moving and stumbles. Jen’s arm snaps out and snatches him before he falls placing him on her lap. She keeps her eyes on the child as she answers for him, “this is Gabe. He is a handful but a sweet boy.”

Gabe looks up at Omaja excited, “am i going back to mommy?”

Omaja, surprised by the question asks, “I thought you all were children without families, without homes?”

“Many of them were,” Jen answered, “though some were snatched up and taken from their families. Gabe talked alot about fields of food. I think he is from Ravenwood’s farmland beyond the northern pass.”

Omaja was quiet for a moment looking disturbed and also stuck in thought. Finally he speaks, “I will bring this up with the Bishop at Archbridge. We will figure it out. For now we shall stick to our original plan. To vary now could cause us to be blamed for the original abductions.”

Radimir chimes in with respect in his tone, “his parents would probably raise him in corruption anyway. Most of Ravenwoods people are far from celestial. Don't overthink it brother.”

Omaja stops for a moment pondering to himself before continuing on, “all this shadow work is unbecoming of a celestial, this is not the proper way and now we may suffer for it,” he begins to grow frustrated in the thought.

Radimir speaks up in a calm straightforward voice almost as though he is asking a question with his statement, “because of this work we have saved many children, shadow work has helped us do this.”

Omaja responds with absolute certainty, “yet deceit keeps souls in darkness. Remember my friend it is not the outcome of actions that bring us celestial favor but our own individual actions. An honest open attack on these evils could very well save just as many if not more.” Omaja now looks to Radimir with a sense of pity and sorrow, “if you were not assigned to such things, the darkness in your eyes may have already cleared.”

Radimir nods, “you are probably right.”