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I am not brave enough of reading this thing, it makes me think that I will be reading it until the end of my life, but I will give it a try.

The food and drink arrives and they eat and drink

I think is a good story the last part and has nice ideas, though I think that the fights are too detailed and get confusing. That's just my opinion.

Yeah, I wrote this a while ago and just recently found it on my computer, I've got better stuff now but I'm just putting this somewhere.

HOLY SHIZZZ NITZS!!!!

I might get the time to read this later because my browser (which is freakin fast) just crapped it's pants and had to restart do to text overload. So I might read it later if my brain does't freak out at the first I dunno 3 milloin words. And like Alt said, Some of your sentances aren't varied enough. Although it seems to be a fairly good plot and story just needs some restrucering to help it flow better.

Chapter 13:

Ledger, Mr. Finch, Jolene, and Sir Quindry slowly entered the crumbling stone building they had been hired to purge of an imp. Mr. Finch held his sword tightly in his hands, Jolene held her axe at the ready, and the knight held his sword over his shoulder with a look of pure confidence in his ability to purge the low level fiend. Ledger, leading them in, had his face buried in a book.
"Right here, it says that imp stew is okay, but that imp ribs when properly prepaired will satisfy even the most picky of eaters," Ledger says, thumbing through the book, a cook book of low level fiends. "Why are you reading a book about eating low level fiends," Mr. Finch asked. Ledger shrugs. "Mostly I'm hungry, but I've heard that well prepaired imp is a wonderful dish, and since there happens to be an imp in this building, I'd like to try it," Ledger says.
Suddenly they hear a loud crash in the next room. Running in, they see the imp standing on top of a fallen over book shelf, it's red eyes fixed on the group. The fiend's mouth was wide open, it's fangs beared at the group and saliva fell upon it's green fur. It hissed and jumped at the group.
Ledger quickly brought his sword down on it, but the fiend caught it above it's head with it's claw like hands. "Smart little bastard, but it's still short, very very short," Ledger says, kicking the fiend and sending it flying across the room and crashing into the wall. The fiend collapses into a heap on the floor.
The mercenary walks over to the fiend and puts his blade just above it's heart. "I hope I didn't bruise the ribs doing that, I do want to try imp ribs," the mercenary says, looking down at the fiend.
Before he can impale it, the imps eyes open and the creature lets out a violent hiss. It jumps up at Ledger's chest and starts clawing him. The mercenary grabs the fiend and tries to pull it off, but he can't. Mr. Finch runs over and tries to help, but his limited strength doesn't help much.
The imp prepaires it's claws and attempts to stab Ledger in the chest with them, but as it does Ledger's amulet starts to glow blue. An explosion of blue light follows, throwing Ledger to the ground and the imp across the room.
Mr. Finch, Jolene, and Sir Quindry rush over to the mercenary, laying on his back, seemingly passed out. Looking down at the amulet, they see the sapphire shield looks cracked.

The mercenary starts to come around and pulls himself up to a sitting position. His sword laying next to him, he holds his head, then looks over at the imp laying in a heap on the other side of the room. His eyes widen and he jumps to his feet and runs over to the near dead fiend. He falls to the ground and slides over to the imp, picking it up and craddling it in his arms.
"Oh dear Lenin, the poor thing's hurt," Ledger says, craddling the fiend in his arms and tears in his eyes. A confused look comes over the group's faces. "Quickly, we must find a healer, he's hurt bad," Ledger says, standing up and running out of the building, his sword still laying on the ground on the other side of the room.
Mr. Finch slowly picks up Ledger's sword. "Uh, what the hell just happened," he asks. Jolene and Sir Quindry slowly shake their heads. "I don't know, it was as if, as if he, cared about that imp," Sir Quindry says. "That's just, unnatural," Jolene says. Mr. Finch and Sir Quindry nodd in agreement.
The three exit the building and find Ledger sitting up against a tree with the imp in his arms. "He's going to be okay, he's going to be okay," Ledger says happily, holding the imp in his arms. Mr. Finch cautiously walks over to the strangly acting mercenary. "Uh, you dropped this," he says, trying to stand as far away from his as possible but still hand him the sword.
Ledger shakes his head quickly. "No, I don't want that evil weapon of death, in fact, take this from me too, why would a person ever need such things," Ledger says, handing Mr. Finch the silver sword he'd taken from the village. Mr. Finch slowly nodded and walked back over to Jolene and Sir Quindry in a state of shock.
"Something is wrong here, something is very wrong," Mr. Finch says. They nodd in agreement. Looking back, they see Ledger walk over to Sir Quindry's horse with the imp craddled like a baby. "You see impy, this is a horse, people ride them to go places, do you like horses," Ledger asks the imp, acting like it's a baby or something.
"I'm scared, really really scared," Mr. Finch says. The other two nodd in agreement.
"Alright guys, let's get going to the next town, this place is kind of creepy," Ledger says, starting to walk down the road with the imp like a baby. The three are cautious to follow. "Is this really the guy that just a few days ago played golf with a decapitated human head, a decapitated human head that he decapitated," Jolene asks, watching the mercenary walk down the road with the imp. "I, I don't know, but it isn't right," Mr. Finch says. The other two nodd in agreement.

The four arrive in the next town to find it in a state of poverty. The houses are falling apart and the villagers make their way around the streets, trying to get enough just to survive. Ledger walks down the main road, shaking his head. "How can people live like this, why doesn't anyone help them," the mercenary says. He looks down at the imp. "Don't you worry impy, you won't have to live in a place like this, is there no welfare," Ledger says.
Finding a tavern, the four enter. It is a regular tavern, dark and crowded with not the most savory characters. The group sits at a table and waits for the bar girl to come take their orders.
Coming over to their table, the bar girls stands there waiting for the groups orders. "I shall have a small whiskey and the special," Mr. Finch says. Jolene and Sir Quindry nodd in agreement. The bar girl turns to Ledger. "What do you want," she says to him. "Well, do you have a menu," Ledger asks. The waitress shakes her head. "Okay, I'll take a salad with a little bacon I guess, and water, and a little meat for this little fellow, ok," Ledger says. The waitress looks at him like he's crazy, then shakes her head and goes to the kitchen.
"Wait, salad, little bacon, and water, don't you normally have the darkest drink available and the biggest steak possible, even if you have to kill the cow yourself, in front of the farmer, of which it's his only source of income," Mr. Finch says. Ledger looks taken back and shakes his head. "Dark drink, no, I don't like alcohol, and a steak, I couldn't eat that, a little bacon is bad enough, think of the poor beast," Ledger says. The other three look at him again with that look like he's crazy, well, crazier then normal.

The food arrives and the group starts to eat. Before he eats, Ledger puts a napkin across his lap and starts feeding the imp the little bits of meat brought for it. When it's finished, he starts eating his salad with the bacon and slowly sipping his water. The group stops eating and watches him. The normal homicidal Ledger was bad enough, but this is, just, wrong.
As the group eats, a group of large men with cheap swords surround the table. "Good afternoon," one of them says. Ledger looks up at him and smiles. "Hello, good day, is it not," Ledger says. The man nodds. "Such a nice day actually, that I believe you should give me all your money so I can enjoy it more," the man says, drawing his sword halfway out of it's sheath.
Ledger looks at the sword with a look of fear. "O, okay, just don't hurt us, please," Ledger says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his bag of currency. The large man nodds and reaches out for the bag. As he does, Sir Quindry and Mr. Finch stand up and draw their swords as Jolene pulls out her dagger under the table and aims it at a man's gut, ready to stab.
"I highly suggest that you do not do that," Sir Quindry says, his sword in his hands. "Why isn't he slaughtering them like pigs with a smile on his face, he usually loves tavern murder," Mr. Finch says, looking at Ledger.
The men lower their swords back into the sheath. "Alright, you've made your point, we'll see you, later," the man says, turning and leaving the tavern.
Mr. Finch and Quindry sheave their swords and sit back down. "That was horrible, I must find the local guard and report them," Ledger says. "Uh, I think it's fine, they left and we shouldn't be seeing them again," Mr. Finch says. "But, what if they hurt someone else, they could go after some poor old woman on her way to church, we couldn't have that, they need to go to jail," Ledger says. "Drop it," Sir Quindry says.
Finishing their meals, the group exits the tavern. Ledger walks off with the imp while the others start to talk to each other.
"We've got to do something about this," Mr. Finch says. Sir Quindry nodds. "I heard something about a wizard living near here, maybe he can help, but it might not be safe to take him in his, condition, but we can't leave him here," Sir Quindry says. "Good point, Jolene, can you watch him, you'd probably do a better job then we could," Mr. Finch says. Jolene nodds. "Yeah, I'll babysit him, you just find this wizard, I don't like this, it just isn't right," she says, walking over to Ledger. Mr. Finch and Sir Quindry nodd and start off down the road.

~ O ~

Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and her guards rode into town in the carriadge. "Well, this is a, quaint, little village," Lady Shelby says, looking out over the village. Nothing really catches her eye intil she spots Ledger happily walking across the road with the imp in his arms like a child. Jolene runs to catch up with him, but seems to hang back.
"Is that, who I think it is, with an imp, craddled like a child, and no swords," Lady Shelby says, looking at the mercenary. Sheriff Andrew looks and nodds. "Yes my lady, I believe so, but, something seems to be wrong," he says. The lady nodds. "Oh well, no matter, perhaps we can arrest him and he can lead me to the thief," the lady says.
"You Sir, are under arrest," Sheriff Andrew says, walking up to Ledger. Ledger looks up with a look of fear. "But, but, why, what have I done to need to be arrested," the mercenary asks. Lady Shelby walks up. "Do you really have to ask that, I mean, your an accomplise to a thief, you helped two people escape from my jail, you've killed hundreds of people as a hired mercenary, you've stolen and slaughtered livestock, pillaged villages, and that's the short list," Lady Shelby says.
Tears start to appear in the mercenaries eyes. "But, if, if you arrest me, who shall care for impy," the mercenary says. The lady looks at him like he's crazy. "Uh, I guess we'll hold onto it intil your release," she says. She turns to Sheriff Andrew. "Is this really the sadistic homicidal mercenary who recently played golf with a decapitated head that we've been pursuing," the lady asks the Sheriff. He shrugs. "He, seems like him, but, I guess so," Sheriff Andrew repliyes.
Ledger is arrested and taken to Lady Shelby's carriadge. From the shadow of a building, Jolene watches as the mercenary is taken away. "Damn it, now I've got to do something, what the hell is wrong with him," she says.

~ O ~

Mr. Finch and Sir Quindry make their way up the road towards the wizard's house. "You know, if we both rode the horse, we'd go a lot faster," Mr. Finch says, looking up at Sir Quindry on his horse. "Perhaps, but we are moving fast enough," the knight says. Up ahead, a stone house comes into view. It's far from perfect, parts of it are crumbling, but with the houses in the village, it's probably in the upper tax bracket.
The two go up to the door and Sir Quindry ties his horse up to a tree. Taking a breath, Mr. Finch knocks on the door. "Come in," comes the voice of an old man from inside. Opening the door, the two walk in. The house is old, some of the furniture is rotting, and a fire roars in the fireplace. All sorts of potions line shelves, alongside strange and exotic items. In a chair behind a desk with several large books sits an aged man with a long white beard and glasses resting on his nose.
"Are you the wizard," Sir Quindry asks. The old man nodds. "That I am, and may I ask why a Knight of the Lord comes to my house, am I to burn as a heretic," the aged man says. Sir Quindry shakes his head. "No, of course not, we come to request your asisstance in a, matter of ours," the knight says. The old man nodds.
"And what is this matter of yours," he inquires. "Well, you see, a, friend, I guess, of ours, was attacked by an imp, and now, he's acting completely different, like a completely different person or something," Mr. Finch says. The old man nodds. "From what you have said, I know not enough to tell you what is wrong, can you bring him here," the wizard asks. Mr. Finch nodds. "Good, go now and bring him with you on your return, and at that point, I shall see and heal him," the old man says. The two nodd and leave the wizard's house.

~ O ~

Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and several of the guards leave to go to the tavern. One guard remains behind to guard the carriadge with the mercenary and the imp. Slowly, Jolene makes her way up to the carriadge. Coming up behind the guard, she produces her dagger and quickly grabs the man, putting the blade at his throat.
"Listen carefully, you are going to open this carriadge and let the prisoner go, or I am going to open your throat and do the rest for you," Jolene says. The guard gulps and takes the keys and opens the carriadge. As the door opens, Jolene sees Ledger sitting there crying with the imp in his arms.
She sighs and shakes her head. "You really need help, come on, let's get out of here before," she starts, but is cut off when the guard starts screaming and running into the tavern. "Let's get out of here before that happens," Jolene says, starting to drag the mercenary towards the road.

~ O ~

Mr. Finch and Sir Quindry make their way down the road back to the village to get Ledger when they see Jolene and Ledger coming up the road. "Well, that's convienent, we don't have to walk all the way back to the village," Mr. Finch says. Sir Quindry nodds. "Uh guys, we might want to hurry up, that Lady's guards might be close behind," Jolene says.
The four make their way back up the road towards the old wizard's house and again knock on the door and are again invited inside. Entering the house, the old man's eyes fall upon the imp in the mercenaries arms. "I am assuming that this is the one in need of my help," the wizard says. Ledger looks at him strangely. "Me, need your help, no, it looks more like you need my help, doesn't anyone try to take care of you, aren't you lonely," Ledger asks. The old man shakes his head.
Sitting down, the old man asks the group some questions as he gives them some tea. "So, tell me about your friend before this matter arose," the wizard says. "Well, I met him a few months ago when he saved me from being robbed, and worse, by killing the thief. He then broke me out of prison when I was arrested becouse he was paid to break another man out, then we met a Lady using a ogre to get away from an overbearing man, and he was hired to kill the ogre but eventually turned on the man, then he got me involved in the Elven Civil War with him as the Captain to a gurrellia unit, then we killed a troll, disposed a tyrant elf, and that's about it," Mr. Finch said. "From what I've gathered, he's a mercenary who travels the land and simply enjoys killing, well, everything, the first none church employed sadist I've ever really seen," Sir Quindry says. "I met him on an island where we were being sacrificed to a group of minotaurs, he killed most of them, then I joined and he recently was paid to stop a dragon from attacking a small village. When the villagers didn't pay him, he told the dragon's controller to let it loose on the village, and most recently he played golf with a decapitated head, that he decapitated," Jolene says. "Yeah, he got that silver sword pillaging a church, and he's been using the skull of a horseman to control a headless horseman fiend to kill his enemies, he also enjoys drinking and whores," Mr. Finch says.
The old man looks at them like their crazy. "You are sure that you want him back as he was before," he says. The three look at each other, then back at him. They slowly nodd. "Alright, look at the amulet around his neck," the aged wizard says. The group looks at it. "You see that the sapphire shield is cracked, that shield and sword is actually a magic lock, designed to trap a soul and allow another control of the body, it works wonderfully, but can have trouble at night allowing the two souls to interact during sleep, but when broken, the other soul can gain control," the wizard says. The group nodds. "Do you want me to fix it," he asks. Reluctantly, they nodd again.
The aged wizard takes Ledger aside and removes the amulet from around his neck. "Alright, this should be quick," he says, taking a glass of water and mixing some potions in it intil it becomes a dark green color. He dips the amulet in it, stirs it a little bit, and removes the amulet. He puts it back around Ledger's neck, then takes a red powder. Taking a good sized amount of powder in his hands, he blows it in Ledger's face.
Ledger's eyes shut, then he faints. He falls backwards and lays there. The imp starts sniffing around his face, trying to figure out what's wrong.
Quickly, Ledger's eyes shoot open. Seeing the imp, a look of rage comes over his face. He quickly grabs it by the throat, jumps up, and throws it through the window. "DIE YOU LITTLE BASTARD," he screams, reaching for his sword. Not finding it there, he looks down. "WHERE THE HELL'S MY SWORD," he demands.
Mr. Finch looks at Jolene and Sir Quindry. "He's back," he says. Suddenly, Ledger grabs Mr. Finch by the throat. "Where is my sword," he demands. Mr. Finch reaches down and picks up the mercenaries sword. "Thank you," Ledger says. The imp crawls back up the window and looks in at Ledger, tears start to form in it's eyes. "DIE," Ledger orders, bringing down the sword on it's head, splitting it in two.
The mercenary sheaves his blade, then take the silver blade and sheaves it. "My head is killing me, is that becouse something good happened," he asks. The group nodds.
"I have repaired the amulet, but it shall not hold. You shall find yourself at conflict with yourself soon if you do not have the other soul removed, I highly suggest that you go to where it was forced on you and find a way to have it removed," the man says.
"Damn it," Ledger says. Mr. Finch looks at him. "Do you know where that is," he asks. Ledger nodds. "Yeah, but that means, I've got to go home, this isn't going to be good, I was only exposed to be going to the next village, she's gonna kill me," Ledger says. The group looks at him strangely. "Who," Mr. Finch finally asks. "Oh, don't you worry, you'll find out soon enough," he says. He looks out the window. "I'm going to step outside for a minute," he says.
The mercenary steps outside and walks out into the road. Looking off in the distance, he doesn't notice when the men from the tavern walk up. "Hey, now lookie what he have here, the imp lover from the tavern, you can give us that gold now imp lover," the lead man says. Ledger turns around. "Who the hell are you," the mercenary asks. "The man you're going to be giving all your money and those swords too," the lead man says. "Oh really," Ledger says. The man nodds. "Alright then, come get 'em," he says.
The lead man walks over to take the weapons. Suddenly, Ledger draws his sword and impales the man through the chest. He quickly rips the blade from him, then slashes off another man's head, then uses his sword as a bat to hit it at another man as it falls. The man is knocked to the ground and Ledger runs over and kicks him in the face, then quickly impales the fourth man in the throat with his sword. The men dead, Ledger wipes his blade clean on their clothes and sheaves it.
Mr. Finch, Jolene, and Sir Quindry step out of the aged wizard's house. "Good to have you back," Jolene says. Ledger nodds. "Did you miss me," he says. They nodd. "Surprisingly, quite surprisingly," Mr. Finch says. The mercenary shrugs and the four turn and start down the road. Ahead of them lay Ledger's home and his chance to purge his body of this other soul. Behind them, four dead thieves and a dead imp with a split open head.

Chapter 14:

After traveling for several days, the group reaches the mountain country of Valkenrus. The sky grows overcast and evergreen trees line the mountain side. Mountain streams flow down the rocky slopes and the small villages are few and far between. The crisp mountain air greets the travelors, as do the bones of slain trolls. Mountainside caves alude to many more not being slain, but the travelors do not have the time to search them.
A few days into Valkenrus, they see the city of Rodniki. It rests in a mountain valley, with buildings built into the mountainside itself. A large river runs through it's center and the large city walls stand firmly alongside it. Resting on the slopes of the largest mountain in a large castle, home to the royal family of this land. Just over the mountains is the sea, and over the other mountains is the cold frozen north.

"Ah, home sweet home," Ledger says with a smile as they stand on a hill looking down at the city gates. "So, this is where you come from, surprised it's still standing and not burned to the ground," Mr. Finch says. Ledger shrugs. "So are many of the neighbors, well, their armies," Ledger says.
The group starts down the hill and into the city. As soon as they enter the city gates and the crowded streets, Ledger starts to receive strange looks. The people whisper among themselves as he passes, pointing him out to each other. "Well, you do seem well known here, what did you do," Mr. Finch says.
Continuing into the city, a knight steps out into their path, his sword in it's sheath on his hip. Several of the town guard form up around him, blocking the group's path. "So, you have returned," the knight says, looking at Ledger. Ledger nodds solomnly.
Looking at the large knight in front of them, Mr. Finch turns to Ledger. "What the hell did you do, mass murder, kill the royals, rape, pillage, what the hell did you do," he asks, panicked. Sir Quindry looks down from his horse and leans in towards the group. "I do not believe we can win this fight, perhaps a plan of retreat is in order," the knight says. "You mean run very fast the way we came," Jolene says. Sir Quindry nodds. Ledger shakes his head. "That won't be necesary, yet," the mercenary says.
Suddenly, a smile appears on the knight's face. "THE KING, THE KING OF THE CITY OF RODNIKI AND THE LAND OF VALKENRUS HAS RETURNED," the knight proclaims, then bows. The guards follow his lead, and the townspeople knell. They soon stand back up. "LONG LIVE THE KING," the knight exclaims, and the townspeople echo his exclaimation.
"Wait, what," Mr. Finch says, looking at the excited townspeople and then the mercenary. "You're fucking kidding me, him, a king," Jolene says. "What kind of kingdom would have him," Sir Quindry asks himself.
"My lord, your return could not of come at a better time, news from the southeast and the desert lands is bad, the Arabian lords are plotting war and the elves are considering, and the situation in the north is not well, talk of revolution reaches our ears, revolutionaries seek asylum," the knight says. Ledger nodds. "Yeah, I know of the north and have heard of the southeast, with Arabia that is bad, but, something tells me my return shall not be welcomed by all," Ledger says. The knight nodds. "She shall, forgive," the knight says. "I would ask to borrow your armor, but it could not protect me," Ledger says. The knight nodds. "You should be fine my lord, to the castle," the knight says. Ledger nodds. "Yes, thank you Sir Dorie," Ledger says.

The group follows Sir Dorie towards the castle. "Wait, whose going to be so mad about your return, I mean, in a kingdom where you're king, it's hard to believe, but, they seem to, not hate you," Mr. Finch says. "Well, you know how I'm the king and all," Ledger says. The group nodds in unison. "Well, there also happens to be a queen," Ledger says.
A look of shock comes over Mr. Finch's face. "Wait, you're married," Jolene says. "Who would be that, desperate," Mr. Finch says. Ledger turns to him angrily. "You know, I am a king," the mercenary says. "Yes, but you are also a homicidal sadist who sells his service of mass murder to the highest bidder, then pillages the land and has improper relations with the female population after giving them large amounts of alcohol," Sir Quindry says. "I'm still a king though," Ledger says. "Wait, if you're a king, why do you travel as a solitary mercenary," Mr. Finch asks.
"Solitary mercenary, if I was solitary, why would I let you travel with me," the mercenary asks. "Why don't you just travel the lands with your army and conquer for the good of your kingdom then," Jolene asks. Ledger looks up at the castle. "You're about to find out," he says.
Sir Dorie leads the group into the castle, past the massive fountain, and to the large doors leading to the great hall. The knight walks up to the doors and opens them. Walking into the room, he addresses the court.
"Presenting to the court of Rodniki, capital of Valkenrus, the King and Supreme ruler of the land, defender of the faith and liberator of foreign lands, King Ledger the first," the knight announces as the group follows him in. Ledger has the look of a scared lamb being led to the slaughter as he follows the knight in.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN," comes the yell of an angry woman from the throne. A sheepish smile comes over Ledger's face and he carefully places himself behind Mr. Finch. "Hi honey, I'm home," the mercenary says, standing behind Mr. Finch.
Sitting on the throne to the left is the queen of the land, the crown on her angry head and her hand reaching for a sword. "You see, I got a little lost," the mercenary says. "A LITTLE LOST, YOU'VE BEEN GONE FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND YOU WHERE ONLY EXPOSED TO BE GOING TO THE COAST FOR SOME FISH," the queen screams. Ledger shakes his head. "Do you understand now why I left," he says to Mr. Finch.
"What can I say, I took the scenic route," Ledger says. "Scenic route my ass, you ran for the hills, never to look back, abandoning your wife to rule the kingdom in your absence," the queen says. Ledger rolls his eyes. "You tried to kill me, twice, on our wedding night, and at least once a week for all the time we was married, so yes, I had good reason to leave," Ledger says, stepping out from behind Mr. Finch. "Oh, quit your bitching about that, we get it, you don't like me trying to kill you, you need to grow up and live up to your responsibilities," the queen says. "Yes Kendra I understand, but one of my responibilites is not letting my psychobitch wife kill me, that's actually kind of high on my list," the mercenary says.
The queen rolls her eyes. "Of course it is, and who are these idiots you dragged back with you, an affemenent man, I think, a woman, and some sorry ass religous knight, where did you find these morons, the reject bin of an epic novel writen by a child," Kendra says. Ledger shakes his head. "You always hated my friends, and they were always so nice to you, or at least as nice as any human could be to you," Ledger says.
Mr. Finch turns to Jolene and Sir Quindry. "Hey, he refered to us as friends," he says. Ledger turns to him. "Only as an example, she hates everyone, just mainly the people that I associate with," Ledger says. "I didn't hate all your friends," Kendra repliyes, trying to defend herself. "Yes you did, remember Lord Hitler, you got drunk and shot at him with a crossbow becouse he overcooked the dinner, at his castle, he went to all the trouble of cooking for you and you shot at him becouse you didn't want well done, after you ordered it," the mercenary says. "Well, he had a funny moustache," Kendra says. Ledger rolls his eyes. "You really hurt his feelings doing that, he just got that oven built and was so excited to cook for you, and you shot at him and called him an evil bastard," Ledger says.
"Wait, he has friends, and cares about people's feelings," Jolene says. Ledger walks across the court and sits down on his throne. "Now, how badly did you fuck up my kingdom," the mercenary asks. "Fuck it up, I improved it, and what have you been doing all these years," she asks. Ledger shrugs. "Oh, this and that, a little combat consulting here, a little pacification there, you know, the usual," Ledger says as a servant brings him a glass of whiskey. "Combat consulting, pacification, he's been selling his services as a mass murdering mercenary to the highest bidder, then pillaging while drinking more then a fish and sleeping with every woman drunk enough to touch him," Mr. Finch says.
Kendra smiles and looks at the mercenary. "Awe, that's how we met," she says. "Wait, you met him doing that, and you married him, what the hell is wrong with you," Mr. Finch asks. "Oh shut up you affemenante little bitch, speaking privledges revoked," she says. Ledger laughs. "But...," Mr. Finch starts, but is cut off when Kendra throws a brick at him, just missing. Ledger laughs again, Jolene and Sir Quindry have to contain themselves from laughing. "The psychobitch is just like him," Mr. Finch says. Another brick comes dangerously close to his head. "You should probably stop speaking," Sir Quindry says. The two royals nodd.

~ O ~

Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and her guards arrive in Rodniki. The townspeople make their way about the streets happily, announcing to the newcomers that the king has returned. A guard comes up to the carriage and asks how he may help the foreign lady.
"Dear lady, how may I be of assistance to you on this great day that our king has returned after seven long years," the guard inquires. The lady looks down at him. "Well, me and my Sheriff and guards are on a quest to locate criminals from our land, and our quest has lead us to this fair city, perhaps your newly returned king can be of assistance to us, where might we find him," the lady asks. The guard points up to the castle. "Why, at the castle of course, he should be happy to greet a guest such as yourself dear lady, good day," the guard says. Lady Shelby smiles. "Of course, the castle, thank you and good day," she says, and the carriage starts up the road.
Lady Shelby's carriage makes it's way up the road and soon reaches the castle. The guard at the front gate announces a visitor, and a few minutes later the great doors open to reveal the king.
A look of shock comes over Shelby's face as she looks down and see's Ledger standing there, the crown on his head and a large smile on his lips.
"My lord, this lady is a visitor from the land of Childress looking for criminals from her land, she has requested your assistance," the guard says. Ledger nodds, smiling. "Why, of course we shall assist her, dear lady, would you and your men please join us at dinner tonight, as guests of me, the king of Rodniki Valkenrus," Ledger says. The lady looks down at him and slowly nodds at him, a look of shock on her face. How the hell was this guy a king drifted through her head, and the fact her job was now many times more complicated. The travel compainion of her thief was a king, a king who could make heads roll, heads like hers.

~ O ~

Eventually, the sun began to fall behind the mountains and the large table in the grand hall became covered in food, a fest to celebrate the return of the king, seven years gone. Ledger, or his majesty, sat at the head of the table, with Sir Dorie to his right, then Sir Quindry, Mr. Finch, Jolene, and then several members of the royal court. To Ledger's left, his wife, seemingly forgotten of his absence by this point, Sir Joey, a knight of Ledger's, Sheriff Andrew, then Lady Shelby conviently across from Mr. Finch, the Lady's guards, and a few more members of the royal court.
"So, I assumed that you all have missed me," Ledger says. The royal court nodds. "My lord, might I ask, why did you return now," Sir Dorie asks. Ledger nodds. "A good question, you see, the amulet that kept the other soul in my body, so kindly planted there by my ever so loving wife, was broken by an imp, so I must purge the soul from my body, my timing seems to be good as ever so conviently war seems to be on the horizon," Ledger says. The knights nodd. "But, we'll have time for all that later, now is time to eat ourselves sensless and drink enough to make everyone happy, and me look good," Ledger says. The court laughs.
"My question is, to the queen, why did you marry, that," Mr. Finch asks. "Shut up stupid, I could have you killed you know," Kendra says, looking at the man. Ledger shakes his head.
"Well, you see, that story goes back to when I was a young man, leading a raiding party into territory that required, pacification," Ledger says. "I remember those times, eat, drink, slaughter, sleep, drink, repeat," Sir Joey says. Ledger nodds. "Yes, the good old days, well, you see, one day we went and, pacified, a village and I drunkenly stumbled into a house, inside was Kendra, laying on the bed with a bottle of whiskey, and well, one thing led to another," Ledger says. He takes a drink of his whiskey. "Well, you see, her mother hated me, for obvious reasons, so she decided to follow our raiding party to the next village, purley to piss off her mother, and when we arrived, we were ambushed, she took a sword and just started hacking and slashing, sending blood and body parts everywhere, and when we returned, the heirless king was dieing, he needed an heir, I was there, but I needed a queen to be crowned, biggest mistake of my life, well, partially," Ledger says.
"Well, if you dislike each other so much, why did you marry," Sir Quindry asks. Ledger shrugs. "We didn't really hate each other, we just had a lot of fallings out, and I was into angry sex at the time, and well, I got one out of two," Ledger says, "she was always angry." The mercenary king takes a drink from his whiskey. "Well, that's just a love story if I've ever heard one," Mr. Finch says.
A plate flies at his head. He ducks and looks over at Kendra laughing. "Why do you hate me so much," Mr. Finch asks. Ledger shrugs. "You're just fun to hate," he says.
Lady Shelby looks over at Mr. Finch. "My lord, if I may, the question of the fugitives from my land," she says. Ledger takes a drink of his whiskey. "Ah yes, that matter, tomarrow, no sooner, understand," Ledger says. The lady nodds. "Of course my lord," she says.
Ledger turns to Kendra. "My question to you is this, how do I purge this foreign soul from my body," he asks, looking into her eyes. She smiles. "Okay, I'll tell you, you must find the dragon of Rodniki and implore it to help you, shouldn't be too hard," Kendra says. Ledger nodds. "So, to free myself from a foreign soul, I have to convince a dragon to help me, brilliant," Ledger says.
"Does that mean we've got to leave already," Mr. Finch asks, looking at Lady Shelby with a smile on his face. The mercenary nodds. "Yeah, but the lady may remain as long as she wishes, tomarrow night we go," Ledger says. The smile disappears from Mr. Finch's face.
The next day Ledger, Mr. Finch, Jolene, and Sir Quindry prepare to leave Rodniki to the north, Ledger covering his shield in what he thinks to be a fire resistant potion he bought from a merchant, shaking his head as he does so. "You are going to come back," Kendra asks. Ledger shrugs. "Are you going to try to kill me again," he asks. She shrugs. "Maybe, for a while at least," she repliyes. "I thought so," he says, turning to the road.
Before he can do anything, Sir Joey comes running up the street out of breath. "My lord, an army of trolls and goblins is approaching from the southeast, they plan to sack the city," the knight says. "Damn it," the mercenary says. "This means we're staying, doesn't it," Mr. Finch says. Ledger nodds. Kendra shakes her head. "Uh, actually Ledger, you better go, that amulet could break very easily and if it does, you're fucked, and then, so are we," she says. Ledger nodds. "Yeah, you're right, okay, all of you, stay here, Sir Quindry, fight alongside my knights, Mr. Finch and Jolene, aid the defense, I shall return as soon as I can," Ledger says. "Wait, you're leaving, before a major battle, you really are different here," Mr. Finch says. Ledger shrugs. "I've got a bigger battle to fight, have fun with the trolls and goblins, they kinda hate this city," Ledger says, starting off down the road.
"Oh, you might want this, I only need one at the moment, and this might help as well," the mercenary says, handing the silver sword and horseman's skull to his estranged wife. She looks at the skull strangely. "Give it to the lady man, he'll know what to do with it, now then, have fun with the mindless slaughter," the mercenary king says, turning back down the path.
"Great, the best fighter in our group has just left to purge his body of an implanted soul just before an army of trolls and goblins arrives, could this day get any better," Mr. Finch says. Kendra throws a book at him. "Shut up, I'm the queen and I order you to shut up," she says, holding the silver sword threatongly at the man. Mr. Finch looks at Ledger leaving. "Huh, I never thought I'd want to go with him instead of stay somewhere," he says, before being hit in the head with another book by Kendra. This is just not his week.

Chapter 15:

Mr. Finch, Sir Quindry, Jolene, Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, Sir Dorie, and Kendra watch as the mercenary makes his way down the road, leaving them in what will soon be their moment of need.
"We're fucked, you understand that, right," Mr. Finch says.
"No we're not, affemenate man," Kendra says. "All we've got to do is kill a lot of trolls and goblins, possibly a few people that don't have the most favorable opinion of the kingdom, and we'll be fine, stop being a whiney little bitch," she continues.
"You know, you two are perfect for each other, both hateful, evil people," Mr. Finch says, causing the queen to throw a rock at him.
"He just never learns," Jolene says, Sir Quindry nodds in agreement.
"We should come with a plan if we are to have any hope for survival," Sir Quindry says. Everyone nodds in agreement.
"Of course, as the king said, the knight of the lord shall ride with the knights of the land as soon as the castle gates fall, the lady Jolene shall aid the archers on the wall, Mr. Finch shall aid the militia, and the Lady Shelby and her shriff shall remain with the Royal guard and her majesty in the throne room where they shall be safe," Sir Dorie says.
"No, I'm going to lead from the front, he did give me a sword afterall, might as well use it," Kendra said, eyeing the gate.
"My lady, that is most dangerous, the throne room is safest for you," Sir Dorie repliyes.
"No, I want to fight, why does he get all the fun, I can kill, their just trolls and goblins, possibly some moral crusaders" the queen says.
"If that is your wish, you may lead from the front, but to take some armor," the knight repliyes. The queen nodds.
"What the hell, I might as well as well, better to die here then hiding in the throne room," Lady Shelby says.
"Oh, now hell really has frozen over, Ledger turns into a married king and now you're willing to help us," Mr. Finch says.
"Oh, you still will return what was stolen, but I shall not hide in the shadows as war goes on around me, I shall prove my abilities, then you shall return what's mine," the noblewoman says.
"I gave the damn dress ba...," Mr. Finch starts, but is cut off when something crashes near the city walls.
"Their here," Sir Dorie says.

~ O ~

Ledger made his way up the mountain path towards the dragon's cave.
"I wonder where this damn cave is, do I have to slay the dragon, I hope so, I need some new boots," he says to himself, looking down at his worn black boots.
Continuing on, the mercenary comes to a sign. "Dragon's cave, half mile on left, huh, that makes life easy, really good we've all those idiots doing epic quests lately, really inspired the councils to clearly mark the paths, I just hope it's not a...," the mercenary starts.
"Good afternoon sir, to continue down this path shall cost seven bronze, this toll is simply in place to permit us to make the paths better for all young adventurers in the area," a man says, coming up behind Ledger.
Ledger turns around. "Well, I don't exactly have any money on me, but I am a king, maybe that helps," the mercenary says.
The toll man shakes his head. "I'm sorry sir, only paying customers may continue down this toll path," the man says, blocking Ledger's way.
"Uh-huh," Ledger says. The mercenary draws his sword and quickly slices open the shocked man's throat. As the corpse hits the ground, the mercenary sheathes his sword. "You know, when you say no to a king, we tend to not like it, and when people tell us things we don't like, we tend to behead them, Lenin I miss being a king," the mercenary says before starting back up the path.

Following the path into the mountains, the mercenary comes to the opening of a cave. Looking up, he sees a sign telling the reader the cave is that of the Dragon of Rodniki.
Taking a breath, the mercenary starts into the cave, knowing all too soon he will come face to face with a fire breathing dragon that could quite easily cook him alive before he could even draw his sword. Shaking off the thought, the mercenary turns a corner and comes face to face with a terrible sight.
"THERE'S A FUCKING LINE," the mercenary says in astonishment, coming face to face with a room full of young men, many fairly overwieght with acne scared faces and cheap makeshift tin armor, some with wooden swords and sheilds. On one side of the cave room he can see an opening to another with the words "Adventurer Gift Shoppe" written on the wall above, many cheap novelty items on display on the shelves inside.
"Alright, out of my way, real man coming through," Ledger says, shoving his way through towards the dragon's den.
"Hey, you have to take a number and wait your turn if you want to see the dragon, if you don't I'll tell," says a fat, acne scarred young man in dented tin exposed to look like armor and a cheap sword in his hands, pointing to a skull with take a number written on the forehead and a piece of paper with a number on it in the jaw. "We all have our own quests that require visiting the dragon so you will just have to wait," the fat kid continues.
"Oh really, tell me, what is your quest little boy, and what have you done before coming here," the mercenary asks.
"I am not a little boy, I'm my mommey's big man, and a great adventurer, on a quest to get a sword strong enough to slay the local troll who steals the sheep from our village, and so far I have done epic battle with two goblins, forcing them to surrender to me or face death," the fat kid says proudly.
"Uh huh, well, I am the technical King of Valkenrus with at least an entire legion at my disposal, and in my youth I used to lead raiding parties across the land just for the hell of it, slaugthering numerous villagers intil I met my wife, who attempted to kill me several times causing me to simply leave and travel across the land selling my services as a mercenary, fighting in numerous disputes and always butcharing my foe, I have killed at least a hundred goblins in the past four months, and am responsible for the deaths of several trolls and ogres, I have fought in the Elven Civil War as a Southern Guerrilla, have slaugthered a small group of minotaurs I was being sacrificed to, and have recently played golf with a decapitated human head, that I decapitated, and in my free time I enjoy dark beer and easy women," the mercenary says, giving the young fat ass a brief summary of who he is. A look of fear comes over the boy's face.
"Well, uh, normally, I would, uh, be afraid of such a person, but, uh, as I am now a great adventurer, and, uh, the welfare of my village depends on me, and uh, I am surrounded by other great adventurers, and do, uh, not fear you at all," the boy manages to say, obviously afraid of the technical mass murdered wanting to cut in line.
"Surrounded by great adventurers, you mean the never seen a naked girl club that still lives in their mother's basement with a strict bed time, yeah, great allies, I'm going to cut in line now," the mercenary says, pushing the boy out of his way.
"You shall not pass," says another young man, getting in the mercenaries way wearing a long grey robe and holding a walking stick like he's a wizard or something.
"Yes I will," the mercenary says, quickly drawing his sword and slashing at the young man, cutting his walking stick in half then knocking him to the ground.
"My granddad gave me that stick," the boy says, starting to cry.
"I hate tourist traps," the mercenary says, continuing on.
"Wait, you horrible fiend, you shall either apologize to that young adventurer or you shall pay in blood," says another young man, this time holding a cheap wooden practice sword in his hands.
"Oh yeah, and who's going to fight me," the mercenary says, still holding his sword.
"We all shall," come the voices of the collective "adventurers" in the room, drawing their makeshift weapons. The two boys the mercenary moved before stand up and pick up something to use as a weapon.
Ledger shrugs. "Oh well, I could use a workout I guess," he says, then quickly decapitates a young man in tin armor standing next to him, then bats the head into another boy, knocking him down. Another lad charges Ledger, but the mercenary simply holds out his sword and the boy runs into the blade, the mercenary then quickly pulls it out and swings it around, slicing open the guts of three other young men.
In less than a minute the mercenary has killed all but one young man who is now standing in front of him, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane in cheap tin armor with a cheap sword. The mercenary shakes his head and sheaves his sword.
"Play dead," he says, punching the young man in the face, knocking him out. Making his way towards the Dragon's Den, the mercenary stops to look over what's left. "You know, if they where real adventurers, there would be some sad women out there tonight, oh well, a couple mother's basements empty now," he says, then turns and walks into the Dragon's Den.

~ O ~

Back at Rodniki, it is midafternoon. Standing in a watchtower overwatching the grounds outside the castle, Mr. Finch, Sir Quindry, Jolene, Sir Dorie, and Lady Shelby look down at the mass of people standing behind the castle walls with whatever weapons they can find and the army of trolls and thousands of goblins on the other side, standing in loose formation with their officers carrying out a last inspection.
"We're fucked, you know that," Mr. Finch says.
"No, we are not, Jolene and the archers shall cut their ranks significantly, and when they finally breach the main gate, me, Sir Dorie, and the Royal Knights shall ride out and do battle with them, most likely the trolls and officers, while you and everyone else engage the goblins that shall attempt to infiltrate the city itself, remember, Lenin is on our side, that is something," Sir Quindry said.
"PEOPLE OF RODNIKI, I AM THE GENERAL SCANDA VARLDINAS, LEADER OF THE NORTHERN LEGION'S WESTERN THEATRE, WE ARE PREPAIRED FOR BATTLE, BUT ALSO FOR PEACE," comes the bellowing call of a large troll, standing out in front of the massive formation. He has a ruggard appearence with dented but strong armor, a black helmit with bull horns, and a massive hammer in his hand. Standing next to him is what looks like a man with both hands on the hilt of his sword stuck into the ground before him, dressed in full metal armor and helmit, a red feather attached to the top of the helmit.
"Alright, I'm ready, lets kill some monster things," Kendra says, climbing up into the watchtower. She is now wearing Royal armor, the Royal crest painted on the front and on the shield. The silver sword on her hip, you can tell just by the way she stands she hasn't worn it before.
Sir Dorie looks at her, then Mr. Finch. "Lad, stay by her side, keep her safe," he says to the young man. Mr. Finch looks at him like he's crazy, but doesn't say a word.
"HUMANS OF RODNIKI, ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU RETURN TO YOUR AGREED UPON LANDS, LEAVE TO BELOW THE PARALLEL AND WE SHALL LET YOU GO IN PEACE, THIS IS OUR ANCIENT LAND AND WE SHALL DEFEND IT FROM YOUR INTRUSION," the Troll General declares.
"He talks to much, when do we start killing," Kendra asks, leaning up against the window edge of the watchtower, a bored look on her face.
"Soon enough my queen, but first we must make terms," Sir Dorie says. The queen rolls her eyes.
"Uh, I shall speak for the kingdom, if you do not mind of course," Sir Quindry says. Sir Dorie nodds. "Go ahead," he repliyes.
"GENERAL SCANDA VARLDINAS, THE PEOPLE OF RODNIKI AND ALL LANDS OF VALKENRUS SHALL NOT SURRENDER TO YOU, THIS IS THEIR LAND AS WELL AS IT IS YOURS, AND AS A KNIGHT OF THE LORD, I SHALL ASSIST THEM IN PURGING IT OF PAGAN AGRESSORS," the knight decrees.
The troll general nodds and turns to the man in armor next to him. For a minute it looks like the two are talking, and then the troll general nodds and turns back to the city.
"SO BE IT, YOU HAVE CHOSEN WAR, SURRENDER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, YOU WHERE WARNED," the troll general declares, then he and the man in armor turn back to the formation. As they do, five catapults immediately fire at the city, hitting the walls hard. From the formation's rear, archers start to fire their volleys, and the officers order the rest of the formation to charge.
"And so it begins," Sir Quindry says. Everyone nodds in agreement.

Jolene remains in the watchtower as several archers arrive and the group leaves. Sir Quindry and Sir Dorie head to their horses and turn to the others as they mount their beasts, lances in hand with their swords in their sheathes, watching the great gates.
"Okay, you all need to join the defenders, the goblins shall most likely break through, slaughter them before they get you, my queen, find somewhere relatiely safe, we can not afford your loss, noblewoman, your sheriff should protect you, he shall return in a moment with a shortened claymore from the Royal armory, in fact, he is coming now, but please, all of you, stay together and don't do anything stupid," Sir Dorie says as another boulder slams into the city walls. Sheriff Andrew arrives with the sword for Lady Shelby. Looking up at the knights, Mr. Finch, Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and Kendra turn and go to find a place to prepare for battle.

~ O ~

Shrugging off the massacre in the waiting room, Ledger steps into the Dragon's Den. It is a large, dark chamber of the cave, lit only by a row of candles melted onto skulls lining a path. The mercenaries' hand rests on his sword in it's sheath as he makes his way down the path, wondering what lurks around the next corner.
Continuing on, the mercenary finds himself looking into a large hole in the wall. Several skulls lay around the opening, as well as rusted swords and sheilds. Stepping closer, the mercenary is knocked to the ground by a rush of air.
Looking up, he sees a large dragon sitting in the hole in the wall. It is maybe seven feet tall with four clawed feet and a long, scaley tale. It's eyes are black, with two black horns on the back of it's head. The beast's underbelly is dark green with a dark red body and two, large, blackish green batlike wings.
"Uh, I'm assuming you're the dragon of Rodniki," Ledger says, still sitting on the ground, not wanting to get up.
"That is one of many names I have answered to over the centuries, what do you want," the beast repliyes in a low, intimidating voice.
The mercenary gulps, then looks into the dragon's eyes. "Look at the amulet around my neck, I have been cursed with another soul in my body, another soul that can take control of me, and I want it gone, how do I do this," the mercenary says, summoning up all of his courage. This thing was scary.
The dragon looks at the amulet. "The way to remove it is simple, venture down the path intil you reach the next valley, then climb the long forgotten path up the mountain where the peaceful village once stood, when you arrive in what is left, do battle with the knight you discover there, bring me his head and your quest shall be complete," the dragon says.
"So, go kill a knight, easy enough," Ledger says, standing up and taking his leave, hoping that the dragon was not looking foreward to seeing any other visitors that day.

~ O ~

Back at Rodniki, the massive troll and goblin force has fallen upon the walls, pushing with all their might on the great gate. Boulders continue to smash into the city walls as Jolene and the other archers fire volley after volley in return and soldiers carry up pots of boiling water and hot oil to dump down on the aggressors.
Looking up at the heavily cracked gates, the defenders know it will break soon. The knights stand closest, ready to ride into the enemy mob and cut down all who stand against them. Behind them is a large mob of soldiers and armed peasants, fearful of what lurks on the other side. Parts of the gates start to come apart and goblins start to enter through them.
"It shall not hold for long, perhaps we should just open the gate and join the battle, while we still have daylight," Sir Quindry says.
Sir Dorie nodds. "Yes, unfortuantly, I belive you are correct, OPEN THE GATES," he declares. As soon as the words leave his mouth, the large gate starts to open. The knights gulp, knowing what they will soon face.
Lowering his lance, Sir Quindry brings his horse foreward as trolls and goblins start to flood into the city. "PURGE THE PAGAN BEASTS FROM YOUR HOMELAND, CHARGE," the holy knight orders, and the knights lower their lances and charge into the flooding in force.
Sir Quindry's lance impales a large troll, killing it instantly and causing it to drop it's massive hammer on a hapless goblin, smashing it's skull open. Dropping his still impaled lance the knight draws his sword and decapitates a goblin, then another and another with his horse at full gallop. He brings his lethal blade down on goblin after goblin and thrusts it into troll after troll intil a blow from a troll's hammer knocks his horse to the ground. Quickly abandoning the horse and with his leg hurting from the fall, the knight stands up and thrusts his sword into the troll's side, causing the massive beast to fall to the ground in too much pain to fight. Freeing his sword, he jumps into the fray.
Watching the massive gates open and the foe flood in, Mr. Finch, Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and Kendra stand in silence for a moment.
"So, this is how I die, at the hands of an army of trolls and goblins," Mr. Finch says.
"We're not dead yet, the day is not lost," Lady Shelby says.
"Yeah, stop being such a little bitch Finch, the day will be ours and we shall have victory," the queen says, drawing the silver sword and looking it over in her hands.
"Perhaps the mercenary king shall return soon, but I doubt that he will be able to do much, keep calm and say alive," Sheriff Andrew says, the others nodd.

~ O ~

Ledger makes his way to the valley like the dragon instructed and comes to it in the late afternoon. After at least an hour of looking around and a nap, he finds a rundown stone marker on the side of a large mountain. Shrugging, the mercenary starts up the overgrown and rocky path.
Climbing up the path, he comes to the other side of the mountain and finds himself in a small valley several hundred feet higher then the one below. Looking around, he sees old, rund down and collapsing stone houses and in the center of the former village is a pond with a broken down stone wall around it. Plants grow in and around the old buildings and one could tell no one had lived here for many years. Aged skeletons where scattered around the area, something bad had happened here.
His hand on his sword, the mercenary looked around the long forgotten village, wondering where this knight just might be.
"Good evening stranger," came a man's voice from behind the mercenary. Turning around, Ledger saw a man standing their in a primitive and rusty chain mail and helmit, a sword at his hip and a shield covering it.
"Are you the knight I'm to meet here," Ledger asks. The man nodds, drawing his sword.
"Yes, but I am the last you shall meet," he says, then charges Ledger.
The knight runs at Ledger, but Ledger steps to the side and gets out of the way. Turning to face the mercenary, the knight swings his blade at him, but Ledger blocks it. Eyeing a chance, Ledger kicks the knight's leg out from under him and the knight falls to one knee. Before his opponent can return to his feet, Ledger slashes his gut with his sword, then kicks him back and onto his back. Coming over to the man's left, the mercenary brings his sword up high above his head, ready to deal the finishing blow when everything goes black.

~ O ~

Back at Rodniki, the knights can not hold back the army of trolls and goblins. Several knights fall as the enemy forces their way in, but Sir Quindry, Sir Dorie, and several others continue to fight the loosing battle.
As the trolls and goblins flood in, the soldiers and peasants charge foreward to meet them in battle. Lives on both sides start to come to an end, and human, troll, and goblin blood starts to pool together.
"Well, this is it, it's, time," Mr. Finch says.
"Okay, we can do this, we can do this," Kendra says.
"Stick together, keep your calm, you will die if you panic," Sheriff Andrew says. Lady Shelby's guards behind him nodd in agreement.
"Alright then, good luck everyone," Lady Shelby says. The four charge foreward into the fray.

~ O ~

Sight returns to Ledger's eyes and he finds himself standing back in the village, but it's much different. So alive, with people making their way about the place and their daily lives. The buildings are no longer run down but in their full glory, and the aroma of fresh baked cakes and pastries fill the air. People look at the mercenary strangely, standing in the center of town with a sword held high above his head. Slowly, he lowers the blade, and looks down to see no one laying at his feet, the knight is gone. Sheaving the sword, he turns to take in his surroundings.
Behind him, he sees one of the happy villagers turn a corner, talking to a man in black robes with a dagger in a sheath on his hip. The man in black does not look happy with a short beard and an angry look in his eyes.
"Tell your lord that we shall be happy to share the treasure and secrets of our mountain with the valley people, but we can not give all we have," the villager says.
"You shall give us everything, or else," the man in black says.
"I am sorry, but I can not give away everything, we do require some to live," the villager says.
"That is not of our concern, have everything ready by nightfall or else, this village burns to the ground," the man in black says, then turns to leave.
"Good bye valley messenger," the villager says in a happy voice.
Ledger watches the man in black as he makes his way down the mountain path, not even noticing as the villager who was talking to him comes up to the mercenary.
"Hello foreign stranger, welcome to our village," the man says in a faimiliar voice.
Ledger looked at him for a moment, saying nothing. "Uh, hello, what does that man want," the mercenary asked.
"He wants the treasure of the mountain, well, his lord does, we are more than happy to share, there is more than enough, but, we fear they are not," the villager says.
"He said they would return tonight, should you not prepare, you know, for if they decide to, fight you for it, to take it and slaughter the village," Ledger says.
The villager shakes his head. "We could not fight, how wrong is it to take another's life, no, we shall just share with them," the villager says.
"But, they'll kill you, burn the village, and take it, shouldn't you at least fight, shouldn't you at least try," the mercenary says.
The villager again shakes his head. "No, we shall let what will be be," he says. As he says this, Ledger recognizes the voice. The second soul in his head, it's the same voice. The same peaceful character. Who the hell is this guy?

~ O ~

Mr. Finch is the first to reach the mob of trolls and goblins. Slashing at them, he opens the gut of a goblin. Another slash removes the arm of another, and a third slash another's leg.
Lady Shelby reaches the fray just after Mr. Finch. Bringing the shortened claymore down, she sticks the blade into the shoulder of a goblin, and the poor creature screams in pain as the noblewoman attempts to pull the blade out. She has never seen real combat this close before this day, she has never had to fight in a battle and deal lethal blows to a foe only fighting her due to politics, and she does not like it.
Sheriff Andrew reaches the noblewoman and severs a troll's arm as it attempts to brings it's hammer down on the noblewoman. In contrast to his lady, the Sheriff has seen war before at this distance, and although he doesn't like it, he can handle himself.
Kendra reaches the fray and impales a goblin on the silver blade, then hacks at another. Stepping in closer, her foot comes down on the squirming body of a goblin. Looking down at the creature, she can see pain in it's eyes. Feeling a slight bit of pity for the creature, she doesn't notice the dagger in it's hand. As it is about to slice open her ankle, Mr. Finch brings his boot down on the creatures head.
"Might want to pay attention, crafty little bastards," Mr. Finch says, then turns back to the battle. As he slashes another goblin, he finds it amusing how he had had to tell the woman to be careful about not pittying her foe and how to fight, just like the mercenary had taught him at one point.

~ O ~

For the entire day, the villagers treated Ledger like one of them. They fed him wonderful pastries and fish from the pond and laughed and sang and danced. The mercenary felt strange being in such a peaceful place, he knew he didn't belong there and he hated what he knew about it's fate.
"VILLAGERS OF THE MOUNTAIN, WHERE IS OUR TREASURE," came a bellowing voice from outside. Following the villagers outside, Ledger saw him. The knight he had been fighting before he had been drawn back to this point in time. Behind him stood a small group of men armed with swords, spears, and bows.
"We have some, all we can spare, you are welcome to it, and it alone," said a villager.
From the knight's side flew an arrow, impaling and killing one of the villagers.
"All or nothing," the knight said.
"We shall only give you what we can, no more, no less," the villager said. The knight shook his head.
"Your heads shall roll for this, kill them all," the knight said. As soon as he spoke those words, arrows started to rain down on the villagers, killing several. The armed men charged foreward towards the villagers, weapons at the ready.
"If you won't fight for yourself, then I'll fight for you," Ledger said to the villager whose soul most likely was the other in his body as he drew his sword.
"But why, what gives you the right to take the life of another," the villager asked.
"What gives them the right to take yours, if no one is willing to stop them, if no one will stand up and say no, then people like them shall take the world for themselves, spreading injustice and pain wherever they go, isn't that worth fighting to stop," Ledger said, charging foreward towards the knight, sword at the ready. The villager looked on at the mercenary, a thoughtful look on his face as his right hand clenched into a fist, something it had never done before.
Ledger neared one of the armed men and swung his sword, bringing it within an inch of the man's throat before, black, and then, he was back in modern times, standing over the defeated knight, ready to deal the finishing blow. Closing his eyes, he brought the sword down.

The mercenary felt the thud as the sword severed the knight's neck. Opening his eyes, he looked at the blood covered blade as the head started to roll away. Taking a breath, the mercenary prepaired to sheath his sword when suddenly, a lightning burst struck the mercenary.
The raw power overtook the mercenary and he could feel it charging through his body. Looking over at his sword, he saw it fall from his hand and hit the ground below, a large crack appear on the blade and then the blade fell in two. With that, the lightning stopped and the mercenary fell to his knees, gasping for air.
Taking a minute to catch his breath, the mercenary remembered why he was there and grabbed the knight's severed head and started back to the dragon as the sun started to set.

~ O ~

The battle at Rodniki continues to rage as the sun sets. Mr. Finch finds himself constantly having to save Kendra and helping her, starting to understand some of the things the mercenary had done for him in the past. At the gate, a tired Sir Quindry continued to fight both goblins and trolls alongside Sir Dorie, but they knew they couldn't hold out there much longer. Jolene found herself running low on arrows and Lady Shelby found herself trying to stay near the Sheriff and man she had been pursuing for so long now.
Tripping over a troll's corpse, Kendra looked up as a goblin prepaired to bring it's sword down on her. Before it could, Lady Shelby slashed the back of it's neck, severing the spine and killing the creature.
"Thank you," the queen said as Lady Shelby helped her up.
"No proble...," Lady Shelby started, but is cut off when a goblin's sword cuts into her side. Mr. Finch, seeing this, quickly hacks off the creature's head, forgetting that the noblewoman had been hunting him for so long. "Thank you," she said, looking up at him. Mr. Finch nodded, then turned back to the fight.

~ O ~

Ledger made his way into the Dragon's cave guided by the moonlight. Entering it, he found it creepier then before, still littered with the corpses of the so called "adventurers" from earlier. Stepping over them, the mercenary made his way to the dragon with the head.
"Alright, here's the damn head," Ledger said, dropping it at the dragon's feet.
"Good, you retrieved his head, tell me, did anything strange happen while you carried out the quest," the dragon inquired.
"Well, if by strange you mean was I dragged back in time to see the village get massacred by the knight and his army and then after I beheaded him did I get struck by lightning and my sword get broken, then yes, yes I did," Ledger said.
"That is good, you see, the second soul in your body was the soul of one of the villagers, a peaceful man who could not fight, not even to save his own life and the lives of those around him, they where butchared by the valley people in search of treasure, which they never found," the dragon said.
"Alright, what about the lightning thing," Ledger asked.
"You see, the knight that you thought lived several hundred years ago, but he still did intil today, he was an immortal, a man who has lived for centuries and can only be killed by removing his head, once he is killed, however, his power, his strenght, is passed on to the one that killed him, allowing some immortals to become quite powerful and feared, by killing him, you absorbed his power and strenght, as well as releasing the second sould from your body" the dragon said.
"Well that sounds good, just one more thing, my sword broke, and since it happened while I was carrying out a quest of yours, I just figured that," Ledger started.
"True, true, give me your amulet," the dragon said.
Ledger took off the amulet and gave it to the dragon. The dragon took it and disappeared back for a few moments. "Hey, don't steal my amulet you glorified lizard," Ledger says as the dragon disappears.
A few moments later, the dragon returns, holding in it's front claws a dark blue sheath with the red outline of a dragon on it and hands it to the mercenary. Drawing the sword out, the mercenary takes it in his hands. It is a two handed claymore with a deep red hilt mixed with gold and a long, shiny metal blade. Just holding the sword gives the mercenary a strange feeling of power, as if the blade itself is somehow greater than his former sword.
"That sword was crafted deep in the mountains by the best dwarf sword crafters, crafted out of a magical fire to make the steel more powerful than that of any sword, it can not be broken by any mortal weapon," the dragon begins. "It will cut through lesser swords and armor with ease and through your foes comprised of flesh like they where nothing, it is the best sword to fight an immortal with, and is a true sign of power, use it wisley," the dragon said. Ledger nodded.
"Go, return to Rodniki and join the battle, if it still rages, with the strenght and power from the slain immortal and that sword, you should be able to turn the battle in your favor," the dragon says. Nodding again, Ledger sheaves the sword on his hip and takes his leave.

~ O ~

Sir Quindry and Sir Dorie have abandoned the gates area and fled into the city, slaying as many trolls and goblins as they can along the way. Mr. Finch, Lady Shelby, Sheriff Andrew, and Kendra fight on alongside the residents of Rodniki and surrounding areas, but as the battle has raged throughout the night, they are running low on energy. Lady Shelby finds herself retreating to a place of safety, her wound from before causing her great pain. Though she says nothing, she can tell it will turn fatal if not seen to in time.
Mr. Finch slays another Goblin, bringing his sword down on it's shoulder and cutting it's heart. As he does so, he falls to his knees. The young man is tired, having difficulty breathing and focusing, but still he fights on. Kendra slashes at another goblin, which itself seems to be sufforing from heavy fatigue. The queen is bleeding from several wounds that require attention, but there is no doctor to treat her. Sheriff Andrew is fighting on, but he knows they can't hold out for much longer as he decapitates a goblin about to attack a kneeling Mr. Finch, stepping over the corpses of goblins, trolls, and men alike to do so.

Ledger makes his way to a hill overwatching the city of Rodniki. Looking down, he sees his city under attack by the large army of goblins and trolls in the pre-dawn hours. Drawing his sword, the mercenary again feels the rush of power that the sword seems to give him. Taking a breath, he charges down the hill, across the open plain, and into the fray.
The first foes Ledger encounters are several goblins. Bringing the sword down, it cuts through the first one as if it was nothing. Continuing foreward, it almost seems as if time has slowed, the goblins move so slow. The mercenary charges through them, cutting each one open without breaking stride, killing one after another like they where flies.
As he enters the mass of enemies, a troll turns to face the mercenary. As the great beast starts to lower it's massive hammer, the mercenary slashes at it, cutting it in two and removing part of the massive beast's arm along with it. Piviting around, the mercenary slices open the beasts throat, killing it before it can respond. He can feel the power and strenght granted to him by the sword and immortal.
Fighting with several goblins and trolls at once, the mercenaries' attention is quickly caught by the man who spoke with the troll general before. He looks at the mercenary as he leans on his sword stuck in the ground.
Seeing the obvious officer, the mercenary charges foreward at him. The armored man slashes at him, but the mercenary blocks with his sword, cutting halfway through the armored man's sword. Pulling the blade out, the mercenary slashes at him again, but the man ducks. Before the mercenary can respond, the armored man tackles him to the ground, then starts punching him again and again in the face.
Remembering something in his pocket, the mercenary reaches in and pulls out the emerald dagger taken from Lady Shelby, the entire reason she's chasing Mr. Finch, even though he doesn't have it. Holding the blade firmly in his hand, the mercenary stabs it into the armored man's side.
The armored man howls in pain from the blade and allows Ledger to get up. Quickly running to his sword, the mercenary picks up the blade and swings around to face the armored man. The armored man holds his arm up to block, but Ledger brings the sword down, cutting through his armored arm like it was nothing and severing his neck, letting his head fall to the ground.
With the armored man decapitated, Ledger starts to breathe a sigh of relif before, BAM. A rush of blue lightning shoots down from the heavons and into the mercenary, frocing him to his knees. The energy surges through him for several more moments, and he again drops his sword. When it stops, the mercenary takes several deep breaths and stops to take in his surroundings. Seeing himself surrounded by cautious goblins and trolls, the mercenary quickly grabs his blade, retrieves the emerald dagger, and shoots up and turns towards the city.
Starting towards the city, goblins and trolls attempt to stop him, but the mercenary simply cuts through them with the sword. There is a great feeling of power surging through him at the moment and none of the simple little creatures can hope to stand in his way. He cuts a path through the main gates and into the courtyard.
Stepping into the courtyard, he finds it littered with corpses. Blood pools in some places are ankle deep and corpses lay on top of corpses. The mercenary continues on, quickly cutting down any foe stupid enough to get in his way.
Continuing on, he finds several people fighting the trolls and goblins and behind the aggressors, the troll general. Walking up, slashing down any goblin or troll foolish enough to get in his way without breaking stride, the mercenary reaches the general.
"Leave now, take your army with you," the mercenary commands, his eyes falling on Mr. Finch, Sheriff Andrew, and a bleeding Kendra behind him. Scanning the area with his eyes, he sees Lady Shelby sitting on some stairs leading up to the wall, holding her side in severe pain.
"You where warned of what would happen king, now you pay the price for invading our lands," the general says, turning towards the mercenary and bringing up his massive hammer. "Now then, pay with your life foolish king," the troll general says, bringing the massive weapon down on the mercenary.
Ledger simply slashes the hammer, causing it to fall in two harmlessly at his feet. The troll general throws down the grip in anger and rears back his fist to attack the mercenary king. Throwing a punch, Ledger simply steps to the side at increadible speed and brings the sword down on the troll general's elbow, cutting his arm in two. The general howls in pain as Ledger again slashes, this time at his neck, severing his throat and ending his life.
"TROLLS AND GOBLINS, YOUR GENERAL IS DEAD, THE IMMORTAL IS DEAD, LEAVE NOW WITH YOUR HEADS," Ledger declares as the Sun starts to rise in the distance. The trolls and goblins look over at him and the dead troll general laying at his feet, then quickly turn and run. Shaking his head, the mercenary sheaves his sword.
As soon as his sword is sheaved, the mercenary looses the feeling of immense power it had granted him and falls to his knees, weak with fatigue and exhaustion. Mr. Finch and Kendra run over to him, as do several others.
"That was increadible, you killed him, so easily," Mr. Finch said. Ledger nodded.
"We fought all night, it was horrible, thank you for saving us," the queen said.
"Yeah, of course, I purged the second soul, everything should be fine, for now, but, I really need to lay down," Ledger said, developing a massive headache. Mr. Finch and Kendra helped him to his feet and towards the castle.

"Lady, let us treat your wounds," said a doctor, seeing Lady Shelby sitting on the steps, bleeding from her side and looking like she was about to collapse.
The noblewoman nodded as the doctor got to work. An understandably tired Sheriff Andrew and several of her guards came to her side.
"Well, my lady, we live," said the Sheriff.
"Yes, we live, we survived the night," the noblewoman said, surprised that she was still alive. "We actually survived the night," the noblewoman said, watching the sun rise in the distance.