Captain AmeriDad's blog: "Random Thoughts and Rambling"

Prologue

The sounds of swords clashing against each other ring through the air. In a camp of the Highlanders, a young boy trains with weapons.

"All right, young Danel. Guard up lad, guard up. A De-mon will rip you to shreds if you don’t keep that guard up!!"

To accentuate the point, the older warrior brains the young boy with the practice blade, laying him out. The older warrior rolls his eyes and kneels down with the boy. "Lad, lad, wake up; no time for naps." Laughter rings in his voice.

Danel Blackwalker’s eyes flutter, and he stares up at the warrior, unfocused. "Argon, I guess....I guess I should at least think of keeping up my guard." He smiles, still a little shaky.

Argon bellows out with a huge laugh. "Aye, lad, you should. Now, get up so you can learn that block correctly."

Argon helps up Danel, and the sound of swordplay rings out once more.

* * * *

"Mercy...is weakness..."

The room is filled with fifteen young Cambions, half hu-man, half demon, as another older Cambion known as the Master instructs them.

"Meraphist commands us all... He is Fear... WE are his Minions... WE do not sow mercy; we sow strife."

The Master walks around the class, each member frozen in a pose with blade outstretched, muscles straining. He walks behind one student, and lashes out. The student pivots, and she parries the Master’s blade with her own, drawing blood. The Master comes forth with a flurry of blows, the student barely blocking them. The Master then stops as the student stands ready, eyes blazing hatred.

The Master smirks and snarls, "You broke your forma-tion, Stasciana. You will report to me after this, and you shall get your lashes."

He turns his back and walks on, Stasciana not taking her eyes off him. The Master then lunges at another student, tear-ing at his throat. The student gasps and gurgles, falling to the ground, eyes pleading. The Master laughs, and raises his blade to finish the job as a dagger flies past him, embedding itself in the student’s chest. The Master turns, seeing Stasciana in her stance after throwing the dagger.

"Master, Mercy...is weakness."

The Master laughs, and the class resumes.

* * * *

"PUSH THEM BACK!" Lord McCalister cries out as the wave of Demon thralls crashes against his forces. The wall of steel surges forward and the cries of despair from

the thrall line roar louder.

Lord McCalister raises his sword, and his horse rears. "That’s it Lads!!!!! By Tempests Eye, we’ll have them yet!!!!" He turns to another man on horseback. "You did well Carin. I must admit I didn’t think I could trust you, but your informa-tion helped us to stop this army."

Carin Vorn nods. "I do what I must Great Lord. Meraphist will not rule this world."

Lord McCalister sheaths his blade as the demon thralls are pushed back. "Aye, Carin, he will not. None of Evil shall."

Laughter erupts from Carin’s throat, as Lord McCalister looks at him askance. "What is funny, my adviser?"

Carin’s look goes hard as he answers, "You are wrong, petty lord. Evil will rule. But it will not be Meraphist’s claw that holds this land and rules it." Carin quickly draws his blade, plunging it in the stomach of Lord McCalister. "It will be ME!!!!"

The lord slowly starts to fall from his horse, as his men turn and look. "McCalister has fallen! GET THE TRAITOR!"

Carin’s horse screams and he rides off like the Furies as McCalister’s men reach his side.

* * * *

Lord McCalister lies flat, his breathing stronger, as his eyes open. His guard captain, Wallace Andrews, rises and rushes to his side. McCalister starts to rise, but Wallace stops him. "My Lord, you mustn’t. You need rest!"

McCalister collapses back, his breath ragged. "Carin... Carin betrayed..."

"We know, My Lord. We have hunters out for him. He will not escape."

McCalister shakes his head and raggedly replies, "They...they will fail. Get me the Highlander."

* * * *

A lone horse rides from the castle of Lord McCalister. A now older Danel Blackwalker rides upon his horse with his coin purse heavy with gold. He whistles a merry tune as he kicks his horse into a gallop.

He smiles as he realizes the chase for the traitor Carin Vorn is on.

* * * *

The flames cast horrifying shadows on the wall of the throne room of Meraphist. The Demon sits upon his throne, looking down at the two kneeling figures in front of him. "This Is The Assassin You Bring Before Me?" Meraphist’s voice comes out in a gravely growl.

The Master looks up and nods. "Yes, Dark Lord. This is Stasciana Darkblade, my student. She has never failed me."

Meraphist nods, and looks to the still kneeling Stasciana. "You Will Hunt The Traitor Carin Vorn... And You Will Bring Me Back His Heart... Or You Will Die."

Stasciana raises her eyes and nods. "It shall be as you command."

* * * *

The assassin runs through the swamps surrounding Meraphist’s stronghold, her bow and blades strapped to her back. Her mission is clear, but her thoughts trouble her. She

feels that this is not the right path, and then pushes down her human side. Quietly, she speaks the Cambion mantra, "Mercy is weakness..."

Stasciana shakes her head, and continues out after her prey. Her midnight cloaked figure disappears in the