Minds Edge Madness in its sweetest form's blog: "Stuffz"

Without a word, he walked forward on the main road, the small town a stone's throws away now. The gate was swung wide open, allowing all in, under the the careful scrutiny of the town guards, all of whom fixed him with a wary gaze, two stepping forth to block his path, their halberds crossing.

For a moment, niether spoke, taking him in nervously. He wore the black clothing of the long extinguished inquistors, the witch hunters of old, the lower half of his face hidden behind the high buckled collar. He dipped his wide brimmed hat respectfully to the two guardsmen, a gesture that put both guards ill at ease, epsecially when they spared a glance to the hilt of the khopesh strapped across his back.

"What business have you here?" one of the guards asked through his plate helm, his voice gruff, trying to put on the appearance of not being the least intimidated by the stranger.

A wry smile crossed his lips, though it was hidden by the collar of his coat, "I'm here on the request of your baron. I believe, as he put it, a vile creature has been slaughtering farm animals, and farmers alike."

Both guards exchanged glances, "We'll escort you to the baron. Your name?"

"Zasch," was the only word that came through, muffled by the collar.

At the baron's residence several other guardsmen stood around, obviously boredly attending to their duties, though Zasch could feel their eyes on him as he followed his escorts. With a soft, indecipherable word, even further muffled by the high collar of his coat, a faint golden flash encircled tightly around him, tightening and forming into translucent scale of magical energy. He could sense their sudden fear, and he smiled behind the collar.

His escorts led him through the residence and to a large, and lavish office, a slightly overweight man in noble garb sat behind a desk, encircled by attendants and servants. As the guards announced him, all eyes fell to Zasch as he walked calmly forward, and gave the baron a graceful tip of his hat.

"I'm so glad you could come, you've made extremely wonderful time!" the baron began, beaming happily. "How did you manage to arrive in such a small span? No, never mind. I didn't ask you here to discuss your travel time."

Zasch merely watched the man, his eyes hidden below his hat. Realizing the man was expecting a response, Zasch spoke up, "What do you know of this creature?"

One of the men near the baron stepped forward, "It's large sir... like a giant wolf, stalking on two feet. With a ravenous rage that cannot be sated."

Zasch eyed the man, he looked beaten and battered, and had traveled a great distance fairly recent. He wore the type of clothes one would expect of a farmer, "You have seen the creature?"

"Aye sir. It destroyed my farm, and slaughtered my livestock..."

Zasch turned to the baron, "I trust my payment is to be met as requested?" After the nod Zasch looked over at the farmer, "How long ago was this?"

"Two days sir."

"Show me."

Without another word, Zasch started out of the residence, the farmer stumbling to keep up, completely surprised, and too shocked to disobey or argue. Much to Zasch's annoyment, it didn't last long, they'd barely left the town when the farmer began whining and complaining, Zasch began to entertain himself with thoughts of casting muting spells over the man, but dismissed them quickly, for now. The sun was nearly set by the time the man came to a halt.

"Just over that hill is my farm sir. Need me any more, or may I make the long trek back to town?"

Zasch motioned for the man to take his leave, and the man began running off with a sudden resurgence of energy. Zasch watched him, and with a resollute sigh, lifted off his hat, revealing his violet eyes to any on lookers. Two piercings over his left eye, each ending in a small bead of obsidian, and skin that almost seemed to be an off gray, with short cut black hair. Holding his hat in his left hand, Zasch started over the hill, stopping at its crest to observe the desolated farm.

A small group of short green skinned goblins were scavenging around the collapsed house, and the slain livestock were scattered everywhere. With a glare at the goblins, Zasch reached behind his back, and drew his khopesh forth, holding the blade with his right hand, and replacing his hat with his left.

The sound of steel against stone drew the attention of the four goblins, and they turned to face the sound, and snarled hatefully as Zasch stalked down the hill, an intruder upon their prize. One took hold of a shoddy looking bow while the other three drew out daggers, and started in on him slowly. With a soft arcane word, and a flick of his wrist, Zasch answered thier approach, his khopesh spinning wildly as it spun towards one of the goblins.

So shocked to see such a large weapon hurled in utter ease, the creature stared like an idiot at it's approaching doom, the spiralling blade cleaving the poor creature's head from it's shoulders. Immediately following it's strike, the khopesh shimmered, and vanished, reappearing in Zasch's awaiting hand.

Zasch caught a glimpse of the arrow streaking at him, barely enough time to mutter another soft word. Suddenly with a soft white flash, he stood next to the bow wielding goblin. The creature gibbered something unintelligible at him, and tried to stab him with an arrow. With a single swipe, Zasch took the tip off of the arrow, and the arrow harmlessly whacked his side. Not losing a moment, Zasch brought his blade crashing down on the goblin, finishing the creature off.

Turning to meet the other two creatures, Zasch was met with the odd surprise of the two running in the opposite direction, dropping their rusted daggers in favor of escaping the wrath of the man before them. Man? Zasch allowed himself a smile at the thought. I am no man.