It was midday when Gunnolf and H’ren crossed the outer gates of Saha’dryr. The guards were both human and gilken that stood at the city’s northern entrance, both guards gaped at H’ren for it could’ve been the first time they had seen a hurphantes. A long meadow stretched still between them and the lake where the first of the floating buildings would begin.

  It had been too long since Gunnolf had visited the Capsized Fish but now time was of the essence. H’ren stared in wonder at the intricate buildings that lay ahead.

  “Do you suppose, the wooden docks that connect the buildings together could support my weight, Gunnolf?” H’ren asked.

  Gunnolf was silent a moment as the bulky hurphantes man grunted to get an answer out of him. “I am unsure,” he replied at last. “I don’t think Saha’dryr has ever had a hurphantes visit it.”

  H’ren frowned as they drew close to the buildings, none of them were large enough to accommodate his bulk. “I see,” he said finally when they were close enough. “I will await on the shoreline for you then. How long will you be?”

  “A few hours should be enough,” Gunnolf said.

  H’ren made himself comfortable on the grass, “If it isn’t a lot of trouble perhaps you could bring me back some lunch perhaps?”

  Gunnolf strode off without a response other than a nod. He entered onto the planks above the waters that swooned underneath, occasionally softly splashing against the poles as he strolled between the wooden buildings with thatched rooftops.

  He walked by the hut in which Zarmhel often met him to give him odd jobs these last six months or so. Everything in Saha’dryr looked the same but wasn’t anymore. People bustled by moving carts or going shopping. Children ran along the water’s edge playing tag or other such games despite the warnings adults them about falling in.

  Gunnolf’s mind wandered back to the elf girl though, long deceased she had to be. Surina. His mind naturally wandered as he walked through the City on the Lake.

  Come on Mister Wolf! the voice of the young no more than three year old elf girl called within his mind as he stopped, to watch children play. In his memory, he envisioned her running uphill, her light red hair flowing behind her. She used her left hand to block out the sun from her eyes to survey the sprawling fields that lay ahead. The village of D’mara was another day out for them. Her vibrant red hair flowed behind her, she really was Irina’s child. How much Gunnolf had missed his master at that time but he was determined to take Surina to the village of D’mara to drop her off with some relatives due to Irina’s passing in Osinara merely a month prior.

  Gunnolf shook his head, his brain refocused on reality before him, and he left the children to play as they were. He came to beside the Capsized Fish Tavern, the sign outside the door was there and the doorway had a human man enter it, looked like a usual patron if Gunnolf remembered correctly. Gunnolf could have could use one of Lunk’s specialty drinks then. The voice of Nikros in his head telling him softly to kill anyone that got close by him, he wanted to drown it out.

  Perhaps after I see the Governor. Gunnolf pushed on. When he reached the manor, the most illustrious building in the city, it being a two stories and quite large of fine wood and the emblem of Saha’dryr at its front; an engraved wooden symbol of a lily pad with two leaves burned into with a trident between them, Gunnolf knew he was in the right place. Three human guards stood outside of it along with a green scaled gilken, each in blue dyed leather armor as Gunnolf strode up to the gate.

  “Who approaches the Governor’s Manor?” asked the gilken man with the bow over his shoulder.

  “I request to see Governor Gustav, I am Gunnolf Fulin, a mercenary under the employ of Zarmhel,” the kobold replied plainly.

  The gilken man eyed the kobold cautiously, “The Wandering Dark Wind, himself? And on behalf of Zarmhel you say?”

  Gunnolf stared at him in silence.

  The gilken man turned his head to the human guard on his left, “Go inform the butler and see if the Governor is accepting audience requests today.”

  “It is urgent,” Gunnolf said.

  The guard hurried in through the gate with a small spring in his step, but he wouldn’t move quicker than walking speed.

  “Urgent huh?” sneered the fishman. “Unless you have news of the missing Illisean Princess, I doubt it.”

  Gunnolf lowered his head. “Exactly.”

  The two guards gave a start, “What do you mean?” asked the gilken.

  Gunnolf paused a moment, the necrotic voice in his head trying to tell him to kill again but he pushed it away. “I will discuss it with the Governor if he will have me,” Gunnolf replied.

  The human guard returned and said, “He may enter.”

  The gilken watched Gunnolf carefully as the other two allowed him entry through the gate. Crossing the garden, the thin human stood atop the steps. His gray hair pulled back into a ponytail and his white button shirt was accented today with a burgundy jacket and matching pants. He gave a bow as Gunnolf came within ten paces.

  “Welcome to the Governor’s Manor, I believe you are Gunnolf, the man known as the Wandering Dark Wind?”

  Gunnolf replied, “Gunnolf Fulin, mercenary under Zarmhel.”

  “And I am Fismick, butler and secretary for Governor Gustav. If you would follow me, Master Fulin.” He led the way into the manor and all the way to Gustav’s office on the second floor.

  Fismick entered first and a booming voice replied, “Enter!” Gunnolf strode inside, sitting behind the desk was a robust human, blond hair atop his head and scars across his face. Gunnolf stood near the door as Fismick closed it behind him and took his place to the right of Gustav. “Welcome, I am Governor Gustav and I received word you work for Zarmhel? Odd he never mentioned he kept a renown swordsman like you in his employ.”

  Gunnolf said nothing and offered no bows. After a short pause the man continued.

  “I have not heard from him in almost a week and some trade orders are delayed from Walthruhn and Parcielle thanks to him missing. Where is he?”

  “Dead,” Gunnolf answered.

  Shock took Gustav’s face. “What do you mean? What happened?”

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  Gunnolf gave an overview of the events that transpired in Axo Mine where Zarmhel was trying to sacrifice the Princess of Illisea but he perished and the princess was recovered safely and his eyes nearly bulged hearing all of this at once. Fismick was also left gaping in surprise.

  “Is what you say the full truth of it?” Gustav asked.

  “Do I have reason to lie?” Gunnolf asked flatly. “Zarmhel was my employer for several months. I came here to inform you of his misdeeds and inform you that the idea of war with Illisea should be nullified now.”

  Gustav’s gaze turned to his left. “It is hard to believe considering Zarmhel has been my Alderman for over ten years and loyal to Saha’dryr and now you tell me he tried to revive an ancient evil. Sure, he did always show particular interest in old artifacts, but it came across as a hobby.”

  You could kill the butler to prove it. The Kazesuki-zhuken is still good at ending the mortal coil. Gunnolf’s hand itched wanting to draw the tachi but resisted, his teeth gritted while Nikros’ voice cackled.

  “Are you alright?” Fismick asked.

  “I carry a heavy burden,” Gunnolf answered. “I inherited my master’s burden twenty years ago.” The itch grew stronger.

  Knuckles on his desk, Gustav rose from his seat. “You participated in the war I assume?”

  “Indeed.”

  “As did I. I fought for Saha’dryr as a General, Fismick here was a Captain under me. And you?”

  “I’ve always been a mercenary, but my master and I had an alternative goal with our contracts, we purge the undead wherever they reside.” Gunnolf answered calmly trying to keep his right hand from twitching.

  Gustav peered out the window beside Fismick. “I see, I don’t care which side you were on then in that case. I have heard of you across the Low Lands for a number of years now but never thought I’d meet you personally unless you became a criminal and we had to arrest you. I had no idea that Zarmhel employed you, I only knew he employed some good mercenaries to act on good faith of our city. What became of the Illisean Princess?”

  “She should’ve been returned to her escort of Knights by now.”

  Gustav let out a sigh of relief. “That is good. With what Zarmhel was trying to do, trying to control the undead, should we worry about that issue?”

  Gunnolf looked to the floor, “I am unsure. I know of a Monk from the Sun Temple who is investigating the matter deeper but I know the undead will rise in power and numbers.”

  “This is troublesome,” Fismick said. “Lord Gustav, if I may add, should we put forth a small army of soldiers to protect Saha’dryr from the undead?”

  “We need a new Alderman to handle trade, and we must look into Parcielle to see if we can trade pearl or ruby infused weapons in that case,” Gustav told him.

  Fismick nodded, “I can fill in as a temporary Alderman until a new one is appointed.”

  Gustav gave a smile, “You truly are my saving grace Fismick. Always were my greatest captain.”

  The butler bowed graciously. “Thank you, I do all I can to serve the people of Saha’dryr.”

  Gustav had his eyes fixed on Gunnolf once more, “What will you do next, Gunnolf?”

  “I am under contract to escort a gentleman into the Field of Khadrak. It seems a Nosferatu has located themselves to that area,” Gunnolf said dryly.

  “The Field of Khadrak is merely south of Saha’dryr,” Fismick said. “I wonder why anyone would want to go to that old battleground?”

  Gustav stepped before Gunnolf and held out a hand, “Please, help your client in destroying that Nosferatu, a powerful undead like that nearby makes me nervous.”

  Gunnolf stared down at the peaceful gesture and slowly raised his hand to meet it. “I shall aid as I am able.”

  “You have all of Saha’dryr counting on your success,” the large man said. “Two thousand Zoa awaits you should you provide proof of the creature’s demise.”

  Gunnolf got silent again, that was an immense amount of money for such a task but money blinded him before with Zarmhel. He finally gave a nod and strode out of the room.

  With their conversation finished, Gunnolf left the manor, still pushing the rotted voice down that urged him to slaughter everyone he saw.

  I need more souls, more power. Give them and your suffering will end that much quicker! The voice echoed as he left through the gate of the estate.

  The three guards were still there, “Your business is concluded finally?” asked the gilken guard.

  Gunnolf glanced at them in silence, before heading down the dock leaving them to puzzle out the answer. “That is one strange guy,” said one of the human men said.

  “If that really is the Wandering Dark Wind, he lives up the to the title,” muttered the gilken man.

  Entering the Capsized Fish, Gunnolf looked around the tavern and it felt like he had been away from his favorite place for years. A few human men and women tossing dice at a table on the right, with tankards of ale. The left had a foxlike woman sitting at the counter as Gunnolf could smell the various meats and fish that were cooking in the back kitchen. Her gray fur with streaks of red accented her yellow shirt and trousers, she had a short sword sheathed across her lower back. Gunnolf took a seat next to her. On the other side of the counter, raising his head, the blue scaled bartender looked at his new patron.

  “By my gills! Gunnolf, you’re back. Hadn’t seen you in so long, I thought you finally found a battle you couldn’t win,” Lunk greeted him with open arms.

  “It has been a while, Lunk,” Gunnolf replied plainly.

  The fenara woman next to Gunnolf finished her drink of brandy from the looks of it, “Hey Lunk, could a lady get another?”

  “Sure thing,” he took the glass and began working on the refill.

  “Want to buy a lady a drink?” she asked Gunnolf.

  His head didn’t even turn her way, “No.”

  The fenara woman had a perplexed look to her. “What do you mean? Fenara, kobold, and ruzo men don’t turn down such opportunity.”

  “Plainly not interested,” Gunnolf answered curtly.

  Lunk served up the drink to the woman who had her arms crossed in frustration, “Where have you been all this time, Gunnolf? We had this crazy for a while here in Saha’dryr with the missing Illisean Princess and all, City guards tore my tavern apart looking for her as well as every shop down the business docks.”

  “She was located and returned alive to her escorts,” Gunnolf replied.

  Lunk’s eyes bulged, “That IS great news.”

  “So, what am I over here, yesterday’s bream left to bring flies?” the fenara woman asked, directed at Gunnolf.

  Gunnolf and Lunk looked over at her, “If you wish,” he replied.

  Her face was fury and stricken with incredulous shock.

  “Sorry, Hannet, Gunnolf here is a regular of mine I haven’t seen in a great while. And he isn’t interested in you this time,” Lunk explained. “I’ve never seen him take interest in anyone, so don’t take it personal.”

  “If he’s going to be an ass, I’ll at least ask you Lunk, any luck on finding me a good man with a blade for the job I have?”

  The fishman’s gaze went from Hannet to Gunnolf. “Well, technically, you’re sitting beside one of the best.”

  Gunnolf was quiet.

  “Oh really?” she said still a tinge of anger in her voice. “Don’t play games with me, I know this one’s type. Plays the cool and stoic swordsman but when things go awry, they can’t wield their toys.”

  Kill her, she’s just annoying!

  Can you hear my conversations as well as see what I see? Gunnolf asked Nikros in his head.

  See. I see. Hear muffles sometimes. Kill her!

  The kobold’s hand twitched as it went to the hilt of his tachi, fingers centimeters from it! His other hand intercepted the first.

  Hannet stared at Gunnolf in surprise as she backed up. “Were you going to pull your blade on me?”

  “No need to get worked up Gunnolf, are you alright?” Lunk asked as the other nearby patrons stared in silence.

  “Drinks, I need drinks, now!” Gunnolf ordered.

  One, two, three, four, Nikros’ voice began counting everyone in the room. Each potential soul that would add to returning his power.

  Lunk put up a glass of brandy on the counter for Gunnolf who hesitated letting go of his right hand and quickly slammed the alcohol down his throat. That right hand moved onto the blade hilt and began drawing, his left forced what little of the black blade came out back down into the sheath.

  “Another Lunk!”

  The bartender obeyed, Gunnolf felt that right hand wanting to draw.

  Killing time is near! Can you resist this time?

  Gunnolf swiftly slammed the second as everyone watched and his left hand slowly removed a finger from the hilt.

  Hannet looked on in total confusion as did other patrons in the establishment. A third hit counter and Gunnolf gulped it down as that right hand drew six inches of the black blade out.

  Kill, kill, kill!

  Forcing the hand back again with his left, the alcohol was finally kicking in. Nikros’ voice quieting. Gunnolf was able to release the hilt of Kazesuki-zhuken at last.

  Everyone stared in a mix of shock and horror. Composing himself once more, Gunnolf placed fifty Zoa on the counter. Gave a nod and left the tavern leaving everyone in total confusion as to what just happened.

  Lunk didn’t even glance at the coins on the counter, merely watched that kobold leave quietly. “What have you gotten yourself mixed up in Gunnolf?”