26 A Shot at the Dark pt4

Draig had consumed the corpse of Reaper with gusto, and had gained a new mixed skill from it in the form of Forbidden Alchemy. The Assassin had been a specialized class granting Draig his fundamentals on tyrannical poisons, it was something he would use for in the future he was sure but his understanding of Forbidden Alchemy had been dropped to Novice granting him the opportunity to make advancements with it and perhaps improve his potions.

Besides this change Draig had actually ordered his group of Guilders through Goeki and the others to remain based at their current location and had spent these days training and assimilating more Skill stones as Draig distributed them. The Guilders felt a sense of gratitude and awe towards the capabilities of Draig causing them to feel some grievances on his behalf after understanding some of the rumors about what had happened when he had received his system.

The Guilders were feeling as if their allegiance was slowly changing from the blind patriotism they had felt towards their respective Guilds and a disgust for the leaders themselves. It was an unexpected outcome that had been unforeseen by the Vampire but was welcomed none the less but it the time for them to move out had arrived and Draig was once again holding a meeting with Goeki and the rest.

"Lord we are ready to move at your command" reported Goeki showing his newfound respect, the Flame Knight had experienced a great change in personality over these past few days that had grown as they passed.

"Excellent we will move after the scouts return, next on our list is the Blood Knight. Have you received the information from those who had encountered the Blood Knight previously" asked Draig as he sat before these former leaders of the Factions.

"We have but those with us are not part of the main force that had grouped to bring him down, they are stragglers and deserters who had joined other groups in order to gain more benefits" reported Goeki honorably

Draig had wondered why he even called the others if Goeki was going to be the only one speaking at these meetings but hadn't spoken out yet due to the potential of derailing the current shift in power.

"Do any of you have anything to add to this statement" asked Draig casting his eyes towards the rest getting silence in return.

"Well that is to say I happened to be there during one of the raids on the Blood Knight before the alliance had taken place and shattered his weapon" explained a nervous looking youth wearing a tattered cloak.

"Why didn't you say so earlier" demanded Goeki slamming his hand to the table in anger

"I am afraid as to whether or not the information would be of use" explained the youth

"What is your name" asked Draig suddenly

"I am Osmond, I had once met you to deliver resources after the callous treatment you received at the hands of the Guilds" said the youth removing the hood of his cloak to reveal a familiar face

"Your the appraiser" stated Draig concealing his surprise

"Indeed, but that is not my class any longer" explained Osmond respectfully

Draig had his interest peaked.

"Then what is your class" asked Draig flustering Osmond from the attention being forced upon him, it was a question the others at the table were curious about as well as they had previously been rivals.

"I have gained the specialization class of Strategist" said Osmond shyly making the others widen their eyes

'Interesting' thought Draig as he kept that noted

"What about the rest of you" asked Draig looking to the remaining two people a boy and a girl as it was.

"Grog, I am a Barbarian" answered the male, Draig nodded as it was a fitting class for the bulky youth

"My name is Nixi, a Specialized class holder" answered the female

Everyone stared waiting for her to elaborate to which she obliged.

"I am a Supreme Summoner" finished Nixi with pride

"What is a Supreme Summoner" asked Draig curiously

"I am able to make contracts with creatures from any plane to aid me in battle" explained Nixi showing a bit of arrogance for her class ability

Finally Draig turned to Zura.

"I am a Archmage" answered Zura obediently, the youth's voice never confirming whether they were male of female.

'This is quite the line up' thought Draig appreciatively

"Excellent, now that this is out of the way lets hear what our strategist has to say on the matter of the Blood Knight" stated Draig plainly

Osmond looked up and realized that everyone's eyes were once again on him, his eyes became serious as he began going over what he felt was important at this point in the meeting.

"Very well, as we know the Blood Knight lost his weapon months ago but he did not stop his raids upon the Factions because of it. As I am sure you are aware it seemed he had become more incensed to strike at us and notice from the rumors spreading at the time his methods had become far more brutal leaving Guilders unfortunate enough to cross paths with him a bleeding mess. As you have all become aware the Blood Knight had previously displayed the ability to use blood to repair his armor in battle making attacking him a pointless effort" explained Osmond looking around to make sure everyone was paying attention to what he was saying.

"That is the reason I had not said anything before, I believe the cause for the Blood Knight attacking those Guilders and leaving them nearly crippled is because he had intended to reforge his weapon. If that is the case then we need to take special precautions and be aware that his attack power has seen no drop in ability but could have possibly seen a rise. There is no conclusive evidence to support my theory but it is a possible outcome we should all bare in mind when we enact the next raid as we will most likely be facing the Dark Mage as well" finished Osmond seriously

"Thank you that was quite informative and revealed some things I myself was unaware, Goeki pass this information on to the others and have them prepare accordingly. Osmond return to your dwelling and put your class to work and take into account of how to make the most of our forces" ordered Draigas began contemplating

"If I may, there are still straggling groups of Guilders we could potentially absorb them into our forces and give us a higher numerical advantage" suggested Osmond seeing a potential to gain some footing in the potential hierarchy getting looks of derision from the rest.

"No leave them, if they have not joined already then there is no need to waste resources on their development" stated Draig shooing them away

As they walked away Goeki gave a bow with his arm across his chest causing the others to do the same.

Draig remained where he was contemplating how such changes were taking place right before his very eyes, these had previously been people out for his blood but with the way things were turning out it seemed like they were becoming his personal forces.

Suddenly Draig was pulled from his thoughts as several crows came in to the tent and sunk into his shadow delivering their information.

'Seems the Dark mage has dabbled in necromancy as well' thought Draig witnessing the images through the eyes of the crows

A small legion of undead Guilders and monsters were assembling with the Blood Knight at the lead about a half days distance from their current location.

"Sylvie" said Draig causing the girl who had been sitting back silently the whole time stood respectfully

"Yes Lord, how may Sylvie be of service" asked Sylvie

"Spread the word that everyone should prepare for a large scale conflict"stated Draig as he prepared the landscape of their location for a battle, he would choose to remain in their current location and let the enemy come to them where they would far more prepared than their opponents.

'Soon I will taste the flesh of the Dark Mage' thought Draig as the land around him became a wasteland