The Traitor's Tale

To he or she who would seek command at all costs, we are all victims in waiting. It would seem that our late lordApollo has taken this notion to heart.

Dear Lord Apollo,

Why did you retract your earlier letter- the one which promised for the blood and slaughter of innocents until you got your wish- from the town board? Was it my riddle about the simpleton's hammer or simply its answer, that soured your mood? So capricious, it would be quite and embarrassment for your rebellion to end just as quickly and with so little notice as your note, though I won't lie, the prospect leaves me as content as a cat with cream. Can you afford losing your head...again?

To the town, both young and old, you'd be surprised at the forces you can muster when you do other than what you're told. The traitorous lordling says submit to his demands, but only you can show him that these are our lands.

The uninformed must improve their deficit, or die. Arm yourself against the would be butcher.

Yours truly,
H.B.

I made no such retraction, your craven leaders tear down my truths.

If you were present at my "execution" you would realize I allowed myself to be killed, only to be reborn in blood and fury.

I do not wish to harm you all, but your rulers are corrupt and need dispatching. Save me the trouble and I will spare you my wrath.


Lord Apollo Abendroth

How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate your condition is not permanent. You're lucky, too. Red eyes suit so few.

I can only speak for myself- I care little for leaders and less for politics- but these innocents you promised to slay if you did not get your way, they have a funny habit of making problems go away. You don't need a formal title or position to stop people such as yourself. In fact some might say- in under a years time- you'll rue this day.

~H.G.

You must be crazy mage too!  Maybe you sneak, maybe you put up note, maybe you turn, maybe Apollo behind you.  You not strong like Blade, maybe you die.  Maybe Blade need kill Apollo, maybe Apollo kill Blade, me not like magic, but Apollo say him keep me round so me take him out if him go crazy... me know where honor be.  You not know, Apollo do too much magic!  Him made crazy, like me say him would.  Him too weak to stop magic.  Maybe Blade not good friend, maybe Blade need punch those who do magic so them stop doing magic so them not go crazy like Apollo.

Me maybe not thought smart, but when other stupid human go crazy, we try to fix.  Why we not get Max-well, who name means best health so him got to be good, fix Apollo?  Maybe him cut magic out of him, then him no more crazy.  Me not want to kill Apollo, and me more not want Apollo kill Blade, but maybe if no fix, that what Apollo say Blade need do.

Courage and I have never been boon companions and thus I've lived long; I see no need to change my ways. To you Apollo, if you wish to kill innocents its best to start with those who cause you the most trouble.

Play my game Apollo: kill no innocents until you kill me first- else in waxing darkness one night you might find me behind you, and I'll be eager to prove the similarity between a hammer and a billy club. But I wonder, are you clever enough to find me, faceless and nameless, or does your intellect stop at slaughter?

On a side note, I am glad to see that there is someone out there who is as dubious about the trustability of magic as I am. Blade, you possess a keen and honest intelligence.

~H.G.

Apollo, it makes me very happy that you accepted the rules of my game, though the missive you left on my pillow seemed quick to fade. I guess such are the foibles of such business.

As we agreed, you and your ilk will kill no innocents until you kill me.

I'm practically purring with pleasure at the prospect. Its been a while since I've had a pack of rats to play with.

Good hunting.

~H.G.