Written by Kerrs Holley [DAGR]

This is a "player-fiction" article. Original was posted on the PaxLair Forums here.

Another chapter has been published!!

From Chapter 3:

The streets laid empty in Britain tonight as the frosty wind blew by. Fall was soon turning into winter and time was running out for one ambitious man. The rain didn't make the scene around the city any more comfortable. The few guards that patrolled the streets stood close to the door ways for warmtH. Not much travel was occurring in the fair city this late in the evening. Even the local tavern drunks shied away from trouble tonight, fearing getting tossed onto the cold wet streets. All was calm... or so the guards below the roofs of Britain thought.

Written by Kerrs Holley [DAGR], October 19, 2006 (6:30 PM ET)

The Castle was bustling with activity when the hooded stranger walked through the gates and headed towards the north side of the castle.This stranger didn't look very much like a peseant do to his decent looking cloak, though the smell of cheese and ale was strong enough to make people think otherwise. The recent invasion of mice gave the stranger ample time to get into the castle without much inconvenience. He swiftly made his way down the corridors and headed directly towards the holding rooms. He paused at the first door and knocked in a rhythmic way.... no answer. He moved on. At the second door he tried his same rhythmic knock and this time was rewarded with the same knock.

" It's been a while old friend" replied the stranger behind the locked door.

" Nay time for formalities Bo Rogers, Have you the information I requested?" asked the hooded stranger

"Aye matey, I wrote the names of them monks on a bit 'o me skull cap, you were right them monks did pass
through the castle. Been blabbin 'bout some bloke named The Shadow all frenzy like them monks." Replied Bo Rogers the prisoner pirate as he wrestled the hanker chief under the door. The stranger on the other side saw it and bent down to help wrestle it to the other side. Then quickly pocketed it trusting Bo wrote down what he did.

" Why would you be wanting them names anyways mate, a pirate of your status must have little need for religion." Bo said grinning to himself.

As if the stranger knew Bo was grinning on the other side of the door he too chuckled before replying. " The tides be turning me harty towards evil, I'm just going to help the tide wash over a bit quicker.... ifer yer knows what I means." he paused for a smile to himself. " I help spurr the darkness forward, in return I will handsomely rewarded with a few lost family treasures."

"Hail stranger, yee seen any speaking rodent dash through here lad?" Asked a citizen who was helping with the rodent problem.

Startled, the hooded figure quickly regained his composure and fixed a devious grin on his face, "Aye, I thought I heard a blasted something rush toward the kitchen good sir." He replied disguising his voice quite well as a noble. He quickly scoped the area again... seemed all were to busy with the mice... then turned his attention back to Bo.

"I still have some time Bo, me and the scurvy bunch be making preparations fo' yer break too, sit tight lad, I just be needing to handle this bit o' business first. Now ter get me hands on a few assassins...."

" Arr, yee mind telling me how the death of monks will help yer 'evil' associates come to power?" Chuckled Bo as he leaned against the door.

"Ah, why not tis not like your tongue will spill anything ter the jail interrogators, they lost their knack for interrogating back when Blackthorn disappeared." laughed the stranger. " those monks you heard chatting, they are monks of the virtues, they keep and maintain the balance of good and evil.... By killing them I tip the scale in our favor by decreasing the virtue of men within our realm. Simple eh?"

"That be quite clever." answered Bo as he slumped onto the ground, "But what really be puzzling me is tha' mouse show'n up in me room with the information like, how did yer pull that off, magicks?"

"Nay, just some good connections Bo, you know me, I befriend those who will help me when needed." The stranger paused to scratch his beard and look around the corner again... The scene of court ladies and rat catchers scurrying about brought a smile to his weather beaten face. " I must go Bo, but I shall return soon for yee.... I still have one more acquaintance in the castle to meet." With that he turned and made his way through the mob desperately trying to regain control from the rats. Up the stairs he climbed to meet a contingent of Royal Navy sailors. He ducked low and made believe he was helping a near by peasent wrestle out a rat that had clammered half-way into its hole. " Arrg, that be a stubborn one yes, thanks for the help stranger, just hold that empty potato sack for me there, ahh thank yee." replied the peasent. The hooded figure nodded for a replie and noticed the sailors eying him with curiosity and slowly making their way over through the crowd.

The stranger froze in panick, thinking.... Perhaps I outlasted my welcome.... then a dark voice in the back of his head repeated familiar words " Never let it be said that I am one to overstay my welcome." Hmm how ironic for that thought to pop into my head now. He saw the inevitable as the sailors parted through the ruckus and were feet away from him. And then they came....

"Don't just stand there peasant, this ain't no castle tour, your letting that rat get away!" Yelled a sailor at the hooded stranger as a rat dashed between his feet and down the corridor. Without being told twice and blessing his luck he gave chase after this particularly small rodent.

Down the corridor he ran, around a bend, and into a room that housed a bed, a dresser, and a few book Shelves. He looked outside the room again to make sure no one followed and then quickly walked over to the bookcase.

He skimmed through the bookcase till finally he came to a red book. He pulled it. A secret door shifted from the wall noiselessly and opened to reveal another room. He Entered. A figure waited for him propped apun a desk in the center of the room."

"My my, its been a while Kerrs, the last time i sailed on your ship I was still learning the language." said the figure perched on the desk.

" Aye, and quite well you have learned it Sherry." Smiled Kerrs, as he pulled down his hood and sat next to the mouse.

"You've done good once again Sherry." He said pulling out a pungent rich smelling wedge of cheese." As I promised the best cheese within the realm for bringing the names of those monks to Bo Rogers downstairs."

He laid the cheese down and then pulled out a bottle of wine. "I've nev' met a mouse with such great taste, Magincia pinot 12, good wine courtesy for calling in your rodent friends to help distract the guards long enough." He said with a wink as he popped the cork on the bottle.

"Thank yee Kerrs Holley, you've always made good on your deals, its been a while since i indulged in such great fancies." The mouse replied as she sipped some wine from a near by saucer. Kerrs too took a gulp of the wine and toasted " to the future, may it be rich and full of good surprises." He turned to look down at his companion and affixed her with a grin, " Nay, perhaps I should say Evil surprises." Then took another gulp of wine before setting it out for Sherry.

With that he looked through a peephole to the room on the other side before exiting the secret room and leaving Sherry to her fine meal. He fixed his hood back atop his head and then exited to the corridor. The caste was still very much busy with the rats, more seem to appear for every one caught. Kerrs spent little time to idle around and made a swift exit of the castle. With his new gained information he rushed to the docks to meet his crew that were ready to sail out at the moments notice.

Ah, the wheel of fortune is spinning in full motion now, Kerrs thought to himself, and it seems I've but to wait and see on which fortune it lands.......

"Bo Rogers", "Blackthorn", "Sherry the Mouse" are copyrighted character names by EA for Ultima Online.  This fan-fiction does not claim rights to these character names.

Written by Kerrs Holley [DAGR], October 20, 2006 (2:22 PM ET)  

The small room was dimly lit and smelt of rotting wood. There was a round table in the middle, and atop the table laid a few parchments, ale, sextant, and map of Trammel. There were five men huddled around a man who occupied the only chair in the room. The man sitting wore a brilliantly blond beard and mane of long hair. His weather beaten and sun tanned face was set in a grin, which emphasized the many scars upon it. The other men too looked like seasoned warriors, yet their armor seemed quite miss-matched and raggedy. They all shared one thing in common though; A red dagger that hung from their sides marked them all as the infamous pirates of Britannia.

" Cheers mates, seems all is going as planned" exclaimed the man sitting as he took a swig of ale and then passed it off. He wiped his chin with the back of his hand before continuing, " I 'ave the names of those monks to kill, as well as a few surprises that I wasn't planning on.... good surprises mind you. Flint matey, care to fill the boys in on what I mean." finished the pirate with a grin.

"Aye aye commodore Holley, boys I've just returned from the castle me self. Seems Bo has won his freedom after-all by selling commander Kiera some information on the elusive Lily. The commander and her squad of volunteers shall be on a wild goose hunt for a few days before they find any trace of Lily. With that said we must act fast."

" Arr, well put Flint." answered Kerrs as he rustled through some parchment, " While everyone was at the castle me old Friend Captain Blackheart did some distracting for the cause too." Said Kerrs as he looked around the table at his men, " Him and a crew o' fifty odd pirates raided vesper not to long ago as some of you might know."

The pirates answered with a resounding "Arrr!" before letting the commodore continue, " Why he attacked Vesper is a mystery to me, though I be glad he did when he did. We were in need of gold and he provided us the ample opportunity. Arr, I was sailing by when I saw the smoke raise from the southern part of Vesper and quickly took wind in me sails and made for the northern part of the isle. Once there, I, Buds, Deogee, Greyylene, Tel Ket, and Angel made our way to the bank." He paused to replay the scene in his head of the events that took place with a smile set on his face, " Twas easier then then coaxing a wench to spending the night in a stable yard. Arr, thee bank was empty o' guards and just one teller to be found. We set to and emptied the vaults quicker then fire beetles dodgin' water."

" How much we make out with Commodore? " asked Boltenya, a crew member who had joined the pirates a few months ago.

"Mm, 'bout three million in gold, was one of the best raids I can remember ter be honest mates." Said Kerrs as he scratched his chin and stared down at the papers, " We have enough gold now to move on with the plans, Luck be on our side men, if this little raid hadn't happened we would o' been delayed a few weeks."

" Whar we usin' thee gold fer Commodore ?" asked Buds as she leaned in to grab the bottle of ale. "Arr, bloody hell, who finished the ale best be hauling arse ter the nearest tavern!"

" No! no time Buds, we must finish our little private meeting first, no one can find out the wear abouts of this secret chamber." Finished Kerrs in a whisper as the sound of feet over head echoed through the small room. " As for the gold" he continued in a low voice, " I plan on hiring some assassins to make sure the job gets done right. The Night Kiss Clan is a very old and one of the best assassin guilds in our realm. Not many are cut out for that line of business, I know because I used to be one of them." He said as he pulled a dagger from thin air, twirled it around, and then made it dissappear again with the flick of his wrist. " they taught me a thing or two about dagger play before I left though" he said with a grin. " Their weapon of choice always has been a Night Kiss dagger after all."

" Aha, so we hire these assassins to do our dirty work while we sit back and wait, sounds like a swell plan to me, I'd hate having to run after these monks me self." Said Deogee trying to pick some food out of his teeth.

" Well if luck be on our side that is the plan, thing is I havn' heard from the Night Kiss Clan in a few years. They may have been hunted down back during the Followers of Armageddon inquisition. So that's our current task, finding these assassins." He finished his sentence trying to sound as optimistic as possible. " That's it for this meeting, leave two by two, I still need to find a way to contact The Shadow and see what he is up to...." He said the last bit aloud more to himself then to his crew.

Kerrs leaned forward and thought about what he was getting into. Too late to turn around now he told himself. The reward should be more then enough after all this is done though. Many innocent people will lose their lives in the process.... Oh well it comes with the job description.The sound of his crews footsteps could be heard over head. Kerrs grabbed the parchments on the table containing his future plans and rolled it up. He then pulled out a flint and tapper and lit a little fire. Pulling the rolled parchment from the table he held it to the fire and let it burn. Now no one can folly my plans because they can't reach whats inside my head.

He rose and brushed the ashes off his trousers and made his way through the secret exit from the room. The library was quite empty and no one noticed the pirate as he pulled his hooded cloak over his head. The rain outside the library caused the ground to get muddy around Jhelom and made it hard to trek. " Blasted rain, how these landlubbers can live in such filth is beside me." He paused for a sigh, " Ah I cant wait to be upon the golden sands of Port Baldmor and have me a nice cold ale." With that he carefully picked his way towards the docks were the rest of the gang waited.....

Written by Kerrs Holley [DAGR], October 29, 2006 (5:11 PM ET)

The streets laid empty in Britain tonight as the frosty wind blew by. Fall was soon turning into winter and time was running out for one ambitious man. The rain didn't make the scene around the city any more comfortable. The few guards that patrolled the streets stood close to the door ways for warmth. Not much travel was occurring in the fair city this late in the evening. Even the local tavern drunks shied away from trouble tonight, fearing getting tossed onto the cold wet streets. All was calm... or so the guards below the roofs of Britain thought. High above where guards paid little attention a hooded figure was making his way across the roofs. The stranger jumped the gaps between buildings with much agility, though he seemed lacking in practice. " Oof, a' be losing me touch it seems" said the hooded man to himself as he barely made the last jump before reaching his destination.

Last time I'm doing that 'ittle bit o' acro'atics from the docks ter castle Blackthorn, He thought as he jumped the last few feet to the empty streets below the stable roofs. He quickly started across the short stretch of road separating him from the drawbridge of castle Blackthorn.

"Oy, who be wondering the frosty streets this time a' night?!" yelled a guard standing in the doorway of The North Side Inn.

The Hooded figure froze in his tracks and tried to shield himself behind a road sign. The gloomy night made it almost impossible to see and the hooded figure was hoping on his black clothing to conceal him well.

Great! So I be making that whole journey without being noticed just ter get spotted by a stupid guard. He waited in anticipation of the guards next moves. I've come to far to give me self up now, no if it must be, I'll wring the bastards' stomach with me dagger no doubt... come now what he...

"Juss'ar me Fritzy ol' pal, *hic* theya' trew me's outt'ar nother tavern *hic*" Came the reply as a drunk as materialized from the side of the road, feet away from the frozen man in black.

"Aye, better be gettin' on home Karlyn its freezing, last thing yee be needing is catching your death." Yelled the guard to the familiar drunk. The drunk rounded the bend and passed directly in front of the figure in black. As the drunk passed he picked his head up and paused a second to look at the man in black, grinned, and then tossed his head the other way as he staggered down the road. Blessing his good luck the man in black looked to the guard who was now toying with a frozen sword in its sheathe, then raced across the road to the shadows on the other side. Haha, that was too close for comfort, he thought as he pressed himself against the wall. Then turned his head...

Curse the heavens and every spiteful god who find humor in my hardships! Guards. Six of them to be exact. Ahh the hell with it, I be wet as it is, he told himself as he made his way into the cold water under the bridge of the moat. Arrg, I do hope my intuitions are right and there be Some one waiting for me on the castle roofs...

After much work around the guards the man emerged from the icy waters onto the banks of the castle. He then began his short climb to the top of the castle. A rope hanging from the roof already awaited the soaked stranger. Odd, he thought as he tugged on the rope and then without second thought began to scale the wall. When he reached the top a hand extended over the edge and pulled him to the other side. The man in black slid to the floor huffing a bit as he looked up at the owner of the hand. He then smiled as if all the work he did to get here was worth it ten fold.

" I had a vision of your coming Kerrs Holley and of our meeting." Said the figure who helped the pirate over the wall. " But please I must know, how did you know I would show up and meet you here tonight? None have heard from me in years....after all."

Kerrs, still grinning, just sat there starring at the man before him. Then answered with a simple shrug and turning both hands up in the air about shoulder length, " Beats me mate, I guess you can say I be lucky." He paused shivering in the cold rain a moment before continuing, " I've heard legends of you Exedur, I heard you can see visions of the future.... well I guess yee can say its true what they say ' If you want something bad enough it ll come to you'" The pirate tried to laugh under the constant chattering of his teeth.

" Yes, I believe you may be right Kerrs... I've seen visions of the things to come after this encounter, some grim... but I'll do the job you came here to offer me." With that, Exedur the assassin of stories past and last known general of Blackthorn himself, turned and climbed down to the balcony on the south side of the castle. Kerrs followed close behind, trusting the former assassin knew what he was doing. On the balcony Exedur pulled out a lock pick and made quick work of the locked doors. He opened them up and paused as if lost in memories past...

The interior was dark, though the assassin walked inside and around obstacles as if he could see everything before him. Maybe he could. Finally reaching a far wall in the room he lit a torch. " Follow me Kerrs, this damp castle hasn't been used in years... I'm surprised the King still stations guards around it." Said Exedur as he walked down the length of the massive chamber room filled with training dummies. Kerrs followed him reluctantly as they walked down two flights of stairs finally reaching the ground floor. The abandoned castle was pretty well kept, perhaps in hopes of Blackthorn one day returning...?

They entered the dining hall that had a large table set in the middle. They moved along the side of the hall and into the next room. The Kitchen. Exedur swiftly rounded the counter top and moved to the fireplace, fresh wood was piled high in the hearth. " I knew we would be soaked from the storm brewing outside so I took the liberty of bringing some fire wood." Exedur said and then smiled as he lit the fire place. Before long a great fire was burning and Kerrs could take a good look at the man before him. Hmm this chap looks to be quite young still, despite the many years of service under Lord Blackthorn. Though signs of age were present around his vigilant eyes with signs of webbed wrinkles. At least he still has his vitality, and seems to still be sane, he chuckled to himself. The two men sat in silence for what seemed like hours trying to rid themselves of the chilling cold. Kerrs finally spoke.

" Ahh, much better now me thinks." Kerrs paused to take in the warmth as he extended his hands over the fire, " So you'll do the job eh, how much do I owe a legend for his services?"

"Naught, enjoy your money wilst you can Kerrs, If I am right, your victory over good will be short lived." Exedur exclaimed stressing the last word of his sentence enough to make Kerrs shiver, this time not from the cold.

"Horseshit prophet, me plans haven't failed yet, and last I remember your prophecies haven't always come true!" Kerrs replied trying to reassure himself more then the assassin." Anyways, if your going to do the job you'll need the list of the monks who protect the lore and secrets of each virtue." Said Kerrs as he pulled out a piece of parchment from the hilt of his dagger and passed it to Exedur. "Nice and dry."

Exedur reached for the parchment, looked at it once and then tossed it into the inferno blazing within the fireplace.

" Bastard! You fool I b'aint 'ave another copy fer ya!"

"Don't need it Kerrs, I told you I had my visions, and it so happens all the monks on your list are gathering in The Chamber of Virtues...Tonight. They have been called in no doubt for fear of the Hallows Eve. A day when evil is at its strongest. Mayhap tis why you've been so lucky Kerrs, your destiny has been strengthened on this week of necromantic delight."

Kerrs simply shrugged and asked, " So yarr sure yee be not needing the list?"

" Positive, though I have very little time left Kerrs, I must strike them tonight. The monks have been chanting a spell of virtue all night to rival the evil spirits of Hallows Eve. They are almost done I believe... When they finish they will be their weakest and drained of most of their powers. Tis when I shall strike them down."

" How will you know when ?"

" I must trust my instincts, no doubt I will receive a sign before the time comes. Until then we are stuck here in this kitchen to bathe in the warmth of the fire." Exedur finished, then sat down indian style next to Kerrs and cradled his head. " How did your search for the Night Kiss Clan go?" Exedur asked in a mocking kind of way.

" Not good, but then again you already know that, huh?" Kerrs replied with a grin."Mayhap yee could tell me whats happened to that Assassin guild? "

"I'll give you the short version since I b'aint have the time to talk long. The Night Kiss Clan as you know was hired by the nobles for some time to hunt down the Followers of Armageddon. They did well with capturing a few of the fanatics, but as time went on people got more and more paranoid of the group of assassins. Some thought, if they can find the fanatics and we can't they must be in liege with them. Others thought they were simply hell spawns of the devil himself with uncanny abilities to track and kill whoever they wished. In the end when the fanatics were dispatched, a handful of the known assassins who helped where imprisoned. The nobles began rounding up the members, secret like, to not spread word to the other assassins. They were successful for the most part, but the assassins caught on fast. Many months nobles lived in fear as the fight against the assassins waged. Most were hunted down all over our realm and executed. Very few lived. You being one of them Kerrs, if I remember you too were an assassin in training."

Kerrs nodded and stayed silent, signaling to Exedur to continue.

" Those few who weren't caught lived in hiding a few years, for they greatly diminished in numbers. At one point they grew mighty again, and word spread again of their rise. Though by this time the lands of Tokuno were discovered. The nobles of Britannia paid great tribute to the Empress. In return she dispatched Tokunos best ninjas to take care of the assassins. Ninjas were highly trained, better then the Night Kiss Clan, and made quick work of the guild. After much killing, the ninjas were called back. The remainder of the guild regrouped and formed a smaller much secretive guild. I believe they call themselves the Night Kiss Gang. And that's the story of that." Exedur finished, then got up and paced over to the wall opposite the fire. He seemed to be staring off at nothing as if in a trance, but Kerrs didn't notice.

"Hmm, great story mate, but how did yee know all this if 'yar been missing from the realm all these years." Kerrs finished and waited for an answer... It never came.

From behind him he could hear the distant dashing of feet climbing stone stairs. The echo of feet falling on stone grew fainter and then finally disappeared. Only the constant beating of wind and rain could be heard within the castle as the lone pirate sat on kitchen floor. He leaned his back against the side of the hearth and took in the warmth. Dragon speed to you Exedur.

The flames within the fireplace crackled with constant rain drops falling into the chimney. The wood smoldered with each new wave of rain. Eventually the once blazing fire dimmed down to a shadow of its former self.... Then finally went out, casting Blackthorns castle into darkness once again....


Exedur and Blackthorn are copyrighted character names by EA for Ultima Online.  This fan-fiction does not claim rights to these character names.