Paragon of Destruction

"As you will have noticed," Lady Raina began, "the Blight is rarely spoken of in the Imperium. Though rumors abound, real knowledge of the Blight is reserved for those who've faced it themselves."

"So we've heard," Kaleesh said. "We were told that it is a privilege that has to be earned."

"That's what the church would have you believe." The Lady gave a cheerless laugh and shook her head. "It's all nonsense. The truth is that if word spread too far, too few would volunteer to throw away their lives so easily. And so, the church obscures the truth with tales of honor and bravery."

Arran gave her an inquisitive look. "It's that bad?"

"It's worse," she replied in a bitter tone. "I myself have lost two sons to the Blight, and if the third had his way, he would meet the same fate all too soon."

"You've lost two sons?" Arran looked at her uneasily. "I'm sorry to—"

"Don't be," she interrupted him. "Unlike most who travel into the Desolation, they knew what they would face. As did I. And they fought not for worthless honor, but to defend their home."

Kaleesh glanced at her, then asked, "So will you tell us what dangers the Desolation holds?"

She gave a short nod. "I will."

There was a brief silence as she sat down at the large wooden desk that stood within the chamber, after which she spent several moments rifling through one of the stacks of papers that lay upon it.

Finally, however, she found what she wanted — a large sheet of paper that carried a drawing of a man. Or rather, Arran saw as he looked closer, a monster resembling a man.

Though superficially human, the creature's features were twisted and deformed, its limbs thick with muscle but uneven, and its skin covered in numerous burn-like scars.

Lady Raina gave her two guests some moments to study the drawing. Then, when they finally looked up from the monstrous artwork, she spoke.

"The most common enemies in the Desolation are the common Blightspawn. Though they were once human, they were granted inhuman strength through foul magics, both their minds and bodies corrupted in the process. Although the drawing doesn't show it, they are on average eight feet tall, with enough strength to tear even a Body Refiner limb from limb."

"Their minds were corrupted?" Arran asked. "How so?"

"Whatever was done to them," the Lady replied, "it turned them into abominations that feel neither fear nor pain. They will fight to the death, continuing even receiving mortal wounds. A single Blightspawn can tear through a dozen soldiers, if they are unprepared."

"Then it's a good thing we're prepared," Kaleesh said, though there was a trace of worry in his eyes. "But how strong are these creatures?"

Lady Raina shrugged. "It varies. The weakest ones are little stronger than common soldiers, while the strongest ones can match Rangers. And most dangerous are the ones that use magic."

"Magic?" Arran's eyes widened in surprise. "These creatures can use magic?"

Using magic was no simple thing. It required both training and understanding. And if Blightspawn could wield magic, it meant they weren't simply mindless monsters.

"Some of them," Lady Raina replied with a nod. "And though their magical powers are crude, that makes them no less dangerous."

Arran remained silent for a second, wondering what sort of magic could have been used to turn men into monsters. But finally, he asked, "How do we kill them?"

At this, the Lady gave an approving smile. "The same way you would kill any man — sever his head, bash in his skull, pierce his heart, or cleave his body in two. Though there is another way, as well."

She reached into a drawer and produced a crude iron amulet, which she laid down on the desk.

"Each of the Blightspawn carries an amulet like this," she said. "Though I do not know its exact function, it is somehow linked to the magic they draw on for strength. Take it away and they die — and quite horribly, at that."

"May I?" Arran asked, reaching for the amulet before the Lady could even reply.

As soon as he took hold of the amulet, he could Sense that it contained some sort of magical seal. And although its design was alien to him, he knew enough of seals to understand its purpose almost immediately.

The seal within the amulet was designed to restrain magical energy within its wearer's body — to prevent it from bursting free and consuming the wearer.

It was enough for Arran to get a vague idea of how the Blightspawn were created. Their bodies were infused with Essence, which they could somehow draw upon for strength. And though Arran had little idea of how to accomplish such a thing, he understood that the amulets were necessary to control that power.

"See anything interesting?" Lady Raina asked, her eyebrow raised as she looked at Arran.

Arran shook his head, feigning disappointment, and returned the amulet. "It just looks like a piece of iron to me. But if we take it away, they will die?"

"That they will," the Lady replied. "And in a most unpleasant manner. Though taking their heads will be far easier."

Arran nodded in agreement, though in truth, he already saw possibilities. While he struggled with many aspects of magic, there were few mages who could rival his skill in breaking seals.

"Unpleasant as these Blightspawn sound," Kaleesh interjected, "I assume there's worse to be found in the Desolation?"

Lady Raina laughed grimly. "You assume correctly." Once more she rifled through one of the stacks of paper on her desk, and after a moment, she produced another drawing.

This time, what the drawing showed wasn't nearly as monstrous as the Blightspawn. Instead, it held the figure of what looked to be a mostly normal man — albeit an unusually muscular.

Yet as Arran looked closer, he noticed that the figure held several decidedly inhuman characteristic. Its eyes were completely black, and its features were unnaturally sharp and angular.

"This is a Reaver," Lady Raina said once her two guests had spent a minute studying the drawing. "Much like the common Blightspawn, they were once human, transformed through dark magic. But where the Blightspawn were twisted into monsters, Reavers remained mostly human. Other than their pitch-black eyes, deathly pale skin, and monstrous size, at least."

Arran cast another glance at the drawing. "I take it they're stronger than Blightspawn?"

"Far stronger," Lady Raina confirmed. "Even the weakest Reavers can match Rangers, and the strongest ones have the power to threaten Knights even without the magic they wield."

Kaleesh sighed deeply. "Any weaknesses?"

"Of course," the Lady said. "Take their heads or pierce their hearts, and they will die. Underneath their strength, after all, you will still find human weakness."

She produced another amulet and laid it on the table. Though it resembled the previous amulet, this one was made from silver and created with far more care.

This time, Arran took the amulet without even asking for permission. And after just a few moments of study, he knew that it was similar to the previous amulet, though the seal it held was both more intricate and more powerful.

Careful not to cause the Lady too much suspicion, he quickly placed the amulet back on the table. "Will they die if we take it?"

"They will," Lady Raina confirmed. "Though you may find that killing them first is easier. Still, if you encounter any, be sure to take their amulets. They serve as proof of your victories, and the church will pay you handsomely for them — and not just with coin."

At this, a glint of interest appeared in Kaleesh's eyes. "Gathering these will earn us rewards?"

"It will," Lady Raina said. "If you survive long enough to return them. I take it you intend to travel to Sacrifice?"

Though Kaleesh nodded, Arran stared at her blankly. "Sacrifice?"

"Sacrifice is the southernmost of our fortresses on the edge of the Desolation," Lady Raina explained. "One of our bulwarks against the Blight. When you travel there, you will find many thousands like you, seeking glory or riches in the war against the Blight."

She paused briefly, eyes wandering between Arran and Kaleesh. Then, some gloom in her expression, she continued, "Though the journey might be more difficult than you expect. The Blight has spread, in recent years, and you may encounter Blightspawn before you even reach Sacrifice."

"Then we'll keep a close watch as we travel," Kaleesh said.

Arran, however, furrowed his brow in thought. Then, he asked, "Is there anything stronger out there? Stronger than Reavers?"

"There are more powerful enemies in the Desolation," the Lady said. "But knowing of those will do you little good. If you encounter any of them, you will not even have the chance to flee."

"Still," Arran insisted. "Could you tell us? So we know what to avoid?"

Lady Raina firmly shook her head. "Some secrets are best left hidden," she said. Before Arran had a chance to object, she continued, "But I've told you enough for tonight."

"And we thank you for your generosity," Kaleesh said, with a quick glance at Arran that said not to push any further.

"A small bit of help, to aid you in the fight against our shared enemy," Lady Raina said. "But now, you may leave."

Kaleesh stood up and began to head for the door, but as Arran moved to do the same, the Lady said, "Not you. There are questions I have to ask of you."

"Questions?" Arran asked, feeling some sudden unease.

"About this Empire of yours," Lady Raina said. "And what you call the Academy."