KNIGHTS OF OF BLOODSTEEL (2009) CD 2/1
this is the tale of the mystic land of Mirabilis.
Freed from a dark tyrant hundreds of years ago in an epic war.
a war over Bloodsteel. a magical enchanted metal
so powerful it was used by sorcerers and warriors alike.
Once bountiful. now nearly gone.
the fearful masses rooted for scraps with fading hopes.
the search began for its legendary source. the Crucible.
Elven. Goblin and humans grew desperate with each day
as the leader of the dread Brood. Dragoneye.
unleashed his soilders of doom.
He needed Bloodsteel to save his son and an absolute dominion over Mirabilis.
Freedom itself hung in the balance.
Sire. it would seem this monk...
...will tell us nothing.
and we have no word of the Crucible's whereabouts.
the Oracle of Mirabilis has knowledge of the map.
Find him. Kill him if you have to and even if you don't.
Yes. Lord Dragon Eye.
and you. you wish to be silent?
then remain silent!
tesselink!
thank you for coming so quickly. l have no time.
Once again. evil covets the source of all Bloodsteel. the Crucible.
Oracle. this is once l hope your visions are faulty.
the time of alignment is here.
Within six days the planets will align behind alcyon.
lf evil gets it's hands on the Crucible whoever possesses
it will weild untold power.
But. uh. the Magus died centuries ago in battle.
ah. but his heir. Dragon Eye. is after it now.
Even though his days are numbered. still he is searching.
Only the four can keep the Crucible out of his hands.
Four legions?
No. four knights. Four knights.
l don't understand. Who are they? these four. How will l know?
When Mirabilis burns under the Dragon's scorn four will join in one to mourn.
l have no time for riddles!
Only you know where the Crucible can be found.
My friend. the Crucible is a curse.
But. the Crucible can provide a new hope for Mirabilis with...
...an endless supply Bloodsteel.
an and endless appetite for more power.
For free people's to defend themselves.
Even now. Dragon Eye's Brood cannot be defeated by our combined armies.
there is a map.
Please. continue. oh Oracle.
azenhawke.
You see what l do with those who would thwart me or question Dragon Eye.
Maybe you do not care what we do to you.
Can you say the same for your children?
Speak.
then we will not stop until we have killed every soul in the valley.
Every village. every farm.
You monsters.
No. l do. however. work for one.
l will tell you. But. know this. knowledge without wisdom is a curse!
and denying Dragon Eye his birthright is suicide.
Do you smell the eve of spring. my son?
as sure as the stars align you will see it for yourself.
When l have the Crucible it will be so.
lt is the salvation for my mortality.
your birthright as my heir and your rule of Mirabilis.
ln times before the death of the Magus.
my forebears hid a map in a cave at the headwaters of the Mulapeye.
But. know this.
lt is guarded by a dragon the likes of which neither of you have ever seen.
and you swear the legend is true?
Oracle's speak only truth.
Grandfather!
Was this the work of Dragon Eye?
His lieutenant azenhawke.
thank the gods for our gifts of sorcery.
Perfidia. listen to me.
l fear he extorted directions to the Crucible
before he took the Oracle's life.
You must stop him. Go. Go!
Leave no stone unturned. Peasants must know of the map.
For riches like this l'd slit my father's throat.
lf you had one. Go.
this way.
Breathe and die.
Good morning.
Magic lamp. sir. Magic lamp.
Rub the magic lamp. Only three left.
Malcolm. the uneasy truce between the Brood
and your guard is about to become unraveled.
Do we want to suffer the chaos again!
l warned of this.
While you humans and goblins argued the Brood took advantage.
Now the corrupt Brood underworld infects the Keep.
So. now you blame us again. typical elven arrogance.
and misguided human pride.
Or goblin stubbornness!
Please! Enough of this endless bickering.
Only united can this triune defeat Dragon Eye's brood!
l don't think any of you fully appreciate the urgency of our situation.
lf Dragon Eye fulfills his ancestor's promise
and finds the Crucible he will take all of Mirabilis.
then what are we to do?
Before he was murdered the Oracle made his own prophecy
that the defeat of Dragon Eye
and the quest for the Crucible will fall to four knights.
Just four.
l remember a time when blind men digging with soup spoons could fill their carts
with Bloodsteel and be home by sleep.
Mm-hm. So l've heard. repeatedly.
that Bloodsteel is deader than a goblin's tooth.
that's a genuine Bloodsteel compass. fresh as an elf's cheek.
at least three moons on it. three-hundred cherigs on the street.
and useless by morning!
Ugh.
One day we'll wake up and we'll have squandered every last ingot.
One. two. three. four.
l win!
Maybe that's what it'll take to ween us from it.
l. for one. am not addicted. Not to Bloodsteel anyway.
Really? What keeps your brew cold?
Your street torches lit?
Your militia one step ahead of the Brood.
Oh. Orion. come. Since when did you become a politician?
Be four years this March.
Such a commitment.
Pay up.
this should cover my gambling tab.
Quite a ruckus outside.
Good crowd.
You're missing an execution.
and it'll be yours too if you don't clean your debt.
Get a rope for it.
this potion is your weapon.
lt may be painful.
lt will pass.
Do your duty.
People of the Keeps. hear me!
For the willful and brutal murder
and mutiliation of the Oracle of Mirabilis.
by the orders of the duly elected members of the triune
and the justice nimrod Perfidia aerie who captured him.
Lytreague azenhawke. you have been condemned to death.
Damn you. Swo...!
Behind you!
Stop him!
No!
Out of the way!
Stay back!
Don't let him get away!
l knew Dragon Eye wouldn't let me hang.
Your Dragon Eyes had nothing to do with this and you have not been saved.
lf you hate me so much stranger how is it you just saved my life?
So that l could take your life myself.
Get up!
You are mad.
What's this about?
My taking the life of an Oracle in his dotage?
Sheepherders in Orgenzal? Miners at the Labyrinth?
Revenge for the Elven schoolhouse?
Or. maybe l bedded your wife.
Listen to me.
take your leave and l can get you Bloodsteel beyond imagining.
l have a secret to a never-ending supply.
then you'll die with it.
Hey. gimme that. l found it first.
the hell you did.
l had my hands on it before you touched it.
and. even if you did. this is from my claim.
that's not right. You're just being a bully.
You are a thief.
Look. we split it down the middle. all right? Even-ethan.
We each walk away with a nice bag and nobody gets cranked.
l don't think so.
a finder's fee. then.
Don't get any ideas. this is my steel.
Look. l'm just helping you. and. the name's talia.
l am Ber-Lak. Ber...Lak. lt's a goblin name.
Never would've guessed.
l like the ear-loops though. Do they hurt?
Not really. and we both know you were poaching.
Ugh. it's not poaching. lt's gleaning.
and you're not going back on your word.
What word? l never promised you anything.
Oh. right. l'm just a lowly human. What would be the point?
You know. l found that rock under that sluice first.
l still feel like l'm being short-poled.
Really? Poacher.
lt's probably the luckiest day of your life.
Congratulations on your find.
Wow. try to keep a secret in Black Roc Keep. Gotta go.
Don't play the fool.
You know the Brood gets a cut of everything on the street.
Now tell us the exact location of your claim.
this goblin? Yeah.
You don't wanna tangle with him. Mean as they come.
talia.
take me to your claim.
and that one was for me too!
Lord Splayven won't let this go unpunished.
Picks up the Brood scum and throws him like he's a baby!
He is a goblin. Goblin's do not fear the Brood!
as if the Brood wasn't enough. the dragons are waking up down there!
the whole bunch.
You must have a set of steel coming back here.
We've not been formally introduced. John Serragoth.
Your reputation precedes you.
as does yours Lady Perfidia.
l could have you arrested for robbing people of their justice.
Only momentarily.
and why would you say that?
Have a wee look in the bag.
Why free him and then kill him?
Man kills with no conscience. he deserves to die the same way.
l'll have an ale for myself and a quartzfire for the lady.
What did azenhawke do to you?
He was on my list.
So. it's true. You're a paid assassin as they say.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
Killing for hire with no regard to guilt or innocence.
are you telling me you've sent an innocent man to the gallows?
No. of course not.
But. you actually traipse around Mirabilis checking names off a list?
aye. lt gives my life meaning. as does your chainmail.
lt doesn't come in your size.
No. not in yours either. thankfully.
try the quartzfire.
they say that. uh. Bloodsteel flakes spur desire.
Yet. you choose to abstain.
Just from Bloodsteel. l'm only human.
For that you have my sympathy.
Perhaps you can assist me.
Well. l'd like nothing more.
Nothing more?
Nothing.
Whatever happened to chivalry?
Well. now. that's not a question that keeps me awake at night.
You just want your next beheading.
l'm after something far more important.
Oh. and what's that?
You want information about azenhawke's cadre.
tomorrow l'm meeting someone who may have knowledge of their whereabouts.
l'm listening.
You are welcome to join me.
His name is John Serragoth.
the same newcomer from the Moorlands who saved azenhawke from hanging
and then killed him. an assassin for hire l'm told.
l sense a deeper purpose.
When he murdered azenhawke he may have snuffed out
the secret of the Crucible's location.
Unless he extracted the secret from azenhawke first.
Find out more of this Serragoth. His family. his weakness.
l want him alive at least until he serves his purpose.
Our man has been beaten and chased from the Keep.
We're being made fools of. this is no time for half measures!
We need to make an example of Mirabilis!
Fear is the great deterrent.
lf the residents of the Keep are growing emboldened. then so shall l.
Gather 'round citizens!
Centuries ago we were pulled forth
from the mud by that gift from the heavens.
lt is the very magic that turns the gears of Mirabilis!
l speak of course of Bloodsteel.
lt is our life blood lt is the air we breathe.
the key to instant wealth.
Observe. what happens to one piece effects the other.
Heat it. Spin it. Just think it. and it will be so.
But. what good is all this Bloodsteel
if your love life is less than it might be. Hm.
all that is in the past.
Starting today. employing forbidden secrets
from the lair of Dragon Eye himself. citizens of the Keep.
l give you the Bloodsteel machina passionata.
a simple device that guarantees unbated nights of bliss.
all the Bloodsteel is dead around here.
ah. l know times. times are tough. Pure steel rare.
For this night l will also throw in the Pyramid reanimator.
Guaranteed to extend the life force of your Bloodsteel twice fold.
Sentiments may vary based on personal usage.
Once these are gone friends l cannot get more.
How much?
ten sherigs. Guaranteed to earn its cost back on its virgin outing.
So simple. even a comp-.
even a refined gentleman such as yourself can use it.
You two know each other?
No. l'm sure l would remember that defined and devout.
devout is what l meant to say. Devout and ample...
But. mainly devout!
Hey. adric.
Can't you see l'm busy. talia.
Oh. l just thought you'd like to know that l found a twenty-cadder yesterday.
Sorcery grade.
Sort of.
aye. and you threw it all away by stiffing Splayven's men.
lt's all over the Keep.
Well. somebody had to stand up to them.
You and this vagabond goblin are going to take on the Brood.
You do know that Splayven is a heart-beat away from Dragon Eye.
What are a few cads of Bloodsteel to crooks like them?
You have no idea how serious this is.
then help me.
Pick a fight with those icebloods.
that's the beauty of it. See. l already did that.
Honestly. l don't know why l even...
...try.
Run.
Dragon!
Man the pumps!
Get those fires out now!
What good is talk?
We have had no dragons in Black Roc until now.
You tell us your plan for finding the cursed Crucible
and we will give you anything you need.
Dragon Eye controls this beast.
Dragon Eye!?! a handful of knights against his power.
He has control of this dragon and you think
that four can take him down when Malcolm's army is helpless!?!
Well. forgive my cynicism. but how long has Dragon Eye eluded us?
We ignore the Oracle's augury at our peril!
Did he happen to give you the identities of these miracle warriors?
He said my sorcery would provide the names when the time was right.
Finding the four is only the first step!
l need all of your assent in empowering them.
the reality is. if we do not find
the Crucible before Dragon Eye does then we are doomed.
Fine. Empower them.
Have no illusions. Dragon Eye employs the greatest minds in weapons craft.
He uses Bloodsteel like no other.
Do not forget he decends from the greatest sorcerer of all.
Knights will have their own sorcerer on their side.
they will not fail.
What have we heard from Swope?
Nothing. sire.
Yes. run. Run as far as you can.
Sire. l still believe that Swope and his men will secure the Crucible
and deliver it to your eminence.
Fool. Swope is a self-serving mercenary.
We will let him do the work of finding the Crucible for us.
then. we shall deal with him
as l shall deal with all those who oppose me.
they will see the truth and when l awaken my son a dynasty will be born.
they will worship him and he will shine for a thousand years.
With me. the mightiest of dragon's watching over him.
l'm sure they will.
Do not doubt me Lord Splayven!
and never set yourself between me and my heir's destiny.
the day fast approaches when Mirabilis will be his.
Serragoth with tesselink's vixen of a granddaughter.
You couldn't ask for more.
Watch your words. fool. He raised her well.
Capturing her will be no easy task.
apologies sire. But. don't worry. l know this kind well.
they will be in my han-. our hands by nightfall.
Perhaps. But. l tire of your schemes.
Let us introduce them to my little pet. shall we?
My sources in the Keep told me
that certain Brood marauders paid you a visit.
Not two days ago.
they claimed l was concealing a Bloodsteel find.
Demanded l show them where it was.
they looked at my son.
said it would be a shame to see him grow up with no hands.
You're certain they were Brood?
they called their leader Swope.
Did he have markings on his face.
Yes.
He complained it was a waste of time
to keep scrounging for crumbs when the mother lode was in reach.
My boy angus heard them talk of a journey to claim a map.
Oh. the Crucible.
Crucible? You believe in that old legend.
Well. at least it explains what azenhawke meant.
and?
Well. pleading for his life he mentioned something
about an endless supply of Bloodsteel.
and yet. you killed him anyway?
aye. he was on my list.
and you came within a hairs breadth of executing him yourself.
Do you never grow tired of this pursuit?
Have you ever thought of fighting for a cause?
For life? For freedom?
aye. mine. No Crucible is worth dying for.
Did you overhear where they were headed?
He doesn't speak.
No. Only that the map is guarded by a dragon.
they need our Bloodsteel to forge more arrowheads to slay the...dragon.
Run!
Remarkable.
Enough games. Soon you will be in my grasp.
John! Over here!
What are you doin'!?!
John! the Bloodsteel harness!
You have one chance to dislodge it!
Come on.
John! John!
John!
Whoo-Hoo! Whoo! Did you see that!?!
Magnificent! a four-winger at that! Eh!?!
l never stood a chance!
l gaffed that dragon like it was standing still!
and l was magnificent! ahh!
l mean. you were good. but l...
My sword. l...l...l've lost my sword.
Come her. lad. Great hunting!
Oh. now what have we here?
Hello. you.
Bring me those two.
lt is already done.
Ber-Lak. don't be afraid.
You must accept your fate. What you are describing...
...the invisibility. the unexplained strength.
the lightheadedness. the disorientation...
lt's being around that much pure Bloodsteel.
lt has happened before.
We are goblins. Ber-Lak.
and. among the goblins there have always been a few.
an order of magnitude more susceptible to Bloodsteel's powers than others.
the most extreme cases were recruited as vessels for powers.
vessels for lost souls.
l told you. l'm not a damn vessel.
Embrace your gift.
You want me to feel good about being inhabited by another soul?
Like a puppet. Without free will you're not really a person.
You're not a person at all.
lt's a gift.
lt's my own gifts l'm seeking.
Not someone elses.
the Brood! they've taken her. they've taken talia.
Please. we must go after her.
Here.
take this. You may need it.
Please. Come now.
Go!
Don't worry my dear. l will be merciful.
What is it?
lt's unclear. a child calling for help.
the Brood?
Perhaps.
a trap. no doubt.
How do you know this? are you using Bloodsteel magic?
Do you object?
Magic used is magic abused. Will they harm this child?
lf you know them. it will be the least of their intentions.
Well. how close are they?
Let her go!
John Serragoth and Perfidia aerie. Mm-mm.
You didn't disappoint. Welcome to this hallowed ground.
We only want the child unharmed.
aye. Let the child go. unless of course you'd rather negotiate.
talia!
adric.
John Serragoth. l presume.
the same.
You have made this easy for me.
You've all answered my little invitation.
l told you it was a trap.
this will not end well.
Only if you fail to reveal what azenhawke told you about the Crucible.
Oh. well. unfortunately he lost his head before he lost his tongue.
Splayven. l have the information that you seek.
azenhawke wrote down the night before his execution.
He said he learned the path to the Crucible. from the Oracle.
You have no idea where the Crucible is!
this is a fool's errand!
Stop!
Swope!
Swope?
aye. you find Swope. you'll find the Crucible.
He seeks it for himself.
are you crazy?
No. l'm desperate. l'm telling you the truth.
Now let the girl go.
ln point of fact. you have corroborated what we've suspected.
and now your usefulness has ceased.
He's yours!
What took you so long?
at least mine stayed down.
talia. talia. talia.
l'm sorry. l'm sorry. talia.
Help her. Help her!
l have Bloodsteel. You have powers. Please! Help her!
l cannot bring her spirit back.
No. No. No. No.
When Mirabilis burns under dragon's scorn...
...the four will join as one to mourn.
What is it?
Dragon Eye has unwittingly chosen the instruments of his own demise.
Fellow members of the triune. Captain. the Oracle's prophecy has come to pass.
We have our knights. We have the four!
they're untried amateurs. What do you seriously expect of them?
that they find the Crucible.
that they destroy Dragon Eye! that they save Mirabilis.
Have you been standing here for long?
Nope.
What do you want?
lt's. uh. more what they want.
Don't feel so bad.
lt happens.
Maybe you should try your Machina Passionata?
Heh. lt doesn't work.
l mean. it works. Normally.
Mm. that's what they say.
Who's they?
Half the young women in the Keep.
they also say that you can get your hands on money
as easily as you can the flesh of a maiden.
Get your things. the triune wants a word.
lt is a sacred trust. John Serragoth.
Moreover. it is your duty to serve the free people's of Mirabilis.
Oh. l see. they get to be free but we don't.
You'll enjoy your freedom when the job is done.
and what is this job?
the one to which you alone have already devoted yourself.
Finding the Crucible. Translated By Houssam Sameer Shibly hossamshibly@gmail.com
Well. l have no interest in this knighthood.
ah. nor do l. to be honest.
Really? You must. uh. feel very strongly to resort to honesty.
You don't want your young sister to have died in vain. do you?
More to the point adric.
l've paid off all your considerable obligations
and to be blunt. l now own you.
Yeah. well you don't own me.
Oh. and you John. You need us as much as we need you.
l pledge the resources of the guard to help you track down each
and every man on your list provided
that you devote yourself to our mission first.
and. Ber-Lak. Orion tells me that you recoil
at the roll of the vessel nature has thrust upon you.
l can tell you destiny has greater plans for you.
but they can only be found in service for this quest for the Crucible.
She should have told you
that the only roll l seek is one of my own choosing.
Yes. well. Sir John doesn't even believe the Crucible exists.
He doesn't need to believe in it's existence.
You just need to find it.
l wish we had answers.
You remain this world's best hope.
Find Swope. get the Crucible. destroy Dragon Eye.
the Oracle placed his faith in the four of you.
l don't recommend you second guess him.
With this sword and with the zephyr of freedom lofting your wings.
l dub you knights of Mirabilis.
Will you come forth?
the steel calls. Listen for it. then act.
Damn.
that's all right. these things take time.
Grandfather. l've learned speed. l've learned the second sight.
When are you going to tell me about the third gift?
Such impatience. Learn the first two. Earn the third.
l don't understand.
ah. you won't for a while.
But l can tell you this. both pale against the third gift.
Now. back to the first.
Excellent.
How fares the goblin?
Ber-Lak?
He must've become infected with invisibility
when he came in contact with the Brood soldier l told you of.
Can you heal him?
ah. well. dragon blood will help.
lf fresh. taken in time. it has been able to counter the poison.
What allows him to draw upon
the Bloodsteel powers of others may be his undoing.
You should have forseen that.
Your mind is cluttered. Distracted.
that's when we are most vulnerable.
l'm sorry. l have to force myself to look ahead.
But when l do. all l see is...
darkness.
What?
What is it?
What have you seen that you have not told me?
l wish l could tell you the darkness is merely an illusion my child.
But. l cannot. the truth is. you must prepare yourself.
You have seen my death?
Yes.
When? How?
that chapter is yet unwritten. How and when remains your choice.
lf the fate of Mirabilis hangs in the balance then l have no choice.
Do any of us?
Everyone dies Perfidia.
You have given the better part of your life to the people
at great cost to your happiness.
that was my choice.
Was it? l armed you with knowledge.
all the skill you'll need to survive.
But it cannot change what is foretold.
No.
l can only tell you that the time of the reckoning
will be of your own choosing.
and you must face it willingly.
l don't know if l can.
You don't have to undertake this.
You can say no.
No. grandfather. l cannot.
this is absolute madness.
this motley group taking on the entire Brood?
We'll need to be armed to the teeth.
l'll say that. Blacksmith. this blade's no good.
l just sold you this one hunter.
and l just told you the blade is cheap. the metal is no good.
these are the finest swords in Mirabilis.
Yeah. so you say.
Sword is only as good as the swordsman.
Let me handle this. Come.
that's good.
You brought the...you know?
as promised.
and you vow this will beguile any maiden?
You've seen me work my love craft.
Yes. but you so young and handsome and l'm less so.
Looks painful.
lt's worth it.
Besides. l'd shutter your windows or word of your prowess
will spread through the Keep like wildfire.
all right.
any news on the whereabouts of Swope and his men?
l mean. look at that.
the Keep here. the Savage Lands here.
Most of their attacks are along this corridor.
along the caravans and the trading routes.
Word has it they are after something.
and the weapons promised?
l have the regular Bolts.
l can give you genuine Bloodsteel bolts. Heart-seeking.
Properly aimed they will zero in on the beating heart of any foe.
Oh. and the crossbows.
l'll take them all. Yes. and that one.
Here.
and this.
Nice doing business with you.
You'll be amused to know the triune has listed
John Serragoth among others in their so-called Order
of the Knights of Mirabilis.
Correct me if l'm wrong. Lord Splayven.
but weren't these knights the very four who routed you
and your men at the Crossroads?
lt will not happen again.
Perhaps humility would be a more appropriate response then mockery.
l am always humble in your company. Dragon Eye.
l have teams strategically placed throughout the Savage Lands.
lf these knights are close we'll know it.
Perfidia aerie is the granddaughter of tesselink.
tesselink is a relic.
Dismiss a sorcerer at your own peril.
On the other hand. no one is immortal...
...yet.
Very clever. sire. Making Orion's bar maid your weapon.
are you sure your black market friends know what they're talking about?
they trade with these caravans.
lf Swope went this way they'd know about it.
Besides. given the risk l can't believe we're not getting paid for this.
l'm sure you'll get what's coming to you.
You know. l can't help but think there's a bit of fate in our.
you know. working side by side.
Fate?
as much as l've admired you from afar l must say the view
from here is breathtaking.
Do you seriously think that a flirtation that works
with the milk maid is going to work on me?
l'm a helpless conscript in the army of the smitten.
at ease. soldier.
l can understand your reluctance. l'm human. you're elven.
But. that doesn't have to stand in the way.
adric. please don't take offense.
But. to me you have all the charm of a sucking chest wound.
ah. So. take it slow.
My family...
they killed everyone.
they were Brood. they tore my clothes.
Swopes men did this.
aye. that means he's close.
My scouts tell me five dead.
and they're certain it was Swope's men?
Well. the good news is that it means the knights are not there.
Leave it to you. Malcolm. to find the good in a massacre.
Maybe we can use the knights as bait.
l will remind you. Perfidia is my granddaughter.
Well. then l'd remind you tesselink
that you were the one who put her name forth.
My hand was guided by an Oracle.
Well then. you can blame the Oracle should anything tragic happen to her.
l don't recommend you second guess him.
lf you believe that...
an assassin's claw.
this. this is Dragon Eye's doing.
He's determined to eliminate any obstacles in his quest for the Crucible.
For all we know. he may already have it.
No. l would have heard something.
Yes. yes of course.
Your embedded source.
lt's helped us more than you know.
But. you still can't possibly reveal his identity?
Even after this.
l'm doing what l have to to protect the Keep.
Just going to have to take my word.
they took what little Bloodsteel we had.
and they killed my brother.
For nothing.
But. they couldn't kill me.
You should rest.
l didn't get your name.
adric. l. l didn't get yours.
Maya.
l found tracks. Probably Swope and his men.
they're headed up stream. they're fresh. We should leave now.
What ails him?
He held the phantom warrior at the hanging.
He took on his powers. l have seen such things.
He seems himself yet his spirit wanes.
My spirit still remains mine.
a few moments rest.
Besides. this skill l've taken on...
You mean the affliction.
l can learn how to control it.
l can control it.
this might be useful.
She cannot come.
Maya. it's too dangerous. You need to go back to Black Roc.
You think me weak? l have travelled these trading routes all my life.
l know how to hide. l want my revenge.
Wait. Maya. You don't understand. We...
Or. are you going to make me go. Elf?
l only think of your safety.
My safety is none of your concern.
Ladies. ladies. we don't need to be so upset about this.
Maya. you'll have to understand that...
Listen. you don't want to get in the middle of this.
Elven and human women don't get along. ever.
Fine. But. hear this. l'm not going to let the Brood.
the elves. the goblins or anyone else run my life. especially her.
Maya. wait.
take these just in case.
Well. my good knight. Return in one piece.
Women.
the map to the Crucible is within our reach.
according to the Oracle we have 'til the alignment
to trigger the Crucible's power.
then we'll have all the riches we ever dreamed of.
More than Dragon Eye himself.
l'll never answer to that monster again.
Yes. He's right. Yes.
Drink up. my friends. to me. the new Magus of Mirabilis!
all that stands in our way is a dragon.
Drink to it!
But. the Oracle warned we've never seen the likes of it.
to the dragon!
and to Swope!
this is my time
lt is time now.
Ber-Lak.
to the Crucible!
Putting a curse on Maya or looking into the future?
Or perhaps the past.
Yeah. what do you see?
Maya. when we found her.
lt made you remember something.
aye. that the gods failed when they made mortals.
l don't believe you're an assassin.
Well. tell that to the men l've assassinated.
asssassins kill for hire or out of misguided zealotry.
When we first met l asked you what azenhawke did to you.
l answered.
No John. you didn't.
l'm not. uh.
l'm not from these parts.
as you might have guessed.
l come from the unsettled territory. the Moorlands.
Our numbers are few.
We hunted and lived from the land.
that is until they came.
and. what happened?
they demanded our knowledge and the whereabouts
of this mythic mind of endless stone. Bloodsteel.
Well. we told them it was nonsense. No such place exists.
that their time was wasted. and they wasted no time.
She was with child.
l never got to hold him in my hands.
to teach him the ways of life.
to watch him stumble.
to pick him up.
to show him right from wrong.
l'm so sorry.
they counted twenty-one. We never stood a chance.
there were too many.
three died. however. by my sword that day.
l was left for dead.
Since then. l have tracked eight including azenhawke.
Four others have died in battles or have been executed but six remain.
and. so you swore revenge.
You will never be satisfied until you've accounted for the rest.
Well. now you know.
Well. maybe it would have been better if you were an assassin.
they say that when a man seeks to cure his own pain
with the pain of others that it's a bottomless vortex.
all this Bloodsteel and magic. it's a curse upon this world.
Well. what will happen the first time my mission conflicts with your vendetta?
l don't know. l guess we'll both just have to wait and see.
Ber-Lak! adric!
l found them.
Good going. Did they see you?
l couldn't even see myself.
Well done. friend.
Swope seeks the map at the caves of the Malapi.
the waterfall. that's at headwaters.
l learned of a warning from the Oracle.
the Crucible exists.
But. we have to find the map before the alignment.
another thing. it is guarded by a dragon the likes no one has seen.
What does that mean?
l can't imagine. l've seen all types.
You know. maybe we should let Swope take the lead on this.
With any luck. maybe the dragon has spent
most of his fire on him and his men.
Well. they'll wish it had.
lnto the forest.
John. are we agreed on the task at hand?
l know Swope is on your list.
Do l want Swope dead? aye.
Will l bide my time?
Unfortunately.
ls that the best you can do?
Yeah. that's the best l can do.
lt's lair must be around here.
Look. that's it. the waterfall.
So. that's it's home. huh?
Nobody home l hope.
Run! Run!
Where's he?
lt's invisible! l can't see it!
lt's invisible!
l can't see it! l can't see it!
Run! Run!
Look!
What is that!?!
that's it. lt becomes visible when it breathes fire.
We will just have seconds to take aim.
Steady.
Loose!