And we're off with the big mission!

This is the second to last mission. Kind of. We've actually expanded the last mission into two, but we'll get to that another day (hopefully).

The index page will cover the premise of this. So let's start showing Kadlin taking over the Feline Empire.. and a bit more!

 
First section by Cameron

Kadlin walked in to the meeting late, intentionally so. She had called all seven of the goblin commanders here, offering them a meal she had cooked personally. Her talents as a chef were well-known, and not exaggerated.

Already, they all had been devouring the food she’d made. Many had even cleaned their plates and beverages. Kadlin smiled.

“You all want to know why you’re here and so I’ll get straight to business,” she said. “Catrina is dead. I’m taking over the Empire.”

The commanders’ reactions all varied, but all expressed some form of shock, from shouting loudly to intense quiet.

Kadlin motioned for silence. “Now, I could ask you all where you stand or request pledges of loyalty. No doubt you’d all hedge your options, hoping Catrina returns. She won’t.” I hope. Kadlin thought to herself. “So I decided to be more direct. You all appreciate directness, don’t you?”

Some nodded. Kadlin continued. “I poisoned all your food. It’s a custom creation of mine, a potion I spent quite a bit of time working on. Dark energy will consume your bodies slowly, then quickly, and you’ll die a horrible death. Unless…” She waited until she had their complete attention, then held up a vial. “This is the antidote. It won’t cure you, but it’ll stop the poison in its tracks.” More accurately, it would delay their death for a few years at most, but they didn’t need to know that. “Back me up as ruler, and you get the antidote. Betray me and I kill you. You can’t kill me. But even if you did manage, you’ll never get the antidote. So you might as well join me. I’ll reward you with wealth and power if you do. If you don’t, horrible, painful death.” Kadlin poured a sample of antidote into each of seven shot glasses and left the room, confident they’d support her wholeheartedly.

She checked the note she’d have copied and sent to all the leaders of at least eight soldiers, looking it over for the last time.

Kadlin's letter

I, Kadlin Bearsmasher, wish to let it be known that Catrina now abides in the underworld. Her death is due to personal weakness and incompetence, and the Empire will be stronger for her passing. I am personally claiming leadership of the Empire in her stead, renaming it the Empire of the Ebon Sword. The prosperity and power she promised to you, I will deliver. For what she could not supply, I have the strength to grant in abundance. All who side with me will share in my success. All who stand opposed to me will suffer and die. I want to make it clear that loyalty to me is optional. Those who support the Empire of the Ebon Sword willingly will be rewarded. Those who betray it will be sent to the experimental chambers to serve the Empire in another way. Regardless, all will increase the strength of the Empire. Now that I have made your options plain, choose wisely. For a new age is dawning.

 
* * *

Slit ran down the royal corridors with enhanced speed. Kadlin was having him kidnap Catrina’s cub. No explanation as to why. He’d balked a bit at first, but she offered to upgrade his powers, and that’s why he’d joined her in the first place. And it turns out she didn’t want the kid for one of her rituals. Just as leverage. Oh well. So here he was, warrior assassin, picking up some brat.

He burst through door after door, guards following him, shouting something at him. He was Kadlin’s left hand, less strong than the paladin, but less expected. The guards wouldn’t openly attack him yet, even if he wasn’t supposed to be here. Teleporting to the other side of a door, he came to the nursery. The nanny and the nursery guard tried to stop him, but their reaction time was too slow. In a heartbeat, his hand grabbed the cub by its hind leg, and he teleported to the room below. They had no idea where he went, and soon he was gone.

* * *

Remainder by Dash and Cattaras; slight cursing

Cattaras shook his head, trying to get the cobwebs out. He was bleeding not only from Daisuke’s maulings but from the Black Paladin's mace and... well let’s not rehash that horror story.. he got to his feet slowly, panting.. and charged in for one last battle- only to collide heavily into a thick wall of ice! A familiar voice cried out to him.

“Cattaras, over here!”

Cattaras looked over and say Becky.. well actually three Becky’s be he knew two of them were from the fact he was punch happy.. he staggered toward her and down the hall she was indicating. “Thanks, didn’t think I was gonna fight another day.”

Becky whined, “It’s cause they cheated! And they weren’t fighting fair when they fought you and.. and Ohh, I’m so mad!”

Darson, Goblina, and a third, bigger goblin in black joined them. Darson spoke. “We’d best discuss this outside. As far as the others know, we’re on official business.”

Cattaras growled. “They’ve given her up for dead.. that BITCH has taken over and she’s got Daisuke eating out of the palm of her hand somehow!”

“Stay back, everyone!” Darson said loudly. “Feline Empire official business! Clear away, now!”

The big goblin in black silently lent aid.

“So I think we need to go talk to D..” Becky paused. “Our friends outside, don’t you think? And also, Goblina packed our bags, and lunch, and we made some new friends!”

Cattaras shook his head. “D.. our friend outside.. he’s not gonna believe all this!”

“I bet not!” Becky nodded as the two quickly made their way out of the Knob Goblin stronghold and out of the Feline Empire.. no, out of Kadlin’s Empire of the Ebon Sword.

* * *

Sixty hours later, Cattaras Whiteclaw and Becky Joy had settled into their new Council appointed Adventurer Campsites and were now meeting with Sebastian Dash, who’d helped set them up with a place to stay. After some small talk, Cattaras moved the conversation to the reason Dash had come.

“Who can we count on?” Cattaras asked. “Either way, Becky and I are saving my sister, but it would be nice to have a little backup if we’re invading Hey Daze.”

“Blahking promised our full support,” Dash said. “I’d have helped anyway. I feel like I’ve failed her. Anyway, I’m definitely in for this. The Morlenciri have promised their support as well.”

“Who?!” asked confused Becky.

“The space elves,” Dash answered.

“Yay, Aleenie!” Becky cheered. “Is she coming?”

“We don’t know,” Dash said. “Anyway, Konall’s promised his help, too. Said something about a promise to Catrina’s goddess. So now, the only thing left is to find a way into Hey Daze.”

Cattaras shook his head sadly. "I.. I can't believe all of this... after all we've done to you guys. And.. and the Goddess? She exists?"

“What?” Dash smiled. “You’ve been to Hey Daze, but you have problems with a goddess existing? Anyway, we need to prepare. It isn’t easy getting into Hey Daze. Or out of for that matter.”

Cat smirked. "Easier for a guy like me to believe in hell than to believe the hell on his earth is only temporary."

Dash nodded, turned and left, promising to return when he knew more.

Kadlin's note here really reminds me of a similar note, at least in tone and circumstance. Both are nasty letters written just after assuming control of the Knob Goblin faction, after all.

We're off and running with the mission, though. And it was an action packed mission! We'll start off with Zed, who'll be back again in the third piece as well for a co write. But first off is a solo of his...