HEADED FOR Treason

Alden had seen Mechlen and the others leave one by one through the back door. The sun had just set but with all the drinking that had been going on, no-one seemed to be missing a couple of mercenaries. Or if they had they weren't acting any differently. Alden meanwhile made certain that he was in plain sight. He gave a couple of rounds and that got people even more merry. 
Right on cue, Lord Stannon appeared, causing the atmosphere to dim and quite a few more people to leave. The lord gestured toward the back and Alden followed. The past couple of years they'd done more than a bit of work for the lord. Sometimes they got paid but more times than not, they were left without reward. The lord always claimed unsatisfactory results and with the lawmen in his pocket, there was no going against the unfair treatment. 
But two could play that game and Alden and his band had caused quite a bit of trouble for their lord. The last year they had carefully made connections all across the territory and tomorrow morning at dawn, Lord Stannon's reign of terror would end. But Alden was careful not to let the excitement slip. 
"You wanted to discuss business, My Lord?" Alden asked.
"Where is your brother?" Lord Stannon asked, looking for the quiet man that usually accompanied Alden.
"Probably out with a girl." Alden shrugged and gave a lewd smile that he hoped would convince the lord of their lowly urges.
The lord was his usual self and discussed his proposal brief and without veiling what he truly wanted to happen. Someone on his payroll had gone missing along with a considerable amount of money. Stannon wanted them found and punished, preferably by a long and painful dead. Alden wondered once more if the Lord's right-hand man, Constable Credz was to blame for this. They all knew he was dirty as a rat crawling up from a sewer, but the Lord seemed to blind to his diversions into torture and murder. Or he knew and didn't care and only wanted some semblance of justice to be meted out, probably onto someone he wanted gone anyway.
Alden agreed to look for the culprit and watched as the Lord departed. Stanny got on his horse and disappeared with his contingent of guards around him. They rode back to the castle and Alden relaxed. He would remain in the inn for a few more hours before he'd slip away to the small thicket where he'd hidden his horse and then he'd be on his way...
The innkeeper's son however, changed his plans. The young man with the rusty hair and the slight build approached him and seemed to want to ask about a drink when he suddenly whispered:
"My father wants you to be careful. Constable Credz was here earlier and suddenly he was gone."
Alden's heart froze. Beersel was a clever man and someone he trusted beyond doubt. Brakel disappeared before Alden could ask him anything and returned a little while later with a glass, "Hurry, we'll cause a diversion."
Alden nodded and slipped out the back. 

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To the Top

Alden raced up across the roads. Once he reached the mountain though, he could no longer move as reckless as before. The roads were small and dark, dawn was still a ways off and the light that was just appearing at the horizon wasn't strong enough to break through the cover of the trees. 
He was maybe halfway up the mountain when a man on a horse obstructed his path. 
"Stop." the man called, drawing his sword and looking like he would not hesitate to use it.
Alden didn't reply, what use would a reply be? He descended from his horse and approached the man. 
"I was told to expect you." the man called when he recognised Alden, "I was told to use any means necessary to detain you."
Alden meanwhile had also recognised the man as one of those who were employed by Constable Credz. A man so vile and cruel they'd nicknamed him Constable Crazy. People who vanished near him almost always ended up being found in small bits and pieces. Alden knew he'd be one of them soon if he didn't turn the tables soon. 
With a hand gesture, he asked his horse to rear up and when his gelding complied, Alden charged, drawing his short sword and striking before the crook could react. Alden knocked the man down, his horse bolted and dragged the unlucky fellow along. Alden wasted no time on him but mounted and abandoned all caution to the wind. His men were in danger and he needed to get to them. 
Right before he reached the plateau, a bright flash lit the sky and loud calls sounded. Alden jumped from his horse and rushed out onto the clearing at the top of the plateau. His eyes darted around and it seemed as if his brain was faster than humanly possible as the dreary reality hit him. Constable Creds was there with at least a dozen men. Aliani, Oud've and Tongren were bound and gagged. Mechlen and his crew were standing, daggers out, at the edge of the plateau. The glow behind him seemed to indicate they had lit the signal for the rebellion. That thought was confirmed as he heard Anwerp calling: 
"The signal has been given."
Alden took a step further into the light and called: "Get away from them, Crazy."
Constable Credz turned around, not in the least worried about the five armed mercenaries at the edge of the plateau, he still held the upper hand after all, and sneered:
"How good of you to join us. So you did want to see your friends' demise? Even if you betrayed them for a measly sum of money and a title." 
"Your plot isn't working!" Alden called back. 
At least he hoped his men would trust him. Back and forth taunting kept them at a standstill and Alden sweated, quite certain his entire band would be killed. Even if the rebellion succeeded, not being there to enjoy the changes was not how he'd imagined his plan unfolding.
"How had you expected it to go?" a voice flowed through his mind.
Images appeared of them triumphing and people cheering.
"A vision of grandeur. So nice." the voice replied as a sudden darkness seemed to impair his vision.
"I can save you." the voice whispered, seemingly coming from everywhere at once, "Just say yes and I'll provide you with a way out."
Alden swallowed, almost certain it was a demon enticing him. But he needed to save the people he'd lived with for these past years. They deserved to live. Alden nodded.
That was all Ersatz needed and the shadowling howled her victory as she opened a vortex of shadows to lead the one she'd chosen as a candidate for her children to Lantessama. However the pesky language difference had twisted her words. She wanted to save only one human, but he'd taken she'd meant to save them all. How foolish. 
Alden jumped in and before Ersatz could close the vortex, 8 others joined. The magic of the portal tore at the strain and Ersatz only barely managed to get Alden to where she wanted him to be. 

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Lantessama Isle

Alden shook his head as he suddenly found himself on a beach at sunset. Three mountains rose inland and there was water as far as he could see. 
"Welcome." the dark voice whispered to him again, "Your determination and conviction will make one of my children very happy. Not to mention your tenacious will."
"Where are the others? Alden asked.
"I did not make a deal with them." Ersatz clarified, "Only you."
As the gravity of loss hit him, Alden could only determine that he had betrayed his team. He had taken the way out that they hadn't had. He had failed them. Alden sank to his knees, and there he was found by some of the people who lived on Lantessama.

Stats and Dragon
[ALDEN]

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Lantessama Isle

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