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The heat of the desert was not something to be trifled with. The land sizzled and buzzed with small bugs and animals all flitting about trying to either find food or escape this heat. On the worn roads however walked a man and his trusty horse. The horse was a light brown color with short hair and bright eyes pointing forward to their destination. The man, however, would elicit an odd stare from passerby. Horns, rigid and curved like that of a goat protruded from either side of his head and his skin a pale blue like chalk as seen by his hands and what part of his face not covered. The man’s eyes were like that of a burning sun, bright and dangerous. The man wore a simple dark duster coat, black vest, pants, and white shirt. Hung on his hip was a plain machete, pistol, and a book, an odd patchwork tome hung at his side like a dear ornament. The man was known as a Marked, a person bound by a contract to an otherworldly force for reasons known only to them. The marked man had only been in a contract for a few months at this point, the source of his bound state relating to the tome on his waist. Almost like it was waiting for its queue, the marked mans’ tome started to hum. Noticing this, the man unhooks the book from his side allowing it to float and open revealing a big eyeball, dark green and otherworldly.
“Zorus my dear disciple” The book said in a deep voice as it floated around the horned man. “Lady Alva is expecting us within the next hour, should we not pick up the pace my boy?”
“Relax boss” the horned man known as Zorus spoke as he brought his horse to a canter, slightly picking up the pace. “We are not far from the estate, and besides, Miss Alva knows we’ll show.”
“Well, I suppose you are right my boy” The book floats towards Zorus as the man reaches out his hand allowing the tome to fall into it. “Let us just hope that whatever the lady requests of us won’t be too strenuous.” And with those final words the book closes and Zorus puts it back on his hip.
“Let’s hope so… Alright girl, let's move!” Zorus yells as he brings his horse to a gallop as they ride off towards their destination.
The estate of one Elizabeth Alva was as grand as it was mysterious. Connected to a small village the place itself was self-sustaining with most residents of the village working for the lady of the land. Zorus wasn’t a stranger to this estate village. He regularly made deliveries to and from the area as a courier before he got marked. Slowing down his horse’s pace Zorus rode through the small village before ending up at the main gates to the estate. At the gate he was met by two guards, dressed in black and holding rifles. They greet the horned man as he stops his horse just in front of them.
“Name and business with the lady of the house.” One guard says as Zorus rattles around his bag producing a fine envelope with an ornate seal.
“Zorus, I have received a letter from lady Alva and am expected to meet her on this day.” Zorus hands the letter to the guard who gives it a once over then hands it back with a nod.
“Very well, Mistress Alva can be found in the south gazebo overlooking the lake, follow the path and you’ll reach it.” The guard says before motioning to the other to open the gate.
“Thank you kindly” Zorus says to both guards, tipping his hat before proceeding through the open gate onto the property. The estate of lady Alva was well kept and from a glance seemed bright and colorful. But one look towards the house itself was a different story. Dark reds and blacks paint the gothic mansion, tall and brooding with untold secrets and history within its walls. The color and old style extended to the other buildings with shaded breezeways connecting them all to the main mansion.
A short trip around to the backside of the gothic property rested one of many large gazebos of the property, a popular sitting space for the lady of the house. Once he reached his destination he dismounted his horse. An approaching servant gladly takes the reins from the horned man's hands and leads the horse to the stables nearby. Zorus politely thanks the servant and takes off his hat and pulls down his scarf, so his face is more clearly shown, and makes for the gazebo. Upon climbing up the small stairs and being embraced by the shade the structure gave he bows slightly towards the reason he is here in the first place.
“Good afternoon lady Alva, pardon me if I was late in any way.” Zorus says as he straightens up from his bow.
“Oh, nonsense dear Zorus you are right on time as always, come take a seat” lady Alva answers back in a smooth tone motioning towards a chair.
Lady Elizabeth Alva was an interesting character. Heiress to the Alva brewing company, her family makes and sells some of the finest spirits in the land. Shrouded in mystery however, both from the wide range of products being sold and to the family’s elusive nature and odd habits. Few get close to the Alva’s and those who do are trusted beyond belief and usually end up working for the family for life. The untimely death of her father, age unknown, left Elizabeth with a sizable fortune and control of the family business. From her estate which she never leaves she manages an empire of alcohol and the day-to-day business operations while distilleries and the like are handled by close associates of the family. But now trouble has made her call on the newly christened Goat man to help with an issue of sorts. Looking at the lady across from him Zorus could see that lady Alva was in one of her many casual outfits. A black blouse and matching long skirt and thigh boots made up her ensemble along with a pair of thick dark sunglasses. Alongside the heiress stood her most trusted advisor, Mary who wore a simple shirt and vest combo with matching pants, her face adorned with plain circular glasses.
“How was the journey here Zorus? Not too strenuous I hope?” Lady Alva said as she picks up and swirls a glass of presumed red wine around. “Ah, before I forget, would you like anything to drink? The heat here is something else these days.”
“Some water wouldn’t hurt if I’m being honest miss Alva.” Zorus said as he wiped a few beads of sweat off his forehead as he reclines slightly in his chair.
“Mary, please be a dear and fetch our guest some refreshments.” Alva said sweetly to the advisor as she quietly went to fetch a glass and a pitcher of water.
“Thank you Mary” Zorus says as she passes by, Mary gives a quick nod and walks down the connector from the gazebo to one of the properties buildings.
“She is such a saint is she not?” Alva says softly before turning to Zorus. “Now, let us talk business, as you can guess I did not summon you just for drinks my boy.”
“I assumed not, so ma’am, what’s going on that you summoned me specifically? It’s not like you’re short on help in any capacity.”
“You are right on that aspect Zorus, but recent developments means I have to, as you say, outsource some help.” Alva says just as Mary comes back with a pitcher and glass of water and hands the glass to Zorus who takes it graciously.
“Outsource?” Zorus says before leaning in as lady Alva does the same. “You need someone from the outside cause one apple might have spoiled the bunch huh?”
“Precisely. Only us three will know what is going on and about to happen, the information I give you goes out to no one. Understand?”
“I understand lady Alva, what needs to be done?”
Lady Alva nods to Mary who pulls out a map and lays it across the table, all three present looking towards it and the marks on it.
“A few days ago, a shipment of precious cargo coming from the city of Evergreen was supposed to come to the estate, it was supposed to arrive two days ago but never showed. I suspect foul play of some sort was involved and I need you to figure out where, why, and possibly retrieve the cargo at any means necessary.”
“Sounds simple enough, that doesn’t explain all the secrecy my lady.”
“It is a confidential matter Zorus and if you do this successfully I might let you know why. But until then you will take what you can get. Do I make myself clear?” Alva says in a stern voice.
“Crystal clear ma’am, now where do I start?”
“The most logical option is to just follow the route as shown on the map, the road to Evergreen is not that treacherous, if it has fallen to highwaymen or something worse it would be in your best interest to clear them out.”
“I’ll certainly do that; now should I go ahead and head out?” Zorus says after finishing his drink and rising from his seat. Lady Alva simply leaned back into her chair as Mary resumed her place standing right next to her.
“You are free to do so Zorus, I’ll permit you to use the back exit out of the mansion that follows the river. Use that entrance when you return as well.”
“Very well my lady, take care and rest assured your cargo will be in your hands soon” With a nod Zorus walks out of the gazebo towards the stables. A servant meets the horned man halfway, handing over the reins of the freshly groomed and fed horse.
“They treat you right Dusty?” Zorus asks his horse, giving her a few pats before mounting her. Just as Zorus starts making his way towards the back gate a voice call after him.
“One more thing sir Zorus!” Lady Alva calls him both her and Mary walking towards the man and his horse. Mary holding a wide black umbrella shielding Miss Alva.
“Something amiss, my lady?” Zorus asks, turning towards the two women.
“We forgot to talk about your reward if the cargo is retrieved.” Alva starts as she stops in place, the umbrella shrouding most of her features in darkness. “How about our usual agreement for jobs and a nice dinner, my treat.”
“That sounds fantastic my lady, I'll have your cargo within the next night you have my word.”
“Very good Zorus, good luck.” With a bow lady Alva turns away from the man, Mary following behind her as both walk back towards the manor. With the talk of reward out of the way Zorus now turns his head towards the opening gate and heads out of the property of Elizabeth Alva.
The route towards Evergreen that the cargo shipment would have taken was straightforward. Coming south from Evergreen would get you to lady Alva’s estate with relative ease and warranted you didn’t take the wrong fork at the midway point. That was Zorus’s first thought, that the delivery people might have taken a wrong turn, but something was off about it still. The fork would still eventually lead you to the estate granted you took a few extra turns, but they should have still arrived. The sun was starting to dip as Zorus made his way down the straight lightly wooded road, nothing but the buzzing air as the cicadas sang with their buzzing hymn. The ever-growing tree line did start a small thought in the mind of the goat man. Highwayman can make a robbery out here plausible, hopefully if that was the case the cargo would still be untouched. The question of the cargo was another thing entirely, it had to be something valuable enough to not only have lady Alva need it retrieved but the secrecy and needing Zorus as well. Almost like he was reading his thoughts, the tome comes to life once more and floats idly by Zorus as they travel. Before he could even say hello the book opened revealing the eye once more and it spoke.
“Well, aren't you just being a saint today my disciple.” The book began floating forward in front of Zorus as he rode on his horse. “Lady Alva is a good association to have but let us not get carried away here, we still need knowledge, and she has it.”
“I know boss.” Zorus said as he turned to face the book as it sat to his left. “This agreement is mutually beneficial; we are most likely going to get something good from her. I don’t doubt she has something we need for our work.”
“Oh, I agree with you my boy, she must have a wealth of knowledge but don’t let her take advantage of our needs and kindness. A librarian and his assistant should be respected, and we will be soon as we gain more power.”
“I hear ya boss, we can focus on power later first we need to get this shipment of something or whatever. And besides, why weren’t you present at the meeting? You could have talked at any time”
“You don’t even know what we are retrieving? Oh, my boy I expected better of you, ask more questions, be thorough. I was not present because I wanted to see how well you can get by yourself though it looks like It needs some work.” The book said in a somewhat disappointed tone as Zorus lets out a huff.
“To be fair she didn’t seem to be open about discussing anything about it anymore than she wanted to. Honestly whatever we are getting back it must be important.”
“I wonder what it could truly be.”
“New brew perhaps? There is a distillery in Evergreen, a new product could answer the cause for secrecy. Maybe someone went rogue with it on the way here.”
“I’m sure that will be answered in due time my boy but maybe sooner than you think.” The book says ominously.
“What do you mean by that?” Zorus asks now fully focused on the now chuckling book.
“Use your eyes Zorus, what do you see ahead of you?”
“What do I see ahead of me? Oh.” Zorus says as he looks in front of him more specifically towards the sky. Just ahead of the pair as the sun dipped into the landscape there was smoke, a fire. Slowing his horse down, Zorus leans low to try to get a better view of what’s going on. A group of 3 people sit around a campfire and two dead bodies near them, a robbed caravan by the looks of it.
“Poor bastards. If they are on the road maybe they saw the caravan.” Zorus says as he gets off his horse and leads it to a tree. “Well time to say hello, don’t you agree boss?”
“Oh, you have fun with all that, I’ll be listening and watching if you need me” the book replies before going silent and falling into the horned man’s hand. Zorus clips the book back into its holder on his hip before looking towards the small fire in front of him.
“Alright then, showtime” Zorus says as he starts casually walking towards the fire, drawing both his pistol and machete from his hip. The horned man’s footsteps are faint and soft as he approaches the 3 strangers. The dull hum starts to surround him as his pistol starts to emit an ethereal light green earthly glow as the barrel flares up in the night. By now Zorus is almost upon the campfire and just as one person starts to notice the new addition to the campfire Zorus speaks.
“Good evening killers and pillagers, have you sinned lately?” Zorus says as the 3 assailants stand up.
“It's one of them freaks, kill em!” One yells as he rushes Zorus. The man rushes Zorus in a blind rage, blind enough to be stopped dead in his tracks from the Goat Man’s blade.
“I’m charmed,” Zorus said as his blade went through the attacker’s neck. “But I’m on a tight schedule so you’ll have to excuse pleasantries.” And with that Zorus retracts his machete from the man’s neck before decapitating him.
“Now.” Zorus turns to the other two, one has his pistol drawn and the other stands in fear, “Who’s next. The man with the pistol goes to aim and fires a shot, Zorus ducks to the side before returning fire with his own pistol. As the shot enters the man’s head a pair of roots sprout from the wound and lodges the man into a nearby tree in a display of violent reclaiming of nature.
“St.. Stay away from me!” the last man shouts as he starts to run away. Zorus just shakes his head and fires a shot into the left leg of the fleeing man. As another root sprouts from the leg the once fleeing man is now stuck in place. Zorus holsters both pistol and blade, the blade he wipes clean of blood. Casually stepping over both corpses and the fire he makes his way to the now stuck man.
“Why hello there sir” Zorus begins leaning over the man like a demon from hell. “Hope the shot wasn’t too bad, I still need you alive.”
“What do you need me alive for? You fucking freak what do you want from me?!” The man yells in pain as Zorus looks both amused and sinister.
“I need some information; can you give that to me?” Zorus says as he unhooks his book from its place allowing it to hover around the rooted man.
“Whatever it is you want I don’t got it, I don’t deal with marked freaks!” the man spits at Zorus who looks on in disgusted annoyance. But before the horned man can retaliate the book speaks up.
“My boy I do not think this man is going to give us what we want the nice way. Looks like I’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way.
“Really boss? That way? You’re not gonna kill him are ya?”
“K-kill me!?” the stuck man starts to panic.
“That is for you to decide Zorus, what I am about to do will not require death.” The book finishes as he hovers closer to the man rooted in place. Under where the eyeball rests on the book a mouth begins to form and from it three tendrils.
“What the fuck is that! Get it away from me!” the man yells in terror as Zorus moves around behind him to hold him from squirming.
“Be still. If all goes well we might let you go.”
“Now let us see what is inside that head of yours.” The tendrils reach the rooted man's head and suction on to it. The mans’ eyes go wide and for a moment it almost looks like he is stuck in time as Zorus watches the scene unfold. A dull hum emits from the book and the surrounding scene and before Zorus knows it the ordeal is over.
“Done” The book says shortly retracting the tendrils from the highwayman as he slumps over in a shocked state. “It appears that our fellow here has seen the cargo and more importantly where it's going.”
“Great!” Zorus says as he gets closer to the book. “Where are we headed? The sooner the better.”
“An old church north of here where its more desert, and in Inquisitorium territory.” The book turns from the now broken highwayman to Zorus who looks like he is physically cringing from the thought of going to that area.
“It had to be the inquisitors huh.”
“The ones who have the cargo are indeed inquisitors.”
“Gods dammit!”
“I do not see the issue here my boy, yes you had a bad run in but you are stronger now! More capable! You have me at your side!” The book says in an attempt to rile up his assistant. “We have the power to take what is ours and strike back at those who wronged us and our associates. Now let's go get that cargo.”
“you’re right,” Zorus says, slapping his face, now renewed with purpose. “Let's show 'em what they are messing with.”
“Oh, before I forget.”
“Yes boss?”
“What shall we do with him?” The duo turns back to see the highwayman, almost soulless and unmoving.
“Do we just let him go? He doesn’t look all the way there, boss.”
“So was the price of digging through his mind, it's best to end it for him.”
“Do we have to?” Zorus says uneasy as he approaches the broken man rooted before him. “What did we do to him?”
“It was a small price to pay for our objective that I will remind you we need to urgently get to. We do not have time to waste Zorus, make your decision now.”
Zorus looks back at the book then to the man. He thinks for a second before emitting a small sigh and pulling out his revolver. No green energy emits from the gun this time as Zorus aims and fires, snuffing out the light of the man who stood before him.
“Let's get dusty and let's head on out.” Zorus says in a mumble as he whistles for his horse.
“Let us.” The book responds back, going silent as the horse approaches and falling back into the arms of his disciple.
The ride north proved to be a gentle one, as most of anything had retired for the night except the goat man, his steed, and his master who floated beside him. The two were engaged in a conversation, the earlier encounter had left the horned man in a moody state and the Librarian was one to make sure his disciples were alright.
“You have been called worse Zorus” The book began. “I know this hasn’t been the best situation for you these past months, but I assure you that it will be alright.”
“How many more looks, and words are gonna get thrown at me. Its not like marked are particularly rare or anything.”
“While that may be true a marked is still a sight to behold, whether in reverence or fear the populace of the area know we are a force to be reckoned with.”
“I’m just one man boss, even with all this change I’m still just a man.”
“Never lose sight of that humanity Zorus, I’ve seen what a loss of that does to even the most virtuous of people.”
“Oh? There have been others.”
“No, my boy but I have always been an observer as is my nature. I have seen more of this land on the outside looking in than I have attached to you.”
“So why do I need to mark someone in the first place at all?”
“I would remind you that you were almost dead when we first met. The Inquisitorium left a nasty mark on you that we remedied with our contract.”
“Right, right.” Zorus spoke as his mind wandered to that fateful day. “Well no use bringing back up the past, gotta look towards the future.”’
“Right you are my boy. Anyhow we should be getting close to that church that ruffian mentioned.”
“I think I see it actually.” Squinting with his eyes Zorus could make out a faint look of a building in the distance, lit up yet decrepit. “Looks like we found our mark, looks like a small party of inquisitors by the looks of it.” Zorus dismounts his horse bringing it beside a rock formation not far from the church.
“You best be ready for a fight, Zorus.” The book says as Zorus feeds dusty something small before turning to face the book.
“Would you care to assist me boss? I’ll need your help.”
“I would be honored to assist as always.” With that the two set off through the darkness to their destination.
The church the inquisitorial party was stationed was small and falling apart. Perfect for a one-night rest stop but not much else. As Zorus approached he noticed the two big cart sized barrels hooked to horses. Seeing this he deduced that the kegs must be the cargo stolen from lady Alva. Just their luck that a lone person was off near the book and Zorus presumably standing guard.
“ready to say hello boss?” Zorus says removing his revolver from his holster.
“I shall let you do the honors my boy.” The pair grows quiet after that as they rapidly approach the lone guard. The guard doesn’t even have a chance to scream as Zorus grabs him in a chokehold, gun pointing at the guards’ face.
“Howdy” Zorus says as the guard looks on in fear. “I’m here to take those kegs back to their rightful owner, you got a problem with that.” The guard shakes their head no as Zorus laughs to himself as the book flies closer to the grabbed watchman.
“How many associates are there young one and do keep it down, would not be wise to make a shout.”
“U-used to be four of us including me, now it's just me and my superior.” The man squirms in the goat mans’ grip but Zorus only holds tighter. “I-I’m just a squire I don’t know where the keg comes from honest.”
“Just two of you? Odd.” Zorus says as he releases his grip on the man but still having his gun pointed. “I’m giving you the count of five to run and get out of my sight. GO.” Zorus says as the squire scrambles off into the night.
“Interesting choice to let him live, now let us find the other.” The book says floating towards the kegs but stops. “On second thought, my boy I think they found us.”
In front of the pair at the kegs stands a tall woman, her clothes are a bright white, stainless and ornate, an inquisitor’s regular uniform. The woman has a pistol in one hand and a glass in the other. Zorus readies to attack but the woman puts her hand up and stops him and she speaks.
“Pardon me Goat man but I was hoping we could do without bloodshed this evening.” The inquisitor says as Zorus and her both holster their respective guns. “You see we knew someone was coming after that Alva’s brew, but I did not expect to see you, murderer.”
“To be completely honest lady it was your organization that killed me first, I just retaliated.”
“Retaliation? That’s what you call slaughtering an entire squad of inquisitors. I’ve seen the reports, you’re a demon.”
“Look we can talk about what I did or what you did or what your organization did but I’m just here for the cargo. So, either get out of my way or me and my boss here will take it by force.”
“oh, you’ll get your fight but first humor me for one second.”
“oh?”
“I want to savor this new brew the Alva’s have made and then we shall fight.” The inquisitor walks to the keg and twists the spout, letting a liquid pour into her glass.
“You sure that’s a good idea lady, might not be the best batch on the market.”
“Oh, what do you know about liquor, Goat man. Anyways, cheer.” The inquisitor raises her glass before starting to drink the brew. However, as she drinks her eyes and face contort. From confusion to realization, she spits out her drink before looking in shock.
“That’s not liquor that’s-”
“Times up” Zorus cuts her off and quickdraws his revolver, shooting her in the head. The bullet goes through the inquisitor’s skull and nearby post as the now dead inquisitor falls onto the ground spilling her drink. Zorus holsters his pistol and walks over to the corpse and inspecting the glass, he picks it up and give it a smell.
“Something amiss my boy” The book says as Zorus puts the glass back down in the dirt near the body.
“No, nothing boss just the smell is a bit interesting.” Zorus says as he stands up to check the carts for damages.
“Well not much else here for us Zorus, let us get this cargo back to lady Alva.”
“Right, lets.” The horse drawn carriage of brew quietly sets out for the Alva estate as the dawn slowly breaks over the horizon.
When Zorus and the book returned to the Alva estate morning nipping at their heels they were met with immense gratitude. Meeting them at the gates were estate workers and the lady of the house and her assistant. As Zorus hands off the reins to one of the estate workers, lady Alva comes up to him and extends her hand from under her umbrella.
“Excellent work Zorus, I dare say you even surprised me with how fast that was.”
“It was no problem lady Alva.” Zorus says as he shakes the lady of the estates’ hand. “Although there were a few interesting developments during the mission.”
“You can fill me in on that tonight at dinner. I’ll have answers and rewards there so take some time to rest before then.” Alva says as she turns away to rejoin with her assistant.
“There is a guest room ready for you so you can sleep, one of my attendants will show you there.” As she says this an attendant arrives and bows in front of Zorus.
“Allow me to show you to your room sir Zorus.”
“Thank you kindly.” Zorus says as he heads off with the attendant towards the manor. The next few hours allowed Zorus to catch up on the sleep he dearly missed during the all-night mission he was just on. He was woken up around the evening just as the sun was starting to dip from view by an attendant.
“Fresh clothes for you sir, please put them on and when you are done I will escort you to the dinning hall.” The attendant says laying down a pair of slacks, a white shirt and red vest.
“Thank you I’ll be out shortly” Zorus says as the maid nods and heads out of the room. After getting dressed and following the maid, Zorus and the book now find themselves in an elegant dinning hall. Its gothic design shines through in a dark yet well-lit way. Across the table sat lady Alva in a fancy dinner suit and no glasses to show her dull red eyes.
“Glad to see your Zorus, sit.” Alva says motioning to the chair next to Zorus as he sits down placing the book in a small stand near him.
“Thank you Miss Alva. I appreciate all you are doing for me.”
“But of course, Zorus your help was invaluable to me, and I shall reward you as such. Now for the first part of your reward.” Lady Alva claps her hands twice and Mary appears with three old tomes. “You and your master should find these tomes to your liking; they have been with the family for a long time but have seen very little use.”
“Thank you miss Alva.” Zorus says picking up the tomes from Mary before looking at them intently. As he holds the books a faint magical glow starts to emit as the tome is sucked away and goes into the Librarians book.
“Such a fascinating ritual” Alva says from her place across the table as Mary rejoins her side. “You absorb books into yourself, I don’t know what to say.”
“Its more like my boss absorbs the books into himself, I am just the mediator.” Zorus says as he finishes absorbing the books. “Now I wanted to ask about the cargo and the mission.”
“Do go on my boy, I feel like I should not keep secrets from you at this moment.”
“I appreciate the thought, now. First, the Inquisitorium was after the shipment.” Zorus says as a hum of annoyance comes from Alva’s mouth.
“Of course, they thought they had seen fit to take my wares, there is a checkpoint near Evergreen that the Inquisitorium controls.” Alva continues. “I suppose my cargo ticked them off somehow, or maybe a rogue party sold it to them.”
“Whatever it was, they've been dealt with.” Zorus states as an attendant brings a glass of red presumably wine to lady Alva. “Now about the cargo..”
“Blood.”
“Blood?”
“Yes blood, you see Zorus I am. Different from most people, not fully human, not anymore.”
“You’re a vampire.” Zorus says softly as Alva nods she bares a toothy grin which Zorus can say houses a pair of fangs.
“I have my needs, and that includes blood.” Alva takes a drink. “I hope this does not alarm you in any way, Zorus.”
“You know.” Zorus starts. “Not at all, I know what it's like to be not all human and different from everybody else.”
“I hoped you would, you see we are unique Zorus, we are extraordinary beings whether that be through bloodline or choice.” Alva continues. “We should take our differences in stride so to speak and to not think any less of ourselves.”
“I still struggle with that honestly. I don’t know where I belong in the world sometimes.”
“You’ll find your way, I know you will, and I would like to suggest something Zorus.”
“What would you suggest Lady Alva?” Zorus says intrigued as Alva looks on.
“A partnership, not a long one but hopefully a fruitful one. I want your help and in return I shall give you and your master as much knowledge as I can.”
“A partnership huh?” Zorus looks towards his master and the book almost hums in a way only Zorus can understand. “We accept for now.”
“Excellent choice Zorus. Now, let us eat and we shall discuss what our next step is.”
The two toast to a hopefully fruitful partnership and dine for the rest of the night as this chapter of the Goat man comes to a close where it leads to next is up to fate and the gods themselves.