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[Arlin]

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The wind whipped around the half-ogres broad frame, his oversized cloak cracking and snapping in the brewing storm. His hands clasped behind his back as he peered out over the dead forest, towards the darkened and lifeless city of Umbra. Thunderheads and storm clouds gathered over the City of Necromancers as Arlin looked on. An ear piercing screech could be heard coming from the Ebon Skull compound every few minutes, and it sent a chill running up Arlins spine.

“You will be left in peace” the words echoed in his head. Zalar Soulblight had ambushed Arlin inside his own compound, locking him inside his own keep. He warned Arlin of the army the lay beneath Charnel Hill, and that it would soon emerge, hungry to taste the blood of Sanctus. And here Zalar was, telling him all this…and that if he let the Ebon Skull march on Sanctus, un-harassed by Arlins own army, they would be left in…peace.

He began pacing across his rooftop, the wind lashing against the stone of his keep. His newly placed garden swayed in unison with each other, as the thoughts coiled through Arlins head. He surveyed the troops locking down the supplies and heading inside the barracks, awaiting the impending storm. Their blood would be on his hands, if he stood and fight. But if he didn’t fight, then what of Sanctus? Zarlox was a good man, for a paladin, and he did not want to see Sanctus in flames.

But peace! It was something he had always longed for, had lay awake at night dreaming about. He could live out the rest of his days with Arcana in a secluded corner of Malas, away from the war and death that seemed to haunt him. Another sigh escaped his lips, as the thought of peace was replaced by the thought of atonement. It seemed so long ago that Arlin had been a slaver, and much had changed since then. But even the mention of it now angered him, to the point that he had killed a member of the Dark Order this evening.

Arlin clenched his fist in resolve. Peace would have to wait, as his hands were covered in far too much blood already. He could not have an entire city fall because of what he wanted. He snapped around on his heels and descended down the stairs. He had an army to prepare.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.