Messenger

"I think we've arrived at the borders of Alaksad commander. " one of his subordinates announced in a gruff voice.

They stood at the foot of a cliff watching the black line of the faintly emerging domain of Alaksad and its famous high towers with the symbol of a grim reaper holding a scythe.

"Master, do you think the lord of Alaksad will agree to pay a reasonable price in exchange for our service? "

Erebus had taken his finest men with him to subjugate the wildlings upon Alaksad's request.

"He did offer a promising price for the service. Then again he is one of those trash nobles who only know how to run and hide behind that bastard Zavaikal with their tail tucked between their legs."

"Your speech is ever repulsive master. Even your lady wife was too flustered to talk to you because of your unusually cold behavior." he shrugged.

"But To think that the irresponsible lord finally took initiative for the sake of his neglected territory. I'm supposed to thank her ladyship for becoming your wife-"

"Your neck must be missing a taste of my axe." he swung his war axe at his neck but he dodged it on time.

-"There goes their bickering." the men sighed irritably.

Something from afar approached them and came towards them at full speed.

"Commander! Something is approaching us. At sixty yards now from south." the soldier in his early twenties called out.

Erebus turned back to take a look.

-"Wildlings?" he guessed.

"Get ready." he pulled up his black fur cloak on his head and the black mask on the lower half of his face. The air carried an earthy odor mixed with a grassy scent that was covered in morning dew. Alaksad was a rich territory. Erebus accepted the lord's offer because of his wealth. They flew with their weapons clasped in their hands that were hard and calloused showing off years of experience.

"How many?" Erebus asked for an update.

"Everything is clear in the area. There is no sign of wildlings."

He frowned upon hearing the information that seemed the opposite of their expectations.

"Only one rider, "Jafar replied. His eyes had been glowing red for a while as he took off his spectacles before flight. He had been analyzing the area ahead.

"It's enough for one man to take him down master."

"All of you fall back," he commanded them and started alone towards the rider.

The dusky sky was shaded in various colors of pink and plum around the clouds that were shaded pearl and orange. The skies of the most noble territories were clearer and warmer with vibrant colors. But his territory barely received the mercy of pleasant weather. The harsh grey clouds always hovered over the entire region and poured down heavy rain, snow, and harsh blizzards, hails, and thunderstorms. His territory lacked such exquisite colors. All he ever saw was white, grey, or black. The only other color that brightened the snowy grounds of the Stygian fortress was red from the blood of the prisoners or dead soldiers.

"W-Wait!" a voice called out waving as he was about to strike the rider.

He could barely stop himself on time and ended up with a huge blow on the grassy meadows sending a sharp gust of wind traveling in all directions. The mule neighed with terror causing the rider to fall.

Erebus got up from his knees and loomed over the terrified man.

He was a pale-skinned man with small horns emerging from either side of his skull. He was bald and barely had skin on his burnt scalp except for a hideous scar. He wore an orange colored robe and a white cloak with silk and silver embroidery.

He had a long pointy tail sticking out of his clothes. His teeth were half-pointy and rotten.

Jafar landed beside Erebus with his face covered with a metal mask.

"He's not of the wildlings Commander." he pointed out his clothes. His men followed him one after the other.

"I'm the messenger from Alaksad territory. Lord Mammon sent me here to relay the message to you about those wildlings," he replied.

-"So he finds it repulsive to even see or let us into his territory. Considering how he only sent a vile messenger with a map in his hand." he looked at the scalded hand that held a rolled yellowed leather.

"So you know who we are."

"Yes anyone could recognize those men who wear black and move like shadows," he replied. There was a sense of disdain in his speech as soon as he realized that they weren't attacking.

"Why don't we meet your lord first?", Jafar glared at him.

"The lord is a little busy with his guests from the imperial city. He informed me in case you asked. I have the information you need. I shall guide you in place of my lord. So you better follow me. "

He waved the leather roll in his ugly hand and got on his mule that had exposed cranium bones and glowing green eyes. It snorted as he got on it.

"Where are you going?" he shouted out to them.

"The one who can't even give another lord a simple respect doesn't deserve anything." Jafar turned around with his hands behind his back.

"Tell your lord the deal's off. He can lick the asses of those dear guests from the imperial capital. Tell him that Lord Erebus Stygian bids him a safe life with the wildlings surging into his precious territory." Erebus made a final call to his subordinates and they began to take flight once again.

"Wait! Wait! This is a command from my Lord. Come back!" he shrieked.

"N-no! This was one chance I had to prove myself. He will put an end to me." he clenched his fists.

"I will be killed. Mercy!" he galloped following their footsteps.

Erebus and a few of his men finally stopped while the rest had left up the cliff.

"Do you suppose I care about scums like you? Even if you plead mercy I have no intention of heeding your plea." he glared at him which looked deadly enough to make the mule scared enough to throw him again.

"Please! " he bowed on the ground.

"Let's leave." he glanced at him and then turned around.

"As you command."