Ramulas had eaten half the meat on his plate when he felt the first sensation. It was a whimper that brushed the edges of his consciousness. Then it built into a scream of terror, before being cut off abruptly.

Ramulas felt the animal’s fear just before it was killed. Then he felt the fear of other animals who were awaiting the same fate. Another presence found its way into his consciousness. This animal was filled with rage and fury.

Suddenly Ramulas understood what was about to happen, “This is barbaric.” He said as he stood.

Ramulas quickly walked to where he knew the animals were.

. . .

Pip returned to the market square in time to see Ramulas disappear into the crowd. She had to bring him to see the master of shadows.

“I told him to wait there for me.” Pip said as she made her way through the throng of people.

Luckily Pip was able to track Ramulas by following the purple flames which danced on his shoulders, sending a shaft of purple light into the sky. It took her a minute to catch up with Ramulas in front of a warehouse.

Pip grabbed Ramulas by the arm and spun him around. What she saw caused her to release his arm and step back. Ramulas’ face was a mask of fury. Tears filled his eyes and he held his weapons so tightly, that the muscles on his arms bulged. “Stay out of this.” Ramulas whispered before walking into the warehouse.

Pip quickly glanced back at the market before following Ramulas into the warehouse. She needed to bring him to the master of shadows.

Ramulas entered he saw a large group of men gathered in a circle in the middle of the empty building. They were shouting and cheering over the sound of a dog fight. A small dog yelped in pain and terror as a larger dog attacked it.

Ramulas waded through the crowd, each step brought a tightening to his chest, pushing men aside until he came to the centre. He was appalled at the sight before him. Ramulas stood at the edge of a pit dug into the earth. It was roughly ten feet wide and three feet deep.

A hell hound stood in the middle of the pit with a smaller dog in its jaws. The pit itself was littered with body parts of other dogs. The scene broke Ramulas’ heart, and a raging heat spread through his body.

Ramulas communicated with both animals. The smaller dog was close to death, and even though it pained him, Ramulas put it out of its misery. He waved his hand sending purple mist over the small dog and it became still. Then with another wave Ramulas covered the hell hound and it fell asleep in the middle of the pit.

As both dogs collapsed a large man with a bushy beard turned to

Ramulas, “What have you done? We were having some fun.”

Ramulas looked at the man as a warm sensation exploded in the pit of his stomach. He jabbed the man in the chest with a finger, “You dare kill animals for sport?”

The man looked behind Ramulas and nodded. Several pairs of hands grabbed Ramulas from behind. The front of Ramulas’ shirt tore as the hands tightened their grip. The warm sensation grew inside of Ramulas.

“What do we have here?” The bearded man said as he came up to Ramulas.

He leaned forward and reached for Ramulas. Cold ice rushed through Ramulas’ veins as the man took hold of the necklace given to him by Jacqueline and his girls.

“No, you don’t understand.” Ramulas said.

The man smiled, showing black-stained teeth. Then with a jerk, he pulled the necklace away from Ramulas.

“Aaaaaargh!” Ramulas screamed.

The cold sensation in the pit of his stomach exploded and rushed throughout Ramulas’ body. Then everything slowed around him, Ramulas could feel the individual fingers of each hand that held him.

Ramulas sent magical energy outwards in a massive surge. Men around him were lifted and thrown back in slow motion. The bearded man’s eyes widened as he turned to run.

Everything around Ramulas returned to normal speed. He was momentarily surprised with what he did, but the rage flooding through him cancelled any rational thoughts.

“No.” He growled.

Ramulas focused on his anger. He saw men running toward him armed with clubs and swords, they were covering the bearded man’s escape.

Ramulas flicked his cloth bundle into the air, and caught his weapons as they came free. He smiled at the men’s reactions when they saw the transformation of his weapons. Memories of his past life flashed before him.

Deep inside a part of Ramulas knew what needed to be done.

There were six men in all, Ramulas took a step toward them.

He could hear moaning of the men who flew, and saw them rolling around in pain. Orders were called out for others to attack Ramulas, he also heard Pip calling for him. Ramulas ignored her and ran at the men.

Ramulas begun to spin as he reached the first man. He knocked aside a thrust from a sword, and delivered a bone shattering blow to the man’s knees with his Warhammer.

The next man had a club which he swung at Ramulas, who cleaved it in two with his battle axe. The top half of the club spun through the air, followed by the hand which held it.

Two men with swords rushed at Ramulas, only to be thrown back after blows from his Warhammer. The two remaining men stood in shock, both had dropped their swords and held their stomachs. Each were hit with one of Pip’s throwing knives.

Ramulas turned to see Pip running toward him, “The soldiers are coming, you have to leave now!” She cried.

. . .

Pip looked back at the market square in time to see soldiers converge into it. She ducked into the warehouse and shut the door behind her. Pip saw Ramulas disappear within a group of men who were watching a dog fight. Two seconds later the dog fight stopped and Pip could hear Ramulas arguing with someone.

“This is not good.” Pip said as she moved closer.

There was a scuffle in the crowd before Ramulas screamed.

Pip dashed forward pulling out two of her throwing knives. Without warning bodies flew. She was surprised as an invisible force pushed her away with the others. Pip saw the flame around Ramulas expand before returning to normal.

Pip saw a young boy come in from the street, he tapped his should when he saw Pip, this was a signal that soldiers were coming.

Pip needed to get Ramulas out of there.

. . .

Shigar and Zachary arrived at the market square with three scores of soldiers. A small spark of hope reignited within his chest as he felt the recent echoes of the artefact.

“The artefact was here very recently.” Shigar said, but there are too many people, I cannot feel where it is.”

“Clear the square!” Zachary called.

The soldiers rushed in and cleared half the square in a few moments. Then Shigar felt a surge of energy on the other side of the square.

“Oh my, he is over there.” Shigar said as he pointed in the general direction of the warehouse. Zachary ordered the soldiers across the square.

The spark of hope grew as Shigar realised he would be in possession of the artefact soon. With a wave of his hand Shigar led the soldiers to the warehouse.

Shigar held up his hand outside the building stopping the soldiers, “He is inside.”

. . .

Pip grabbed Ramulas’ arm and pulled him toward the rear door of the warehouse, “Quickly, we need to move. I will meet you outside.”

As the young thief led Ramulas outside he was overwhelmed at how he had used his weapons. He had never fought before, or so he believed. But the weapons felt very much a part of him, and his body seemed to know how to move.

She gave Ramulas a push in the direction of the rear door before running to retrieve her knives. Ramulas came out of the warehouse into a narrow alley. He saw the bearded man duck around the corner. Ramulas saw that he still held the necklace. He ran after him.

Ramulas turned the corner into a narrow street and ran directly into path of Zachary and Shigar. He pulled to stop fifteen feet in front of them. Scores of soldiers surrounded the cart the King and his magician sat in.

Ramulas’ eyes met with Shigar’s as he searched for his for a way out.

However, Ramulas realised he would be able to communicate with animals. He smiled at Shigar as he spoke to the horse.

“That’s the man!” Shigar shouted, “I need him alive.”

The horse ran to the left, bringing the cart with it, blocking half of the soldiers and knocking a few over. Ramulas turned to run as Shigar cast a spell.

After three steps a strong wind blew towards Ramulas, kicking up a cloud of dust from the ground. Tiny particles of grit flew into his face as Ramulas inhaled a mouthful of dust.

Ramulas stumbled as he choked and coughed. Then he heard soldiers running up behind him, he spun with his weapons and struck a soldier. Ramulas spun three more times, knocking several soldiers down. Then a bout of coughing shook his body.

Ramulas looked up to see blurry shapes rush at him from all sides.

A soldier launched himself through the air to tackle Ramulas around the waist. He staggered under the weight, but remained standing. Then the weight of other soldiers brought him to the ground. Mailed fists, boots and sword hilts rained down upon Ramulas until he fell into unconsciousness.