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"The food stocks of the town may also work in our favor, if somebody could sneak into the towns warehouse and poison their food, we may have a much easier time dealing with the local populace. It must not be a lethal poison, though. Else we will not be able to take prisoners back to the cult."

"Poison. Hmmm... Poison you say. If poison is what you need, look no further. I am your man, well, four legged boney creature thing at least."

Tyreus began porting around the group releasing a small amount of toxin into the air. A few of them breathed in the sulfuric air and it choked them up for a few seconds.

"Hmm.. and I should be able to "sneak" right in. And non-lethal is pretty vague. As long as their hearts are still beating, softly, is that okay? I would love to see them vomiting their intestines out into the streets. The sound of the splatter and the putrid acidic smell makes for a lovely atmosphere.

"There is also the issue of the town guard, and the gatehouse. We need the town guard whittled down, by any means necessary, and the gatehouse to be sabotaged. It must not function properly when the time comes to close the gates."

After hearing all of objectives acquiring accomplishment from the group, Screwtape stated; "Damarus, the issue with the town guard would most suitably be a task for me and my second, So'kar. We are more than able to abolish the town guard, destroy the watchtower and make sure that the gate is open when the party here leads their charge." Screwtape and So'kar were perhaps more suited for more public missions because of their appearance. They both resembled humans at a glance and with their cloaks on; few would approach them. Although some might question their need for a black shroud in the warmer weather. There was not much Screwtape or even So'kar, who was slightly shorter than this master, could do about that. To reveal themselves would set the town in a turmoil, it would be a difficult place to contain if it were stirring like a beehive.

"We will most likely need some sort of transport, some way of getting me and my lieutenant So'kar close to the city in advance. Group teleport or flight perhaps would be the simplest solutions. I assume there are several here capable of such things?" Screwtape moved the opening of his hood, looking directly at Tyreus in particular, waiting for the demon's response. He wondered if the demon possessed the ability to teleport another being, two if that, and able to complete it without being noticed. Tyreus and possibly a flying demon could also both embark on the town, aiding one another in their individual missions if necessary. 'There would be no failure,' he thought, not if Screwtape was involved.

They had travelled for a few hours before reaching the outskirts of Thurzen. Dusk had fallen and the encroaching night could be seen on the horizon. When everybody had gathered round Damarus told them his plan. Using guerilla tactics they would cripple the town's defences, making for an easy takeover.

One task specifically tickled Xanthor's imagination. It involved laying wast to the countryside and recruiting the fallen humans as undead followers. Both Lucrecius and Aureal seemed eager to perform this task as well, to whom Xanthor said, "it might be wise to have multiple parties scour this vast countryside. It'll relieve the stress each of the summoner will feel when commanding an undead army. Besides, it'll probably be fun."

Screwtape had expressed his concern over getting him and his lieutenant to the town gate. He eyed up the mischievous little Tyreus, but Xanthor answered anyway, "I might help you get there by flight. Using a thin mist I could disguise us, to avoid detection. Afterwards, I would leave you to raise the undead army."

Falun squinted his eyes into the darkness, trying to avoid the glare of the torches burning brightly on top of the guard tower. He thought he had glimpsed a flicker of movement earlier, or perhaps it was a faint trick of the night. His mind seemed to be playing tricks on him more often than not but when the other, more experienced guards reported the same occurrence during similar circumstances, he neglected the need to visit the local physician. He had not been a Guard of the Watch for very long, all was quite new to him. The routine, the reports, the training and the tracking of the time seemed innocuous and made one feel sick with boredom even after being enrolled for just a few months. On a positive side, he thought, the tower's armor made him feel important, defender of the city, guardian of the weak! Still, the chain mail lay heavy on him and was too large for his frame and made him feel unbalanced and lopsided on occasion. Yet, the bright red tunic that he wore with the large sun and moon intertwined, as Thurzen's emblem, in the center and a star over the heart, made him feel proud.

He almost cursed the day he applied for the position but the pay was adequate and people seemed to respect him despite his age and that he was previously a mere commoner. He still found his most difficult task was to stay awake during his hours of leaning over the wall glaring into nothing. As if the light from the town were enough to illuminate the surrounding countryside and harbor so that any guards could observe any possible danger to the populace well in advance. He laughed softly. From where he stood he could see for only several yards ahead of high wall but in the daytime he could gaze at the rolling hills and mountains ever looming in the distance and the smooth waves of the endless blue ocean disappearing towards a far off land full of adventure! Nothing ever happened here, Falun thought. There was a few daily brawls at several local taverns which would be the most excitement of the week. Although, he had heard that a few local heroes were occupying the Buckle and Stow public house. What lands had they been to, he wondered? What battles they had fought from the deepest cavern to the highest peak? What a life! Slaying dragons or destroying demons or rescuing a fair lass from a tall dungeon keep. Abruptly his thoughts returned to his duty and Falun shook his head and stood straight: 'child's stories', he said aloud, nothing ever happened here.

Suddenly two dark figures emerged from the darkness and Falun shouted: "Be it on yours, halt and be questioned!" His voice almost cracked the visitors had startled him so much, he had had little time to set himself but managed to blurt out the correct statement.

"We are but two weary travelers dear boy, looking for respite and a tall glass of ale. Surely you would allow us entrance to your fair town?" The voice was old, stern, and commanding. Falun thought he detected a note of amusement in the dark figure's voice or perhaps it was impatience, he could not decide which.

As he paced the wall in the direction of the voice, Falun's heart was still beating quickly from being startled just a few moments before. He glanced at the strangers attire and condition as he edged towards them and thought it odd that the two had no packs or bags, evident of long travel. He supposed they had come from a distant city, Shaeyo to the north or perhaps Tuoh to the west. He was now closer to them, standing just outside the gate, he could see them much clearer than before. "Be still and wait. We will come to you," he replied as he started to climb down the ladder above the gate, most likely they were persons of little importance, walking alone this late at night, he thought, but just in case, he hurried. He ran up to the gate just as the keepers were winding the large counter weights to swing the hinges open. A lieutenant strolled through the entrance, ready and waiting with parchment and quill in his hand. Falun stopped slightly back of the newly formed group, consisting of the two keepers, officer, and the newly arrived strangers, eagerly listening if they brought exciting news or even weather, anything!

The officer briefly asked the visitors their names and their business in Turzen and the tallest one answered, "I am Leod and this is my companion, Jun. We do not wish to hinder upon your time good sir. As we told the watch-boy, we merely wish to eat and rest in one of your inns before continuing on our journey to Mount Seil. We will bring you no trouble, I assure you." The taller of the too seemed to do all the conversing with his rumbling, gravelly voice, while the second man only nodded or gestured in agreement with the first. Falun hated it when people called him 'watch-boy', he was not that young! He had a man's job. Boring though it might be.

After some consideration the lieutenant stated, "Throw back your hoods, so that we may see you." The keepers on either side of their overseer suddenly took anticipating stances at the beck, as if expecting trouble. Falun had wondered why the two visitors had such deep hoods and why they were constantly shrouded beneath them but the thought vanished from his mind as the taller of the strangers slowly pulled back his cloak momentarily, revealing his face. Falun held back a gasp. The man, if you could call him that, old and grey though he may be, had had his eyes removed. All that remained were deep holes burrowing into his skull where the organs had previously occupied. Falun had heard of men going blind or losing one eye, but losing both? Neither scars or marks were left as a result of the man's loss, it was as if the eyes had simply rotted and had blown away with the wind. Yet, the old man still shone with strength and presence, as if he possessed no handicap. A powerful man as well, Falun could sense it.

The second man, was dark with jet black hair and had a thick, muscular build. he stood a head shorter than his compatriot but a large man nonetheless. At least he still had both of his eyes, Falun thought. Yet, there was something odd about him that Falun could not put his finger on. Maybe it was the fact that Jun, as he had been called, cautiously gripped a huge ashen hilt of a would be sword, during the entire encounter with the gate guards. Jun had been ready to defend his leader in an instant, he was certain of that. With a blade, Falun imagined, that sword would be enormous, surely too heavy for any mortal man to carry.

At the sight of the first revealed man's face, the somewhat stunned officer stuttered in speech and quickly said, "My apologies good sir, I did not wish to offend but you must understand we must check any and all who enter, to make safe the city." He licked his lips nervously.

Pulling his hood back over his head, and as Jun did the same, Leod replied, "No harm has come of it lieutenant, I face the world as I am but are not keen to advertise my disturbing appearance too openly." And with a bow between the three of them and the swift search concluded, Leod and Jun left the officer and his keepers to closing and securing the city gate once more.

Falun watched the pair go, headed toward a group of taverns, wishing he could accompany them, hoping to ask them all sorts of questions or at the very least let the local ale loosen their tongues enough to possibly confide in him of their many heroic adventures and tales of legend. Falun wished it were so, yet, duty called and as he slowly returned to his post he let out a long sigh, ultimately waiting for daybreak. Nothing ever happened here, Falun thought. Nothing.

Tyreus began his trip towards the city. Blinking in and out of existence moving closer and closer to the city. He finally came upon a large wall.

"This must be it" he cried out gleefully at the chance to cause some mayhem. He dug his razor-sharp claws into the stone and crawled his way up the wall. He made it to the top of the wall as he peered over to see what was on the other side. Common humans littered the streets, each going about their day, unaware of the danger that was soon to come.

"Ha, there's my target" Tyreus whispered to himself as he spotted the giant silo that was sure to house the city's grain supply. Tyreus leaped down from the wall and hugged himself closely to the wall of the building. He was to be sneaky on the mission and Tyreus was all to familiar with being sneaky.

*Poof*

*Poof*

Tyrues teleported his way down the streets, ever so cautious to not be seen. He eventually made his way to the silo as he grinned an evil grin, excited to cause such misery to these people.

In a flash, Tyreus was inside the silo, standing atop a mountain of grain.

"Finally, finally, time for some fun."

A grayish-green cloud of smoke began emitting from Tyreus' body. The smoke slowly crept down towards the grain and seeped into it. The top layer of grain quickly turned a dark brown.

"Oooh, too much. Not enough to kill them, not enough to." Tyreus began diving into the grain, swimming through it as he continued to spread his poison throughout the grain. Once, Tyreus was finished, he teleported himself to the top of the silo.

He eagerly awaited to see the effects of his work. He watched as woman came up to the silo and poured a bucket full of grain for her family. Tyreus followed her home as he watched the family devour the grain. He continued watching as the family finished their meal. The family left the table and began to move about sluggishly.

"Yes...Yes... Finally."

The whole family began to convulse as they dropped to the floor. The three children began heaving up the dinner they had just eaten. The Father ran to the bathroom as his bowels spewed from his rear. The Mother rested upon the floor gripping her stomach as it felt like it was going to explode.

Needing to see no more, Tyreus quickly made his way back to the others, eager to report the success of his mission.

Errtu watched as Screwtape got passed the guard. "Nicely done." He thought to himself. He knew that the time for him to enter was near.

Slowly Errtu started to shrink and spread out like a fog and seeped his way to the outer wall of the city. "Hmm. The mortar is weak." And with that he passed through and moved along the ground in the shadows until he found a nice dark place to sit, and wait. All he needed was the call of his new leader. And then he would strike.