3 comments/ 16902 views/ 5 favorites Isslan's Prize Ch. 01 By: jeb22 Merrick could not move from his position on the bed. He was laying on his back naked with perspiration dripping down his brow. His blood was like fire, his mind a fog from the intense passion inside him. His rigid cock pulsed with every beat of his heart aching to be touched as it was the gateway to release him from the torment of his own libido. She sat on the side of the bed looking down at him, his tormenter. She had hair as dark as midnight which contrasted sharply against her pale skin. Eyes as blue as sapphires regarded him over a perfect nose as full red lips curled up in knowing smile. "I know how it pains you my sweet," her contralto voice sent shivers down his spine as she spoke," just ask and I will give you the release you so badly need." Her figure was perfect as was every other physical attribute she possessed. She trailed a bright red fingernail down his chest," You can't deny your passion forever. It is the only chink in your armor Merrick. Your youth makes you strong but my gifts allow me to use that youthful lust you harbor against you. You may be a paladin but you are a man all the same and all men want what I can give them. Soon you will be mine," her smile widened until her teeth showed and Merrick could see her pronounced canines but somehow they only seemed to enhance her beauty. He could feel her pressing against his will with her mind, stoking the flames of his passion making it so hard to think. "Yesss that's right...," she breathed out," you know it would be so easy to have me relieve you of all that pressure building inside you. It's just a simple physical act," Merrick fought against her words and her will," that can make everything better. Sooo much pressure...," he could not seem to grasp any coherent thought," oh you poor thing let Isslan help you. The sensations are overwhelming, the burden is too much to bear. It weakens you but I can control it for you. I will take responsibility for your sexual desires and they will trouble you no more," all he wanted was release from this bittersweet torture. "Yes," he thought to himself," please make it go away," were those his words or his thoughts? A soft laugh came from Isslan as she swung her leg across his body, her hand moving between her legs taking a hold of his cock and guiding it towards her sex. Just as he felt the warmth of her slowly encase him his eyes opened and his body shook bringing him out of his dream. Merrick's clothes were damp with sweat and he felt a small ache in his back from the tree root he had slept on. He could feel all his wards still intact meaning no one had come near during the night. It was never safe to sleep without them. Now the night was giving away to day as he moved to stoke his fire from the night before to prepare a quick breakfast before moving on. He had made a quick camp the previous night not even grooming his horse merely inspecting its shoes to make sure they were free of rocks as not to hamper his progress. He knew the mount deserved better but time was precious. He was getting close to his query and though he needed his rest for the encounter he wanted to finish this sooner rather than later. The more time Isslan had the more thralls she could take to defend her. It had been a few days since his encounter with the Succubus. She had five thralls with her which was an unheard of number. He had never heard of one being able to hold more than three men in their thrall at a time. The thralls were fine warriors but Merrick was the strongest to come out of his order in a century. His job was to protect the innocent from what lurked in the shadows. Though he was young most felt Merrick was the best. What he lacked in wisdom he more than compensated for in strength and magical power. The battle was intense and Merrick fought bravely. He briefly locked minds with Isslan and he found her strength lacking in comparison to his but just as he was readying himself to vanquish her the two remaining thralls had engaged him long enough to allow her to escape. He had not fully recovered from the encounter which would normally worry him but he had taken down all her thralls leaving her with no protection and if he could get to her before she recruited new ones she would be no match for him one on one. There was a tiny bit of him who sought revenge as well. One of the thralls he had slain was his former mentor in the order. Once a proud and noble paladin he had been reduced to serving a creature of the dark. He did not know how she was able to get the better of Kylos and that frightened him a bit. Kylos was once a formidable fighter and that he had been bested left a small amount of fear in the pit of Merrick's stomach. This fear seemed to be manifesting itself in his dreams. Last night was the third night in a row he had dreamt of Isslan however it was the first night her temptations had gotten the better of him. Shaking himself from thoughts of fear and revenge Merrick began reciting a prayer to center himself as he readied for the day's travel. It would be a hard day's ride but he sensed the area she passed through and had a good idea she was heading for the town of Odeon. What better place to find victims to feed on or enslave than a trader town where people often come and go leaving few questions asked of a new face. His hope was to catch her before she reached the town but he felt he would need a bit of luck in order to do it. He climbed into the saddle and with a gentle touch on the horses mind it responded immediately. The day's journey had just begun. ****** Isslan knew Merrick would follow her to the ends of the earth in order to exact his revenge. She was not quite prepared for him when he suddenly appeared the other day but having his former mentor there to do battle with him was enough to suit her purposes. She needed him off balance when next they met and a man set on revenge was the only thing besides one set on sexual conquest she knew that could do that effectively. She had been planning this for some time. Overcoming and enslaving Kylos was just one part of her trap for Merrick. He would be her minion before it was all over and then she could use him to grow her power exponentially. She had learned on this plane the one true way to grow her power. Most succubbi were content on feeding themselves on the life force of men and women never becoming more than simple servants to higher demons and wizards. It was her very first encounter that fate had decided was to be her guide and show her what true power there was to be had... ********* A bright light flashed as she felt a force pulling her from her domain on one of the lower planes to the world of man. She felt the cool air on her flesh as her eyes adjusted to take in her surroundings. She was surrounded by a ring of powder on the stone floor beneath her. The walls of the room she was in were stone as well. It was lit by several torches in sconces on the walls. A man in grey robes sat on a wooden chair a few paces away from her. He looked to be in his middle years due to the slight traces of gray in his black hair but his face showed no real signs of age. "What is your name demon?" the man asked in a deep resonant voice. She tried to resist but felt his magic pushing at her mind, forcing the words from her lips, "Isslan," she said with as much beguilement she could muster. He had her name and she somehow had to get his if she were to get herself away from his control. This was a summoning and she was at his mercy. The ring she was in confined her until he was able to bring her to heel. Then he would compel her to do his bidding. "Ah, lovely Isslan," he smiled at her," I have need of your beauty and beguilement. There is a certain man I need you to dispose of for me." She felt him pressing with his mind against her will. His magic was too strong. She would not be able to hold him off for long. She stood to her full height which was only a couple of inches over five feet but she knew on this plane her beauty was unmatched. It was her best defense and her most dangerous weapon. No man could resist her temptations. "Please Isslan you are quite lovely but while under my thumb you are simply flesh to me and my appetites are far beyond that. Now look me in the eyes my dear," her head moved up against her will and their eyes locked. As she stared into his eyes her walls collapsed and she felt him tighten his grip around her essence. It was a helpless feeling, one all her future prey would go through as she conquered them. The man rose from his chair and took the few steps needed to reach her. With his foot he casually knocked aside part of the ring at her feet. With the circle broken it felt as if she could breathe for the first time since she arrived in the room. "Now we must get you a suitable outfit, one befitting a lady so you may enter your hunting ground as an equal." He smiled at her confidently knowing she had no choice but to do exactly as he wished. She would revel in the conquest he would allow her but she would never cease to seek release from his control. Just as the thought crossed her conscious mind she felt his grip on her essence loosen. She looked up at him and could see him trying his best to focus his mind to maintain his hold on her. No matter his struggle the grip was growing weaker and weaker by the moment. Sweat began to form on the man's brow as his face started to show his panic. "What's the matter master?" she asked tauntingly. "Where has all your strength gone?" He began backing towards the door and reached behind for the handle as he maintained his gaze on her. His hand pulled and found the door had been bolted shut from the outside. "Enid!" he yelled as the panic of being stuck in this room with a demon started to sink in. Through the door a muffled voice could be heard, "I'm here Taric, I'm here to listen as you lose your life to one of the creatures you have summoned. It should be fitting that you die in the same way so many others have died at your hand. Just like my husband," despite the door shielding her voice you could hear the grief in her last statement. "Enid no," his voice cracking,"please...how did you," his eyes went wide in realization. "Wormroot." The voice behind the door responded," You always eat to keep your strength up before a summoning Taric. All a woman need do is make you think she worshipped you to gain your trust. In a couple of hours the wormroot I placed in your food will wear off, but by that time I don't think it will matter." Taric slumped against the door knowing he was locked in here with a demon who he could not overpower let alone kill with any physical skills he had at his disposal. He turned to look back at the demon he stood watching him with a smile on her lips. "Oh poor Taric," she said mocking sympathy, "all your magic is gone. Let's see if we can reintroduce you to those appetites of the flesh you have left behind." His grip on her was gone and she rushed at him with her will not taking the usual subtle approach. Subtly was never needed when your victim was aware. She pushed his desires flaming them to their highest point. His body began trembling as soft moans came out of his mouth through labored breaths. "You poor thing let's get you over to the chair," she gently took him by the arm and moved him in front of the chair. Her pale hands with their long black nails removed the robes he was wearing letting them fall to the floor. He could only stand there as she removed his under clothes leaving him as naked as she was. She pushed him down to sit in the chair, his cock at full attention, engorged by her power over him. "Hell hath no fury Taric...," she said softly as she slowly straddled him. "Look at me my sweet," his head lifted up and his eyes met hers, "what would you do for your Mistress Taric?" His voice came out after a sharp intake of breath, "anything Mistress." "Anything Taric?" she teased. "Yes." "Would you give your life for me?" He hesitated but as he stared into her beautiful eyes he felt the passion within him boiling over. He was a slave to it and she controlled that passion. He had become a slave to the demon. "Yes Mistress." Isslan smiled as she rose up slightly guiding his cock into her warm and inviting sex. The pleasure of the conquest overwhelmed her as she rode his cock. He thrashed beneath her awash in overwhelming pleasure. Moans escaped her lips as she felt the slow trickle of his life force feed into her body. The barrier that held his life's energy to his flesh was weakening. She knew it was only a matter of time before his orgasm overtook him and when it did that barrier would be down and she could bind him to her forever or consume him completely. Taric was awash in so much pleasure the fear at dying was merely a soft whisper in a forgotten thought. He felt the pressure building and the inevitable release as his orgasm poured through him. Isslan cried out at his release, "Yessss!" as she pulled his energy into her. Her whole body was alive with the added energy yet there was something else. It felt similar but different. She had taken something else. She searched her thoughts and smiled as the realization of what happened hit her. She would have plenty of time to explore her new powers but for now she had to get out of this cell," Enid dear, won't you open the door," her mind had reached out and touched the will of the women in the hallway. It was just moments later Isslan heard the sound of the bolt being removed from the door. ***** Isslan's thoughts settled back on the present remembering how she had first absorbed the powers of a wizard. The powers made her more than just another succubus. She desperately needed to conquer more wizards for that power to grow but at the moment she lacked the strength she needed. If she were to go around attacking wizards in an attempt to suck the life and subsequently magic out of them she would need help. Help of the sort only the strongest paladin the Order of Pius had ever produced could give her. She needed to enthrall Merrick. Isslan's Prize Ch. 02 Brother McHearn grumbled to himself as he made his way the well not far from Farland Abbey which was located on the outskirts of the town of Odeon. It was dusk and the nocturnal dwellers of the forest were beginning to stir. The air was cooling but it was still not what Brother McHearn thought of as a comfortable temperature. He carried a pole across his shoulders that supported four deep buckets he was to fill as his chore for the abbey's evening meal. As he tripped and nearly fell on a hidden tree root he wondered yet again why the well had not been placed closer to the abbey. Surely the water was just as accessible digging next to the abbey rather than half a mile away. The path was clear and traders often stopped at the well on their way out of town when they were re-supplying for another trip to trap in the wilderness though at this hour he was unlikely to run into anyone heading out into the dark of night. Finally reaching the well he unloaded his burden on the ground and dropped the retrieving bucket over the side of the well before beginning to turn the crank to lower it down. As he turned the crank he thought he heard something nearby in the bushes. He quickly stopped turning the crank and listened for a moment but was only answered by the sound of insects and a loan hoot from an owl. Muttering to himself about hearing things he began to turn the crank again and soon after the rope slackened upon reaching the water. He waited a moment allowing the bucket to submerge before reversing his previous direction on the crank pulling the bucket back up. Just as the bucket reached the top he heard a soft cry from somewhere in the forest. He stopped and waited again and this time realized he really was hearing something and turn his head towards the direction of the sound to get a better bearing on it. As he moved his head he distinctly heard the soft cry of 'help' and began to move in the direction he thought it originated from. There was some brush obstructed his movement but he pressed on as he heard the cry again and after a few moments he came to a small clearing and in the fading light saw a woman in a torn white dress laying stomach down with her head turned to the side on the ground. He hurriedly moved to her side," Lady are you well?" he asked only to think to himself if she was she would not have called for help. She let a soft whimper as he looked her over assessing what he could of her condition. Her dress was torn from the bottom up the side revealing one of her legs up to mid thigh. Her dark hair covered part of her face but Brother McHearn did see a soft bruise above her eye. His cursory look was not definitive but in all likelihood she was the victim of one of the unsavory types of men who often stopped in Odeon. One of the drawbacks of being a trader town out in the wilderness was that it was a great place for men wanted by the law to hide. "Can you sit up?" he asked lowering his face closer to hers. Getting closer to her he took notice of her obvious beauty which made her presence even rarer than just that of being a woman this far from civilization. Her arm slid up and she began to make an effort to push herself up. Brother McHearn quickly reacted to assist her. He held her by the shoulders and helped her turn enough to a sitting position. As he took his hands from her shoulders the top of her dress fell down revealing on pale, bare breast. His eyes lingered longer than they should have before he reminded himself of his oath and turned. "Madam excuse me, but your bodice," he left the statement hanging until she slowly moved her hand up to pull up her dress. Brother McHearn looked away only to find himself looking at her leg which was almost fully revealed by the tear in her dress. His thoughts seemed to be getting more impure by the moment and he silently recited a quiet prayer to ask for forgiveness. He felt a hand come to rest on his arm," thank you kind sir," a soft feminine voice said," I do not know how long I have been here." "Please madam what happened," Brother McHearn asked. "It...it...was terrible...I was only out looking for herbs in the forest and he...he...attacked out of nowhere," her voice was shaking which only made the brother grow angry when he thought of someone forcing himself upon this woman. She continued her tale," I tried to fight him off," she cried," but his hands were so strong." Her grip on his arm tightened as she continued her tale," forcing himself between my legs he took me over and over," Brother McHearn suddenly saw the image of a man in his mind having his way with this woman, this beautiful woman. His long neglected member began to harden beneath his robe. "It was so awful," tears began streaming down her face and she pulled herself closer to him. Not knowing what else to do he wrapped her in a hug and tried to comfort her," there, there. You are safe now, you are safe," he said in his most soothing tone. Her closeness and the feel of her delicate, feminine frame did not help cool his arousal. He was now rock hard and doing his best to keep his condition from being noticed. In an awkward movement to move his waist away from her the woman only fell into him more. Her hip came to rest directly between his legs pushing into his erection. Her head lay against his shoulder and he could have sworn her lips were softly kissing against his neck. He needed to focus on getting this woman back to the abbey to get her injuries seen to but he seemed to want to hold and comfort her just a bit longer. "All will be well madam and we shall find the man who did this to you." "Thank you brave sir," she breathed in his ear. Feeling her hot breath in his ear Brother McHearn experienced an uncontrollable tremble. Her body was warm against him. She seemed to shift now and again rubbing into his erection. He needed to get her back to the abbey. He needed to get her injuries treated. He would do that just as soon as she was comforted. Her soft flesh needed comforting. She just needed to feel his warmth and all would be well again. Just a little longer. The night air was growing too cold and she needed to be warmed. His body was comforting to her. He was comforting to her. Yes he was comforting her. He only needed to lie here with her for a bit. Yes that was more comfortable. He just lay on his back as she moved to lay on top of his warm body. "Thank you for your warmth kind sir," she whispered to him. Brother McHearn told himself he was only comforting this poor unfortunate woman. Yes it was comfort to her. She needed this and all would be well. "Ohhh," a soft moan sounded. Was that from me he wondered as he felt a delicate hand caressing his rock hard cock. The soft measured strokes up and down, up and down only made it harder to think. Harder to concentrate on what he should be doing besides comforting this woman. "Yes," came the soft whisper in his ear as he felt her soft wetness incase him. Her hips moved up and down as she straddled him. Brother McHearn writhed beneath her as she continued riding him up and down. Slowly moving her wet pussy up and down his cock. His thoughts were clouded. This woman was having sex with him and he did not want her to stop, but he was a monk. His brotherhood was of the Order of Pius and he was sworn to celibacy, but he needed this so badly. He needed her so badly. He needed to release. He needed to give his semen up to her. He needed to give himself to her. It was overwhelming. The lust was so strong he thought he was going mad. He was on the edge of losing himself in the pleasure. There was only a thin barrier holding him back from the abyss and suddenly he screamed in pleasure and that barrier fell. "Yessss brother," she cried in exaltation as his cum shot into her and she grabbed a hold of his soul. As the maelstrom of pleasure subsided Brother McHearn looked up at the being who made up his world. That being was no longer the God he had sworn himself to. It was the vision that sat astride him smiling down at him and he knew how she wished to be addressed. Her perfect countenance looked upon him and smiled," I have a task for you brother." His only answer was, "yes Mistress Isslan." ************ Merrick reined in his horse in front of the abbey and thought to himself how good it would be to sleep in a bed surrounded by men of God instead of sleeping in the wilderness wondering who or what would come upon you in the night. He set wards about him of course but that drained energy as you slept so while you gained some rest it was not so great as he would get tonight. As he climbed from his horse and young boy came from a stable that was next to the abbey," take your horse milord," he said in a practiced fashion. "Please, and have her tack brought to whichever room I am given," he placed two coppers in the boys hand before turning and walking to the front door of the abbey. Farland Abbey was founded not long after Odeon became more of a town than an outpost. The order thought it best to get a foothold on a town before the pagan gods of the outlanders worked their way into practice. It was mostly masonry and had been designed with an outer repelling wall that would withstand attack from anything other than siege weapons. The outer gate led to a courtyard before going directly to the inner keep where he hoped he would find the brother in charge and a warm meal and bed. He was immediately greeted at the front gate by an elderly monk who seemed to be hobbled on his left side. In all likelihood it was an injury sustained in the line of duty but Merrick did not bring attention to it. "Ho there brother..." Merrick left the words open waiting for the man to supply his name. "Brother Ashton milord," he replied with a nod. "Well met Brother Ashton, I am Merrick." "Well met Sir Merrick," he gave title just as the boy outside did upon seeing him dressed in armor that was only donned by paladins of the order. "Please come in," he motioned with his hand toward the door to the keep. Merrick looked around the courtyard and noticed the abbey was well kept. There were brothers on lookout but it was a light detail given the relative quiet in the region over the last few years. Most of the natives had pulled further back into the wilderness as the traders of Odeon became more established. As for the brothers on watch most of the monks found in abbeys in unsettled territories were men-at-arms. There would be a few administrative monks as well but far fewer out here than an established abbey in a major city. As they walked into the keep proper he noticed some murals that depicted battles from the great book when the order was founded by Pius himself in his battle against the demon Bastross. Some scenes were likely embellished but Merrick knew to the victor not only went the spoils but also the right to tell the story the way they wanted it told. He followed Brother Ashton down a long hallway passing several doors before coming to a large oaken door upon which Ashton wrapped his knuckles three times. "Come," said a voice within. Ashton opened the door a walked in ahead of Merrick nodding towards a man sitting behind a fairly simple wooden desk. The room itself was fairly sparse with only the bare essentials present. "Brother Ferrell, may I present Sir Merrick," Ashton held his hand out towards Merrick. "Thank you Ashton. We'll be along soon for the evening meal," with that Ashton gave a nod of his head to Ferrell and then Merrick before moving out of the room and closing the door. "Well I suppose I should debrief you milord, knowing Ashton he likely merely got your name and led you straight to me. While being a man of few words as it is he also happens to be close to the end of his duty and tries to avoid too much intrigue. I am assuming a paladin out here means some sort of intrigue." Taking a cue from Ferrell's silence Merrick gave an account of his travels of late. He included his most recent battle with the succubus and the passing of his mentor by his own hand. "If you would be so kind as to let Abbey Pius know the news with the next available messenger," he finished. "Yes of course, Sir Kylos was known to all of us. A tragedy indeed sir." Ferrell's sincerity rang true. He was a tall yet thin man with a proud nose and chin. The state of his office spoke of his dedication to God and his duties. He was the perfect model of a Brother of the Order of Pius. "This business with the succubus sir is deeply troubling. It would appear to be far stronger than any of that type of demon I have heard of. Please let us know what aid you require," Merrick was definitely happy to have some help. "Well perhaps for now you wish to be shown a place to refresh yourself before the evening meal?" "Yes that would be welcome brother," Merrick felt his true fatigue for the first time in days as his arrival at the abbey allowed him to let his guard down. "If you do not mind then please go out this door and find the last door on your right before you get back to the keep's front. The brother that room will be in charge of guest lodgings. Welcome to Farland Abbey sir." "Thank you Brother Farland, could you tell me the brother's name?" "Why yes, his name is Brother McHearn." Isslan's Prize Ch. 03 Time seemed to stand still, Merrick held his sword in one hand and the symbol of the Circle of Life in the other. He repeated his sacred prayers to fend off the demoness. Her beauty combined with her magic were the weapons he prepared to protect himself against. "No need for that sweet Merrick," her voice was as perfect as her form. "You and I were destined to be together," she walked towards him clothed in a white dress that hugged her body. "It shall not be through magic that you come to be by my side," her lips curled into a smile that only served to enhance her beauty as if it was even possible for her to be more lovely. "Your words fall on deaf ears spawn of hell," Merrick fortified his mind further reciting his prayers. "Oh Merrick," she cooed," you know how much you desire me," her hands traced over her hips drawing his eyes to them. "I desire you just the same. I have transcended my former plane. I belong here now and you belong with me," Merrick kept repeating his mantras trying to maintain his focus. He was waiting for her to strike first. "Merrick...oh Merrick you love to hear me say your name don't you?" Merrick had to stop the word yes from escaping her lips. Beauty and lust were the weapons she was bringing to bear," I don't need magic to have the man I want Merrick. You are brave and strong and that is what I desire," suddenly Merrick's surroundings shifted and he found himself sitting in a bed stripped bare. He was sitting with his hands behind his back fastened securely. His legs were free but ropes were tied around his knees and ankles. He felt he had to be dreaming yet the ropes felt real, the coolness of the air raised goose bumps on his arms and legs, and the sheets on the bed felt dry and coarse. Before him stood Isslan still clothed in the white dress. She moved slowly and sat down next to him and caressed his face while planting a soft, wet kiss on his lips. Merrick tried to tell himself it did not feel good but it was only a lie. "Oh Merrick...no magic between you and me," she said softly as her hand reached down taking his hardening cock in her hand. She slowly began to run her hand up and down its length," you I shall show pleasure upon pleasure and soon all your desire will be for me. I will train your cock until I alone control it and through it I will control you my love." Merrick tried to ignore the movement of her hand on him but his body shook slightly from her touch," oh yessss that's right love, you feel it don't you? Your cock controls you and I shall control your cock," her hand rubbed a little faster," mmmm yes lover this is wonderful." The pleasure was getting too much for Merrick. No pray seemed able to stop what was building inside him. "Have you ever cum from a woman's touch?" she asked slowing the motion of her hand on him. Merrick did not answer only turned his head away from her. "Oh Merrick don't be shy this will be so much fun for us both. My hand is going to make you cum and it is going to feel wonderful. After a time Merrick you are going to find yourself aching to have your cock inside me so my hot sex will bring you to climax rather than my cool hand." Merrick heard a moan escape his lips and cursed himself for his own weakness. "That's so good isn't it lover?" she cooed. "I can have any man I want Merrick and that man is you." Her hand began to quicken again. "There's no reason to fight Merrick. You want to feel good and I want to make you feel good so just enjoy the pleasure only I can give you," Merrick tried to twist his body to free himself from her grip but found it too difficult to move. Even with his prayers and mantras a part of him was begging for her to finish. "Oh Merrick your giving in...just let it go and know just a small taste of the pleasure I am capable of bestowing on you." Merrick felt the damn break as waves of pleasure racked his body. His hips were thrusting, every motion by them screaming in a desire for more. All mantras and prayers were forgotten in the pure bliss of his sexual release. He pushed himself up in his bed and found only a small light coming through the crack under the door from the outer hallway of the abbey. "A dream," he said softly. He moved his hand down to find his stomach and pelvis covered in what he could only believe had to be his own semen. Dream or no dream Merrick had just had his first ejaculation. He sat up in his bed and felt for the striker and tender. He used them to get a flame on the tender and by its light make his way over to the wall hook where he lit the oil lamp that was placed there. He was not sure what time of night it was and the lack of noise coming through the door only suggested to him it was still late. Using the wash basin in his room he cleaned himself and dressed in clean garments before going to the door to walk the halls in an effort to clear his mind. He stepped into the hall and noticed immediately that some of the lamps that lined the walls had gone out. The fact that they were out seemed a bit odd to him considering how orderly and well run the place appeared to him upon his arrival. His first thought would be to check on brother Mchearn's as it was closest to his. As he arrived at the door he listened and heard nothing coming from inside. He knocked and the sound echoed through the hallway," brother McHearn, " he said. Waiting a couple of moments he knocked again repeating the borther's name and still heard nothing. He turned the latch finding the door open. He pushed the door back peering in to see the room empty and the bed unmade. Other than his bed being unmade the room was in fairly good order. A small desk was situated in one corner of the room and some papers were stacked upon it. Merrick walked over to the desk and glanced over some over the papers seeing his name written in the log for visiting members and another paper underneath which simply had the name 'Merik' scrawled on it. The paper was wrinkled as if someone had stowed it in their pocket for a period of time. It seemed a bit odd that the brother would have his name down aside from the books for lodging but Merrick was not sure how he kept his records. Merrick did not want to seem to be snooping so decided to make his way out to the courtyard of the abbey to see if anyone on watch knew where brother McHearn had gone. The front door to the abbey creaked open and torches provided some light but at first glance Merrick saw no sentries on duty at the gate and saw none walking the outer walls. The hair on the back of his neck began to stand up. Something was amiss and his first thought was to his sword and armor which were back in his room. He turned quickly back inside and halfway down the hall saw brother Ferrell walking towards him," brother Ferrell," he called hurrying up to the man. "What happened to the sentries? And where is brother McHearn?" Ferrell's eyebrows shot up and he looked past Merrick towards the door of the keep as if to confirm what he had just heard," well I can't say as I can answer either of those questions. For some reason I woke in a start and could not get back to sleep so I came out for a check on things just to reassure myself." "I experienced...um something similar myself," Merrick decided not to get too detailed about what woke him. "Well let's see what we can find..." footsteps from behind caused them both to look and they saw two brothers-in-arms coming down the hall. "Ah brothers, some help if you would." "Perhaps I should at least arm myself," Merrick said. "Ah well...if you must," Ferrell replied. "Brothers have you seen brother McHearn?" Merrick quickly went into his room and found his sword not waiting for the men-at-arms' reply to Ferrell. When he returned to the hall he caught the trail end of," said he had business outside the keep and would be back soon," the man-at-arms finished. Ferrell turned to Merrick upon his approach," ah it would seem McHearn has left the abbey Sir Merrick. These men do not know why but they are going to get some of their brethren to find out why the sentries are not on duty and await the return of brother McHearn." "This all seems odd to me brother...I wouldn't think anyone would be so derelict of duty especially this far out on the frontier," Merrick stated. "Well I assure you it is not Sir Merrick. If you would like perhaps you can help me think of suitable measures to make sure this does not happen in the future?" "Should I not help the men-at-arms?" "They have their duty and I would sincerely appreciate your help." "Very well," Merrick conceded. With a nod at the men-at-arms and then Merrick, Ferrell turned and started walking back towards his office. "This is most troubling," Ferrell said. "No sentries on duty?" he shook his head. "Well nothing like the help of a renowned paladin to help eh?" he smirked at Merrick. Merrick could only nod finding this all too strange. Perhaps Ferrell did not have the experience needed to run the abbey so far out. Over the years the order had become complacent. Too much peace time did that. They entered Ferrell's office and he moved behind his desk to sit. He opened one of the drawers to his desk as he motioned with his free hand for Merrick to sit in one of the chairs that sat in front of it. "Let's see ah here we go," he said pulling a bottle and tow cups out of the drawer. "Something to get shake off the sleep," he poured a cup handing it to Merrick before pouring one for himself. Merrick to the cup and caught the smell of spirits and not sure which took a sip. He was holy but not that holy. "Well what protocols can we instill to prevent this Sir Merrick?" he asked. "I think if we had a better understanding of what was going on it would help brother Ferrell," he said half incredulously before gulping down the rest of his drink. How could this man know what to do when he did not know what happened? The door behind him burst open loudly and a voice said," you were suppose to bind him while he slept you fool," the voice registered in Merrick's mind as brother McHearn. Reflex took over and Merrick jumped to his feet sword in hand as the chair he was sitting him was knocked over in the process. "What is going on here McHearn?" he asked. "Brother McHearn is merely concerned that you were not restrained Sir Merrick," said Ferrell. Merrick spun back to look at Ferrell and found his weight falling towards the wall of Ferrell's office almost losing his feet. "Not so steady on your feet brave paladin?" Ferrell said with a sneer. "What...what is going on here?" Merrick said trying to maintain his feet. "Why our mistress has business with you Sir Merrick," said McHearn as Merrick lost his feet and fell to the floor. Merrick felt his head crack against the floor as his whole world went black.