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[Thraxas]

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"What have you got there?" the querist, a chubby, scruffy-looking, middle-aged officer of the guards of Yew, inquired, reaching for one of the bulging sacks lying across the back of a pack-mule.

"Mind your own business, soldier, if you know what's good for you," came the reply. The dark, raven-haired man dressed supremely mage-like, furrowed his brow and barked the warning. He was thin, even gaunt, whose sallow cheeks were drawn tightly. His black eyes narrowed as he pushed the man's hand away from the bag.

The guard frowned. "You've got some nerve, fella! I'll have you know that nothing leaves here without us knowing what it is. For all we know, you may be one of those bandits who show up looting and what-not. Besides, we have customs and fees and all that. Do you have the papers for... whatever it is you're taking outta here, or not?" He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly to reinforce the image of a stalwart persona he wished to convey.

"I am Darthos, an official of the Lord Regent. What I am doing needs no "papers." Where I am going, and with what, is none of your concern, nor shall I take time to explain what I am doing. Now... trundle off and go arrest rioters or something," came the curt reply. He secured the knot on the bag.

"Now see here! I am Donald, captain of the guard... well, at least on this watch, and I don't take that kind of talk from anybody, least of all some snipping, malnourished mage like you!"

Darthos laughed. "I am no mage. I am a necromancer. And despite appearances, I assure you I feast well... upon the souls of fools like you!" he declared, grimmacing menacingly. He threw his head back and laughed. "Now be off, I tell you, before I lose my sense of humor."

Donald glared at him and drew his sword. "I will not be talked to like that! What's in the bag, and where is it headed?"

"If I tell you, then I'll be forced to kill you," Darthos stated somberly. He winked at the man. "But if you MUST know... it is bags of gold, and it is going to orcs. There, are you happy now?"

"Are you mad?! Let me see!" he exclaimed, moving toward one of the several pack mules bearing similar burdens.

Several moments later, Darthos and his mule team started out toward the Yew moongate as the first of many crows moved in to begin feasting on an unrecognizable corpse they left in their wake.
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"If a criminal has what you want, you do business with him."