Commander Braghaman Larethian

New Combatants

“Where is that blasted paladin?”

The death knight struck his gauntlet against the tree beside him causing pieces of bark to fly off. It kept its gaze on the darkened house that sat on the outskirts of Darkshire. No lamps shone through the windows to show that someone was present. The shelter behind the house was empty of those annoying felines, he thought. The home was dark and still.

“Where did he run off to?” the death knight seethed as he began to pace behind the trees that marked the border of the property. “How could he have known?” The death knight stopped and turned his back to the house. 

“He could probably smell you. Ya’ smell like death.”

“What?” the death knight asked incredulously, turning back towards the house. Just past the trees, standing at the edge of the yard was a lone imp with a devilish grin.

“Well you are a death knight, right?  Smells like death?” the imp cackled to himself. “Get it?”

“Insufferable imp,” the death knight hissed as it drew its sword.

“Everyone’s a critic,” the imp replied dryly. “How about this?  Knock knock.”

“I should’ve destroyed you the first time I saw you,” the raised his sword to point it at the imp.

“I should’ve destroyed you the first time I saw you who?” asked the imp as he started hopping backwards.

The death knight started to say something, its metallic voice echoing within its helm. Then, it abruptly stopped and lowered its sword slightly. The death knight looked away from the imp and started scanning the area.

“You should probably leave while you can.” A figure stepped out of the tree line, draped in brown robes and wearing a mask. Leaning against his shoulder was the haft of a scythe, its glowing red blade pointing behind his back.

"You brought your master this time, pet,” the death knight sneered at the imp before turning back to the robed figure.

“Master?” the imp repeated incredulously. “Partners!  He’s the brain. I’m the muscle.”

“Not now, Voltuk,” the robed figure interjected. “And you. You’ve no business here. Leave. Now!”

“You think possession of an imp and a mask makes you a threat to me?” the death knight asked, turning his stance towards the robed man. 

“Just because you have a codpiece doesn’t mean you have…”

“Voltuk!”

“I could end you both as easily as the paladin.”

“Didn’t he beat your guys the last time?” the imp asked with a cackle. 

“Enough of this.” 

The death knight stepped forward and swung his sword down at the imp. Voltuk jumped back beyond the reach of the blade and hopped from foot to foot. The death knight then shifted his stance and swung his sword sideways, stopping the warlock who had shifted his scythe in his hands and was stepping forward. The death knight’s sword rung out as it struck the blade of the scythe. The death knight called out a word and his sword began glowing red. Striking out again, the death knight’s sword knocked the warlock’s scythe out of his hands.

“So many warlocks defend this fool,” the death knight hissed as it brought its blade back around. “Is there no better proof that this paladin has fallen from grace, that you should die defending him?”

Drawing its blade back, the death knight took hold of his sword with both hands and began stabbing forward. Without warning, a ball of fire exploded against the death knight’s shoulder and staggered him. The death knight turned in time to see the imp casting another fireball, dodging it at the last moment. As the death knight turned his attentions to Voltuk, another blast of fire splashed against its other shoulder. The death knight staggered to one knee, driving its sword tip into the ground to keep its balance.

“What was that explosion?” a voice called out. Soon other voices could be heard from the nearby houses, coming closer.

A low rumble echoed in the metal helm of the death knight before it spoke another word. Behind it, a portal shimmered into appearance. The death knight struggled up and then backed into the portal, its eyes locked onto the warlock. “We will finish this another time.” Silently, the portal closed and the death knight was gone.

Letting out a sigh, the warlock reached down and picked up his scythe.

“We should leave as well.” The warlock turned towards the forest and stepped into the shadows of the forest with the imp close at his heels. No sooner had they disappeared into the brush than members of the militia stepped into the field to investigate.