Blood calls for Blood

[Bleys Bashire]

(Part 4)
Glancing around once more to ensure he was alone, Bleys fished a pair of wire framed reading glasses from his coat pocket and slipped them on. He unfolded the letter Xeric had sent him containing the locations he was to organize for donation and aid. Using a felt pen he crossed another location off the list; there were four locations remaining for him to visit today. He removed the glasses, folded the letter, and slid both into his coat pocket before mounting his horse.

Guiding his mount between the crowds of refugees, Bleys considered his instructions from Xeric once more. "I want locations in every district distributing gold and food. Most importantly I want advertising for free self defense lessons. Also, advertise the offer of a fair and decent wage for enlistment." Bleys wasn't sure what Xeric's endgame was, but he knew the Marshall General well enough to see an attempt to exploit the displaced and vulnerable when he saw it.
A hollow eyed, ash and mud covered man yanked a small red haired girl from Bleys' path as he pulled Da'Shan to a halt, muttering to himself, 'These people do need the help. Any help.'

[Xavior Mues]

(Part 1)
Pulling the hood of his robes out to ensure his face was completely shadowed, Xeric guided Diamonddust along the cobble stone roads of Old Market, near the west wall on the Seaside border. Crowds of displaced families flooded every street and every side path. The blank stares, the torn filthy clothes, and the dull roar of despair tugged at his heart. Something grew within him, a cold, dark, emotionless thought. He knew his path was set.
Pulling his mount off the main path and forcing his way through another clump of Bile's victims, Xeric grew numb and devoid of emotion. Sensing his rider's intentions, Diamonddust bared his teeth and nipped at anyone that grew too close to his path. The broad shouldered, deep chested, night black stallion seemed to know that Xavior Eric Mues, Lord of the Vulga, Marshall General of The Ice Throne, was riding to war.

[Guaire Bryne]

(Part 3)
Guaire scanned the short note once more; the looping script was undoubtedly Xeric's own writing. The words brought an excited chill through Guaire and his lips curled into their usual smirk. He sat the note back on the small wooden table beside his bed before rising from it.
"Masses to manipulate, a man to destroy," he mumbled to himself as he crossed the polished wooden floor. He pulled the freshly painted door open while considering Xeric's final instructions: 'Do not be gentle. Do not be silent.' Pulling the door closed behind him, Guaire felt the chill once more as he considered the task he had been handed.

[Xavior Mues]

(Part 2)
Diamonddust's long, ground-eating stride never slowed until they arrived at the marble stones at the front of the Mues Manor. Swinging out of his mount's saddle before the horse had completely stopped, Xeric tossed the reins to the nearest guard and pointedly demanded, barely keeping his voice below a shout, "Send for Fitch. I want him in my office in two minutes." Turning away from the guard, he crossed the front grounds and entered the huge intricately carved iron doors of the manor.
He shouldered his way past the only servant not fleeing his path as he crossed the granite tile floor to the stairs, the sound of his peaked riding boots clicking on the hard tiles. Taking the cherry treds two at a stride, Xeric moved to the second floor of the Manor. He moved away from the red cherry stairs, across the brightly polished heartcut pine floors, and pushed open the dark walnut door to his office.
He removed his robes, allowing them to fall to the floor, and took a seat on the intricately carved hickory chair covered with plush, velvet cushions. He gripped the chair arms that were carved in the shape of twin vipers and moved his perch nearer the worn desk. Removing two thickly knit sheets of paper and a feathered pen from the top right drawer, Xeric began one of two notes. The corners of his lips curled as he thought to himself 'Bile likes to play rough. He likes to bully the weak and unleash the hounds does he?' Xeric set about unleashing an attack dog the likes of which few had ever seen.