New Midian

I have seen many things in my time as the Keeper of New Midian.

The number of open-air carriages I could probably count on one hand if I had one. That was what was now pulling up to the gates. I counted three men and two women.

An older man was driving the carriage. The four in the carriage were dressed in high-quality clothing. I had plenty of time to observe them because the carriage had issues reaching the gates. The driver was able to navigate it to the gates, parking it parallel to them.

The four dismounted from the carriage and stepped directly into the courtyard. This allowed them to avoid the dirt and grass around them, preventing their clothes and shoes from getting dirty.

The women had open parasols protecting them from the sunlight. There was light cloud in the sky, and the sun had not yet reached its zenith, as it was only mid-morning. Now that I had taken a closer look at them, I had to upgrade my impressions of them. The clothes were of good quality and were extravagantly made. I was no connoisseur of local fashions, but it was clear that they each wore outfits worth a considerable amount of money.

Wealthy visitors meant trouble.

I can listen to their conversation now, and it appears that they were organising a picnic. Who had pointed him here, or whatever drew them, was an unknown. But it was clear that they were planning to travel to the graveyard. It seemed like a mix of picnic and minor exploration, and the role was quite exciting.

I watched the driver dismount, pull the picnic baskets from the back of the carriage, and hand them to each of the men. They were still in conversation with the women and accepted the containers.

I watched them somewhat dumbfounded. How the hell was I going to deal with this?

The driver was told to stay with the carriage as the fourth set off. They took the northern route.

[Alert! Intruders are not recognised as Challengers.]

Okay, this means I had options.

I quickly reached out to my Hunters and told them to go to the hunting grounds, but not to engage the four people walking through the graveyard just yet. I explained to them what I was looking at and that I needed time to think about it.

I followed just behind them, thinking desperately for a solution.

"Albert, this graveyard is truly magnificent. It far surpasses anything in the East." One of the women was saying.

"I must concur, Miss Eleanor. It was quite fortuitous that I packed along a copy of the works of Mr Edgar Allen Poe for a reading." The man named Albert replied to her.

"Yes, quite a splendid idea." The other woman piped up.

"Are you a fan of Mr Poe's work, Miss Samantha?" Asked the fourth man.

"Oh indeed I am, Rupert. I find his work quite refreshing and different from what is found in more polite company." The woman, identified as Samantha, told him.

As they walked, they had split into two pairs, with Albert and Eleanor in the front, and the other two walking slightly behind them. Allow them to carry on a conversation between pairs or the group at large quite easily. They were moving at a very slow and sedate pace dictated by the women. Each man carried a picnic basket, but I couldn't see what weapons had triggered them to be registered as intruders, not Challengers.

"It is quite a distance to the church. Shall we make the trip?" Alba asked the group.

"At first I thought we should, but you are quite correct, dear Albert, the distance is far more than we suspected. How queer." Eleanor said to him.

"Queer, Miss Eleanor, to what do you refer?" Rupert asked her.

"I refer to the size of the graveyard along with its odd layout." She lifted a hand, and with a casual wave, we took it all in. "It is a most peculiar place."

The conversation continued on the nature of the graveyard and its design as they continued to walk. They eventually reached the first of the open areas with the benches that had appeared in my last levelling. They took a temporary break here to allow the women to recover from their "exertions". All of that was what the men claimed. The two women took the offer with graceful thanks and smiles, sitting on one of the benches. I wasn't sure about the women, though. I had to remember that they were wearing corsets under those dresses that restricted their breathing, so maybe they were uncomfortable.

They waited there for about ten minutes and then continued. I knew that my hunters were all in position by now, even Rigger. I knew that he would not be enjoying the light; I would be hugging the shadow somewhere, but as soon as I said there were two women involved, he had refused the usual offer of staying out of this one due to the time of day.

"It will be tedious, but let us journey to the church." Eleanor proposed.

"Of course, Miss Eleanor. It seems that it is far more distant than I gauged originally, but if you're willing to make the journey?" Alba's answer came quickly.

"Yes. Yes, I think we are, but I suggest we move a bit faster to save the light." Eleanor answered, but looked at Samantha as she did so. I notice that, but the other two remained oblivious as they were focused on plotting a route to the church.

Something was going on here.

What would I do? Should I let this play out or step in and end it?

I debated with both ideas as they continued to walk. They had picked up this pace a bit, but they would still take well over an hour to reach the church. They would properly make it just after midday.

I made a decision.

"Rigger, get yourself to the church and hide in one of the annexes. The rest of you stay out of sight and surround the church. Our intruders are heading there. Take no action unless I instruct. Roberson, there's a driver with the carriage at the gates, who took him out and hid the body. Yes, before you ask, you can take the body if you desire it."

I got a mixture of emotional replies from them, ranging from confusion from some, interest from others, and downright excitement from Rigger.

I reminded myself that wealthy visitors meant trouble. I had to play this very carefully and spin quite a story to prevent undue attention coming upon New Midian. I was formulating a plan very quickly.

Even though they were making better time, the journey was still slow going. A notification popped up, which told me everything I needed to know about what was happening with the driver at the gates.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

One problem down. Four remaining.

It took them nearly two hours to reach the church, and the more I watched them and listened to the conversation, the more I noticed something. Eleanor and Samantha were playing Albert and Rupert. They acted, of course, like the demure and morally correct ladies that they were presenting, but I noticed the looks. They were guiding them into the church for a specific reason, and I was going to find out what it was. Once I did, I had an asset in place to take action if needed.

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I sense the other Hunters nearby watching the group as they move.

"Rigger hide behind the altar between it and the statue."

I gave him some mental instructions as I was adapting my plan. There was enough room for one person to hide between the statue on the altar comfortably, and that would give him an excellent point to ambush from if they approached it.

I almost cried out mentally when they finally crossed the threshold from the graveyard maze into the central area where the church was located. My flower beds were in bloom, and I looked over them with some pride. That pride was prodded slightly as their flowerbeds were ignored. Eleanor guided them towards the doors as they decided to step out of the sun for a short time before indulging in their picnic.

The group entered the church, and the women sighed with overdramatic gestures, claiming they were happy to be out of the sun as they closed their parasols. The men, of course, are the jump that this claims that they would find them seated at once. Eleonora indicated to the altar and said that it would be an excellent place to rest for a while on the pews before it.

"Rigger, be ready."

He did answer, but I sensed he was.

"What a splendid statue, but still quite odd?" Albert remarked as they walked down the central aisle between the pews.

"Indeed, you are correct, Albert. What a spectacularly appropriate place to read from Mr Poe's works." Eleanor continued to guide them deeper into the building. "Let us not fret with the outside and have a picnic here within this building."

The two men were unsure, but Samantha joined in supporting the decision. "Oh, what a splendid idea, Miss Eleanor, let us do this."

Her support brought the two men around, and they quickly hustled forward. Looking for where to place the baskets. The two women arrived before the altar, and Eleanor nodded to Samantha slightly while the two men were distracted. Samantha understood the instruction and called the two men's attention to her.

"Gentlemen, I'm feeling quite faint. Can you assist me?" She dramatically put the back of her hand to her head. Of course, the two men instantly leapt into action at the request of a lady in distress. This allowed Eleanor to approach the altar without being seen by the others.

She stood right at the altar. Pulling out an item from her sleeve, she placed it on the altar. Looking closely, I saw that it was a silver medallion on a chain, and I got a better look at it when she withdrew her hand. It was a picture of a woman's head, but instead of hair, she had snakes. Medusa.

The woman spoke in a low tone that was almost a whisper. "Hear me, oh great spirit of this sacred place. I have come to treat with you. I offer the three lives behind me to you as proof of my commitment and trust in my word."

Three? She was sacrificing her companion, Samantha, as well.

I made another snap decision.

"Rigger, ignore the woman at the altar, kill the other three."

He did not need to be told twice before he emerged from behind the altar. The woman, Eleonora, saw, and her eyes widened, but she did not make a sound; she stood deathly still.

He quickly moved around, and his approach was blocked from Samantha's sight by the two men fussing in front of her as she sat in the pew. Rigger's Bowie knife was already drawn and ready to be used. He moved with practice quietly and was upon them before they realised what was going on. The only alert to danger was the smell that accompanied him.

Albert turned, sensing something behind him. The flash of steel opened up his windpipe, and blood flew from the wound as it pumped freely from his body. Samantha screamed in horror, and Rupert turned to face the danger. He took one look at my Hunter and began backing up quickly, screaming in horror, praying to God for salvation.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

Samantha was trying to scramble away as Rigger went after Rupert. He tripped over his own feet and collapsed to the floor, allowing Rigger to pounce on him and begin violently stabbing him repeatedly. Samantha was trying to crawl towards Eleanor, calling out her name and begging for help. Eleanor never moved.

Samantha realised that no help was coming from that quarter.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

She tried to stand, but her skirts hampered her. Rigger walked up calmly behind her and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her back, exposing her throat. She screamed when she got a good look at him again.

"Now, now. Ya will be a good wife to me." He said as he then sliced a throat with a quick and clean motion. She died slowly, choking on her blood as he held her head.

Eleanor had moved. There was tension in her shoulders, but I sensed that she could be more dangerous than she was letting on. I spoke to Rigger through our connection.

"I am summing my avatar. Do not leave and await further instruction. There will be a conversation. Do not repeat what you hear or involve yourself without my permission. Nod if you understand."

He nodded slightly. I summoned my avatar and calmly walked around the altar. Eleanor's eyes were darting to her left and right, trying to find out what was happening without turning. My appearance startled her, but she was still as death.

"This was most unexpected."

I said to the woman as I walked to face her on the opposite side of the altar. Her breathing was almost non-existent, and she had turned pale. I wondered if she expected that her offer would be taken up. Well, she had probably the most tremendous shock of her life now.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

"From the medallion you have placed on the altar, I suspect that you are from the Daughters of Medusa?"

My words were calm as I did not want to spook her any more than she already was. I watched as she gathered herself, trying to respond to me and the situation that she had found herself in.

"Yes-yes, I am." She was very hesitant, but I was patient, allowing her to speak in your own time. "I have come to speak to the spirit that controls this place."

"Well, here I am. I suggest you tell me why you are here."

She fell silent again, and I could tell her mind was spinning quickly, going through countless possible answers.

"My sisters have sent me here to investigate the rumours of a place of power." I wonder how much of what she was telling me was true, but I decide to let it play out for now. "If I discovered it, I was to commune with the spirit and seek its boon if I was able."

Behind her, Rigger had laid out the body of Samantha with great reverence and gentleness. He awaited my instruction, knife ready.

"Interesting. I take it the three individuals that you brought to my domain will always act as a sacrifice in case you make contact?"

"Yes. They were chosen as they were worthy sacrifices to you." I could see that she was changing her body language, trying to seem deferential.

"Three sacrifices. Normally, I would be quite happy with that, but unfortunately, you have brought trouble to my door."

Her face went paler, which I didn't think was possible, as she tried to control the fear. "I-i-it was not our intention. Please tell this one of the troubles she has brought to your door and how she may seek to make amends."

"Albert and Rupert."

My naming of the two men seemed to surprise her, which intrigued me. Just how in the dark were she and her sisters?

"Both men are from wealthy families. Please don't bother to confirm, as the quality of their clothing speaks for itself. In my experience, such wealth causes questions to be asked when Sions of the family disappear."

I saw her licking her lips and swallowing hard before responding.

"Fear not, oh great spirit. My sisters have prepared a cover story in case contact was made and our offerings were accepted." She spoke a bit faster, trying to appear more confident than she was.

"And Miss Samantha?"

I probed.

"A former initiate who failed her membership trials." Not the answer I was expecting.

"Very well. You have my attention, do not waste it."

She paused again, licking her lips and swallowing, and I would gamble she was about to launch into a preprepared speech.

"The Daughters of Medusa have felt the increase in magic within the world. We were aware that such a place of power had revealed itself, but we have struggled to discover your location. But with the increase in magic, the dreams of those blessed help direct us to your location. I was chosen out of my sisters to come forth and seek to commune with offerings."

I said nothing and let her continue.

"We, the Daughters, seek to make a pact with you to share your boons and knowledge. We are willing to make offers of exchange and pacts of magic to show our commitment."

As she finished her presentation, she stood before me with her hands out from the waistline, her palms out, and her head bowed slightly.

Time to have some fun, I think.

"You are not the first to come and make such offers."

She looked up, startled again by my words, and I could see the scheming part of her mind working to try to figure out who had come before her.

"The Way of Athamos came first to try to control and then to deal. I extracted a price for the arrogance of the first, and they have learned the wisdom of the second. What I offered to them, I will offer to you. Interfere not with those who seek to come here of their own free will. If you want more, I might be willing to trade, but expect not to break faith with me and not suffer a price. Your members may also come and test themselves within my domain. If they succeed, the rewards will be granted to them as any other."

Mentioning the Way because of the flash of annoyance across her features, which she quickly hid. I suspect she was far better at this, but discovering a supernatural force and engaging in conversation was not what she had expected to be doing. She had little experience of doing it.

"Thank you for your words, oh great spirit. You have given me much to take back to my sisters."

"One last thing."

I think she was hoping to be able to leave, but my words stopped cold.

"Address me as Keeper."