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It's been a bit since I've posted something else so here's the fourth chapter of Hand of Hell, Lost Soldier and Dragon Hunter should be along when my editor gets a chance to look over them.

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Moving swiftly back into the forest to the horses, and quickly riding away to escape any of the guards or Holy Order that might have followed, Eric smiles internally as the thought of the owls words and the sound of Leasherria laughing in his mind surfaced.

"Eric, it appears that you are beginning to enjoy having such power," she said calmly. Eric nodded as the pace slowed, with Quest turning the direction and picking up the trot into a full run wanting to put as much distance between them and the Holy Order as possible in a short amount of time.

Soon the pace had slowed to a walk, letting the horses rest with their riders still mounted, Eric slowed to the back of the group to speak with Leasherria.

"Tell me, I want to know why the Holy Order fears the gauntlets other than the obvious reasons. I know it's a powerful weapons worn by you, a General in Baisets Unholy army, as well as an unholy object from hell but what else, it has to be more than that right?"

Leasherria remained silent as if thinking over something but soon a giggle came to Eric's mind, "Mmmm, your very curious Eric but don't worry, I like that. In truth everything you just said is mainly why the Holy Order fear the gauntlets but they also fear them because the wielders of the gauntlets have Ancient power that has slowly slipped through the Holy Orders fingers. The God's have abandoned the Holy Order, Eric, and they no longer have the Divines blessings as they once did. The Holy Order of this day are no more than cowards clinging to their own little pieces of power, they are corrupt and are holy no more." Eric stared at the top of his horse's head as Leasherria talked.

His eyes slowly drifted to the gauntlet on his right arm. "So they'll try and kill me and take the power, consume me like I am to consume other gauntlet wielders."

"Yes, I'm afraid that they will not outright kill you, they must take you to what is know as 'Holy Grounds,' these are places that the Gods have touched as they battled the Unholy army alongside theirs, and yes, there are Unholy Grounds as well." Leasherria giggled, knowing Eric was going to ask about the Unholy Grounds, even though he could put it together in his mind.

"Alright then, so out here in the forest they would only try and capture me?" Leasherria agreed. "Well then, if I stay with Quest and the Three Knives thieves then everything should be fine," again Leasherria agreed, just as Quest called out that it was time to rest.

Dismounting from his steed and stretching his legs, he looked up to the sky, it was still a starry night though movement from his left caught his attention and he turned to see Venus looking down at him curiously. Eric returned the curious look with a questioning one of his own before being pushed down slightly as Venus's large upper right paw was placed on his head. The tigress smiled to the human.

"Guess you're one of us now Eric, since you did your job." Eric looked from under the tiger's large paw, seeing the other thieves smiling at him and Quest giving him a nod.

They didn't make a campfire this time since it was still dark, and the food was only cold meat and bread, much less appetizing than the food from the first time they made camp but Eric ate with Venus off to the side. Right after eating everyone was back on their horses and riding through the forest once again. Eric wasn't sure exactly where they were heading but didn't feel like asking. He knew that they were going in the wrong direction if they were heading toward the Haven so he assumed that they were heading to where ever they needed to go to sell the amulet that they had stolen.

Hours passed as they rode hard, the sun slowly rising over and shining down on the groups' backs. The pace slowed to a trot to let the horses rest as they slowly moved out of the forest and farmland appeared, Eric looked around seeing farmers in the fields working and in the distance mountain ranges. Eric thought for a moment before realising that they were nearing the kingdom of Taberzan, another Holy Order Kingdom, and with that thought a questioning look came over his face. He didn't have time to really think it over though as Quest and the others started to move again, letting the horses walk.

They moved through the farmland slowly until they reached a small trade town. Quest had told Eric to sling his right arm again so not to draw too much attention to his gauntlet, which did seem to help as people only glanced at the hurt rider before moving about their business. The sun had risen to around noon before they started riding hard again needing to get to wherever they were going fast. Quest kept everyone going but was smart enough not to ride the horses too long at the pace and the horses seemed used to the treatment, obviously having been trained this way.

It was nearing nightfall before they stopped to let their horses rest at another small trade town in the Taberzan kingdom, moving into a pub that was filled with laughter and finding themselves some tables. Eric's mind began working now that he had some time to think and quickly he moved over to Quest.

"Quest, I need to know something." This gaining not only Quest's but everyone's attention.

"Speak ya mind Eric, just make sure only we can hear it," with that Eric moved a bit closer to Quest. Even though the pub was full of happy laughter, one never knew who might be listening.

"Alright, I've been thinking, who are we giving the amulet to in Taberzan?" Quest blinked at the question, then answered with a shrug.

"We don't care who wants it so long as we get our money for our trouble," a simple rule of thieves that Eric knew.

"Well, what I want to know is why are we stealing an amulet from the Holy Order that was on it's way to La'kerra and bringing it to the neighbouring Holy Order controlled Kingdom of Taberzan. I mean, Taberzan and La'kerra are two of the kingdoms that make up the nine triangled kingdoms."

Everyone began to understand what Eric was getting at and Quest seemed to understand as well, "I understand what your sayin Eric, it's all strange how they got us hoppin from one kingdom to the next when they could'a hired normal thieves fa it. It all sounds suspect ta me as well but the amount'a gold that they be layin down for this is hard to pass up, I don know just keep ya guard up when we make tha drop."

With that everyone moved back and drinks came to the table, though they only drank water since they would soon be riding off once again. About an hour of resting as well as jokes and tales being passed, with laughter coming from the group, but soon they all stood and paid for their drinks before moving out and mounting once more. They started riding again just as the sun started to set in the distance, riding hard they quickly moved deeper into the Taberzan kingdom though Eric couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the whole thing.

The paced changed from a quick trot to a fast run, making sure the horses were alright, and it was around midnight when they finally saw the castle of Taberzan in the distance, the kingdom ruled by Countess Isalla, a fair fox who took rule after her mother passed away. Moving down the dirt road toward the kingdom, they soon began cutting to the right, toward the forest that rested in the distance. The Taberzan kingdom being surrounded by large forests though they had been cut so that the stripped parts would make the symbol of a cross with the road leading to Taberzan following the lower cross.

Quest led the group into the forest and then dismounted before moving deeper into the forest on foot, the group walked for several minutes before coming to a stop at a small clearing were three cloaked figures stood, Quest moving in front with a smile, everyone else behind her.

"Well well, you guys don't seem to be the richest bunch, where's the gold" she said, tilting her head to the side slightly.

"There will be no payment for those who side themselves with the darkness." Eric blinked as a familiar voice rang out and suddenly the group was surrounded, archers appeared from behind trees, drawing back their bowstrings with arrows strung. The group of thieves immediately draw their weapons but were completely surrounded, Eric grit his teeth as he screamed 'I told you so' in his mind before seeing some white robed figures moving from the tree line.

"I told you that you would be lost to such things, boy." Eric blinked as the owl lowered her hood, the same one that they had stole the amulet from in the beginning.

"What the hell is this about?" Quest demanded, which only got a sharp gaze from the owl.

"You and your friends have sided with this wielder of one of the Baisets Gauntlets and as such are deemed to be sided with evil, to do such a thing is one of the worst sins and you all will face punishment for it," the owl claimed.

Eric grit his teeth lightly as Quest narrowed her eyes at the owl.

"So what then, this whole thing with the amulet was a set up?" she asked the owl, shaking her head.

"Not at all, should you have been just normal thieves, we would have paid you then sent you on your way, but since you are sinners against the Holy Order you will only receive death as your payment." With that Eric stepped forward, pulling his arm from the sling, this movement gaining the owls attention.

Eric glared firmly at the owl, hoping that this would work, clenching his right fist firmly. "I take it you know what this is capable of?" he said, raising his fist in front of him, aiming it at the owl who seemed to be put on edge by the gauntlet being pointed at her.

"Let them go and I'll go with you, don't and we'll see how many of you I can kill." The group of thieves were immediately shocked by Eric's demand and Quest moved up to protest but the owl turned and interrupted her.

"So you'd give yourself up in exchange for your friends?" Eric nodded in agreement and the owl seemed to think over the offer, before nodding and raising her left paw, a group of archers moving out of the way.

"There, you stay and they go." Quest wasn't going to be interrupted again as she moved in front of Eric.

"The hell are ya doin, fool, do you know what they're gonna do to you, why are you doing this?" Eric smiled at Quest, which stopped her rant.

He put his left hand on her shoulder and pushed her back a bit. "I guess I still have a little knight left in me, now get the hell out of here." He pushed Quest around toward the rest of the group, his smile still playing on his lips though none seemed willing to just leave him to his fate, even though he was still new to them.

Hesitantly and unwillingly the group of thieves quickly moved out and ran to their horses, leaving Eric surrounded by archers with the holy order standing in front of him. Turning back from where the group had run, he glared at the owl that was in the middle of chanting something quietly. Eric blinked as he was suddenly surrounded by a bright light, then pain shot up his spine and he cried out in pain before dropping to the ground unconscious with the owl moving over him.

"Bind him, we will take him into Taberzan and he will be executed in the name of the Holy Order, having being deemed a devil."

Eric laid still in the darkness before his eyes slowly opened, and he found he was lying in Leasherria's lap with her right paw stroking his head. She smiled down at him as he looked around, seeing that they were once again in the large grass plain and Leasherria seemed to be content in just stroking Eric's hair.

Sighing softly was enough the attention from the dragoness. "What happened?" he asked after a moment, turning his head so he was looking at her stomach.

"You were captured by the Holy Order, they're now transporting you to the Taberzan kingdom where you will face judgement and death for wearing my gauntlet." Eric didn't respond besides giving a small sigh and curling up a bit.

"I've had this gauntlet a total of near a week and I've already been cursed by the Holy Order and am facing execution for it." Leasherria leaned down, kissing his cheek.

"Fret not, Eric, everything will be all right, I told you I'd protect you and that's what I'll do. When the time comes just open yourself to my call and I'll take care of everything, now wake."

Eric's eyes shot open and he found himself in a cell, most likely in the Taberzan Kingdom, they didn't want to kill him at night he guessed, or they didn't want to wake the countess, which was probably more likely.

Trying to lift his head he found that he couldn't move, he was pinned to the ground by a magical force and his arms were sealed behind his back. He couldn't move a muscle, though he was able to move his eyes and see that it was dark, and that there were metal bars in front of him which didn't help him in the least.

"Leasherria" he said softly and her voice came to his mind. "How long until they come for me?" His question was answered as the sound of metal hitting stone echoed throughout the dungeon, followed by footsteps and heavy metal lightly hitting together.

Soon two royal armored guards came into his view, along with three figures dressed in the Holy Orders robes. His cell door was opened and the Holy Order moved in, he was suddenly lifted into the air by an unseen force and floated out of the cell, then was set down on his feet but he still couldn't move. One of the Holy Order stepped in front of him and suddenly he could move his legs, he blinked but didn't have time to really do anything as a blade was pressed into his back and he was shoved roughly forward, taking the hint quickly he began to walk.

Eric was led, or rather shoved, and forced through the halls of the Taberzan castle. Looking around he saw the royal castle decorated beautifully, just as the once beautiful Teldon castle, though every time he looked at something he was shoved or poked in the back one of the royal guards swords.

Soon the sound of laughter reached Eric's ears, and two large doors appeared on his left, he already knew that this was the throne room. The doors were pushed open by the two royal guards standing watch and the happy voices and laughter quickly fell and Eric became the center of attention. Being pushed into the middle of the throne room, his eyes moved around, seeing large tables lining both walls with nobles, Holy Order and guards standing and sitting at them, in front of him there was, of course, the Countess sitting on a elevated marble floor in a large throne.

The floors were completely marble, and had strange symbols engraved in them. Looking down at the floor, he saw that all the symbols were connected and converged on the one that he was standing on, but as he thought over what it could be the symbol suddenly glowed and Eric was pulled to his knees with a grunt of exertion. Looking up slowly, he found that even holding up his upper body like this was extremely difficult and nearly painful on his back. As he looked up his eyes fell onto the countess, sitting in her throne with the owl from the Holy Order standing next to her.

"Lords and Ladies, before you kneels a human who has been cursed by Baisets evil..." the owl began, though her words seemed practised as if she had already said this speech hundreds of times.

*Quest*

Quest and the group quickly left Eric behind after he told them to leave, though her mind was quickly working on a way to get back at that Holy Order bitch of an owl as well as save Eric since he was a brother thief. Looking to her friends, she saw that they were all thinking the same thing that she was. The only problem with saving Eric was that he was inside a Castle that was guarded by thousands of furs as well as the Holy Order. They only had hours to figure out a way to get in, save Eric and get out, which was near impossible to do without even knowing the city's layout.

Turning and looking away from her group, her mind wandered to something else, the owl and the job that they did. Reaching down, she pulled the amulet from her pocket, seeing that the owl didn't bother trying to take it back it was either fake, worthless or just unimportant to the Holy Order. How did the Holy Order know about Eric before he even got to the Three Knives Bandits, someone had to have told them, but the only one that knew of it was Far and he wouldn't have told anyone since he was the one that sent Eric to them.

Gritting her teeth at all the thoughts running through her mind, she turned and looked at her group. "So what do we do, risk it all and try to wing it?" Quest asked, and the group began thinking what they should do to try and save their fellow thief.

*Eric*

Eric blinked as the owl continued talking, she insulted him and pretty much his entire family as well, and went on in a huge rant about how he was the bringing of darkness to the world. Some of the parts he just wanted to burst out laughing at the claims she made about what he would do. Finally her speech came to an end and shouts came from the nobles and holy order around him about him needing to be cleansed and him being evil filled the room. Looking to his left and right as well as in front of him, he saw three black robed Holy Order.

Each held an ivory bow in their hands, though no arrows, Eric looked to the owl who raised her right hand and the black robed Holy Order raised the bows and a light formed as they drew the bow strings back, a magical light arrow appearing in the bow. The bows were aimed toward Eric and he grit his teeth as he tried to fight against the power that was holding him down, though he couldn't move an inch, just like back in the cell. As the owl lowered her right hand the countess stood.

"Do you have anything to say before you are cleansed, devil?" the fox asked.

Eric blinked and slowly grinned. "Yeah I do...see you in hell." Many shouts of anger at such comments were thrown and the countess lowered her muzzle.

"Proceed," came her voice and the owl nodded and called out

"Cleanse him." With that the black robed Holy Order let loose the arrows, and the arrows made of light soared toward Eric as he grit his teeth in anger at how he was going to die.

*Quest*

Blinking, she lifted her head, before spinning and looking toward the Taberzan kingdom, the rest of the group turning and looking as well before Bear stepped toward the raccoon.

"What is it Quest?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing, just felt like...just a bad feeling is all," she answered before moving back toward the horses with the group.