The Book.

[Ashen Rain]

Well, due to explict urging from the Great Sensei of these forums, I have now been force- persuaded to post this here.

I am in an attempt, while sacrificing my free time, to write a book. I posted an excerpt of one of the more evil chapters upon the evil council forums... So, thanks to random proddings with the Sacrificial Spear-Bolt of Doom, all of you Dojo goers also get to read it.

So, here it is! An excerpt from evil chapter uno!

"Picture this, Ripley. A single Demon's heart blossom has one hundred and thirteen tiny petals. A single petal, dried, crushed, and added to a drink has no scent, no taste, and has the potential to kill a person very simply. But," He paused, "Diluted in a vial of honey... That's where the serum comes into most use. A little in any drink or cake of some sort, then ingested, wont kill the victim- quite yet at least."

Ripley Whiterose swallowed slightly, sweat drenching his brow. A nervous smile flitted on and off his face, and he nodded a bit as he listened to his commander.

Lord Virum gave a wicked grin. "No no," he continued. "Whatever the first thing on their mind is when the serum is first eaten, they wont stop thinking about. They'll become obsessed with it- whether it be an order, a worry, or what they're having for supper that night. They'll go around, talking only about it, performing that task, thinking about it with more fervent as time goes on. They'll do nothing else... At least until a few days from now, that is."

Sweat dripped from Ripley's face, his hair now drenched. To Virum, it looked as if the knight was cooking in his armor. "So," The boy attempted to ask, his voice wavering slightly, "The girl who was just here, witness to seeing the apparent witch at the hospital?... The young nurse? She'll... she's going to..."

The Lord nearly laughed as Ripley fumbled with his words. However, a scowl suddenly covered his face as the word 'witch' came to his ear. "Yes," Virum spat. "She'll go around, spreading the tale of how that vile creature entered our haloed city. She'll rave about it till exhaustion takes over, spreading rumors and fear of the evil magic users threatening us."

"And then?" Ripley asked, holding his breath.

Lord Virum stood still a moment, pondering the fate of the nurse. He looked up towards the young knight, standing there in his glittering white armor, as the same wicked grin crossed his face.

"Then, my knight in training," he began, making his way to his desk, "She will collapse, and die."

He chuckled softly, watching as the young knight paled before him. "Then," Ripley wheezed, his eyes wide, "You've poisoned her! But... why? She only told you the truth! She's innocent!"

Pulling the vial of honey from his pocket and sitting at his desk, the Lord leaned back in his tall, leather bound chair and set the golden jar before him. Virum watched as the young knight's eyes followed the small container in horror.

"I will have no use for her after she spreads the rumors, save but to die." He stated simply. "The chain she begins will be enough to get the effect I want. When someone finds her blue faced, bruised corpse in a back alley some where, we can simply blame it on the witch again, thus enraging our people further. After that, should things go awry, I'll just come up with a new idea, and find another pawn. It's for the greater good of our nation, Whiterose."

Ripley stared. "How many times have you done this before?" he asked, nearly choking on the question.

Virum could tell that Ripley was struggling to take this all in, and stay calm at the same time. Smart boy, he thought. But he would have to learn sooner or later that schemes like this went on every day. It was the way the world worked, and now was the perfect time to ease him into it.

"You have no idea," Lord Virum replied, his voice a wicked whisper, "Just how much venom a single Demon's Heart can create."

Enjoy, everyone! Tell me what you think. ^^