Menoman

Aspis's coin did not glow, he was very nervous about that, he was quite sure he would not be chosen strong enough, he knew he was merely a servant.

Throwing the coin down, "I can't do it" He walked out of the room, and out of the castle. Looking around very nervously he walked away from the castle, when he was sure nobody was looking he ducked into the brush and began to convulse. About five minutes later a shape took to the sky, completely black and bony with large broad wings.


meanwhile, Duke Sar was sitting atop one of his mid level towers patiently standing starring at the moon, it was hard to see, there were scattered flames across his landscape. Probably from the scavenger orcs. They seemed to like to burn their victims homes after they stole all their belongings and did unspeakable acts upon them.

"Ahhh, its about time." Looking off to the right of the moon it was pitch black but somehow he saw the dark figure swooping toward his castle from above the clouds. About 10 feet from the tower its wings swung open and slightly angled backwards, and started beating intenstly. The white hair on the duke was pushed back behind his head about a foot. Then came at ease when the creature landed on the side of the tower.

Again, the creature convulsed. Getting impatient the duke stood and watched, tapping his finger on his elbow. Standing naked was the "weakling" from the castle.

"Sir, my apologies for the delay. It is true the king knows of what your doing. He called forth many of the warriors from around his kingdom. He used these glowing coins to chose who was strong enough to go on the attack. I have no idea how the way he chose the warriors is of any importance to their skill, but I do know, at least 4 of the ones that I saw destroy the guard at the door of the castle, were told they are not wanted. Strangely enough." He took a bow after he had finished his report.

"Well then, perhaps I shouldn't worry about the king as much as I have, apparently his primitive knowledge is going to be his own fall. Using a petty little magicians trick of illuminating an object to determine the power of his army, hah! I will enjoy this immensely."

Laughing in his deep voice seemed to make the nude shapeshifter's body vibrate along with it.

"Aspis, Go to the top of the peak you see in the moonlight to the east. You know the Orc Champion awaits there in a cave. Tell him that I want him to send 20 of his orcs to the Kings castle. I'll send 2 of my gargoyles to carry them to the castle. I want them there by daybreak, if they are not. You'll end up back with the king for good, and your identity will not be hidden this time."

Without a word the shapeshifter performed another change, this time it did not take nearly as long, but it was much more painful.

He took off into the night...

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