A House of Evil

Introduction

The castle is completely silent. It's usually a surprise since there's no doubt that there's something residing behind those large dark grey walls.

A tall yet fragile and skinny man paces outside nervously, as if he's waiting for someone. He has short dirty blonde hair which ends just above his light brown eyes. As he paces he clutches onto a bag with a bronze and green insignia almost as a child with homesickness would clutch onto a teddy. His clothes are also slightly ruffled, from where he had probably rushed to get ready in the morning. He wears a white shirt with a brown waistcoat, bearing the same insignia, but it's two sizes too big, and he uses a few belts to hold his black jeans up so that he doesn't trip on them when he's walking.

He stops pacing and looks up hopefully at the sight of a taller man with a denser build who walks with restrained strength in each step.

The other man has black hair and brown eyes which are almost set in a constant glare. He's wearing light armour and is carrying a sword with blue inscriptions on the handle at his waist. He has an air to him which suggests that he has gone through a long and trialling childhood to get to the position he is in today and stands with a manor which demands authority. He looks the thinner man up and down before glaring at the large castle with a sense of purpose mixed with an unrestrained yet disguised, fury.

"At last, thank you so much for coming!" The thinner man smiles sheepishly, holding his hand out for a handshake. "I'm Barrone, I was assigned to aid you in your quest."

The other man gives him a dark, powerful look. "How do you think you can do that?"

Barrone meekly tucks his hand back into his pockets and manages something resembling a curtsey. "I've been raised studying magic and I've been given supplies which you could find useful." He replies politely.

"I don't think you should follow me in there." The taller man tells him.

"But I must!" Barrone stammers with surprising enthusiasm.

The other man looks at him for a moment before speaking firmly. "If you insist, but let's get one thing straight. The second we get in there we need to find a secure location where you will stay until I say you can leave."

Barrone nods hastily. "Of course."

The other man tries the door and finds that it's locked. When he tries again he shoots Barrone a frustrated look.

"Oh the key, of course!" Barrone exclaims, fishing it out of his bag and holding it out to him.

Just as the other man reaches out, Barrone flimsily drops the key. He panics and gets onto his hands and knees to pick it up again and holds it out to the other man.

"S-sorry, here you go." He stammers, bowing his head nervously.

The taller man takes it from him and gets to unlocking the door. Barrone gets up and is about to head directly in when he is suddenly held back by the other man by the collar of his shirt. Just as he gets yanked back a knife goes flying past his face, just scraping his cheek.

"Stay behind me." He growls.

Barrone nods shakily. "Y-yes Sir Beveridge." He replies with a gulp.

"Call me Laurence." The black haired warrior replies.

"Yes Laurence." He repeats, taking a calming breath.

Laurence nods and releases Barrone's shirt, waiting for him to immediately hide behind him. "Do you have any weapons?" He asks Barrone.

Barrone looks in his bag of supplies and pulls out a book. "This should do the trick, I think." He adds awkwardly.