Shadowhunter

Kardarias….Shadowhunter

The one known as blackmoore didn’t so much as guide me to this one, but brought him to me. It seems Kardarias has been trying to collect on a long-standing bounty on the head of our demon associate. Years ago when Blackmoore crafted his own little mortal coil rebellion against the Underworld, he put a price on his head. A large price from what I gathered of their conversation. Now here is where I shall let you in on something I am pretty sure they do not know I heard. It seems the one named Shadowhunter carries a demonically possessed bow. Not just any demon though but an upper lord of the Clan Vk’uu. I with my own eyes saw it instantaneously cripple Blackmoore. As he lay on the ground I realized one very useful fact, Demons maybe tricky deceptive creatures yet compared to an elf with no compunction for morals or decency they are mere children. I think the way of the elf left kardarias soul when the elven nation departed long ago.

From what I can gather, the bow has been his weapon of choice since his earliest days. He was from a family of archers so it was inherent that he would chose it. The shocking thing is for most of his life he was bested by every other member of his family. So in a fit of rage he left the lands to learn to use his bow. He journeyed for fifty years learning from the best archers of the world. Upon the fifty anniversary of his departure he arrived for his family’s archery games. Here he demonstrated his new lethal prowess. He bested his brothers with ease. None could match his precision, speed, or power. He had become a standard by which all in the kingdom would be judged. Somewhere an archer of the most infernal prowess gathered his ire at a mortal with such skill, and soon he would bring forth a challenge.

So as Kardarias slept the demon Priafin appeared to him. This sly demon was not a beast such as blackmoore but a sugar tongued demon prince. His skill with the bow was known through the entire underworld. It was his skill that had truly carried out many an assassination in the past. So his pride broke he made a deal with Kardarias. A contest, if kardarias one his bow would be imbued with priafin himself. Greatest archers of the over and under world in one package, but if he lost he would be blinded and his fingers removed. He would never be able to fire an arrow again. Kardarias was not born to be prideful he learned it and he learned it well. He accepted the challenge and the bargain was set.

The challenge was like many archery contests but with a twist. In front of their target would be a mass of people. They would not see the elf or demon but if an arrow passed through them they would die just as if they were truly there. Priafin smiled seeing the elf realization at what he must do. Priafin giving the shock time to pass was the first to fire. In perfection of form he fired four shots which were perfectly straight and hit their target. As he fired his fifth and final shot he heard a familiar sound. He turned to see kardarias just lower his bow from taking a shot. Priafin spun realizing what had transpired. He saw it. He saw his own arrow hit by the elf’s. He saw his arrow veer off course and land in the arm of a small child. He watched in horror as everybody now looked upon him. Upon this world he had none of his demonic gifts, turning to Kardarias he snarled. Kardarias looked back and with a calculated look he made the demon a deal.

Kardarias would take the blame for hitting the child and be banished from his kingdom forever, but only if the demon became one with his bow. Priafin looked at him and nodded in agreement. As priafin dissipated into pure power form and enveloped the bow, he realized he had been tricked. As it set in kardarias smiled and fired and arrow quickly into a local hood he recognized. With speed he kicked the bow to the man’s feet. He quickly alerted everyone to who had shot the child. He had tricked the demon.

Now as he stared down at the agonizing blackmoore he smiled. He had tricked another demon, but not planning on loosing one of our new agents I approached. I could not offer him more money, but I could offer him something. I offered him a quiver of our blessed arrows. Ever replenishing and burning with the fires of above. He smiled at me and agreed. It seemed too easy really. Only time will tell. After accepting my offer he walked to the fallen demon and ripped the arrow free. Blackmoore looked up thanking him, but was soon given a new present as Kardarias boot heel was soon stepping on the wound. I think there is far more history here than we are getting. Frankly that is where I left them. I am off to the mountains. A dwarf awaits me.