"So she's been kidnapped by this demon lord," Antonio stroked his moustache with a gloved hand. It was tremendously tacky, and extremely overdone, but he felt it added to his all-round aesthetic. As did the leather popped collar, held together with silver chains that rose from the neck of his floor-length cape. "And it's up to you guys to go find her."

The straggly group that stood in front of him, blood-stained, tired and thirsty, groaned. At the head of the four, Jason sneered. He tossed the sack he held at Antonio's feet. His twin swords were filthy, strapped across his back. The hilts had lost their jewels.

"We've just recovered the head of the Omen Beast, sir," he said. "Can we at least take a break?"

"I'd like to shower," Sara said from the rear of the group. She was coated from head to toe in stinking marsh mud.

"I don't think so," Antonio replied. "Also, I think I prefer my lord from now on. Sir was nice, but it's become old. As has that Omen Beast. I'm surprised it took you so long to kill it."

Jason, Sara, Bhaeg and Renna looked at each other in horror. Renna wore an eyepatch over a freshly-lost eye. The scar that emerged from either side was red, raised and ugly. She needed a medic. Bhaeg hobbled, favouring his right leg.

"Sir--"

"My lord," Antonio corrected gently.

"My lord," now Sara spoke through gritted teeth. She was a sprightly little thing, faster to temper than her comrades. Antonio pressed his gloved fingers together like a steeple beneath his chin and leaned forwards. "We ran into another group of champions, this time from Savra. They wanted the head of the Omen Beast themselves. We had to defeat them before we could defeat the Beast."

"Well!" Antonio clapped his hands together. "There you have it. You can't have a break, because technically, you used up your overtime and time off fighting this other group of champions. So no. Princess Prunella is waiting, and the dragon is becoming quite angry. He might eat her soon."

"Dragon?" Bhaeg said. He shifted his axe from hand to hand, looking up through two purple-closed eyes. "I thought you said it was a demon lord."

"Yes, yes, it doesn't matter," Antonio said. "Go, go on. Defeat the bad guy, bring me back the Princess."

He rattled his drink.

"And get me a martini, Renna, I'm bored of this now."

"Yes, my lord," the murmur was reluctant, seething. Antonio kicked his feet up, pressed his gloved fingers to his forehead and reached out telepathically to Giannina. He saw her in his mind's eye: tall, dressed in black silk and red fire, white skin glowing with her magic.

Darling, I've sent my team out. They're heading over the Northern Passes, coming for Princess Prunella. Hope you're ready for round two.

I'll have you know, The tone was glacial. That I lost a bloody mage in your last onslaught.

Don't worry. Antonio cast his mind back to Renna, with her injured eye. Mine's having trouble seeing. I'm sure she won't be too hard to wipe off the board.

Speaking of bored, what are you doing later? Giannina fired back.

Drinking gin.

Mind if I join you?

Go ahead.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Passes, Jason, Sara and Bhaeg cried out in terror as an ice giant snatched Renna from the trailing cliffside.