Magic Murder Cube Marine

Francis walked into the Adventure Guild with Willow at his side. She told him she was there to “facilitate the process”. Chuck was waiting outside. He told them to loosen up his bridle to the point where it was almost slipping off. Though he wouldn't say why.

Relativity had been given a makeover and was clutching a pink crystal ball. That part was Francis’s idea. It broke up the familiar shape of the withered hand on top. But Relativity had been the one who pushed for the nail polish and ribbons.

The results were interesting, but effective. Even Willow had a hard time believing the gaudy staff in Francis’ hand was one of the most evil magic objects in existence. It just went to show that even malevolent, world ending beings enjoyed a nice self care day once in a while.

He walked over to the board and started collecting the green tiles. Only the staff or an adventurer who had completed the quest could detach them. The room got quiet after he grabbed the first two. It was silent by the time he reached the twentieth.

Francis cashed in his tiles and walked out of the building with six hundred gold divided into three bags. He would be back later to grab some more quests. His first instinct had been to pay off the loan on Chuck, but something told him to wait.

Outside the building there was a bit of a ruckus. A man with his forehead dented in like an ashtray lay dead on the ground. Another man was holding his profusely bleeding hand, while a third clutched at a broken leg and screamed. Chuck was circling around trying to stomp on or kick the men who tried to steal him.

All three had dirty riding leathers and impressively pungent body odor. Francis recognized them for what they were right away. He didn't have much sympathy for their kind.

“Chuck, are you killing horse thieves again?” Francis asked as he walked over, throwing a little oil on the fire. A crowd was gathered around but didn't seem too agitated.

“Possibly.” Chuck admitted. “I recognized these assholes as we came into town. They killed one of my previous owners.” He savagely kicked out with his rear legs and the screaming stopped. “I've wanted to get even with them for a long time.”

“Fair nuff.” Francis walked over to the remaining horse thief. Chuck had bit him on the hand and he was missing half his fingers. “Tell me, are you the last remaining member of the Vicious Riders Trio?”

“Who wants to know?” He asked. Searching for a sympathetic face in the crowd and finding none. But it was a mistake to look away, because Chuck used the distraction to nail him in the back of the neck with a well placed kick.

The crowd winced as one. Seeing a horse thief get rabbit punched with a steel shod hoof wasn't pretty.