The First Assignment

Winter of Year 689, Duncaster, Western Gilnas

It had started simply enough, like most problems. Objects had been going missing from houses, and at first the local troublemaker was suspected. But after he spent a week in the stocks and things kept going missing, alternatives were considered. Then came the first bodies. Animals cut apart in grisly fashion, left in spots where they would be quickly found. It was nearly a month of fruitless investigation by the local authorities before the first human body was found.

The Mayor, a Town Watchman, and Two Coin-Men stood in a circle around the mangled corpse of Natalie Godrick in a dark alley. She was a well-liked barmaid at the Inn near the town square, especially for her special services, which had been an open secret.

"So what do you think?" The Mayor asked, shaking his head.

"If it wasn't for the runes carved on her face, I'd chalk it up to a disagreement with one of her clients." The Watchman said. "Frank, you said you and Jeremy came across her in the alley?"

"That's right. We were chasing a thief when he stopped dead in his tracks and started shouting. Said there was a body here." Frank said, nodding.

"You notified the Priest, right?" The Mayor asked, glancing over at the Watchman.

"Soon as Patty told me, yeah." The Watchman said. "She practically ran into the barracks, shouting that some Coin-Men found something horrible. He should be here any minute."

As if on cue, the Vordean Priest cleared his throat as he approached them. Nodding at the Mayor, he knelt down briefly to inspect the carvings on Natalie's face, and practically leapt up.

"Hoy Father what's wrong?" The Watchman asked.

"Send a messenger, immediately." The Priest said, wiping his forehead.

"Of course, but to where?"

"This is beyond any of us. We should have seen the signs." He continued, already pacing. "The fastest horse you can muster. To the Spiritual Garrison in the Capital. And burn her body, dammit!"

"Burn her? What's going on?" The Mayor demanded.

"On it." Jeremy said, flicking his wrist. Natalie's body ignited instantly, but then started moving.

"She's alive! Put her out!" The Mayor shouted, but the Watchman knew exactly what was happening and pulled him back.

"She's a wight!" The Watchman shouted. "Get back!"

The Priest wasted no time and pulled a dagger out of his robe, hurling it at Natalie's body even as it tried to move. With a final scream, she stopped moving this time for good. In less than a minute, not even ashes remained.