Ryleth was approaching the clearing quickly. There was little time to spare. If Phagora arrived before he could finish his business his entire plan would collapse. The witch was powerful but utterly unguided. You couldn’t tell her not to do something. It was impossible. In fact it was the reason why a child had died. But Ryleth wasn’t about to play the blame game. In the end it was his presence that pushed the witches over the edge. Without him the raid would never have happened. So in a way, while he never hurt a child directly he most certainly held some of the blame. In a way, because of him Angela had died. Now he wouldn’t let six other witches perish. He touched the saddlebag next to him, to reassure himself that the phylacteries were all still there.

The Nightmare stopped at a ridge overlooking the clearing. No doubt the witch standing guard would have felt the dark creature's presence already. However now they would no doubt see it’s bright, unnatural red eyes within the darkness. Ryleth dismounted and took five phylacteries from another saddlebag. They were far less ornate as those he had taken out of the crate yet still bore intricate runes chiseled into the delicate crystal. He uncorked each one of the phials. With a howl the phantom sealed within was unleashed in the form of a pale, white cloud gas flying erratically above its vessel. When all five were uncorked the phantoms took a fleeting, humanoid shape. All of them bowed.

[b]“I give you purpose once more.”[/b] Ryleth said. “But tonight is different. [b]“But tonight is different. It isn’t a battle. It isn’t a raid. It isn’t a slaughter. For once we are to play the savior.”[/b] The ghosts rose and looked at each other confused. [b]“Down in the clearing, there are witches. Some will run. You capture them, alive, at any cost.”[/b]

The five spirits bowed once more before they collapsed in a gaseous state and flew into various directions. Ryleth released a sigh. Now the hard part would begin. He knew his servants would fulfill their duty. But could he say the same thing? He fought that doubt as he collected the phylacteries of his servants and placed them within the saddlebags again but he left them uncorked this time. So the spirit could return if required.

Minutes later he arrived at the clearing and dismounted his Nightmare again. With saddlebag in hand, he walked up the present witches. [b]“Leader.”[/b] He made a courteous but small bow towards the head witch of the Coven. [b]“I’m afraid I’m the herald of ill winds.”[/b]

[b]“Alexina wants you dead.”[/b] Ryleth said. [b]“Now she has found a way to kill you. Penitence. Three other witches will be coming soon with the same task. All three of us are bound by blood. You cannot fight me nor them. You know that. I have a solution though.”[/b] He held up one of the special, empty phylacteries. [b]“Your body dies but the soul lives on so it can be given another form. I cannot promise you will not suffer but you will live. This is my offer.”[/b] Ryleth placed the phylactery on the grass before them and then took a step backward.

But the Warlock was no fool. In the past minutes, before he came down the ridge he had been weaving wards around him to protect him from magic. Almost all attacks would have to break through his arcane shields. Giving him ample time to react. Despite wanting to save them he did not trust these witches. Even though he considered them friends he refused to lower his guard.