Free Dark Soul Silenced - Part Two by Simon Goodson

captain.  He took more and placed them into a secure inner pocket, then fastened the bag and placed it in his pack.  He felt a little better having split the fortune in gemstones into three.
    “You mentioned a task, master.  What is it?”
    “ You will…”  The Master stopped speaking as a convulsion ran through his body.  It lasted several seconds, and when it passed Ned could sense how much weaker the Master now was.  It wouldn’t be long before the he lost his fight against the darkness.  The old man started to speak again.
    “ You will leave the keep.  Go south.  A long way south.  Find a strong city in those lands and found a new order.  Teach those who will follow two things.  Firstly to fight against the darkness, to oppose those like Frederick.  Secondly teach them to seek out those with untainted power.  Seek them out and help them, guide them, train them.  Only with their help can this darkness ever be stopped.”
    “ You want us to create a new Golden Order?”
    “ No.  The Golden Order is gone.  We have failed.  Find a new name.”
    “ Then we shall simply call it the Order.”
    “ It is your choice.  Whatever happens, you must survive.  You are the last link to our training.  You must pass on what you know.”
    “ But Master… I haven’t completed the Transformation.”
    “ No, and you never will.  No one else will now.  I am certain there are no Masters left untainted in this keep or the Citadel.  One way or another I am sure the rest will be hunted down.  So much depends on you Ned.  Can you do it?”
    “ Yes.  Yes I can.  Is there anything I can do for you before we leave.  Do you wish us to…”
    Ned trailed off, unable to complete the sentence.  Unable to suggest that they might kill the Master, put him out of his misery.
    “Yes.  Two things.  We need to go to the third floor, then to the top floor.  Captain — come with us and tell your men to be prepared.  You have the weapons you need now but the monsters are still dangerous foes.  I call them monsters, but in my heart I know there is another name for them.  A name few alive have ever heard.  A name from ancient times that I thought was simply a myth.  Now I know better.  Creatures like this were spoken of in the oldest stories.  Creatures known as vampires.”
    The name meant nothing to Ned, but he noted it anyway.  Maybe one day he would be able to learn more about the vampires.  One day, but not today.
    “To the third floor then Master?”
    “ Yes.  Follow me.”
     
     
    By the time they reached the third floor Ned could tell Master Demotte was at the end of his strength.  He seemed to be fighting on using willpower alone.  Yet somehow he was managing to force a stalemate with the darkness inside.  He led them down a corridor and into a small room.  The room was empty save for a solid stone table.  Ned could feel the power flowing through the table as soon as he entered the room.
    “ The table is known as a Memory Table.  When you place your hands on it and concentrate it will absorb your recent memories.  Don’t worry, the process is painless and won’t harm you.  It just copies the memories.”
    “ But why?”
    “ Call it a second chance.  If for some reason you fail, or the new order you establish fails at some time in the future, then your memories of recent events will still be stored here.  If, one day, someone able to manipulate all the natural powers arrives they will be drawn to the table.  If they activate it then they will gain your memories.  Memories of how the curse of the vampires was unleashed will be invaluable.”
    “ Very well.  I will do it now.”
    “ No!  No.  You can return here after.  The table takes time to complete its work.  Only a few minutes, but that is more than I have now.  We need to reach the top floor.”
    Master Demotte span round and marched from the room.  Each step was a battle, yet somehow the old man kept going.  Not just