The Machinations of a Strange Book

“Hey Jack.” Mathias said. “Why don’t you go get the idiot? Show us what you got.”

--

Outside in the whipping sand storm Leo stood bundled against the scouring gritty air. Manically looking this way and that, listening to the malevolent grimoire clutched against his chest. Trying to hear it tell him weather he should go hither or thither.

Jack raised an eyebrow at the others, "Picking on the new guy already eh?" Jack looked at the storm and sighed as he knew this was a bad idea. The storm looked quite nasty so he cast a barrier on himself for protection from the elements and a surprise attack from any wild creature he might encounter. The storm was indeed quite violent as wind and sand practically blinded any route he could take. Seeing as he had trouble seeing where he was going Jack activated his thermal vision so he could see body heat. He followed the path that Leo had headed in in hopes to find him soon. He planned to continue on to where the Soothsayer was in case he stopped there.

As Jack looked around he found a few traces of someone who passed through recently. He used his thermal vision to look around as he slowly advanced and then he caught a glimpse of a red shadow in the sand storm. He then used magic to strengthen his body before he took off running towards the red shadow. His thermal vision allowed him to see a person's heat signature in poorly lit areas. After a bit of running he caught up to the person and it was Leo. He was holding something for dear life and had an odd expression.

The moment Jack moved in front of Leo to attempt to intercept him Leo seemed to look right through Jack with a glassy thousand yard stare. His boyish, vibrant smile gone, his skin once sun-kissed now seemed pallid, in the strange red and purples of this arcane storm. Leo mumbled something not directed at Jack and walked around him, as Leo walked his steps were rocking, uneven a sway like he was being dragged and not waking under his own full power. If Jack looked closely, Leo was shivering even in this arid black blizzard.

Jack tried to reason with Leo and tell him to stop but it was like talking to a zombie. Leo looked like he was possessed and Jack believed it had to do with what he was clutching in his arms. Jack remembered his mother teaching him about cursed items and that humans loose control when being possessed by them. Though he didn't know what Leo was holding so close to his chest, he knew it was bad. So Jack said, "I'm sorry Leo." Then Jack swept Leo's feet to make him fall face first to the ground as he quickly got up and grabbed Leo's feet and dragged him face first in the sand back to the Soothsayer's tent hoping to get help since this was a bad situation. The wind and sand made it hard to see even with his thermal vision. Leo was struggling to get free from Jack's grip while still gripping something tightly in his arms. Eventually Jack made it to the Soothsayer's tent and called for help.

Inside the tent Esmerelda was beginning to wrap up her session with Horo and Severos, she motioned for the two to open the tent flap. Pulling the fabric open revealed a man struggling in the grasp of another, who had him by an ankle as the other tried to crawl free using only one hand. Seeing his bag over turned Horo sprang into action. "Flip him over." Horo said in a calm but commanding tone.

Jack twisted Leo's legs to flip him over. Leo was still clutching something tightly to his chest despite having a face full of sand with his closed eyes. Jack spoke up, "I think he has a cursed item he is clutching. Do you know how to remove it safely?" Jack looked at Horo.

Severos saw the book that was being held and his eyes widened.

"Nope." Horo said, "But we're going to remove it anyway. Being a bit rough is better then what keeping ahold of that thing will do." he added "Just keep his feet still so he doesn't kick or twist around and hurt himself." Horo leaning in to Leo's face. "Sorry about this." he stated before covering Leo's nose and mouth with his hands.

It wasn't long before Leo started to react, whatever hold the book had was overwritten by that primal drive for survival, to breath. Leo let his hands go from the book and went to grab at Horo's arms to push him away, but before he could Horo let him free and snatched the book.

When Horo had pulled away he took a few steps back. "Keep him held down. Might have to tie him up for the night." he said stepping away with the book. Before leaning and whispering to it. "If you try that again. I will destroy you, no matter what Severos says. And you know I can." the only response Horo got was a distorted growl from the book, and he tucked it away back in his pack.

Jack was a bit shocked to see it was a book that had cursed Leo of all things. Jack then twisted Leo's legs again to make him turn face down into the sand to control his flailing. It was troublesome seeing his co-worker in such distress but he was far better off away from that cursed book. Because of his incubi blood he could tell the book was bad news despite his inexperience. Once Leo was in the right position Jack twisted to sit on Leo's back and tucked a leg under each armpit to put him in a submission hold. Leo was not happy about this as he tried to struggle to get free but Jack simply tugged on his legs to pull them back a little and Leo's will to fight slowly weakened. Jack looked at the others with the Soothsayer and saied, "That's quite the nasty thing you have there. I hope you can fix what it did to Leo." Jack had enhanced his strength so it was not hard to pin Leo down with little effort so he had a serious expression as he looked at the two men.

"He'll be fine." Horo said. "He only had the book a few minutes, takes longer than that to taint the soul." he looked at Jack just going to have to watch him tonight and make sure he sleeps. "He'll recover, might not remember today to well so you and any friends he has might need to help him but he's not going to turn into some weird hunchback and kill you all in your sleep to get the book back." Horo added nonchalantly.

Jack raised an eyebrow at Horo as he listened to him. It was obvious that there was more to these two guests of the Soothsayer. Sadly he was not privy to such secrets unless it was necessary. Jack then asked, "Well if we are going to secure Leo it will be best if you can secure me some rope and help me tie him up. After all it was your property that caused this accident. Since the Soothsayer is here I am not going to pry into your business, but just so you know that thing should be better secured in the future since we have guards like Leo making there rounds. I really don't want this to keep happening." Jack continued to hold Leo in his "Lion Tamer" submission hold.

Horo cocked an eye brow. "It was secure, he's the one that went rummaging in a pack that doesn't belong to him." he said as he pulled out some rope. "And don't worry we won't be staying long. You won't have to worry about the book again. I've spent to much time here as it is." he said helping him tie Leo up.

Jack finished tying up Leo who was still upset and struggling to get free despite bing bound very well. Jack replied, "Sorry if i came off as rude but i was taught that cursed items are very dangerous as it is and especially to those with a weakness to them." Jack tapped Leo on the shoulder and said, "Well its been educational. I hope we meet under better conditions next time. I need to get this guy back to the others." Jack slung a very bound Leo over his should like a pillow and gave a nod to Horo, his friend and the Soothsayer.