Read Online No Good Deed by Jerry Jackson - Free Book Online Page A

touch.’” Obidaan said.
    “‘I can, and will,’ Lucinda spurted out, along with blood and teeth, ‘and will keep on refusing you. Now leave me alone, go away!’”
    “‘I’ll go for help.’ Obidaan said, and started toward town. It was going to be a long run and she was running out of time. ‘Leave me! ’ she screamed through the blood, bones and teeth.”
    “Alone in the field, she felt the life slowing fade from her body. Soon death would be there, and she would welcome it. However, Death did show up, but not the way she expected. In front of her stood two beings, one male and one female; both looking like death, complete with dark robes and sickles.’”
    “‘Tis a shame.’ said the male
    ‘Yes indeed’ said the female
    ‘Will you take me already,’ said Lucinda
    ‘We can’t do that quite yet, we have a proposition for you,’ said the male.
    ‘Yes, but first, let’s make this easier,’ said the female, and at that they lifted her soul out of her body. ‘There, that will make it easier for you to talk and you won’t have to deal with that physical pain clouding your judgment.’
    ‘You’re Lord and Lady Death?’ Lucinda asked.
    ‘Not exactly, though we have been mistaken,’ the man answered, ‘you see, Lord and Lady Death are neutral and they do not care who they take. They merely pull souls from bodies then send them on their way. Lord and Lady Death are over there, waiting for us to finish.
    ‘Then what?’ Lucinda just wanted to have the obvious stated at this point, talking to gods is a bit overwhelming and she need to know where she stood.
    ‘Well,’ the lady spoke, ‘depending on what happens next, they will take you.’
    ‘Oh, and what do you want?’
    ‘Like I said,’ the male spoke again, ‘they are Death. We on the other hand prefer to cause death.
    ‘So that would make you ...?’
    ‘War’ the female said, ‘we are Lord and Lady War. Strife, conflict, disagreements, that’s us. When people cannot get a long, they look to us for victory. Make no mistake though we are not the good guys. We do not care who goes to war, just as long as people die. That is our goal.’
    ‘What do you want from me?’
    ‘Balance.’ Lord War said.
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘A few months ago, the powers of good anointed their paladin. Lord and Lady Seer got that privilege. As a matter of fact, you just tussled with him. So in order to maintain the balance, evil gets to choose their paladin and we got to be the lucky couple.’
    ‘I could say what’s that got to do with me, but I’m going to assume you’ve chosen me.’
    ‘Such a bright girl.’ Lady War replied with a smile, ‘See I told you she was sharp.’
    ‘Well, I don’t want the job. I’d rather die. So if you just let death come, I’ll be on to my final resting place.’
    ‘And where do you think that will be my dear?’ Lord War spoke, ‘you’ve fought your entire life. Beat up many people, had what an army of bullies, fought over disputed territory, and levied taxes, in the form of extortion. Sound like anything you know?’
    ‘So you’re saying if I die, I’m stuck with you two anyway, since I’ve been so warlike in life.’
    ‘She does catch on quick.’ Lady War said, ‘and then to add insult to injury, we would give it to Marcus. Think of all the revenge he would seek on those who betrayed him in favor of you. Think of all those weak people you wanted to protect who would be visited by death with him as a paladin. He would do wonders for us. You on the other hand, see the big picture, know where the real fights are. Know when, what, and who to fight. Marcus is a captain, who would follow our orders; you are a general who would lead in our name. See the difference?’
    ‘Yes, and fine, I accept.’
    ‘Excellent!’ They both said.
    ‘Now let’s get you cleaned up.’ said Lady War. Lucinda was healed and transformed. She was dressed entirely in black now and on her lapel rested the holy symbol,