He had just left the Corvan Temple and was hurrying home to change out of his junior vestments before the spring rain soaked them through. It had been a long day and he had been promised a glass of wine and a date from his potential love interest.
As he rounded the corner onto Market Street he watched as four men surrounded a wealthy looking man.
"...all of it or we'll take it." The one with the beard said.
To his benefit the wealthy looking man in black was very calm. "I don't think you will. It would end badly for all of you."
Before Oryn could could stop himself he yelled out, "Leave him alone or I'll get the guards!" He regretted it instantly as the four thugs turned.
" And what's this now? A cleric looking for a fight?"
"I think so. Best him boys then we'll deal with Mister riches. Don't go nowhere."
Oryn did all he could to fight them off, but he was inexperienced and young, and there were four of them. He felt their fists and feet hit him and break his body as he fell into the mud.
He could hear the clank of someone running in armor. 'The guards...' he thought to himself as the beating stopped and the thugs ran. He felt the world slipping away. He felt something sharp in his lung as his breathe came more and more ragged.
"Are you okay young sir?" The man in the black coat stood over him looking down at him. No emotion in his face, just a look of interest.
"I think my ribs tore my lungs." Oryn gurgled as blood seeped out of his mouth with every word and ragged gagging breath. "I'm dying."
Oryn had dedicated his life to his Goddess Queen, coming to help the dying pass to the next plane. Now here he was dying. A life wasted he thought.
"Oh, I don't think so young man. I could use someone like you." The man in black but his own finger drawing blood, leaned down, and dropped blood into Oryn's mouth. It burned like acid as Oryn lost consciousness.
***



I really liked how you started with a calm café scene and then slowly revealed Oryn’s heavy past, which contrasted hit harder. His shift from a hopeful cleric to someone bound between powers feels tragic but natural. The small details, like feeding on dreams and his connection to Corvus, stood out a lot. That ending with the dwarf was simple but really powerful. I’m curious, does Oryn see this role as redemption, or just another kind of servitude?