Banion stared out of his small window, watching the children filled with dirt run about with wild and free abandon. He stared, his arms folded, as the parents spoke jovially with their fellow villagers. He felt the bile rise in his throat. He pulled the small flap down, sending the hut into darkness.
It had been... Banion didn't know how long it had been since the big gladiator had walked in with Arlenia's body in his arms, accompanied by the man in robes, her head resting on her stomach. He had nothing to say and there was nothing he could do but stare. What had occurred was only what Banion could consider an injustice in the worst degree. The big gladiator was a murderer, as was his friend. They had taken from the island a troubled woman, but an islander. And it burned a hole in Banion's heart.
Banion crossed to the table and lit a candle. He glanced about the hut, ensuring all windows were closed, his wood paneled door latched. He slowly moved the table out, its legs scraping on the floor with a hollow sound. Banion moved the candle down, his fingers caressing a long board, lifting it up. Beneath it lay a tome, wrapped in leather. With practiced ease, the man lifted the book and laid it with a thunk on the table. He tossed back the flaps of leather and laid bare the tome, "Raising the Dead and Ensuring Control."
Banion sighed as he hefted the book into his bag. He went to his small cabinet and pulled down various herbs, vials, as well as a few nefarious ingredients hidden away. He grabbed a ritual dagger from the rear of his cabinet and placed it all in his bag. He knew that Arlenia had been pained in life, he knew she would suffer even more in death - but he also knew once he placed the shambles of her spirit back into her carcass, she could go forth and gain her vindication. Then, if she chose, he could release her back into eternal slumber.
For now, he would have to wait. Banion blew out the candle, and in the dark of his hut, he whispered on a faint breath the spells that would bring Arlenia back into being. Tonight was the full moon. It would be done this evening, the right amount of time had passed, and Banion would be ready.
