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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:55:07 GMT -5
Chapter 15 [/u][/center][/color] Traveling across the plains of Arka proved less perilous and more tedious as Neros, Ashen and Shuric made their way towards Spry. They had spent two days already following the roads and already the faint smell of sea salt touched the air. So far the company had encounters very few guards, it was almost as if the Triad had felt their control on the land was so complete that the idea of rebellion had been snuffed from the minds of the people they now dominated. While this was good fortune it was also a depressing sight. Three hundred years of domination by the Triad had seen a people once peaceful and content become shadows, fearful of even the slightest word against what was now considered the Gods. Only a few remained who still told the old stories and believed in the old Gods, the Triad had tried to remove them from history but still their memory survived in the hearts and minds of those who believed. Looking not for the first time to their feline friends Neros struggled with himself as to whether or not he should ask. Ashen had been all but silent since joining them saying scant a word. It was almost like his mind was divided, like the cat had other matters going on rather then just their pursuit of forsaken and it’s captors. They all know that forsaken was in Spry by now, playing guest to the dungeons of The Temple of Barrabus. Again his mind over came his curiosity and Neros remained silent. He could not ask the werecat about Forsaken. The creature was better known to the cat and he dare not believe that it would betray the location of the stones. Ashen might have been the keeper of the locations but he told them all where they were and if Forsaken told the priests of the Triad that information they would swoop down upon the stones and dispose of them. Yet if Forsaken refused to tell they would devise some vile way to pry the information from it. Forsaken was immortal, it could not die but it could feel pain and enough pain applied to a worn or broken spirit could make even the sturdiest of men tell all. He shuddered at the possibilities that assailed Forsaken and regretted not for the first time his reluctance to give forsaken the benefit of the doubt. Had he listened it might still be with them. “Neros….” He looked up and met the orange-red eyes of Ashen his own feline face showing strain and concern. “I feel what you want of me and you also understand that I cannot say, but what I can say is that we will get Forsaken back…” He saw the pain redouble in Ashen’s gaze and then he looked away head bowed. Get it back we might, but will Forsaken be as we remember it? Is that why you suffer werecat because of the pain and suffering your precious friend will endure. Or do you fear that it will not be as you remember it. He turned away from such dark thoughts and gazed one more to the horizon, small mountains could be seen to the west and a few small hills to the east. Arka was primarily open plain but unlike Sayavaha which was just endless open grassland it had some high ground and even a few mountains. It was also the only province that dealt primarily in fishing and farming. Arka was a land of merchants, thieves and sailors. It was even rumored Arka dealt with slavers from across the sea which was where they got their labor force. When night fell Neros called a halt and they made camp. There was little point pitching tents as they would just slow them down when they set off at dawn. Instead they slept under the stars, rain fell only in the wet season and Ashen had remarked casually that it wasn’t going to rain for another three days. Neros however found it difficult to sleep. Slipping form the folds of his bedding Neros moved about camp with a practiced stealth checking the horses and their supplies. When at last he’d finished Neros again returned to where his bedding was. Staring at it he sighed and picked up the blanket draping the bedding around his shoulders moving away once more. Forsaken, its appearance and all the vents that ad occurred were like an old nightmare rising once more from the depths. All brought up memories of a past life he long thought was put behind him, it seemed fate wished to remind him. Your eyes remind me of her Forsaken… silver like the moon and kind but she was killed long ago by the Triad… He gazed skywards and focused on the moon, a think sliver in a black, star studded sky. The night was clear and perfect with barely a touch of wind. Nights like this were what she called Ghost nights, so still spirits can walk the world without fear of the slightest breeze blowing them away. He smiled at the memory of when she told him of their many superstitions in her home town. Still nights were the time of ghosts, to keep them at bay she’d once said ‘Deny them, belief is a strong thing and spirits feed on belief. The stronger you fear them the stronger you believe they can harm you and thus you open the path to harm.’ He sighed deeply again and closed his eyes banishing the sorry that sought to overwhelm his heart. He turned and wandered back to camp burying his memories of his past once more.Best to sleep and forget the past, it has come and gone… Neros lay down once more and closed his eyes drifting at last into some semblance of sleep and dreamed.
* Unsure if he was alive or dead Neros lay where he was, eyes closed and listened, too afraid to open his eyes and believe that he still lived. “I swear Kas you have a knack for finding lost things…” an amused male voice whispered. “Yeah,” a second more gruff voice replied, “Not to mention weather and your skill with animals.” A soft, disgusted snort too close for comfort made Neros twitch, gingerly he opened one eye a sliver and looked up at a ceiling he knew well. Looking to the side he saw a figure cast into shadows by the deep hood of a kind of woolen grey coat. “Well you were the one who told us where to find him Kas…” the first voice remarked. “You have a gift for finding and knowing.” “What I have is exceptionally good luck, and I pay attention to the world around me unlike some…” the hooded figure beside him remarked and Neros realized with a shock that it was a woman underneath those grey cloths. “I saw tracks and a dark human-shaped patch on the ground being fast covered in snow… Why don’t you two go dish yourselves up some food, I’ll keep watch…” “Alright Kas we’re going,” the second voice replied as the sound of retreating footsteps left the room. When all was quiet the woman looked down at him her face still lost in shadows. “They’re gone now if you care to open your eyes, I know your awake I felt you stir.” She murmured rising from her seat to give him a little space. Keeping within his sight she moved several things off the side table near his bed and placed them into a pack at its base. Neros opened both eyes and blinked as he adjusted to the dimness of the room. More aware then he had been moments before Neros heard the high wail of the wind outside and realized the blizzard that had hit was still going. The storm was a bitter cold one, so cold it had nearly ripped the life from him, an unnatural storm for the time of year. “Who are you?” he asked sitting up in bed and realized two things simultaneously. One was the room was pleasantly warm, the other was he wore no clothing. Keeping the covers pulled up he eyed the woman carefully, she wasn’t the one who had striped him down he hoped. “Me?” she watched him from the shadows of her hood and then raised her arms with a fluid grace that seemed a little too uncanny and lowered the hood. “I’m Kassada Skyborne, my friends call me Kas…”
* When dawn came they packed their gear up and continued across the open farm land of Arka. Halfway through the day’s journey he called for a short break. Tired from his restless sleep Neros sat at the base of an old tree, one of a few found beyond the dense forests of Vale. Shuric sat beside him while Ashen lay on the soft grass sunning himself with much enthusiasm. Twisting himself in the grass for the fifth time he gaze at the sullen pair and sighed. “We can’t go straight to Spry you both realize don’t you?” Ashen remarked casually. “That place is swarming with soldiers and people looking for a chance to gain favor with the Temple of Barrabus and… I hate ot tell you but a healer, a mercenary and a werecat aren’t going to be much help to our dark friend… put simply gentlemen we need help.” Neros looked up and rubbed his face adjusting the long sword at his back to a more comfortable position. “A situation I’m well aware of Ashen and have been thinking on which is why we are going to Tarmasen to see two friends of mine.” He nibbled on a piece of dried jerky and met the werecat’s level gaze. “From there we are going to travel by river across Arka to Pearl Bay and then enter Spry via its dock.” “Ah,” Ashen replied as he stood and wandered over to them. “Well then we might as well get traveling. Tarmasen is still a good four days solid ride and the longer we take the more our apprehension for our friend grows.” Nodding Neros finished the jerky he held in is hand. Shuric sighed and stood away but not before looking at Ashen the tone he used was nothing short of accusing, “I can understand why you’re so anxious to have your friend back Ashen, but I can’t help but feel your motives are two sided…” Neros paused midway through checking his horses gear to listen, never in all his life had Neros heard Shuric speak to anyone. “What do you know my friend,” he implored. Ashen bowed his head and looked away from Shuric, He said nothing for a time and then slowly began to speak. “Forsaken… Forsaken knows the locations deep within its subconscious. I wasn’t the one who found the knowledge, it was Forsaken’s given to it by the guardians of Starlight Temple. I don’t know why they gave Forsaken the information but they did and now the true information lies within our captured friend. Also if anything I’ve heard is true about what happens to prisoners in the Temple of Barrabus Forsaken is running out of time fast.” Neros turned slowly to regarded the werecat, a few things were starting to become clear in his mind. Whatever Forsaken’s allegiance it would not give up information of such a kind willingly and its reluctance to tell them forsaken was the one who had the knowledge was at the time a god decision. He would have discounted it then and there. “Then we’d best get moving little werecat for indeed time is running short.” He finished saddling his horse and then mounted it. Shuric too rose and finished saddling his own horse, ashen followed and transformed gazing up at the two men. “Lets move fast… I can lead us a shorter path to the city you spoke of it will take up two days rather then four… just do not question my method it is important…” They both exchanged glances and then nodded. Ashen smiled and took the lead moving at a pace htat kept him ahead of the horses as they ran. Neros couldn’t be sure but he swore the world felt strange as they rode. It was as if reality had been bent somehow. Shaking his head he turned his thoughts away, Ashen asked they not question and he would respect that werecat’s wishes.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:56:03 GMT -5
Chapter 16 [/u] The dungeon was quiet while Forsaken sat in quiet meditation. Over the past week deep under the temple it had learned a few things from Tarthan. The once guardian taught Forsaken to focus its mind and strength it’s will against the onslaught of the Voice. With each passing day however Forsaken felts its mind and will become more fatigued. It was losing strength and at the rate of which it was, wouldn’t last out another week. Time was running out and yet Forsaken was determined to keep them from its mind for as long as possible. Wandering the depths of its mind again Forsaken examined the two fragments of its possible past that surfaced past the block. Forsaken had discovered the barrier within its mind by accident on the second interview with the withered old man and examining it forsaken found this barrier didn’t appear the work of the Triad. There was nothing evil or vile in the way it felt not like the magic it had found coursing through the blackness of its body, which was another advantage Forsaken found thanks to Tarthan. The meditation taught allowed Forsaken to explore itself and found much to its surprise that its body was insubstantial. It constantly moved and shifted within the confines of the clothing it wore that in itself also possessed a kind of magic that stopped it from becoming damaged or torn. The two memories it suspected came from this place but how they broke though was beyond it. Distant voices pulled Forsaken from its examination of the memory block and slowly it returned to the world of flesh and blood. Opening its eyes the forsaken gazed through the bars at Ryker. The Lizard man had become something of a companion of the last week, they spoke often of trivial things and often he would explain concepts Forsaken had trouble with. “They bring another…” the lizard man hissed. Forsaken nodded and gaze past the bars, down the passage as far as it could. Sure enough the dim light of a torch was moving along the dank passage the voice of one carrying down. “I ain’t nicked nothin’ ye stupid brutes!” a young outraged voice yelled at his two escorts. Forsaken found that amusing as it knew that the guards were mindless shells made for but one purpose. When they came into view Forsaken spied a young lad of about fourteen years his hair was a mousy brown and touched with golden yellow from the sun. The boy was short for his age and had the look of someone who didn’t live a comfortable life. The guards passed and still Forsaken watched until they paused at a cell next to it’s and tossed the boy in. He scrambled to his feet as they slammed and locked the door. Forsaken watched them pass the protests of the boy following them until they were long out of sight. “You do realize that it was pointless arguing with them didn’t you?” it remarked turning to look at the boy through the bars that now separated them. The boy met Forsaken’s gaze for a moment as if unsure that it had spoken to him, then his sea green eyes widened as he realized what he was looking at. “You be one of them forsaken creatures, ain’t ya?” “Aye… I am called Forsaken and the lizard opposite me is Ryker.” Ryker waved as his name was mentioned but remained silent as he regarded the boy, Forsaken too looked at the boy and chuckled at the incredulous look on his face. “I know he’s something of an oddity but the old lizard isn’t so bad if you can avoid looking a those sharp fangs of his,” it gave the boy a sly wink impressed at his show if nerve. Most people would have been cowering to the far side of their cell when faced with the prospect of being caged so close to one of the damned. “What isss your name child?” Ryker enquired politely “Uh… Matthew sir… my mates call Matt… why are you two here?” he frowned thoughtfully, his sharp eyes looking from Forsaken the Ryker. “I thought the Triad had beasties like you working for them…” Both Forsaken and Ryker snorted with distaste at the boys comment, stretching Forsaken shook his head and shrugged at the boy. “I was supposed to be hunting down this being called the Immortal King but after a while I figured… why should I? I was free to wander and anyway…” Forsaken laughed heartedly. “I never ‘agreed’ to find him. They just asked if I understood what my mission was. No promises or contracts were made it was their one flaw otherwise I would be hunting… I’d even made a few friends but then those damned knights were coming and it was pointed out to me what would happen if they reached the town I was hiding in so I made a choice and went to find those who sought me leading them from the town for it was well hidden and hard to find and allowed myself to be captured. Thus I found myself here and have been here for almost over a week.” Forsaken grew quiet and looked back at the boy meeting his curious gaze. “You’re not what I expected from most people Matthew… most are scared at htesight of me and avoid that which I am. Why is it you are not afraid of me?” Matthew smiled leaning against the bars in a relaxed fashion and smiled crookedly, “To tell you the truth I figured you weren’t one to try an’ hurt me….” His smiled turned into a thoughtful frown and then he shook his head and shrugged smiling at it. “I dunno why really but I do I suppose” “Funny how them up there didn’t take all manner of weapons off you... I mean, that mask alone you got on there moon-eyes could be used to club a guy over the head and knock ‘em out cold.” Shaking its head Forsaken looked at Ryker who seemed fascinated by the whole conversation then looked back a the boy thief, “I can no more removed my mask then you could remove the flesh from your face, young man… it has something to do wit the magic that was used to force my body into this condition… I am not… what you might call flesh and blood but an entity made of some kind of darkness.” To demonstrate forsaken gingerly began unclasping the straps that held its gauntlet on and slipped it on. Nervous at this first experiment with the removal of its clothing Forsaken wondered if it would have the same effect as the mask. The glove came free with relative ease revealing much to its surprise a hand shaped void of darkness, deeper then the shadows around them. Gingerly Forsaken flexed its fingers watching as they moved much like a hand should but still there was no feeling. “That there is a creepy hand Forsaken, it looks wispy almost like smoke just… don’t go touching my skin with that I am prefer to live a long life if you get my meaning,” Matt smirked and Forsaken replaced its glove, thoughtful once more as a flan began to formulate in its mind. Be mindful of what your planning Forsaken, act to rashly and you may very well put the lives of these two at risk as while you are immortal they are not, Tarthan warned. You always know my mind my friend, but I am well aware of the risks if you cared to follow more closely and for now it is just a plan. I doubt I alone can get these two out of here for I will not leave them behind. Forsaken replied looking up once more at the two who were now condemned to this place as much as it was and it wouldn’t leave them behind, not to the mercy of that priest.
*
Riding into Tarmasen, Neros gazed thoughtfully around the small lakeside city, named so after the Lake that glittered like a gem. And wondered how Forsaken faired in the clutches of the enemy not for the first time. Banishing dark speculation he urged the road weary horse along the road. Ashen had reverted back to his cat form a good mile before and now sat perched on Shurics saddle looking about with a mild interest before locking eyes with him. Dismounting Neros stroked the horse on the neck and then motioned for the two to follow as he led them through the paved streets. Tarmasen was a modest city built like much in Arka on the wealth of merchants. Stone buildings lined the streets some with small balconies where potted plants were grown to break up the consistent white and grey stone that the city was built with. Thanks to the lake cargos could be shipped up the river Yarl from Spry it was able to flourish. It was even boasted by them men who traveled the river path that they could reach the Bay of Shek of which the river empties and sail to Spry in three days. However as much as the delay would chafe, Neros knew they would have to plan when they reached Lord Christopher’s Town house. He’d scent a message by carrier pigeon to Harthorn, his most trusted friend. Neros only hoped the message reached him. They reached the market square and found it to be bustling with business. Smiling at the hubbub he reflected back remembering what the city used to be like when he was younger, seeing it as it was now he almost chuckled but restrained himself as a familiar figure came looming through the crowd.
Harthorn was not an easy man to miss by any account. He stood perhaps two to three inches short of seven foot. Solid in built he always wore clothing made out of animal hides giving him a near barbaric appearance with his long copper-gold locks tied back. Yet despite his size he moved with an amazing grace and even, as Neros had noted from time to time with a slight spring to his step like at anytime he could just fly away. Harthorn without fail reminded Neros of a bear, big shouldered, bullnecked and hands that could enclose a woman’s waist as many a tavern wench had found when he was in the mood for play. Spotting Neros the man waved once and stood waiting as he strolled over leading the horse by its reins. Harthorn laughed in a way that reminded Neros of thunder rolling and clapped him on the back hard enough to nearly knock him off his feet. Rolling his eyes at his old Friend Neros grinned at the oversized man and shook his head. “You still look like a civilized grizzly Harthorn and,” she screw up his face. “You smell like one too, when was the last time you had a bath man?” “I had one last week Neros you old dog, but tell me what brings you here, your message was a little vague except to say you needed help from me and young Chris.” Neros’ expression darkened and the man stopped laughing as he read that expression. Harthrorn had spent the last ten years with Neros as they roved the hills of Vale, they had survived being tracked by Wood Raptors, wolves and bears. They had survived by luck and determination and had had no other company but each other. “Alright you old wolf come with me and we’ll go visit Chris it’s been too long between visits,” He looked past Neros and spotted Shuric, again the man grinned. “Shuric!” he boomed then spotted the werecat still perched on the saddle and laughed, an astonished look plastered on the mans face as he gazed at each of the company in turn. “Well I’ll be, it’s you too Ashen… God’s this is quite the reunion. I’ll have to send a runner ahead and warn Chris that it’s more then just one old friend visiting.” Turning on his heel he marched through the crowd ignoring the protests as merchants and buyers alike scattered out of his path leading Neros, Ashen and Shuric to Chris’ residence.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:56:53 GMT -5
Chapter 17 [/u][/color][/center] They sat around a large cedar table dining in a regal fashion compared to their roadside fair of the past near two week trip across Vale and then half way across Arka. It was pleasant to eat hot food and drink something other then water but Neros found little pleasure in the meal. He ate what he could drank little and waited for the conversation to die around the table as Lord Chris, a sandy haired merchant and minor noble of the Court of Spry spoke in earnest with Ashen. The werecat had forgone his usual feline appearance for his more humanish form. Seated at the head of the table Chris was perhaps the youngest of the group save for Lady Starlet, Chris’ wife. The lady of the house was imposing to Neros surprise but then again her origins were of Vale. It was impossible to mistaken her red hair and violet eyes for anything but and her manner spoke of a woman who shouldn’t be crossed. Looking away from her husband’s conversation she caught Neros staring and smiled, nodding his head he sighed and looked further down the table to where Shuric and Harthorn sat speaking in earnest of the events that had unfolded. Rubbing his face Neros closed his eyes at the table and continued to wait, without meaning to he began to doze until a soft hand jolted him awake. Blinking slowly Neros found Lady Starlet seated beside him, she laughed softly. “Perhaps you might like to rest, you and your companions have been traveling nonstop from what I’ve heard and to sleep decently for one night it will do all three of you some good I think.” Neros smiled and shook his head rubbing his eyes free of sleep. “Sadly Milady time is not something we have an abundance of the longer we delay the more time the enemy has to acquire the knowledge that could see all that has been planned lay to waste. I refuse to see Kassada’s plan discovered by the enemy,“ he slammed a fist on the table and all conversation died as everyone looked at him. Starlet’s eyes glittered at the mention of Kassada, she opened her mouth to speak but Neroa raised a hand and cut her off. “Speak not of her Lady, The wound is still to raw for my liking and has only just recently been torn open anew.” “I think we must move along, you have all heard what we’ve had to say and what we need now…” he looked at Chris, “is a fast way to reach Spry with some help from a few more old friends who owe me a debt.” Sighing Chris pushed his plate aside and nodded slowly as he regarded Neros. “In all my years of knowing you I can see patience is still something you are in need of.” Snorting Neros sighed again and smiled ruefully at everyone then rose from his seat. “I suppose I might as well get some rest… it has been a while since slept properly and.” He looked at Chris again. “I apologize.” That said Neros turned and walked out of the room and disappeared down the hall to the guest quarters that had been set aside for he and Shuric as Ashen had no need for a bed preferring to sleep in his cat form on any available surface. Retiring to the room Neros stripped off to his breeches and lay down his mind wandering his past once more bringing to the surface memories he long since thought forgotten. All this was brought back by you creature… I want answers from you and I want to know who you are. You may deny your memories exist but they are there buried and you’ll tell me all by the end that I promise…
Stirring from his slumber Nero climbed out of bed and found it to be the middle of the night. Shaking his head he walked to the corner of the room where the long sword rested and picked the blade up. It was surprisingly light for a weapon wrought of steel but the magic that now held it, though sleeping. Gazing about the room her found he was alone, Shuric hadn’t come in at anytime which meant they were all still talking. Gingerly he removed the capping on the swords hilt and gazed at the stone set within the cross-section. In the moonlight it seemed to glow faintly with a touch of amber so like the soft light of a fire. Touching the stone he closed his eyes wishing that there was someway to know what had become of the damned creature Forsaken. If ever there was a time I need your guidance Vallance it is now, events are moving to fast for my liking, moving far beyond my reach. Opening his eyes Neros wondered at the disappearance of the God of Fire, he like his siblings had vanished leaving the world to the mercy of the Triad. Kassada had planned that they obtain the God’s Eye stones and use their power to stop the Triad. They were the only objects of power strong enough to stop them when brought together. Now they had one, the Orb of Vallance, the stone that held some kindred power to the God of Fire. “Stay strong Forsaken we’re coming for you,” he whispered under his breath brushing the stone again with his fingers before covering it once more with the capping. Setting the sword aside once more he returned to his bed and slipped once more into sleep his mind wandering the lost paths of his dreams.
Forsaken stirred in the darkness of the cell it had long been drifting between sleep and wakefulness, conferencing depth with Tarthan on a possible escape plan. The soldiers had not come back to bring it for questioning for a few days and that made Forsaken wary. The priests of the Triad were planning something and it was only a matter of time before they revealed what they plotted. ‘St.. rong For..ken w.’re com… for y.u…’ It opened its eyes drawn out of its near meditative state and looked about. Cold swept through Forsaken like an icy breeze and slowly it shook its head. For a second there…it laughed bitterly and gazed into the darkness, from where it sat with its back against the wall Forsaken could see into Matthews’s cell and Ryker’s. The reptilian beast was squatting before the bar’s his eyes watching Forsaken as it moved. You didn’t imagine it Forsaken I heard him too… some magic is at work here I felt… I felt the orb stir I think Neros might have done something without knowing it. Forsaken closed its eyes again shutting out the world around it and plunged into its mind to where Tarthan dwelled when he was around. While Forsaken couldn’t see Tarthan in its mind it could now feel him, a presence familiar yet alien. It’s a pity that it doesn’t work both ways however I suspect the Temple would be alerted to such manipulation of energies… It remarked Oh but they do, however your assumption is correct in they would notice. Although we now know something they don’t, Tarthan was clearly amused by this development though his amusement was lost on Forsaken. True they knew now that Neros was coming but the question was how soon. Whether they come or not we have to leave soon I fear what those of the Triad are planning up there. Me too my friend but until such time as they reveal themselves you must stay calm it could be that they are trying to make you panic. So ju.t sta… ca.. For…ken? Tarthan’s presence faded as Forsaken felt itself drawn further once more into the depths of its mind. This was the third such happening and it did not alarm Forsaken because each time it was drawn to these depths where the wall existed something more of its past was revealed.
The darkness faded and Forsaken found itself staring at a small cottage in a vast open field. A small garden of wild flowers and small shrubs decorated its front leaving a path to the dor free of the flowers. It felt calm and peaceful as Forsaken walked towards it, in the distance the tall black splinter like peaks of the Sky Peak mountains rose up into the sky, black touched with the white of snow. Slowly Forsaken turned looking at all around it and saw in the distance in the other direction what appeared to be a kind of town small and rustic, not so different from the town of Treyton. Beyond the town were more mountains, but what dominated the sky was perhaps the largest peak it had ever seen. The mountain seemed to fill the horizon and reach high above the rest until it vanished into the clouds. Heaven’s Pillar, Forsaken thought without knowing how it knew such a peak. “Welcome to Haven…” Startle Forsaken turned sharply to find itself face to face with the hooded woman from its memories. Her face was still lost in the shadow of her hood. “How…” it began but she raised her hand and shook her head. “You will come to understand in time, however now is not that time you were brought here for a reason. To see and understand the memories of the past not all at once mind, for that would Alert the Triad to my plan. It has been set in motion long before now, beginning with Father and it will end with you.” The woman Forsaken now recalled was named Kassada sighed and slid her hands into her hood drawing out a pendant of some kind. It was a fine silver chain that carried on it a sky-blue eight point star, much like that of the star strangled by the three binding circles. Kassada held it out to Forsaken who took it without thought looking at the gem with fascination. “What is this for?” it enquired looking back at Kassada, Forsaken got the impression she was smiling even though it could not see her face. “Carry it with you Forsaken always. That stone is more then just a pretty stone it will… help you learn more about us,” Forsaken’s eyes narrowed and began to formulate a question but Kassada vanished and darkness overcame the valley and it was alone once more. Forsaken? It was Tarthan he came across as worried almost frightened. Sorry Tarthan… my memories come unbidden but they are coming faster, more frequently I have no control… It explained and then rose out of its mind back into the world of reality. Opening its eyes Forsaken stood slowly and stretched reaching up without thinking to its neck and there Forsaken felt the presence of the pendant around its neck. Oddly Forsaken did not feel fear or panic at the notion that it carried an object that should only exist in its dreams, perhaps the pendant had always been there and it only now noticed it. Not wanting to ponder such a thing too deeply Forsaken touched the pendant beneath a layer of its clothing and listened as a faint noise reached its hearing. “You were meditating for a few daysss my friend. The soldiersss took you once but brought you ssstraight back it ssseemed they couldn’t touch your mind again,” Ryker remarked with mild amusement. “Now it seems they have returned and I am within the shell of my body once more…” Forsaken remarked bitterly, “I will endure because I must.” The soldiers came down the passage and stopped before Forsaken’s cell, they opened the door and stepped inside taking firm hold of its arms as they dragged it from the cell and back down the passage. It made no attempt to escape, it wouldn’t yet not until all was ready and not without the boy thief Matt and Ryker. The pair had become something like friends to it, comrades in a cruel fate. They left the jail and climbed the set of stairs back onto ground level and walked the maze like passages of the citadel until they were brought back to the small room used to interrogate it. Forsaken steeled itself as the guards shackled it to the wall and then left. Looking about the room not for the first time Forsaken wondered how many poor souls had found themselves in this room at the mercy of the interrogator. Footsteps brought it from its thoughts and forsaken stared at the door, to it’s amazement it was not the withered old man that stepped in but a woman. Her gaze was like ice and her beautiful face a mask of cruelty to its assessment. Her hair was golden like the sun her skin a beautiful tan everything about her seemed to speak perfection but Forsaken’s senses warned that the perfection was but skin deep. “Who are you?” Forsaken growled narrowing its eyes dangerously at the woman as she returned Forsaken’s hostile gaze with a cruel smile. “Me?” she laughed lightly, “Oh I’m here to speak with you on behalf of our masters. The old codger couldn’t breach that thick head of yours so I’m here. As for who I am all you need know is I’m here to question you. For you see creature, the masters aren’t pleased with your reluctance to tell them what you were doing and who you were with. I’m going to break you damned creature and then you’re going to be reprogrammed. I’m going to enjoy this…” The woman laughed again walking closer to Forsaken then the old man dared. Then pain erupted in Forsaken’s mind and I felt its consciousness slipping into an abyss. The woman has assaulted its barriers with a force that dwarfed the old man. Where he might be the Voice of the Triad she was the fist, never had Forsaken encountered such strength. I’ll not surrender to you monster! Forsaken cried in its mind and then it began to fight back.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:57:32 GMT -5
Chapter 18 [/u][/color] Pain, endless agonizing pain assaulted Forsaken’s senses as this vile woman tried to tear through the mental barrier within its mind. This woman if she was that was stronger then the withered old man that had been interrogating it of late, whatever she was this woman was stronger then anything Forsaken had ever encountered. She inflicted pain and torment chipping slowly and steadily at Forsaken. What are you hiding creature! He voice roared in Forsaken’s head, it echoed through the walls of its mind and bled away to nothing. Answer me and the pain will end. Who are you? Forsaken enquired roaring back just as loudly with its mind, even from where it was situated behind the wall of its mind forsaken felt the woman flinch. It seemed its mind could be just as dangerous. Me? Her voice tittered with amusement. I am the Lady Adina, Grand Magus of the Triad. A person you should fear little darkling. Assault resumed anew as her words faded and once more forsaken found itself fighting to keep the barrier whole, the methods this woman employed were powerful and direct. It was very different to the brutal tactless assault of the Voice. Drawing away from the wall as far as it dared Forsaken thought quickly of a way to end this assault before the wench broke through, her mind when it assaulted didn’t feel that different to the old mans but… There are still differences to them both, Tarthan remarked softly. When this Adina had assaulted Forsaken’s companion had retreated to keep from being detected but now it seemed Tarthan was willing to risk being discovered to talk to Forsaken. Her mind does not feel as twisted and distorted as the man's or should I say demons for his soul and mind felt nothing like what you described to be mortals. Forsaken remarked equally quiet, its attention divided between the wall at its companion. I can’t keep this up Tarthan… what can I do?
Tarthan was quiet for a moment and then slowly softly it spoke to Forsaken, Follow my directions carefully Forsaken. Normally I wouldn’t suggest such a confrontation but the situation leave no choice and should this fail… Forsaken needn’t say anything, it like Tarthan knew the last resort. If worse came to worse it would employ the memory trigger laid in place. At a moments notice it could be triggered wiping its memory of all that it knew so once more it would be without a memory, without the knowledge it knew. Lets get this over with Tarthan, time has almost run out and who knows how much of that we have left…
Traveling down the river Yarl had been pleasant without incident. At most all they saw was a river serpent, a minor cousin stretching only twenty feet compared to their ninety foot cousins of the sea. Despite their size the water serpents of Yarl were a timid creature feeding only on the fresh water mammals of the river banks and fish. It had taken them a shorter time then it should have thanks once more to some uncanny power employed by the werecat. Neros was beginning to think the creature was far more then he appeared. Werecat’s while rare were not known for employing power in the form of magic. The boat employed by Chris to fair the group to Spry was The River Queen and she was just that, an elegant vessel moving like a knife in the water. When they emerged from the river and into the vast Shek Bay, Neros had been gazing dead ahead towards the city. Even form the other side of the bay, Spry’s stout stone walls stood against the horizon. Salt encrusted bleached walls of sea rock carved long ago to prevent sea serpents from entering the port. It took half a day to cross the bay and reach the port where the harbor master had The River Queen toed into port and docked at the far side of the dock. Climbing off Harthorn, Neros and Shuric helped the crew unload the cargo on the ship while the captain and Ashen watched from the deck. When the cargo was loaded, Ashen jumped nimbly down the gangplank and leapt onto Harthorn’s large shoulder. “Let’s head to the Red Rook and meet our friends,” Neros remarked setting off at a casual stroll. The Red Rook was a rather well known tavern along the old dock side of the city, frequented often by thieves and numerous sailors. The group traveled towards their destination, keeping their attention ahead searching for the tell tale sign of the tavern they sought. It was Harthorn, who towered above the others who spotted the sign first and pointed it out to the others, grinning the bear of a man strolled towards the establishment ducking only slightly to enter the building, at his heels Neros and Shuric followed. Inside the tavern called the Red Rook it was pleasantly crowded with sailors and locals crushed around the small establishment. Harthorn because of his size found it even more pressing inside but still managed to make his way to the bar where he ordered three ales for his friends. Gaze sweeping the room Neros sought out the man he needed and touched Shuric lightly on the shoulder, instructing the healer to stick with Harthorn and Ashen while he attended to matters. When he was sure Shuric understood Neros strolled through the room casually his gaze sliding from man to man until finally he found the fellow he sought. He was a man dressed much like any other in weather worn and partially dirty laborers garb yet despite his appearance the man was too slender to appear the worker.. He smiled when their eyes met and motioned Neros over. Smiling he nodded and sat down at the table, leaning back on his seat with a casual air and laughed. “Good to see you again you sandy haired water rat, it’s been what six-seven years?” His companion smiled and shook his head slowly, “It’s been eight years ye old wolf, but I must say time ‘as treated you well. I swear ye don’t look a year ‘lder then the day I met ye.” His tone and language wasn’t so different from the local workers. Neros chuckled and nodded slowly. “True, the passing of time is something that don’t seem to touch me much however I’m afraid I didn’t come here to catch up with an old friend.” His sandy haired companion nodded smiling broadly, “Ah business as usual eh Neros? Well then let us away to a more private place so that we might speak more freely of such matters.” He rose from his seat and strolled across the room with Neros close behind. The pair disappeared from the bustling tavern and down a side passage stopping at one of the doors. He knocked twice on the door paused and then knocked another two before the door opened slowly with a creak. They entered the dark room and stat comfortably on a set of chairs. Neros didn’t need to glance behind him to know two thugs stood close by armed with numerous knives and weapons. One did not entreat the thieves of Spry without some manner of risk. “Well then Neros, come to use your favor I take it.” The façade of a rough uneducated laborer dropped and even dressed as he was the sandy haired man had a sudden air of important. “Aye Dusky, I have need of your peoples services in infiltrating the Temple to rescue a comrade of great importance, should it be broken in mind and spirit then our mutual enemies will have the knowledge I have long sought.” The man called Dusky frowned deeply his hand grasping the arm of the chair on which he sat as he regarded Neros. Something akin to fear was reflected in his eyes an emotion Neros had seen much of in his years. He looked up to the guards behind Neros and made a small gesture, the sound of a door opening and two men leaving. When they were gone Dusky shook his head and regarded Neros with a grave expression. “I remember what you told me of the Lady Kassada, a most intriguing woman a pity I couldn’t have met her… I remember what you told me of her plan… This comrade of yours holds the pieces to that plan, the locations to the keys?” “Yes and time is running out, Forsaken can only withstand so much regardless if its immortal or not…” Neros replied watching the thief master as he stared off to the side brows furrowed with thought. “Tell me all you know about this Forsaken and then we’ll see about getting your friend out… I have a lad in there I’d like to get out so this could benefit both out causes.” Neros nodded once and then began retelling his tale beginning with how he had met Forsaken in Shuric’s small cottage on the border.
Now! Tathan’s voice ordered and Forsaken coiled and ready sprang through the mental barrier worn now to the point of collapse and collided with the impression of the woman known as Adina. It had been a simple plan; rather then let her into its mind forsaken would meet her half way and assault her mind while it was without its barriers. The sensation of colliding minds was the mostvile thing Forsaken had even encountered, for the moment of their collision their minds bled into one another revealing small truths about each other. In its minds eye Forsaken saw and felt the atrocity this woman had committed upon a poor slave, his flesh cut and bleeding and oh how the sight aroused her. His pain his fear drove her to such a sensation. Revolted and horrified it had pulled itself free of the blending without releasing the woman Adina. In the void between minds their bodies held an ethereal genderless form. She who was Adina clawed and struck at forsaken with taloned hands shredding the stud of its own form which were to its surprise not black and abyssal but white while she was blood-red touched with darkness. Pain both physical and mental scorched Forsaken like nothing before but still it refused to let this monster go. Instead it twisted its mind around hers engulfing it within its own consciousness and dragged her suddenly as the idea struck Forsaken’s mind into the abyss it remembered so well. That abyss that had plagued its thoughts and mind where it had once dwelled for an untold time, that place where the darkness was cold and without mercy, that place where feeling and thought had no meaning.
It was there Forsaken released her shuddering inwardly at the injuries struck and glared at the bloody-entity. She shrieked and struck at Forsaken once again but it moved out the way melting into the shadows of this void that forsaken now understood as its deepest self. An abyss created by its mind for a purpose not understood. What have you done foolish beast?! She shrieked looking about the darkness in a kind of horror. I have led you to a place where nothing is all… Welcome to my nightmare you hag. Forsaken mocked her and reemerged from the darkness striking her ethereal form, she shrieked again and lashed out once more but already Forsaken was gone into the darkness. Forsaken continued its assaults taking her strength from her a little at a time until she was as weak as it. Then Adina to its confusion began to laugh.
This is rich… no wonder they could not find you… while you were so busy assaulting my little creature I searched this void you call your nightmare. It is artificial created by skilled hands I’ll admit though it does not smack of Triad tainting… no this is her work and no I think it’s time to end this game… The entity began to glow and Forsaken felt its mind wheel, a sensation began to build of something very unsettling. A sensation it could not name and yet brought panic to it. Tarthan what’s happening!? Forsaken cried, darkness began to tear and Forsaken lurched, unsure and afraid it launched itself at Adina striking her with all its strength. The Sorceress screamed under the blow and the power she had gathered was released. Pain again assaulted Forsaken but it cast the sensation side grabbing the witch before she could recover and threw her form the darkness out of its mind and away from the battle. How it had managed the fete forsaken could never be sure as darkness again descended in he fractured void and Forsaken knew no more.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:58:17 GMT -5
Chapter 19 [/center] Setting foot in the sewers was an experience to say the least for Neros, for the first twenty minutes it was all he could do not to gag at the stench. The channels that ensured run off and waste matter was transported out into the bay, were covered in thick slime which added t the pungent aroma. The smell however was the least of Neros’ concerns. He focused instead on the man in front of him, one of Dusky’s men, a sewer rat who knew his way through the underground better then most. Oddly enough the man’s name was Rat, a shifty fellow with long fingers spidery limbs despite his short stature. The resemblance to his namesake was uncanny but Neros wasn’t one to complain, this man was their best chance. Traveling the sewers was confounding to the senses Neros had discovered. Try as he might he found it impossibly to keep his bearings, every time they turned a corner or went down another passage he lost his sense of direction completely. The flow of time even seemed to have little meaning as the only light they had came from what drifted through the pipes that lead to the surface or from the lantern carried by Harthorn who walked behind Rat. “How much longer?” He asked unable to bear the silence any longer. The tunnels were deathly silent but by the drip of water or the light shuffling on their feet as they scraped the sludge carpet from the ground and touched the stone beneath. When he could Neros would bathe in strong scented water and soak for several hours. “Not long but now we must be quiet, sound travels in these places,” Rat’s voice carried past Harthorn to Neros and the others. Repressing a sigh Neros rested his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword. It was difficult to have the blade slung across his back so it had been attached to his belt instead. A position Neros found awkward but conceded he would have found it difficult to walk with it otherwise. With what felt like another hour of walking in silence Rat came to a halt before a ladder, stepping to the side he motioned up and waited while Harthorn climbed slowly. Neros came to stand beneath his large friend and watched, tension coiled in his body like a spring. If they were spotted they wouldn’t get another chance and forsaken would be forever beyond their reach. The big man paused for a moment as he shifted the manhole cover above lifting it slowly to peer into the room. Neros held his breath watching Harthorn for any signs of alarm, but quickly it passed and the man moved further up shifting the cover out the way and disappeared into the room above. A moment later Harthorn’s grizzly face appeared over the opening with a grin motioning for them to follow. Slowly releasing his breath Neros climbed up next ascending the ladder with ease, looking about he saw they were in another dark room. All about were crates pilled about the wall and racks stocked with an assortment of weapons. “Store room?” Neros whispered, smiling faintly when Harthorn nodded. Glancing over his shoulder Neros saw that Ashen had climbed through also but changed form his human form back to his feline as soon as he was on level ground. Rat came next followed by two other men sent under Dusky’s command. They were here to rescue a thief lad who managed to get himself caught by the soldiers during a raid, the boy while insignificant in the order of thieves knew enough to cause trouble for his comrades should information ever pass his lips. “Open the door wide enough for me Harthorn,” Ashen whispered grinning cattishly as the man complied. Like a shadow Ashen slipped from the store room and disappeared into the dark passage, the werecat while in feline form was easily hidden in the dark shadows of the jail. He could scout ahead and get a lay of the maze like dungeon where they would stumble blindly and encounter trouble. In the store room the men waited anxiously weapons drawn. When the door opened again they all stood ready to attack should it have been a soldier but instead the werecat returned. “I found the boy but I can find Forsaken nowhere in this dungeon which means…” “It’s above ground…” Neros finished then swore under his breath. “There’s no helping it, let’s get moving.” The group slipped from the store room after ensuring their escape rout was concealed and moved through the dark musty passages of the dungeons of Barrabus Temple. Ashen lead the way keeping just within sight as they moved along the twisting passages towards the cell where the thief was being held. Slowing their pace Ashen came to a sudden stop and glanced back at the rest, his hackles on end and eyes narrowed. “Trouble’s coming…” Neros looked at Ashen and nodded slowly before turning to the thieves who also nodded. In silence the soldiers came down the passage, a patrol for a place that held no more then twenty prisoners. The three mindless guards were struck from the darkness by Neros and Harthorn in the narrow passageway. They had no chance and no way to give warning. The soldiers fell with barely a sound and lay still on the floor blood pooling beneath their dead forms while the thieves dragged them out of sight. Once that was done the group continued on until Ashen called a halt. “The cells are just up ahead,” he informened them then continued on. When the party came to the cells Ashen stopped again and peered through the bars, there a youth sat sullenly in a far corner, his eyes glinting in the shadows as he watched the cat. “Back again cat?” he remarked. “I’d get out of this place if I were you, they kill anything in sight.” “What and leave you here to rot Matthew?” Ashen replied chuckling at the shocked look on the boys face as he regarded the cat with disbelief. “What? Never seen a werecat before…” “Stop teasing the lad Ashen, we have to find Forsaken…” At the mention of Forsaken the boy snapped out of his shock and moved over to the bars peering in to the darkness he smiled seeing three familiar faces before looking to the man who had spoken. “Forsaken ain’t here, them guards came not three hours ago an took ‘em upstairs to one of them interrogating rooms… I don’t know the way though… ask Ryker.” “Ryker?” Neros repeated. “He meansss me,” the soft hiss form the bars behinds them made the whole party turn sharply as a large reptilian creature came into sight form the shadows. He looked truly intimidating and yet, there was something those cold reptilian eyes as they met Neros’ that made him think there was more to this creature then there appeared to be. “Can you tell me the way?” Neros enquired, frowning as the reptile shook his lizard like muzzle. “Nay, but I can show you. I am concerned about Forsaken myssself,” Ryker informed him, Neros felt uneasy about trusting this lizard, but her knew that the creature wouldn’t tell him and he seemed most insistent on showing the way. “What other reason do you want to help creature?” Ryker fixed Neros with a piercing gaze and held it for a moment before looking away and down the hall. “Thessse monstersss warped my body and took form me all I once wass. I ssseek revenge against those who have wronged me and in the process if it will help to ssave a creature not so different from I then so be it.” Neros looked back at Rat who had already picked the lock on Matt‘s cell and nodded to the man. He returned the nod hesitantly and then moved to Ryker’s door picking the lock with relative ease. The Party backed away as the lizard man stepped from his cell and regarded them all. “Follow quickly we haven’t much time, there has been a vile scent upon the air that travels here, a scent I shudder to think on.” Without further words Ryker turned and moved through the darkness, Neros followed after the lizard with Harthorn and Ashen as his heels. The thieves would return to their escape rout and wait for as long as they dared, should Neros and the others not return then they would flee into the sewers beneath. The Lizard-man moved with uncanny speed flitting through the passages of the temple like a shadow, with his two less graceful and silent shadows close behind. Several times Ryker had slipped into a side room and made them wait as soldiers marched past. All of them wearing dull black breast plates, a black, waist length tunic tied at the middle with a white sash grey leggings and heavy calf high boots. Silently these soldiers marched past, eyes dead and faces expressionless gazing ahead. When the soldiers were gone Ryker slipped out of his hiding place and lead them all through the numerous. Slowing their pace Neros adjusted the his grip upon his blade and gazed at the green scaled back of the lizard before him, watching with mild interest Neros saw to his amazement that his scales rippled with colour on a small level changing from shade to shade. Neros dragged his eyes form Ryker’s lean back and peered pats his form catching sight of two soldiers. Dressed like the numerous others the group had concealed themselves from. They stood either side of worn door. Ryker looked over his shoulder from their concealed position and nodded to Neros indicating that this door was the one they sought. Grim faced Neros nodded gripping his sword all the tighter and glanced at Harthorn who like Neros had a grim expression. N unison all three nodded and moved out fast. The soldiers at the door saw them coming and took to arms drawing the short swords strapped to their sides and advanced. It was the lizard-man who encountered them first, striking like a snake he twisted the sword from the guard’s hands and broke his neck with a delft strike to the head leaving Neros and Harthorn to descend upon the second. He like his companion went down with scant a sound, it was unsettling the way the guards had made no verbal alarm under the assault making Neros feel wary but he had little time to contemplate. Ryker was already slipping into the room they had guarded dragging the body of his victim after him, grimly between the two of them Harthorn and Neros managed the body of the man they had taken down and carried him in. The room was dim to Neros’ eyes, after setting the boy down his eyes wandered the small room where his eyes fell upon Ryker as he tried to break the shackles that held a limp dark floor against the wall. Leaving the lizard to get Forsaken down Neros again looked about the room, there in a dark corner he saw a crumpled form. “Watch the door Harthorn,” Neros moved to the shadows and knelt, rolling the figure over Neros was greeted by the pale face of a most stunning woman and yet he felt his blood run cold. Despite her beauty there was something chilling, almost dark about her. Cautiously Neros checked her over and found her to have a faint pulse, whoever this dark beauty was she didn’t seem to be doing very well. “Leave the witch Nerosss, that there isss Adina the Triadsss pet Magusss,” Rykers voice pierced the room. Nodding once he stood gazing down again at the woman, she was one of them. A creature bent to their will and was no doubt trying to break Forsaken and get what they wanted. This woman, if she was even a woman still was the enemy and she might very well have the information. It’s dangerous to let her live… “Neros!” Harthorn’s urgent whisper broke his contemplation, blinking once and turned away from the woman. Between Ryker and Harthorn they carried the limp form of Forsaken. Neros nodded once again his expression grim and took over on Ryker’s side. The lizard-man would lead the way. Once more they moved through the passages keeping out of sight when the soldiers came, there were more then before and they moved more purposely. That alarmed the group to a point; it seemed the guards could send up alarms without making noise, no doubt an aspect created by the magic used to make them so. Twice on their escape path they encountered guards and twice Ryker dispatched them masterfully with his bare hands and uncanny speed. Now fully aware that the soldiers were looking for them the group moved faster, finding their way to the dungeon paths and descended quickly.
As the musty passages consumed them in darkness Ashen appeared his orange-red eyes glowing in he shadows. “Hurry, follow,” he turned and bounded quickly. Several times the werecat would turn down a path Neros didn’t know was there just in time to avoid patrols. It felt like they ran forever but eventually Ashen lead them to the store room door and they slipped inside. The thieves were still waiting and without so much as a word they descended into the sewers making good their escape before the soldiers discovered them.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 18:59:11 GMT -5
Chapter 20 [/u][/color][/center] Laying low in Spry was the best the group could do as Temple Guards and the soldiers of the Triad scoured the streets searching for the escaped prisoners. For three days they stayed in the underground hide outs courtesy of Dusky moving from time to time to avoid the guards, twice during those moves they had come close to being discovered but thanks to the sharp Ryker they avoided encountering them. The Lizard-man had better hearing then Ashen at times though he was often silent and followed them for reasons neither Neros, Shuric nor Harthorn could fathom though the werecat seemed to get on well with him. Forsaken however had still not awakened and with every day it remained unconscious the more concerned the group became, Ashen whenever they rested would curl up upon Forsaken’s chest though made no attempt to wake the creature. Oddly enough Matthew the thief boy from the dungeons also accompanied them. He was never far from the group though and from time to time would vanish from their hiding rooms only to return either telling them it was time to move or brining food for the group. Like the lizard he said little of anything and like all of them their gaze would drift the black lifeless form of Forsaken. The one thought on their minds, ‘Will Forsaken awaken?’ It was on the fifth day of their hiding that saw some kind of life return to their companion, but whether it was for good or ill they could not be sure. Forsaken had begun to tremble, small short bodily quakes that passed within seconds, but Ashen who had been napping on Forsaken’s chest had felt them and raised tee alarm. The others gathered about the makeshift bed were Forsaken lay and watched as another spasm assailed it, this was more violent then the other but like the first it stilled. A pitiful groan escaped from Forsaken’s masked face soon after as another spasm assaulted its body, this time it’s back arching as its body was assaulted by some form of fit. Alarmed Harthorn and Ryker pinned the creature as it tried to throw itself around on the bed, both could barely hold Forsaken still. When the fit stopped Forsaken was still once more except for the small spasm that remained to trouble it. “That ain’t a good thing is it?” Matt asked looking to the drawn pale faces of both Harthorn, Shuric and Neros, no doubt his face reflected their own worried expressions. “No…” Shuric replied gravely, “It isn’t… I wish I knew what the cause of Forsaken’s unconsciousness was but without a clue, we can only wait and watch.” Neros shook his head and not for the first time rested his hand on the capped cross-section of his long sword still tied to his belt rather then across his back. After a moment of though he looked to the others and smiled faintly, “Why don’t you all get some sleep before we have to move again. I think we’ll be able to get out of the city soon enough as the patrols have been becoming less of late.” They all nodded reluctantly and wandered to the bed rolls supplied to them by Dusky for their stay down in the hidden rooms of the city. Carrying little made it easy for them to escape at a moments notice using what Matt called the Thieves Maze to move from once place to another. Once all were settled Neros too sat down, his back against the wooden wall where his bed roll sat still rolled up and ready for the move. Neros had no wish to sleep; his mind was too full of questions unfortunately none of which could be answered until Forsaken awakened. Glancing once more at the sleeping form of the strange creature Neros shook his head and closed his eyes, hunched against the walls he drifted off to sleep against his better judgment.
While all were sleeping Forsaken again stirred making naught a noise it sat up and looked about the room. Blackness was all that was beheld within the eye slots of its mask. Sightless eyes gazed about the room looking to each of the sleeping beings until finally it was sure they still slumbered. Slowly those sightless eyes were replaced by a pair of pale green eyes, blinking once then twice the creature regained its focus on the world. Glancing about one again the creature sought out two among the sleepers and touched them gently on the shoulder. One was the large reptile man who needed no warning to keep quite the other a soot coloured feline with piercing orange-red eyes. Both regarded the creature gravely but said nothing as it sat once more on the bed. “Forsaken?” Ashen whispered looking painfully at the sleepers, but they did not sir. “Nay Werecat I am not Forsaken,” it replied looking thoughtfully at the gloved hand of the body it now borrowed. “I am a friend of the one you know as Forsaken, and do not worry about waking them. I ensured they would remain slumbering with a small spell we may speak freely for I fear we are running out of time.” Ryker frowned as it regarded the creature before it and then nodded slowly, “I Feel there isss something amiss with our friend, sssomethnig grave fr you to take control. For I believe you are the one Forssaken referred to as Tarthan. Often I would observe forsaken speaking softly to itself, and other timesss its eyes would be clouded with thought as if it questioned something within itssself.” “And you would be correct, I am Tarthan a guardian of Starlight Temple sent along with the one you call Forsaken to guide it and help protect the knowledge it does carry.” Ashen frownd then moved onto Tarthan’s lap gazing up at the masked face that was at once Forsaken and yet, the eyes told a different story. They were not even the same colour. “What ails Forsaken, Why has it not awakened Tarthan?” he asked, concern evident in the werecat’s luminous eyes. “I fear that Adina has done some great damage to Forsaken’s mind. In their battle Forsaken drew the witch deep within itself, beyond the wall that even I cannot pierce, it was there they did battle for who knows how long. Then when I did feel Forsaken’s mind quake and light pierce the wall, tears began to appear in the fabric of its very making and with it Forsaken’s cry for my aid. I could not help it though and just when the light reached its zenith I did sense the mind of Adina cast from the place beyond the wall. “I believe that when you found her body it was a mindless shell, for Forsaken did cast her so hard but from there I know not. For the wall again sealed itself but forsaken did not come forth. I fear it may be trapped or in some effort its subconscious mind has kept Forsaken were the damage has been done it the hopes it can be repaired.” Tarthan paused and reached to the metal clasp that held Forsaken’s gloves in place and began slipping it free, “Alas that is not the worse of it, for the damage done by Adina was not just mental but Physical in some magical degree, Forsaken’s black shadow-like body is… dying” He slipped the glove free and showed them its dark hand. Instead of the black Smokey substance forsaken had shown Matt only a week before, its hand now looked oily and solid. Even as Tarthan held it up the hand seemed to ooze and a globule of black substance dripped to the floor. The substance hissed and then evaporated as Tarthan replaced the glove. “What can be done?” the werecat enquired. “We three must travel far and fast, unfortunately it means leaving the mortals behind for they would only slow us down. Our destination is a place called Alchamia in Sayavah. There we may find those who can help us, those who have perhaps the power to restore forsaken before its body give out completely.” “But how isss it Adina causssed thisss damage?” Ryker remarked thoughtfully, the damned are immune to most if not all magic save that of the Triad….” “I think,” Tarthan replied gravely, “The magic that makes Forsaken as it is, is not of the Triad’s doing, but another. Perhaps Forsaken even did this to itself without knowing… unfortunately we’ll never now unless its memory is restored.” Ryker and Ashen exchanged looks, over the past few days they had become something of friends. The Lizard-man was not so different for the werecat in the way they thought and that alone made it easy for them to get along. “When must we leave?” Ashen asked. “Now if possible, every moment spent waiting puts our friend at greater risk.” He informed them and then stood slowly looking at first Neros then Harthorn then Matt. “But it would be best if we leave them a message to assure them we know best…” Ashen smiled faintly and then nodded, ‘Very well then we’ll leave the note with Matt he’s a good enough boy.” Tarthan nodded and then looked at Ryker, “No objections?” “None.” Nodding once the guardian set about preparing for their journey it would be long and fast but it was necessary, a friend’s life was a stake.
Opening his eyes Neros gazed about the room in a sleepy haze, how long he had been sleeping he could not be sure. When Neros’ gaze fell upon Forsaken’s bed he snapped awake with alarm. Scrambling to his feet, he checked the bed to be sure he wasn’t dreaming. Forsaken’s bed however was indeed empty. “Harthorn, Shuric!” he called turning to where the big man slept. Sitting up quickly he blinked several times then yawned. “What is it Neros?” “Forsaken’s gone!” That got the man to his feet. Moving to where Neros stood he looked down at the bed and saw it was indeed empty. Looking from the empty bed his eyes sought out the rest of their companions but to his dismay only Matt and Shuric remained. “Ashen and Ryker are missing too,” Shuric remarked as he noticed Harthorn’s gaze. Matt who was still half asleep yawned and scratched his head as he wandered over, “Maybe they went for a walk…” Neros rolled his eyes and looked sharply at the lad,” Why, How?” he snapped glaring at the thief who held up his hands in defense. There Neros saw something tied to the boy’s wrist. “What’s that?” he asked pointing to the parchment, the boy shrugged and took the paper off after cutting the string that held it and unrolled the paper. He looked at it for a moment then frowned. “What is it?” Harthorn asked. “I can’t read…” Matt replied receiving a light swat for his efforts from an already irritated Neros who snatched the paper from the lad to read it. His eyes skimmed the parchment for a moment brows furrowing before he read it allowed.
To Neros, Harthorn, Shuric and Matthew. We are sorry to tell you that here our paths must part for a time, Forsaken’s life is in peril because of something the witch Adina has done, unfortunately we must now travel with all speed to a place where we hope our dark friend can be helped. Where that is we cannot say for alas it is part of a promise made by the one known as Tarthan. When Forsaken gained the knowledge of the stones it also gained a permanent watcher as one of the guardians imbedded itself within Forsaken’s consciousness and has been guiding it. Now this Guardian has taken control of Forsaken’s body and is leading us henceforth to the place where it can be helped. Fear not for good or ill Ryker and I will both return with or without forsaken. Await our message for it will find you. In the mean time It is suggested you all travel to the Fortress of Vangar and research the ancient histories to better prepare us for seeking out the remaining stones. Yours sincerely, Ashen, Ryker and Tarthan.
He shook his head and looked gravely at his companions. “What now?” Shuric asked. “We do what Ashen suggested,” Neros replied. “The old werecat knows better as much as I dislike it… We go to Vangar.”
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 19:04:45 GMT -5
Part 2: Avari Chapter 21 [/u][/color] Crouching in the tall yellowed grass of the Sayavian plains a youth, clad in tight fitting black stained hide watched as a hear of plains elk. The night was pitch black with only starlight to see by, yet this lack of light didn’t dissuade the youth who moved like a cat through the grass. Motioning once with a gloved hand the youth signaled to others dressed similarly. All of them were armed with short swords and bows as they crept closer. The Elk sensing the stalkers moved quickly out of the way, but they were not the intended targets. The targets of this hunt were a group of three camped near by. Their fire could be seen at a distance and ever since being sighted they had been tracked the group to try and discover their destination. It seemed they were moving towards the ruins of a once great city and that could not be allowed. “Captian,” one of the black clad fighters whispered to the youth. “The boy and the large man are asleep but the dark haired one stands watch.” “Good, prepare to take them while their down, I want none of them killed and leave the guard to me.” The fighter saluted and melted back into the shadows, all of them crept closed to the camp like wraiths. The camping group wouldn’t know what hit them until it was too late.
Standing guard the black haired man stared out into the darkness, his back to the soft flames of the campfire while he kept watch. At his side a long sword was strapped. His hand out of what had become habit rested upon the hilt of his sword. Turning his gaze skyward he examined the heavens picking out the constellations he knew well and smiled faintly recalling the message received not a month ago from Ashen. ‘Come to the ruins of the ancient City.’ That’s all it said and having waited for almost a year, a year with not a word from their wayward companions after leaving them. A soft breeze stirred the grasses and the elk herd that had wandered near by as the sun was setting and grazed. It was odd that they were moving on this moonless night unless there was a predator nearby. At the thought of a predator Neros drew his sword and listened. The grass stirred on the breeze, so faintly it was like listening to the breeze as it passed through trees. Then he heard it, something out of sequence with the breeze, it didn’t whisper like the breeze. Edging back towards the fire Neros stopped beside the large man and knelt sword held firmly and shook him. “Harthorn…” The big man stirred, grunted and then sat up slowly rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “What is it?” “We have company…” Neros whispered moving away from Harthorn once more. Ears straining to hear what lurked beneath the sound of the night. Grass whispered again and shadows shifted. All was still and Neros waited, Harthorn was up and wielding his own sword back to back gazing into the night. “What do you reckon is it?” Harthorn asked. “We’re about to find out…” The sword in his hands hummed with magic. Over the year he, Harthorn and Matthews had traveled Neros had become accustomed to the sword. It was, was a weapon but at the same time possessed a personality like fire. It could feel an oncoming battle and was eager to fight. Watching the two men standing back the Capitan smiled and signaled to the men. They encircled the camp and awaited the signal. Standing up the youth made sure the black scarf the covered the lower part of the face and the bandanna that covered the top so it left naught but the eyes uncovered and then slid the deep black hood up to covered the black locks tied back and out of the youths face. Drawing the sword attached to the hide belt the Captain strolled forwards into the camp. “Hail to you travelers” the youth called amused as the pair spun to face the talker. The shortest of the pair held his blade at the ready eyes narrowed at the intruder. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Your captor… though my friends out in the shadows call me Capitan,” the youth replied bowing extravagantly yet every movement was mocking. I t was then twelve men detached themselves form the shadows and stood about camp. The boy who had been sleeping was now awake too and jumped with a start when he saw all the black clad warriors. “Surrender now and no harm will come to you and your companions Neros,” The Capitan remarked smiling with amusement at the shock on the mans face, but he soon recovered “No I think not…” Neros replied. “I was hoping you’d say that…” The youth moved in sword at the ready and watched Neros as he too came forward. The black soldiers kept their distance staying just inside the campfire light and watched as Neros and their leader circled one another. They watched one another carefully; both waiting for the other to attack the tips of their swords touched sending a light ting through the night. It was Neros who broke attacked first. He lunged in bringing his sword in for a close ranged attack, the Captain stepped to the side avoiding being impaled by the blade and match weapon to weapon. They strained against one another blades locking at the hilt. “What are you really called Capitan?” Neros grunted, his opponent was only an inch or so shorter then he and slight of build but the fighter was stronger then appeared. “Beat me and I’ll tell you,” the youth laughed shoving Neros back and followed him as he staggered back dealing a high blow. Neros brought up his own sword, the sound sounding out across the night, the long sword glowed dimly with an amber light as the Capitan’s blade pressed against it, heat radiating from the sword spreading to the youths own sword. Eyes widening at the sensation of the heat as it spread, backing away quickly he black clad Capitan narrowed eyes at him as the man charged forwards, the blade blades with magic as he struck cleaving the normal sword of the Capitan’s sword in two just missing cloth and skin. Neros moved in again and knocked the fighter to the ground lowering the tip of the sword to his opponents throat. “Name?” “Avari... but you’re still coming with us I’m afraid,” the Capitan replied pushing the hot tip of the sword away and stood.
Neros frowned, Avari sounded like… “You’re a woman?” Avari laughed and nodded, “Last time I checked, though if you want I’ll strip off and show you. I’m not shy…” her eyes crinkled with laughter behind her mask. “Though judging by the way your blushing I’d say you might be…” She signaled to the other fighters who closed in some had swords while others held their bows at the ready. Neros moved closer his sword held up and pointed at her, “Call off your dog’s Avari or I swear by the Old God’s I’ll run you through.” Shaking her head Avari watched him, “Then go ahead but know this my warriors will still take you all into custody. “ “Custody?” Neros repeated lowering his sword. “Yes, you are trespassing on the lands of Alchamia and must be taken forthwith to the city or be terminated here and now.” Sheathing his blade Neros signaled to Harthorn who reluctantly put away his own weapon, there was no point in shedding blood. If Avari and her gang were thieves then they would have been dead long before she allowed them to be seen, these people were something else however. “Surrender your weapon’s Neros, I’d hate for you to get any ideas for escape.” Avari instructed holding out her hand. Reluctantly Neros unstrapped the sword, feeling the weapon protest at being removed, when he placed it in her hands however the blade quieted down. It was an odd sensation; last time someone who wasn’t him it had protested by becoming extremely hot. This time however the blade almost seemed to purr as it went to Avari’s hands. Perplexed but resigned Neros stood back and watched as the Capitan strapped the sword across her back. “Let’s move out we have ground to cover if we want to get home gentlemen.” She called receiving a few cheers from some of her younger soldiers as they gathered up their prisoner’s equipment and headed out across the plains in the moonlight.
They traveled for what remained of the night and stopped only at Dawn to rest, Neros, Harthorn and Mat were allowed to sleep for an hour or two under watch before they were woken up and set off once more. Surrounded by the black clad warriors Neros had expected they would be led up and led not allowed to walk freely among the others when He put this towards Avari she laughed.
“Tying you up would only slow us down and trust me, we’re eager to get home, in truth we’re a good three days overdue for a patrol change. I’m sure Master Ekath will allow for our tardy return when we show him why we were so late. The people of Sayavah stay away from our home to protect our secret no doubt you noticed this when you enquired with the nomadic tribes.” She stepped lightly. “In truth we’ve been waiting for you to show up for a few weeks we figured you’d get here sooner when Ashen sent the message. Oh well…”
Neros almost faltered in his steps and sped up his pace to recover the ground lost. “You knew we were coming?” “Yep, we just weren’t sure when until our spies reported your crew asking questions for the ruins, so I decided it would be better to pick you up now rather then let the other patrol get you as they’d be les gentle and I’m sure Ashen would appreciate seeing you in one piece and preferably unharmed… Oh and you can have this back I suppose. I was just having a little fun when I took it off you.” Avari removed the sword from her back and returned it to Neros without so much as a second thought. “Though my offer still stands to prove to you I am a woman.” She winked slyly at him and then moved off ahead before Neros could reply. The woman was impossible. Having spent no more then an hour at the most with her she kept confounding him all the more. Sassy was the best way he could describe her. “Why do you get all the luck with the women?” Harthorn asked as he came up beside his friend. “Not an hour and you already have quite the enticing offer given not once but twice man!” he laughed and clapped Neros on the back. “She’s a strange one Harthorn and I know for a fact she was playing, the woman is I don’t know. There’s something not quite right about her I suppose and call me crazy but… I get the feeling I’ve met her before. I only wish I could see her face.” The big man shrugged glancing over his shoulder to where Matt trotted along behind them, a sullen expression on his face. “Well while you fathom the dame I’m still puzzled as to why your friends in Spry insisted the lad come along with us…” “He came because he was in danger anywhere else, the authorities in Spry know his face and anyway he might just come in handy.” He replied glancing back at the boy as well. Over the year he’d gotten taller fast reaching a little above Neros’ shoulder. His clothing also had to be replaced with larger cuts not that Matt seemed to complain. It was the traveling that got the complaint out of the boy. Shaking his head Neros looked ahead once more and met the gaze of Capitan Avari as she looked over her shoulder in their direction. Her eyes glinted with mirth before looking ahead once more. At the pace they were going Neros knew they would be reaching the ruins within another day’s walk, as to what would happen from there he couldn’t be sure.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 11, 2005 19:08:07 GMT -5
Chapter 22 [/u][/center] As Neros had suspected they came upon the ruins of a once great city before it fell to the wrath of the Triad three hundred years ago. The battle then had been fierce as the city of Alchamia was home to some of the greatest magic workers of their time but eventually the Triad triumphed and the city fell. Defeated the people were enslaved into service or slaughtered by the Triad down to the very last child. Silently the group traveled through the skeletons o the city with only the mournful whimpering of the wind as it passed through the once grand streets. Sorrow seeped deeply into the bones of all who walked the dead paths not even grass would dare to break apart the stone paths; the city felt desolate and on occasion one could hear the pitiful weeping of a child. “Heed not the weeping of ghosts passed, all malicious spirits were cast from this place long ago. Now only their memory remains…” the guard closest to Neros whispered and then became silent once more. Through the grey maze they walked until finally they reached what could have once been the great heart of the city, a vast circular opening with a shattered fountain at the center. It was here Avari called a halt and walked to the fountain, standing before it she slipped a small set of reed pipes from the pouch she carried at her waist and blew four sharp notes. That done the Capitan backed away and returned to the group facing the ruined fountain. The ground quaked suddenly as if something moved beneath them and all watched as the stone before the fountain sank and then rolled backwards revealing a vast blackened space before them. Without orders the soldiers who had guarded the three since being captured moved down into the opening until only Avari, Neros, Matthew and Harthorn remained. “Follow me and I will take you to our most humble leader Ekath,” she turned and followed her comrades into the bowls of the cold earth with her three prisoners close behind none wanting to be left behind in that dreary city.
Darkness enveloped them all as they followed the black clad Avari to the point where she almost disappeared but just as they were about to lose her completely she raised her hand and a soft globe of yellow light appeared in her open hand. “Magic,” Matthew whispered softly, but in the passage he might as well as just talked normally. Sound traveled well in this dark place. “Sorry I forget how dark it gets down here,” she remarked glancing over her shoulder at the trio. Continuing on they were shown through the maze like corridors to the heart of Alchamia by their captor-guide. Avari stopped suddenly as they came to a crossroads and turned to the group; her globe of light disappeared and was replaced by the soft glow of torches that were used to light the passages. She smiled at them all and gave the captured group a mock salute before melting into the shadows leaving Neros, Matthew and Harthorn in the care of three youths who had appeared much like Avari had disappeared. All of them wore what looked like thick heavy grey robes trimmed with a different colour; one was red, another blue and the third green that puzzled Neros but he didn’t ask as the red trimmed apprentice motioned for them to follow. “She could have at least said goodbye,” Harthorn grumbled. Traversing the maze that was Alchamia they turned down many passages that assaulted their sense of direction until finally they came to a stop outside a pair of large stone doors. They were intricately carved with the images of the four gods surrounded by their elements. Neros looked up at the door with wonder at such work and then down at the three boys, the red trimmed boy smirked at him from beneath his hood and then nodded once motioning to his fellow apprentices. The Boys stood aside and the door slid open, despite its heavy look with ease. When the door were opened Neros looked at all three boys who stood waiting, taking the hint Neros motioned to his friends and they stepped inside walking into a vast hall, listening to the way their foot fall echoed. It was darker in the hall then it had been in the passages making Neros travel slowly towards the illuminated dais before them. Standing in the pooled light of the torches mounted upon the columns Neros could see the white robed figure of a beast like man. He was tall standing a good head taller then the dark clad figure before him head bowed as he listened then shook his head. Neros saw in that briefest of shake that his ears were not human but instead were wide and pointed. The figure speaking with him Neros realized was the slight figure of Avari, still dressed in her fitted black garb and deep hood. They appeared to be arguing about something but no sound carried from the pair perhaps another aspect of the magic this strange woman possessed. When his band reached the base of the stairs the pair stopped their discussion and turned to face the trio. “We will continue this conversation later I think Ekath,” her tone was cold as she addressed the man in white bowed curtly and left, disappearing into the shadows again before the man could respond. He sighed and stared after her his feline face unreadable in the torch light before looking to Neros and his group as they ascended the steps. “Welcome to you companions of Ashen. Your friend would have greeted you personally but,” he paused as if searching for the right words. ”he is distracted with other business of late.” “Ashen told us to come here but he wouldn’t say why…” Neros replied thoughtfully watching the white robed figure before him. Ekath, Avari had called him was clearly a demi-beast of Sayavah half-man half-wild cat standing at least six feet tall. Ekath, Neros noted held himself with a kind of air that while not pompous was dignified and gentle. “What of our other companions, Ryker and Forsaken?” Neros enquired watching Ekath closely. “Ryker awaits you in the dining hall if you would like to follow your guides once again,” he clapped his hands and the three youngsters appeared again out of the shadows. “What of Forsaken?” Neros asked again watching as the beast-mans face disappeared into the shadows cast by the flames. “Forsaken… I will leave that to your companions to explain as it is asked that naught be told on the creature you knew…” Ekath turned and moved across the dais vanishing from sight in a way that could only be described as magic. Resigned to wait Neros turned and followed his companions and their guides once more through the numerous passages until they came into another open space. This was not as large as the hall but it was more lightly lit by glow lanterns and there standing in a dark corner was Ryker with another and again Neros realized it was Avari. The pair spoke in low voices, the lizard grinning in his own way revealing row upon row of needle like teeth before she turned and melted into the shadows for a third time. “That woman gets around,” Matt remarked as they ventured over to Ryker. His reptilian eyes already locked upon the group, cold and so alien. “Hail to you friendsss of Ashen,” Ryker greeted them. “Greetings Ryker, it’s been almost a year since we last set eyes on your scaly hide, though last time we only had the benefit of meeting for a few days,” Neros replied. The lizard-man nodded and motioned for them to sit at one of the tables, “No doubt you are all hungry and I trust Avari wassn’t too rough with you. She’sss been known to be a little rough with othersss from time to time,” a mild cough issued from Ryker at first Neros thought he might be sick but then he realized the lizard was laughing. “No she wasn’t though she’s,” he paused searching for the right word to describe the woman but couldn’t find one. “Well she’s different I suppose I’ve also noticed she seems to get around this place fast. First she was talking to the white robed Ekath and just now you.” “Avari is a woman of meansss,” Ryker replied as four plates of a meaty gruel were set before them by more of the robed youths. “You’ll find her poking about almossst everywhere when she’sss here, though watch out for her temper.” Neros picked at the food before him and swallowed a mouthful as he looked at Ryker. “What is the purpose of this place Ryker?” Neros enquired. “A place of learning, where all who are willing form any land are taught how to control the well of magic within.” “A magic school…” Matt replied with awe gazing about the food hall in wonder. “Yess, they are quite hospitable and reward hard work. Avari hass only been working with the patrols for a half a year and she already holdsss the rank of Capitan strong in both magic and archery though her sword fighting needsss work…” he grew quiet and set about consuming the food in the bowl before it cooled. The group ate in companionable silence until their bowls were empty; the youths returned and collected their dirty dishes leaving without so much as a sound. Neros watched them with interest and then looked at Ryker once again. “What is the purpose of the coloured edging on their robes?” “It defines their massstery, red isss fire, blue iss water and green iss earth but come Ashen awaits us in our roomsss,” he stood and headed down another of the maze like passages. Reluctantly Neros and his friends stood up and followed. They didn’t have to go far, the lizard stopped after ten minutes of walking and touched the door to his right. It slid open with scarcely a noise and silently Ryker stepped through the threshold followed by the trio. Entering the room Neros looked about with interest at the two bunks on one side of the room and the table on the others with a bright glow lantern hanging above them to illuminate the room. Ryker moved over to an empty wall and leaned against it while Harthorn, Neros and Matt entered after him. “Are al the rooms like this?” Matt enquired as he took a seat on the bottom bunk. “Yess,” Ryker replied and said no more. Instead he closed his eyes and waited. Neros and Harthorn took a seat at the table and wanted as well, where Ashen was they didn’t know this place was immense from what they had discovered and could be several layers deep with passages and tunnels. “How big is this place?’ Harthorn wondered allowed,” “In truth nobody knows, “ a voice replied form the door. All but Ryker turned their eyes to the speaker. It was a woman she stood in the doorway watching them all in turn, she was dressed in soft tan colored breeches and a light cotton tunic her hair black as Neros’ own was tied back tightly in a waist long plait. While about her neck hung a crystal Gods star pendant the glowing dimly like the colour of the sky. “Where’sss Ashen?” Ryker asked as the woman as she walked in leaning on the wall beside the lizard-man. “Coming, you know how he is,” she replied rolling her eyes skyward and then looked at Neros grinning slyly at him. “Feeling better Neros?” she enquired casually examining the nails on her left hand. Neros blinked slowly and looked the woman over again before her smiled faintly, “So that’s what you look like without that mask Avari. I was wondering if I’d get to see the face of my captor.” She laughed lightly and looked to the door as a cat-like man walked in, his orange –red eyes looking to each of them in turn. “I’m glad to see we’re all here, it’s been almost a year since we were all last gathered… well almost.” Ashen remarked noting the absence of the healer Shuric. “Shuric wanted to follow a few more leads in trying to locate the Twin stones.” Harthorn replied. “Where’s Forsaken?” Neros asked watching as the Werecat’s gaze flickered so fleetingly to Ryker that he could almost swear it hadn’t happen. “Forsaken…” Ashen began slowly, “Is no more…”
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Dec 15, 2005 18:42:57 GMT -5
Chapter 23 The mood in the room became grim and somber quickly among the human occupants of the room. Not a word was spoken for several minutes as each wandered among their own thoughts. It was Avari who stirred first by conjuring a small fire ball into her open hand and tossed it from hand to hand creating a small arch of flame as she waited for the others. Matt dragged out of his own gloomy reflections stared in open amazement at the spectacle having never seen magic worked s openly before. Were it used anywhere but in the protected city of Alchamia the magic worker would be hunted down and either killed or made to work for the Triad. Avari smiled and gave Matt a playful wink, coiling the arch of flame around her hand and forearm. It flicked and twisted as if objecting to being handled before taking the form of a small serpent, opening its flaming maw issuing a crackling hiss. Slipping from her arm the flame snake fell twisting and warping to become a small winged lizard that flittered about the room circling the lantern above them before landing once more on Avari’s hand where it faded and vanished. Everyone had been watching the display, only Neros had gradually become more irritated with Avari, who was she to be here? This woman didn’t know Forsaken, he doubted she had even met the creature. As if feeling his gaze Avari turned her eyes towards him, a neutral expression on her face. Neros stilled as he met her eyes, silver like the moon. Thrice now he had seen a shade of that colour, a shade that shouldn’t exist but did in these three. It caused a shiver to travel down his spine, was such a shade a mark of death? “What are you doing here Avari?” he asked after a moment ignoring the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of his stomach. “Me?” she half smiled at him, a near lopsided smile and looked up at the glow lantern that illuminated the room. “I’m here to do what Forsaken could not.” Neros opened his mouth to object but was cut off as Avari raised a hand her silver eyes cold as steel holding his own there was magic behind those eyes, “You don’t have a choice Neros, I have the knowledge and in truth you’re going to need my help. Forsaken as you called it was a pitiful creature and in truth I knew it far better then you could ever understand Man of Vale” Her piece said Avari turned and left the room but not before her voice fell back into the room. “You won’t ever change…” Ashen shook his head and sighed looking to each of the group once Avari had left, “We still have a job to do Neros, the locations are not lost to us as Avari has that knowledge. Also while you’re all here you can’t go anywhere without Ryker, Myself, Avari or one of the apprentices to guide you. We’ve had a year to accustom ourselves to this place yet you three have not. If you get lost out there, you’ll stay lost for a while before anyone finds you.” “How is it this Avari woman knows what Forsaken knew?” Matt enquired. “That I will leave up to her to tell you but don’t expect answers, Avari tells what she likes when she likes and badgering her with the same questions won’t achieve anything but her withholding what you wish to know longer.” Neros opened his mouth to argue but the door opened admitting a man dressed in a red robe. “Apologies for interrupting but Sage Ekath would request the presence of Master Ryker and Master Ashen in the Great Hall.” Moving from the wall Ryker nodded and moved past the robed man, Ashen turned and looked at the others. “This could take a while so get some rest. One of the apprentices will be along when we’re done to collect you all.” He turned and followed Ryker out the door leaving the red robed man to trail along behind them. “Charming place,” Harthorn remarked tartly scratching the four days growth on his face. “Don’t suppose they have a place where a man could neaten up and have a bath you suppose?” “Yea, ye getting’ on the fragrant side there Thorny,” Matt remarked with a vicious grin, teasing the large man. It was a pet hate of Harthorn’s to be called Thorny, something Matt had caught onto quickly and used it to his advantage to antagonize large man every chance he got. On cue Harthorn rose from the table and made to cross the room but Matthew was already out the door and down the passage before he could get within arms reach. Cursing Harthorn sat back down at the table and removed the twin axes from his belt. They like Neros’ sword had been returned to him as they traveled along with numerous knives. Lifting the first Harthorn began examining the edges of his weapons for damage. “He’s going to get hopelessly lost out there isn’t he?” Neros remarked once Harthorn began sharpening his axes with a wet stone. “Yep,” Harthorn replied as he moved the stone against the edge of his axe, a soft sound of the stone grating against the blade filling the room. “Should we go after him?” “Nope,” Neros shook his head and chuckled moving his own sword so it rested across his lap. The blade by some virtue of the stone had remained sharp and undamaged. Magic was an uncharted aspect of the world, wild and rarely controlled except in certain people. Sorcerers, Mages, Witches, Wizards they were called all capable of manipulating these forces t a degree but none could match the mastery of the Gods or the mysterious Elementals. Like the God’s the Elementals disappeared from the world the day the Triad assumed dominance over the Chronisa. Elementals were the enigmas of the world, strange beings who can appear as they choose often opting for a human appearance when moving among humanity though many preferred animals. It was impossibly to know what an Elemental was really like but it was rumored that to see an Elemental in its true form was to see magic in its rawest form. It was often considered a good thing that they preferred to remain aloof from the dealings of humanity and only ever intervened if the situation took their fancy or as a favor for the Gods. He sighed running a finger over the insignia on the silver capping and set his sword aside, Neros lay down on a bottom bunk and closed his eyes. “I just hope the kid finds his way back otherwise we’re going to have to try and tell someone the lad’s gone runabout. You heard Ashen, in this place people get lost easy if they don’t know it.” “That little rodent will be fine. He can navigate places that would make any normal man lose his way. He’ll be back you wait and see,” Harthorn replied setting down his first Axe and picking up the second. “Just be glad he’s not our problem for the moment, that lad attracts trouble like a moth to the flame and why did we drag him along with us?” “Because Dusky wanted him out of the city and out from underfoot I owed Dusky that much and the lad has proved helpful. Though I know how loathed you are to admit it.” “I just wish Shuric were here…” Harthorn sighed and settled back into silence. Neros nodded slowly, he wished to the healer was with them but he wanted to remain in Vangarm to continue exploring the Library and many other things aside from that. There was little he could do about it unfortunately, looking back and wishing things were otherwise wouldn’t help.
~ The passages were dark as Matt moved along, his soft boots making no noise in these passages. Sound carried well underground, here the passages were much like the sewers only lacking in slime and waste. He liked these dark passages with their lack of people. Running along them after goading Harthorn Matt had discovered a multitude of branching passages and numerous rooms. Some had people in them while most were empty and occasionally he even spied something like animals down here. Some looked like Lizards and once he even thought he saw a massive snake that looked about as thick as Harthorn’s thigh. Wanting to avoid it Matt had taken a side passage and now found himself walking down a near pitch black passage. How long he’d been walking down there Matt couldn’t be sure, but it was long enough that he was starting to feel hungry again after that quick meal of gruel from the mess hall. Continuing on ahead towards the next source of light down the passage Matt wondered grimly if he’d be able to find his way back, the cat-man hadn’t been kidding when he said this place was like a maze and how the people who dwelled here found their way was beyond him. About to turn back and retrace his steps, Matt paused. Voices carried down the length of the tunnel, soft as whispers and yet easily understood. “This game is petty you know,” one voice said. Curious Matt followed the voices. “I don’t care and anyway the less they know the better,” That voice was familiar and it was growing stronger. Up ahead another light appeared a golden sliver in near endless black. “I agree Ashen, the lesss they know the better. I think it would shock them to learn what really happened to Forsssaken. They are not ready to know the truth not yet.” That voice was unmistakably Ryker’s which meant the other voice was Ashen and then third had to be Avari’s. Matt crouched by the door and listened, keeping as still and quiet as he could while listening to the conversation, his mind digesting this new information. Something had happened to Forsaken, so it wasn’t as gone as they had been told but why Ashen and the others wouldn’t tell them was at the heart of the matter. “It is true they might have trouble accepting the truth but you should give them the chance child. Tell them the truth and be done with it. The longer you refrain from telling the truth the more the rest may come to resent it,” there was a fourth voice deeper then the rest it took Matt a moment to recall the owner of that voice as the master of Alchamia, The Sage Ekath. “Enough,” Avari commanded and silence filled the room. Frowning Matt decided it was time to leave and began creeping away but a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. About to try and tewist away Matt felt his muscles like led he couldn’t move. “I thought you were told to stay in the room Matt,” he was turned slowly and came face to face with Avari, the woman was not happy to see him. Muscles still like led he was forced into the room something other then his will moving his limbs it was a sensation Matt did not like but he was helpless. “What really happened to Forsaken?” he asked realizing that is Avari knew he was out there and could do this to him then she must know how much he overheard. “You’ll know but it will make little difference because you won’t remember,” she replied shoving him into the room where Ashen in his cat form, Ryker and Sage Ekath. “I object to this child,” the sage remarked but made no attempt to move. “You object to everything I do old one but you don’t stop me and you know I’m right.” “You came to us injured and sick we healed you to a degree but you still have a long way to go. I understand the importance of what you must do but bulling your way isn’t the most ideal thing to do.” Ekath paused rubbing the fabric of his robe between his fingers in thought. “We have taught you much but in truth I fear it is not enough. What you have in strength and endurance you lack in skill and subtlety I wish we ad more time Avari but things more ahead and you’re journey must continue.” Bowing her head to Ekath, Avari said nothing and then turned to look at Matt her expression apologetic, “I’m sorry Matthew but you must forget you may have heard things that will reveal truth’s that should not be explore… not yet,” she reached out placing two finger’s upon Matt’s forehead the boy would have tried to get away but whatever magic Avari had employed was powerful and held him in place. Closing his eyes Matt accepted what was to happen though he didn’t like it.
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