"Such a waste of undead flesh." Balgarath groaned as the last of the ghouls fell.
"Over there!" cried Darrian. "There is a small opening in the rock face."
"The Beholder's Lair?" queried Sir Elric.
The made their way to the opening, it sloped steeply upwards. After a short while they found themselves in a small cavern. But it was not rock like the level below. It's floor, walls and ceiling were like that of a shiny tanned leather.
"Impressive place for the lair of such an evil and vile creature, but perhaps that is to be expected." Sir Elric said upon entering further. "Quiet all of you. Search for the part of the rod it must be close."
After much searching, Shikyomaru found to second half of the device, wedged in a small gap in the wall of the cavern. he tossed it to Sir Elric, who then attached it to the piece he already had.
And then from out of the shadows, the beast emerged. It's eye stalks were long, but unlike others of it's ilk, the eyes were blind. However this proved to be no hindrance for the creature, as it made it's way with ease towards to adventurers.
"Rook out!!" shouted Shikyomaru. "Here it comes!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
A giant floating eye comes out from the shadows, thinking this should not pose much of a problem Cinara thrusts her quarterstaff at it and surprisingly the things tentacles just grab it and throw it aside, sending it rolling across the slimy cavern floor. She curses herself for not having a tighter grip on it and for thinking this, this thing would pose no real threat. She goes toward her staff and the eye moves in closer to her, she steps back cursing.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
The robed Ennead muttered his magic-laden spell and the staff was thrust in to the air.
"Cinara!" he shouted to her as the shaft flew across the room.
He took out one of his many ancient scrolls and opened it to view its written words. He then held it before him and commanded its latent power to come alive, "Facio, Voco, Ferre!"
The paper burst into a raging flame and flew across the chamber, slamming in to the one-eyed beholder, only to be warped and thrown aside in many tongues of powerless flame as if Tel-Silgulwath had just thrown a bucket of feathers at it. Cursing silently at having wasted a scroll, he quickly dropped back behind the troupe to avoid the beholder's wrath, should it come.
The creature hovered forward firing psionic waves from its eye stalks with unfounded accuracy. Sir Elric rolled out of the way to avoid the beam. Turning to face the creature he pointed the completed device in the direction of the Beholder.
"Now finish it off while it's defenses are down!!" he cried out to the others.
The simultaneous attacks of Shikyomaru and Darrian, coupled with some well timed arcane spells from Balgarath felled the creature with ease.
"This 'thing' was their god?" Darrian mused. "Quiet sad really. I had expected much more of a fight."
"We were lucky we had this rod" replied Sir Elric. " Had we not had it, this would have proven to be a much more difficult fight."
"Perhaps you are being to hasty Darrian" said Balgarath stroking his beard with a look of deep thought upon his face. "What if without the rod there was no way to defeat the creature. While I am sure beyond all question you would enjoy the fight, but do you think that you could go on forever fighting forever. You are a fine warrior, but I do not think that you or any of us, or even all of us together could defeat an opponent of such immense power without additional aid. Before we even entered it's lair I felt it's presence. Such power. Such power is reserved for the deities and gods. You speak of Torm and Helm. Do you think yourself powerful enough to fight any one of them.
"You dare to mock me and my gods mage. Continue down this path and you shall see how strong I am!" Darrian injected furiously.
"I am rambling now." Balgarath said, sensing he had offended the young Paladin. "Let us get out of here. I am no stranger to the sight of death and all that goes with it, but this creature's body is giving off a most horrendous smell. It seeps into my cloak."
A short way from where the Beholder lay there was what appeared to be staircase, though it is in much disrepair, all that remained was the time worn steps. They sloped gently upward, as they neared the top the sounds of many men shouting and running around was overheard.
"Come back! The Unseeing Eye has been killed, but not all is lost!" Gaal called out
"It is too late, ghoul!" Sir Elric shouted. "Your master is dead and you shall join him soon enough! Your evil cult is at an end!""Come Back! Let us avenge him and make his visions become a reality. Come back, you fools!" cried Gaal. "Desperate words for a desperate demon! Your evil is at an end, foul one! Prepare to join your master in the pits of the Abyss!!" bellowed Sir Elric.
"You! Sir Elric! You have sinned against the universe itself! We shall destroy you! Come brothers!! Death to the unbelievers!!!!" Gaal called out.
"Your weakness is betrayed by the quiver in your voice" said Sir Elric mockingly. "Your precious eye tyrant is so much dust and you shall join him before the hour is through! We will not falter!"
"For the Unseeing Eye!" cried one of the few faithful who remained.
"Death to the traitors!!" cried another.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Cinara gathers up her quarterstaff and they head up the stairs. The cult members are in a frenzy, they have lost their god. She readies her weapons as they advance upon us.
One large man approaches, she swings her staff around hitting the backs of his knees, knocking him flat, she almost feels pity for him before she thrusts her staff through his heart. She pulls it out and thinks what a waste. She looks up in time to see another approaching Balgarath from behind. She throws her dagger just as he raises his sword, Balgarath hears him utter a scream and is able to move away and sends a blast through him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"NOOOO!!!" cried Gaal as his minions fell to blades and staves of Sir Elric's companions like wheat before the scythe. "It shall not end like this! I cannot allow it!"
"Your god does not live here priest." Sir Elric said. "And soon, neither shall you. Mark my face, fiend for it will be the last thing you will see before you spend eternity in the Nine Hells."
"I curse you Sir Elric!! I curse y..urghhhhh." Gaal gurgled as Sir Elric's sword pierced his heart.
"Those souls who suffer their righteousness will know their eternal inheritance." said Sir Elric, as he put his foot on Gaal's shoulder and kicked his corpse to free his sword. "Now that that is done, let us return the device."
As they headed back to the lower reaches they were met once again by the old blind outcast, Sassar.
"You have destroyed the creature who has enslaved so many...and for that, I am more grateful than I can say. I sense you have the rift device...the rod. You have used it? I must caution you not to take it to the lands above... its power would consume you. Far better that you return it to whence it came, for the safety of us all, my Lord..." said Sassar. "Fair the well."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Traveling at the rear of the group Cinara hears Sassar say "...you return it to whence it came, for the safety of us all, my Lord. Fair the well."
"Fair the well", she replies as they set off to return the rod. I wonder what kind of power that rod holds, I wonder if I could hold it for just a bit, she thinks. Just then she notices a tingling in her head, she hastens her pace and is just behind Sir Elric. She reaches out to grab the wand and the tingling intensifies, she retracts her hand and stops in her tracks placing her hands on her temples. She shakes her head to clear it and finally remembers what the tingling signifies, her brothers are trying to communicate with her. Part of their message came through...something was trying to influence her into grabbing the rod. She digs around in her herb pouch to find something that will help her clear her head. She finds something that may help and begins chewing on it.
She looks up and sees the bowman that suddenly appeared and aided them earlier, he is waiting for her and motions to her to come forward. She eyes him warily but moves forward as the rest of the group is now out of site and she must catch up.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Tel-Silgulwath, his sack now burdened with a few more ancient scrolls procured from the vault, walks silently behind.
That creature had been weak to that rod, he thinks, but its power was beyond me... It needed not to even utter a spelling word to summon up its great psionic energies. Why is it always the humans with the limits?
His legs ached from the trek, his mind pounding from his psychic feats in the caves below. Perhaps in Miscarcarand, Lost Library of the Ennead Spell-Keepers, I will find what learning I require. I shall stay with them a bit longer, I suppose, 'til we come near the hidden region, then I will part.
He whispered his psychic command and a walking stick was brought to his right hand. If only I could start over once more... If only life were not so short.
He continued on in silence, lost in his thoughts and heedless of the conversations of the others.
Cinara chats with the archer for a bit and they finally catch up with the group. She notices that the other new member, who has faded to the rear of the group, of their party is also preoccupied in thought. She wonders if he is thinking about the rod as well. He conjures up a walking stick and she jumps back a bit, she chuckles to herself for being so jumpy and caught off-guard. She starts to speak to him but notices that he is still preoccupied in his own thoughts and decides not to bother him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
As they run off, he fades into the shadows, following them without being seen. He sighs silently to himself, running through the shadows, not a noise being made, ready to kill the group, and ready to save them, should such acts be required.
Memories begin to come to his mind, memories of brighter, happier times. "Bastard," he whispers quietly under his breath at himself...
The descended back down into the lower recesses, to return the device to the temple. Upon reaching the temple, they were met once again by the diseased man from their previous visit.
You return? Why? Why have you come back here? You have brought back the great device?" asked the diseased man outside of the temple.
"I have said it is the will of your lord." replied Sir Elric. "It is depleted, and is to be destroyed."
"You lie! You must!" shouted the diseased man. "There is no hope for us here! It has been ages since any sign or change!?"
And that age is over. Is it so hard to fathom?" Sir Elric said with authority. "It is simply time for the end."
"This cannot be!" cried the diseased man. "You cannot be the herald of change. It is not possible. I... I must see for myself. I must hear the word. We all must. Come everyone! To the temple!!"
They entered the temple and were quickly followed by as many of the diseased ones that dared to enter.
"There is nothing here. There is never anything here but the stench of our hate." said the diseased man with such disgust in his tone.
"Your faith has brought you back in his sight." Sir Elric said loudly so that all could hear. "Will you not at least try his name?"
The name has not been spoken outside of a curse for a generation. There has been no sign, and there has been no point." said with diseased man.
"I have given the sign." proclaimed Sir Elric loudly. "What will you do with it?"
"I will... I ... Amaunator! Your people call to you! I, Agru Tindul, Sunlord of the Third House, pursuant to your Conduct of Worship contract, do hereby give my voice to your name. We ask... please... we call to you. Please... we have need of you." yelled the Agru Tindul.
"I heaaarrrr." "You who have suffered, who still suffer. The time is at an end. Letter of the law states that we guard until the end of time. Our time has ended" rang the Avatar.
"Then... what is left to do?" asked Agru.
"Nothing. Your task is done. You will all sit by the side of Amaunator in the Keep of the Eternal Sun. The old enemies are gone, and duty is well enough fulfilled." the Avatar called out.
Praise be to the keeper of time" Agru said with a bow. "That he should let it end for the just."
"This is the end of things. Rest your mind in my heart. Rest" Spoke the avatar of Amauntor before it faded out of existence.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Cinara, twirling her dagger in her hands to keep her mind off the rod, stumbles into Tel-Sigulwath when they approach the diseased guardians.
"Uumph, sorry about that, my mind was off wondering."
As Sir Elric explains to the guardians that they are free now but they are disbelieving, so they summon their god to confirm. Cinara shakes her head and wonder what these people will do now that they are no longer needed. She shrugs her shoulders, looks around for the archer to try to get him to tell more of his story and finds that he has disappeared again. She turns to Tel and he is again preoccupied with a scroll he is looking over. So she gets her daggers out and starts twirling them again on her way back to fresh air. I hope to not see a cave for awhile, she thinks to herself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
They made there way slowly back up to the surface. Their eyes slowly adjusted to the bright of day.
"Just as I was beginning to enjoy the darkness." Balgarath grumbled as emerged from the sewer.
"Evil appears insignificantly deceptive in the daylight." Darrian mused. "Come let us head for the temple. The head priests will no doubt be wanting to hear of our victories below."
"You have returned? Victorious I trust? The Head Priest wishing to speak with you. " said the guard at the door as they entered the Tempe. "Walk humbly and love justice, and remain ever vigilant, friend. The Law must prevail!"
"Your return was foreseen, though what you would say is unknown. Is this cult to be believed? Speak what you know." boomed the priest.
"It was a beholder cult! I have destroyed the beast and all of its plans!" replied Sir Elric.
"A beholder cult in the very heart of Silver's sight? You have done a great service removing it! We will send clergy to remove all taint of its presence. Now, to what you are due. You are one that walks in faith with Silver's ideals, and you have earned a payment that is beyond mere wealth."
"I require nothing. It was an honor to serve."
"You are granted a place in Silver's sight. You are aligned with many of us, though you lack direction. You are given quarters here, a personal space to house your belongings. You are honored."
"I am indeed! I accept with all mine heart!"
"Then know the duties: you must be vigilant, fair and diligent. Protect the weak, the unpopular, the injured, and the young. Do not sacrifice them for others. You must anticipate attacks and be ready, know your foes, and care mindfully for your weapons so that you can perform your duties properly when called upon. Never betray trust. This is all-important. All else pales. These are the tenets, Welcome to Silver's sight."
"Before I go to priest, I was wondering if I might ask a question of you?"
"If it is within my power to answer and does not conflict with my faith, I shall strive to provide it to you. What do you wish to ask?"
"what can you tell us of a mage named Kangaxx?"
"He was a powerful mage, supposedly so powerful no one could kill him, or so it is said. He was said to possess powers of resurrection so to stop him returning to life they torn his body apart and locked the pieces within several tombs around the city, but it’s most likely some old wife’s tale, but there was a time when the tales of his doom caused an uproar among the citizens, so in order to quell any concerns many priests and even some members of the Radiant Heart began to search the entire city from top to bottom. There are many tombs around the city, but none that have any sort of binding magic in them, why do you ask?"
"It seems that story is more than some old tale, Kangaxx is alive and in one piece. I no what he true intentions are, but he has in mind to sacrifice a great deal of people for some demonic purpose, I have not found out exactly what that purpose is, but I sure it is most vile."
"If what you say is true, then may the gods bless you on your journey to stop him. Such evil cannot be allowed to live. Go now, and do the god Silver's work."
"Be ever vigilant and protect the downtrodden. Such is the way of truth and light." said the guard at the door as they left.
"This mage is a truly monstrous man, but we still have no idea what his true goal is." said Sir Elric. "We have much to think about, but I am tired. Perhaps we should make for the guildhouse of my Order. It is only a short walk away, good food, fresh beds. Yes. That is just what we need."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
"Ahhhh, fresh air," Cinara says breathing deeply, as they emerge from the cavern. She begins patting her clothes down to rid them of dust and filth, stretches out and breathes in deeply again. She is so happy to be out in the fresh air again she begins to hum a tune as they head back to the temple.
She decides to practice with her quarterstaff so she fades to the rear of the group and begins swinging and thrusting while humming her tune.
She smiles as she hears Sir Elric say we will head over to the guild house, finally a bed and bath, she thinks to herself and continues humming along.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Welcome to the guildhouse of my Order!" Sir Elric rang out as the entered the great hall.
Its walls were lines with suits of armor and statues with inscriptions informing readers that the suit of armor once belonged to a champion of the order or that the statue was dedicated to one.
"So, tell us of your Order, Sir Elric, if you would be so kind." asked Balgarath.
"Certainly, though it is not so much a question of kindness as one of pride -- one of my many failings, I fear." Sir Elric replied. "The Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart is among the most prestigious of knightly Orders. It honors not only distinguished service in the name of the Church but also the wisdom of age. Due to the nature of our calling, so few paladins live to see their fortieth year... but Radiant Heart accepts nothing less."
"So the Radiant Heart is sort of a retirement home for paladins who have passed their prime, is that it?" asked Balgarath.
"Ha Ha." laughed Sir Elric. "Faith is not something from which you can retire, friend. It sparks your imagination and holds you forever in its passions. I am one of the lucky ones in that my body still serves. But when it fails me, as someday it must, then I shall offer myself up to the courts and teach nobles to use their power gently and with grace... Wisdom does not fade with age, my friend. If anything, it grows stronger. Now to get some much needed rest. The washrooms are to the east, the sleeping quarters to the west. If you need me you can find me in my person quarters to the north."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Ahead of them in the same hall, a dark haired man walked their way. His eyes were dull, and his gaze fixed on the floor before his feet. He walked slowly, and was heavily bandaged and bruised, however he gave no sign to feeling pain aside from the walking slowly. As they came closer, they recognized him.
As they enter the hall Cinara cannot help but be in awe of all the honor and goodness this place radiates, she turns in circles observing all the statues, paintings and armor on display. While lost in the splendor of the room she once again bumps into Tel and apologizes again. Then she sees what appears to be Carloseus, she shakes her head and closes her eyes to make sure she isn't seeing things. When she reopens her eyes he is still standing there.
"Carloseus!" She approaches him and notes all the bandages. "You are going to have to tell us what happened to you, but by the looks of you, you still need rest. How about filling us in tomorrow, after we have all had a decent nights sleep?"
Sir Elric motions to where the wash rooms and sleeping quarters are and Cinara heads straight for the washrooms. The water feels so refreshing against her skin as she scrubs off as much of the grime and stench as possible, she allows herself a little extra time and then heads off to her room. She shakes out her clothing ridding it of dirt, slips into bed and falls fast asleep.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Tel-Silgulwath had stood just beyond the threshold, starring out in to the sky. How can one be a god if one is not eternal? Did he die or will he reemerge some day yet untold? The divinities are so vane- one cannot hope to believe in any of them for long. They fade and disappear, and then reappear, and the cycle continues. If only the Ennead had known that; if only they hadn't been so blind...
A small, slender object bumped in to him and caused him to lose his thoughts. As his arm came around to catch it, he noticed it was none other than Cinara. He caught sight of her eyes and was lost for a moment and then tried awkwardly to get her equalibirium back in balance. As he stepped in to the main hall behind her and closed the door, he heard very slight shuffling of feet and a whisper of a closing door. He stepped aside to let the figure through.
No, he thought to himself, That man died there in the temple- how is it that he still lives? He became ashes before my very waking eyes...
But it was. It was Carloseus returned to them, though dark and sullen, and in obvious need of a good bathing and some rest.
Tel-Silgulwath glanced quickly behind him to find the healer that had saved his mind after the recoil of demonic magic in the battle against the wraith guardian in the subterranean temple city, but he was not there. He sighed and stalked quietly beside a wooden beam and leaned his weary back against it, holding his newly-acquired staff in the crook of his arm.
His eyes wandered to the figure Link but then quickly retreated as the man's eyes moved to acknowledge Tel-Silgulwath's vision. That man scares me, he thought quietly to himself, He seems like a wolf ready to pounce, should the opportunity arise. Smart and collective, and silent as a dark night, he could well prove to be the most dangerous in this party.
Sir Elric had been conversing with Belgarath for some time about the guild hall and its purpose, a Knightly Order. Sir Elric seems a good man and a strong warrior, but his nobility as a paladin might well also be the end of him, for with every good thing comes and equal yet opposite bad thing. One day pride might rear its ugly head, and I fear for that, for he is a good leader, and we might well be besides ourselves if we lose him.
Carloseus was relieved to see his friends again, however he felt not as close to them again. So much had happened, and by now he had been away from them too often and long to feel at one with them. He did however, notice the other looking from one to another. He seemed to be collecting information on them all, perhaps his trust was not yet secured in the party. Or he wanted to learn them as best he could. Carloseus would not make any judgements, least of all times, now. However, this person had a feeling of intense wisdom and the stench of demon magic on him.
He, he knows the magic of demons. Perhaps he will know the best about what I've gone through.
He stepped forward a bit too quickly and the step too long, and his body almost gave way under the soreness of his limbs and the pain stabbing all along the muscles of his being. He recovered, and made himself seen to the figure.
"Such a waste of undead flesh." Balgarath groaned as the last of the ghouls fell.
"Over there!" cried Darrian. "There is a small opening in the rock face."
"The Beholder's Lair?" queried Sir Elric.
The made their way to the opening, it sloped steeply upwards. After a short while they found themselves in a small cavern. But it was not rock like the level below. It's floor, walls and ceiling were like that of a shiny tanned leather.
"Impressive place for the lair of such an evil and vile creature, but perhaps that is to be expected." Sir Elric said upon entering further. "Quiet all of you. Search for the part of the rod it must be close."
After much searching, Shikyomaru found to second half of the device, wedged in a small gap in the wall of the cavern. he tossed it to Sir Elric, who then attached it to the piece he already had.
And then from out of the shadows, the beast emerged. It's eye stalks were long, but unlike others of it's ilk, the eyes were blind. However this proved to be no hindrance for the creature, as it made it's way with ease towards to adventurers.
"Rook out!!" shouted Shikyomaru. "Here it comes!"
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Cinara!" he shouted to her as the shaft flew across the room.
He took out one of his many ancient scrolls and opened it to view its written words. He then held it before him and commanded its latent power to come alive, "Facio, Voco, Ferre!"
The paper burst into a raging flame and flew across the chamber, slamming in to the one-eyed beholder, only to be warped and thrown aside in many tongues of powerless flame as if Tel-Silgulwath had just thrown a bucket of feathers at it. Cursing silently at having wasted a scroll, he quickly dropped back behind the troupe to avoid the beholder's wrath, should it come.
"Now finish it off while it's defenses are down!!" he cried out to the others.
The simultaneous attacks of Shikyomaru and Darrian, coupled with some well timed arcane spells from Balgarath felled the creature with ease.
"This 'thing' was their god?" Darrian mused. "Quiet sad really. I had expected much more of a fight."
"We were lucky we had this rod" replied Sir Elric. " Had we not had it, this would have proven to be a much more difficult fight."
"Perhaps you are being to hasty Darrian" said Balgarath stroking his beard with a look of deep thought upon his face. "What if without the rod there was no way to defeat the creature. While I am sure beyond all question you would enjoy the fight, but do you think that you could go on forever fighting forever. You are a fine warrior, but I do not think that you or any of us, or even all of us together could defeat an opponent of such immense power without additional aid. Before we even entered it's lair I felt it's presence. Such power. Such power is reserved for the deities and gods. You speak of Torm and Helm. Do you think yourself powerful enough to fight any one of them.
"You dare to mock me and my gods mage. Continue down this path and you shall see how strong I am!" Darrian injected furiously.
"I am rambling now." Balgarath said, sensing he had offended the young Paladin. "Let us get out of here. I am no stranger to the sight of death and all that goes with it, but this creature's body is giving off a most horrendous smell. It seeps into my cloak."
A short way from where the Beholder lay there was what appeared to be staircase, though it is in much disrepair, all that remained was the time worn steps. They sloped gently upward, as they neared the top the sounds of many men shouting and running around was overheard.
"Come back! The Unseeing Eye has been killed, but not all is lost!" Gaal called out
"It is too late, ghoul!" Sir Elric shouted. "Your master is dead and you shall join him soon enough! Your evil cult is at an end!""Come Back! Let us avenge him and make his visions become a reality. Come back, you fools!" cried Gaal.
"Desperate words for a desperate demon! Your evil is at an end, foul one! Prepare to join your master in the pits of the Abyss!!" bellowed Sir Elric.
"You! Sir Elric! You have sinned against the universe itself! We shall destroy you! Come brothers!! Death to the unbelievers!!!!" Gaal called out.
"Your weakness is betrayed by the quiver in your voice" said Sir Elric mockingly. "Your precious eye tyrant is so much dust and you shall join him before the hour is through! We will not falter!"
"For the Unseeing Eye!" cried one of the few faithful who remained.
"Death to the traitors!!" cried another.
One large man approaches, she swings her staff around hitting the backs of his knees, knocking him flat, she almost feels pity for him before she thrusts her staff through his heart. She pulls it out and thinks what a waste. She looks up in time to see another approaching Balgarath from behind. She throws her dagger just as he raises his sword, Balgarath hears him utter a scream and is able to move away and sends a blast through him.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"NOOOO!!!" cried Gaal as his minions fell to blades and staves of Sir Elric's companions like wheat before the scythe. "It shall not end like this! I cannot allow it!"
"Your god does not live here priest." Sir Elric said. "And soon, neither shall you. Mark my face, fiend for it will be the last thing you will see before you spend eternity in the Nine Hells."
"I curse you Sir Elric!! I curse y..urghhhhh." Gaal gurgled as Sir Elric's sword pierced his heart.
"Those souls who suffer their righteousness will know their eternal inheritance." said Sir Elric, as he put his foot on Gaal's shoulder and kicked his corpse to free his sword. "Now that that is done, let us return the device."
As they headed back to the lower reaches they were met once again by the old blind outcast, Sassar.
"You have destroyed the creature who has enslaved so many...and for that, I am more grateful than I can say. I sense you have the rift device...the rod. You have used it? I must caution you not to take it to the lands above... its power would consume you. Far better that you return it to whence it came, for the safety of us all, my Lord..." said Sassar. "Fair the well."
"Fair the well", she replies as they set off to return the rod. I wonder what kind of power that rod holds, I wonder if I could hold it for just a bit, she thinks. Just then she notices a tingling in her head, she hastens her pace and is just behind Sir Elric. She reaches out to grab the wand and the tingling intensifies, she retracts her hand and stops in her tracks placing her hands on her temples. She shakes her head to clear it and finally remembers what the tingling signifies, her brothers are trying to communicate with her. Part of their message came through...something was trying to influence her into grabbing the rod. She digs around in her herb pouch to find something that will help her clear her head. She finds something that may help and begins chewing on it.
She looks up and sees the bowman that suddenly appeared and aided them earlier, he is waiting for her and motions to her to come forward. She eyes him warily but moves forward as the rest of the group is now out of site and she must catch up.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
That creature had been weak to that rod, he thinks, but its power was beyond me... It needed not to even utter a spelling word to summon up its great psionic energies. Why is it always the humans with the limits?
His legs ached from the trek, his mind pounding from his psychic feats in the caves below. Perhaps in Miscarcarand, Lost Library of the Ennead Spell-Keepers, I will find what learning I require. I shall stay with them a bit longer, I suppose, 'til we come near the hidden region, then I will part.
He whispered his psychic command and a walking stick was brought to his right hand. If only I could start over once more... If only life were not so short.
He continued on in silence, lost in his thoughts and heedless of the conversations of the others.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Memories begin to come to his mind, memories of brighter, happier times. "Bastard," he whispers quietly under his breath at himself...
You return? Why? Why have you come back here? You have brought back the great device?" asked the diseased man outside of the temple.
"I have said it is the will of your lord." replied Sir Elric. "It is depleted, and is to be destroyed."
"You lie! You must!" shouted the diseased man. "There is no hope for us here! It has been ages since any sign or change!?"
And that age is over. Is it so hard to fathom?" Sir Elric said with authority. "It is simply time for the end."
"This cannot be!" cried the diseased man. "You cannot be the herald of change. It is not possible. I... I must see for myself. I must hear the word. We all must. Come everyone! To the temple!!"
They entered the temple and were quickly followed by as many of the diseased ones that dared to enter.
"There is nothing here. There is never anything here but the stench of our hate." said the diseased man with such disgust in his tone.
"Your faith has brought you back in his sight." Sir Elric said loudly so that all could hear. "Will you not at least try his name?"
The name has not been spoken outside of a curse for a generation. There has been no sign, and there has been no point." said with diseased man.
"I have given the sign." proclaimed Sir Elric loudly. "What will you do with it?"
"I will... I ... Amaunator! Your people call to you! I, Agru Tindul, Sunlord of the Third House, pursuant to your Conduct of Worship contract, do hereby give my voice to your name. We ask... please... we call to you. Please... we have need of you." yelled the Agru Tindul.
"I heaaarrrr." "You who have suffered, who still suffer. The time is at an end. Letter of the law states that we guard until the end of time. Our time has ended" rang the Avatar.
"Then... what is left to do?" asked Agru.
"Nothing. Your task is done. You will all sit by the side of Amaunator in the Keep of the Eternal Sun. The old enemies are gone, and duty is well enough fulfilled." the Avatar called out.
Praise be to the keeper of time" Agru said with a bow. "That he should let it end for the just."
"This is the end of things. Rest your mind in my heart. Rest" Spoke the avatar of Amauntor before it faded out of existence.
"Uumph, sorry about that, my mind was off wondering."
As Sir Elric explains to the guardians that they are free now but they are disbelieving, so they summon their god to confirm. Cinara shakes her head and wonder what these people will do now that they are no longer needed. She shrugs her shoulders, looks around for the archer to try to get him to tell more of his story and finds that he has disappeared again. She turns to Tel and he is again preoccupied with a scroll he is looking over. So she gets her daggers out and starts twirling them again on her way back to fresh air. I hope to not see a cave for awhile, she thinks to herself.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Just as I was beginning to enjoy the darkness." Balgarath grumbled as emerged from the sewer.
"Evil appears insignificantly deceptive in the daylight." Darrian mused. "Come let us head for the temple. The head priests will no doubt be wanting to hear of our victories below."
"You have returned? Victorious I trust? The Head Priest wishing to speak with you. " said the guard at the door as they entered the Tempe. "Walk humbly and love justice, and remain ever vigilant, friend. The Law must prevail!"
"Your return was foreseen, though what you would say is unknown. Is this cult to be believed? Speak what you know." boomed the priest.
"It was a beholder cult! I have destroyed the beast and all of its plans!" replied Sir Elric.
"A beholder cult in the very heart of Silver's sight? You have done a great service removing it! We will send clergy to remove all taint of its presence. Now, to what you are due. You are one that walks in faith with Silver's ideals, and you have earned a payment that is beyond mere wealth."
"I require nothing. It was an honor to serve."
"You are granted a place in Silver's sight. You are aligned with many of us, though you lack direction. You are given quarters here, a personal space to house your belongings. You are honored."
"I am indeed! I accept with all mine heart!"
"Then know the duties: you must be vigilant, fair and diligent. Protect the weak, the unpopular, the injured, and the young. Do not sacrifice them for others. You must anticipate attacks and be ready, know your foes, and care mindfully for your weapons so that you can perform your duties properly when called upon. Never betray trust. This is all-important. All else pales. These are the tenets, Welcome to Silver's sight."
"Before I go to priest, I was wondering if I might ask a question of you?"
"If it is within my power to answer and does not conflict with my faith, I shall strive to provide it to you. What do you wish to ask?"
"what can you tell us of a mage named Kangaxx?"
"He was a powerful mage, supposedly so powerful no one could kill him, or so it is said. He was said to possess powers of resurrection so to stop him returning to life they torn his body apart and locked the pieces within several tombs around the city, but it’s most likely some old wife’s tale, but there was a time when the tales of his doom caused an uproar among the citizens, so in order to quell any concerns many priests and even some members of the Radiant Heart began to search the entire city from top to bottom. There are many tombs around the city, but none that have any sort of binding magic in them, why do you ask?"
"It seems that story is more than some old tale, Kangaxx is alive and in one piece. I no what he true intentions are, but he has in mind to sacrifice a great deal of people for some demonic purpose, I have not found out exactly what that purpose is, but I sure it is most vile."
"If what you say is true, then may the gods bless you on your journey to stop him. Such evil cannot be allowed to live. Go now, and do the god Silver's work."
"Be ever vigilant and protect the downtrodden. Such is the way of truth and light." said the guard at the door as they left.
"This mage is a truly monstrous man, but we still have no idea what his true goal is." said Sir Elric. "We have much to think about, but I am tired. Perhaps we should make for the guildhouse of my Order. It is only a short walk away, good food, fresh beds. Yes. That is just what we need."
She decides to practice with her quarterstaff so she fades to the rear of the group and begins swinging and thrusting while humming her tune.
She smiles as she hears Sir Elric say we will head over to the guild house, finally a bed and bath, she thinks to herself and continues humming along.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Welcome to the guildhouse of my Order!" Sir Elric rang out as the entered the great hall.
Its walls were lines with suits of armor and statues with inscriptions informing readers that the suit of armor once belonged to a champion of the order or that the statue was dedicated to one.
"So, tell us of your Order, Sir Elric, if you would be so kind." asked Balgarath.
"Certainly, though it is not so much a question of kindness as one of pride -- one of my many failings, I fear." Sir Elric replied. "The Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart is among the most prestigious of knightly Orders. It honors not only distinguished service in the name of the Church but also the wisdom of age. Due to the nature of our calling, so few paladins live to see their fortieth year... but Radiant Heart accepts nothing less."
"So the Radiant Heart is sort of a retirement home for paladins who have passed their prime, is that it?" asked Balgarath.
"Ha Ha." laughed Sir Elric. "Faith is not something from which you can retire, friend. It sparks your imagination and holds you forever in its passions. I am one of the lucky ones in that my body still serves. But when it fails me, as someday it must, then I shall offer myself up to the courts and teach nobles to use their power gently and with grace... Wisdom does not fade with age, my friend. If anything, it grows stronger. Now to get some much needed rest. The washrooms are to the east, the sleeping quarters to the west. If you need me you can find me in my person quarters to the north."
"Carloseus!" She approaches him and notes all the bandages. "You are going to have to tell us what happened to you, but by the looks of you, you still need rest. How about filling us in tomorrow, after we have all had a decent nights sleep?"
Sir Elric motions to where the wash rooms and sleeping quarters are and Cinara heads straight for the washrooms. The water feels so refreshing against her skin as she scrubs off as much of the grime and stench as possible, she allows herself a little extra time and then heads off to her room. She shakes out her clothing ridding it of dirt, slips into bed and falls fast asleep.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
A small, slender object bumped in to him and caused him to lose his thoughts. As his arm came around to catch it, he noticed it was none other than Cinara. He caught sight of her eyes and was lost for a moment and then tried awkwardly to get her equalibirium back in balance. As he stepped in to the main hall behind her and closed the door, he heard very slight shuffling of feet and a whisper of a closing door. He stepped aside to let the figure through.
No, he thought to himself, That man died there in the temple- how is it that he still lives? He became ashes before my very waking eyes...
But it was. It was Carloseus returned to them, though dark and sullen, and in obvious need of a good bathing and some rest.
Tel-Silgulwath glanced quickly behind him to find the healer that had saved his mind after the recoil of demonic magic in the battle against the wraith guardian in the subterranean temple city, but he was not there. He sighed and stalked quietly beside a wooden beam and leaned his weary back against it, holding his newly-acquired staff in the crook of his arm.
His eyes wandered to the figure Link but then quickly retreated as the man's eyes moved to acknowledge Tel-Silgulwath's vision. That man scares me, he thought quietly to himself, He seems like a wolf ready to pounce, should the opportunity arise. Smart and collective, and silent as a dark night, he could well prove to be the most dangerous in this party.
Sir Elric had been conversing with Belgarath for some time about the guild hall and its purpose, a Knightly Order. Sir Elric seems a good man and a strong warrior, but his nobility as a paladin might well also be the end of him, for with every good thing comes and equal yet opposite bad thing. One day pride might rear its ugly head, and I fear for that, for he is a good leader, and we might well be besides ourselves if we lose him.
He, he knows the magic of demons. Perhaps he will know the best about what I've gone through.
He stepped forward a bit too quickly and the step too long, and his body almost gave way under the soreness of his limbs and the pain stabbing all along the muscles of his being. He recovered, and made himself seen to the figure.
"You, what is your name?"
"I am Tel-Silgulwath, last of the Ennead, seeker of the forgotten and forbidden magicks."
The other continued to hold his gaze, something of his vision piercing the mage's very body. What manner of power does this man hold?