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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 2, 2017 18:07:13 GMT
sd: Sperling's notes indicated that Aisha had been sold to man called Talvar, Lord of the Folk of Havdan, a lord of Suthfryd whose lands were near to the Bay of Brego where near the border between that country and the devastated realm of Krygarland. armed with this information, they immediately prepared to set out north, convincing Ebrard to loan them a ship. King Sweryn Dragonslayer had declared war on Palania following the assassination of his eldest sons, which he claimed had been done by agents of the Virian Church, and therefore it would prove very difficult to arrive safely, although matters had recently quieted down - there were rumours that dragons had been sighted in Suthfryd, and whatever the truth of this, the Dragonslayer had certainly been required to move his armies north to the Endless Hills where they had fallen under heavy attack from the dragonspawn.
They were set to leave Phalen on 07 October 230. Since the fall of the Chief, East Phalen had been placed under military occupation and Ebrard was leading their forces against the remnants of the Chief's forces aboveground. They knew from Deoneath that battles were continuing below the city as well, and this would most likely continue for some time as the monsters knew the eastern Undercity far better than they and would find holes where they could hide. Their victory had nevertheless been thorough, and unlikely to be reversed, though it might be some time yet before East Phalen was safe for settlement.
In their own household, Atol of Parwick had nearly been slain in the fighting by a poisoned arrow, and was only saved by Dunstan's intervention. Their young friend had been very silent and seemingly exhausted in the days after their return, but the night before they were set to leave, he came into the common room where their guard captain sat drinking with some of his men. "Captain, I need a word with you," Dunstan said, firmly. He had a satchel sung over his shoulder
Atol, who was not yet fully recovered from the poison that had seeped into his thigh and left him with a limp, ignored the young lord and pretended not to have heard. To their surprise, rather than being put off, Dunstan walked forward and took hold of Atol's arm. "I said I need a word with you." Beomund: Beomund was understandably distracted, spending much of his time drumming his fingers and murmuring to himself as they waited for their chance to depart. He paid notice when Dunstan spoke so firmly to Atol, however, wondering what might have happened. Leofric: Leofric spent a week cloistered with a Seer to learn a new spell to sense life which their enemy Liche shown so useful. Meanwhile, he managed to get his new mail armour, now he had a proper strength to carry it, in case there is a dire reason that Beomund's protective spells no longer work. Still, he had some nightmares, a grim knowledge that they manage to defeat a demon prince, not knowing what else horrors there is. Never he thought, in his distant young past that he would face such horrors in a mere year. Now, what else would he and his best friends face in the furture. Beomund: edit: spending much of his time (when he wasn't repairing the valuable equipment that had been damaged in their battle with the demon) Leofric: He took a swig from a tankard of mead and studying his pale reflection as he went through various High Fryderi words. Leofric: EDIT: in his mind as he paid close attention as to what Dunstan have to say. He treated the return of his Shifting Blade joyfully like a long lost child and reaffirmed his promise to help Beomund to restore his love to him by any means necessary. sd: Atol stood up, and Dunstan led him aside to a small storage room. the men Atol had been drinking with exchanged glances and began to snicker and make low jokes - Synne's name formed on one of their lips. Hogar: Hogar's mind had accumulated more stress and cracks from their battle against the hideous demon-lord, and he looked to be growing more and more detached from his companions despite all the adventure spent together. Once again he invoked he magic of the horn of soothing to find some solace, spending nearly a week lethargic. When he fully awoke it was obvious the horn had done his mind much good, and he joined the others again. Like Beomund, he did seem interested in what had caused Dunstan to speak so boldly and directly to Atol - it was certainly not typical of him. Edmund: Edmund had spent his week dividing his time between exercising his bowmanship and his musicianship. He made sure to visit the injured and those who had been bereaved by the assaults, using his music to cheer and soothe, and also performed some of his new sagas and ballads. He was sitting quietly writing on a parchment when Dunstan came in and spoke as he did. Watching the two men leave, he turned angrily on Atol's drinking companions, ticking them off and telling them to make themselves useful for once. sd: Atol's men hastily departed, not wanting to risk any further rebuke from one of their employers. A few minutes later Atol and Dunstan emerged again. The guard captain had a bemused look on his face and his confusion was only heightened when he came back to find his companions gone. He limped over to his cup, drained it, and then headed out of the common room, while Dunstan strode over and took a seat next to Leofric. "I've got something for you before you go," he said, taking the stachel off his shoulder and putting it on the table. Leofric: Leofric eyed the stachel with keen interest and asked, "What is it? Dunstan" Edmund: Edmund also looked on with interest. sd: Dunstan reached into the satchel and pulled out a medium sized vial. Most of the exterior of the draught was lined with thick cloth to guard against breakage - through a small part of the neck that was uncovered they could see the liquid within was a sharp golden brown.
"I made these from the golden dust you brought back from the Old Forest," he said. "There was enough for half a dozen vials. I name these distllate of aethyr. They have a powerful effect and help clear the mind, but I'll warn you that they knock you back after you drink them for a few days. I thought I'd give them to you now as when you find Aisha, she might want one. I'd save it for the trip back though." Dunstan stuck the vial back in the satchel - they could see there was enough for one each, and a fifth for Aisha. Edmund: "That is truly wonderful," Edmund said in awe, gazing at the vials. "Thank you Dunstan." Beomund: Beomund cradled the satchel gently, resolve and gratitude on his face. "Truly. Thank you." Leofric: Leofric eyed the vials and nodded "I agreed with Ed on this." He breathed, "You have truly an amazing skill." Hogar: "Once again you prove yourself to be a man of exceptional ability, Dunstan. Thank you - our minds suffered quite a bit, and so did Aisha. We really appreciate this." said Hogar adding his words of appreciation to the other's sd: "You don't need to thank me," Dunstan said. "If you hadn't taken a chance on me years ago, I'd probably be dead by now. I promise you, they work. I drank the sixth, and have had no nightmares for the last week." Beomund: "As you deserve," replied Beomund. "As all of us deserve." Edmund: Edmund shook his head. "Dunstan you have justified our faith in you and repaid it a hundred-fold. I for one am proud to call you friend." sd: Dunstan blushed. "Thank you. You're the only friends I ever have had, but I don't mean to die that way. He might not want me as a friend, but at the least I won't allow Atol to leave because now he suddenly feels guilty because I saved his life." Beomund: Beomund smiled. "This household may not be conventional, but it has more loyalty than most." sd: "I won't be able to see you off in the morning," said Dunstan, "I need to meet with one of Ebrard's captains about salves he needs made, I've fallen behind after I took that potion but it was worth it. Farewell for now, my friends. I'm looking forward to meeting your wife." Dunstan clapped a hand on Beomund's shoulder. Beomund: Beomund grasped Dunstan's hand. "And I to introducing her." sd: it was a grey morning when they gathered on the southern docks. Captain Ebrard had one of the surviving warships, which had previously belonged to one of the Councillors assassinated in the Chief's attack, made ready for them. The Spear of the Sea was her name - she was smaller than most warships, with a smaller crew, but she was the sleekest, fastest of the vessels remaining that he could call upon. the Church's ships were moored further down, and they noticed a group of Silvered Blades, most newly arrived from Gastony, meeting with another set of knights as the party arrived. One of the Silvered Blades glanced in their direction, but he was then distracted by one of the newcomers and they rode away.
Though Dunstan could not be present, Synne and Atol had come with them, and a number of their friends were there already - Deoneath, Sigrun, Erlene, Wulfnoth, Sidwell and Annis were all waiting for them in the rain, along with a number of their retainers, several Soiled Sisters who were still in fighting shape after the battle at Docktown, and a few Bloodied Blades as well. Edmund: Edmund embraced Annis and greeted the others. sd: as they dismounted, Erlene ran towards them and flung her arms around Leofric who was nearest to her. "I'm sorry I won't be coming with you," she said, moving on to embrace Beomund. "I tried but the Council need me to help deal with stragglers east of the river. I promise you, if our business here is settled quickly I'll grab someone who can use mindspeech and head north as quickly as possible to find you." As she spoke, they saw Maccus ride up behind them - he had had business at the shelter and had not been sure if he could be there in time, but fortunately it seemed he had been able to make time. sd: *Bloodied Eyes! sd: "I've contacted a mage I know who's been exploring in Mollenmere," Sigrun said to Leofric. "He''s wintering in Fellney and will be near enough he can contact you if needed. If things get urgent, the Ring of Beasts have some druids on hand who can fly north, though I'm sure you'll be able to handle whatever Suthfryd throws at you." Beomund: Beomund returned Erlene's embrace and smiled at everyone who had come to see them off. "I thought I'd lost my purpose for a long time. Now that I have found her again, I realize how grateful I am for those who gave me another in the meantime." Edmund: Edmund embraced Erlene. "It would be good to have you with us again." sd: Synne approached Edmund as Annis kissed him enthusiastically. "My cousin has put me to work," Synne said. "There's three vacancies on the Council, and there's even word they may add new seats once East Phalen is resettled - two at least, maybe four more. A few lords are trying to fill them all at once, but that wouldn't do - they'd be refilled while you were still in the north. I'm setting them right, it's obviously a better idea to do this one at a time anyhow. As I'm not allowed to be a Councillor I suppose you'll have to do." Hogar: Hogar too was glad to see Erlene again "No matter where you will go, you will do great, we know it." he told her Leofric: Leofric nodded solemnly at Sigrun's words, "Hopefully. it won't come to that." He paused for a moment, "Thank you for all your help and I couldn't have a better teacher. Sigrun." Edmund: Edmund laughed out loud. "I think you would make a great councillor Synne! And if I do become a councillor I will do everything I can to enable women to take office." He looked around at Erlene, Annis and the other Soiled Sisters. "There are many here who would make as good, if not better job of it than men have so far!" Beomund: Beomund took time to bid farewell to each of his, recalling stories with those who'd fought beside him, thanking those who had taught him so much more about the world, and promising them all a happy reunion. Taking a step back, he watched his companions share embraces and words with them all, and the moment seemed to slow down, crystallizing as a memory to hold onto through the uncertain future. Laughter and comradeship were a light on these gray shores, as they had been a light through long gray months since he arrived in Palania. sd: "You're as likely to persuade the lords of Palania to hurl the great fucking useless lot of themselves into the ocean as that," Synne said with a grimace. "I'm likely to be a mother by the time you return, unless your time in Suthfryd goes very quickly. My father has been embarassing himself with stupidity - if it's a boy he's suggested I should name them for one of you three who...rescued...me," she said with a laugh. "But don't get any ideas. She'll be a girl, and I'll name her for Dunstan's mother." sd: Maccus, Sidwell, and Deoneath were conversing off to the side and pulled Beomund and Hogar over to join them. The Sisters had brought back hundreds of freed slaves from Docktown, and as yet they had nowhere to stay. Maccus had been pulling every string he could to find places for them, but as it was there were many who had been left without homes by the Chief's armies, and the Sisters' loot from Docktown was rapidly dwindling as they struggled to ensure those they had rescued were not thrown onto the streets as winter approached. Hogar: Hogar was no great speaker, never having had any skill of eloquence, but he thanked and praised all the people present for all the times they had helped him, Phalen and Palania as a whole as best as he could. Obviously he expected to return hale and healthy, believing that their voyage would be extremely unlikely to be more dangerous than their previous adventures. Beomund: "But I thought Hogarflaed would make a lovely name," replied Beomund to Synne.
When Maccus explained the situation with the freed slaves, he grew more serious. "We can of course spare coin." Leofric: Leofric met with the others, wishing them all the best and looking forward to a better frutures with them upon their return although privately the rumour of dragons doesn't bodes well. Still they managed to defeat the demon price of the darkest horror. sd: Maccus accepted Beomund's offer gratefully. "The Church are heartset that East Phalen will belong to settlers from Gastonland, but I believe the Council can be persuaded not to give in to such demands," he said. "I've already spoken with Wulfnoth, there are Changer folk who haven't taken root yet around Lake Spear who might wish to live in a city." Beomund: "That is wise, I think," said Beomund. "Leaving that much of the city to only Gastonlanders could lead to dangerous tension between East and West." Edmund: Edmund came over to Maccus. "If you have a word with Dunstan, I have given him charge of what wealth I possess. Please ask him for whatever is needed." Edmund: "I agree, the Changers would make good settlers here in Phalen, and we should ensure a population with less... narrow views," he added. Leofric: Leofric nodded with agreement, "Indeed, we seen how dangerous the people with narrow views can be," Edmund: "If I had my way I would see Phalen a shining light of civilisation and learning, drawing men and women from all lands," Edmund said, and a light shone in his own eyes as he thought of it. sd: Wulfnoth came to join them. "Our folk have served the Council well in the battles of the Plague Fields and the siege of Phalen," he said. "I've put a petition forward for the establishment of noble clans amongst our folk. Let the Church try to oppose the creation of the clan Ornolfing if they dare," the Elder smiled. "Beomund. Best of luck to you, but a word of advice as well. When you rescue your beloved, you may find things are not the same between you as they were. You have been apart for years in which you thought her dead, and most likely she thought the same of you. You have grown and I'm sure she has as well, though I worry that her road will have been darker than yours. Your past life is gone even though your wife is not, and you will need to find a new way to be together. You'll find it, though, of that I have no doubt. Remember that Change is the Way." Beomund: Beomund embraced Wulfnoth. "You speak the truth, of course. What she has gone through..." He gritted his teeth. "But for now it must be enough that she lives, and I have a chance to set her free. And even if things will never be the same for her, I think she will be glad to learn about your people, and fulfil the purpose she set out with." sd: Wulfnoth smiled. "Then go and bring her back, and I'll be happy to tell her anything she wishes to know." The first mate's head appeared at the prow of the ship and he shouted down that they were ready to cast off. Beomund: After one last farewell to his friends, Beomund boarded the ship and immediately saw what he could do to aid the crew in its work, eager to sail toward their goal. Leofric: Leofric gave his farewell and trundled up the gangway, ready for the long journey ahead Edmund: Edmund and Annis embraced tightly one last time. "It seems I will be staying in Phalen, so maybe we should consider our living arrangements when I return," he said quietly in her ear. "If you would like that." sd: "Of course," she said. "I'll speak to Sidwell and see what I can arrange. When I'm a Sister I won't be able to stay all the time of course, but I'm sure cousin Synne will be glad for the company." Hogar: After one last look at their assembled friends and another at his own equipment to ensure everything was in proper order, Hogar boarded the ship sd: the party boarded the Spear and set out with their friends bidding them farewell in the rain. They set out, and soon their adopted home was swallowed up behind them in a blanket of grey.
They sailed round the southwestern horn of Palania, passing through the very seas where, years before, Edmund, Hogar and Leofric had arrived in Palania. As they passed along the Forlorn Coast one bright morning, Leofric spotted the ruined house on Helven Hill where they had rescued Ealdorman Balnoth, mere hours after their shipwreck, and Edmund regaled Beomund and the crew with the tale.
On October 15, they arrived on the docks of Swithdun, where the Spear was going to restock before setting off the next day. they had settled down in an inn with a few drinks when a slender woman pushed past them and their table quite quickly and went out through the door. You whisper to Hogar: Hogar noticed that the woman had slipped a small piece of parchment out and wedged it under Beomund's plate Hogar: Hogar lightly tapped Beomund's leg with his own and laid his hand on the table, silently pointing at his plate as if to indicate there was something there. sd: a small piece of parchment had been wedged carefully beneath Beomund's plate, hidden from view. Beomund: Beomund nodded, then stood up and stretched, moving away from the table as if answering a call of nature. sd: the note read Meet me an hour before midnight and had directions to a small shack down on the banks of the Swithen. Beomund: Beomund returned to the table after checking the note, and placed it beside the others' drinks so they could read it without drawing attention. Edmund: Edmund was concerned. "We've had these kind of arrangements before. It could well be a trap." Leofric: Leofric narrowed his eyes at this news and smiled thinly, "Whatever we do, we should stick together, just in case." Hogar: "It could be a trap, or someone offering help, somehow. Or maybe she took an interest in you. We won't know unless we go there." Beomund: "I think it best we go," said Beomund, though he didn't seem entirely sure. "We can deal with ambushes, but if she has any important information we might regret avoiding her." Edmund: "Oh we have to go, but our eyes will be open," Edmund said with a grin. sd: they slipped up to bed and shut their doors, but rather than going to sleep, Edmund led them out through a servant's entrance and then they slipped outside through the stables. in the darkness they made for the shack, which was located on the riverbank beneath a muddy slope. There was a little sloop moored nearby and the nets hanging nearby revealed it as a fisherman's hut. The shack was set into the earth and had no windows, just a firepit and most likely a single chamber. Edmund: Edmund held his bow ready in case, and peered forward trying to see into the window. Beomund: Beomund approached the shack warily, but with his weapons not yet drawn. sd: Beomund knocked at the door, and the woman who had gone past them at the inn opened the door a crack. "Come in," she said. the smith caught a glance inside, and saw no sign of anyone else in the shack, nor anywhere he could see that they'd be able to hide. Beomund: Beomund turned to the others and nodded, and stepped inside. Edmund: Edmund lowered his bow and followed. sd: the woman was slender, young, and athletic, in her early twenties, with long, dark hair. She had an axe and a backpack propped against the far wall and spoke with the accent of the region around Middlemere - she sounded vaguely like Synne, had Synne been of common birth and less of a foul tongue. "A woman in Ceorlburh hired me ten days ago to deliver a message to you," she said. "I nearly killed my poor horse getting here before your ship. Don't ask me what the message is, by the way, or who the woman is, as I don't know either." The woman went over to her pack and pulled out a bundle, which she handed to Beomund. There was a sealed note on the front of the bundle, and other papers within. "I also was told to give you this separately," she added, and pulled out some kind of wrapped bottle which she gave the smith. Beomund: "I thank you for the service," said Beomund, taking the goods. "Get yourself some rest, and your horse too." He reached into his pouch to hand her some extra coin for the task. sd: "My horse is resting already, and I'll be staying here - the fisherman owes me a favour and so he let me stay the night," the messenger woman said, taking Beomund's coin. Beomund: "Good. I'll come back to you tonight if we have any message for you to bring on your return." Exiting the shack, he went to examine what he had received. sd: Beomund
I beg you to forgive me, for I've been a terrible friend. I didn't want to avoid you, but I would have fallen under suspicion if I'd not. Sorcery is a terrible sin - but abandoning a friend is a worse one, and when I learned of your quest my heart couldn't bear it any longer. I will throw caution away.
The Church has sent word to its agents that you're coming, and I believe they will be passing this information to the Dragonslayer. You cannot sail all the way to Suthfryd safely on the Spear - the Dragonslayer's navies will be looking for you. I've therefore arranged for another ship to meet you at Styrnes, where you'll make your last stop before reaching Suthfryd. You can use the Spear as a decoy.
I apologise for the cloak and dagger business, but I need some degree of deniability. As amends, I've included some documents I liberated when I was last in Prestenbroc. They are reports from certain knights who have fought in Krygarland, as well as spies in Suthfryd, which I hope you'll find useful. I've enclosed another gift as well, in recompense for drinks we should have shared.
the note was unsigned. Beomund: Beomund smiled as he read despite the danger he now knew they faced, and went to tell his friends what he had learned and examine the documents. Leofric: Leofric frowned at this news, "This is troubling." He eyed Beomound, "He is really a good friend." Edmund: Edmund smiled despite the disturbing news. "He has taken a risk to help us. A good friend indeed." Beomund: "I hope we will be able to share drinks in person, once this is all done," replied Beomund. sd: they returned back to the inn to examine the documents which Ser Kennald (they presumed) had sent them - their guess seemed even more likely when Beomund unwrapped the bottle to find a fine vintage of Sharran brandy. Beomund: Beomund opened the bottle and poured drinks for the four of them, as well as another for their absent friends and loved ones. "To the future," he toasted, before they set about examining the documents.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 9, 2017 16:33:34 GMT
sd: with Ser Kennald's warning in hand, they set out again from Swithdun the next day, explaining to the captain that they would be changing ships in Styrnes. As they sailed north, hugging the coasts of Peadaland and then up past the swamps of the Peadawash, they had time to read the thoroughly read the reports which Ser Kennald had stolen from Prestenbroc.
The most recent reports were at least six months old - Suthfryd was far away, and Krygarland, which King Sweryn had been annexing, had been a chaotic war zone for almost as long as the party had been present in Palania. The majority of the reports had been written by a Ser Thorwald of Virburg, although the most recent were in another, unnamed hand, and indicated that Thorwald had been slain. The Virian forces, unable to cooperate with King Sweryn due to his virulent hatred of their faith, had originally encamped at the ruins of Hereburh, but as this was too distant from the battlefield they had moved in more aggressively and taken the ruins of Tenworth in Krygarland's northern reaches. This had put them at the forefront of the battles, but had also risked them being entirely cut off from any route of escape, and shortly after Thorwald was slain they had retreated to the southeast.
Ser Thorwald had been one of the Virian commanders at Tenworth, and received regular reports from a spy at the Dragonslayer's court at Krogsager - whoever the spy was, it was clear they were no Virian, but gold could buy as many servants as faith. His reports were useful for understanding the military situation in the region - in the early days of the Krygarlander war, the bulk of the dragonspawn forces had come down out of the Old Mountains to the northeast, and this had been the reason for the Virians initial position at Hereburh which was near to here. The greatest Krygarlander town, Madumflod, had been sacked three years ago, and this, combined with the unwillingness of the Council to commit decisively to entering the conflict, had convinced King Sweryn to enter the war with the intent of bringing all of Krygarland beneath his command. He had reclaimed Madumflod and this had been where his sons were stationed prior to their assassination earlier in the year.
In recent years, however, the dragonspawn forces had been emerging more from the northern regions of the Endless Hills. A year and a half ago were the first sightings of dragons - three had been spotted altogether, a black, a red, and a blue. The red and blue had generally been seen together, while the black was a more solitary hunter. It had been the sighting of these monsters which had caused the Dragonslayer to head north, leaving the eastern command to the Princes. Now the raging war in Krygarland had somewhat subsided, though there were still significant dragonspawn forces near Haltengar and Tenworth, and the principal battles were being fought in the great expanse of hills between Krygarland and Suthfryd.
In reading the reports, it became apparent that many things were being left unsaid. They noted a particular pattern where Ser Thorwald sent small groups of knights out on 'special operations'. Following his death, the scribe who succeeded him referenced one of these groups in a report, when they had returned to find their commander dead. The warriors had numbered four, and to the scribe's discomfort had included a Palanian woman and two foreigners - a Virian convert from Cirenz in Tonelda, and a Fryderi eunuch. The scribe had only learned the name of their leader, a Gaston knight who named himself Ser Hengest, and as soon as he learned that Ser Thorwald was dead he had apparently treated the scribe with contempt and refused to explain their business to him.
Though these reports were intriguing, the most important piece of news they learned was buried deep in a letter from the spy at Krogsager. About nine months ago, it seemed, the Lord of the Folk of Havdan had been slain by the dragonspawn without an heir, and the man had been in considerable debt. Therefore his steward, Arvid, had arranged an auction amongst his property, particularly his slaves, who were much admired for being gathered from distant lands. Sperling's notes had named Lord Talvar as the very man to whom Aisha had been sold - if he was dead, it was possible she may have been sold on to any lord in Suthfryd, or even further abroad. The steward Arvid was the man most likely to know her location, and another report from the Virian spy mentioned that following his lord's death Arvid had gone east to provide logistical support for the Dragonslayer's armies in Krygarland. Beomund: "To Krygarland, then," said Beomund. His disappointment that they would have to follow yet another lead before finding Aisha was palpable, but so was his continued determination. The other news, of war and dragons, barely seemed to register. Edmund: Edmund was not so single-minded. "Three actual dragons?" he muttered. Hogar: "As if the thought of one would not be worried enough."said Hogar Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Someone somewhere will most certainly have some informations it is worth a risk. The war and the dragons doesn't bodes well however." sd: the reports they had seen indicated that the dragonspawn fought under their familiar symbol, the five-pointed star within a seven-pointed star, the latter with two blackened points which they knew represented the slain Dragon Gods. Of the inner star, the golden point was on the bottom right - from the notes in Manehtar's Library, they knew this was the symbol of Terithrax, the Dragon Whose Craft is Boundless. Terithrax was the Dragon God who had granted the dragonspawn the gift of necromancy, the patient dragon who hoarded ancient lore in search of magical secrets. It did not seem likely to them that this God would choose to manifest physically as his impatient brothers, Ancalagon and Caragaur, had done to their deaths, so at least, it seemed, that whatever dragons had been seen in the skies above Suthfryd and Krygarland, they were ordinary ones - insofar as any dragon could be deemed ordinary, at any rate. Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment, "Hopefully, we won't run into them!" He muttered Edmund: "It would be interesting to know what kind of dragon gained the Dragonslayer his title," Edmund mused. Hogar: "We could do good by slaying them, actually, if we had the chance. " said Hogar commenting Leofric's words - almost as if he wished to face the dragons sd: they sailed north, past the swamps of the Peadawash and the ruins of Peadingas which the High King Peada had briefly thought to make a capital for all of Palania, but had quickly declined after his death. They continued on, and on 19 October 230 they arrived at the village of Styrnes on the lonely coasts of western Palania.
Styrnes Weapontake was an unusual one, isolated and distant from other settlements. Some three generations ago, a group of pirates had made their base there, from which they could raid in many directions - south towards Peadaland, north into the Bay of Brego, or northwest into Suthfryd, which in thtose days had been known under its old name of Krogenland. It had been in the days of these pirates that many bands of Fryderi settlers, emerging from Fryddenland proper, had come and made Krogenland their home. Within a generation they had come to outnumber the Gastons of Krogenland, and a great Fryderi war captain had wed the daughter of the Ealdorman of Krogsager and crowned himself as King of South Fryddenland. There had been much intermarriage in the years since, and the greatest part of the people of Suthfryd now showed clear Fryderi descent, however others, unwilling to live amongst those who did not share their gods and customs, had fled across the bay to join with the pirates of Styrnes.
Their descendents lived a smaller life - smugglers, intermediaries in the slave trade, and petty criminals. According to the Captain of the Spear, the Ealdorman of Styrnes paid secret tribute to the Dragonslayer, as otherwise, since the declaration of war, there would have been little to defend them from any Suthfryderi navy that might come to raze their town. From a great distance they could smell the settlement's pungent aroma of fish and guts, and feel salt upon their faces. The banners of Styrnes showed a gull in flight upon a field of blue, clutching a dead herring in its talons. Beomund: Beomund eyed the town warily as it came into their view, wrinkling his nose at the smell. "I hope we don't have to spend long here." Edmund: "You get used to it in time I'm sure," Edmund said with a grin. "I doubt the inhabitants smell it any more." sd: they had expected that whomever Kennald had arranged to meet them in Styrnes would contact them directly. Instead, to avoid notice, they spoke with the Captain of the Spear quietly, and they arranged a handover. Rather than the party going with their new ship straight out of Styrnes, the Spear would take them north for another day, and then their new ship would meet up with them and they would arrange for the party to switch while they were at sea, so any Church spies that might be in Styrnes would not see. the Spear could then continue on towards Suthfryd to act as a decoy for the Dragonslayer's navies, while the party headed up the Bay of Brego towards the ruins of Haltengar - not a safe place by any means, but one where they could enter Krygarland unseen. Beomund: After learning of the plan, Beomund gave another private toast to Ser Kennald for finding them such a useful contact. "If it would not be blasphemy to him, I'd ask you to contact him with my thanks using your magic, Leofric," he said after draining his cup. Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Maybe once we are on our way back, I can pass on the message at least," He agreed java.lang.NullPointerException error executing expression /i. sd: in the morning they set out again and continued up the coast towards the rocky Bay of Brego. On 21 October 230, they were overtaken by a Fryderi ship, the Hope of Tornemarke, which Ser Kennald had hired for them. The captain was half-Fryderi, half-Gaston, with his mother hailing from the largest remaining Gaston settlement in Suthfryd, Wuffingas on the south coast. He had spent many years doing the circuit around the Bay of Brego, and knew those waters better than any captain of Phalen. Under cover of darkness, the party boarded a skiff and moved across to their new ship. After giving the Spear time to set out ahead of them to draw off any of the Dragonslayer's ships, they continued on. sd: with the Captain of the Hope taking the helm, they sailed north, hugging to the eastern coasts of the Bay of Brego. The dragonspawn, at least, had not mastered the sea, but more than once they saw sign of them to the east, moving in small bands with their undead. These lands, unable to be held by either side in Krygarland's ongoing devastation, had become a waste.
Beomund and Hogar provided muscle on the oars and helped out their crews, while Edmund gave musical encouragement with song and drum. Leofric found some maps of the region among the notes Ser Kennald had sent them and surprised even the experienced captain with information about the location of inlets and hidden coves, while Beomund read the skies and predicted the weather for the next few days, allowing them to take cover before a sudden breaking storm that might have otherwise spelled their doom.
On 25 October 230 they began to draw near to Haltengar. There were several ships loyal to Suthfryd nearby, which flew the Dragonslayer's banner, a bloody dragon's claw upon a golden field, and to get by them they would need to sail at night. To aid with this, Leofric used a spell of darkvision on the captain, first mate, and several other vital sailors, while Hogar laboured tirelessly to bail water from the hull. Edmund gave a speech to encourage the men and calm their nerves, and before the sun could rise the sleek ship was able to knife through towards the wreckage of the harbour. Fearing hidden rocks or dragonspawn traps, the Captain sent Hogar out to swim ahead of them, to find the safest way and ensure they didn't run aground here.
Haltengar had been a ruin even before the coming of the dragonspawn - King Sweryn's grandfather had razed the town to prevent it from being used as a staging ground for raids on the shores of Suthfryd, especially those which were encouraged by Gastons dissatisfied with Fryderi rule and who still named themselves Krogenlanders. Krygarlanders had reoccupied the place briefly following the fall of Madumflod, hoping to set sail for Suthfryd and safety, but the dragonspawn had seized it before this could come to fruition. It had changed hands several times since, before finally the dragonspawn, finding it indefensible, had torn down all its defences and left it unoccupied. As they entered a skiff and prepared to head towards the shore, they could already see grim cages hanging up, filled with human remains - for those too infirm or too young to be useful as reanimated servitors, they could instead serve their conquerors as messages of warning to those who would try to defy them. Leofric: Leofric eyed the dire remains, suspicious of the dangers that must lurks in these dark fallen ruins. Beomund: "An ill-fated land," said Beomund. "But its misfortune provides our chance." Hogar: "We have seen far worse. There is hope even for places like this."commented Hogar sd: the party rowed up silently to the battered quay. they had been given a second, slightly larger boat containing their horses, who clustered together with Edmund and Leofric keeping an eye on them and speaking soothingly to them. As Hogar and Beomund landed, the Bloodied Eye tied the skiff to the moor and took a step out of the vessel. As soon as he did, there was a loud roar and a great burst of flame that shot out, engulfing Hogar and Beomund and their boat sd: Hogar leapt aside, arrowing down smoothly into the water. Beomund did not have time to react as he was still standing - fortunately the spell wasn't powerful enough to penetrate his magical protection. Edmund and Leofric were able to calm their skittish mounts and with this excitement out of the way, they were able to set down on the quay. By now the spell Leofric had used at sea to grant vision in the darkness had faded - Hogar, gripping the Darkling Axe, had no issue, but for the others it was still dark and another two hours remained before sunrise. sd: the scorched remains of a rune of fire lay nearby, disturbed where Hogar had stepped out Beomund: "Hopefully merely a remnant of old defenses," said Beomund, wiping soot from his face. Hogar: "Not the best of welcomes."said a dripping Hogar, having quickly gotten out of the water and looking glad to see Beomund too was unhurt Leofric: Leofric nodded as he recasted the spell that grants them not only darkvision but echolocation to sense any dangers again. Leofric: "Will try sense spells and life in this dark area" He muttered as he once again went on other string of spells You whisper to Leofric: he cast several spells. he noted no life whatsoever within Haltengar, though considering the dragonspawn's fondness for undead servitors, this was of only limited relief.
he noticed two tastes which were quite familiar - several burning sensations, traps similiar to that which Hogar had just set off, and a dark, rotten taste which he had noted before where there were dark spirits that might assail the mind and soul - he thought it would not be too hard to simply avoid triggering these as he could now detect them.
of much greater concern was a new and unusual sensation. it was like the purest mead, a taste he knew was that of raw magical energy itself. halfway down his throat, however, it turned sour and he felt bile in his stomach. it was some manner of sickness, he thought, one that was specifically triggered by the casting of magic - which, he realised with alarm, he had already done twice since they landed. this sensation was emanating from several spots, one of which was here upon the harbour, though the strongest emerged from somewhere near the centre of town. Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment, "There are no life in the town although there may be undead people. However." He looked queasy, "There are traps which been triggered by casting of spells so be careful! It is causing some kind of sickness within me. There are also few dark traps so we can avoid them, now I can sense them." He went over to a location where the trigger based on magic cxasting is Beomund: "We'll have to move more slowly than I'd like, then, to be cautious," said Beomund, looking ill at ease. Leofric: Leofric paled as he studied this and told others on what he realised, "This is really nasty one, it is called Aethyric Blight. After a day of contracting it, one can suffer a loss in their power and can be contagious to others. This effect will happen every week and one can suffer great pain and sickness. Worse, I could become a trigger for this blight and anyone else casting a spell near me can contract it as well." Edmund: Edmund looked horrified. "What can be done Leo? Surely there is a way to stem this?" Hogar: "It is a blight indeed for one such as you."said Hogar grimly "Perhaps destroying the source might help?" Beomund: "I have no doubt you have the strength to overcome this blight, Leofric," said Beomund. "But we must take every precaution." Leofric: Leofric frowned for a moment, thinking on a solution, "I could try treat myself by my own skill or we can try destorying the source. I can sense it near the centre of town." Edmund: "And we'll avoid triggering it only if we don't use magic?" Edmund asked him. Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Indeed, for now." He focused on himself, muttering some kind of words. After a time, he shook his head warily, "No, I can't beat it for now. Prehaps the best thing is to find the source instead. Please do not cast any spells while in this damned city." Beomund: "We must do that then, if we can," said Beomund. "I don't like the thought of leaving here with you still suffering this curse." sd: they went on towards the end of the quay. in a cage there they saw a skeletal figure with only one leg - knowing from Leofric's spell that this would trigger a trap, they avoided it and left the quay, climbing up towards a street. As they reached the top of the steps, they looked down and noticed a huge claw mark dug deep into the wood. The indentations of each claw were as large as a greatsword, the span from the first of the seven claws to the last so long that their warhorses could stand entirely within it. One of the dragons had been here, though, at least, they thought uneasily, enough time had passed since then that the wood around the claw marks had begun to be affected by the weather and the marks were slightly warped. Edmund: Edmund gazed at the marks and estimated the size of the dragons. "Hard to imagine how one would take down something that enormous, but there must be ways." Leofric: Leofric eyed the marks and wondered, "We had learned much about the dragons though." Beomund: "Siege engines were trouble enough during the war," said Beomund. "And those could not fly." Hogar: Hogar looked at the size of the marks, suitably impressed. "Manehtar did, remember "he commented on Edmund's words "If it came to that, I'm sure we could at least put up a good fight - as long as Leofric was cured" Leofric: Leofric nodded, "That is a prioirty. Otherwise, I would be useless in this aspect at least" He looked gloomly. Edmund: "We will find the source and destroy it Leo!" Edmund declared. sd: they set out through the pitted wreckage of Haltengar. it took some effort to avoid the many fire and curse traps the dragonspawn had left - Leofric disarmed one of the former, but otherwise they avoided them entirely, as Leofric could sense their locations due to his magic.
they came finally near to the centre of Haltengar. there were cages there, above a grille leading down into a sewer, but they noticed that they were empty, and Leofric sensed no magic from them - only the source of the Aethryic Blight in the sewer below. Beomund knelt nearby and noticed some faded tracks very similar to those their warhorses left - he thought them at least a month old, and only the faintest imprint could still be seen. Hogar, examining the cages, noticed that the runes which would have triggered cursed spirits upon them had been struck out, and there were faint scratches upon them. One marking, quite clear, was the Prophet's Star. Hogar: "A Virian may have done this."said Hogar "Perhaps the same person who had the magical skill to remove the runes..." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Maybe a member of the Tainted Ones even." Beomund: "Let's hope whoever it is hasn't spread this Blight more widely," said Beomund. Leofric: Leofric looked merely alarmed at that, "I wonder..." He eyed the sewer, "Not going to smell nice but at least we can see in the dark for now."£ Edmund: "Hopefully it won't have been used recently so will be relatively clean!" Edmund suggested. Beomund: "After Styrnes, I don't know how it could be worse," said Beomund sd: Edmund was right - the town having been unoccupied save for brief periods in the last forty years, there was only a slight musk left to fill their nostrils. Glancing down in the dark, they noticed there had, previously, been two fire runes there, but both were already disarmed. they descended, and soon found themselves heading towards a small, squat square chamber, easily located by another empty cage in front of it. within the chamber was a great dark sphere, suspended in the air, set with dragonspawn writings, surrounded by a great magical circle of other runes. Leofric could sense that this was the source of the Aethyric Blight - if they could destroy the sphere then Leofric might be able to free himself of his sickness, though if they failed, they would all risk infection in turn. Several of them noticed there were spots in the dust around the circle which seemed to indicate someone had knelt there, as if studying the runes, though whoever it had been had clearly left without any attempt to destroy the sphere Leofric: Leofric narrowed his eyes, "What a horrible magic." Beomund: "Our knowledge is likely greater than that of the Tainted Ones, or whoever it was who came before," said Beomund. "We can destroy this thing." sd: they set to work. channelling raw magical energy, they knew, could have some effect here, but would risk infecting anyone who did so with the Blight - therefore Leofric, who was already infected, used his magic while the others began to examine the circle. They went among the runes, carefully examining them, taking out quills and adding strokes to their arcane markings, changing runes of triggering to those of neutralisation, runes of destruction to those of healing and recovery. when the great circle was defeated, each took up a point around the dark sphere, and put out their hands. It was an effort of great will to place their hands on that sphere, which was sickly and oily to the touch. it roiled beneath their hands, but they put their wills forth, sweating with exertion. Finally Leofric spoke words of power, calling upon the name of God, and with a sickening sound the sphere folded in on itself, gave a last squelching noise, and vanished from existence. Leofric felt the sickness within him again, and he felt his constitution rally, driving the illness from his body as its source was driven from this plane.
As they recovered, they examined the marks on the ground again, where someone had knelt. They realised with some discomfiture that Beomund's assessment had probably been incorrect - whoever had been here before had, they thought, most likely had the knowledge needed to end the source of the Blight, but had consciously chosen not to. Indeed, from where they had knelt, they thought that if anything they had been studying the runes, to better understand or perhaps even copy them. Beomund: Beomund's eyes widened at the realization. "The Tainted Ones... of course they would seek to use something like this. It could be a might weapon against magic and mage-kind. We'll need to warn the Conclave and the Changers, and see if some defense might be developed." Edmund: "And warn them as soon as possible," Edmund added. Leofric: Leofric nodded with agreement, "This is truly the highest level of hypocrisy here." He smiled slightly, "Still, I am glad that I am feeling better." Edmund: "So are we!" Edmund gave his companion an affectionate and rather cautious slap on the shoulder. Hogar: "It would have been terrible for you to lose your magical talent because of this." said Hogar smiling at Leofric's recovery Beomund: Beomund smiled back, setting aside worry about the Blight for now. "After all we've been through, you wouldn't be defeated by some disease, even a magical one." Leofric: Leofric smiled once again, "At least we manage to prevent this and have a better chance of sensing this blight in case there are unfortunate people with such blight. I suppose we need to move on now." sd: with the source of the Blight defeated, they were able to depart from Haltengar as the sun rose - the path out had fewer magical traps, in part, they thought, because some had been dispelled by the Tainted Ones or whoever had been here to examine the source of the Blight. As they set out, Edmund, Leofric and Hogar discussed amongst themselves about some of the works of history they had read, and eventually from these recalled references from old works about the wars against the dragonspawn which had been fought in Gastony prior to the foundation of the Virian Way. Some of these had mentioned curses that specifically targetted priests of the old Gaston gods and then spread through their communities from there - though they had not said so specifically, it seemed possible to them that these had been similar forms to the Aethyric Blight, striking down anyone who could use magic within a village and then proving contagious to others - although the Blight's principal effect was to drain magical power, Leofric had thought that, once infected for enough time, one would grow sick and agonised as well. Edmund: Edmund looked grim. "It seems cruelty was the intention as much as preventing magic. What kind of people create such a weapon?" Beomund: "It doesn't surprise me that dragonspawn may have created it," replied Beomund. "But men are perfectly willing to use it." Edmund: "It must be stopped," Edmund said. sd: leaving Haltengar, they rode north along the eastern bank of the Kryger. all along the western bank they could see hasty fortifications which had been erected by the forces of Suthfryd, with King Sweryn's banner flying everywhere. The eastern bank below Madumflod was disputed territory, but here the party could ride in relative safety - the dragonspawn would not risk coming near to the Suthfryderi positions save in great number, while the party could remain hidden and ride with confidence that if spotted, the Suthfryderi would know them for human beings and, at least most likely, be unwilling to risk crossing simply to encounter them.
On the second day since leaving Haltengar, they came to a great bend in the Kryger river. This forced them somewhat to the east, and, spotting that a Suthfryderi patrol was crossing the river, they diverted several miles east through that day. As they rode, they saw more signs of human habitation than any elsewhere - indeed there were tracks they thought may have been made in the last few days at several points in their ride.
At mid-day, they crested a hill and Beomund looked out and to a high plateau. Their eyes followed his and they were astonished. Upon the plateau was a camp of people, perhaps three hundred in total, men, women and children, dressed in a manner they recognised as similar to the Krygarlander refugees they had met in Mollenmere years before. They, however, were not what drew their attention. In the centre of the plateau there lay a great carcasse. Its black wings were of such a span they could have shrouded their Phalen manorhouse in shadow; its lidded, closed eyes larger than their torsos; its great maw so large that their warhorses could have ridden straight down its gullet. Where the dragon's great body had fallen, a huge rent had been riven in the earth, sinking the great belly down. From this distance, they could see no sign of what could have felled the dragon - certainly the refugees, armed only with swords and light bows, would not have been able to pierce its mighty scales. Leofric: Leofric eyed a dead dragon carcasse and looked surprised, "I would never thought that I would see a dragon I wonder who or what slayed a dragon?!" Beomund: "Amazing," murmured Beomund. "But I wonder even more where they have gone, and why they would leave the body." Edmund: "Maybe it died of natural causes," Edmund said with a short laugh. Hogar: Hogar looked at the dragon's body for a few seconds before speaking. "Or it could have been killed by another dragon, perhaps."he replied to Edmund's joke Edmund: "That's a possibility, or have been fatally injured somewhere else and flown here before it dropped? We could ask those people what they know of it?" Edmund suggested. Leofric: Leofric looked intrested, "Well, let see what they say." Edmund: Edmund guided his horse ahead of the others, so that he could speak to the people and try to calm them. sd: they had expected those around the dragon's body to react badly and see them as enemies, but far from this they were all too eager to come towards them and tell them what they knew. "You've seen, haven't you?" a young woman in her early thirties with fiery hair asked them, her hand sweeping towards the fallen dragon. "It's a great miracle, I saw it fall with my own eyes! We all saw it! The terrible beast slain by the mighty hand of the Dragonslayer!" Edmund: "How did he kill it?" Edmund asked. sd: "He?" the woman laughed wildly. "No, we were saved by a woman, not a man! The great Dragonslayer is a woman! We were under attack by the dragonspawn and then the beast came down from the sky, but she and her friends rode out to meet it! I saw the Dragonslayer slay the beast with her mighty blade!" Edmund: "Forgive us but we have never seen the Dragonslayer in person," Edmund said. "What is she like?" sd: "She is quite young, younger than me, perhaps older than you. She rode out to meet the dragon, its breath slew her horse but she leapt from the saddle and drove her blade straight into its throat! When it had died the dragonspawn fled in terror and we were saved! She and her friends taught us many things, about the true God and His Prophet who arose in the south. Most of us went east with her, but we have remained here to protect this holy site until she returns. No matter what happens, no matter who threatens us, we have all sworn to serve her. Whatever steel or fire or torment comes upon us, we will serve Aeschild Dragonslayer until our last breaths." Edmund: Edmund exchanged looks with his companions. "May we examine the dragon? We have not seen one this close before, alive or dead." sd: "Of course you can! I would that everyone in the world could see this, so they would know the power of the Dragonslayer," the woman beckoned them to follow, and the rest of her group formed a circle around the party. Leofric: Leofric nodded as he listened to the woman's story, "Very impressive indeed." Leofric: He went close to the dead dragon and have a look at the sight carefully. Beomund: "We too follow the God of the Dragonslayer," said Beomund as they walked. "Tell me, did she speak of magic?" Hogar: "She must be a formidable woman." said Hogar as they followed, obviously interested in seeing more of the dragon's body from up close Edmund: Edmund moved forward to look closely at the dragon's body. "I don't see how one person could just kill it with a sword, however good they are," he muttered to Leo and Hogar. sd: the woman spat. "She did. She told us we must abjure the tainted power with all the force of will that we could muster. There were some amongst us who served our old gods who had such tricks - we would have killed them, but the Dragonslayer told us to stay our hands, and she and her friends took them aside to speak with them. They went with her and the greater number of us when they went towards the mountains." Hogar: "Perhaps the dragon had been weakened or the blade enchanted." whispered Hogar when he had was confident the woman could not hear Edmund: "Weakened by spells most likely," Edmund lowered his voice even further. sd: they rode up to the plateau. The camp was laid out around the body of the dragon, as if it were a place of reverence - which for these people, they supposed, it was, the living embodiment of their deliverance.
Whatever the enthusiastic woman had told them, it seemed it had taken more than a single sword-stroke to slay the dragon - there were five javelins buried in the scales around its neck, and another had struck its right wing - perhaps this had forced it to land. Beomund recognised that the javelins were of the make of Gastony. There was a single great gash in its neck from where a two-handed sword had been buried all the way up to its hilt, dealing the killing blow. The black blood had dried and they guessed the creature had been dead for at least a month, however its heavy, acrid smell still hung heavy over the area, shrouding the whole camp like incense sd: "Her blade is a mighty one, nearly as tall as she is!" the woman explained enthusiastically. "It's set with sapphires and has a golden hilt, and I swore that when she swung it, the length of it gleamed like ice. It was the most magnificent and sacred thing I shall ever see, I know it." Beomund: "Frostbite," said Beomund. "Just the sort of weapon that can slay a dragon." sd: "It is a great sword, but greater is the arm that swung it!" the woman cried. "She has ridden away for now on a great errand, but she will return to us, I know it! It's our destiny! It's foreordained that the power of Aeschild Dragonslayer will spread, and for the world to be shaped in accordance with her will." the woman's eyes shone with fire as she spoke. Edmund: Edmund tried not to let his concern at the woman's reaction show. "Would it be possible to take a scale from the dragon, so that we may bear witness to others what has happened here?" Leofric: dang sd: "No!" the woman cried immediately. Those surrounding the party reacted angrily, but Edmund repated his request, emphasising that this would better allow them to spread the tale of the Dragonslayer's power. "Very well. A single scale should be fine, but no more than that." sd: Hogar took out the Darkling Axe and was able to hack off a scale with several hacks - he deliberately didn't put all his might into it, so that they wouldn't grow suspicious if he cut one off in one blow, though he wasn't sure he could have managed that anyhow. A dark scale the size of a human palm fell off at Edmund's feet, and the bard knelt to take it. "Come, you should eat with us, and we can tell you about the might of the Dragonslayer and what she has taught us!" the woman cried. Edmund: Edmund smiled and thanked the woman graciously, accepting her offer.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 17, 2017 15:41:48 GMT
sd: the camp of Krygarlanders had a great fire lit near the dead dragon's tail, and the party gathered round here. Their food was scanty, mostly birds which had been shot down as they fled south for the winter - the devastation of Krygarland for the past three years had left little in the way of vegetation, and the great majority of the livestock had either already been slaughtered or else been driven west of the river by King Sweryn's men. Their hosts were gaunt folk who had clearly grown used to surviving on little. When they looked at the party, at any rate, they seemed hungry less for food than for knowledge - having recognised Edmund as a bard, he in particular was bombarded with requests to sing to them of the saints and heroes of the Virian Way. The survivors had all thrown away their old faith and converted to the Way, but Aeschild Dragonslayer had been amongst them for only a few days and she and her companions had had time only to teach them certain rudiments of the religion they now devoted their lives to. Edmund: Edmund willingly drew out his flute, but he thought a good deal about what he should play and present to them. Plainly the Heroes of the Plague Fields would not be well received. He carefully chose pieces which would emphasise the duty of Virians to bring peace and care for others. sd: having spent many years living in a region devastated by war, the Krygarlanders were only too pleased to hear songs about peace, though clearly they expected this to be on the basis of reclaiming their land and driving out both the dragonspawn and the anti-Virian forces of King Sweryn, who they named the false Dragonslayer. "When the real Dragonslayer returns from the mountains, she will deal with him," said the woman they were speaking to earlier, who had introduced herself as Domneva. Beomund: "Pray tell, what claim does this false Dragonslayer make about his run-ins with dragons?" asked Beomund. "And do most believe him?" Leofric: Leofric knowing that making a large number of people angry with the group can be fatal, he nodded solemnly, "Still, I am glad that you have been saved and look forward to such eventuality." sd: "He uses the name because it sounds more impressive than 'Dragonspawnslayer', which I could claim for myself," Domneva scoffed. Beomund: Beomund chuckled. "Indeed. I doubt he will be happy that someone else felled this beast." sd: "After the Dragonslayer came, King Sweryn's forces retreated back west of the river, though there's still some on the eastern bank north of Madumflod," said Domneva. "The dragonspawn won't come near to us either. God willing, we'll be safe until the Dragonslayer returns." Hogar: "This Aeschild sounds truly formidable - a woman blessed by God. No surprise Sweryn would be afraid of her." said Hogar Leofric: "What about her companions?" He asked curiously, "What are they like?" sd: "She had a dozen riders with her, though some went north rather than east," said Domneva. "She had three who were always with her and were her friends. The one we spoke to most was the Gastonlander, Ser Hengest, who taught us most about the Virian Way. There was also a Fryderi eunuch, Geir, and a red-haired man called Aodhán who came from a city I've never heard of before. To tell God's truth, I couldn't understand a word he said," Domneva looked slightly embarassed. sd: Domneva thought a moment and added, "Indeed, there were quite few Gastonlanders among them altogether. I think most of them had converted as we did." Edmund: "A Fryderi eunuch..." Edmund raised his eyebrows and looked significantly at Leo. sd: "They're fond of such in the Fryderi lands," said Domneva. "They're supposed to be cowards and sorcerers, but Geir is a stalwart man. Three of the javelins that struck the dragon were his." Edmund: Edmund said nothing, holding in his anger at the Tainted Ones who attacked magic while happy to make use of it for their own ends. Leofric: Leofric responded to Ed's glance with a knowing glance. sd: they were eventually able to extricate themselves enough from Domneva to try asking subtle questions around the camp about King Sweryn's forces, and to learn if any of them might be aware of the location of the former steward, Arvid, who might know to whom Aisha had been sold. This wasn't easy - apart from the fact that he was not a well-known person, the Krygarlanders were difficult to talk to about anything other than the Dragonslayer or their new-found faith. Eventually, however, Edmund was able to stumble across one man whose zeal seemed rather lacking - as it happened, he had only recently stumbled into the camp, and had not been present when the Dragonslayer had rescued them. "I used to be a warrior, so when the war broke out I served the Dragonslayer...the one who's a king, I mean," he said. "I was selling my sword to them until a month back when I decided to get out, I'd heard one of the dragons had fallen and thought whoever had killed it might be able to pay more. Anyhow, my captain had a quartermaster called Arvid, they were one of the forces that stayed east of the river after the dragon died. They were about halfway between Madumflod and Tenworth when I left them, guarding the fords up that way." Edmund: Edmund reported back to the others on what he had found out. Beomund: Beomund thanked him for his work. "As good a lead as we're likely to get here, I think." Leofric: "Yes." Leofric agreed, "Time to move on quickly." sd: the party bid Domneva and the other converts farewell and set out north. Knowing now that their quarry was most likely on the eastern bank, rather than trying to cross and risking King Sweryn's forces on the west bank, they simply rode north, keeping the river within sight. For a time at least they could move without great fear, for the dragonspawn, as Domneva had suggested, were giving the survivors' camp a wide berth - dragonspawn did not frighten easily by any accounts, but fallen dragons were one of the few things that might make them contemplate their own mortality. Beomund: "If we run into any dragonspawn patrols, we might show them the scale and put the fear into them," suggested Beomund. Leofric: Despite such ease with fewer enemies in the region, Leofric is still keep a wary eye for any potential dangers since he already been burnt once by terrible dragon's magic which virtually made him potentially powerless. "I wonder what is that Aeschild's goal is? Considering she went up into the mountains, I am wondering if there is a wyrd she is hoping to take advantage of." Hogar: "Hopefully they won't think about avenging the scale's owner instead."smiled Hogar, obviously agreeing with Beomund's suggestion Leofric: Leofric's eyes look wonderous, "I wonder if we can awakening it for our use..." sd: they rode north as fast as they could, tearing across the countryside, passing endless ruined villages and farms, and here and there large groups of Krygarlander survivors heading south. The two groups they passed, each a little over fifty people in size, wouldn't allow them near enough to ask any questions, firing warning arrows in their direction when they came close, so they skirted past these - the presence of the armed groups was at any rate a safeguard against dragonspawn. Nonetheless, Edmund and Hogar made sure they kept under cover as they went - survivors of war were not noted for their kindness, and some might decide their weapons and arms were worth a fight to take.
Leofric and Hogar rode ahead as outriders and the party went on down the paths the scribe located for them, while Beomund found them sheltered places when they needed to rest. Knowing they needed to push on as quickly as possible, as they came nearer to their quarry they rode through the night, with Leofric's spell of darkvision on their mounts preventing them from stumbling. The scribe sent his own senses ahead of them, eventually locating, about a day's ride to the north beyond a ruined village, a camp of perhaps two hundred soldiers surrounded by a wooden pallisade.
they went on more warily, with Beomund taking on the form of a bird and flying ahead of them as a scout for a time. He located a ruined village ahead of them, and as he looked down he noticed there had been a group of horsemen who had ridden there from the Fryderi camp to the north. Coming down to report this to the party, he found them cresting a tall hill overlooking the ruins. You whisper to Hogar: looking down towards the ruined village, Hogar heard a sudden sound that he recognised well - a clash of steel. Looking down, he caught a quick glimpse of a fight - a group of men in King Sweryn's colours, battling against footmen who were dressed in the Krygarlander style, and, alongside them, several figures mounted on very large horses. The latter group was clearly having the better of the engagement, and some of the Dragonslayer's men were already attempting to flee. Hogar: Hogar paused for a moment, obviously having perceived something "Sweryn's men fighting some Krygarlanders and horsemen. It could be the Tainted Ones - they are winning." Leofric: Leofric frowned at the vague wording and whispered back, "Which side? Sweryn or the Tainted Ones?" sd: as Hogar pointed this out, they concentrated and soon spotted the engagement through a row of ruined huts. There were perhaps fifteen Krygarlanders alongside a half dozen riders on heavy horses, battling against the Dragonslayer's men and clearly having the better of the fight. A few of Sweryn's men were fighting a rearguard action while the remainder fled, tearing towards a large ruined village green. Edmund: "I think we must do something about this," Edmund said, staring down at the Tainted Ones. Leofric: Leofric looked at the fight with interest, "Both sides are likely to kill us. Maybe we can get Sweryn's good graces if we help out his men against the Tainted Ones?" Beomund: "And yet I'm loathe to help him either," said Beomund, biting his lip. "Perhaps we could wait for this to play out, and then offer him information on the dangerous foes he now faces." Edmund: "I am loathe to let the Tainted succeed," Edmund said with a sigh. "They are more dangerous with their twisted beliefs." Hogar: "I still hope that someday the Tainted Ones can be persuaded of the error of their ways - that magic can be truly and openly force for good. But this is hardly the right time and place to try to convince them of that, isn't it?" Leofric: "And while I am not that partciularly fussy if they died, we do not want the Tainted Ones to win. At veyr least, we can ask for information." Leofric: "On that woman's goal" Leofric: "If we manage to get any Tainted Ones prisioners Edmund: "I doubt if she'll want to tell you once you come in on the other side,." Edmund murmured. Leofric: "Maybe but our previous encounters with the Tainted Ones didn't go well. It is likely to be another faction of the Tainted Ones come to think of it." Edmund: "Are we going to stop them or not?" Edmund asked. "Before all of their opponents are dead." Leofric: Leofric nodded as he prepared for the fight, "If we can save few men from the Tainted Ones then it is worth doing." Beomund: Beomund nodded his agreement - despite his wariness at fighting the Tainted Ones, the prospect of getting information from Arvid was compelling. Leofric: Leofric focused on his Will and grants the magical strength and speed on himself, his peers and their mounts. Leofric: He then casted Protection as well Leofric: EDIT: Leofric quickly casted extra protection on himself Leofric: He also changed his Shifting Blade into a greatsword size, so glad that Beomund recrafted it although it clearly got Beomund masterful style to it sd: after casting a few quick spells, the party rode hard down towards the village, their enhanced mounts allowing them to gallop forward at tremendous speed. there was a stream running through the village, and they could see that as the fight went on below, the Dragonslayer's men were breaking towards it, cut off from retreating back north towards their camp. the party descended a hill towards a barren, burned field and found themselves moving towards a broken bridge across the stream. Of the Dragonslayer's men, only a single one now was left - the others had either been slain or captured already, or else were still engaged in a skirmish somewhere further west. The largest group of the Tainted Ones, however, were following this single rider - there were five men and women on horseback, and just over half a dozen Krygarlanders. One of these last flung a javelin as the man picked his way over a ruined fence and into a field, but it flew mercifully wide. At this point the party suddenly came into view. The rider nearly paused, but as he glanced back he saw the surprise on face of the Tainted Ones' apparent leader, a Fryderi woman with a lance in hand, and realised that despite their Gaston warhorses they were not themselves Tainted Ones. The rider continued to rush towards them while the Tainted Ones prepared suddenly for a harder battle than they'd anticipated. Edmund: Edmund leaped from his horse, for one moment looking dangerously as though he would catch his foot in the stirrup, and immediately drew an arrow on the leader of the Tainted. Beomund is disconnected. Beomund is disconnected. Beomund has connected. Beomund is disconnected. Beomund has connected. sd: after casting a few quick spells, the party rode hard down towards the village, their enhanced mounts allowing them to gallop forward at tremendous speed. there was a stream running through the village, and they could see that as the fight went on below, the Dragonslayer's men were breaking towards it, cut off from retreating back north towards their camp. the party descended a hill towards a barren, burned field and found themselves moving towards a broken bridge across the stream. Of the Dragonslayer's men, only a single one now was left - the others had either been slain or captured already, or else were still engaged in a skirmish somewhere further west. The largest group of the Tainted Ones, however, were following this single rider - there were five men and women on horseback, and just over half a dozen Krygarlanders. One of these last flung a javelin as the man picked his way over a ruined fence and into a field, but it flew mercifully wide. At this point the party suddenly came into view. The rider nearly paused, but as he glanced back he saw the surprise on face of the Tainted Ones' apparent leader, a Fryderi woman with a lance in hand, and realised that despite their Gaston warhorses they were not themselves Tainted Ones. The rider continued to rush towards them while the Tainted Ones prepared suddenly for a harder battle than they'd anticipated. Edmund: Edmund let fly the arrow and it struck the Fryderi woman in the guts, plunging deep even through her armour. Blood started to flow out. You whisper to Beomund: as he approached, Beomund looked across to some of the Tainted Ones. As their leader looked up, staggered by Edmund's arrow, he saw a look of recognition in her eyes. Beomund: "She knows us," said Beomund, peering toward the leader of the Tainted Ones who had just been struck by Ed's arrow. Leofric: Leofric frowned, finding it very diffcult to cast a spell that can affect such a speeding targets. He focused on his mount and casted a spell that enable his warmount to fly... sd: the woman Edmund had struck slowed in her charge, covering her wound with her large shield. She shouted a command ahead to the Krygarlanders on foot though it was hard to make out from such a distance You whisper to Edmund: "Kill the quartermaster! Don't let him reach them!" Edmund: "She's ordered them to kill the quartermaster before he can get to us!" Edmund told the others. "Save him!" Hogar: Hogar waited to get closer to their foes before throwing his hatchets or casting a spell, hoping they would not be able to kill the man before then sd: obeying their leader's order, two of the frontmost Krygarlanders sent javelins towards the fleeing rider, but both flew wide as he crouched low on his mount. Leofric: EDIT: Leofric muttered a spell to grant himself the ability to see the spells used by their enemies. As he slowed down to ford the stream, he kept on muttering the chants Edmund: Calling on the power of the Black Bow, Edmund fired almost immediately. This time the arrow hit even harder, wounding the woman's unguarded right arm which now hung useless at her side. Edmund muttered thanks to God for guiding his aim. Leofric: Leofric frowned as he focused in Will in seeing what kind of powers they had arrayed against them You whisper to Leofric: casting his spell, he immediately detected very familiar tastes, for indeed the spells upon the weapons of their foes were ones Beomund had used often, sorceries to enchant a blade to pierce through armour or allow it to land particularly telling blows sd: badly injured by Edmund's assault, the leader of the Tainted Ones turned towards a ruined hut. As she went she prepared to drop from the saddle, leaning down so that the horse covered her completely from any projectiles Leofric: Leofric warned the others, "Beware, they have spell to allow their weapons to focus on our armour weak points and to increase the blow.." Hogar: Hogar focused and cast a spell at the horse of the leader of the Tainted Ones. A thin streak of lightning burst from one of his hands striking one of the horse's leg, making it rear in pain and fall on the ground in shock while the woman managed to dismount safely, avoiding being crushed by the weight of the beast. sd: two javelins came flying up from the Krygarlanders and struck the Suthfryderi's horse. It staggered, blood streaming from its mouth, but her rider was determined, seeing his salvation in the form of the party coming up ahead of him. He would not give in. With a savage jerk of the reins he forced his wounded mount to continue on towards the stream. Leofric: Leofric bypassed the rider with a determined nod and rode onward toward the group of the Tainted Ones, clearly promising them death with a wicked grin, Leofric: He gave a quick mutter that fired a spell that is silimar to Hogar's spell but the Tainted Ones cleverly evaded it, sd: the fallen leader of the Tainted Ones crawled up behind her damaged horse, using its great bulk to protect her. Wedging her shield against its back like a makeshift mantlet, she began to cast a spell Edmund: "Get down!" Edmund shouted to the Quatermaster. "She's firing off a spell!" Edmund: He trained his bow on the spot where the woman would have to put her head up. sd: the woman put her head up and cast a spell at Hogar. He felt a force try to seize his body and hold him in place, but he resisted. At the moment the woman put her head up and stretched out her remaining arm towards the Bloodied Eye, Edmund loosed his bow. Edmund: The shot flew hard and true, striking the woman in the eye and piercing her brain, killing her instantly. Edmund: At this Edmund dropped his bow and pulled the flute from his belt. sd: the Tainted Ones began to charge forward with their Krygarlander allies behind them Edmund: As his comrades moved forward towards the oncoming Tainted Ones, Edmund played a spirit-raising tune. Beomund: Beomund trotted his horse forward, gripping a hatchet with white knuckled force. Finally the right moment came, and he hurled the hatchet at one of the onrushing Tainted Ones. It buried itself in the knight's leg, and he tumbled out of his saddle. Beomund: edit: she tumbled Leofric: Leofric followed up with his javelin, his skill is as such that it slammed into a tainted ones' right unwarded arm and made it useless with bones poking out of its wounds. The javelin stayed stuck, impaled in it Hogar: Hogar too hurled his weapon, the hatchet spinning with tremendous force as it struck deep into the shoulder of another Tainted One, throwing him to the ground unconscious. sd: three consecutive throws had disabled three of the four remaining Tainted Ones. Gazing at them in astonishment, the one remaining, a stout woman with a Gaston voice called out in surrender. As she did, the quartermaster they had rescued rode towards Leofric, Hogar, and Beomund. "I don't know who you are, but thank you," he called. "We were investigating how to move a cache of food that was found hidden in a cellar in one of the larger buildings here when these people ambushed us. Most of my comrades are dead but if you escort me and these prisoners back to our camp I can reward you. My name is Arvid." The man reached out to shake Beomund's hand. Beomund: Beomund looked a bit taken aback, though he had already thought he'd known the man to be Arvid, the steward who had sold Aisha and the other "possessions" of the man who'd bought her. After a tense moment he reached forward and shook the man's hand, though perhaps a bit tighter than was comfortable. "The man we came to meet," he said. "I'm glad we arrived when we did."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 23, 2017 15:02:56 GMT
sd: Arvid looked startled at Beomund's words. "You came to meet me?" he said, startled. "Why would you do that? I'm very grateful, these folk would have killed me if you'd not arrived but...why? Are you...Gastonlanders?" Edmund: "We are, although we have made Palania our home in recent years," Edmund said. Beomund: "We're looking for someone," added Beomund, his face neutral but his voice carrying a hint of strain. "You may have knowledge of her. Once a slave in Lord Talvar's household." sd: "Ah." Arvid paused. "Someone from your country then? Lord Talvar had some such slaves, though only a few." Beomund: "An Erse woman," Beomund replied. "Aisha." Hogar is disconnected. Hogar has connected. sd: Arvid glanced at Leofric, who, along with Hogar, was binding the captive Tainted Ones and Krygarlanders. "Like him?" he said, and, receiving an affirmative response, he nodded. "By my recollection, Lord Talvar had two Erse women among his entourage, though I don't recall their names I must admit. Let me think...one he had owned for longer than I served him, a dozen years or more. She was in her late forties I believe, and given somewhat to fat. There was a second who came to us more recently - five years perhaps? She was troublesome, I think she was well-born in her own country. We had to dose her to keep her under control if I remember rightly. Perhaps thirty? Very attractive, with long black hair." Beomund: Beomund's hands clenched when Arvid mentioned drugging her. "Yes. The... troublesome one. We heard you sold Lord Talvar's slaves, and might know where she was sent." Hogar is disconnected. Edmund: Edmund kept a watch on Beomund, concerned he would fly at the man before they got the needed information. Hogar has connected. sd: "I did have that duty, yes," Arvid said, eyeing Beomund warily. "I recall now that this woman was literate, not a common skill, although she didn't know our language when she came to us. She learned it while she was among us, despite how the dahlenroot would have slowed her mind. Lord Hahlfar bought her, I believe, the Lord of the Folk of Uhl. The King has assigned him to Norrgarde on the frontier and needed literate servants to assist with logistical matters." Arvid paused, then spoke again, slowly, "She is your wife?" Beomund: A rush of relief came to Beomund when he learned where she had been sent, mixing in with the bubbling anger. He felt no reason to conceal his identity now. "Yes," he said in a low voice. "Tell me, other than measures such as dahlenroot, how were the slaves treated in Talvar's household? And does Lord Hahlfar have a reputation for how he treats them?" Beomund: edit: "Yes. She spoke of me?" sd: "I believe she did mention a husband, but honestly it was simply a guess. AS for my lord Talvar..." Arvid paused. "He liked to gather around slaves who were exotic and beautiful. He gave out that this was for his harem, who he reserved only for his own use, and I believe that was how he treated them in earlier years. In his last decade however..." Arvid thought for a moment, a wince on his face. "A decade ago, not long after I joined his service, Lord Talvar was struck in the thigh by an arrow. Or at least this is the location he gave out, the healer who treated him told a different story in his cups, until my lord had him thrown in gaol. I believe Lord Talvar redoubled his efforts to acquire more beautiful slaves following this incident, which is why he fell into debt. He feared to become a laughingstock. As for Lord Hahlfar...he is a calm, methodical man. I doubt very much he would be especially cruel to his slaves, and he is not noted for any particular appetites or vices. He would doubtlessly continue to adminster the dahlenroot if he thought it necessary, but I imagine he might reduce the dosage perhaps, as he needed her for mental labour." Edmund: "You know Lord Hahlfar somewhat?" Edmund asked. "What is the best way for us to approach him?" sd: "The best way for you to approach him is for me to write you a letter of introduction," Arvid shrugged. "Which I will write for you when you return me to our camp, in thanks for my life. I'll make out that you're mercenaries working for us. Given that your people aren't welcome in King Sweryn's lands, I'll need to make out you are heretics - which I suppose may even be true..." Arvid gave them an inquiring look. "I'm not the wisest man, but I know it's no coincidence that these knights came to target me, and, on the same day, you arrived, also looking for me." Edmund: "You know that they targetted you in particular?" Edmund asked. "We heard their leader telling them to kill you before you could reach us." sd: "I heard the same - although before you turned up, they seemed to be trying to take me alive. One of them targetted me with some manner of magic, some manner of shocking spell which I was able to resist. I'm quite curious as I was given to believe that Virians foreswore magic, but from what I saw of yourselves and them this is obviously mistaken." Edmund: "These Tainted Ones use magic while at the same time denying it," Edmund said with a shake of his head. "It is a strange way to live, and it makes them very dangerous. Since coming to Palania we have discovered that magic can be used for good or ill, depending on the will of the person using it. The Cleansing of the Plague Fields for instance, an act that made a cursed land hospitable once more. But we still believe in the one God. We are more than we were, not totally other." sd: "The great Dragonslayer has said that his sons were murdered by agents of the Virian Church, and I've heard tales suggesting this was accomplished through means of foul magic," said Arvid. "I suspect the king will take great interest in these prisoners when we send him word of them. If you intended to speak with them, then it's best that you do so now." Edmund: "You have heard that they are led by a woman who also claims to be the Dragonslayer?" Edmund asked of him. "We have seen the dead dragon itself." sd: Arvid looked startled. "I've heard that one of the dragons is dead, but not who slew it." Beomund: Beomund ignored discussion of the dragon. After a brief discussion with Leo, he spoke up. "They may be able to communicate with their allies via magic. It would be best to give them this dahlenroot, to prevent that." sd: "We'll do that when we return to the camp then," said Arvid. "If you want to interrogate them, best to do it now. I have a certain amount of influence in our camp, but the Captain will want to interrogate these prisoners himself and will hardly allow foreign strangers the same opportunity." Edmund: "Very well," Edmund looked the captives over, to see which might be the weakest. Edmund: He picked out a Gaston woman, who appeared to be their only conscious prisoner and the one who had surrendered. "What is your name and why are with these people?" he indicated her unconscious companions. Edmund: edit* why are you with these people? sd: "I'm Hiltruda of Gassan, and I am one of these people," the woman said sharply. She was in her early forties, with hawkish features and lank brown hair. Edmund: "A follower of Aeschild, known as the Dragonslayer, yes?" he asked. "Why were you trying to kill this man? He is no dragon." sd: "Our orders were to capture him, until you turned up. We had heard you were coming here, but we hadn't expected you quite so soon." Edmund: "And what were you orders concerning us?" Edmund asked. sd: "You're false Virians and unrepentent sorcerers - what do you suppose our orders are?" Hiltruda spat. "Although Aeschild seemed to think that if we were to capture that steward and ransom him to you in exchange for certain conditions, that would be another way to deal with you." Beomund: "I doubt the conditions would have been acceptable," said Beomund. "Has she learned of what happened here yet?" sd: "I doubt it," said Hiltruda, "but she will soon enough, when she realises Maaritt is dead," she indicated the Tainted Ones' leader, with Edmund's arrow buried in her brain. Edmund: "So you are a repentent sorceror then?" Edmund said with a grim smile. "You use magic while telling others how terrible it is. Which you think it more acceptable to God? Hogar: Hogar had said nothing since the fight had ended, but listened to what the woman was saying while occasionally throwing a glance at Arvid to ensure he did not try to get away from them sd: "The Prophet himself founded our Order, and yet you wonder which is more acceptable to God? You use the tainted power for your own aggrandisement, to make yourselves famous heroes, to accumulate power, and in order to make others want the same power," said Hiltruda. "We use the tainted power in order to end it. We are forbidden to teach the tainted power to anyone. Why do you suppose our Order is so full of people like Aeschild or Maaritt who were raised in false faiths? The only ones in our Order who were raised as Virians are ones like me, who failed, and for that I am repentent, yes." Edmund: "Whoever you spoke to about us has not been truthful," Edmund said, his voice now earnest. "Men and women can use magic for good or ill, it is not naturally either. In this it is no different to fire, which may warm us and cook our food but also be used to burn down our home or put us to death. The Prophet himself used magic. He would not have been able to perform the acts he did without it. When we cleansed the Plague Fields this was not for our own aggrandisement, but to turn a cursed land into a place for the living. But none of this will mean anything to you. So tell me, what conditions would Aeschild have wanted in exchange for this man? And how did she learn of him?" sd: "The Plague Fields would not have existed if not for the tainted power," Hiltruda returned. "You used the tainted power to cleanse the world of the Plague Fields. We will use it to make the Plague Fields an impossibility. But none of this will mean anything to an unrepentent sorcerer." Hiltruda gave Edmund a hard gaze. "You are in this country looking for someone, and this man knows where she is. Aeschild was going to give him, and therefore her, to you, if in exchange you agreed to return to Phalen immediately. She would rather not have you interfering with our holy work." Leofric: Leofric snorted in response, "The time for not interfering in your holy work has passed. We stumbled across your group twice before. First nvolves Leofric: EDIT: And times indirectly that we did not realise the implications at the time. We find that the activities of your Order to be abhorrent in general. Edmund: "So what were Aeschild's plans if she had managed to convince us to return to Phalen?" Edmund asked, his voice cold as he contemplated the hypocrisy and abhorrent methods of the Tainted Ones. sd: "I already told you. We are going to use the tainted power to end the tainted power." sd: "When Aeschild realises we won't be returning, then I suppose she'll be putting her plans into motion sooner than she'd intended. Perhaps even your defeating us is God's Will." Edmund: "Perhaps," Edmund said. "What does she think God wants her to do next?" sd: "Aeschild isn't a fool, do you think she tells us every move she plans? When you cleansed the Plague Fields did you tell every rank and file soldier what you were doing, hero?" Edmund: "They knew why we were there," Edmund retorted. "What is her grand plan? We know the kind of woman she is, and how ready she is to throw lives away to win." sd: "I already told you her grand plan, you just don't want to believe it. Tell me - if Aeschild is truly utterly ruthless and willing to throw away lives, why was her plan to capture this steward and ransom him to you? Ser Hengest suggested she should cut out the middle man and seek the woman you're pursuing instead as a more attractive hostage. She refused his advice, because we don't harm Virians." Beomund: "She would have been wiser to merely let us alone to seek our goal," said Beomund. "I care less for magic than for this one life." Edmund: "But we can not stand by while Aeschild does who knows what to the land of Palania," Edmund added. "This has become our home and we are pledged as Thegns of Phalen and of Bexcheap to defend it." sd: "The land of Palania has been Aeschild's home for her entire life. Why would she mean it harm? But if you must find some way to justify yourself then so be it. If you interfere, Aeschild will destroy you." Edmund: "She destroyed her companions with her brash desire to be first in everything!" Edmund retorted. "Plainly you do not know the manner of leader you will have given your life for." Hogar: Hogar spoke for the first time in a while "We understand you mean well and truly think you are doing God's work for on earth - it pains us to have to fight you. But we cannot let you achieve your goals. We will do what we can to stop her." sd: Hiltruda looked alarmed, and rather puzzled, by Edmund's words. "So be it. Do what you must then, and may God's Will be done. You may be blasphemers, but I hope you find the one you seek." the Tainted One inclined her head to Beomund and said nothing more. Beomund: "I thank you for that," said Beomund quietly. "And I hope that however this plays out, God protects us all." Edmund: Edmund indicated to Arvid that they would leave shortly. Edmund: While they prepared to move out with the prisoners, Edmund beckoned to Leofric and muttered quietly. "I think we should send a message to Aeschild, to remind her of the Well of Wyrdstow." Leofric: Leofric eyed Edmund for a moment considering it, "As a form of psychological attack?" He asked Leofric: EDIT: "As a form of mental attack?" Edmund: "It was something she failed at, that she was ashamed of, and it caused her to turn away from magic and consider it tainted, although it was her own pride that drove her to do what she did," Edmund said thoughtfully. Hogar: "She might take that as an insult however, couldn't she?" commented Hogar Edmund: Edmund gave Hogar a long stare. "It's not meant as a friendly greeting." Hogar: "It would be best if we could somehow convince her and others the errors of their ways."said Hogar "They are not evil as orcs or dragonspawn or most of the men we fought. But I understand we will most likely have to kill them anyway - and they will likely think the same of us." Edmund: "We will never be able to convince them in time to prevent what it is she has planned." Edmund sighed. Edmund: "I was thinking we might unsettle her, especially if she knows we are telling her followers of her past," Leofric: Leofric nodded, "And she is aware of us anyway." Edmund: "It might be more striking if we released Hiltruda to carry the message to her, but do we have time?" Edmund mused. Leofric: Leofric grimanced, "Maybe if we face her in person then we can raise the matter then." Leofric: "Letting her know in the advance make her more aware of what we know of her and might act accordinglyt.!" Edmund: "True, I think perhaps this isn't the right time." Edmund sighed. Beomund: Beomund nodded. "We can send the message in the future, if we decide it wise." sd: deciding against sending Aeschild a message, they rode with Arvid into the Fryderi camp. They were received with some suspicion, to put mildly, but considering they had rescued the quartermaster's life they were at least tolerated. by the end of the day, Arvid made good on his word, penning them a letter of introduction to Lord Hahlfar, describing them as mercenaries hired to check on the northern frontier. with this letter, they would be free to pass through the lands King Sweryn controlled without molestation.
they crossed the river Kryger and rode off towards Norrgarde. As they went they passed a number of large encampments - apparently King Sweryn himself was not far from this region, engaged in battles with the dragonspawn some leagues to the west of their target. They were heedless of this, however, and continued on.
on the third night out after they had battled the Tainted Ones, their nerves were fraught. All through the day something had felt wrong, setting their teeth on edge, an itch in a spot they couldn't reach. Shortly after they made camp for the night, they felt a sudden surge in the aethyr, overwhelming their senses, a sudden sourness washing over their souls. they tried to reach out and manifest their Wills but it was like trying to grasp the sea in one's hands. then there came sharp pain. Beomund: Before they departed, Beomund spoke privately to Arvid. His face remained icy calm, his eyes gleamed. "You might believe God brought us here at just the right moment to save you, or your gods did. Know that because you will help me find Aisha, and because I do not think you took particular pleasure in inflicting cruelties, I will hold back the vengeance my heart holds for everyone who kept her in bondage. Just remember that both God and myself frown upon this institution, and that one or the other of us will bring a reckoning to those who maintain it." sd: the pain was impossible, like a lash of fire across their souls. Their bellies roiled like curdling milk and for a number of minutes it felt as if their heads would burst. Finally, abruptly, the pain ended, and the potent magic subsisted and went still, leaving them blinking in confusion, looking up at the Prophet's Star gazing down upon them. Edmund: Edmund rolled over and gasped out, "We have to kill this evil bitch..." Leofric: Leofric frowned with anger, "Sound like Aeschild managed to do it." Beomund: "Our magic is not gone," said Beomund weakly. "But it might be soon, if she's not stopped." Hogar: Hogar grit his teeth, bearing the pain - it may have helped that of the four, he was the one who relied on his magic the least. "Hopefully this will also weaken their own power." Edmund: "She will break the world if she can, to prove her strength," Edmund shook his head sadly. sd: their power had certainly been weakened, and permanently - enough surges of that type and they would soon have no more magic than they had when they first arrived in Palania. As they recovered, a voice suddenly spoke into Leofric's mind, across a great distance, bound by several instances of telepathic power. "What on earth was that? Did you feel it?" said Sigrun
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 30, 2017 16:55:41 GMT
sd: As they recovered from the aethyric blast, a voice suddenly spoke into Leofric's mind, across a great distance, bound by several instances of telepathic power. "What on earth was that? Did you feel it?" said Sigrun Leofric: Leofric responded back, "Yes, I can feel it. We think it is Aeschild trying to cleanse this region of magic similar to how the Prophet did it in the past." He answered back with a sense of gloom Edmund: "If we don't stop her soon we may not be able to, this curse is draining us of power," Edmund added, his anxiety clear even via the mind-link. Beomund: Beomund said nothing immediately, concern evident on his face as two urgent challenges vied for their attention. sd: "It did the same to us," said Sigrun, and then another voice spoke.
"We can't let this stand," said Weidrek, the Master of the Ring of Substances, who they had met during the Cleansing of the Plague Fields. "Phalen is as secure as it's going to get for some time, but that'll be no use to us if the aethyr is broken. The only advantage is that using that much magic will be a veritable beacon. I'm going to contact the Master of the Ring of Beasts right away. If we get organised, the druids can fly as many of us as possible north and we can tackle these Tainted Ones head on." Leofric: Leofric nodded mentally in agreement, "Good idea. Maybe it is worth asking Wulfnoth and the Changers if they can help out in this as well?" sd: "Good idea," said Weidrek. "Please, tell me everything you can about Aeschild, we'll need as much help as we can to plan." Beomund: The explained to Weidrek all they'd learned about the new Dragon Slayer since they arrived in Krygarland. Hogar: "I wonder if she plans to eventually do something like this to the whole world - wouldn't surprise me, considering her ambitions."commented Hogar Leofric: Leofric added in what he experienced in the ruins of Holtenhath, the terrible Blight and the fact it was studied by the Tainted Ones before he and his peers shattered the sphere, highlight a possible risk posted by Aeschild." Edmund: "The only thing is, it might be a trap. If all the spellcasters in Palania are drawn here...?" Edmund suggested. sd: "We'll be careful," said Sigrun. "She must be borrowing the method the dragonspawn used to target sorcerers." Beomund: "Then we'll do what we came for," said Beomund, "And then make sure we are ready to support you when you arrive." sd: "Is there anyone else we can contact who might be able to get there in time and help?" Sigrun asked. Edmund: "We could contact Aethelwulf, but he is too far off to reach directly... unless you have a contact in Mollenmere we could use?" Edmund replied. sd: "Yes, you're using me now," said an unfamiliar sorcerer's voice. "Well, I'm in western Upriver but it's near enough."
"We could contact Aethelwulf through the Changers," said Weidrek. "You need to preserve your magic while you're in the field. If anyone is going to be able to confront Aeschild directly, it'll be you four." sd: Sigrun suddenly spoke up. "Your friend Arianhod just arrived on my doorstep," she said. "The Sisters have been affected as well." Hogar: "I had been wondering about that."said Hogar "I thought those who relied focused their power inward might not have been affected, but it seems I was wrong." Beomund: "Best to let them know of our plan," said Beomund. "There may be some who are close enough to help." sd: "We will," said Weidrek. "We're going to prepare. We'll contact you again when we're on our way." sd: they settled down into a night of uneasy sleep, worrying constantly that there would be some other surge of power at any moment. None came - however Aeschild was doing it, there clearly were some kind of limits. In the morning, they set out, riding hard across the plains of Suthfryd towards the Endless Hills and Norrgarde. Off to the west they could see large signs of Suthfryderi activity - King Sweryn himself was commanding the large part of their army there on campaign against the dragonspawn, and even at a great distance they could see clouds of smoke rising from their fires, or dust rising beneath their hooves. They camped for the night, and in the morning they noticed, perhaps two days journey to the northwest, a large group of cavalry had broken off from the Suthfryderi armies and were riding towards Kryger river. In the next few days they might well cross the party's path. sd: mid-way through their second day's journey, they found their teeth suddenly on edge, and suddenly the aethyr was again awash with strange power, though this surge was not as strong as what they had experienced before sd: when this surge passed, they felt that some of their magical strength had been drained from them, though this was only a small thing comapred to what they had experienced several nights before. More alarmingly, they noticed a strange smell coming from Edmund and Leofric's packs, and opened them to find several of their mana potions had begun to boil within their vials, evaporating before their eyes Leofric: Leofric paled for a moment and muttered a string of foul words that promise dire things on Aeschild. Beomund: "She must be weakening as well," said Beomund in grim reassurance. Hogar: Hogar withstood the draining, perhaps trusting that his mundane abilities would be enough to face the coming battles. He did seem worried about Leofric however, understanding his friend's heavy reliance on magic. Edmund: "If there is any justice in the world she will face a world of pain and suffering," Edmund's voice was shockingly harsh. Anger and determination suffused his face. "I will personally see to that if God does not." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "If magic fails us, we still got our weapons." He agreed with Edmund. sd: they continued to ride north, passing several small Suthfryderi encampments which they were able to evade with ease. Throughout the day the group of cavalry they had noticed the day before was riding towards them with great speed - they seemed to be pushing quite hard, pushing on without stopping. As they came to camp for the night, however, they saw that the group of cavalry suddenly broke, with the largest part continuing on in their direction, but with others scattering in every direction as well. Leofric: Leofric looked worried for a moment as he glanced at his friends, wondering how they will deal with this matter Edmund is disconnected. Edmund has connected. sd: they rode hard for the north. the nearby encampments were suddenly emptying of soldiers and the hills were filled with Suthfryderi soldiers. One spotted the party from a distance and sent a wild arrow firing towards them - plainly it was not safe for anyone not flying the Dragonslayer's banner to be in the area, letter of introduction or no. Edmund and Beomund led them in sneaking away, destroying their tracks behind them. Leofric recognised several patterns in the nearby hills, and from this he was able to predict in advance how they would curve, where there would be ridges and clefts, and from this they were able to move on quickly. When they passed through narrow places, Hogar and Beomund put their muscles into moving large stones to block off the path behind them.
Seeing a group of the enemy approaching from another direction where they might cut them off, Hogar and Leofric, the best riders of their party, broke off and led them in the opposite direction while Beomund clambered up a ledge with Edmund on his back. The largest part of the Fryderi horse, some twenty men, went chasing after the two riders, but they simply could not catch them. as they rode they heard some hostile shouts from the riders, and Hogar caught one snippet clearly. "They might be in league with the assassin! Capture them!"
the mass of the enemy forced Leofric and Hogar to separate, with Leofric managing to rejoin Beomund and Edmund fairly quickly after they were able to find a path through the hills through their lore and knowledge of navigating the high hills. Hogar, however, was cut off in a narrow defile bounded by a long stream. Understanding, with his knowledge of tactics, how the Suthfryderi soldiers were going to try to cut him off, he dismounted from his horse and sent it away with a slap on the rump, trusting it to outrun the enemy while he ghosted away. Hogar swam the stream while the enemy was distracted, then, emerging on the other side, he ran off immediately, moving tirelessly to relocate his steed. Now and again the enemy spotted him from a distance, but the Bloodied Eye's legs were inexhaustible and he outpaced them all, soon finding his tired horse and remounting. In the early hours of the morning he was able to rejoin the rest of the group.
After they rested in a hidden dell, they awoke to find the Endless Hills crawling with soldiers. You whisper to Beomund: looking out over the cliff-riddled landscape, at a great distance Beomund saw that the greatest part of the Fryderi soldiers were gathered around one particular rocky outcrop. There was a single man there, crouched low, with a sword at his belt, sneaking past three Fryderi outriders and beginning to climb down from the precarious place where they believed they had him encircled. He clambered down into a defile and began to stealthily move away - a single stray soldier came across his way, not realising his peril, and as he did the man leapt up and slashed his sword in a deadly arc across the man's throat. He grabbed him as he fell to muffle the noise, hid the body, and moved on. It was in that fluid motion that Beomund recognised him despite his disguise. Beomund had crossed weapons with only one man who moved with such deadly grace, and the sword in Leof's hand was the same with which he had slain his own father in the spring, before the party had forced him to surrender and become a captive of the Palanian Council. Beomund: Beomund paused there, his eyes widening. "Ahead... there, descending that outcrop. The soldiers think they have him, but he's escaped them. It's Leof! I would swear it, based on the way he moves." Edmund: "No way to signal to him?" Edmund asked. Hogar: Hogar semeed hardly surprised by what Beomund had just said, as if he had expected Leof to be the assassin all along. "Should we help him? How?" he asked Beomund: "I think he's escaped their encirclement," replied Beomund. "He's taken out the one man who came close. Perhaps we can move to intercept him." Leofric: Leofric looked at Beomund with surprise, "I am wondering if he was successful!? Beomund: "We should get in position in case he runs into more trouble," said Beomund. "He's safe for now, but there are many men in the area." sd: Beomund and Hogar quickly put together a plan, and they rode out. Hogar, Beomund and Leofric stormed down on horseback, while Edmund stayed up in the high places, where he began to rain arrows down on the Fryderi soldiers from a distance. Some tried to turn towards him, but then the other three heroes struck their line and sent them scattering. Hogar tore straight through the centre of a knot of a half dozen startled warriors, axe sweeping out left, right. The first took the scalp of the enemy captain, whose lieutenant received a battlefield promotion that lasted only three seconds before Hogar's backstroke tore straight through the sinews of his throat. Leofric leapt from the saddle and ran amongst the largest part of the enemy, screaming wild war cries that drew great numbers of the enemy away from where Leof was hiding and towards the party. under this distraction, Hogar and Beomund were able to clamber to where Leof had hidden and, after hasty greetings, they climbed back down to where Leofric was. He had slain five foemen and continued to ride on, never stopping in one spot long enough for the enemy to overwhelm him. They had begun to realise that to engage the party in small numbers was fatal, and some thirty or forty of the enemy had gathered, but these didn't see where Edmund had climbed up above them. Suddenly revealing himself to them with a dramatic cry, he raised aloft the severed scale they had taken from the dragon Aeschild had killed. Edmund boasted of their mighty deeds, striking terror into the enemy's hearts - they had already seen the deadliness of the party's blades, and if they could slay a dragon then how could ordinary men hope to ever stand before them. This proved too much, and the remaining Fryderi soldiers fled. Edmund climbed down to join them, while Leof broke into wild laughter, sitting down by a ledge. Edmund: "Well met!" Edmund slid down the rocks to them and grinned as he put the dragon scale away. sd: Leof tried to stop laughing, failed, then finally composed himself. "Did you really kill a dragon? That would make you Dragonslayers, which I suppose is fine since I killed the other one with that name two nights ago." Edmund: Edmund looked up at that, his face serious now. "The male Dragonslayer you mean? Pity it wasn't the female." Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly at seeing Leof again, "Ah, that would explain why they were after you." sd: "What, is there a female Dragonslayer?" Leof looked confused for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, I never had any interest in women. Why are you even in the north? I can hardly think the Council sent you to help me with this bloody task they assigned me." Hogar: "I could say I am surprised to find you here and had this 'task' assigned by the council, but it would not actually be true."said Hogar Beomund: "We're here because we got word of the one I lost so long ago," said Beomund with a slightly crooked smile. "We'll find her and get her safe. But then this other Dragonslayer is a concern..." Leofric: Leofric clasped Beomund on his shoulder, "We are here to help Beomund out. Still, a grave threat appears. Have you sensed any... unusual recent." His eyes looked gloomly. Edmund: "Rescuing Beomund's wife was a task we had assigned ourselves, but have acquired the other along the way," sd: Leof looked at Beomund sharply. "She's...alive?" Beomund: "Unless things have changed..." said Beomund, his expression hardening. "She was sold some time ago, and we're tracking her new 'master'." sd: "I see." Leof ground his teeth. "Well, as my task is done, and you've saved me, I suppose I should help you." Leof stood up. His hand clenched into a trembling fist for a brief moment, then he unclenched it. "I infiltrated the Dragonslayer's armies as a mercenary, worked my way up as I know how to fight dragonspawn better than any of them. I suppose none of them have ever actually commanded the things before. A few nights ago the Dragonslayer got news of some Virian knights who've been captured down by Tenworth, and he decided to ride there as fast as he could to interrogate them - he thought them responsible for the murder of his sons. I wasn't going to get a better opportunity, usually he was surrounded by thousands of soldiers." Beomund: Beo went quiet, a pensive expression on his face as he saw Leof's reaction to the news. Edmund: Edmund touched Beomund's arm, then he stepped forward. "What is the matter Leof? Are you not glad that Beomund may be able to rescue the person he thought so long was lost? His voice was soft and his manner calculated not to arouse ire. sd: Leof sighed. "I...why is it that the one you love is suddenly resurrected beyond hope, but the one I love is still dead? Why can I not have that sword stroke back? Have you suffered more than me? Is it that your Virian god is stronger than our gods? Or maybe my father was right. Maybe the gods really do hate us fucking faggot freaks." Edmund: Edmund sighed. "Sometimes we lose people, it may be through violence and the hate of others, or just because the world is made that way. I never knew my father and when I was ten my mother died of a fever. I spent years furious with God for letting it happen, it was so unfair and cruel. But that's the way the world is. I don't believe it is because you are worse than anyone else. It was your father's hate that caused the blow, not your guilt." Beomund: "I know your anger," said Beomund quietly, "and I would not blame any man for it having a hold on him. That anger will never entirely leave me. Fortune has favored me that Aisha is alive, but the trade is that I will know how long she suffered. This is not a world of bliss. But still, I have been blessed where you have not. That is the cursed nature of things, not any fault of who you are." sd: Leof looked at Beomund for a long moment. "I'm sorry," he said at last, words they never would have expected from the brash patricide. "It's not truly you I'm angry with. When I set out to avenge Ailwin I assumed I would fail and be killed in the attempt, and that didn't matter - what was the point of being alive without him? Now it seems I'll survive. When the Council came to ask me to kill the Dragonslayer I told them it wasn't enough for me to be free - I told them that if I succeeded and came back, they would make sure that my father's reputation is utterly destroyed. I don't care how - they have some girl or other who says he raped her, or survivors he tortured. I didn't actually care if it was true, as long as he looked up from hell and saw me alive and free while his name was dragged lower than mine. But what was the point? Ailwin is still dead and I have nothing worth being alive for." Beomund: Beomund stepped up to Leof and clasped a hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes. He said nothing for some time, but it was clear in his expression that he'd known the same despair, and wished he could rid Leof of it. Finally, stepping back he spoke again: "What would Ailwin wish for you to do with this extra time you've been given?" sd: Leof thought for a long time. "He'd want me to keep fighting," said Leof. "He'd want me to die with a sword in my hand. He'd want me to spit in the face of those who hate what we are. He'd want me...we were the swords that drove back the dragonspawn, he'd want me to keep killing those fuckers until every one of them in Palania knew to piss themselves in fear at the sound of it. He'd want me to absolutely cover myself in glory and make sure those scaled fuckers couldn't touch anyone who didn't know how to fight. He'd want our home to be safe." Beomund: Beomund smiled, still with a hint of sadness. "That, Leof, is something worth being alive for." sd: "Maybe. It's a lot of anger and bitterness. Do I ever get to feel anything other than that? You're the nearest thing to a friend I have, I should feel happy for you but I don't..." Leof sighed. "We need to move, and I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. If Ailwin wants me to protect people who can't fight, well, your wife is one of those. Or at least I assume she doesn't know how to fight. Considering you four, maybe she's actually a deadly knight." Beomund: Beomund shook his head. "I can't tell you if there will be more than anger. More than anything I felt... hollow. But there there was some purpose to be found too. I meant to build a church in her honor, and that thought gave me some happiness. Perhaps there are ways to honor Ailwin that will be brighter... to find and to help people who face what you did. But in any case, you're right that we should move." Edmund: "First we should explain some things," Edmund said. "Those knight who were captured... we were the ones who captured them. They are followers of Aeschild - the female Dragonslayer we mentioned. And she is trying to destroy all magic in Palania..." sd: "Is she the reason my last potion fucking evaporated? It nearly got me killed." Edmund: Edmund nodded. "I lost two like that. But worse, she is draining magic ability and power. She has adapted a black cursed blight which was created by Dragonspawn." sd: "If you have a potion I can borrow by the way it'll be much appreciated, I nearly drained myself cutting my way out after I killed the Dragonslayer." Hogar: "Take it, hopefully it will give you enough energy to last until we can stop her. "said Hogar offering his last remaining potion to Leof sd: Leof drank the potion quickly. "It'll have to do. I assume she was also the one who drained me a few nights ago, that was the very night the Dragonslayer learned about the captured knights and it was very distracting, trying to make sure I got assigned to his guard while it felt like my innards were going to burst." Edmund: "These attacks can be felt as far away as Phalen," Edmund said gravely. "We have been in touch with others and soon hope to be joined by them in fighting her - she is a grave danger to the whole land. She is reckless and proud in the extreme." sd: "Well..." Leof stood again. "I suppose I owe her a blade in the gut for nearly getting me killed. But we're going to have those soldiers back soon if we stay here. I suppose I'll need to share a saddle with one of you."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 7, 2017 12:13:42 GMT
sd: Leof mounted up behind Hogar, and they rode on, hard, towards Norrgarde, where they prayed that Aisha awaited for them. As they rode, they came across a few small bands of warriors who were willing to speak to them, fortunately not knowing of Leof's assassination of the Dragonslayer or of his guards' pursuit. the news of the King's death had caused an uproar. his only heir was still an infant, and thus a long and likely destructive regency awaited Suthfryd and Krygarland. In this chaos a number of lords had withdrawn some of their troops and were riding southwest towards Krogsager to debate who would obtain the regency, and this had left the frontier exposed. A dragonspawn army was gathering near Norrgarde, and by all accounts they would likely strike the fortress in only a few days. Beomund: The news of the dragonspawn only strengthened the cold resolve that was evidenced on Beomund's face. He rode with barely a pause for rest and barely a word to the others except when necessary. Leofric: Leofric frowned with equal concern as they have to juggles several concerns at the same tiime. Hogar: "The 'Dragonslayer' was a problem, but this chaos is hardly better."said Hogar to his companions when they had the time to briefly speak alone. Edmund: When they had a chance to speak without Leof hearing. Edmund replied. "The Council don't seem worried about what Leof's mission has caused." Beomund: "They worried about a united Suthfryd and Krygarland, not a devastated one," suggested Beomund. Edmund: "A very short-sighted goal, if it empowers both the Dragonspawn and the Tainted," Edmund said with a sigh. sd: though he had been cut out of the conversation, clearly Leof was also concerned. "If I've endangered Aisha then I'm sorry," he said to Beomund. "I'm sure the Council realised something like this would happen, but then they've been ignoring Krygarland for years and a Suthfryd that descends into civil war is one that might be able to be brought back into their aegis at some point," he said. Beomund: Beomund shook his head. "You did what you needed to do. And it might be this is an opportunity. A Norrgarde that is threatened may keep a looser hold on its slaves." Edmund: "I'm more concerned about Aeschild than the Dragonspawn if anything," Edmund said. Every time he said the wretched woman's name he had to resist the urge to spit on the ground. Beomund: "Another reason for speed," replied Beomund. Leofric: Leofric frowned with a hint of consideraiton, "I wonder if the blast affects these inhuman creatures as well? Shame we would not know." Hogar: "Aeschild would certainly want it too."said Hogar "She may be misguided, but she has no more love for these monsters than us." Hogar: edit: want it to Edmund: Edmund rode up alongside Leof. "I have something of yours," he said, holding out the sword which he had been carrying since they defeated Leof. "You will make better use of it than I." sd: Leof took his sword back with a smile. "I hadn't expected to see this blade again," he said, hefting it in his hand. "But this is right, if the sword that avenged my love helps to save yours," he added to Beomund. Beomund: Beomund clapped him on the shoulder, showing a rare smile through his intense focus. sd: they rode on for three days, sleeping in villages which had been abandoned, their inhabitants either fled, or conscripted, dead or alive, into the armies of dragonspawn or Dragonslayer. in the distance they could glimpse Norrgarde, and they saw that it was already under siege, encircled by a force hundreds strong.
As they rested uneasily, they could feel the wrongness in the aethyr, and they were all woken as it began to swell and they knew with dread that another blast of power was forthcoming. As they glanced up, they saw the Prophet's Star shining down on them, but its gleam was unlike any they had seen before. around its tricoloured edges, a silver sheen had begun to gather.
their stomachs heaved as they felt a tremendous release of power, though its impact appeared to be different to those that had gone before it. their heads rang like the aftereffects of a wine-sodden night, and when they glanced up they saw that the Star was transformed now. Its gold, blue, and red were gone, and there blazed only sterling silver, radiant and pitiless in the firmament. Leofric: Leofric looked at the Prophet's Star with a shock, surprised at the brazen action of Aeschild, "So much harder now to use my Will" He frowned with concern Edmund: "We have to get to her and stop this," Edmund ground his teeth in frustration. Beomund: "Looking up, she must see proof of the righteousness of her cause," said Beomund grimly as he peered at the Star. Leofric: Leofric frowned as he took another swig of the potion to restore his energy before the rest of his potions spoiled Edmund: "If every living thing was destroyed she would see it as proof of the righteousness of her cause! She is a madwoman." sd: as they thought, they realised the most likely explanation for this change to the Star. The Star had appeared in the sky when the Prophet passed away, upon Mount Maragar. By the accounts of the Changers a powerful Wyrd lay on the holy mountain, and it was at this moment of death that the Prophet had laid a dampening on the power of magic throughout the world. If the Star had now changed, then it was possible that Aeschild had somehow managed to connect her magic to that at Mount Maragar, to link together their powerful, anti-magic strands. Leofric: Leofric shook his head, "Shame, another mad one whose mind can be used for better advantage. It is still a terrible feat of power." Beomund: "I went to Mount Maragar with Aisha," murmured Beomund. "It had seemed to me... just a mountain. But she seemed to feel something powerful in the air." Edmund: "How do you think we can defeat her?" Edmund asked Leofric. Leofric: "Killing her, that usually does the trick." Leofric replied with a frown, "However, we may need to use a Wyrd to undo these powerful feats." Leofric: "EDIT: "Like how we did with the Great Heartfire on Coelney," He added afterward Edmund: "I am sure we will need to," Edmund said. "Better to plan beforehand." Hogar: "Remember when we were searching for Thenghelm's remains? There was a sealed wyrd, and what I felt there reminded me of Mount Maragar. "Hogar said to Beomund in particular "But what was done on Mount Maragar was even more powerful. Aeschild must believe herself to rival the Prophet himself right now." Leofric: Leofric shook his head, "It make me think of the Alanian history in a new a light. Just what the Alanian Mages did with their Wyrds in the south." Edmund: Edmund looked concerned. "What is happening here... I feel I am beginning to see the Prophet in a new light too. Could he have been just another super-powerful mage who turned against magic while simultaneously making use of it? Did he do so for the good of the people, to make them follow the righteous ordinances of God, or because he enjoyed wielding enormous power but couldn't live with what he really was?" Beomund: "There was more to him than hatred of magic, though," said Beomund. "There was guidance for peoples' lives. I see little of that in Aeschild. Of course, with his followers split, it seems impossible to truly know the Prophet's mind." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Considering if the Tainted Ones' claims is true, he probably did want to destroy the magic. But as Beomund pointed out, I don't think we will ever know." Edmund: Edmund considered this. "The Tainted have narrowed their vision, and placed hatred of magic before all else." Hogar: "At this point I would not be surprised if the Prophet's beliefs were exactly what the Tainted Ones claimed - that magic is a force too dangerous for any man or woman to wield and should be destroyed at any cost, even by using it against itself." sd: Leof, knowing little Virian theology, had sat silent throughout this entire discussion. "If not for magic, my father would still be alive, and I'd either be dead, or still trying to foment wars so I might get a chance to kill him. If it goes, then by what power will those like me gain justice? I don't care what your Prophet thought, if he thought this then he was fucking wrong." Hogar: "I will not fault you for believing that."said Hogar to Leof before turning to the others "Even if the Prophet was better than his followers, I suspect he was from perfect. Still, it hardly matters now - I believe we should stop Aeschild even if we were certain the Prophet would agree with her actions." Beomund: "Yes," said Beomund. "Aisha taught me that when you clad dead words on paper or empty chants as religion, you're led astray. We must find our own way to the truth. I barely understood that, until I came here. But now we have a clear path, and it is to stop Aeschild's plans." Leofric: Leofric smiled with grimness, "Let make it so." sd: their sleep for the rest of the night was uneasy, eyes drawn to the unnatural Star, like a sudden blemish upon the sky.
When they finally awoke in the morning, the sky had cleared of unusual stars, but instead in the great distance there were other huge forms upon it. Their hearts quailed as they saw two huge forms, visible even from this great distance, wheeling towards Norrgarde. Here and there the great shapes flickered, and they realised this was the beating of their massive wings as they carried them through the air towards the beleaguered fortress. Leofric: Leofric whistled as he seen the size of these two dragons. "I would hate to be the one in front of them." He eyed these dragons. Beomund: Beomund's teeth were tightly clenched, his eyes darting back and forth as if he might somehow espy a way through both army and dragons. sd: Leof suddenly had a wild grin on his face. "Beomund, you said I need to focus on things Ailwin would want me to do. I see two of them." Hogar: "If Aeschild and the other Tainted Ones killed one, I'm confident we could do the same." said Hogar, surprisingly calm "But I'm not so sure we could handle two, especially with a dragonspawn army at their back." Beomund: Beomund turned to Leof, and his eyes widened. "Aeschild killed one, and from what we've heard she has power beyond any of us. There are two out there now." Leofric: "There are five of us." Leofric pointed out. "We outnumbered them five to two..." He smiled slightly. Leofric: "Although the dragonspawn army is likely to pose some additional problems." He considered afterward. Edmund: "Even weakened as we are, we have to seize the day and deal with what comes," Edmund said, and he suddenly smiled at Leofric. "We have not been following the way the Tainted would have us go, but God has been with us all this time, in every fight. Win or lose, we will face it." sd: "Kill the dragons and their spawn will piss themselves and flee," Leof said dismissively. "I have my sword back and they won't be able to stop us. Let's go, quickly. I don't want these Fryderi bastards to kill a dragon before we even arrive." Edmund: Edmund laughed, a little wildly but the uncertain look had left his eyes. Beomund: Leof's grin and Edmund's laughter soon broke through Beomund's worry, and as they rode forward his eyes had a mad gleam to them. sd: they went on wildly, tirelessly. Leof was the best rider of them, so he took over the reins of Edmund's horse, with the bard behind him, while the others alternated between riding and, when their mounts grew tired, running across the countryside, legs eating up the remaining distance. as they came nearer, the great shapes upon the sky grew larger. there were two dragons, with scales that were red and blue, respectively. The red dragon was the nearer of the two, but only just.
the outer walls of Norrgarde had already been breached in multiple locations, and dragonspawn and undead were pouring through to battle against the desperate and demoralised Fryderi defenders. Many slaves were being ushered towards a large courtyard, where there was a raised area with several large statues of the fallen King Sweryn, so the party rushed towards there, desperately hoping that Aisha would be found there. this area was entirely surrounded by a low stone wall, though this had been breached in two locations on the north and west. As the party came towards it, riding towards the open southern gate, they saw a red blur in the air as one of the dragons tore down towards it, and the blue was whirling overhead, winging towards the area in haste. Leofric: Leofric's eyes gleamed as he gestured many spells helping them with several layers on them with a protective resistance against magics. Edmund: As they neared the town, Edmund played a fierce defiant tune on his flute, rousing them against enemy. Leofric: EDIT: Sweats beaded on Leofric's copper forehead as he struggled against the ever closing gate of the Will. Hogar: Hogar struggled to cast some spells of protection and weapon enchantment on himself to prepare for the battle. He was obviously focused on the dragons and intent on bringing them down before anything else. sd: one of Leofric's spells granted them the power of flight, and Leof leapt from the back of Edmund's horse and flew towards the fray, javelin in his right hand, his recovered sword in his left.
as they came near, they saw that throughout the courtyard there were three ballistas, and the defenders were desperately trying to load these to deal with the two dragons. Two of the three emplacements - one on a platform within the central courtyard, another on a tower not far from where the party now came - were in peril of being overrun by the dragonspawn, while another, to the eastern part of the courtyard, was relatively free for the moment.
The red dragon, meanwhile, came streaking down and landed with a roar atop a large building into which slaves and other non-combatants were being rapidly herded. Several final people were being ushered in as the beast landed and swung a powerful tail down towards them. One slave was smashed to splinters, and four others sprang away from it and hurled themselves through the door mere instants before the dragon could crush them. These slaves were heavily cloaked against the winter chill, but as they stumbled into the large building their eyes fixed on one cowled figure. In their desperate movements their cowl had fallen, and they had time to register a shock of lustrous dark hair and the shining, coppery skin tones of an Ersewoman before the door slammed shut behind her. The dragon gave a cry of fury and reached down to the door, tearing off a great splinter from its frame as easily as they might snap a twig. sd: despite his earlier bravado, Leof paled somewhat at the sight of the dragon, as did Hogar and Leofric, but Edmund and Beomund were resolute. "If we can sweep the dragonspawn away from the ballistae, we can use those," Leof said. Despite his fear his eyes were locked on the red dragon. "I'll keep it busy." sd: the red dragon, as if realising Leof's thoughts, flapped up off the roof of the large building and began to move towards the knot of battle at the centre of the great courtyard sd: as they swept their eyes over the battlefield, they were struck by the fact that there were many bodies of the slain already there, and yet the dragonspawn had not thought to raise them, and indeed, though they had seen them elsewhere in Norrgarde, there were no undead present on this battlefield Edmund: Edmund seemed fearless, and he raised his bow and sent an arrow, its tip wreathed in sparks. straight at the red dragon. The massive monster tried to dodge, but the arrow struck true, ripping into its wing. Beomund: Beomund launched his own arrow moments after Edmund, and it flew to pierce the scaly hide of the dragon's snout. Hogar: Hogar too had his bow ready with an arrow nocked, but the sight of the dragons gave him pause and he hesitated, staring at both dragons for longer than the situation required sd: the dragonspawn began to attack the Fryderi defenders with wild abandon. their movements were far more aggressive and vicious than typical for these relatively disciplined creatures - they were exhibiting signs of magical influence. If the dragon had cast a spell on them, then perhaps it could be dispelled it some way, and this would shake their confidence. Leofric: Leofric floated as he rushed toward the Dragon with a javelin in his hand ready to be thrown at it Leofric: as he try to get grip with his unusual sense of fear. sd: Across the courtyard, the dragonspawn and the Fryderi were trading blows, and clearly the latter were getting the worse of things. They saw one felled, and another's sword arm was struck numb by a hard blow sd: the dragon, with an angry growl, flung itself down off the roof and down, placing the great bulk of the building between itself and the party's arrows Edmund: "Surely it's not afraid of a few arrows?" Edmund asked of Beomund as they moved forward into the town. Beomund: "Only our arrows," replied Beomund, a cold smile on his face as he flew forward. Edmund: Edmund flew up as he reloaded his bow. sd: as the party flew forward, the dragon launched itself back into the air, suddenly flapping towards them Leofric: Leofric kept going forward with pitiless look in their eyes, sd: as the dragon tore towards them, it gave a quick murmur of arcane syllables. it sought to manifest its will, to bring its magic to bear, but suddenly the aethyr leapt and slithered away. The dragon gave a cry of anger, and for the first time they had their confirmation that Aeschild's magics were affecting more than just them. Edmund: Edmund fired at the dragon as it rushed at them, hitting it again, this time in the forequarters. "Your magic is failing! You should be attacking the one responsible, not these people!" Leofric: Leofric drew his Shifting Blade and it shifted to Greatsword while holding a javelin in another Beomund: Beomund loosed his second arrow into the onrushing dragon, this time striking it in the left front leg, before dropping his bow and preparing for a close-quarters meeting with the creature and its minions. sd: the dragon turned to Edmund with a hiss, and, shockingly, spoke back in sibilant Gaston. "When we kill the one here, then we'll return to the temple!" Edmund: "What one?" Edmund asked, stunned by the Dragon's answer. "One like her?" sd: "One with her foul stink slunk past me earlier. If you mean to kill the woman in our temple, then go, and leave me to my sport!" Edmund: "We can't do that," Edmund replied. "There are people here who we are sworn to protect. But we will kill the woman in your temple if we can find it." sd: "Leave now or be my morsel," the dragon gave a snort of flame. Edmund: For answer Edmund coolly fired another arrow into the Dragon's forequarters. Hogar: Hogar started working his bow again, perhaps gathering the courage to finally attack the dragon like Beomund and Edmund had done Edmund: The Black Bow shrieked its paean of joy. sd: Leof, finally free of the dragon's terror, sent a javelin hurtling towards its hind leg as it sped towards them. the great wyrm had been pierced through by half a dozen missiles, but it was still strong and whole as it began to tear towards them sd: one knot of dragonspawn had utterly overwhelmed their enemies. seeing the party rushing towards the dragon, they turned and began to run towards them to assist their gargantuan master Leofric: Leofric threw his javelin with all his might and it poked into its left wing causing more damage. He changed his stance as his Shifting Blade grew larger and larger Hogar: Hogar finally found the courage to attack the dragon. Pulling mightily on his bowstring he unleashed an enchanted arrow of tremendous power which flew swift through the air and struck the beast not far from the heart, digging so deep through its scales that only the feathered end of the arrow remained visible. The monster however was far from done, and kept advancing threateningly on them with fangs, talons and fiery breath. Leofric: Leofric quickly flew ahead into the fearsome dragon with blood thirstiness to use his Shifting Blade on a fine target sd: Leof swung at the dragon, trying to get past its huge tail, but it slapped out at him and he had to duck low to avoid being smashed beneath its great weight Edmund: With his four companions attacking the Dragon, Edmund turned to the Dragonspawn rushing towards them but they were moving too fast and his shot went wide of the leader. Beomund: Beomund swooped in toward the dragon, swinging his mighty hammer with fire in his eyes. The creature managed to turn its scales to deflect the blow. Hogar: Hogar let his bow fall to the ground and swiftly wielded the Darkling Axe with both hands Leofric: Leofric made a start and to none of his or his friend's supply, the red dragon was able to parry with ease. Leofric: EDIT: surprise sd: a great number of dragonspawn were rushing down towards them, and two of the Fryderi in the nearest batch of soldiers had been felled by dragonspawn swords Beomund: Seeing the enemy closing in on them, Beomund knew he had to grab his chance quickly. As the dragon was distracted by the blows of his comrades, he flew in beneath it and aimed a blow at a spot where arrows had already weakened its scaly armor. His hammer swung true, crunching in to the dragon's chest, and he and his companions scattered as the mighty beast crashed to the ground. sd: the dragon fell and Leof, Leofric, Beomund and Hogar rolled to avoid being crushed beneath its great bulk. At its fall, Edmund let out a great cry - though the dragonspawn could not understand the Gaston tongue, they understood strength, and they began to flee, stunned at seeing one of their patron creatures undone with such shocking speed. The second dragon continued to wheel towards them, as yet unaware of what had happened on the ground. sd: hastily, they mounted the nearest watchtower, where two men were frantically loading a ballista in time as the blue dragon came wheeling down towards them. Beomund cast a spell on the bolt they were loading, while Hogar, Leofric and Leof added muscle, loading it just as the blue beast flew down out of range into the sky. Hogar lined the sights up on it while Beomund made sure it was firmly in place and pulled the lever.
the ensorcelled bolt went shrieking through the air. The dragon tried to twist away, managing to avoid a second bolt from another watchtower in the same motion, but in so doing it put itself straight in the path of the more dangerous projectile. The ballista bolt slammed straight through its tail and it let out a horrific shriek. It nearly toppled to the ground, but with several powerful wingbeats it managed to put itself back into the air, wobble, and then with a pained cry flee, turning as it did to see its red cousin's corpse in the courtyard. Edmund: "And now we are Dragonslayers!" Edmund said with a laugh to Leofric. "But in a way I'm sorry we were not able to come to some arrangement with the Dragons." Leofric: Leofric sighed with a sign of victory. "Well, it would be quite helpful to know the location of the temple they came from, we can hit kill two birds with one stone." Beomund: Beomund took only a moment to take in the monumental feat they had just accomplished, before he began rushing toward the building where the woman who might be Aisha had gone. Hogar: Hogar looking at the dead carcass of the dragon they had slain together for a while before replying to Edmund ""I doubt such an arrangement would have been truly convenient for us. Edmund: Edmund smiled ruefully. "I think you'd have to get out of bed very early indeed to get the better of a Dragon in any deal. But we do have interests in common. I just hope that Beomund finds his wife's interests are the same as ours. Someone here is a Tainted. How dreadful would it be if we found it was her?" His face was very serious now. Edmund: "And we will need to find the person, whoever they are." sd: Beomund rushed towards the building where the slaves had gathered. A warrior started to bar his way, but a single glance at the dead dragon outside was enough to persuade him that this, in fact, was a singularly bad idea.
several moments later, the guard came back with several slaves, and one was the woman they had seen before, only narrowly avoiding an attack from the dragon's tail. Her coppery skin was framed by long black hair, and her features were sharp and strong, though since Beomund had last seen her she had lived five years and aged perhaps twenty. Her eyes were not as clear and piercing as when they had been wed, marred by long grief, but even lengthy slavery had not robbed her of her dignity.
Aisha gazed on Beomund, dumbfounded. "Have I...have I died?" she rushed forward. Her wedding ring was gone, but he could see, in its place, a silver ring, engraved with the symbol of the Prophet's Star, whatever the ban the dead Dragonslayer had lain upon that faith in his lands. Beomund: When he saw her, Beomund stopped still, his mouth slightly open, drinking in her sight. He couldn't move until she rushed toward him, and then he rushed forward too, holding her tight. Laughing sobs came to his throat and he could barely reply to her for some time. "No. No. I was as good as dead for a long time, but then I learned you lived, and I was revived." sd: Aisha threw her arms around Beomund and wept for a very long time. Leofric: Leofric looked at the reunion with a sad smile, glad that there is some joy in this grey world. H Hogar: Hogar said nothing but was obviously pleased by his friend finally reuniting with his long-lost wife. Edmund: Edmund nodded and smiled, then turned away to give the couple some privacy. His happiness at their joy was not unalloyed however, for he knew that they must tell Aisha what they were going to do next. He prayed that the Tainted One was not Beomund's wife. Beomund: After the longest embrace of his life, Beomund finally pulled back from Aisha. The wear of her ordeal had changed her, true, but it was still her, still the face that he had held in his dreams for years. "I wish I could have come for you so long ago." He turned to his companions. "And I would never have made it here, likely would not still live, if it weren't for my friends." He introduced them each. sd: theoretically, the party were adherents of an enemy faith, and among their number was one who had assassinated the king these soldiers, who vastly outnumbered them, were sworn to. In practise, there was no one present who could or would dare to try to apprehend them, for who would try to fight a Dragonslayer? had the party not intervened, everyone in Norrgarde would likely be dead, and they knew it. therefore they were left alone, and a single slave woman was thought more than a fair price to avoid facing their wrath. Beomund was able to introduce the party to Aisha, and she took them in, and the fact that together they had slain a dragon, with aplomb.
more than once, Aisha said, she had thought to end her life, thinking herself gone beyond hope for many years. her treatment had been better since she was sold to Lord Hahlfar, and in recent months she had even begun to dare to think she was strong and might escape. "We were on the road south of here," she said. "About five months ago, we were moving to Norrgarde when the dragonspawn attacked us. In the midst of the chaos I got separated and there were dragonspawn between me and Lord Hahlfar's men. I thought I was certain to die there, but suddenly a group of horsemen emerged from the trees nearby and joined the battle. They had the Star - the real Star, not that one," she pointed up to the silver Star in the sky, "painted on their shields. There was a woman among them and her and a Gaston man who seemd to be their leader killed the dragonspawn near to me. I begged him to take me with them but by this point the battle had turned and Lord Hahlfar's men were coming back around. The two groups nearly came to blows and Lord Hahlfar demanded that the knights should give him his...property..." Aisha sighed. "The woman who'd helped to save me was very angry, she argued with whoever this knight was for some time without success. She even tried to buy me from Lord Hahlfar but he wouldn't, he said he was doing them enough of a favour not killing them. The woman gave me this," she held up her ring, "and told Lord Hahlfar that if he hurt me, or let me die, that she would know and she would come for him." Edmund: Edmund looked meaningfully at Leofric. "Did you hear what the woman's name was?" he asked Aisha, his voice quiet and calm. sd: "The man who was leading them called her something like 'Ash', I didn't hear the full name. She was Palanian, I think, I don't know all this land's accents. She was a few years older than you, but I think younger than Beomund or I." Leofric: Leofric looked at Edmund and others, "Does she sound like Aeschild?" He wondered. Beomund: Beomund looked grim, and nodded to Leofric. "God has strange plans for us," he said. "As we came to save you, Aisha, we learned of the plans of a woman named Aeschild. She's a member of an order, one we find ourselves utterly opposed to. If this woman was her, I'll be forever grateful, but we still need to find her and stop her." Leofric: "The way she said that suggest that the the ring is linked by magicial mean." Leofric eyed the riing. He quickly gestured for a moment. You whisper to Leofric: the ring no longer had any magical effect on it, but there was still a residue of a relatively recent marking spell on it, leaving him with an aftertaste like the last of an aged wine bottle. the tradition was not one he was familiar with. Hogar: "Could the link perhaps be used the other way, to sense where she is?"asked Hogar Leofric: Leofric shook, "Unfortunately, it used to have some kind of tracking. Still, it is a magic I am not familiar with." He frowned thoughtfully. Edmund: "This may seem strange to you," Edmund said gently to Aisha. "We are concerned by the powers Aeschild has imbued the ring with. Would you be willing to take it off and leave it here?" sd: their conversation was interrupted when a familiar voice suddenly spoke into their heads. "Where are you?" Erlene said brusquely. "I'm flying across Ethelhelm's Gap with two druids and a seer, we've needed to use one of your friends in Mollenmere as a connection but I'll be with you in about a week. Aeschild and her Tainted Ones have made a very big mistake." sd: Aisha paused for a moment. "I have my husband and my life back, what do I need a stranger's ring for?" she said, and gave the ring to Edmund. Edmund: "Thank you!" Edmund gave her a sweet smile and took the ring to Leofric. "We should take this somewhere out of town and drop it." Leofric: Leofric nodded, "Should be pretty straightforward." Edmund: "And we must collect as many scales as possible," Edmund added. "Proof that a Dragonslayer does not have to foreswear magic." Leofric: "Well, we ran into two dragons. We just managed to slay one of them pretty quickly and made another dragon fleeing for its live." Leofric responded. "It seems that Aeschild managed to occupy one of their holy site. So what was the big mistake?" He asked curiously as he responded. Leofric: "Great to hear you are coming." He replied warmily. sd: "What, you didn't shoot the other one down? You're going soft," Erlene responded. "You've seen what's become of the Star yes? Well we've worked out why. Aeschild has somehow anchored whatever on earth it is she's doing up in the Old Mountains to the Wyrd at Mount Maragar, to the dampening the Prophet laid. She's using it as a base for her own work, like putting flesh on bones. To do this she will have had to unravel a very small strand of the Prophet's dampening." Edmund: "So Magic could run wild?" Edmund asked. Beomund: Beomund listened in, and murmured to Aisha that his friends were conversing with allies in the Conclave and elsewhere, so she wouldn't be confused by their sudden distraction. sd: "That's one possibility, but there's a better one. Already some of what the Prophet did is being undone, so Aeschild can improve on it. But that leaves a gap. If we can beat her, if we can take control of the Wyrd she's using...we can undo the dampening completely."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 14, 2017 16:57:03 GMT
sd: the Fryderi soldiers found their presence in Norrgarde to be rather disturbing, and despite their heroic status Leof was very uneasy with remaining amidst the army whose leader he had assassinated. Therefore, with Aisha in tow, they relocated to a nearby abandoned village, to spend time waiting for their allies to arrive.
they had enough time before departing that they were able to imbibe the vials which Dunstan had named aethryic distillate, made of the golden dust they had gathered in Wyrdstow. These very remains of Aeschild's friends, refined to great potency, coursed through them, but there was a greater power at work in these potions. Every night when they slept, uneasy beneath the solid silver Star in the sky, their minds unrolled back and they saw the great golden cord in a dark void. Even Aisha, who had experienced great trauma but had never come into contact with a Wyrd, saw this self-same vision, though more fleetingly than the party. The power of the distillate robbed them of any great strength to fight, but they did not need it now. They allowed the tranquility to wash over them, a final breath before the conflict.
They had expected another great blast or three from Aeschild's experiments, but none came - either she had exhausted herself, or, more likely, she was preparing some especially potent assault on the aethyr. On 11 November 230, as they had begun to recover their strength again, they looked up into the sky to see a quintet of birds flying unnaturally north, and then they knew the hour had come. The birds floated down amongst them, and there was a brief blur in the air as they transformed. There before them stood Erlene, and four mages of the Conclave - two druids from the Ring of Beasts, a colleague of Beomund's from the Ring of Substances, and a seer from the Ring of Secrets. Hogar is disconnected. Hogar is disconnected. Hogar has connected. Edmund: Edmund, looking happier than he had for a long time, smiled as he saw Erlene arriving. sd: the Fryderi soldiers found their presence in Norrgarde to be rather disturbing, and despite their heroic status Leof was very uneasy with remaining amidst the army whose leader he had assassinated. Therefore, with Aisha in tow, they relocated to a nearby abandoned village, to spend time waiting for their allies to arrive.
they had enough time before departing that they were able to imbibe the vials which Dunstan had named aethryic distillate, made of the golden dust they had gathered in Wyrdstow. These very remains of Aeschild's friends, refined to great potency, coursed through them, but there was a greater power at work in these potions. Every night when they slept, uneasy beneath the solid silver Star in the sky, their minds unrolled back and they saw the great golden cord in a dark void. Even Aisha, who had experienced great trauma but had never come into contact with a Wyrd, saw this self-same vision, though more fleetingly than the party. The power of the distillate robbed them of any great strength to fight, but they did not need it now. They allowed the tranquility to wash over them, a final breath before the conflict.
They had expected another great blast or three from Aeschild's experiments, but none came - either she had exhausted herself, or, more likely, she was preparing some especially potent assault on the aethyr. On 11 November 230, as they had begun to recover their strength again, they looked up into the sky to see a quintet of birds flying unnaturally north, and then they knew the hour had come. The birds floated down amongst them, and there was a brief blur in the air as they transformed. There before them stood Erlene, and four mages of the Conclave - two druids from the Ring of Beasts, a colleague of Beomund's from the Ring of Substances, and a seer from the Ring of Secrets. Edmund: Edmund, looking happier than he had for a long time, smiled as he saw Erlene arriving. Hogar is disconnected. Hogar is disconnected. Hogar has connected. sd: the Fryderi soldiers found their presence in Norrgarde to be rather disturbing, and despite their heroic status Leof was very uneasy with remaining amidst the army whose leader he had assassinated. Therefore, with Aisha in tow, they relocated to a nearby abandoned village, to spend time waiting for their allies to arrive.
they had enough time before departing that they were able to imbibe the vials which Dunstan had named aethryic distillate, made of the golden dust they had gathered in Wyrdstow. These very remains of Aeschild's friends, refined to great potency, coursed through them, but there was a greater power at work in these potions. Every night when they slept, uneasy beneath the solid silver Star in the sky, their minds unrolled back and they saw the great golden cord in a dark void. Even Aisha, who had experienced great trauma but had never come into contact with a Wyrd, saw this self-same vision, though more fleetingly than the party. The power of the distillate robbed them of any great strength to fight, but they did not need it now. They allowed the tranquility to wash over them, a final breath before the conflict.
They had expected another great blast or three from Aeschild's experiments, but none came - either she had exhausted herself, or, more likely, she was preparing some especially potent assault on the aethyr. On 11 November 230, as they had begun to recover their strength again, they looked up into the sky to see a quintet of birds flying unnaturally north, and then they knew the hour had come. The birds floated down amongst them, and there was a brief blur in the air as they transformed. There before them stood Erlene, and four mages of the Conclave - two druids from the Ring of Beasts, a colleague of Beomund's from the Ring of Substances, and a seer from the Ring of Secrets. Edmund: Edmund, looking happier than he had for a long time, smiled as he saw Erlene arriving. Beomund: Even before drinking the aethyric distillate, Beomund had been in a happy haze, watching Aisha as if he was unsure if he was dreaming. There was some distance between them too, the years that they had spent apart imparting them - Aisha especially - with experiences that would be difficult to share. Beomund had known that she would not be instantly made whole again by their meeting, and he was glad that the potion might help her.
Upon the arrival of Erlene and the mages Beomund introduced his wife to those he knew. "Erlene here has fought at our side more than once. She's a good friend." Leofric has connected. Hogar: Hogar's mind had been hit the hardest by the horrors they had face in their past adventures making him somewhat detached and aloof, but Dunstan's distillate semeed to bring his back to his older self. He seemed genuinely happy to see the mages arrive, especially Erlene. Hogar is disconnected. Leofric: Leofric felt his sanity restored to more like the one he had before he came to this magical lands with this impressive potion from Dunstan. Dunstan's skill exceeded his wildest expectation. He nodded with a faint smile on his face at seeing his friend and colleagues from the Conclave and gave them a warm welcome and greetings Hogar has connected. sd: Erlene was, as ever, rather reticent on meeting a new person, although she still shook Aisha's hand. "We've found them," she said. "They're in a ruined dragonspawn temple near the source of the Herewald river. It wasn't hard to locate them, we got one seer into the air to throw some detection magic down into that region and as soon as they sensed the Wyrd they nearly fell out of the air. We could have gone right after Aeschild but she's got some kind of magical blizzard completely surrounding where she is. There's a set of stairs leading up but there's several hundred Krygarlanders encamped in the way." Leofric: Leofric frowned with concern, "That is going to be an issue. We will need to get them out of the way one way or another and dispel the magical blizzard. Hmm,." Edmund: "We have warriors on their way, they can take on the Krygarlanders," Edmund said. "How many?" he asked Erlene. sd: "We have more than you'd expect. We didn't even need to send Aethelwulf a message, as soon as he felt the first surge he gathered up his best men and started towards the source. He has two hundred of his best men with him, and we have some Soiled Sisters coming up with our mages. We'll be outnumbered by oh...not quite two to one I think...but we can manage that. We'll just need to clear a path and put some arrows into Aeschild, and then we can get to work on undoing the dampening." As Erlene finished glibly, Aisha frowned. Edmund: Edmund nodded. Noticing Aisha's expression, he spoke for her benefit. "It is sad that Aeschild can't be saved from what she has become. but she is a danger to everything and everyone. If her plans come to fruition, who knows what might happen." sd: "I understand, but she also saved my life. I would save hers if I could, and she'd allow it," Aisha replied. "Show her mercy if you can." Beomund: Beomund grasped her hand. "I owe her a debt that can never be repaid. I will give her every chance possible." He turned back to Erlene. "Shouldn't we pause before going as far as undoing the dampening? We don't know what unexpected effects it might have." Edmund: "We always try," Edmund said gently to Aisha. "Sometimes it is impossible." To Beomund he said, we should speak about this with the mages." Edmund: Edmund did this. sd: Erlene crossed her arms. "Well the Conclave want the dampening lifted, and so do our Elders," she said. "Of course there might be effects we didn't anticipate. Change is the Way and all that. But you're going to have a hard time if you want to persuade them to leave things as they are when they can do otherwise." Edmund: Edmund made a calming gesture. "This was Beomund's question. I believe it is the right thing to do." Beomund: Beomund shook his head. "I'm not against it, just concerned. Perhaps we can take some time to study it. I would rather it be done carefully, if it is to be done. Though we will have to consider the response of Aethelwulf and others." Edmund: Edmund looked surprised at this. sd: "Aethelwulf will want it undone too. Our tradition is entirely based on correcting the mistakes of the Prophet, why would this one be any different?" Erlene glanced at the Conclave mages. "I should mention some logistics...our plan is to fly there immediately, but we obviously shouldn't bring Aisha into such danger right after she's been rescued. One of our druids will fly her south to Durleaht, then turn around and head back to rejoin us, hopefully in time. It would be good if someone was with her though, in case things go badly..."
Leof spoke up immediately. "Beomund, send me. I promise, whatever happens I will see Aisha safely to Phalen." Leofric: Leofric nodded with agreement with Erlene and Leof, "That might be good idea," Beomund: Beomund turned to Aisha. "I hate to send you away again so soon after finding you. But Leof is skilled and trustworthy, and Phalen is a safe place." Edmund: "We will miss you in the battle but it is a good plan," Edmund said to Leof. "Aisha will be safe at our manor, with Dunstan and Synne." sd: "I don't think anyone's ever called me 'trustworthy' before," Leof said with a wry smile. Beomund: Beomund smiled. "You only needed someone to place that trust in you." sd: to depart, one of the druids joined with the enchanter, casting a combined spell to turn Leof, Aisha and the druid into birds to fly south, while the remaining druid would use another spell on the rest of the group. Aisha embraced Beomund and kissed him as the spell was cast. "I never thought I'd ever become a bird," she said with a nervous laugh. "Please make sure you come back to me. I couldn't abide losing you again so soon after you've returned from the dead." Hogar: "You do well to consider the implications of lifting the dampening completely, Beo."said Hogar joining the discussion "And it is true the consequences will be huge, but I believe the good will outweigh the bad, especially if care is taken to ensure magic is not used for evil. And I trust both the Conclave and the Changers will do best to ensure it isn't." Beomund: Beomund held Aisha for a long while, reveling in the scent of her hair and the feel of her body, even if it was changed by her hardships. "I will come back. And then I have so many tales to tell you, and so many lost hours to make up for." Hogar is disconnected. Hogar is disconnected. Hogar has connected. sd: as Beomund held onto Aisha he felt her flesh begin to change, and she had time to give him one last kiss. The smith felt her lips melt away as he let her go, and then he felt a beak against his mouth. A large owl with golden eyes and mottled fur rested where Aisha had been. She flapped up awkwardly for a moment, landed on her husband's shoulder, and shivered. She pecked Beomund lightly in the neck, and then she flapped her wings and soared up into the winter sky. Beomund: Beomund watched the bird disappear into the distance, a smile of bittersweetness on his face. Then he went to the others, looking determined. "Let's do what must be done." sd: the second druid cast his spell, again in combination with the enchanter, and they began to change. Leofric: Leofric changed into golden eyed owl Beomund: Beomund was once more a large brown-gold eagle, and he took to the sky quickly. Hogar is disconnected. Edmund: Edmund grimaced as his body changed, and he became a large soot-black raven. sd: they tore across the sky, winging east through high winds and blowing sleet towards the towering spires of the Old Mountains. In earlier days these peaks had looked down upon the final clashes between the Alanian Empire and the remnants of the Forerunners. Later, they had fallen into the hands of the dragonspawn, and it was from this very land that the great dragon Caragaur had descended, razing the fortresses at Hereburh and Norburh in brutal, sudden assaults before sweeping south and ravaging Palania all the way down to its very capital.
On 16 November 230, they flew over a buried plateau with driving snow beating in their faces. Amidst this great snowfall they could look down and see many campfires below, the encampment of the Krygarlanders, glinting in defiance. They needed no spells to sense the Wyrd below. The feel of its power near was so immense that it made them shiver worse than the snow. Over the last day their flight had been very difficult - more than once they had looked down at the peaks below and felt the sudden certainty that their magic was about to fail them and they would fall to their doom. Fortunately, their Wills held fast.
Some sixty Conclave mages, twenty-five Soiled Sisters, a dozen Changer Elders, and a smattering of veteran Bloodied Eyes were camped on a plateau several miles to the south, while Aethelwulf's Changers were nearby, coming up the eastern bank of the Herewald. The party made for the Conclave encampment and changed back into their natural forms, where it was explained they would attack that night, when that snowfall which was natural was due to abate. Aethelwulf's men would attack across the frozen river, and then, when their attention had been drawn, the Conclave would strike with all they had. "There's a stair which leads up to the Wyrd," Wulfnoth told them. "Our goal is to cut a path through so you can dash up to them. If you can seize control of the Wyrd then this is ideal, but..." he paused. "Aeschild has woven her magics in tight with the Prophet's own dampening. I'm afraid that if she loses control, the whole thing could fly apart. I don't think I want to know what would happen if that occurred. Most likely we'd all have the power riven right out of us." Hogar has connected. Leofric: Leofric nodded solemnly, "We will do out best Wulfnoth." Beomund: "I wish we could make her see reason," said Beomund quietly. "But it seems too late for that. We'll do what we can." Edmund: "I think she lost her hold on reason a long time ago," Edmund said. Hogar: "She could be even more dangerous with the dampening completely lifted. A shame to see a woman with such potential descend into madness."replied Hogar Edmund: "We saw that it was her inability to deal with her own power that caused her madness," Edmund said sadly. "Too much expectation of her too young." sd: Wulfnoth was silent for some time. "Our people...in our years of secrecy I can see now that we put too much faith in magical skill and not enough in character." He gave Erlene a sad look. "I was like Aeschild, someone my people looked to as a prodigy. If I had been born in the north, and she in the south, it might be me you were coming to destroy today," he said. Beomund: "Another reason to give her a chance," said Beomund. Edmund: "Who knows what any of us would have become in other circumstances," Edmund said. Edmund: "Our first priority must be to end this destruction though," Edmund was firm now. "We can't risk that while trying to save her." Beomund: Beomund nodded sadly. sd: Erlene assented more aggressively. "If you'd listened to me years ago we might be in a better situation than this," she said to Wulfnoth. "But there's no point pressing that again. I don't care what Aeschild has been through, she doesn't get to destroy our ability to defend ourselves from the Church because she's unwilling to face the fact that it was her that got her friends killed, not magic." Erlene took out her spade and began to prepare, keeping the snow relatively clear so that when the time came they would be able to join the battle quickly. sd: as the day wore on, more and more birds arrived, including the druid who had flown Aisha and Leof south - he had turned and flown back at the greatest speed, arriving just in time as the sun set and the silver Star rose up to gaze down upon the mountain top. Across the frozen river, glinting in the darkness, they saw Aethelwulf's men through the driving snow, and they knew the time was nearly upon them. The camp suddenly was ablaze, and not with fire. Mages of the Conclave, Soiled Sisters, and Changer Elders began to weave dozens of spells. If the Dragonslayer was paying them any notice, she would have seen these surges of aethyric power as clearly as fireworks against the unnatural night's sky. Leofric: Leofric smiled as he made ready for his goal as he shifted his Shifting Blade and javelins. sd: Erlene slung her spade over her shoulder and knelt. She had grabbed a second quiver in which she had placed Beomund's enchanted arrows, but these would wait for Aeschild - against her minions, plain steel, and her own magical power, would suffice. sd: as soon as the sounds of battle at the river were heard, they rushed out. This was not like a normal battle, for their forces were not principally composed of men whose hands were filled with steel. The women of the Soiled Sisters outnumbered the men in the party and the Bloodied Eyes, but the greatest part of their forces were the mages of the Conclave. Virtually every warlock of the Conclave was present, and they prepared blasting spells of fire, lightning and ice to smash down their foes beneath the silver Star.
The strategists of the Bloodied Eyes might normally have prepared the plan of a battle, but in a war where the principal weapon was spell, not sword, they were helpless. only one of their number had the experience to plan such a battle, but fortunately Hogar had considered every eventuality. They rose up suddenly out of the snow and struck the Krygarlanders on their south flank, suddenly hurling endless volleys of magical potency. Amidst the chaos they could see there was one figure on horseback, a tall Tainted One in heavy armour. He whirled around with his fellows and attempted to neutralise the Conclave mages with countermagics, but Hogar had already anticipated this. The voices of the Tainted Ones were strong in the wild wind, but Sigrun and other seers of the Conclave had their own magic to answer, and these spells clashed against one another, leaving the warlocks free to wreak their brutal toll upon the enemy. Great gouts of flame descended to devour the enemy, reaving huge gaps in their line. In the distance, they could see their goal. There was a great, unnatural blizzard raging up the side of the mountain, and at only one place was there a gap, a narrow, steep stone stair, hundreds of feet high, clambering up towards the temple that was lost in the great storm. A great number of Krygarlanders and Tainted Ones had held back there, but if they could be forced to join the fight, then the party would be able to make a dash for Aeschild.
Erlene and Edmund ran among the battle, firing deadly arrows, taking aim at any Tainted One who dared to show their face, while Leofric rode hard into the enemy ranks, slaying with the Shifting Blade. The Krygarlanders had prepared some crude defenses, walls and barricades, but Beomund went through these with his hammer, finding their exact weak points and bringing them down. A great horde of Krygarlander archers were perched atop one platform, firing out towards the battle, but Beomund had been able to creep up on them. Tearing pins out from the platform's base, he was abl to weaken it, then deal it one shattering blow. The entire edifice collapsed as he leapt aside, and the Krygarlanders, a score or more, plummeted to their dooms, landing in the deep snow with the wood and stone atop of them, unable to dig their way out before the snow filled their lungs and choked the breath out of them. sd: the combatants on each side regrouped. This was no ordinary battle, for in the driving snow each side became separated from each other, and much effort was expended blundering about wildly before people could rediscover one another. A group of Krygarlanders stumbled out of the dark and blundered right into a group of warlocks - one alone survived, surrendering, and was forced to tell that the commander of the enemy forces was Ser Hengest, as the Dragonslayer herself remained ensconced upon the mountainside. They could tell she was not idle, however, because with each manifestation of their Wills they could feel another, growing. Many of the Conclave could feel an oppressive force upon them, setting their heads to agony. They pressed on grimly.
Ser Hengest came out, attempting to rally his men. His voice was magically enhanced to carry across the wild tumult of snow and wind, but one of the Conclave, thinking quickly, cast the same spell on Edmund. The bard's great words easily drowned out those of the huge knight, as he cried out to the Krygarlanders of the sins of their saviour, the Dragonslayer, which they had not known of. Ser Hengest tried to speak against him, but Edmund had the mastery. If she was the saviour of the Krygarlanders, then where was the Dragonslayer to be found now? She had abandoned and used her dearest friends to their deaths in Wyrdstow, and surely she would do so again to those she barely knew. Edmund's words struck hard, and they saw a number of Krygarlanders, despairing, surrender to Aethelwulf's forces, but the Tainted Ones were indomitable.
Those who could not be persuaded by word were instead struck with spell and steel. Beomund had learned in the Kinstrife how to assault fortified positions, and he went about this with relish, smashing hard against battlements of stone, sand, and even snow, scattering their foes. Leofric coordinated their spells, making sure they landed where they would be most effective, while Erlene an Hogar ran among their enemies, drawing them into chases and then into ambushes, easily outdistancing them with their magic speed. sd: in a brief lull in the fighting Beomund repaired broken helms and shields which their Bloodied Eye and Soiled Sister allies were wielding, while Leofric cast a spell to better allow them to see in the dark. Seeking to lay a trap for Ser Hengest, Erlene and Hogar crept to one side stealthily, while Edmund used his magic to impersonate the Tainted Ones' commander, yelling wild orders. Ser Hengest rode to, trying to bring their confused soldiers back under control, and then Hogar came out and struck. With two brutal strikes of the Darkling Axes he cleaved through a pair of Tainted Ones, then briefly he and Ser Hengest clashed. They checked each others' weapons once, twice, then Hogar's axe struck against the knight's shield. With sudden speed, the shield glowed with magical power and came out, smashing hard into Hogar's face. He was taken utterly aback and sent flying, but before Ser Hengest could try to press his advantage Erlene was peppering him with arrows, and he decided to flee rather than continue the fight. sd: with Hogar somewhat occupied, Beomund, Edmund and Leofric had laid their own plans, leading a group of mages up. Feinting towards their foes at the foot of the mountain, they suddenly turned and followed a path Erlene had found, smashing into the rear of the Krygarlander forces at the river, cutting a great swathe through them, forcing them to fight against both them and Aethelwulf's forces at the same time. They saw Deogol, the mage who had first introduced Leofric to the Conclave years before, struck in the throat with an arrow, but they preservered, and they utterly routed their enemy so that the King of the Stonefolk could come streaming over the river. Ser Hengest had come to try to counteract their attack, but when he saw King Aethelwulf rushing towards him, with the great Valing Sword Teorhelm's Wing in hand, he turned and fled towards the mountainside.
"I'm glad we're fighting on the same side this time," Aethelwulf told them, tapping Edmund on the shoulder with the flat of his blade. Hogar was kneeling by Deogol's side, withdrawing the arrow expertly from his windpipe, saving his life, before moving on to other wounded allies. At Aethelwulf's side were some of the warriors he had sent to intercept them, too late, at Wyrdstow. Edmund: "So am I" and Edmund surprised himself with the warmth of his reply. sd: they would have exchanged more words, but as Ser Hengest fled before them, they suddenly felt a great surge in the aehtyr. The Star suddenly shone, flickering a purplish hue, and they felt an unthinkable power wash over them. Leofric: Leofric gripped his Shifting Blade with anger with such attack on their powers Edmund: Edmund gritted his teeth and sent up a fervent silent prayer that they would overcome this monstrous assault. sd: the surge of power set many in their ranks to vomiting as their own aehtyric power was turned against them. Erlene knelt and began to cough phlegm and blood into the snow, but grimly she tore a sliver of cloth from a dead Tainted One and wiped her mouth. "I have so many arrows for that fucking woman," she said to Edmund. Edmund: "I pray we will get our chance to pepper her," Edmund said, quietly so that Beomund would not hear. Hogar: Hogar withstood the surge and pushed on his companions "Victory is at hand!" he called out to them sd: Hogar began to fire at those of the enemy who remained, while Edmund called out to them, saying their commander had abandoned them and they may as well surrender. As Ser Hengest fled up the stairs, the last Tainted Ones and Krygarlanders were ordered to charge into the fray. As they did, many of them fell into traps Beomund had hastily crafted, and then the party charged. All their forces were bent towards smashing a path so that they could rush to the stair and force a final confrontation with the woman who named herself Dragonslayer. Leofric: Leofric, prehaps due to his great strength with power also became ill sd: staggering on despite her illness, Erlene looked up to the stars and, with her long outdoorsman's skill, she sensed that the wind was about to change direction. Shouting a warning, she and Hogar were able to turn their forces about, so that suddenly the Krygarlander arrows were scything directly into the wind. Edmund played a final stirring tune to rouse their warriors to glory. They saw Arianhod and Sidwell smash into one flank while King Aethelwulf hit the other, peeling at the enemy like an apple, encircling them. Suddenly, for a brief instant, the stair was undefended. Erlene darted towards it. A fallen Tainted One grabbed for her ankle, but she twisted away, unslung her shovel, and drove its point straight down through its gorget. Flinging away blood and snow, she began to charge up the narrow corridor, clearing a path even as she went.
From the bottom of the stair they gazed up. The magical snowstorm bent impossibly here, leaving a narrow corridor just wide enough to allow them to pass in double-file, though snow was spilling down into their feet, they were at least, for the moment, not utterly blinded. The freezing cold went straight into their bones. sd: they charged up the stairs, pounding after Ser Hengest, though unable to catch him with his lead. As they went, they could sense the great power of the Wyrd, and they had time to analyse the flows of magic around them, gaze on the strands of aethyr and understand their import. Magic would be more powerful here, but there were specific powers too that Aeschild would manifest, and as they went they knew them. They began to understand what they would need to do to tear control of the Wyrd from her, though in all likelihood, they thought, this would reave all magic from her body. That, perhaps, would even be what she wanted.
The snow grew heavy and blinding, and then suddenly they felt the Wyrd almost on top of them. They burst forth and suddenly the snow cleared. They felt solid ground beneath their feet, stone all around them, and their foes ahead.
Aeschild was on a tall platform. There had once been a statue of a Dragon God there, but she had torn it down, torn down all the statues of the false gods. These lined the path to either side of them, and there was a makeshift iron grille placed above, preventing them from getting past by any way other than to dash through the Krygarlanders that stood in their way. Ser Hengest was among them, and also a tall Gavishman with two curved blades. A smooth-cheeked Fryderi eunuch stood on the other side of the platform from Aeschild, javelin in hand.
Above where the statue had once been, power radiated outwards, shining purple and silver. Its strands were many and long, but it rose upwards, and it congealed into a single silver star that reflected up into the sky above.
"I knew there was a great power in this place," Aeschild called to them. Her voice sounded different in the flesh than it had in faintly glimpsed memory, or perhaps it was simply that she was a changed person now. "The dragonspawn summoned their god Caragaur into being on this spot, over a hundred years ago. The Wyrd has been lying dormant ever since. But they used it to tear Palania asunder, while I'll use it to make it solid and whole again." Aeschild turned. "You're the heroes of the Plague Fields. I thought I might encounter you before the end. I suppose in your minds you're justified, but I should ask - why are you here? I've done nothing to harm any of you. I don't want to fight you. By any account you're good and honourable people, if deeply rash and misguided. I'd be grieved to have to kill you." Edmund: Edmund gazed up at her. "You have done much to damage us, for you would tear the heart out of this land of Palania, and out of those who belong here. As we now do." sd: Aeschild rested her head wearily on the hilt of Frostbite. This too, had been a blade of the Valing kings, until it was lost on campaign against the dragonspawn, some thirty years before Caragaur came. "You think you're heroes because you cleansed the Plague Fields. It was good work, but I'll do one better. I will make the Plague Fields impossible. You are damned stupid if you think the tainted power is the heart of this land, or the heart of anything. You have no idea what damage it can do to those who put their faith in it." Edmund: "We know what damage it does to those who misuse it," Edmund said, his voice ringing with honest anger. "And we claim nothing for ourselves. Cleansing the Plague Fields was the fight thing to do and many others took part in it. But those who want to be heroes first, before they think of the results of their actions, are a danger to all of us. Magical power is neither good nor evil, but it can be used for evil, by those hungry for power. Those willing to sacrifice the lives of others for their own glory." Edmund: edit *right thing to do Beomund: "Aeschild," called Beomund. "You saved the life of by beloved. For that I will forever grant you thanks. But she would never have been freed if it were not for magic. It's not a tool I can allow you to cast aside, not for all of us." Hogar: "We too think you misguided, Aeschild, and would rather not have to fight you. But this is not the way and we cannot let you do this, no matter how much you might believe you are doing the best for Palania." said Hogar with steely determination sd: "Then I hope your beloved will forgive me, for I will leave her a widow," Aeschild replied coldly. "Their weapons are enhanced, dispel those first. For God and the Prophet!" Aeschild held Frostbite up towards the shimmering power of the Wyrd, and it began to radiate with tremendous power as her men moved onto the attack. Leofric: Leofric nodded, "We will not let you do this." as he lifted the javelin ready to throw. sd: the Gavishman cast a quick spell, trying to dispel the magic on Leofric's weapon. The man cast well, and seemingly would have let loose a particularly powerful negation, but even the Tainted Ones' skill was confounded by what Aeschild had done, and instead it lost much of its potency, failing to dispel Beomund's magic. sd: "You're still the same as you were in Wyrdstow," Erlene called to Aeschild. "You talk too much and think too much of yourself." Before Aeschild could respond, Erlene let an arrow loose.
Around the platform where Aeschild stood, lines of aethryic power radiated out from the Wyrd. As the arrow sliced towards her, it began to veer off course, but in their ascent the party had guessed at this power, and Erlene corrected for it. Rather than flying wide, Erlene's arrow dipped and struck Aeschild hard in the chest. Hogar: It was no longer time for words. Staring silently at Aeschild up on the platform Hogar threw his hatchet, the enchanted weapon sparkling with lightning and glistening with anti-magic poison as it flew true though the whirlwind and struck her on the head and the woman was far from defeated and had withstood the effects of the poison, she was left with a nasty bleeding gash. Hogar: edit: 'and struck her on the head. The woman was far from defeated...' Edmund: Edmund narrowed his eyes and fired. As the Black Bow shrieked its song of joy in blood, the arrow leaped through the whirlwind and plunged into Aeschild's to strike next to where Leo's arrow still impaled her flesh. "This is not God's will!" Edmund called to her. "It is your own hubris which drives you. Do these fools who follow you realise that?" Edmund: edit* Aeschild's chest sd: Aeschild tried to respond, but the poison that Edmund had applied to his arrow - ironically a vial wrested from assassins the Church had sent to murder them - coursed through her veins and choked off her voice. Edmund: edit* Erlene's arrow Leofric: Seeing that Aeschild is confused, and angry at Geir, "Take this!" Leofric then threw javelin with all his might and it slammed into the chest of Geir, impaling him. However, the enuch was stroong enough to resist the posion Beomund: Beomund hurled a hatchet at the man wielding two blades, but Aodhan nimbly sidestepped it. Leofric: Leofric smiled as he changed grip and increased his Shifting Blade which grew longer and longer. sd: blind with fury, Aeschild's blade shone golden and she slashed down. A golden shadow of a blade lanced down towards Erlene, but she leaped aside and began to fumble for another arrow. Leofric: Leofric sighed as he glanced at then, "Be careful, they have reflecting spells up." sd: two arrows lanced in. One struck Edmund, who didn't even attempt to avoid it, while Erlene dodged another. The eunuch sent a javelin flinging down at Hogar, but he took the shot on his shield. Another javelin came immediately into Geir's hand, springing to it from an enchanted quiver. sd: two more Tainted Ones attempted to dispel the magic on the party's weapons, but they were unsuccessful. sd: Aodhan suddenly leapt into the fray, slashing hard at Hogar. As the Gavishman moved his form blurred abruptly, and Hogar was so thrown off that he threw up a desperate parry in the wrong location. The curved blade sliced hard across his scalp, blood spilling down across his eyes. Hogar: Hogar grit his teeth and raised his shield to better protect his wounded head as he reached for the Darkling Axe at his belt Leofric: Leofric made an extremely expert move only to find himself parried by Ser Hengest. The knight then bashed him with its magical shield as Hogar faced. He was forced to defend himself. Beomund: Beomund responded as Hengest pressed Leofric back, swinging his mighty hammer. The knight turned and raised his shield, a powerful relic of Saint Elfhelm. It would have protected him, but Beomund's hammer too was woven with magic. The rune upon it flashed as the two objects collided, and the shield burst apart. Beomund's blow carried forward, striking Hengest in the chest. "Don't die for this!" he called. sd: Aeschild grabbed hold of Erlene's arrow and yanked it grimly from her chest. As pain lanced through her they felt a wild surge of aethryic power as she nearly lost control of the Wyrd. Blind panic lanced through them for a moment, but Aeschild steadied herself. sd: "I won't," Ser Hengest growled through his full helm. He struck out with brutal force, his gauntlets shining with magical power. He bulled straight through Beomund's block and dealt him a hard gash across the midsection. "She's too nice for her own good, rather like you," the knight continued to Beomund. "Me, I remember what the Prophet said to do to unrepentent sorcerers." sd: Beomund blocked another attack from one of Aeschild's Krygarlander devotees, while others attacked Leofric and Hogar Leofric: Leofric smiled slightly as he spot a flaw in a devotee's attack. He quickly parried and flicked Beo's bloods into Krygarlander's eyes. As he flung around trying to get gruesome blood off his face, he libterated the weapon from him, sending it smashing into a floorl Hogar: One of the Krygarlanders tried to follow up on Aodhan's attack by lunging at Hogar, hoping to catch the wounded warrior while he was still dazed by the powerful blow, but Hogar suddenly darted sideways at the last moment and threw the man to the ground using his shield sd: the two Tainted Ones who had attempted to neutralise the party's magic previously drew swords, preparing to enter the fray sd: Aodhan lashed out with another strike at Hogar. The man's skill was immense, but luckily the Bloodied Eye was up to the task. sd: Erlene came over to stand near Edmund, making sure she still had a clear sight of Aeschild. Edmund: "We have to destroy her quickly, then the Krygarlanders will lose heart," Edmund said to Erlene. "Hengest and the other Tainted Ones will fight on to the death no doubt, fools." Hogar: Hogar answered Aodhan's attack with his own, but this attack was blocked too. The two warriors seemed evenly matched. Edmund: Edmund fired again at Aeschild, and again his arrow streaked through the whirlwind she tried to protect herself with. It embedded itself deep in her guts, blood running down to join the streams from her other wounds. Leofric: Leofric took advantage of Ser Hengest's attention on Beomund and moved in and used his greatsword, the Shifting Blade to gut him. Ser Hengest who slain a group in Mollenemere fallen, out of the fight, sd: Aeschild held her blade up to the Wyrd, ignoring the new arrow Edmund had fired at her. Frostbite gleamed blue and silver. Beomund: With Hengest down, Beomund was able to turn and lash out at one of the Krygarlanders, his hammer caving in the man's skull. sd: two Tainted Ones stepped up to stand Ser Hengest and a Krygarlander had fallen, while Geir drew a javelin sd: reaching deep, Erlene, exhausted, fired another arrow at Aeschild. She tried to direct it away, but the arrow Edmund had just buried in her gut sent her concentration awry, and instead it struck her just under the left breast. Aeschild was near to death now, but she still fought on, her upraised blade flashing with magical potency sd: "We don't have time for mercy," Erlene said, beginning to load another arrow. sd: as if to punctuate Erlene's words, Aeschild sent another spinning blade lancing down towards her, which the Changer dodged at the last moment. sd: Erlene finished loading as Hogar turned aside another blow from Aodhan Hogar: Again Hogar lashed out at Aodhan hoping to gain the advantage, and again the man proved to a match for him, skillfully blocking the attack. Leofric: With Ser Hengest down, Leofric focused entirely on a remaining Krygarlander facing him. Suffice to say that the enemy didn't last very long. He then turn his attention on other major enemy, Aodhan. Edmund: Edmund held his bow drawn, an arrow pointing at Aeschild's heart, but he did not fire. "Aeschild," he called out. "Do you remember the Wyrdstow? Do you remember Burwenna and the others? Why did they die Aeschild? Was it the evil of magic? Or was it your desire to prove yourself better, stronger, cleverer? Who killed them Aeschild? Not an enemy, but their own companion - you! You are still trying to prove yourself, but this is not the way." Edmund: edit * the Well of Wyrdstow sd: Aeschild could not respond due to the poison, but those noise she let out was so enraged that one of the Krygarlanders, who had his bow raised and ready to fire at Edmund, had his finger slip and instead sent the arrow thundering towards a companion Beomund: Beomund began to attempt a spell, but the eunuch hurled a javelin toward him. The magic of his torc gave Beomund a sudden burst of quickness, and he lifted his hammer to strike the missile out of the air. sd: two Tainted Ones, readying to quickly enter battle, cast brief spells at Hogar and Beomund, but Leofric's protective magic shielded them, and indeed reflected the magic, which brought lethargy, back at the knights. sd: Erlene gave Edmund a disgusted look. "I hope you know what you're doing..." she said, and turned her arrow instead at Aodhan, who had just struck out at Leofric and failed to connect Edmund: Edmund did not answer, his whole mind concentrated on Aeschild and what he could say to penetrate her self-obsessed soul. sd: Erlene loosed her arrow at Aodhan, and it seemed that in that moment God favoured her for choosing to show mercy. Her arrow sliced with perfect accuracy straight in, and it was coated with poison which, unbeknownst to her, was of a particularly potent batch. The Gavishman staggered back, stunned by this sudden bolt of thunder, now down to a single arm and surrounded by foes Hogar: Hogar quickly seized the advantage and swung at the wounded arm of the hard-pressed Aodhan with tremendous force, severing it at the shoulder in a gory display. The dead Gavishman collapsed in a pool of his own blood as Hogar readied to advance against the remaining Tainted Ones, who were unlikely to last long now that their best fighter had fallen. Edmund: "Ser Scirheah lied to you," Edmund continued, his eyes fixed on Aeschild, his voice remorseless in revealing naked truths. "He gave you the excuse that it was the Power itself that was to blame for their deaths. But even as he said it, you knew that it was what YOU did that killed them. Your pride killed them." Leofric: Leofric went after one of the Tainted Ones and slayed her due to big gap in their experience sd: Aeschild gave a wild scream and sent another shining blade towards Edmund and Erlene, who leapt aside. Beomund: Beomund was focused on Edmund's exchange with Aeschild, even as a Tainted One approached him. He closed his eyes for a moment, picturing in his mind the Well at Wyrdstow, and the glimpse into Aeschild's pain he had experienced there. The word seemed to slow for him. He raised a hand and began murmuring the words to a spell. One of the Tainted Ones attempted to strike him, but he spun aside and knocked her feet out from under her even as he continued to cast. Out of the rocky barrier near Aeschild, figures of stone began to emerge. Forthred. Ermenred. Aethelwine. Burwenna. They reached out toward her, plaintive expressions on their faces, and yet... welcoming. Offering her another chance. Beomund: edit: The Tainted One attempted... Beomund: *edit: The world seemed to slow... Edmund: "Aeschild, this is your chance to make right what you did," Edmund said, his voice now pleading. "You were only a child when you faced the test at Wyrdstow. But you are not a child now. Please take this one chance to grow beyond that pain, and become what you truly are." sd: Aeschild lifted Frostbite again, holding it up towards the Wyrd. She sought to block out her pain and agony, to continue on, but her gaze fell on where Aodhan and Ser Hengest were dying below, and her guilt and shame overcame her. The power that had begun to concentrate in her blade instead sheared down and struck her, pinning her to the ground. She shrieked as the Wyrd flew utterly out of her control. In that instant, they felt her potent Will utterly driven from her, all magical capacity burned into ash - she who had set out to destroy the tainted power succeeded only in removing it from herself.
But in that instant reality seemed to lurch, and the Star began to whirl in the skies above, shifting impossibly fast, rotating between hundreds of colours in the blink of an eye. Aeschild had tethered her spells to those of the Prophet, and now that her Will had failed, that which he had wrought risked coming utterly undone. Before it could burst and reave all magic from everyone within a hundred miles, they put forward their Wills and found themselves drawn towards the Star... sd: an eternal instant passed. they blinked, and the four of them were floating in a dark void. the great light of the cord seemed remote here, for all around them were woven purple strands of potential, worked with great skill and attention.
after the great shock of the battle below, it seemed almost impossible not to seek to float up towards the peaceful glow of the Cord, whatever it might do to them. Before they could be carried away, however, a single great strand came up towards them, and it took on an aspect as of a single great arrow with a long trailing thread. As it brushed past them, they felt the manifestation of a Will they knew to be Erlene's, tethering them into place, bringing them back to themselves and preventing them from simply floating away.
Aeschild's strands had formed a great corridor, like a tunnel in reality. At the end of that tunnel, they could see a great, snowy mountain, one they had all seen before, but it was different here than it had been in the flesh. Even at this impossible distance they could see where the blood of the Prophet soaked the snow, and they thought that if they simply allowed themselves to be drawn towards it, they might reach a place where they could stabilise the Prophet's work for long enough that they could return and undo the dampening at a more sedate pace. sd: they allowed themselves to float, to be drawn towards Mount Maragar. They felt absolute peace and contentment as they came towards it, and they could feel the incredible power that radiated out from those strands, both those which Aeschild had worked, and those of the Prophet, interwoven with each other. As they drew nearer, the former faded, and the tangles grew less, enough that the space around them cleared, and they could see a dark-purple sky and a great, golden light around them. It was nearer than they had ever known it before, so close one could almost simply reach up and touch them, if one no longer desired existence.
there was a great force that suddenly tugged at them and they thought for a panicked moment they would be hurled up into the Cord. Instead, the force pulled them forward, and they skidded and found themselves upon the Mountain. They had come to a halt in the snow where the Prophet's blood stained the ground, and it was there that they became aware of the sensation that they were being watched.
they turned towards the pinnacle of the mountain, and that was where they saw him, sitting down. A gleaming silver circlet sat on his head, which was crowned with silver hair. He wore only leather leggings and his chest was bare. The wound in his side was stark crimson against his ruddy flesh. His hands were strong, but also agile and deft as he steepled his fingers at their approach. His face was one they would never, could never, have seen before, for it was forbidden to them. His eyes were blue and strong, filled with stern determination but also wisdom and humanity. He stood, and stretched, and then the Prophet reached out his hand and beckoned them forward.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 22, 2017 18:26:54 GMT
sd: they turned towards the pinnacle of the mountain, and that was where they saw him, sitting down. A gleaming silver circlet sat on his head, which was crowned with silver hair. He wore only leather leggings and his chest was bare. The wound in his side was stark crimson against his ruddy flesh. His hands were strong, but also agile and deft as he steepled his fingers at their approach. His face was one they would never, could never, have seen before, for it was forbidden to them. His eyes were blue and strong, filled with stern determination but also wisdom and humanity. He stood, and stretched, and then the Prophet reached out his hand and beckoned them forward.
the closeness of the cord was mesmerising, and as they moved forward to where the Prophet stood they could not help but glance at it. All along the great length of the cord, there were images, flowing at impossible speeds. Yet their eyes needed only to briefly register the ghostly forms, and then the scenes were burned immediately into them. They were scenes of many realities, of people in infinite multitudes. They were of every type, there were humans and monsters, there were children and the old, there were women, men, there were those who were neither or both. There were scenes of battle or peace, in great towns or the loneliest wilderness, moments of kind nobility or the utmost brutality, but no matter what they beheld, the people were in action. With every step they shed old flesh and their forms shifted. No matter how long they watched, there was nothing to be seen that remained still, nothing that remained in stability or balance.
"When I first came here I couldn't have hoped to understand what it was the Lord God showed me," said the Prophet. "Even the passing of whole seasons, or years, or decades. It wasn't until I passed that I could grasp the Will of God." Edmund: Edmund dropped to one knee and bowed his head. Then he looked up into the infinitely wise blue eyes. "Must we do the same, my lord? Or will you teach us?" Leofric: Leofric also followed the same gesture as Edmund as the Prophet is the King and Emperor so long ago. His eyes looked up with interest as what the Prophet may have to say, would it match their hopes or fill them with despairs Beomund: Beomund floated beside the others, transfixed by both the scenes they saw in the cord and by the Prophet before them. He looked as if he were debating whether this was some trick or the truth. Finally he too moved into a kneeling position as despite not standing on solid ground, and bowed his head. Hogar: Hogar had known they would have to enter the Wyrd and that it would be an even more intense experience than the previous times, as what they had set to do was literally a world-changing undertaking, but even that could not have prepared him for such a meeting. His ethereal soul-form stood and bowed with the others, though he seemed slightly uncertain as he did so, as if not yet sure about the Prophet's intentions Beomund: edit: position despite... sd: "You may stand," said the Prophet, though he did not do the same. "I will try to teach you. I think you may be able to understand better than I would have. When I first came here my heart was filled with grief, and that always returned to me when I came here. Perhaps that made it harder for me. There are some mistakes which I made, errors in the fabric of the Way. I would undo these if I could, with this brief time that Aeschild has given me." The Prophet paused. "When you entered into this place, my mind was flooded with many images of you. I've seen many of the experiences of your lives. You may be able to comprehend what you learn better than I was, although I can't be certain." Edmund: Edmund stood. "When we came here to Palania we thought we understood, that the Way was immutable. We have learned since that Change is at the heart of life, and that magic can be used for good or ill. Are we on the right path?" he asked. Beomund: Beomund nodded in agreement with Edmund, and added: "You say Aeschild gave you this time?" Hogar: Hogar seemed relieved as his spirit 'stood', as if he had expected harsher words or even outright condemnation. "Will the Way be just as it was before you came here, or will it be truly anew?" he asked, still with some hesitation Leofric: Leofric nodded with agreement on his peers' questions, "Such questions has been on my mind since we learnt how to wield them." He said solmenly sd: the Prophet didn't respond for a long time. When he finally responded he said, "When I was a boy there was a man in Malagen whose son was my friend. This man was a warrior of some renown, and a careless man. When he was drunk or otherwise unconcerned, he would leave his sharpened blade down where even we children might reach it. I cut myself on the blade one day and he and my father exchanged harsh words, I no longer saw my friend again after this incident and soon the warrior moved to a village in the mountains. When I was a man I met him again and we renewed our acquaintance for some years until he was killed in battle."
"When they moved my friend's father's habits grew even worse, and he continued to leave his weapons in dangerous locations. He argued vehemently that if his children were stupid enough to harm themselves on them, then it was their own fault and it would teach them not to make the same error again. One evening, when he was extremely drunk after a feast, the dragonspawn attacked suddenly, and one managed to sneak into his hut. My friend, who was only eight, took up the careless blade and killed the dragonspawn from behind, saving his father's life."
"My friend's father thought himself utterly vindicated. Do you think he was wise? The blade in the hands of a child might do great harm, but in this instance it was used for good." Edmund: Edmund considered this for a while. "I think the responsible father will teach his children how to handle weapons with respect and care, knowing that at some time they will need this knowledge." sd: "He might. But if there was a way to blunt all weapons, would a responsible man not take it? There are distasteful tools to be used in emergencies that nevertheless we should work to be rid of. More than once I had the displeasure of employing assassins when I was Emperor, but still I maintained a law against murder." Edmund: "It is hard to imagine a world in which weapons will never more be needed, although it would be a happier one," Edmund responded. "But whereas a sword or a spear is always a weapon, magic is not. It is a power that can be used to heal as well as harm." Leofric: "Take for an example, a dagger. A small version of a sword but its use can be multiple from scrapping for parchment to cutting away a septic wound to using it to skin an apple." He considered for a moment Leofric: EDIT: Peeling an apple Hogar: "Magic can be used to build and craft too, as might a mason's hammer and chisel."added Hogar to Edmund's words, looking at Beomund's aetheric form "Most mages are far better than assassins. And yet some forms of magic are indeed vile. Could one perhaps prevent some forms of magic, but not all?" he asked the Prophet, humbly Edmund: Edmund looked sharply at Hogar. sd: "With the tainted power, I slew a Dragon God and saved the city of Malagen. I know that it can be a force for sublime good. But it can be used for darkness in ways that no other force can. Can your dagger bring new beings into existence from nothing as it did with the dragonspawn, as it would have done on Coelney had you not stopped it? Can a chisel make a region desolate and uninhabitable for decades?" the Prophet shook his head. "The tainted power is an indivisible whole. When I passed, I laid a dampening upon the world that blunted all magic - human or demon, good or evil. If it were possible to do what you suggest I would do it, but it isn't - or if it is, I don't know how it would be done. But even if we could..." the Prophet paused. "The Lord God does not desire that any one Will should prove to dominate and oppress others, not even His own. The tainted power brings with it a danger that this can happen more than any other force in the world." Beomund: Beomund's brow had been furrowed throughout the back and forth his companions had with the Prophet. "Perhaps this power can be used for domination. But even with it gone, there will be those who dominate through steel. And when they rule, who might dare resist? With magic, even the feeble can dare to change things against otherwise impossible odds." Edmund: Edmund nodded at Beomund's words. Edmund: "Surely God himself made magic, with all its risks and dangers," Edmund said. "Intending us to use it for good not ill." Hogar: "That is unfortunate. I would gladly live in a world where magic could be used to heal and craft, accepting what harm may come from it as long as it could be not used bind the souls of the dead against their will or torture them for power or many other vile things we have seen necromancers and blood-mages to do. But..." Hogar seemed unsure now, as if he knew his next words could be perceived as lacking in humility, for he was speaking to the Prophet himself "If preventing any kind of magic God's will, then why would He allow it in the first place? Could it be He wants His Children to shape and create, projecting their Will on the Universe following His example, even if He knows they will stumble and make mistakes along the way? sd: "In the matter of God's Will...that was where I made my most grievous errors," said the Prophet. "I must respond to you simply. The Lord God does not desire the removal of the tainted power, nor does He desire it to be stronger. I'm not certain that He cares about it at all. When a dampening was laid over the tainted power, that was because of my Will, not God's." Hogar: Hogar was left speechless for the moment, taken aback by the Prophet's words; he obviously had not considered he might receive an answer so simple and direct. Edmund: Edmund gazed at the Prophet's face, surprised by his words. He spoke quietly, "God made all manner of ways in which we can do evil. Without magic, men can still be cruel, can cause pain, suffering and death, give in to lust or rage or greed." Edmund sighed, then added, "or pride, as Aeschild did". sd: "In the soul of my daughter Aeschild I see one so like myself that I was astonished to learn that her blood is not my own," said the Prophet. "Though her prideful sin was far less than mine. She never claimed a throne, nor was she so arrogant as to say that what she said was the final piece that any person might know to understand God or this world." He sighed. "After I passed and I allowed myself to be absorbed into the Spirit of God, I felt at peace, and for the first time as these images that the Lord God had showed me I could for the first time truly understand their importance. The Will of God is something that I would not have considered. It has left me saddened beyond words, and it is terrifying. May I show you certain things? Then we can speak again." Edmund: After a slight pause, Edmund nodded. Leofric: Leofric nodded with wareness, wondering what it can be so terrifying Hogar: Hogar accepted; no matter how shocking or confusing these images could be, they had to be seen Beomund: Beomund said nothing, though he must have assented to his companions' agreement. He clenched his jaw in preparation for what was to come. sd: The Prophet seemed to do nothing for a moment. Then he put out his hand, and like the sceptre of a great emperor, a tendril of possibility unrolled from him. Like a lash it uncoiled, stretching towards the great golden Cord, wrapping securely around it. For a moment the Prophet's eyes went egg-white and he gave a great convulsion. He shook himself, and then four thin threads unwound themselves from his lash, slithering towards the spot where the party stood. All along its length there shone the light of a million suns, blinding in its incandescence. sd: when they touched them, they too began to shake, and images began to flow before them, battering their minds with perfect clarity, hurling them into the flesh of others... sd: They saw a woman whose hands were stained with her own blood. She had been born with nothing, and those who were strong had left here with even less. Many times she was told she could pull herself up if only she worked hard enough, but each time she tried to climb, her bloody hands slipped, and every effort left her with no more of anything, save fatigue and regret.
She had been born with no tools save her body and her brain, but time began to forge her new ones, which were anger and bitterness. She perceived that honesty would not prevail her, but dishonesty perhaps might. She began to change, began to cheat, began to steal, began to kill.
Now that the blood on her hands was no longer her own, she was able to climb, but each rung let her no more satisfied than before. Perhaps the climb itself was useless; perhaps the summit was as lonely and unfulfilling as the base. But she would not yield to this possibility.
As she climbed ever higher she began to spill the blood of those who had wronged her. Often some unfortunate soul as blameless as she had once been stumbled into her path, but she slew them just as readily, and felt nothing. She gained influence and began to plot her final revenge, to bring about a great change in power in her land. As she did, others who she had wronged began to plot their own revenge, and she was their target. And in the imbalance between the wrongs she had suffered and those she had inflicted, in the power she had gained and that which eluded her, the outcome would be determined. And from the changes wrought in this chaos, new changes as yet unseen would emerge. sd: They saw a person whose dimming eyes were fixed on the ground, whose shoulders sagged beneath self-doubt. A grey demon had stooped unseen upon him and was draining all vitality from his limbs. His wife spotted the demon and cried out a warning, but he was foolish and slow to listen to her, and by the time he began to grapple with the demon it had driven him to his knees, near to final sleep.
He was able to fling the demon away and struggle to his feet, but it hovered round him and looked constantly for a new perch. Defiant, he seized dice and a pen, and sent the dice spinning before him. The result did not matter, only that the dice had been thrown at all. Words streamed from his pen, and the demon recoiled and fled wailing.
Then he stretched to full stature, and he was in new garb and unafraid. Her aspect began to alter, their form began to shift with great speed. Their wife enfolded them in a warm embrace, and they began to look again to the sky with a dragon’s confidence. Then the demon’s claw grabbed them suddenly round the ankle, and they were again locked in furious struggle, hurtling to the ground.
As the demon tore at them they came to a crossroads, and each turning was filled with uncertainty. Here, they went forward and overcame the demon; there, the demon pulled him low and slew him; there, she transformed and became a new person. But in the imbalance between their self-doubt and another’s unconditional love, between their desire for destruction and desire for creation, that was where the outcome would be decided. They had already begun to change, and from these seeds, new changes as yet unseen would emerge. sd: as these flashed before them they felt a force trying to pull them back and away, but rather than taking them away it instead hurled them forward, and still more images came to them... sd: They saw a man upon a mountaintop, bleeding into the snow. He had been pierced in the side, but a wound more grievous had been struck against his soul. He cast his mind’s eye to his home many miles away. There, he saw his wife and children, who had died because of his errors, and who he had been powerless to help. He wept bitter tears and cursed the cruel and false gods who had allowed such evil
For what had seemed an eternity he had sought vainly to bend the golden cord to him, to turn the infinite potential and power that he sensed around to his will and bring back those he loved. Yet it was a folly. It was not the golden cord that needed to bend to his will, but he who must bend to its.
He tried again to cast his mind back to the deluge of imagery that had blasted him when he had opened himself to the great cord. The exact details had floated away like the phantasms of troubled sleep, yet the impressions were clear. The power of the golden cord was immense, indeed limitless, and its knowledge all-encompassing. Yet it seemed to the man that the cord was imprisoned by these very powers, and wanted an end to them. It made no sense.
Whenever he tried to make his mind focus upon any specific image that the cord had sent to him, he saw just one, the one that he longed to be free of, the one he had caused. Aethyric blight. The name of the thing which had killed his wife and children, that had nearly killed him, triggered by his own recklessness, was burned into his soul.
Epiphany struck him. It was not only the great cord that was imprisoned by its own power, whose limitless capacity had become a curse to itself. In the presence of the revealed God, the man knelt in the snow and began to pray, began to change. In the imbalance between who he had been and what he hoped to become, between the way he had once followed and the Way that he now saw, new changes as yet unseen would emerge. sd: as these final images passed before them, the will they had felt pulled them away again, this time with greater force, and they found themselves once again in the Void, standing before the Prophet, who seemed to them as if he had shrunk or aged. "I never could comprehend why the Lord God was so fixated upon images of alteration and change. I thought perhaps He wanted me to learn lessons from these images - to avoid such mistakes, or learn nobility. I now think there is a different reason why He showed me such things." Edmund: "Change is the way..., " Edmund said in a low voice, as if hardly able to speak after what they had seen. sd: "In all my years as Emperor of the Virians, as the Prophet of God, I never stopped for a moment to consider what it must be like to be the Lord God," said the Prophet. "One who knows all things, one whose power is such that its Will is immediately made manifest. But the Lord God is as He is. He cannot become other than what He is now. He cannot Change." Edmund: "But his creation changes all the time," Edmund said softly. sd: "It changes, and yet He has seen what it is to become already, because He knows all things. Those of us who are human, we begin to become other than what we are when we learn new things which we didn't know, or when we grow old, or when we discover new people...these are not experiences that the Lord God can have. And He wants them." Edmund: Edmund frowned. "God wants to become... like us?" sd: "Yes! The Will of God is to not be God!" Edmund: Even Edmund fell silent as these words sank in. "How is that even possible? What would happen to the world if God... abdicates? And - forgive me my lord, but how do you know this? How can you be sure God actually has spoken to you?" Leofric: Leofric frowned with the revelation... "A desire to experience new things and changes for better or worse... " sd: "I can't be certain, but it is what I believe," said the Prophet. "When I passed, I allowed the power of the great Cord to fill me, so that I might send it forth to dampen the tainted power. It did, but then these images began to flow before me, and they haven't ceased for a moment until Aeschild unpicked what I had done and I was spun back out into this place for a time. They are all of this sort, they all end with a person or people or whole nations or whole worlds that change. I'm not sure if all of these things that I see are real, or if they are in this world or another, or if they are things that have happened or will happen or are dreams. But they are what the Lord God is fixated upon. They are what He wants us to see. He made us, I think, so that we could see these things and then act. And if you ask of this world..." the Prophet spread his hands. "The Lord God would have another world, I believe. One He is not master of. All the suffering of this life, the evil and the harshness and suffering of the grey world, the Lord God is indifferent to these things. The Lord God does not care if the world is fair or foul, so long as He can experience wonder, and surprise, and change." Edmund: "If you said this of a human being, we would think them mad, deranged...," Edmund was horrified. "If God made all, and he cares nothing for whether it is fair or foul, then why do WE care, why do we try to do good and not ill." Beomund: "Perhaps we care because we can change," replied Beomund, sounding sad. "We can experience things that fill us with fresh joy or fresh horror, and through this we can learn that bringing hope is better than bringing pain. He can feel none of that." Hogar: "More magic would bring wonder and surprise and change - not all of it good, but if as you say God does not care one way or the other. And yet we do. What then? If we cannot eradicate only some forms of magic as I suggested, then I say we accept the risk and responsability and bring back the full potential for magic - all magic - and do what we can to curtail its abuses." Hogar asid, obviously with a heavy heart Leofric: Leofric's eyes darkened for a moment, "We heard that a world has been destroyed and remade so many time and is this the ulimate goal of God? So we need to act as a fire to a frozen ice structure?" Leofric muttered for a moment. He nodded agreeing with Hogar. Edmund: Edmund nodded. "We can continue to follow our own consciences, we can learn and choose. Free magic will strengthen the monsters, maybe bring forth new ones, so we must learn to deal with them in a new way. It is awesome, in every sense of the word." Leofric: Leofric narrowed his eyes for a moment as he considered the history of their world, "Just had a horrible thought. The revival of magic strengthened and revitalised the monstrous races somehow." He considered the possible idea/ Edmund: "Maybe this time it will revitalise humans," Edmund said. sd: "These decisions, these matters of good and evil, they're for us to decide, not God," the Prophet said in agreement. "I don't know if this world has yet been made and unmade. It seems as likely as any other idea. Maybe the one who had it saw these images and believed they were worlds that have been." The Prophet sighed. "I am sorry. It's not an easy thing to realise that God does not actually love us as I had thought - or hoped, perhaps." He thought for a while. "It is possible that the tainted power is one way that exists so that we might bring into creation a new world and bring about the abdication of God. It can certainly bring sudden and abrupt change. But it's not the only thing that can do this. I think the experience of these hundreds of years since I passed have shown there is another way." Edmund: Edmund leaned forward in great interest. "There is?" sd: "When I laid the dampening, my workings were far from perfect - had they been, the tainted power would already be gone. In fact it's possible that had all else been left alone, it would have already ceased to be. But the site of Mount Maragar has been the focus of millions upon millions of pilgrimages and voyages. It's been kept safe from any spilling of blood for two hundred and thirty years. Even when they are not there, the people of the Virian Way have kept it in their minds and have held it as an honoured place in our faith. That is the other way. The faith of the great multitude of the people. The united wills of the children of God. We can make this a world that is not grey but bright and vibrant. If we put our faith in one another, and don't allow any one person, or groups of people, to dominate and oppress others with powers worldly or tainted, we can succeed. We can fulfill our Wills and the Will of God." sd: "Were it not for this power, I believe the dampening that I laid would have already unravelled. We Virians are not the majority of the people of this world by any standard, but there are enough of us, and we are united enough, in a way no other people are. I can't return to the grey world, but you can. If you can keep the Way together, while correcting my errors, then we might move towards the greatest movement of unity that there has ever been." Edmund: "You want us to complete the removal of magic from the world?" Edmund asked. Beomund: Beomund smiled wistfully, appreciating the Prophet's hope despite his own doubts. "There are divides even among us, however. Do you think it's possible for the branches of our faith to be united?" sd: The Prophet fixed Beomund with a firm gaze. "I would bet my soul upon it. Indeed, I already have."
To Edmund, the Prophet nodded. "But this isn't what you want. I understand why this is even though I believe you are wrong. Regardless of what happens, we must certainly do something about the dampening. Aeschild has pulled it into a different shape and if left on its own it might either settle back as it was, or, more likely, it might fall in some new and unpredictable way. It might burn the power from everyone for many miles around, or it might surge into them and make mages of them all. You could help me to end the tainted power, or at least allow me to set the dampening back in place as it was before. Or you might seek to remove it altogether, though I will not allow this." Edmund: "It seems you are still determined to carry on as before," Edmund said, saddened by the Prophet's words. "We are not religious leaders, Wulfric. While I would embrace a world in which no man had power over another, no groups dominate or oppress, I will not lie to people to obtain it." Hogar: "You speak of keeping the Virian Way together." Hogar spoke, sounding more sure of himself than before "But if God does not truly care about humanity then this unity would be based on a terrible deception, wouldn'it? Unless you would have us tell the people about this. There is a place for lies, deceit and trickery, when other more honest means fail...but here? Would you have us lie to the people who put their trust in us as they did in you?" sd: "I want you to tell the people the whole truth," said Wulfric. "I failed to do so. There are things I didn't understand, but there are others that I did and I deliberately didn't tell them. It was wrong. But if you can preserve enough of what there is that's good, to perserve it and bring people along over time, then you can repair my errors without destroying the whole Way." He sighed. "Or perhaps you will need to tear it down entirely and build something new in its place, something better than I was able to." Beomund: "But if that truth is to be preserved..." said Beomund. "Should not decisions as important as the fate of magic be left to the people as well? Should we not at least give them the opportunity to learn all that we have learned, and to then decide whether its power must be driven from the world?" Edmund: Edmund smiled at Beomund, who always found his way to the heart of things. Leofric: "And perhaps we may be able to build something new in its place." Leofric nodded sd: Wulfric shook his head sadly. "The dampening is already beginning to unravel. I could put it back together - no stronger than it was before, no weaker - and then you could take this road, if you wished. I will not oppose you if that is your desire. Though you will need to somehow persuade the Conclave and the Changers and others that they should wait to hear the verdict of the people, a task which could take your whole lives, if not more." Edmund: "And if we do as we promised, and remove the dampening altogether, you will stand in our way?" Edmund asked, just to confirm the situation. sd: "I will." Wulfric stood. "I've seen many things that you've done. You are men of true honour. I wish that you had lived when I did, and perhaps things would have been different. I would have been proud to name you as my friends. But you are not the only ones who ever made a promise. I too made a promise, when I laid shrouds over the bodies of my beloved Celhild and our children. I will not allow the chains I have laid on the tainted power to be removed." Edmund: "There is something we should know," Edmund asked. "We were taught that your wife and children died of a plague. Was this due to some action of your own, involving magic?" sd: Wulfric's eyes were filled with tears. He blinked them away and then spoke. "You've recently encountered a terrible dragonspawn magic which they named aethyric blight. When anyone uses the tainted power around it, it is triggered, and a sickness begins. What you encountered, and overcame, was a lesser form of this magic. Lesser, I should say, because of the dampening I laid on the power of magic."
"Before I went to Mount Maragar, I was a priest of Cenwulf the skilled god, and I learned to wield the tainted power. The dragonspawn knew there were many of our priests who used the tainted power and they took advantage of this. They would leave the triggers for their blight in mines or in abandoned villages, or even, if they could bribe an agent, within the great cities themselves. In this case, it was over a vein of the finest silver. Not realising what had been done, I used the tainted power to help excavate the vein, and I then shaped some of the silver into gifts for Celhild and our children. That was how I became ill, but once the blight began to spread it didn't confine itself to the tainted, at least not before the dampening." Edmund: Edmund spoke slowly and carefully. "The magic that you used was perverted by enemies. This was... like an enemy putting poison on something which you then gave to your child. It was their evil, their twisting of the magic to make it into something which would kill the innocent. It does not mean the magic was evil of itself." Beomund: "That blight, dragonspawn magic..." said Beomund. "Could it be ended? Could we make sure that the power would not be tainted in such a way, and then the Dampening would not be necessary to protect people from it?" sd: "I realise this," Wulfric said to Edmund. "But you have no right to tell me that the positive things you have experienced are pure and good and true, while the negative things I have experienced don't count. I understand that this power can be good or evil. The question is which is more likely, the question is what unique problems this power creates. It creates more than it solves." Edmund: "The first person to strike fire from flint created unique problems," Edmund replied. "A road that would lead to the forging of blades but also the warmth at the heart of every home. Would you have fire banished from the world because it can burn?" Beomund: "You're right that the power creates unique problems," added Beomund. "But might they be faced? Are there other ways than to make the power mean more good than ill, just as we learn to build with materials that do not burn?" Beomund: *other ways to Hogar: "You did much, Wulfric."said Hogar, addressing the man by name for the first time. "Some of it was good. Your heart was and still is in the right place. But you admit you made mistakes; you didn't tell the people things you knew, and may have convinced them of things you knew to be false. It does you credit to recognize that was wrong, yet you persist in thinking that your way is the best. What if you left others decide - not the people, but us, as we are here now? Hogar: I know these are bold words to speak to the man who birthed the faith we were raised in but consider this: you made others trust in you at great personal cost, deciding how they should led your lives. I think it is fair then to ask you to trust others to decide here and now, instead of still believing you know the best way. You can still help create a better world with your wisdom and power" Leofric: "And as you pointed out yourself, we can return to the world and attempt to make the best of the situations we may cause in the furture." He added Hogar: edit: deciding how they should lead their lives. sd: "You told me that Aeschild was proud, and she is. You intimated that I am proud, and I am," said Wulfric. "But you too are filled with pride. You think you can solve all the world's ills, one by one! You think you have the judgement for it! As long as a great power - which you all happen to possess, of course - is unchained! If you were told that the cost of what you wanted to do was that you would live, but the tainted power would be riven from you, would you still persist?" Beomund: Beomund did not hesitate. "To me this power was only something meant to do what good I could, when my life felt empty. I would have traded it in an instant for Aisha, and would trade it again to benefit the people of this land. I'm sure you felt the same, and that is why you laid the Dampening. But you were not trading your own power only, but everyone's." Edmund: Edmund nodded in agreement with this. "You have seen so much of what we do, but you still do not understand why we do it. I would be sorry to no longer be able to use those powers for good, to cleanse and enrich the world, but if that was the price I would pay it." Hogar: "There are four of us and we have lived very different lives and see things differently, despite having been together as friends and companions for years since we came Palania. We have come to trust each other despite our differences and see the value even in our disagreements. And yet we agree that restoring magic is the best thing to do now. It's not the will of the people, true, but isn't something four friend agree on less likely to be about pride than the decision of one man, no matter how wise he might consider himself? Hogar: As for me, I would gladly accept such an offer. Not that my magic is worth much, compared to my companions' or yours, of course. It was useful enough and I am glad I learned it, but losing it would be a tiny price to pay for what I believe would be a better world, in the end." Edmund: "Four of us, yes, but we also represent many more," Edmund added. "The Changers and the Conclave and others." Leofric: test Leofric: Leofric sighed for a moment as he considered the matter. He scratched a back of his neck as Leofric considered this matter. "Speaking as someone who seems to have a great affinity in using my Will to shape the power and seeing how much of a multiplier it has in our previous four years in helping us in many tasks that we perform. Without magic, we will fail and quite likely die much earlier on.” Leofric: Edmund is an outstanding bard with countless songs to his name, Beomund is a great smith in armour and weapon, Hogar is a strong warrior, capable of commanding an army and capable of healing our grievous wounds. I just want to have a library and teach people how to read and to learn." He smiled sadly for a moment. "When I was offered a chance to learn the power, I believed that it was a choice between the ability to use magic or to risk my faith. I chose to keep my faith and still I was given to use magic. Now...” Leofric paused for a moment, “I do believe that magic can be helpful and my faith is still strong as ever. With that in balance, I will happily sacrifice my own ability in using magic if it mean that we can remove dampening, then so be it.” sd: Wulfric of Barthenfold laughed. "If you're prepared to live with your decisions, then so be it!" he seized a tendril of potentiality. "The dampening cannot simply dissipate," he said, "but it must be allowed to pour away or drain away somewhere. Five somewheres, in this case. You four, and myself." Edmund: Edmund swallowed hard, feeling the touch of the power within himself for one last time, then he too reached out for a tendril of potentiality. Hogar: Hogar was as good as his word and did not hesitate as he reached for a tendril. Leofric: Leofric was slightly ataken back by the laugh from Wulfric as he reached for a tendril. Beomund: Beomund turned to the others. "I will admit to my doubts. Change is the Way, perhaps, but this change will come with many risks. Still, I've come to trust you all as deeply as a man can trust another. We will face this change, together, and do what we can to make it good for the world." He reached for his own tendril. sd: "You will live, because I will not," said Wulfric, slowly winding a tendril around the great golden cord. "Whatever your pride, however maddeningly wrong you are, I know you are men of honour and you will do everything you can to repair the errors I've made. There is no Finality, and there never can be. The children of God will need to continue to learn and develop new ways to think and live until this grey world comes to an end. Please, repair the errors and woes I have handed down to you. In later generations, others will come to do the same for your mistakes." Edmund: "We will do everything we can," Edmund promised. sd: "And remember the Will of God. Even if you hate Him for it - and I can hardly say you would be unjustified in that - He deserves a chance to achieve what He desires, as everyone does. Give Him what time you can that He can achieve liberation from His prison of all-power." At this, there was a tremendous noise as energy vibrated from the golden cord. sd: Wulfric sent forth his tendril of possibility, and it joined to their four, threading together. As the light of the cord continued to grow, it illuminated the great expanse above them, and they saw distantly a great tri-coloured Star. In the sky it appeared distant and material, but here, they could see it was woven of many tightly interconnected tendrils, throbbing in time with one another. Some strands had been torn away from it, however, and great, uneven globules of energy pulsed forth from it. Wulfric began to shape the tendrils of what could be into long, great spars like funnels, that the energy could be safely siphoned off and poured down into to the ends of the threads, where they stood waiting. Leofric: Leofric looked at the tri-coloured star with interest as he ready to recieve the energy. Edmund: Edmund gazed up, awed, but there were tears in his eyes. If there could have only been some other way... Beomund: Beomund wore a faint smile, as if he had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time. Once their decision had been made, worry had left him. Hogar: Hogar was still, silent and calm as he beheld the star, his soul showing no trace of regret. It would be a small sacrifice for him, and he knew much good could come out of it. sd: funneled through the tendrils of possibility, through the great light of the golden cord, the power of Wulfric's dampening poured into them and their souls and minds began to reel. New images were dancing before them, but this time they could hear a faint murmur, like the voice of God in their ears, and as they began to process these visions they could sense an immense envy, an impossible sadness, a feeling of absolute and total isolation, one which would last for all time. then their minds melted away and visions bombarded them. sd: They saw a people whose aspects were uncertain and angry, as the ground began to slip beneath them. They had been raised up by the actions of others long before they were born, and below them was a great throng, but they would neither descend to meet them, nor raise them up in fellowship.
Imagining themselves besieged, the frightened folk began to hurl great stones down upon those below, and these terrible missiles sent their cousins, who meant them no harm, fleeing and scattering. Now the uncertain folk began to gather, and here and again they would rush out in a sortie, torches held high, to encircle some isolated folk among their enemies and deal grievous injuries to them. Those they hated began to gather, and before any greater numbers or any even fight the uncertain folk fled at once.
From their high place they would look down upon their foes, who were now gathering, but every now and again those who were upon the ground began to quarrel among themselves.
The angry people who had been raised up looked down with grim smiles. They would not allow their enemies up to commune with them, and they would not be replaced! But it might yet prove that they could not withstand those they had made their foes. In the imbalance between confusion and certainty, in the advantages those on high had inherited and the humanity and courage of those below, the outcome would be decided. And from the changes this battle wrought, new changes as yet unseen would emerge. sd: They saw huge, shadowed buildings and long, crammed streets where millions upon millions trudged in the gloom. In their faces were weariness and resignation, bitterness and cynicism, expressions of utter defeat. Upon their backs stood huge and uncaring men, and their cruel heels drove them down into the darkness of a future without hope of improvement.
But some among the thronging mass gathered round a single bright spark. Beleaguered, forlorn, but unbent, they nursed it like the seed of a lone tree upon the face of the earth, and its red fruit nourished them and filled them with a hopeful anger. As more and more gathered round they began to learn their strength, and to understand the most sacred truths; that they were not alone, and they could become other than what they were.
Then there rose a great tumult as those who had eaten from the tree went out to contend with the cruel men who ground them down. These titans were great and mighty, but few, and their roars of anger were drowned beneath many voices, upraised in joyous song. As they watched, the outcome of this battle was yet undecided. In the imbalance between the great numbers of the masses and the might of the titans, between the old fear and new urgency of the masses, the outcome would be decided. In this very contention and struggle, those who had come to eat from the tree began to change, and from these seeds, new changes as yet unseen would emerge. sd: they fell from an impossible height, and before their unblinking eyes they saw Wulfric of Barthenfold arise. Tears streamed from his eyes and a great grey shadow lay upon him. He stood there in the snow of Mount Maragar, where his blood had stained the ground for two hundred and fifty years, but now the droplets were beginning at last to fade. Dashing his grief from his eyes, he rose up and looked back towards where the party plummeted in the aetherial Void. It was not what he would have wanted, but in one brief moment they sensed his thought, that he was glad that, for one final moment, he had allowed another to decide, and allowed the heavy burden to be taken from his shoulders. Wulfric rose up towards the great light of the Cord. Without fear, he allowed his very being to be submerged into it, and as they were hurled back they saw his silhouette beginning to dissolve into dust. They saw him smile and then all of reality went wheeling away.
They were lying on a snowy perch of rock, gazing up at a sky with no Star. They could sense many people around them, but it took them a moment to realise the party were awake. They heard Erlene's voice shriek with delight, and, for the first time, they left behind the great Cord with no regret, and returned to the grey world. sd: the Star was now gone, and with it the dampening. A great sorrow filled them when they tried to put forth their Wills to reach a power that was now forever beyond them, but they had many friends and loved ones who would more than fill such a void, for there were many powers in the world, which was not only grey but filled with a great multitude of beautiful colours.
the fall of the Star struck at the heart of every Virian, for who could see the very manifestation of their faith change and then cease to be without wondering if they had been deserted? In the place of the few and contained heresies of the Faithful and the Changers, there sprang overnight a hundred dissident sects, all in great argument over what the loss of the Star signified. The civil war in Gastony ended immediately, each side convinced that the wrath of God was upon them, and with all things that had seemed certain now in doubt.
with empowered magic and a fallen Star, the Conclave, the Changers, and the Soiled Sisters were triumphant. these last, in particular, began to immediately apply great pressure onto the Council for further changes in Palania, and in this they had the assistance of the new Councillor, Edmund of Malagen. The Bloodied Eyes swiftly and unanimously chose Hogar, their most valiant and decorated warrior, to serve as their Captain-General. While Leofric and Beomund could no longer wield magic, their knowledge and understanding still remained, and they kept in close contact with their former colleagues. As Sigrun's health failed Leofric moved in with her, busying himself with the great work of copying and recording the countless scrolls of lore recovered from the Library of the Sage Manehtar. Beomund went to Bexcheap with Aisha, and she was able to see the chapel that was dedicated to her unveiled with her own eyes.
many were the new imbalances into which more and more children of God might fall. but these imbalances, as troublesome and difficult as they were, were the only things that allowed any hope at all for any growth. only through imbalance could a girl who fled from her home, looking for control of her own life, return, seize control of her circumstances, and become confident and strong. only through imbalance might a boy traumatised by the abuse of one who should have loved him instead find the love and understanding of strangers that would change his life. only through imbalance could a man who had lost everything and become hated by all find a reason to continue and fulfil his passion. only through imbalance could a messenger for others find a voice to shake the foundations of the world, or a street thug become the finest fighter in a brotherhood of honour. only through imbalance could a foundling raised among the dust of a thousand scrolls find both strength and knowledge in the wider world, or could a slave who had lost everything find freedom and recover what he had thought was gone forever. only through imbalance could there be any hope for friendship to spring from the enmity of humanity and monsters, or for there to be hope for the countless people who were without hope in a cruel and dangerous world.
they had wrought a great Change upon the world, but the problems it had sought to repair would create new ones they could never have foreseen, which would echo down into new generations. some day, perhaps while they still lived, all they had wrought would be undone, and new changes as yet unseen would emerge. how long it would be they could not say, but one day or another, all that was solid would melt into the air, and all things would be upturned until not one stone lay undisturbed on another. for the way is change, and change is the way of the world.
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