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Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005
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Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months as the clean up efforts of
The Wall were carried out. From sunup to sundown, those that were able to work, assisted
in the burying of bodies, nursing the wounded back to health, and making arrangements
for family members brave enough to turn the tide. It seemed that every other day,
time was taken out of everyones schedule to attend a service for another one who had
fallen or died in time due to their wounds.
The ranks of Dragoons that stationed themselves in the area made the grounded
airship their home for a time. They too, paid their respects to the dead, and in true
fashion, whenever they could, ensured the quick passing of the mortal coil into the great
beyond. To them, such bravery and fealty to country and kin mirrored their own, and
deserved no less respect.
The barbarians, on the other hand, did not stay for long. After gathering their
people and paying their respects to the dead and dying, they once more began thier trek to
begin the restoration of their own home.
As time passed and repairs were well underway, the need for the Healing Houses
grew less and less, until only a small contingent of Draconian troops and healers
remained. Valandil stayed to the end of all things, ensure ing the safety of the populace from
infection and any other chances of infestation due to the mass graves and tainted carnage that
remained outside the walls. The earth opened up to swallow most, thanks to the powers of
Grael, and Valandil was thankful that the cycle of life still remained. His concerns
now were turned towards his brother, Thorne, who for the last two months had spoken
little, other than to give orders to the last remnants of troops, and his own talon, now of
which only five remained. Valandil watched as he worked himself to exhaustion almost every
day, getting little sleep in those first few weeks, relying instead on the golden
liquid to nourish him. Dark circles had begun to form under his eyes and his features became
pale. Times when Valandil tried to comfort his brother in law, he was not entirely turned
away, but Thorne closed up around him, not wanting, or willing to speak on the events that
happened. Valandil could sense a growing darkness around him and it made him
uneasy, wondering when the dam would break.
But it never did.
At the tail end of the occupation of Wormschloss, the General has lost weight,
and his stature was no longer the man he once was. His blue eyes seemed to become pale,
and his sullen features became even more so. It was no longer hard to tell that
this was a man in pain, but a kind that could be shared with no one. Some Dragoons gave the
General an even wider berth than usual, for fear of making the man more angry, for more
than one occasion did he stop himself from lashing out in anger.
With everything back in order and a full compliment of troops ready to command
the wall and finish repairs, Thorne thought it best to try to return home. He had what
meager belongings he had at the time packed and had Vox ready to go, she now being
fully recovered from her own wounds sustained in battle. Valandil did the same, and
the two watched as the great Airship lifted off the ground, taking with her the last few
Dragoons to head back to Bahumut.
As the airship floated out of sight, Thorne turned to the wall. In the sun, the
dark green foliage that now grew on it had mottled streaks of red in it, from the moss that
had started to grow. The Druaxia had left this, as a gift, to help maintain the
walls integrity while it was being repaired, but the moss was something new. Breathing heavily,
Thorne shook his head.
"Will you be heading home soon, brother?" Valandil questioned.
Thorne looked down at him from his mount, his frown ever present.
"Presently...yes..I will..I have..One more stop to make before I do.."
With that, he turned Vox towards the wall, and gently pressed against her sides,
telling her to lift off and fly. Snow whirled up and about them as they took off, leaving
Valandil alone with his mount and the setting sun behind the mountains.
"The days may be getting longer muindor nin..but for you, I fear they may be
longer still.." Valandil shook his head sadly. He too missed his sister, terribly actually, but
he knew that she did what had to be done. He could not tell his brother that now, though,
and Valandil knew that Thorne realized that fact as well. It just didn't make the loss for
either of them any more easier.
"Hortho le huil vaer, Thorne", he whispered as he climbed on top of his mount
and left the ground heading in the direction towards Aurax.
Thorne landed on the outskirts of the one thing that they could not get rid off.
The remains of Lothec's ship still existed in the place it had crashed and exploded,
and shards of stone still buried in the ground stuck up like jagged teeth of some great
beast. The bulk of the bizarre airship seemed to grin back at the General as he slowly
walked through the rubble, his head looking back and forth at the disaster that fell. Even Vox
seemed to wander away from him, exploring the new ruins on her own, and had Thorne been
listening, he might have caught wind of a saddened sigh coming from his mount.
When Vox had heard the news and understood what had happened, even she went into a
kind of depression. It took the better part of a month of close companionship with
Thorne for her to even begin to think about eating, and even then it was time to short. while
the rider and mount did become closer, each knew that they would grieve for a long time,
and in their own fashion.
His footfalls crunched on the ice hardened snow, and he tried to sidestep the
partial remains that still littered the area. New fallen snow had taken care of the
blood drenched landscape and returned it all to a pristine white, which made the place feel
colder than it was. Now and again, Thorne would step on a dismembered limb, making it jump out
at him, causing him to jerk back and place his hand upon the hilt of his damaged
sword. He cursed himself for being so jumpy when something caught his eye.
It was nothing more than a simple scrap of fabric that clinged to a sharp piece
of rock that once was part of the airship's ruined hull. It fluttered there in the soft
breeze that blew through the valley and Thorne was amazed that he had even seen it. He made his
way through the wreckage and took the fabric into his own hands, turning it over
this way and that.
There were no recognizable markings on the cloth, other than the wrinkles it
bore from being tied to something once, and at the edges, it bore a bright azure blue
color. the rest of it however, was a brilliant white, almost as white as the snow that now began
to fall once more upon the winds. He did not know why, but he felt compelled to keep
this token, and he carefully put it into his pouch as he took one last look at the
wreck, whistling for Vox.
Arriving home in Aurax was a bittersweet event, as Valandil had arrived a day
earlier, flying nonstop to reach the Home of the General before he did. Valandil did not
stay long, however, as much as he wanted to, but he was summoned to the courts of Bahumut,
and in so doing made sure that at least for now, Thorne would be among friends. He
quickly left a note for the General upon his return and made sure that someone would
deliver it to him. As Thorne landed and made sure Vox was comfortable, he was greeted by the
populace of aurax in a respectable silence. The entire town had turned out and
had made a path of honor for their Aven'Tarum, villagers standing on either side of the
length of walkway made for him. They all could see how he was affected and it was a
silent procession back to his townhouse, after which, they all dispersed, going about
their duties, and making sure to give him the time and space he needed.
Thorne had missed the Time of Azure, but it was understood by the town,
especially in the light of things. As he entered his townhouse home, the first thing he noticed,
is that it was dark. there was no fire in the hearth, no noise coming from anywhere in the
building. He had almost come to think that he would have opened the door to a bright flash of
noise and quiet humming, as he had heard Mae do so many times before, but now, there
was no light, there was no warmth. this, no longer was home.
He shed himself of his armor, now dented and scarred and set himself down in his
chair. He slumped into it. He was tired, he was exhausted. He caught himself wishing
for a very large tankard of RalPartha, that golden liquid that he had come to know far too
well of late. His hand went to his face and he discovered that he had grown a beard
now, and realized that he must look a frightful mess,
but he did not care. He fell asleep in his chair, to the sound of a deafening silence.
Once more, he awoke in a cold sweat and fear took him by the heart as he fumbled
for his weapon in the early morning hours. His dreams once more had come back to haunt
his sleep, and he felt his heart pounding in his chest. Stumbling into the small
but once cozy kitchen, he mumbled a few words, expecting a light to appear to illuminate his
way, but nothing came of it. He tried again, expecting to feel the small energies course
through his body for the spell to work, but nothing, not even a tingle came. thorne blinked
in a disbelieved amazement and his heart sank even lower still. Had the gods
abandoned him now as well?
Anger welled up within, red, hot and sharp as a newly forged blade. He slammed
his fist onto the heavy oak table over and over again as he doubled over in frustration.
He heard the blood rushing to his head as the feeling of utter hopelessness took him and
in his rage, he could utter but one word.
"Why...?"
Tearing out of the house, the doors slamming in fury, he threw his heavy fur
cape made to him by the Druaxia and stormed off down the main road of Aurax. Blinded by rage
and anger, his breath came in short gasps as he found himself pacing towards the
remains of his keep. Closer and closer still the remains of what once was his family home
came into view, but not as he remembered it. Where parts that were to have been
destroyed, he found rebuilt, and in seeing this, only served to enrage him more.
The lack of a moon in a cloudless sky reflected what he felt within. there was
nothing but blackness now, and he felt himself teetering far too close to that edge,
wondering exactly how bad it would be to give into the darkness, to feel something that may or
may not give to him that which he could not seem to find for himself. As he walked through
the main gates and portcullis that was now once more whole, he made his way into the main
courtyard and stopped in mid step. though there was not moon in the sky, the
sight that he saw before him was easily seen, lit up by some kind of glow he had never seen before.
He approached the pure white statue slowly, and marveled at its detail. The
figure sat upon an ornately chiseled base, decorated in elvish writing and vine-work that
spiraled up and around the perfectly created feet of white-stone of the statue, blending
into the humanoid features effortlessly. Tears fell from his face as he followed the
work to the face and saw staring back at him, his second wife, Mae'hriel Spiritkin, her one arm
outstretched as if to bless the area that she would forever stand in. Were it not
white-stone, on of the most pure substances of rock known in the area, Thorne would have sworn that she
was right there with him, frozen in time. Tears quietly streamed down his face as
he dropped to the ground in front of the monument, his arms falling to his sides.
"Mae'hriel," he whispered. "You said to me that you would be going away..I never meant
for it to be like this..even Fox told me, but never did I think it would elude
to death..I don't feel you Mae..Gods above why can't I feel? WHY?!" he roared. "Why am I to be
punished like this? Tad Ekam! I demand you answer me!! Why am I to be cut off from
your grace, and why is the light forever to be denied me? HAVE I NOT SERVED YOU TO MY BEST?
WHY DO YOU NOT ANSWER!! WHY WAS MY MAE TAKEN FROM ME!!?"
"I do not answer.....Because I have no answer to give you, my child."
Thorne looked about quickly, hearing the voice that sounded like two people
speaking as one. He felt he was alone, and for the most part, he was, until he could see
six glowing spheres appear and surround him. While none took any sort of shape other than
balls of light, one did, and to Thorne, it was as if time had stood still.
She was clad in black armor and mail, and wore the black robes that he was all
to familiar with. She was tall and slender, but resembled the idea of a blade, sharp and
ready to strike at a moments notice. Her deep green eyes seemed to bore straight into
his soul, and she frowned when she did, her hair tied back and waving on an invisible
wind.
He knelt as she approached him, the other orbs coming close to hear what was
being said. He could not look up at her, nor could he wish such a thing. He knew that he
was not worthy of this visit, so long it has been in the coming. He was not prepared,
nor did he feel clean enough to be in her presence. Long and slender fingers lifted his
head up by the chin as she looked down at her servant, her follower, and spoke.
"You would not believe the answers if i had told you anyways, Sunstar, child of
Ageas. Look at you...you give into despair when you are so needed upon this
world...would you let the memory of your hervess go to such waste? You have known all along that
Maehriel had to do what she did..you need to admit that to yourself..you need to come to
terms with the fact that she may be gone forever from you, but you will never be
apart. My child..your blood runs with her, and she with you. I cannot give you the
answers you seek..that is for you to find out."
The armor clad woman pulled back and her face was one of disappointment. "In
time, you will be called upon again, for the lands will have need for you still. There is
much work yet to be done, my most favorite of blood...even now, the Kingpriests gather to
decide your fate, for your actions at the Wall, for acting on intuition. Though, were it
not for you and your friends..."
"It is time for you to grieve, Thorne...and while you do, we will take steps to ensure that
you are not a danger..to others..or yourself. Now...you will feel, and once
more, remember what it is like, to be a little more than human.."
With that, the apparitions disappeared and for the first time in many years,
Thorne felt more alone than he ever had before. He felt the powers leaving him and it was
not unlike having another part of him stripped away, leaving him cold and naked upon the
snow. He shivered now as the light faded, leaving him shrouded in darkness. Even the
glow of the Whitestone had gone, leaving nothing but shadow.
The sun had begun to make the sky lighten in the east, and the myriad colors of
morning started to make their appearance. His heart torn in every direction at once, he
choked back the tears that wanted to fall, and gritted his teeth against the new day's
dawn. reaching into his front pouch, he extracted a small bell, one that was given to
him some time ago, and tore off a strip from his robes, tying it to the statue carefully.
He stepped
back and regarded the visage of his wife again and bowed low to it, taking three
steps back and turning slowly to walk away. there was nothing more that he could do
here. His power taken away, he was now just a man, one who was finally allowed to grieve
in peace. His footfalls crunching in the snow below him, the sounds of his departure
echoed away, only to be replaced with the small ringing of a tiny bell in the calm still air
of the morning.
Days turned into nights and with each dawn that Thorne woke, he fell deeper
and deeper into the pit of despair. His powers gone, his gods leaving him to
deal with the grief, he soon turned to the amber colored liquid to calm his
nerves and dull the pain that he felt. He seldom left his house, and requested
a replacement for the time being to look after the small Temple and provide
services for his people.
With the lack of eating, his health began to fail. By the end of the first
month of
the new year, Thorne was no longer the man he used to be. He had lost too
much weight, his eyes seemed hollow and gaunt, and he was weakened by
illness, compounded by the need for the drink. Were anyone to meet him for
the first time, they would not believe that the man before them was that same
one of story, spread by the local townsfolk.
Rumors began to circulate around town about his failing health, and concern
ran rampant through the town. It was not before long when word was sent to
the province of Bahumut, and in response, Valandil arrived within the week.
to say that Valandil was concerned about his brothers failing health was an
understatement, but to also recieve the news of the events leading up to this
gave an even greater cause to speed. Arriving in Aurax, Valandil was off his
mount and to the door of Thorne's townhouse in record time. he was not
prepared for the sight that awaited him upon entering, however.
Furniture was upturned and strewn throughout as if some great fight had
happened. empty bottles and flasks littered the floor and the empty shelves.
The armour stand where Thorne had always taken great care to maintain was
smashed , his armour laying in heaps on the floor. His robes of office, too,
were tossed about in an uncaring fashion.
Valandil was more shocked about the Generals armour and robes in such a
state than he was the house itself. It was to be expected tat his brother would
grieve, but the elf never thought it would be to this extreme. Something else
was going on here, and he did not like it one bit. Cautiously, he made his way
upstairs, avoiding the shattered glass that littered the old wood, and found his
brother, pale and shaking, his skin a sickly palour, his long hair in tangles
and
unwashed.
"By the gods..." was all Valandil could say.
In the days that followed, Valandil stayed in the townhouse, half healing the
man with the powers bestowed upon him, and half healing him through
normal ways. In a case like this, there were better ways to deal with illness
rather than rely on the magic, and using some old Elven remedies, Thorne
was brought out of his fever and incoherent mumblings. Still weak from lack
of food, what he could keep down helped, but it was not enough.
It was during this time that Valandil learned of the visit Thorne had gotten,
how he came home in a fit of sorrow and rage, how he turned to the drink, and
lack of eating. It was this time that Valandil learned how a replacement was
sent, and how it was that it made Thorne feel to be useless, cast out of the
temple, and no longer in touch with his gods. Vlandil learned about Thorne's
first wife, and he came to realize how much of an impact Mae's death had
upon him. to lose one mate was bad enough, but to lose two?
In his fevered delerium, Thorne cried, and Valandil could feel his pain. so
much had this man suffered in his existance, from the time he was born to
growing into a man. He had seen more death and malcontent than anyone
could have, and silently Valandil wondered how it was that this man, so full
still of honor and pride, seemed to crumble and fall, like lightning shattering
the rock upon which the pillar of the world would sit.
Constantly mopping the sweat from his brow, and finally breaking the fever,
Valandil could say nothing to release Thorne's agony of being departed from
his beloved. As much as he did miss his sister, it was quite clear to him that
this half breed before him did so even more.
It was the middle of the second week that Valandil sat at the small table, after
a good nights sleep, slowly nursing a small mug of a bitter black but rich
smelling drink, when he heard the old wooden stairs creaking. curious he got
up and poked his head out of the entrance to the kitchen area, and saw
Thorne at the top of the stairs, slowly making his way down. his eyes were
stained red and a fuzzy growth of facial hair had made his gaunt face look
even more old and haggard. his mouth was down turned and Valandil could
still easily sense the shadows that fell across him, though he could do nothing
about it.
"You should be in bed brother...Your fever has broken and you dependancy
on the Ral'Partha has left you weak..."
"I am...hungry," Thorne said quietly. "I thought...to make something
to...eat...."
"come then, brother..Sit down and let us see what you can keep down today."
Valandil smiled.
The breakfasting was slow, both in preperation and in eating. Thorne, still
weak and looking more less like a corpse, did manage to eat, and Valandil
could see that with each small bite, color and light returned to Thorne's eyes.
The two of them sat there and talked for a while before removing themselves
to the living room, and to a warm fire. they were silent at first, both sitting
there
in the light of the fire, curtains drawn closed, before Valandil spoke.
"I know you are still pained my brother..but, messengers have come while you
were recovering. The Kingpriests will be having a conclave in a few
days..they requested that you be there."
Thorne sighed. "Cant leave well enough alone can they?" he said bitterly.
Valandil was taken aback at the force of anger that was uttered from the
General. "you blame them for what happened at the Wall, don't you?"
"No..I blame myself for not seeking out that bastard before...I blame myself for
not making sure it was dead and gone...I blame myself for not being where I
should have been-"
Valandil cut him off. "You did what you had to do, and for that, thousands of
lives were spared. Mae'rhiel knew what she was doing..the elven side to you
should have told you that much.."
Thonre's eyes went wide. Mae had not told Valandil about his heritage, nor
did he, and yet, here it was. Valandil knew.
"I do not know my Elven side..i was raised human...Though my Uncle Majoris
tried to teach me..before he too died.."
Valandiel nodded. This was the sign he had waited to see.
"Before long, my brother..You will understand..Not all at once, but enough to
help you in your grief."
The great city of Draco lay sprawled out before them as Valandil and Thorne
flew under the great portculus that shielded the world from what was behind it.
for centuries the city had been devoid of inhabitants, and now was only a
meeting place for the great Kings of old. soaring high above the rooftops and
buildings, the two came to the to and landed seeing a small procession come
towards them, armor gleaming and robes of all colors flowing. Thonre looked
himself over as did Valandil, and then, the two looked at each other, elf to
man. Valandil looked resplendant as always, as did Thorne but his features
were still of a man not well. his powers had still not been allowed to him, and
being here, about to have an audience with the powers that be, was more
than enough to make him nervous. the two nodded at each other in approval
and waited as the approaching entourage encircled them, leading them into
the darkened gates of the Chamber of the Five.
Darkness engulphed the procession as they made their way down the
cavernous hallway to the center chamber. As it opened up, Thorne and
Valandil could see the ornatley shaped statues of all dragon gods, each
facing one another to the center in which a fifth statue seemed to tower over
all others. In each of the statues arms, was a high seat, and in each of these,
sat the Kingpriests of Draco, dressed in multi-colored robes, each bearing the
standard of what province they ruled over.
Their voices echoed off the surrounding darkness. "Step forward, General
Sunstar...Centurion Valandil. We would have words with you both."
The two men from different races did as they were asked and a brilliant beam
of pure white light rained down upon them.
"You both have disobeyed direct orders from the council, and have acted
without the blessings of the Kingpriests of Draco. your actions , rash as they
were, may have inflicted a great and terrible curse upon us all..."
The two bowed their heads in an almost shame, but within, Thorne felt his
anger rise. Valandil too could sense this and politley nudged Thorne quickly,
to remind him of where he was.
The booming voice continued. "Your actions caused a great awakening in the
Halls of Bahumut, and made relations stongger with our northern
guests..through self sacrifice and honor, you have helped repel the hordes
that threatened our lands..."
Thorne's hands balled into fists. gods or no Gods, he was not going to be
chastised for doing what he thought was right, what they all thought was right.
What Mae thought to be right.
"General Sunstar, we are sorry for your loss. It has been decided that your
commission is to be retired..."
Thornes head shot straight up into the light and his eyes flared. this was not
what he needed right now, after everything else was taken from him, to have
the last thing he held proud stripped away..
"You and your Talon proved your worth, General, and for that, you deserve to
retire with honors. However, in light of your recent loss, we felt it better to
tell
you in person...And offer you something that has been vacant too long.
Traditionalist, Dragoon, Warrior...we offer you the Seat of the Fifth."
Late into the night, and in a grand room set up all to himself, Thorne
overlooked the once
grand city of Draco. Hundreds of years prior, this city bustled with activity
and all the
various peoples and races seemed to get along until the sundering of the five,
and the civil
wars that caused the split amongst the people.
Now there was no life, save for him and in another room down at the far end of
the hall,
Valandil. The Kingpriests had all retired to their own enormous chambers, set
to leave
come the dawn for their own lands. The cold winds howled through the empty
streets,
blowing up the dusts of ages. There was little snow here, as the close quarters
of
buildings and walls kept most of the weather out, but the natural springs that
ran from the
very peak of the mountain still flowed in the thin canals that lined the sides
of some of the
deserted walkways.
The fires blazed in the hearth, keeping the chilled room warm, but Thorne could
not sleep,
thinking of the events earlier in the day. The headpiece of the Ara-Hir was
passed to him,
ready to be worn upon the brow of TadEkam's new High-Lord, and though it would
have
been an honor to do so, to take up a seat in the great meeting hall, the General
looked
each KingPriest in the eyes and bowed low, sending the token back.
"This crown is not for me to take, Lords. the lands of the spirit exist because
its people
will not give up, will not falter. We need no leaders until the true heir can
come to claim
her throne, and to stand tall amongst the rest of you."
Thorne smiled in the shadows as he looked out for miles to the horizon from his
balcony
perch. It was at that moment, when he was able to turn away such a gift, that
everything
then, made sense to him, and his words struck a chord deep inside.
"...We exist because we do not give up...On ourselves, or others.." he mused
aloud.
"Do you speak to ghosts, brother?" a familiar voice said quietly from behind.
Thorne was so caught up in thought, he did not hear Valandil enter his chambers.
Odd
enough, mostly because Valandil always knocked or made his presence known to
him, not
just out of respect, but because it was the right thing to do with a family
member still in
grief.
"I did not hear you enter Valandil..I would have thought you asleep by now." he
replied.
"Something in the winds told me that you were still awake," Valandil said
softly, his
movements more fluid and graceful than normal, even for an elf. "I thought to
see if you
needed another drink, perhaps, to settle your mind."
Thorne's eyes narrowed slightly. He still had no sense of power from his gods,
and more
and more he was learning to rely on intuition. Right now, it was telling him
that
something was wrong.
Valandil stood by his side, looking out across the vast flatlands of snow and
ice as he
continued to speak. "It was a difficult decision to make, was it not brother?
to turn down
such a position. All the good you could have done with it..? Maybe even bring
life back to
this most holy of places?"
"Life will return here, when it is ready to, my sister. It was a tough decision
and not one I
made lightly. My words do speak truth, despite the fact that I know, now, where
it comes
from."
Valandil turned to Thorne, his eyes glowing a silvery red as his form melted
away into that
of a tall raven haired woman, dressed in full armor of the Dragoon, wielding a
simple
looking sword with a keen edge.
"Your insight serves you well, Maenion. Not many would have understood the
meaning of
things this quickly. Do not worry. Your elven brother sleeps soundly, and no
one will hear
us."
"Why are you here, Sairys?" Thorne asked abruptly.
The Dragon God of Chaos smiled at Thorne, her eyes flashing. "why Maenion, I
did not
know we were on a first name basis, " she said coyly, her fingers tracing the
back of
Thorne's neck.
"You are sister to The One, Sairys...he grants me that pleasure, I would have
expected you
to do the same." Thorne said curtly, shuffling her fingers off him.
"Perhaps, but only in time. I am not here to fight, you Thorne. Instead, I am
here to see
the man who would give up so much of his own being and ability, when so many
would
not. I do wish sometimes there were more of the Traditionalists still around,
who
understood truly what it means to be Dragoon." she mused. "Still, you have
refused all my
advances, there is no greed within you, and it seems you have achieved a sense
of
balance-"
"I have achieved that balance, Sairys. I understand it all now, and the reason
for your
existence, as part of The One that you are...but your offers, your taunts..no, I
will not fall
for those, or perhaps you didn't hear in your omnipresence my words to the
KingPriests in
the Great Hall?"
"No," she said quietly. "I did hear them, thats why I come to you, with simple
words of
advice."
Sairys looked Thorne directly in the eyes as she spoke, and her words sounded
like
rushing water into Thornes ears, so striking to his own spirit were they. "You
fell,
Dragoon, and there was no power strong enough to help you out of that pit you
found
yourself in, still here you are. Your gods took away from you that which you
held so dear,
and yet, you are wearing your robes of office as if you had never lost them.
You stand up
to your superiors and give back to them that which you could have used to your
advantage, yet, you spurned them with dignity and honor. You are no more than
mortal
now, and I could crush you as easily as I can create you, and you stand here
before me
with no fear...tell me Thorne Maenion Sunstar...how is this so?"
Sairys stood there waiting for an answer, and Thorne smiled slightly looking
back at her as
directly and as intensely as she did him.
"This is so, because I understand the fact that there needs to be balance in the
world, and
that when we sacrifice things that mean so much to us, that which we suffer
afterwards is
a paltry sum to pay for that which may have been far more costly. All my life,
I thought I
was being punished, that everything I loved was taken away, but now, I see
things a little
differently. My family..My friends,..My wife, Mae'hriel...All of them who would
defend what
they believe in, wether it be home or lands, and would die in defending it, so
that others
might live, to bring about the end of some kind of vicious cycle. I know that
evil needs to
exist in as much an abundance as good, but its those small sacrifices that even
out the
scales. I do not need the powers I have been granted to do that, and I do not
believe that
those of us who carry such a thing are tapped without due cause. We are chosen
for a
reason, and we may spend the rest of our lives finding out what that reason is,
just as we
can sit and wonder why it is that the cherry tree blooms every year. I am a
man, just a
man, but as well, I am so much more than that...."
Sairys smiled slightly and her eyes shifted, looking the General up and down.
The words
he spoke were true and from the heart.
"You have learned your lessons well, it seems, young Sunstar. I only hope that
in such,
you will serve me as well as you have my brother."
"Do I not now, Sairys?" Thorne replied. "In order to rebuild, we must destroy.
There can
be no darkness without light, no good without evil, no love wthout hate..it is
the way of
things, the natural way. We may not know at the time that we are doing it, but
if we stop
to see how things are affected by our actions..."
Sairys nodded. "Just as the Wall proved. I do need to thank you for
that...Lothec was so
far out of reach...the Eldritch warped him, changed him, but inside...well..I
don't think I
need to say anything more.."
"Tell me Sairys", Thorne asked. "How did it feel to have him turn away from
you?"
The Goddess frowned slightly and turned away, her voice quiet. "Tel me,
Maenion..how
did it feel when your shell splintered?"
Taken aback by her answer, it was all to clear to him now. Thorne watched her
fade away
into the shadows, and a wave of fear induced nausea came over him. He may not
have
ever liked Sairys, and may have always despised the fact that to serve The One,
in truth
meant to serve two, in a way, but she was always honest and spoke nothing but
truth
when it was needed.
Taking in a cool breathe of night air to calm himself, and to stop from shaking,
Thorne
looked to the night sky, and noticed that the clouds were parting finally,
letting the stars
in the sky shine down brightly. He knelt down, and offered his prayers to his
gods, all of
them.
Morning came quickly, and Valandil, yawning as he climbed off his mount, found
the
General at the main gates to the mountain stronghold of the great city of Draco.
Thorne
seemed to be looking at something, though from his vantage point, Valandil could
not see
what it was. His wyvern complained as he climbed down, walking slowly up to
Thorne as
he cocked his head back to acknowledge him.
"What is it, brother," Valandil asked.
"Lothec", Thorne replied.
Valandils eyes went wide as he looked over to where Thornes attentions were
placed. On a
pike, just inside the gates, was the decayed, burnt skeletal head that had once
belonged to
his most hated of enemies, displayed for the world to see.
"Where did it come from? who would do this..And why?"
Thorne eyes narrowed a bit, and smiled slightly. He had hoped that perhaps
something
was still out there, watching him, and his intuition told him not to worry.
Inside, the grief
started to pass, ever so slightly, and as the sun came out from behind a thick
bank of
clouds, the warm rays seemed to shine down on the two of them, black armor
glinting in
the light.
"I do not know, Valandil...not for sure...but for now..it will stay there."
Days passed as thorne and Valandil made their separate ways for now. Valandil
rode to
the East, back to his home and duties in Bahumut, while the General rode back
south, to
his home in Aurax, and his people, in Tad Ekam. In those days, Thorne spent
much of it
cleaning his townhouse, fixing that which was broken, and not buying new as most
people
would. He kept everything as it was, and seemed to be a little lighter in
spirits. He made
his way to the temple every morning still, to offer his devotions to his Gods,
and it seemed
that every day, to him, was another step closer to getting back, that which was
taken from
him.
He took Vox out for long walks, and he would talk to her, telling her stories of
how it was
that he and Mae had first met, and some of the adventures they had together. He
spoke at
length abut how it was that he followed her, and not really knowing why, while
she made
her way to New Yasa Rana, in the far south, and how he watched over her even
then. He
spoke about how he came to respect her for her ways, her strength, and her
conviction
and how hard he tried to understand her and see her ways of things, and how in
doing so,
made him see another side of the same gold coin. He read to Vox the haiku that
he was
asked to write for her once, and as he did, there were no tears that fell, only
good
memories, happy memories. His heart still longed for her, as it always would,
and he
explained this to Vox, who also finally began to understand the bond that the
two of them
shared, the warmth that came from the two of them as they would hold each other
in the
night.
Two months after the battle of The Wall had passed. This night, the General
could not
sleep. It had been some time since he had been to his keep, or rather, the
remains of
what was. After his fight with despair, he thought he could not go there again,
thinking
his actions desecrating the site. He shook his head at such a notion, and
donning a
simple set of thick black robes and the fur cape given to him by the Druaxia, he
sauntered
out into the night.
It was unseasonably warm as he carried a mat like roll, rolled up for
convenience and
made out of thin shoots of wood, bound together with leather. the walk to the
keep was
silent, only the soft crunching of snow under his feet provided any sense of
company. In
his pack he carried a small triangular piece of wood, that had strung across it,
many
pieces of thin metal wire. the snow, in some spots had begun to melt, revealing
small
patches of the ground underneath as he neared the keep, seeing once more the
repairs
that had been going on, by hands unknown to him, and as before, in the
courtyard, the
pure white statue that was placed in memorial to his beloved.
Thorne regarded it for a moment before placing the mat before the statue,
unrolling it to
its full length. He sat down upon it, and leaned his back against the base of
the white
rock, using his cape as a makeshift covering for extra warmth, and took out the
small
triangular piece of wood with the metal strings laced across it. He took of his
gauntlet and
glove, and placed a silver finger ring on his hand. it glinted in the moonlight
and the
small pointed hook curved sharply at the end. His hand grazed the series of
strings and
he tested the instrument for tune, adjusting it slightly with knobs at one end.
Placing it on
his lap, he spoke quietly
"I do not know if you can hear me Mae'Hriel...But I wanted to share this with
you...It is not
a haiku, nor is it something tangible as a touch, but it is at least one way I
can let you
know that I will love you always...wait for me on the other side, meleth nin. I
do not know
how long I will be, but when I do, no barrier of belief will seperate us.."
His fingers began to play over the instrument, and the tiny string gave off a
haunting
melody of notes and chords that echoed into the night sky with Thorne's voice in
accompaniment.
Don't fade away
My Mae'Hriel
Come walk with me
I'll fill your heart with joy
And we'll dance through our isolation
Seeking solace in the wisdom we bestow
Turning thoughts to the here and ever-after
Consuming fears in our fiery halos
Say what you mean
Mean what you say
I've heard that innocence
Has led us all astray
But don't let them make you and break you
The world is filled with their broken empty dreams
Silence is their only virtue
Locked away inside their silent screams
But for now
Let us dance away
This starry night
Filled with the glow of fiery stars
And with the dawn
Our sun will rise
Bringing a symphony of bird cries
Don't bring me down now
Let me stay here for awhile
You know life's too short
Let me bathe here in your smile
I'm transcending
The fall from the garden
Goodnight
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Monday, January 31st, 2005
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004
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Finally...I am home.
Not so much home as it used to be of course. Time and hard work will need to be implemented to rebuild that which has been lost, on more than one level. No, home for me now (or rather, I should say us, as Mae has decided to join me earlier than I had anticipated) is a simple, small but somewhat cozy townhouse, once used for storing extra stores for the more harsher winters. judging by the in climate weather, it looks like we might yet need said supplies. I am not unaccustomed to living in such small spaces. it makes me appreciate all the more the size of my family keep, now, in the proper planning stages for rebuilding. I feel bad, however, that i must subject Maehriel to such conditions. I know she doesn't mind and it is something else to be this close, still, I would want more for her, just because.
The days are cloudy and getting cooler now, and it wont be long until the snows fall again, and the season of death slips in quietly, covering all in sheets of white cold. I do not mind the winters too much, it gives me time to plan, to think, and as it always does, will bring any campaign to a slow halt. I have heard no news from the KingPriests not my own Talon, as scattered as they are. I have sent word through the networks to let them all know I have returned, and they know where to find me.
My sleep has gone unbroken for some time now. I think perhaps my short meeting with certain spirit animals have calmed me somewhat. Lessons learned, yes, and all good ones to be sure, though I still have a feeling of emptiness within. I do not know how to classify it, or if I should even give cause to be concerned about it, but what Fox had said...
I showed the local trapper today, my idea for a better fox trap. He looked at them like I had gone mad and had asked me as to why he should make his traps according to my design. I told him that it was inspired by a friend and that I would say no more. while he complemented me on the simplicity, he was concerned with the fact that he might not be able to yield as many furs as he would like, thus affecting his income. I told him, to supplement such, that he could keep the plans and sell them as needed..well..rather, i told him to make sure he did. I also explained to him that there would be certain areas that he could not do his trapping, to which he understood completely, especially when I explained the balance of things.
Nova gives me cause for concern as well. As does Carlos. The both of them wish to learn so eagerly, and I am glad to see that Mae has been able to take him under her wing somewhat, but his energies seem sporadic, unfocused. She says that Fox likes him, and that's good enough reason for me to not interfere.
Nova, on the other hand....I see within her the fires of Tiamat and they burn brightly. I have seen her in combat, and she bears the mark of a warrior born. I have promised her that i would send to her some writings to get her started on her path, and we will see what happens then. While we all go through the trials in our own ways, I think hers will be the most difficult of all, should she choose to become a part of her heritage.
Now, as I look about my homey hovel, it isn't so small after all. The hearth glows brightly and i hear the front door opening without a knocking, for a change, so I am guessing that it is Maehriel back from the shops. I hope she found what she might have been looking for.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2004
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Lessons, sometimes come in the strangest of ways, but are no less meaningful than one given to you by an instructor. i learned this the hard way many times, but not so much in the ways of the heart, as i did this past week.
As I was instructed to do, I sought out Mae, and all went well with the ritual marking that I recieved. We found ourselves in a strange place, however, along with the rest of the group, Carlos, nova (more on her in a little while) Rhotan, and a few others. While it was good to see them all again, I can't help but feel a little distant from them. Perhaps its been too long and that our paths do not seem to cross as much anymore, but I felt somewhat alone in the place we went to, more so when I awoke on the morn.
The night before, we were under constant attack. Being in such a strange place at the time, I thought it to be an idea (looking back now, it was a simple error in judgement) to lend Nova a few pieces of my armor to wear for protection.
Nova is ....an interesting woman. she tells me of a time I can not begin to imagine, and how the Draconian Empire sprerad and conquered lands as yet unknown to us. Apparently, we flourish, while the Ereman Empire falls to the wayside. Nova had always held a facination for the Dragoons of her time and place, and I feel she is generally interested in becoming one. I told her that i would lend her some books, provided they still exist, so that she might learn a little more on the why and how we do what we do. I see the spirit of Tiamat in her, and strongly too. She has a fire in her that will not be quenched and can hold her own in battle. Given the chance, i think she would make a fine addition to the ranks, so long her faith holds out.
In any case, in doing such a thing, i slighted Mae. it was not at all intentional, meleth nin, and I am sorry for any misgivings I might have caused, for I know it was the act, not the meaning that gave you such ill will. i passed you up for naught, and I deserved what it was Fox put me through.
Fox is one of Mae's totem animals. He is smart, cunning and ...tricky, i find. He was not at all happy with my treatment of Mae and what I did, and in so doing, cut me off from her, the spiritual link we have. I never felt quite so alone as i did, and i asked...no..pleaded with Mae for help, to which she did give me, in order to contact Fox. He explained to me the reasons as to why he did it, and I asked what it was that I could do to appease him, and so, he sat and thought for a moment, then, told me.
Write a Draconian Haiku about what she means to you...
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Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
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I awoke what seemed like days later. i was washed and clothed and not in the same dark hut i was before. the ground was soft and moss covered, and more comfortable than anything else i have ever slept upon before. My head was clear, and I felt.....whole.
I rose from my slumber and tied my belt about my waist. I noticed the table not too far away covered with scrawlings and writings and what seemed to be a rough sketch of some sort of stylized dragon. i picked up the piece of parchment and traced a finger over it slowly, unsure of its origins, but feeling a sort of kinship to it, on a level I could not quite explain.
I turned as I heard footsteps approach. I stood tall, not afraid, but also, not defiant to what was coming. I could see clearly the green robes and the pulled back hood of a Druaxia elder, and as he spoke, I reconized the voice.
"Say nothing, DragonChild, for it is not your place to speak. I will be brief. Your beloved fears for your saftey and your time here is at an end.. for now. You have done what you needed to do, wether guided by your soul or by your gods, it matters little which. I have looked into you, and seen that you are worthy of respect, and so you will have it. while it may seem that our ways are strange to you, and yours to us, I beleive that we can find some sort of common ground to walk upon. You have undergone a great many ordeals, and the spirit fo the Dragon is more than a simple part of you..it encompases you, it gives you what you seek, and gives you strength to see it through. It will give you the wisdom you will need, and the will to carry out your desicions and fire your passions, both in spirit..and in body. I think, I am beginning to understand now, why you hold them all in such reverance....such is the gift of marking that I give to you upon your return....for now...."
The elder's voice trailed off as he looked at me. I will never forget those eyes as he spoke once more, and for me, a final time.
"Go to her...she will already know what has happened here...and she will need to be here to bear witness to the markings that you have earned..."
I bowed and said nothing, as it was not my place to. As I did, the elder nodded, took me by the shoulder and slowly led me out of the settlement. the woods were silent, and I could hear every footfall, every small rustle and noise that my side bag made with each step, until i we reached the outskirts. i turned to face him, and as quiet as things were, I would not break that silence to speak. he handed me a small red stone on a leather clasp, and nodded off to the south.
I bowed low in respect and honour, and returning to my upright position, I saw that he had left me alone. I turned away from the path and started my way south....
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Sure enough and true to its word, there was more that i needed to see, to understand and to come with a final grip to. From my wandering madness in the haunted hills, the snowblindness that i suffered, to Endo's finding of my half frozen body, to the summer land mountains of where she kept me safe and warm, away from the world I knew and had come to despise. it was her love and compassion that brough me back from the violence and bloodshed of the past. I spent almost 20 years in her company, and it was all shown to me in the blink of an eye, before I had to leave the mountain home and return to a war torn lands of Erema and my country.
As my father would have done before me, i donned the armor of my birthright, and joined back into the fray of blood and swords. The War of the Witherfrost ended with many I knew dead or missing, and if endo had not followed me back here, she would still be alive. instead i was able to relive again how I found her, splayed, for all the world to see, her lifeblood pooling around her feet and ankles. How i raged, how i felt so black, as if Tadekam would never have found me. How much I wanted revenge, and in so doing, took the Ronins Way, and wandered the known lands, seeking the one who did it.
Two years I searched, and i followed my steps again as if moving in some kind of super speed. The lands and various trails and roads became as blurs, with faces and names and places I have forgotten. So strong was this drive, and I saw how people might have looked upon me as some possesed demon, seeking the man who wronged me and took yet another part away from me.
So blinded was I to all this, that I saw how easily i could have come to my death in the winter, and were it not for some assistance from a young elf maiden, I surely would have rotted in the soft grounds. i saw how little the man before me did not care, and how much he had almost wished that he did, but, it was her who showed him care, it was her who had healed him through the night, giving little thought to herself, and how it was that the look on his face changed from that, weeks after that first encounter.
"The seed was planted in the winter snow, and it began to grow, did it not, young Sunstar?" i heard the voice say as my vision faded once more.
"It was, I remember saying quietly. " she showed me compassion, that there still was some good in this world...That's why i came home, to rebuild my life again, always with that thought in mind, and to cast away the thoughts of vengeance, to instead concentrate on what I could become."
"....So you did...so you did. it was always within you, your family line is strong with the gods you serve...your spirit rises above them all, and has for centuries. Still, you cannot lose sight of what has been given to you...for all that you have lost, you have much more to gain..tell me what that is."
I remembered falling back and everything leaving me all at once. My breath, my sight..it had felt as if i was falling into myself, to be alone with a singular thought that had always been at the back of my mind, and I relaised why it was that i needed to do this, to go through what was offered to me.
"I have...myself to gain...to know that it is not the clothes that make the man, the it is not a single thread that makes up a tapestry...that strength comes from unions with others, and that love comes to those who will allow it..that we learn from the events of the past, for good or ill, and use that strength for the future...that sacrifice for the good of the many or the few, sometimes is a nessesary outcome, to have another light shine in the world...to know that I am worthy of all that."
There was a deafening silence then and the ringing and the buzzing in my ears had stopped.
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I remember awakening to the smell of smoke and the taste of ash in my mouth. My eyes opened slowly to a room of fire and confusion, and immediately I sprang to my feet. I reached for my weapon at my side, and found that it was not there. I found that there was a lot of things i had grown accustomed to were not with me, clothing being one of them. I could feel the heat, experience the fire in all its unholy cleansing glory, but it did not burn me. Instead i was to be assaulted by the feeling of helplessness as i saw an elven woman, with a small bundle clutched in her arms yelling for assistance. i tried to reach for her, tried to grab her arms, put out the flames that were licking at her dress and clothing, but found that I could do nothing. It was the figure that broke through the wall that did, however, his eyes were as the flames and his hair was long and light. He wore the same armour that i do..or did, i wasnt sure if I had died yet, at the time, but in any case, it was this man who took her away and led her away from the flames, and into a smoke chocked alleyway.
His armour was blood soaked, something i had not noticed before and as i followed i heard him say to their that she needed to flee the city, to go southwards, taking the child, and finding..someone..I could not hear the name, there was too much confusion and calamity happening around me at the time. The woman was in tears, she did not wish to leave, but the look on this Dragoon's face told her otherwise, and after looking about her, in tears still, she agreed, and in a flash, she was taken away by two others, who led her hastily away, while my vision faded away into fire and ash.
I felt dizzy and sick as the world seemed to dissapear from underneath me, only to reform in a lush green clearing underneath a moonlit sky. I saw the same woman once more, tired, unclean, tattered in her robes and clothing, ever still clutching that small bundle, which cried loudly now, from hunger I could only guess. I saw her stumble and fall, and i wish that i could have seen her face clearly. I looked about and saw that she had not too far to go, for civilisation seemed so close to her, and it was then that i realised what was happening, and what i was now experiencing, was what i had agreed to do.
It was me in that small bundle...that woman who fell was my mother..and I was back in Glen Gathir..before all the things that had happened to me, did.
I saw as my mother passed away from exaustion and grief. I saw my young life unfold as i gazed fondly upon my adoptive father, Thorbardin. i smiled as i saw in my youth, trying to understand the nature of Cabalism, and not quite getting it. How many years old i was then, i could not tell. such a happy and carefree youth, and always under Thorbardin's watchful eye.
The wave of nausea once more came over me and I saw myself older, stronger, and wearing the cadet uniform of the Ereman guard, at Fort Gathir. I remembered this day, as it was to be my last in the Empires service, as all other young men served at some point in their lives. That was the same day that we were under attack by Carcalla the Vile, and I was thrust upon my path, after everything else left to me was destroyed.
Once more I witnessed the devestation brought by him and his creatures...once more i saw the bodies lay in front of me, bleeding, pleading weakly for help that I could not give. I saw my childhood sweetheart and friend, Sara, pinned to the very tree we used to climb, and once more, I got to see how yet another parent was taken away from me needlessly.
It seemed that i was able to step outside of things for a moment as I felt a hand on my shoulder, almost guiding me back towards what remained of my old home. i shook my head, i did not want to see this any longer, but, I had little choice in the matter. Slowly, I watched myself rush into the blackened and charred building, i heard the tears and the vows made, and as I approached closer, i saw the younger me come across a opening in the floor, that had been broken through by weight and fire. the young man in front of me reached down into the floor and pulled up a sword that was covered in dust and cobwebs, and along with it a note that was carefully written and placed with it.
Even I cannot bear witness to this part any longer. I knew what was written and i vowed to myself that I would follow it to the letter. defender, indeed...and as I fell to my bare knees, the scenes before me dissapeared again, leaving me in darkness, with only a echoing voice to answer to.
"Have I not followed my code?!" i yelled out. "Have I done such an injustice to my own family!! I know what paths i have taken!!"
"Yes, you do...but in order to remove what stops you from your current road, we need to break down and understand the reasons behind it...look now...see how you strike back against a world that took so much away...see how you formed your house of mercenaries..how you would kill for coin. It is little wonder that it was tiamat who became your second. You are full of anger still for all that was taken from you."
I raged inside and frantically began to look for an exit from the voice and the shadow. "Everything I HAD was taken away..My family, my identity..I DID NOT know WHO I WAS until I came to Drao! Where was my measure of peace then? Where was the infinite patience i was supposed to have? I DID NOT KNOW MY OWN FATHER!!!"
I think I must have cried then, it is still somewhat of a blur to me, but as i did, i could feel a great weight being lifted off my shoulders, and the invisible hands of support lifting me up.
"There is more yet to see."
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2004
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I haven't had the chance to update my own thoughts since the attack upon our home, but now, situated deep within these woods, away from it all, and currently, in company of my...well..captors, I am allowed the chance to do so.
After the retreat, we all managed to make it back to Twill in one piece. Battered and bruised we all were, and even I still barley managed to shake off the encroaching darkness of unconsciousness once or twice. I was concerned for those who came to my aid, but I was most concerned for Mae'hriel, and I could only hope she made it back all right.
She did and she told me of the horrors that she had borne witness to, and how low and degrading this Lothec actually was. I do not want to even repeat it here, for I do not wish those sights in my mind's eye to once again bear witness. suffice to say, that it only cemented the fact that this creature must fall.
I had to leave her behind again. Gods above, how I hated to do so. It seems that whenever we are to be drawn closer together, something seeks to pull us apart. Her duties she holds to the town, my responsibilities to the north...as frustrating as it is..I never even got to read to her something that I wanted to share, not just with her, but with everyone. to not forget it, I will try to remember line for line how it went..and keep it here in my own thoughts, to come back to later.
Dragonfire
Or, Ask a Stupid Question...
I. THE EPIC ARGUMENT
By her I bided day by day,
Full of a love I dared not say,
Awestruck, I waited, lost and weak,
Nearly too terrified to speak,
Sorrowing, as I sighed for her,
Frozen by weakness-there we were,
I in the frailty of my heart,
She in her thoughts, alone, apart.
Finally, once she took my hand,
Only to say, "Please understand;
Love at a loss should never be
Stranded as we are. Go from me,
Seeking the courage hearts know best,
Showing it all at my request;
Search for what lovers all require:
Return to me with dragonfire."
2. PREPARATION AND PRAYER
Sighing, she left. Her steps were slow,
Waiting for things I might not know.
Homeward I went, not looking back;
All through the night I filled a pack,
Stocking a bag of cleric's tomes,
Chalices, charms and palindromes,
Weapons of wonder and of war,
Sorcerers' scrolls and kenderlore.
Sunrise I stood beside my bed,
My rucksack high above my head.
Forward I strode, my bed unmade,
Walking the road ahead, I prayed:
"Grant me the cunning of a gnome,
Cold of an elven catacomb,
Courage of knights, and so inspire
My quest to bring her dragonfire."
3. THE SEARCH FOR GUIDANCE
Ready for doom, I shared my quest,
Full of the one whom I loved best,
Telling a shepherd all.
He laughed
And wiped his eyes and said, "Ye're daft.
What do you want with all that gear?
Planning on being gone a year?"
I said, "I seek a dragon, where -"
The shepherd shrugged. "He's just up there.
Left at the lane's-end here, then straight,
Right at the spring and upper gate,
Above the pasture land a way -
I walk it every other day.
Looking for dragonfire? Then go,
Tell him that Ralphie says hello.
Half a day's hike or so, not higher,
I think you'll find your dragonfire."
4. THE QUEST, HOWEVER BRIEF
He and his kinfolk laughed at me.
Turning my face from mockery
Facing my destiny, unsure,
Heedless of toil and sheep manure,
Scaling the slopes alone, unkissed,
Facing the mountains and the mist,
I climbed the ramparts, not to tire
Till I discovered dragonfire.
5. THE HERO'S REQUEST
Labor and sunset saw me stand
Over the highest pasture land.
Near where a dark and yawning cave
Gaped like a hero's fresh-dug grave.
Nothing at all that I could see, s
canning the dragon-made debris
Would challenge hearts and so inspire
Some proof of love from dragonfire.
Looming above me suddenly,
Awesome, he stood regarding me,
Saying in tones of worldly woe,
"Please tell me you're a peddler. -No?"
I stood before him there and said,
"I love a woman. I aspire
To take for mine your dragonfire."
6. THE SUPERNATURAL RESPONSE
His answer came abrupt and clear:
"Young man, did Ralphie send you here?"
I nodded, mute. The dragon, wise,
Looking at me through golden eyes,
Answered my challenge, all intent:
"But this is hardly what she meant-"
Turning aside his deadly breath,
"-A lover wouldn't seek your death.
Sleep until sunrise, then go down,
Back to your love who used to frown;
Dream of her smiling, through this night,
Dream of her under candle-light,
Dream of her in a moonlit glade,
Dream of her dancing, unafraid,
Dream of her wet with dreams and dew,
Dream of her as she dreams of you.
Dream of her as your heart's desire,
And you will find your dragonfire."
7. THE REVELATION, AND THE END OF THE QUEST
I dreamed of her. I dreamed her dress:
Satin to lace, to less and less,
And then to smiles.
My dream was good,
And when I woke, I understood.
Up in the dawn I leapt and sprang,
Running downhill, I wept and sang
Till I was home, and there I fell,
Right at the door I knew so well,
Opening arms, and bended knee.
To my delight, she ran to me.
We met embracing, lips on lips,
All-tracing eyes and fingertips,
Both of us yielding in attack,
Cloaked in a night discreetly black.
Hearts are the oven of desire..
so, upon my return to the north, and a hasty meeting with the Kingpriests of Draco, it has been decided that this threat, no longer a secret, needs to be dealt with quickly, or as quickly as allowed. A tribunal will be held soon, i think, if it has not happened already, but my captors have not informed me of such, nor have the village elders moved from this position.
The"Caesin Vutha", or dark forest, as it is most commonly known in the common tongue of course) was once a haven for bandits and thieves who would use the superstitions and fears that this place gave birth to over the years to ply their trade. Many caravans and traders who would normally take this route to reach the more northern destinations, would be set upon and taken of their wares and riches, and would come away from the experience telling tales of spirits and ghosts and the ominous haunting sounds that would echo through out the forests, heard upon the breeze. the stories go, that around 100 years ago, those same bandits were chased out of the Caesin Vutha, and fled the area completely. this, combined with the streaks of white in such individual's hair, only added to the forest's reputation, and to this day, no one goes inside, for even the brightest summer day is turned to night, so thick is the canopy.
Which, is why i thought it to be the perfect place to come to, gather my thoughts and relax for a change. How wrong I was.
I knew something was amiss when I woke to the sounds of silence. Vox had gone off to hunt and as i blinked open my eyes, I found that not only had my warm fire gone out, that my belongings (meagre as they are right now) were gone, and in the middle of my eyes, was the business end of a well crafted spearhead. I never was an early riser, so I will confess that i was a little taken aback, not to mention surrounded.
They wore little more than heavy cloaks and well worn boots, and I felt more than underdressed for the occasion when my own sleeping blanket was taken away from me. Fortunatley, they spoke to me in Draconian, so I knew them to be native to the lands at least. the one with the spear prodded my chest, telling me to get up, to which i had little choice. I was bound and blindfolded, and i could feel my anger rising. What kind of fool was i to not secure the area? Too much confidence in Grael I suppose, looking back on it, but i felt no real ill will from them.
They were all young, and human, but the markings upon them all i did not recognize at first. tracings of black, sharp and curved designs that wound in and around the body of the one with the spear. i could not see a face, but it walked as a woman, and I could hear Piper in the back of my mind, laughing that i would be so easily taken.
I did try to break rank, to make my naked self dissapear into the woods beyond, but, blindfolded and held fast, I thought well against it. I did not know my enemy well enough yet, or what use they might have had. Each time I tried to speak, I was told to remain silent.
The occasional jab in the sides made it known to me that these people meant business. It seemed like a long walk, painful as well, walking along the forest floor with no footwear to protect, and by the time I could smell the scent of cooking food and the chattering of people, i was bleeding from the harsh walk. I was taken into a dwelling that had no light and violently tossed onto the hard dirt floor, still trussed, still not able to see. I felt weak and tired, as if drugged and i fell asleep once more.
I woke to a bright light and talking and laughter. My blindfolds were gone, and I was laying on a reed mat. The back of my throat was dry, pasty, and i wonder if i had been given a mild poison somehow. i remembered the spear, and saw the little nick on the spot on my chest where it had prodded me. i tried to remember what had happened, but my mind, still in a fog, would not let me. I was cold, unclothed and now, wet with sweat from the body's ability to purge itself of toxins and with no fire, i soon was shivering.
As my eyes adjusted to the light, i could see my robes not more than three feet away, and i tried in vain to reach for them, even with my hands still bound behind me. Regardless, it was a vain attempt. My arms had become to sore and stiff now to have been much use, and i rolled over onto my side, to try to regain some kind of circulation.
I lay there on the ground for what felt like hours. To pass that time, I tried to understand where it was that i found myself, and the how's and whys this was happening. I was not being mistreated, nor was i being beaten, but i did not take to the idea of being trussed up like some form of animal awaiting slaughter. I tried to rest and regain some strength.
For two days I was ignored. My throat was dry and i could barley speak. they did not feed me much, nor was my water supply enough to keep me from wanting more. They were keeping me alive, barley, but for what reason? Were my hands free, i would have hunted down the insects that would pass through the hut, but they kept me bound tightly. My head was ringing from lack of nourishment, and even my own training in regards to lack of food was being tested to its limits.
I think it was dusk on the fourth day when something came into the hut and sat across from me. It wore a green hooded cloak with gold designs down the edges. it looked worn, but my vision was clouded still, from lack of light.
the voice that came from it was stern, but kind, i remember. It seemed to echo in my head as it spoke, though the tone and pitch seemed warbled and unclear at times. It had asked me, if i had understood why i was being treated like this, and why it was that I was here.
My own voice was weak and garbled. I said i did not know. the voice went on to explain that i needed to understand what had come before, between those who were before the Dragoons, and the upsetting of the world.
I lashed out at the voice, angry now, and confused. i said i knew nothing of what it was talking about and made an empty threat of unleashing the magics born unto me, were i not set free.
"The herbs ingested into you will keep you docile, Master Sunstar," i heard the voice say. "Your strength, your determination, all the qualities that make you what you are, are to be commended...but you lack the knowledge of what came before..when the Druaxia numbered in the many, and were hunted to near extinction by your theocracy, hundreds of years ago..."
It hit me then, as to where i was and what was going on. i was lifted up by strong hands and my robes were draped over my shoulders. i was still bound, and led out into the village center, the figure in green by my side, suporting me, and my weight. it felt good to walk, and the cuts on my feet were healed over nicely.
"the Druaxia have existed alongside you all this time, Child of Sunstar, and yet you, nay, none of your kind knew about us, or our ways...hundreds of years ago, when our land became seperated by the five ideals of theocracy, we were driven into hiding, for our ways were threatening to you. You kept us as we keep you know, in the dark, starved, unknowing, but we will not exterminate you, as so many of our brothers and sisters were then. Instead, your coming here will mark another turning point in the balance of all things...your beloved would be proud I think, but perhaps not entirley receptive to what it is that I would like for you to undertake. You, who have wanted to understand how it is that the worlds of the shaman are interpreted and understood..yes, we know your mind, but your heart leaves something to be desired. You feel you need to suffer for your ideals, your goals, when you do not. Has your Mae'hriel not told you this?"
The words all seemed to fade as I slumped to the ground, to my knees. i felt sick and the knowledge of the atrocities that took place so long ago flooded back to my memory. How it was that the Druaxia were labelled as outcasts, pariahs, and not to be trusted. the dragoons missions were to seek them out and exterminate them, for thier ways and practises, all with the God's nod of approval.
"its not that way anymore", i coughed. "we too suffered after the purge, just as you all did..why do this to me, here ...now?"
The robed figure was silent for a while as i was led back to my hut and laid down on the reeds. "A time will come, young Sunstar, when we will once again need each other. What we will show you in the next week, as rushed as it might be, will bring you to the level you seek, within yourself...within your heart."
The ringing in my head refused to stop and I saw blackness once more.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2004
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The day wore on and by late afternoon, every living man and woman still within the keep had every nerve on edge, waiting for that first strike. the sun overhead beat down on them, and there was an eerie silence that seemed to hang all about. only the quiet clanking of metal against metal as the Dragoons stirred slightly in their positions.
The first volley came quick and as the stone missile slammed into the side of the already weakend wall, it set off a chain reaction of activity. Arrows and bursts of magic erupted from the battlements, raining into the advancing tide of enemy soldiers, scattering few, and dropping many in their tracks.
The jolt was more than enough to jar the small black book that Thorne was writing in at the time, and as he gathered his wits and belongings, he stuffed them into the small travel bag he kept on his person, and ran out into the courtyard, sword drawn, and an angry gleam in his eyes.
He raced up to the top of the wall that seemed to be taking the brunt of most of the attacks, dodging arrows as they flew wildly, as if to cause more confusion than death. kneeling, he placed his hands on the stone floors and he could feel the strain the the rock was taking unto itself. Concern took hold as he shouted a command for all to get off the wall, and take up defensive positions within the courtyard, and as he did, he felt the hairs on the back of his head stand on end. Looking up and out across the wall, he saw the dark oblong shape of another projectile heading his way, felt a hand behind him grab the pauldrons of his heavy armour, heard the grinding impact of stone against stone, then, nothing, as he fell with the wall that began to collapse.
Star's Keep had been breached.
He woke with the coppery taste of blood in his mouth and a burning pain in his legs. He could see nothing clearly, his vision being clouded by smoke and confused daze. He could hear screams of pain, of anger, the last cries of dying men and young adults, both male and female. He tried to stand, but the rock of the wall that collapsed was all around him. wincing, he called upon those he served, and asked for the ability to heal. In silent prayer, he began to knit the crushing wounds he received, and was relieved to be able to move his pinned leg and arm. his sword was lost, no longer at his side, and as he craned his neck to try to see above the shattered tomb he lay in, he saw only the hand and the tattered green robes of the one who managed to push him out of harm's way. The General's eyes flashed in tearful anger and he mustered all of his strength to try to push the rocks off of him, to no avail. He was pinned down like a mouse caught in a trap.
Outside, however, was a different matter. What Thorne could not see, was that
re-enforcments from underneath the keep had come to the aid of the Dragoons. the flowed out of the ruined doors and onto the field of battle like seasoned veterans, and for the most part, many of them were.
Survivors of the Witherfrost War, and allies and friends of the General, they attacked the Dragoons of Chaos with fevor. The skies above were filled with smoke and flame, the sounds of swords clashing echoed throughout the scorched courtyard. The arrival of the newcomers seemed to throw the enemy into a state of panic, as some broke ranks to take care of the new threats to their purpose. It was when Thorne looked up and saw the large dark shape of his mount that he smiled and then understood as to what was happening. The ear piercing shriek that Vox gave as she flew low to the enemy gave him all to well the understanding as to what was happening. Passing out after hearing such a noise, however, was not what he had expected.
The enemy however, for those who did not fall to the magics that the Elf shaman had cast, had found their target, and began the retreat from the keep and instead, focused their attentions to the great winged animal that began to coast upon the air to the tree llne that stretched out far to the south. they did not see her lean down to let her hand skim across the treetops, nor did they hear the words she said, but as they closed the distance between their target and the forest, they began to feel the effects.
It all happened at once, it seemed. the ground began to shake and rumble and from the living earth, fearsome WarGolems, creations of shamantic Troll magic, rose from the ground and circled the now beweildered enemy. the trees began to move and sway as those that tried in a vain attempt to flee from the WarGolems, found themselves instead, hapless victims of awakened vegitation.
A cheer went up from the remaining forces of Thorne's Talon as it seemed that the enemy was routed. The general, freed now from his stone prison, looked about his now ruined home, still burning and unprotected. Still weakened and frought with concern and worry, not only for his Talon, but now, for those who had come to his aid, he heard that little voice from within once more.
"They are still coming...They are here..."
Rushing to the gaping hole and tumbled away rock to the east wall, he saw yet another band of enemy soldiers marching on his position. His time here, all of thier time here, was over. Star's Keep could be rebuilt anew, but lives could not. Vox had flown far already, and the only means of escape was the world gate that lay below.
He felt sick inside, and turned away from the advancing hoards, leading his friends away from this place to the levels below the keep. He looked at Piper one last time as he nodded, giving the order for retreat, and knew that they would meet again soon.
He said no words as the world gate activated, and despite the pain and the healing he recieved, these wounds would not heal soon.
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Friday, August 20th, 2004
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There was no time for a proper funeral, nor was there any time alloted in life right now for any kind of grief. Thorne had only the will and time enough to place the body of his uncle inside the temple, for safe keeping, until the trouble passed.
Cassandra Locke stood in the doorway of the keeps' temple, watching him form afar. She had accompanied the general and his Talon, out of honour alone. she was not a member of this particular group, she was more content staying in Tethlin, pulling guard duty at the longhouse of the Aven'Tarum. However, there was something about this man that she found intriguing.
The acrid smell of smoke wafted through the keep and it was not an easy task to escape or not inhale it. Fires still burned outside and reflected oddly from the now heat warmed windows that looked out from the temple onto the grounds below. The enemy had pulled back, no doubt awaiting reinforcements, and as Thorne lay his uncle down, he gazed to the outside, the partially covered moon his only other light to see by.
Thorne turned briskly, and walked the sloping incline to the main doors solemnly, and was met by Cassandra's quiet voice.
"I never knew your Uncle, General...but he held the gates for as long as he could..until you could get there."
Thorne paused in mid-stride and his eyes blazed with fire for only an instant. His rage within him grew and he could feel that black stain once more form over his soul, his being, a thirst for vengeance that never seemed to quieten.
"I thank you for your words, Cassandra Locke, but right now, we have no time for them. Defences need to be fixed, the walls will topple with the next assault, and I will not let those unworthy within these halls."
"My Lord, Im sorry mean no disrespect. i only sought to comfort your mind in such times as these..."
Thorne gritted his teeth and kept his temper in check. In times before, he might have scolded anyone else in a similar time, and had done so before, earning him the nickname the others in his Talon referred to him by from time to time. A deep breathe and the thoughts of someone far away from him now, calmed him.
"Your well wishes are welcome Cassandra, but you and I both know that times for grief and sorrow will come at a later time. right now, we have more important matters at hand."
Cassandra lowered her head in a polite and respective bow. Though she was a follower of Taint, her sensitive side showed more in times as these, and led her to her next action, which took her and Thorne by surprise.
"Make me a part of your Talon, General." she said commandingly.
"I beg your pardon?" Thorne replied.
"i want to be part of your Talon. The others speak highly of you, and I want to be part of that. they say that you are strict and fair, and that you treat those who serve under you like your own. You don't see how they look at you, how they respect and almost revere you, because you don't act like a superior to them. They would fight to the last person for you, and walk through the very fires of hell to make sure you were safe...."
Thorne looked sternly at Cassandra, and weighed her words carefully. Her spirit was true, he could see that much, and he thought about how things had progressed to this point, with all he had seen and been part of. He had heard the same speech before once.
He took off his armoured gauntlet and his hand began to glow a dark purple, giving off a light not normally seen before. "Your allegiance to Tethlin was your responsibility, Cassandra Locke....do you forgo such a task to join the ranks of the Riders, my Talon?"
Cassandra swallowed hard as the hand moved closer to her. "I do, my Lord."
Thorne placed the empowered hand upon the side of her neck and she winced in pain at the burning sensation that enveloped her body. The ritual of marking, was also a part of identification, and now, like the others and himself, she bore the same sigil.
"Welcome aboard, Cassandra Locke. Your place within the Riders is now most assured. Go now, report to commander Piper and tell him I sent you, and show him your sigil. He will give you your new orders."
Cassandra bowed low, and choked back her tears, the pain still reminding her of what she had asked for as she retreated to the courtyard.
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It was dawn on the second day when Piper found Thorne examining the badly damaged walls of the inner keep. As usual, there was a smile on his face, and his armour and robes seemed to be clean and well managed, even in the middle of a siege. He snapped to attention as he called out to his General, who, oddly enough, seemed in better spirits.
"Stormy", he said with a grin. "You aren't going to believe this, but the Children of Chaos have sent one of their own to the doors to discuss our surrender."
"You have got to be kidding," Thorne said in awe. "And here i was about to send you out to do the same."
"Are we to follow the normal rules of engagement for this, then, General?" Piper questioned.
Thorne growled. "They have attacked my home, attacked my people and my men. they are presumptuous to think that we would surrender now. Tell Galin to give him our reply...shoot to wound...and send him packing."
"Good as done sir," Piper whispered and made the motion towards the Green robed archer upon the top battlements. A cry of pain from outside the walls and the laughter of a few of the Talon confirmed the order was carried out in earnest.
Thorne shook his head. "what happened Piper? Were we so young once that we thought the world would bow at our feet?"
Piper smirked. "Once maybe, but we learned better for it. We are all in place. Scouts have reported that they plan to attack again this evening, en masse. By your command, if the battle goes ill, we will wait for the sound of your orders to retreat to the locations you each gave us in secret and will wait for further orders until then."
Thorne nodded and said nothing. Piper took this as an acknowledgement and went back to his duties.
"Piper," Thorne called after him.
"Sir?"
"The Talon is yours to lead should something go wrong. I want to make sure that they are looked after. None of you needed to come this far, and I trust you most of all to see this through to the end."
Piper bowed low, took three steps backwards and turned quickly, Thorne looking after him. It would be a good choice to make, to have Piper lead after his own. He turned and headed back into the dark recesses of the keep, to rest for a while, and like the rest, await the coming of the storm.
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2004
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Night fell, as it always did. the keep and the town were empty now, save for those of the Talon who remained. the battlements were walked steadily, and the winds whipped the torch light about furiously, almost to the point of extinction. there was a feeling of anticipation as the General stood alone, his sights turned to the small range of hills and forest that marked the horizon.
It was a chill wind, but he never felt it. His eyes constantly scanned the darkness, waiting for something, anything, to prove his vision, his "telling" to be right. Not even the clanking of Draconian armour that approached him now broke his concentration.
"Scouts still have yet to see anything, Lord, " the voice said. As Thorne turned he smiled slightly, facing the one who stood before him. He placed a hand upon the young mans shoulder, in comfort. He could sense the fear.
"Then, let us hope that i was wrong, and that tonight is peaceful, Rhelir. You and Althos, both, have seen more than young minds should."
Rhelir nodded. Like his sister, Althos, he had too been there at the final assault. Thorne remembered how many nights the two of them had laid awake, afraid to fall asleep, to see those they marched with, fall into darkness once more. Even the general himself had some troubles sleeping after that fateful day, and somehow, it showed even still.
"Return to your post, Rhelir. while we wait, we will be vigilant in our duties."
Rhelir bowed slightly, his eyes lowering in respect. "Yes, General", he replied and turned quickly, to where his long bow and cache of arrows lay in waiting.
It came suddenly, then, the high pitched whistling sound of something heavy breaking against the winds. A cold stab of fear and alarm shot up and down Thornes spine as the sickening crunching and scraping of rock upon rock echoed and shook the walls of the battlements. it was enough to knock Thorne off his feet, but only for an instant as his Talon burst into action. Getting to his feet, he gave the command to stand fast, and signalled Rhelir to light a path in the night sky.
the arrow launched and aided by magics, gave the ground below a slightly greenish glow. Thorne swore under his breath. They had got-ten too close for comfort, all of them, and they did so cloaked under some kind of spell, revealed only by what light forged by Grael could tell.
"Cloaked....not bad," Thorne said as he leapt from the tower to the battlement below, missing the stairs completely. he landed with a thud and ran to the other side, his eyes blazing with power as he began the enchantments of revealing. those in his talon recognized the spell, and began to take up the arms needed. bows were strung, arrows readied and those without, began to force the powers of their gods into their hands, ready to strike once the enemy could be seen.
shimmering waves and small sparks illuminated the grounds below as the enemys presence was revealed. A full compliment of troops, mostly human, surrounded two large bone and sinew catapults. the construction of such a thing was known, and it made the generals heart turn cold. He recognized some of the bones to be wyvern in nature, and old, making such a machine even stronger, despite its aged appearance. What made the siege engines and advancing contingent all the more surreal, was the fact that there was not one of them that had yet reached the age of adulthood.
"All of them...so young..."
"So disillusioned.."
"They are the enemy now, show them no quarter.."
Thorne barked. "Enough...they lost their ways...let us show them the true nature of what it means to be a Dragoon. FIRE AT WILL!!!"
A hail of arrows rained down upon those who had indeed, lost the ways, and followed the Dark ones of chaos, death and destruction. These poor souls would never find rest in the halls of the Catacombs, instead, they would serve blindly, in their lust for power. Shouts and screams rang out into the night, as they realized that their cover was dispelled, and the battle was joined.
Magic blasted back and forth from the ground to the walls, and once more, the Keep shook with the impact of stone against it. It was more than enough to knock those on top off their feet again, and as the general fell to his knees, he heard young Althos shout.."They are at the doors!"
"Keep firing at the bulk of the gathering. Keep them in disarray! focus your powers upon those siege engines...!" Thorne shouted above the yelling and sounds of death.
The walls underneath him he could feel like an extension of himself. he knew that one more volley like before would weaken it to the breaking point. He rushed down the stairs, arrows and fire whipping past him and his talon members, lodging the deadly warheads into the stone and wood. Every high pitched whistle made him shiver as he reached Althos.
"We have them held, Lord, but it wont be long..your uncle..he-"
althos was cut off as they rounded the corner to the courtyard. Thorne stood transfixed as he saw his uncle standing before the door, his arms moving slowly, his voice vibrating. A bright glow emanated from his being as the spell was cast, and then, all seemed to turn to silence as both the general and Althos witnessed Majoris passing from this world as the great heavy oak doors came crashing down upon his aged frame.
Anger welled up within Thornes being and he became blinded by rage as he drew his weapons and raced towards the gates, Althos close behind. Archers and bowmen from the battlements all turned as if instinctively and rained death upon those who would try to enter, ignoring the orders given previous.
Thornes voice seemed to ring out the loudest as he entered the fray, surrounded by arrows and sharp steel. His blades cut through the simple shields his enemies bore and entered into flesh. no more did it matter to him the age or the size of the enemy. no more did it matter to him that some could be saved, it was Tiamats fire now, that gave fuel to his vengeance.
body after body fell, and soon, he was joined by five more of his talon to drive the enemy back, and away from the doors. Lines were secured and fastened as the mass of warriors were driven into the blood soaked grasslands, and the doors raised once more, and strengthened into position with heavy beams.
"They pull back, general," one yelled from the battlements. "the retreat to the tree-line....!"
"Keep firing..empty the armoury if need be...this is only an advance force..take down as many as you can before they get out of range!" Thorne yelled back.
"General", Althos spoke softly.
Thorne collapsed by the body of his uncle and he slowly slipped his now bared hands underneath the frame of the only family member he knew. He lifted the body up off the cool soft earth, blood raining down over him. He felt Althos place a hand upon his armoured shoulder, but paid it no mind. with the enemy pulling back, they had precious little time left to pull together what defences they had. the walls were damaged, almost to the point of collapse, and the men were more than exhausted.
His eyes filled with tears but he choked them back and swallowed hard. He walked slowly, with the lifeless body of his uncle in his arms and headed into the darkness of the keep.
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I have hurt before. I have been battered and bruised more times than I care to think of in my lifetime. Even now, laying next to Mae, my muscles and joints scream at me for putting them through such exquisite tortures as we have seen. Stories will be written by my brothers about the Battle of Stars Keep, detailing the fighting and the bravery we all showed, and it is no different with myself. I expect this to be a long entry into what remains of my journal. Perhaps upon my leaving this world, such stories can be shared....
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The keep was quiet after i had allowed Vox to take Mae back to Twill. When we had arrived home, and I saw the remainder of my Talon in waiting, there was a sense of comfort in knowing that we were not alone in this fight, that there would be others who would join us.
I bid Mae farewell, as I always do, and wished her safe journey. I stood and watched her disappear into the skies above, and as usual, that feeling of melancholy washed over me, as it does every time she leaves my side. So full of strength and will, she is, something that I find most appealing. It was Althos, finally, who snapped me out of my daydreams with a warm pat on the shoulder. Althos was one of the younger members of my Talon, and though I did not know her very well, she too proved her worth in combat during the final battle on Witherfrost Isle.
"You stare off into the sky like you will never see her again, Lord," she said to me as she took off her helm.
I smiled slightly as I turned to look down at her. She was a full foot shorter than me, and from last we met, her hair had got-ten somewhat longer. she was lithe with a streamlined body. Her light eyes seemed to peer into mine, as if seeking something that was hidden. I simply shook my head at her.
"Althos, you should know better than to look for something that is not there. It is true.I fear for her safety, but I have yet to see her not be able to handle anything that comes her way.."
"But she is Shaman, General...Elven though she may be, her ways do not mix well with our own. You know this and yet you still pine after her?"
"The heart wants what it wants, Althos..I will not deny myself the happiness I seek for spiritual differences." I said quietly, and in the tone I always used with my Talon when I needed to get a point across. I know she did not mean anything by it, but the younger ones who have yet to see the world, sometimes are too far gone in the ideals we have been taught. She nodded, seeing the truth behind my words, and walked with me back into the Keep's courtyard.
A flock of birds feeding on the ground erupted into flight as we made our way into the open yard. I watched as they scattered and I felt, for the slightest moment, that something wicked this way comes. I looked at Althos, in her black and gold armour and white robes and my eyes narrowed slightly. "Go to the guest quarters, and rouse our brothers and sisters, Althos," I commanded.
"Sir?"
"No questions..just do so..quickly and quietly...have them gather in the Temple
As Althos left, I turned my eyes to the sky, and felt that feeling of dread from within.
"He's coming...."
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The keep's temple seemed a little more empty when Majoris wasn't there. He had always kept some kind of lights burning to remind all that came for solitude here, that there was always someone "home" as it were. As the Talon filed in, one after another, in all the splendour of their particular deities, and took their seats, the generals usually quiet voice dominated the room, and echoed in the halls.
"Lothec comes here....I feel it...He seeks Maehriel, and he will not find her here. his troops will be many, and all of them will be young, disillusioned, promised something that they will never find. They are the enemy now..and we will show them no quarter. We will need to co-ordinate defensive measures as well as an organized evacuation of the keep and the town into the caves to the west. the longer we can keep those of the sixth occupied here, the safer they will be..."
The room was silent for a minute or two before Althos spoke. Her voice rang loud and true. "I will assist in the evacuation, Lord. Bahumut would have me do no less...and when your people are safe, I will return to fight by your side."
Thorne nodded and then, another voice, across the seating from Althos. It was Piper, so aptly named as it was usually his music that accompanied Isomir's melodic voice. He stood proudly his red robes almost glowing in the low light.
"I know i speak what is on everyone;s mind here, Lord General...Thorne. You have led us into danger time and again, and though we all still grieve for our lost brothers and sisters, they would not have us give up the fight. since the island we have been with you, since these times of trouble, we will aid you. You fight for two causes, one to defend that which is most dear to you, the other, to restore the balance that now seems to be upset in the world. such is our cause, our creed, our duty to those whom empower us! Let them come and taste steel and fire!!"
It was then that the entire congregation erupted in cheers and chants! Swords and shields were raised in pride and honor to those who had passed on before, each name spoken with pride and love. the fires of Tiamat burned in each and every eye of their gruff and tough faces, weathered by the sun and the lands they all swore to defend.
the general simply stood there and felt the energy that was developing, knowing all full well that they would need every bit of it. Assignments were handed out, and as they all left the hall, Thorne gestured to Althos to stay behind.
"You will be working with my Uncle on the evacuation process. he knows where to go, where the caves are...look after him as well as you have me, my sister."
Althos smiled at the man she had come to love as a brother, though she would never let him know that. She tied her hair back into a simple top-knot and bowed respectfully. "I will, my Lord...fear not. His life will be safe."
Thorne dismissed her and watched her leave before he turned into the hallway that would lead him to his room upstairs. The hallways seemed so quiet and empty withoout those he knew best, and his room, even more so knowing that Mae was far away, but at least safe. His own armour hung on the sturdy rack near the cold fireplace, and as he opened the large heavy curtains to look out on the courtyard below, the rays of sunshine that filtered in gave him a renewed hope. It had been unseasonably warm of late, but this day, Thorne did not seem to mind, and he let the sunshine play over him, warming him, restoring his faith in things, despite the lack of time needed.
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The courtyard came alive with life and energy as the Dragoons of Thornes Talon went about readying the defences of the keep. Majoris had already begun the arduous task of evacuating the town and the inhabitants of the Keep itself, and so far, all was going smoothly. From the battlements above the action, Thorne stood his vigil, watching the areas to the west, waiting for any sign of action or advancing enemy. Without Vox, he could not scout on ahead in time to see if anything was coming, enemy or not. He had heard word already on how such drastic precautions shouldnt be taken on a whim, but he knew he was right in this. that feeling was unmistakable, wether it was Godsent or not, he could not take the chance, knowing now all that he did.
This was no longer a secret fight. Majoris, in his weakened state now, had told him to prepare for that much. His people now knew of what was going on, and despite the fact that most were willing to stay and fight, it was with a sad heart that the General had to decline the offers that followed his general adress.
"......While I realize that this is home to a great many of you, for a long time, this is not your fight...as your Avan'Tarum, all citizens are to go to the saftey of the caves, where Majoris will lead you, aided by Althos...The Dragoons of my Talon will hold whatever comes at bay....Stars Keep will not fall..."
These words ran through Thornes mind as he turned away from the west to see the organized confusion and hear the noise of the people below. On the road to town, he could see the line of his people heading off past the town itself and into the small range of hills that lay to the east. He was able to say goodbye to his ailing uncle at least, before he left, and that gave the General some small satisfaction.
It was Piper who finally approached Thorne, informing him of the progress. "All is in near readiness m'Lord. Once the gates are closed we will bar them as you have ordered. Althos reports that the first waves of refugees have already reached the caves, and by nightfall, all should be secured away."
"My thanks Piper...We cannot let them get into the keep...If they find the worldgate that lays under the keep, all will be lost. We must hold their lines here...for as long as we can."
"im almost afraid to ask, Lord...but...do we have reinforcments?"
Thorne turned to look at Piper, and the look in his eyes spoke volumes. "That depends on how much our luck holds out, my friend...go now...take up your position and tell the others to begin final preperations. Dusk will fall quickly..we must be ready."
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My Uncle is dead.
Events have transpired all to quickly, and too brutally now. After bringing Maehriel and Vox back home, here, at the keep, and after meeting with all those who had decided to aid us, all hell has broken loose.
I thank Tad'ekam that Maehriel is not here to see it.
It is only now, during a time of rest that I am affordd that I can jot these things down. My home is once again under attack, by forces that once might have been proud and noble defenders of the faith, now, turned against that which they had once beleived. Those from the town have been evacuated safely and with minimal loss, for which I am thankful. Majoris saw to that, before he fell.
Even now thew acrid smoke from the fires of the enemy encampment, mixed with that part of my keep that burns, fills my senses and enrages me. I am not alone in this, for what remains of my Talon continue to fight still. They will not batter us down, that much I can promise. Too many close calls however, and now, we will ned to contend with some sort of seige engine that lays dormant outside my walls.
My bones ache, and there is a constant ringing in my head..my throat is sore from orders given and my powers grow weak, as do all of us. While I do have help, most now defend the tow----
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2004
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Its been hours since Mae went into her trance, and Vox was good enough to let me nap at least a little. Im quite used to her waking me with the tip of that armored tail of hers, sometimes I'm amazed I don't have a permanent lump.
So now, i have two females to watch over while they rest.
i stoked the fire to give us a little more warmth, and as I did, I tried to put into perspective this new crusade i seem to have found myself on, and how fate seems to guide my destiny in ways and directions i would never have thought possible.
Is it within ourselves to accept simply what happens, or do we all have some sort of final end that we, by our own desicions, predestined or not, come to? Many times have i heard Mae say something about things coming full circle, as if she was to relive and replay the things of the past. To finish what once was not finished, either due to the misfortune her parents suffered, or by divine interference. How many times have i looked to the stars that reel overhead each night and ask silently to those above, "to what direction does my destiny lie?"
I wonder sometimes, if we are to suffer some sort of fate that those before us have. Majoris has told me how happy my own mother and father were, until she was sent away, with me.
Perhaps then, we were meant to find one another. We both have little memory of our parents, we both seem to be strong in our convictions, we work well as a team in almost all things...we are both Draconian, save for the racial difference..(something I need to come to grips with and learn). shes been as patient with me as i have her, and yet, i feel as if i have been hiding away, letting this part of me who has known nothing but war and fighting and conflict for so long...who had little time to grief for a wife, and even before that, a son...
Where did the man get so lost inside the metal skin that he shuts himself away from the rest of the world, and the warmth of another? Will I pass from thie world into the next with nothing to show?
No...I cannot afford to think in such a way now...and I know Mae would give me a stern talking to for even considering that. I lost my fight to the darkness once...I won't do so again.
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Time once again moves too quickly, and it is only now, that I get a chance to record some of the past hours events. While Mae requires guard during her dreamwalks, I can at least catch up on some writings.
After the funeral services in Teth, and a good long time in the steamrocks chambers, its been decided that the fight be taken to this Lothec (how I hate to even say its name, for no man could be so...possesed, so driven to hate) in a way that I have no idea how to combat.
It is clear to me that this will be Maehriel's fight, and something that she must do, but it will not be on her own. I fear that this Lothes plans to capture her essence, her being, and hold it for ransom to bring back to him, that which he has lost to time and hate. This is a fight that will be fought on two battlegroundds, one of the spirit, and one of the physical. I can see now, where it might be that we...where I might fit in. I know nothing of the realms of spirits and the magics they provide, I know only that of which I have been fortunate enough to learn over time, both of my faith, and of the Cabalistics. Though Maehriel has shown me things, and has told me some of what she knows, I still sometimes have a hard time in understanding.
Even as she lies here, now, still as death, and not unlike sleep, I wonder in amazement as to where she goes? What it is she sees? How it is that she deals with all of this coming at her from all sides? This Lothec is powerful, and now, as I am made to understand, has turned away from even the Dark gods of which he once served. Wether or not this is fortunate for us remains to be seen, though, with the not so recent capture of Druaxia, that name which those of the shamanistic schools go by, it would be safe to assume that he still requires knowledge of some sort.
Wormschloss and the Great Wall give me some concern as well. At last count, the inhabitants of those Nightlands were massing..camps have been springing up near the gate itself, though far enough away from the Walls archers to not lose any of thier numbers. Do they await the call? Will they march through the gats defences and onto the capitol? If Draco the city, is overrun, if the mountain stronghold is taken...
It is best not to think upon such things. I hope that Mae finds what she seeks in her dreamwalks..for now, here withing the confines of this ancient WorldGate, we are safe...Vox rests now, and I will prepare something small for Mae to eat when she returns.
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Twenty four our of a Talon regiment of 50 returned to Tethlin last night. Twenty four hours later, I find myself once again detailing the events past. No one else will ever read these words, but it will serve to me, as a reminder to never forget those who have gone on ahead of me.
It was after dusk when we all too our positions at the Tombs of the Fallen. A circular pattern of large stones that mark the various caerns all over the five lands can only be accessed by those such as we, for they are holy shrines in which those who have passed on, are placed. The lights that are generated by the residing Aven'Tarum for every brother and sister have thier place in these tombs, though thier spirits move on, waiting for the chance to be born again.
We stood in place silently while the Aventarum generated the lights for those who died needlessly. Angus MacRoth, Sibohan Rasku, Comyn Dena, Sigil TaE...all whom I knew and called my friends, all of them now that were placed within their small alcoves deep within the earth. As the Aven'tarum led us down the spiraling staircase that lay under the stone tablet that spanned almost 20 feet across, I felt Mae's comforting hand upon my own.
As each light was put ito its place, I could hear Isomir sing those soft words of courage and enlightenment she was so famous for. We all joined her, one after another, and it gave me some sense of comfort as I watched each traditional light being placed so carefully within the alcoves. I know that each and every one of them fought tooth and nail, and would never give up. I know they go the the place of our Fathers, where they wait for the chance to be born again.
I spoke only a few words at the end of all things, for I feel once again that I should have been here with them. Instead, more blood is upon my hands, and a traitor to the cause runs free.
I wandered alone outside of Tethlin, despite the protests from Mae and the AvenTarum. Spring in Draco always did bring me some sense of renewal. As I wandered past the hotsprings, I caught the scent of the blossoms of the fruit bearing trees on the wind. As if on cue a flurry of white petals blew by on the air and I stoped to marvel at this, a lesson learned in the blink of an eye. I thought how perfect it was to see this, and I had wished that Mae could have been there to see it wth me.
We all die, sooner or later. Its what we do in the time we are alive that makes all the difference.
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I have so much to catch up on and now, so little time to do it in.
Two weeks travel out of Stars Keep, and I had already run into trouble. I thought that by taking the shorter and more direct route to Teth and then, onto Twill, where Mae had made her home, I would save a little bit of time, and perhaps meet up with some of my Talon who awaited further orders from me in regards to the growing situation with The Fallen ones.
I never made it to Tethlin. It was my thrid night into the Jun Forest when, like a fool, I was caught by a few remaining members of the Druaxian Order, shamanistic peoples of Draco. I am still amazed at the way they were able to move in complete silence, and to tell you the truth, I can see why it is that they and their kind are to be venerated.
I was taken to an elder, who had known of my travels since I left the keep, no doubt somethig my dear uncle had to do with. They had warned me of a small contingent of Fallen memebrs that had been terrorizing the area, using the resources and wasting them far to much. They said that they would allow me pasage throught what they called "The bridge" if I were t help them eradicate this menace.
what choice did I have? I needed to get to Mae, to know that she was alright, and if I could strengthen a relationship of good will with the Druaxia, it would be done. After setting out with new provisions and my world as my bond, myself and two others, Gweneth and Sarenwan
set out to investigate and remove those who would cause these lands harm.
I found the both of them to be very much in tune with their surroundings at all tmes. They both wore the same dark green cloaks and robes with the slightet bits of golden embroidery upon the sleeves and necklines. it seemed to be the same for all the Druaxia, and I learned that it was to show that all were of the same ideals, that to be as one in style and mannerism, would they survive as they always have. I asked them not of what their totems were, for I felt it would be like asking and elvan woman her age. As much as i wished to know of them, they kept to themselves mostly, and offered me little int he way of conversation or information, other than the fact that some time ago, they would have been free to practise thier particular brands of rites and passages freely, not so now.
Wehn we found the small contingent o Fallen Ones, we set upon them heavy and hard. Between our magics and abilities, they were routed quite quickly. Had we known that this was merley a diversion for the main brunt of the enemys attaack, we never would have left.
We returned to fire smake and ash. The enemys forces had taken 5 of their people, and the rest were now scattered like the wind. I wished that I could explain to them the nature of what they were up against, but even I did not have concrete evidence to point them in the right direction. They sent me on my way, and told me that onenights travel directly to the west, would provide me with a more expediant way to get to where I needed to go.
I found the Worldgate early that morning. The sun had not yet peaked over the horizon when I entered that set of ancient stones that lay half buried int he ground of their birth, and I was sent to where I needed to go, fearful for the life of that elven woman who meant so much to me.
I finally arrived in Twill by nightfall, and the rain poured down over me, making the small foot trail difficult to navigate and keep a steady footing. Mud and water became a part of my dress, but as I neared the small sleepy hamlet, I spotted her, rain soaked as well, her long dark hair cascading down her shoulders and back. My heart leapt into my throat as I was relieved to find her unharmed. I explained to her why I had come to see her, and explained in brief that things had gotten worse in her absense. Things in Twill were also not what they seemed, and as she told me of the things that were happening, I made it a point to go out and bless the land with the protection of the dragons, to make sure that which was dead, would stay that way.
Spending another night with her after so long was, to me, a godsend. I had missed her touch, her warmth over these many days, and despite the fact that she visited me in my dreams, it did not compare in dream to her physical body laing next to mine. I slep little that first night, instead, I watched over her, and listened for the sounds of potential enemies.
The next day, while I was busy looking after the matters t had I hd sworn to do, I recieved a mental message from my Uncle Majoris from home. He seemed paniced in the vision, and explained to me that those of my Talon who were awaiting me in Tethlin, had gone ahead to forge a preemptive strike against Lothec and his followers.
I know not how many have yet to come back. As I write now, alone, my eyes fill with tears to know that we have been played as puppets. My brothers and sisters, all of whom were loyal to the Crowns to a fault, were betrayed. This Lothec has followers in high places, and I hope in my heart that it was not a KingPriest who has fallen into the darkness that is Chaos.
My heart fell as I returned to Twill and I was found in a state of shock. Mae brought my depair to an end with her steely resolve, and Carlos, surprisingly enough, ahd a few words of comfort as well. I asked him if he ever got tired of the fighting, especially when it concerned the lives that hung in the balance. He looked at me and said that all lives are worth it, even the ones yet to be born. When he looked to Mae and then to me, I knew what he spoke of, and he offered me a premature congragulation. I laughed, for not only was he right, but he said that if what was to come was any idication, the both of us would come out in one piece.
Mae and I spoke long into the night, as Vox was already dispatched to retrieve us both the following morning. It was a bittersweet goodbye that she had to give to Carlos and Knucklebreaker, both of whom had become good friends to the both of us. I will miss my "little brother", for he served under me with respect and honor. The images are still as clear now as they were when Mae and I departed. While she gatherd them both, I made sure that our saddles were tight and secure, then, after so long a time, I put on once more, the solid encasings that define in part of who I am, and what I must do.
When I climbed up on Vox, and looked down at Mae, I thought for a second, that I saw fear in her eyes, a fear that turned to pride and love. I may be wrong in this. I remember what she thought of my armor the first time we met.
I also gave Knucklebreaker a small token of the loyalty he showed. No more would he travel the Draconian lands in fear, not with the talisman I gave him. Perhaps one day, those in Marigs Wound will stop fearing us, and once again be our allies for the quest for a common good.
Mae sleeps soundly now, that we have arrived in Tethlin. The Aven'tarum has put us up in a private chamber within the longhouse, and I am to await the return of any last stragglers of my Talon for regrouping and relocating. Word will spread throught the land, to my brothers and sistrs of what we must do, and in turn, will garner the attention of the KingPriests as well. We will flush out this traitor and deal with him, and I promise you Mae..you will not fail in your tasks. Not while I still draw breath.
Rest in peace, my brothers.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2004
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May 26 868
Afternoon
I spoke with my Uncle regarding the name that was given to me in my dream. He was not expecting me to confront him with such a thing, for I have had some time to think upon what it is that I can begin to trust and believe.
T'ahoil SpiritKin....once a General of Bahumut, Dragon God of the Skies and elements of air. Majoris spoke long about him and his deeds and how far back his elven liange went. T'ahoil SpiritKin.is also Mae's father, who married and had a child with a one time student and apprentice to my Uncle Majoris. Apparently, things come full circle wether we want them to or not.
"It is not mere chance that your paths would cross with hers, nephew. It has been written in the stars..wether by accident or divine interruption, you and Maehriel were meant to find one another. Do not think too hard upon this, my boy, for what has happened thus far was not planned. Your love and devotion to her has not been orchestrated by unseen forces, that comes from within, much like her mother and father, much like your own parents.
I smile to myself, however, for when I explained to him that Maehriel had come to me in a dream to ask him of that name, I was also to tell him of what I felt and saw in a single ball of light.
It was a smile I was not expecting, nor was the warm embrace that befell me. I only nodded when he daid that he would hope and pray that, in the end, when all was said and done, that the Sunstar line would rise again, joined with that from which it started in the time before history was a thing to be recorded, instead of handed down orally. That look turned to darkness however as he explained to me T'ahoil SpiritKin's unfortunate demise. Her father, killed in combat..with a man called Lothec, a Dragoon who failed to achieve the goals set out before him, and fell into the darkness, all for the love of Mae's mother...and now that he cannot have her....
I have left Majoris in charge of the keep. Guards have been posted all over town to defend it in my absense. He knows and now understands the seriousness of the matter, and it now all falls into place. The secret war that has been ressurected between the light and the dark will soon come to a head, and it will be this Lothec that leads the charge. The attack in Teth confirms that he seeks to recruit those who have lost favor, and seek an easier way to power. Mae told me of the time she spent in captivity, how her ear was damaged, and I fear he may now be looking for her, and to put an end to me, no matter what the cost. If that is true, then I have endangered Maehriel, Knucklebreaker, Propheus...any and all who would know of her, myself or our whereabouts.
I leave tonight, on foot, much to Vox's displeasure. I know she would follow me to hell and back but I cannot risk losing her now. I travel as lightly as I can, taking with me all I need to survive. I will not travel in disguise nor shame, for that is not my way, nor is it the way of the Dragoon. To keep the peace as I make my way to find them before Lothec does, I will need what authority I have, and hang those corruped by darkness, woe be to any who get in my way.
"Wether she realizes it or not, Thorne...wether she wants it or not..she will need help..your help, the help of friends, to put and end to this. Without it, there is no future, no children, no peace, and darkness will cover the five kingdoms.."
Please Maehriel...be safe....remember the stone.
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May 26 868
Early Morning
I awoke with a start, and I fumbled around in the dark for a candle, a lamp, anything to bring me out of the darkness that surrounded me. In the confusion and the fog of sleep, I had forgotten myelf and instead, drew upon my own power, given to me, nay, bestowed upon me with great generosity by my gods.
My breath came in gasps and I realized that I was home, safe within Stars Keep. Its been over two weeks since I left that small town, over two weeks since I have heard from Mae, at least until this night. She came to me in a dream, and brought with her a glimpse into our future. My hands shake even as I write this, and I still feel her presence about me here, her touch that spans time and distance that seperates us.
"Now you know, the love I feel for you Anorel. And why I cannot fully show you my feelings until my issues have been dealt with. But at least you know.."
I remember her words too clear, and forever will they echo in my thoughts. I never doubted that in you Maehriel...never in a thousand generations had I doubted. Now you show to me what a future may bring, and I look forward to that day eagerly. It has been too long since I have known closeness, and I have fallen too deep into your spirit, your being, to turn away now. Bring me that day when the balance... life is created anew, and the love of a family can overcome all obstacles.
I will speak to Majoris on the name you mentioned. I promise.....T'ahoil SpiritKin.
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Wednesday, April 28th, 2004
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December 5 867 D.R.
The meeting was not what I was prepared for. Once again the shadows seem to fall upon the lands of Draco, and once again, we have been caught unawares. the corruption that has taken hold of one of the most respected KingPriests is known to but a few, and now, there are but three who have not gone missing. Bhor was right to inform me, for I have now spread word to my Talon, as have others, in secret.
The Servants of the Sixth are back.
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