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Asulien; Change the name when we need to
Topic Started: Jun 4 2008, 06:16 PM (17,258 Views)
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The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
James collapsed onto his back, breathing heavily, exhausted and feeling his life slip away. He heard cheers and shouts from inside the city, but they sounded like they were coming from miles away. Opening his eyes, he saw birds, and then suddenly his entire vision was filled with Kelan and a female monk.

"My Lord," said Kelan, his voice sounding distant. "My Lord, you have done it. You have killed Drathmor. You have saved Weissland. You have saved the world, My Lord."

"Come, we must heal you," said the female monk.

"Do not fear, James, Aracen has defended you this day," said Kelan. "Your life is in His hands."
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chadden
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Mordain turned to a soldier. "Send the Az'Gor from this city. Tell them to pursue the fleeing enemy and butcher anything and everything that they can."

Then, he lept from the wall and used his wings to ease his fall and carry himself easily to the ground. He walked towards James and knelt beside him. He ran his fingers across the man's wounds. They were extensive. It would take his own healing magic a long time to cure this.

"How long will it take to cure him?" he asked, directing his question at the monks.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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The female monk slapped at Mordain's hand and pushed him away. "You have no place here. He will not be healed by you."
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chadden
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The mage contained his fury, at least by his standards. "My healing magic is not as powerful as your's, and I did not suggest that I would heal him. I asked how long it would take you to heal him." He rose, staring directly into the face of the monk. "And whatever problems your kind have with what I am, you will keep to yourself for today. This is Weissland's day of victory, a day where our people can finally rejoice. And a time when the Lord Castoden needs aid. I will not have this day tarnished by another conflict."
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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"Then you should stay out of our way," said the female monk. "Stay away from us and the Lord Castoden until he is healed."

Darnil came up behind Mordain. "Milord," he said.
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chadden
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Mordain turned to Darnil, though his fists were clenched at his sides in silent rage. "Yes, Darnil?"
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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"It would be better if you withdrew," he said quietly and respectfully. "There are things to tend to in the city. Best not to make the ones healing James mad."
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chadden
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Mordain knew the man was right. He wreathed his hands and formed a robe out of shadow to drape around his form. He lifted the hood and summoned his staff back into his hand.

The Mage of Shadows walked back through the inner gate. The Az'Gor had been dispatched to cut down as many of the undead as they could. On the other side of the inner wall, many soldiers were still standing in stunned silence.

Mordain called Seekers to him. "Go to the civilians. Tell them that the war is over. Bring Shaellana to me. There is still work to be done."
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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James faded in an out of consciousness, seeing only the faces of the monks as they chanted their spells and used their hands to work on him. He had no sense of time, and the only sound he could hear was the birds singing.
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chadden
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Mordain caught Darnil by the arm as the man walked past. He said in a hushed voice, "Be sure that the soldiers save their cheers for when James can hear them."

He walked on, his face hidden beneath his unnatural shroud. He hoped, more than anything else, that Weissland would forgive him, or at least understand.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Darnil cocked an eyebrow at the Lord but nodded. "Aye, Milord." He went over to the soldiers and told them, "Settle down. We are not out of this yet. The war is over, but our Lord still lies on the battlefield. Let us go hold watch with him."

The soldiers fell silent, and, somberly, the soldiers began to file out and formed a circle around James. The circle was enormous, with fifty thousand men who had survived the battle. Some were wounded, but they nevertheless stood or sat with their comrades while they were tended to, holding a watch over the Lord Castoden.
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chadden
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Shaellana fell into step with her Lord. "My Lord, why do you shadow yourself from this? If it were not for you, we would not have made it to Asulien in the first place. You have led these people since your cousin left Ataya for the Kuren Pass."

"This day belongs to the people, and to James Castoden. The monks will not tolerate my presence. Arrogant and ignorant as they are, they would not listen to reason. I will stay away from them to avoid a conflict. I will not let this day be ruined by their foolish accusations." replied Mordain, his voice far weaker than usual.

"You have done nothing wrong, my Lord. They have no right!" Shaellana's voice was heated. She had no love for the monks.

"Right or not, they have made their choice. I would die for this land, Shaellana. I can surely bare to be cast aside to preserve it at times."
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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The vigil stretched on as the sun began to sink behind the horizon. The shadows were long and the soldiers were tired but they continued their watch over James as the monks worked on him, fighting to save him.
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chadden
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Shaellana and Mordain had walked through the city, still deep in conversation. They had come to sit on a bench high in the city, overlooking what lay below. Much of the city lay in ruin and the dead filled the streets. But, it would be rebuilt. Weissland would be rebuilt.

"You should not have backed down to those religous bastards." persisted Shaellana.

"I had no choice." Mordain sighed. "That's a feeling I've grown more than accustomed to."

"But what gives them the-"

"Stop it, Shaellana!" snapped Mordain. "I have enough hatred. I don't need you to fuel any more!"

The High Seeker withdrew. She turned her eyes to gaze out over the city. But she did not look down at the carnage. Instead, she looked up into the sky, to where the sun should have been, had her eyes been able to see it.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?" she asked softly.

"I do."

"It seems like an age ago..."

"That's because it was." replied Mordain.

Shaellana was about to round on him, but she knew he could not help it. She turned her eyes back to the sky.

"This sunset, Shaellana. I wish you could see-" Mordain suddenly stopped speaking and went deathly still.

Shaellana looked over at him. "My Lord?" She reached over at shook him gently, but there was no responce. "My Lord?! Mordain?"

Mordain's hand came to rest on her arm. "Shaellana... I'm... I feel... That sunset, it's beautiful..."

The High Seeker withdrew, raising her hands to her mouth, and then reached a trembling hand within his hood. She touched his face. "You... but how can you..? It shouldn't be possible..."

Mordain rose and took a few steps forward, before clutching at his heart suddenly and falling to his knees. He let out a hushed cry of pain and then slumped.

"It's gone." he said, his voice cold and empty once more.

Shaellana crouched beside him.

"But... for a moment, Shaellana. For one, precious moment, I could see the beauty of the sun setting in the sky, turning it from tranquil blue to passionate red." He turned his head towards her slowly. "And for one, brilliant, beautiful moment, I felt my love for you..."

Shaellana collapsed onto him, wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. He would have held her, but he felt nothing. His feelings had came and went faster than a simple breeze.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
The monks had been healing James for several hours, and finally Kelan stood up. "It is done," he said. "The Lord Castoden will live, and his wounds are mostly healed, but he needs rest and time."

"May we take him back to the keep?" asked Darnil. "Put him on a bed?"

Kelan nodded. "That is acceptable."

Darnil turned to call for a stretcher, but men had already gotten one and were making their way down to where James was. As they placed it down and began to move James, Darnil said, "Gently."

James opened his eyes as they set him down and whispered, "Darnil..."

"Yes, Milord?" asked Darnil.

"He's gone...Weissland is safe," whispered James.

"Aye, Milord," said Darnil. "You did it."

"We did it," whispered James. "Thank you...for believing in me..."

"Of course, Milord," said Darnil.

"Where is Rebecca?"

"She is in the keep, with the rest of the nobles," said Darnil. "We are taking you there now."

"Thank you," said James. "For everything."

"Aye, Milord," said Darnil with a smile. "And thank you...for saving all of us."

James closed his eyes as the men lifted up the stretcher and began carrying him through the streets. The soldiers now lined up along the streets and started to sing an old war song, famous throughout the Weissland Army,

"Men of Weissland, on to glory!
Victory now hangs before ye,
Freedom now belongs to all ye
On this battlefield.

Men of Weissland, stand ye steady!
It cannot be ever said ye
For the battle were not ready
Weissland shall not yield.

From the hills rebounding,
Let these war cries sounding
Summon all, Castoden's call,
The mighty force surrounding!

Foes on every side assailing,
Forward press with heart unfailing,
'Till invaders learn with quailing,
Weissland never yields!"
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Nathaniel Drakkon
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((Nicely done on the song there Rudder. Very spectacular both of you.))

Nathaniel Drakkon walked alone through the inner city, searching for his destination. He could hear the singing echoing throughout the city. Everything was so very quiet and still that it carried like the city had been built as an amphitheatre. As he entered a small square, he stopped and looked at his sword for a moment. With a sigh he took a cloth from a pouch at his belt and cleaned the blade. Even now it glowed faintly red.

He put the sword in its scabbard and continued walking.
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Anubis, IPU is dead, long live IPU! A-Team member.

"If a loyal servant of Weissland is threatened, I will aid him to my dying breath, with every drop of my blood. There are older and more powerful things in the world that have faced me and underestimated my resolve, to their end." - Nathaniel Drakkon

"For what is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!" - Aeron Damphair, a Song of Ice and Fire.

Visit the Drakkon Grimoire - The Collected, Completed Nathaniel Drakkon Fiction
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chadden
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Mordain and Shaellana heard the song of the soldiers, even from their elevated position in the city.

"James has been saved." said Mordain quietly.

-----

Brae still stood with Elandir and his mercenaries. "The battle is over..." He said in amazement. "What do we do?" He directed his question at Elandir.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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The soldiers finally reached the keep, and Rebecca came rushing out of it, tears soaking her face. "James!" she shouted. "James!" The soldiers lay the stretcher down and Rebecca dropped to her knees, embraced James, and kissed him over and over. "You did it. You're alive. You did it," said Rebecca over and over again.

"I love you," whispered James.

"I love you too!" replied Rebecca.
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chadden
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"I can't believe he did it... He defeated the Dark Lord! He saved all of us." said Shaellana.

"Yes, he has truly exceeded anything I or Lathaon expected of him." added Mordain, nodding his agreement. "Come. We should pay him a visit."

The pair made their way to the keep, though not before Mordain had used his magic to repair his robes in full. They walked through the streets; people, soldier and civilian alike, moved aside to let them pass.

"They fear me." said Mordain quietly.

"They always feared you, my Lord." replied Shaellana matter-o-factly.

"But, it seems more now. They have seen what I am. Many will hate me."

Shaellana shook her head. "I can gaze into their souls, my Lord. I see fear, but I do not see hate. I see respect, admiration and gratitude. You have proven yourself to them time and again over the past century. Weissland is proud to have you amongst its hierarchy. This I can promise you."

They arrived at the keep and found Darnil. They guessed that James had been taken inside, and so approached Darnil to find out where.

"Darnil, where is the Lord Castoden? Shaellana and I have yet to pass on our thanks." said Mordain.
"Stand against me if you must, for of course you will. Conflict is just another part of this flawed reality. You need to cling to your concepts and purposes, your feeble honour and glory. None of it serves any purpose in the end. And the end draws close." - Krodalis Thaendil.

"It really is amazing; she killed Kelan Wealer, not that I am complaining, but then the order welcomed her as their new leader. It makes one wonder if I were to ram a blade down her throat, would the monks then follow my commands?" - Mordain Thaendil.

One of the Last Guardians. Suck it.
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The Lord Castoden
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"Upstairs, Milord, in one of the chambers," said Darnil. "He is resting with Rebecca."
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