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Dark Elf Camp; in the mountains north of Asulien
Topic Started: Jul 29 2008, 09:04 PM (1,367 Views)
Lathaon
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Fallen Archmage
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Ithrain shook his head slowly.

----

She was asleep, or at least looked so. She was perhaps a little too tense, but that could have been the cold.

"Arhaina."

Her eyes opened, and she silently cursed herself for not waking up sooner.

"Good morning, milord..." she answered wearily, sitting up as she did so.

"I think you will not find this morning to your tastes," Kalon said. "You are going to have to remember your husband's spell for me, but magic will not come so easily as ordinary words or images, so I'm afraid you will find this difficult and painful."

"What?" Arhaina said in shock. "But you can't torture it out of me! I don't remember!"

"No, you are correct. I can't torture it out of you," Kalon said grimly, "but I can torture it out of Lathaon."

Arhaina stared.

"You must clear your mind now and think only of your need for those words. Close your eyes if it helps. A difficult task, I know, but it will not end until you do this," Kalon said. "And, you do need those words if you want to avoid making the wrong choice - and the consequences of doing so."

Out came the sword and its cold aura.
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Ariakas
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"That is not the answer we're looking for," the dark elf spoke. The other, tall dark elf stepped forth and took hold of the left hand of Ithrain. He pulled it forcefully out of its boundings and held it in front of the shorter dark elf.

"I will change the question," the short dark elf said as he stroke the hand of Ithrain with his fingers. "You know what happened to Lathaon Thaendil?"
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Lathaon
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
He nodded.

----

Arhaina had not closed her eyes, and the mental pain returned as Kalon brought the blade close.

"Stay still and do as I asked," Kalon said. He touched the blade to her cheek and locked his gaze on her eyes. She wanted to scream, but it was like the energy was drained from her. She felt Lathaon's anger and wrath, felt it heighten as the dark elf stroked the blade along her cheek. It was difficult. She could not think of the spell words, not when Kalon did this. Her soul would be consumed, he had told her, and she was afraid as well as pained.

"The words! Or it will be too late!" Kalon said.

The blade moved across now, so gentle so as not to cut her, but it felt terrible. He moved it under her right eye, finding the place he had cut Lathaon decades ago. When it felt as though her mind must surely be crushed, when she was desperate, she heard the whispers inside. She had closed her eyes by now, and her ears heard nothing but the whispers, as if everything else was locked out. She felt numb.

"Thank you, Arhaina. You have done well," Kalon said, though she did not hear. She had subconsciously repeated the words it seemed, and he had removed the blade, but now she did not move. Had he pushed the archmage too far? Where would he take form, if so?
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Ariakas
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"Is he dead?" the dark elf asked, stroking each finger individually.
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Lathaon
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Ithrain considered the question, and shook his head.

----

Kalon found the slate once more and turned to the blank side, sketching more runes. It was a complicated chain, not anything he could remember without recording. In any case, it would take time to translate it and to isolate and identify each part of the spell.

"I heard the words..." Arhaina said finally, as she recovered.

"I know. You spoke them aloud," Kalon said, without looking up from the slate. "You are stronger than I thought you were."

He continued to write.

"Why did you need to know?" Arhaina asked.

"Because your husband has shown that what might destroy a soul will not necessarily destroy two together. It may be a way to cross through things which would destroy an individual. Not only that, it opens up the possibility of other immaterial bonds."

Arhaina listened without comment.

"There may be a way to share harm, for example. What if every cut against me would form also on you? I believe there are many who might surrender, given that knowledge."

"I never realised you were a mage yourself," Arhaina said.

"I have the knowledge of a mage, and more. But you were correct," Kalon said. "I am no mage."

"But why?" the lady asked. "And why do you have only enemies and servants, no friends or family? Are your 'weapons' the only thing you care about?"

Kalon smiled and shook his head. "Perhaps in time, you will come to understand me."

Arhaina sighed. "In time, perhaps I will die of cold or hunger, or perhaps Drathmor will kill us."
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Ariakas
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"You know how it happened?"
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Lathaon
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
"Once the spell is complete, then you will truly be my prize. I will keep you warm then," he said with a sly smile, "and you will have whatever food you need. And, if you show that you can behave yourself and make the right decisions, I will let you spar with my soldiers - even kill them if you can. Would you like that, Arhaina?"

She nodded, dreading what he had in store for her even so. Then again, she reasoned it must still be better than whatever the dark elves were doing to Ithrain.

----

Ithrain took a longer moment to consider the question this time, but shook his head in the end.
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Ariakas
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A small, but powerful flying creature slowly glided down from the sky to land in the dark elf camp. It was a mixture between a serpent and a griffon, but the dark elfs did not attack or defend themselves because the rider was known to most people of Rathor.

It was Volan Ionthar, third son of Lord Morp Ionthar who ruled a one of the most powerful bloodlines. He was trusted, feared and revered by other dark elves, one of the few who did not was Kalon himself. None however, knew of Volan's ties to the Dark Council and to Flint Dantares.
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Lathaon
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
There was a voice from outside the tent. "Lord Cyrredlues?"

None of the dark elves would enter without prior invitation, of course.

Kalon turned his head. "Yes?"

"We have a guest... Volan Ionthar has arrived."

"I will meet him myself. Do not let him go out of sight until then," Kalon called, then turned back to Arhaina and gave her a small key. "Arhaina, you may dress yourself for now. Take some robes from the chest there, and be quick about it."

He waited for her. There were only simple mage robes in the chest, black and red with the Cyrredlues crest on the front and rear, along with a couple of tunics of similar design.

"Come," he said, and they left the tent in search of the new arrival.
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Volan stepped down from his mount and looked at the camp around. He ordered his servant to watch the creature before turning to a small group of elves that was approaching him.
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Lathaon
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The dark elven soldiers arrived first, relaying the message that their lord was coming. When Cyrredlues came, they moved swiftly out of the way. He was easily recognisable, his snowy white skin standing out even against the other dark elves' considerably pale skin. He was devoid of colour, a striking mix of black, white and grey.

The lady who walked with him was a sharp contrast, warmer skin tones and rich brown hair. Her eyes were a deep, enchanting green and her features were much less harsh and cold. While she had a natural and beautiful flawlessness about her, the dark elf lord had a frightening flawlessness about him. While she looked tired and melancholy, he looked unburdened yet impassive.
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Lathaon
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The spell was coming close to completion now. It had been easy enough to redirect Volan to Rathor; Kalon had the loyalty of the men here. Arhaina was made to strip again and surrounded by a ring of blades in such a way that she could barely even breathe without being cut. She had made her attempt at escape and she had failed.

The two mages in the tent continued to chant, oblivious to their surroundings as the magic possessed them.

"Soon, Arhaina, we will be tied closer than your Archmage would ever be," Kalon said. "I think you will understand the necessity of everything then. The Great Necromancer has reached Asulien, you know. It will be over soon, for better or for worse, but we can escape it either way."

"Please, just leave me alone," Arhaina managed from her prison of blades.

"You can kill yourself when they finished, if you want, and I will die," Kalon said. "But our souls will be linked in the Plane of Death. There is no escape, Arhaina, no escape unless you end it now. I know you don't have the strength of will."

He was right. She could not stand to push herself against the blades around her, especially with the spikes of Lathaon's rage inside her mind.

The mages stopped chanting. Kalon felt the blades against his skin, like needles all around him. He was strong, though, and Arhaina was weak. He felt Lathaon's anger heighten, but it was not enough. The Archmage saw it as an attack on him, it seemed, not the one he loved.

"Remove the blades," Kalon said firmly. The two mages hurried to obey, wheeling away the blades on their racks and allowing Arhaina to step out. "You, my loyal servants, will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. But for now, you must leave us."
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Lathaon
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Both of them felt Drathmor's death as Lathaon's soul strengthened. The spell which attacked his soul had no mind to maintain it now, though it seemed to calm him, to weaken him. He did not break free.

"Do you want him back, Arhaina?" Kalon asked. "You are safe, now. All it would take is his anger, and he will return to this world."

Arhaina was silent.

"It does not have to be torture," he said. "I can take the pain, but... we could enjoy it instead."

"I see... You really are no different to any other dark elf, are you?" Arhaina said. "Use the sword. I don't care how much it hurts; I'm not going to make it easy or pleasureable for you."

"Then face the consequences of your decision," Kalon said. He drew the sword and pressed the flat side against the high elf's cheek. Instantly, she recoiled, feeling the full fury of the blackness inside - but Kalon held her still with his other hand, keeping the blade against her skin. There were tears in her eyes and she closed them tightly, all the while pulling back to no avail. Kalon was strong, as he had said, and showed no sign of pain. Arhaina could not keep still, and would have screamed if there was enough breath and strength left in her.

"Stop!" she cried out finally. Kalon withdrew the sword and she collapsed to her knees.

"If you are not strong enough to save him this way, then abandon him or reconsider your choice," Kalon said. Arhaina was silent again. "Drathmor is surely dead and Weissland victorious. The only one keeping him trapped is you."

He turned then, and took two steps towards the exit before Arhaina stood up, brushed her tears away, and told him again to stop. The dark elf lord turned around and all of a sudden Arhaina was kissing him. She felt Lathaon's rage spike up suddenly, but somehow it was not painful as before. Undressing her captor proved a slower and more difficult task than she had thought as he was covered in armour, but she succeeded.

"You were wrong about both of us, Arhaina. Few dark elves would have given you a choice - and you changed your mind."

"I know," Arhaina said simply.

***

Zach Amakiir led the mercenaries around the mountains, taking a different route to the one the scouts had taken. The report gave a good idea of where the dark elf camp must be, and from this angle, he could see the smoke from the fire.

"Crossbows, to the front!" he ordered. "Spears, two ranks behind!"

They marched up the mountain around a natural walkway which wound around the peak and up to the plateau.
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Lathaon
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"Alarm! Alarm!" a dark elf sentry yelled. The dark elves rushed about, disorganised for a moment, but soon started to form a line and shoot at the advancing mercenaries.

Zach gave the order for covering fire, and the crossbowmen returned fire on the move, not as a volley but individually to keep the dark elves' heads down as his men came closer. It was an uphill battle, and one that they could not hope to win at range.
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Lathaon
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Kalon smiled. "I don't know whether it was the bond or just you, but I'm not sure I've ever felt so good."

"I feel awful," Arhaina said. There were tears in her eyes again, renewed again. She had felt Lathaon's return, but she had betrayed him. What would he think of her now? Probably more than she felt she deserved.

Kalon heard the cries of battle, but did not seem to care. "We must all make difficult choices," he said softly, starting to redress. "I doubt that anything you have done and have to live with can possibly surpass what I have done over the years."

***

By the time the mercenaries reached the dark elf lines, the dark elves were ready for them. Spears came forward to meet spears, and the two forces clashed together. The impact worked in the mercenaries' favour but the high ground was a great advantage. The mercenaries had spent the rest of the day marching, whilst the dark elves were well-rested and far from tiring. Casualties were taken on both sides, but more so with Elandir's men.
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chadden
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[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
--Enters from Asulien--

Brae moved quickly upon his horse. Elandir was just ahead of him. They could see the battle up ahead, but it was not close enough yet for them to take part. But as he moved, Brae's right hand remained on the handle of his sword.
"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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Lathaon
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Elandir urged his horse on, and rode faster. His men were losing. The difference in numbers was turning in the dark elves' favour more and more, and it seemed they were not even using magic. Surely the dark elf mages were not dead already?

***

"It has been a while since I've been on the defending side," Kalon said, leaving the tent. He looked back and said: "I will be back when the battle is over."

Then the dark elf lord took up his shield, raised his sword and walked towards the fighting.
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Brae followed after Elandir, but he felt something. His arm... the rune Mordain had placed upon him long ago, was glowing.

-----

--Enters from Asulien--

Mordain had invoked his magic to use Brae to find the elves. He flew through the air; he could see the battle up ahead. Elandir's forces were being driven back by the dark elves.

The Mage of Shadows removed his gloves, letting them dissipate in the wind. He extended his hands and swept them through the air. In responce, eruptions of demonic magic tore across the dark elf ranks, scattering them.

Mordain flew forward and dropped into the middle of the gap he had created. As he landed, his wings receeded into his back. With a powerful grasp, he lifted one of the dark elves by the throat and held him two feet off the ground.

"Where is Arhaina?" he demanded, his voice low and venomous, even by his standards.
"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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Lathaon
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"What the-?!"

Elandir saw the blast and looked up to see Mordain fly down. He continued to ride.

***

"Back up! Back up!" Zach ordered, bringing his soldiers futher away from the carnage Mordain was creating.

***

"You're asking the wrong person, demon," Kalon called out. More dark elves moved in between them.
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chadden
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Mordain looked up to see Kalon approach. With the hand he was using to hold the elf, he crushed the man's neck and then let the corpse slide to the floor. The Mage of Shadows walked up. The elves between him and Kalon took a few paces back, but held their position. Though their faces showed them to be terrified.

"Move." hissed 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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