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Post by Timeon on Aug 12, 2013 13:02:07 GMT
Spring 2480. April. Senusa.
Dan galloped across the plain, Senusa illuminated by torch and lantern light. From this distance, the walls shimmered like a ship at sea, and figures moved amongst the guns and trenches that had been set up outside the city.
As he drew towards Senusa, a shot rang out. Dan winced, but the shot did not hit him. Maybe it had only been fired in warning.
Dan kicked his horse to go faster, teeth clenched, just waiting for a bullet to tear through him. Another shot fired, but that was to be the last. The gates drew nearer, as Dan skirted the trenches entirely. Outside, a small patrol was waiting with rifles levied.
His hand darted to his runed weapon, and Dan drew it, presenting the flat of the blade to the Falorans. The action caused alarm amongst some of the troops, and one of them made as if to fire, only to have his leader backhand him to the ground. "He's one of the spies, you fool!"
His horse was nervous, and whinied slightly, giving the Falorans a side-glance - but Dan patted it gently, encouraging it to canter forward. The horse obeyed, and Dan rode up to the Falorans. Their captain motioned for the troops to return to their posts, looking flustered and impatient. "I was told there would be spies making for the central gate. What are you doing here?"
"I was stationed in one of the western outposts. There were... problems when I tried to leave. I couldn't join my companions in time and thought it best to ride here before the window of opportunity closed."
The captain worked his jaw, squinting into the night. With a tragic sigh he motioned for his guards to see to Dan's horse. "We'll put you in the guard house and get somebody to see to you. Come with me."
The man led Dan through the gates of Senusa, opening up to a view of crumbling houses and fields of tents. All signs of civilian life had long since vanished, the people of Senusa having fled into the countryside a long time ago. A guard house had been built against the walls just to the left, and the captain seemed intent on taking Dan there.
Seeing no option of a quick escape, Dan followed the captain to the guard house. The captain stepped through, greeting a couple of tired and grumpy looking sentries seated at a table. They were in the middle of playing a board game that Dan identified as Runekeep, their rifles leaning against the walls beside them. A flight of stairs led up onto the walls. There was a trap door amidst sacks of supplies in the corner. "This is as comfortable as it gets." the captain mumbled, massaging his forehead. "I'll go get someone to deal with you."
Dan feigned interest in the game he knew as Runekeep, trying to get the soldiers to talk. They talked with great reluctance, clearly seeing him as foreign scum, spy or not. "So has there been talk about our coming from the north? Or have the officers been tight-lipped?"
One of the soldiers looked to Dan like he was stupid. "They don't tell us nothing. Never do. Don't even know why they want us to hold this hope-forsaken land."
"Beats me. I'm actually surprised you can sit around playing like this. They have an enormous army massing beyond the mountains. Come from all over the Dominion. If I didn't know I was leaving Senusa tomorrow I'd be panicking all right."
One of them raised his eyebrows at Dan. Then he exploded, smashing over the table and sending the game of Runekeep scattering everywhere. "What does a pampered Dominion dog like you know about war? We've been camped in the mud eating shit and fighting lice for years. If we didn't have our stupid games we'd all have killed ourselves."
The other soldier tried to calm his friend down, with only limited success.
"In practice, you are killing yourselves by staying here. This city is doomed. Why do you think me and my fellows have come now?"
The man shouted at Dan, drawing a knife, mouth wide and face red. There were tears at the corners of his eyes. His companion fell back in shock.
"Don't do something stupid. Have you really been camping in mud and eating shit for years just so you can get cut down in your own guard house? Put that dagger away and run back to your family."
"To the pits with you, scum." the man said, stomping out of the guard house, but leaning against the wall outside rather than abandoning his duty. The remaining guard glared at Dan. "You better help me clean up this mess."
As the soldier bent down to pick up the pieces of the board, Dan put on his brass knuckles and hit him in the back of the head. With a bloodied yelp, the man dropped face-first onto the ground. Immediately, the other guard ran back in with his knife in hand, and a pistol in the other.
Dan snatched up the Runekeep board from the floor and threw it sideways through the air. The board smacked into one of the guard's hands, forcing the pistol to go flying through the room and land out of reach. Trying to draw the runed blade proved difficult because of its size, and Dan timed his attempt to reposition his arm poorly, angling the scabbard and buying the enemy guard time. The guard lunged, stabbing Dan in his left arm, but Dan brought his runed blade out just as the knife bit flesh.
The weight of the weapon threw Dan off as he tried to swing with it, and instead of cutting into the guard's belly he chopped into his leg, downing him. With a shout of pain, the guard rolled sideways, trying to crawl towards his pistol. A hand closed around Dan's ankle, the other fallen guard being very much conscious, though blood stained his teeth. Dan extended his hand, a magical chain flying from his palm and solidifying in the pistol. With a jerk, he threw the pistol out of reach. Using the runed blade, Dan opened the throat of the nearest downed man, who died with a look of surprise on his face. The runed blade seemed to drink his blood hungrily, a couple of runes lighting up. Once the other man was dispatched, the runed blade glowed faintly like a torch, leaving Dan amidst the wreckage of their lives, and a game of Runekeep.
A feeling of regret lingered for what he had been forced to do.
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Post by Wulfang on Aug 12, 2013 14:01:09 GMT
Dan opened the trapdoor, peering down into what seemed to be a passage branching out in either direction, lit by torches. He changed out of his clothes, donning the least bloody of the uniforms on the soldiers' corpses. He shoved the bodies into the tunnel, planning to take his chances above-ground, when he heard soldiers approaching outside. He must have taken too long. He hopped down into the tunnel, keeping the trapdoor slightly open just as the entrance to the guardhouse squealed wide.
"Ah." the captain's voice could be heard. Through the crack in the trapdoor Dan held open, he could see a pair of boots enter the room. "It's like you said. Must have been a Warden."
The distant feeling of magical power resonated in the air, no attempt made to disguise it. It was probably a binder, the very thought sending waves of revulsion through Dan's body. It was all he could do not to yell in disgust.
Another man entered the guard house, probably the binder. Then another pair of boots stepped in, and a grim voice scratched the air. "He'll be close by. Check the tunnels."
The third voice answered shakily, the binder's. "Yes, Dynkar."
Dan closed the trapdoor as silently as he was able, and then climbed back down into the tunnel, pistol at the ready. The trapdoor swung open, betraying a man in robes with golden hair falling around him, no doubt the binder. A look of confusion and horror registered on his face seconds before it exploded, as Dan fired the pistol. Blood showered into the tunnel, but Dan could not react to it, because the pistol smacked into his nose from the force of the shot. The pistol fell from his grip, pain throbbing from Dan's face.
Dan was not sure what was more painful, the feeling of the pistol assaulting his face, or the knowledge he had used a heathen's weapon in violation of Common Law. Dan looked up in time to see a couple of emotionless eyes assessing him, belonging to a man holding a runed sword.
"Will you please come down? I don't have all night to waste on this." Dan challenged, wiping blood from his face.
The Godslayer extended his free hand, and black tendrils ripped from his palm, spiralling towards Dan. He barely managed to jump out of the way of the tendrils, bringing his sword down against them. Some of them seemed to splinter and crack, but they were pulled back into the Godslayer's hand seconds later.
Dan answered with his chain, summoning magical links and flinging them towards the Godslayer above. Just as had happened in Kutanda with the last Godslayer, this one batted them aside without the slightest sign of distress.
This time, it was different.
The Godslayer grabbed the chain, and wove it around his arm, forcing Dan to lose his balance. A wave of searing pain travelled in through Dan's arm as the Godslayer tightened his grip, pumping energy through their bond.
Dan fought back, ignoring the pain, pulling against the chain in a tug of war. The Godslayer stood motionless, Dan feeling like he was trying to move a mountain. Then he was thrown forward, the Godslayer wrapping more of the chain around his arm, bit by bit.
Much to Dan's horror, as he tried to dispel the chain, he found that the Godslayer had made at least part of the spell his own - the chain was connected to him as if he had cast it. But as the original caster, Dan was able to snap the link in time.
Once again, the Godslayer threw his hand forward, sending black tendrils towards Dan in his moment of weakness. He was ready this time, leaping out of the way. He darted for one of the rifles he had thrown into the tunnel with the bodies, trying to swing it around with his back to the wall.
The weapon was foreign to him, but somehow, he did it - instinct, perhaps. He fired, the recoil pressing him against the wall - but his aim was true. The Godslayer was knocked back, out of sight.
Dan seized the initiative, climbing up the ladder to finish the job. As soon as his head crested the trapdoor, allowing him a view of the room, he saw the Godslayer dusting himself off, the calm and empty facial expression still on his face, sword in hand. In the light, Dan could see him properly. His arms bore the tattoos of a binder, his face bearded, his hair neat. He had the light tan of someone from the western Dominion, maybe even the Holy City. The captain stood by the wall, a look of confusion on his face.
"You don't learn."
"I got a good lesson on the virtues of ignorance."
Dan knew his position was vulnerable, so he expected the attack when it came. The Godslayer stepped forward, swinging for his head as he emerged from the trapdoor. Dan met the blade, the force behind the man's blow staggering him slightly. He swung at the Godslayer's legs, but in a split second, his enemy's runed blade was in position to counter the blow, causing Dan's arm to ache from the force of his own blow.
Dan saw this man's game, his overconfidence, his style. He threw himself at the man, abandoning the usual rules of swordplay, forcing a parry. The Godslayer lost his footing, holding his runed blade at an awkward angle. A faint look of surprise registered on his face. Then Dan went for his legs, sweeping them out from under him, and dragging his blade across the Godslayer's chest.
The Godslayer landed without grace, without a sound. Outside, guards were shouting, having no doubt heard the commotion. Dan suddenly remembered that the guard captain was still there, cowering with his back to the wall.
"What are you?" he asked, trembling.
"A Warden."
The captain bolted for the door.
Dan hated killing, but he did what he had to once more, driving his runed blade through the man's back. The blade was singing faintly, all its runes lit faintly red. When Dan turned, he caught sight of the Godslayer vanishing into the tunnel, leaving a trail of blood behind. He peeked down into it, seeing the Godslayer with his sword buried in one of the corpses of the soldiers. The corpse had gone pale, as if bloodless.
Without hesitation, Dan leaped down into the tunnel, swinging his glowing sword. The Godslayer's weapon was alight as well, sated with the lifeblood of the fallen. When the blades collided, they erupted into flames.
"You have sinned against your master, Warden." the Godslayer mocked. "You use firearms, and wield a blade that is a spirit's prison."
Dan grimaced, realizing the truth of those words.
"But I am willing to offer you a way out."
Above, Dan heard soldiers pouring into the guard house. The Godslayer's hand shot forward, and a stream of energy convened around the trapdoor, creating black bars that cut them off from the soldiers.
Dan had no intention of listening to the Godslayer's poison. He swung once more, hoping to take advantage of the man's injuries. But the Godslayer was faster, turning the blow and motioning towards the trapdoor. The spell there shattered, energy flying towards Dan's back.
Dan felt the energy rushing for his back, and went for his final option. Holding a magical blade, he channelled his magic into it and swung it, a final attempt to defeat the Godslayer.
As soon as his energy poured into the blade, he grew aware of the spirit within it - not mindless and dead - it was not an infused item. The sword was a literally a prison, a conscious spirit residing within it. Dan's energy rushed into it, creating a bridge between them, connecting them. A new awareness blossomed in his mind, and suddenly, the Arbiter's spark was gone.
The sword clattered against the tunnel wall uselessly, and the Godslayer was gone. Behind him, the soldiers had noticed the smashed trapdoor, because they were shouting angrily and their footsteps were thundering towards it.
"Run!" a voice rang in Dan's mind. For a moment he was confused, then he realised it was the spirit in the sword speaking to him - his familiar?
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Post by Timeon on Aug 13, 2013 14:10:22 GMT
Sword in hand, Dan ran down the tunnel, in the direction where the Godslayer had been. It was clear the tunnel had been built along the wall, and he guessed it would lead to more guardhouses. He sheathed his sword, questions pouring into his mind as to what had happened. Dan held his hands out in front of him as he ran, trying to create a chain spell. Surely enough, it worked as it always did, much to his relief.
"Who are you?" he asked, not sure if it was out loud or in his mind. "What just happened?"
A feeling of confusion radiated from the spirit, who Dan was beginning to assume knew far less than he did, at least amidst the chaos.
"At least give me your name."
"Name?"
"What do you call yourself?"
"Pain. So much pain."
Dan was growing tired, but he had left the soldiers far enough behind to be able to afford a breather. There was a trapdoor directly above, one of a couple he had passed whilst running. Feeling devoid of much in the way of alternatives, Dan climbed the ladder and tried to open the trapdoor gently. He found himself looking into a room that was mostly dark, save for a torch by an open door, and a view of the stars outside. Heaving himself up and out, he was relieved at the fresh air. At least like this, the soldiers would have no way of telling which trapdoor he had climbed out of.
Risking a look outside, Dan realised he was in a room under the walls, the view of dimly lit buildings and a couple of patrols down south.
"Help?"
It took him a moment to realise the voice was in his head.
"What can I do to help you?"
"Pain." the spirit answered. "Runes. Please."
Examining the sword, Dan found a rune of 'pain'. He tried to scratch the rune off with his brass knuckles, but made no impression on the sword. "Magic, use magic. Sword obeys."
When Dan pressed his finger onto the rune and concentrated his intention on words related to deactivation, the light faded from the rune abruptly. Then the magic dispersed throughout the rest of the sword. "Gratitude." the spirit seemed to sigh.
After a short pause. "Hopeless situation." the spirit added. "Self-pity."
It took some coaxing, but he was able to tell the spirit that it was not impossible to defeat the Godslayers. The wielder of this very runed blade was a Godslayer he had defeated in Kutanda. Saying that seemed to inspire the spirit towards hope. He tried to get more information out of it while there was time. When he asked what sort of spirit it was, the spirit answered with its unknowing void. "Trapped. Ignorance."
"I promise to get you out of that sword once we leave Senusa. I will call you Oathkeeper."
A cry rang from the battlements, and Dan was sure that word had spread of his misadventure. The sounds of rifles being fired warned him that something more was at play. Conveniently wearing a dead man's uniform, Dan strode out of the room and into Senusa. Soldiers were running to and fro, mostly in the direction of the walls. A horn was sounded. "They're coming!" a sentry shouted.
Dan turned and walked towards the centre of town, hoping to find some sign of the Godslayers. Soldiers were rushing in the opposite direction, but nobody challenged him yet. At the end of a long avenue, a large official-looking building towered above most homes, likely the town hall. Realising there was only so much he could lose, his life being one of those details, Dan thought of the greater good and walked up and into the town hall.
Inside, he found himself staring at a small gathering of men and women. Several of them were most obviously Godslayers, runed blades buckled at their belts. They were even wearing Kutandan uniforms, from their time undercover. Facing them were several robed Falorans which he sensed were clearly binders, and at least some military figures too. They paid no heed to him, a mere soldier.
"We don't have time for this, General." one of the robed men was saying. "Go and defend your city. This does not concern you."
The man that was addressed as General seemed to be on the verge of an explosion. "Lord Magister Nikodimus, you will obey my orders or I will see you executed by morning. You and your kind are on a tight leash as it is. I want you on the walls immediately."
"And you, Dominion dogs, are you going to wait in the dungeon until I have time for you. None of this makes sense." Then the General motioned for Dan and several other guards to approach and apprehend the Godslayers.
Dan hesitated, aware of how likely things were going to go to the pits. Several soldiers moved to obey their general, but the binder, Lord Magister Nikodimus, grabbed the general by the head. The general crumpled like a marionette, and the Godslayers turned their swords on the guards.
"They're never generals for long." said Nikodimus.
Dan stood in confusion, as a couple of soldiers moved forward, only to be brutally torn apart by the runed blades of the Godslayers. Another couple of soldiers bolted for the doors, only to have binder magic tear through their backs.
"Draw me!" the spirit shouted.
Dan heeded Oathkeeper's advice, drawing the runed blade. Upon seeing it, the Godslayers hesitated, and focused on killing the rest of the soldiers in the room. When they were finished, Nikodimus turned to Dan. "Who are you?"
"One of your men was killed in a fight by the western guard house. My captain told me to bring his sword back to you. Please, I don't wanna die. I'll fight with you if it means getting out of this hellhole."
Lord Nikodimus shrugged. "Kill him. No witnesses."
The Godslayers advanced, and the two binders beside Nikodimus began to weave magic. Dan swung the sword in a wide arc in front of him, the magic responding to his intention like it had done with the rune of pain. A wave of flame tore from the blade, causing a ripple of befuddlement to register on the faces of his enemies. No doubt, the Godslayers had not expected a mere soldier to wield a runed blade. A couple of them died for it. A binder threw a bolt of energy towards him, but the spirit in the sword acted of its own initiative, throwing up a shield between them.
"Run."
With a mental shrug, Dan obeyed, bolting deeper into the town hall. A wave of energy followed him, but the spirit threw up another shield just in time. After a short while, Dan realised he was not being followed. The Godslayers probably had more to worry about. He retraced his steps, only to find that the Godslayers had gone. He managed to track some of them, but they were vanishing onto some ships at the docks, nothing he could do to stop them.
As Dan despaired, the spirit in his blade bid him to focus. "Feel." He was able detect the faintest tinge of a binder's magic, but coming from the north.
Following Oathkeeper's direction, Dan headed east of the central gate, towards a bulge in the walls. There, flashes of light from artillery fire betrayed that a battle was ongoing. Following the signal, Dan climbed atop the walls, and was immediately presented with a panorama of the abyss - across the fields before Senusa, the Kutandan army marched. Artillery shells landed amidst their ranks, but pacters deflected many of the attacks with their magic. The trenches outside the city were being hastily abandoned as the Kutandans drew near. He could see that Lord Magister Nikodimus stood amongst the soldiers, looking official and innocent of murderous crimes.
Drawing towards Nikodimus, Dan seemed to be ignored by the Lord Magister, who focused on the battle below.
Dan walked up to the Lord Magister, runed blade in hand, and angled it for a killing stroke. The Lord Magister turned, raising his arms, but Dan impaled him. "Death to all spirit-lovers!" he cried, pretending to be a patriotic Faloran citizen.
The soldiers at the walls stood in shock, as the Lord Magister slumped against Dan with a pained gurgle. Nikodimus refused to die so easily, pressing his hands against Dan's shoulders. A surge of magic erupted from Nikodimus' hands, searing flesh as he twisted the blade. Nikodimus went limp, Dan ignoring the agony. When the Lord Magister died, so too did Dan's strength begin to fail him. He staggered backwards, and fell from the wall.
He landed on his back, the blow softened, but Oathkeeper flew from his hands.
Soldiers rushed to him, surrounding him. "You're under arrest, private, for the murder of a Lord Magister."
"I saw him murder the General! Him and his ilk are running away!"
The captain looked to his subordinates. "Any word from headquarters?" Nobody said anything. "Bind this man's hands."
A nearby soldier lifted Oathkeeper, bringing it to the captain. "Curious. Know anything about this, son?"
"Found it on the floor of the town hall. You'll find a pile of corpses there, among them the General's. Slain by blade and magic."
The artillery fire continued above. "A soldier who witnesses such a murder does not sneak in the dark and kill a Lord Magister." The captain motioned to one of his subordinates.
A sharp pain rang in Dan's head, and he saw no more.
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Post by Wulfang on Aug 29, 2013 15:03:07 GMT
Emerging from a primitive state of pure thirst, hunger and pain, Dan remembered himself. Studying his surroundings with his hands, he rolled over and felt a drop of water patter onto his forehead. Eventually he realised where he probably was - in a cell in Senusa, a prisoner of the Republic. In all likelihood, the attack on the city had failed. His first coherent thought was a curse. There was no water or food, aside from a dirty puddle. In the cell opposite, a similarly ragged man wiled away the time, his face hidden in the palms of his hands.
With the twitch of an eye, Dan turned inwards, trying to find Oathkeeper. He felt that the sword was not too far, though it did not respond to his mental prodding. He slumped his shoulders and took comfort in knowing that at least he was not alone in his misery. Trying to find a way to pass the time, Dan whistled at the prisoner, who glanced up, looked to Dan, then resumed his sulking.
"Hey pal, can you stop your crying for a tiny moment and tell me if you know what happened with the battle?" he called out, hoping to get something out of him. The man grunted and went to the bars of his cell.
"You a Kutandan prisoner, then? If you hadn't noticed, the Dominion lost, friend. Which is just as well and good, considering what the Dominion has become. Not that a runt like you would know, eh?"
"Were you captured in the battle, or are you here for something else?"
"I'm from the Aras Isles. Name is Mercus Vitina. Got involved in a crazy smiling cult, got rescued by Republicans, then imprisoned by them. What's your story?"
Hearing the words "crazy smiling cult" sent alarm bells ringing throughout his mind, reminding him of all the tales the Wardens told of the Mockinglord and his followers. Deciding to push those thoughts to a later, more convenient time, Dan decided there was no harm done in telling Mercus some of the truth behind him.
"Well, I'm in for killing the Lord Magister. You can call me Dan."
"Damn, Dan. You're my new favourite person." Despite the merry words Mercus Vitina threw about, there was a deep sadness to his eyes, and not a hint of merriment to his face. "I've just spent a good while being tortured by the Lord Magister, so you have my thanks."
Dan spat on the floor in disgust. "Saw him kill a man like he was a ragdoll. Good riddance, I say."
Fear met Mercus Vitina's eyes. "Who did he kill? A friend of yours?"
"The General." As the words left his mouth he couldn't help but let out a dark chuckle. My whole ruse goes down the drain if someone as much as asks me the dead general's name.
"That confirms it. He had to be acting alone. Trying to cover it up. The bastard."
"Oh, he wasn't alone. His binders helped him. And the Godslayers too."
Mercus Vitina blinked. "Never heard of them. But, but listen to me. You won't believe what this guy is involved with. What he's responsible for."
Dan raised an eyebrow. "We're gonna be spending a lot of time together anyway, better fill it with interesting tales. I'm all ears."
And so Mercus Vitina told his tale, of how a cult had appeared in the Aras Isles five years ago, promising safety from the Republic and a cure from a dangerous disease, in exchange for servitude. The Smiling Man had come, twisting their faces into mad grins, forcing them to do atrocious things. Then Mercus had been rescued by Republicans, only to be imprisoned in Senusa. He had thought he would be safe, only to have the Lord Magister interrogate him, always asking if the Smiling Man was coming to deliver his end of the bargain.
"I figure he knew about the cult, but if he killed the General, it just goes to show he kept that secret to himself. To be honest, I don't see how the Republicans left us alone unless they already knew about us. Or some of them, anyway."
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Post by Wulfang on Aug 29, 2013 15:06:16 GMT
The Kutandans had attacked during the night; thankfully she’d been somewhere relatively safe. The inn she’d found was close to the docks and away from the walls. A few of the Kutandans had found their way into the city during the fighting outside, but the Falorans had been prepared. Rifles had quickly taken down the interlopers, their bodies left in the street where they fell. She hadn’t seen the battlefield itself, but she’d heard remarks that it had been a massacre, with bodies from both sides mixing in with the soil. The ravens certainly had a feast, if anything else. After being victims of a siege for several days on hand, some of the less experienced members of the Faloran military were growing desperate. This was rather convenient for Lucrezia, because she was able to bend some of the more desperate soldiers with some precise bribes. She didn’t bother mentioning that if they perished in the siege her money would be worthless; she figured they didn’t really need to know that. There were, from what she could tell, some very interesting rumours floating midst the army. The most prominent was one involving the recent deaths of both the General and Lord Magister. Apparently men with runed blades had sneaked into the city during the battle, and had managed to kill both of them. Thankfully one of them had been apprehended and was awaiting justice in the dungeons. That, plus the fact that a certain Mercus Vitina was also there had prompted her to approach some of the guards. With a few changes of coin they’d gotten her; most of the other soldiers were busy repairing the damage done to the city walls during the siege. This left her with plenty of time to ask some important questions. So she, Nicholas, some mercenaries and a few bribed guards marched down the dungeon, headed towards the cell block. Senusa's dungeon hadn’t been maintained all that much before the siege had started, and now no one paid any attention to it. The ceiling was constantly dripping murky water onto her as she passed; she’d worn a rather dull dress today to prevent any of her others from being dirtied. It only had a single sapphire in the bodice and that was it as far as ornamentation went, and the blue fabric had faded. She wasn’t looking to impress, not with who she was going to see today. As they approached the cells she could hear talking but unfortunately it ended as she approached, preventing her from eavesdropping. Ah well, it was only a minor missed opportunity. Her answers were much more important. She strode up to the cell Mercus occupied and peered in. It was barely big enough to hold a person sitting down from what she could tell. She spoke to Mercus through the cell door. He and the other man’s cell were right next to each other; she had to be careful what she revealed about herself. The other man was going to be listening in, by sheer proximity. "So Mercus, you were there, in Aras when The Smiling Man arrived, yes?" "Madame, who are you? Do you work with the Lord Magister?" "The Lord Magister is dead. Even if I did work for him, only a fool owes loyalty to a dead man. Now, were you there when the Smiling Man arrived or not?" Mercus Vitina's eyes flashed dangerously. "Yes, I was Madame. As I have told the Lord Magister many times. The Smiling Man came a year after the cult began. And as far as I'm concerned, he never left. I...I think they were waiting for something, the whole time. We would get visitors from other parts of the Dominion at times; Nalbinians too. But they never came with whatever the cult was waiting for." "Who, or what, is the Smiling Man?" "Pits if I know, Madame. We never saw him up close. The cult was careful. Only reason I remember anything is because a Magister lifted the curse on me. I'm the last sane man from the Aras Isles. And not even I can tell you that much. If that Taniel fellow hadn't come along and killed the Plutarian pacter, then Archons help us... I'd not be here now." "You said he killed the pacter? Describe them both for me, if you please." After a brief description, Lucrezia remembered the man that was spoken of - a man from the Grand College of Atheese, a pacter and his black cat. She nodded, her suspicions confirmed. "What was this pacter’s role in the cult?" "He was one of the leaders of the cult, Madame. Arrived with them. They may have all been Plutarian, but he was the only one to mention his homeland. The rest were more private about their business, when they weren't preaching." “I see, thank you for that." She turned back to the guards with her "This man hardly looks like he’s been properly fed during his stay. Do you think I could provide some of my own to help him?" Nicholas Fervine put an arm on Lucrezia’s shoulder and leaned in for a whisper. "Miss Dreyal, he's the only man alive who has seen and remembers the Smiling Man that we know of. We may want to keep him alive, at least for now." She gave a small nod, giving no indication of what Nicholas had said, and whispered back to him "Very well. Still, I wouldn't put it past some of them to 'forget' their prisoners. And backing out now would seem even more suspicious." She returned her attention back to the guard and spoke "So? Can that be arranged?" The guard swallowed. "Take him with you for all I care. Uh, Madame." Then his brow furrowed. "If you'd take me too." She smiled, in a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Very well, I’ll take both of you." She walked over to the next cell, peering in at the other man, the one who’d been arrested with a runed blade. "Rumors are spreading about you. You helped kill the General with a runed blade then did in the Lord Magister too. So, what prompted this murderous display?" The man inside scratched his chin, taking a moment before speaking. "I'd say the rumors are going off the road already. Nikodimus was the one who killed the General, and I tracked him down and killed him in return." She looked him over steadily. "Even if what you say is true, you are a murderer either way. So murderer, what's your name? Who are you?" "My name is Dan. And who I am depends on what the officers decide to do with me. Until then, I'm just a prisoner rotting in a cell." "How did you come to be in possession of a runed blade?" "I took it from one of the Godslayers. But they probably can't confirm they're missing one, since I saw the bunch of them boarding ships shortly after they killed the General." "Who are these 'Godslayers’ that you speak of?" "As far as looks go, they carry the famed runed swords and at least some of them are binders. They were allowed into the city last night, coming from the Dominion outposts to the north. The soldiers on the walls were told not to fire upon them. Got told they were spies returning with information. If you want to know more than that, you'll have to ask the officers." "If you're telling the truth this is all very interesting.” She paused for a moment, seeing if there was anything else she could ask. Then it hit her. “You said that now, you're a prisoner. What were you before you were summarily arrested?" "Heh, a soldier." "There are many types of soldier. What type were you?" "The type that thought he'd die in a trench on a battlefield and not behind bars in a hellhole like this." "Please, regular soldiers don't have nearly that much initiative. Regular soldiers, when they see their commander dead, don't take down his killer in the middle of a crowd with an enemy's weapon. Since you're not a regular soldier you must be something special. So, I’m going to ask again. What kind of soldier are you?" "Well when put in those terms, I seem to be just a regular soldier as much as you seem to be just a bored socialite who asks very specific questions. So unless you have a way of getting me out of this cell, let's agree that we both have things to hide and leave it at that." She stared straight at Dan, not blinking for several moments, before she turned to the nearby soldier. "I don't suppose I could take this man and his sword with me as well?" “Take them both for all I care, just as long as I get out of this shithole. Lucrezia turned back to Dan. "Well? Unless you're willing to elaborate on your special status, I'm taking the sword and leaving you in a cell." Dan sighed then pressed the palm of his right hand against his cell's keyhole. He focused for a moment and then projected his magic into the mechanism, solidifying it into a lump of metal that caused the lock to burst open from within. He pulled open the now ruined cell door and stepped out, dusting off the grime from his clothes. "The name's Danton Redwind, Warden of the Arbiter. Pleased to make your acquaintance, miss-?" Lucrezia's eyes showed visible emotion, widening as she saw his trick with the lock, her mind quickly re-evaluating the man before her. She gave a slight nod to him, regaining her composure. "Dreyal, Lucrezia Dreyal. Quite impressive what you've just done there. If you are a Warden of the Arbiter as you say, why did you not do that earlier? I hardly think being locked up in a Faloran dungeon helps you do your duty." "Well, I barely had time to evaluate my situation before you walked in. And besides, I had to pick a convenient moment to do it or I'd be caught in an instant. Your proposal seemed convenient enough." "I suppose you're right." she turned to the guards. "Would you kindly go and unlock this other man's cell and retrieve the sword? And, get some spare uniforms to disguise these two, we’ll be noticed otherwise. We’ll be leaving now.“ After the prisoners were suitably dressed and everything was ready, they left the prison. Lucrezia readied Lokan’s power inside of her, in case they were spotted or disrupted on their way out. However, the guards on the way out barely paid any attention to them. The two former prisoners kept their heads down. With their disguises, they looked like regular members of the army so the already bored guards didn’t pay them any heed. They strode out completely unchallenged. Only when they were far enough away did Lucrezia take a sigh of relief. They had made it, at least for now.
Back at the inn, Lucrezia made sure both her and Dan were given a private room in the back where they could discuss things further. Mercus was already prepped for heading back to the ship. They’d retrieved a spare set of clothing from the Sea Siren. He’d head to the ship dressed up as one of her own mercenaries along with a few of her others under the pretense of them changing shifts. Danton however required further discussion. A Warden of the Arbiter could be useful, especially if turned towards the proper activities. She sat opposite him at a small wooden table, her hands clasped before her. She took a few minutes to think over her words before she spoke. "I'm glad you've decided to be cooperative. However if you're going to go with me, there are things that need to be established. First, that sword of yours? You are not getting it back. I can give you one of the weapons I have, but that runed sword is going with me." "I don't think I am in any position to haggle, but I have to say that I would really like to take that sword back to the Sanctum. Stopping the Godslayers is of utmost importance to the Wardens and that sword might be of great help." "Yes, I'm sure it would be important for the Wardens to have the sword. However, I hold no loyalty to them. It sounds like there are many others, I am sure the Wardens can retrieve another one." "Now as for your destination, as long as you are on my ship, you go where I go. After my business in Senusa is concluded, I will be headed back to the Plutarian city of Jambha. You are of course free to leave now and try and make your way out of the city yourself, or dive off the ship and swim for shore once we leave Faloran waters." "And once in Jambha, will I be free to go? Will I be able to just get on a ship back to the Holy City?" She shrugged. "If you so desire. I'll give you some coin so you can book passage to the Holy City on whatever ship you choose, plus some clothing of course." "All things considered, this is all very kind of you, Miss Dreyal. Though I wonder, is my sword the only thing I have to thank for this generosity? Or am I also being rewarded for dispatching the Lord Magister?" "You mistake my intentions Warden. I did not care for the Lord Magister's death any more than he did. This is simply a twinge of generosity, nothing more. However, it certainly can be something more, if you wish. Consider this a job proposal. You go into my employ, I provide for you, and help you with your work as a Warden. I am an influential woman; do not discard this opportunity lightly." "I wouldn't want to slight you after what you've done for me, but I have to be honest and say that I won't hold any allegiance higher than that for the Arbiter. It's part of the job description, in a way." "Very well Warden, at least you are frank about your loyalties. Now, how reluctant would you be towards ending a few Falorans? They are residing in Senusa as we speak, along with the rest of the army." "Well" Dan started, wetting his lips. "I guess that, since I'm already here, any casualty I can inflict on the Faloran army helps the Dominion's cause. Who are they?" "They are 2 men, one Taniel and one Levi, currently serving on board the Faloran ship Dauntless. The two of them have murdered several villagers within the town of Aras, including at least one pacter and his familiar, and must be put down for their crimes." She paused and gave Dan the same descriptions the villagers had spoken of. "They are quite dangerous; do not underestimate them, they have killed men and spirits numerous times." "From what I remember of your little talk with poor Mercus, the men those Falorans killed were a bunch of crazed cultists and that pacter was their leader. Why shouldn't I thank them for putting down a dangerous cult?" "Besides that, they are still Falorans and have likely killed many citizens of the Dominion during their stint in the army. If my reason isn’t good enough for you, then I'm sure that is." Dan looked at his lap for a moment, shrugged, then met her eyes again. "I guess you have a point. I will help you get those men." "But now that we breach the subject: that cult seemed to be tied to the Faloran binders somehow, and they are tied to the Godslayers too. There's a bunch of strange factions popping up in the Dominion and they are related to each other. Do you know anything about all this?" She shook her head "Believe me, I wish I did.” “Hmm, what about that pacter? Mercus said he was from the Plutars. Can you trace that back to any group over there?" She seemed to think about it for a moment. "You know, now that you mention it, I think I'll be able to do just that. I'll have to look into it further, but I already have a few suspicions." "I hope they bear fruit, because this is the best lead I have on the Godslayers right now. My brothers and I have followed them here all the way from Kutanda, where they stole the knowledge of a terrible weapon. Now they've slipped right through my fingers and pits know what they might do." “Unfortunately I don't have any idea on where they might have gone. The ships they were on could have been headed anywhere in Solumaros for all we know, and not even an archon can locate every ship in the world. What can this weapon do that makes it so terrible?" "I only wish I knew. The information was stolen from the Burning Man himself. He never sees anyone, but he personally called me and tasked me with making sure it doesn't get out. And now it has." "Well, I suppose you'll simply have to track down where the knowledge has gone, and ensure it doesn't spread further than that. What I know for sure though is that it's not going to leave on any of my ships." Dan sighed in frustration. "Very well. Let's look into those two Falorans then."
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Post by Timeon on Sept 7, 2013 6:57:18 GMT
A few hours after having been rescued by Lucrezia Dreyal, Danton Redwind was starting to feel he had made a pact with the Mockinglord, because he was doomed if he went along with Lucrezia, and doomed if he did not.
Side by side with her confidant, the deadly gentleman by the name of Nicholas Fervine, Dan passed through the streets of Senusa like a ghost. They were both wearing inconspicuous garb, and could pass for either off-duty guards or some of the few camp followers left in Senusa who were kept around to do the dirty work of maintaining the city. They were challenged at least once by patrols, but there was no description of Dan being passed about that would make any common soldier suspicious.
As they passed towards the docks, they saw a ship erupt into a fireball, splinters of wood cascading everywhere.
"That..." Nicholas Fervine began, when sound returned to the world. "Was the Dauntless."
"You think Taniel and Levi went with it?"
"I'll do some more inconspicuous investigation when the smoke clears. I won't need you for that. You'll only get in the way. No offence."
Dan was about to protest that he had done some very important investigation back in Kutanda, culminating in a meeting with the Burning Man, but he decided it was better for him if he had no part in something like that anyway.
He let Nicholas accompany him back to Lucrezia's den, where he waited.
Nicholas Fervine returned the next morning, with news that Taniel Corso and Levi were registered as dead, having died of injuries, and had received a sea burial. Taniel's father, the admiral, did not bother to attend, likely because Taniel Corso was being blamed for the death of his brother, Mathias Corso. And so, a family line came to an unsung end.
"Our work here is finished, I think." Nicholas said, dusting himself off. Lucrezia Dreyal responded with a nod.
-
And so, Danton Redwind began his journey to the Plutars, for the first time, to the city-state of Jambha.
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Post by Timeon on Oct 6, 2013 14:56:16 GMT
Summer 2480. June. Jambha.
Upon his arrival in Jambha, Danton Redwind had travelled to the Dominion embassy. What fragments of information he had gathered about the cult on the Aras Isles led nowhere. Oathkeeper was firmly in the grasp of Lucrezia Dreyal, and all leads towards the Godslayers had ended abruptly.
That a high-ranking Magister of the Faloran Republic, like Nikodimus, had worked with the Godslayers was worrying. If nothing else, it made for good propaganda, that the Republic was consorting with terrorists like them.
The ambassador sent a message home, and Danton rested and allowed his injuries to heal until a reply could come back. He found his attempts to investigate possible new leads in Jambha stonewalled by the Bank of Dreyal, and eventually, the ambassador advised Dan to stay inside and keep a low profile.
I broke my promise to Oathkeeper. Was all that Dan could think, the stolen weapon schematics from Kutanda taking second place in his mind.
At last, the ambassador pulled up a chair and sat Danton down.
"We've got word from the Sanctum." the ambassador said tentatively. "The Justiciar wants you to return home."
"But, the investigation-"
The ambassador frowned, shuttng Dan up. "Honestly, this is none of my business, but from what you've told me of your tale, Redwind, you haven't been a part of the Godslayer investigation since the attack on Senusa. Everything after that has been of your own initiative. The Wardens want you to go back. You've been presumed dead, and they want to hear your tale in person. I'm arranging a ship to take you to the Dominion, where you will be accompanied to the Holy City by an armed guard."
Accompanied by an armed guard, the ambassador said. Dan had the unsettling feeling that he was being arrested. "But I-"
"Shut up." the ambassador snapped suddenly. "You're leaving in the morning. You've caused enough trouble as it is."
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Dan wanted to at least get Mercus Vitina with him, if not the Oathkeeper. But Mercus was nowhere to be seen, and the Bank of Dreyal refused him at the door. In the morning, a small barge was waiting for him by the embassy. Grim-faced soldiers bearing the mark of the Radiant Lord ushered him onto the deck, making no secret of their disregard for his well-being. Cutting through the wet misty dawn, the barge left Jambha behind, taking Dan ever further away from the runed blade, and its terrified spirit whom he had sworn to protect.
The barge stopped briefly on the northern Shatterbridge peninsula, and then made a hasty journey through the broken strait by night. It was heavily patrolled by Faloran craft, but the little barge made it through without trouble. They continued for a couple of weeks without stopping on land. They resupplied only once, at Celia, which meant they had already passed Senusa by that point.
After a few more days, they moored in a dusty creek, where an armed guard had been waiting for them.
"Took you long enough." one of the men at the docks said, ushering Dan off the ship. They put him right onto a horse, and the company galloped across the plains north, towards the Holy City.
It has been so long. Dan thought, memories flooding back of Hillside, and the grandfather who was no longer there to greet him.
When they first set sight upon the Holy City itself, Dan was taken aback. It was only the second time he was seeing the gigantic metropolis from the outside - the first time had been on his journey to Kutanda. It was one thing to live in the Holy City, it was another to see it from a vantage point. It was a ring of stone, wood and debris, built on uneven ground, stretching for as far as the eye could see. The Holy City was a ring of civilization, behind which was a wasteland of ruins and desert. In the very epicentre of it all, the Sanctum.
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Summer 2480. August. The Sanctum.
"Attendant Redwind." a voice that would force thunder to bend knee rang in his head. Danton was on his knees, dirty cloak trailing behind him. He stank of his long journey, his eyes stinging with sweat and muck. His bones felt brittle, his muscles slack with pain and overuse. Yet he was home, prostrated before his god.
"Welcome home." the voice came again, like the sundering of a mountain.
Then the presence began to recede. Dan dared to raise his head a little, catching sight of the Arbiter as he vanished out of the assembly hall - leaving him with the Justiciar, and his Custodians. Their faces were judgemental, grim. It was not the welcome he had expected, and he was not sure if he should feel honoured or terrified that the Arbiter had come to greet him personally.
But it was terror which he felt. Terror, because the Arbiter's spark was no longer within him, snuffed out by his bond with a Godslayer blade. He had not felt Oathkeeper since he left Jambha, but he was sure that their connection still existed, somehow.
"We thought you were dead." Custodian Volio stated.
Unsure of how to respond, Dan kept his silence.
The Justiciar, Mzekhar, walked forward, hands clasped behind his back. He was a middle-aged man, with whom Dan had rarely spoken. His eyes were a hostile green, his eyebrows and hair as fierce as his soul. "Tell us everything, Attendant." Mzekhar said in his flowery Chakazian accent.
And so Dan did tell everything, from beginning to end, from Kutanda to his return to the Sanctum. He even mentioned his use of the gunpowder weapon in Senusa.
At the end of it all, Mzekhar brooded, standing before Dan with eyes shut. "Your story matches Paladin Bearnaud's, and the stories of your companions. I do not believe you have lied or exaggerated."
Why would he suspect me of any of that? Dan wondered.
"This Smiling Man you spoke of, who was at the Aras Isles..." Mzekhar mused aloud. "We both know what the implication is."
"Yes." Dan stated. "He is possibly a son of the Mockinglord."
The Wardens had hunted down agents of the Mockinglord long after the Mockinglord's imprisonment in the Sanctum. Nonetheless, the Wardens had been sure that the last of the family of grinning spirits had long since died. It was clearly not so.
"And this Smiling Man, he seems to be working with elements in the Faloran Republic, and the Godslayers." Mzekhar said again. "And many Godslayers speak a foreign tongue, which we have since identified as Nalbinian."
"Do you have an idea what this is all about, Justiciar?" Dan said, aware that he was still on his knees.
"Yes. We believe the Godslayers are agents of the Traitor, and are based in Nalbin, the Traitor's home. Elements of this group have been present in the Dominion ever since the civil war that created the Dominion. Never before have they been so bold."
Then Dan wondered what had happened to his friends. Where was Elger? "Justiciar, what is your will?"
"You may rise, Redwind." Mzekhar barked, flourishing in the air. "But the Arbiter's spark is no longer within you. You have broken our rules and taken unacceptable initiative. Regulations dictate you are to be stripped of your rank and sent into exile, but I pardon you of your crimes. Sometimes we must act on intuition, in the face of annihilation. You will be kept in the Sanctum, and kept under observation. You can train the new recruits, until such a time as you are deemed fit for service."
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Autumn 2484. October. The Sanctum.
For nearly four years, Danton Redwind was trapped in the Sanctum without the Arbiter's spark. The recruits who came to him were mostly doe-eyed fools, men and women whom he had once been like, long ago. They mostly came from the Holy City, sent by parents hoping for a better life for their children. But the Sanctum was always eager to absorb recruits from other lands, too, so as to better represent the Dominion. Chakazians fled famine, hammering at the Sanctum's doors to be taken in as recruits, and they were accepted. Proud Nalbinians came too, though very few of them, looking to bind their kingdom closer to the Dominion. Varantians also presented themselves, proud and arrogant, always ready to speak of the First Empire of old. Bhakhtar sent the sturdiest recruits, and Otticia sent the smartest. Kutanda offered its fair share, but what surprised Dan the most was that recruits also came from Samar.
Yes, Samar, Dan had to keep reminding himself. It was mostly Dominion land now, too. And the people of Samar were offered two options. One, accept integration, and make a better life for themselves. Or two, resist and die. Most chose integration, and believed that the best way to defy the tyranny of the Silhouette of Stars was to use Common Law against him.
Thus, many Samari came to the Sanctum. There was Konari of the Chasa, Devid Small from Shaho, Kamlen Kettoeng, Tremir Fronh and Damyan Folhied.
Kamlen Kettoeng and Konari were his to train over the years, and neither had disappointed him.
In October of 2484, Dan finally reunited with Elger, Idun and Ragnvald. All three had received promotions, Elger and Ragnvald to Attendant, and Idun to Paladin. They had been investigating the Aras Isles, and then the Plutars, but were not allowed to share information with Dan. The reunion was warm at first, but turned cold given Dan's grim circumstances. They felt he had been ill-treated, but could do nothing but protest.
"We'll talk again later today." Idun said, leaving Dan to his paperwork.
That was the day that Custodian Volio came to Dan, asking if he was finally willing to get back into the field. "That's why your team is back." Volio said. "They've been summoned so you can be briefed, together."
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Post by Timeon on Nov 8, 2013 0:25:07 GMT
Danton Redwind's reunion with his old team began the process of shedding the rust his skills had acquired as a trainer rather than a field agent. Idun was a Paladin now, ranked above him, and Elger and Ragnvald had risen to Attendant, like him. Between them they commanded four teams of recruits, some of them freshly graduated from the Sanctum. It was Paladin Bearnaud himself who briefed them. "The Godslayers." he stated, turning to Danton. "Since your time under my command, Attendant, we have learned many new things about our dreadful foe. As you warned us, a Lord Magister of the Faloran Republic was working with them. Our investigations have led us to believe the Godslayers are not in league with the Republican government, but they are most certainly involved in its College of Binders. They both want to see the Dominion fall, and so this is no surprise." "And of the weapon stolen from Kutanda? Any news?" Danton asked beside his fellow agents within one of the Sanctum's many meeting halls. "No. We suspect the Godslayers may be holding it back, as leverage. They haven't conducted any major operations since Kutanda either. But that has not stopped us from acting against them. The Godslayer leadership is almost certainly Nalbinian, and their worship of the Traitor means that their headquarters are likely located there. A smart move, even if they weren't themselves Nalbinian. Our hands have been tied. Nalbin is attached to the Dominion by a thread - if we poke our noses in there enough to displease the King, the Godslayers might provoke a secession." A secession - Dan shuddered. Something like that could spark a civil war, given the Dominion's vulnerable state. The Dominion was being held together by spit and prayers, with Varantium losing its war against the Republic, and the Silhouette of Stars refusing to surrender Samar to a new Archon. Dan could understand why the Arbiter was so reluctant to involve himself in Nalbin. "What about the Smiling Man?" Paladin Bearnaud's expression hardened. There was no threat that the Sanctum took more seriously than that of the Mockinglord and his grinning spirits. "Why the Godslayers would work with that cult is beyond me. If they think any good can come of it, they will come to regret such an alliance. We sent agents to the Aras Isles, but they turned up no new leads. The truth is we know almost as little as we did four years ago. And that's where you come in, Redwind." Dan realised his comrades were looking to him. He let his hands drop to his sides in exasperation. "You already know what this is about, don't you? So much for a briefing." Elger chuckled and punched Dan on the shoulder. "You may have broken some rules and lost the Arbiter's spark, old friend, but you've got a reputation for getting things done." Bearnaud cleared his throat and continued. "You are to go to Nalbin and begin a serious investigation of the country's nobility and politicians. See who is in league with the Godslayers, uncover any leads at all. We have to take the risk." "And where do I come in?" Bearnaud smiled now, his otherwise grim face betraying warmth. "You are to be raised to Paladin, and are to command the southern mission. Elger will follow your lead, and Idun will deal with northern Nalbin alongside Ragnvald." --- Winter 2484. December. North of Arkheath, Nalbin.Annorae gazed into Elger's eyes for a moment, seeing that he spoke the truth and ran a shaky hand through her hair. "I agree with you sir. I've seen just how dangerous they were up close and person. They almost killed me at Myrnium when they released two chimeras at me. I had my own suspicions as well that they have infiltrated Nalbin- I believe a small group of them came to my door only a few days ago, shortly after you sent word to me that you wanted to meet- hence my caution in regards to this meeting. I had no way of knowing if you were with them but I would never keep company with them. I just came across a sword I know next to nothing about and got thrown into things." "We have reason to suspect some nobles of collaboration with them. You are Diplomat, are you not? You can help us get to them." "I am indeed the country's diplomat but how would you suggest we go about doing that? And to what end?" Elger leaned in close. "You have political authority. Contacts. Influence. If we root out the Godslayers, we save Nalbin, and the Dominion." "I am still relatively new in my Diplomat role but I do have some authority in that realm. Even if we root them out, we know what they are capable of. We'd need to not just root them out but do something so that there won't be backlash against Nalbin and the rest of the Dominon." "We can arrest the people responsible, search their houses. That's a start, don't you think?" "If we go about it that way, we need to make sure that we get concrete evidence to link them all to the Godslayers - otherwise they'll just get away." "Oh, they won't get away missie." he cracked his knuckles. One of the soldiers, a woman sighed. "She has a point, Attendant. We can't break Common Law." Common Law? These people are probably Wardens of the Arbiter.Elger rolled his eyes. "If they invite you to dinner, you can search their house. You can take a partner of course, who can search the house while you make conversation. Like me." "Of course. That makes sense, but it seems like we have some work to do, Elger. May I propose that while the Godslayers are a threat, that we be allies on this front?" Elger allowed himself a quizzical look. "We'll be allies. If you take me to that sword." "May I ask what is so important about my sword in particular Elger?" "That remains to be seen, doesn't it? Each sword is different." "How so, Elger? I thought you said that the swords were designed to kill spirits." "Some are designed to kill specific spirits. If your sword falls into the wrong hands, it can be misused. Each sword is different. I don't want to tell you everything we know, yet." "Alright, Elger, I will show you and only you the sword. You, Housstrum and myself will ride until we get to where I have hidden it. I trust what you have told me is the truth and the last thing you want to do is lose an important ally." He smiled. "This should be fun." As Annorae Allsworth left the bell-tower, Elger wheeled around and looked Danton Redwind in the eyes. "What did you make of that?" Dan considered for a moment, stepping to the edge of the tower and looking down at the green hills and plains before them. Annorae was below, climbing atop a horse beside her old companion, the famed Damien Housstrum. "She said the sword was in the possession of an old man, waylaid by bandits over five years ago. I am inclined to suspect what happened there was not what it seemed." "No. Not given what we've learned as of late." Elger grunted behind him. What we've learned as of late. Dan repeated in his mind. They had spent a month in Nalbin and had learned almost nothing. Elger thought otherwise. They had studied what was known about the Traitor; that the Traitor had helped spark the civil war that erupted at the beginning of the Dominion. At the end of that war, both Archanicus and the Traitor had vanished. The Paragon had risen, and many years later, had absorbed Nalbin into the Dominion, before vanishing herself. Elger believed that the Traitor and Paragon were one. A heretical thought, even for Dan. But he could not deny its plausibility. And so their investigation had taken them to the old noble houses with connections to the Paragon of old, and to the runed blade wielded by King Lamais. From what lore they could uncover in such a short time, it seemed that the King's blade bore runes not unlike those on a Godslayer sword. And thus, the idea arose in Dan and Elger's minds; what if the King's Ministers, or the King himself, had Godslayer ties? And so they had reached out to Annorae Allsworth, upon finding out that she bore a Godslayer blade. "I'll study the sword myself." Elger promised Dan, coming to stand beside him. "Do you think we should trust Idun with our suspicions?" Dan dared to ask. If the Warden leadership learned that he suspected the Paragon was the Traitor, he could lose his cloak, and any chance of regaining the Arbiter's spark would be lost. "Yes." Elger said immediately. "I trust Idun with my life. Question is, how do we tell her? I don't trust any of these grunts to carry a message that far north in good time." "I'll pick somebody. Leave it to me." - They returned to their headquarters in Arkheath, a city by the great river Chonus. There, word was waiting for them from the Sanctum. One of Danton's trainees, Tremir Fronh, had been revealed as a traitor. Danton only vaguely remembered him; a student he had been assigned some eight months ago. A bright-eyed and eager man from Samar, Dan had not suspected a thing. But the messenger waiting for him was grim and blunt, and the letter he brought back had been signed by Justiciar Mzekhar himself. He had been pulled off the Nalbin mission. The Sanctum was on lock-down. An infiltration of that sort was almost unprecedented. "I have things left to do before I return." Dan told the messenger. "No, I am afraid you are coming with me immediately. You are under suspicion, Paladin, and are the only Warden not to bear the spark of the Arbiter. We are leaving now."
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Post by Timeon on Nov 8, 2013 21:07:10 GMT
"They're treating you like dirt." Elger had told him weeks ago, clasping him by the arms. Danton Redwind had tried to pull away, the messenger from the Sanctum waiting impatiently behind him. But Elger had not let go. "We need you here." "I'm needed in the Sanctum." Dan had answered, though the words sounded false on his tongue. This is where I should be, Dan had thought, with my comrades, with my friends. I spent years waiting till the day I could ride out again, and now they are calling me back. Elger was staring past Dan's shoulder, at the messenger, looking like something torn between a lost puppy and an angry hound - either way, he was the most loyal man Dan had ever known. Still, he did not release his grip. "I'll find Dynkar, and the Godslayers. I'll kill them." Dan could not resist a slight smile. "When I was in training alongside you and Idun, I never predicted the kind of trouble we'd be running into years later. You keep things together, Attendant. I'll be back." Unspoken words passed between them. The search for the truth about the Traitor had to go on, so that the world could know who these Godslayers were. Dan had made an oath to keep the Dominion together, and protect its spirits and its people. He had failed to honour his promise to the sword, Oathkeeper, and he had broken many vows, but he would not break this one. "I'll be back." Dan repeated, and pushed Elger back. Then he motioned towards the recruits. "Keep them safe." Then he was away. - Winter 2485. January. The Sanctum.The way back home took them first south, by barge down along the River Chonus, and into Lake Vuosaari, saving them weeks worth of riding. From there, they passed through Kutanda on horseback. Seeing the red and gold hills of Kutanda brought back memories both pleasant and unpleasant, of the fight waged there against the Godslayers and Librarians. The new High Librarian, Anan, would be at work undoing the years of animosity started by his predecessor. Anan would be beside Adjumot, healing a society torn by distrust. It was in Kutanda that Dan had met Goka, and the Burning Man. It could have been another man's life, it seemed so distant. While stopping in one of the Warden headquarters near the city of Uthad, Dan was given news that another recruit had been caught in the Sanctum while acting against the Arbiter. Another recruit had betrayed them from within, sending yet more ripples of horror and disbelief throughout the Warden orders of the Dominion. This time it had been Damyan Folhied, captured while trying to sabotage the Warden's chief armoury in the Sanctum. They got no useful information out of him, and perhaps in a moment of rashness, had him executed. By the time that Dan arrived back in the Sanctum it was January, and the Justiciar Mzekhar himself awaited him. Dan was taken to an empty and poorly lit room, and sat across from the Justiciar himself. Still drenched in sweat and dusted with sand and muck, Dan wished that the interrogation could wait a few hours. Mzekhar seemed to entertain no such generous notion as he placed his hands upon the table before him. "Paladin." he said. "Justiciar." Dan closed his eyes and inclined his head. "You called me, and I have come. Ask of me what you will, and if you find I have acted wrongly, do what you must." "I have not pulled you in from the wastes outside to harass you, brother." Mzekhar motioned to one of the Wardens standing by the door, and he vanished, returning moments later with goblets and a pitcher of wine. "I have called you hear to share grim news." "I heard, Justiciar. I heard about Damyan Folhied, and Tremir Fronh. The Sanctum has been compromised." Mzekhar blinked, his forehead creased, his eyes shadowed. "That's not what I called you here for, Paladin." Dan accepted the wine that was offered to him, and took a tentative sip, though his stomach churned. "Justiciar?" Mzekhar did not drink from his goblet, and Dan noticed that he was no longer looking at him. The Justiciar looked truly old now, his accent slurred, his jaw tight in its futility and rage. "The Godslayers struck at our Wardens in Nalbin on the night of the new year celebrations." Elger? Dan needed not ask. Mzekhar's face said it all. "Any survivors?" "Not that we know of." Mzekhar slowly turned his eyes on Dan. "Fifteen slain in Tystead alone, and twenty in Arkheath. Not five days later, the same occurred to Paladin Idun and her brethren in the north. A coordinated blow." Dan's throat was so dry. He tried to drink more wine, but he found that he could not swallow any. "Any survivors?" "I said, not that we know of. I did not mean Tystead alone, Paladin. Only a handful of regional outposts survived, and only because we pulled the Wardens out of them in time, and had sent evacuated to Varantium and Havsgard." They're all gone, Dan thought. Elger... and Idun, too. They had taken thirty-eight Wardens to Nalbin, many of which he had known since Kutanda. Mzekhar was distant again, his wine still untouched. "You may go." Dan dared not move. His legs were shaking, weariness and madness clawing at the back of his being. Mzekhar met his eyes, and Dan felt for a brief moment that he was not alone, and that his grief was shared. It lasted for a moment only, and then Mzekhar was Arbiter's steel. "Where do I go?" Dan asked. But Mzekhar could not say. - Winter 2485. February. The Sanctum.News of the slaughter in Nalbin was not limited to Warden ears alone. It was the Nalbinians who found the bodies, and uncovered Elger's scheme to spy of the King and his Ministers. Diplomatically, it was everything that the Arbiter had feared, and worse. The King Lamais himself was a wise man, and he sent a letter addressed to the Arbiter himself, it was said, reassuring him that there would never be ill-will between them, but the King's Ministers felt different. One of them dared to go so far as to call for a secession. Meanwhile, Dan ignored his grief, and focused only on his life, minute by minute. The recruits in the Sanctum were scrutinized as never before, their training becoming harsher by the day. If there were any more traitors in their midst, then they would be found. No fault could be found with how Dan had trained them, but some amongst the leadership enjoyed blaming him anyway, despite the fact that they were equally guilty for their oversight of the traitors Damyan Folhied and Tremir Fronh. But nothing came of it. By the end of February, an emissary arrived from Nalbin under a heavily armed guard. She came saying she represented King Lamais in an unofficial capacity, and offered no name, referring to herself as his Voice, and nothing more. Dan recognized her, though. She was Annorae Allsworth, whom Elger had allied himself with. King Lamais took a deep breath before letting her have it but from their discussion, he understood why she took the risks that she did but now it’s time for her to follow her king and do what he deems is best for Nalbin. They spent the rest of the evening discussing the next steps in their plans to keep Nalbin safe from the terror the Godslayers caused. “In a way, you remind me of our beloved Paragon- doing what you feel is right to protect those around you and to stand true to your core values, no matter the opposition. Now…you know what you must do Annorae. We will handle everything on this end but find out everything that you can. Do not disappoint me.” On that note, she silently took off into the night, finding Zoma right where she had left her and taking off to meet up with Damien in their secure location. She made sure to grab some clothes and medicine for him, along with some food because they had a long journey ahead of them. From here… they go to the Holy City to meet with the Arbiter and his Wardens head on. She had come for the truth, and spent many hours with Justiciar Mzekhar. Dan was sometimes invited to be present, because of his involvement in the Nalbin affair. Mzekhar told her everything, much to Dan's surprise. He told her of Kutanda, and the weapon that was stolen from the Burning Man. He called in Paladin Bearnaud to testify, and then asked Dan to step forward and speak of his own experience also. The tale went on to speak of the events at Senusa, from where Dan ended up in the Plutars before returning home. Annorae Allsworth would listen attentively, but would rarely comment. In the end, she revealed a grand surprise, one of her courtiers bringing forward one of the runed blades of the Godslayers. Her runed blade, which Dan had warned Mzekhar she had found. But what Annorae said about it surprised them all. "There is a spirit in this blade, and he is bound to me." She told them of the events of the Drewyn Estate, alongside Elger. Finally, Mzekhar nodded his head. "Thank you for being honest with us, Misses Allsworth. Perhaps we can study the blade and its effects, while we continue to move against the Godslayers."
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Post by Timeon on Nov 9, 2013 22:39:06 GMT
Spring 2485. April. Hall of Judgement, The Sanctum.
Eight years ago, Dan and twenty-seven other recruits had stood in the Hall of Judgement. Two years of training had come to an end. The final trial had merely been to present himself to the Arbiter on one knee, and allowing the dark blue cloak of the Wardens to be draped over his shoulders. He had been surrounded by the statues of the Justiciars, then, as he was now. Only now, he was no recruit. He stood as a Paladin, arms folded behind his back, dark blue cloak draped over his shoulders, sword hanging at his side.
Not much else had changed. Instead of facing the instructors and the Arbiter, now Dan stood beside them. In front of him, the formation of recruits stood at attendance, breastplates polished to a gleaming shine. They were as nervous as he had been, so long ago. He recognized some of them whom he had trained personally. Three of those he recognized were all Samari; Kamlen Kettoeng, Konari and Devid Small. Konari caught him looking, and offered a weary grin. Dan nodded back at him nervously, and looked away.
This day was as big for him as it was for them. Today, he would get the Arbiter's spark back, after the recruits had themselves attained it. Today, he would be a Warden again. He looked to his right, to where the Arbiter stood. He stood as he had eight years ago, with Custodian Volio to one side, and Justiciar Mzekhar to the other. Both men had aged visibly, but the Arbiter had not; could not. A man of steel and cloth, his face a mask of tears. It was said there was a tear carved into his mask for every Archon who had ever perished. Dan felt it was impossible to not feel tiny and impure when looking at the Arbiter. He looked away. I lost his spark, Dan cursed for the thousandth time. I failed him.
Paladin Bearnaud grunted beside him, and nudged him slightly. "Your face looks like that of an old woman sucking lemons."
It was the most absurd thing to hear from a man so stoic and pious. Dan fought and failed to hold back a chuckle, which swept past his clenched teeth. A couple of disapproving Custodians shook their heads, and returned their attentions to the recruits and the ceremony.
"... two long years. In that time, most of those who came to these gates left them in shame, their training failed. Two amongst you proved to be traitors. And yet despite everything, you twenty-one remain. Twenty-one of the brightest and most holy of men and women in the Dominion, whose name was bestowed by the Lord Archanicus, before he left us in the Arbiter's care. We maintain his vigil..."
Dan found himself staring up at the statue of Justiciar Gyleon, who had defeated the Mockinglord so long ago. His hero, whose statue he had saluted in his heart on this very same day at his own ceremony. But the Mockinglord's sons remained, Dan knew, and his heart grew heavy. The Smiling Man of the Aras Isles... Senusa... Nalbin... and then he was thinking of Elger and Idun, and Ragnvald. He lowered his head in shame.
I will reclaim the Arbiter's spark today, and I will find your killers, he promised.
Custodian Volio held out the list, and began to recite the names of the recruits. "Konari." Volio called aloud, and a young doe-faced Samari boy walked up to the Arbiter, looking both proud and terrified. He dropped to one knee before the Arbiter, and the Arbiter draped the dark blue cloak of their order on his shoulders.
"Rise Konari of the Chasa, my Warden." the Arbiter's metallic voice rang once more, deep and brilliant.
The ceremony continued, one recruit at a time walking up. Konari had the spark now. Once all the recruits had passed, so would Dan.
"Kamlen Kettoeng." Custodian Volio announced.
Another Samari, one whom Dan had also trained. This was no boy, he was a man. He was dour, his face solemn and as proud as the rest. But Kamlen, Dan saw, was not afraid. There was determination to him, like a man walking up to the hangman's noose. It was not an expression Dan expected to see, nor was it one he understood. He hesitated, but then leaned sideways, almost as if to whisper to confide in Bearnaud, but no words left his mouth.
Kamlen Kettoeng stood before the Arbiter, but he did not kneel.
“Kneel, Kamlen Kettoeng.”
A moment of silence, of bated breath.
“Never again.”
Then Kamlen Kettoeng became as the sun, a light exploding from him. From gold it turned to green and then red, but all the same it was fire. Dan had no time to react, no time to charge with sword in hand or cover his eyes or yell or turn to run. The Arbiter stood transfixed, hands folded behind his back. Then he turned, stealing a brief moment of time from the world to look at Dan.
It now falls to you, Danton Redwind.
The light intensified, and Kamlen Kettoeng was no more, a blast of gold and ebony shearing through the Sanctum where once he had stood. It cut through the ranks of Wardens and Custodians, felling each and every one, turning them into no more than puppets of flesh. Dan caught Bearnaud as he fell, the Paladin whose life he had guarded, extinguished. The man had a look of tired disappointment as he died, but in mere moments that melted into a deadman's slack mask. Dan let the old man slip through his fingers, and looked up, his mind howling and silent all in one.
They were all gone. The Arbiter stood as he had moments before, head turned towards Dan, but there was no presence behind that armour. Nothing stared back at him.
The weapon. The weapon of Kutanda.
It was Dan's turn to fall.
"Why am I alive?" he asked aloud, when the end did not come. He was looking at the Arbiter's chamber, suspended by twin bridges above the Hall of Judgement.
It now falls to you, Danton Redwind.
The Arbiter had told him that, before the end. All others with the spark had died, but he had not. Dan clawed himself onto his knees, and he saw that the recruits who had not yet accepted the Arbiter's spark still lived. Five of them remained. One of them was heaving vomit onto the tiles.
A rumble from beneath.
The prisons, Dan knew. The Mockinglord would be free now.
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