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Into the Icy Darkness II: The Next Generation
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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1681532" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>Part one of a double update</p><p> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =</p><p></p><p>The blood red sun sank lower in the sky as Elsidor and his small band led their sacrifice up the slopes of the mountain they had only hours before traveled through. </p><p></p><p><em>How appropriate</em>, the dark elf thought as the final, despairing heat of the ending day fell over his face. The light was growing dim enough he no longer needed to shield his eyes. His eyes looked up, towards the summit of the mountain, barely a few more yards ahead. His eyes finally caught sight of a long boulder, its top long and flat... and Elsidor smiled.</p><p></p><p>“Perfect,” he said quietly as the sun’s red rays seemed to illuminate the stone, as if Vecna himself wanted the dark deed to be consumated there.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Why didn’t you tell anyone you were going to be here! It would be at least a common courtesy to let me or Mother know you are here, so we can at least properly prepare!” Rose snapped, glaring at her sister and Valaron across the table from her. The servants in the Dice manor then set down more berries and sauces for the five to eat upon.</p><p></p><p>“Well, we <em>were</em> trying to find out information quietly,” Valaron said with only a slight amount of grumpiness. The furrow made the wrinkles of his disguise go even deeper. “However, these berries are better than stale bread anyday!”</p><p></p><p>“You at least got a disguise. Everyone in two probably knows <em>I’m</em> here now,” Raven replied a little sharply. Before even going into the Temple of Hieroneous to leave, Raven had altered Valaron’s appearance again. “Which probably means you’re going to have to remain an old crone for even longer in the eyes of the public. No making young ladies faint!”</p><p></p><p>“When have I ever done that?” Valaron asked.</p><p></p><p>“So, this Fire Stone? Do you need help finding where it’s at?” Shawn Dice asked eagerly. His hair was jet black, like his father’s once was, and he shared the thin, wiry build of his father as well... so much so that he’d been nicknamed, ‘the Younger.’ </p><p></p><p>“And I can guard Val,” Ari said loudly, before the lavender boy let loose a series of draconic growls and snorts. They quickly ended when both Raven and Rose shot him a sharp, vicious stare. The young dragon’s head went down, and meekly he said, “Sorry... I won’t mention his name aloud again. I forgot.”</p><p></p><p>After a few more moments of glaring, Raven turned to her brother. “Yes... but not in the actual searching. I need you two to develop a reason I’m in town with this old crone,” she motioned to the disguised Val, “a story that we <em>all</em> can stick to, with <em>no adlibbing!</em>” she looked pointedly at her brother.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Tess did not feel like smiling once Evermyn finished her story. Not because the paladin’s quest had deprived her and the Imperials of vital intelligence, or the fact that her band had gone for Tess instead of Elsidor. Instead, her mind was wrapped around one, all-important question.</p><p></p><p>“Where are they?” Evermyn said softly, reading the bard’s mind.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps they are late,” Vanerthorpe said quietly, rubbing the sore spots still besotting his arms and legs. “Maybe this whelp’s brother held them up,” he looked towards Eyrna, now dragged into the cave with the others. “As what she told us was false, I believe she still owes us much... including her life,” he growled darkly.</p><p></p><p>“Stay, my good sir,” Tess said quietly, but firmly. “Elsidor has shed enough blood. Let’s not add another soul to his account, and instead focus on finding him.” The bard then turned, for the first time all day, to the prisoner that Evermyn’s band had brought with them.</p><p></p><p>Tess took in Eyrna’s frightened face. <em>They have been rough with her... especially the one called Vanerthorpe,</em> Tess read the way the girl’s eyes flashed uncertainly to the hooded man next to her. <em>I must gain her trust... and then she will tell us what information she knows... after all... her brother’s life is at stake now as well.</em></p><p></p><p>“Unbind her,” Tess commanded. A muffled grumble started to arise, until the bard’s eyes flashed around the group assembled around. Rather meekly, Vanerthorpe undid the ropes binding Eyrna’s arms and legs, and for the first time in a while Eyrna was able to stretch her arms and legs.</p><p></p><p>While a burning sensation blazed through the girl’s limbs, the ability to move felt divine.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Simeon, my child,” Elsidor said quietly, gently, his already white eyes glowing with power and strength beyond those of normal men, “lay yourself flat on this stone.” Dully, without a blink or look, the young man obeyed as if under a powerful spell.</p><p></p><p>At seeing his obedience, Elsidor smiled. Once of his companions brought forth a rope, until Elsidor waved them away. “That is unneccessary. We have no need to fear Lord Simeon shying away from this.”</p><p></p><p>As the sun drew closer to halfway below the horizon, Elsidor drew a knife, its hilt gilt, the head of a beast as its carved pommel. Its length was long and bone white, jagged in relief. The sun’s rays seemed to stream into the blade, as the twilight made it seem to be made entirely out of blood.</p><p></p><p>Elsidor whispered a few silent words, phrases of arcane and abject power, before carefully placing the knife at Simeon’s throat.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Well... how about we tell the story that this crone,” Rose flashed a smile in Valaron’s direction, “is a teacher from the Academy come to speak to mother about something,” the girl waved her hand around uncertainly, “magic related!”</p><p></p><p>“No!” Raven shot back. “If people find out someone from the Academy is here, one, it will attract undo attention from mother’s guild, and two, it will seem like I am in some kind of trouble!”</p><p></p><p>“Well, you are a <em>Dice</em>,” Younger replied dryly. “Trouble <em>is</em> in your middle name! Everyone in Kulloden knows this! Ever since father rode off to the east and started his adventures under the White Mountain!”</p><p></p><p>The old crone in the corner smiled unusually at the mention of the White Mountain. Its mere utterance brought to his mind the stories of valor of combat he had been raised with...</p><p></p><p><em>Bravely the band of five watched the oncoming horror that had once been a man. Oh, how great and terrible it appeared! Under this hail of blasts did your father and mother stand, the brave Tesseron and Dice the thief by their side! There they stood, facing the King Caladron of old, Ananias!</em></p><p></p><p>“Val! Here and now!” Raven’s sharp rebuke yanked him from the world of story back into the present. “Would you be okay meeting with Father Hidalas at the Tarantor Church?”</p><p></p><p>“Um... sure,” the Prince replied uncertainly.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“My child,” Tess said softly, a hand gently lifting Eyrna’s eyes to her own, “You have been through much. Have you eaten recently?” When Eyrna shook her head no, the bard reached to the spit over the now embers that had once been a fire, and pulled off several pieces of stonehog. “Here.”</p><p></p><p>“Why do you feed the traitress?” Vanerthorpe’s harsh whisper echoed in the halls. Tess shot him a bladed look, and the man shrank away slightly.</p><p></p><p>“Eat!” Tess urged, and with a smile she watched the woman gobble down the pieces. <em>She is of noble blood... this is probably the first time she has felt want... has felt starvation. So quickly are table manners forgotten when one is starving!</em> “I am sure that food would taste better if some water followed it into your belly,” Tess said with an earnest smile, offering her waterskin to the girl. Eyrna eagerly grabbed the proffed water, and took several swigs from it.</p><p></p><p>“Do you feel better now?” Tess asked softly. The bard read the young woman’s eyes and her nod yes. Her eyes were fearful, but something told Tess the nod was heartfelt. <em>She is questioning whether this is a ploy... but part of her thinks it’s not,</em> the bard smiled. “Eyrna... my name is Tesseron, the Harper.”</p><p></p><p>“I... I knew it was you, Baroness,” the other woman, replied, her dry mouth now replenished. “I thank you for your kindness.” The final line was delivered with a genuine gratefulness, as well as a barb directed at her former captors.</p><p></p><p>“Eyrna... I wish to help you. They tell me Elsidor took your brother captive,” Tess said slowly. The bard watched as the other woman’s face suddenly flashed through a series of emotions. Fear... fear that this information was going to be used against her. Even more apparent was a pang of loneliness, and another fear... one that she would never see her brother again alive.</p><p></p><p>Tess pressed on. “I can help rescue him... if you wish. I merely need know who Elsidor plans to raise.”</p><p></p><p>“What would you do with me and Simeon afterwards?” Eyrna asked. The woman had moved slightly away from Tess. </p><p></p><p>Tess had expected this question, yet she still didn’t have a firm answer. By all rights, the two should be turned over to the Imperial government and sent to trial for treason. <em>But we need this information!</em> Tess’ mind reminded her. <em>Otherwise, the trial of two traitors might be the last thing we’ll need to worry about!</em></p><p></p><p>“I shall make sure no harm shall come to you. On my word as a woman,” Tess replied, somehow covering the uncertainty in her own voice. <em>How can I do that? By all rights, Siabrey and Lucius can claim her head!</em> Mentally, the bard shook herself. <em>Such matters can be arranged later!</em></p><p></p><p>“You might support the Usurper, the one that follows those of Hieroneous when he should follow Our Lord Tarantor, Tesseron Keldare,” the young woman replied, “but one thing I have never heard you called is dishonorable... or a liar.” Tess saw Eyrna blink and give a deep sigh.</p><p></p><p>“Elsidor seeks to raise Ananias Caladron, the King of Old, the only one whose body does not lie here.”</p><p></p><p>A split second later, a curse erupted from Tess’ lips. <em>Of course! How obvious! He knew that this tomb was likely to be guarded, so he seeks the one who never really died...</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Until we killed him outside of Kulloden, under the White Mountain.</em></p><p></p><p>Memories from a time long before flooded into Tess’ mind. Once again she saw Siabrey and Lucius as they were long ago, two warriors seeking the Ice Diamond, and unknowingly seeking each other. Once again, she saw the uncouth, sharp tongued thief named Shaun Dice. And she felt herself tighten in anger at seeing the image of Rogar the Traitor.</p><p></p><p>Once again, she felt her desperation as she launched her last, desperate charge... a lone dagger in her hand, a screaming warcry on her lips as her broken body lunged towards the wounded beast, knowing it was either her life, or the lives of all of her friends...</p><p></p><p>“M’lady?” Evemyn asked quietly. “If this Anias is no more than a mere mummy or wight, we have faced such before.”</p><p></p><p>“He is no such creature,” she said softly, her voice filled with the terror of memory.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Elsidor waited, looking on patiently as the red disk grew lower and lower in the sky. The ritual required precise timing. Carefully he watied, as he had done so many times over the course of his five century life.</p><p></p><p>Gently he pushed the blade down, further and further onto Simeon’s young neck, careful to not spill any blood until he saw the last tiny point of light disappear over the horizon.</p><p></p><p>With a sudden and swift movement, the young blood that was in Simeon’s veins formed its own red glow, high on the top of White Mountain. The young man’s form hardly moved as his life’s blood pumped out onto the gray slate of stone.</p><p></p><p>Without a word, Elsidor held forth a hand, and quickly the small shard of ice was placed in it by one of his band. The drow held the shard up towards the blazing red of the western sky, and deep, infernal words rose high in the air, growing loud as thunder rolling off of the hills and into the forests below.</p><p></p><p>At once, it seemed as if the young lord’s lifesblood, spilled onto the mountainside, seemed to glow, going from deep rust to a bright crimson, rising in the air, then swirling about Elsidor’s tall frame.</p><p></p><p>The very air around the drow hummed with power, and with a sudden roar, the blood of Simeon Erelion gave new life to something that should have remained dead...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“What is <em>that!?</em>” Rose asked in awe as she and her siblings stared out the window of the Dice manor towards the dark eastern sky.</p><p></p><p>A pillar of white light seemed to stretch from the ground upwards to the heavens, its top swirling to and fro, thin wisps blowing from the top of its lofty heights. </p><p></p><p>“Val?” Raven asked next, “have you seen anything like that?” Her eyes were still locked on the sight. “Val?” she asked a few seconds later. Silence greeted her ears, and annoyed, she turned to get his attention, before she became speechless in confusion.</p><p></p><p>Valaron was doubled over, pain apparent even amongst the wrinkles of his disguised face. The pale skin her spell had given him was bathed a deep, pungent red, and small gasps of labored breathing came from his lips.</p><p></p><p>“Val!?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1681532, member: 15043"] Part one of a double update = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = The blood red sun sank lower in the sky as Elsidor and his small band led their sacrifice up the slopes of the mountain they had only hours before traveled through. [i]How appropriate[/i], the dark elf thought as the final, despairing heat of the ending day fell over his face. The light was growing dim enough he no longer needed to shield his eyes. His eyes looked up, towards the summit of the mountain, barely a few more yards ahead. His eyes finally caught sight of a long boulder, its top long and flat... and Elsidor smiled. “Perfect,” he said quietly as the sun’s red rays seemed to illuminate the stone, as if Vecna himself wanted the dark deed to be consumated there. “Why didn’t you tell anyone you were going to be here! It would be at least a common courtesy to let me or Mother know you are here, so we can at least properly prepare!” Rose snapped, glaring at her sister and Valaron across the table from her. The servants in the Dice manor then set down more berries and sauces for the five to eat upon. “Well, we [i]were[/i] trying to find out information quietly,” Valaron said with only a slight amount of grumpiness. The furrow made the wrinkles of his disguise go even deeper. “However, these berries are better than stale bread anyday!” “You at least got a disguise. Everyone in two probably knows [i]I’m[/i] here now,” Raven replied a little sharply. Before even going into the Temple of Hieroneous to leave, Raven had altered Valaron’s appearance again. “Which probably means you’re going to have to remain an old crone for even longer in the eyes of the public. No making young ladies faint!” “When have I ever done that?” Valaron asked. “So, this Fire Stone? Do you need help finding where it’s at?” Shawn Dice asked eagerly. His hair was jet black, like his father’s once was, and he shared the thin, wiry build of his father as well... so much so that he’d been nicknamed, ‘the Younger.’ “And I can guard Val,” Ari said loudly, before the lavender boy let loose a series of draconic growls and snorts. They quickly ended when both Raven and Rose shot him a sharp, vicious stare. The young dragon’s head went down, and meekly he said, “Sorry... I won’t mention his name aloud again. I forgot.” After a few more moments of glaring, Raven turned to her brother. “Yes... but not in the actual searching. I need you two to develop a reason I’m in town with this old crone,” she motioned to the disguised Val, “a story that we [i]all[/i] can stick to, with [i]no adlibbing![/i]” she looked pointedly at her brother. Tess did not feel like smiling once Evermyn finished her story. Not because the paladin’s quest had deprived her and the Imperials of vital intelligence, or the fact that her band had gone for Tess instead of Elsidor. Instead, her mind was wrapped around one, all-important question. “Where are they?” Evermyn said softly, reading the bard’s mind. “Perhaps they are late,” Vanerthorpe said quietly, rubbing the sore spots still besotting his arms and legs. “Maybe this whelp’s brother held them up,” he looked towards Eyrna, now dragged into the cave with the others. “As what she told us was false, I believe she still owes us much... including her life,” he growled darkly. “Stay, my good sir,” Tess said quietly, but firmly. “Elsidor has shed enough blood. Let’s not add another soul to his account, and instead focus on finding him.” The bard then turned, for the first time all day, to the prisoner that Evermyn’s band had brought with them. Tess took in Eyrna’s frightened face. [i]They have been rough with her... especially the one called Vanerthorpe,[/i] Tess read the way the girl’s eyes flashed uncertainly to the hooded man next to her. [i]I must gain her trust... and then she will tell us what information she knows... after all... her brother’s life is at stake now as well.[/i] “Unbind her,” Tess commanded. A muffled grumble started to arise, until the bard’s eyes flashed around the group assembled around. Rather meekly, Vanerthorpe undid the ropes binding Eyrna’s arms and legs, and for the first time in a while Eyrna was able to stretch her arms and legs. While a burning sensation blazed through the girl’s limbs, the ability to move felt divine. “Simeon, my child,” Elsidor said quietly, gently, his already white eyes glowing with power and strength beyond those of normal men, “lay yourself flat on this stone.” Dully, without a blink or look, the young man obeyed as if under a powerful spell. At seeing his obedience, Elsidor smiled. Once of his companions brought forth a rope, until Elsidor waved them away. “That is unneccessary. We have no need to fear Lord Simeon shying away from this.” As the sun drew closer to halfway below the horizon, Elsidor drew a knife, its hilt gilt, the head of a beast as its carved pommel. Its length was long and bone white, jagged in relief. The sun’s rays seemed to stream into the blade, as the twilight made it seem to be made entirely out of blood. Elsidor whispered a few silent words, phrases of arcane and abject power, before carefully placing the knife at Simeon’s throat. “Well... how about we tell the story that this crone,” Rose flashed a smile in Valaron’s direction, “is a teacher from the Academy come to speak to mother about something,” the girl waved her hand around uncertainly, “magic related!” “No!” Raven shot back. “If people find out someone from the Academy is here, one, it will attract undo attention from mother’s guild, and two, it will seem like I am in some kind of trouble!” “Well, you are a [i]Dice[/i],” Younger replied dryly. “Trouble [i]is[/i] in your middle name! Everyone in Kulloden knows this! Ever since father rode off to the east and started his adventures under the White Mountain!” The old crone in the corner smiled unusually at the mention of the White Mountain. Its mere utterance brought to his mind the stories of valor of combat he had been raised with... [i]Bravely the band of five watched the oncoming horror that had once been a man. Oh, how great and terrible it appeared! Under this hail of blasts did your father and mother stand, the brave Tesseron and Dice the thief by their side! There they stood, facing the King Caladron of old, Ananias![/i] “Val! Here and now!” Raven’s sharp rebuke yanked him from the world of story back into the present. “Would you be okay meeting with Father Hidalas at the Tarantor Church?” “Um... sure,” the Prince replied uncertainly. “My child,” Tess said softly, a hand gently lifting Eyrna’s eyes to her own, “You have been through much. Have you eaten recently?” When Eyrna shook her head no, the bard reached to the spit over the now embers that had once been a fire, and pulled off several pieces of stonehog. “Here.” “Why do you feed the traitress?” Vanerthorpe’s harsh whisper echoed in the halls. Tess shot him a bladed look, and the man shrank away slightly. “Eat!” Tess urged, and with a smile she watched the woman gobble down the pieces. [i]She is of noble blood... this is probably the first time she has felt want... has felt starvation. So quickly are table manners forgotten when one is starving![/i] “I am sure that food would taste better if some water followed it into your belly,” Tess said with an earnest smile, offering her waterskin to the girl. Eyrna eagerly grabbed the proffed water, and took several swigs from it. “Do you feel better now?” Tess asked softly. The bard read the young woman’s eyes and her nod yes. Her eyes were fearful, but something told Tess the nod was heartfelt. [i]She is questioning whether this is a ploy... but part of her thinks it’s not,[/i] the bard smiled. “Eyrna... my name is Tesseron, the Harper.” “I... I knew it was you, Baroness,” the other woman, replied, her dry mouth now replenished. “I thank you for your kindness.” The final line was delivered with a genuine gratefulness, as well as a barb directed at her former captors. “Eyrna... I wish to help you. They tell me Elsidor took your brother captive,” Tess said slowly. The bard watched as the other woman’s face suddenly flashed through a series of emotions. Fear... fear that this information was going to be used against her. Even more apparent was a pang of loneliness, and another fear... one that she would never see her brother again alive. Tess pressed on. “I can help rescue him... if you wish. I merely need know who Elsidor plans to raise.” “What would you do with me and Simeon afterwards?” Eyrna asked. The woman had moved slightly away from Tess. Tess had expected this question, yet she still didn’t have a firm answer. By all rights, the two should be turned over to the Imperial government and sent to trial for treason. [i]But we need this information![/i] Tess’ mind reminded her. [i]Otherwise, the trial of two traitors might be the last thing we’ll need to worry about![/i] “I shall make sure no harm shall come to you. On my word as a woman,” Tess replied, somehow covering the uncertainty in her own voice. [i]How can I do that? By all rights, Siabrey and Lucius can claim her head![/i] Mentally, the bard shook herself. [i]Such matters can be arranged later![/i] “You might support the Usurper, the one that follows those of Hieroneous when he should follow Our Lord Tarantor, Tesseron Keldare,” the young woman replied, “but one thing I have never heard you called is dishonorable... or a liar.” Tess saw Eyrna blink and give a deep sigh. “Elsidor seeks to raise Ananias Caladron, the King of Old, the only one whose body does not lie here.” A split second later, a curse erupted from Tess’ lips. [i]Of course! How obvious! He knew that this tomb was likely to be guarded, so he seeks the one who never really died... Until we killed him outside of Kulloden, under the White Mountain.[/i] Memories from a time long before flooded into Tess’ mind. Once again she saw Siabrey and Lucius as they were long ago, two warriors seeking the Ice Diamond, and unknowingly seeking each other. Once again, she saw the uncouth, sharp tongued thief named Shaun Dice. And she felt herself tighten in anger at seeing the image of Rogar the Traitor. Once again, she felt her desperation as she launched her last, desperate charge... a lone dagger in her hand, a screaming warcry on her lips as her broken body lunged towards the wounded beast, knowing it was either her life, or the lives of all of her friends... “M’lady?” Evemyn asked quietly. “If this Anias is no more than a mere mummy or wight, we have faced such before.” “He is no such creature,” she said softly, her voice filled with the terror of memory. Elsidor waited, looking on patiently as the red disk grew lower and lower in the sky. The ritual required precise timing. Carefully he watied, as he had done so many times over the course of his five century life. Gently he pushed the blade down, further and further onto Simeon’s young neck, careful to not spill any blood until he saw the last tiny point of light disappear over the horizon. With a sudden and swift movement, the young blood that was in Simeon’s veins formed its own red glow, high on the top of White Mountain. The young man’s form hardly moved as his life’s blood pumped out onto the gray slate of stone. Without a word, Elsidor held forth a hand, and quickly the small shard of ice was placed in it by one of his band. The drow held the shard up towards the blazing red of the western sky, and deep, infernal words rose high in the air, growing loud as thunder rolling off of the hills and into the forests below. At once, it seemed as if the young lord’s lifesblood, spilled onto the mountainside, seemed to glow, going from deep rust to a bright crimson, rising in the air, then swirling about Elsidor’s tall frame. The very air around the drow hummed with power, and with a sudden roar, the blood of Simeon Erelion gave new life to something that should have remained dead... “What is [i]that!?[/i]” Rose asked in awe as she and her siblings stared out the window of the Dice manor towards the dark eastern sky. A pillar of white light seemed to stretch from the ground upwards to the heavens, its top swirling to and fro, thin wisps blowing from the top of its lofty heights. “Val?” Raven asked next, “have you seen anything like that?” Her eyes were still locked on the sight. “Val?” she asked a few seconds later. Silence greeted her ears, and annoyed, she turned to get his attention, before she became speechless in confusion. Valaron was doubled over, pain apparent even amongst the wrinkles of his disguised face. The pale skin her spell had given him was bathed a deep, pungent red, and small gasps of labored breathing came from his lips. “Val!?” [/QUOTE]
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