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Into the Icy Darkness: The Great Demon War
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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1362163" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p><strong>Of Information Gained, Knowledge Gathered, and the Problem with Our Young Noble</strong></p><p></p><p>Tess was still slightly miffed at the couples for leaving her alone... </p><p></p><p><em>Well, not alone,</em> she corrected herself, glancing at Pellaron escorting her back to the temple, <em>more... out of the fun.</em> They were making their way back to the Temple of Pelor, as Tess wanted to check up on Xanadu’s progress. His unfinished statement about Lucius, coupled with what she had heard he did the previous night to the assassins frightened her.</p><p></p><p><em>Something is wrong with him,</em> her mind kept thinking. Despite Xanadu’s reassurances that Lucius was not consciously doing these things, the dark thoughts of such a grisly death still frightened her memory and clouded her vision.</p><p></p><p>It was with no small amount of haste that she rushed to the library when she returned, to find Xanadu, in the same seat, his posture barely shifted.</p><p></p><p>“Xany!” she shouted, without thinking. To her surprise, there was no reproach from him... he nary turned around.</p><p></p><p>“What have you found?!” she blurted again as she drew alongside him. The wizard slowly turned towards her, his bags under his eyes enormous, his eyes themselves seemingly sunken in.</p><p></p><p>“Well... I have traced his bloodline... and I found out the worst. I think... I think we should wait till Siabrey is here to tell her as well. I... I don’t want her to do anything foolish.” He said quietly. Tess nodded nervously. <em>God... don’t say he’s going to die, or he’s going to kill us all or something...</em></p><p></p><p>”Siabrey... and... um...” she sputtered nervously, “should be along in a bit... they went to the bathhouses to get cleaned up.” Her little bit of fury and little bit of mirth at them running off like that was now completely washed away by worry.</p><p></p><p>To her surprise, Xanadu chuckled... a chuckle that grew into a snicker.</p><p></p><p>“What’s so funny?” she asked, annoyed now. <em>A close friend, lover of my very good friend, is casting evil spells about, and you know why, and you won’t tell me... INSTEAD YOU CHUCKLE?!</em></p><p></p><p>”That... might be exactly what the boy needs... someone to be close to,” Xanadu said smiling. “Love can be a weapon against even the deepest, most vile evil.”</p><p></p><p><em>Well, he speaks the truth there,</em> Tess mused, and for a second, the title of a new song came into her head long enough to be mentally recorded. Once that was filed away for later creativity, she focused back on the present.</p><p></p><p>“Lucius has... demonic blood in his veins,” Xanadu began slowly. “Don’t look so shocked,” he cautioned with a thin, gentle grin as Tess rocked back in horror. “All sorcerers get their magical powers from some source... very few get it themselves through a freak accident. Most have some kind of non-human blood in their ancestry. In Lucius’ case, some 400 years before Ananias even, there was a union with a powerful demon.... whose blood still courses in Lucius’ veins.”</p><p></p><p>“This is why he’s shooting off evil spells and the like?” Tess asked hopefully, and Xanadu nodded.</p><p></p><p>“Yes. When he’s scared, when he’s frightened, he runs off instinct, just as you or I would. In this case, his body’s first instinct for magic to defend itself happens to run into the darker side of magic...”</p><p></p><p><em>It makes so much sense now,</em> Tess thought, part of her relieved at knowing what afflicted her friend, but part scared now that she knew its seriousness. “So is there any way to keep him from going evil... and turning like his mother did?” she asked, hoping for a positive answer.</p><p></p><p>“Yes,” she heard, and sighed with relief as Xanadu continued. “Normally, the boy would keep getting drawn closer to evil, and his mother, with every evil spell he used. The love and kindness you have surrounded him with, have counteracted this somewhat... he’s attached to you all, and he doesn’t want to hurt you. This is but temporary... there is a more permanent solution...”</p><p></p><p><em>What is it? Kill him? I hope to God that’s not the answer...</em></p><p></p><p>Xanadu sighed, his face looking as if he was looking off into a distant battle, from a distant life and time. “Once, many years ago, I fought in a battle against the followers of Hextor... they unleashed forces they did not understand or comprehend. Myself, my best friend Ik-Mataar and a group of elite forces swept into the desert temple the clerics and I told you about, and levelled it... oh... that was some 500 years ago....”</p><p></p><p><em>I keep forgetting he’s that old,</em> Tess’ mind jumped. <em>He looks as if he’s 35...maybe 40...</em> A part of her mind suddenly jumped...</p><p></p><p><em>How long DO half-elves live? Um...</em></p><p></p><p>Her concentration was cut off as he softly continued. “The Temple, praise the Gods, was levelled and the evil driven back to its original planes... Ik-Mataar, however, perished in the battle.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh... Xanadu, I’m so sorry,” Tess said without thinking, in genuine sympathy, before her brain reminded her that he had already had 500 years to get over the loss. To her surprise, he grew misty eyed, and nodded his head.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you, Tess,” he said quietly, before drawing in a big breath of air and letting out a sigh that released some kind of deep memory. “He... he was dear to me. And he may still be able to help.”</p><p></p><p>“Help? How?” Tess asked gently. She was attuned enough to people’s emotions to be ready to accept more of his past pain if he offered it up, but she also gently wanted her questions answered.</p><p></p><p>“Well... Ik-Mataar was a noted demon fighter in his day,” Xanadu started quietly. He coughed, “And his dying wish was to have his soul put into his blade, which he had fought so many with. I granted him that, his dying wish. His blade originally went back to the Empire... then floated out of existence as I grew distracted and others that knew of its importance died off. When I finally went to visit him some 100 years before Ananias’ rebellion, the blade was nowhere to be found.” Xanadu’s face, so far sad and full of grief, gave a chuckle, “and now I think I’ve found him.”</p><p></p><p>“Where? How can he help?” Tess repeated her question as Xanadu dragged open one of the older books, its pages covered in arcane scrawl she couldn’t read.</p><p></p><p>“Well, Ik-Mataar was a very insistent and persistent man... and he retains those traits while in his sword. If we found him, and told him of the urgency, his strength of will and personality, as well as magical connection to his ‘owner’ could tip the scales in our favor in the war for Lucius’ mind. There’s three problems.”</p><p></p><p>“What?” Tess said, once again started to get a little exasperated. <em>Get to the point, Xany! Please!</em></p><p></p><p>“First... Ik-Mataar, has, through various travellers, found his way back to near the temple where he fell. The blade is there, in the desert.” Tess nodded. <em>A problem to be sure, but one we can overcome.</em></p><p></p><p>“Second,” Xanadu continued, “the army of orcs and gnolls that razed Mephys is marching hard north, with corrupted Tarantor clerics at its head. Their course takes them directly towards the temple.”</p><p></p><p>Tess was immediately on her feet, her mind with lightning speed putting things together. <em>They mean to take the sword, to take away Lucius’ last chance!</em></p><p></p><p>“We ride tonight,” she announced with determination as she began to whirl about to leave the library and begin packing.</p><p></p><p>“Hold, dear Tess, hold,” Xanadu called, and she reluctantly stopped. “There is a third problem,” he motioned her back. Slowly, reluctantly, she walked back.</p><p></p><p>“What is that?” she asked. Xanadu’s reponse was to hand her a scroll, sealed shut with the Imperial Seal, an image of Princess Zoe imprinted in blood red wax...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Tess was surprised to see Quin sitting up in his bed. After her long, sobering talk with Xanadu, she had decided to dash to Siabrey’s quarters to find the 2,000 platinum Lucius had agreed to pay Quin and his two surviving employees. </p><p></p><p>”They went far and above the call of duty,” Lucius had said the night before, “they deserve these extra funds... may the Gods rest their souls in peace.”</p><p></p><p>“Hallo, Tess!” Quin rose at her entry, and Tess quickly hid the box of coins behind her before he could notice. It was heavy, and she wouldn’t be able to keep it like that for long.</p><p></p><p>“Quin,” Tess said, a smile growing on her face, “I brought a present for you... and your men!” She smiled brightly, though sadly, as she brought out the box of money. Quin looked at her, and then opened it. His eyes went wide.</p><p></p><p>“How... much... i...is in here. Thats... p...platinum! There’s... m...more than 1,500 Tess! Your friend over counted!”</p><p></p><p><em>Quin... you are too honest for your own good!</em> Tess smiled sadly. “No Quin... Lucius wants to give you the 500 extra... you and your band went above and beyond the call of duty. He only wishes he could do more.”</p><p></p><p>Quin’s eyes fell downward at her words, and he stared into the box for several minutes, before looking up. His eyes were now wet with tears.</p><p></p><p>“Oh Tess,” he grabbed her and hugged her tight, “thank you... on behalf of my men... and their families! Thank you... Pelor bless you and your noble friend!”</p><p></p><p>It was several minutes before his emotional state calmed to where she could invite him to come with her to deliver the coins to his remaining employees, still trapped at the Wine Glass Inn. The two tramped over, and before they even walked through the door, loud shouts came from within the inn’s tavern.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, so the old bugger lives! How fare’s ye, Quin!” one of the men shouted across the tavern. Quin bounded over, and the two exchanged a firm gripped handshake.</p><p></p><p>“I think we should take our business upstairs,” Quin said quietly. No one wanted to be counting this much platinum out in the open in such a crowded bar. After they reached the rooms of the two, Quin closed the door, and opened the box.</p><p></p><p>“Bugger me ears!” one of the men, the one that had greeted Quin, said in wonder. “Thats... thats <em>platinum</em> there!”</p><p></p><p>“Two thousand, dear boy,” Quin gripped his shoulder. “Two thousand! He gave us extra for our sacrifice... by bloody light he’s the first honest noble I’ve met!”</p><p></p><p>“Two thousand bloody platinum?” the so far quiet one announced increduously, “how in the...”</p><p></p><p>“Do not question fate’s fortunes upon you,” Tess cautioned. “Accept this windfall, with the compliments of Lord Lucius.” The three then sat down as Tess watched, and began counting out the money... and her heart began to break.</p><p></p><p><em>They’re counting out fifteen piles</em> she thought pensively, sadly. <em>twelve of which will never see their owners... only their families...</em></p><p></p><p>“Quin, is there anything I can do to try and help track down the families of these men?” Tess asked, managing to keep her tears in reserve. Quin looked up at her, with a smile that nearly broke her heart.</p><p></p><p>“No, Tess,” he said, “You’ve helped us... and their families, enough this day. Go... enjoy your friends... you don’t need to hang around here being dour as we conduct dead men’s business. My two friends here are trustworthy enough to track down their families... you have a noble to tend to!”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1362163, member: 15043"] [b]Of Information Gained, Knowledge Gathered, and the Problem with Our Young Noble[/b] Tess was still slightly miffed at the couples for leaving her alone... [i]Well, not alone,[/i] she corrected herself, glancing at Pellaron escorting her back to the temple, [i]more... out of the fun.[/i] They were making their way back to the Temple of Pelor, as Tess wanted to check up on Xanadu’s progress. His unfinished statement about Lucius, coupled with what she had heard he did the previous night to the assassins frightened her. [i]Something is wrong with him,[/i] her mind kept thinking. Despite Xanadu’s reassurances that Lucius was not consciously doing these things, the dark thoughts of such a grisly death still frightened her memory and clouded her vision. It was with no small amount of haste that she rushed to the library when she returned, to find Xanadu, in the same seat, his posture barely shifted. “Xany!” she shouted, without thinking. To her surprise, there was no reproach from him... he nary turned around. “What have you found?!” she blurted again as she drew alongside him. The wizard slowly turned towards her, his bags under his eyes enormous, his eyes themselves seemingly sunken in. “Well... I have traced his bloodline... and I found out the worst. I think... I think we should wait till Siabrey is here to tell her as well. I... I don’t want her to do anything foolish.” He said quietly. Tess nodded nervously. [i]God... don’t say he’s going to die, or he’s going to kill us all or something...[/i] ”Siabrey... and... um...” she sputtered nervously, “should be along in a bit... they went to the bathhouses to get cleaned up.” Her little bit of fury and little bit of mirth at them running off like that was now completely washed away by worry. To her surprise, Xanadu chuckled... a chuckle that grew into a snicker. “What’s so funny?” she asked, annoyed now. [i]A close friend, lover of my very good friend, is casting evil spells about, and you know why, and you won’t tell me... INSTEAD YOU CHUCKLE?![/i] ”That... might be exactly what the boy needs... someone to be close to,” Xanadu said smiling. “Love can be a weapon against even the deepest, most vile evil.” [i]Well, he speaks the truth there,[/i] Tess mused, and for a second, the title of a new song came into her head long enough to be mentally recorded. Once that was filed away for later creativity, she focused back on the present. “Lucius has... demonic blood in his veins,” Xanadu began slowly. “Don’t look so shocked,” he cautioned with a thin, gentle grin as Tess rocked back in horror. “All sorcerers get their magical powers from some source... very few get it themselves through a freak accident. Most have some kind of non-human blood in their ancestry. In Lucius’ case, some 400 years before Ananias even, there was a union with a powerful demon.... whose blood still courses in Lucius’ veins.” “This is why he’s shooting off evil spells and the like?” Tess asked hopefully, and Xanadu nodded. “Yes. When he’s scared, when he’s frightened, he runs off instinct, just as you or I would. In this case, his body’s first instinct for magic to defend itself happens to run into the darker side of magic...” [i]It makes so much sense now,[/i] Tess thought, part of her relieved at knowing what afflicted her friend, but part scared now that she knew its seriousness. “So is there any way to keep him from going evil... and turning like his mother did?” she asked, hoping for a positive answer. “Yes,” she heard, and sighed with relief as Xanadu continued. “Normally, the boy would keep getting drawn closer to evil, and his mother, with every evil spell he used. The love and kindness you have surrounded him with, have counteracted this somewhat... he’s attached to you all, and he doesn’t want to hurt you. This is but temporary... there is a more permanent solution...” [i]What is it? Kill him? I hope to God that’s not the answer...[/i] Xanadu sighed, his face looking as if he was looking off into a distant battle, from a distant life and time. “Once, many years ago, I fought in a battle against the followers of Hextor... they unleashed forces they did not understand or comprehend. Myself, my best friend Ik-Mataar and a group of elite forces swept into the desert temple the clerics and I told you about, and levelled it... oh... that was some 500 years ago....” [i]I keep forgetting he’s that old,[/i] Tess’ mind jumped. [i]He looks as if he’s 35...maybe 40...[/i] A part of her mind suddenly jumped... [i]How long DO half-elves live? Um...[/i] Her concentration was cut off as he softly continued. “The Temple, praise the Gods, was levelled and the evil driven back to its original planes... Ik-Mataar, however, perished in the battle.” “Oh... Xanadu, I’m so sorry,” Tess said without thinking, in genuine sympathy, before her brain reminded her that he had already had 500 years to get over the loss. To her surprise, he grew misty eyed, and nodded his head. “Thank you, Tess,” he said quietly, before drawing in a big breath of air and letting out a sigh that released some kind of deep memory. “He... he was dear to me. And he may still be able to help.” “Help? How?” Tess asked gently. She was attuned enough to people’s emotions to be ready to accept more of his past pain if he offered it up, but she also gently wanted her questions answered. “Well... Ik-Mataar was a noted demon fighter in his day,” Xanadu started quietly. He coughed, “And his dying wish was to have his soul put into his blade, which he had fought so many with. I granted him that, his dying wish. His blade originally went back to the Empire... then floated out of existence as I grew distracted and others that knew of its importance died off. When I finally went to visit him some 100 years before Ananias’ rebellion, the blade was nowhere to be found.” Xanadu’s face, so far sad and full of grief, gave a chuckle, “and now I think I’ve found him.” “Where? How can he help?” Tess repeated her question as Xanadu dragged open one of the older books, its pages covered in arcane scrawl she couldn’t read. “Well, Ik-Mataar was a very insistent and persistent man... and he retains those traits while in his sword. If we found him, and told him of the urgency, his strength of will and personality, as well as magical connection to his ‘owner’ could tip the scales in our favor in the war for Lucius’ mind. There’s three problems.” “What?” Tess said, once again started to get a little exasperated. [i]Get to the point, Xany! Please![/i] “First... Ik-Mataar, has, through various travellers, found his way back to near the temple where he fell. The blade is there, in the desert.” Tess nodded. [i]A problem to be sure, but one we can overcome.[/i] “Second,” Xanadu continued, “the army of orcs and gnolls that razed Mephys is marching hard north, with corrupted Tarantor clerics at its head. Their course takes them directly towards the temple.” Tess was immediately on her feet, her mind with lightning speed putting things together. [i]They mean to take the sword, to take away Lucius’ last chance![/i] “We ride tonight,” she announced with determination as she began to whirl about to leave the library and begin packing. “Hold, dear Tess, hold,” Xanadu called, and she reluctantly stopped. “There is a third problem,” he motioned her back. Slowly, reluctantly, she walked back. “What is that?” she asked. Xanadu’s reponse was to hand her a scroll, sealed shut with the Imperial Seal, an image of Princess Zoe imprinted in blood red wax... Tess was surprised to see Quin sitting up in his bed. After her long, sobering talk with Xanadu, she had decided to dash to Siabrey’s quarters to find the 2,000 platinum Lucius had agreed to pay Quin and his two surviving employees. ”They went far and above the call of duty,” Lucius had said the night before, “they deserve these extra funds... may the Gods rest their souls in peace.” “Hallo, Tess!” Quin rose at her entry, and Tess quickly hid the box of coins behind her before he could notice. It was heavy, and she wouldn’t be able to keep it like that for long. “Quin,” Tess said, a smile growing on her face, “I brought a present for you... and your men!” She smiled brightly, though sadly, as she brought out the box of money. Quin looked at her, and then opened it. His eyes went wide. “How... much... i...is in here. Thats... p...platinum! There’s... m...more than 1,500 Tess! Your friend over counted!” [i]Quin... you are too honest for your own good![/i] Tess smiled sadly. “No Quin... Lucius wants to give you the 500 extra... you and your band went above and beyond the call of duty. He only wishes he could do more.” Quin’s eyes fell downward at her words, and he stared into the box for several minutes, before looking up. His eyes were now wet with tears. “Oh Tess,” he grabbed her and hugged her tight, “thank you... on behalf of my men... and their families! Thank you... Pelor bless you and your noble friend!” It was several minutes before his emotional state calmed to where she could invite him to come with her to deliver the coins to his remaining employees, still trapped at the Wine Glass Inn. The two tramped over, and before they even walked through the door, loud shouts came from within the inn’s tavern. “Ah, so the old bugger lives! How fare’s ye, Quin!” one of the men shouted across the tavern. Quin bounded over, and the two exchanged a firm gripped handshake. “I think we should take our business upstairs,” Quin said quietly. No one wanted to be counting this much platinum out in the open in such a crowded bar. After they reached the rooms of the two, Quin closed the door, and opened the box. “Bugger me ears!” one of the men, the one that had greeted Quin, said in wonder. “Thats... thats [i]platinum[/i] there!” “Two thousand, dear boy,” Quin gripped his shoulder. “Two thousand! He gave us extra for our sacrifice... by bloody light he’s the first honest noble I’ve met!” “Two thousand bloody platinum?” the so far quiet one announced increduously, “how in the...” “Do not question fate’s fortunes upon you,” Tess cautioned. “Accept this windfall, with the compliments of Lord Lucius.” The three then sat down as Tess watched, and began counting out the money... and her heart began to break. [i]They’re counting out fifteen piles[/i] she thought pensively, sadly. [i]twelve of which will never see their owners... only their families...[/i] “Quin, is there anything I can do to try and help track down the families of these men?” Tess asked, managing to keep her tears in reserve. Quin looked up at her, with a smile that nearly broke her heart. “No, Tess,” he said, “You’ve helped us... and their families, enough this day. Go... enjoy your friends... you don’t need to hang around here being dour as we conduct dead men’s business. My two friends here are trustworthy enough to track down their families... you have a noble to tend to!” [/QUOTE]
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