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Into the Moral Darkness: (Now a Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3614546" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Ophee bumped past Brandt’s shoulders as she moved into the room. <span style="color: Lime">“Loved me? You used me to try and kill these people! You brainwashed me using the Arum Dracunculus plant so that the people who trusted me would be innocently slain!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion started to move forward with Ophee, but Brandt hand out a hand to stop him. The priest of Reah shook his head slowly as if to say that Ophee would need these answers. Semeion’s hand clenched the wand that he had recently placed in his pocket. The words for activating the wand were at the front of his mind.</p><p></p><p>The wizard grinned as Ophee spoke. <span style="color: Red">“Love always requires sacrifice, Opheiluka. Think of marriage. In order for a marriage to work, each member must be willing to suppress part of their independence and personality so that a joint personality might arise.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee moved to speak, but the wizard simply trumped her voice with a louder one. <span style="color: Red">“Think of your beloved friends, in that they are my pawns. Every time they enter Quehalost there was a sacrifice. They were sacrificing their freedom and possibly their lives for the mere chance to bring freedom to the dark land behind the mountains. All love requires sacrifice, my dear Opheiluka. The love we shared was to be no different.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee slowly shook her head. <span style="color: Lime">“I have no love for you. You offer nothing to me any more.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard slowly laughed. <span style="color: Red">“Then I suppose it is time that you earn your reward for the many roles that you have played in my overall plan.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee gripped the dagger at her side and drew it out with a fast motion. <span style="color: Lime">“Go ahead. I’m ready to die if necessary.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard’s laugh became even more boisterous. <span style="color: Red">“Die? Are you not even curious just how many parts you have played under the force of the Arum Dracunculus? I will be happy to kill you, but are you not even curious what secrets you will be taking to the grave?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s hand once more shot to the pocket that contained the wand. It was one thing to speak of fighting, but as the conversation turned to that of death the tone changed. This wizard could no doubt kill with a single word if he so desired.</p><p></p><p>Brandt glanced to Semeion and with a look he cautioned the young mage about telegraphing his action to the wizard. There was no need to alert the wizard about the fact that Semeion was more of a threat than he could imagine. The longer that secret stayed within the party the better chance this battle would end favorably.</p><p></p><p>Ophee twisted the dagger in her palm as she spoke in reply to the wizard’s assertion. <span style="color: Lime">“Speak, then. If you’re so vile that you not only must control the actions of other people but then tell them about those very deeds before killing them, then I will hear you out. It will only fuel my desire to see this blade sink deeper into your cold black heart.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard laughed. <span style="color: Red">“Now I am beginning to love you even more than before. You used to be innocent and I cherished that about you, Opheiluka. But now I find this passion and hatred deep within you most desirous. Had I known that you were capable of such depth in feeling, I would have drawn them out earlier.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee breathed in hard as she choked back a set of tears. <span style="color: Lime">“Speak, or fight. I care nothing for your torture. Speak your peace or end this!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion and Brandt stepped up to flank Ophee. It was clear that he still possessed some amount of control over her and she was having trouble fighting the conflict that was arising within her. The time was drawing close that this conflict would need to find resolution.</p><p></p><p>The wizard stared at Ophee for a second. <span style="color: Lime">“Very well, Opheiluka. I will tell you of the dark role that you played in your own destruction. I will show you to be the pawn that you never would have guessed yourself to be. You see, it all began when you told me about a report that you heard regarding an amazing circumstance in Fingerdale. You told me of the capture of a young Drakontos. Specifically, it was almost a year ago that you told me about the tale of a battle you witnessed between a sword wielding man and a certain flame-haired Drakontos.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nearly spat as he involuntarily shouted the name. <span style="color: Plum">“Grick.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard smiled even more broadly. <span style="color: Red">“You remember him? He’ll be so touched when tell him upon seeing to his release once you are all dead. You see, when I heard about a flame-haired Drakontos this far north, I knew it could only mean one thing. Someone had come out of Quehalost. And if someone had come out of Quehalost, someone could go back in.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s eyes narrowed as he thought he was following the wizard’s line of thought. <span style="color: Plum">“So why are we involved? Why is Ophee involved? I’m assuming this leads to the Arum Dracunculus. Why did you choose us and not Grick?”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard took his eyes off of Ophee for the first time since they had come into the room. <span style="color: Red">“When I interviewed Grick I discovered that he was far to hostile towards you all. He told of you four and how you had twice traveled into Quehalost. He told of your resourcefulness in finding a way to destroy his own father dragon. Had I set Grick free, he would not have gotten the Arum Dracunculus for me. He would have come straight after you all in revenge. Since he was useless to me, I needed someone who would go into Quehalost and return. I needed someone with a bit of honor.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion suddenly looked confused. Something no longer added up. <span style="color: Plum">“So, you took advantage of our need and used us to get the Arum Dracunculus?”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard allowed a dark laugh to come from deep within his throat. <span style="color: Red">“Oh, it is far worse than that, Semeion.”</span> The young wizard’s name slithered out of the old wizard’s mouth like the hiss of a snake. <span style="color: Red">“I needed your skills. I made the destruction of the villa possible. Remember, I am an information broker. I discovered that there was to be a time when the villa would be vacated. I used the Arum Dracunculus on Opheiluka to make her the liaison between myself and Darkbringer. With the destruction of the villa, I knew that you all would eventually come to me seeking answers that only I could provide. Opheiluka was the one you sought this whole time, although she herself did not know that it was her voice that coordinated the whole attack. How does that make you feel, my dear?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee’s skin crawled as the wizard’s glance shifted once more to her. She couldn’t offer up any response. She had unknowingly betrayed the very party who had come to help vindicate her name. She had been used and discarded like broken terracotta.</p><p></p><p>The wizard continued. <span style="color: Red">“Why do you think Ophee was so easy to find in Fingerdale? I knew your plans to search the taverns for Bloodseeker. I told her where to go and what to say to make it sound like she would be helpful. She didn’t know that she was Bloodseeker. She didn’t know that until this very moment. That is the power of the Arum Dracunculus.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee finally spoke. She had begun to cry at the realization of all that her hands had been responsible for. <span style="color: Lime">“I swear, Semeion. If he’s telling the truth at all then he’s telling the whole truth. I didn’t know any of this.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt placed a reassuring palm on Ophee’s shoulder. <span style="color: Lime">“Of course you didn’t, Ophee. We saw how the Arum Dracunculus worked in the barn.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard mocked Brandt. <span style="color: Red">“Of course you didn’t, Opheiluka. But I didn’t see it work in the barn. Someone hid your presence from me.”</span> The wizard stared into Brandt’s eyes. <span style="color: Red">“But that is no matter now. I needed someone to go into Quehalost and retrieve the Arum Dracunculus for me. To that end, you all were useful. Now that you have accomplished that task, there is no reason to keep you alive. I had hoped that Opheiluka would have killed you so that I could keep her alive and with me. But as I said earlier, sometimes love requires sacrifice. I hope you have considered that in your choice, my dear Opheiluka.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee drew her dagger back, but Semeion caught her in his arms for a moment. He wasn’t yet done. If he had the wizard figured out, he was too proud to refuse one final question. <span style="color: Plum">“So, you used Ophee and us four to get you the Arum Dracunculus. All for the ability to control people? You would kill us because we know that you can control people? Rhema can control people, and we aren’t willing to kill for her protection!”</span></p><p></p><p>The question was just enough to catch the wizard’s attention. <span style="color: Red">“I would kill you because you have knowledge that can be used against me. Knowledge is power. The one who controls the knowledge is the one who controls the power. I have sent my servants to kill the king and lords of Tongra. Once the king and his lords are dead, the land will be in a panic and searching for answers. I will have the means to find those responsible. Finding those responsible will elevate my position in popularity at just the right time – when the land is looking for new leadership. I will be ushered in as the force that unified the Confederacy of Tongra into a single domain – my own arcane autocracy. They don’t know it, but I will become the beloved of the people. I will be their dictator. Under my authority Tongra will dominate Enigmatica.”</span></p><p></p><p>The wizard’s voice had taken on a new tone. The wizard was no longer speaking to any of the three present. The wizard was caught up in his own personal dream and was talking as if there was some greater audience. He was clearly delusional regarding the amount of power he could safely wield.</p><p></p><p>Ophee stopped struggling against Semeion’s resistance as her former master unfolded his plan. The others couldn’t sense it, but there was a distinct change in the wizard who now stood before her. This was no longer just her former master. This man was something different – something else. For a man who spent years in plotting a patient use of magic in order to learn secrets, the wizard seemed to be walking the fine line of going out of control. </p><p></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Ophee bumped past Brandt’s shoulders as she moved into the room. “Loved me? You used me to try and kill these people! You brainwashed me using the Arum Dracunculus plant so that the people who trusted me would be innocently slain!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion started to move forward with Ophee, but Brandt hand out a hand to stop him. The priest of Reah shook his head slowly as if to say that Ophee would need these answers. Semeion’s hand clenched the wand that he had recently placed in his pocket. The words for activating the wand were at the front of his mind.</p><p></p><p>The wizard grinned as Ophee spoke. “Love always requires sacrifice, Opheiluka. Think of marriage. In order for a marriage to work, each member must be willing to suppress part of their independence and personality so that a joint personality might arise.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee moved to speak, but the wizard simply trumped her voice with a louder one. “Think of your beloved friends, in that they are my pawns. Every time they enter Quehalost there was a sacrifice. They were sacrificing their freedom and possibly their lives for the mere chance to bring freedom to the dark land behind the mountains. All love requires sacrifice, my dear Opheiluka. The love we shared was to be no different.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee slowly shook her head. “I have no love for you. You offer nothing to me any more.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard slowly laughed. “Then I suppose it is time that you earn your reward for the many roles that you have played in my overall plan.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee gripped the dagger at her side and drew it out with a fast motion. “Go ahead. I’m ready to die if necessary.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard’s laugh became even more boisterous. “Die? Are you not even curious just how many parts you have played under the force of the Arum Dracunculus? I will be happy to kill you, but are you not even curious what secrets you will be taking to the grave?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s hand once more shot to the pocket that contained the wand. It was one thing to speak of fighting, but as the conversation turned to that of death the tone changed. This wizard could no doubt kill with a single word if he so desired.</p><p></p><p>Brandt glanced to Semeion and with a look he cautioned the young mage about telegraphing his action to the wizard. There was no need to alert the wizard about the fact that Semeion was more of a threat than he could imagine. The longer that secret stayed within the party the better chance this battle would end favorably.</p><p></p><p>Ophee twisted the dagger in her palm as she spoke in reply to the wizard’s assertion. “Speak, then. If you’re so vile that you not only must control the actions of other people but then tell them about those very deeds before killing them, then I will hear you out. It will only fuel my desire to see this blade sink deeper into your cold black heart.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard laughed. “Now I am beginning to love you even more than before. You used to be innocent and I cherished that about you, Opheiluka. But now I find this passion and hatred deep within you most desirous. Had I known that you were capable of such depth in feeling, I would have drawn them out earlier.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee breathed in hard as she choked back a set of tears. “Speak, or fight. I care nothing for your torture. Speak your peace or end this!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion and Brandt stepped up to flank Ophee. It was clear that he still possessed some amount of control over her and she was having trouble fighting the conflict that was arising within her. The time was drawing close that this conflict would need to find resolution.</p><p></p><p>The wizard stared at Ophee for a second. “Very well, Opheiluka. I will tell you of the dark role that you played in your own destruction. I will show you to be the pawn that you never would have guessed yourself to be. You see, it all began when you told me about a report that you heard regarding an amazing circumstance in Fingerdale. You told me of the capture of a young Drakontos. Specifically, it was almost a year ago that you told me about the tale of a battle you witnessed between a sword wielding man and a certain flame-haired Drakontos.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nearly spat as he involuntarily shouted the name. “Grick.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard smiled even more broadly. “You remember him? He’ll be so touched when tell him upon seeing to his release once you are all dead. You see, when I heard about a flame-haired Drakontos this far north, I knew it could only mean one thing. Someone had come out of Quehalost. And if someone had come out of Quehalost, someone could go back in.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s eyes narrowed as he thought he was following the wizard’s line of thought. “So why are we involved? Why is Ophee involved? I’m assuming this leads to the Arum Dracunculus. Why did you choose us and not Grick?”</p><p></p><p>The wizard took his eyes off of Ophee for the first time since they had come into the room. “When I interviewed Grick I discovered that he was far to hostile towards you all. He told of you four and how you had twice traveled into Quehalost. He told of your resourcefulness in finding a way to destroy his own father dragon. Had I set Grick free, he would not have gotten the Arum Dracunculus for me. He would have come straight after you all in revenge. Since he was useless to me, I needed someone who would go into Quehalost and return. I needed someone with a bit of honor.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion suddenly looked confused. Something no longer added up. “So, you took advantage of our need and used us to get the Arum Dracunculus?”</p><p></p><p>The wizard allowed a dark laugh to come from deep within his throat. “Oh, it is far worse than that, Semeion.” The young wizard’s name slithered out of the old wizard’s mouth like the hiss of a snake. “I needed your skills. I made the destruction of the villa possible. Remember, I am an information broker. I discovered that there was to be a time when the villa would be vacated. I used the Arum Dracunculus on Opheiluka to make her the liaison between myself and Darkbringer. With the destruction of the villa, I knew that you all would eventually come to me seeking answers that only I could provide. Opheiluka was the one you sought this whole time, although she herself did not know that it was her voice that coordinated the whole attack. How does that make you feel, my dear?”</p><p></p><p>Ophee’s skin crawled as the wizard’s glance shifted once more to her. She couldn’t offer up any response. She had unknowingly betrayed the very party who had come to help vindicate her name. She had been used and discarded like broken terracotta.</p><p></p><p>The wizard continued. “Why do you think Ophee was so easy to find in Fingerdale? I knew your plans to search the taverns for Bloodseeker. I told her where to go and what to say to make it sound like she would be helpful. She didn’t know that she was Bloodseeker. She didn’t know that until this very moment. That is the power of the Arum Dracunculus.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee finally spoke. She had begun to cry at the realization of all that her hands had been responsible for. “I swear, Semeion. If he’s telling the truth at all then he’s telling the whole truth. I didn’t know any of this.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt placed a reassuring palm on Ophee’s shoulder. “Of course you didn’t, Ophee. We saw how the Arum Dracunculus worked in the barn.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard mocked Brandt. “Of course you didn’t, Opheiluka. But I didn’t see it work in the barn. Someone hid your presence from me.” The wizard stared into Brandt’s eyes. “But that is no matter now. I needed someone to go into Quehalost and retrieve the Arum Dracunculus for me. To that end, you all were useful. Now that you have accomplished that task, there is no reason to keep you alive. I had hoped that Opheiluka would have killed you so that I could keep her alive and with me. But as I said earlier, sometimes love requires sacrifice. I hope you have considered that in your choice, my dear Opheiluka.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee drew her dagger back, but Semeion caught her in his arms for a moment. He wasn’t yet done. If he had the wizard figured out, he was too proud to refuse one final question. “So, you used Ophee and us four to get you the Arum Dracunculus. All for the ability to control people? You would kill us because we know that you can control people? Rhema can control people, and we aren’t willing to kill for her protection!”</p><p></p><p>The question was just enough to catch the wizard’s attention. “I would kill you because you have knowledge that can be used against me. Knowledge is power. The one who controls the knowledge is the one who controls the power. I have sent my servants to kill the king and lords of Tongra. Once the king and his lords are dead, the land will be in a panic and searching for answers. I will have the means to find those responsible. Finding those responsible will elevate my position in popularity at just the right time – when the land is looking for new leadership. I will be ushered in as the force that unified the Confederacy of Tongra into a single domain – my own arcane autocracy. They don’t know it, but I will become the beloved of the people. I will be their dictator. Under my authority Tongra will dominate Enigmatica.”</p><p></p><p>The wizard’s voice had taken on a new tone. The wizard was no longer speaking to any of the three present. The wizard was caught up in his own personal dream and was talking as if there was some greater audience. He was clearly delusional regarding the amount of power he could safely wield.</p><p></p><p>Ophee stopped struggling against Semeion’s resistance as her former master unfolded his plan. The others couldn’t sense it, but there was a distinct change in the wizard who now stood before her. This was no longer just her former master. This man was something different – something else. For a man who spent years in plotting a patient use of magic in order to learn secrets, the wizard seemed to be walking the fine line of going out of control.</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3614546, member: 35788"] Ophee bumped past Brandt’s shoulders as she moved into the room. [Color=Lime]“Loved me? You used me to try and kill these people! You brainwashed me using the Arum Dracunculus plant so that the people who trusted me would be innocently slain!”[/Color] Semeion started to move forward with Ophee, but Brandt hand out a hand to stop him. The priest of Reah shook his head slowly as if to say that Ophee would need these answers. Semeion’s hand clenched the wand that he had recently placed in his pocket. The words for activating the wand were at the front of his mind. The wizard grinned as Ophee spoke. [Color=Red]“Love always requires sacrifice, Opheiluka. Think of marriage. In order for a marriage to work, each member must be willing to suppress part of their independence and personality so that a joint personality might arise.”[/Color] Ophee moved to speak, but the wizard simply trumped her voice with a louder one. [Color=Red]“Think of your beloved friends, in that they are my pawns. Every time they enter Quehalost there was a sacrifice. They were sacrificing their freedom and possibly their lives for the mere chance to bring freedom to the dark land behind the mountains. All love requires sacrifice, my dear Opheiluka. The love we shared was to be no different.”[/Color] Ophee slowly shook her head. [Color=Lime]“I have no love for you. You offer nothing to me any more.”[/Color] The wizard slowly laughed. [Color=Red]“Then I suppose it is time that you earn your reward for the many roles that you have played in my overall plan.”[/Color] Ophee gripped the dagger at her side and drew it out with a fast motion. [Color=Lime]“Go ahead. I’m ready to die if necessary.”[/Color] The wizard’s laugh became even more boisterous. [Color=Red]“Die? Are you not even curious just how many parts you have played under the force of the Arum Dracunculus? I will be happy to kill you, but are you not even curious what secrets you will be taking to the grave?”[/Color] Semeion’s hand once more shot to the pocket that contained the wand. It was one thing to speak of fighting, but as the conversation turned to that of death the tone changed. This wizard could no doubt kill with a single word if he so desired. Brandt glanced to Semeion and with a look he cautioned the young mage about telegraphing his action to the wizard. There was no need to alert the wizard about the fact that Semeion was more of a threat than he could imagine. The longer that secret stayed within the party the better chance this battle would end favorably. Ophee twisted the dagger in her palm as she spoke in reply to the wizard’s assertion. [Color=Lime]“Speak, then. If you’re so vile that you not only must control the actions of other people but then tell them about those very deeds before killing them, then I will hear you out. It will only fuel my desire to see this blade sink deeper into your cold black heart.”[/Color] The wizard laughed. [Color=Red]“Now I am beginning to love you even more than before. You used to be innocent and I cherished that about you, Opheiluka. But now I find this passion and hatred deep within you most desirous. Had I known that you were capable of such depth in feeling, I would have drawn them out earlier.”[/Color] Ophee breathed in hard as she choked back a set of tears. [Color=Lime]“Speak, or fight. I care nothing for your torture. Speak your peace or end this!”[/Color] Semeion and Brandt stepped up to flank Ophee. It was clear that he still possessed some amount of control over her and she was having trouble fighting the conflict that was arising within her. The time was drawing close that this conflict would need to find resolution. The wizard stared at Ophee for a second. [Color=Lime]“Very well, Opheiluka. I will tell you of the dark role that you played in your own destruction. I will show you to be the pawn that you never would have guessed yourself to be. You see, it all began when you told me about a report that you heard regarding an amazing circumstance in Fingerdale. You told me of the capture of a young Drakontos. Specifically, it was almost a year ago that you told me about the tale of a battle you witnessed between a sword wielding man and a certain flame-haired Drakontos.”[/Color] Semeion nearly spat as he involuntarily shouted the name. [Color=Plum]“Grick.”[/Color] The wizard smiled even more broadly. [Color=Red]“You remember him? He’ll be so touched when tell him upon seeing to his release once you are all dead. You see, when I heard about a flame-haired Drakontos this far north, I knew it could only mean one thing. Someone had come out of Quehalost. And if someone had come out of Quehalost, someone could go back in.”[/Color] Semeion’s eyes narrowed as he thought he was following the wizard’s line of thought. [Color=Plum]“So why are we involved? Why is Ophee involved? I’m assuming this leads to the Arum Dracunculus. Why did you choose us and not Grick?”[/Color] The wizard took his eyes off of Ophee for the first time since they had come into the room. [Color=Red]“When I interviewed Grick I discovered that he was far to hostile towards you all. He told of you four and how you had twice traveled into Quehalost. He told of your resourcefulness in finding a way to destroy his own father dragon. Had I set Grick free, he would not have gotten the Arum Dracunculus for me. He would have come straight after you all in revenge. Since he was useless to me, I needed someone who would go into Quehalost and return. I needed someone with a bit of honor.”[/Color] Semeion suddenly looked confused. Something no longer added up. [Color=Plum]“So, you took advantage of our need and used us to get the Arum Dracunculus?”[/Color] The wizard allowed a dark laugh to come from deep within his throat. [Color=Red]“Oh, it is far worse than that, Semeion.”[/Color] The young wizard’s name slithered out of the old wizard’s mouth like the hiss of a snake. [Color=Red]“I needed your skills. I made the destruction of the villa possible. Remember, I am an information broker. I discovered that there was to be a time when the villa would be vacated. I used the Arum Dracunculus on Opheiluka to make her the liaison between myself and Darkbringer. With the destruction of the villa, I knew that you all would eventually come to me seeking answers that only I could provide. Opheiluka was the one you sought this whole time, although she herself did not know that it was her voice that coordinated the whole attack. How does that make you feel, my dear?”[/Color] Ophee’s skin crawled as the wizard’s glance shifted once more to her. She couldn’t offer up any response. She had unknowingly betrayed the very party who had come to help vindicate her name. She had been used and discarded like broken terracotta. The wizard continued. [Color=Red]“Why do you think Ophee was so easy to find in Fingerdale? I knew your plans to search the taverns for Bloodseeker. I told her where to go and what to say to make it sound like she would be helpful. She didn’t know that she was Bloodseeker. She didn’t know that until this very moment. That is the power of the Arum Dracunculus.”[/Color] Ophee finally spoke. She had begun to cry at the realization of all that her hands had been responsible for. [Color=Lime]“I swear, Semeion. If he’s telling the truth at all then he’s telling the whole truth. I didn’t know any of this.”[/Color] Brandt placed a reassuring palm on Ophee’s shoulder. [Color=Lime]“Of course you didn’t, Ophee. We saw how the Arum Dracunculus worked in the barn.”[/Color] The wizard mocked Brandt. [Color=Red]“Of course you didn’t, Opheiluka. But I didn’t see it work in the barn. Someone hid your presence from me.”[/Color] The wizard stared into Brandt’s eyes. [Color=Red]“But that is no matter now. I needed someone to go into Quehalost and retrieve the Arum Dracunculus for me. To that end, you all were useful. Now that you have accomplished that task, there is no reason to keep you alive. I had hoped that Opheiluka would have killed you so that I could keep her alive and with me. But as I said earlier, sometimes love requires sacrifice. I hope you have considered that in your choice, my dear Opheiluka.”[/Color] Ophee drew her dagger back, but Semeion caught her in his arms for a moment. He wasn’t yet done. If he had the wizard figured out, he was too proud to refuse one final question. [Color=Plum]“So, you used Ophee and us four to get you the Arum Dracunculus. All for the ability to control people? You would kill us because we know that you can control people? Rhema can control people, and we aren’t willing to kill for her protection!”[/Color] The question was just enough to catch the wizard’s attention. [Color=Red]“I would kill you because you have knowledge that can be used against me. Knowledge is power. The one who controls the knowledge is the one who controls the power. I have sent my servants to kill the king and lords of Tongra. Once the king and his lords are dead, the land will be in a panic and searching for answers. I will have the means to find those responsible. Finding those responsible will elevate my position in popularity at just the right time – when the land is looking for new leadership. I will be ushered in as the force that unified the Confederacy of Tongra into a single domain – my own arcane autocracy. They don’t know it, but I will become the beloved of the people. I will be their dictator. Under my authority Tongra will dominate Enigmatica.”[/Color] The wizard’s voice had taken on a new tone. The wizard was no longer speaking to any of the three present. The wizard was caught up in his own personal dream and was talking as if there was some greater audience. He was clearly delusional regarding the amount of power he could safely wield. Ophee stopped struggling against Semeion’s resistance as her former master unfolded his plan. The others couldn’t sense it, but there was a distinct change in the wizard who now stood before her. This was no longer just her former master. This man was something different – something else. For a man who spent years in plotting a patient use of magic in order to learn secrets, the wizard seemed to be walking the fine line of going out of control. [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Ophee bumped past Brandt’s shoulders as she moved into the room. “Loved me? You used me to try and kill these people! You brainwashed me using the Arum Dracunculus plant so that the people who trusted me would be innocently slain!” Semeion started to move forward with Ophee, but Brandt hand out a hand to stop him. The priest of Reah shook his head slowly as if to say that Ophee would need these answers. Semeion’s hand clenched the wand that he had recently placed in his pocket. The words for activating the wand were at the front of his mind. The wizard grinned as Ophee spoke. “Love always requires sacrifice, Opheiluka. Think of marriage. In order for a marriage to work, each member must be willing to suppress part of their independence and personality so that a joint personality might arise.” Ophee moved to speak, but the wizard simply trumped her voice with a louder one. “Think of your beloved friends, in that they are my pawns. Every time they enter Quehalost there was a sacrifice. They were sacrificing their freedom and possibly their lives for the mere chance to bring freedom to the dark land behind the mountains. All love requires sacrifice, my dear Opheiluka. The love we shared was to be no different.” Ophee slowly shook her head. “I have no love for you. You offer nothing to me any more.” The wizard slowly laughed. “Then I suppose it is time that you earn your reward for the many roles that you have played in my overall plan.” Ophee gripped the dagger at her side and drew it out with a fast motion. “Go ahead. I’m ready to die if necessary.” The wizard’s laugh became even more boisterous. “Die? Are you not even curious just how many parts you have played under the force of the Arum Dracunculus? I will be happy to kill you, but are you not even curious what secrets you will be taking to the grave?” Semeion’s hand once more shot to the pocket that contained the wand. It was one thing to speak of fighting, but as the conversation turned to that of death the tone changed. This wizard could no doubt kill with a single word if he so desired. Brandt glanced to Semeion and with a look he cautioned the young mage about telegraphing his action to the wizard. There was no need to alert the wizard about the fact that Semeion was more of a threat than he could imagine. The longer that secret stayed within the party the better chance this battle would end favorably. Ophee twisted the dagger in her palm as she spoke in reply to the wizard’s assertion. “Speak, then. If you’re so vile that you not only must control the actions of other people but then tell them about those very deeds before killing them, then I will hear you out. It will only fuel my desire to see this blade sink deeper into your cold black heart.” The wizard laughed. “Now I am beginning to love you even more than before. You used to be innocent and I cherished that about you, Opheiluka. But now I find this passion and hatred deep within you most desirous. Had I known that you were capable of such depth in feeling, I would have drawn them out earlier.” Ophee breathed in hard as she choked back a set of tears. “Speak, or fight. I care nothing for your torture. Speak your peace or end this!” Semeion and Brandt stepped up to flank Ophee. It was clear that he still possessed some amount of control over her and she was having trouble fighting the conflict that was arising within her. The time was drawing close that this conflict would need to find resolution. The wizard stared at Ophee for a second. “Very well, Opheiluka. I will tell you of the dark role that you played in your own destruction. I will show you to be the pawn that you never would have guessed yourself to be. You see, it all began when you told me about a report that you heard regarding an amazing circumstance in Fingerdale. You told me of the capture of a young Drakontos. Specifically, it was almost a year ago that you told me about the tale of a battle you witnessed between a sword wielding man and a certain flame-haired Drakontos.” Semeion nearly spat as he involuntarily shouted the name. “Grick.” The wizard smiled even more broadly. “You remember him? He’ll be so touched when tell him upon seeing to his release once you are all dead. You see, when I heard about a flame-haired Drakontos this far north, I knew it could only mean one thing. Someone had come out of Quehalost. And if someone had come out of Quehalost, someone could go back in.” Semeion’s eyes narrowed as he thought he was following the wizard’s line of thought. “So why are we involved? Why is Ophee involved? I’m assuming this leads to the Arum Dracunculus. Why did you choose us and not Grick?” The wizard took his eyes off of Ophee for the first time since they had come into the room. “When I interviewed Grick I discovered that he was far to hostile towards you all. He told of you four and how you had twice traveled into Quehalost. He told of your resourcefulness in finding a way to destroy his own father dragon. Had I set Grick free, he would not have gotten the Arum Dracunculus for me. He would have come straight after you all in revenge. Since he was useless to me, I needed someone who would go into Quehalost and return. I needed someone with a bit of honor.” Semeion suddenly looked confused. Something no longer added up. “So, you took advantage of our need and used us to get the Arum Dracunculus?” The wizard allowed a dark laugh to come from deep within his throat. “Oh, it is far worse than that, Semeion.” The young wizard’s name slithered out of the old wizard’s mouth like the hiss of a snake. “I needed your skills. I made the destruction of the villa possible. Remember, I am an information broker. I discovered that there was to be a time when the villa would be vacated. I used the Arum Dracunculus on Opheiluka to make her the liaison between myself and Darkbringer. With the destruction of the villa, I knew that you all would eventually come to me seeking answers that only I could provide. Opheiluka was the one you sought this whole time, although she herself did not know that it was her voice that coordinated the whole attack. How does that make you feel, my dear?” Ophee’s skin crawled as the wizard’s glance shifted once more to her. She couldn’t offer up any response. She had unknowingly betrayed the very party who had come to help vindicate her name. She had been used and discarded like broken terracotta. The wizard continued. “Why do you think Ophee was so easy to find in Fingerdale? I knew your plans to search the taverns for Bloodseeker. I told her where to go and what to say to make it sound like she would be helpful. She didn’t know that she was Bloodseeker. She didn’t know that until this very moment. That is the power of the Arum Dracunculus.” Ophee finally spoke. She had begun to cry at the realization of all that her hands had been responsible for. “I swear, Semeion. If he’s telling the truth at all then he’s telling the whole truth. I didn’t know any of this.” Brandt placed a reassuring palm on Ophee’s shoulder. “Of course you didn’t, Ophee. We saw how the Arum Dracunculus worked in the barn.” The wizard mocked Brandt. “Of course you didn’t, Opheiluka. But I didn’t see it work in the barn. Someone hid your presence from me.” The wizard stared into Brandt’s eyes. “But that is no matter now. I needed someone to go into Quehalost and retrieve the Arum Dracunculus for me. To that end, you all were useful. Now that you have accomplished that task, there is no reason to keep you alive. I had hoped that Opheiluka would have killed you so that I could keep her alive and with me. But as I said earlier, sometimes love requires sacrifice. I hope you have considered that in your choice, my dear Opheiluka.” Ophee drew her dagger back, but Semeion caught her in his arms for a moment. He wasn’t yet done. If he had the wizard figured out, he was too proud to refuse one final question. “So, you used Ophee and us four to get you the Arum Dracunculus. All for the ability to control people? You would kill us because we know that you can control people? Rhema can control people, and we aren’t willing to kill for her protection!” The question was just enough to catch the wizard’s attention. “I would kill you because you have knowledge that can be used against me. Knowledge is power. The one who controls the knowledge is the one who controls the power. I have sent my servants to kill the king and lords of Tongra. Once the king and his lords are dead, the land will be in a panic and searching for answers. I will have the means to find those responsible. Finding those responsible will elevate my position in popularity at just the right time – when the land is looking for new leadership. I will be ushered in as the force that unified the Confederacy of Tongra into a single domain – my own arcane autocracy. They don’t know it, but I will become the beloved of the people. I will be their dictator. Under my authority Tongra will dominate Enigmatica.” The wizard’s voice had taken on a new tone. The wizard was no longer speaking to any of the three present. The wizard was caught up in his own personal dream and was talking as if there was some greater audience. He was clearly delusional regarding the amount of power he could safely wield. Ophee stopped struggling against Semeion’s resistance as her former master unfolded his plan. The others couldn’t sense it, but there was a distinct change in the wizard who now stood before her. This was no longer just her former master. This man was something different – something else. For a man who spent years in plotting a patient use of magic in order to learn secrets, the wizard seemed to be walking the fine line of going out of control. [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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