Renfield: Of Children and Lost Souls: Oblivion comes to Green (UPDATED)

[Renfield]

We're Off to see the Prophet!

"So what is there to do now that they have the information they seek?" Delver asked to no one in particular.

Joran stood deep in thought. Loren was attending to the various wounded on the battlefield other clerics of the local church of Solar diligently mending wounds and using healing magics on the more severely wounded. It had been a bloody battle and many lives had been lost on both sides. Erias was also assisting with healing.

Delver had raised a dead lieutenant and captain that were still in good condition as zombies and had them move around to collect some of the armor and swords that were in good condition. Apparently the Black Fists were very well off financially as their leaders had magical items on their person their armor, cloaks, and swords tending to radiate weak auras of magic.

Alias had returned from conversing with Loren who was the village leader until a new mayor was selected (the previous one having been one of the fallen militia) and was in a none too happy mood. He had tried to get a reward for his services rendered and had been directed by the priest, who was none too tolerant about greed in the face of such tragedy, to loot the corpses of the enemy. The Guardians of Fire were swiftly gathering their own dead refusing to allow any looting of the fallen elite warriors.

Joran finally looked up and sighed "Fib." he said looking all like he was not enjoying the very sound or thought of that name.

"Who's Fib?" came the voice of Nym as though carried on the wind... perfectly understandable considering he was in his ghostly air elemental form.

Joran frowned "A prophet. Known as Fib the Mad. Or quite simply the Mad Prophet." he said, though no sooner had he said the word 'prophet' than a groan of sheer annoyance issue from Alias.

"God's I hate prophets."

Now Joran lifted a brow and chuckled "Run into them often?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.

Alias scoffed "Once is all I need." he said.

Delver looked about from each of his companions and spoke in his calm light voice "Where can we find this Fib?"

Joran paused a moment in thought and brought his gloved hand up to stroke his still blood crusted beard. The battle had ended only a few hours ago afterall. "The last I heard of him he was in Koryn, but he get's around a lot... still, no better place to start searching. If anyone can give us information about the cult of Talisar or this Runestone they're looking for it's him." he chuckled and sighed "Supposedly he's been 'touched' by all three of the God's, Talisar, Solar, and Gaia."

Alias scoffed again "Touched or not I hate prophets, always cryptic, insane, or just plain arrogant... or better yet all of the above."

Delver spoke up then "Be that as it may he is our only option..." his comment was greeted with a chorus of nods and an exasperated sigh from Alias.

Joran looked from one spellcaster to the other "I would like to accompany you in this endeavor." he said and lowered his gaze taking on a dangerous tone. "If the Talisarans are involved in something requiring death and sacrifices of this magnitude then they must be stopped." he said and looked from one to the other "Besides... you look as though you need a good sword arm in your group, sure the True Elf is a competant enough warrior but she is only one per-" he paused and looked around at those assembeled with puzzlement. "By the way, where is the feisty one? I've not seen her since the end of the battle."

Alias threw an arm to motion behind the ranger still disgrunteled about the ill luck of not being paid for doing a good deed and learning that he'd be seeing a prophet soon all in the same night. Joran turned around and noticed Amarbie approaching the group with her pack and all her gear, great club slung over her shoulder looking like it would tip the wiry girl over.

"I came here to say goodbye." she said as she came to a stop before the assembeled group. Their responce was to look at her with puzzeled faces. "This is too much for me, I did not intend on assisting a village after I was freed, fate simply landed me here. So I'm going to rejoin my sisters back in the Kharut." she said looking expectantly to the odd assemblage before her.

"You will be missed." came the airy voice of Nym. Amarbie had found him to be rather agreeable... for a male.

Delver nodded "Take care." was all he said, Amarbie still found his affinity for the dead disturbing.

"Pleasure fighting by your side I think I might even miss your sharp tongue." said Joran, she couldn't tell by the beard but she though the insufferable male was smirking. Though as annoying as he was he was a good warrior.

Alias said nothing. "I'll be sleeping in a nearby tree if I'm needed, but I leave at first light." she announced and began to move off before stopping in mid step. She turned her head back to the other men her hair wet from having the blood washed from it but still rather wild and unkempt. "Good luck on your journey." she said meeting their gazes with her large almond shaped eyes and then started off again.

"Well... I think she has the right idea there..." Joran said speaking up "We should all get some rest." this suggestion was met with another chorus of nods and they all went their seperate ways for the evening.

******

A man sat on a crude throne put together from the remains of various chairs and crates from around the city. He was a wiry figure with long messy tangled brown hair. He sat in the chair his head hanging and the hair covering his features as numerous multicolored balls flew around the room, which was nothing but a large makeshift shack, accompanied by flying books and papers. All was silent, save for the audable 'thunk' when a flying ball or book hit one of the walls or one another, not even the scuttling rats made a noise as they sped through the odd room eager to get through in a hurry.

The mans head shot up and he grinned "Ah, they're here!" he said in a high shaky voice. He then glared at all the flying balls and books which suddenly dropped from the air to land on the wooden floor beneath. "No, not them... *them*" he growled to himself and a frown set in.

Just then the door opened and three men strode in. One man had long angular features with a beard that jutted from his chin as though he intended to use it for a weapon, his eyes were dark as coals and his hair was likely as black as his beard but that was hidden by the hood of his robes. He was acompanied by a man clad in black tinted armor, the man had harsh stern features and was or early middle age... he looked like he was used to yelling a lot. Given the scar at his brown and the patch over his eye, not to mention the shortly cut brown hair and the sword who's pommel was fashioned in the likeness of a fist; Fib gathered him to be Arikus, the commander of the Black Fist mercenaries. The other man bore plain rather nondescript features, mid length decently kept brown hair that could have belonged to anyone from commoner to high class noble, and simple brown eyes. His attire was a simple tunic with a standard dagger and rapier, relatively common enough among the middle to noble classes, a rather average gent who carried a sword for simple self defense. But Fib new better, the mans eyes held a certain coldness to them, an apathy for life that if turned on could chill most men to the bone. His stance was casual but something told Fib he could spring into action at a moments notice. He was a killer, plain and simple, one with much blood on his hands.

All in all a rather intimidating group, all in all a very dangerous group, one not to be trifeled with.

Fib spat at their feet.

Immediately Arikus' sword was out and a look of rage showed on Daggerbeards face, the plain man simply stood their but the Mad One knew his muscles were tensed and ready underneath that shirt and tunic. "How dare you!" Daggerbeard said his voice sickly sweet and still able to hold a high level of menace.

Fib grinned. "A simple process of the physical body, one get's too much saliva in ones mouth so one discharges it orally, I simply like to aim at the most distastful thing around and as luck would have it you arrived just in time for me to choose you three." he said still grinning. He found a sword leveled at his throat and he looked down at it and frowned. "I see I chose well, you are quite rude."

Daggerbeard narrowed his eyes and smiled a rather sinister smile and spoke again his already sweet voice taking on an even more oily and sweet tone. "We are here for information, information you will give us, or we will take from your soul." he said, the sword pressed agains his throat.

Fib grinned once again and shrugged flicking his hand towards the man in a rude gesture. Daggerbeard nodded to the hulking armored figured "Allright, let us do this the fun way." he said and fib felt his mass of hair being grabbed by the gauntleted fist and felt a stinging sensation as the viscious and obviously magical blade slid across his throat. The fist released and Fib fell back as blood began to poor from the wicked slice, he coughed and tried to breath as air escaped from his lungs out through the slit throat. Eventually his coughing turned to a wild laughter as the wound began to seal itself up. The armored figure stepped back cautiously furrowing his brow as he looked at the mad prophet who lifted his head and grinned once again.

"Are you quite finished Daggerbeard?" he asked smiling inwardly in satisfaction at the frowning face of the robed one. He chuckled upon noticing the small smile on the plain ones face.

When he had no responce he sighed and the various multicolored balls floated up into the air, each one of them now sporting four razor sharp blades. The balls began to move around the room lazily avoiding the occupants but making it known that they could harm easily enough. The books, Fib thought, decided wisely to stay on the floor. "Now that I have your attention..." he said with a frown "you come here for information. If you weren't expected and weren't meant to have information I'd have killed you for being so mean." he said almost sulkily, though the air was heavy with the all to real weight of his threat. "However something has occured and this little prophecy is open to you... as a matter of fact dear old Talisar himself wants me to give you this information."

Daggerbeard smiled and straightened himself out, Arikus had sheathed his sword and the plain man simply watched as though he was some assistant, an assassin, definitely an assassin. "Of course the great Talisar wa-"

"Oh shut up." Fib said dissmissively and raised up a hand to ward off the brute. He sighed. He so hated the ones who liked to try and threaten him, did they not realize that he was touched and blessed by all three gods... granted such conflicting aligned divine entities touching him had sort of messed with his mind.

The prophet sighed "You seek the Runestone yes?" he asked, when the red faced Daggerbeard managed to nod he grinned "Allright," said and took on a mockingly dramatic tone "here is the prophesy of the one you seek: He who delivers to Death's doorstep, the dirty secret of five lands, keeper of the secrets of a million dead, find him to unlock the answers you seek." he said and folded his arms giving the trio a bored look.

Daggerbeard paused as though awaiting further explanation and when he realized the prophet wasn't going to speak further his brow furrowed in frustration "Is that it?" he asked incredulously.

Fib nodded "Aye that is it. The runestones have a very very very very very verrry strong enchantment against detection. If you had completed the full ritual you probably would have gotten slightly less cryptic information but no less frustrating." Fib said rather casually.

The plain mans face was pale, Fib allowed a slow smile to grow upon his lips, "Ah, know who that's referring to do you?" he said.

Arikus turned to the man "Spit it out man, tell Lord Sorith what you know already." he said, obviously impatient to be away from the spinning razor balls of doom. Fib grinned, he liked that, spinning razor balls of doom.

The man frowned and began to speak in a voice as plain as his features. "The Scribe." he said, Fib knew full well who the scribe was, likely a lot more than the assassin here knew. "A legend among assassins. He's said to absorb the knowledge and talents of everyone he kills."

Arikus nodded "Yes yes, so we find this guy and have him tell us where the Runestone is?" he said still quite impatient.

Mr. Plain shook his head. "Nay, his knowledge is supposedly magically sealed within his mind," he looked to Sorith "Unlocking that knowledge will be hard as even those who hire him only know how to unlock certain knowledge. Chances are getting the Runestone's location from him will be a trying task."

Sorith sighed, no, Daggerbeard sighed, yes a much better name that, Daggerbeard. "Very well... let us be off to look for him. This fool is obviously no more help and not worth the effort it'd take to kill him." he said in his sweet voice, those coal black eyes glared at Fib who promptly stuck his tongue out at the man. As the three shut the door behind him the balls fell back to the ground plain and simple balls once again. Fib began to laugh... and laugh... and laugh.

******

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

*shudder* I hate prophets...

 

[Renfield]

They had traveled for two days and two nights. Joran had apparently had a gryphon steed that he had been keeping in the stables. Not wanting to paint a target for the archers he had though would aid in the attack. Alas when it was discovered that they wanted as much slaughter as possible he understood why there had only been melee troops. The others had aquired horses and the three had started out at dawn the day after the battle.

The journey had been uneventful with Joran flying a scouting circle around the party as they traveled every day and them taking watches every night with Delver's zombies patrolling the perimeter of the camp site and his skull's keeping watch as well. As disturbing as it was they didn't want to take any chances on any minions of Talisar surprising them in some form of retribution. Alas there had been nothing of note... until the afternoon of the third day that was.

In the distance, comming from the north and slightly east, was a lone figure. Which was enough cause for worry or at least caution. It wasn't long until the figure seemed to be humanoid, and very rotund at that. They stopped and turned to approach it Delver keeping his zombies back whilst Nym kept himself invisible and Alias simply strode forward with confidence. Eventually they discovered that the traveler was a dwarf!

"Hail good dwarf!" Alias shouted out waving arms to show his weapons weren't in hand... not that he needed any weapons with the power he held at his fingertips. "What brings you from the mountains?"

The dwarf stopped at a cautious distance before calling out in a decidedly female voice, if somewhat husky... "Who wants to know..." the voice asked.

Alias chuckled "Alias wants to know, not entirely sure I can vouch for my friends here, they speak for themselves." he said hiding a smirk when he thought og Delvers zombies who wouldn't really say anything.

The figure was silent, it was short for a dwarf, and very round, though given the Dwarve's of the Shorntooth Mountains few would be too surprised if that size was nothing but muscle. The dwarf moved a little closer before speaking "I am Petunia, Priest of Gaia the Earthmother." she said.

Alias witheld a wince as he thought another nature lover he paused as they closed the distance. She had a beard, unlike the dwarven females of the mountains near the empire who shaved he guessed the ones further north still felt the need for a beard. Or were the shaven ones hill dwarves...

"And I am Delver." the dark elf said stepping forward, he motioned to the zombies. "These are my companions Bubba and Brutus." he said and smiled slightly "They don't talk much."

Petunia nodded. "I see..." she said lifting an eyebrow in the direction of the two fully armored warriors. "Where are you good sirs heading?" she asked, still a little wary.

Alias paused and shrugged "To the city of Koryn," he said figuring no real harm in letting this lone dwarf know their destination.

"Wherever there is knowledge to be gained." she replied "I was figuring Koryn would be a decent place to start."

Alias nodded and gave her a look over. She was armored in very nice chainmail, likely mithril, carried a morning star and a shield, she looked as though she was reasonably competent with the weapon as well. Not surprising... Dwarves were rarely a stranger to combat, it was even whispered that their spellcasters were relatively competent as well. "Well... perhaps you'd care to join us, safety in numbers and all th-" he was cut off as a shadow flew over them and Joran landed nearby the group.

"Ah, what have we here?" the ranger asked "A dwarf, how nice." he says chuckling, his scruffy beard was modest in comparison to that of Petunia, likely grown since her whiskers began to get bristly.

Alias nodded "Joran this is Petunia, Petunia, this is Joran." he said introducing the two.

Petunia strode forward and looked about to say something before Joran interrupted her "Pleasure to meet you and all that." he said in a rush and turned to the others "I'm sure Nym is still scouting ahead but I have ill news, it appears we have trouble."

"What might that be?" Delver said in his soft calm voice his tone seeming almost amused.

"Them." Joran said simply pointing up to one of the clouds as two beasts flew forth. With bodies of lions and large leathery wings they all sported three heads, one bearing a resmblance to a dragon, another to a goat, and another to a lion.

"Blasted Chimera..." Alias said and began the weavings of a spell as Joran took to the air to keep the other one busy.

Erias's steed, Keentalon, raked at the beast as the ranger positioned himself to slash at the creature. It's own claws slashed at the gryphon as the lions head tried biting the offending human getting his left arm rather nicely. Keentalon turned aside as a streem of acid shot out of the black dragonshead missing the gryphon almost entirely. Some hit the mount however and it screeched in rage as acid burned through its fur and flesh.

Meanwhile Petunia had begun to run towards the other Chimera her morningstar brandished and ready for blood. The thing had been struck by cold blue ice and while it didn't seem all too damaged from the spell Delver had thrown at it, it did seem quite stunned as it stopped flapping in it's dive and simply hurtled to the ground falling with a wicked looking crash. It began to stand up shaking it's heads trying to clear away the daze brought on by the spell as much as the fall. This allowed the two zombies and the dwarf to close in.

Brutus did little damage though Petunia got in a good hit with her morning star as did Bubba. When it recovered the creature shot forth a stream of flame from it's crimson dragon head hitting the zombies square on though the dwarf showed a surprising agility for her rotund frame as she dove aside taking only a little of the damage. The thing proceeded to tear into Brutus who seemed the weakest of the armored figures.

Up in the air things weren't going good for Joran, he was getting in his hits and the Chimera he was fighting was bleeding from quite a few wounds. However, both he and his gryphon weren't looking too good either. Suddenly a stream of flame shot up and struck the Chimera full on. Taking advantage of it's pain Joran struck his gryphon close enough for his short blade to cut into the beast filling it with wicked gashes. Keentalon bit down hard on it's throat and the beast let loose a gurgling scream before the gryphon released and it fell to the ground dead.

Back at the other Chimera things were looking better, primarily because the ones getting the brunt of the damage were the zombies. Petunia found it odd that her comrades in arms weren't saying anything during the battle and began to get vague suspicions of their true natures as she fought along side them and smelled their rather unapealing odour, their stiff movements didn't help much either. She pashed aside a butting goat head with her shield before bringing her morningstar down with a thud onto the lionhead as it bit into Bubba's arm. Brutus had moves around to the side and stiffly moved under the flailing wing before skewering his blade into the beasts side. Petunia let her weapon fall down on the beasts exposed spine and heard a satisfying crack before the chimera slumped to the ground breathing it's final breaths.

Petunia put the thing out of it's misery before stalking over to where the others were. They gathered around where Joran had landed Delver having figured the zombies and the dwarf could handle the Chimera after his spell took it from the air. "Anyone need healing?" she asked and Joran raised his hand. She began to administer to his wounds and those of his mount before seeing if anyone else needed anything.

Alias chuckled "As it was being said earlier... interested in travelling with us? Safety in numbers and all that..."

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

Heh heh.

 

[Renfield]

thought a little creative license and comic relief could be used... I mean hell, if anyone were to have said that it would have been Alias.

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

Yup!!

 

[Renfield]

WOOOOH! Second page! YEAH!!! I'll have to celebrate tonight by writing something... after I work on my damnable midterm paper....

 

[Renfield]

Joran paused and cast a sidelong glance at Petunia, Petunia, what an odd name for a Dwarf, though damn near standard for a tree hugging Gaian. He furrowed his brow as he wondered whether the rotund dwarf could even hug a tree... ah well, either way she could be a big help in the efforts to hinder the Talisarans. "You know Petunia," he started as they traversed the crowded city streets. They had Arrived in Koryn but a few hours ago and were looking for a suitable tavern, Fib was one of those people who you didn't find, he found you. Not that it was impossible, just easier. "a Prophet like Fib is probably a font of this 'knowledge' you seek."

The dwarf looked up at him and lifted a brow, if he hadn't been standing right next to her he would have assumed she was simply a fat male dwarf, but here it was quite hard to keep from notising that a lot of her chest was bosom. He held back the instinctive flinch as he mentally registered he had thought about the... round... dwarfs bosom and shook the thought away. She smirked as though reading his mind though if she did know the direction his thoughts had taken it didn't show in her words "Ye've got a good point there Joran. Mind if I tag along then?"

The ranger shrugged his indifference in the matter and glanced at the others. Alias had a I-couldn't-care-less look and Delver was blank and passive though he thought he saw his eye twitch. The Dark Elf wasn't getting that many odd looks. An understandable thing in Koryn, Alagor was pretty welcoming to many though even a Shadow Elf gathered attention in most of the southern cities, however Koryn was a little more acceptable being a port town. Especially one that catered to trade with the island kingdoms of the west. So even the distrusted Dark Elves could have some relative peace in the open streets of the city.

Delver had left his two zombies sitting at the bottom of the Lorindrift River, their armor keeping them anchored to the bottom, though the water damage was probably going to damage the items and probably not help the flesh of the things either. Either way, they had to be kept out of site and bringing them into the city would likely set off numerous alarms. Joran looked up into the sky and saw Gryphon Knights flying about. The Gryphon Knights of Alagor were something of an elite police force. While on the front lines or serving as arial scouts during times of war during times of peace, such as now, they often acted as a police force in the cities they were stationed at. In the evening they'd be replaced by the Drake Knights. Suffice to say any and all criminal activities were kept well out of sight in this city.

They found a rather cozy looking inn and tavern, the Sober Sailor, and despite it's name there were surprisingly few sailors in the tavern. Oddly it was more respectable than the ranger had expected, despite the body that crashed through the table he and the others were about to sit at... A cry from the bartender and two rather large men, one looking like a barbarian from the northern plains around the Free Cities, took hold of the two fighting men and promptly threw them into the streets. The group quickly found an empty booth, it wasn't evening yet so the inn wasn't too crowded, and had a seat all ordering food and drink of their choice.

"Firewyne, and a nice salad please." Alias asked showing a surprising amount of manners, but considering the barmaid it wasn't surprising. The way she looked at Alias brought a smirk to Joran, if they were to stay at the inn this night chances are Alias would be getting his own room, but wouldn't be alone.

The sorcerer turned to Joran and lifted a brow after he had taken his last glance at the bar maid "So my tree hugging friend," Joran rolled his eyes which only caused Alias to smirk. "you know about this Fib character first. So how do we find him or get his attention?"

The ranger leaned forward and looked around to see if anyone was listening, he gave a mental smirk when he noticed a hooded figure with his head angled at an odd position indicating he had his attention on someone.

"Well," he said in a quiet conspiratorial voice "We simply talk about the mad prophet like we don't want to be heard and I'm sure one of his followers will hear about it." he looked around again, more to get others attention to make them think he was telling a secret. "Then we only have to wait."

Alias chuckled and shrugged "Very well." he said. Eventually everyones food and drink were delivered and the four would talk occasionally leaning in closer to one another to converse softly about 'The Mad Prophet' and it wasn't long after that the hooded figure finally stood up and approached their table. Joran wasn't sure but he thought he had seen the hooded man speak to someone twice before he approached.

"You seek the Prophet?" he asked simply.

 

[Black_Kaioshin]

*Shudder* Filthy horrible prophets...

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

Good luck with the paper, and thanks for the update