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Story Hour
The Blade of Phoee (Updated 12/08/08)
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<blockquote data-quote="Funeris" data-source="post: 3818046" data-attributes="member: 22792"><p><strong>Chapter 8: Devils in the Dark (Continued)</strong></p><p></p><p>I'm still brushing the cobwebs out...</p><p>----------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Aramil wiped the blood off his blade with a rag. The bodies of the Empire’s soldiers were haphazardly stacked a short distance outside the stone walls of the ruined foundation. Cassock paced back and forth near the corpses, chanting a final prayer to speed the unworthy souls along to his god, no doubt. The cleric did not look happy; the combat had been entirely one-sided and for all Aramil knew, that meant the souls offered to Cael may be entirely unworthy<strong>(1)</strong>. At any rate, the cleric seemed angry while the women appeared merely disgusted.</p><p></p><p>He struggled to hold back a childish snicker over the cause of that displeasure. Hovering upon the broken walls, a macabre shadow grinned wickedly. It had been Cassock’s idea to burn the body of the undead. Aramil had chosen that time to impale the detached head on a stick and to lodge it in the flames of the campfire. Now, the shadow of a crazily grinning corpse spread upon the walls and the half-elf almost felt truly alive.</p><p></p><p>“We need to discuss exactly what the plan here is.” The cleric startled the others from their thoughts. Aramil sighed. So much for having one moment’s respite.</p><p></p><p><strong><p style="text-align: center"> * * * </p><p></strong></p><p>The soldier’s neck snapped as Rhynos’ feet kissed just below the helm, just at the base of the skull. His talons gripped the bottom of the helm, wrenching the metal up and away from its perch along with sinew and muscle. Landing and rolling into a crouch, the monster tasted blood in the air, heightening his lust.</p><p></p><p>A labored sigh escaped the corpse behind. A shrill, curdling scream echoed ahead.</p><p></p><p>“One left,” he grinned. Then he was in the shadows again, hunting.</p><p></p><p><strong><p style="text-align: center"> * * * </p><p></strong></p><p>“The chalice must have some great power,” Cassock concluded. “We should not waste time. We have traveled at least half the distance—”</p><p></p><p>“Do you know anything of Orin the Red?” Aramil looked hopefully at the priest but Cassock could only shake his head.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve heard the name before,” Ana chimed in. Everyone shifted to focus on the rogue. “He’s a ruthless mercenary. I’ve really only heard the name in passing. He’s expensive but he’s one of the best.”</p><p></p><p>“No man can stand before us,” the priest declared. </p><p></p><p>“I’ve heard tale that he’s not a man,” retorted Ana.</p><p></p><p>“With the righteousness of Cael—”</p><p></p><p>Zayda smirked and coughed. Irritated, she stood and barked, “We should just keep moving. The sooner we’re through with this punishment, the sooner I can return to my people.” She tossed a disdainful look at the others and moved toward the horses.</p><p></p><p>Everyone moved to follow. Cassock grinned at Aramil. “Knowing what my personal punishment was, I cannot even begin to imagine what that elf had to go through.” </p><p></p><p>Aramil stopped to stare in confusion. “What exactly do you mean?”</p><p></p><p>The priest just smiled and mounted his horse.</p><p></p><p><strong><p style="text-align: center"> * * * </p><p></strong></p><p>Droplets of blood sprayed into the air as the chains constricted and shattered the rib cages. First, the three victims cried out as the bones split and popped. A few moments of silence—silence complete except for the loosening chains—followed until the bones popped again, this time reforming as the creatures healed.</p><p></p><p><strong>[hq]I will only ask one more time.[/hq]</strong>[hq][/hq] The shadowed form turned its mask upon each of the creatures, adding an undeniable permanence to the unspoken threat. <strong>[hq]I believe a group headed this way not so long ago. One was a priest of Cael. One was—[/hq]</strong>[hq][/hq]</p><p></p><p>“YES!” Blurted one of the undead. The other two cocked their heads at their traitorous companion, allowing extra space for the chains to shift up their torsos, tighten around their throats, and tear through flesh and bone. The two bodiless heads would hold expressions of surprise for the entirety of their decay.</p><p></p><p><strong>[hq]Go on.[/hq]</strong>[hq][/hq]</p><p></p><p>“They passed this way not more than a fortnight ago. Left a trail of carnage. Many of my kin perished.” </p><p></p><p>Easily, the spawn was drawn closer to the cold mask. He reflexively and futilely tried to pull away. <strong>[hq]As my Lord instructed. Gather your kin, if you would seek revenge against this group. Meet us at Llewyllyn Manor. Your appetites will be sated there.[/hq]</strong>[hq][/hq] The chain twitched, tossing the spawn carelessly to the side. He tumbled painfully to his knees and scampered into the nearby foliage.</p><p></p><p>End-Bringer turned to the north. His inquisitors fell quickly into step behind.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Funeris, post: 3818046, member: 22792"] [b]Chapter 8: Devils in the Dark (Continued)[/b] I'm still brushing the cobwebs out... ---------------------------------- Aramil wiped the blood off his blade with a rag. The bodies of the Empire’s soldiers were haphazardly stacked a short distance outside the stone walls of the ruined foundation. Cassock paced back and forth near the corpses, chanting a final prayer to speed the unworthy souls along to his god, no doubt. The cleric did not look happy; the combat had been entirely one-sided and for all Aramil knew, that meant the souls offered to Cael may be entirely unworthy[b](1)[/b]. At any rate, the cleric seemed angry while the women appeared merely disgusted. He struggled to hold back a childish snicker over the cause of that displeasure. Hovering upon the broken walls, a macabre shadow grinned wickedly. It had been Cassock’s idea to burn the body of the undead. Aramil had chosen that time to impale the detached head on a stick and to lodge it in the flames of the campfire. Now, the shadow of a crazily grinning corpse spread upon the walls and the half-elf almost felt truly alive. “We need to discuss exactly what the plan here is.” The cleric startled the others from their thoughts. Aramil sighed. So much for having one moment’s respite. [b][center] * * * [/center][/b] The soldier’s neck snapped as Rhynos’ feet kissed just below the helm, just at the base of the skull. His talons gripped the bottom of the helm, wrenching the metal up and away from its perch along with sinew and muscle. Landing and rolling into a crouch, the monster tasted blood in the air, heightening his lust. A labored sigh escaped the corpse behind. A shrill, curdling scream echoed ahead. “One left,” he grinned. Then he was in the shadows again, hunting. [b][center] * * * [/center][/b] “The chalice must have some great power,” Cassock concluded. “We should not waste time. We have traveled at least half the distance—” “Do you know anything of Orin the Red?” Aramil looked hopefully at the priest but Cassock could only shake his head. “I’ve heard the name before,” Ana chimed in. Everyone shifted to focus on the rogue. “He’s a ruthless mercenary. I’ve really only heard the name in passing. He’s expensive but he’s one of the best.” “No man can stand before us,” the priest declared. “I’ve heard tale that he’s not a man,” retorted Ana. “With the righteousness of Cael—” Zayda smirked and coughed. Irritated, she stood and barked, “We should just keep moving. The sooner we’re through with this punishment, the sooner I can return to my people.” She tossed a disdainful look at the others and moved toward the horses. Everyone moved to follow. Cassock grinned at Aramil. “Knowing what my personal punishment was, I cannot even begin to imagine what that elf had to go through.” Aramil stopped to stare in confusion. “What exactly do you mean?” The priest just smiled and mounted his horse. [b][center] * * * [/center][/b] Droplets of blood sprayed into the air as the chains constricted and shattered the rib cages. First, the three victims cried out as the bones split and popped. A few moments of silence—silence complete except for the loosening chains—followed until the bones popped again, this time reforming as the creatures healed. [b][hq]I will only ask one more time.[/hq][/b][hq][/hq] The shadowed form turned its mask upon each of the creatures, adding an undeniable permanence to the unspoken threat. [b][hq]I believe a group headed this way not so long ago. One was a priest of Cael. One was—[/hq][/b][hq][/hq] “YES!” Blurted one of the undead. The other two cocked their heads at their traitorous companion, allowing extra space for the chains to shift up their torsos, tighten around their throats, and tear through flesh and bone. The two bodiless heads would hold expressions of surprise for the entirety of their decay. [b][hq]Go on.[/hq][/b][hq][/hq] “They passed this way not more than a fortnight ago. Left a trail of carnage. Many of my kin perished.” Easily, the spawn was drawn closer to the cold mask. He reflexively and futilely tried to pull away. [b][hq]As my Lord instructed. Gather your kin, if you would seek revenge against this group. Meet us at Llewyllyn Manor. Your appetites will be sated there.[/hq][/b][hq][/hq] The chain twitched, tossing the spawn carelessly to the side. He tumbled painfully to his knees and scampered into the nearby foliage. End-Bringer turned to the north. His inquisitors fell quickly into step behind. [/QUOTE]
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