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Raven's Flight
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Mod
The Prince and Mage
The young elf’s thin, long, black hair gently crossed in front of his light green eyes. His summer tan had just reached its peak from training in the sun for the few past weeks. He now stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the water. His soft leather armor protected him from the cool breeze. The smell of salt from the ocean hung in the air, the call of seagulls overhead and waves beating against the cliff were the only sounds that broke the silence. Oh how he loved the silence of being away from the palace and in the woods. He had spent the past ten years learning the ways of the ranger, hoping that one day he would become one of the legendary protectors of the woodlands. Tomorrow would be his one hundred and twentieth birthday. He would leave, and adventure on his own. He was excited his dreams were finally coming true, but a part of him did not want to leave. He knew he would miss moments like this where it was serene. Right now, standing on this cliff, nothing in the world mattered; nothing he had experienced, nothing he had yet to face mattered.
“Lerean I do believe your mother would be upset if she knew you were out this far from the castle,” said a soft voice behind the young elf shaking him from his reverie. “But I am certain she would not mind it as much if we told her I had accompanied you.”
Lerean slowly turned around to see a set of black eyes outlined in a silver color staring back at him; a color so pure it almost appeared to be that of quicksilver. Dalo Goldfingers was a gnome with jet-black hair. The strange circle of silver around his eyes was because of a magical miscalculation on a day that would torment him until his death. His eyes seemed haunted by that day and the events that transpired. Lerean’s father, Gawyne, had done everything in his power to acquire Dalo as his sage since he was highly sought after, and Dalo never let his employer down with is wise advice. He was a good friend of the family; as far as Lerean was concerned he could have been family, he had been around since before he was born.
“So my friend what brings you out here? I, myself, prefer the serenity of watching the ships pull into the harbor,” Lerean began before Dalo quickly interrupted.
“Your mother says for you to get home immediately so she may fuss over you one more day before the party.” He chuckled. “You know since you’re her only child it might be wise if you let her. There are few things in life a mother can truly be proud of,” He said softly, “and a son such as yourself is her greatest achievement. Give her this one last request.” Dalo stated while grabbing a hold of Lerean and pulling him along.
The whole way back to the castle Dalo spoke of when he turned of age and left home; that was the day of the accident. “My mother never fussed over me,” he would say or “you should be happy you’re a prince and get all this special treatment.”
Soon Lerean was thinking about how once he left to earn his place on the throne that he would know no one. That outside the castle enemies of his family would try to kill him or ransom him. As they walked, Lerean found himself in a slight daze. He began thinking of the many different things that might happen and a few things that he hoped would happen, but before he knew it, he was in his room preparing for dinner. For the rest of the night he listened to his friends and family talk about things he did when he was younger.
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As Dalo escorted Lerean to the castle gates where he watched his young friend go into the main council hall. Dalo paused for a moment making sure he had his list and his gold pouch on his hip. Dalo quickly turned and headed into the city. He took his time walking there, admiring the day and thinking about what tomorrow would bring. Before he left with Lerean after the party, he had to make a few stops to prepare. He knew what he needed it was just a matter of finding it. These past few months he had noticed supplies in the city had been almost impossible to find. It was not enough to draw attention from storeowners, but someone was certainly stocking up for something big. Dalo entered the general store and began to browse, taking note of prices and stock so he knew exactly how much it would cost him for this adventure an if they even had enough of the supplies he required.
“Is der something I can help ya with lad,” a burly dwarf asked as he stepped out of the backroom. “Ya don’t look ta be an adventurer so what could you possibly need here.”
Dalo walked up slowly to the counter and placed the piece of paper on it, “this is what I require and good sir I am an adventure. Tomorrow evening I will be leaving on a quest with the young Prince Lerean. So if I were you I would watch that forked tongue of yours before I make it into a snakes tongue.”
The dwarf rushed around the store collecting the items on the list saying each as he went to make sure he had the right number of each. “Th….that…..that’ll be a hundred gold lad,” the dwarf said, “well it’ll be a hundred and twenty if you need someone ta carry yer equipment fer ya.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Dalo said before he began to chant a small spell. The equipment slowly rose above the ground and hovered as if on a disk of force. “Here is your payment my good sir,” Dalo said as he placed a small bag on the counter and left the store. By this time, it was nearly nightfall and the rest of the shops he intended to go to were closing. He would have to finish his shopping in the morning before the party if they were to leave afterwards as planned. These supplies were essential to their journey; they could not leave without them. With the limited supplies on hand and the limited amount of time to find all of them, Dalo wondered if he would be able to find the items.
As the sun began to set Dalo made his way to the castle happy with the amount of shopping he had finished. The tallest tower was where his room was. He had personally requested this room for his studies. It also made a nice look out in case of danger. Dalo’s room was that of a studious mage and not that of a necromancer’s or an experimental mage. Bookshelves lined the walls and were full of with books. Even still, the tables in his room had stacks of books upon them.
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After dinner, Lerean retired to his chambers for the night. As he lain there thinking about the next day he stared into the little fireplace. He slowly began looking around at the animal heads and skins on one of the walls, then he turned to adore he personal library, and then his collection of arms and armor. He thought about how he had spent so many years collecting the books and weapons, and then how he had earned each animal head and skin. Looking out of his window, he could see the large topiary garden where his mother spent most of her time. Past that stood, the outer walls, then Poltarus - the only city he had ever known, beyond that were the cliffs and the ocean. Lerean began to feel tired at the thought of all he would be leaving behind. He then closed his eyes for what he was hoping would be a peaceful nights rest.
The peaceful dreams Lerean was having soon ended. In his dream something had gone wrong, there was movement where there should not have been. He crouched down and moved slowly to the side of a well-worn road. Shortly after he crouched down a creature on a pitch-black heavy warhorse stood on the road in front of him. The creature smelled of death and had long black wings. It was covered in scales as red as freshly heated metal. Its hair was the color of newly spilled blood, and its eyes were as black as obsidian. Lerean’s heart began to pound in his chest as the creature looked directly at him and pointed its long clawed finger at him. Then Lerean awoke to the sound of trumpets blasting the morning call.
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“Oh, Goldfingers,” Dalo recognized the voice as one of the children from his days in school, “Dalo I know you can hear me,” the voice continued.
“Yes, what do you want Maric,” Dalo said while picking up the crystal ball, “it has been twenty years since the last we spoke. If I am not mistaken it was the day you murdered your mother to steal her ability of foresight.”
"Yes, yes, yesss. As you well know, the visions are seldom wrong. You know as well as I that the future cannot be changed." Maric said as his face began to form in the crystal ball. "I have seen the death of your adventure Dalo. I foresee my Lord Raven standing over your rotting corpse as he is raising you as his minion."
Dalo chuckled at the absurd statement. "Maric, Lord Darkwing has been gone over a millennium. My Lord and Lady and several others made sure of that. Though I admit your visions are seldom wrong, but they are on this matter.
"The prophecy states he shall reign again. The time is near; do not tell me you have not felt it. Now that I know how he was defeated all those years ago, he shall know too. His time has come and this time everyone will bow to him or suffer the consequences. He will not be defeated again."
With a sinister laugh, the crystal ball began to warm in Dalos’ hands. Soon the image of Maric had disappeared and the black onyx began to glow a violent red. Dalo began to hear the sound of his flesh cooking and he dropped the ball quickly. He gently began to clean his burns. In his youth, Dalo had spent some time with a group of druids before he settled in as the kings’ adviser. He knew a little bit about the simple herbs that heal burns. When he had finished cleaning the wounds, it was already past dinner, and he knew that larder would not be open for the evening. After coming to this conclusion, he decided he was too tired to eat anyway and laid down to rest.
Dalo awaken several hours before the roosters had begun to welcome the morning. He had spent this time studying his spells from his different spell books. Soon he was off to the market. He had to go to one of the magic shops to buy potions and to find other magical items that might help them in their endeavors.
The mage walked into “Delrath’s Magic”. It was a small magic shop that Dalo had spent several hours in each summer teaching the Halfling mage that had just opened the shop how much certain magic powers cost. This small shop felt like Dalos’ second home. The shop had everything from magical bags that could hold hundreds of pounds but at the same time not weigh much to the carrier to magical armor that glowed from spells of light.
“Good morning,” a high squeaky voice said from behind the counter. “How have you been old man,” the Halfling said climbing up onto the counter to see his friend with a big smile on his face.
“I have come to pick up some items before I leave town,” Dalo said with a smile. “I have been well Naelo and how fairs your family,” the mage asked while looking through the staves when he saw it.
The staff that had caused the horrible accident that had altered his eyes forever. Dalo began to shake violently. Flashbacks of that day burned in his mind. He remembered them with such clarity, as if it had happened just yesterday.
He awoke in his study the way he did most mornings. He prepared a pot of hot tea for his master, and began to study over his spells. The staff, which he had just gotten, was lying on the desk so he decided he would try to put it to good use. He began to enchant the staff with spells to create a Staff of the Magi. By the time, his master had recognized the spells he was casting into the staff it was already too late, and Dalo eyes altered and would stay this way for the rest of his life.
Mod
A knocking came from Lerean’s door. “My lord,” a young chambermaid said softly, “your bath has been prepared for you is there anything else you would be requiring of me this morning?” She made a slight giggle hoping he would hear.
“No, not this morning Beatrice,” Lerean said softly knowing she had wished to join as she normally did since he had turned one hundred, “we shall see about it when I return from adventuring.”
Lerean knew he needed time to contemplate what that creature from his dream was and to figure out what it was doing in his dream. As he slid into the tub, his mind began to sort out what had happened. He remembered he was with a young woman that he had never met before. Dalo was there too, and a cleric of Dalimare. They stood beside Lerean ready for battle of an invisible foe. Then he was alone on a dirt road hiding in the bushes. That is when the creature came.
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the bathroom door; this had startled Lerean out of his thoughts. “My lord is everything okay,” Beatrice asked, “you have been in there for nearly 3 hours.”
“Yes, Beatrice I am all right. I’ll be out soon place my armor next to my court attire,” Lerean said, “then you may have the rest of the day off.” Lost in thought he had not noticed the water had gone cold. Not wanting to have the maid bring more hot water, he quickly washed up. He spent more time in the tub than he expected and today was going to be a busy day.
Lerean slipped into his black court pants. He examined the scars on his chest and arms from when he was growing up. All his training had come to pay off for this was the day he would leave home and become an adventurer. He put his silver short sleeve shirt on and then his deep purple vest. His entire court garb was made of the finest silk in all of the kingdoms. As a tradition in his family on his left hip, he wore a rapier that had ornate carvings on the hilt, hand guard, and sheath.
When Lerean entered the throne room, he felt great pride. What he was about to do was something few nobles had the chance. While other nobles looked down on this as a simple rite of passage to overcome quickly and return to their pandered lives, Lerean saw great honor and glory to that came by receiving this task.
After all the formal greetings had come to a close Lerean began to look for ways to slip away from the party so he could begin packing. He wanted so dearly to leave, he had not noticed to smell of fire and rain. As he looked up into the sky, a large dark foreboding cloud was moving in much faster than he had ever seen. Then he noticed it was moving towards the water ignoring the drafts that normally would push such clouds away.
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A large lightning bolt struck in the center of the courtyard and the creature from Lerean’s dream stood in the smoking hole. “I am Raven Darkwing,” the hideous creature declared, “I have risen after a millennium to reclaim this world as my own. Any who stand against me will be killed swiftly.”
As the other nobles began to run in panic Lerean felt, his knees grow weak as the great monster began to rip the people around in two drinking their blood and eating their insides. Lerean knew something had to be done he had to fight back against this creature to give the others time to run away to safety. Then out of the corners of his eyes, he saw two great lights on either side of him. As he turned to look to each side, he realized it was his parents. For a brief moment, Lerean thought he saw a glimpse of Dalo in all of the chaos that surrounded them.
“You shall not imprison me again Gawyne,” Raven howled as he disappeared just as quickly as he had come, “Your time on this world has come and I shall burry you and your wife.” Lerean did not understand. He stood with his mouth agape.
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Dalo awoke from the flash back to hear the sound of thunder. “Collect these items for me I’ll return to pay for them,” he said as he threw the piece of parchment at the Halfling. He began to run up the street and into the castle. There before him in the courtyard of the castle stood Raven Darkwing. The corner of his eye revealed to him that Lord Gawyne and Lady Alora stood behind their son.
Dalo began to chant and create arcane marks in the air. Please let my spell work he began to think to himself. Soon Gawyne and Alora had become the visage of angles. Glowing brightly with angelic wings and flowing white robes. This was not his first time performing this particular spell and as long as he stayed safe, the spell would continue to hold.
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“My son are you okay,” Alora softly whispered as she touched her sons shoulder. She could see the confusion on Lerean’s face. “You grew up hearing the stories of the warrior Galyidar and his wife Ailowen. Well my son those are stories of your father and I. Long ago we had found away to extend our lives be we cannot extend them anymore.”
“That is right Lerean,” his father softly said, “It is your time to leave your legacy in history.” Gawyne gently placed his hand on Lerean’s shoulder. “Come with me I have something to give you before you leave,” he said walking Lerean to the throne room. He reached behind his throne and handed Lerean a pair of rapiers. “These belonged to a dear friend of mine,” he said with a mournful look on his face, “treat them well and they will treat you the same.”
“Who did they belong to father,” Lerean asked timidly not knowing if he was supposed to ask or not. Then he noticed his father had let a few teardrops fall from his face before he looked back up at Lerean. He reached over and wiped the tears from his fathers’ eyes.
“They belonged to Jareth Shadowstep,” Gawyne said with pride, “he certainly was a tricky one. You remind me of him in ways, much like you he always favored rapiers above all other weapons. These are magical weapons my son and should not be taken lightly,” he hesitated, “with a simple thought one ignites with flame that shall not burn you but will do great harm to your opponents. While the other puts a barrier around your mind that will keep others from hearing your thoughts and will prevent them from controlling your mind. It will strengthen your mind from any other mental attacks you may encounter.”
“Then I shall make certain not let them fall into the wrong hands,” Lerean said sliding them onto his belt replacing the decorated rapier he currently wore at his hip. “Now father what was that creature,” Lerean asked. His fathers’ brief moment of happiness ripped from him with that single question.
“That was Raven Darkwing an evil creature from the eighth ring of the abyss,” Gawyne began, “he came here a million years ago when your mother and I were still quite young. He had planned to raise his evil army from the hells to fight along his side to take over all of Horadra. The mages of Mystica had learned of this plan and sent word to all the lords of our nation to summon the greatest of their adventurers to combat this evil. Eight of us went on that adventure only two made it back to tell the tale. The only things more powerful than that creature, other than the gods are any of the nine princes of the hells. Heed this warning, he is extremely powerful and not to be taken on by one man alone. You will need an army that will rival the golden armies that I brought together. So be as careful as you can my son...Oh and before I forget the only way to send him back to where he came is too burry this crystal into his skull so it may draw in all of his essence and imprison him again.”
Lerean took the clear spindle cut diamond and placed it in one of his belt pouches. “I’ll return to take my place on the throne father. I will do everything I can to honor the Firefeather name,” Lerean said with such pride and enthusiasm that for a brief moment he knew he could do what needed to be done.”
Gawyne gently touched Lereans’ face and whispered, “You look so much like your mother. It’s a pity that it takes you leaving us for me to notice,” Gawyne lowered his head a bit shamefully then smiling he said with pride. “I have always loved you my son and you have my hair, sharp pointed ears, and you have my heart. Your determination, strength, and courage are all qualities of a great leader. I have faith that you will return the man, the leader I know you are. You will become a man of legend Lerean it's in your blood."
“Thank you father,” Lerean said, “I’ll do my best to make you proud. I hope the lessons I have learned here will be enough to get me through the hardships to come and to bring me back home when my mission is complete.”
“Before you leave my son,” Gawyne said caringly, “I have arranged for you to be accompanied by one of the greatest War Priest to have ever served the great Foe Hammer. You are to meet him in Valenfell by the end of the week and please when you have time send me updates to inform me of your progress.”
“Thank you again father,” Lerean said nodding his head, “I’ll do my best to make sure we send you what information we find. Does this War Priest have a name?”
“His name is Samuel Godfree. I wish you the best my son please come back to us intact,” Gawyne whispered softly as he hugged Lerean close to him.
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When Gawyne had taken Lerean inside Lady Alora approached Dalo. “Go collect your things you and my son must depart now,” she said with a shaky voice, “And I warn you now Dalo if anything happens to my son I shall personally remove your head from your shoulders. Do you understand me?” A single tear rolled down her cheek. He knew that was not a threat of a queen but of a mother terrified for the life of her son.
Yes, my lady,” he said bowing graciously and then quickly moving to collect all that they would need. They would have to stop in the city to pick up the remaining items being so unprepared at a time like this was unacceptable. Dalo was regretting his decision to pick up items little by little and not collect them all at once. Though he could not foresee what had just happened it was his responsibility to be prepared at all times. He would not let it happen again. Soon after Lord Gawyne had finished speaking with his Lerean the young prince approached his friend.
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After Lerean finished speaking with his father, he went up to his room and prepared to depart on his adventure. When he reached the front gates, Dalo was standing there in his adventurers outfit. Lerean had never noticed how regal the gnome dressed before now.
“Are you ready to depart Lerean or do you need to run back and kiss your mommy goodbye one last time,” Dalo asked with a sly grin.
Lerean shot Dalo a hurtful look that slowly grew into his own sly grin and softly said, “yes, I am ready or as ready as I’ll ever be and how many times did you have to run back to kiss your mommy goodbye when you left home wise and all knowing Dalo?”
Dalo cleared his throat and turned around picking his equipment up and situating it comfortably on his person. “So where are we headed and how long do we have to get there or are we just leaving the castle to look for trouble?”
“We are heading for Valenfell and we have a week to get there and meet a man named Samuel Godfree.” Lerean said just loud enough for Dalo to hear.
“Very well then off we go,” Dalo said as the two friends set out on a dirt path out of the city.
Mod
Ain awoke long before the sun rose, before the church bells chimed waking the others who lived here. She swiftly dressed herself and sat on her bed contemplating what she would do today. The others were all asleep but her past had made her cautious. Ever minute she spent sleeping was a minute someone could and in most cases would be stealing from her.
As a well-known thief amongst other thieves, they knew she would punish those for stealing from her. More than once, she had killed for her possessions but that did not stop the occasional person from riffling through her things. Living in the church, she knew she would not have to worry about anything of hers disappearing, but it gave her little piece of mind and she was always awake after little or no sleep.
Slowly she made her way down the hall towards Samuel’s room. Squatting down slightly she picked the lock with little effort. Samuel was still soundly sleeping; a quiet snore escaped his mouth. His grey hair was a sharp contrast against the whites of his bedding. Agile as a cat Ain positioned herself at the head of Samuel’s bed. She knew he hated this but it was still fun to get a rise out of him. Samuel’s eyes shot open as he felt the blade of her knife against his throat.
“Will you get off of me Ain?” he said very calmly. “The sun hasn’t even risen fully yet. Why do you practice those horrible skills you do not require them anymore? You haven’t required them since we adopted you into the church.” He always said the same thing. Ain did not care if he felt she had no need for the skills, it was part of who she was and nothing would change that.
“What if we need them when we are out? If I were to stop practicing, how will I be any good at them? Father Samuel it’s like telling you to stop talking with Dalimare it won’t happen till you have already gone to meet him.” Ain commented, telling her to stop was the same as telling him to stop. They both knew they would not.
Samuel sighed and started to ramble on as he usually did. Ain had become good at tuning him out. She glanced around his small room and once again noticed he had nothing. No mementos of any sort and if he did they were hidden out of sight. He was giving her the “fatherly look” as she described it. Full of concern and pity, she hated that look. Not wanting to hear anymore she turned and left the room.
As soon as she shut the door, she knew what she was going to do that day. She needed supplies… going to town sounded more entertaining than going to the Morning Prayer. She quickly headed straight for the front gate, stopping for no one she knew what she was about to do was wrong and no one was going to approve of it. Father Samuel had given her money for anything she would need, and often she used it. However, today was not about buying the things she needed; today was about making sure no one would catch her while taking them. Ain worried that her thieving skills would become rusty if she did not keep them tuned regularly.
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Ain shut the door softly so Samuel could dawn his priestly robes for the Morning Prayer. Samuel was an older man. He normally joked about his charcoal gray hair coming from having to deal with too many people who either could not or refused to join the church of the war god. Many of the other brothers also told stories about how Samuels pale blue eyes could see through any disguise. His weapon of choice against the undead was the heavy mace while against the living he always used Dalimares’ weapon of choice the great ax. He always walked with determination and great pride bound in each step.
After leading the temple in the Morning Prayer, Samuel stepped into the morning sun and smiled. It was a warm day and there was no reason to be unhappy. The priest saw a young man wondering around lost. “Can I help you my child,” Samuel asked kindly.
“Yes, if you do not mind. I’m actually looking for the High War Priest, a father Samuel Godfree, I have a letter for him,” the young man said urgently. “This is a matter of utmost importance.”
Well, there is no reason for you to worry my son for I am both the High War Priest and father Samuel,” Samuel said beginning to become slightly worried himself as he noticed the family crest that was on the letter. He had seen it many times when he was growing up. It belonged to the king of Poltarus.
“Well, then this is for you sir,” the young man said, looking relieved he handed the letter to Samuel and quickly left through the front gates.
Samuel hesitated slightly before opening the letter. He was already aware of his summons to appear in the royal court, he and Ain were set to leave in a months’ time. What could possibly have happened for him to receive this unexpected letter? Samuel slowly opened it and began to read. He feared he had done something wrong or maybe something he did not remember doing rose to haunt him now and in some manner had shamed the church. He reread the letter twice before breathing a sigh of relief after reading the kind words from the King himself. Samuel even felt enlightened as he read:
Praise to thee High War Priest Samuel Godfree, great great-grandson of Darison Godfree
Hail to thee. A great matter of importance has arisen. My son, Lerean has come of age and will be departing on a personal quest. I humbly request you meet up with him in the city of Valenfell and accompany him on his journey. Upon you returning Lerean to Poltarus, we will erect a temple to the war god for you. You will become the kings’ priest and I guarantee you a handsome reward.
Though he may be of age, my son is still inexperienced in the world we have both come to know and understand. It is with my trust and faith in you that I request you for this journey. One other accompanies him and though I trust him, it will set my mind at ease if you were to accept this request and come forth to Valenfell immediately. May the God of War be with you my friend.
Lord Gawyne
Samuel went to his room, placed the letter upon the nightstand, changed into his working clothes, went into the garden, and began to trim the roses. The garden was silent and peaceful. Samuel found the garden was one of the few places he could think; here he made a mental list of everything he would have to run into town to buy for both him and Ain.
He did not want to think of how Ain would take this news, she had just gotten used to the church and he feared this would push her further away and cause her to act out. He knew he had to tell her immediately, but he had not seen her since she departed from his room early that morning. Samuel had noticed she was not in Morning Prayer but that often happened with Ain, though he was starting to wonder where she had run off. Some falling leaves pulled Samuel out of his thoughts as he noticed Ain was sitting above him in the tree.
After two hours of trimming the roses, Samuel grew tired and sat under a tree. He slowly sipped from his water skin admiring his handy work. It was a little past midday and Samuel had noticed he still had not seen Ain since early this morning. Some falling leaves pulled Samuel out of his thoughts as he noticed Ain was sitting above him in the tree.
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Once Ain felt satisfied with the outcome of her adventure, she headed back towards the church. Father Samuel would be looking for her soon, as he usually did when she disappeared for long periods. Ain found comfort in the fact that he cared enough to worry but at the same time, it bugged her that to watched like a hawk.
She made her way through the church gates and headed straight for her room. After unloading the weapons and potion bottles, making sure they well hidden away from prying eyes, she headed back out and towards the courtyard. Father Samuel was sure to be there, her adoptive father was always there. He once told her he preferred the outdoors; he preferred to be with nature. The peace and serenity that came along with nature was a great place for prayer and contemplation.
Walking into the courtyard she spotted Father Samuel, he looked deep in thought and she decided it was best not to disturb him just yet. Ain climbed the nearest tree and sat there for a moment still excited by her adventure this morning. Sitting in this tree was something she did on a regular basis, it was private but in public view. The leaves hid her presence nicely and she was close enough to everyone to be able to hear conversations between others. Ain did not consider this ease dropping; she just liked to be aware of everything going on around her.
Especially in this place, everyone was so quiet and secretive, or that is how they seemed to her, she just liked being aware of everything. She glanced around and noticed that Father Samuel was no longer in the courtyard, she had not even seen him leave but when she looked down, she found he was sitting under the very tree she was hiding in. She laughed a bit and then started to shake a branch above him, leaves raining down around him covering the ground.
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Father Samuel looked up and quickly spotted her. "Ain come down here, we have to talk. I have some very important news and you're not going to like it but it is what has to be done," he said. Oh great another talk I am not going to like, what else is new. Jumping down from the tree, she stood facing him. "So what's the big news." she really did not want to know, he had already said she was not going to like it.
“I have received a letter from King Gawyne of Poltarus. We are to depart to escort his son on a quest. As we pass through town we can pick up what I don’t already have which will be just rations because I already have enough of everything else to sustain us; and from there we will head to the city of Valenfell,” Samuel said all of this knowing she was going to be highly upset with him.
"Why Samuel" she asked him. "I just started getting used to this church thing and I don't want to leave it at all." She pulled out one of the new daggers; she acquired this morning and started playing around with it, twirling it around in her hand, digging the blade into her index finger testing the sharpness.
“King Gawyne has sent a message from to our church. One of the greatest of our order is to join the prince on his mission to earn his right to the throne;” Samuel began, “With that King Gawyne requested me personally because of the partnership he had with my great, great-grandfather.”
"There isn't a possibility that I could stay here is there?" Ain asked, hopeful for the answer she wanted but knowing it was not an option. She knew, as did he that she had to stay with Samuel; she had no choice in the matter. When he gave her the answer she knew was coming, she lowered her head. "Well then I guess I should speak to the guild leader so he knows why I’m leaving and not just skipping out on paying him when I steal something." she knew Samuel wouldn't be happy with this comment, she prayed he would be just upset enough to make her stay here.
Samuel could tell she was trying to get a rise out of him. He lowered his eyes for a brief moment not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing her words had gotten to him. “Speak to him as you wish but I must ask you to hurry. We have little time to leave here if we intend to make it there on schedule. This is a great honor. To be requested personally and I will not start out by arriving late. Might I add; you are blessed to be able to travel in the company of royalty.”
Mod
Without another word to Father Samuel, Ain turned and headed into the church. Giving the guild elder a brief apology and explanation, she made her way to her room. She questioned if running away was the best choice.
She loved the church and she loved Father Samuel but now he was making her give up her home and help some spoiled prince, which in turn made her question how much Samuel actually cared about her well-being. She decided she would go with him and if during this quest she still felt the same, she would leave then. Packing her things quickly, careful not to break the newly acquired potion bottles, she through her bag over her shoulder and headed out front to meet Samuel. This trip was going to be dreadful; nothing good could come out of following a prince around.
The well-lit room was a makeshift mages study that was originally the throne room of one of the darkest forces to walk the face of Horadra. Lanterns hung from the ceiling with a roaring fire in the hearth. Bookcases lined the wall, while six ornately carved long tables lay in rows adjacent to each bookcase. Each table having three candles, two white on each end with a solid black candle in the middle. Some tables held books; most of the books bound in leather appeared worn from years of use. Other tables however held strange and macabre experiments; some dealing with what look to be human remains and gorilla parts. The smell of rotting flesh emanated from these jars and clung heavily in the air leaving only the putrid scent.
Maric stood at a pedestal chanting a dark incantation. The young human dressed in the robes of a practitioner of the dark arts of magic, which were solid black with silver arcane runes adorning them; many of which one could assume held magical properties. His short black hair clung tightly to his forehead. His dark gray eyes danced across the parchment as the words smoothly rolled off his tongue. Maric’s thin fingers moved quickly from one spell component to the next and then back to the somatic components of the long drawn out spell.
“Rom ie Day un ont to,” the young mage chanted the last phrase of the difficult spell. “Soon my Lord Raven will be free again and he will reward me with all that I desire,” Maric said softly to himself as he wiped the blood from his nose. The spell had taken much energy and life force to cast and with the strain of his concentration, it was inevitable that Maric would have to spill a little blood.
A gently rolling fog began to fill the room making it seem brighter than it truly was. Soon the well-lit study quickly darkened. The once-still shadows moved with purpose it seemed. Then without warning stillness and silence over came the room. Maric began to feel his flesh crawl with the thoughts of what he might have accidentally done. “Could I have summoned something darker than the dread prince himself or could it be one of his minions?”
“No, Maric you have summoned your lord,” a tenor toned voice boomed from behind Maric resonating power off the walls of the small room. “Why have you summoned me to this accursed world that I had been banished from, a millennia ago,” Raven’s voice began to lighten to a more human tone with each passing word.
“My Lord Darkwing I am sorry for awakening you, but the prophecy stated it was time for you to rise and reclaim this world as your own,” Maric softly said as he dropped to one knee and bowed.
“So it is the year of darkness so soon? Where are my brothers?” Raven’s bright red eyes burned as his mind did for the answers. Raven quickly picked Maric up by his neck almost suffocating him, “Speak now mage or so help me when I am done claiming this world I will wear your skin to hide my own true appearance!”
"They took places among the gods my lord," Maric weakly replied while struggling for air. Knowing that his brothers were among the darker side of the Gods and that he would soon try to murder them for their power.
“You have served me well Maric name your most desired wish and it shall be yours,” Raven said although he already knew what it was, all humans are the same as are mages; and all Maric hungered for was power.
“My lord for now I only wish to serve you. Once you have taken this world I wish to rule over one of your lesser lands,” Maric said with slight hesitation, “Is there anything else my lord wishes of me?”
“You may begin by raising my forces from their fiery hell,” Raven said with wickedness in his voice, “and then we will begin the first assault on the dwarven cities. All will bow before me as my slaves or I shall destroy them,” the resounding echo of thunder in his fierce voice made Maric run out of the room.
Raven’s fingers made slight gestures and with a loud clap of thunder his throne of bones from all the races of Horadra rose through the floor and he seated himself on it. “Soon this world will be mine and I will exact my revenge on those who had imprisoned me so long ago in that accursed blackness.”