Malystyx did not respond to Kel's taunt other than to smile in an offhanded sort of way. Elendel himself off and readjusted his bow, which had surprisingly survived the elf's fall into the well.
"Are you ready to continue?" Malystyx eyed both of th adventurers. "I can lead you to the goblin's leader."
"That sounds good," Elendel spoke up before Kel could say anything. The elf detected Kel's sour mood, but could not understand it. After all, he thought, shouldn't any help be appreciated? "We are ready to face the monster."
Kel shook his head, shrugged and redrew his sword.
They walked down a hallway which seemed to go deeper into the cave, as they walked on, a goblin with blast jelly charged out of the darkness. Kel impaled the as Malystyx cut off its head. Kel, wise to the explosiveness of the situation, took a number of steps quickly backwards. Malystyx stayed where he was, and as the explosion went off, Kel could have sworn he saw the half-dragon smile.
They found a sudden drop in the path and came into the next level. A long hallway continued forward, dim torchlight was all that provided illumination. As they cautiously walked along, a woman came running at them from the end of the chamber. She stopped in front of the adventurers, breathing hard.
"Are you here to kill the goblin leader," she asked. Not waiting for an answer, she continued. "If so, I just dispatched this one," she held up a goblin's head. It had a tattoo in the center of its forhead that presumably meant it was a leader. "But as I left, the remaining goblins were busy fighting over who would be the next leader. If you hurry you might be able to stop the elections!" Without another word, the woman ran past them back where they had just come from.
The Centurion Company
Moderators: DM_eaze, Luceran, DM_Jaydaan, ST_DM_Myle, dm_xeen1, DM Nexus, DM_TrainWrek, Carpe_DM1, DM_Unicorn, DM_Griphon, DM_Shadowlands, dm_zane, DM_Centaur, DM_Mystic, DM Rendyll, DM_Avalon
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
Elendel didn't know if he should've been happy that the goblin leader had been so easy to slay or if he should've been dissapointed because the goblins had gathered to elect a new leader.
"Goblin elections," someone muttered. He couldn't tell if it had been Kellion or Malystryx.
They traveled down the passageway until they could hear the voices of the goblins. "Time to get ready," Kellion said in a low voice. The two adventurers began to search their packs for rods and potions, while the half-dragon dropped his shield and began to cast some spells.
The two swordsman were the first to charge in, both eager to kill as many as possible. Elendel aimed at a shaman next to what appeared to be the leader, who sat on a giant spider, when he heard a roar, and then he saw fire, everywhere.
For a moment he was blinded by it. Everything in the chamber was on fire. It was like a freakish hell. In the middle stood Kellion and Malystryx, both looking as surprised as the other. The goblin leader lay on its burnt mount, and it slowly tried to crawl away. But Kellion lept at it, and severed the head. He held it up with a huge grin.
But soon curiousity took over thier triumph. "What was that?" The two adventurers asked. Then Elendel looked at the half-dragon's sword.
"You are a bladecaster...." he said, hardly believing it. A half-dragon bladecaster? Who had ever heard of such a thing? But as Elendel thought about it, it didn't seem so outragous.
His father had been a bladecaster, and he had seen his abilities with the sword once. It was unbelievable what he could do. Malystryx wasn't at the level Elendel's father was, but it would only be a matter of time.
"I'll explain everything in the temple," Malystryx said. Elendel nodded. He wasn't about to press such a powerful creature for answers.
Kellion handed Elendel some arrows. "Here are some arrows I found on the leader," he explained, then went to search through the barels and crates that had escaped the fire.
Malystryx pulled out a book and somehow created a portal. Elendel stepped through casually. He was getting used to this portal thing, and he was beginning to like it! Why would you waste time getting to somewhere when you could simply zap right there?
"Goblin elections," someone muttered. He couldn't tell if it had been Kellion or Malystryx.
They traveled down the passageway until they could hear the voices of the goblins. "Time to get ready," Kellion said in a low voice. The two adventurers began to search their packs for rods and potions, while the half-dragon dropped his shield and began to cast some spells.
The two swordsman were the first to charge in, both eager to kill as many as possible. Elendel aimed at a shaman next to what appeared to be the leader, who sat on a giant spider, when he heard a roar, and then he saw fire, everywhere.
For a moment he was blinded by it. Everything in the chamber was on fire. It was like a freakish hell. In the middle stood Kellion and Malystryx, both looking as surprised as the other. The goblin leader lay on its burnt mount, and it slowly tried to crawl away. But Kellion lept at it, and severed the head. He held it up with a huge grin.
But soon curiousity took over thier triumph. "What was that?" The two adventurers asked. Then Elendel looked at the half-dragon's sword.
"You are a bladecaster...." he said, hardly believing it. A half-dragon bladecaster? Who had ever heard of such a thing? But as Elendel thought about it, it didn't seem so outragous.
His father had been a bladecaster, and he had seen his abilities with the sword once. It was unbelievable what he could do. Malystryx wasn't at the level Elendel's father was, but it would only be a matter of time.
"I'll explain everything in the temple," Malystryx said. Elendel nodded. He wasn't about to press such a powerful creature for answers.
Kellion handed Elendel some arrows. "Here are some arrows I found on the leader," he explained, then went to search through the barels and crates that had escaped the fire.
Malystryx pulled out a book and somehow created a portal. Elendel stepped through casually. He was getting used to this portal thing, and he was beginning to like it! Why would you waste time getting to somewhere when you could simply zap right there?
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
It was dusk, and dark, as Elendel pulled himself out of the well, and he fell onto the cobblestone path. For an hour he just lay there, panting, wet, cold, tired, and miserable. And yet a sense of triumph was in his heart, for he had conquered the well, and the foul druid that had left him there. As the sun began to sink below the horizon, Elendel got up.
He slowly began to walk along a path back to his mansion. It was like a dream, walking these paths at night. Suddenly, he rounded a corner and a snake sat there, coiled up and hissing.
Elendel wasn't afraid, just a little disapointed. He had strategically taken this path because it would take him back to his house while keeping him as far away from the druid's small house as possible. Now this snake sat here, as if guarding the easy way out, and forcing him to take the harder path. Well, he wouldn't stand for this! Elendel Wood would not yield for a simple snake!
Aiming for its head, Elendel brought up his boot and stomped on the snake's head, crushing it. Elendel clearly heard a Crunch!, but he wasn't satisfied with that. He put his wait on the book, then he ground the snake into the cobblestones. He laughed as he watched the rest of the body squirm around, as if to escape, or as if in pain. For a brief moment he felt his dominance over this inferior creature, but then it passed, for it was just an obstacle he had gotten past. He continued down the path, to his mansion.
His parents had looked for him all day, and when Elendel told them what happened (he left out the part about his prank, instead claiming that the druid had hit him, so he had ran from him), they were outraged. They had the druid thrown out.
He slowly began to walk along a path back to his mansion. It was like a dream, walking these paths at night. Suddenly, he rounded a corner and a snake sat there, coiled up and hissing.
Elendel wasn't afraid, just a little disapointed. He had strategically taken this path because it would take him back to his house while keeping him as far away from the druid's small house as possible. Now this snake sat here, as if guarding the easy way out, and forcing him to take the harder path. Well, he wouldn't stand for this! Elendel Wood would not yield for a simple snake!
Aiming for its head, Elendel brought up his boot and stomped on the snake's head, crushing it. Elendel clearly heard a Crunch!, but he wasn't satisfied with that. He put his wait on the book, then he ground the snake into the cobblestones. He laughed as he watched the rest of the body squirm around, as if to escape, or as if in pain. For a brief moment he felt his dominance over this inferior creature, but then it passed, for it was just an obstacle he had gotten past. He continued down the path, to his mansion.
His parents had looked for him all day, and when Elendel told them what happened (he left out the part about his prank, instead claiming that the druid had hit him, so he had ran from him), they were outraged. They had the druid thrown out.
Kel was pleased that he had put the finishing blow to the newly "elected" goblin leader. Eon would be pleased that he had proven his strength when even the magics from that mysterious half-dragon could not kill it. He wrapped the goblin's head in its own cloak and placed it in his pack. Noticing the crates and barrels at the back of the chamber, Kel walked swiftly toward the potential loot.
Kel thouroughly searched the crates, sure they had been taken from the merchant's wagon they had seen outside the mine. He was upset that there was nothing inside, and started to think that perhaps the woman who had run out had scavanged the valuables before they got there. He sighed and turned around in time to see Elendel jump into a portal. The half-dragon must have created the thing. Sure enough, seconds later, Malystryx stepped around the portal, motioned for Kel to follow and then stepped through.
Kel did not trust this creature, and was wondering if this portal would lead them somewhere bad. He sighed again. Elendel had alrady jumped through, and he had not rescued the elf from that well just to leave him to the fate of the half-dragon. Kel drew his blade, tightened the straps on his shield and stepped into the portal...
...And out into the Blackstone Temple? Kel looked around, wondering if it was a clever copy, but he noticed the winged celestial beasts, the priestess with the wings and noticed several adventurers milling about.
He saw Elendel and Malystryx standing nearby and walked over to them, sheathing his sword and taking off his helm. "What happened back there with that sword of yours?" Kel frowned deeply. "And why did we arrive here and not the portal room at the tavern?"
"It is too loud in here, my friends," Malystryx pointed to the door. "I suggest we go outside to the fountain and I will answer all your questions there."
Kel shrugged and followed the elf and elf-dragon from the temple.
Kel thouroughly searched the crates, sure they had been taken from the merchant's wagon they had seen outside the mine. He was upset that there was nothing inside, and started to think that perhaps the woman who had run out had scavanged the valuables before they got there. He sighed and turned around in time to see Elendel jump into a portal. The half-dragon must have created the thing. Sure enough, seconds later, Malystryx stepped around the portal, motioned for Kel to follow and then stepped through.
Kel did not trust this creature, and was wondering if this portal would lead them somewhere bad. He sighed again. Elendel had alrady jumped through, and he had not rescued the elf from that well just to leave him to the fate of the half-dragon. Kel drew his blade, tightened the straps on his shield and stepped into the portal...
...And out into the Blackstone Temple? Kel looked around, wondering if it was a clever copy, but he noticed the winged celestial beasts, the priestess with the wings and noticed several adventurers milling about.
He saw Elendel and Malystryx standing nearby and walked over to them, sheathing his sword and taking off his helm. "What happened back there with that sword of yours?" Kel frowned deeply. "And why did we arrive here and not the portal room at the tavern?"
"It is too loud in here, my friends," Malystryx pointed to the door. "I suggest we go outside to the fountain and I will answer all your questions there."
Kel shrugged and followed the elf and elf-dragon from the temple.
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
They walked over to a fountain near the temple. It was a peaceful place, with no one around, oddly enough. Malystryx glanced around to make sure they were alone.
"As to your first question," he began. "Yes. I am a half-dragon bladecaster."
"You must be very powerful," Elendel commented. "But it seems like a dangerous path to take."
Malystryx nodded. "The path is a dangerous one, but finding out about my heritage is something I'm willing to do, no matter the risks."
"What about your blade?" Kellion asked.
Elendel looked at the blade. It was a long, elaborate sword. It seemed alot similar to one he had seen very long ago...
"It is unbreakable," Malystryx said. "And quite powerful. It can casts spells whenever the bladecaster needs them. As the bladecaster increases in power, so does the sword. A sword is connected to the bladecaster's lifeforce, you see."
"I wouldn't mind a sword like that," Kellion said. "Come to think about it, I think my father's castle may have been built by a bladecaster. A sword hangs above my father's throne, but no one could use it."
"My father was a bladecaster," Elendel thought. His younger brother was, too. Elendel smirked inwardly. His brother and sister had always excelled in the areas they had wanted him to excell in. His youngest sister was a cleric of Lia, his younger brother was on his way to be a powerful bladecaster, and his other sister was a mage. Indeed, his family had much prestige in his home city, except for him. No, Elendel hadn't excelled in magic, or the sword, instead he had chosen a peasant's sport. He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to be thinking of such thoughts.
"As to your second question," Malystryx continued. "as to why we were brought to the temple and not the inn," Malystryx pulled out a book. "I was able to find this. It lets me create portals at will."
Elendel didn't seem to hear. He had tried not to think about home, but he couldn't. The conversation between Kellion and Malystryx continued, with Elendel somewhere else. The color of blood brought him back.
"Kellion," he said, pointing to Kellion's pack. "I think the goblin head may be bleeding through. You had best wash the pack before it stains."
Kellion looked at his pack with disgust, and dipped it into the fountain. Elendel watched as the water in the fountain turned red around the pack. Kellion scrubbed his pack vigourously. Elendel noted that, for all the blood he had spilt so far, his cloak had no trace of blood. Odd, he thought.
"We had best turn this in," Kellion said, not wanting anymore goblin blood in his pack. Elendel and Malystryx nodded. Then they walked across the street to the city hall.
"As to your first question," he began. "Yes. I am a half-dragon bladecaster."
"You must be very powerful," Elendel commented. "But it seems like a dangerous path to take."
Malystryx nodded. "The path is a dangerous one, but finding out about my heritage is something I'm willing to do, no matter the risks."
"What about your blade?" Kellion asked.
Elendel looked at the blade. It was a long, elaborate sword. It seemed alot similar to one he had seen very long ago...
"It is unbreakable," Malystryx said. "And quite powerful. It can casts spells whenever the bladecaster needs them. As the bladecaster increases in power, so does the sword. A sword is connected to the bladecaster's lifeforce, you see."
"I wouldn't mind a sword like that," Kellion said. "Come to think about it, I think my father's castle may have been built by a bladecaster. A sword hangs above my father's throne, but no one could use it."
"My father was a bladecaster," Elendel thought. His younger brother was, too. Elendel smirked inwardly. His brother and sister had always excelled in the areas they had wanted him to excell in. His youngest sister was a cleric of Lia, his younger brother was on his way to be a powerful bladecaster, and his other sister was a mage. Indeed, his family had much prestige in his home city, except for him. No, Elendel hadn't excelled in magic, or the sword, instead he had chosen a peasant's sport. He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to be thinking of such thoughts.
"As to your second question," Malystryx continued. "as to why we were brought to the temple and not the inn," Malystryx pulled out a book. "I was able to find this. It lets me create portals at will."
Elendel didn't seem to hear. He had tried not to think about home, but he couldn't. The conversation between Kellion and Malystryx continued, with Elendel somewhere else. The color of blood brought him back.
"Kellion," he said, pointing to Kellion's pack. "I think the goblin head may be bleeding through. You had best wash the pack before it stains."
Kellion looked at his pack with disgust, and dipped it into the fountain. Elendel watched as the water in the fountain turned red around the pack. Kellion scrubbed his pack vigourously. Elendel noted that, for all the blood he had spilt so far, his cloak had no trace of blood. Odd, he thought.
"We had best turn this in," Kellion said, not wanting anymore goblin blood in his pack. Elendel and Malystryx nodded. Then they walked across the street to the city hall.
Throughout the conversation, Kellion still could not bring himself to think fondly of this elf-dragon. Elendel seemed captivated by the man, and upon hearing that his father was also one of these "bladecasters," Kel thought he understood his companion's immediate trust of this mysterious character.
But the thought of this unbreakable, sentinent blade brought back memories that were not altogether pleasant.
Everytime he came to his father's throne room, Kel was intimidated. Not because of his father's presence. Not because of the many guards who stared at him with a sneer. Not because of the wizard he always had run ins with. Not even because of the high priest who would attend the court on occasion. It was because of the blade.
The exotic blade which had graced the hall for generations. Occasionally it would glow a subtle hue of gold and blue, usually when visiting dignitaries would be present. The sword would make Kel uneasy, and he was never sure why.
One evening, he had attempted to investigate the relic. He had snuck into the throne room after everyone was asleep. Even the two guards who had the night shift in the throne room were sleeping, as they always did.
Kel stealthily crept up to the throne, and he had to stand on its arms in order to reach high enough to dislodge the sword from its mounting brackets.
As he took it off the wall, its weight alone was an indicator that the blade was especially unwieldly. It was crafted magnificently, despite its uselessness as a weapon. It was larger than his practice longsword. As he examined it, he imagined that this was what was referred to as a "bastard sword." He never could figure why such swords had earned that label.
He had hoped that upon freeing the blade from its home, it would glow for him like it had for the strangers from strange lands, but it did not.
*I am sorry my son*
Kel jumped, almost dropping the blade. He looked to both sides, noticing the guards leaning against their halberds. One of them snored and shifted his position but remained asleep.
"What the..." Kel whispered.
*I have not spoken to one of your lineage for generations, but I choose to do so now so that someday I might again be used to fight against the hoardes*
Kel gazed at the sword in awe. Was it actually talking to him? He started to wonder if he was dreaming.
*Your family has been around for many hundreds of years. Long enough that only a select few can even trace your family tree*
"Am I losing my mind?" Kel again whispered, afraid to wake the guards.
The words which formed in his mind seemed to laugh *Not at all. I am only trying to educate you so that you might speak to the others in your family and encourage them to work towards regaining their former glory*
"FORMER glory? Are you saying my family has no glory?"
*In the sense that you have all lost touch with the magic of your forebears, yes. Your family used to be quite mighty in the use of the arcane*
Kel's face grew hot as he remembered the recent incident with the castle's wizard. It was indeed true that he was inept at the arcane, other than provoking those who used it.
*And your family also used to have blood which did not run so thick*
"Now, I may be thick, but that doesn't make any sense to me," Kel frowned. Was this blade attempting to insult him?
*The last time I was used in battle, your ancestor had the magic of elven bloof lowing through his veins. Sadly, your family has bred it all out by cavorting with the humans who surround your lands*
Kel shrugged. He all of a sudden became very aware of his slightly pointed ears. He had heard of there being elven blood somewhere in his ancestry, but he wasn't so sure he wanted to have such a bigoted blade at his side.
*You family must regain that elven magic in order to bring me back to battle. You must inform your family to make connections with the elves in order to regain your former glory*
Kel was not so sure he wanted to speak with anyone about this experience. "I think you make a better ornament." He stepped back onto the throne, moving to place the blade back where he found it.
*Do not forget me, Kellion Norrington. I will make sure you do not forget me!*
Kel placed the blade back in its holding and stepped back into the darkness and scurried to his room.
But the thought of this unbreakable, sentinent blade brought back memories that were not altogether pleasant.
Everytime he came to his father's throne room, Kel was intimidated. Not because of his father's presence. Not because of the many guards who stared at him with a sneer. Not because of the wizard he always had run ins with. Not even because of the high priest who would attend the court on occasion. It was because of the blade.
The exotic blade which had graced the hall for generations. Occasionally it would glow a subtle hue of gold and blue, usually when visiting dignitaries would be present. The sword would make Kel uneasy, and he was never sure why.
One evening, he had attempted to investigate the relic. He had snuck into the throne room after everyone was asleep. Even the two guards who had the night shift in the throne room were sleeping, as they always did.
Kel stealthily crept up to the throne, and he had to stand on its arms in order to reach high enough to dislodge the sword from its mounting brackets.
As he took it off the wall, its weight alone was an indicator that the blade was especially unwieldly. It was crafted magnificently, despite its uselessness as a weapon. It was larger than his practice longsword. As he examined it, he imagined that this was what was referred to as a "bastard sword." He never could figure why such swords had earned that label.
He had hoped that upon freeing the blade from its home, it would glow for him like it had for the strangers from strange lands, but it did not.
*I am sorry my son*
Kel jumped, almost dropping the blade. He looked to both sides, noticing the guards leaning against their halberds. One of them snored and shifted his position but remained asleep.
"What the..." Kel whispered.
*I have not spoken to one of your lineage for generations, but I choose to do so now so that someday I might again be used to fight against the hoardes*
Kel gazed at the sword in awe. Was it actually talking to him? He started to wonder if he was dreaming.
*Your family has been around for many hundreds of years. Long enough that only a select few can even trace your family tree*
"Am I losing my mind?" Kel again whispered, afraid to wake the guards.
The words which formed in his mind seemed to laugh *Not at all. I am only trying to educate you so that you might speak to the others in your family and encourage them to work towards regaining their former glory*
"FORMER glory? Are you saying my family has no glory?"
*In the sense that you have all lost touch with the magic of your forebears, yes. Your family used to be quite mighty in the use of the arcane*
Kel's face grew hot as he remembered the recent incident with the castle's wizard. It was indeed true that he was inept at the arcane, other than provoking those who used it.
*And your family also used to have blood which did not run so thick*
"Now, I may be thick, but that doesn't make any sense to me," Kel frowned. Was this blade attempting to insult him?
*The last time I was used in battle, your ancestor had the magic of elven bloof lowing through his veins. Sadly, your family has bred it all out by cavorting with the humans who surround your lands*
Kel shrugged. He all of a sudden became very aware of his slightly pointed ears. He had heard of there being elven blood somewhere in his ancestry, but he wasn't so sure he wanted to have such a bigoted blade at his side.
*You family must regain that elven magic in order to bring me back to battle. You must inform your family to make connections with the elves in order to regain your former glory*
Kel was not so sure he wanted to speak with anyone about this experience. "I think you make a better ornament." He stepped back onto the throne, moving to place the blade back where he found it.
*Do not forget me, Kellion Norrington. I will make sure you do not forget me!*
Kel placed the blade back in its holding and stepped back into the darkness and scurried to his room.
Kel snapped himself out of his memories and started walking toward city hall, his dripping pack leaving a wet and slightly bloody trail from the fountain.
The Warden looked up at the adventurers as they entered his office. He grinned at them. "Why hello again! Have you conquered those vermin?"
Kel opened his pack and flipped the head at the Warden. A sickening thud of flesh hit a pile of paperwork on his desk, scattering desk supplies everywhere. The Warden's face registered shock and he jumped back.
"Here's his head," Kel walked up to the man and held out his hand. "So, where's our payment?"
As Kel held out his hand, the Warden flinched as if he were about to be hit. He recovered quickly, however, and went back to his desk, opening a large drawer with a key around his neck. He withdrew a cloth sack and placed it on the desk.
"You have proven to be useful so far, adventurers," He recomposed himself and started running a hand through his hair. "By chance, would you be available for another small task?"
Kel sighed and looked to Elendel, who stood nearby. "It always depends on the amount of the reward and what the job is, but we're always interested in work."
"Very well. When you are prepared, there is a group of black orcs who have settled onto a nearby island. These pirates troll our port, attacking merchants and making life generally miserable for any seafaring vessles nearby," The warden glanced at the gory head, now a desk ornament. "Their leader should be on this isle. This time, bring me his heart for proof. The orcs all look alike, but the leader's heart should be unique. It is rumored that his heart was pierced by a blade at one point, but he was quickly healed by a shaman. His heart should have a section that is made of silver. Bring that to me and I will now you have fulfilled your part of the bargain."
Kel sighed. "Well, it looks like orcs are on the menu whatever path we follow," He readjusted his pack and looked to Elendel. Malystryx had also joined them in the office. "It appears that my skinning blade is going to need sharpening."
"We should resupply, my friends," Malystryx waved his hand toward the door. "Come on, if we leave quickly we can leave the keep before nightfall."
"You two go along. I need a few more apples from the stores here," Kel walked away. "I'll meet you at the large oak."
The Warden looked up at the adventurers as they entered his office. He grinned at them. "Why hello again! Have you conquered those vermin?"
Kel opened his pack and flipped the head at the Warden. A sickening thud of flesh hit a pile of paperwork on his desk, scattering desk supplies everywhere. The Warden's face registered shock and he jumped back.
"Here's his head," Kel walked up to the man and held out his hand. "So, where's our payment?"
As Kel held out his hand, the Warden flinched as if he were about to be hit. He recovered quickly, however, and went back to his desk, opening a large drawer with a key around his neck. He withdrew a cloth sack and placed it on the desk.
"You have proven to be useful so far, adventurers," He recomposed himself and started running a hand through his hair. "By chance, would you be available for another small task?"
Kel sighed and looked to Elendel, who stood nearby. "It always depends on the amount of the reward and what the job is, but we're always interested in work."
"Very well. When you are prepared, there is a group of black orcs who have settled onto a nearby island. These pirates troll our port, attacking merchants and making life generally miserable for any seafaring vessles nearby," The warden glanced at the gory head, now a desk ornament. "Their leader should be on this isle. This time, bring me his heart for proof. The orcs all look alike, but the leader's heart should be unique. It is rumored that his heart was pierced by a blade at one point, but he was quickly healed by a shaman. His heart should have a section that is made of silver. Bring that to me and I will now you have fulfilled your part of the bargain."
Kel sighed. "Well, it looks like orcs are on the menu whatever path we follow," He readjusted his pack and looked to Elendel. Malystryx had also joined them in the office. "It appears that my skinning blade is going to need sharpening."
"We should resupply, my friends," Malystryx waved his hand toward the door. "Come on, if we leave quickly we can leave the keep before nightfall."
"You two go along. I need a few more apples from the stores here," Kel walked away. "I'll meet you at the large oak."
Kel went into the back room and filled his pack with apples. He was starting to wonder more about this half-dragon. There was something about him that Kel did not trust, but he could not put his finger on it. The man seemed nice enough, and had assisted them with the goblins, so maybe he should just accept that the creature was benevolent. He could think this to himself, but could not accept it.
He snuck out of the storeroom, and the Warden did not see him exit. Kel could see him straightening papers and grumbling over papers which were covered with blood. One of the guards was handling the goblin's head with obvious disgust, the other sorting through a pile of pikes, deciding which one to use for the keep's walls.
As he left city hall, Kel felt a bit down. He wasn't sure why, but the recent events were probably a part of it. He sighed to himself and decided to head for the ancient oak. He did not need any more supplies, and was ready to leave on their next quest.
As he walked past the keep's entrance, he noticed a familiar looking woman entring the keep. She was the woman who had warned them about the goblin leader. Damn, she was beautiful!
"Why hello again, milady!" Kel bowed deeply, glad that he had taken the time to wash in the fountain now. "It seems that we are destined to keep running into each other! I could not wish for a better fate."
The woman blushed and curtsied, despite the armor she wore. "And thank you for such kind words, sir?"
"Kellion. Kellion Norrington," Kel reached for her hand, which she offered to him. He kissed her hand gently. "And your name need not be spoken, for the mystery of your touch has plagued my thoughts since we last spoke."
At just that time, another woman called to her from near the temple. Kel had not noticed the caller using a name, and regretted that he had missed it. The beautiful woman took her hand back, and as Kel looked into her eyes she quickly looked away and blushed again. "Well, if that is the case, noble warrior, then I shall not speak it. Until we meet again!" And she quickly walked away to her friend.
Kel sighed deeply, watching her go. His dreary mood had left him quite suddenly, and he did not even remember it being there.
He snuck out of the storeroom, and the Warden did not see him exit. Kel could see him straightening papers and grumbling over papers which were covered with blood. One of the guards was handling the goblin's head with obvious disgust, the other sorting through a pile of pikes, deciding which one to use for the keep's walls.
As he left city hall, Kel felt a bit down. He wasn't sure why, but the recent events were probably a part of it. He sighed to himself and decided to head for the ancient oak. He did not need any more supplies, and was ready to leave on their next quest.
As he walked past the keep's entrance, he noticed a familiar looking woman entring the keep. She was the woman who had warned them about the goblin leader. Damn, she was beautiful!
"Why hello again, milady!" Kel bowed deeply, glad that he had taken the time to wash in the fountain now. "It seems that we are destined to keep running into each other! I could not wish for a better fate."
The woman blushed and curtsied, despite the armor she wore. "And thank you for such kind words, sir?"
"Kellion. Kellion Norrington," Kel reached for her hand, which she offered to him. He kissed her hand gently. "And your name need not be spoken, for the mystery of your touch has plagued my thoughts since we last spoke."
At just that time, another woman called to her from near the temple. Kel had not noticed the caller using a name, and regretted that he had missed it. The beautiful woman took her hand back, and as Kel looked into her eyes she quickly looked away and blushed again. "Well, if that is the case, noble warrior, then I shall not speak it. Until we meet again!" And she quickly walked away to her friend.
Kel sighed deeply, watching her go. His dreary mood had left him quite suddenly, and he did not even remember it being there.
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
Elendel could here the dwarf grumbling as he bought more and more arrows. When Elendel finally payed the total sum of the arrows, a whole 10 gold pieces, the dwarf muttered something about raising the price of the arrows and then something about "bloody elves". Elendel was happy to leave the place.
It was bright and sunny outside, Elendel noticed, and the sun seemed to warm his mood. He walked to the tree, where he took a seat near it and laid his sword on his lap. It was an elaborate sword, though not so elaborate as his father's or even Maylstryx's was. But Elendel could feel power in the sword. Elendel decided he would keep it by his hip just in case he had to use it.
Malystryx met him by the Oak. "What of your friend, Kellion?"
Elendel shrugged. "I suppose he has things to do."
Malystryx took a seat by the oak. About 10 minues later, Kellion met up with them.
"We have two choices," Malystryx declared. "We can walk there, or we can take a portal."
"I'd rather have a road beneath my feat," Kellion said. Elendel's own feelings were contrary to this, he'd rather stay away from that undead-crawling road and take a simple portal to Skara Brae, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Very well. If you decide to ever use the portal to Skara Brae, the rune combination is...." Malystryx told them the combination, which the two road in thier journals.
The three adventurers noticed that the portal seemed to be broken at the moment; a halfling tried over and over again to make it work. He would put in the combination, and there would be a flash of light, but he would still be in the center. Elendel wondered if walking there wasn't such a bad idea after all.
It was bright and sunny outside, Elendel noticed, and the sun seemed to warm his mood. He walked to the tree, where he took a seat near it and laid his sword on his lap. It was an elaborate sword, though not so elaborate as his father's or even Maylstryx's was. But Elendel could feel power in the sword. Elendel decided he would keep it by his hip just in case he had to use it.
Malystryx met him by the Oak. "What of your friend, Kellion?"
Elendel shrugged. "I suppose he has things to do."
Malystryx took a seat by the oak. About 10 minues later, Kellion met up with them.
"We have two choices," Malystryx declared. "We can walk there, or we can take a portal."
"I'd rather have a road beneath my feat," Kellion said. Elendel's own feelings were contrary to this, he'd rather stay away from that undead-crawling road and take a simple portal to Skara Brae, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Very well. If you decide to ever use the portal to Skara Brae, the rune combination is...." Malystryx told them the combination, which the two road in thier journals.
The three adventurers noticed that the portal seemed to be broken at the moment; a halfling tried over and over again to make it work. He would put in the combination, and there would be a flash of light, but he would still be in the center. Elendel wondered if walking there wasn't such a bad idea after all.
As they walked along Blackstone Road, they encountered many adventurers destroying undead. It seemed as if many had come to Blackstone Keep as they had, and Kel thought that perhaps even though the undead seemed limitless, so did the warriors who fought them back.
For the most part, the adventurers around the road were too busy with their battles to greet the trio, but a few saluted with their blades or axes as they passed.
When they reached the wagon in front of the goblin infested mines, Kel noticed that the wagon itself had been reduced to char. The three corpses that had been riddled with arrows were still lying in their awkward positions of death. Kel thought that was a sad way to die, stripped of belongings and rotting on the ground. He shrugged it off and they walked by, but out of the corner of his eye, he detected movement.
Suddenly, one of the arrow pierced corpses twitched and rose from the ground. Its eyes had been long eaten by a woodland creature, and bones stook out of arms and legs, but amazingly the creature rose anyway. The empty eye sockets burst into a reddish glow, and the corpse lumbered their way.
Kel shouted a warning to Elendel, who turned at Kel's shout. Malystryx turned with his blade leading and swept the legs out from under one of the zombies. Elendel, noticing the arrow shafts protruding from the undead, decided against shooting more into them, and instead grabed at the remaining body of the wagon and turned it over onto a corpse that was struggling to rise.
Kel sliced the head from the remaining zombie, sheathed his sword and they continued up the road. As they neared the region close to the beetle's nest, Malytryx stopped suddenly and faced them.
"I am sorry, my friends," His eyes looked somewhat distant. "I must depart for the time being. I just remembered some duties I need to attend to."
"That's fine, but you were going to lead us to this village," Kel crossed his arms, his shield coming up in front of him. "Can you at least tell us where we need to go?"
Malytryx smiled. "Of course! You just need to continue on this road, and you will walk right into Skara Brae."
Elendel bowed deeply. "We will miss your company, Malytryx. It has been a pleasure adventuring with you."
"The pleasure has been mine! Remember, your soul is joined to your blade, Elendel. Nurture that relationship and your sword will show you wonders."
Kel shook his head. Such chaos in a weapon was a bit frightening to him. Especially when he knew the thing spoke.
Malytryx nodded to them both, and Kel saluted in parting. He turned and walked back toward the keep as they continued to walk toward Skara Brae.
For the most part, the adventurers around the road were too busy with their battles to greet the trio, but a few saluted with their blades or axes as they passed.
When they reached the wagon in front of the goblin infested mines, Kel noticed that the wagon itself had been reduced to char. The three corpses that had been riddled with arrows were still lying in their awkward positions of death. Kel thought that was a sad way to die, stripped of belongings and rotting on the ground. He shrugged it off and they walked by, but out of the corner of his eye, he detected movement.
Suddenly, one of the arrow pierced corpses twitched and rose from the ground. Its eyes had been long eaten by a woodland creature, and bones stook out of arms and legs, but amazingly the creature rose anyway. The empty eye sockets burst into a reddish glow, and the corpse lumbered their way.
Kel shouted a warning to Elendel, who turned at Kel's shout. Malystryx turned with his blade leading and swept the legs out from under one of the zombies. Elendel, noticing the arrow shafts protruding from the undead, decided against shooting more into them, and instead grabed at the remaining body of the wagon and turned it over onto a corpse that was struggling to rise.
Kel sliced the head from the remaining zombie, sheathed his sword and they continued up the road. As they neared the region close to the beetle's nest, Malytryx stopped suddenly and faced them.
"I am sorry, my friends," His eyes looked somewhat distant. "I must depart for the time being. I just remembered some duties I need to attend to."
"That's fine, but you were going to lead us to this village," Kel crossed his arms, his shield coming up in front of him. "Can you at least tell us where we need to go?"
Malytryx smiled. "Of course! You just need to continue on this road, and you will walk right into Skara Brae."
Elendel bowed deeply. "We will miss your company, Malytryx. It has been a pleasure adventuring with you."
"The pleasure has been mine! Remember, your soul is joined to your blade, Elendel. Nurture that relationship and your sword will show you wonders."
Kel shook his head. Such chaos in a weapon was a bit frightening to him. Especially when he knew the thing spoke.
Malytryx nodded to them both, and Kel saluted in parting. He turned and walked back toward the keep as they continued to walk toward Skara Brae.
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
Elendel was dissapointed to see Malystryx leave. He had felt safer knowing that someone of that power was with the two adventurers. He sighed, and they continued North.
They met little resistance on thier way to Skara Brae. They knew they had arrived when they saw a wooden fence on the right side of the road. Taking a left, Elendel and Kellion climbed a hill to gather thier surroundings, and saw Skara Brae looming in the distance.
The first thing they noticed was the white, stone building looming over the town, as if shepherding the town. They also noticed a portal similar to the one they had seen in the Keep along a ridge to the south of the town. Next they saw the town itself, made up of wooden buildings and farmlands.
It was a wonderful sight. But surrounded on the north and the west, forest surrounded the town, containing dark mysteries, unseen dangers, and creatures beyond imagination. The shadows of the forests were such a contrast to the brightness of the town that Elendel had to do a double take.
Then the two adventurers descended down the hill and came back onto the road, continueing down it until they reached their destination.
They met little resistance on thier way to Skara Brae. They knew they had arrived when they saw a wooden fence on the right side of the road. Taking a left, Elendel and Kellion climbed a hill to gather thier surroundings, and saw Skara Brae looming in the distance.
The first thing they noticed was the white, stone building looming over the town, as if shepherding the town. They also noticed a portal similar to the one they had seen in the Keep along a ridge to the south of the town. Next they saw the town itself, made up of wooden buildings and farmlands.
It was a wonderful sight. But surrounded on the north and the west, forest surrounded the town, containing dark mysteries, unseen dangers, and creatures beyond imagination. The shadows of the forests were such a contrast to the brightness of the town that Elendel had to do a double take.
Then the two adventurers descended down the hill and came back onto the road, continueing down it until they reached their destination.
As they walked toward the center of the village, Kel could tell that the Skara Brae township consisted of poor folk. A barn stood on each side of the dusty lane, hay falling out of an upper bay. A stray cat sat on top of a fencepost, calmly licking itself and ignoring the outside world.
Surprisingly, the village seemed abandoned. Kel was used to small towns like this, having spent some time romancing village women and having regular dalliances away from his father's castle. They were typically quite busy, between harvesting, planting, shepherding, manufacturing and of course, drinking. He could not even see any inns or pubs in the area!
He found himself actually being startled to see a man with a large two-handed sword standing outside of one of the buildings. "Greetings adventurers," the man leaned his sword against the wall of the house and waved them over. "are you two interested in a spot of work? It would be a noble task, and the village will pay well for its completion..."
Kel smiled. "You sold me at the words 'pay well,'" Kel bowed to the man, who nodded in reply. "So what sort of task do you have for us this fine day?"
"There is a group of ogres to the northwest of the village, in the dark forest," the villager frowned. "They've been terrorizing all who pass by their area, and the village has been missing a number of merchant shipments which usually come through to us from the desert lands far to the north. We need you to kill them off by dispatching their leader. Just bring his head as proof you've completed this task."
"Another head, eh? Maybe there's a reason mercanaries are also known as headhunters?" Elendel snickered quietly at that quip. "Very well, we will take this quest. We have a short chore to accomplish first, then we will make sure the merchant roads are safe again. We will speak to you soon."
Surprisingly, the village seemed abandoned. Kel was used to small towns like this, having spent some time romancing village women and having regular dalliances away from his father's castle. They were typically quite busy, between harvesting, planting, shepherding, manufacturing and of course, drinking. He could not even see any inns or pubs in the area!
He found himself actually being startled to see a man with a large two-handed sword standing outside of one of the buildings. "Greetings adventurers," the man leaned his sword against the wall of the house and waved them over. "are you two interested in a spot of work? It would be a noble task, and the village will pay well for its completion..."
Kel smiled. "You sold me at the words 'pay well,'" Kel bowed to the man, who nodded in reply. "So what sort of task do you have for us this fine day?"
"There is a group of ogres to the northwest of the village, in the dark forest," the villager frowned. "They've been terrorizing all who pass by their area, and the village has been missing a number of merchant shipments which usually come through to us from the desert lands far to the north. We need you to kill them off by dispatching their leader. Just bring his head as proof you've completed this task."
"Another head, eh? Maybe there's a reason mercanaries are also known as headhunters?" Elendel snickered quietly at that quip. "Very well, we will take this quest. We have a short chore to accomplish first, then we will make sure the merchant roads are safe again. We will speak to you soon."
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
Before the adventurers could take care of the ogre problem, they had to deal with the orcs to the east. They took the road east, until they came to a fork in the road. They looked to the left, and saw a huge wooden fortress sitting on top of a hill. And sure enough, on the sides of the road, were two signs that this was where the orcs were encamped.
The first was a head on a pike. The second was what used to be some sort of human impaled on another pike.
Both adventurers were immediately overcome with emotion. "I think we know that this is the way to the orcs," Elendel said with disgust.
"Damn them!" Kellion said. He examined the body. "What should we do with the corpses, should we bury them?" He turned in time to see Elendel throw the head-topped pike into the woods like a javelin.
"Take him off the pike, and cremate him. We don't have time for a burial," Elendel merely said.
At first Kellion thought it might be some Elven ritual, or perhaps Elendel was just cold-hearted, and then he realized that Elendel was right. They didn't have much time. The orc stronghold was just north of thier position, and he didn't want to be caught off guard if a scouting party decided to check on the road.
He went into the woods and grabbed whatever dry wood he could find. There wasn't much -It rained in Blackstone alot, it seemed- but it was enough to start a fire. Meanwhile Elendel gathered some dry pine needles. Getting some flint and steel out, Kellion used the wood and needles to start a fire.
It wasn't long after they had started a fire that the two adventurers noticed two dark shapes coming down from the hill. The sun was going down, and Elendel couldn't quite make out the figures until they were right in front of him. One of them was another elf, the other....
It had the head of a tiger, its left leg was that of a goats, its right leg and body was that of a halfling's, it had a hook for one of its hands, a hand for the other, and a long, cat-like tail. It was the oddest creature Elendel had ever seen. "'Ello!" It called out to them with a toothy grin, or what Elendel percieved to be a toothy grin.
"Greetings...." Elendel and Kellion said lowly and half-heartedly at the same time. They were both trying to figure out what the creature was. Meanwhile the elf behind the creature remained silent in the shadows.
"As you can see, we're trying to give this adventure a proper cremation. Damn those orcs," Kellion said. "They will taste our fury soon."
The halfling-thing nodded. "Aye, that they will!" He said, his voice full of excitement. Elendel began to wonder if the thing was some sort of imp; it certainly acted like one while confronted by a solemn ceremony. "Perhaps I could help you against these, uh, orcs."
"Really, you'd join us?" Elendel asked, slightly concerned. He didn't know if he wanted the creatures help.
"Aye! I could give ya some stone skin!"
"Stone skin?" Kellion asked.
"Whoa-no! I don't think we want any stone skin, thankyou," Elendel said quickly. His mind quickly conjured up images of basilisks and medusas "giving stone skins".
As if reading his mind, the halfling said,"Oh no, not that kind of stone skin." And then he changed. He was suddenly what Elendel had imagined before, a medusa!
He saw Kellion freeze as the petrification took place. Taking aim, Elendel took an arrow from his quiver and pulled it into his bow.
"Whoa-now, Laddie," The creature said. It was suddenly the odd halfling-creature again. "I was just using that as an example." He tapped his hook against the statue of Kellion, making the stone skin crumble away. "What I was talking about was this." Speaking the words of magic, the creature cast a spell, and suddenly, Kellion was a moving, breathing statue. The creature did the same to Elendel.
"Hmm...." Elendel and Kellion said. "I guess this isn't so bad."
"Farewell, Laddies! And good luck on ya' quest!" The creature called out as it and the elf (Whom hadn't said a single word throughout all of this) walked away.
The corpse had burned away. All that remained was ashes. Taking up their weapons, the two adventurers proceded up the hill.
The first was a head on a pike. The second was what used to be some sort of human impaled on another pike.
Both adventurers were immediately overcome with emotion. "I think we know that this is the way to the orcs," Elendel said with disgust.
"Damn them!" Kellion said. He examined the body. "What should we do with the corpses, should we bury them?" He turned in time to see Elendel throw the head-topped pike into the woods like a javelin.
"Take him off the pike, and cremate him. We don't have time for a burial," Elendel merely said.
At first Kellion thought it might be some Elven ritual, or perhaps Elendel was just cold-hearted, and then he realized that Elendel was right. They didn't have much time. The orc stronghold was just north of thier position, and he didn't want to be caught off guard if a scouting party decided to check on the road.
He went into the woods and grabbed whatever dry wood he could find. There wasn't much -It rained in Blackstone alot, it seemed- but it was enough to start a fire. Meanwhile Elendel gathered some dry pine needles. Getting some flint and steel out, Kellion used the wood and needles to start a fire.
It wasn't long after they had started a fire that the two adventurers noticed two dark shapes coming down from the hill. The sun was going down, and Elendel couldn't quite make out the figures until they were right in front of him. One of them was another elf, the other....
It had the head of a tiger, its left leg was that of a goats, its right leg and body was that of a halfling's, it had a hook for one of its hands, a hand for the other, and a long, cat-like tail. It was the oddest creature Elendel had ever seen. "'Ello!" It called out to them with a toothy grin, or what Elendel percieved to be a toothy grin.
"Greetings...." Elendel and Kellion said lowly and half-heartedly at the same time. They were both trying to figure out what the creature was. Meanwhile the elf behind the creature remained silent in the shadows.
"As you can see, we're trying to give this adventure a proper cremation. Damn those orcs," Kellion said. "They will taste our fury soon."
The halfling-thing nodded. "Aye, that they will!" He said, his voice full of excitement. Elendel began to wonder if the thing was some sort of imp; it certainly acted like one while confronted by a solemn ceremony. "Perhaps I could help you against these, uh, orcs."
"Really, you'd join us?" Elendel asked, slightly concerned. He didn't know if he wanted the creatures help.
"Aye! I could give ya some stone skin!"
"Stone skin?" Kellion asked.
"Whoa-no! I don't think we want any stone skin, thankyou," Elendel said quickly. His mind quickly conjured up images of basilisks and medusas "giving stone skins".
As if reading his mind, the halfling said,"Oh no, not that kind of stone skin." And then he changed. He was suddenly what Elendel had imagined before, a medusa!
He saw Kellion freeze as the petrification took place. Taking aim, Elendel took an arrow from his quiver and pulled it into his bow.
"Whoa-now, Laddie," The creature said. It was suddenly the odd halfling-creature again. "I was just using that as an example." He tapped his hook against the statue of Kellion, making the stone skin crumble away. "What I was talking about was this." Speaking the words of magic, the creature cast a spell, and suddenly, Kellion was a moving, breathing statue. The creature did the same to Elendel.
"Hmm...." Elendel and Kellion said. "I guess this isn't so bad."
"Farewell, Laddies! And good luck on ya' quest!" The creature called out as it and the elf (Whom hadn't said a single word throughout all of this) walked away.
The corpse had burned away. All that remained was ashes. Taking up their weapons, the two adventurers proceded up the hill.
-
Zacarias
- Duke
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA - West of Virginia Beach and South of Norfolk Naval Base.
- Contact:
Elendel crouched in the long grass and watched the two orcs guarding the gates to the orc fort. They're quite large, he thought to himself. The bigger they are, the better the target. It was an old archer's quote. Silently, Elendel pulled his bowstring back, and let it go.
The arrow got the orc in the throat. The other guard looked around for the attacker, but it wasn't fast enough. One arrow pierced its right eye before the thing could react. As its scream pierced the night, another arrow went through one of the orc's lungs. As the lungs filled with blood the orc made a gurgling sound.
Damn! thought Elendel. So much for silence! His first target had been the creature's brain, but it had moved, and the arrow had hit an eye instead. His next target had been the heart, but that too, he had missed.
Kellion, seeing that thier cover was blown, sprung from the grass and finished the orc off with his sword. Elendel walked over to Kellion's side. No words were said, their original plan hadn't gone as planned. Elendel walked over to the fortress gate, and tried cracking the gate open just enough to see some of its inhabitants through a small crack. Instead, the gate swung noisely open at his touch.
Elendel cursed in elven and quickly pulled an arrow from his quiver. Then he saw that the fortress was empty. He looked around suspiciously.
"Where is everyone?" Kellion asked. Elendel shrugged.
"Lets look around some more. Theres bound to be something in here."
The two adventurers creeped around the fort but found nothing. It wasn't until they went into the back that they saw an orc.
Even for an orc he was big. His armor had many dents in it and he carried a Katana. Elendel quickly took aim and fired.
His first arrow bounced off the orc's armor, the second was deflect by the orc's sword. Kellion rushed forward to meet the orc in combat. The orc parried Kellion's first few swings, then Kellion managed to slash into him. The orc retaliated by swinging back at Kellion, nicking his side.
Meanwhile, Elendel saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to face it, and saw a group of ocrs coming thier way. "Ambush!" He cried, and started firing arrows at that group. His first arrow took one orc in the throat, the second went through another orc's thigh, one who happened to be in the front. As that orc fell down, the others tripped over him, buying the two adventurers some time.
Elendel sent two more arrows at the orc leader, then turned once more to the group. They were struggling to get up again. Elendel smirked at them. He could dispose of them all now. He reached back into his quiver to grab an arrow, but grasped only air. His face paled and his heart sunk. The smirk was quickly wiped off his face. He looked back into his quiver. From it, remained only five arrows.
Elendel cursed himself. Why hadn't he restocked his arrows? He pulled one of the arrows out of his quiver, took careful aim, and fired at one of the orcs. Elendel hit him in the heart, and the orc died instantly. But the orcs were closing in; Elendel wouldn't be able to use his bow much longer. He quickly dropped it, and unsheathed his sword.
Instantly blue frost emerged from the sword, freezing his attackers in thier tracks. Then the sword seemed to turn to the orc fighting Kellion, and sent a fireball at it. The orc was flung back several feet, then landed on the ground, dead. Kellion, though, remained unharmed. It was amazing!
Elendel looked down at his sword, his bow, and the four arrows in his quiver, and thanked Lia.
The arrow got the orc in the throat. The other guard looked around for the attacker, but it wasn't fast enough. One arrow pierced its right eye before the thing could react. As its scream pierced the night, another arrow went through one of the orc's lungs. As the lungs filled with blood the orc made a gurgling sound.
Damn! thought Elendel. So much for silence! His first target had been the creature's brain, but it had moved, and the arrow had hit an eye instead. His next target had been the heart, but that too, he had missed.
Kellion, seeing that thier cover was blown, sprung from the grass and finished the orc off with his sword. Elendel walked over to Kellion's side. No words were said, their original plan hadn't gone as planned. Elendel walked over to the fortress gate, and tried cracking the gate open just enough to see some of its inhabitants through a small crack. Instead, the gate swung noisely open at his touch.
Elendel cursed in elven and quickly pulled an arrow from his quiver. Then he saw that the fortress was empty. He looked around suspiciously.
"Where is everyone?" Kellion asked. Elendel shrugged.
"Lets look around some more. Theres bound to be something in here."
The two adventurers creeped around the fort but found nothing. It wasn't until they went into the back that they saw an orc.
Even for an orc he was big. His armor had many dents in it and he carried a Katana. Elendel quickly took aim and fired.
His first arrow bounced off the orc's armor, the second was deflect by the orc's sword. Kellion rushed forward to meet the orc in combat. The orc parried Kellion's first few swings, then Kellion managed to slash into him. The orc retaliated by swinging back at Kellion, nicking his side.
Meanwhile, Elendel saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to face it, and saw a group of ocrs coming thier way. "Ambush!" He cried, and started firing arrows at that group. His first arrow took one orc in the throat, the second went through another orc's thigh, one who happened to be in the front. As that orc fell down, the others tripped over him, buying the two adventurers some time.
Elendel sent two more arrows at the orc leader, then turned once more to the group. They were struggling to get up again. Elendel smirked at them. He could dispose of them all now. He reached back into his quiver to grab an arrow, but grasped only air. His face paled and his heart sunk. The smirk was quickly wiped off his face. He looked back into his quiver. From it, remained only five arrows.
Elendel cursed himself. Why hadn't he restocked his arrows? He pulled one of the arrows out of his quiver, took careful aim, and fired at one of the orcs. Elendel hit him in the heart, and the orc died instantly. But the orcs were closing in; Elendel wouldn't be able to use his bow much longer. He quickly dropped it, and unsheathed his sword.
Instantly blue frost emerged from the sword, freezing his attackers in thier tracks. Then the sword seemed to turn to the orc fighting Kellion, and sent a fireball at it. The orc was flung back several feet, then landed on the ground, dead. Kellion, though, remained unharmed. It was amazing!
Elendel looked down at his sword, his bow, and the four arrows in his quiver, and thanked Lia.
Kel was taken aback by the sheer power displayed by Elendel's weapon. His helm covered his slack-jaw expression, and his sword hung at his side, limp in his hand. He was impressed by the display, all the more so considering the fact that the magic obviously distinguished friend from foe.
A grumble was all the warning Kel got from the garagntuan orc that had come up behind him, taking advantage of the chaos. Kel turned in time to avoid a lethal blow to the head, but not enough to avoid taking a glancing blow to his shield arm. That arm went immediately numb as Kel twisted into a lopsided fighting stance.
The orc swiped again, quicker this time obviously believing he was about ready to destroy the upstart adventurer. Kel was prepared, however, sidestepped the slash and efficently lopped at the orc's exposed belly. His attack went through two banded pieces of metal, drawing blood.
Elendel had sheathed his sword duing this quick exchange of blows and redrawn his longbow. As Kel and the orc circled each other, Kel noticed a band of metal on this orc's head. It appeared this was their leader who had staged this ambush, and that it had decided to intervene directly after the clever ruse was defeated in Elendel's brilliant display of bladecasting.
Elendel quickly popped two arrows into the orc's backside, eliciting small "yipes" from the orc that were completely unexpected from such a large beast. Kel took advantage of the short distraction to aim for the bloody gash again, but this time had angled his sword in such a way that his blade pierced the orc's flesh more directly.
The orc amazingly raised his two-handed sword, obviously in an attempt to cleave Kel in two. At this time, Kel's sword was sticking out of the orc's flesh, and with Kel's shield arm useless it certainly would be a small thing for the beast to smite Kel in a mighty blow. It was not to be, however, as the fury in the orc's eyes shifted to confusion, then to horror, and finally to a dullness only seen in the dying. The sword raised over the orc's head fell backward to the now bloody earth, and Kel's blade came loose from the monster as it slid along the blade's length and fell onto the earth next to its two-handed sword.
Kel looked to Elendel, who had another arrow in place. "Kel, we should depart this place!" He looked back toward the entrance noticing orcs starting to gather, pointing toward the duo.
Kel fell to his knees next to the orc and started digging through the large beast's pouches. "Hurry, Kel! They are coming this way!" Elendel loosed one of his arrows, which disrupted an orc shaman from casting a spell. Another shaman finished a chant, sending a small cloud from its fingers which settled over Kel and immideately doused him in multicolored bolts of lightning.
Kel flinched, but maintained his search. After finding nothing but dried meat and some gold, Kel gave up looking through the packs and noticed the egg sized golden orb hanging from the orc's neck. Kel snatched the orb from its place, snapping the cords that bound it to the orc leader.
Kel went to stand and felt pain coursing through his body. The cloud still hung over his head, and the lights kept distracting him. It would be hard enough to fight with his shield arm numb, let alone to have the distraction of this shaman's acursed magic.
A grumble was all the warning Kel got from the garagntuan orc that had come up behind him, taking advantage of the chaos. Kel turned in time to avoid a lethal blow to the head, but not enough to avoid taking a glancing blow to his shield arm. That arm went immediately numb as Kel twisted into a lopsided fighting stance.
The orc swiped again, quicker this time obviously believing he was about ready to destroy the upstart adventurer. Kel was prepared, however, sidestepped the slash and efficently lopped at the orc's exposed belly. His attack went through two banded pieces of metal, drawing blood.
Elendel had sheathed his sword duing this quick exchange of blows and redrawn his longbow. As Kel and the orc circled each other, Kel noticed a band of metal on this orc's head. It appeared this was their leader who had staged this ambush, and that it had decided to intervene directly after the clever ruse was defeated in Elendel's brilliant display of bladecasting.
Elendel quickly popped two arrows into the orc's backside, eliciting small "yipes" from the orc that were completely unexpected from such a large beast. Kel took advantage of the short distraction to aim for the bloody gash again, but this time had angled his sword in such a way that his blade pierced the orc's flesh more directly.
The orc amazingly raised his two-handed sword, obviously in an attempt to cleave Kel in two. At this time, Kel's sword was sticking out of the orc's flesh, and with Kel's shield arm useless it certainly would be a small thing for the beast to smite Kel in a mighty blow. It was not to be, however, as the fury in the orc's eyes shifted to confusion, then to horror, and finally to a dullness only seen in the dying. The sword raised over the orc's head fell backward to the now bloody earth, and Kel's blade came loose from the monster as it slid along the blade's length and fell onto the earth next to its two-handed sword.
Kel looked to Elendel, who had another arrow in place. "Kel, we should depart this place!" He looked back toward the entrance noticing orcs starting to gather, pointing toward the duo.
Kel fell to his knees next to the orc and started digging through the large beast's pouches. "Hurry, Kel! They are coming this way!" Elendel loosed one of his arrows, which disrupted an orc shaman from casting a spell. Another shaman finished a chant, sending a small cloud from its fingers which settled over Kel and immideately doused him in multicolored bolts of lightning.
Kel flinched, but maintained his search. After finding nothing but dried meat and some gold, Kel gave up looking through the packs and noticed the egg sized golden orb hanging from the orc's neck. Kel snatched the orb from its place, snapping the cords that bound it to the orc leader.
Kel went to stand and felt pain coursing through his body. The cloud still hung over his head, and the lights kept distracting him. It would be hard enough to fight with his shield arm numb, let alone to have the distraction of this shaman's acursed magic.