Of Readiness and Intent

[DoS Archive]

Date: 1/15/98 12:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: Duke UzieI

The sun bore down upon the practice field, burning away the morning mist and frost with the ferocity of an angry god, the air was alive with the moisture of last eves chill, and Adonai stood, donned in his plate mail with Belief drawn, in a tightly drawn stance, beginning a duel with his friend and General Maleoch. The Dragon Lords circled each other closely, each know the others propensity for violence, Maleoch held his serrated warblade low in his hand, his buckler shield held ready to defend against any impending attack, with Adonai following his movements like a hawk. Quickly Maleoch flashed his blade up and outwards, turning it in his hand in a scorpion strike at Adonai's helm, Adonai ducked it low quickly and smashed out at Maleoch's legs, the other Valheru taking the quick blow with little comment as he reversed his blade quickly and slashed down across a badly timed parry by his lord. " Something is troubling you Adonai, " Maleoch said, stepping back and lowering his blade. " You do not concentrate on the duel...and it shows." Adonai grimly unbuckled his helm and nearly jerked it from his head, Maleoch stepped back a second looking at his lord, the look of horror and disgust in Adonai's eyes and the combonation lack of sleep showing deeply and causing him to look almost feverishly insane. " I cannot take it anymore! " Adonai said, slamming his blade to the turf and stalking over to the bench at the side of the field. Maleoch pursed his lips, then unbuckled his helm and followed the Dragon Lord of RhyDin to the side of the field, approaching Adonai slowly and caitiously. " M'lord...are you well? " He said, reaching down and scooping a ladle of water from the water bucket and offering it to Adonai as he idly looked about the field of practicing Valheru, their swords ringing out as they strove against one another mightly. Adonai looked up, for a moment almost lost and uncomprehending, then he reached out and took the ladle. drinking from it deeply and shuddering at the chill it set into him. " I will be alright Maleoch, " Adonai said, looking down at his hands and suddenly griping them til the knuckles were white with strain. " Maleoch.....I cannot support Dalamar anymore...I have tried, Hebrial knows how I have tried, but I cannot...the loyalty within me has turned to poison in my mind and it eats at me as surely as the acids of our brother Dragons would. " Maleoch sat, laying his blade across his knees as he thought, then he looked at Adonai for a moment and then posing the obvious question. " Then what shall you do about it? " Adonai sighed miserably, unclenching his hands slowly as he noticed the blood coming from his palms. " I could do nothing and just withdraw my support. " Adonai said slowly. " But what then of Lord Valmion? " Maleoch said. " You know he will attack the crown as soon he has a feasible opportunity to do so. " Adonai sighed and stared across the field to the trees at the edge of it, his eyes finding his broadsword where it stood, its tip buried in the dirt and its blade standing, shining brightly in the mid morning sun. " It is a sad case my friend. " Adonai said, still staring at his blade. " To protect the Crown...but to remove its holder at the same time. If I was to leave Dalamar in place, it would cause such rancor within me that I could not live with myself, and if I was to let Valmion take the crown for himself...the same would happen regretably." " Then whats to be done Adonai? " Maleoch said, knowing the answer already. " I will have to depose my friend, " Adonai said standing and heading over to his blade. " To keep the Crown safe from those that covet it...and to ease my discord with the Crown itself." Maleoch followed him back onto the field, a slow steady pace behind his lord as Adonai pulled Belief from the ground and sheathed it. " Milord....mayhaps, " Maleoch hesitated. " Mayhaps we could find someone we trust to take the Crown from Dalamar, as there are many worthy candidates in the realm. " Adonai shook his head slightly and walked towards the tower, with Maleoch following him closely. " The ones that could Maleoch...will not...and the ones that would...would be worse than Dalamar himself in my mind. It has to be me..and I shall do everything in my power to save the Crown...not just for myself..but for everyone, soon enough, should I be victorious, someone will come...one more worthy than I to hold such a responsibility, and then I shall happily give the Crown unto them." Maleoch nodded, and silently followed Adonai into the halls of the tower, they both seeking the mornings breakfast and pondering the actions and plans of the next twenty four days.