Vengeance

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 24 Feb 1998 23:59:52 EST

Kyle's jaw clenches as he noticed the small platinum armband on the now dead bicep. He recognized that armband, he had given it to a friend not long ago.

Dex looks at Kyle. "Kyle? That arm... is it Jon's? It is very large and has his coloring..."

Closing his eyes tightly, Kyle replies very quietly, "Yes... it is his. The armband is unique."

Topaz walked away, going to the bar, needing something to settle her stomach. Dev just stood there in shock.

Dex, nodding, begins to chant softly. The bag opened and a charred eye rolled out. He winced at the sight, grasping at his stomach. Kyle just stared at it, a tear slipping from his eye.

Dex bent down and examined the eye. "It does not look human... perhaps 'tis Hobbit? Or some similar race?"

"It's Elven... " Kyle stated evenly, softly. "It's Keirin's." Bends down next to Dex. "It was burned from the socket." Kyle reverently closes his eyes, then reached out and gingerly placed the arm back in the bag, pulling the small platinum armband off. Then he reached for the eye and placed it back in its bag as well. He whispers very softly, so only those closest to him could hear. "I'm sorry, my friend."

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 25 Feb 1998 00:04:32 EST

Dex, meanwhile, walked over to clean the pikeaxe and rapier, lost in thought.

Dev steps back and sits on the floor, away from the men, trying to compose herself.

Topaz sips from her glass before rejoining the others. "Kyle... the man that threw that in.... he had red paint, perhaps a tattoo, on his chest... Looked like a bird of some sort..."

Kyle just stands slowly and stares at her. "This man... did he have a scar over his right eye? A dagger shaped scar?"

"I don't know... He was not here long and the paint on his chest caught my eye. Do you know who he was?"

Sighing, Kyle looked at her. "Aye... I believe I do."

"That's good, Right?" Dev asked hopefully.

"'Tis never a good thing when someone is maimed in such a way." Kyle snapped, somewhat angrily.

"But 'tis intended as a message, right?"

Topaz walked over and picked up a somewhat bloody note. She walked back over and tried to read it, holding it so Kyle can see. Kyle read with her, making out more of the letter than he tells them.

[DoS Archive]

From: khrystals@aol.com (Khrysta LS)
Date: 25 Feb 1998 20:07:31 EST

She finds the note left for her where it fallen from the door, laying in the small dooryard. Reading it, Khrys goes weak in the knees and nearly faints from what she reads. Were it not for the large maple by the cottage path she surely would have.

Thiking aloud, yet to herself ."The big man? Kyle? No.......Jon....... No !!"

Gathering her bag of healing articles, she quickly leaves for Kyles. The message said something about a new mistress. That would be Lanu... Dear Goddes.... She didn't know where Lanu lived. She would have to ask Kyle, or someone at the Keep.
Knowing that every moment matters, and cursing her inadequate knowledge, she nearly runs down the path to the road. Asking the neighbor's young son for a ride to the Keep, she hurridly explains that it's truly a matter of life and death....death if she isn't in time.
Jacob, driving the horses pulling the farmer's cart as if they were racing the very devil himself, pulls to a halt in front of the large stone fortress.

"I'll be waiting on ya, Mrs Khyrs... "

Hardly hearing the lad, Khrys races across the lowered drawbridge yelling for all she's worth, hoping against hope that everyone here is safe............

"Kyle.........Kierin............Jon......... ANYONE..........Help !!!!"

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 25 Feb 1998 22:20:59 EST

Topaz read: "... something... something... tell the....night..... something.... something.... servants will pay.......rice........ Drats! Bad handwriting and stained..."

"Tyr!" Kyle nearly shouted as he recognized the initials, startling all in the room with the volume of his voice. His arm bulges as he clenches his fist. His leather jerkin's sleeve split open. He clenched his jaw, his neck muscles and veins standing out grotesquely.

Dev walks over and lays her hand gently on his shoulder. "Kyle... He wants you to get angry... if there is anything I can do to help, my friend... I will."

Kyle flinched slightly at her touch. "He will regret the day he harmed one of my friends." He stared at Dev for a moment, then realized what she was saying. "Thank you, Captain... but this is something which I must do myself."

Nodding, Dev says, "Just do not allow your anger to overtake you... that is what concerns me most..."

Looking at Topaz, Kyle said, "If I do lose control, use the stake which I gave you..."

"I'll be more likely to use it on this man with the tattoo..." Topaz replied.

"Don't lose control, Kyle..... 'tis what he wants..." Dev said, almost pleadingly.

"I may have no choice... " Kyle stated with a tight, uneasy smile. "'Tis part of my Curse."

Nodding, Dev asks, "How is your wife? WHERE is your wife?" Topaz goes pale suddenly at the question.

"She is safe... at our house in the country." Kyle said with a smile, thinking of his Love. Then the smile faded as he realized he would have to tell her about this. Topaz and Dev both sigh in relief at his words.

"Good..." Dex said from behind Kyle. Kyle turned and nodded to Dex in appreciation of his concern. Then he turned back to Topaz.

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 26 Feb 1998 11:34:23 EST

Faerie,

Tell the 'Honorable Knight' that his servants will pay the price if he does not find me soon. He has until Thursday at Midnight to return to his Keep and prepare himself. I grow tired of the games.

Do not attempt to find me... I'm entirely too good for that...



DT

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 26 Feb 1998 11:37:11 EST

"I have a request of you, Commander." He said formally. "Protect Lu ... and the child.... until I return." His eyes pleading with her.

Not liking the request, Topaz nods, "Of course... But, with this guy passing by the guards so easily to make his delivery, I do not believe this is a safe place. The guards at the Beacon are better trained, the best there are."

Dex frowns at the thought that his home is not safe. Kyle's shoulders drop in relief. Dev looks to Topaz, offering, "Umm.. 'tis not much, but my treehouse is shrouded by an invisible shield."

Kyle looked at the women, then back at the bag. "Thank you, but do not tell me where she will be... I do not wish to betray it by visiting."

Kyle steps back and looks at the group which he had come to know as his family. "Thank you, my friends... I'll not forget your kindness." A single tear slips from his eye unheeded.

Topaz walked over and gave Kyle a quick hug. "'Tis the least we can do, Kyle."

Dev stepped up to him and placed her tiny hand on his arm. "Kyle ... be careful... Please."

Kyle, standing straighter, looked at her. "Always, Captain ... always." He smiled slightly at her concern. Then he turned and looked at the bag and then looked toward Dex. "Sir?"

"Yes?" Dex replied.

"Could you take care of these for me?" Waves toward the bag with his bloody hands.

Walking over and grabbing a pair of heavy gloves used to clean the rings, Dex picks up the bag. "Aye ... first thing in the morning." He carries the bag to a disposal box and placed it inside.

"Thank you, Sir." Kyle turned toward Dev. "I will bring Lu by the Beacon tomorrow or the next day. I will try to explain to her, but I fear she will not understand." Softly, he added, "She is so frail and has been sheltered from this all her life."

Nodding, Dev looked at him. "Kyle ... mention the child, perhaps that will help..."

Sighing, Kyle looked at the ground. "I do not wish to use the child like that... I fear it will cause resentment..."

Looking at the bag, Kyle sighs once more. "I fear I must quickly return, before she awakens and finds I am not there..." With that, he walked out.

[DoS Archive]

From: khrystals@aol.com (Khrysta LS)
Date: 27 Feb 1998 23:34:19 EST

The guards atop the wall saw the farmers cart stop in front of the Keep. The sergeant went out to see who it was that would drive so carelessly up to the Keep of Lord Kyle Garyth, Knight of the Rose, Major in the Guardians of Truth.
When he arrived at the gate, he saw a familiar figure nearly jumping from the cart. "Lady Khrysta!!" He shouted and hurried to the carriage. "What is wrong?"
"Where is Lanu's old house? Quickly... I don't have much time!" Khrys replied impatiently.
"'Tis in Rhydin Town proper, LMM 235 Grape Avenue. Why? What has happened to Lady Garyth?"
"Nothing. It's Jon, I think. He's been injured and is at Lu's old house. I have to go to him."
"I'll send some men with you." The sergeant says quickly. He orders a squad of five soldiers to quickly mount up and escort Khrys to town. They bring out Emperor, her snow white horse for her to ride. Mounting quickly, they rode off to town at a fast gallop, Jacob following as quickly as the cart could go.

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 28 Feb 1998 03:44:09 EST

The Knight kissed his love good-bye and walked to the Stable. He led his large horse out into the courtyard, where a squire helped him climb onto the horse. He did not need the assistance, but it seemed to make the squire feel useful, so the Knight allowed it. He rode from the Keep, looking back only to see his dearest love looking at him from their bedroom balcony.



Kyle was off to right the wrongs perpetrated by Dyvim Tyr. He rode to the forest outside his lands and dismounted. He patted the horse on the neck and began walking into the woods. The horse remained in the pasture, munching contentedly on the fresh grass, ever vigilant for Kyle's call.



Kyle walked for about an hour, wandering the trails, looking for some sign the Bounty Hunter had passed this way. He found none, of course. He never really expected to. He walked to the appointed meeting place and found a large rock on which to wait. He was about thirty minutes early, so he sat and began meditating. He remained constantly aware of his surroundings, however.



He looked up as a small figure walked out of the woods. He stood and smiled evilly, an expression not seen on his face for many years. "Tyr!" he said. "How good of you to be on time for your death." He slipped his broadsword, Vengeance Giver, from the scabbard. The sword seemed to sing as it was freed from the confines of the old, worn leather sheath.



Dyvim Tyr smiled. "So eager to make your new wife a widow?" He slid his Katana and Wakizashi from their well-worn sheathes. He twirled them expertly to limber himself up and moved to circle Kyle.

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 28 Feb 1998 03:46:11 EST

Kyle swung his sword a couple times, trying to reacquaint himself with the weight. Then he began circling Tyr. He blocked Tyr's first couple swings easily. Then he swung his sword at Tyr, slashing at his midsection. Tyr blocked this swing and caught Kyle's sword with his own. Then he tried to throw the Broadsword from Kyle's grasp. Kyle held fast and exerted his supernatural strength to remain where he was. Tyr
then swung his swords in a cross motion, the Katana going high for Kyle's neck while the wakizashi went across Kyle's midsection. Kyle was able to block only one. He raised Vengeance Giver to block the Katana, accepting the deep gash to his stomach with a grunt. He smiled suddenly, reversing his grip on the broadsword and swung it at Tyr's head. Tyr ducked easily, slashing at Kyle's legs with both swords.



Kyle nearly fell, then, his thighs cut deeply and bleeding severely. His medallion flared, closing the wounds the best she could. Then Kyle slashed at Tyr's shoulder, pulling the slash just as Tyr brought his up to block. Kyle reversed his grip once more, turning the slash into a thrust at the last moment. He was rewarded by a grunt and the sickening sound of bones breaking as his sword sank into Tyr's left shoulder.



Tyr dropped his Wakizashi to the ground, his left arm hanging limp at his side. He rolled to his right, careful to keep from hitting his left shoulder. He rolled to his feet and brought his sword up to defend himself from the sudden onslaught of blows from the broadsword. He rolled out of the way as much as he parried, somehow managing to hit his opponent a few more times.



Finally, their swords locked at the hilts, Tyr reversed his grip and threw the Broadsword out to the side. Kyle, his hands wet with sweat and blood, lost his grip and the sword went flying off to the side. Tyr smiled evilly, thinking he had an advantage.



He reversed his grip once more and sliced at Kyle's chest. Kyle, weaponless, did the only thing he could: he caught the incredibly sharp blade in his right hand. The blade cut into his hand, but did not sever it.



Tyr, his weapon suddenly caught, let go and rolled over to pick up his other sword. He rolled to his feet, grunting in pain, and charged Kyle, yelling a fierce battle cry.

Kyle, stunned and surprised, turned around just in time to see the Wakizashi sink into his chest, 3 inches from his old scar.

[DoS Archive]

From: kylegaryth@aol.com (KyleGaryth)
Date: 28 Feb 1998 03:47:34 EST

Kyle stared down at his chest. The only thing he thought was that he was thankful his pendant had not been in the way. He looked at Tyr, a gleam in his eyes. Then the world went red.



Kyle reached out, the sword still deep in his chest, and grabbed Tyr by the face. He shoved his finger into Tyr's left eye, pushing the eye out of the way and, eventually, out of the socket. Tyr tried to squirm away, but Kyle held him firmly. Dyvim Tyr screamed louder than he had ever screamed before.



Kyle, smiling evilly despite the grievous wound he had suffered, said, "An eye for an Eye, Tyr ... 'tis the ancient law of Solamnia."



Then, releasing his hold on Tyr's head, Kyle reached down and grabbed him by the shoulders. He looked into Tyr's one good eye and saw fear. "Should I allow you to live, Tyr? Should I give you the chance to make up for your evil acts?" Without waiting for the reply he knew would never come, Kyle ripped Tyr's left arm off of his shoulder, coating himself in blood. Kyle tossed the arm to the side and reached down and grasped the sword sticking
from

his chest.



With a quiet scream of intense pain, he ripped the sword from his breast and held it in his mangled right hand. He swung the sword as Tyr sank to his knees. Tyr's head fell free of body as he fell, lifeless, to the ground.



Kyle turned and walked to the rock, calling softly, weakly, for his faithful war horse. The horse hurried to his side and Kyle quickly mounted, the weapons forgotten on the ground. As Kyle rode back to the Keep, he lost consciousness and slumped into the saddle. The stallion, sensing that his rider was no longer conscious, galloped to the Keep.



The squires assigned to follow Kyle, meanwhile, were busily gathering the swords and disposing of the body. None were to know that there had been a fight in these woods.

[DoS Archive]

From: khrystals@aol.com (Khrysta LS)
Date: 02 Mar 1998 16:33:48 EST

Turning the corner onto the small lane in the village, a sense of gloom passes over her mind. Unerringly she rides straight for Lanu's old house, even though she had never been here before. Subconsciously dropping the reins to *ground* them, knowing the well trained animal wouldn't wander away, she dismounts and nearly runs for door with her bag....

"It's locked....... Sargeant.. some help here. We need to get inside.....and quickly too.."

The officer surveys the scene a moment, calmly walks to a window by the door and breaks it in, sending small slivers of glass inside. With quick and efficeint movements, he reaches inside to undo the hasp and open the window. Crawling in, he can smell the coppery scent of blood still in the air... along with another heavier, sickening scent. One he can't place. Opening the door for Khrysta he moves quickly back as she nearly runs him over in
her haste to get to Jon. Nearly doubling over as she gags from the smell, she says more as a prayer "Kaewyn, no, please." as she hurries from the room.

In the first small bedroom they come to they find him......Still, pale, shattered... and thankfully unconscious. Taking her bag of tools and herbals, she begins to work on the mangled stump where his arm had been. Cleaning away the infection first, then cutting the once healthy flesh now turned gangrenous with her dagger, she looks at the raw and freshly bleeding wound before her. Laying her tools aside, she reaches her hands to place them on
the wound, feeling the bleeding slow and then finally stop. The soldiers watch in awe as a warm blue glow flows down her arms to the wound, healing it before their eyes....

"Quickly now. Into the cart with him. He's lost so much blood, and all my healing powers can't make up for that. He needs to be in a warm bed, with food and drink to replenish his bodys supplies."

The soldiers gather round the still form on the bed,. Picking him up gently, they carry him outside to the waiting cart. Jacob, takes one look at the ashen paler and the freshly healed shoulder of the large man and promptly jumps down to lower the back gate of the cart. They place him on some old horse blankets, and Khrys climbs in to sit beside him. Her horse is tied to the cart and they set off, as quickly as they can without waking him,
for Kyle's keep.

[DoS Archive]

From: keirinelf@aol.com (KeirinElf)
Date: 05 Mar 1998 12:16:19 EST

Staggering from the basement where he had been kept, Keirin moved slowly toward the Temple. He needed healing. His head hurt and his body ached from the intense torture he had endured.

As he entered the Temple, he moved through the shadows toward the high priest's chambers. The man owed him a favour or two. Time to collect.

Keirin walked into the man's chambers, enshrouded in shadows and spoke softly to the priest.

"I require your... assistance, Istvan." The old healer jumped at the sound of Keirin's raspy voice.

"Keirin!!" he gasps. "What has happened to you, my friend? You look as though you have fought the forces of Hell... and lost."

Smiling tightly, his face drawn in pain, Keirin says, "Never mind how I look... I have come to you because of how I feel..." He lets the shadows slip from his face, revealing the empty, charred eyesocket. "I require your services, once more, my friend."

The healer, having dealt with many wounds and atrocities, nevertheless gasps to see the condition of this once beautiful being. "Who would do such a thing?" he breathes, his face frozen in shock. He recovers enough to motion Keirin toward the healer's bed in the corner.

Keirin stumbles over, collapsing on the bed. He closes his on e eye, the other remaining open no matter how hard he tries to close it.

"Do as you can, but no more than you must... my friend. I do not wish to be a burden on anyone any longer." He relaxes slightly, his breathing becoming softer and regular.

The healer begins his ministrations, cleaning the wounds as he inspects them. He concentrates his efforts on the gruesomely empty eyesocket. He prays to Mishakal as he ministers to his patient. He fears there is little to be done, save ward off infection.

Then he deals with the many deep cuts on the Elf's body. Many of them would leave scars. Such a pity for so handsome a creature to have been so badly damaged.

His duty done, Istvan wakes Keirin. "You will live, my friend. Though I fear there was little I could do about the scars. And the eye is beyond my ability... I am sorry." He bows his head, ashamed of his inability to heal the man.

"Istvan," Keirin says softly, "you did as you could. I truly did not expect to be so thoroughly healed. I must go... there is a man I must kill." With that, he stands and walks from the room, and the Temple of Mishakal, the Healing Hand.

[DoS Archive]

From: keirinelf@aol.com (KeirinElf)
Date: 06 Mar 1998 03:22:21 EST

Keirin walks from the Temple and seeks out a jeweler. He had to get a better eyepatch. He finally found one in the MarketPlace.

After buying his new patch, he heads for town. It is past time for Dyvim Tyr to die. Along the way, he passes Lady Topaz. She informed him that Lord Kyle has already killed Tyr. Keirin is surprised, but not overly so. He is more disappointed than anything else.

He thanks her for the information and walks off. He needed to clear his head. Then he goes to the woods across the river from the keep and sets up his camp. He may not be ready to return to the keep, but neither is he willing to abandon his duties altogether. He would leave a note telling the guards that he is alive and well and would return when he can...

Taking up his post, Keirin pulls the shadows around him and watches, waiting for an unsuspecting enemy to attack.











((Further posts to this Storyline will be made in the Atrebla folder... Please contact KyleGaryth if you would like to contribute))