From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 26 Jun 1998 05:45:35 EDT
The Albino imposter paced the length of the great hall. Running a kingdom was supposed to be easy. Why did a real attack come in the form of illusion. Someone was on to the imposter, and he knew it. The rest of his men had arrived and were being settled in. There came a knock and a guard stuck his head in the door. "M'lord, the diplomats from Rhydin are here to see you."
"Well send them in already!!" The doppleganger hollared. As the six men were lead in along with the new royal scribe, Daemon's imposter told the man at the door they were not to be disturbed. With the two entrances to the chamber closed and locked each of the diplomats shed their identiy.
Looking at the eight dopplegangers in their natural form, the only way of telling which was which was by their attire. The doppleganger could mimic attire but in these relaxed settings they wore regular clothes because it afforded them more comfort and one less thing to worry about.
Daemon's imposter, still wearing the eye patch, went over all that had happened in the past few days. He layed down the plans by which they would make their getaway. Each man had a specific task. One would cook a special meal for when the score of Dragon Riders arrived. Two would secure the necessary equipment for hauling the valuables from the castle.
The one mage of the group would create the necessary diversion, and the last would take up watch from a distance. The scribe and another had special orders and were escorted into Daemon's quarters. When the three returned, they were no longer hairless, unidentifiable humaniods, they were three 6'7" Albinos with white hair and one red eye.
Confident that his plan would work, the imposter bade the troupe to resume their diplomatic identies and he would take them on a tour of the grounds. When they left the great hall Daemon commanded the two guards to follow. "You two are with us."
"Yes M'lord." came the response from Daemon's elite Honor Guard.
The tour was very official and filled with all the pomp that could be expected. The dopplegangers paid little attention as the scribe or Daemon took turns speaking. They were busy studying faces of various peoples about the castle. They toured the kitchens, and gardens while Daemon commented on stratigic information about the roving patrols and posted watches. He stopped them near the barracks where some men were training.
"Maynard, come here."
"Yes M'lord," the boy broke from his classmates who called him 'Daemon's Pet' behind his pack. He came to one knee before his lord.
"Maynard, would you accompany us please?" It wasn't a request and Maynard fell instep with the two other guards at the rear of the group. "By my side Maynard." The lad rushed forward to walk alongside the albino imposter.
The next stop was the courtyard outside of the main keep. There, in the stockade, rested Isabella as she had spent every waking hour this week. Her eyes were closed and she was in total disarray. Isabella was a rail of her former self. One meal a day was all she was afforded and the little water she got was never used for bathing.
"Maynard, who is this?" Daemon asked.
"This is Isabella d'Swiss, guilty of attempted assination of the Lord Daemon." He was speaking to the diplomats but they really weren't listening. Each had chosen at least three figures from the palace which to mimic while going about their appointed tasks and as many different ways out". . . .she has been sentanced to die" Maynard ended.
"Maynard, could you kill her?" Daemon asked
"M'lord?" Maynard hesitated, then reached for his sword. "Yes M'Lord"
The imposter knew the boy's thoughts. The lad wasn't sure if he could kill the girl. "Stay your blade Maynard, later when the next attack comes. I want you posted here, with your sword at the ready. Should another attack come, you take her life when you are sure the attacker can see yourself. Is that understood?"
Again the hesitation, "Yes M'lord."
The entourage left the courtyard and entered the keep once more. A young man in common clothing came racing up to them. "Daemon Satyriasis," he addressed the albino in formal tones. "We the people of Tribe G'luscus leave to return to our own world. We respect that you are the offspring of our god, but here on Rhydin we no longer know who you are. The imprisonment of the serving girl, while seemingly appropriate to those of this world do not
conform to Tribal Law. You brought us here under the Banner of Haewar, promising that you would not forsake all that we hold dear. You have failed in that promise and so we take our leave."
Daemon's imposter blinked several times before responding. "Run infidels, run home to your mountains where it's safe. Run like you've never ran before. Children of Haewar, Tribe G'luscus you are no longer. Begone from my sight coward." The man turned sharply and left with measured steps. "Now friends, I believe we all know what needs to be done. You men, lead the diplomats back to their chambers." The soilders did as they were told and
Daemon's Elite Honor Guard was soon two members less.
Footprints in the Sand(Daemon)
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From: brianna1o2@aol.com (BRIANNA1O2)
Date: 28 Jun 1998 11:33:03 EDT
Her Aunt drew her attention from her thoughts with a slight motion. Nodding in acknowledgement and using the silent sign language that is used in flight, the girl moves her Silver down the line and watches the forest move beneath her. After not long she sees the Blue rising from the forest to the South of the Keep, and moves into a rapid decent along nearly a collison course with it. The place trade was
over in a matter of moments and no one would be the wiser about the Princess Brianna's coming to Valensa with the wing.
She landed and slid from Argent's back. Moments later, there was a white elf standing beside her where a graceful Silver Dragon had stood before. The two set out towards the clearing Florin had left, knowing that they would find Khrys there. Keeping quiet to avoid alerting anyone that might be in the forest to their presence, they followed a small game trail to the clearing by the stream. Khrys was no where to be seen. Argent looked across to
the far side of the clearing, and sent his thought to Bree. The girl couldn't see her mother there, hidden in the trees, but she trusted the dragons vision. They stepped into the open clearing, and Khrys, seeing them now as more than just heat signatures in the shadows, stepped out where they could see her.
Almost as if there was an unspoken agreement between mother and daughter, they set out in silence to the apple orchard on the North West side of the Keep. Off to the side of the orchard was a secret tunnel, hidden by a large hollow boulder. It was used long ago by rulers past of Valensa to escape the Keep if need be. More recently Bree had discovered it, and found it a place to explore away from judging eyes, telling her how a Princess ought
to behave.
They entered the tunnel, and closed the *door* behind them. Bree reached for her flint to light the torch that she always kept there. "Okay.... We're in. What do we do now?"
Khrys looked at her daughter in the unsteady light. "Now? We wait. No one knows that either of us are here. We may be able to use that to our advantage should Destiny have any problems." Khrys smiled softly at the look of impatience on her daughter's face, and in hushed tones continued. "Bree, if we're to help your father, we can do that best by not tipping our hand. This intruder doesn't know about us. We can use that. We just need
to see how best." As they neared the end of the tunnel, she ended with a heartfelt murmur, still heard however by Bree "I just hope he doesn't know about this tunnel." The girl nodded in silent agreement.
Date: 28 Jun 1998 11:33:03 EDT
Her Aunt drew her attention from her thoughts with a slight motion. Nodding in acknowledgement and using the silent sign language that is used in flight, the girl moves her Silver down the line and watches the forest move beneath her. After not long she sees the Blue rising from the forest to the South of the Keep, and moves into a rapid decent along nearly a collison course with it. The place trade was
over in a matter of moments and no one would be the wiser about the Princess Brianna's coming to Valensa with the wing.
She landed and slid from Argent's back. Moments later, there was a white elf standing beside her where a graceful Silver Dragon had stood before. The two set out towards the clearing Florin had left, knowing that they would find Khrys there. Keeping quiet to avoid alerting anyone that might be in the forest to their presence, they followed a small game trail to the clearing by the stream. Khrys was no where to be seen. Argent looked across to
the far side of the clearing, and sent his thought to Bree. The girl couldn't see her mother there, hidden in the trees, but she trusted the dragons vision. They stepped into the open clearing, and Khrys, seeing them now as more than just heat signatures in the shadows, stepped out where they could see her.
Almost as if there was an unspoken agreement between mother and daughter, they set out in silence to the apple orchard on the North West side of the Keep. Off to the side of the orchard was a secret tunnel, hidden by a large hollow boulder. It was used long ago by rulers past of Valensa to escape the Keep if need be. More recently Bree had discovered it, and found it a place to explore away from judging eyes, telling her how a Princess ought
to behave.
They entered the tunnel, and closed the *door* behind them. Bree reached for her flint to light the torch that she always kept there. "Okay.... We're in. What do we do now?"
Khrys looked at her daughter in the unsteady light. "Now? We wait. No one knows that either of us are here. We may be able to use that to our advantage should Destiny have any problems." Khrys smiled softly at the look of impatience on her daughter's face, and in hushed tones continued. "Bree, if we're to help your father, we can do that best by not tipping our hand. This intruder doesn't know about us. We can use that. We just need
to see how best." As they neared the end of the tunnel, she ended with a heartfelt murmur, still heard however by Bree "I just hope he doesn't know about this tunnel." The girl nodded in silent agreement.
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 30 Jun 1998 07:03:19 EDT
The albino that was Jordan Nykel waited outside the double doors. Across the arena waited his opponent. This was the first 'prize fight' he was in and still didn't know what it was all about. Twin short swords rested on his hips so he really didn't care. He wasn't the favored in this match and would enter second after his opponent who would be escorted into the rings once the 'prizes' were unveiled.
Inside the stadium the prizes were placed in cages suspended above the battlefield. Should Jordan win, his master would receive a young unicorn. Jordan's master had bet a Dryad against the other Illithid. The two cages were pulled in to place and tied off. The door across the arena opened and the favored combatant entered. Standing 8 foot tall and almost 5 feet across, the Umber Hulk entered. It's muscles bulging beneath it's thick, scaly hide.
Looking like a gorilla on steroids, it's claws drug the ground as it walked.
The Illithid informed the albino to enter. Jordan opened the doors and hesitated. He had never faced a creature like this before. Under command from it's master, the Umber Hulk charged. The swords came out in a flash as the door slammed shut behind him. The Albino worked furiously to simply parry the attacks from the beast. Once the initial shock subsided, Jordan began to note the creatures weaknesses.
"Poor balance" he thought to himself, "and not incredibly fast." Within ten minutes Jordan was able to turn the battle in his favor. The creature seemed to be mumbling in some tongue known only to Umber Hulks. This caught Jordan by surprise that a creature like this had a language of it's own. After scoring a hit underneath the thick hide, the creature let out what could only have been some sort of curse.
Shocked, Jordan looked up at the beast. . . right into the smaller set of eyes. He paused, confused for a minute by the innate majiks of the Umber Hulks eyes. The Umber Hulk struck out with its great claws in that minute. For a creature that could burrow through solid stone, the Rothe hide armor the albino was wearing offered little more protection than paper. No longer confused but now seriously injured the albino used his strength to keep
away from the Umber Hulk. The creature was laughing.
In the stands the Illithid began to worry. This wasn't going at all as planned. He had spent to much platinum already to see his warrior fall dead from bleeding while running from his opponent. Already the crowd hissed and mentally booed the albino. The Illithid searched Jordan's mind and tried to make him fight the beast. Forced to battle, Jordan turned with his swords swinging. The creature had the intelligence of it's master and waited,
toying with the albino till it would soon be too weak to stand.
Just then, the Illithid found a phrase that wanted to come out of the albino's mind. Thinking all was lost, he let go of his control on Jordan's mind and teleported from the arena.
"Hae-War!!" Jordan screamed, and his one red eye glowed with an inner fire. Jordan was only confused by his actions momentarily before the Berserker Rage consumed him. No longer conscious of pain, the albino attack with new found fury. His swords were no longer held in his hands, they were extensions of his will. The Umber Hulk knew it would be hard pressed in this wide open space an began to burrow straight down. The entire ground began to shake
and the arena as well.
The berserker warrior that was Jordan attack viciously at the Umber Hulk. Self preservation allowed it to escape it's master's controlling thoughts. It's thick hide was absorbing the blows and even managed to lash out every now and again. There was another large tremble and then the ground opened up to the underground lake below the arena. Down went the Umber Hulk and the Albino following it's enemy. Then down came the arena on top of the two
combatants.
As panic over took the Illithids gathered there more and more rock gave way. Down came the cages holding the Unicorn and Dryad. The Umber Hulk came to the surface followed by the crazed warrior still wielding his swords. There was no stopping this creature and the Umber Hulk was terrified for the first time in it's life. It began burrowing another exit but it's speed through stone was no match for the albino behind him. He was cornered and
would have to fight to the death.
Free from the Illithid's majiks the Dryad and Unicorn managed to escape their watery graves while the berserker and beast battled on. The albino knew no pain even though he was badly injured. The Umber Hulk on the other hand soon gave in as the darkness of death descended over him. Actually, in this case, Pale Death descended over him. When the Umber Hulk fell dead, the albino, seeing no more enemies, collapsed.
As soon as the battle ended, the dryad and unicorn moved to the fallen warrior's side. They were both certain he would die but their nature demanded they try to ease the transition to the other side. The dryad washed and bandaged the wounds with pieces torn from her gown. The unicorn waited, then spoke in the sylvan tongue understood by all good creatures of the forest.
"He died a valiant death. He was a prisoner like us and we owe him our freedom. We cannot leave him here to be feed upon as carrion. Place him on my back and we shall find our way to Silvanus once more."
The dryad struggled with the dead warrior agreeing whole heartedly with the sage unicorn. "May Silvanus guide our way home and bless his soul." The prayer was spoken aloud to the Oak Father and the two creatures took the only path from the chamber hoping against hope that it lead up.
Date: 30 Jun 1998 07:03:19 EDT
The albino that was Jordan Nykel waited outside the double doors. Across the arena waited his opponent. This was the first 'prize fight' he was in and still didn't know what it was all about. Twin short swords rested on his hips so he really didn't care. He wasn't the favored in this match and would enter second after his opponent who would be escorted into the rings once the 'prizes' were unveiled.
Inside the stadium the prizes were placed in cages suspended above the battlefield. Should Jordan win, his master would receive a young unicorn. Jordan's master had bet a Dryad against the other Illithid. The two cages were pulled in to place and tied off. The door across the arena opened and the favored combatant entered. Standing 8 foot tall and almost 5 feet across, the Umber Hulk entered. It's muscles bulging beneath it's thick, scaly hide.
Looking like a gorilla on steroids, it's claws drug the ground as it walked.
The Illithid informed the albino to enter. Jordan opened the doors and hesitated. He had never faced a creature like this before. Under command from it's master, the Umber Hulk charged. The swords came out in a flash as the door slammed shut behind him. The Albino worked furiously to simply parry the attacks from the beast. Once the initial shock subsided, Jordan began to note the creatures weaknesses.
"Poor balance" he thought to himself, "and not incredibly fast." Within ten minutes Jordan was able to turn the battle in his favor. The creature seemed to be mumbling in some tongue known only to Umber Hulks. This caught Jordan by surprise that a creature like this had a language of it's own. After scoring a hit underneath the thick hide, the creature let out what could only have been some sort of curse.
Shocked, Jordan looked up at the beast. . . right into the smaller set of eyes. He paused, confused for a minute by the innate majiks of the Umber Hulks eyes. The Umber Hulk struck out with its great claws in that minute. For a creature that could burrow through solid stone, the Rothe hide armor the albino was wearing offered little more protection than paper. No longer confused but now seriously injured the albino used his strength to keep
away from the Umber Hulk. The creature was laughing.
In the stands the Illithid began to worry. This wasn't going at all as planned. He had spent to much platinum already to see his warrior fall dead from bleeding while running from his opponent. Already the crowd hissed and mentally booed the albino. The Illithid searched Jordan's mind and tried to make him fight the beast. Forced to battle, Jordan turned with his swords swinging. The creature had the intelligence of it's master and waited,
toying with the albino till it would soon be too weak to stand.
Just then, the Illithid found a phrase that wanted to come out of the albino's mind. Thinking all was lost, he let go of his control on Jordan's mind and teleported from the arena.
"Hae-War!!" Jordan screamed, and his one red eye glowed with an inner fire. Jordan was only confused by his actions momentarily before the Berserker Rage consumed him. No longer conscious of pain, the albino attack with new found fury. His swords were no longer held in his hands, they were extensions of his will. The Umber Hulk knew it would be hard pressed in this wide open space an began to burrow straight down. The entire ground began to shake
and the arena as well.
The berserker warrior that was Jordan attack viciously at the Umber Hulk. Self preservation allowed it to escape it's master's controlling thoughts. It's thick hide was absorbing the blows and even managed to lash out every now and again. There was another large tremble and then the ground opened up to the underground lake below the arena. Down went the Umber Hulk and the Albino following it's enemy. Then down came the arena on top of the two
combatants.
As panic over took the Illithids gathered there more and more rock gave way. Down came the cages holding the Unicorn and Dryad. The Umber Hulk came to the surface followed by the crazed warrior still wielding his swords. There was no stopping this creature and the Umber Hulk was terrified for the first time in it's life. It began burrowing another exit but it's speed through stone was no match for the albino behind him. He was cornered and
would have to fight to the death.
Free from the Illithid's majiks the Dryad and Unicorn managed to escape their watery graves while the berserker and beast battled on. The albino knew no pain even though he was badly injured. The Umber Hulk on the other hand soon gave in as the darkness of death descended over him. Actually, in this case, Pale Death descended over him. When the Umber Hulk fell dead, the albino, seeing no more enemies, collapsed.
As soon as the battle ended, the dryad and unicorn moved to the fallen warrior's side. They were both certain he would die but their nature demanded they try to ease the transition to the other side. The dryad washed and bandaged the wounds with pieces torn from her gown. The unicorn waited, then spoke in the sylvan tongue understood by all good creatures of the forest.
"He died a valiant death. He was a prisoner like us and we owe him our freedom. We cannot leave him here to be feed upon as carrion. Place him on my back and we shall find our way to Silvanus once more."
The dryad struggled with the dead warrior agreeing whole heartedly with the sage unicorn. "May Silvanus guide our way home and bless his soul." The prayer was spoken aloud to the Oak Father and the two creatures took the only path from the chamber hoping against hope that it lead up.
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From: khrystawlf@aol.com (KhrystaWlf)
Date: 30 Jun 1998 13:42:44 EDT
Khrys sat on the floor of the tunnel in the flickering light of the torch. She had felt something in her mind and her heart.... a searing, wrenching pain within. She knew beyond all doubt that Daemon was gone.... passed from this mortal life into the Realm of the Beyond.
She could hear Brianna softly crying. Her daughter..... His daughter.....
The pendant Brianna wore about her throat was now linked to her mind and being. She had felt, and seen in her mind's eye, her father's death.... had felt the link severed from him as it fomed with her. Her daughter was now the last of the Satyriasis.....
Moving quietly, Khrys moved to the huddled form of her child held by the white elf. Argent held one arm open for her, and she moved to take Bree into her arms. The three sat in near silence, the only sounds were those of muted grief.
Crying softly in the dark, mother and daughter held each other..... taking what small comfort they could in the knowledge that whomever had done this would pay......
And pay dearly................
Date: 30 Jun 1998 13:42:44 EDT
Khrys sat on the floor of the tunnel in the flickering light of the torch. She had felt something in her mind and her heart.... a searing, wrenching pain within. She knew beyond all doubt that Daemon was gone.... passed from this mortal life into the Realm of the Beyond.
She could hear Brianna softly crying. Her daughter..... His daughter.....
The pendant Brianna wore about her throat was now linked to her mind and being. She had felt, and seen in her mind's eye, her father's death.... had felt the link severed from him as it fomed with her. Her daughter was now the last of the Satyriasis.....
Moving quietly, Khrys moved to the huddled form of her child held by the white elf. Argent held one arm open for her, and she moved to take Bree into her arms. The three sat in near silence, the only sounds were those of muted grief.
Crying softly in the dark, mother and daughter held each other..... taking what small comfort they could in the knowledge that whomever had done this would pay......
And pay dearly................
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From: zachrywulf@aol.com (ZachryWulf)
Date: 05 Jul 1998 01:20:01 EDT
Zach had spent the better part of the day watching the comings and goings of the Keep from his perch on the side of a large hill. He had been hoping, or more accurately, not hoping for a sighting of Brianna. So far so good. The girl didn't seem to be around, although he could see clearly the figure of Isabella in stocks in the center of the courtyard. That was something he would have to remedy. The tricky part of that was going to
be Maynard. The imposter had set the young man as a guard on her earlier, no doubt with orders to kill the prisoner if something happened. That seemed like the cowardly kind of thing this one would do, buy his own life at the cost of another's.
He had seen the Blue Dragon land and then leave again, and was keeping a watch on Khrys in the clearing as well. He really wanted to do something to let her know that he was there, but right now he didn't want to leave his lookout. The view was just too interesting. A large delegation had arrived a short while ago, and gone on tour of the Keep. Zach could only guess that these were conspirators in whatever plot the false Daemon had.
Hopefully they all knew where the real Daemon was being held. One of them had left the Keep alone and was on a similar lookout not too far below him. Obviously a scout, or something similar. That was another thing that was going to have to be dealt with as well.
Skirting to the side of the hill to avoid the scout below, Zach crept down the back. He had seen Bree and Argent land not too far away and was hoping to catch up with them. He needed some information on how to find the tunnel, and knew that she could show him. Apparently the scout saw the Silver land as well. He was on the move towards the clearing, and was apparently not too concerned about stealth. For a moment as he moved into a thicket
Zach lost sight of him. When he came back out, he was a she. And she looked just like one of the kitchen girls he had seen leave earlier on her way home. Interesting. This one was a shapeshifter of some sort. He'd heard about them, but never seen one before. The speed he was able to change in was amazing. Zach followed it to the apple orchard, and was just in time to see Khrys, Bree and Argent close the *door* behind them. The shapeshifter
was pushing and pulling on the boulder that was the door, trying to get it open.
"Excuse me. Having a problem?" He had circled around and had come up through the orchard. Using the trees as cover he had managed to sneak up behind it and was now standing not more than a few feet away. He held the drawn scimitar in a relaxed grip, ready if needed.
The shifter spun quickly and struck out with a foot to knock the blade away, but Zach was ready and moved to the side, allowing it to complete the turn as it kicked. Off balance, it was unable to dodge the blade as it was cut across it's right arm, nearly severing it at the elbow.
Zach rushed in, knocking it to the ground, boot knife out and to it's throat. "Who are you? What are you doing here in Valensa? And where is the real Daemon?"
The shifter gasped a breath and began to shift once again before Zach's eyes. It was becoming something monstrous with a deformed head, and then changing again. This time to look up at him through his own eyes. "Your Daemon is dead. Valensa will be no more. You can kill me, primative, but it will not stop what has already finished."
Zach looked into his own eyes in a face twisted with hate. One quick slice was all it took and a moment later the shapeshifter's blood was flowing into the grass beneath it. In death it took it's natural form, a near featureless face, hairless head and indistinct body form. Zach dragged the body deeper into the orchard away from the Keep, and rubbed out the trail of blood with fallen leaves. After scattering the leaves in the stream by the
clearing where Khrys had first landed he returned and surveyed his handiwork. Not bad. No scuffed turf, and the blood was almost unnoticeable. It would have to do since he didn't have time for more.
He pushed the boulder to the side and entered the darkness, closing the tunnel behind him. In the distance at the far end he could make out what must be a torch, and he thought he could hear someone crying. He moved as quickly as he dared in the near darkness. "Khrys?" he called softly. He could see the three of them sitting near the small door that led into the Keep. "Honey, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Khrys looked up at him, her face grimy with streaked tears. "Zach !!" She stood up and crossed to hold him tightly. "Dae's dead. I .... I felt him die."
Date: 05 Jul 1998 01:20:01 EDT
Zach had spent the better part of the day watching the comings and goings of the Keep from his perch on the side of a large hill. He had been hoping, or more accurately, not hoping for a sighting of Brianna. So far so good. The girl didn't seem to be around, although he could see clearly the figure of Isabella in stocks in the center of the courtyard. That was something he would have to remedy. The tricky part of that was going to
be Maynard. The imposter had set the young man as a guard on her earlier, no doubt with orders to kill the prisoner if something happened. That seemed like the cowardly kind of thing this one would do, buy his own life at the cost of another's.
He had seen the Blue Dragon land and then leave again, and was keeping a watch on Khrys in the clearing as well. He really wanted to do something to let her know that he was there, but right now he didn't want to leave his lookout. The view was just too interesting. A large delegation had arrived a short while ago, and gone on tour of the Keep. Zach could only guess that these were conspirators in whatever plot the false Daemon had.
Hopefully they all knew where the real Daemon was being held. One of them had left the Keep alone and was on a similar lookout not too far below him. Obviously a scout, or something similar. That was another thing that was going to have to be dealt with as well.
Skirting to the side of the hill to avoid the scout below, Zach crept down the back. He had seen Bree and Argent land not too far away and was hoping to catch up with them. He needed some information on how to find the tunnel, and knew that she could show him. Apparently the scout saw the Silver land as well. He was on the move towards the clearing, and was apparently not too concerned about stealth. For a moment as he moved into a thicket
Zach lost sight of him. When he came back out, he was a she. And she looked just like one of the kitchen girls he had seen leave earlier on her way home. Interesting. This one was a shapeshifter of some sort. He'd heard about them, but never seen one before. The speed he was able to change in was amazing. Zach followed it to the apple orchard, and was just in time to see Khrys, Bree and Argent close the *door* behind them. The shapeshifter
was pushing and pulling on the boulder that was the door, trying to get it open.
"Excuse me. Having a problem?" He had circled around and had come up through the orchard. Using the trees as cover he had managed to sneak up behind it and was now standing not more than a few feet away. He held the drawn scimitar in a relaxed grip, ready if needed.
The shifter spun quickly and struck out with a foot to knock the blade away, but Zach was ready and moved to the side, allowing it to complete the turn as it kicked. Off balance, it was unable to dodge the blade as it was cut across it's right arm, nearly severing it at the elbow.
Zach rushed in, knocking it to the ground, boot knife out and to it's throat. "Who are you? What are you doing here in Valensa? And where is the real Daemon?"
The shifter gasped a breath and began to shift once again before Zach's eyes. It was becoming something monstrous with a deformed head, and then changing again. This time to look up at him through his own eyes. "Your Daemon is dead. Valensa will be no more. You can kill me, primative, but it will not stop what has already finished."
Zach looked into his own eyes in a face twisted with hate. One quick slice was all it took and a moment later the shapeshifter's blood was flowing into the grass beneath it. In death it took it's natural form, a near featureless face, hairless head and indistinct body form. Zach dragged the body deeper into the orchard away from the Keep, and rubbed out the trail of blood with fallen leaves. After scattering the leaves in the stream by the
clearing where Khrys had first landed he returned and surveyed his handiwork. Not bad. No scuffed turf, and the blood was almost unnoticeable. It would have to do since he didn't have time for more.
He pushed the boulder to the side and entered the darkness, closing the tunnel behind him. In the distance at the far end he could make out what must be a torch, and he thought he could hear someone crying. He moved as quickly as he dared in the near darkness. "Khrys?" he called softly. He could see the three of them sitting near the small door that led into the Keep. "Honey, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Khrys looked up at him, her face grimy with streaked tears. "Zach !!" She stood up and crossed to hold him tightly. "Dae's dead. I .... I felt him die."
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 08 Jul 1998 07:23:38 EDT
((First off my appologies to all still following this, the Long Weekend caused a bit of a delay))
The albino imposter was waiting paitently in the throne room, when his imposter scribe entered.
"M'lord" he began, keeping up the act should anyone be listening. "The Dragon Riders have been spoted. They should be here directly. Dinner is being set out in the Great Hall as we speak.
"Thank you Garnas. Has the rest of the delegation set out on their appointed tasks?"
"Of course M'lord. Should I wait for the riders in the court yard?"
"Please do, direct them to the great hall as they land. I'm sure'll they'll be hungry." An evil smile formed on the imposters lips. Soon he would no longer have to play the role anymore. He had been informed that the real Daemon was no more, therefore no reason to remain on here.
One by one the Dragon Riders set down in the courtyard. As each one did, it's mount took on an elfin form. This allowed for all twenty men and twenty dragons to form up in the small courtyard. The Riders had attracted much attention, and all around servants and soldiers gathered. The epitome of military bearing, the 40 stood in formation at 'parade rest'.
"Gentlemen, . . . And Dragons" Garnas began. Dinner is served. If you will follow me to the Great Hall, the Lord Daemon awaits."
The men and dragons stood unmoving. From out of nowhere, a great Wyrm streaked over the wall climbing straight into the sky. It was a Red, the only red dragon of the group, and two riders sat on it's back. As the dragon crested the castle's rooftop one of the riders jumped from the Wyrm.
In the courtyard below, all eyes were on the aerial display. . . all eyes except the score of Dragon Riders. Maynard watched in awe, and even Isabella strained to look up from her position in the stockade. The falling rider fliped twice, then landed in front of the assembled formation. She landed, cutlass drawn, and the men behind her came to attention. The great Red circled once, then landed just long enough to allow Captain Thomas to
dismount.
Garnas was startled, no scared, this could only be the Lady Destiny herself. He sent a telepathic message to Daemon's imposter. One word, 'trouble', rang in the imposter's mind. "My Lady Destiny." Garnas bowed slightly. "The Lord Daemon will be most pleased that you are here. Please, come inside, dinner is served and his lordship awaits in the Great Hall."
"Cut the crap." Destiny barked. She placed the blade at the base of his neck. "Take me to his lordship NOW!!"
Date: 08 Jul 1998 07:23:38 EDT
((First off my appologies to all still following this, the Long Weekend caused a bit of a delay))
The albino imposter was waiting paitently in the throne room, when his imposter scribe entered.
"M'lord" he began, keeping up the act should anyone be listening. "The Dragon Riders have been spoted. They should be here directly. Dinner is being set out in the Great Hall as we speak.
"Thank you Garnas. Has the rest of the delegation set out on their appointed tasks?"
"Of course M'lord. Should I wait for the riders in the court yard?"
"Please do, direct them to the great hall as they land. I'm sure'll they'll be hungry." An evil smile formed on the imposters lips. Soon he would no longer have to play the role anymore. He had been informed that the real Daemon was no more, therefore no reason to remain on here.
One by one the Dragon Riders set down in the courtyard. As each one did, it's mount took on an elfin form. This allowed for all twenty men and twenty dragons to form up in the small courtyard. The Riders had attracted much attention, and all around servants and soldiers gathered. The epitome of military bearing, the 40 stood in formation at 'parade rest'.
"Gentlemen, . . . And Dragons" Garnas began. Dinner is served. If you will follow me to the Great Hall, the Lord Daemon awaits."
The men and dragons stood unmoving. From out of nowhere, a great Wyrm streaked over the wall climbing straight into the sky. It was a Red, the only red dragon of the group, and two riders sat on it's back. As the dragon crested the castle's rooftop one of the riders jumped from the Wyrm.
In the courtyard below, all eyes were on the aerial display. . . all eyes except the score of Dragon Riders. Maynard watched in awe, and even Isabella strained to look up from her position in the stockade. The falling rider fliped twice, then landed in front of the assembled formation. She landed, cutlass drawn, and the men behind her came to attention. The great Red circled once, then landed just long enough to allow Captain Thomas to
dismount.
Garnas was startled, no scared, this could only be the Lady Destiny herself. He sent a telepathic message to Daemon's imposter. One word, 'trouble', rang in the imposter's mind. "My Lady Destiny." Garnas bowed slightly. "The Lord Daemon will be most pleased that you are here. Please, come inside, dinner is served and his lordship awaits in the Great Hall."
"Cut the crap." Destiny barked. She placed the blade at the base of his neck. "Take me to his lordship NOW!!"
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From: brianna1o2@aol.com (BRIANNA1O2)
Date: 09 Jul 1998 20:44:52 EDT
Sniffling, she wiped the tears on the sleeve of her tunic. This was no time to cry. She would grieve for her father's death later. When she had time. Standing suddenly in the cramped tunnel, Bree took a deep breath to steady herself. The damp fetidness of the tunnel bringing her back to the reality of the moment. "Mother, we need to leave the tunnel. We can't do anything if we just sit here, crying." She drew her father's
gladius, Sabre, the Sun Sword and quietly opened the hidden door into the dungeon level of the Keep. There usually was no guard on duty in the dungeon unless there were prisoners being held there. Isabella was in the courtyard, so she knew that the guard room would be empty. Creeping along the wall, Argent, Zach and Khrys followed the young girl, weapons in hand. The lower corridors of the Keep were dark; no torches burned on this level. They
took that as a good sign that they could gain the upper levels without discovery.
Michael yawned. He'd been down in the dungeon guard room for hours, and his relief was late.... again. Gods he wanted to go to bed. But first he needed a good meal, and something to drink. He rose and checked the hallway again for his relief. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw movement. He stepped quickly back into the doorway and continued to watch. Whoever it was was on the wrong side of the guardroom door to have come from
the barracks above. Quickly the junior officer put out the torch. After shutting his eyes for a moment to allow them to adjust to the darkness, he stepped back to the doorway. He could barely see the outline of the patches of deeper darkness in the shadows that were the intruders. There was more than one, maybe as many as four or five of them. Holding his breath he waited as they passed the doorway. Even in the pitch black he could make out the
distinct forms of two men and two women. Drawing his dagger, he stepped quickly into the corridor at the end of the line, grabbing the trailing woman, knocking her light rapier from her hand. "Stop right there. I have the woman. If you don't surrender, I'll be forced to kill her, and then deal likewise with the rest of you." They halted and turned slowly, weapons held loosely. "Place your weapons on the floor." He could hear the metalic clink
of the swords as they were placed gently on the floor between them. He could also hear the muffled sounds of the other woman choking back tears. Something wasn't right here. Spys and assassins didn't cry while they were tracking their target.
Brianna stood for a moment, frustrated and feeling helpless. Trying to stifle her broken sobs, she set Sabre on the ground in front of her. Standing, her hand went to the pendant at her throat, her Father's pendant. Damn it... I'm the Princess here. There's no reason for me to be skulking around in the dark of the dungeon. "Guardsman. Light a torch and show yourself."
"By who's authority do you command me?" Michael thought he recognized the voice as the Princesses, but it sounded..... different somehow and he wasn't about to turn loose of his prisoner until he was certain.
"By the authority of the Princess Brianna Satyriasis, whom you have given blood oath to protect."
Recoginizing the voice, if not the determination in it, Michael released the woman he held and stepped back from her. "At once, M'Lady." Stepping quickly into the guardroom, he found the torch and his flint. After a moment he had the gutttering torch lit and was holding it high above his head in the corridor. The sight before his eyes astounded him, yet he couldn't disbelieve it. The Princess and her dragon were indeed there, as was his
former Queen, the Lady Khrysta. The other man would be her new husband then. He dropped to one knee before both his former Queen and his Princess. "M'Lady. I apologize. I didn't know it was you."
Brianna spoke quietly. "Michael, where is my father?" Though it pained her to call the imposter that, she had no time to explain.
"He awaits the Dragon Riders in the Great Hall, M'Lady. They have just arrived, I believe, and a meal has been prepared for them after their long journey." The young man, still on one knee, looked up and saw concern and fear, as well as sorrow, in the girls face. "M'Lady, forgive my boldness, but is there something wrong?"
Her mother looked at Bree and nodded once. With Destiny here already, things above would be well in hand, and they would need all the help in the Keep that they could muster. A few minutes time to explain to the Under Sergeant wouldn't matter one way or the other. Bree walked past the kneeling guard into the guardroom, motioning for the others to join her. After they were all inside, she closed the door partway. Quickly they related all that
had happened, from the swords in the sands of the Annex to the illusory dragon and what Zach had discovered there as well as the shapeshifter in the orchard.
A mixture of emotions warred across the young guards face as he tried to comprehend what he was being told. "A doppleganger !!" Disgust and anger won. With firm resolve, he once again dropped to one knee before Brianna. "M'Lady, I swore once to protect you, with my life if need be. I am yours to command."
"First, we need to get to the upper levels, and we'll need as many of the guard as can be trusted to be ready when needed. Tell them what has happened and that my Aunt knows as well. We're here to right this, and to avenge my Father's death."
The sound of boots coming down the steps echoed down the corridor. Michael's relief had arrived. Quickly they related the story once again to the new guard, and the six left the dungeon level. Making their way up the stairs they met no one else, and made it without incident to the barracks behind the main Keep. It seemed everyone was in the front courtyard, gawking at the Dragon Riders. As they crossed from the shadows of one building to the
other, Bree could see her Aunt as she leaped gracefully from Flame's back high above the courtyard below. She couldn't hear what she said to the scribe when she landed, but a flicker of hope crossed her face. They were too late to save her Father, but the Doppleganger had not a chance in the Abyss now, and revenge would be oh, so sweet.
Date: 09 Jul 1998 20:44:52 EDT
Sniffling, she wiped the tears on the sleeve of her tunic. This was no time to cry. She would grieve for her father's death later. When she had time. Standing suddenly in the cramped tunnel, Bree took a deep breath to steady herself. The damp fetidness of the tunnel bringing her back to the reality of the moment. "Mother, we need to leave the tunnel. We can't do anything if we just sit here, crying." She drew her father's
gladius, Sabre, the Sun Sword and quietly opened the hidden door into the dungeon level of the Keep. There usually was no guard on duty in the dungeon unless there were prisoners being held there. Isabella was in the courtyard, so she knew that the guard room would be empty. Creeping along the wall, Argent, Zach and Khrys followed the young girl, weapons in hand. The lower corridors of the Keep were dark; no torches burned on this level. They
took that as a good sign that they could gain the upper levels without discovery.
Michael yawned. He'd been down in the dungeon guard room for hours, and his relief was late.... again. Gods he wanted to go to bed. But first he needed a good meal, and something to drink. He rose and checked the hallway again for his relief. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw movement. He stepped quickly back into the doorway and continued to watch. Whoever it was was on the wrong side of the guardroom door to have come from
the barracks above. Quickly the junior officer put out the torch. After shutting his eyes for a moment to allow them to adjust to the darkness, he stepped back to the doorway. He could barely see the outline of the patches of deeper darkness in the shadows that were the intruders. There was more than one, maybe as many as four or five of them. Holding his breath he waited as they passed the doorway. Even in the pitch black he could make out the
distinct forms of two men and two women. Drawing his dagger, he stepped quickly into the corridor at the end of the line, grabbing the trailing woman, knocking her light rapier from her hand. "Stop right there. I have the woman. If you don't surrender, I'll be forced to kill her, and then deal likewise with the rest of you." They halted and turned slowly, weapons held loosely. "Place your weapons on the floor." He could hear the metalic clink
of the swords as they were placed gently on the floor between them. He could also hear the muffled sounds of the other woman choking back tears. Something wasn't right here. Spys and assassins didn't cry while they were tracking their target.
Brianna stood for a moment, frustrated and feeling helpless. Trying to stifle her broken sobs, she set Sabre on the ground in front of her. Standing, her hand went to the pendant at her throat, her Father's pendant. Damn it... I'm the Princess here. There's no reason for me to be skulking around in the dark of the dungeon. "Guardsman. Light a torch and show yourself."
"By who's authority do you command me?" Michael thought he recognized the voice as the Princesses, but it sounded..... different somehow and he wasn't about to turn loose of his prisoner until he was certain.
"By the authority of the Princess Brianna Satyriasis, whom you have given blood oath to protect."
Recoginizing the voice, if not the determination in it, Michael released the woman he held and stepped back from her. "At once, M'Lady." Stepping quickly into the guardroom, he found the torch and his flint. After a moment he had the gutttering torch lit and was holding it high above his head in the corridor. The sight before his eyes astounded him, yet he couldn't disbelieve it. The Princess and her dragon were indeed there, as was his
former Queen, the Lady Khrysta. The other man would be her new husband then. He dropped to one knee before both his former Queen and his Princess. "M'Lady. I apologize. I didn't know it was you."
Brianna spoke quietly. "Michael, where is my father?" Though it pained her to call the imposter that, she had no time to explain.
"He awaits the Dragon Riders in the Great Hall, M'Lady. They have just arrived, I believe, and a meal has been prepared for them after their long journey." The young man, still on one knee, looked up and saw concern and fear, as well as sorrow, in the girls face. "M'Lady, forgive my boldness, but is there something wrong?"
Her mother looked at Bree and nodded once. With Destiny here already, things above would be well in hand, and they would need all the help in the Keep that they could muster. A few minutes time to explain to the Under Sergeant wouldn't matter one way or the other. Bree walked past the kneeling guard into the guardroom, motioning for the others to join her. After they were all inside, she closed the door partway. Quickly they related all that
had happened, from the swords in the sands of the Annex to the illusory dragon and what Zach had discovered there as well as the shapeshifter in the orchard.
A mixture of emotions warred across the young guards face as he tried to comprehend what he was being told. "A doppleganger !!" Disgust and anger won. With firm resolve, he once again dropped to one knee before Brianna. "M'Lady, I swore once to protect you, with my life if need be. I am yours to command."
"First, we need to get to the upper levels, and we'll need as many of the guard as can be trusted to be ready when needed. Tell them what has happened and that my Aunt knows as well. We're here to right this, and to avenge my Father's death."
The sound of boots coming down the steps echoed down the corridor. Michael's relief had arrived. Quickly they related the story once again to the new guard, and the six left the dungeon level. Making their way up the stairs they met no one else, and made it without incident to the barracks behind the main Keep. It seemed everyone was in the front courtyard, gawking at the Dragon Riders. As they crossed from the shadows of one building to the
other, Bree could see her Aunt as she leaped gracefully from Flame's back high above the courtyard below. She couldn't hear what she said to the scribe when she landed, but a flicker of hope crossed her face. They were too late to save her Father, but the Doppleganger had not a chance in the Abyss now, and revenge would be oh, so sweet.
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 14 Jul 1998 07:02:15 EDT
Garnas turned slowly. With Destiny's cutlass so close he didn't want to take any chances. Word was sent to all the other dopplegangers that there was trouble. Two Riders and Dragons, in elf form, fell in behind the Mistress of Fire. A third rider steped out in front of the formation. "Riders to the skies!" He commanded. "I want a ten mile radius secured. No one enters, no one leaves."
One by one elf transformed back to dragon, and the riders took to the skies above Valensa. The lone rider remained in the courtyard, his elven companion returning to it's true form. The Black waited for a second, before a nod from it's rider sent it up to the skies as well. Atop the keep perched Flame, there would be no escape from within the castle proper.
Maynard looked nervous as the Riders took to the skies. A rainbow of colors circling above. He raised his sword tentatively as the last Rider approached. "Don't . . .come any closer." His voice and sword were shaking. The Rider stoped and studied the young lad. He was about to step closer when he noticed a familiar face stealthily coming up behind the boy. It was all he could do to keep from laughing for surely the sun rising made more noise
than the Princess Brianna .
Date: 14 Jul 1998 07:02:15 EDT
Garnas turned slowly. With Destiny's cutlass so close he didn't want to take any chances. Word was sent to all the other dopplegangers that there was trouble. Two Riders and Dragons, in elf form, fell in behind the Mistress of Fire. A third rider steped out in front of the formation. "Riders to the skies!" He commanded. "I want a ten mile radius secured. No one enters, no one leaves."
One by one elf transformed back to dragon, and the riders took to the skies above Valensa. The lone rider remained in the courtyard, his elven companion returning to it's true form. The Black waited for a second, before a nod from it's rider sent it up to the skies as well. Atop the keep perched Flame, there would be no escape from within the castle proper.
Maynard looked nervous as the Riders took to the skies. A rainbow of colors circling above. He raised his sword tentatively as the last Rider approached. "Don't . . .come any closer." His voice and sword were shaking. The Rider stoped and studied the young lad. He was about to step closer when he noticed a familiar face stealthily coming up behind the boy. It was all he could do to keep from laughing for surely the sun rising made more noise
than the Princess Brianna .
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From: brianna1o2@aol.com (BRIANNA1O2)
Date: 14 Jul 1998 15:21:36 EDT
The barracks had been nearly empty. Most of the guards were either on patrol in response to the *assassination attempt* on the intruders life, or standing extra posts as a show of the military force in Valensa Keep for the *delegates* from RhyDin. Only three of the older guards were there, playing a game of dice in their free time. Each and every one of them stood quickly at stiff
attention when Brianna entered, followed by Khrys, Zach, Argent and the two other guards. Bree knew these three well. Most of the earlier years of her young life had been spent learning to rule her country. Her father had decreed that in order to rule, she should learn to handle a sword as well as any man, if not better. She had learned much of it at the hands of the Keep Guard.
"M'Lady?" Lieutenant Dorman spoke the single word as a question. Bree allowed herself to answer with a soft smile before telling again of the fate of her father.
"Sit, be at your ease for this." The three sat, righting a chair that had been overturned in the haste to stand earlier. "I'm sure you've all noticed odd behaviour and strange goings on in the Keep recently. I can tell you why." With a heavy sigh, the young girl began her tale...."It began several weeks ago.... with the loss and finding of my father's swords. The very swords I now wear.........."
After what seemed hours, but was in fact only minutes, Zach interupped her story from where he was watching at one of the windows that looked out onto the open courtyard. "Bree, one of the Riders is walking over to that page. The one that's guarding your friend Isabella. The kid looks scared. Kinda like he might do something to her."
She crossed quickly to the window. "That's Spencer with him. The Wing Captain." Scowling, she kicked off her boots and moved to the door and out of the barracks on silent feet, Khrys. with feet bared as well, Zach and the guards following. As she approached she could hear the quaver of fear in Maynard's voice, and see that his hand shook as he raised the sword above Isabella. She knew for a certainty that he wouldn't harm Isabella if given a
moment to think of his actions.... but fear is it's own motivation. He might do anything if he felt threatened. Catching Spencer's eye, she approached to within a few feet of them. She could hear Zach and her mother several yards behind her, moving nearly as quietly as she. The guards had stopped just beyond the barracks door when they saw what was happening.
The two were in a stand off of sorts. Maynard with sword raised for a killing stroke above Isabella's bare neck, and Spencer trying to figure out how to disarm the young lad without harm to the girl. Bree crept up even closer. She could feel the heat radiating from the boy when she made her move. Quickly she reached around to hit the underside of his right elbow, knocking the hand holding the sword above his head. She sidestepped to the
right as his arm flew by her face, placing her left foot behind his ankle and giving just a bit of a shove to the already overbalanced young man. He fell to the ground with hard and satisfying thump. Quickly she stepped on his right wrist to hold it in place as Spencer took the sword from him. Zach looked at her in surprise for a moment, and then helped the young man to his feet. Maynard took one look at who his captors were, and flushed red with
embarassment at having been disarmed so easily by a mere girl, even it were the Princess. They hurried Maynard to the barracks while Dorman freed the crying Isabella from the stockade and followed. The young girl was so weak from lack of food and water that she was unable to walk. The older man carried her gently in and placed her on one of the cots to rest as they tried to make a plan.
Date: 14 Jul 1998 15:21:36 EDT
The barracks had been nearly empty. Most of the guards were either on patrol in response to the *assassination attempt* on the intruders life, or standing extra posts as a show of the military force in Valensa Keep for the *delegates* from RhyDin. Only three of the older guards were there, playing a game of dice in their free time. Each and every one of them stood quickly at stiff
attention when Brianna entered, followed by Khrys, Zach, Argent and the two other guards. Bree knew these three well. Most of the earlier years of her young life had been spent learning to rule her country. Her father had decreed that in order to rule, she should learn to handle a sword as well as any man, if not better. She had learned much of it at the hands of the Keep Guard.
"M'Lady?" Lieutenant Dorman spoke the single word as a question. Bree allowed herself to answer with a soft smile before telling again of the fate of her father.
"Sit, be at your ease for this." The three sat, righting a chair that had been overturned in the haste to stand earlier. "I'm sure you've all noticed odd behaviour and strange goings on in the Keep recently. I can tell you why." With a heavy sigh, the young girl began her tale...."It began several weeks ago.... with the loss and finding of my father's swords. The very swords I now wear.........."
After what seemed hours, but was in fact only minutes, Zach interupped her story from where he was watching at one of the windows that looked out onto the open courtyard. "Bree, one of the Riders is walking over to that page. The one that's guarding your friend Isabella. The kid looks scared. Kinda like he might do something to her."
She crossed quickly to the window. "That's Spencer with him. The Wing Captain." Scowling, she kicked off her boots and moved to the door and out of the barracks on silent feet, Khrys. with feet bared as well, Zach and the guards following. As she approached she could hear the quaver of fear in Maynard's voice, and see that his hand shook as he raised the sword above Isabella. She knew for a certainty that he wouldn't harm Isabella if given a
moment to think of his actions.... but fear is it's own motivation. He might do anything if he felt threatened. Catching Spencer's eye, she approached to within a few feet of them. She could hear Zach and her mother several yards behind her, moving nearly as quietly as she. The guards had stopped just beyond the barracks door when they saw what was happening.
The two were in a stand off of sorts. Maynard with sword raised for a killing stroke above Isabella's bare neck, and Spencer trying to figure out how to disarm the young lad without harm to the girl. Bree crept up even closer. She could feel the heat radiating from the boy when she made her move. Quickly she reached around to hit the underside of his right elbow, knocking the hand holding the sword above his head. She sidestepped to the
right as his arm flew by her face, placing her left foot behind his ankle and giving just a bit of a shove to the already overbalanced young man. He fell to the ground with hard and satisfying thump. Quickly she stepped on his right wrist to hold it in place as Spencer took the sword from him. Zach looked at her in surprise for a moment, and then helped the young man to his feet. Maynard took one look at who his captors were, and flushed red with
embarassment at having been disarmed so easily by a mere girl, even it were the Princess. They hurried Maynard to the barracks while Dorman freed the crying Isabella from the stockade and followed. The young girl was so weak from lack of food and water that she was unable to walk. The older man carried her gently in and placed her on one of the cots to rest as they tried to make a plan.
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From: zachrywulf@aol.com (ZachryWulf)
Date: 14 Jul 1998 20:49:05 EDT
Zach and Khrys talked to Maynard at length as did Brianna, trying to explain what was going on at the keep. Dorman had placed Isabella on Michael’s bed making it appear as if it was Michael and had returned to their side to also try and talk to him. All he kept saying was that his Lord Daemon is only trying to protect himself from an assassin and that Isabella was working with them. He even said that it might not really be
Isabella. Zach winked at Dorman and stepped out of the room for a moment after emptying the gold coins out of his pouch. He filled the pouch with dirt and came back into the room to stand next to Khrys who had decided to tie Maynard up. At the very mention of tying he started struggling to get away. Zach stepped a little closer as Khrys tried to gag him "Do you need any help Khrys?"
"No! I’ve done this before let me handle it." She whispered in what would have been a shout in less desperate circumstances. Suddenly Maynard pulled free and started to get away, Zach stepped forward hitting him over the head with the bag of dirt causing him to collapse to the floor. Zach grabbed his arm and lifted so he wouldn’t hit his head on the stone floor. Khrys looked at him in disbelief somewhat perturbed at what he had done. Zach
shrugged "Ooops!" Khrys was visibly moved by what he had just done and let him know it. "He has done nothing wrong and you just hit him over the head."
Zach nodded at that "Yup! Isabella is one of her friends and he just tried to kill her. Finish tying him up and let’s get moving. I hit him because we are in a hurry and we didn’t need him shouting and drawing unwanted attention. He will be much easier to tie and gag if you do it now by the way. If I have to hit him again I will tell him it is your fault."
The guards quickly bound and gagged him, then Zach and Dorman carried him to a store room with a guard standing watch over him. Zach had noticed a couple of people hanging around the back courtyard and led them there to see what had been going on that was of such interest. He got Brianna to walk in front. She would draw less attention if she was noticed by any of the personnel.
Zachary Wûlfgar
§ Wolfen §
Date: 14 Jul 1998 20:49:05 EDT
Zach and Khrys talked to Maynard at length as did Brianna, trying to explain what was going on at the keep. Dorman had placed Isabella on Michael’s bed making it appear as if it was Michael and had returned to their side to also try and talk to him. All he kept saying was that his Lord Daemon is only trying to protect himself from an assassin and that Isabella was working with them. He even said that it might not really be
Isabella. Zach winked at Dorman and stepped out of the room for a moment after emptying the gold coins out of his pouch. He filled the pouch with dirt and came back into the room to stand next to Khrys who had decided to tie Maynard up. At the very mention of tying he started struggling to get away. Zach stepped a little closer as Khrys tried to gag him "Do you need any help Khrys?"
"No! I’ve done this before let me handle it." She whispered in what would have been a shout in less desperate circumstances. Suddenly Maynard pulled free and started to get away, Zach stepped forward hitting him over the head with the bag of dirt causing him to collapse to the floor. Zach grabbed his arm and lifted so he wouldn’t hit his head on the stone floor. Khrys looked at him in disbelief somewhat perturbed at what he had done. Zach
shrugged "Ooops!" Khrys was visibly moved by what he had just done and let him know it. "He has done nothing wrong and you just hit him over the head."
Zach nodded at that "Yup! Isabella is one of her friends and he just tried to kill her. Finish tying him up and let’s get moving. I hit him because we are in a hurry and we didn’t need him shouting and drawing unwanted attention. He will be much easier to tie and gag if you do it now by the way. If I have to hit him again I will tell him it is your fault."
The guards quickly bound and gagged him, then Zach and Dorman carried him to a store room with a guard standing watch over him. Zach had noticed a couple of people hanging around the back courtyard and led them there to see what had been going on that was of such interest. He got Brianna to walk in front. She would draw less attention if she was noticed by any of the personnel.
Zachary Wûlfgar
§ Wolfen §
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 19 Jul 1998 17:01:11 EDT
The imposter briefed his honor guard on what was about to happen. Over the past few weeks he had reorginized the elite guard to better fit his own tastes. Zealots, men of unwavering loyalties, they would follow commands without question.
"Men, we have a problem." he began. "The assassin has revealed herself, it is my own aunt Destiny. I should have known when the dragon scales were found. Quickly men, she approaches with two of her riders and holding Garnas prisoner. It is imperative that you free Garnas and guard our escape."
The men sprung into action and word was quickly sent to the other guards inside the palace. Four men left out the side door to work their way around behind Destiny when she entered. The doppleganger cook had already left to prepare the horses for escape. When he stepped out behind the castle he was no longer the cook but the stable master.
The wizard came quickly to Daemon's aid with two scrolls in hand. He cracks the seal on the first and begins reading. The door to the great hall is thrown open with a crash. Daemon's imposter commands his men to attack as Destiny throws Garnas to the floor to defend herself. In a moment of hesitation she commands her men to subdue not kill. Just then battle is joined from the rear by the rest of Daemon's honor guard.
The wizard finishes his casting and a wall of solid flame separates the two from the battle. The second scroll is opened as the wizard and Daemon prepare to teleport directly to the stables. Garnas transforms into another Daemon and makes a break out the side door. Through the flames Daemon's imposter cannot see that the battle is over. Two Riders lay dead, their mounts in elfin form are slightly bruised and Destiny is already begining to heal.
At their feet, not one guard is concious but all are alive.
"Take them home." she commands, indicating the two Dragon Riders. "I'll finish this myself. 'Horus' she shouts using the proper name of her father, 'The Avenger'." The Mistress of Fire steps through the flames undaunted. She's too late, out of the corner of her eye an imposter ran out the door while another Daemon just teleported from the room.
A cry fillls the sky above. Destiny knows her call was answered. The God had come himself. The Dragon Riders knew better than to impede the huge Falcon as it descended from the heavens towards the castle. When the God landed he took on human form of a man with a falcons head. Destiny ran after the imposter she could see. When she rounded the first corner their were two Daemon's running in opposite directions.
Garnas made his way around the corner. Two more turns and he would be in the courtyard. Pakras had assumed 'Daemon-form' as well and was making his was towards the dungeons. They both had heard the cry and knew that meeting up with the others would halve to come later. Their plan was ruined, they just wanted to make it out of this place alive.
One corner left and Destiny wasn't following him. Poor Pakras he thought as he took on the form of a soldier and steped from the palace. He was so intent on reaching the guard house he barreled past the god with out a second thought. Horus wasn't fooled at all by the disguise. His true seeing easily identifying the doppleganger.
Destiny followed the imposter down the corridor. She had been here before and knew this to be the passage that would lead to the dungeon. Destiny stoped running and silently cursed herself. She was the Mistress of Fire and torched burned on every wall of every corridor of this place. Through the elemental plane of fire, all the torches were connected.
Calming herself and attuning to the flame's dance, Destiny crossed the border to stand among her true subjects. She watched as the torches watched the passing of the pseudo-Daemon. Already a plan had formed in her mind. She would wait till the doppleganger lit a torch in the dungeon. Then she would step out and reap her vengance.
Date: 19 Jul 1998 17:01:11 EDT
The imposter briefed his honor guard on what was about to happen. Over the past few weeks he had reorginized the elite guard to better fit his own tastes. Zealots, men of unwavering loyalties, they would follow commands without question.
"Men, we have a problem." he began. "The assassin has revealed herself, it is my own aunt Destiny. I should have known when the dragon scales were found. Quickly men, she approaches with two of her riders and holding Garnas prisoner. It is imperative that you free Garnas and guard our escape."
The men sprung into action and word was quickly sent to the other guards inside the palace. Four men left out the side door to work their way around behind Destiny when she entered. The doppleganger cook had already left to prepare the horses for escape. When he stepped out behind the castle he was no longer the cook but the stable master.
The wizard came quickly to Daemon's aid with two scrolls in hand. He cracks the seal on the first and begins reading. The door to the great hall is thrown open with a crash. Daemon's imposter commands his men to attack as Destiny throws Garnas to the floor to defend herself. In a moment of hesitation she commands her men to subdue not kill. Just then battle is joined from the rear by the rest of Daemon's honor guard.
The wizard finishes his casting and a wall of solid flame separates the two from the battle. The second scroll is opened as the wizard and Daemon prepare to teleport directly to the stables. Garnas transforms into another Daemon and makes a break out the side door. Through the flames Daemon's imposter cannot see that the battle is over. Two Riders lay dead, their mounts in elfin form are slightly bruised and Destiny is already begining to heal.
At their feet, not one guard is concious but all are alive.
"Take them home." she commands, indicating the two Dragon Riders. "I'll finish this myself. 'Horus' she shouts using the proper name of her father, 'The Avenger'." The Mistress of Fire steps through the flames undaunted. She's too late, out of the corner of her eye an imposter ran out the door while another Daemon just teleported from the room.
A cry fillls the sky above. Destiny knows her call was answered. The God had come himself. The Dragon Riders knew better than to impede the huge Falcon as it descended from the heavens towards the castle. When the God landed he took on human form of a man with a falcons head. Destiny ran after the imposter she could see. When she rounded the first corner their were two Daemon's running in opposite directions.
Garnas made his way around the corner. Two more turns and he would be in the courtyard. Pakras had assumed 'Daemon-form' as well and was making his was towards the dungeons. They both had heard the cry and knew that meeting up with the others would halve to come later. Their plan was ruined, they just wanted to make it out of this place alive.
One corner left and Destiny wasn't following him. Poor Pakras he thought as he took on the form of a soldier and steped from the palace. He was so intent on reaching the guard house he barreled past the god with out a second thought. Horus wasn't fooled at all by the disguise. His true seeing easily identifying the doppleganger.
Destiny followed the imposter down the corridor. She had been here before and knew this to be the passage that would lead to the dungeon. Destiny stoped running and silently cursed herself. She was the Mistress of Fire and torched burned on every wall of every corridor of this place. Through the elemental plane of fire, all the torches were connected.
Calming herself and attuning to the flame's dance, Destiny crossed the border to stand among her true subjects. She watched as the torches watched the passing of the pseudo-Daemon. Already a plan had formed in her mind. She would wait till the doppleganger lit a torch in the dungeon. Then she would step out and reap her vengance.
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From: brianna1o2@aol.com (BRIANNA1O2)
Date: 28 Jul 1998 01:04:36 EDT
The nicker of horses behind them drew their attention. Someone was readying horses..... readying them to ride. Bree turned to Argent and nodded, motioning him to the stable. The Dragon moved as quietly in his elfin form as true elf would. He made not a sound as he crept to the open doors and peered in. What he saw within told volumes. Old Marcus the stable master was nowhere to be seen, and the two
stable boys were working frantically to bridle and saddle the horses. Every horse in the large stable, it seemed. As he watched, Marcus came from the tack room carrying bulging saddlebags slung over his shoulders. As the boys finished each horse and moved on to the next, Marcus tied the saddlebags on the horse and moved on as well. The three of them quickly worked their way steadily down the two lines of stalls. As Argent watched the young boys
finish with the last of the horses, Marcus tied the bags on and turned to the lads. With a movement nearly too quick to see, his hands shot forward to either side of one lads head. With a deft snap the lads neck was broken and he fell soundlessly to the stall floor. The mare whinnied, and the other boy turned from tightening the girth on the horse in the last stall across the aisle. He had time only for a quick yelp before he joined his friend.
It had happened so quickly that Argent had had no time to prevent it.
Hearing the yelp, and hearing it cut short, Bree ran to the stable. Khrys and Zach followed on her heels, Michael and the guards close behind. As the group reached him, Argent motioned them to the side of the door, where they wouldn't be visible to Marcus. "Marcus is one of them. I'm sure of it. He's got all the horses ready for an escape." He paused a moment before continuing softly. "He murdered the boys. Julien and Duncan."
Bree's eyes hardened as she took command of the small group, motioning them to form up. She sent Michael and the guards to the tack room door at the rear and then stepped boldly into the shadows of the stable. Khrys and Zach stood on either side of the girl and the dragon. With swords drawn and ready the group had cut off the only exits to the stable.
Marcus looked up as they entered and dropped the last saddlebag. He ran into the tack room and shut the door, sliding the bolt home. Quickly he ran to the door that led out, intending to make his escape. Just as quickly he saw the guards coming around the corner next to the door. He slammed that door and slid the bolt home as well, effectively trapping himself. Looking around in the weak sunlight, he realized that escape was hopeless. There
were no openings in the thick walls and the only window in the room opened in the same wall the door was in. Through it he could see one of the guards running from the barracks with a large battle axe. It wouldn't be long before they broke the door down. Rather than face a bloody death, he did the only thing he could. He opened the door to the stable and stood perfectly still in the doorway with his hands clearly visible over his head. Inwardly
he smirked. He thought his chances of survival better in a battle with these four than with even only three soldiers hardened to killing and death.
"I surrender......"
Date: 28 Jul 1998 01:04:36 EDT
The nicker of horses behind them drew their attention. Someone was readying horses..... readying them to ride. Bree turned to Argent and nodded, motioning him to the stable. The Dragon moved as quietly in his elfin form as true elf would. He made not a sound as he crept to the open doors and peered in. What he saw within told volumes. Old Marcus the stable master was nowhere to be seen, and the two
stable boys were working frantically to bridle and saddle the horses. Every horse in the large stable, it seemed. As he watched, Marcus came from the tack room carrying bulging saddlebags slung over his shoulders. As the boys finished each horse and moved on to the next, Marcus tied the saddlebags on the horse and moved on as well. The three of them quickly worked their way steadily down the two lines of stalls. As Argent watched the young boys
finish with the last of the horses, Marcus tied the bags on and turned to the lads. With a movement nearly too quick to see, his hands shot forward to either side of one lads head. With a deft snap the lads neck was broken and he fell soundlessly to the stall floor. The mare whinnied, and the other boy turned from tightening the girth on the horse in the last stall across the aisle. He had time only for a quick yelp before he joined his friend.
It had happened so quickly that Argent had had no time to prevent it.
Hearing the yelp, and hearing it cut short, Bree ran to the stable. Khrys and Zach followed on her heels, Michael and the guards close behind. As the group reached him, Argent motioned them to the side of the door, where they wouldn't be visible to Marcus. "Marcus is one of them. I'm sure of it. He's got all the horses ready for an escape." He paused a moment before continuing softly. "He murdered the boys. Julien and Duncan."
Bree's eyes hardened as she took command of the small group, motioning them to form up. She sent Michael and the guards to the tack room door at the rear and then stepped boldly into the shadows of the stable. Khrys and Zach stood on either side of the girl and the dragon. With swords drawn and ready the group had cut off the only exits to the stable.
Marcus looked up as they entered and dropped the last saddlebag. He ran into the tack room and shut the door, sliding the bolt home. Quickly he ran to the door that led out, intending to make his escape. Just as quickly he saw the guards coming around the corner next to the door. He slammed that door and slid the bolt home as well, effectively trapping himself. Looking around in the weak sunlight, he realized that escape was hopeless. There
were no openings in the thick walls and the only window in the room opened in the same wall the door was in. Through it he could see one of the guards running from the barracks with a large battle axe. It wouldn't be long before they broke the door down. Rather than face a bloody death, he did the only thing he could. He opened the door to the stable and stood perfectly still in the doorway with his hands clearly visible over his head. Inwardly
he smirked. He thought his chances of survival better in a battle with these four than with even only three soldiers hardened to killing and death.
"I surrender......"
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:34:43 EDT
The footfalls behind him had stopped. Pakras was almost to the Dungeon level and home free. If he got out of this alive, he would spend the rest of his days hunting down Lianas. What was he thinking when he agreed to help with this plan. It all sounded easy enough. Lianas would play at king, then they would help loot the kingdom.
"If I had know what we would be up against. . ." Pakras mumbled to himself. The torches had gotten fewer and farther between. Pakras shed his 'Daemonform' and took on a form more fitting for dungeons and sewers.
Destiny watched the transformation. It was almost instantaneous. Where once a mirror image of her nephew stood was now a four foot tall Kobold. Destiny realized her error shortly after the last torch was past. The mimic had infravision and wouldn't need to light a torch to see his way around.
Stepping from the last torch, Destiny once again took off after the doppleganger kobold. It didn't take her long because the doppleganger was winded from running so hard. As she rounded a corner, the kobold was about to enter an escape tunnel of some sort. "Don't even think about it." she yelled. "If you tell me what I want to know, I may let you live."
The doppleganger froze, then turned slowly, taking on the form of the woman who had him cornered. Dopplegangers were smarter than they were brave and any chance at living was better than being run down and killed like a fox by the hunt. "I am Pakras, if you let me live I will tell you anything you want to hear."
Something about Pakras' sly tone and wording upset the Mistress of Fire. She was not in the mood to be toyed with. She summoned a ring of fire around the two. Pakras was visibly shaken, never before had he faced someone with this power. He laughed nervously, Garnas had gotten away easy, and he was faced with this godling. "What is it that you want to hear?" he asked.
Again the wording troubled her. This doppleganger didn't know anything, he was a lackey. Damnit she chased down a lackey, hopefully the others upstairs were doing better. "Pakras was it?" The doppleganger nodded. "There is much that I would like to know about what's going on here, but from you, there's only one thing I want to hear.
"Whatever you want to hear M'lady, Pakras will tell you."
Destiny laughed aloud and called for two of her servants from the flames. The Giant Salamanders, with their human heads and serpentine bodies emmerged. Pakras began to step back but felt the flames rise up behind him. "M'lady" he begged. "What is it you wish to hear? I'll tell you please." The Elemental kin moved closer.
"Pakras." There was a pause. "I want to hear you scream." The Salamanders moved in and Destiny got her wish. The Mistress of Fire steped into the flames and out of the fireplace in the Great Hall. Through her link with the salamanders she could still hear Parkas screaming. The elemental kin would keep Pakras alive for quite sometime.
Date: 30 Jul 1998 19:34:43 EDT
The footfalls behind him had stopped. Pakras was almost to the Dungeon level and home free. If he got out of this alive, he would spend the rest of his days hunting down Lianas. What was he thinking when he agreed to help with this plan. It all sounded easy enough. Lianas would play at king, then they would help loot the kingdom.
"If I had know what we would be up against. . ." Pakras mumbled to himself. The torches had gotten fewer and farther between. Pakras shed his 'Daemonform' and took on a form more fitting for dungeons and sewers.
Destiny watched the transformation. It was almost instantaneous. Where once a mirror image of her nephew stood was now a four foot tall Kobold. Destiny realized her error shortly after the last torch was past. The mimic had infravision and wouldn't need to light a torch to see his way around.
Stepping from the last torch, Destiny once again took off after the doppleganger kobold. It didn't take her long because the doppleganger was winded from running so hard. As she rounded a corner, the kobold was about to enter an escape tunnel of some sort. "Don't even think about it." she yelled. "If you tell me what I want to know, I may let you live."
The doppleganger froze, then turned slowly, taking on the form of the woman who had him cornered. Dopplegangers were smarter than they were brave and any chance at living was better than being run down and killed like a fox by the hunt. "I am Pakras, if you let me live I will tell you anything you want to hear."
Something about Pakras' sly tone and wording upset the Mistress of Fire. She was not in the mood to be toyed with. She summoned a ring of fire around the two. Pakras was visibly shaken, never before had he faced someone with this power. He laughed nervously, Garnas had gotten away easy, and he was faced with this godling. "What is it that you want to hear?" he asked.
Again the wording troubled her. This doppleganger didn't know anything, he was a lackey. Damnit she chased down a lackey, hopefully the others upstairs were doing better. "Pakras was it?" The doppleganger nodded. "There is much that I would like to know about what's going on here, but from you, there's only one thing I want to hear.
"Whatever you want to hear M'lady, Pakras will tell you."
Destiny laughed aloud and called for two of her servants from the flames. The Giant Salamanders, with their human heads and serpentine bodies emmerged. Pakras began to step back but felt the flames rise up behind him. "M'lady" he begged. "What is it you wish to hear? I'll tell you please." The Elemental kin moved closer.
"Pakras." There was a pause. "I want to hear you scream." The Salamanders moved in and Destiny got her wish. The Mistress of Fire steped into the flames and out of the fireplace in the Great Hall. Through her link with the salamanders she could still hear Parkas screaming. The elemental kin would keep Pakras alive for quite sometime.
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From: daemon102@aol.com (Daemon102)
Date: 02 Aug 1998 21:27:29 EDT
Out in the courtyard Horus watches the shapeshifter run past. 'Halt' the god commands and everything stops. The world of Mortals frozen between the beats of a heart. At his leisure, the god approaches the doppleganger. Assuming his Falcon form once again, Horus grabs the creature by its shoulders and takes to the skies.
'Continue' and the world again resumes is pace. Garnas' legs return to running but his feet no longer touch the ground. In the skies above Valensa, two Dragon Riders break from their patrol to join the giant falcon as it circles. Garnas realizes his plight and screams. "Pu. .Pu. . Put me down."
Twin black orbs look down on the shapeshifter. The falcon's gaze totally unerves Garnas and he looses control of his assumed form. "Tell me what happened to my grandson." The voice of the god booms within Garnas' head. "You're grandson, I don't know what you're talking about." Garnas exclaims
"LIAR!" the god shouts and climbs high above Valensa. The falcon's claws dig in. "Tell me what happened to Daemon." The Dragons break off from the formation so their riders can draw easy breath. Garnas begins gasping for what precious little oxygen the air around him has to offer. The god, undaunted climbs higher.
"Air. . I need Air. I'll talk" Garnas croaks.
Horus rolls off to the left and they begin their descent. Garnas begins talking. "I don't know what happened to Daemon. I work for Lianas. He asked me to come up here and play at his scribe. That's all I know, really."
"I don't believe you, changeling." The god in falcon form tucks his wings back and the ground approaches rapidly.
"O.K., O.K., I'll tell you what I know, just put me down, O.K.?"
"I will put you down when you tell me what Iwant to know." The falcon pulls up from the dive and lazily circles Valensa once more.
"Like I said, Lianas was here playing at king. 'Lord Daemon' I had to call him. His plan was to rob the coffers and get away clean. Earlier today he said that Daemon was dead and so there was no use sticking around. We were leaving tonight after we drugged the Dragon Riders. But that witch showed up and messed up all our plans."
The falcon dove toward the keep. "That 'witch' is my daughter. Now how did Lianas know Daemon was dead?" From her perch atop the keep, Flame looked up and drew breath.
"I don't know, he was in contact with someone else. I don't know who I swear. Now please put me down."
"Very well." If it were possible, the Falcon was smiling. Horus released Garnas as Flame exhaled a jet of white flame. A light coating of ash was all of Garnas that reached the ground below. Horus shrunk to normal size and flew in a window to join his daughter in the great hall. He assumed his humanoid form once more.
"Daemon is dead my child, his killer is not here. The head shapeshifter was in contact with a third party. Seek out the majiks that can communicate across the planes. At the other end you will find your newphew's killer." The god ran his hand lightly across Destiny's eyes imparting her with second sight. Magical auras on objects were now revealed as colors. "Indigo is the hue you must find daughter."
The god then leaped from the window, once again becoming a giant falcon. Higher and higher the falcon climbed till it left the world of mortal men. Back in Valensa, Destiny was tearing up Daemon's rooms looking for a indigo hued magic item.
In the throne room her search proved successful a small silver band that someone had tried to dispel, still held a slight indigo aura. She tucked the ring into her top and prepared to leave.
Date: 02 Aug 1998 21:27:29 EDT
Out in the courtyard Horus watches the shapeshifter run past. 'Halt' the god commands and everything stops. The world of Mortals frozen between the beats of a heart. At his leisure, the god approaches the doppleganger. Assuming his Falcon form once again, Horus grabs the creature by its shoulders and takes to the skies.
'Continue' and the world again resumes is pace. Garnas' legs return to running but his feet no longer touch the ground. In the skies above Valensa, two Dragon Riders break from their patrol to join the giant falcon as it circles. Garnas realizes his plight and screams. "Pu. .Pu. . Put me down."
Twin black orbs look down on the shapeshifter. The falcon's gaze totally unerves Garnas and he looses control of his assumed form. "Tell me what happened to my grandson." The voice of the god booms within Garnas' head. "You're grandson, I don't know what you're talking about." Garnas exclaims
"LIAR!" the god shouts and climbs high above Valensa. The falcon's claws dig in. "Tell me what happened to Daemon." The Dragons break off from the formation so their riders can draw easy breath. Garnas begins gasping for what precious little oxygen the air around him has to offer. The god, undaunted climbs higher.
"Air. . I need Air. I'll talk" Garnas croaks.
Horus rolls off to the left and they begin their descent. Garnas begins talking. "I don't know what happened to Daemon. I work for Lianas. He asked me to come up here and play at his scribe. That's all I know, really."
"I don't believe you, changeling." The god in falcon form tucks his wings back and the ground approaches rapidly.
"O.K., O.K., I'll tell you what I know, just put me down, O.K.?"
"I will put you down when you tell me what Iwant to know." The falcon pulls up from the dive and lazily circles Valensa once more.
"Like I said, Lianas was here playing at king. 'Lord Daemon' I had to call him. His plan was to rob the coffers and get away clean. Earlier today he said that Daemon was dead and so there was no use sticking around. We were leaving tonight after we drugged the Dragon Riders. But that witch showed up and messed up all our plans."
The falcon dove toward the keep. "That 'witch' is my daughter. Now how did Lianas know Daemon was dead?" From her perch atop the keep, Flame looked up and drew breath.
"I don't know, he was in contact with someone else. I don't know who I swear. Now please put me down."
"Very well." If it were possible, the Falcon was smiling. Horus released Garnas as Flame exhaled a jet of white flame. A light coating of ash was all of Garnas that reached the ground below. Horus shrunk to normal size and flew in a window to join his daughter in the great hall. He assumed his humanoid form once more.
"Daemon is dead my child, his killer is not here. The head shapeshifter was in contact with a third party. Seek out the majiks that can communicate across the planes. At the other end you will find your newphew's killer." The god ran his hand lightly across Destiny's eyes imparting her with second sight. Magical auras on objects were now revealed as colors. "Indigo is the hue you must find daughter."
The god then leaped from the window, once again becoming a giant falcon. Higher and higher the falcon climbed till it left the world of mortal men. Back in Valensa, Destiny was tearing up Daemon's rooms looking for a indigo hued magic item.
In the throne room her search proved successful a small silver band that someone had tried to dispel, still held a slight indigo aura. She tucked the ring into her top and prepared to leave.
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From: khrystawlf@aol.com (KhrystaWlf)
Date: 06 Aug 1998 13:32:14 EDT
The doppleganger moved closer to them away from the tack room door. "I surrender" he said once again. Though his hands were still high over his head, Khrys didn't trust him..... not even a small amount. His eyes were darting quickly from one to another of them, lingering on the weapons they bore. Perhaps he was afraid, perhaps he was scheming. Khrys was unable to break through his natural telepathic
block, and so was unable to say. For that reason alone she didn't trust him.
Sheathing her rapier, she drew one of the throwing daggers she had taken from the barrack's weapon room and motioned him further into the stable, yet further away from the doorway. As he moved, the four moved back and around him surrounding him nearly completely, separating some as they did so. Should he decide to attack any one of them, the other three would now have a clear fighting area to work in.
"Who are you? Why did you come to Valensa? Why, and where, did you take Daemon?" The questions poured from her. She didn't really expect any answers, but the questions had to be asked.
"I am Damias" was the only answer she got. Zach nodded to her and then to the tack room where Michael and the other could be heard trying to break the door in. He shifted his position to cover her as she moved behind the doppleganger into the tack room. The door to the outside was beginning to splinter under the repeated assault of the battle axe. Khrys realized that the guards outside had no way of knowing that Damias had been taken and was
no longer in the tack room. She motioned to them out of the small window that she was going to open the door. As soon as the hacking stopped she threw the bolt. Michael rushed into the room and before anyone could say a word, he grabbed her in a brutal arm lock, twisting her arm high behind her back and forcing her up onto her toes. One of the other guards quickly disarmed her. Khrys could barely squeak as she tried to motion to the open door to
the stable.
The younger of the three checked out the open door and saw what was going on in there. "Michael...... Uh..... You might want to let go of the Lady Khrysta."
"How do we know that this is she?"
The young guard motioned with his free hand to the stable door. "Cause they got the shapeshifter in there."
The blood rushed back into Khrys's arm with nothing short of pain. She rubbed her aching right shoulder as he set her down on her feet. "M'Lady. I... I thought... I didn't......."
She couldn't help but smile a bit at his discomfort. "It's alright. Nothing seems to be broken." She balled her hand into a fist, releasing it to flex her fingers before taking her dagger. Michael led the way into the stable.
The sight that met them caused Khrys to pause and take stock. Damias was face down on the dusty floor of the stable, Zach was sitting on his back holding his wrists in a double lock between his shoulder blades. Damias was trying to kick him, but unable to connect. Every time he tried, Zach shoved his arms a little higher bringing a grunt of pain. Argent was squatting next to the doppleganger's head with a small curved blade held to his neck.
Bree was no where to be seen.
"Now, once again, Daaaaamias," Zach stretched the name out when he said it. "Who is behind this little ~operation~ you've had going here? And I warn you. I'm not in the mood for games." The glint she saw in his eye told the truth behind his words.
"I don't know who hired Lianas for the job. I only know that he thought it would be easy money and asked the rest of us in for a share if we helped him pull it off." He grunted with pain again as Zach shoved his arms a bit. "Gods.... I swear. That's all I know."
Zach eased the tension on his arms a little and looked up at Khrys. "This one doesn't seem to know much of anything. Can you read him at all?"
Khrys shook her head. "No, he has a natural shield that I can't get through. I can't even tell if he's lying of not."
"Argent, get some leather straps from the tack room. We'll tie him up and put him in the hay loft so that no one will find him." Khrys looked at Zach in disbelief as he started to relax his grip some. "Argent, wait." Turning to the dragon she stopped him before he could rise. "We can't just tie him and leave him. He can shapeshift." The expression on their faces told her that they didn't understand. "If we tie him in this shape, what's to
stop him from changing to a smaller form and getting out of the ties?"
Zach shrugged and brought one of his hands to hit him on the back of the head. "We knock him unconscious first then."
"No. That won't work either. He'll come around eventually and then we'll have to deal with him again." She looked down at the dopple with a pang of regret for her next words. "We have to kill him. We have no choice right now." Zach nodded his understanding and before any of them could change their minds, Argent cleanly sliced the dopples throat. After a moment of uncomfortable silence Khrys asked where Bree was, glad that her daughter
hadn't seen what had just happened.
"Here, Mother." Bree came walking from the stall area where the saddled horses were waiting. She paused, gulping for air as she saw Damias's body, but continued after a moment. "I found some interesting things. The first eight of the horses have saddlebags filled all kinds of valuables and gold. The rest just have food stuff and things that any guard would take. I think those eight were for the dopplegangers." She shrugged. "The rest...
who knows. Maybe they were hoping to take some of the guards along as well if they could." She sheathed the dagger that she had been holding. "They won't be going anyplace for long." The girl smile a wicked smile. "I cut the girth staps right next to the buckles on those eight. They ~might~ make it to the front gate before they break completely. The others I just pulled the saddles off and left them under the horses."
They left two of the guards in the stable, hidden in the hay loft above the stalls. Hopefully if any of the dopplegangers made it to the stable they could take care of them before any of them could test just how far they might get.
They left the stable and continued their trek around the back of the Keep. The open door to the kitchens was just ahead of them. Through it they could hear the muted sounds of people rushing around and nearly screaming. Looking through the open door they saw a score of people, possible the entire staff of the Keep in a near state of panic. Someone saw and recognized Brianna. "M'Lady, There's been a battle in the Great Hall. Your Aunt
Destiny has attacked Lord Daemon." The five hurried through the back passage ways toward the Great Hall, some of the braver servants of the Keep following at a distance.
Date: 06 Aug 1998 13:32:14 EDT
The doppleganger moved closer to them away from the tack room door. "I surrender" he said once again. Though his hands were still high over his head, Khrys didn't trust him..... not even a small amount. His eyes were darting quickly from one to another of them, lingering on the weapons they bore. Perhaps he was afraid, perhaps he was scheming. Khrys was unable to break through his natural telepathic
block, and so was unable to say. For that reason alone she didn't trust him.
Sheathing her rapier, she drew one of the throwing daggers she had taken from the barrack's weapon room and motioned him further into the stable, yet further away from the doorway. As he moved, the four moved back and around him surrounding him nearly completely, separating some as they did so. Should he decide to attack any one of them, the other three would now have a clear fighting area to work in.
"Who are you? Why did you come to Valensa? Why, and where, did you take Daemon?" The questions poured from her. She didn't really expect any answers, but the questions had to be asked.
"I am Damias" was the only answer she got. Zach nodded to her and then to the tack room where Michael and the other could be heard trying to break the door in. He shifted his position to cover her as she moved behind the doppleganger into the tack room. The door to the outside was beginning to splinter under the repeated assault of the battle axe. Khrys realized that the guards outside had no way of knowing that Damias had been taken and was
no longer in the tack room. She motioned to them out of the small window that she was going to open the door. As soon as the hacking stopped she threw the bolt. Michael rushed into the room and before anyone could say a word, he grabbed her in a brutal arm lock, twisting her arm high behind her back and forcing her up onto her toes. One of the other guards quickly disarmed her. Khrys could barely squeak as she tried to motion to the open door to
the stable.
The younger of the three checked out the open door and saw what was going on in there. "Michael...... Uh..... You might want to let go of the Lady Khrysta."
"How do we know that this is she?"
The young guard motioned with his free hand to the stable door. "Cause they got the shapeshifter in there."
The blood rushed back into Khrys's arm with nothing short of pain. She rubbed her aching right shoulder as he set her down on her feet. "M'Lady. I... I thought... I didn't......."
She couldn't help but smile a bit at his discomfort. "It's alright. Nothing seems to be broken." She balled her hand into a fist, releasing it to flex her fingers before taking her dagger. Michael led the way into the stable.
The sight that met them caused Khrys to pause and take stock. Damias was face down on the dusty floor of the stable, Zach was sitting on his back holding his wrists in a double lock between his shoulder blades. Damias was trying to kick him, but unable to connect. Every time he tried, Zach shoved his arms a little higher bringing a grunt of pain. Argent was squatting next to the doppleganger's head with a small curved blade held to his neck.
Bree was no where to be seen.
"Now, once again, Daaaaamias," Zach stretched the name out when he said it. "Who is behind this little ~operation~ you've had going here? And I warn you. I'm not in the mood for games." The glint she saw in his eye told the truth behind his words.
"I don't know who hired Lianas for the job. I only know that he thought it would be easy money and asked the rest of us in for a share if we helped him pull it off." He grunted with pain again as Zach shoved his arms a bit. "Gods.... I swear. That's all I know."
Zach eased the tension on his arms a little and looked up at Khrys. "This one doesn't seem to know much of anything. Can you read him at all?"
Khrys shook her head. "No, he has a natural shield that I can't get through. I can't even tell if he's lying of not."
"Argent, get some leather straps from the tack room. We'll tie him up and put him in the hay loft so that no one will find him." Khrys looked at Zach in disbelief as he started to relax his grip some. "Argent, wait." Turning to the dragon she stopped him before he could rise. "We can't just tie him and leave him. He can shapeshift." The expression on their faces told her that they didn't understand. "If we tie him in this shape, what's to
stop him from changing to a smaller form and getting out of the ties?"
Zach shrugged and brought one of his hands to hit him on the back of the head. "We knock him unconscious first then."
"No. That won't work either. He'll come around eventually and then we'll have to deal with him again." She looked down at the dopple with a pang of regret for her next words. "We have to kill him. We have no choice right now." Zach nodded his understanding and before any of them could change their minds, Argent cleanly sliced the dopples throat. After a moment of uncomfortable silence Khrys asked where Bree was, glad that her daughter
hadn't seen what had just happened.
"Here, Mother." Bree came walking from the stall area where the saddled horses were waiting. She paused, gulping for air as she saw Damias's body, but continued after a moment. "I found some interesting things. The first eight of the horses have saddlebags filled all kinds of valuables and gold. The rest just have food stuff and things that any guard would take. I think those eight were for the dopplegangers." She shrugged. "The rest...
who knows. Maybe they were hoping to take some of the guards along as well if they could." She sheathed the dagger that she had been holding. "They won't be going anyplace for long." The girl smile a wicked smile. "I cut the girth staps right next to the buckles on those eight. They ~might~ make it to the front gate before they break completely. The others I just pulled the saddles off and left them under the horses."
They left two of the guards in the stable, hidden in the hay loft above the stalls. Hopefully if any of the dopplegangers made it to the stable they could take care of them before any of them could test just how far they might get.
They left the stable and continued their trek around the back of the Keep. The open door to the kitchens was just ahead of them. Through it they could hear the muted sounds of people rushing around and nearly screaming. Looking through the open door they saw a score of people, possible the entire staff of the Keep in a near state of panic. Someone saw and recognized Brianna. "M'Lady, There's been a battle in the Great Hall. Your Aunt
Destiny has attacked Lord Daemon." The five hurried through the back passage ways toward the Great Hall, some of the braver servants of the Keep following at a distance.