"Save the world?" Garette asked in disbelief.
"Please sit down, there is
much that must be said." He motioned at the chairs around them. They each
pulled one forward to hear the old wizard.
"What I am about to tell you isn't known by many
except the gods. To understand your task you must know about the War of the
Dark Lady."
"We know about that. A mage named Kagero tried to
take over." Darius said.
"Yes, but that is only the surface. The events of
that time run as deep as the lake that surrounds Trendon,” he gestured with a
frail hand towards the window that offered an equisite view of the city and
beyond. The lake appeared calm with only
the occasional swell hinting at the currents moving below. “Much went on during that time and to be
honest not all of it is over."
"That war was over a thousand years ago! How could
events still be transpiring?" Garette exclaimed.
"It would probably be best if I started at the
beginning. All of Zauberra was under the control of the guild then. We had our
occasional bouts with crime, but for the most part this was a nice place to
live. Trendon stood at the root of that prosperity. Our guild was the best of
the mage guilds in all of Kryastal. Our mages were amongst the most powerful.
We had teachers for almost every area of magic. Almost all of Trendon’s
citizens were either students, teachers, or graduates.
Things were good and we always thought they would be. Then Kagero Cantaband was
born.
"She was the daughter of two of our best teachers at
the time. They raised her for a life as a mage and as far as we knew she looked
forward to it. The girl certainly showed an aptitude for it. She excelled at
any subject she attempted to learn. Her primary areas of expertise were in
necromancy and demonology, and she also was experienced with shadow magic. Her
skills in these areas grew so much that she rivaled her teachers themselves. If
events hadn’t turned out as they did, it would have been quite humorous to see
teachers seeking a student for advice. It was assumed by all that she would
become a teacher at the guild like her parents."
"Excuse me, but how do you know her so well? You
sound like you knew her personally."
Lorna interrupted.
"That's because I did."
"What?!" Everyone, including the Paladin, said in
unison.
"I was the Zauberran Guildmaster from shortly before
the war to its finish."
"How the hell is that possible? That was over a
millennium ago!" Lorna cried out.
"By the Flame, the oldest a dwarf or elf can get
would be not much more than half that!" Dungar swore.
"It's true, I am immortal. I shall get to that part
in due time.” Ignoring their stunned expresssions, he continued, “As I said
Kagero was an excellent student and we all had high hopes for her. Then she
traveled to the cities on the northern plateaus beyond what now are badlands,
which were once lush forested valleys. It was supposed to have been a vacation,
but it turned into a religious journey.
"No one really knows under what circumstances it
happened, but Kagero was introduced to the dark god, Kuladar. The effect on her
was obvious from the beginning. She was quickly growing obssessed with him.
Virtually all the books and materials regarding him and his historical
involvements the guild possessed found their way into her eager hands. Visits
to the northern cities became more and more frequent. We didn't know it then,
but she was gathering followers. We don't even know what her original
intentions were, only what they became. She was
seeking to free Kuladar from the Dimulata, allowing him to return to the mortal
plane."
"Return to the mortal plane?" Lorna asked
puzzled.
"This is one I can explain." Garette offered.
"All of the gods have the ability to materialize on the mortal plane, our
world, and interact with us. However, long ago, there was a war between Kuladar
and Ryder Salice, who for reasons we do not know was trapped in mortal form.
"The dark god enslaved the vampires of the world and
had them begin his conquest. He first attacked the
Illuminari and was somehow able to imprison my goddess Tenaria in that blessed
place. Then he turned his sights back to our world. The fighting mostly took
place on the continent of Kryastal Main. A resistance force led by Ryder Salice
and his wife, Lady
Telana Starwind fought back this army. Over a long period of time Ryder's
forces were able to hold off the onslaught of the armies of Kuladar. Finally
the dark god had had enough. He kidnapped and then murdered the twin children
of Ryder. After that Ryder faced Kuladar for the final time. The battle ended
when Ryder was able to cast a spell binding Kuladar within the Dimulata. As
long as that barrier remains Kuladar is stuck there."
"The cleric is right. After Ryder regained his true
form, the mages council took up residence in his old compound. We found his old
journals and learned all the secrets of that war, along with several
others."
"So, what are ya tryin' to tell us?" Dungar
asked.
"Kagero was attempting to break the barrier that
binds Kuladar." Vincient said hoarsely.
"Everyone to this day believes that Kagero was
simply a renegade mage trying to take over this land, when in reality she was
after much more. She almost did succeed by conquering over half of Zauberra
from the north coast to just south of the Doigan and Noiran mountains. The war
lasted a total of fifty years.”
“Luckily
both of our forces were inherently unbalanced. The guild army was entirely
magic users, with very little to no other type of warrior to back us up, and
Kagero had all fighting men and women with very little magic, save her own.
These imbalances led us to be at a stalemate most of the war. It was as the war
went into its thirty-third year that I began to fear that our defeat was
imminent. So, I contacted the Paladins of Dawn for assistance." The
guildmaster's eyes went directly to the human golem and his voice took on an
accusatory tone. "They agreed to help, but they never came. The scout they
promised never arrived." Now the rest of the eyes went to it.
"I have no knowledge of this." It responded to
their silent question.
After several moments of staring the Paladin down, he
looked into the fire to gather himself and continued ,
"Whatever the reason, we were forced to move without them. I ordered all
teachers and higher level students to march on Kagero's fortress. They managed
to catch her border stations off guard. Between the suddenly aggressive change
in tactic and with the aid of some new artifact machines we had been building,
they were able to bring the battle to Kagero's doorstep. Once they had made it
that far, another stalemate ensued for awhile. Finally seeing no other
alternative, my generals took a course of action that they believed would gain
us victory.
"There are several spells that will cause massive
explosions, but the most powerful of these usually result in a catastrophic
level of destruction. The remnants of our mage army used several of these at
once to finally stop Kagero. Though they wound up destroying
themselves in the process."
"Tenaria's Wings!"
Garette swore.
"The explosion of magical energies was massive to
say the least. It destroyed both armies in a single stroke, as well as
permanently altering the climate of what had been the Great Northern
Plateaus."
"That's why a desert and an icy wasteland can border
each other." Darius said.
"Yes, after the dust settled that was what was left.
However, Kagero was still alive."
"Impossible!" Lorna said.
"No it isn't. Kagero was an uncannily intelligent
woman and probably sensed the desparation in her foes." Vincient
countered.
"That's what I believe happened. She was able to
shield herself and her lead general, who also happened to be her consort. They
both lived, but were severely injured.
"I left the guild and went to them. Once inside the
collapsed ruins I found them easily, they were lying in a heap in what would
have been the throne room. I took care
of the general and killed Kagero." The last statement seemed to fill the
ancient guildmaster with sorrow. As he took a moment, the others thought over
his story.
And
each was left with the same question. Which Dungar voiced in his usually
tactful way, "That's a nice history lesson, but what the bloody hell has
that to do with anything?"
"What Dungar means is that if Kagero is dead what
need is there to tell us this?" Lorna asked.
"She is a servant of Kuladar,
death doesn’t end one’s service. It merely changes in form, to be more precise
one’s form."
"You're trying to tell us she’s still around?!"
Darius said in astonishment.
"In a way. I knew that she
could be resurrected in any number of undead forms, so I prepared ahead of time
for just this situation. I created five stone discs, containing the power of
five elemental forces. Wind, water, fire, earth, and
lightning. Using these discs I was able to magically seal Kagero's
fortress, locking her spirit within. Much like her god, she is trapped in her
domain forever."
"A note of poetic justice."
The Paladin muttered.
"That's all well and good, but it still doesn’t tell
us what you want from us." Dungar grumbled.
"The answer to that is also the answer to how I came
to be immortal. After I made the seal I found a defect, it needed to be
recharged with the discs every thirty years or so."
"Couldn't you have just left the discs there? Make
them work like a kind of battery?" Darius asked.
"I could have, but with them in anyone could free
her. They set the seal, so they also can be used to break it. That's why I had
to hide them."
"I get it now. You want us to get these discs."
Lorna concluded.
"Yes, I need you to get them. You see when I found
the flaw I figured that each new guildmaster would deal with it. Ryder Salice
had other ideas. After I had reset the seal initially, he appeared before me,
cursing me with immortality. No matter what happens I can't die. Even if the
last scrap of my flesh is destroyed I will return. I was to be the keeper of
Kagero, until someone willingly accepted my duty."
"That's why few have seen the guildmaster. You were
covering for the fact that it has been just you for the past thousand
years." Vincient whispered.
"Over the years a handful of people learned the
truth. They helped to maintain the illusion of succession."
"Alright to make sure we’re all on the same page
here." Lorna began. "Kagero's soul is bound to her
old fort because you fear she will be resurrected and try to take over
Zauberra again. So, to stop this you want us to go after the discs that
recharge the seal."
"That is all correct except for one part."
"Which is?"
"It's not her trying to take over all of Zauberra
that really worries me. That's dire enough, but what I truly fear is she will
try to finish her real mission: To free Kuladar from the Dimulata;
I fear that most of all."
"Just lovely! We go from
extortionists to undead religious fanatics. How'd we manage that, in one day no
less!" Dungar complained.
"Before we continue I must ask which of you accepts
and which of you declines." The others looked amongst themselves for a
moment or two.
"I've accepted for myself already." Vincient
said.
"If Vin's in, I guess we're
in, right Lorna?" Darius said. The elf woman nodded.
"I am as well." The Paladin said.
"Well
I'll probably be needed if this involves Kuladar. I'm in." Garette voted.
"I'm in too. I'll I ask is that when this is over I
get fed." The group could not resist a smile at Dungar.
"Good. The discs are hidden in several locations
around Zauberra. I have a map on the table near the door with the locations
listed."
"Wait. How come you can't get them yourself?"
Darius asked.
"Plainly put I'm too old. I don't have the physical
ability I used to."
"Oh."
"I wish you luck. You will need it."
"Is there a time limit?" Lorna inquired.
"We have a month before the seal will begin to
weaken." The companions began to rise and leave when they noticed that
Paladin wasn't following.
"Paladin you coming or what?"
Dungar barked.
"I must speak with the Guildmaster, alone."
"What?! Now you keepin' secrets?"
"Dungar!" Garette
snapped. The dwarf turned to him and saw the serious look on his face. He gave
no further argument. The rest left equally silent. When the door shut they
looked at each other.
"I assume you know more than you let on."
"Much more." It
returned.
"So, care to fill me in as to why your order left us
hanging." The Guildmaster asked in a tone of disgust.
"It was not our choice. As a result of our agreement
to help you, we were attacked by Kuladar."
"That's not possible."
"It is. Though he lost a great deal of power, he
still has some. He cast an enchantment upon the Paladins of Dawn putting them
in a state of suspended animation."
"Then how could you be a paladin?"
"Because I too am immortal."
"This is news to me."
"I was the scout they sent first. As I entered the
mountain tunnel which allows exit and entry to the
"Why am I not surprised it was him?" He said
agitatedly. "It would appear that the struggle with Kagero has attracted
some very powerful players."
"Yes, it has."
"My question for you now Sir Paladin is this: why
tell me this?"
"A minor reason is to clear the name of my order. I
tell you mostly because I need someone skilled in magic to help break the spell
binding them."
"I assume you’re considering Vincient for the
job."
"Yes, his magic is incredibly strong. Especially
considering his age."
"I know, I have been
watching him for some time. He and another student were particular standouts.
If anyone has the power to help you it is him."
"What about the discs?" The question seemed to
catch him off guard.
"What about them?"
"They obviously possess a power for things dealing
in seals and barriers. Could they not be used to break the one over my
comrades?"
"To be honest I'm not sure. They possess great
power, but even I don't know the full scope of them."
"You didn't study them?"
"No, I needed to be sure no one could get their
hands on them easily. Too many possibilities of danger."
"If no one was aware of Kagero's true state, what
danger was there?"
"Let's just say that I wasn't in a position to take
chances."
"Very well."
"It seems now that we are at an impasse
Paladin."
"Yes, but one that can be
resolved." The Paladin rose from its seat. "When this mission is
completed, we will continue this discussion."
As the
Paladin turned to leave the Guildmaster asked one more question. "Why
didn't you come and help us back
then?"
"Because he ordered me not to." With that the Paladin left him
to think it over.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It found the others waiting in the next room for him.
They each looked at it with some level of suspicion. It merely waited for them
to continue.
"Aren't you gonna fill us in?" Lorna asked
testily.
"No." Was all it said.
"That ain't exactly encouragin'." Dungar said.
"Suffice it to say, it has nothing to do with our
current mission."
"All right then. We have a lot of planning to do. I
suggest we return to our rooms." Vincient stated.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A short time later they were all seated around a table in
Vincient's room on which was the map. There were several locations marked on
it. "He has got to be joking!" Darius exclaimed.
"He really was afraid of someone stealing the
discs." Lorna agreed.
"With these locations there would be no need to post
a guardian." Vincient said. "The two biggest problems are
these." He pointed to the upper portion of the map.
"The Heart and Wrath of Kagero? Is he out of his
mind? No one can survive that!" Dungar yelled.
"Not
necessarily." The Paladin corrected.
"What are ya, suicidal?"
"He's right. He and I have the greatest chance of
survival."
"How do you mean?" Garette asked.
"As one studies magic their
auras increase in power, the stronger it gets the stronger I become. The aura
acts like a kind of shield around me. That and a few well-chosen spells will
protect me from the intense temperatures of these areas. My best chance would
be in the Heart."
"My armor adjusts all temperatures around me to a
tolerable level. The magic that created the desert may work against me, but I
should be able to make it in and out with little effort."
"Vincient are you sure about this?" Lorna
asked.
"As sure I as I can be."
"What about the other three?" Darius inquired.
"According to the map the next one is in the
"That
is Draule territory,
they tolerate humans, but dwarves are a different story. If I go in there we’re
all dead."
"Then the best choice is Lorna." The Paladin
said.
"I should be able to blend in long enough to find
the disc."
"Okay, next is the swamp of Valitis. Who is best
suited for that?" Vincient asked.
"I'll do that." Darius offered. "The
creatures that live in a swamp have some good speed on them, and I am the only
one left who can hope to match them."
"I guess the last one is mine, where is it?"
After checking the map, Vincient looked up with a worried look.
"Uh…It’s off the southern shore line, on the
ocean." Nervous looks crossed all of their faces. Darius attempted to
subtly help.
"Well if that's where it is, maybe I'll…"
"I'll do it!" Dungar snapped. Sweat was
beginning to run down his face.
"Garette, go with him." The Paladin ordered.
"I can do it myself you walking tin can!"
"If you’re going on water, your mission has the least
room for error. Garette's clerical spells will help if you fall in." Lorna
made an angry hiss at the Paladin for bring up that notion.
"He's right, Dungar. Besides, we usually pair up
anyhow."
"Fine!" He grunted.
"Now that that's all
settled." Vincient pulled a small knife out of his pocket. He cut
the map into five pieces. Each person was handed the part of the map dealing
with his or her particular assignment. They rolled them up and stored them.
"It will take several days for us to reach the Heart
and Wrath, so if anyone finishes early we'll meet at the Sun and Moon Inn where
this little adventure started." Vincient instructed. "For now enjoy
the rest of today. Tomorrow we set out."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
That evening supplies were gathered and the final
preparations were made. Weapons were sharpened, spells reviewed, and armaments checked.
Everyone turned in early, all except Vincient. Sleep would not come, so he
decided to walk the grounds for awhile. As he walked the area around the guest
building he thought of the forth-coming tasks and of the demon sorceress. He
realized that what the guild master had told them was true, but he felt as if
there was something missing, something left unsaid.
In his thoughts the mage was unaware that he had wandered
into a small park. He saw a large white stone fountain in the middle of it.
Several stone benches surrounded the fountain and on one of these sat a
familiar figure.
"Paladin?" He called.
It turned towards him and returned the greeting. "Couldn't sleep
either?"
"Something like that."
"Yeah, I keep thinking about the mission. That and
the Guildmaster's story, I can't help but think that he left something
out."
"I feel that way as well."
"Speaking of which, I must apologize for Lorna
earlier today. She had no right questioning you like that."
"It's alright. I know she meant no harm."
"She's very protective of those she's close
to."
"Oh, you and her are…"
"No, no, no. She's like a sister. That's a funny thought, no one is attracted to a wizard. Except
of course, another wizard."
"There's very little truth in that."
"That's just my small worth of experience."
"How long have you been traveling with Lorna?"
"Since I was about fifteen, that's about four years
now. I met her a little after my father died."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's okay, I lost my
mother before I even knew her and then my father died…in an accident.” The
paladin glanced at him for that momentary pause. “After that I kind of just
kept my face in the spell books. Then I met Lorna on a trip into the city. Since
then we've been traveling together. Then Darius joined us, he's the one she is
after in that way."
"I see. Then she is very important to you."
"Yeah, I've become fond of very everyone in our
group, even you."
"Really?"
"Come what may I'm glad you’re with us."
"Uh…Thank you."
"We’re a bit alike you and I."
"How so?”
"Well for starters we are both from groups that
thrive on secrecy. Second we both command powers and abilities not many others
understand.” The Paladin laughed a bit.
“My
powers are a result of my armaments. Without them I'm just like Darius."
“Except
that Darius isn't trained in the art of Zenkhan."
The
Paladin was totally taken back. After a few false starts it responded. "How…how
did you know?"
"The same way you were able to answer Lorna's
questions. Mages are taught about other organizations on the planet, much the
same way that Paladins are. Since I can sense, I knew you were much
stronger than the rest of us. When you fight, one of your common tactics is to
shove away an opponent without touching them. Putting those two facts together
I concluded that you use the ancient Zantherian art of Zenkhan."
"You are well informed."
"As are you.”
“What
will you do with this information?"
"What would I do with it? It's just a fact nothing
more."
"I see."
"May I ask something of you?"
"Sure."
"How come you never take off your helm?"
"That is a personal matter that is not entirely my
own. I really wish I could tell you, but I cannot at this time." The
Paladin sighed.
"It's all right." Vincient patted the metal
titan on its shoulder. "You will tell us when you can."
"Thank you."
"We'll I had better head back to my room. We have a
long day tomorrow." Vincient rose and started to walk away. After a few steps
he looked back. The Paladin still sat, looking into the water falling out of
the fountain. It was a lonely image, one that reminded Vincient of the time
between his father's death and when he met Lorna. His heart felt for the
Paladin and its isolated existence. It reminded him so much of his own life. In
that moment he wished he knew some way to help it. With heavyhearted sigh, he
returned to his room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning each awoke with a grimmer outlook than
before. During the night a rainstorm had started. Though it slacked off there
was still a steady curtain of rain falling. Thunder cracked in the distance
like a whip.
"If one were superstitious they might see this as an
ominous omen of things to come."
Garette said.
"Are you adding soothsayer to your list of talents,
Garette?" Lorna asked.
"Even if he isn't, he's right about one thing. This
is a hell of way to start out." Darius complained.
"All
right people gather up." Vincient called. One of the supplies they
attained from the guild was a horse for each of them. They were gathered on the
lake's shore. All were accounted for except Dungar. "Where the hell is
Dungar?"
"This is something I should have mentioned earlier,
but dwarves don't like horses." Lorna warned. "It might take him a
moment." They heard a strange sound, like a metal saw being bowed. It
wasn't until they saw the Paladin that they figured it out. Its shoulders and
chest were shaking in tune to the sound.
"I...I don't…believe it!" Lorna stammered in
wide eye disbelief.
"He's…he's laughing!" Darius said equally
amazed. They all turned to see what provoked the reaction from the Paladin.
What they saw was both hilarious and serious at the same time.
Dungar was clinging to the underside of his horse. The saddle had apparently come loose and it
slid him under the beast. He was shouting every dwarven swear word he could
remember as he moved his head up, to the side, and back to avoid being hit by
the rocks on the ground. Darius was able to grab the reins as it passed by and
stopped the horse.
The Paladin cut the saddle loose from the horse. Dungar
hit the ground with a heavy thud and a curse. The Paladin then pulled him out from
under the horse, while Vincient magically mended the saddle. Dungar's cheek
burned red from the embarrassment. He pulled away from the Paladin as soon as
he was on his feet.
"Dungar, what…hap…happened?" Darius's question
was interrupted by his suppressed laughter.
"That infernal beast tried to kill me!" He said
indignantly.
"Do you require assistance to remount the
horse?" The Paladin asked.
"You are out of your friggin mind if ya think I'm
gettin' back on that thing!" The Paladin looked at Vincient.
"Sorry, Dungar, no time to argue." Vincient
nodded. The Paladin responded by quickly grabbing Dungar and placing him back
on his horse. It took less than a second to do.
"You lousy, rat bag, son of a...." The dwarf
yelled. Finally they could not contain themselves any longer and laughter
exploded throughout the group. It took a few moments, but they finally regained
their composure subsides.
Once across the bridge, Vincient turned to his comrades, "Remember
we'll meet at that inn in a week’s time. Good luck!" With that he and the
Paladin ran their horses north. Lorna broke off to the northwest, towards the
forest. The others all went to the east. Each one bracing him-or-herself for
their respective task.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Guildmaster looked out over the city. He was lost in
thought, when a chime brought him back to the here and now. He went to his desk
and turned a knob on a small open-topped wooden box. The semi-transparent face
of one of his personal assistants appeared above it.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Our observers report that they have left the city
and are en route to the locations you mentioned."
"Good, keep me informed." He snapped the switch
back, and then headed back to the window. The immortal once again retreated
into his thoughts as he gazed out. Why
are you back? How can you still be here to haunt me? I know you’re out there.
His eyes narrowed in anger.
"Damn you Ryder Salice! Damn you!"
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