Date: Sat, 20 Sep 1997 21:51:29 -0700
From: Classy/SunWolf
Daniel/LordWolf & Co
The DarkWolf roamed the night, skirting the outer edges of Camelot. So far, his plans had been running more or less to course, he smiles to himself. Soon his brother, LordWolf would have no choice but to return to Lyric and then his love would be free once more. A lone figure upon horse back, passing at a distance interrupts his evil thoughts. Normally, he would have paid the figure no mind and gone about his way, but something about this rider triggered a note of recognition within his dark mind.
Padding after the horse, in his wolf form, he flows it into the nearby woods. From the cover of the thickets, he watched as the rider stops and dismounts, throwing back her hood. Silently he whistles to himself upon seeing the First Lady of Camelot, LadyClassy... out and alone. For long moments he watches her as she paces back and forth within the small clearing, talking absently to herself in what could only be called an angry voice. Silently he slinks closer, cursing his luck of not being down wind from the damned horse.
Waiting for several moments more, he feels the wind change and the horse catching his scent looks up sharply, his eye white and large with fear. LadyClassy steps to the beast and with soft words and gentle caresses tries to sooth it. Knowing this to be his moment, the DarkWolf calls upon his birthright and shifts his form to that of a ten-foot Grizzly Bear and charges the Lady while her back is to him.
LadyClassy, perhaps sensing something quickly turns around, two daggers appearing in her hands as if by magic. With a skilled flip of one wrist, one of the daggers whistles through the air and embeds itself in the thick hide of the bear as it charges across the clearing at amazing speed. Quietus, in his bear form growls in pain and anger, feeling the blades bite and quickly closes the distance between them. LadyClassy makes a desperate lunge for the horses saddle, but feels the saddle horn slip from her grasping fingers as the horse rises and breaks its tether and bolts into the night.
LadyClassy spins around once more just as the massive grizzly, blacker than night falls upon her. With the swipe of one massive paw, she flies through the air, hitting a tree and slumps to the ground in a daze. The bear charges over and quickly knocks the remaining dagger from her hand and proceeds to slash at her with its massive claws, shredding clothes and flesh alike.
Suddenly the bear pauses and sits back as once more its form shifts and return to that of a man, dressed all in black, with twin black scimitars upon his hips. Quietus smiles coldly, observing the damage done by his bear form. "Not so high or mighty now, I'll wager, LadyClassy." LadyClassy, manages to spit a curse out at the Dark One. Quietus chuckles at this and slips Soul Seeker, the Demon Blade from his side, prepared to end it. "No. I have a better plan. I think I shall leave you here for some stray woodsman to find. After all, if you die, none will know what happened here. Where is the fun in that?"
Quietus chuckles and turning his back to her, slips back into the night. Yes, things were turning out very well indeed, he thought to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the Dark One had left, a figure stepped from the shadows, seeming to extract itself from the very fabric of the night. With a self-assured fluid motion the robbed figure enters the clearing and with impassionate eyes regards the wreckage that had once been the First Lady of Camelot. In a voice the sound of dead leaves he whispers softly to the night, "When shall they ever learn? Why must they leave the job half done?" The figure squats next to Lady Classy and reaches out with one alabaster hand, checking for a pulse. "As I feared, she yet lives . . . though not for long." The figure rises and begins to pace talking to himself even as she did before. "Why should I help her? What does she mean to me, or any of them for that matter?" The turns and paces back and continues "It is not their fault... they do not understand you. You have been given a gift... you must use it." Another turn and a quick glance to the lady. "Ha! Who will know if I do not. They will find her dead and that will be that!" The figure pauses for a moment and then answers himself...."You will know."
The Necromancer turns and steps once more to the side of Lady Classy and again lays a hand upon her heart. With a heavy sigh, he relaxes his body and sends his mind down into the realm of the nonliving. Once there, his search begins, walking through the many shades that inhabit this place, not yet willing to cross over into the realm of the dead. Time here has no meaning and so he counts it not, but continues his search. Ahead, he sees a large bridge the spans the river separating the two places and he quickens his pace, knowing that if she has crossed that bridge, it is too late.
There is a line of shades there, spirits waiting to cross over. Quickly his eyes scan the faces and with a sigh, he sees her near the end of the line. Once more he hurriedly moves to her side and takes her hand in his. "M'Lady... this is no place for you. Come with me for it is not your time." The shade of Lady Classy looks to him puzzled and yet at his tugging, walks with him. "I... I was sure I was to cross over with the others?" The Necromancer shakes his head in the negative and quickens their pace away from the bridge and those waiting there. "Not yet, M'Lady. There is still much for you to do."
"Where are you taking me then?", Classy inquired, seems a bit confused. The necromancer replied without looking to her, "Back." Long moments passed or would have if there was a passage of time within this place. Finally he reaches the place he entered from and turns and takes both of her hands in his. :You must come back with me, M'Lady."
Classy, pauses and then shakes her head negatively. "No. I will not return. They ask too much of me, they take and will not give in return. I have given my all to them and yet when I ask for some time alone, some time for my Lord Lancelot and myself, they will not give it." The Necromancer pauses, not sure of what to make of her words. Classy continues, "They will not miss me. They will find another to aid them with their problems or write their missives for them or talk to Lance on their behalf. That is no life. That is servitude. I am no person's servant!"
The Necromancer frowns in thought. "What of your lord Lancelot? Will you leave him as well? Will you leave him to suffer in thy absence? I hear tell he loves you dearly, Classy?" Classy pauses in thoughtfulness.
"I... I cannot go back to that. I will not return to that... I..." Classy hangs her head, not meeting his eyes, "I cannot."
The Necromancer reaches out and touches the sign of Camelot that is on her clothing. "And what of your oaths? Will you break them as well? What of the love you swore to Lancelot, to friends, to family? Will you turn your back on that as well? Will you surrender and lay down and die?" Classy looks up at the harsh words from this stranger, a spark returning to her eye.
"And who are you to ask me these things?" Classy steps back from the robbed figure. "I do not even know you and yet to stand her and pass judgement upon me! What gives you the right?!?"
The Necromancer reaches up and removes his hood, his white hair falling down around his shoulders. Lips thin and as dark as night smile as his amber eyes regard her from within his albino white face. "Aye... who am I? I am the Necromancer and once... long ago, I wished to have all that you do now. All that you will throw away." Classy, stares for a moment at the skeletal vision of death before her then the weight of the Necromancer's words slowly sink in as he continues. "But... the Fates decreed that I be a freak..." the word is spoken with no emotion, cold and heartless, as if he has learned to live with it after so long. "..... what you have, so many would sale their souls for... for you have those that love you."
Classy, perhaps moved by his words or of thoughts of those left behind, one (old) Knight in particular, step once more to the figure before her and gently took his white hand in hers, noting the coldness of the touch. "I...I am ready then Necromancer. What you say is true and..." she sighs, "I some times forget the things that are important. Yet..." she trails off.
"You would have a break from your responsibilities of Camelot?" inquires the Necromancer. Classy shakes her head once in the affirmative. "Then you shall have it. Now come we must hurry or it shall be too late." Once more he uses his art and slowly returns himself and the Shade of Classy to their bodies. With the fluttering of lids, the Necromancer opens his eye and sees once more that the Lady lives, though she is very injured and in need of help. In the distant, he hears a Wolf's call and there is an answer from many more. Quickly he calls upon his art once more and summons LadyClassy's shade to him and places it with a small crystal sphere. "You shall have your rest, Classy," the Necromancer slips the sphere into his pocket, "for a time at least."
The Necromancer steps away from the body and into the shadows just as a white furred Wolf enters the clearing, quickly followed by many more. The White wolf is for a moment shrouded in a bright light and when it clears, there is a man in long white robes in his place. The man quickly crouches by the body and looks for signs of life. "She is alive..." he says to no one in particular, "though what Classy is doing out here alone like this I do not know." LordWolf once more lays a hand upon Classy's brow and for a moment there is a small glow which covers the lady. "I have done all I can for her, my healing powers are much but it should last until she is returned to Camelot." LordWolf turns to face the StarPack, "Who will take her to Camelot? I must continue the search for our sister Wenn and cannot do so." A female Beta pads to the front of those gathered and nods to the Pack leader. "Very well SunWolf."
The Necromancer watches from the shadows, using his art to conceal him as the body of Classy is placed upon a sled made by the one they call LordWolf. SunWolf starts for Camelot, pulling the sled with her and the body of the First Lady of the Realm. Once more there is a bright light and the man is once more the white arctic wolf. At a silent nod from its leader, the Pack slips from the clearing, continuing its search. The Necromancer smiles to himself as he feels the weight of the sphere in his pocket and slowly fades into the shadow realm which he calls home.
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 15:07:37 -0800
From: Daniel/LordWolf & Co
The Necromancer sits within the shadow of Camelot deep within the ShadowLands, that world where Shades are real and the living are but shades. Glancing out a window to the north, his sightless eyes behold the city of Camelot, with it's building stretching to the outer city walls and beyond. "How this world mirrors that of the living, yet it is absent of their warmth and color," he whispers softly to himself. A dim soft blue glow, the only of its type, on the northern horizon catches his eye for a moment. The Necromancer turns his gaze back to the room at hand and his eyes fall upon a small crystal sphere that rests upon the table top.
For long moments he regards the crystal with its slowly pulsating light of the shade it holds inside. On an impulse he reaches forth one skeletal hand and takes up the crystal, its edges sharp even as it feels warm to his cold touch. "Shall we go for a walk this day, M'Lady," his voice rustles like dead leaves blown through a grave site. He rises and his body slowly passes through the floors of the Castle of Camelot till upon reaching the ground floor he follows the hallway down and through the fire hall, noting the shades that remain there from days long gone by as nothing more than shadows.
His fluid stride takes him from the Castle bailey and out into the spectral streets of the city. The denizens of this realm bow and give way to his passing yet he notices his subjects not. Upon reaching the edge of the city he pauses and gives his thoughts wings as the landscape about him changes, the city falling behind and the soft blue glow drawing nearer as he stands there. Soon his blind eyes can see the outer reaches of the Sanctuary woods approaching from the West as the Magical Castle of Kantanis flows toward him with his thoughts.
Before the castle there are many shades of those that once lived, tied to this place by happier memories of their poor short lives. The Necromancer regards the wavy blue tinged crystal castle for long moments, following its outline and noting how here, in this realm of the living shades that its power is a fraction of what it is on the material plan and beyond. Yet even in this land of grays and shadows, it is still a work of beauty. "Shall we see what awaits us inside, M'Lady?" he poses to the crystal. Glancing up he notices the spectral forms of Always and Forever, the twin Falcons as they circle above. Not waiting for a response from the crystal he knows it not coming he strides forth and enters the bailey. His strides take him pass Promise and Inspiration, the Golden Lions which guard the Gates, their eyes following him though here within his domain they hold little sway.
The Necromancer continues on, reaching the entrance way to the Castle, his passionless, sightless eyes passing over Bearhug and SnuggleBear, the white and golden grizzly bears. The bear's eyes follow his progress, their heads moving slightly til he passes beyond their sight. "Tarkius, the Knight of Dreams, hand was in this creation, his essence is in the making of this place, M'Lady," he says to the crystal softly, his voice harsh within the silence of the place. He muses to himself as he enters the castle that it was interesting that the shades of his realm have not entered this place..."How like their living lives they lead here. Their damnation is of their own creation." His voice holds neither pity not concern for they matter not to him.
His steps finally lead him to the Great Hall of the Castle. As Necromancer enters the hall he notes the form of Evermore, the purple Dragon as it stands guard over a crystal case. Evermore, his form holding more substance here than the other Guardians, shifts slightly as he turns to regard the approaching Necromancer. The Purple Dragon's eyes fall upon the crystal held within the skeletal hand of the albino man that approaches..."Is it time then for her return?"
The Necromancer continues to traverse the hall till he comes to the foot of the crystal case. "Nay, tis not time yet for her return, Oh Evermore."
The dragon's face changes as a look of confusion crosses it. "You bring her spirit here and yet it is not time you say? What game is this you play at then?"
"Game," comes the softly spoken reply. "I play no games with you or your Lord, the Angel of Dreams I assure you." The Necromancer moves a bit closer to the crystal case as it rest upon its bed of roses and notes the form of LadyClassy, a crystal rose upon her breast as if asleep.
"Then what is thy purpose in coming here Lord of Shades?" Evermore shift a bit more, lowering his head protectively down and over the case where rests the body of LadyClassy.
Necromancer slowly lifts forth the crystal, it light tinged with the blue of the castle about them. "I wanted her to see what they had done to her... how they had made her into an... angel," is his rustled reply. "She wished to escape a life where everyone needed her and the weight of responsibility was too great." Evermore listens to his words silently, giving him time to complete his thoughts. "But now they have done more...for whom among the living do not wish for an angel I ask you, of Dragon Evermore."
"She is not an angel, Lord of Shades," rebuttals the purple Dragon. "She is yet mortal unlike us and thyself. One day she will pass on into your realm and from there to the beyond."
"This may be true, Oh wisest of Dragons," responds Necromancer as he draws his hand back to him and slips the crystal into the folds of his robe. "But have you seen the gathering of the living that visit this castle each day? Have you seen those that now live along the fringes of the woods of Sanctuary? Even here among the dead, they are drawn to this place," he continues with a voice that neither rises nor falls being devoid of emotions. "They come in the hopes of an angel, a hope of a promise of what could be."
Evermore ponders his words for what would be long moments if there was a passage of time in this land. "There is no harm in dreams, M'Lord of Shades. Those that dream have hope and continue on because of that when without it, they would have given up long ago."
"False hope is no hope at all, Evermore, as you well know." Necromancer smiles slightly, "Some would call that a deception of sorts, me thinks."
Evermore ignores the slight given by implying that Tarkius, the Dream Knight, would ever try to deceive anyone. "Tis not mine to pass judgement upon he that has placed the LadyClassy here, oh Keeper of the Dead. I but guard, as is his wish."
The Necromancer nods once to the purple dragon Evermore, turns and starts to retrace his way from the Great Hall of Castle Kantanis. "As it is my wish to retain her shade where it is," he responds in way of parting. His return to the shadow Castle of Camelot is quiet and swift. Upon returning to his room he slips the crystal from his robe and places it once more upon the table top. The Necromancer seats himself once more, a faint smile touching his dark thin lips..."Well, that was interesting, M'Lady." As usual, there is no response from the crystal.
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 03:07:36 -0800
From: Chung Chow aka Dream Knight
Dream Knight stood on the rolling hills just outside of Camelot. The breeze blew through him, making his long black hair wave in the wind and his cape fluttering like a flag identifying to others who he is.
The royal blue cape bore the symbol of Noble Camelot. The crest of saints depicted a crest divided by a cross, and in each of the section of the cross, The Holy Grail, The Sword Excalibur, The Lion of Pride and the Beauty of the Northern Lights.
Draygus stared at it for a while amazed in how this new cape that Dream Knight now wears seemed to come alive with each flap of the material as the wind caressed it. The Northern Lights seem to glow, the lion seemed to roar.
Dream Knight looked out into the horizon, enjoying the silence for a while as he watched the fields that stretched out forth from the city, dance in the song of the wind. His face was stern with some kind of concern. Draygus noticed his friend's constant gritting of his teeth.
"What ails thee, my friend?" Draygus finally said, breaking the silence.
Dream Knight turns to the Guardian of Camelot. He smiled as his notice his dragon friend's features. Draygus is a Copper Dragon. Majestic were his scales as it glinted in the sunlight. He stood about 37 feet long and 15 feet high. Yet he may seem to be a small dragon, Dream Knight remembers a lot of time fighting side by side with him, he was not to be judged so!
"Well..." Dream Knight began as he pulled out a pipe and started to light it, "It seems that we have it in for us. We are going to be visited by some very nasty subjects."
Draygus listened and watched Dream Knight puff smoke into the air. The breeze carried the smoke away as fast as it appeared. Draygus cocked his head to the side and blinked.
"Since when did you start with a pipe?" Draygus asked, changing the subject for a bit.
Dream Knight looked from Draygus to his pipe, "Ah! Well, I thought a pipe would make me look a little older." Dream Knight put the pipe in his mouth and posed for Draygus. "What do you think?"
Draygus laughed, "You are more than three thousand years old, my angelic friend!"
Dream Knight paused and smiled, "You are right."
Dream Knight poured the tobacco on the grass and stepped it out then and threw the pipe over his shoulder. Some curious squirrels scattered to investigate it. They circled it, sniffed it and made funny faces. Deciding it was something they didn't want to save for the winter, they scattered away.
"Back to the matter at hand. The reason I came back was to pledge my allegiance to you and Camelot. For there is something amiss in store for us."
Draygus nodded, "Very well, continue."
"My father told me that this will be the year that will we come to call, 'The Year of Hell'."
Draygus shivered at what he has heard. He knew who Dream Knights 'Father' was and knew he wasn't to be taken lightly.
"What can we do?" Draygus asked.
"I do not know my friend. I am not getting any visions about what is to come. I just know it is coming."
Draygus frowned. The silence that was came back as they both stood and watched the sunset together.
Dream Knight turned to Draygus, "But we have help."
Draygus looked to Dream Knight curiously, "We do?"
"Aye... my brothers." Dream Knight answered.
"Even...."
"Yes, even him." Dream Knight finished.
"You would think that he was behind it if we were to call it the Year of Hell." Draygus mused.
Dream Knight smiled, "That is why he is helping. He can't stand it that he's not behind it and still have us call it the Year of Hell."
Draygus laughed uneasy.
"The awakening of the old Gods have opened something more dangerous than we know." Dream Knight said.
Draygus looked down to the floor and thought of Spenser and his death with the run in of the old Gods. If something more dangerous is to come, how will he protect those which he promised to?
Dream Knight looked to his old friend's eyes, "Draygus, I know the weight that has been put upon your shoulders. Sir Lancelot is gone, he sleeps in Avalon. The responsibility is yours, I understand that. I will do everything in my powers to help you. A promise that falls upon my blade."
Draygus nodded, "Thank ye, my friend."
Dream Knight smiled and nodded. They stood there again and watched the sun disappear into the mountains. The sky glowed a bright sailor's red. The distance that seemed so quiet seem so impossible to be touched by what is to come.
Dream Knight closed his eyes as a voice filled his head.
"Come to Castle Kantanis, my lord. You are needed."
Dream Knight frowned and whistled for Destiny.
"Draygus, my friend, I must leave for a while. Something is wrong."
Draygus stopped Dream Knight, "Need I go with you?"
"No, stay here at Camelot. This is something I need to do myself. I will be back soon."
Draygus nodded as Dream Knight mounted his Pegasus. With a whistle, Destiny soared into the sky and disappeared into the night air.
Draygus turned and padded back the Camelot. His thoughts still crowded with what is to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The doors the to main throne room swung opened and Dream Knight walked in. He waved his hand and the statue of the Purple Dragon came to life. Evermore stretched and smiled.
Dream Knight smiled back, "What is it?"
"Someone came in to the palace." Evermore replied.
Dream Knight frowned. "Came in? As in walk right in and looked around?"
"Aye."
"Who was it?"
"He that comes from the ShadowLands." Evermore said.
Dream Knight blinked, "Of the Nether Plane?"
"Aye."
Dream Knight looked around and sniffed the air. He smelled him. The stench that he left behind. Dream Knight frowned and closed his eyes."Father, I call upon you for help now." He prayed and then stopped. He opened his eyes and looked to Evermore.
Dream Knight's body glowed and he became his true form. He is now donned only in a white cloth. He spread his angelic wings and flapped them once. His face became serine as it looked down to the floor.
The air filled with a loud gong as another figure with angelic wings appears behind him.
Dream Knight turned to the figure.
"Greetings brother Tomas." the figured said.
"Greeting, Gabriel." Dream Knight said as they both embraced.
"It's been a long time, Tomas."
"Aye, it has Gabriel." Dream Knight replied, "You are who I was hoping Father would send."
Gabriel grinned, "I am the Angel of Death, am I not?"
Dream Knight smiled, "Aye, that you are. I need you to watch over someone."
Gabriel cocked his head to the side, "Who?"
"He of the ShadowLands. He holds something I need. But not now. I just need you to watch him and make sure he's not the one that we are waiting for."
Gabriel nodded.
"And no tricks Gabriel." Dream Knight warned.
"Father has forgiven, will you not as well?" Gabriel asked.
"Aye, I have, Gabriel. But I have not forgotten. You brought the War down to earth. It should have stayed between us."
"Aye, I know that. I have but ask Father to forgive me. I shall not fail him nor my brothers again."
Dream Knight smiled, "Very well, Gabriel."
Gabriel smiled and disappeared. Dream Knight stood there and watch where Gabriel once stood. Where once stood the Angel of Death, now holds nothing but air. Dream Knight sighed.
Evermore looked to Dream Knight, "Do not fret, my lord. She will be back when the time is right."
"Aye, I know, Evermore." Dream Knight said as he turned.
Dream Knight changed his form back to his mortal self as he walked up to the crystal case.
"I miss you, my dear friend. May you come back soon."
Dream Knight walked out of the room as Evermore changed back to a statue. The huge room were LadyClassy slept was quiet. The beating of destiny can be heard as Dream Knight returned back to Camelot. The rose that she had glowed, and a single tear fell from the eyes of the sleeping lady. It seemed a sigh filled the empty room, but no one would know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dream Knight flew over the great city of Camelot. From the distance he saw the great castle. It stood there seemingly made out of gold. Lights flickered in a window he recognized. He smiled and knew he was home again, home with his friends and his family.
Dream suddenly stopped Destiny in mid air and sniffed the air. He looked below the city under him and said only one word.... Lucifer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The family that was sitting to a dinner like they did every night crouched over and laid their dead bodies on the eating table. The figure walked around them and inspected the work of something or someone he'd like to meet, but that will be at a later time.
He looked carefully at the faces of the family that would have never been a threat to anyone. The father's eyes were wide open. His face held an expression that Lucifer knew so well. Fright. He went around to the other side of the table. They all had that same expression.
Lucifer arched his eyebrows, "Even I would not take a child when it's not their time. I'd wait til they at least mature to adults." he said to himself.
He carefully lifted one of the children's heads and looked into the child's eyes. He suddenly gasped. The Prince of Lies, Father of Evil, was appalled.
He gently set the body back down and walked away. He left out the back door of the farm house that lies just outside of Camelot. His body exploded and became thousands of ravens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dream Knight dismounted Destiny just outside of the castle. The guard up in the walks nodded to him in a greeting. Dream Knight smiled and waved back at them in greeting. Destiny soared into the sky and disappeared.
Dream Knight started into the gates when something caught his attention. He looked out into the horizon and saw a dark figure there.
"What is it?" Dream Knight said in his mind.
Lucifer told Dream Knight what he has found. Dream Knight frowned and nodded.
"Gabriel is going to the ShadowLands to watch over someone. He may be the one."
The Dark Figure stirred, "So the Angel of Death has now become a Watcher, eh?"
"We do what we can, my brother." Dream Knight replied.
"Aye." Lucifer said and nodded.
Dream Knight turned and walked into Camelot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Camelot stood in its glory. The golden palisades cascaded up in a majestic symbol. Here the stories and legends lived on. Of honor, of glory and especially, of friends and family. There shall never be anything that can compare to the love and friendship we have. As I live day to day, I breathe with the thought of my friends that I have here, that I shall never forget. My sword and my life belong to you all..."
Dream Knight
Chung Y. Chow
E-mail comments and/or corrections to Diana/Wenn & Co