Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 20:28:32 -0700
From: Classy/SunWolf
Suddenly the skies about Castle Kantanis begin to darken. In the skies about the Castle while Lady Classy lay dark clouds start building.
Inside the Castle.... Lady Classy's body moves suddenly, just once. Lady Classy feels a sharp pain in her chest, and falls deeper then ever into her sleep.
Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 18:54:43 -0500
From: KnightMayre
Opening his eyes, thoughts and feelings warms his blood, and ablaze in his mind much like yesterday to mortal men. Knowingly those memories were long, long ago... Placing those thoughts behind him for a new calling has reached out to him..... Once again he will take his place among men.....They have Whispered his name.....
(to be continued) KM
Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 17:03:18 Eastern Standard Time
From: Rob/Thorak/Sgian/Tien/etc
((Warning..the following should be considered mildly, if not heavily graphic. If you wish to add in anything after reading this, in well..your own e-mail ehhe. FEEL FREE!!!))
The days and nights flew by in the Highland Graveyard. The dark robed group argued back and forth. Reasons after reasons flew back and forth. And one lone Dark figure. Shook his head. Not knowing exactly what to think of all these formalities. He had answered the questions of the Vampire elders as best he could. And was done with all this nonsense. Finally after weeks of arguing they came to a conclusion. Half the vampires would go to aide the mortal armies of Camelot. The other half would defend their clan homes. With a sigh. SgianDubh ascends into the starry heavens again. Beginning to return to the English countryside and perhaps a cave in which he could sleep. His thoughts filled with other things as he flew lazily through the air.
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Airk and his armies mustered on the ancient battlefield. Finally having tracked the forces which had been plaguing his patrols and had cornered them. The rumors weren't true he thought as he stroked his large moustache gently. "They aren't as large a force as I initially thought...this should be easy", he smiled as a finger ran down the scar running through his left eye. Where the patch was.
After taking a long lingering look down at the tigers eye ring upon his finger. Given to him by his wife, Carradoc. He donned his gauntlets. His shield strapped to his forearm as he drew his sword. And commanded the charge into battle. The Bronze dragons which were his allies, spread their wings and leaped into the air. The horses of his cavalry charged forth, their hooves thundering upon the ground as the foot soldiers clanked and shuffled along in their armor.
Airk suddenly stopped as his good eye flashed. The horizon taking on a red haze. But no one else seemed to notice. His eye focused upon a figure in the distance. A Pale sneering man with a dark red cloak. Sitting atop a white horse.
Features paling visibly. As instead of war between his forces and the enemy. Everyone...was warring against each other.
He found himself parrying and deflecting blows with his sword and shield. His eye focusing upon the Red cloaked figure which began to cut a swath through the field of men. Like fire through dry grass. And Airk sank back in horror at the devastation which was quickly mounting upon the scene.
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Sgian continued to float lazily through the air. The wind rippling through his dark brown locks. The chill of the winter night wind not bother him at all. 15 minutes later. A smell wafted up from the earth below. Sweet, and intoxicating to his senses, despite the frown his face took. The smell wound up and wrapped itself around his mind. Too much blood, far too strong for him to resist. So he slowly descended to the earth.
Dark eyes reflected the land which seemed soaked red with blood. After landing lightly upon his feet. He gazed around at the carnage, his eyes dancing with the bloodlust. From a tree, a knight hung. His own intestines wrapped around his neck. The bloated pale face frozen in death. Other carnage flew through his eyes into his mind. The imagery savage. Legs splintered literally. A man with no head. His body still twitching. A strange noodle-like nerve had snaked its way up out of the gaping wound and wriggled with the last moments of life. Another man seemed to have reached into his own chest. Ripping out his heart. One man still breathed through a large hole in his neck. And Sgian quickly put him out of his agony. The faint smell of urine caught his nostrils as he traveled further. Wondering what could possibly cause trained knights such as these to loosen their bladders. He shivered at the smells assaulting his senses and reached down. Ripping a leg off a dead body and holding it above his head. Letting the blood, although old, flow into his mouth.
Closing his eyes as the precious liquid worked its magic inside him. Although not as effective as fresh blood. He still felt wonderment as every sensation it caused within him. Eyes narrowing suddenly and head tilting to the side. He froze, focusing.
The sounds of sword battle caught his ears. And he leaped high into the air. And with a thought the air near his hand wavered and a broadsword appeared there moments later. Landing near the duellers. One dueller. Was nearly coated in blood. His armor shining. As his left leg. Which ended in a stump at the knee. Leaked its sweet ichor, also leaning against a rock face. Parrying quick blows with marvelous accuracy. The focus and concentration in his eyes evident. He recognized this man as his brother in law. Airk Stormwolf. The other dueller was a pale man with a deep red cloak. His strikes are almost lightning quick.
Airk parried over and over. His arms were tiring. The beads of sweat rolling down his form, washing away the blood that covered his skin. His hair matted against his head. Grunting as the pain in his leg focused him on the task at hand. His eyes watching Wars form careful for any thing or clue of his neck moves or strikes. Misinterpreting one cost him his leg. Airk didn't want to die. He feared for his life more than anything now.
War continued to strike at the man. Already sensing the Highlander watch him and the 'righteous' knight fight. "Where has your honor gotten you Knight Airk?! You will die this day and nothing will stop me. Your vows will have meant nothing in your life!! perhaps after your dead I will make your wife and children a light snack. Especially the twins inside her womb!! How would you like that?!"
Sgian gripped with conflicting emotions. He could stand there and do nothing. Hearing words which once meant something to him. Honor, loyalty, valor, courage. But had no meaning for him. He only sought to have a simple life. His grip tightened on the sword. His heart almost snapping as he lunged forth. Not sure who to impale with his blade.
Airk widened his eyes at the talk of his wife. His rage growing as he drove back War with a set of rage sparked strikes. Rolling away on his shoulder, as Sgian lunged forward. War stumble back and turned almost too late, but not quite. He raised his sword. Deflecting the blow away. War laughed softly. Gazing at the two warriors. "Two brothers...about to meet their doom...come now. Embrace That which has made you. You are Knights. Warriors. You will never defeat me. For it is *I* in essence that has created you. Created your lives. You can never defeat me. For I will always be with you."
Sgian frowned and his heart sank. His sword held out at the ready in his right hand. He muttered low, as he bent his knees low in a fighting stance. "I don't care..I'll fight you anyway. Even if it means my life." Airk nodded slowly with a grim smile, "Yes...for our families. And besides War..it is usually the child which destroys its creator. If not wholly. We will destroy you in this form."
Sgian muttered low "Never thought *I'd* be fighting one of the four horsemen.."
He sighed knowing that he'd probably be facing his doom. And sent a quick mental message to Airk, the veiled whispers forming in his mind. Airk, I'll delay him for as long as possible try and make yourself some sort of peg leg, so you can fight better.
Airk nodded slowly at Sgian, a smile forming upon his lips. War just laughed hollowly "You really think you could get a thought past me? Oh please...you beings are so pathetic." He raised his sword. Saluting the Highland Vampire. "Come then Vampire...and face your doom.." Eyes crackling with a fire in anticipation for Sgian to begin his attack.
With a heavy breath Sgian swung his sword in a circle and lunged forth. Beginning the battle with War...waiting praying for help to come. As he battle for the lives of so many, and more immediately. His own...
Date: Friday, January 02, 1998 5:44 PM
From: Daniel/LordWolf & Co
SirPoet awakens to the grey light of pre-dawn having had a strange dream of Xan and a being for lack of a better term. Rising from his bed within his room at Camelot he throws some wood on the fire and strokes the coals, bringing new life to blaze. For a moment he thinks of calling a servant for home hot food put decides not to risk it. M'Lady was still blocking any signs of the illness but there was no sense in risking things further than need be. Seeing the remains of his dinner upon the table in his room he grabs a slice of bread and a cold piece of meat and mechanically begins to chew it as his mind wanders back over the dream of the night before.
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The Horde had been on the move for several days now, pillaging whatever town they had come to. To date no sizable force had arisen to block their progress. Orcus smiled to himself, "Free reign to do as we please, the Necromancer had said. Kill as we want and take what we feel like." Just the night before he had enjoyed the company, albeit forced company, of a few of the mortal women that had survived the last town sacked.
"This is the good life! Long have we awaited this. We are the rightful Masters of these weak humans after all!" His captains slobbered and drool agreeing with him in their fashion. None daring to disagree or they would find themselves at the wrong end of his temper.
Turning as a momentary displacement of the air draws his attention he smiles seeing one of his Beholder Scouts appear before him. "What have you to report, Oh blinded One," he demands before the creature that is all eyes can even begin to praise his lord and master.
"There is a sizeable city ahead of us, you greatness." The Beholders words reaching his mind only because he so allowed it. "They prepare for our coming it does appear for the gates are shut tight and men with weapons man the walls."
Orcus slams his hands together, rubbing them in his eagerness. "Finally! Finally something that may be worth my time to destroy!" Turn back to his captains he issues his orders quickly. They scurry off to do his bidding and gather the Horde in from it's last sacking. "Now we shall show these puny mortals just what it is to know fear!" Orcus turns back to the Beholder who has remained stationary in the air, "What do these humans call this city?"
The Beholder's replies echo's within his lords mind, rolling soft, sweet and pleasing...."Paris."
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SirPoet slips from his room and makes his way to the Fire Hall of Camelot. Stopping a Page he asks the whereabouts of Dream Knight and is given directions to the Stables. Poet thanks the Page and continues on towards the stables of the castle. "Now what is DK doing in the stables, I wonder?" Upon reaching the stables, Poet slips in and quickly spots the angelic one and the stable master in a heated debate.
"It ain't natural I tell you," says the Stable Master, his voice rising above the general noise of the animals.
"I know it's not, but what else can we do," replies DreamKnight. "I have fifty thousand mounted troops and only forty thousand mounts to put them on."
"Well then, make them ride double, dang it!" The Stable Master suddenly realizes who this Knight is suppose to be, "Beggin your parden, M'Lord."
DreamKnight waves the apology away. "Look, I need those extra horse and I need them as soon as possible. This is the only way."
"It just ain't natural, tis all," again replies the man. "These thing are suppose to take time. Not just wave your hand and poof there ya go!"
"Look, if it will make you feel any better, you do not have to be present for the births." DreamKnight awaits his reply.
Poet clears his throat as the elder Stable Master replies outraged. "Not be present! Not be present! I'll have you know that I have been here for every single birth that and mare has dropped in twenty years," shouts the man, not caring who hears or to whom he is speaking any more. "I'll be damned if I'll miss one now!" At the clearing of Poet's throat they both look up. "Poet! Just the man to talk some sense into this here knight's head," says the stable master. "Tell him it ain't natural!"
DreamKnight looks to Poet and smiles a greeting. "What isn't natural, Gregory? I am afraid I will need more information before I can convince him." Poet, wink to DreamKnight while the other looks away.
"This here Knight thinks that he can have all the mare give birth within a day or two so that he will have enough horses to go off and play soldier games," informs the stable master to Poet. "Though how he expects to get the colts to carry his men is beyond me!"
Poet steps closer and lays a hand on the Stable Masters shoulder, turning him away from DreamKnight for a moment. "He said all that?" The man nods that he had. "Well then I guess it is true then." Poet raises a hand to forestall the mans next outburst. "Gregory, these are un-natural time we are living in right now. So we have to use un-natural means to meet the challenge. I am sure that if there was any other way Dream Knight would use it. But we need those horses and we need them within the week."
Gregory pauses and weighs Poets words for a long moment. "Well if your sure that there is no other way..." Poet nods, assuring him it is so.
"Then I guess we will have to do it." Turning back towards DreamKnight he says, "Do what you have, Knight..but I'll be present for each and every birth and if there is any harm done to my mares, I will hold you responsible for it!"
"Understood, my good man." Motioning to Poet DreamKnight takes his leave of the Stable Master. Once they are out of hearing he says, "I am not sure what you said to him, but my thanks to you. It will make it a lot easier if he and his men are there to help with this."
"That's what I thought as well, my friend," replies Poet. "I came to find out what our next assignment was?"
"What, already begging to go back out?" DK eyes his long time friend with and arched brow. "If I recall, you just returned from patrol yesterday."
"Aye, that is true but my men and I get a little lazy what with all the good meals and warm beds here in Camelot." DK smiles and chuckles softly at his words. "Besides," continues Poet, his face becoming serious, "There are those out there that need our aid."
"Sadly enough, that is too true, my friend." DreamKnight sighs "Your Company numbers one hundred and twenty thousand as I recall?" Poet nods that is true. "I have receive word that Paris will soon be attack by a Horde of Daemons and other characters. I would like for you to take your men there and offer what aid you can to them."
Poet nods once, never questioning the orders. "We will leave in the Morning then, M'Lord." Turning to leave he is stopped by DK's hand on his shoulder.
"Poet....I can see it within you." DK's eye meet his in a silent but felt giving of sympathy. "I can cure you of it though it will take time and you will not be able to leave your bed for some time there after."
Poet considers his words for a long moment. "There are those that need me in Paris. I think I shall have to decline your offer my friend. Perhaps when I return."
DreamKnight sighs, the weight of responsibilities even begin to ware on him. "As you wish my friend. But do not wait too long or it will be to late....even for me."
Poet nods once. "I understand, M'Lord. One last thing before I leave..." DreamKnight looks to him, "None is to know of this, this illness."
DreamKnight nods once, "Understood." The two part company, one to prepare for his departure tomorrow and the other to continue with defending the known world.
Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 03:19:29 EST
From: Rob/Thorak/Sgian/Tien/etc
Thorak sneered in Wenndolyne's general direction. The frayed mess that was his beard and moustache, making him look all the more mad. "Did I ASK to sleep in your bed? Did I ask for your food? What choice do I have? I can't just walk out of here now. Without another word. Oh sorry I kidnaped your son, and gave him a sword. So now you use your 'gracious hospitality' as an excuse to get answers out of me? Why don't you just get to the point and stop wasting my time! I'm A dying dwarf and I'm not stupid!", his words word harsh, if not venomous.
"I don't care what you think of me right now. If you think me a disgusting little verminous creature who's ungrateful and makes too many assumptions before he knows anything. I don't really care. Because I'm dying and you're not!! All that matters now is beating those devils!! Nothing else matters. not your hospitality. not my life...nothing such as that.", voice sharp as each words hits like a hammer on anvil.
"All that matters now is that young boy..who holds THAT sacred sword in his hands. Crafted by my own hands and blessed by the spirits of the forge! And all those dwarven warriors who died in battle for the RIGHT cause.", spoken bluntly as he points out the door as if in indication of the young boy. His fists ball up, and a mad look reaches his eyes. With a soft whisper he speaks "That boy is a key to beating those devils who ravage the countryside and threaten lives."
A grim twisted smile reaches his lips as the realization sets in the room. "Oh yes...the boy may die. Its a heavy risk. And a heavy price to pay. I paid my price by crafting the blade. My life will be forfeit within two months most likely. You can let the boy be, and not send him into battle, and that'll be that. But he will never let that blade out of his sight. Ever. And no one will ever be able to take it away or touch it. OR you can let me train him. And he will be able to help like a fully trained knight. The sword will be light in his hands. And he'll be able to wield it with ease. There are certain other blessings I do not know about. Its your choice" he ran his fingers through his beard wincing at the pain of a few tangled strands. "Now's the time for you to make it..." He folded the forge scarred arms across his broad dwarven chest.
Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 22:54:46 -0700
From: Dan (Rannis/Kavin/Ranevier/charpool.txt) *grin*
~~
The town square of the city within the Circle Realm had always been busy with merchants from other realms, each set up in their own tent, dotting the large ethereal shimmering surface. But today it was hectic. Several beings from crossworlds, parallel to earth had imported their wares, many of the creative nature, and some just plain junk. One could purchase golden platters with the image of the earth, and the emblazoned letters, 'I survived the apocalypse', placed carefully along the surface. The horsemen had found their place on shelves, as 'War on a stick', whose sword arm could be risen and fallen by the press of a button. Although 'Death in a box' was by far the most popular.
Rannis turned his nose upwards at these crass commercialism of death and destruction, his feline tail twitching in agitation behind him. His tattered ears pricked to each new sound, but he really wasn't very happy. Lore could tell from his expression that he wasn't overly in a good mood as she padded along beside him, swishing her tail quickly out of the way of a running vendor, not particularly wanting it tromped on.
"M'lord?" She began..
"Yeah.." He muttered, weaving a path through the crowd, intent on his destination of the Tower at the end of the city. "It makes me sick how people are cashing in on all of thi--*" He leapt back abruptly and hissed, ears flattened against his skull as a 'Necromancer marionette' dropped down in front of him and danced around, the albino skin painfully apparent.
He swatted at the thing, batting it aside, then turned his luminous green eyes onto the being holding it. Definitely not human, the green almond shaped eyes stared down at him. The being insistently danced the marionette back in front of him, and he sat back on his haunches. NOW it was personal. His tail twitched once, the tip beginning to glow, his luminous green eyes gathering magnificence. The being also began to glow, the strings dropping from his grasping appendages as they shrunk to the size of tiny claws, matching the rest of his body which was now furry and white. The mouse looked up at him in horror and twitched it's nose before scurrying off into the crowd.
LoreMistress watched with fascination, despite having seen her husband perform such acts many times before. She could still hardly believe such a shift was possible. But now it mattered to her more and more as he had begun her lessons as a new candidate. She was a fast learner, too. Already, she had learned how to form a small orb of energy in her hand, and move it around the room. Not particularly useful, except as a minor light source, but it was something, and she had been duly impressed with herself.
Rannis as well. He had watched her training, and was reminded of how he had trained her to harness her own energies, and channel them to regulate the flow, just before their joining. And now he was teaching her again. Suitable, he thought, that he should be the one. For he trusted no one else with that task.
He nudged her gently with his nose, urging her forwards, realizing he had been staring at her while he had been deep in thought. Rather.. they had been staring at each other, her dark eyes fixed on his luminous green. She nodded, and bounded forward through the crowd, tail bouncing behind her.
===========================================================
"Ranarak Tarandis of the 3rd Circle, and LoreMistress Tarandis of the 10th Circle, step forward. We have another task for you."
The voice echoed loudly through the room, devoid of any warmth, and simply cold calculation. Rannis wasted no time in complying, Lore falling into step beside him. They stopped again in the lighted circle on the center of the floor, sitting on their haunches and waiting for the elder to speak first. Which he soon did.
"Ranarak Tarandis of the 3rd Circle. You and your charge have done well in the last task you have been given. This task is easier. But of no less importance."
The voice fell silent. With a rasping hiss, an image of light formed in front of them, spreading out to form a map of the world. The view shifted until it looked directly over a patch of barren landscape. The explanation continued, "This area has been barren since the beginning of the war on Earth. Famine has ravaged it completely, leaving no area suitable for life."
A small circle shimmered into being around a point on the map, and the scene began to grow closer, and more visible. "Until now, it seems." As the view expanded, the two cats could make out a lush area of greenery which has somehow survived. "You two will enter this area, and gather samples of the greenery and the soil there. Bring them back here. Gudrar is very interested at a chance of examining this patch."
"That's it?" Rannis voiced his disbelief. "Third Circle, and you want me out there picking GRASS?"
"Yes!" The voice shouted, and both cats pinned their ears to their skull to block out the volume.
Rannis muttered to himself, "Oh.. yeah.. just checking."
"You are both dismissed. Do not fail us. Circle guide and protect you both."
"Yeah, let's hope we don't get stung by a rabid mosquito." Rannis smirked, turning to leave. Lore snickered, then padded silently along behind him.
=========================================================
When the two reappeared, it was as though the ravaged world around them didn't exist. Birds chirped and insects buzzed, trees dotting the untouched land. A lake sat in the middle, the water shimmering despite the hazy sky.
"Alright. Let's get started pulling weeds," Rannis muttered, half to her, and half to himself. He flicked his tail, the tip briefly glowing as the air hissed, the darkened opening of his carrying portal swirling into being beside himself. He stooped, and began by closing his feline jaws over several strands of grass, and pulling them out by the roots. He then padded over to the portal and dropped them inside. Lore watched him for a moment with a playful grin, then leapt forward and batted at his ear.
He whirled instinctively and hopped forward, both paws tapping the sides of her head. He pounced on top of her then, and the two rolled down a short slope, laughing at the bottom.
"We had best get to work, m'lady," Rannis stated, still chuckling from the small outburst.
Lore grinned back at him, "Of course, m'lord."
The two worked side by side, eventually Rannis standing aside and allowing his telekinesis to do most of the heavy work. When all was done, they had sufficient samples in his portal, and were about to leave.
"The water is beautiful, m'lord," She said as she sat on her haunches, grey fur rustling in a gentle breeze.
He smiled to himself, padding silently up beside her and lowering himself to a sitting position, his slightly bent tail winding it's ways about his legs. "Yeah. Strange seeing something like this in the middle of nowhere. Maybe Gudrar can find out why it was spared."
She was about to respond, but peered a little above the water, focusing in the distant, spotting a dark red blot in the distant, steadily moving closer towards the area.
"M'lord?" She said, looking over to his luminous green eyes, which were fixed upon her intently. "What is that?"
He frowned a little, the tip of his tail slowly curling and uncurling. "What is what?"
"That." She pointed towards it with her nose.
Rannis glanced towards it, then uttered beneath his breath, "By the Circle.." He nudged her roughly, with a hollered, "RUN!" Only turning back to face it as she darted off obediently behind a large rock.
He fixed his gaze on the red dragon who swooped down, focusing his energy into one ball of force. The air shimmered as the dragonfire blasted towards the ground, spewing from the mouth of the mighty beast. Before it could reach even the tops of the sparse trees, however, it splashed off an invisible wall of force, maintained by the cat-sorcerer. He dropped the wall, then flicked his tail out, arching his back. A stream of energy shot from the tail, finding it's mark in the center of the dragon's chest. It dropped backwards with a thud at the power of the blast, and Rannis grinned to himself, "Rannis 3, splash one bogey." He hopped forwards to the wounded dragon, smoke spiraling upwards from the scales as it rolled to it's feet, and glared at him.
"Go away, CAT. This is of no concern of yours. This area was long due for a cleansing."
"Yeah. And guess what? I'm gonna mop the floor with you." Rannis grinned even more, his form breaking into a fury of scattering white lights as the dragon blew out another gout of fire, incinerating a large patch of grass.
He reappeared on top of the dragon's head, and stared down into it's eyes.
"Oops?"
The dragon snarled in response, then shook it's head furiously. Again, Rannis disappeared before he could be thrown off, reappearing on the ground in front of it. "Y'know.. What is it with evil and destruction? I think you need to consider group therapy. Hey, I have a PhD in psychology, if that h--*" He was cut off, having to teleport again as another wave of fire was his reward.
He sighed. "Guess not." Rannis darted between the massive lizard's legs as it rose one, and stomped down hard, in an attempt to turn him into a flat kitty. He grinned, and fired off a lower power bolt of energy into the dragon's backside. As it leapt up, roaring in both pain and annoyance, he disappeared into another explosion, the tail of the dragon swatting the area he had been.
Finally, it grunted in annoyance, and spread it's massive wings as Rannis appeared in front of it once again. "You aren't worth a snack.. cat. But I never forget a challenge. I'll be back."
Rannis simply grinned, tail swishing. He put on a mock Schwartzenegger voice, "I'll be bahk. Bahkbahkbahk" He started chasing his tail, teleporting away as another blast of flame cut through the air. The dragon leapt to the air, wings filling with air as it caught a current upwards. It stroked the air, gaining in altitude and sending one last glance back at the alleycat. It banked, then leveled out in the direction of the horde it was a part of. Lore rushed out of hiding even as Rannis laid enchantments over the burning areas to suffocate the flames. Dragonfire didn't die easily, but even now, they were beginning to fade away.
"M'lord! Are you all right??"
He considered the question for a moment as he turned with her to leave, brushing shoulders. "Hmm.. a little hungry. How do you feel about Barbeque?"
E-mail comments and/or corrections to Diana/Wenn & Co