Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 02:50:11 -0800
From: Chung Chow aka Dream Knight
"OUCH!" screamed Lord KnightMayre. "Hold still honey!" Lady Elizabeth said.
Dream Knight stood there leaning against the door with Draygus and Sir Poet watching this strange, yet funny scene. Lord KnightMayre was leaned over a table, his breeches down with his arse bare to Lady Elizabeth. From his arse, pins from a cactus protruded. Lady Elizabeth had clamps in her hands as she gripped on another pin and with a determined look in her face she plucked another one out.
"OUCH!"
Dream Knight sent the man of arms out to scout the outer reaches of Camelot when some activity was felt by him. Unfortunately to Lord KnightMayre, an encounter with a rabid squirrel chased him into a bush of cactus. The three stood there watching, trying really hard not to laugh.
Dream Knight face was comical. Trying not to laugh doesn't help. "Continue Lord KnightMayre..."
"That is all. Other than this squirrel, there was nothing I have seen. How was I to know that nut had his name on it?"
That's it.... Dream Knight, Draygus, and Sir Poet fell to the floor laughing.
"It's not funny!" Lord KnightMayre said.
Dream Knight stopped laughing and looked at KM... he just nodded, "YES IT IS!" Dream Knight said starting another fit of laughter.
Lady Elizabeth frowned and slapped KM in the arse, "STOP MOVING!"
PLUCK*
"OWWwwwWWW!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dream Knight, Draygus, Keyanna, Dakoon, Wenn and Sir Poet sat in the council room. They all waited for KM. Keyanna was leaning against the window sill looking out into the sky.
The door opened and Lady Elizabeth entered. "He is coming."
Dream Knight had a big grin on his face, "Will he live?"
Everyone laughed.
Lady Elizabeth sat down and smiled, "I believe so."
The door opened again and KM walked in standing there. Keyanna smirked and walked over and slap him in his arse. "You ready, hon?"
"OW!" was KM's response.
Dream Knight grinned, "OK, everyone... sit. Ummm, except for you KM, you may stand."
KM frowned and said sarcastically, "Thanks."
"The problem is this... " Dream Knight continued.
Outside of Camelot, a guard stood up in the walks. A beam of light suddenly burst from the field up into the heavens, splitting open the clouds. It was spectacular, however, fright moved up his spine. He ran and ran. He need to inform his captain.
The captain was there, watching already. He didn't have to say anything and turned back to the beam, watching it in awe.
"I am confused Dream Knight." Draygus said, "We need to know what's coming. We need to know who we are fighting."
"Draygus... I to...." Dream Knight suddenly stood and screamed. His body writhed in pain and turned as he fell on the table, grabbing his body.
Everyone stood.
"Dream!" Keyanna said rushing to his side. She couldn't hold him down. Sir Poet and Dakoon jumped to help Keyanna.
"What's wrong!" Keyanna tried to look into his eye but he wouldn't hold still.
Draygus stepped forward. "Hold him. I will try to contact him within."
Dream Knight tried to couch out some words... "No... Dray! Don't!" Draygus connected to Dream Knight. All the pain and the coldness flowed through Draygus body. Draygus fell to the floor in pain. It was his turn to scream...
"What the!" Dakoon said just as a wave of mental thought rushed into him and the others as well. Draygus connection to DK flew out of control. The whole land fell to their daily chores screaming in pain.
Every thought of that moment, every thoughts of their lives collided into one thought. Everything was overwhelming. It was then that it stopped. There was sudden silence. A feeling of walking in a huge pitch black room. Cold and dank, not know which way is where.
Then a flood of images came through... every soul known from the beginning of time flash through their thoughts. Then the darkness of each evil soul. They could only see the thoughts of murders, convicts, thieves, cut throats. Some one was discarding the souls of heaven and tapping into the souls of hell.
Lying in wait, a dead body, a murderous thought. A swindle of someone's land. The killing of innocent children. Maggots feasting upon rotting bodies still yet to be found. Just when it seemed to stop... off in a distant blooded red horizon, a horseman rode, coming closer and closer.
The pale horsemen flew past the onlookers. It was then a voice spoke into the darkness, heard by everyone.
"My son."
"Yes, Father." Dream Knight said.
"Someone has broken the first seal. It has begun."
"What can we do?" Dream Knight asked. "Find this one who opened the Well of Souls and released the Horsemen. You must stop him. He will raise an army that you have never seen or experienced."
"Then I shall call forth an army to equal his."
"You may find this hard. For he has risen the Soul Stealers. All of you are in danger."
"I will prepare them Father."
"Good luck my son... and to all of my children... I will be with you all."
The voices faded.
Everyone woke with a headache yet they know it was no dream they have experienced.
Draygus stood. "What happened?"
Dream Knight shook himself to stand. "My friend. when you tapped into me, my powers were astray. You became a conduct for me and must have send what I saw to the four corners! Just was well... it would save me some explaining everyone."
KM stood up from the floor and mumbled about his now really soar butt, "I believe that we should get preparations going for this army of ours."
"Aye, KM." Draygus replied.
"I must go and gather my sources as well." Dream Knight said.
Draygus nodded to him.
Everyone left the room as KM just stood there and thought about his next move. He rubbed his arse one more time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KM sat upon his horse looking out into the army. He has never headed such a grand army before. They seem to have come in drove, ready to fight with Camelot. KM looked up and down the armies. They consisted of Dragons, Scots, Irish, French, Spanish, as well as the elves, dwarves, and halflings. Not one army under 150,000 persons.
KM took a deep breath and scratched his head and mumbled, "I am going to be filled up with paper work for the rest of my life!"
Everyone waited and watched KM sit at the head of the line. KM started to whistle. He looked to Draygus and then to Keyanna. They both looked at KM and then back to the armies gathered neatly in front of them. They both too then took a deep breath. v Dakoon rode up to the three. "My god! How are we going to lead these people! I can barely walk let alone fight!"
KM nodded, "I think DK has gone a bit to the extreme."
The beating of wings is heard as DK flew Destiny, his winged steed down to the head of the army. He landed right next to KM.
"What in the WORLD! Where did all these people come from???" DK exclaimed.
KM looked at DK, "I thought you did this?"
"ME? I was busy getting my part together for our army." DK said.
"MORE????" Dakoon said.
DK just nods and looks out into the armies. He took a deep breath and scratched his head, mimicking KM just a few moments ago.
"Lord KnightMayre?" DK said. "
Aye?" "I'll help you with the paper work." DK laughed.
KM frowned.
"Who else is coming DK?" Draygus asked.
DK points to a group, "The Fate Weavers are here. WolfKeep is here as well. I have called upon the Count De'Motassier and his SpiritWalkers."
The sky roared with thunder suddenly as thousands of winged figures shadowed the clouds. They flew down in droves landing on an open field.
Keyanna looked at DK, "My god! You brought Angels?!"
DK turned to Keyanna, "Yes... all of them."
Keyanna blinked...
An angel flew up to DK and smiled, "My my, what a collection you have here brother."
"Aye Lucifer, I think the whole world got our message!"
Draygus, Keyanna, Dakoon and KM looked at the Angel that stood before them. A tingling chill rose up their spine. Lady Elizabeth quietly rode up to them and looked at Draygus and Keyanna.
"What's wrong? It seems you all have seen the devil or something."
Keyanna leaned over to Elizabeth, "Hon.... hush!"
"What?" Lady Elizabeth looked around in confusion.
Draygus spoke out of the side of his mouth, "We have seen the devil... over... there." Draygus nodded hid head trying to be inconspicuous as much as a big dragon nodding his huge head can be.
Lady Elizabeth looked over, "Where!? There?"
Lady Elizabeth looked Lucifer up and down, "The naked guy with only a cloth on?"
Keyanna nodded, "Yes! SHHHHH!"
Lady Elizabeth lean over to Keyanna and whisper, "He is kind of cute, isn't he?"
Keyanna looked at Lady Elizabeth and blinked.
"Very well, I think everyone is here. KM, let's make a speech." DK said.
Lucifer looked out to the armies and took a deep breath and mumbled, "I sure hate to be the person to do the paper work on this one."
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 17:04:00 -0800
From: Joy/TheMorrigan/LadyElspeth/menagerie
Morgian DuLoc Von Relhom sat on a rock in her garden, watching two-year-old Raven chase the dogs through the children's maze, enjoying this rare moment of peace. For the afternoon she was merely Baroness Von Relhom, mistress of the manor, not TheMorrigan, servant of the Fates.
She chuckled at the little girl's expression of shock when the dogs rounded on her and knocked her down, licking her face. Still smiling, Morri stood, ready to rescue her giggling and screeching daughter from their attentions, when a harsh whisper sounded in her ears...."Morgian. Now." She stopped abruptly and gestured to Raven's nurse to retrieve the child, smirking at the young woman's grimace of distaste at having to wade through the dogs.
She pelted through the halls of her manor, ignoring her chamberlain's stammered..."Baroness...I..." as she entered. With a sigh and a last look at her daughter Morri turned and strode swiftly down the path and through the garden gate, mounting the stone steps of the manor house two at a time. She was not moving slowly, yet she was summoned again..."DAUGHTER...this CANNOT WAIT!" She broke into a run then. Her mistress had never sounded so distressed before. She pelted through the halls of her manor, ignoring her chamberlain's stammered..."Baroness...I..." as she entered. She ran directly to her chambers, swiftly closing the door behind her.
As she turned to click the lock she felt the familiar cold breeze that heralded the arrival of her mistress, the Death Crone. She turned back to face the stooped figure and knelt before her, "Mother." The crone spoke barely above a whisper as she laid her hand on Morri's bowed head..."Daughter, there is something we must speak of." Morri looked up, searching her face for clues, having never heard this much concern or emotion from the Death Crone. "Sit child...and I will tell you. Quickly. I must return to my sisters." Morri got to her feet and saw the old woman seated at the small table by the window before taking the seat across from her in silence.
"Morgian, I come to tell you...my sisters and I..." She broke off and started again. "Daughter, the weaving of fate is never an easy thing...but now, something has gone terribly awry in the fabric we weave. We find that threads meant to spin on for years are abruptly cut, and *I* not even aware! Some of the ones my youngest sister has just spun from the distaff, new lives, just beginning..."
Morri interrupted..."But Mother, you've told me that happens from time to time...small imperfections in the pattern of fate."
The crone shook her head impatiently, "No, daughter, what I am telling you is entire sections of the pattern are unraveling, no...disintegrating! Plagues, wars, and none of them my doing! My sisters are beside themselves, working harder than ever to keep the fabric intact...And I am at a loss, as I find threads I was to cut already...just gone. I dare not take more, or further upset the balance of the pattern we weave." She shook her head..."Something is very wrong." She leaned forward and took Morri's hands in her own gnarled claws. "I have a different task to ask of you, my child. We need to know what is causing this, and why we have no control over it. I ask you to find out what you can. The balance of fate may...or may not...hinges on what you learn. We just don't KNOW!" Her frustration was evident in the vehemence of those last words as she spat them out.
Morri only nodded, knowing that was all the assent her mistress required. The crone nodded in response, "Good. There is one other thing, child..." Morri tilted her head fractionally, her brows drawn down in question. There was usually never "one more thing" with her mistress.
"As this task I ask of you is not related to your usual...duties...I am not sure the protections I've placed upon you will remain. You could be killed if you go poking your head in the wrong places. And if things remain as they are...I may have no control over the thread of your life as I have so many times in the past." She said this as she traced the scars on Morri's hands and arms with her own bony fingers. "Are you certain you will serve me in this? It is not your duty."
Morri stood and walked to the window, looking out over the garden, and her daughter romping with the dogs. She wondered if that could be the next thread of life to unravel...or those of the servants and tenants on her land. She thought of her nieces, Jolieve and Elspeth, and their loved ones...her friends at WolfKeep and the Lady Wenndolyne and the babe she carried. A bit of danger, in a quest merely for more information...weighed against all those lives. Her choice was easy.
"I serve you, Mother."
She did not turn as she heard the familiar whispered benediction, "Bless you daughter." and felt the cold breeze as her mistress took her leave. Her eyes still followed Raven's joyful progress through the garden, a little black-haired head bobbing among the flower beds, but her mind was turned to other things, her fingers drumming on the window sill as she muttered to herself. "Seek knowledge...a simple task..."
"But where to begin?"
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 22:00:51 -0800
From: Sharon/LadyXan
The next morn, Xan dressed and left the castle set on doing her errands for the day. She still couldn't shake the foreboding feeling she carried. Her hand touched the necklace in a simple act of reassurance. She chatted, laughed and flirted as was her usual wont. It was while she was bargaining with a merchant that a commotion started outside the little shop. Xan stepped to the doorway to see what was happening.
"I tells you, tis frightenin' . All 'em bodies just lyin' there in their plates they was." Xan made her way through the gathering crowd and stood on the outskirts, listening. " I tells ye, tis not a normal thing that's happenin'. Tis nothin' normal that happen'd to them folks out there. Twas as iffin the very life force was sucked right outta them. "
Pushing her way through the crowd, she stood before the man who was speaking, " Good Sir, could you tell me where this took place at? " The man looked upon her in surprise.
" Why miss, it happened on the outskirts of Camelot. But, miss, you ain't a thinkin' o' goin' out there are ye? Tis a horrid scene it is. Not fittin' for a woman or a lady to be seein', if ya pardon me fer sayin' so, milady. " Xan asked him some questions and thanked him for the information, giving him a smile and a few silver coins, then wove her way through the crowd, making her way back to Camelot and her room.
Lying aside her cloak, staff and purchases, Xan made herself a cup of tea and sat at the window, seeing but not really seeing the gardens below. Her mind briefly touched upon Sir Poet, before she forced her thoughts elsewhere. Sipping her tea, she made up her mind. She had to go out there, to see this horrid thing for herself. Perhaps then she could start to piece together what was going on.
Dressed in her usual traveling garb of blouse, breeches and boots, Xan donned her cloak and took up her staff. After a moment's thought, she took her dirk and slipped it inside her boot before her room and heading for the stables. She passed through the courtyard without anyone stopping her and once in the stables, she had her gelding saddled. She stroked Winter's Dream's head lovingly as he nuzzled her shoulder and she murmured praises in his ear before sliding her staff in a special made leather bracket on the side of her saddle and then mounted up, choosing to ride astride. Once in the saddle, she adjusted her weight, took up the reins and smiled down upon the stable boy, throwing him a silver coin for his assistance. She chuckled at the shocked look upon his face before she urged her mount forward and away from the castle, her cloak flapping behind her.
As she traveled farther and farther away from the castle, she noted a change in the atmosphere. It was quiet, unnaturally quiet. The air wasn't moving. It wasn't even like the air before a huge storm. No, this was different. It made the hair on her arms stand up. It put a dread in her belly that sat there like a huge stone, weighing her down. The place was barren of sound, of movement. She halted her horse outside a little farmstead that was deserted, looking exactly like the one the farmer had described. Winter's Dream was acting up and it took all her skills to calm him. When even this didn't work, she resorted to surrounding him with shielding. When she was satisfied he was calm enough, she dismounted and started for the door of the farm.
The sight that greeted her eyes horrified her. The people, children even, had been left as they had died. Flies swarmed the place. The stench was unbearable. Placing a part of her cloak over her mouth and nose, she moved forward, examining everything, all the while trying to keep her belly from emptying its contents. Satisfied, she stumbled from the small home and fell to her knees a few feet away, her belly heaving, releasing what she had tried so hard to keep. She rested her forehead upon the cool earth and frowned. What had happened to these people was not a normal thing. All her abilities and gifts had told her this. Lady Bless! Their souls had been ripped from their bodies. Shaking her head, she got to her feet slowly and made her way to the stables where the animals had lived. With shaky hands and tear stained eyes, she looked about until she found what she sought and made her way back to the small home.
She watched as the flames shot out, the smoke spiraling upward to the heavens. With closed eyes and a voice laced with sadness and anger, she murmured words for those departed. She thought of the children and the anger grew in her heart. Her eyes narrowed as the smoke billowed and the fire crackled and popped. She didn't know long she stood sentinel to the burning, but she didn't mount Winter's Dream until the farmhouse and its contents were nothing more than ash. Only then did she turn her horse, urging him into a gallop and flew like the wind back to Camelot, but not even the wind could remove the stench that now filled her soul.....
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 04:53:14 -0600
From: Rob/Thorak/Sgian/Tien/etc
Thorak creeps into the firehall late at night. His heavy dwarven boots clomping in the firehall. Never one that was skilled at keeping quiet, he walks around to the back of the bar, the top being too high for his short dwarven form. Grabbing a bottle of ale and beginning for the forge he passes the notice board and stops looking at a few letters on the one called Quietus. "Interesting man...'ard t' catch too. Oh well...always gotta 'ave a purpose."
Slowly regarding the structure with a smile he shakes his head "Marvelous piece a work this ole girl...wonder if she's still got any life left in 'er. She better...fer this t' work." Taking a quaff from the bottle of ale he continues toward the forge slowly slipping the buckles on his armor and weapons harnesses slowly.
Smiling at the heat of the forge he removes his armor and weapons...keeping them nearby, for precautions. Donning a leather apron and slipping tongs, a hammer, and small chisel into the apron pocket. Searching around the forge he examines a particular piece of ore. Examining it carefully with his eyes, he smells it, taps it with the hammer and listens, then rubs his fingers against it and tastes it. "Pure Ore, excellent. Perfect for this task."
Frowning softly as he remembers the new way of forging a weapon he proceeds to set the mold in a small pot over burning coals, waiting for the metal to melt and flow into the mold. "I remember when we used to just 'eat the metal and 'ammer it...its only moving it up a step though", Looking around warily he makes sure he's speaking to himself.
Slowly waiting and looking around he surveys the area keenly with criticism and respect, "Nice forge...too complicated though... needs bigger smelters." Briefly glancing at the weapons and armor lined along the walls he snorts, "Not dwarven made... of tha' I can assure anyone" Turning back to the ore he slowly pours it into the mold and waits for it to set. Whistling softly as it cools quickly, but not quick enough for his tastes. Taking the metal between the tongs he slowly brings it to the anvil...careful of course...not to drop it.
Gripping the tongues in one hand now he scoops the hammer out of the belt and begins to slowly mold the hot metal into the sword he wishes to create. Smiling softly at the -ting- of hammer against metal he continually reheats the sword and hammers away at it. The ringing, reminiscent to music in Thorak's ears. Singing an old Dwarven battle hymn, and beginning to strike blows in rhythm with the song he smiles softly remember his younger days at the forge.
Dipping the blade in cool water he smiles at the finished product. "Hmm...never really done better work." Smiling he pats the ground and looks skyward at the ceiling and structure "ya still got some magic left in ye old girl." With a soft sigh he rests the blade upon the anvil again. Reaching into his pack he retrieves a t-shaped object. Upon closer inspection one sees that this is a hilt. With a strange green jewel in the pommel. Looking at this gem for many moments one can almost see a faint pulsating light coming from within, but it seems more like a trick of the light or eyes. Reverently holding it, he fits blade to hilt and bolts the slots. To keep it that way.
Grabbing his hammer he gently lays the head of it in the burning coals, waiting for it to attain the warm glow. Meanwhile he pulls a rather large whetstone from his pack. Then proceeds to sharpen the blade. Admiring the Dwarven runes of power he carved in with the chisel. Checking the sharpness for his own personal satisfaction he gently runs the blade along the anvils edge and grins as the forged steel cuts through the wrought iron steel with small effort.
Sighing now he lays the blade out again and turns towards the coals. Picking up the hammer despite the hiss and sear as it touches his tender flesh, knowing he'll be feeling sore at the new burns formed. Removing his white workshirt slowly and leather apron he sinks reverently to one knee. "Gods of the forge. I beg thee...to help in the creation of this sword. Give it strength and power to defeat the one it was meant to" Frowns at the thought of the fiend. "A powerful weapon...for a powerful problem. And grant that the sacred wielder of such a weapon may be found...and soon. This I vow on my blood heart. Which I give to the forge."
Hefting the hammer he gently presses the burning head against his breast. Above his heart, thus forging it. Hefting the hammer in his weary burnt hands he brings it down in one final blow onto the hammer the sparks flying quickly. And as they stop in the air...Thorak gazes in wonder "like stars...", he mutters at the sight. Watching the sparks slowly gather back into the blade and creating a blinding white light."
Shielding his eyes he drops the hammer clattering away on the floor, holding his stomach he rolls over and proceeds to spew blood forth from his lips. Rising with a groan and blood dribbling down his beard and out his nose. He gazes at the blade in wonder his attention focused on it as it glows white. Sending his mind reeling the blade begins to glow a myriad of colors. Confusing him quickly."
An amplification of the hammer blow can be heard and Thorak screams out dropping to his knees, hands covering his ears. His eyes blur and as they refocus he sees himself fighting again, many years earlier. At the battle he fought for his home. Not knowing what this means except perhaps only to watch his clan and family die again. The blood of his children spattering in his face at the hellish glee of an ogre."
"NOOOOOOOO!", he screams and begins ripping through the ogre with bestial ferocity. Until sudden pain is felt, bitter, calming pain. And the world fades to black, unending darkness. Laying in the darkness, no sound, no shape, nothing catches his senses. Until a light suddenly parts the darkness burning itself into his brain."
Scrambling away from the anvil he opens his eyes to find himself cowering before it and the sword that lays atop it. The glow subsides and he approaches the sword knowing his price has been paid in part or in full for the weapon. The white glow seeping into the Dwarven runes. An echoed ringing can be heard in his ears and he moves to clean one out with his finger, suddenly whipping it to his face in astonishment as he notes the blood upon his finger. "I hope this was worth it.""
Wrapping the blade in cloth he slowly begins to gather up his gear...walking out of the empty Camelot and up across certain hills. Hiding the sword in a spot only he will know. And blessing the blade briefly the forge gods prayer of protection."
Slowly trudging down the hill heavily, his eyes weary and bloodshot. Pain seeping through his body. Yet the core feeling empty at the memories. Looking for an inn so that he may rest and tend to his own wounds, he stumbles through the streets of the city of Camelot."
His eyes blur suddenly and he moves to rest against a building. Eventually slumping against it and sprawling out. Slowly his eyes wander around...looking up as a soft rain begins to fall. And he laughs at the rain...his dry forge parched lips parting in invitation to the cool water. His eyes closing slowly as his limp form lies against the building, unconscious.
((I wrote this along time ago for a different reason, and didn't continue upon it. I thought I'd forward it as a reminder of what happened. Because, well It may be convenient to the current situation/story building in e-mail. So I thought I'd share, and add in later))
E-mail comments and/or corrections to Diana/Wenn & Co