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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Aug 20, 2007 21:53:38 GMT -5
Darlena thought about th words that dwarf bellowed, Elindar shouted much the same when she came through Kara. Her heart was so dark then and even now all these years later that darkness still resided within and wanted to be set free. What have I done I promised never to murder in cold blood again or to be used as a tool of death for anyone and yet I have slain for someone just now.
Darlena lifted the sack once again as they headed to the lycanthrope village.
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Post by Phelan on Aug 22, 2007 11:45:07 GMT -5
meanwhile back in Neriak....
Phelan struggled to free himself of the old shackle about his right wrist. The Councilor merely sat reserving his energy. Phelan noted that a new hand replaced the one which was severed in his rescue of Naldany.
It took Phelan several days of chipping at the moss covered rock that anchored the shackle chains to the wall to pull it free. Now that he was free to move about the room, he made his way to the councilor and gripped his shackle chain in his hands.
"Help me pull." Phelan said quietly.
Together the two strained against the chain anchored in the wall. It groaned and snapped free. The elderly Dark elf breathed heavy after such an effort.
"Rest for a little while and then we will continue." Phelan said.
The elderly man looked up at Phelan with a grateful smile.
"After living here my entire life, it is foreign to have anyone be so nice. It's a quality that I wish would invade our society here. I know that it won't happen in my lifetime, but you give me hope that perhaps our race can become civil again."
"You have faith beyond me, from my time in Neriak I have seen nothing, but the selfishness that resides in the hearts of those in the city." Phelan said.
"Well, perhaps your community is the first step in teaching a new generation." The councilor wheezed as he leaned against the wall.
"Perhaps." Was all that Phelan said.
Phelan reflected back and wondered where he had lost hope in changing Neriak. The constant struggle with Nikkii and Keyra and everyone else had chipped away at the noble idea. His dream now was the community he and Naldany had decided to start. A sanctuary for those who wished to learn a new way of life.
Several minutes passed in silence. Phelan opened his mouth more than once to speak to the Councilor, but then thought better of it.
"You think an awful lot for one who is known for his brute strength and sword skill." The Councilor said finally breaking the silence.
"A mind is the most powerful weapon one can possess." Phelan replied with a smile.
"Shall we see if we can find a way out of here?" The councilor asked.
"Yes, do you have any idea where we are though?" Phelan asked.
The man blinked at him.
"You are in Neriak. These undertunnels are long forgotten remnants of the first city of neriak. I'm not suprised that you haven't heard of them before, very few know they exist. Even the council doesn't know of them any more. Too much young blood. I'm the last of the council from the last age, when house wars raged. We used these tunnels to strike houses in the middle of the night without being seen. I'm sure that these connect to most of the old houses in city though no one knows where the entryway is." The councilor said.
"Very well, then you lead the way." Phelan said cheerily.
Inside however, Phelan's brain churned the information over and over. Who would want to bring him here? He would soon find the answer he feared.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Aug 22, 2007 23:46:13 GMT -5
"I can't take this anymore!" Naldany shouted. "I wont sit and wait anymore.... "
"My'lady please listen to reason going to find Phelan is not going to be easy and if the U'dedne's see you the will kill you as well as the J'narus and Gal'saris." Jalivara said following Naldany around.
"Well that just leaves the minor houses and the royal family that's not interested in me and perheps I can go to the Do'vexes, since they must still hold they highest seats on the counsil I hope." Naldany said gathering her stuff. "My husband has been missing for days and you want me to sit an do nothing, I lost him before and things with Aramis went bad now I won't let Zealott go through the same thing."
Andrea came up her hands bloodied from bringing back some meat from the day's hunt. " Mrs. Seladria are you leaving?"
"No she isn't girl now please take that on in." Jalivara said sharply.
Andrea frowned at her and stayed right where she was. "I herd something about Aramis and Zealott. He is helping with the constuction if you are looking for him." She continued.
"I'm going to Neriak to seach for Phelan, I can't lose him again." Naldany said.
"Well let me go with her, I can still get around there with little trouble... I'm not a a professional assassin but I do well." Andrea said.
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Post by Phelan on Aug 27, 2007 21:44:19 GMT -5
The two men walked through the dark, dank, twisting corridors for hours. The elderly dark elf was still very fleet of foot even though he was weak. Phelan was sure that at some point the elderly man in front of him had been a force to be reckoned with physically. Phelan knew that the Grand Councilor must use magic, otherwise he would have been long ago disposed of.
"This way." The old man said quietly.
"Are you sure this time?" Phelan asked.
"Well we did find the entry way last time, it just happened to be blocked off didn't it? How can it be my fault that someone built a wall in front of it?"
"Well thats true. I just feel like our time of solitude is running out and we will soon have company... not the kind that would like to discuss things over a cup of wine if you know what I mean." Phelan said glancing over his shoulder.
The eerie silence was getting to him. He had lived his life mostly in the forest. The forest always had some ambient noise, unless something was wrong. The silence he heard now reminded him of that, he was aware of every footstep and every breath. The old man waved him off, but Phelan couldn't shake the feeling. He could feel the tension rising.
The assassin returned to the place where he had chained the two men, only to find it empty. He returned to Lord Patryas to report what he had found. Inside the assassin hoped that Phelan would make it, for some reason the assassin felt a kinship with the man.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Aug 27, 2007 23:52:08 GMT -5
Darlena and Keyra had returned to the town as Naldany prepared to go off in search of Phelan. She had a look that spoke of inner sorrow for what she had done. Olantar was first to see Darlena and Keyra and smiled as he went to them.
"I'm glad your here, Naldany is about to go off chasing Phelan ito Neriak." He said hoping she would help talk some sense into her sister.
Darlena nodded and walked past Olantar and towards Naldany tossing the bloodied sack to Keyra. "Now you take that back to your mistress and take Valdara with you and don't bother returning to us with anymore request."
Keyra said nothing as she carried the sack away looking for Valdara. Darlena turned back to Naldany and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Olantar is going with you and you have but two days to find him or I'm going after you."
Naldany smiled. "Thanks for understanding."
"But lady please.... let me go with her." Andrea asked.
"No your staying here.... Phelan put his trust in you to carry on the bloodline so you are just as important to us now. So you will be staying out of harms way from now on. Naldany, Two days is all I'm giving you. If you both get into trouble flee the city as fast as possible." Darlena turned away to leave the group. "Jalivara where is Tailu and Elindar I need o see them."
Naldany walked next to Olantar and gave Andrea one last look. "Take care of them for me till I return." She pulled her cloaks hood over her head and Olantar did the same and a few moments later a glow surrounded them and they vanished.
They both found themselves just outside the cities shopping district. Their sudden appearance drew no attention as the people went about their own bussiness of selling an trading.
"That man was from the Fenn'dal house we should have a look about there, but I want to see what remains of the church an O'seth house." Naldany said in a low tone.
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Post by Phelan on Aug 28, 2007 12:33:37 GMT -5
The assassin stood in a darkened room somewhere within the Fenn'dal house. Lord Fenn'dal sat in a corner, while the fire in the hearth flickered cloaking his face in shadows.
"Lord, Phelan and The Grand Councilor have escaped." Said the assassin.
"Good, good." Patryas replied absently. "All is going to plan."
"What is thy command Master?" Asked the assassin.
"I have nothing at the moment, bring me news from around Neriak."
"As you wish." Said the assassin with a bow.
Patryas sat before the fire after the assassin had left. He smiled in the faint firelight looking quite wolf-like.
Far below the streets of Neriak Phelan and the Grand Councilor made their way through yet another turn. Phelan was sure that they were being followed and the Grand councilor kept telling him he was paranoid, but Phelan wasn't so easily convinced.
"Ah, yes, we are close now." Said the old man.
"Then lets move quickly and get out of these tunnels, there is something wrong here." Phelan said.
"Nonsense." Said the old man. "We are close though my paranoid friend."
"So what is the plan once we get out of here?" Phelan asked. "I mean we can't just walk in the the council and expect those two to relinquish control and accept my house."
The elderly man paused in contemplation.
"No, I suppose you are right, unfortunately. No one will accept your house openly on the council, do you have someone in Neriak that may be willing to represent your interests in your stead?"
"Well, I suppose that Patryas Fenn'dal could. I have known him since childhood."
"Are you sure you can trust him?"
"Yes, he has stood by me in all my struggles since returning to Neriak."
"Yes, I agree that he is a trust worthy man. He, like you, knew of my sympathies to the elves and didn't expose me. We shall seek him out. He is already a member of the council and a high ranking member also. With his help, we can both accomplish our return."
Phelan smiled, it was the first time he felt relief since feeling as if though they were being followed.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Aug 29, 2007 0:29:54 GMT -5
The church for the most part was still standing but now swarming with the J'narus knights. Naldany casted the spell of invisability over herself and Olantar and they made their way into the church. There was still blood lining the halls and the damages to alot of the antiques was hard to bare looking at. Carelfully Naldany eased Nikkii's chamber door opened an closed it after they entered.
"Work quickly I need to get any over her notes and spells she might have left in here." Naldany said making herself visable.
Olantar re-enforced the door before he started going through her possessions. Soon Naldany had a few scrolls gathered and stuffed into one of the pillow cases, and within moments they was back outside the church and on their way to the Fenn'dal house courtyard.
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Post by Phelan on Sept 4, 2007 16:30:07 GMT -5
Phelan and the councilor turned one last corner and before them was a winding staircase leading upwards through a carved rock cavern. As before they began the long ascent when the sound of a sword drawing hit their ears.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Sept 6, 2007 10:25:13 GMT -5
Voices went along with the noise two men and a woman.
"Be grateful you wasn't executed." The first voice said.
"You are no longer welcom amongst Neriak or it's citizens and in accordance with Lady Furess' wishes you are banished to these rotted out tunnels maybe madness will set in before one of the old experiments gets you." The second voice said.
"Wait please don't leave me down here I beg of you." Harun'ana's voice rang out.
"Here is a sword, but your a cleric and you can't use them well but we think you'll make due. " The second voice said.
Harun watched the two gaurds depart leaving her in the darkness that crept in as the got farther and the torches they carried faded out of sight. Sitting there she began to hear all the noises of the darkness and her fears started to overtake her.
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Post by Phelan on Sept 6, 2007 18:04:00 GMT -5
Phelan and the Councilor remained frozen and silent as death. Somewhere in the distance they heard a door being bolted in place and quiet whimpering. Phelan looked at the councilor who motioned at the door. Phelan shook his head and motioned toward the girl. The councilor pulled him close and whispered in his ear.
"Don't play the fool. The girls fate is her own, let us get out of here and deal with our own precarious situation."
"You are just like everyone else here, yourself first then everyone else." Phelan said with venom in his voice.
"Fine, go after the girl, but I'm not waiting." The councilor said and began back up the stairs that led to freedom, they hoped.
Phelan padded lightly back down the corridor toward the whimpering. He soon saw the girl sitting with her back against the wall crying with her head in her hands. The sword still lay on the ground out of her reach. He stayed in the shadowed edge of the corridor which hid him from sight and he watched her for a few long moments before cautiously approaching.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Sept 6, 2007 23:21:23 GMT -5
Harun quieted quickly once she realized she was no longer alone. Her eyes still had not adjusted to the dark yet and had pulled herself up.
"Who is there please I want no trouble. If your here to kill me make it quick I have no desire to suffer or desire to go mad down here." She then made out Phelan's image and took a few steps back.
"I guess the dark farther must truely hate me ..... Phelan why are you in this place Furess as put the Scornblade on your family." Harun said keeping her distance.
Both Naldany and Olantar had started to near the Fenn'dal house and as it always had been was looking as if none resided there although the gaurds remained posted the the courtyard entrance.
"My'lady I think we should wait and observe the house instead of breaking in... I'm sure there are traps awaiting any intruders." Olantar said.
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Post by Phelan on Sept 7, 2007 1:58:29 GMT -5
"Still the lapdog to Furess I see." Phelan chided.
"Well I guess you will be able to fend for yourself being outcast from your fellow Dark Elves." Phelan said casually and turned to leave.
"No wait...." She said quickly and then restrained herself.
"Oh? Would you like something from me?" Phelan said devilishly. "Would you like to come back to the village you tried to destroy?" Phelan said with scorn dripping.
"It's better than here." She said quietly.
"Well, when you finally get out, if you do, feel free to come back." Phelan said.
"Wait!" She said as he turned to fade back into the shadows.
Phelan turned around with an eyebrow arched.
"You can't leave me down here!" She shrieked.
"Can't I?" Phelan said. "Maybe you should choose your friends and enemies with a bit more wisdom in the future."
"I will swear myself to your house. I will take an oath bond. I will do whatever it takes to get out of here."
"Ok, very well. Lets get on with the spell then." Phelan said.
"Thank you." She said breathlessly obviously relieved that she wouldn't be left to rot below the streets of Neriak.
She moved forward and knelt before Phelan and he extended his hand. He murmured a quiet chant and circle began to shimmer about them. She began to chant also and the spell intensified.
"Who stands before my house to pledge their undying allegiance?" Phelan asked in a trance like voice.
"It is I Harun. I pledge my undying allegiance to the your house." She said in the same trance like voice.
Both felt an odd weight press in on them as a blue wave washed over them. Harun knew that this meant she was forever bound to Phelan's house and his interests. She knew that she couldn't go against his will even if she wanted to now.
"Lets be off before we find any 'friends' down here." Phelan said quietly.
"Of course." She said.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Sept 7, 2007 10:28:36 GMT -5
As they caught back up to old man Harun had stoppped in a bit of shock. Why was the counsil elder down in a place like this, had Furess and the Gal'saris removed him. For that matter what was her new lord Phelan in Neriak for.
"My' lord how did you get here?" She asked while keeping an eye on the old man. "And how are we getting out of this place?"
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Post by Phelan on Sept 7, 2007 23:33:01 GMT -5
"Be silent now. We are making our way into a secret pathway beneath one of the many houses of Neriak. Just pull your cloak up about your face and be silent." Phelan said.
Phelan and the Councilor pulled there cloaks over their heads obscuring their faces in shadows. They ascended the last hundred yards of stairs and stood before a rotting wooden door. It had rotted so badly that the latching mechanism could be seen through the door. Phelan and the Councilor looked at each other curiously.
Phelan quietly moved close to the door to examine it. It appeared that it had some writing etched into the metal bands that held the door together. Phelan's mouth dropped open in shock as he read his family name in rusted letters upon the door. He pushed the door open to find a room that had been undisturbed probably since he had been a small child. There was dust covered armor, shields and swords hanging all over the room. All of them bearing the crest of Seladria.
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Post by Nikkii O'seth on Sept 9, 2007 0:41:23 GMT -5
Naldany stood outside for a couple hours watching for any opening into the Fenn'dal house before Olantar offered a surgestion.
"My'lady maybe we should check the taverns maybe that assassin might frequent there or some of their guards and if that is so we can take their armor and gain entry into the house. Time is not on our side and Darlena will be comming here looking for us."
"I suppose but I was also thinking what if he isn't there.... maybe he was taken back to the counsil chambers. I do know one thing and that is that I will kill Furess before we leave here." Naldany pulled her hood over and started towards the Smiling serpant tavern.
As luck would have it there was two Fenn'dal guards was getting ready to sit down. Naldany quickly moved behind them and placed her hands on both theirs shoulders. Before they could react she sent bolts of lightening into them an pushed them forward making their heads hit the table with a thud. Olantar took them from the table and out behind the tavern not drawning much attention from the patrons inside. Working quickly, they both was now wearing the armor and on their way into the house.
"Wow this is an old dump." Harun said looking about the dust filled room. "I don't reconize this crest this must have been some minor house from long ago not worthy of mention."
The Counsilor gave her a stern look. "Girl you might want to hold your tounge you are probably too young to know this but this was no minor house and you should give this place more respect."
Harun went to pull a shield from a wall and started blowing the dust from it. "This is a well made shield was this a knight or cleric house?"
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