Posted 27 November 2001 - 08:38 PM
Ralken stumbled through the trees, blood trickling out all over him. He crashed over a bush and stopped suddenly . . . listening . . . and heard nothing. He scrambled to his feet and ran farther, only to see what he was running from ahead of him. He turned around suddenly, and saw another of the same thing. He looked to his left . . . his right . . . and saw yet more of them. He tried jumping up the tree that he was under, only to see an arrow protruding from his arm -- the men had begun to attack him.
Suddenly, the bush next to him was a flaming inferno . . . and another one, too. Soon he was surrounded by flames. And another arrow struck him directly in the eye, hitting the brain, killing him instantly.
***
Farlof, the new captain of the guard of Odemia, since the last one was found dead, studied the body of Ralken. It was yet another of the bewildering murders of powerful people in Cythera -- most people that were killed were lowly farmers who ruffians found. But Ralken . . . he was a new militia trainer at Cademia, and the best they'd ever had at that. All of the past few murders had been done the same way -- two arrows were in the victim, one in the arm and one in the eye; and there was a ring of charred and burnt stuff around them.
"Alright . . . we can't go on like this, finding these people dead suddenly in the middle of the forest -- and people we need, too!' said Farlof. 'We'll be vulnerable to any attacks if this continues. Who the bloody hell are these people that are commiting these murders?!"
A soldier nervously spoke up.
"Er . . . sir, have we looked through the northern part of Cythera? It is unexplored -- and there have been rumours of amazingly powerful undead creatures there . . ."
Farlof agreed -- but was still wary of the northern part of Cythera. There were stories of Scyllae and Polyps and Hydrae all over the place -- as well as extraordinarily powerful glowing red creatures. No one ever ventured near the North; no one had the courage -- or should it be called foolishness? There was no way to verify if the stories were true -- anyone trustworthy who would try to find out was found dead, floating up on a beach.
***
A young warrior yelled out at a meeting to discuss these murders.
"We should find them and destroy them NOW! Don't wait! Kill them, murder them, rip their guts out! We can't stand for this!!"
Farlof silenced him with a hand gesture.
"We don't know where the bloody hell they're coming from. We don't know where they are. We don't know a damned bloody thing about them! Don't anyone talk of what we should do to them before we know where they are!" Farlof raged.
The warrior nervously dropped his shield, making a large clattering noise.
Alaric spoke.
"I myself am having trouble casting protective spells on our people. I have tried it twice, but to no avail. These mages are not using magic to kill these people -- and there are no spells to defend against normal weaponry."
A scuffed up, pale, bloody man stumbled into the room in Odemia. He looked nearly dead.
"There . . . is . . . a . . . a . . ."
Lindus, the headmaster of Pnyx stood up, with a worried look on his face. He walked to the man, who had fallen on the floor. He was pushed back. He did not resist.
" . . . don't . . . try . . . to . . . help me!" the man finally stammered. "No - o - r . . . "
The man rolled over -- obviously already dead. He had a small dart stuck in his neck. It was coated with extremely powerful poison, as was discovered on closer examination.
"What was he saying?" asked one of the professors of Pnyx.
"I don't know," replied Lindus.
Farlof spoke up. "I think I know what he sa --"
This discussion was promptly ended, however, as an explosion rocked the building and set part of the ceiling loose.
All the mages prepared to cast their most powerful spells -- then realised that an explosion powerful enough to break all the runes and protections on this building were far more than any mage here could protect against.
Two warriors grabbed their weapons and ran outside. Screams of despair and explosions of flame were heard, then silence.
Alaric broke the silence. He muttered a few words. A moment later everyone within the building saw the entire building begin to shake and shudder. And crumble to dust as they were teleported to the Land King Hall.
***
A day later, Lindus and Alaric found the site of the building, vanished completely from the face of the earth. They retired to the Land King Hall, where another discussion would take place. This one, it was noted, would not be interrupted.
***
Weeks passed. Nothing happened but debate and bicker. Farlof was getting impatient; it became his task to erradicate the threat and this was getting no where.
After six weeks had passed, a team of skilled warriors washed up on a beach -- they were recently sent to explore the north of Cythera.
Alaric was beginning to worry. A lot more than anyone else. He had consulted Magpie, Lindus, everyone! -- and no one had any idea what to do. He had hand picked the warriors from some of the best to explore northern, though not the best of the best; they would have to stay to defend the cities.
Finally, Farlof opted to search the North himself. He found several mages who were specialised in much needed fields for this journey -- and he also took three of the best warriors in all of Cythera with him. He had ordered a regiment to invade the ruffian camp at the southern part of Cythera -- they found much useful material there. And they also found some strange helmets . . .
The journey, at last, after three weeks of preparation and such, began.
***
Farlof took off his gator hide boots after tromping about in thick trees to the North West of Cythera. He was searching for Charax, the most famous alchemist in Cythera, who lived in the North of Cythera. He was getting hot, and also exhausted by having to fight two Polyps. He decided to call it a day, since it was getting dark.
"Alright, men . . . set up your tents, and mages -- seal the area with the most powerful runes you can think of; we don't want to be attacked here. Two men will stand guard. Let's get moving. Lack of discipline will get you killed here!"
"Sir! Sir!" whispered one of the watchmen to Farlof in his tent, a few hours later. "A figure was walking through the dark!"
Farlof, annoyed, got up and woke one of the fire mages.
"What the flicking serpent is it at this hour?" the mage hissed.
"Make there be light -- but only for us."
"Why?"
"You'll see. If you don't, then this man here can tell you."
The mage got up, grudgingly, and muttered in a low voice an incantation. Soon Farlof could see as though it were daylight, even under the thick trees. He saw the figure of a skeleton, which quickly was gone.
"What was that?!" he spat at the mage.
"A skeleton . . . watch out. There are going to be powerful mages around -- ones powerful enough to create life from death."
"Damnit! We must turn back," exclaimed one of the warriors, who had awaken in the small ruckus.
"Nonsense," said Farlof. "We will continue. And we won't stop for little squabbles, either. You volunteered to be on this journey -- now quit squirming! And if you continue, I'll have you go up front and discover what vile beasts await!"
This shut the warrior up very nicely.
- - - To be continued in part two. - - -
[This message has been edited by moderator (edited 12-03-2001).]
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