Kjeldorn had three moons—of which one was conspicuously invisible. In the eternally-dawn sky above, the three moons had aligned for the first time in ten thousand years. The sky and the moons had taken a red shade, and the three moons—seen as one—seemed to bleed.
The lunar droplets of blood skid through the atmosphere and caught fire. Like a meteor shower, Kjeldorn was ravaged by a catastrophic storm. Within Black Tower the crowd panicked. The nobles fled the compound en masse.
“By the great wolf’s jaws!” Bangor Winterhowl exclaimed. “What’s going on?”
“Fireworks,” Kang Razorfrost said next to him. “Never seen this kind of fireworks before.”
“That’s ‘cause they’re not fireworks.”
“Why are the humans running outside from that castle?” Kang asked pointing towards the compound’s gate. “I can hear someone screaming. I say we go.”
Without waiting for his companion response, the massive jiax walked forward. Some of the panicked nobles made way for him while others, blind with fear, slammed right to him and fell on the ground dazed, only to be stepped on by other panicky humans. Bangor walked behind the jiax and then stopped and grabbed his companion from his belt.
“What’s wrong?” Kang asked.
Bangor kneeled to the ground touching his forehead as if in pain. “The spirits… they’re screaming.”
“Which spirits?”
“A-all of them…”
What the?! Rasvahn Gul thought to himself. What is this that I’m feeling? It’s as if thousands of people have just died… more importantly, how is it possible that I can feel this?
Rasvahn easily avoided the rushing crowd and spotted a jiax and a dwarf trying to pick himself up. He realized the odd pair was moving towards the compound and decided to follow.
Andrion Von Montarius was screaming in pain. He was on the floor wracked by violent convulsions. He could feel his body on fire and his mind unraveling itself. His skin had taken an odd shade of red in some parts of his body and green on others and was filled with blisters. His joints seemed to bend at impossible angles as his entire body shook with unnatural vibrations.
Vass Jaquel Draracle composed himself. He was trying to commune with his blade and the only response he could get was a sense of warning and a desire to protect.
The knight saw the convulsing stregoni, his entourage and a wizardly-looking-old-man (which he figured was Loreweaver) were standing next to him. Eyeing his fellow Repulsars he saw Tristan and Brianna staring indecisive. McKenzie had drawn his blade.
Vass moved ahead at a hasted pace, his sword at the ready.
“The warp has taken him!” Orecius Loreweaver spoke to the incoming paladin. “We must destroy him.”
Vass raised his blade and pointed it at the suffering noble. His advance was halted by another, older-looking stregoni.
“You touch my son, and I’ll feast on your blood, Repulsar!” Ombertus growled and manipulating the mystical powers of his blood, he transformed his hands to razor-sharp claws.
“Stand down, milord,” Vass warned the stregoni. “Your son is taken by the warp. In moments he will be a tentacled monstrosity that will threaten us all.”
“My son is no aberration!” Ombertus bellowed. “And regardless, you are a paladin; you can’t strike a helpless foe!”
“I’m not that sort of paladin,” Draracle replied in a steely voice. “Stand…down.”
“Something is happening,” Orecius cut them. “The process seems to reverse itself.”
“What?!” McKenzie said as he approached Vass.
It was true. Andrion’s convulsions had ceased, the blisters had slowly began to subside and so did his odd skin-discolorations. Orecius noticed a glow from within the stregoni’s shirt. Something on his chest.
“An amulet…” Orecius said more to himself rather than the benefit of anyone else. Extending his arm he concentrated on the ebb and flow of magic, trying to discern the nature of the supernatural energies involved and their purpose.
“What is happening to my son?” Ombertus asked him.
Orecius ignored the father’s plight for several long moments as his primary concern was determining the phenomenon that was playing out before him. Finally he spoke.
“Up until a moment ago, he was being transformed into a warped aberration but he is wearing an amulet—the nature of which I cannot deduce. Somehow, the amulet is absorbing the warp energies and reverses the transformation.”
“I didn’t think that was even possible,” Vass commented lowering his blade.
“I don’t think anyone thought it possible, your Highness,” Orecius replied and kneeled next to Andrion. The stregoni was alive and conscious but visibly shaken. It was clear he wasn’t yet fully aware of his surroundings. Orecius’ peripheral vision registered a dwarf, a human, and a jiax next to him, and other than taking a mental note of their presence he paid them no further heed as he reached for the amulet and examined it without taking it off Andrion.
The amulet looked like this:
“Andrion, are you well my son?” Ombertus asked.
Andrion soon regained full consciousness.
“What can you remember of what just happened?” Ombertus asked him.
“All of it,” Andrion coarsely replied. “Though not in detail.”
“Where did you find that amulet of yours?” Orecius asked him.
“I… ah… I don’t remember,” Andrion replied.
“What do you mean you don’t remember?” Ombertus asked. “That amulet just saved your life, my son!”
“I don’t remember,” Andrion repeated.
Meanwhile, the shower of fiery blood continued above the city. The meteors seemed to strike towards the west.
“Loreweaver,” McKenzie spoke up. “What is happening?”
“The Blood Moon,” Orecius replied. After being prompted he explained to them, briefly, what he knew of Helgore and the Blood Moon prophecies as well as its connection to the triple eclipse.
“Could it be caused by this Repulsar’s blade?” Ombertus asked.
“I cannot be sure, but your son’s presence might also be connected,” Orecius replied. “Your banners are House Dragomir. Vladimir Von Dragomir was the one who prevented Helgore’s return 800 years ago, during a double lunar eclipse. You are his descendants, even though not direct ones.”
“Wouldn’t explain why it only affected Andrion and not me,” Ombertus commented. “And you, my son, how can you not remember where you found that amulet?”
“I honestly can’t remember, father,” Andrion steadily maintained.
“He’s telling the truth,” Vass said.
“Duke Draracle is rather good at picking up lies,” McKenzie commented. “It was part of his training regimen.”
Ombertus sighed heavily. “You and I will have a long talk afterwards, Andrion.”
“Anyway, for what is worth,” Vass added, “I felt a warning of some kind from Corona when this all happened. From what I can understand it was protecting me—us.”
Orecius looked at the knight’s blade. “Ah, the Sword of Volaran, if I am not mistaken? Quite an Artifact you have there.”
Vass nodded.
“I have heard of this weapon,” Ombertus said. “I was under the impression it belonged to House Volaran.”
“House Volaran has been absorbed by House Draracle, your Highborn,” the knight replied. “His direct descendant was my mother.”
Orecius approached McKenzie. “May we talk in private, Commander?”
McKenzie nodded and they went a few paces away. Vass attempted to eavesdrop, but Brianna distracted him by asking him something.
“While the official statement is that Black Tower was built to protect the surrounding countryside,” Orecius explained, “the fact is its position is strategically challenged to say the least. To cut a long story short, I am convinced that the Ascended King did not order this fortress to be built here for the official reason, and seeing as this is the ideal location to view the Blood Moon, then I believe that you might know something more regarding the Black Tower’s true purpose.”
“I would advise you, Chronomancer, that you refrain from asking such questions,” McKenzie replied.
“But sire, surely you must realize the urgency of this matter. I must know if I can be of assistance.”
“Then find a way to be of assistance without this piece of knowledge, Loreweaver,” McKenzie replied. “And I should warn you that if continue inquiries on this matter, then you’ll quickly find yourself intimately familiar with a Judge’s axe.”
Orecius did not push the subject further. This was a threat, and one as a direct as could be.
The meteor shower had still not run its course. At that point, a particularly large piece stroke through the heavens and crashed relatively near the Fortress. A rumbling sound came after a few seconds, followed by tremors as if a weak earthquake had just occurred.
“That one fell near,” Kang said. By that point everyone in the compound had taken notice of him, Bangor, and Rasvahn Gul, though such was the urgency of the unfolding matter that none could afford to address them.
Orecius looked pale and leaned on his staff. “By the gods… that one must have crashed near my tower.” His thoughts raced on his granddaughter and other loved ones he left back. When he left his tower, Orecius said goodbye to them for he was preparing for the worse. He envisioned two things happening: Black Tower could be obliterated, taking Orecius with it. At least his family would be spared. Alternatively the entire world would be destroyed. He reasoned that if that was to happen, there was nothing he could do about it. At the very least, it would be quick and he might meet his loved ones in the afterlife. But now, he feared that he might survive while his family might perish. He was not prepared for that contingency.
At that point a pair of armored Judges entered the compound, their giant execution axes at their hands.
The Judges reported to McKenzie. The fortress was in chaos. McKenzie commanded the Judges to get out and deal with the matter decisively. The grim warriors saluted and left.
“Someone should investigate that meteor,” Vass said.
McKenzie smiled. “How nice of you to volunteer, Vass.”
“Yes, I was expecting you’d say that,” the knight replied. “Coming with me, Tristan?”
“I have a different mission for Tristan,” the commander said. “And another for Brianna. Now, why don’t you introduce yourselves, gentlemen?” McKenzie motioned towards the human, the dwarf, and the jiax.
Bangor Winterhowl, Kang Razorfrost, and Rasvahn Gul did as they were asked. McKenzie told them he should place them under arrest—they were now privy to state secrets.
“But we are just adventurers passing by,” Bangor protested. “We only came here to help!”
“Yes, we are adventurers,” Rasvahn added. “And we’d be more useful to you on the field rather than some prison cell.”
“Pale face is not with us,” Kang said pointing at Gul.
“It’s true; I’m not with these people. But like them, I am an adventurer. And since you are preparing for an obviously dangerous operation, the services of experienced adventurers would come in handy to you, milord. I only request for a simple reward for my services.”
“We’re discussing whether or not we should throw you in jail and you’re bartering your reward?” Vass asked him.
“Vass, please,” McKenzie raised a hand at the paladin.
“My reward is not of a monetary nature,” Rasvahn said. “Instead, all I want is access to the records of a court case.”
“What sort of case?” McKenzie asked.
“A murder. Let’s just say I’m investigating a murder and I want to check out some facts about a mistrial.”
“The Judges are responsible for these records, but I don’t think you want me to call them back in and tell them you think they made a mistake.”
“No, I don’t think that would bode well for my health,” Rasvahn said with a weak smile. “That’s why I’m asking you.”
“All I can say is that I’ll try. And only after you return.”
“Fair enough,” Gul said bowing his head. “But I humbly request that in case I do not make it back, you review the case regarding the murder of Garius Sadar.”
“Very well,” McKenzie said. “And about the rest of you?”
“I am a shaman,” Bangor said. “The spirits are distraught by these events. It is my duty to investigate this. Obviously I’m in.”
“As am I,” Kang said.
“I wish to go as well,” Andrion stepped forward. He was still shaken, but his skin had almost completely cleared.
“This is dangerous, my son!” Ombertus cut in.
“Father, please. You of all people know that I am no mere priest. I wield the power of the Runes of Creation. I can more than handle myself. These men will need my help.”
“Lord Loreweaver?” McKenzie turned to the wizard. “You are the foremost expert on the matter it seems.”
“Part of me wants to go to Toran and warn the council,” Orecius replied deep in thought.
“Can’t you do that using magic?” Vass asked.
“Yes, which is why another part of me wants to come with you. And I will, but we’ll have to make a stop at my Tower first. It’s on our way.”
“Then it’s settled. Vass Jaquel Draracle will be in charge of this mission,” McKenzie said.
No comments:
Post a Comment