Chapter 1:
Schemes
You
can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can
strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every
heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring
the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There
is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
3rd verse and Chorus of "Anthem"
Lyrics copyrighted to Leonard Cohen
"Make your report fool!" ordered a smooth and deep feminine voice.
"Max is closing in quickly Milady; he has just destroyed yet another outpost." The High Captain informed in a broad tone. High Captain Paezorta was a powerful looking Dark Elf. His features were unremarkable, but there was some grace and fluidity of his movements that drew the eye. Every small little movement of his body worked in harmony and bespoke of an immense control. He was tall for an elf with pale skin, delicately pointed ears, and shrewd purple eyes. He was always seen in the garb of a warrior; his armor was elven-crafted, hard as the best, but so light to allow for easy movement. It was a glossy black as were his boots and helmet. Indeed the only hint of decoration about his outfit was found in the fur lining his boots and the feather in his helmet, both a pale golden yellow. One of his gauntleted hands rested on the hilt of his sword, which when drawn was a pale red color which brilliantly caught any light that it might have been drawn amidst. He also wore a well-cut cloak that complemented his frame and was the off-set of his black armor, pure white. Everything about him suggested power. Despite this he seemed to quail in fear of the woman's voice.
There was a short pause then the High Captain continued. "I have been told that he defeated Jaroll." He hastened to add, "Although it's impossible to say at this point we have received indications that there might have been casualties for the Shining Force…" A long and intense lull filled the room. Captain Paezorta fervently hoped that his punishment would not be too harsh. In fact he was certain that he had just bungled his career as it had, after all, been he who had urged Jaroll onward and helped him plot the fight. So he was understandably surprised by his mistress's reply.
"Excellent. Paezorta, send a runner to the servants of Iom and tell them that we offer them friendship and will willingly offer them the Necklace of Darkness in return for the Cloak of Shadows. With such an exchange in precious items, the light will surely fall and darkness shall triumph!" The ruler proclaimed with a grin of excitement on her face. The leader of the most ancient and powerful secrets of Darkness stepped out from the ancient statue that she had been standing behind. Legend had it that the original creator and Lord of Darkness had been the figure from the statue.
As for the terrible Lady of Darkness, who had now revealed herself and displayed her very interesting figure; her flawless skin held the color of a delicate lavender while her long, deep and vibrant purple hair that framed her face, enhancing her beautiful complexion, went to the small of her back. With a very charming yet wanting mouth and focused, amazonite-green eyes mouth that many mortal men with weak wills had lost their souls in those seeming pools.
The woman's expression was almost always intense, serious, and as hard as stone, which was the only thing about her elegant persona that made men fall to their knees in nervousness and worry. Her lesser crown that displayed her high rank in the world of darkness was made of gold and bore a clear subtle blue gem at its center. A necklace of darkness hung around her throat and a shard of a crystal hung from her almond-colored belt. She wore dark-colored robes that clung and moved suggestively against her body. All in all she was really quite beautiful in a strange way.
Paezorta's mouth went dry at the sight of her, yet the officer ventured a question: "Should I send messages to others of the Darkness Lady?" He asked in a weak voice as he brought his hands together and tilted his head downwards slightly. He struggled to keep the surprise out of his voice, not quite certain that had succeeded. An alliance was a shocking suggestion though, really quite unprecedented. It was true, there had been occasions over the years that the darkness had fought the light where various sects had called brief truces with each other, but an alliance? It was absurd.
In the meantime, she shook her head distractedly then snapped her crystal-green eyes directly towards him, as if her previous distracting thoughts were suddenly and completely forgotten. She smiled faintly, although it was a sly, cruel looking expression. Her voice sounded sympathetic and kind but it sent chills down the Elvin captain's spine.
"I was very sorry to hear that your brother was killed attempting to resurrect the Dark Titan." Paezorta tried his hardest to keep his anger and fear out of his voice as he heard her contemptuous tone. The dark elf had loved his brother. Silently he reminded himself of everything that he owed this woman, everything she and she alone had done for him. She still protected his most deadly secret, had given him a position of power and prestige. His brother on the other hand had never regarded him with much warmth, let alone love, and had often been inclined to small cruelties at Paezorta's expense. He should, he knew, be devoted to his mistress and put the fate of his older brother from his mind. But he had loved his brother. "Is that all Great One?" He tried to dull his harsh tone.
The Lady of Darkness leaned back slightly as a smirk formed across her face. "Yes that is all, but I will have more orders for you no later than three days from now." Bowing, the High Captain took just a few moments to collect his thoughts before preparing to bring loyal counsel to the dark mistress he had pledged his life to. Of course, he had other, more pragmatic reasons for bowing as well. While he did feel true respect for this mistress of his, bowing gave him the chance to hide his expression from her. His jaw worked silently for some few moments, though he fancied she was not deceived.
Slowly, Paezorta brought his head back up, stiffening his spine with the silent affirmation of those things which were most important to him; honor, duty, loyalty, obedience. And her. Always her.
"Was there something else you wanted?" she asked innocently.
"I…" in a rare flash of nervousness, his tongue stumbled. "I question your wisdom in dismissing this new fall of ours so swiftly."
An ironical eyebrow shot up. "You would question my wisdom?" The Lady of Darkness shook her head in what must have been feigned bemusement. "It must be rather more serious than you've let on, Paezorta."
The High Captain could feel a slow flush spreading up his face at her heavy mockery, but he did not rise to the bait. He might have done many things in his life, but he would not demean himself. Paezorta had tasted too much of humiliation in his life to acquiesce to any more just for someone else's amusement. Even to her. He merely said, "Jaroll was a good officer. He was shrewd enough to lure a small contingent of our enemies. Given that they nonetheless managed to kill him and slip through our fingers, I find that worrisome."
"And," she challenged, "what would you have me do?"
He flinched, not so much at her bantering tone, but at the question. What indeed would he have her do… Shying away from such dangerous thoughts, such overwhelming impulses that threatened to shatter his veneer of good sense, Paezorta answered as literally as he could. "A chance. Patrols that is. A chance that they won't get through if we move now. A chance that we won't need to turn to others, milady."
"Ahh." Her tone was satisfied. "That is what's bothering you, turning to others. To Iom."
"I find it difficult," Paezorta admitted, "to reconcile working alongside such enemies."
"I do not. Now go." The tone was clear. His insolence would be forgotten, but only if he now obeyed. Only now. After his brother was slain.
Paezorta bowed again, and hurried off to obey the commands of the one he had pledged his life to, feeling that he had already pressed the matter beyond the point of wisdom.
She watched intently as he left and as soon as he was gone Mishalea smiled.
