"You will do as you are told…" The large elven war lord looked down onto the smaller, more frail she elf below from his massive throne. "Do not forget what happened last time you disrespected your king, Ignival."
I slightly rubbed my neck, running my fingers over the scarred flesh. It was impossible what my king was asking of me, if I could even call him that. I'd been nothing but a slave at his feet since I could walk, doing all the dirty work for him. I fought many battles, many that have almost taken my life; I try everyday to cover many of the scars I'd bring home after each and every battle.
"Yes, my lord. I'll see to it that it is done." I bowed my head to him l, and led myself out of the room towards my living quarters. I stopped at my rooms door, and leaned my head against it. Little tears threatened to spill over my eyes. I slowly opened my door, and stepped inside.
"A whole orc camp...by myself...it's just impossible...no one has ever." I slammed my fists down on the small vanity. I knew this would be the end for me, but I stood and recollected myself. A warrior such as myself cannot show weakness. I wrapped myself in my cloak-like garb, making sure the scar on my neck was well covered. I then laced up my leather combat boots, and grabbed my longbow, shortsword and my spellbook. I decided to walk through the market, buying and stocking up on as many healing potions and poisons as I could. As soon as I was finished with my buying out, I saddled my mount, a large Saber tooth tiger named Edinval, and headed out. Judging by the alignment of stars, it would be at least a two day ride, two and a half at best with rest.
After about a days ride, I found a small clearing in the woods I was traveling through. There was maybe three or four Goblins in the area, so they were easily disposed of. After that minor inconvenience, I had made myself a small fire, just big enough to keep me warm and cook food for me and Edinval. He slept soundly against a tree, and I sat leaned against him and looked up towards the sky. The stars up above sparkled and twinkled brightly, I didn't know if this would be the last time I'd see the stars this bright.
At a suddens moment, Edinval twitched his ears and lightly growled. I stood up and quickly put out the fire, and signaled Edinval up into the tree with me. I climbed high enough out of sight, but low enough to see who it could be. There was nothing to be heard but the sound of leaves crunching in the dead of night, but I readied my bow always ready to put down whoever or whatever approached. Moments later, a figure, about medium height, stepped out. He wore what looked like dark red monk robes. He looked around, and I knew he had noticed the freshly put out fire. It took a seconds notice, to realize my spellbook wasn't strapped to my side like usual. I cursed inside my head as he looked down and saw my book lying on the ground next to tree I was hiding in. But, strangely, he didn't pick it up, nor did he examine it. Just scoffed at the air, and continued through the clearing. I eased my bow down. I waited a moment more before climbing from the tree and signaling my pet to follow. I retrieved my spellbook and secured it to my side once again. I mounted Edinval, and looked off in the direction of the where the stranger had gone to.
"He didn't even seem to care that someone was clearly here before.." I had said to myself. I didn't want to dawdle any longer in this area, in case he came back. So I continued on my path. With Edinval knowing where to go, I took the time to ready up new spells for the battle.
Another days worth of travel passed, and I had finally came to the edge of the orcs camp. Was bigger than normal, so this battle would be tough. I couldn't return without the orc leaders head. If this camp had been smaller, this would have been easy. I dismounted Edinval, and sent him on his way, far away from the camp so he wouldn't be seen. So I perched myself in a tree till nightfall. As I was trying to scout the camp I heard voices under me, but when I looked down a branch fell and bonked one of the orcs in the head and alerted them. Desperately I looked for an escape, but as I tried to jump out of the tree to run a rock struck me in the head and sent me sprawling towards the ground. The stinging and pounding in my head only took seconds to knock me out.
When my vision came back I looked around, and noticed my hands were bound behind my back, and I was tied to a tree. I looked up, and saw several large orcs surrounding me, all were laughing and cat calling, calling for several of my body parts. I looked up to the night sky once again, and gave my last words of surrender. I didn't want to have the will to fight this battle. Right as the large blade from and orc came towards me, a loud, deafening sound of metal on metal clashing hit my ears. I snapped my eyes open, and saw the same man from the day before, standing within feet in front of me. I felt the world around me start to fade, and I blacked out.
…..
I awoke to the sound of rushing water and something similar to the smell of essence being burned. There was a clear stream and dense forest lush with foliage around me. Edinval was sleeping comfortably on one of the many large rocks that littered the edge of the water. "Your awake huh?" My eyes quickly snapped to the noise and I saw that man again, but finally being this close to him I realised some very...odd things about him. He was sitting on a rock next to the water and seemed to be meditating, his body encased in tattoos of lightning and scars of various shapes and sizes. One that stood out the most was a brand on his arm of a sword with a sun in the background. Yet, strangest of all, he had a tail similar to a dragons with blood red scales. I looked up his body and nearly jumped at the sight of...horns.
"My eyes are down here." he said with a chuckle. On instinct I grabbed the nearest tree branch and went at him, swinging wildly at who I assumed tried to kidnap me. However, he just dodged every attack like I was trying to cut through water and tripped me with his tail. "Maybe you should let me explain myself before you start trying to kill me hmm?"
I held the branch up, ready to strike again. "Speak then!" I snapped my fingers to alert Edinval. "Or so help me..I'll make you his new chew toy." Edinval snarled and growled behind me, slowly starting to stalk his new prey and licking his lips at his soon to be meal. I took a step closer to this stranger, to show him I wasn't kidding. He looked at me and sighed heavily, and then threw a large chunk of deer meat at Edinval's feet. In a split second he was chowing down and purring loudly so I had just lost my best chance of defending myself, because he's hungry.
"Come here and sit with me, and I promise I'll explain everything ok?" The half demon said, his eyes were almost pleading with me. Reluctantly, I slowly walked over to him and sat in front of him, as a small grin spread across his face. "Thank you. Now, my name is Morgukai. Perhaps you've heard of me?" As soon as his name reached my ears I couldn't help but feel as if I've heard it before, but where? I looked down at his robes which were neatly folded off to the side and saw this strange medallion, it was a golden eye with a lightning bolt in the iris. The symbol of the Monks of Eberron; the gears in my head started turning and everything fell together like a ton of bricks.
"Y-your THE Morgukai?! The leader of the adventurers that killed Marfedelom and slayed the Great Red Dragon?! The Saviors of Rivian?!" I shouted excitedly. It had been 8 years since word of their exploits spread all across the land, an odd group of adventurers going to the same funeral turned friends that thwarted the plans of the evil servant of Demogorgon and saved countless lives if not the world. But in recent years nothing much has been heard of them, and their story is already just turning into legend.
"Nice to meet a fan. I was heading to visit an old friend when I saw you riding towards that fortress, alone. But what caught my attention was your ki, the energy that flows through all things living or dead. It was, distressed and anxious. So I followed you, and it's a good thing I did." he smiled, part of me still didn't trust him, part of me wanted to hit him with the branch and run. However, an idea grew in my head that may just save me from getting butchered by those orcs, or worse.
"Well, thank you for saving my life. But can I ask a small favor of you?" I said as I scooted closer to him, "I can't go home till all those orcs are dead, or at least the leader of the camp. However, if I had someone of your skills watching my back we may actually stand a chance." I pulled my knees up to my chest and looked towards him. "My King refuses my return unless I have the leaders head, or any proof that he's dead. The last time I returned empty handed….well.." I slightly held my hand to the side of my neck.
He stared at me with sorrow in his eyes, and then at the many scars on his body. "You know, most of these were actually from my father. He hated me and my brother, and after my mother died when I was born my older brother left me with him. I understand your pain." He stood up and started gathering his things, then he looked down at me and extended his hand. "You coming or what?"
"O-Oh..yeah." I reached up and took his hand, and walked over to Edinval, who now stood up straight, licking his lips from his meal. "Whatever am I going to do with you." I fixed his headpiece and straightened his saddle, and made sure I had everything in check. "So where are we going?"
He smirked at me and snapped his fingers and his staff that was leaning on a tree flew into his hand, "We have some orcs to kill, and then I was thinking we grab something to eat later." He lead me out of the forest and back to the road that lead towards the encampment; turns out we were a lot closer than I thought and we were only a few miles away. I looked over the encampment, slightly shuddered. "I've never fought a camp of this many before, and the last time I did, I nearly died." I dismounted Edinval and grabbed my quiver and bow; I could see the worry in Edinval's eyes. I sent him off behind us. "Let's do this."
….
We managed to sneak up to the encampment, it was around noon and most of the orcs were just waking up and sending patrols. "Ok, you wouldn't happen to have anything explosive would you?" Morgukai asked, I searched around my quiver and found one arrow I felt could do the job. It was just some blasting powder I mixed in with some nitroglycerin, tends to make some interesting fireworks. "That will do just fine, ok on my signal I want you to shoot into the captain's tent ok? I'll draw their attention."
I nodded, and readied an arrow. "Ready." and without warning, he jumped down into the middle of all of them and started fighting. The orcs were still hungover and tired, and not ready for the attack. After a few fell however they started to surround him and close in, but he just stood there with a smirk on his face. "Now!" he shouted, without hesitation I fired into the tent just as the captain was walking out. The explosion engulfed him and his tent in flames and left his men in disarray. After the explosion, I readied a poison bolt and aimed at an orc who missed the flames. I let loose right at his head and the arrow flew and struck him right in his forehead. Unfortunately, the arrow did nothing but bounce off his thick skinned head. I leapt from the wall and uttered a spell of increased strength, and once again let the poison bolt fly. This time, the bolt struck him in the chest but he just laughed, for a moment until the poison kicked in. I went to ready another arrow and aimed it at an orc charging Morgukai, but it seemed he already took him down before I was ready to release the bolt. I'd always heard all the stories and tales about him, but never did I think that all of them were true. While I was marveling in Morgukia's fighting style I forgot to pay attention to my surroundings, and was suddenly struck from behind. I didn't feel any pain at first, but then I looked down at the spear that had pierced its way through my upper right part of my chest, a killing blow. All at once, pain flooded through my body, and I let out a deafening scream. I was harshly thrown to the side, unable to move any part of my body.
''O-oh god..d-damnit..'' I tried to weeze out. Immense pain wracked my whole body, and all I could do was deafely try to call Morgukai. I laid there, my blood soaking my clothes and the ground around me. He must have hit a vital point, or I wouldn't be bleeding through this much. I just watched, helplessly as he continued to fight the remainder of the Orc camp. I started feeling light-headed, and the pain starting to subside and numbness setting in. I knew this would be my last and final battle, it was inevitable. Was this just the coyed plot for the Lord to get rid of me. Well he could've just sent me to be eaten by dragons, never to be taken out like this. I tilted my head up, and looked at the sky, the small bit I could see through the smoke of the burning camp, and felt my eyes grow heavy and my vision blurring out. This was my going, all I could hear was Morgukai calling out to me, maybe in an attempt to save me, or was I waking from a nightmare..
I woke up in what looked like a run down tavern. The bed I was laying in smelt of dying things and more. I attempted to sit up, but pain rushed through the entire right side of my body.
"Easy Princess" A familiar voice came from the other side of the room. I noticed Edinval sleeping off to the corner like usual. I laid my head back and looked up towards the ceiling. What happened? One minute I was on the verge of death, and now..i'm alive laying in this bed. I ran my fingers through my hair, and let out a heavy, painful breath. I once again tried to sit up, half ignoring the pain, and leaned back on the headboard.
"W-what happened to me?" I asked shakingly.
"Well...lets just say, if I were a moment too late, there would be no you left. You got impaled through the right side of your body, hit through a vital point just above where your heart is. Just about bled out. Now you've got a fancy new scar to go with your flesh mark." I immediately tried to cover my neck, to hide the shameful mark. Morgukai chuckled lightly and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. "You took a pretty heavy hit though. Once your healed up, we can get you home." At the moment he said that, Edinval looked up and gave a heavy like sigh.
"I can't go back." I paused and looked down at my hands folded in my lap. "This was a task I was suppose to complete on my own, and I couldn't even accomplish that. If i go back, I'm going back to die.." Again, tears formed at the corners of my eyes, a large lump formed in my throat that I couldn't swallow down. My torn pride now shown through, and all I wanted to do was die at that time. "I suppose death is all I deserve right now...I can't even destroy a single camp on my own. This world would be better off without weak flesh such as myself." The tears spilled over my eyes, and slowly ran down my cheeks. There was no holding it back now. There was no pride left in my body, I was a failure, and that's worse than any sexual punishment my Lord could ever do to me..
I spent the last couple of minutes thinking to myself as to whether I should go back and accept the punishment. After a few minutes, I recollected myself, and attempted to get out of the bed. With the help of Edinval, I stood up, half leaning on him. "Oh Edinval…..what am I going to do…?" I shuffled to the door with him by my side. Before opening the door to leave, Morgukai pulled me back into the room. Pain shot through my whole body and I yelped in pain.
"See, your in no condition to travel anywhere, even if it is to go recieve your death sentence from your King. You can barely walk, let alone make it out the door and out of this Tavern. You need to lay down and stay put for crying out loud." I huffed, but obeyed to his command, and layed back in the bed. "Stay. Put." He pointed towards me from the door, and then shut and locked it behind him. I threw the pillow across the room with my left arm. "God damnit." I sat there for several hours, boringly creating small sparks of the common spells that I knew ranging from fire sparks to illusion magic. I created small illusions of little animals fighting each other. For some reason, I started thinking about Morgukai. He wasn't at all what I thought he'd look like. I pictured for rugged, beaten up man who cared nothing for people like me. Instead, meeting him face to face, he was...handsome. The many scars he carried, made his features even more appealing, And I couldn't imagine what he'd look like under the cloak.
I quickly shook the thought from my head. "What am I doing! I can't seriously be falling for him. I've only known him a couple days" I could feel the heat coming off my face. I lightly smacked my cheeks to bring myself back. I relaxed back against the headboard once again and started thinking why he was being so helpful towards me. A knock on the door took my attention away and I quickly grabbed a dagger laying next to me. Morgukai reappeared with what seemed to be another Tiefling that carried the same features as him, but instead of another monk he was dressed in dark robes with various knives hanging all around him.
"This is my nephew, Skamos. He can help heal you, but you have to trust me ok?" the look in his eyes reminded me of a calm before a storm. Reluctantly I showed my wound and he went to work.
"So, tried to take on a bunch of orcs by yourself eh?" Skamos chuckled, he was definitely much younger than his uncle and didn't share the same determination; but something told me he had to kill a lot of people to be where he is now. I shrugged off his comment and watched as he quickly and effortlessly cleaned and patched it up, I didn't even notice when he was done.
"See? Told you, you should be a doctor. Make a difference in people's lives." Morgukai patted him on the shoulder, but he just shrugged it off. "Won't find dad that way, besides stealing from people is waaay more fun than you think." They said their goodbyes and Skamos left.
"You should still rest for tonight, tomorrow we can take it easy and make it back to this King. What's his name again by the way?" I shivered, and couldn't help but look away at the thought of his name. "Lautian...:" I just suddenly started thinking of all the things he could or would do to me when I got back. I didn't have a trophy to call mine, and I definitely wouldn't be getting off with just another burn mark. The mark on my neck already symbolized failure. The three "X" like marks placed in a circle surrounded by jagged like lines were what bounded my neck. I did all I could to keep it hidden from other people's eyes. Only Lautian saw the mark, and I was ashamed of forcefully having to be given to him almost every night. I just simply sighed and pushed the Tavern door open, and walked out into the bright morning sun. It felt different to be out in the world after only nearly dying several days ago. I whistled for Edinval, and he came to my call immediately. I stroked the long fur on his neck, I could feel his nervousness, he knew what was to come, and I knew to.
I always dreamed, that one day i'd break from the kings grasp, and live my life like every other Elf. I was born a princess, but raised as a peasant. It was my choice, I always wanted to help people, the weak and the poor and the broken. The day my Kingdom was attacked, I wasn't ready. I was scared to die, and my other choice was to burn with my kingdom, or surrender myself to the High Elven Lord. It wasn't so bad at first, but things started to slowly turn for the worse. I was forced to be his mate, as every Princess was born to marry the second divine power of a neighboring kingdom. "I'm ready…" I said quietly.
We rode in silence for quite a while before it was broken by Morgukai, "You wanna hear a funny story?" He smirked.
I stared at him confused for a moment, "Shoot."
He started to laugh like he was telling it to himself first, "Back when
I was younger and first starting my journey to defeat Marfedelom we had to travel across the sea. My friend Drakak was a dwarf, and he was absolutely afraid of the ocean. So as a prank we tied some pots and pans together and hung them over his bed right, and we started screaming and yelling about the ship going down." He could barely contain his own laughter.
"S-so he freaks out and shoots up and just knocks himself right back out! And to be honest I knew dwarves were hard-headed but by the Gods he broke one of the pots we hung up and it made the best noise ever."
I kinda chuckled, but held in my laughing. Morgukai however, was crying in a laughing fit.
He took some time to catch his breath, "Then we encountered pirates, so we were getting everything ready and I called for him from the top deck and the only thing you could hear was "*BONG* Shit!" And various dwarven cuss words."
I couldn't help but uncontrollably giggle, and Edinval looked up at me almost as if to smile at me. "Sounds like you and your friend's got into some trouble back in the day huh?" I laughed, his smile turned into a small saddened smirk.
"Yeah, they were good times. We were all brothers, and not a day goes by when I don't hope and pray that they're in good health." He looked to the ground as he walked, I never had the luxury of friends but he seemed depressed almost at the thought of them. Edival walked closer to him and I placed a hand on his shoulder, "What happened?"
The hurt in his eyes and hesitation showed he didn't want to talk about it, but he took a deep breath and began, "According to prophecy, if Marfedelom is not killed he will rise from Hel and march his army across all realms. With his undefeatable demon general, it goes "A monk of hellish blood will fall, and as the great shadow marks him he will rise a harbinger of death. The first horseman will walk, and the apocalypse will begin."" He paused, looking down at his hands, "We all came to the decision, I would have to walk my path alone till the day of my death to avoid this. Unless a swiffer end. My comrades have been fighting without me for years, but I fear every day that the prophecy comes closer and closer."
I stared in awe, I thought the threat of Marfedelom was over long ago. But it would seem his shadow looms over everything still, and makes me think just how much influence that sorcerer has. Suddenly I was anxious, the smell of the familiar city filling my nostrils full of tobacco and horse manure, "We're here…" I faintly whispered. The towering walls and cruel towers casted a shadow over us, guards were patrolling in front of the tall ebony gate marked by the blood red symbol of our king. A skull with demon horns, and daggers forming out of the eyes.
"Your king, he was once known as "The Executioner" wasn't he?" I turned to Morgukia, he held a steadfast look of determination as he eyed the gate. He let out a heavy sigh and walked closer to the gate, the guards immediately readied their spears to him and formed around us, "State your business demon!" one demanded. "He's with me." I stepped in front of him, "We're here to see Lord Lautian, so open the gate.." The guard only bowed and released the chain for the gate. I stepped back and pulled Morgukia's arm back. Upon entering the kingdom, I led Edinval to his stable and instructed the groundskeeper to wash and feed him accordingly. We then headed to the castle-like structure. I walked slowly down the halls, pacing my breathes as to not seem nervous. When we got to the door leading to the throne room, I paused to take off the scarf around my neck.
"Calm yourself, show no emotion and he can't use it against you." Morgukia whispered, and pushed open the door. The throne room was a massive hall of gold and ivory columns, the throne was fashioned out of bones dipped in gold and Lautian sat with his giant executioner's axe ready at his side.
"It's about time. Who is this outsider?" he snarled, I took a deep breath and hid my shaking hands behind my back. "This is Morgukia, the monk of Eberron. He aided me in destroying your enemies my lord." He stood slowly, and stalked his way towards us. Carefully examining Morgukia, "Kneel." He chided.
Quickly I dropped to my knees, but I looked up and saw Morgukai defiantly staring at him. "A monk kneels to no man, only the gods deserve the worship of man." The king stared at him and laughed, "I am God here monk. You remember that. Tell me, how well did the scar I gave you heal?" Lautian chuckled darkly. Through his teeth Morgukai calmly said, "Like any other, she has done what you asked. And deserves to be spared your punishment.
An eerie red glow formed in the king's eyes, "No, she did not. I sent her alone for a good reason, and seeing how you helped her you are the reason she has failed. You have condemned her."
I felt my heart beating in my ears, and tears swelling in my eyes. I tried to focus on my mother, anything to keep me at ease. "However, she has brought me something worth more than anything in my kingdom. A new general, to lead my armies in taming this wretched land." I looked up sharply, and stared at both of them, but Morgukia only laughed.
"I won't join you, I have better things to do." But the dark smile only grew on the king.
"For a monk, you are not as wise as you think." The air in the hall grew heavy and cold, and a shadow covered all of us. Morgukai looked around frantically, and then stared at the king.
"Show yourself." He whispered, I scanned every inch of the hall and saw nothing but he took a step closer to the king. "Show yourself!" Lautian laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Till the hall only echoed his curel voice. But, then the entire throne room shook and his voice changed into a darker, more sinister laugh.
We stared at the king in horror as a figure cloaked in shadow stepped out behind him, his eyes glowed with fire straight from Hel and his skin was an ashen pale. Clearly he was a high elf once, but the evil that literally was dripping off of him changed him into something unnatural, "Long time no see old friend."
"Marfedelom." I whispered, without hesitation Morgukia charged both of them but the king intercepted him. In hand to hand combat I figured Morgukai would have the advantage but they were evenly matched, till Marfedelom tapped his staff on the ground. An explosion of thunder threw all of us back except Morgukia and sent me into one of the columns, as my vision went blurry I saw them fighting but Marfedelom's evil sorcery was too much and he fired something out of his staff that exploded in fire and threw Morgukia skidding like a stone at my feet.
I crawled over to him and turned him on his back, he was smoldering and seemed unconscious. "Morgukia get up." I shook him but he didn't respond, "Wake up!" I felt warm tears stream down my cheeks and I kept shaking him. But he just laid there, motionless. Lifeless almost.
"Awww what's wrong? Is the king's whore showing feelings?" I looked up to Marfedelom, and all my grief turned to anger. I pulled out my daggers and charged him but he lifted his hand and stopped me in place. My limbs felt like a thousand pounds and no matter how much strength I used I couldn't advance. With a snap of his fingers I lifted into the air and slammed into the floor, "You know what? I'm going to spare you as thanks for bringing him to me. Guards!"
The throne room was filled with guards in a second, "Take the monk to the prison, I have a ritual to prepare before he's ready. Oh, and throw her into her chamber. Maybe leave her some cookies or something for the excellent job she did." One of the guards walked to me and kicked me across the jaw, the last thing I remembered was Morgukia being carried away in chains.
And I couldn't stop it.
