This is a fanfiction based on the game Lords of Magic: Special Edition.
It's rather old school, but creative and enchanting all the same - if you
don't have it, get it!
All aspects of the game are the property of the nice people at Sierra Games, but individual characters and the events portrayed herein are my creation. That was all formal sounding, weren't it.
A quick note for those who haven't played the game (some of it is covered in the story, but you won't understand a lot of it as readily if you don't read this): *In the game there are 8 faiths/kingdoms: Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Chaos, Order, Life, Death. They each have their own specific enemy (Water vs Fire, etc), and all are enemy to Death. *Each faith has its own Great Temple. Typically, the Lord/Lady of a faith is also its religious figurehead. *Life is dominated by Elves with some humans, referred to collectively as the Eldren (worshippers of the life goddess Llanwylln, the Mother). They live in the land of Atarandor. *Water is comprised of women warriors, in the same sort of tribal system as the Grecian Amazons - including the fact that they are all women warriors. They live by bodies of water, and worship both its life-giving and destructive powers. Some of their infantry includes Lizardmen. Use your imagination. They live in the land of Vyantha, and are called also the Vyanthans. *Order is a medieval, King Arthur-style feudal system, with knights and rangers and wizards. It is comprised almost entirely of humans, with the typical male dominance of the age. They believe all things are designated and ruled by fate, nice and orderly. They live in the plains of Symmet, and are also called the Archons. *Death is made up of mostly Dark Elves - kin of the Life Elves - and some humans. They worship the dark god Golgotha, and are called collectively Golgothans. They believe this world is parallel with the Shadowrealm, where one's Shadow roams always in search of its Soul - bound on this plane by your body. They will gleefully meet their death on the battle field. Torture and sacrifice are popular venues for Golgothan necromancers, who use the life force as a source of power and enslavement. To them, the essences of their Life-worshipping Elven kin are the most powerful 'batteries' in this world. *I'll explain more about other cultures if and when they appear in the story. If you've actually taken the time to read this, good for you! Thank you kindly, and on with the fiction.
The Miasma
Chapter 1: The Turncoat
The sunlight broke through the canopy in dim shafts, appearing only to disappear again like faery lights. Tiny, fragrant flowers covered the roots of the young trees like a thick moss, creating patches of colorful carpeting throughout the forest floor. Pollen drifted slowly in the windless space, and the singing of birds was an ongoing cacophony of sweet music.
Only one dared to disturb this peace. The flapping of leathery wings scurried through the few shadowy places among the brush, making its way toward a low building at the wood's edge. The creature's movement as it approached altogether quieted, and it strained to hear the voices within.
Another shaft of golden light opened up at the other side of the wood, and the silver gleam of an arrowhead shone like a beacon of warning. But the creature did not notice it. He lay unknowingly under a deadly aim, and the arrow shifted imperceptibly. Now certain, the archer loosed the arrow.
A chilling screech shattered the silence.
Hearing the terrible sound, two Thieves emerged from the building to investigate, surprised at what they found. It was a feral bat, hissing and writhing against the arrow that pinned its wing to the ground. One Thief, Delwen, peered into the branches and leaves to see someone perched among the trees. She smiled faintly in recognition and gestured to the archer before turning to deal with the Golgothan spy.
Daelin waved back, and walked along the top of the wall which surrounded the Guild yard.
* * * * *
"Daelin! I wasn't expecting you to return so soon. Lifted some more coin to lose to the dice?"
"Afraid I can't play tonight, Mae. I'm on duty."
Maera, the barkeep of the Oaken Tankarde Inne and Taverne smirked and shrugged one shoulder, balancing a tray in the other hand as she made her way across the dim common room.
"The lads will be disappointed. You've become their favorite opponent."
She had also become their main source of income. It was easy enough for her to win if she wanted, but Devin and Tal were very poor. Humans were rare among the Eldren people, even rarer to take residence in the capital city - a difficult place for them to make a living. The Elves kept their business and trades to themselves, but were willing to impart hard labor to their mortal employees. Pay was stiff and Devin and Tal were barely making ends meet. So Daelin would underhandedly impart any charity she could, while living off the proffered sustenance of friends and occasional stolen change.
Still, they were a welcome change from most reserved Elves, and were lively drinking partners.
Her keen eyes swept over the room quickly, not seeing anyone of a suspicious nature. Indeed, all present were friends she had known for many years. Such was the life of a Champion Thief - known to all, yet close to few. And even those close were usually other Thieves, who could be rarely trusted.
Making her way carefully through the tables, Daelin finally sat in a chair by an older human woman who was gazing wearily into her tankard. She glanced up at the Elf, a smile creasing the skin around her eyes.
"I saw you come in, but I did not recognize you," said Lir, a Water Thief. She came to serve the Eldren Empress in a trade situation, offered as a gift for her experience. And of that she had much, for she was nearing her sixties, and her eyesight was fading. Lir now spent her days as an instructor at the Thieves Guild, for she could no longer employ her abilities to their fullest. Besides, these were peaceful times.
"You've missed some excitement at the Guild. It seems the Golgothans have been sending out scouts to spy on us." Daelin tipped her chair back, taking up the tankard that Maera dropped off. Lir looked at her in mild disbelief, arching a graying brow.
"Golgothans? The Dark Elves have been inactive for years, since the Great Wars. What would make them bold enough to venture in a superior realm?"
Daelin considered the strange, macabre ways of the death- and decay- worshipping fiends until Lir interrupted her thoughts.
"There's been a rumor going around, by the way. That's why you're here, isn't it?"
The Elf sat up, shrugging. "I was hoping to sneak a break, but since you've just ruined it.. What rumor?"
"The Amazons have waged war with the Archon men."
Daelin tilted her head. While the women tribes of the sea and the followers of Order were not steadfast allies, for obvious reasons involving gender, theirs had been a peaceful trade situation which also included the Eldren. Since the Golgothan Lord Balkoth's defeat ten years ago, they had regained their strength thanks to mutual aid from all three kingdoms. Lir spoke again.
"I don't believe it myself, clearly. Lady Tempest would never betray an ally without just cause." She sipped her drink quietly.
They sat in silence for a short while, until another Thief entered the tavern. Spotting Daelin, she moved quickly to her side, whispering in her ear. Daelin looked up from her tankard as the messenger exited.
"A summons to the council. Ten gold says I'm to spy on the Amazons," said Daelin, standing. Lir smirked. She knew that gambling was a habit of Daelin's not to be indulged. She instead waved her away, turning her attention back to the crowd.
* * * * *
Daelin stepped up the stairway to the Stronghold entrance. It was there where royal officials held their meetings and discussed plans of battle, though the latter had not been done for some time until now.
Passing through the doorway to the open courtyard, Daelin noted a number of Champions seated below the Empress, who sat on a pavilion which resided over all. She was a fair haired beauty with clear blue eyes, who betrayed an ancient knowledge beyond her youthful appearance. A mage queen, she was dressed in long yellow robes which cascaded down the dais steps, and wore a crown of woven gold, silver and ivy. The sunlight from above illuminated her visage and gave her the look of a goddess.
"Greetings, Daelin Shadowsong, of the Third Rank."
Daelin sank to one knee in an exaggerated bow. "Our ever-lasting Empress. My queen has sent for me?"
"I assume you have heard the rumors revolving around the Amazons and the Archons. I'll be brief. You are to travel North and investigate the Vyanthan kingdom. If these rumors are true..."
"I understand, my queen." Bowing once more before leaving, Daelin took her leave, immediately embarking on the north-bound highway. If she had it her way, Daelin would be ten gold pieces richer now.
* * * * *
The border village between the Amazon kingdom Vyantha and the Eldren land of Atarandor was of the Amazon influence. Situated between lush meadowland and a lake, the huts and roofs of the buildings were of white and blue shell tiles, and mist from the water enveloped it in shimmering ethereal gauze. Indeed, most of the inhabitants were Amazons and Lizardmen, outnumbering the Eldren ten to one.
As Daelin neared the village, she could already see a tower in the distance, thrusting toward the heavens like a pearly spike. This was a startling new development. Along with the brand new tower, the Amazons had also constructed a barracks. Lizardmen trained in the yards under the powerful yells of the Amazon Warrior instructors, and more still marched from the village north-east, presumably toward the Archon borders.
Apparently, as Daelin heard from the handful of local Elves, these were built within the last month, and immediately troops were being sent forth to the north and east. And all the while, the Amazons had not uttered a word to any of the resident Elves, though it was not necessarily expected. From the Eldren Daelin also heard tales of battle at the village of Ta'rach, on the border of O'sean and Symmet, which the Archons originally owned and were now fighting to keep possession of it.
One night a troupe of Lizardmen and an Amazon Warrior began their trek toward the Water Great Temple. Apparently Lord Tempest's orders were too preoccupied with supplying her armies with sufficient numbers that she hadn't taken the time to assign Thieves to watch over the parties from spies such as Daelin. Not that Daelin was complaining, of course. The lizardmen's way was noisy and careless, and while they served as stout fighters in battle, were almost completely incapable of being unnoticed and undetected in their travel. It was such a troupe that Daelin followed closely toward the Temple.
* * * * *
Within a day's travel the party reached the Great Temple of the Amazons. As the army marched on towards the Holy Spring - another new addition, Daelin noted, since any Elves had last been in these parts - Daelin kept near the road to watch from afar, hidden in one of the few patches of trees that lived this far north. The army was greeted by Water Magi and Priestesses. The troops made camp for the night, which was a long way off, presumably to rest themselves for Holy Anointment tomorrow. Daelin continued along the highway, not bothering to wait.
Just south of the Strait of Arrach, she encountered yet another Thiefless group heading toward the border. Following them along the road, the group passed by an inn which they did not stop at. Finding it to be a good opportunity to gather information, Daelin took the liberty of 'borrowing' a cloak from one of the soldiers that night. Donning it to conceal all of her clothing, she also let her hair down to hide her pointed Elven ears which were further hidden by her hood.
The inn was a typical one, varying from all others in the lands only in its maritime motif. The sign of the old, weathered building was carved in the shape of a seashell, faded aquamarine paint spelling out 'Fisherwoman's Hole.' It seemed impossible for such an over-sized shanty to be able to withstand years of sea storms. Inside, there were nets and various marine decorations, including shells and driftwood. An old fishing boat hung from the rafters, suspending lanterns from the prow. There were mostly lizardmen about, the few Amazons being of the common type, not Champions.
A group of lizardmen was gathered at the counter, slurping brine.
"Why aren't you fighting, Ssskisss? I thought you joined the Amazon barracksss," said one to the other. "Are you afraid the shiny men will run through your ssscalesss with his pointy ssspears?" All others, save Skiss, had a hissing laugh at his expense.
"The Amazonsss want only experiensssed fightersss. I went for training, but the women are cruel instructorsss," replied Skiss, defending himself.
"Tempessst fearsss the Archonsss too greatly," another piped up.
"The old sea-dog fearsss nothing. It wasss sshe who took their village from them. Now the men, for all their sshiny platesss and pointy ssspearsss, cannot ssstand againssst ssscalesss and sshell!"
The group erupted in laughter, and after a few more blows to the Archon's deficiency and taste in war garb, the conversation turned to more trivial matters. But Daelin, who kept to herself in one corner of the common room, had heard all she needed to report to the Empress. She had the facts, the only question remaining was why. Had the Archons infringed the treaty? Further reconnaissance may be necessary in Symmet. Rising from her seat, Daelin calmly made her way for the door.
Just then, she got a sinking feeling of dread in her chest. She paused. The air seemed denser now, and more oppressive. The room seemed to darken despite the afternoon sun, and she felt almost... terrified. Turning, Daelin looked to the right.
He was Cormeer, one of the most infamous Assassins known of the Golgothan Guild. Supposedly the wielder of the Knife of Life Stealing, he was responsible for the murders of countless champions during the Dark Wars over a decade ago, in which the Dark Lord Balkoth fell some years later. Cormeer, like the other Death champions that managed to flee, disappeared back into the swamps of De'kay, and was never to be seen again. Until now.
Daelin's heart began to pound against its own will, for the very presence of a Death servant of such power was known to inspire fear into even the bravest of armies. She had only heard of the Assassin in stories, which provided more than enough description to identify him - dressed in garments and a cowl as black as his skin, which was criss crossed with scars, created by both opponents and himself. His eyes were red, and seemed to pierce through to the very soul, which he sought to enslave for his Dark Master. His lips were always curled into a smirking sneer. On his breast was a sort of badge, carved from the skull bone of his five hundredth victim, signifying his rank as the presiding Assassin at his Guild.
Cormeer roamed the common room freely in stealth, a feat which only the most skilled of Thieves could accomplish in such a crowded place. But why? Why would a Golgothan Assassin by spying on the Amazons? Various flying and sea-faring scouts have given reports of general inactivity in the ruined lands of De'kay. Cormeer had no Lord to find information for, so why would he bother spying on such a powerful realm? To watch all of the violence and death now being held between the Amazons and Archons, Daelin supposed. But could that really be it?
Returning from her thoughts, Daelin moved hastily out of the inn, praying to the Mother she went undetected by the Assassin. She hoped he would not be able to follow her in territory so unfavorable to him. Ditching the cloak by the road, Daelin journeyed swiftly back to the lands of Atarandor.
All aspects of the game are the property of the nice people at Sierra Games, but individual characters and the events portrayed herein are my creation. That was all formal sounding, weren't it.
A quick note for those who haven't played the game (some of it is covered in the story, but you won't understand a lot of it as readily if you don't read this): *In the game there are 8 faiths/kingdoms: Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Chaos, Order, Life, Death. They each have their own specific enemy (Water vs Fire, etc), and all are enemy to Death. *Each faith has its own Great Temple. Typically, the Lord/Lady of a faith is also its religious figurehead. *Life is dominated by Elves with some humans, referred to collectively as the Eldren (worshippers of the life goddess Llanwylln, the Mother). They live in the land of Atarandor. *Water is comprised of women warriors, in the same sort of tribal system as the Grecian Amazons - including the fact that they are all women warriors. They live by bodies of water, and worship both its life-giving and destructive powers. Some of their infantry includes Lizardmen. Use your imagination. They live in the land of Vyantha, and are called also the Vyanthans. *Order is a medieval, King Arthur-style feudal system, with knights and rangers and wizards. It is comprised almost entirely of humans, with the typical male dominance of the age. They believe all things are designated and ruled by fate, nice and orderly. They live in the plains of Symmet, and are also called the Archons. *Death is made up of mostly Dark Elves - kin of the Life Elves - and some humans. They worship the dark god Golgotha, and are called collectively Golgothans. They believe this world is parallel with the Shadowrealm, where one's Shadow roams always in search of its Soul - bound on this plane by your body. They will gleefully meet their death on the battle field. Torture and sacrifice are popular venues for Golgothan necromancers, who use the life force as a source of power and enslavement. To them, the essences of their Life-worshipping Elven kin are the most powerful 'batteries' in this world. *I'll explain more about other cultures if and when they appear in the story. If you've actually taken the time to read this, good for you! Thank you kindly, and on with the fiction.
The Miasma
Chapter 1: The Turncoat
The sunlight broke through the canopy in dim shafts, appearing only to disappear again like faery lights. Tiny, fragrant flowers covered the roots of the young trees like a thick moss, creating patches of colorful carpeting throughout the forest floor. Pollen drifted slowly in the windless space, and the singing of birds was an ongoing cacophony of sweet music.
Only one dared to disturb this peace. The flapping of leathery wings scurried through the few shadowy places among the brush, making its way toward a low building at the wood's edge. The creature's movement as it approached altogether quieted, and it strained to hear the voices within.
Another shaft of golden light opened up at the other side of the wood, and the silver gleam of an arrowhead shone like a beacon of warning. But the creature did not notice it. He lay unknowingly under a deadly aim, and the arrow shifted imperceptibly. Now certain, the archer loosed the arrow.
A chilling screech shattered the silence.
Hearing the terrible sound, two Thieves emerged from the building to investigate, surprised at what they found. It was a feral bat, hissing and writhing against the arrow that pinned its wing to the ground. One Thief, Delwen, peered into the branches and leaves to see someone perched among the trees. She smiled faintly in recognition and gestured to the archer before turning to deal with the Golgothan spy.
Daelin waved back, and walked along the top of the wall which surrounded the Guild yard.
* * * * *
"Daelin! I wasn't expecting you to return so soon. Lifted some more coin to lose to the dice?"
"Afraid I can't play tonight, Mae. I'm on duty."
Maera, the barkeep of the Oaken Tankarde Inne and Taverne smirked and shrugged one shoulder, balancing a tray in the other hand as she made her way across the dim common room.
"The lads will be disappointed. You've become their favorite opponent."
She had also become their main source of income. It was easy enough for her to win if she wanted, but Devin and Tal were very poor. Humans were rare among the Eldren people, even rarer to take residence in the capital city - a difficult place for them to make a living. The Elves kept their business and trades to themselves, but were willing to impart hard labor to their mortal employees. Pay was stiff and Devin and Tal were barely making ends meet. So Daelin would underhandedly impart any charity she could, while living off the proffered sustenance of friends and occasional stolen change.
Still, they were a welcome change from most reserved Elves, and were lively drinking partners.
Her keen eyes swept over the room quickly, not seeing anyone of a suspicious nature. Indeed, all present were friends she had known for many years. Such was the life of a Champion Thief - known to all, yet close to few. And even those close were usually other Thieves, who could be rarely trusted.
Making her way carefully through the tables, Daelin finally sat in a chair by an older human woman who was gazing wearily into her tankard. She glanced up at the Elf, a smile creasing the skin around her eyes.
"I saw you come in, but I did not recognize you," said Lir, a Water Thief. She came to serve the Eldren Empress in a trade situation, offered as a gift for her experience. And of that she had much, for she was nearing her sixties, and her eyesight was fading. Lir now spent her days as an instructor at the Thieves Guild, for she could no longer employ her abilities to their fullest. Besides, these were peaceful times.
"You've missed some excitement at the Guild. It seems the Golgothans have been sending out scouts to spy on us." Daelin tipped her chair back, taking up the tankard that Maera dropped off. Lir looked at her in mild disbelief, arching a graying brow.
"Golgothans? The Dark Elves have been inactive for years, since the Great Wars. What would make them bold enough to venture in a superior realm?"
Daelin considered the strange, macabre ways of the death- and decay- worshipping fiends until Lir interrupted her thoughts.
"There's been a rumor going around, by the way. That's why you're here, isn't it?"
The Elf sat up, shrugging. "I was hoping to sneak a break, but since you've just ruined it.. What rumor?"
"The Amazons have waged war with the Archon men."
Daelin tilted her head. While the women tribes of the sea and the followers of Order were not steadfast allies, for obvious reasons involving gender, theirs had been a peaceful trade situation which also included the Eldren. Since the Golgothan Lord Balkoth's defeat ten years ago, they had regained their strength thanks to mutual aid from all three kingdoms. Lir spoke again.
"I don't believe it myself, clearly. Lady Tempest would never betray an ally without just cause." She sipped her drink quietly.
They sat in silence for a short while, until another Thief entered the tavern. Spotting Daelin, she moved quickly to her side, whispering in her ear. Daelin looked up from her tankard as the messenger exited.
"A summons to the council. Ten gold says I'm to spy on the Amazons," said Daelin, standing. Lir smirked. She knew that gambling was a habit of Daelin's not to be indulged. She instead waved her away, turning her attention back to the crowd.
* * * * *
Daelin stepped up the stairway to the Stronghold entrance. It was there where royal officials held their meetings and discussed plans of battle, though the latter had not been done for some time until now.
Passing through the doorway to the open courtyard, Daelin noted a number of Champions seated below the Empress, who sat on a pavilion which resided over all. She was a fair haired beauty with clear blue eyes, who betrayed an ancient knowledge beyond her youthful appearance. A mage queen, she was dressed in long yellow robes which cascaded down the dais steps, and wore a crown of woven gold, silver and ivy. The sunlight from above illuminated her visage and gave her the look of a goddess.
"Greetings, Daelin Shadowsong, of the Third Rank."
Daelin sank to one knee in an exaggerated bow. "Our ever-lasting Empress. My queen has sent for me?"
"I assume you have heard the rumors revolving around the Amazons and the Archons. I'll be brief. You are to travel North and investigate the Vyanthan kingdom. If these rumors are true..."
"I understand, my queen." Bowing once more before leaving, Daelin took her leave, immediately embarking on the north-bound highway. If she had it her way, Daelin would be ten gold pieces richer now.
* * * * *
The border village between the Amazon kingdom Vyantha and the Eldren land of Atarandor was of the Amazon influence. Situated between lush meadowland and a lake, the huts and roofs of the buildings were of white and blue shell tiles, and mist from the water enveloped it in shimmering ethereal gauze. Indeed, most of the inhabitants were Amazons and Lizardmen, outnumbering the Eldren ten to one.
As Daelin neared the village, she could already see a tower in the distance, thrusting toward the heavens like a pearly spike. This was a startling new development. Along with the brand new tower, the Amazons had also constructed a barracks. Lizardmen trained in the yards under the powerful yells of the Amazon Warrior instructors, and more still marched from the village north-east, presumably toward the Archon borders.
Apparently, as Daelin heard from the handful of local Elves, these were built within the last month, and immediately troops were being sent forth to the north and east. And all the while, the Amazons had not uttered a word to any of the resident Elves, though it was not necessarily expected. From the Eldren Daelin also heard tales of battle at the village of Ta'rach, on the border of O'sean and Symmet, which the Archons originally owned and were now fighting to keep possession of it.
One night a troupe of Lizardmen and an Amazon Warrior began their trek toward the Water Great Temple. Apparently Lord Tempest's orders were too preoccupied with supplying her armies with sufficient numbers that she hadn't taken the time to assign Thieves to watch over the parties from spies such as Daelin. Not that Daelin was complaining, of course. The lizardmen's way was noisy and careless, and while they served as stout fighters in battle, were almost completely incapable of being unnoticed and undetected in their travel. It was such a troupe that Daelin followed closely toward the Temple.
* * * * *
Within a day's travel the party reached the Great Temple of the Amazons. As the army marched on towards the Holy Spring - another new addition, Daelin noted, since any Elves had last been in these parts - Daelin kept near the road to watch from afar, hidden in one of the few patches of trees that lived this far north. The army was greeted by Water Magi and Priestesses. The troops made camp for the night, which was a long way off, presumably to rest themselves for Holy Anointment tomorrow. Daelin continued along the highway, not bothering to wait.
Just south of the Strait of Arrach, she encountered yet another Thiefless group heading toward the border. Following them along the road, the group passed by an inn which they did not stop at. Finding it to be a good opportunity to gather information, Daelin took the liberty of 'borrowing' a cloak from one of the soldiers that night. Donning it to conceal all of her clothing, she also let her hair down to hide her pointed Elven ears which were further hidden by her hood.
The inn was a typical one, varying from all others in the lands only in its maritime motif. The sign of the old, weathered building was carved in the shape of a seashell, faded aquamarine paint spelling out 'Fisherwoman's Hole.' It seemed impossible for such an over-sized shanty to be able to withstand years of sea storms. Inside, there were nets and various marine decorations, including shells and driftwood. An old fishing boat hung from the rafters, suspending lanterns from the prow. There were mostly lizardmen about, the few Amazons being of the common type, not Champions.
A group of lizardmen was gathered at the counter, slurping brine.
"Why aren't you fighting, Ssskisss? I thought you joined the Amazon barracksss," said one to the other. "Are you afraid the shiny men will run through your ssscalesss with his pointy ssspears?" All others, save Skiss, had a hissing laugh at his expense.
"The Amazonsss want only experiensssed fightersss. I went for training, but the women are cruel instructorsss," replied Skiss, defending himself.
"Tempessst fearsss the Archonsss too greatly," another piped up.
"The old sea-dog fearsss nothing. It wasss sshe who took their village from them. Now the men, for all their sshiny platesss and pointy ssspearsss, cannot ssstand againssst ssscalesss and sshell!"
The group erupted in laughter, and after a few more blows to the Archon's deficiency and taste in war garb, the conversation turned to more trivial matters. But Daelin, who kept to herself in one corner of the common room, had heard all she needed to report to the Empress. She had the facts, the only question remaining was why. Had the Archons infringed the treaty? Further reconnaissance may be necessary in Symmet. Rising from her seat, Daelin calmly made her way for the door.
Just then, she got a sinking feeling of dread in her chest. She paused. The air seemed denser now, and more oppressive. The room seemed to darken despite the afternoon sun, and she felt almost... terrified. Turning, Daelin looked to the right.
He was Cormeer, one of the most infamous Assassins known of the Golgothan Guild. Supposedly the wielder of the Knife of Life Stealing, he was responsible for the murders of countless champions during the Dark Wars over a decade ago, in which the Dark Lord Balkoth fell some years later. Cormeer, like the other Death champions that managed to flee, disappeared back into the swamps of De'kay, and was never to be seen again. Until now.
Daelin's heart began to pound against its own will, for the very presence of a Death servant of such power was known to inspire fear into even the bravest of armies. She had only heard of the Assassin in stories, which provided more than enough description to identify him - dressed in garments and a cowl as black as his skin, which was criss crossed with scars, created by both opponents and himself. His eyes were red, and seemed to pierce through to the very soul, which he sought to enslave for his Dark Master. His lips were always curled into a smirking sneer. On his breast was a sort of badge, carved from the skull bone of his five hundredth victim, signifying his rank as the presiding Assassin at his Guild.
Cormeer roamed the common room freely in stealth, a feat which only the most skilled of Thieves could accomplish in such a crowded place. But why? Why would a Golgothan Assassin by spying on the Amazons? Various flying and sea-faring scouts have given reports of general inactivity in the ruined lands of De'kay. Cormeer had no Lord to find information for, so why would he bother spying on such a powerful realm? To watch all of the violence and death now being held between the Amazons and Archons, Daelin supposed. But could that really be it?
Returning from her thoughts, Daelin moved hastily out of the inn, praying to the Mother she went undetected by the Assassin. She hoped he would not be able to follow her in territory so unfavorable to him. Ditching the cloak by the road, Daelin journeyed swiftly back to the lands of Atarandor.
