Ranger24: Okay switching back to Rolo for a spell.
Chapter 12: Blightland.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"You know this in really doesn't seem fit for a true member of royalty," Misa muttered as she, Light, and Rolo sat in the small room they'd rented at an inn in the village of Therinsford. Rain lashed at the windows and lightning crackle across the sky.
"We're not trying to be noticed. Besides there are plenty of people around here who still support the Varden, they'd take any shot they could at the son of the ruler of one of the country's that helped defeat the rebels," Light replied running a cloth along the sheath of the blade he'd received from Ecnirav.
Ever since their experince with the mysterious sorceror only a short time ago the three had discovered powers that were definatly not the ones they had expected. They had gained macabre power to drain strength from living creatures, cause objects to ignite at their whim, kill with only a muttered word, and other strange abilities that would cause any on lookers serious unease.
"I know but couldn't we have found a better place to stay?" Misa demanded.
"This is the only decent inn in the whole village," Rolo replied not looking up from the book he was reading.
"Perhaps you three would like a restpite from this place then?" Came a familar smooth voice.
Everyone shot to their feet to see Ecnirav standing in the door way. The three of them bowed in respect to their master.
"What is your will my lord?" Rolo asked.
"I will explain when we arrive," Ecnirav answered raising one of his arms. A swirling black portal burst into existence beside him.
"Give me a sec," Misa said grabbing her sword from her bag. Rolo and Light strapped their swords to their belts before stepping towards the portal. They slipped through it as easily as the last one. Misa brought up the rear still strapping on her sword.
When they came out on the otherside of the portal however Rolo instantly wished he was wearing something warmer. It was summer and they were caught in a blizzard! The three of them stood on the cliff shivering in the cold until Ecnirav arrived.
"Welcome to Blightland," Ecnirav stated a smile crossing his face.
The three of them stared at their master in shock. Blightland was place of fear for anyone in Britannia, the land from with Mundus had launched his demonic invasions. The continent was said to be cursed, massive bogs covered large stretches of land, towering mountains caught in endless blizzards, river's that were tainted with plauge and death. How anyone could even consider living here was beyond any of them.
"Why are we here master?" Rolo asked shivering.
"After the fall of Mundus I seized control of the many peoples of this land. Recently however some of my former servitors have revolted and have begun to subjugate the rest of my subjects. They are the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret. You will seek them out and... Convince them to return to the fold." Ecnirav explained as he opened another portal and three dozen Warlocks stepped forth swords in hand.
"With only these forces here?" Rolo demanded.
"Of course not. Many of my other servants are still loyal. Seek them out and they will lend you their strength." Ecnirav replied opening another portal through which came their horses. "If you require warmer garments then here."
Ecnivar raised a hand and from the ground burst three suits of fur lined armor. The suits were ornate with designs of skulls, fangs, and claws.
"The rest is up to you my, servants." Ecnivar finished before he opened a final portal and vanished.
With a sigh Rolo began putting on one of the suits of armor. It was heavy but fit his slim build well. Misa and Light set to work on their own suits and within a few minutes they were armored and ready.
Rolo pulled himself into the saddle of his horse and took a hold of the reigns.
"Let's move out," he said over the howl of the wind before he made his way forward through the snow.
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Several hours later they continued to trudge through the snow, howling winds lashing at them. They were pasing through a narrow mountain pass just large enough to fit them moving in lines of three.
"So where the heck are we to find these guys?" Misa asked.
"I don't know, the master didn't make it clear," Rolo replied.
Suddenly one of the warlocks collapsed dead an arrow sticking out of his chest!
"Ambush!" Rolo shouted as a second warlock collapsed dead.
Out of the snow emerged several avain like creatures with bows in hand! They screeched at Rolo's party and fired more arrows. There was no cover in sight and thus no way to avoid the arrows. Rolo however raised a hand and the arrows in flight exploded into showers of flames! The Creatures hissed and rage and readied to fire again.
"For the Queen!" Roared a deep stoney voice.
Suddenly a side wall exploded and from it emerged a large hulking grey skinned creature weilding a serrated sword! From behind him came a dozen like him who threw tomahawks at the avain creatures cutting them down. Hissing in rage the avains fled away even as more tomahawks were sent flying their way.
The large grey warrior strood towards Rolo with powerfull strides. His skin was pot mark and looked like the rocks he'd emerged from. He wore barbaric crimsion armor and he came to a halt before Rolo red eyes burning.
"You are the servants of the master, human?" The warrior asked.
Rolo nodded. "Thank you for your aid. I am Rolo Vi Britannia 12th Prince of Britannia."
"I am know as General RAAM, servant to the mighty Queen Myrah. My orders are to bring you to her at once."
"Your queen serves our master?" Rolo asked.
"We all have out masters," RAAM growled.
"Then by all means lead the way," Rolo replied.
RAAM turned back to the tunnel and his warriors retreated into the cavern. Rolo and his party followed RAAM into the caverns which were pitch black. It was along time before they finally emerged into somewhere with some light. They entered a cavern with what look liked the entrance to a to temple. The area was light by glowing laterns that hung from the ceiling and Veins of phosforus that were set into the wall. Several creatures like RAAM and his warriors stood by the entrance but they held double bladed staff swords instead of throwing axes.
"What is this place?" Rolo asked.
"This is the entrance to the anceint city of Nexus," RAAM growled. "Our Queen leads our people from within. Our foes will never penetrate this mighty city."
After passing through the temple they came upon a massive cavern at bottom of which was a massive sea of glowing yellow liquid. Amidst the sea were dozens of stone pilar's holding up massive structures that were linked together with large bridges. All over the place were thousands of creatures like RAAM going about their daily business. But what drew Rolo's eye was a massive pillar in the center that went all the way to the roof of the city.
"That is the palace, home of our queen," RAAM explained. Several creatures came forward to take Rolo, Light, a Misa's horses. They dismounted noticing now that they were somewhat shorter than RAAM and his hulking warriors. RAAM lead them through the city quickly and with in a matter of minutes they were at the gates to the palace. Crimson armored guards opened the doors and they were ushered inside the massive stone palace. The main entrance chamber was a massive hallway of alcoves and filled with guards. The ceiling was so far above them that Rolo could hardly even see it.
RAAm lead them along with the Warlocks and RAAM's warriors remaining behind in the entrance chamber. Rolo couldn't help but feel small in this place everything about this place shreiked age and power. If Ecnirav controlled these people then he was even more powerful than Rolo had guessed.
Finally they came to a halt before two massive stone doors flanked by two dozen guards weilding large pole axe's. Two of the guards acosted RAAM for a mount growling and snarling in their native langauge. RAAM gave his response with a good deal of force and the two guards backed away and opened the doors.
"What was that about?" Rolo whispered to RAAM.
"They were wondering about you three, Servant of the master. You are the first humans ever permitted to gaze upon her majesty." RAAM replied.
The doors swung open with a mighty groan and RAAM lead them inside. The chamber beyond was lined with massive stone pilars, stalagtites hung from the ceiling threateningly. But at the far end of the chamber was a massive thrown shaped like a blooming plant. Sitting upon it was a strange gray skinned woman with yellow eyes and long gray tendrils that seemed as much apart of her as her garment. Beside the throne stood a creature with rust brown skin and black hair in dredlocks. He wore little to no armor but had a large serreated bladed staff sword in hand.
RAAM bowed low as he reached the dais upon which the throne stood. Rolo, Light, and Misa mimicked his movements.
"My Queen, the servants of the Master have come," RAAM said without looking up.
The queen leaned forward on her throne. "Rise General. The same to you, humans."
The four of the rose to their feet.
The queen stood up from her throne and moved towards them.
"The Master told me he would send messangers with his instructions. Speak humans, tell me the will of the master?" The queen said a hungering look on her face at the mention of Ecnirav.
Rolo stepped forward. "Mighty Queen, I am Rolo vi Britannia, 12th Prince of the Royal family and servant of the master. My commerades and I have been tasked with putting down the rebellion of the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret."
The Queen smirked.
"So we are to put those upstarts in their place at last. You will have the support of my warriors. But we will need much more to assail the prophets stronghold of High Charity. Their forces are strong and their defenses will not fall easily." The queen said as she began to pace back and forth along the dias.
"What would you advise, great one?" Rolo asked.
The queen put a finger to her chin for a moment in thought before she answered. "You must seek out Jaasad, Leader of the Desert lords. His people are mighty spell casters and will be of great aid to our cause. However his people have been under heavy assault from the Prophets warriors. Destroy the raiders encampment and Jaasad will join us."
"Then that is what we shall do," Rolo replied.
The queen turned to RAAM. "Ready our warriors General, soon we shall have true battle."
"As you will my Queen," RAAM said bowing again.
"As for you humans," The Queen began turning back to them. "I will send Skorge and some of his preists to assisst you in the coming battle."
The dred locked Locust growled and stepped forward.
"Your kindness is welcome Great Queen," Rolo said bowing again.
"Go forth then, prince of Britannia, bring death to the enemies of our master." The Queen said before turning back to her throne.
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"These guys don't talk much," Misa commented as they trundled along up another passage.
Skorge had contributed some two dozen warrior preists armed with staff swords like his to their aid and lead the march himself. Rolo rode just behind him with Light and Misa leading both the warriors RAAM had given them and the remaining thirty four warlocks.
"Maybe they've taken a vow of silence, its a common practice of Monks and preists in many religons?" Light suggested.
"As long as they get the job done I don't care if they argue like a married couple," Rolo said abruptly ending the conversation.
At that moment Skorge brought them to a halt. He raised his hands and then released a loud mind numbing shreik. Rolo clamped his hands over his ears swearing violently. The shreik echoed down the passage. Then the wall before them collasped to reveal a large marsh chilly marsh land. They filled out and Rolo noticed that the sun had risen since they'd entered the tunnels and was approaching the mid day postion.
"Now we just have to find this encampment," Rolo muttered dismounting his horse. Misa and Light did the same and one of the warlocks clapped his hands and the three horses vanished.
Skorge lead on again Staff sword in hand. Rolo noticing this drew his own sword which flashed to life with power. Misa and Light drew their own swords as the strike force fanned out weapons ready.
They sloshed through the muck and mud for atleast a half hour. Rolo noted the temperature wasn't much higher here than in the mountains.
Finally however they came to a halt on the edge of a grove. Skorge nodded through the bushes and Rolo pushed some of the foliage aside to reveal a large mass of tents and earthwork structures.
There were many of the avain creatures with their bows patorling the breast works. Smaller but much more numerous creature with scalley skin and short stubby arms armed with short crystal swords similar to those of the sanghelli. Then there were many large ape like creatures in meshed plate armor weilding large serrated double bladed short axes, others of these had bows and one large one with a large crested helmet carried a massive war hammer.
"This won't be easy," Rolo muttered pulling his head back.
"What's the plan?" Light asked.
Rolo knelt down to the ground and drew a mock up of the camp.
"They have plenty of guards and they've got primitive defensive structures," Rolo said marking the enemy. "If we won't to storm the camp we'll need to draw of some of their guards and work fast to cut down the rest."
He glanced up at Misa.
"Take ten of the warlocks, some of the locust and flank around the the right of the camp." Rolo ordered drawing an arrow to the camps right flank. "Set some of their tents on fire and kill a few of the guards. When the rest come running, head back towards this position."
"What about the rest of us?" Light asked.
"You'll remain here with eleven of the warlocks and another group of Locust and join up with Misa here. I'll lead the rest of our forces into the camp and do as much damage as I can." Rolo replied.
"We'll be stretching our forces thin," Light notted.
"It's the only plan we've got to work off. A direct assault would lead to a massacre with our current forces," Rolo replied.
"Well then lets do it!" Misa said brightly moving towards their warrior and rounding up what she needed. With a few minute she, along with ten warlocks, two locust warriors, and five of Skorge's preists moved off quickly.
"We'd best hurry up and get ready," Rolo muttered.
Light nodded and quickly selected the eleven warlocks he'd need along with a half dozen locust warriors, and seven of the locust preists. Rolo, with Skorge, gather up what was left over and moved into the foliage to wait.
Five minutes passed in silence, everyone remaining perfectly still.
Then fires burst along the righ side of the camp and there came cires of pain mixed with anger! The majority of the rebels broke away from the camp weapons drawn. Rolo waited until they were out of sight and counted to ten before jumping out of the bushes sword flashing with its malevolent light. Those behind him quickly removed themselves from cover Skorge taking the lead swinging his staff sword!
The fist full of guards that remained in the camp turned to face them furious drawing weapons and battling them. Rolo and the Locust meet them on even footing. The warlocks however were being cut apart with ridiculous ease from the swords and axes of the enemy. The battle was quicotic but bloody. Five warlocks and three locust fell before the last of the some dozen and a half enemies fell dead. From behind them however came the sound of fresh cries and the clamour of battle.
Rolo raised his sword and shouted. "Come on!"
They rushed back intot the bushes into a confusing melee, Locust clashed with the ape like brutes, warlocks did there best to support but they were out numbered by a certian margin. Rolo rushed into join the battle and Skorge followed him in loosing an ear spliting shreik! Rolo's sword sang through the air as it cut into stomach of one of the Avain beasts that had joined the melee with small daggers and round sheilds. The creature crumpled to the ground dead but as it did a mighty roar filled the air.
From the enemy rushed forward the creature with the war hammer! With one mighty swing it sent a locust warrior to the ground, chest flattened. The massive brute charged toward Rolo smashing aside anyone and anything in its way. Rolo focused his power on the beast but to his suprise the beast had sheilded its mind. It drew closer and raised its hammer for a death strike!
Rolo's left eye suddenly flashed with a strange pink sigil.
"Die!" He commanded.
The beast came to a halt and then swung its own hammer at its head. There was a grizzely crunch and the beast fell headless.
But even with their leader vanquished many of the enemy kept fighting. Rolo's forces were quickly being over whelmed.
Suddenly a dust storm shot up in the midst of the battle flinging away several of the enemy.
"For the dark master!" Cried a sophisticated if disturbing voice.
Out of the trees floated a shadow wrapped figure followed by several others like him dressed in bright golds. They had massive heads and claw like hands but spells of death flew from their finger tips blasting down the enemy. Rolo's forces reinforced now pushed back the enemy slaughtering them with a vengence. Dozens more of the floating spell weavers floated out from the trees firing off spells of their own. After two minutes of brutal fighting the last foe fell dead and the shadow wrapped spell weaver floated towards Rolo.
"You fight bravely champion, few have survived an encounter with a Jirralhanne chieftan." He commented in flatering tones.
"You are Jassad are you not?" Rolo replied cleaning the blade of his sword off.
"Indeed, I am the master of the desert lords." Jassad replied entertwining his fingers.
"The master has decided to put an end to the uprising of the prophets and has asked us to rally his forces." Rolo said sheathing his weapon. "Will you fight?"
"Many of my servants fell in battle against the prophets warriors. We will gladly take our vengance." Jassad said bowing.
Rolo smiled. "Ready your forces then, we move out as soon as possible."
Ranger24: I'm ending this chapter here as it's getting a tich to long. If I kept going it'd be upwards of five thousand words. Also keep your eyes open for an upcoming short side chapter thats kinda a review response, slash commentary on the first few chapters. Send your questions about the story and plot points you've been wondering about or your questions to me here Via review and I'll give you my response then. Anyways read and review folks.