Death to the High Lords 15:
Skybird Trill
The Dungeon Heart erupted into it's old home to be welcomed by thunderous applause. The army of Flamuli was standing around the previously empty Heart chamber, greeting their Master, not knowing what had happened on the outskirts of Bel-Pelar. So when the Keeper spoke to them, they were very surprised to hear the dual-voices.
"Greetings, my children. Or should I say our children. We have returned to see the destruction of Skybird Trill, which thrives with life on the surface once more. The new Avatar challenges our authority in these lands, and it is up to us to finish him and his line once and for all!"
A great cheer rang in the chamber at the Keeper's words. Dekara, the leader of the Dark Mistresses, Melithrion, leader of the Warlocks, Grunflig, leader of the Bile Demons, and Jung, leader of the Trolls, all stepped forward to pay homage to the Keeper. As they did so, Asmodeus and Brachus emerged through the membrane together, each clutching their tomes and ever-writing quills. They stepped down from the Heart to muttering from the assembled leaders.
"Don't worry," said Asmodeus, "I can explain everything. Meet us in our office in one hour."
And with that, Asmodeus and Brachus made their way to the study, the leaders' gaping at them, their chins almost touching their chests.
_____________________________________________
Asmodeus sat in his old throne, snuggling himself into it as though we were embracing an old friend. He smiled contentedly. It felt good to be back. Even better, they had something to do; kill that upstart pretender Brandicor. His knowledge of the architecture of Skybird Trill would prove an advantage in the battle to come.
Brachus was definitely in unknown territory, his Mistress having never dared cross paths with Flamuli when they were separate entities. Knowing the power that Flamuli had obtained in the capture of Skybird Trill and the death of the Avatar, they kept well away from the capital. Now, it seemed very strange to Brachus that he had entered the very passageways that he wanted to see razed to the ground a short time ago. The feeling of being allies was totally alien to him.
"If I remember rightly, there is a direct passageway to the surface via a destroyed hero gate that the Avatar had hidden here some years ago. That's how we ransacked the castle. With any luck Brandicor will not know of it's location, so we should be able to sneak our troops right onto his doorstep and crush the place. And, hopefully, him as well."
"I understand that the previous man to hold that title came down to face you," said Brachus.
"That is correct, but he was much stronger than the current Avatar. He took several creatures from my Master's army with him before he finally perished. And he had an army at his back the likes of which we have not seen for many years."
"So you don't think Brandicor would come down here like he did."
"No. He'll want to keep his feet warm and stay at home and wait for us to come knocking. What he doesn't know is that we will already be inside the castle."
Asmodeus and Brachus both grinned terribly.
"I think I'm going to enjoy working with you Asmodeus."
"Why thank you, Brachus. We certainly do see eye to eye on many things."
The laughter of the two Mentors echoed down the corridor as they prepared their plans for conquest.
______________________________________________
Some weeks later, Brandicor strode through the corridors of the castle at the centre of the massive principality of Skybird Trill, marvelling at the work the restorers had done to return it to it's former glory. The tapestries had been replaced, the floors re-laminated, the ceilings refurbished, and the windows all repaired and re-stained. He entered the main audience chamber, which he had converted into a throne room, and seated himself upon the golden throne of the Avatar. Melkum stood beside it, waiting for him.
"Highness," he said quietly, bowing his head respectfully.
"Melkum. I understand that the transformation of the land goes well."
"Indeed it does, Highness. We expect the land immediately around the city to be fertile within the next few days."
"Excellent. That will bring the people back. What of the troublesome spirits that haunt this city? Have they been removed?"
"The priestesses are working on it, Highness, but they are proving troublesome to shift. There are several groups who are hiding amongst the caverns near the mountains who do not wish to be found. They fear destruction, Highness."
"And well they might. They have no reason to hang on here."
"Yes, Highness."
"Any other news?"
"Yes, Highness. Flamuli is still holding fire on your borders. He does not seem to have made a move against you."
"Well, he'll have to. I'm certainly not budging. I have a little surprise for him for when he does eventually arrive." Brandicor smiled to himself at the thought. "Are our guests comfortable?"
"As comfortable as they can be under the circumstances, Highness."
"Good. Send word that they will be needed shortly."
"Yes, Highness."
Melkum left his master's side and hurried from the throne room, heading for the lower levels of the castle.
______________________________________________
Dekara, Melithrion, Grunflig, and Jung were waiting in the extensive Barracks room with their troops either sitting around or on the table. All seemed to be patient and expectant. Grunflig was almost falling asleep and Dekara had to slap him across the back of the head several times to stop him from rolling onto his side.
Asmodeus marched in, followed by Brachus who was dabbing sweat from his brow with a piece of cloth. They both stood on the table; Brachus left Asmodeus to do the talking.
"It seems that the Avatar does not wish to move against us, so we must invade his home turf. This will involve going above ground."
A murmur of disapproval passed through the crowd.
"I know how you feel about this, but we will be inside the castle walls, so there should not be any problems for any creatures sensitive to light. Undead will not be taking place in this battle unless absolutely necessary. One whiff of daylight on them will vaporise them, so they will be a last resort should things go badly wrong. I do not foresee this however. Dark Elves will not be involved for similar reasons, though the sunlight does not vaporise them but merely blind them, which will render them ineffective."
Nods were seen from the creatures generally. Others simply kept silent and still, preparing themselves for what was to come, and the possibility that they may not be coming back.
"Arm yourselves then. And with the Dark Gods on our side, we will triumph this day, and witness the total destruction of Humankind on the surface of this disgusting world!"
A tremendous battle cry met these last words, and Asmodeus looked proudly at his army. They had come so far together, and now they were finally reaching the end of a very long journey searching for conquest.
_______________________________________________
Brandicor marched through the corridors of Skybird Trill, his hands behind his back, twiddling his fingers. The smile on his face was the smile of the cat who had got the cream, the warrior who had found the weak spot in his opponent's armour and was watching the lifeblood spilling from his body. As he made his way to the courtyard where his armour awaited their orders, he felt that he had finally made the breakthrough that he had been waiting for against the oppression of the Keepers. Today, he would snuff out that influence forever.
He approached the double doors leading to the courtyard with a great swell to his chest. The pride in him almost overwhelmed him as he pushed open the doors and greeted his waiting troops.
_________________________________________________
The footsteps and boot-stomps were almost deafening in the almost cramped corridors of the Dungeon. Asmodeus led his troops towards the opening that they hoped still existed leading into the heart of Brandicor's castle.
They reached the northernmost point of the Dungeon, the corridor ending abruptly in a vast lake of water. A bridge began to form itself in front of them, and they marched across with purpose. Asmodeus absently checked the sword which he rarely carried on these sort of occasions, a finely crafted broadsword with a design of the Horned Reaper on the pommel. He smiled. He looked forward to using it on the surface when Brandicor lay dead in his own entrails.
They reached the other side of the lake and joined a dirt path, which Imps began claiming for their Master, and soon reached the makeshift staircase that led up into the castle. Asmodeus looked to his commanders and nodded. They ascended first, followed by their troops.
They emerged into a large, dimly lit room with several cells on each side. Torches barely burned in their brackets. Snuffling noises could be heard within the cells. Asmodeus squinted into the near shadows, trying to see what was inside the cells. He could not believe his eyes.
"Here be Dragons!" he whispered hoarsely.
And indeed there were, at least two dozen, all thought to be lost in the original attack on the castle, yet here they were, captured and tethered into submission.
"We have to release them," said Melithrion.
Asmodeus nodded and called the Trolls forward to hack at the locks. As they pounded on the metal, he began to wish that he had brought some Rogues back with him to pick the locks. They were creating too much noise, and he knew that someone would be alerted any moment. Then, as if in answer to his thoughts, he began to hear marching footsteps heading for the only pair of double doors in the huge chamber.
"Prepare yourselves," he hissed, drawing his sword.
The doors burst open.
A mass of warriors marched in.
And Asmodeus and his troops stopped dead in their tracks.
For marching towards them was an army that Asmodeus had almost forgotten. An army that Flamuli no longer had any use for as he went into other lands and gained the aid of more powerful creatures.
The army of the Keeper was about to clash with a blast from the past.
They were being attacked by a legion of Orcs.
______________________________________________