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In the Beginning
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The blood rain had long since passed when was Arorua woken up that
morning. She grumbled and cursed the skeleton servants that were
repairing the barrier over looking the training grounds. They paid her
no attention and worked steadily, ignoring the hail of grumbles, insults
and occasional pillow. Eventually out of pillows, she put on her robes
and left the quarters to find Raziel. Raziel floated above the training
grounds, observing the newest ranks of knights practicing newfound
skills against skeletal servants and undead rats. He made note of ones
that seemed to have promise to become Hell Knights. Raziel saw one
that had much promise, and decided to give him a test. He whispered
a quick incantation to the amulet around his neck.

"Acto serva, liber famiala"

The amulet glowed briefly, and a raven landed on his shoulder.

" Reyas, take form and attack" *

The raven cawed and leapt down toward the young knight. The raven
swooped past her and changed its shape into a skeleton. The knight
turned just in time just in time to dodge the attack of the skeleton.
The knight easily parried the skeleton's blows, and executed a flip
away from the skeleton. Quickly reassessing the skeletons attacks;
she whirled away from the onslaught of fists. Seeing an opening, she
shattered the arms of the skeleton. Then ran her blade through the
mid-section of the skeleton. The skeleton howled and crumbled. The
bone fragments then flew back together, and retook the form of a
raven. *

"Well done young one. Not many can best Reyas. Report to my
quarters in the morning."

"Yes, M'lord Raziel"

Then to the raven "Reyas return!" The raven cawed and flew back to
the amulet.

"Is this how you have fun? Using your familiar to beat up the new
ones?" said Arorua jestingly "Of course, what other way is there?"
Raziel said with a laugh

"I wonder... Help me up?"

"Always" He weaned a quick spell and lifted Arorua up to him. "Did
Malik do the same toyou, when you were training?"

"No. Malik made me a Hell Knight as soon as I was old enough. He saw
something in me when I was young.... I guess he was right."

"I guess so. How did Malik meet you? I thought you were born in
Erudin or was that another part of your deception to get into
Felwithe?"

" I was, but it's a long story Ar"

"We have all the time in the world."

" Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you."
-----------------------------------------
"My mother was cleric, she served my people during the second Holy
War against Erudin. She was captured at the end of war and was
imprisoned underneath the city. I do not know what happened to her,
during her time underneath Erudin, but I can guess. The most
apparent was giving birth to me. But that didn't relax her imprisonment
any. She
stayed inside for almost 5 years after my birth, but eventually she got
redemption"
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Leylia was tired; the years of malnutrition had paid a heavy toll on
her. At least Raziel was strong, but pained her to see him, stuck in
this god-forsaken place. She had to get out, she had to get Raziel
home..to..to his family..to her mate...she missed him dearly..he was
so strong...she missed him..he was so.. She dosed off for a while, but
was woken up as the door opened. Three people stood before her,
two men obviously guards and a woman from her robes; she looked
like a Templar.

"He is quite strong, amazing that they survived so long, you should
have taken the boy out of here long ago. It will make it harder to
convert him from that filth that she has probably been spouting to
him"

No...they couldnt..not Raiz....they were going..to ......her body ached
so much...this was her only chance....*...

"May Cazic Thule..... protect us" she said weakly

Before the guards could react, she leapt up kicking on guard in the
groin and then she
blinded the other. The Templar began to draw her sword; Leylia
rushed to her planting her fist into the Templar's sternum. Using the
moment's distraction Leylia whipped out the Templar's blade and
separated the Templar's head from her body. Blood sprayed over the
cell, not wasting any time, Leylia dropped the blade and removed the
Templar's ceremonial dagger and scooped up Raziel.

Only a few minutes had passed since her break out, running as fast as
she could, she could see the Teleporter to the Toxxulia gate. Raziel,
despite her efforts was crying loudly. She desperately tried to quiet
him, to no avail. Then she heard a crackling, but she kept running*.
Then her body ignited as a bolt of flame slammed into her. She
stumbled and fell onto the teleporter. She blanked out momentarily as
her body shifted to the Toxxulia gate, as soon as she felt herself come
back together she began to run, although her sight had not returned
yet.

She poured through the twisting hallway, and then she felt the fresh
air coming through the tunnel. She was free; she had made it to
Toxxulia forest. But she could not stop yet. She bowled right into one
of the guards out side, knocking him over and then blinded the other.
She continued on. Raziel was bawling loudly, the rags covering them
both were soaked with his tears.

She ran and ran into the forest, working off old memories, trying
desperately to find home. Then as if Cazic Thule had blessed them,
she saw the Ivory Bridge; it towered into the sky, dwarfing the river.
She was almost home, she could finally see her mate, she could show
him his son, she missed her dear .... Her world went blank as a bolt of
energy struck her; she tumbled, spilling Raziel on to the hard surface
of the bridge.

Raziel crawled over to her shaking her. She stirred a little. "My
Raziel......please run....go home........ take this dagger... go.. go to
your father.. go to..m." Her body lifted off the bridge, struck by
another bolt of energy, and fell into the river.

"Good another follower dead, the heretics are falling like flies."
Laughed a Templar

Turning to Raziel, holding out his hand "Come child, this forest is no
place for you, we must teach the ways of Marr, so you too can strike
down the Heretics."

Raziel turned away and ran.

"Poor child, we were to late from protecting him from Cazic Thules
touch." the Templar
headed back toward Erudin.

Raziel dashed through the forest, stumbling and falling all the way. He
wandered for almost 2 days, and then he saw a campfire. So tired, he
wandered into the camp. And sat down near the fire. He heard a bark
and the ground rustle he turned around to face a Kobold towering over
him. He screamed and went to run away, but the kobold ran his claws
across Raziel's back. Raziel rolled on the ground, scrambling to get
away, but the kobold closed in. It brought it's claws to strike again,
the paw flew from the kobold's arm as Raziel wielded the ceremonial
dagger. The Kobold howled in pain and charged Raziel. Blood sprayed
across Raziel's face as the dagger entered its skull. The body slumped
to the ground, and Raziel stood in shock as the blood rolled down him.

"Grr..bark!.. you will die ..eruudite... growl.. bark!" called out 2 more
kobolds that appeared behind Raziel. Raziel faced them, still in shock.
They closed in and then a shadow whisked over the Kobolds. They
halted, their facial expression showing pain and surprise. They
collapsed on to the ground, blood spilling from them.

"You are quite lucky little one," said a tall figure appearing behind the
two bodies. The figure moved forward some, noting the Kobold killed
by Raziel "and skilled, some of my pupils cant best a Kobold in full
armor, and lo, a small child killed one with a dagger not fit for cutting
bread!' he laughed loudly. Raziel passed out.
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End of this chapter!
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