Hail stranger, and well met! I greet thee in fairness, and bid thee welcome
traveler. May you know joy all of your days; be they long, or short? And
now, I beg of thee leave this place, for thou art yet innocent, and knowst
not what lie ahead of ye. HERE is THE line. I pray thee DO NOT cross it.
Relish in the ignorance of thy ways, DO NOT follow; for in this moment
there is no turning back, and ye SHALL be consumed by the ramblings of a
madman which lurk within. - GLV
Chapter one: of Soul and Darkness
"Arrgghhhhhhh!" Vollintus screamed as he writhed in pain upon the trembling floor of the throne.
"IT IS BEGUN. YOU WILL BEGIN LIFE ANEW, FREED FROM YOUR SIRE'S TAINT."
"Th-Thankyou, Solar," he stammered. "How will we leave this place?" He asked, still bent over clutching his sides.
"YOU AND YOUR REMAINING COMPAINIONS WILL BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE PRIME. SIMPLY PICK A DESTINATION, AND I WILL GUIDE YOU THERE."
With his vision still blurred, and his appendages covered in the blood of his siblings, he struggled to get to his feet. Then a firm hand grasped him by the shoulder, and an arm locked with his right to help him up. As his eyes started to clear he could see the massive grinning figure before him, it was Sarevok! "Come my brother, the realms beckon us, and I can not stand seeing you lay there like a helpless kitten, Ha HA!"
"Solar, what of those in the pocket plane when we came to this place? What of Keldorn, Kivan? Are they."
"FEAR NOT. THEY ARE WELL, AND THEY ARE HERE WITH YOU NOW, HOWEVER HAD THE OUTCOME OF YOUR STRUGGLE HERE BEEN DIFFERENT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE. I NEED AN ANSWER FROM YOU GOD-CHILD WHERE DO YOU WISH TO GO? THE TIME IS SHORT FOR THIS PLACE; EVEN NOW THE THRONE BEGINS TO CRUMBLE."
Vollintus was still struggling to find his senses, "I am sorry Solar anywhere we are all familiar with that we can find transport, or purchase horses will do. And before you send us from this place I want to say thank you for your assistance Solar, for without your guidance I do not know if we could have prevailed."
"VOLLINTUS BHAAL, MY HOPE FOR YOU IS THIS; CONTINUE TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART FOR THAT IS WHAT LED YOU TO PREVAIL HERE. ALSO KNOW THIS, I WOULD HAVE SERVED BY YOUR SIDE HAD YOU CHOOSEN TO ASSEND. YOU ARE AN HONORABLE AND NOBLE BEING VOLLINTUS AND I OFFER THIS TO YOU NOW." The solar extended its hand offering a pendant to him. "WHEN THE TIME COMES CALL UPON ME, THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE ONCE VOLLINTUS, SO KNOW THE TIME.. With the last of the Solar's words spoken there was a brilliant flash of light.
The companions found themselves standing amidst a clearing in the Umar Hills half-way between the protector's cabin and the village.
Before he could get his bearings she was on him, her beautiful face pressing close to his, and her lovely coal colored arms enveloping him. "My ssinssrigg..no, no, no.. My love, I dared not hope that you would stay." Then she whispered to him in a most seductive and playful manner, "I realize that I am appealing; however, I did not know I could keep one from attaining Godhood." Viconia then placed her hands on his cheeks and drank deeply of his mouth. "We shall see if those things we had discussed are possible now, yes?"
He clung to her. He could not let go, not that he wanted to, but he was weak, physically drained. The removal of the taint had been far more taxing than he was prepared for. Viconia realized something was wrong, and if it were not for the girdle she wore she would surely have been crushed beneath him as he went down. Everything began to spin his head felt light, and his body seemed to weigh a ton. As he plummeted to the ground he could see Sarevok, and Keldorn running toward them. Then everything went black..
"By Torm will his torment never end," exclaimed the old paladin!? "I wonder why it didn't affect me like this; the removal of the taint I mean..," Imoen thought aloud. "
Bah! As if you, or I for that matter possessed even a faction of the power our dead father had to offer as he had. He took the pools into himself to disrupt that thieving wench Mellisan. I am surprised he even had the choice to remain mortal after doing such a thing," Sarevok spat.
Imoen retorted "I suppose ya are right Sarevok, but ya don't have to be rude about it." Sarevok just glared at her. "
We could debate the why and the where-with-all until doomsday. However, I suggest we get our young Lord here indoors, and tend to him," said Keldorn. "We should be able to get him to the inn quickly enough."
"That will not be necessary," Kivan said as he emerged from the surrounding foliage. "I have just spoken with Minister Lloyd, and we can use the ranger's cabin to tend to him for as long as we have need." "That was fast!" Imoen exclaimed.
"Aye, E's a quick one E is," piped Yeslick. Imoen gigged at the old dwarf's jest.
Kivan groaned in response "It's the boots. We all have the same kind you know." Imoen lost control of herself at this point, and started laughing so hard tears began to form. "Ye really 'ave ta learn 'ow ta take a jib dere me boy," said Yeslick. "It's okay grampy he's really cute when he gets like this." Imoen said as she winked at the moody elf. Kivan was a bit taken back by her advance and dismissed himself promptly, "I'll go get the cabin ready."
The ranger opened the cabin door, and the first thing he noticed was the stale quality of the air within. As he stepped inside dust rose from floor creating a thick cloud around him. Hastily he retreated in to the fresh air outside. "Imoen! Hey Imoen! Come here," called the elf while waving to her.
Hearing Kivan's call Imoen teleported herself to where he stood. "Dammit woman! You are going to give me heart failure doing things like that," he snapped. "Well, what cha' want? Did ya call me here just to bitch at me, or did ya actually have a need," she said with a coy smile. She had always found herself attracted to the elf, and with everything seemingly at an end, she planned to make it know. "Aye, this place is a mess, and I was hoping you could use those magics of yours to help prep it for Vollintus."
"Do I look like a maid to you?" Imoen teased. "Look! I just thought with your brother's condition the way it is you might want to help..," his words trailed off. "Grraaa! Must you always tease me?" Kivan asked when he realized she was toying with him again. "Lighten up a bit, will ya? And back away from the door. Gran 'a dac! ulosT. Nocca tur Cfasaiweda! Weda!" After three recitations of the verse a nearly invisible creature appeared before her. Swiftly it moved about the cabin pulling the dust and grime from every surface it met into itself. Within minutes the cabin was serviceable, and the creature along with the filth was gone. Kivan was truly amazed "You know I really need to get one of those for equipment maintenance."
Meanwhile Vollintus's condition appeared to be deteriorating fast. "Quickly, help me get his armor off of him. He is burning up!" Viconia's words came in tone of desperation.
"I would have thought a drow would have at least a thousand ways to quickly remove a man's armor," Sarevok wickedly grinned. With extreme coldness in her voice, and eyes narrowing to blackened slits Viconia responded to him. "If you do not help me, NOW, I will introduce you no less than fifty of those ways; two involve feeding you your own entrails, and one your genitalia."
A voice of reason caught their attention. "Both of you stop! Sarevok apologize to her, and let us help her with the task at hand," Keldorn stated boldly. "Old man., Bah! I am sorry Viconia please excuse my rudeness," said Sarevok with a slight bow. "We will talk later Sarevok, for now just help me with him." Viconia turned her attention back to Vollintus, and with Sarevok and Keldorn's help was able to get him into the cabin.
Wherever he was, it was dark. Vollintus strained to focus, but try as he might he could pick out no detail of his surroundings. Slowly he came to realize that his feet rested upon nothing. In fact he could even be sure he had a body to speak of. As his mind attempted to wrap itself around his current state, a voice struck him like a sledgehammer.
"DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD ESCAPE ME?"
"No! No! You are dead, and I know that for a fact! Torment me not specter! Your throne is gone. I no longer possess any of your essence, and as always this body serves Lathander not you."
"BUT YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR BODY NOW, ARE YOU FOOLISH CHILD? EXCEPT ME, AND I SHALL RETURN YOU TO IT; DENINE ME AND PERISH!"
"If it is Lathander's will that I die in this dark place then, SO BE IT," the young cavalier declared. "When I was a babe, before I was shown and given a choice, before I knew the truth, and before I swore my sword and axe to the light you called to me in this manner. Do not think I have forgotten. You are no father of mine! Enjoy your prison foul one, and leave me be." Then with all the will he could muster he shouted. "I SHALL NOT YIELD TO YOU!"
"AHH, DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THEY CAN CONTAIN ME. KEEP ME PENNED AWAY IN THAT MOUTAIN. NO! YOU ARE THE LAST LIVING THING TO HAVE CARRIED ENOUGH OF MY ESSENCE FOR ME TO REFORM, AND YOU WILL SERVE!"
Red glowing eyes moved toward Vollintus from the darkness. Claws ripped at him, teeth pierced his being, knives, swords, arrows and all manner of weaponry struck his form, fell magics raped him, and yet he kept his oath. Finally after what seemed like an eternity the attacks stopped.
A gentle hand stroked his cheek, and a silvery voice spoke to him. "I AM SORRY FOR WHAT YOU HAD TO ENDURE MY FAITHFUL ONE, BUT THE DAWN HAS COME FOR YOU NOW. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU HAD NEVER USED YOUR TAINT. RECOVERY WILL BEGIN FOR YOU SOON. YOU WILL LEAVE HERE WITH GREATER UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE FORGIVEN, AND LOVED VOLLINTUS." Celestial light covered him, comforting, soothing, and healing his shattered soul.
Slowly a thought began to form in his mind. DO NOT ASK VOLLINTUS FOR YOU MAY NOT, NOT YET ANYWAY. YOU HAVE A LIFE TO LIVE. GO WELL SERVANT OF THE DAWN..
"Raghh! When will he stop howling," Sarevok shouted, and stormed out the door to cabin slamming it behind him as he went. The night was cool, and there was a mild breeze that felt pleasant against his dark skin. Gripping the railing on the cabin porch he gazed up at the sky. "How can this be? He is not fit to lead an army, and even if he does live what kind state will he be in?" He thought to himself as he watched a group of clouds lazily drift past the moon. He stood there for quite some time, alone, and lost in thought.
The old dwarf placed a hand upon Viconia's shoulder. "Viccy, lass ye be needin' some rest, I'll minister to 'im fer awile." Viconia stiffened at first then relented to the kindly dwarf's touch. Without turning to face him she spoke in a whisper "I deserve this, do I not Yeslick? For everything I have ever done to.. to others. I saw what they did to my brother, and now when I learn, now that I know there is another way,..that life is not just mindless and wanton cruelty, that there is some beauty in this world,..that love is a real living thing,..I am rewarded with the ability to watch helplessly as the only one I have ever cared about in such a manner dies before me. What is the power I have gained worth now?" Yeslick turned her about to face him.
"Don't ye be writen ar' young'n off yet lass, E's got a lot of figt in 'im dat one does. Now, bout dis other ting ye spoke. Nonsense, ye be differ'nt den ye was when we first found ye stumblin' trou da woods. Ye gots a 'art now, and even dough it 'urts like 'ell sometimes ye be far better off fer 'aven one, en' I'll not sit 'ere, en' watch ye lock it away again!
Yer a descent lass now Vic, so ye get dis rubbish out o' dat perty 'ead o' yers, 'en get some rest. I'll rouse ye wen' I be needin a wink." Viconia looked at Yeslick in astonishment, as if for the first time.
"Th-Thank you good dwarf, your words though a little rough to trip through, are.. wise, and kind. I will seek rest now." Smiling Yeslick said "Ye do dat lass, ye do dat."
"Well? Is somebody gonna' go after him," asked Imoen. "Kivans' at Valgar's cabin for the night, or I'd ask him to."
Rolling his eyes Robillard said, "I rather prefer my head attached to my shoulders thank you." Unbuckling his sword and laying it on the table the old knight rose, "Aye, young lady I will do as you ask, Torm help me. We don't need him ripping a peasant in two to relieve his frustrations." With that said Keldorn headed out into the night.
Keldorn did not have to go far. He could hear the rhythmic fall of an axe as soon as he left the safety of the cabin. The night was chill against his bones, and though he should have waited for his eyes to adjust to the surrounding darkness he pushed forward sensing Sarevok's foulness from where he was. Rounding the corner of the building he stumbled over a large rock which lay on the path in front of him. His right knee struck the cabin wall as he attempted to catch himself "By Ilmater's tears!" Keldorn cursed. The axe fell silent..
Chapter one: of Soul and Darkness
"Arrgghhhhhhh!" Vollintus screamed as he writhed in pain upon the trembling floor of the throne.
"IT IS BEGUN. YOU WILL BEGIN LIFE ANEW, FREED FROM YOUR SIRE'S TAINT."
"Th-Thankyou, Solar," he stammered. "How will we leave this place?" He asked, still bent over clutching his sides.
"YOU AND YOUR REMAINING COMPAINIONS WILL BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE PRIME. SIMPLY PICK A DESTINATION, AND I WILL GUIDE YOU THERE."
With his vision still blurred, and his appendages covered in the blood of his siblings, he struggled to get to his feet. Then a firm hand grasped him by the shoulder, and an arm locked with his right to help him up. As his eyes started to clear he could see the massive grinning figure before him, it was Sarevok! "Come my brother, the realms beckon us, and I can not stand seeing you lay there like a helpless kitten, Ha HA!"
"Solar, what of those in the pocket plane when we came to this place? What of Keldorn, Kivan? Are they."
"FEAR NOT. THEY ARE WELL, AND THEY ARE HERE WITH YOU NOW, HOWEVER HAD THE OUTCOME OF YOUR STRUGGLE HERE BEEN DIFFERENT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE. I NEED AN ANSWER FROM YOU GOD-CHILD WHERE DO YOU WISH TO GO? THE TIME IS SHORT FOR THIS PLACE; EVEN NOW THE THRONE BEGINS TO CRUMBLE."
Vollintus was still struggling to find his senses, "I am sorry Solar anywhere we are all familiar with that we can find transport, or purchase horses will do. And before you send us from this place I want to say thank you for your assistance Solar, for without your guidance I do not know if we could have prevailed."
"VOLLINTUS BHAAL, MY HOPE FOR YOU IS THIS; CONTINUE TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART FOR THAT IS WHAT LED YOU TO PREVAIL HERE. ALSO KNOW THIS, I WOULD HAVE SERVED BY YOUR SIDE HAD YOU CHOOSEN TO ASSEND. YOU ARE AN HONORABLE AND NOBLE BEING VOLLINTUS AND I OFFER THIS TO YOU NOW." The solar extended its hand offering a pendant to him. "WHEN THE TIME COMES CALL UPON ME, THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE ONCE VOLLINTUS, SO KNOW THE TIME.. With the last of the Solar's words spoken there was a brilliant flash of light.
The companions found themselves standing amidst a clearing in the Umar Hills half-way between the protector's cabin and the village.
Before he could get his bearings she was on him, her beautiful face pressing close to his, and her lovely coal colored arms enveloping him. "My ssinssrigg..no, no, no.. My love, I dared not hope that you would stay." Then she whispered to him in a most seductive and playful manner, "I realize that I am appealing; however, I did not know I could keep one from attaining Godhood." Viconia then placed her hands on his cheeks and drank deeply of his mouth. "We shall see if those things we had discussed are possible now, yes?"
He clung to her. He could not let go, not that he wanted to, but he was weak, physically drained. The removal of the taint had been far more taxing than he was prepared for. Viconia realized something was wrong, and if it were not for the girdle she wore she would surely have been crushed beneath him as he went down. Everything began to spin his head felt light, and his body seemed to weigh a ton. As he plummeted to the ground he could see Sarevok, and Keldorn running toward them. Then everything went black..
"By Torm will his torment never end," exclaimed the old paladin!? "I wonder why it didn't affect me like this; the removal of the taint I mean..," Imoen thought aloud. "
Bah! As if you, or I for that matter possessed even a faction of the power our dead father had to offer as he had. He took the pools into himself to disrupt that thieving wench Mellisan. I am surprised he even had the choice to remain mortal after doing such a thing," Sarevok spat.
Imoen retorted "I suppose ya are right Sarevok, but ya don't have to be rude about it." Sarevok just glared at her. "
We could debate the why and the where-with-all until doomsday. However, I suggest we get our young Lord here indoors, and tend to him," said Keldorn. "We should be able to get him to the inn quickly enough."
"That will not be necessary," Kivan said as he emerged from the surrounding foliage. "I have just spoken with Minister Lloyd, and we can use the ranger's cabin to tend to him for as long as we have need." "That was fast!" Imoen exclaimed.
"Aye, E's a quick one E is," piped Yeslick. Imoen gigged at the old dwarf's jest.
Kivan groaned in response "It's the boots. We all have the same kind you know." Imoen lost control of herself at this point, and started laughing so hard tears began to form. "Ye really 'ave ta learn 'ow ta take a jib dere me boy," said Yeslick. "It's okay grampy he's really cute when he gets like this." Imoen said as she winked at the moody elf. Kivan was a bit taken back by her advance and dismissed himself promptly, "I'll go get the cabin ready."
The ranger opened the cabin door, and the first thing he noticed was the stale quality of the air within. As he stepped inside dust rose from floor creating a thick cloud around him. Hastily he retreated in to the fresh air outside. "Imoen! Hey Imoen! Come here," called the elf while waving to her.
Hearing Kivan's call Imoen teleported herself to where he stood. "Dammit woman! You are going to give me heart failure doing things like that," he snapped. "Well, what cha' want? Did ya call me here just to bitch at me, or did ya actually have a need," she said with a coy smile. She had always found herself attracted to the elf, and with everything seemingly at an end, she planned to make it know. "Aye, this place is a mess, and I was hoping you could use those magics of yours to help prep it for Vollintus."
"Do I look like a maid to you?" Imoen teased. "Look! I just thought with your brother's condition the way it is you might want to help..," his words trailed off. "Grraaa! Must you always tease me?" Kivan asked when he realized she was toying with him again. "Lighten up a bit, will ya? And back away from the door. Gran 'a dac! ulosT. Nocca tur Cfasaiweda! Weda!" After three recitations of the verse a nearly invisible creature appeared before her. Swiftly it moved about the cabin pulling the dust and grime from every surface it met into itself. Within minutes the cabin was serviceable, and the creature along with the filth was gone. Kivan was truly amazed "You know I really need to get one of those for equipment maintenance."
Meanwhile Vollintus's condition appeared to be deteriorating fast. "Quickly, help me get his armor off of him. He is burning up!" Viconia's words came in tone of desperation.
"I would have thought a drow would have at least a thousand ways to quickly remove a man's armor," Sarevok wickedly grinned. With extreme coldness in her voice, and eyes narrowing to blackened slits Viconia responded to him. "If you do not help me, NOW, I will introduce you no less than fifty of those ways; two involve feeding you your own entrails, and one your genitalia."
A voice of reason caught their attention. "Both of you stop! Sarevok apologize to her, and let us help her with the task at hand," Keldorn stated boldly. "Old man., Bah! I am sorry Viconia please excuse my rudeness," said Sarevok with a slight bow. "We will talk later Sarevok, for now just help me with him." Viconia turned her attention back to Vollintus, and with Sarevok and Keldorn's help was able to get him into the cabin.
Wherever he was, it was dark. Vollintus strained to focus, but try as he might he could pick out no detail of his surroundings. Slowly he came to realize that his feet rested upon nothing. In fact he could even be sure he had a body to speak of. As his mind attempted to wrap itself around his current state, a voice struck him like a sledgehammer.
"DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD ESCAPE ME?"
"No! No! You are dead, and I know that for a fact! Torment me not specter! Your throne is gone. I no longer possess any of your essence, and as always this body serves Lathander not you."
"BUT YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR BODY NOW, ARE YOU FOOLISH CHILD? EXCEPT ME, AND I SHALL RETURN YOU TO IT; DENINE ME AND PERISH!"
"If it is Lathander's will that I die in this dark place then, SO BE IT," the young cavalier declared. "When I was a babe, before I was shown and given a choice, before I knew the truth, and before I swore my sword and axe to the light you called to me in this manner. Do not think I have forgotten. You are no father of mine! Enjoy your prison foul one, and leave me be." Then with all the will he could muster he shouted. "I SHALL NOT YIELD TO YOU!"
"AHH, DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THEY CAN CONTAIN ME. KEEP ME PENNED AWAY IN THAT MOUTAIN. NO! YOU ARE THE LAST LIVING THING TO HAVE CARRIED ENOUGH OF MY ESSENCE FOR ME TO REFORM, AND YOU WILL SERVE!"
Red glowing eyes moved toward Vollintus from the darkness. Claws ripped at him, teeth pierced his being, knives, swords, arrows and all manner of weaponry struck his form, fell magics raped him, and yet he kept his oath. Finally after what seemed like an eternity the attacks stopped.
A gentle hand stroked his cheek, and a silvery voice spoke to him. "I AM SORRY FOR WHAT YOU HAD TO ENDURE MY FAITHFUL ONE, BUT THE DAWN HAS COME FOR YOU NOW. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU HAD NEVER USED YOUR TAINT. RECOVERY WILL BEGIN FOR YOU SOON. YOU WILL LEAVE HERE WITH GREATER UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE FORGIVEN, AND LOVED VOLLINTUS." Celestial light covered him, comforting, soothing, and healing his shattered soul.
Slowly a thought began to form in his mind. DO NOT ASK VOLLINTUS FOR YOU MAY NOT, NOT YET ANYWAY. YOU HAVE A LIFE TO LIVE. GO WELL SERVANT OF THE DAWN..
"Raghh! When will he stop howling," Sarevok shouted, and stormed out the door to cabin slamming it behind him as he went. The night was cool, and there was a mild breeze that felt pleasant against his dark skin. Gripping the railing on the cabin porch he gazed up at the sky. "How can this be? He is not fit to lead an army, and even if he does live what kind state will he be in?" He thought to himself as he watched a group of clouds lazily drift past the moon. He stood there for quite some time, alone, and lost in thought.
The old dwarf placed a hand upon Viconia's shoulder. "Viccy, lass ye be needin' some rest, I'll minister to 'im fer awile." Viconia stiffened at first then relented to the kindly dwarf's touch. Without turning to face him she spoke in a whisper "I deserve this, do I not Yeslick? For everything I have ever done to.. to others. I saw what they did to my brother, and now when I learn, now that I know there is another way,..that life is not just mindless and wanton cruelty, that there is some beauty in this world,..that love is a real living thing,..I am rewarded with the ability to watch helplessly as the only one I have ever cared about in such a manner dies before me. What is the power I have gained worth now?" Yeslick turned her about to face him.
"Don't ye be writen ar' young'n off yet lass, E's got a lot of figt in 'im dat one does. Now, bout dis other ting ye spoke. Nonsense, ye be differ'nt den ye was when we first found ye stumblin' trou da woods. Ye gots a 'art now, and even dough it 'urts like 'ell sometimes ye be far better off fer 'aven one, en' I'll not sit 'ere, en' watch ye lock it away again!
Yer a descent lass now Vic, so ye get dis rubbish out o' dat perty 'ead o' yers, 'en get some rest. I'll rouse ye wen' I be needin a wink." Viconia looked at Yeslick in astonishment, as if for the first time.
"Th-Thank you good dwarf, your words though a little rough to trip through, are.. wise, and kind. I will seek rest now." Smiling Yeslick said "Ye do dat lass, ye do dat."
"Well? Is somebody gonna' go after him," asked Imoen. "Kivans' at Valgar's cabin for the night, or I'd ask him to."
Rolling his eyes Robillard said, "I rather prefer my head attached to my shoulders thank you." Unbuckling his sword and laying it on the table the old knight rose, "Aye, young lady I will do as you ask, Torm help me. We don't need him ripping a peasant in two to relieve his frustrations." With that said Keldorn headed out into the night.
Keldorn did not have to go far. He could hear the rhythmic fall of an axe as soon as he left the safety of the cabin. The night was chill against his bones, and though he should have waited for his eyes to adjust to the surrounding darkness he pushed forward sensing Sarevok's foulness from where he was. Rounding the corner of the building he stumbled over a large rock which lay on the path in front of him. His right knee struck the cabin wall as he attempted to catch himself "By Ilmater's tears!" Keldorn cursed. The axe fell silent..