Chapter 3: It's the waiting that gets to me.
"That's the plan for now," finished Ckorik. "If we get any better ideas we'll adjust accordingly when the giants get here. We have a few scouts sent out to keep an eye on the giant army. The enemy will not began their assault till tomorrow. I suggest you all relax around the city then get a decent rest. We need you at your best tomorrow so enjoy yourselves tonight then good night sleep."
"Well come on Maddawggie lets go check out the local pub," said Maecbeth as Nusbak and Maddawggie followed him out of the building.
"Ilyeana I'll need your help before you turn in," requested Victorine. Both druids left as Quorthon walked over to Arclight.
"What about you knight? How will you spend your last hours on Norrath?" Quorthon asked snickering.
Arclight just laughed and responded, "I think I'll go with Maec and the others. How about you Quorthon, you gonna join us?"
"I think I would like my husband to keep me company tonight." Wickedbrat interjected as she took Quorthon's hand. "But not here it seems a little to crowded. Come us stay at the inn its much more comfortable and private." Arclight hid a small smile as the couple slipped away. Leaving the hall, he hurried to catch up to the dwarves as they made their way to the local bar. Upon entering the pub Maecbeth made a beeline for the bar and jumped on one of its stools.
""What's yer most expensive and strongest drink?" Maecbeth demanded of the bartender.
"That would be a Bleeding Kromzek," the dwarven barkeep answered.
"Fill the bar with em and keep pouring em after we clear it!" Maecbeth ordered as he dropped a large bag of platinum on the bar. Arclight couldn't help but stare at the smelly syrupy drink the bartender began pouring into the mugs he set before them.
"I can't believe you guys are willing to drink that stuff!" exclaimed Arclight.
"Can't let all this platinum we collected go to waste," remarked Nusbak with a laugh.
"What about you human?" the bartender asked expectantly.
"A Coldain ice beer will be fine for me," Arclight responded with a shudder.
"Ah lad you just need take a couple of slow drinks to get used to the aroma before ye start guzzling" pointed out Maecbeth as he took a deep drink from his mug.
"You mean stench not aroma," grumbled Arclight. A young sorceress entered and joined them at the bar.
"Hi guys thought I'd join you for a quick drink," remarked the spell caster as she picked up one stein's Maecbeth had ordered.
"Hi Blaizzen you probably will want something else that stuff is a little…" Arclight couldn't finish as Blaizzen began to chug the entire stein in one drink. Slamming the empty stein down on the bar she passed it back to the bartender.
"Tasty give me another" she remarked as everyone's jaw dropped to the floor. Arclight snatched up his beer and gulped it down. Throwing a gold piece on the bar Arclight grabbed his lance and his pack.
"I'm getting out of here before Blaiz has twenty of those and starts melting things for giggles," Arclight said as he threw his pack over his shoulder.
"Oh come on Arc, what's the chance of that happening?" Blaizzen asked innocently. Arclight gave her a stern look and Blaizzen's cheeks grew a little red. "Ok so what's the chances of it happening twice I mean," she slurred.
"Hey how about a tip knight?" the bartender called out.
"Invest in fire insurance…your gonna need it." Arclight replied with a smirk as he left.
"Cheapskate" the bartender grumbled as he went back to serving drinks. Blaizzen finished another mug and let out a loud hiccup. Instantly the barstools beneath Maecbeth and Nusbak blew up sending the dwarf's sprawling on the floor.
"Oops sorry guys" slurred Blaizzen as she reached for another mug.
As Arclight hurried away from the bar he ran into Madhacks who waved and said, "Hey Arc I was just on my way to the bar…why is there smoke pouring out of it?"
"Probably just the fire place to keep everyone warm. Go on enjoy yourself Mad have a few drinks for me." As Madhacks walked passed him towards the bar, Arclight made the sign of the last rites behind his back.
Deciding to get some fresh air Arclight made his way to the entrance of the city. After crossing the large bridge and caverns that lead to the entrance, Arclight stepped out passed the waterfall that concealed the lair of Coldain dwarf's kingdom. With his eyes locked on the horizon he sat for a moment. The sun had turned the snow clouds above Veilous a light purple as it began to drop beneath the icy mountains. Once again Arclight found himself bidding the sunset good bye. The knight was unable to keep regrets and sad memories from wandering through his mind. If I had a silver piece for every time I believed I was looking at my last day or my last sunset he thought, I'd have enough cash to buy Lake Rathe for a swimming pool he thought to himself.
A low and deep growl ended Arclight's morbid thinking. Turning he came face to face with a snow wolf twice his size. The wolf's canines were the size of small blades and they were bared. The full tooth angry scowl told Arclight of the wolf's temper and a demonstration of it he was about to receive.
"STOP!" commanded a female voice in a tone allowed for no argument. The wolf still rumbled angrily but it turned and walked away from him. Arclight looked up and saw a whole pack of snow wolves gathered around Victorine and Ilyeana on a nearby hill. The wolves paced around the druids uneasy, but did not seem to be disturbed by their presence.
"Its ok Arc I thought we could use a little help tomorrow so Ilyeana and I rounded up this pack of snow wolves," explained Victorine. Arclight could not help but stare, both Ilyeana's and Victorine's eyes had turned a reflective green just like the wolves. A wolf sprang to his feet began to bare his fangs at Arclight's approach. Ilyeana swatted the wolf with her hand and gave a low growl that sounded just like a wolf's growl. The wolf resumed lying in the snow and just glared at the paladin.
"Don't worry Arc you get used to them doing that after awhile," a voice behind Arclight spoke. Arclight turned and saw Zoroo and Shadoa leaning against the entrance to Thurgadin. Arclight turned back and looked at wolves claws easily the size of an ogre's hand and just shook his head.
"If you guys say so," replied Arclight as he walked behind the waterfall and back into the city. Unable to rest and even more on edge then before Arclight wandered through Thurgadin. As night fell the dwarves lit a few torches to illuminate the already dark and enclosed city.
The unfinished hall where the guild was staying was near the entrance to the velium mines. As he approached the mines entrance Arclight heard a shout of combat echo from the entrance. Glad for the distraction Arclight quickly investigated. Down one of the twisting corridors of the mine, a single torch light illuminated one of the Ring's monks Allyssaa. Arclight quietly approached her curious as to what she was doing. Her eyes were closed in complete concentration, she was absolutely still like a rock. From as motionless as she was Arclight wasn't even sure if she was breathing until her eyes snapped open.
"ERRAAAUUGGHH," she roared bringing fist down on a block of ice in front of her. The block exploded sending ice every where. Allyssaa was only getting started as she struck another rock of ice cracking it and another after that. When she finished there was nothing but ice chips around her. Panting from her effort she saw Arclight at the edge of the torch's reach. "You need something Arc?" she asked wiping the sweat from her brow.
Not moving from the shadows Arclight asked quietly, "Ally I just don't see how any amount of training would make a difference tomorrow, wouldn't it be better to just rest?" Allyssaa sighed and looked down at her hands, raw and cold from the ice she had bashed them into.
"I'm not trying to get myself physically prepared for tomorrow. I'm trying to get myself mentally ready. I need to get myself in a mindset where I don't have to feel everything that's at stake. All I want to feel is my art so I may use that art to its full ability to protect everyone."
Arclight nodded in understanding. Setting his lance along the wall he knelt down by one of the ice rocks. The rock was easily as long as a dwarf was tall and about as wide too. Tucking his arms underneath it used all his strength to lift it into the air. Hoping to his feet Arclight managed to lift the rock over his head. Grunting from the effort he heaved it as hard as he could toward the waiting monk. With a snarl Allyssaa lashed out with her fist shattering the rock all round her.
"Its no good Arc," she said in frustration. "I need to feel it. I need a real fight to draw strength from tomorrow. Would you be kind enough to duel me…please." Arclight frowned in disapproval but agreed. Taking a pouch from his belt he put it over the bladed end of his lance and began tying it. "With out the guard Arclight I want you to able to use you your lance normally." Allyssaa requested. At that Arclight shook his head refusing. "Arc I need to be able to feel the fight is real other wise its no good to me tomorrow, please honor my request." Arclight studied her for a moment.
"Only because my healing spells should allow us to recover from what ever mistakes we are about to make," he answered raising his lance above his head. Bringing his blade level with Allyssaa's gut he assumed a thrusting stance. "Are you ready?" Arclight asked as his face became focused and determined like hers. Allyssaa brought her arms up in a defensive stance and nodded. For a moment neither moved as each took the others measure.
Then in the blink of an eye Arclight rushed forward. Allyssaa barely dodged the thrust as Arclight's lance struck the wall behinds causing a deep crack in it. Spinning around Arclight slashed twice at the monk scoring a cut on Allyssaa's forearm. With a battle cry Allyssaa spun around Arclight's lance and smashed her elbow into his breastplate driving him back. Not letting up Allyssaa stepped forward and quick as a cat, palm struck the knight in his gut. Stumbling back into the wall behind him Arclight bounced back and with stopped Allyssaa's advance with heavy over head slash. The paladin's holy lance came within inches of the monks face. Allyssaa's eyes grew wide as the knight's lance suddenly glowed and a force bolt erupted from it tossing her to the floor. Allyssaa picked up a rock she hand landed on and crushed it as she made a fist. Veins began to show on her arm as her fist reared back for one all out punch. Arclight barely jumped out of the way as the lightning fast punch slammed into the wall.
The force of Allyssaa's attack sent cracks through the wall. The roughly carved ice wall began to splinter and cracks grew threw the ceiling and floor. A large pile of ice and snow fell on the combatants burying both of them completely. For a moment all was still. Then the debris exploded again as the combatants used their strength to unearth themselves.
"Did you find the strength you were looking for Ally?" Arclight asked coldly.
Allyssaa brushed off some of the debris from her shoulder and shook her hair to get the ice out of it before replying, "Thanks Arc I'm good for tomorrow now. I have what I need. If those frost giants want a fight by all that's holy they'll get one."
Arclight's gaze lost it's steel as he smiled his usual grin and answered back, "Anytime Ally, now try get some rest before tomorrow." Turning around the paladin walked back into the city. Glad Ally found what she needed, I just wish I could Arclight thought as he paced impatiently outside the shops.
Arc decided to take one last stroll before he forced himself to turn in and go to sleep. It would be good to have one last look at the city he thought. Except of course for the smoking bar which was now melting as well. That he hurried by, not wanting to know.
"You are restless this night paladin," a voice from the shadows called out. Arclight turned to see the dark elves Aenau and Meiera emerge from one of the shops.
"I am not tired at the moment." Arclight replied. Meiera walked over and brushed some ice from the top of Arclight's helm.
"You're a mess Arc you should go get some rest," laughed Meiera.
"You are not going to accomplish anything worrying about your friends or this miserable city, go get some rest Knight," ordered Aenau.
"As cold as it is its not such a bad place Aen," Arclight replied.
"I don't give a cracked copper about this city or the dwarves. Let them rot for all I care," swore Aenau startling her companions.
"The giants need to be stopped Aen," protested Arclight. "We have the chance to do a lot of good here."
"Sometimes Arclight I forget that you are just a human," Aenau explained coldly. "One city that was destroyed once already isn't going to make a difference." Arclight opened his mouth to protest but Aenau cut him off determined to speak her mind. "The dark elves have been waging wars since before you were born, its what we do. For the first time in a long time we may stand against forces that would do far worse to us than what the giants will do to the dwarves. Against the very gods themselves. You and Chie want to throw all that away because of a worthless city and meaningless morals. I don't blame you for this Arc, But I do believe you're a fool to want to stay."
"Someone needs to stop them Aen," shot back Arclight.
"Not at the Ring's expense. Not at the cost of the guild. Your ideals have made you a tough fighter paladin, but now they may also bury your friends. That is why you can find no peace tonight." From the look on his face Meiera knew Arclight's temper had snapped and was worried for a moment he'd strike Aenau. Instead the rage bleed from his face leaving a simple look of emptiness. Of loss that could not be restored.
Turning away from the clerics he walked away saying, "Can't yell at ya for telling the truth Aen."
The dark elves watched Arclight leave as Aenau casually commented to Meiera, "The next time he has that look on his face will be the day they lay him six feet beneath the earth. Which thanks to Chie and Arc may be soon."
"I think Arc's right Aen. I think we belong here helping the dwarves," Meiera replied softly.
Aenau sighed and turned back to Meiera. "The knight is fond of the saying Vae Victus, suffering to the conquered. He believes it is a good reminder to him never to give up, a reminder of the price of failure. But it is only a belief to him. Our people invented it they live by it. We take great joy from inflicting it on others who would harm us. But as much as we love that moment when our foes wrath is undone, we never risk all that we have gained on chance. On a roll of the dice. This is a battle that the dark elves would never have taken place in, and we live for retribution and wrath. To us those words are our Mother and Father."
"But we are taking place in this battle Aen." Meiera interjected. "I want to know what you will do about it?" she asked curiously.
"I will make the giants pay, Arc's right about that at least," replied Aenau angrily. Meiera could not help but notice the same look of rage that was on Arc's face now gleamed in Aenau's eyes. "Any creature foolish enough to threaten the Ring is already in for a painful death, but tomorrow I will make the giants beg for the miserable lives. For every member of the Ring that falls tomorrow, for every… friend I lose, I will hang five frost giant beards from the wall of the guild keep."
Arclight walked toward the hall the guild was staying at, struggling with the emotions that warred within him. As he reached the steps leading he stopped for a moment. Unwilling to let his companions see his feelings that had plagued him the last few hours he attempted one last time to bring them under control. With a final act of extreme will and soul, Arclight thrust his tormented emotions deep inside where none could see. Feeling nothing but the chill of the air on his skin he entered the hall. Most of the guild had taken to throwing down blankets at the far end of the hall or in the many adjoining rooms.
Arclight was about to join them when he heard Seek call out, "Hey Arc over here." Seek, Zoroo, Victorine, Yaman, Kenlain, Kayote, and Speedi were sitting at a large table with a big wooden case on it. "Your friend Uudy was kind enough to drop off a big case of beer before she turned in," Seek explained as he pulled a beer out of the case. Arclight smiled and sat down at the table. Pulling out a beer Arclight popped the top off and took a long drink.
"Damn Arc, that's half the bottle you must have really needed that drink," observed Kenlain.
"Not as much as I thought I did," Arclight replied staring at the bottle. Taking another drink he set the bottle on the table and grinned at his friends. "I guess the beer just tastes a hell of a lot better when I'm drinking it with you guys."
"At least this time we're sitting at a table in a city drinking beer instead of a camp set up in the middle of the Plane of Fear surrounded by monsters that would like to eat us," chuckled Speedi.
Seek laughed at that and replied, "I remember that, that was years ago." For a second no one said anything as they remembered some of the old adventures they had. Then Seek and Arclight with out missing a beat clanked their beer bottles together in a toast and said to each other simultaneously, "WE'RE GETTING TOO OLD FOR THIS." Everyone at the table shared a chuckle.
"Honestly at least Fear was warmer then this. Don't know why you keep coming back to a place as cold as this Arclight." Kayote said shivering.
"My home is a cold place Kay I'm used to it," Arclight pointed out.
"Don't know how you could stand living in someplace as cold this ice pit," said Yaman.
Arclight thought a moment to try and explain. "When you're a paladin or even just an adventure, you're used to being in the heart of the storm. You're used to chaos, you live with it. But even knights get tired and burnt out. This is a good place to return to at that point. Its simply too cold to feel tired or angry. Its too cold to feel anything at all. It makes you numb inside and out. Both your body and your heart. The freeze gives me some respite and time to clear my head so I can go back to doing what I love doing."
No one had anything to say at first. Then Yaman reached into the case and pulled out a beer replying, "Damn it Arc now I need a drink after that."
Arclight just snickered and said, "As long as you don't get drunk and burn the hall down."
"Do I look like Blaizzen?" Yaman asked seriously as the group had another laugh. The door to the hall flew open and Janlail came in with a couple of drunk dwarven paladins slung over his shoulder. Behind him was Ckorik, Berit, and Chielings. The three grabbed some chairs and sat down with Arc and the others. Everyone choked down a laugh as Berit's chair slid on the ice dropping him to the floor.
Swearing Berit jumped back on to the chair and grumbled, "I don't how anyone can stand all this ice." Arclight just laughed and grabbed another beer.
"Look at it this way Berit," Arclight as he cracked the beer open with a loud pop. "At least the beer is always cold."