Crimson Twilight: Dusk
Chapter 2: Dark roots
The fight inside the tavern was short-lived. Noticing the exceptionally high ceiling, Eliarainne gave a sharp whistle. With a squawk and a flurry of feathers, Bristle burst through the free swinging doors, taking his place by her side. She took to the saddle with one swift movement, her lance already couched for a killing blow. She had not really tied the bird as she knew that trouble could come around at any time. Most of the tavern's patrons didn't want to mess with a mounted knight, let alone one that was accompanied by a heavily-armored crusader and a dangerous-looking sohee. Within moments the bar was empty save for the lone assassin who decided to stay.
Makaelthos watched the assassin carefully. Black and purple on the man's armband made him frown. "You're outnumbered. Leave at once." He told the man tentatively. He wasn't surprised when he wasn't obeyed, though. The sight of a lance pointed at him could not make this man go away, let alone a crusader's words.
The assassin kept his katars up and smirked. "I know who you are, "Lightbearer" Makaelthos Solcry." He spat the "Lightbearer" out as if it was a bad taste in his mouth. "A dozen tamed sohees wouldn't equal the value of you being dead!"
Makaelthos's eyes narrowed. The gesture alone told Eliarainne that the matter was taking a personal turn for him. Her partner hated it when his duties took a personal turn. "You and your guild need not be involved here. If you attack me or my companions, I will kill you." There was no menace in Makaelthos's tone, even when he mentioned killing the man.
The assassin lowered his weapons, though the smug expression on his face never left. "The guild is always involved, Solcry, wherever you are, we have business there!" He replied.
Eliarainne turned to face her partner. She knew that Makaelthos used to be involved with one of the guilds here in Morroc. It was not something that he talked about. He was extremely secretive of his past, especially if it involved his relationships before. "What's this lout talking about? What guild?"
Makaelthos shook his head. "Matters long past not to be concerned with. Focus on the mission, Eliarainne."
The tavern doors suddenly swung open behind the crusader. "Oh, I think you should concern yourself over it, Makaelthos. Especially since we can provide you with what you want." Someone said.
Makaelthos did not bother turning to face who spoke behind him. He was all too familiar with the smooth, low-pitched voice that addressed him. Familiar enough to know that this person would not suddenly stab him from behind."Trynis Eviskrae." He spoke the name quietly, almost breathing it out. "I always hope never to see you again."
Keeping her lance pointed at the assassin in front of her, Eliarainne glanced back to study the new arrivals. The one called Trynis was a lithe, young woman with long, wavy, white hair that reached up to her waist. While white was an unusual hair color for the dark-haired morrocans, her tanned complexion showed that she was, at least, part morrocan. She wore the garb of a rogue proudly; the normally red overcoat was black and trimmed with the white fur of a sasquatch, giving the coat a black and silver combination. She carried no weapon but Eliarainne knew that was for appearance's sake only, there was something cold, hard and sharp hiding beneath this rogue's harmless guise.
Behind Trynis were three more assassins, all belonging to the same guild, judging by their armbands. They were grim-faced and still, profit did not interest these assassins, at least not as performing as their leader commanded them to do was. Eliarainne gripped her lance tightly even when Trynis raised her hand to signal her men to lower their weapons. While the assassins obeyed, they continued to stare balefully at Makaelthos. There was no doubt in her mind that should this Trynis lose control over her men, they would murder the two of them without hesitation. Not that she would let herself be murdered without a fight nor that Trynis's expression hinted anything that made it appear that she did not have full control of her men.
"And I always hope for the opposite, Makaelthos. Nevertheless, we didn't come for a fight. In fact, as hard as you might find it to believe, we're actually willing to work with the pronteran government this time." Trynis replied, her lips curving into a smile.
Makaelthos raised an eyebrow. The guild had certainly changed after he left it. Back then, whenever the name of the pronteran government was spoken, it was always followed by a curse and a spit on the ground. "Then you know what happened to the Hunters of Dead?" He asked. He refused to deviate from his mission simply because of some history between him and some of the people involved.
Trynis brushed a stray lock of white hair from her eyes and gestured for Makaelthos to follow. The assassins, after one last look at Khaesilya, disappeared.
Half an hour later, Makaelthos found himself sitting inside his former guild house. Eliarainne did not take her hands of her halberd. She distrusted thieves and she certainly distrusted rogues and assassins even more. What made the situation even more dangerous was that they were in the thieves' home territory. She followed Makaelthos, knowing that her partner would not let himself be led anywhere he could not find his way back from but she herself was completely lost. They followed some twisting paths towards the outskirts of the town until they entered a surprisingly hidden mansion. The inside was an utter maze of dimly lit hallways and rooms. It had some of the richest furnishings she had ever seen, exotic furs and expensive wood seemed to be the norm. It was not pointlessly opulent but it made it quite clear that this was the home of a powerful and rich guild leader. Makaelthos had whispered earlier that the mansion belonged to Trynis and the dim, flickering light that the lamps around them provided seemed to emphasize the shadows instead of illuminating them; a perfect home for the mistress of a powerful thieves' guild indeed. Khaesilya kept behind her master at all times; watching the crusader's back in case the thieves around them decided to strike.
"It's been a long time hasn't it, Makaelthos?" Trynis watched the crusader shrewdly as she reclined in a luxurious sofa that was made of assorted furs. She did not bother hiding that she was appraising him from head to toe. He did not seem bothered. After all, he was used to being constantly watched.
"Not long enough." He answered. "So tell me of the Hunters of Dead."
Trynis shrugged her shoulders. "What's to tell? They're dead. It happens to a lot of people who go up against Osiris."
Makaelthos wasn't surprised. His guess had been right. The guild was destroyed while hunting for the mummy of the emperor, Osiris. It was obvious, though. It was the only reason why they met Osiris earlier. "Surely there's more to that, Trynis. Why don't you elaborate?"
Trynis turned to stare at Eliarainne. She interested in what sort of company her former right hand now kept. The knight stared back, a mixture of suspicion and defiance on her face. Trynis smiled. Makaelthos's auburn-haired companion was a battle-tested knight. Unlike some of those prancing maidens in armor she was used to, this knight seemed the type who spent more time cleaning and inspecting her weapons and armor rather than primping in front of a mirror. "Did I mention that the doppelganger was with Osiris?" She continued. "Apparently not, but judging by the look on your face, this is old news. So question really, is what are Osiris and the doppelganger doing wandering around Morroc?"
Makaelthos quelled a half-smile as some memories came to him. "Your information network is as fast and accurate as ever." He said. "You already now my real question, so can you tell me the answer?"
Trynis smiled at the compliment. "No one really knows how a mummified emperor thinks or what goes through the doppelganger's head. I can tell you this though, Makaelthos. This isn't the only incident regarding such things. Do you know of that whole abysmal knight incident just north of this town?"
Makaelthos frowned at that one. One of his friends was deeply involved in that incident and the resulting tragedy still hung over him and Eliarainne like a dark shroud. "I have." He answered. "Reports stated that a party of priests and wizards were slain by a troop of abysmal knights. What of it?"
Trynis leaned closer when she answered, trying to gauge Makaelthos's reaction. "Whoever heard of such a thing as a "troop of abysmal knights"? And why so far from Glastheim where they're usually encountered?"
Makaelthos nodded but looked questioningly at Trynis. Eliarainne was about to say something but she decided against it. 'Let Makaelthos handle the negotiations. It looks like he's on familiar ground here.' She thought.
Khaesilya shuddered at the mention of a troop of abysmal knights. Trynis quickly noted the reaction from the sohee.
"What does that have to do with Osiris and the doppelganger?" Makaelthos asked.
The rogue's expression suddenly became serious. "Your reports didn't include the fact that those abysmal knights were riding under the banner of the Lord of Death. Think of what will happen if an organized troop of those things decided to attack your precious Prontera!"
Makaelthos's expression darkened. It was unlikely that even a troop of abysmal knights could break through the mighty walls of the capital. Still the threat of such powerful monsters working as a cohesive unit was not to be ignored. "And your point is what?" He pressed on.
Trynis watched the crusader with interest. Makaelthos had changed since he left her guild. His long, wavy, dark brown hair was once simply allowed to fall around his face, now he had apparently taken to combing it, giving him a "formal" look. As for his eyes, the crusader's sharp green eyes used to convey nothing but carefree joy and amused cunning during his swordsman days with her. Now they reflected only somber discipline. Concern for vague, abstract things like honor and duty likely ran through his mind now on a daily basis. She could barely see her childhood friend underneath all the formality and impassiveness that he wore like a mask. "My point is that whatever is happening here in Morroc is probably happening everywhere in Rune-Midgard. It has obviously happened in Geffen; why else would the doppelganger be here? The Lord of Death is clearly leading the abysmal knights. Who knows what else could be happening? The Hunters of Dead were nothing more but victims to Osiris and the doppelganger. The same goes with that priest party to the north. Something big is happening in Rune-Midgard, Makaelthos. I suggest that your government start doing something about it."
Makaelthos rose from his seat. "I thank you for your cooperation, Trynis. I have to report to my superiors about this whole matter. I'll keep your words in mind." Was all he answered.
Trynis smiled as the knight and the sohee left with Makaelthos. "You call them superiors, Mak. But do you really believe them to be "your" superiors?" She called after him.
Makaelthos did not answer. He did not like the rogue's use of his nickname. No one in Prontera would ever call him "Mak". Eliarainne let out a sigh of relief as soon as they left the guild house. "A sinister woman if I ever saw one." She breathed out. "So how do you know her, Makaelthos?"
Makaelthos walked beside Bristle, a measure of melancholy already creeping into his voice. "She was my former guild mistress back when I was a swordsman. I suppose her guild never forgave me for betraying them by joining Prontera's crusaders."
Eliarainne was silent for a while. The rogue's words brought up another topic that she was always reluctant to discuss. "Do you really think the Lord of Death is behind Lystra's death?" She asked tentatively.
Makaelthos remembered Lystra. She was the sister of their priestess companion, Silmeia Cafilence. Lystra was a newly ordained priestess under the Order of Mercy at that time when her party had been ambushed by abysmal knights, if the reports could be believed. A lone abysmal knight would have been too much for the surprised party of newly-ordained priests and wizards, let alone eight of them. Silmeia was devastated when she learned that her sister had been killed. Within days, the radiant became prone to moods of dark depression and even darker brooding that marred her usually calm and cheerful attitude. He decided not to tell her of the Lord of Death's involvement yet. Silmeia was often calmer than Eliarainne but she was still distraught after her sister's death. Her grief could cause her to act irrationally. She might even decide to go after the silver-armored monster all by herself. "I used to rely on Trynis's information all the time." He answered. "I doubt it if she'll lie to us. Osiris is NightKnife's problem just as surely as he is the Prontera's. Still, it would be better if we didn't tell Silmeia yet."
Eliarainne nodded. While Silmeia was among the calmest of her friends, she also knew the priestess long enough to have seen what happened when she did get angry and nothing made Silmeia angrier now than the thought of the abysmal knights.
Khaesilya shuddered once more. Makaelthos turned to see to his sohee companion. "Is something wrong, Khaesilya?" He asked.
The sohee looked back to the town of Morroc. The desert city was surrounded by storm clouds, it would be prudent for them to leave town before a storm hits. If that happened they would be stranded in Morroc for a few days. Desert storms were rare but extremely powerful. Besides, as investigators for the pronteran regular army, Makaelthos and Eliarainne had to make their report as soon as possible.
"The once-great warrior emperor's presence must be a sign, Master Makaelthos. I fear for our safety here in the desert when he and the doppelganger are probably walking it as well." She answered.
Makaelthos turned his attention northward before replying. "I understand your concern, Khaesilya. But what I fear more is for the safety of Prontera. And it is for that reason why we must move on."
World notes
Order of Mercy - A sub order of the Church's priestly order. Members of this order focus wholly on the mental exercises that will increase their ability to cast healing spells. They are unrivaled in terms of mental reserves and can cast their healing spells over and over to aid others. As an expense of such focus they are not as physically trained as other priests and they do not have the mental or physical dexterity to cast their spells quickly. Members of this order are called Mercy bringers. They are best suited in non-combat situations as they do not have the physical prowess of their brethren in the Order of Radiance. They are also slower when it comes to spell casting.
In game explanation: Mercy bringers are Full support priests/priestesses.
Radiant - A radiant is a priest/priestess who has trained under the Order of Radiance, a sub order of the Church's priestly orders. Members of this order focus more on the offensive applications of holy power. They are fierce enemies of demons and undead, capable of firing quick, successive blasts of holy light and magnifying the effects of their spells with Lex Aeterna, a spell that covers an enemy with holy light and undermines its defenses. Radiants are most famous for their ability to call forth a Magnus Exorcismus, the Church's strongest offensive spell, in the heat of battle. They balance their focus between mental exercises and physical ones. While they do not have a mercy bringer's raw healing power, they make up for it by being more mobile in battle and being able to cast their spells quickly and while under pressure.
In game explanation: Radiants are ME priests/priestesses.