Chapter 16: The Wrath of Cenarius
In the weeks following Lester's arrival, the mood in the magic users of the Bloodsail Buccaneers changed drastically. Giles had become quite withdrawn, although Arrien had overheard an angrily whispered conversation one night before bed about Giles not wanting to see another summoning circle in the fort, with Lester reluctantly relenting. Lester was becoming more and more egotistical and condescending towards the "lesser" mages, Giles and Arrien, since they "lacked vision" and didn't have the gall required for his personal style of magic. He especially mocked Tilanne, who had shown absolutely no magical prowess at all. Duke Falrevere kept Lester on a leash, albeit a very long one, and tended to keep his eyes turned away for the most part, unless he felt that the warlock was becoming a great danger to his men in general, and not just specific individuals, then he came down on Lester harshly, reducing the dark magician to an apologetic sycophant.
Arrien was now leaning against the rail on one of Falrevere's smaller ships, breathing out a soft sigh as she watched the water rush past the boat as they patrolled the area near Plunder Isle, in search of a vessel to attack and loot. She glanced back over her shoulder and saw Lester and Giles locked once again in a debate, and shook her head, returning her gaze to the water as night fell.
"You dare try to challenge me for my right as the leader of the mages under Falrevere?" Giles snapped, and at this raising of voices, Arrien turned about again to observe curiously. She saw Tilanne wordlessly watching from the other side, her silvery eyes glowing softly in the light of the crescent moon above.
"It is time that this fleet took further steps to ensure that its magic users do what is necessary to get the job done... and the job involves things that you mages do not have the guts to do," Lester snarled back, his black robes billowing in the gentle breeze. A few more crew people were now paying attention, though the captain, a snivelling coward Arrien had a distaste for, kept his distance and ignored everything. He knew who Falrevere's favorite was out of the magic users, and would only intervene if Lester was put in any real danger.
"Convening with the Burning Legion is not 'necessary' in this line of work, pup," Giles sighed, and Arrien saw his hand dip into his spell components bag.
"I do not convene with demons, you pathetic excuse for an arcanist... I control them. They do my bidding and mine alone, I control their fire," and, to display this fact, he held out his hand and a small column of green flame rose out of it, illuminating Lester's face grotesquely, gleaming in his dark eyes and making his pale features look that much more pale in contrast to the shadows the angles of his face cast.
"The demons let you play with their toys so that they can gain your trust, they do your bidding only because it suits their chaotic needs," Giles rolled his eyes, "your lust for the dark will consume you in the end."
"The only thing that will be consumed here is you," Lester growled, letting loose the demonic fire he held in his hand in a bolt at Giles, who lifted a hand, creating a barrier of purple energy which absorbed most of the flame vanishing in a crackling haze. Arrien noticed that the edge of Giles's violet robes had caught fire, but the other mage ignored this as he brought his hands together, three globes of energy springing forth, two catching Lester in the chest and the other in the shoulder, knocking him off his feet. The crew was cheering now, most of them having an intense hatred for the snivelling little brat, and glad to see him go down in combat. Giles laughed and looked around at his compatriots.
"Looks like I'm not the only one glad to see you get your come-uppance..." Giles turned around, grinning proudly at Tilanne, whose face remained completely unchanged, and Arrien gave a quick giggle and short round of applause until she saw Giles's face suddenly contort in pain. She turned to see Lester on his feet again, a deep purple stream of energy extending from his palm into Giles's back. Blood burst forth from the elder mage's nose and his eyes rolled back in his head, as everyone else in the crew simply stood, silent and frightened. The torrent of energy ended after another and Giles's body dropped to the deck in a heap. Arrien rushed forward to his side and barely even needed to check for a pulse to realize that Giles's was cold, his flesh icy cold and the life completely gone from his eyes. Tears streamed from the red-haired mage's eyes as she brought herself back to her feet, a dark look crossing her freckled features as flames burst to life in each of her hands. Lester began to laugh.
"You want it next? I can do this all day..." he sneered, a trickle of blood trailing from his mouth. Arrien felt a slender hand grip her shoulder and pull her back, then heard Tilanne softly speak.
"Let me handle this..." the night elf took a few steps forward, her silver eyes glowing much brighter than they had before. Arrien watched in silent fury as Tilanne stood between her and Lester, who laughed even louder now.
"Ah, the purple elf, who has shown absolutely no magical talent whatsoever, is going to avenge her friend... won't this be precious," he let out a high-pitched cackle, a look of complete chaotic insanity contorting his features. Tilanne took a deep breath and gazed up at the moon for a moment, a few words in a language unknown to Arrien coming from her lips, sounding to Arrien like a prayer. When she opened her eyes again, they were glowing pure white, an odd smile quirked on her lips. The wind around the ship began to kick up , a storm brewing instantly, clouds filling the sky, covering everything except the crescent moon, which shone that much more brightly now, its beams directed on Lester, who now shielded his eyes as the moon seemed to grow brighter and brighter as lightning struck all around the ship, but never directly hitting it. Suddenly, a beam of immense power shot forth from the moonlight, knocking Lester backwards into the rail, the rain pouring from the clouds now starting to turn to hail. Lester's body twitched involuntarily as wisps of silvery light, not entirely unlike fire drifted forth from his fingertips and mouth, his eyes locked on Tilanne, horrified. Arrien, still crouched over Giles's lifeless form watched in shock as the crew ran for cover, only a few stragglers stood staring, either too fascinated or too terrified to move.
"Cenarius does not favor those who attack people whose defenses are down," Tilanne shouted in a rather calm voice over the falling hail and lightning, "his punishments are swift, though, especially when one of his faithful calls upon him." A bolt of lightning struck the deck immediately at Lester's feet, causing him to scramble out of the way. A moment later, the sky was clear again, and Tilanne grimaced, leaning down over the whimpering warlock, her eyes still glowing a bit brighter than normally, her dark blue hair illuminated by the moonlight, "Do not attack my friends again... if you decide to... I'd strongly advise it not be in my presence." And with that, she returned to Arrien's side, rubbing her back gently and soothing her, discussing how Giles would have preferred for his remains to be cared for.