magostera: I have not forgotten anything I wrote in the previous chapters. And yes, these events are directly related to what happened in Marienburg. What if I tell you that Mizhan and Sithel came with Lokhir Fellhearth? In fact, you already have enough information (at least if you have a minimum of knowledge about the common history of the Asur and the Drucchii) to understand what the role of this amulet is. Think, connect the dots and the truth will appear to you as clear as the crystal. And if you don't understand... don't take it too much from the tragedy, even Hakuno will understand after the fact. As a reward for your attendance let me point out a clue that seems to have gone unnoticed. There is a dragon on the amulet, what does the dragon symbolize in elves (whatever the subspecies)? More specifically, who rides a dragon in elven armies?
Guest: Good Guess. Your supposition is not far from the truth. The 'king' offers the amulet to a person who was fleeing the city. And that is why the Drucchii did not find it. They reasoned as Druchii, in a very Druchhi way (understand: cynically, selfishly, and cruelly) they simply forgot that so soon after the Sundering, the ancient Dark Elves were near-ordinary Asuryan Elves who worshipped Khaine and were at war with Asuryan's followers. No modern Druchii can understand that one of their ancestors could put a... feeling before his personal interest. Mizhan is unable to imagine that the owner of the amulet went into battle after giving the amulet to someone he cared for, saying: "Run away, I will stop the enemies." Self-sacrificing is not really Druchii-ish.
And if you feel a sense of pity in imagining this scene... stop right now.
Daddy Druchii was a tyrant and a slaver who sacrificed human victims to the lord of murder.
As for his adorable cute 12-year-old little girl... she was really proud of her talent for slaughtering victims on the altar.
This is the wonderful world of Warhammer Fantasy, so poetic and bucolic...
Do you remember my description of the fall of the city? The description of the massacre of all Druchii men, women, and children? Yes... Warhammer Fantasy, the world where the 'Good Guys' slaughter the inhabitants of a city until the last newborn child...
And these are the 'Nice Guys'... Wow...
Boyzilla: Yes elves are totally screwed up! Every time I write a chapter that focuses on the Asur or the Druchii, I need more time to write the story. I come up against difficulties such as: "I must not forget that Sithel can't be trusted and may and could betray Mizhan... hmm?... but Mizhan is as twisted as she is, so... yes, so he's not going to give his exact plan to his sister... " Bangs his head against the table.
"But how to make the readers understand that Mizhan's plan is not his real plan, just the plan that he explains to his sister expecting she use this knowledge to betray him... and that there is, of course, a trap somewhere... but also that Sithel suspects that her brother does not tell her the whole truth and she plays her own game by keeping her cards against her chest."
Rubs his skull with both hands on the verge of a nervous breakdown "... and now I have a headache."
Boyzilla... don't you feel sorry for me?
(Actually, I say that, but I love intrigues based on cross-manipulation, where those who think they are puppeteers discover that they are the puppets... of those they considered their puppets.)
Author's note: Oops... when I reread myself, I realized that I completely forgot about Bedivere, I did not talk about him in the last chapter. He is so discreet and silent that he ends up being part of the decor... By the way, that explains why I forgot him.
His opinion on the situation is...he doesn't have an opinion.
Vulnerant Omnes, Ultima Necat
Every (Hour) Hurt, the Last kill
Spectres are Spirits trapped in the mortal world as a result of a broken vow or a curse placed upon them. A few Spectres may make common cause with the living in the hopes relieving their condition and gaining freedom at last. The majority, though, have been driven mad, evil, or both by their years of torment and the knowledge that they helped bring it upon themselves. They attack the living out of pure malice, reaching their hands out from within walls or other objects to paralyze and slowly kill anyone that falls into their clutches.
Warhammer Fantasy 2nd Edition- Old World Bestiary p 110
Once again, the dead had left their graves.
The Spectres of the Druchii roamed their city suddenly rebuilt as it had been at its peak. In the streets, slavers were pushing humans dressed in furs and chained. Further on, Khaine's priestesses... dressed in metallic bikinis... kept flames under a cauldron of bubbling blood.
Hakuno walked in the middle of this very insecure crowd, escorted by Saber and followed by Sithel. Officially, the latter was here to 'help'.
[What a pity...]
Hearing the telepathic voice, Hakuno raised an eyebrow.
[Sir Kay?]
[Um... I was just thinking that if we weren't all dead ghosts for a few centuries and especially if they weren't evil priestesses of a god of murder, I'd take one or two of them to an alley away...]
Hakuno frowned. An alley away? Why did Kay want to take the priestesses away?
Saber looked at her Master.
[ Hakuno? What's going on?]
The Japanese teen repeated what Kay had just said. Artoria rolled her eyes... She would have to have a conversation with her foster brother. A serious conversation...
[It's not important, Master. Forget it. ]
It was adorable as Hakuno could be naive, but at the same time, it worried Saber a lot... Especially since the King of Knights panicked at the thought of being the one who might have to explain... uh... some realities to her Master.
The mutual glances between Saber and Hakuno had not escaped Sithel. Although she shows nothing, she understood that these two were able to communicate without speaking.
A very useful talent and a very annoying one for those who tried to spy on them.
But the two women had made a rookie mistake by not hiding this ability... even an asset could become a weakness if an opponent found a way to exploit it.
And Sithel was far from being stupid. She already had some ideas.
The three women were at the eastern end of the city. The valley widened just before ending in a dead end. The cliffs were particularly high there. Without mountaineering equipment, it was impossible to leave the valley.
After several hours of walking through the streets without noticing anything unusual, the end of the city began again.
Suddenly trumpets and drums sounded.
On the hills and on the top of the cliffs, banners appeared. Some represented horses with flaming manes, phoenixes, unicorns, stars, or swords. They were Asur standards.
Others showed bearded heads wearing helmets, crossed axes, and anvils. They were Dwarfs banners.
One could hear the horses, and the clattering of the armor as a huge army was positioned all around the valley, bringing with it repeater ballistae and cannons.
As flocks of arrows fell on the city and explosions caused buildings to collapse, panic spread through the streets. Terrified women and children ran from one shelter to another...
Saber held out a finger.
"Look at this elf."
Hakuno and Sithel turned in the direction indicated by King Arthur.
In the midst of the burning ruins had just appeared a tall elf dressed in chainmail covered by a white tabard. Raising his sword and shield he made a speech. Around him, the Druchii gathered.
Saber showed the elf's helmet and the pattern on his tabard.
"Did you notice the dragon on his helmet and armor?"
Sithel sighed.
"Yes, he must have been one of the city chiefs. We followed him. He will rally the defenders and lead them effectively, fighting bravely... before succumbing. We searched the place where he died without finding the dragon amulet."
Saber nodded slowly.
Indeed, the defenders were already gathering around the elf wearing the dragon helmet.
"Then there's no need to follow him. But... he came from this building."
Sithel shook her head.
"We also searched it. In fact, we completely searched this part of the city. We even sifted the earth."
It was a really strange situation.
Kind of like watching a movie... seen from the inside. The battle raged around the three women but the arrows, the explosions, and even the buildings that collapsed... nothing could hurt them. Most of the walls were immaterial and there was no heat from the fires.
Nevertheless, it was a horror film.
Hakuno had great difficulty not being affected by the blood on the ground, the mutilated corpses, and the terror of the inhabitants.
It was a relief when the last clashes ended and the spell 'Shadow Miror' was dispelled by Dargin.
The night ended and the dawn illuminated the ruins dating back several millennia. There was nothing left that recalled the horror of the fall of the nameless city. Sithel had a thin, icy smile, caressing her black lips with an equally black nail.
"Well, now you understand our difficulties. Do you have an idea?"
Saber and Hakuno exchanged a long glance... and much more.
Finally, the blonde woman nodded.
"Perhaps, for now, we will rest. Tonight, come and get us at our camp, Lady Sithel. We would need you to lead us to the ruins of the building where the elf with the dragon helmet came from."
"As I told you, we've already searched the ruins of this palace without finding anything, Saber."
"We don't want to search it, just be inside when Dragin calls the Spetres with his necromancy."
The oblique eyes of the Dark Elf narrowed again. Sithel was thinking... finally, she gave up asking questions. After all, she would learn more by watching them act.
"I'll take you to that building."
The great temple of Khain had resisted well to siege weapons and the passage of centuries. In fact, it was the only building in the city that still had a roof. Also, the Druchii had settled in its ruins. Nearby, human slaves were gathered in an enclosure guarded by zombies under the command of a skeleton.
Inside the temple, a meeting was held, gathered around Mizhan, four other black elves listening to Sithel who was making her report.
".. And so, I'll show them around the great palace and watch them."
Mizhan looked at his older sister, admirably hiding his suspicion. He asked a question in a neutral tone.
"Sister, did you tell them that the ruins of the great palace had been thoroughly searched?"
She shrugged her shoulders... a strangely human gesture.
"I think they're more interested in the people in the palace."
Mizhan thought for a few moments, and then he nodded.
"I see. Keep going."
A sardonic smile on her lips, Sithel bowed with feigned respect.
"As you wish, sir."
Although brother and sister, there was hardly any love between them...
Mizhan turned to Dargin. The necromancer was dressed in a black robe and had his head shaved; he seemed tired.
"Will you be rested enough to use the 'Shadow Mirror' tonight?"
The necromancer had a pale smile.
"I've tried to explain it to you before, sir, but the 'Shadow Miror' is a spell that I keep active at all time... so it draws on my energy constantly. If there were not the extra energy I expend to control the dead and prevent them from attacking the living, it would not be more tiring to manifest the Spectres."
'Shadow Mirror' was a spell invented by Dargin a unique creation from a (very long) life of research and experimentation. The Druchii had mixed his necromancy knowledge with his knowledge of curses, his hobby... and the result was this shadow theater, where the dead were forced to relive episodes of their lives. Unfortunately, in its present state it was impossible to communicate with the dead, and therefore to ask them questions.
Dargin sighed.
"If I didn't have to animate eight zombies and a champion skeleton..."
Indeed, until then Dargin had been guarded by a Dark Elf Privateer in charge of protecting him. But the presence of armed humans in the valley had forced the necromancer to strengthen his personal guard.
"All right, Dargin, get some rest."
"Thank you."
The necromancer rose. Before leaving the room, he turned to his leader.
"I don't regret accompanying you, lord Mizhan, it was finally an opportunity to test 'Shadow Mirror' on a large scale, but... did you realize that we won't be able to stay here much longer?"
Mizhan nodded silently.
The temple was guarded by zombies and skeletons and even four Druchii Privateers. No one could get in there and spy on conversations... well, that's what Mizhan thought, but he didn't know the Servants.
Agravain had listened attentively to the conversation. As the participants went to their rooms to rest for a few hours, he left the ruins to report to Master Kishinami.
[... I estimate their numbers at 30 privateers, plus Sithel, Dargin, and Mizhan. There are also about thirty zombies and about thirty human slaves, hungry and terrorized. Counting skeletons is more complicated because they are scattered throughout the valley. But there are probably not more than a dozen. Plus two champion skeletons that serve as officers for the undead platoons. The first leads the zombies and the second is with the skeletons. ]
Hakuno nodded, listening to Agravain's telepathic voice.
[Of course] continued the Servant [I could only count the enemies present in the valley. Luckily, I understand Druchii quite well, since the Moon Cell Automaton taught me the basics of this language. So I was able to listen to the conversations. Bored guard privateers said they hoped they could go on patrol and 'have some fun'. I take it not all Dark Elves are in the valley... and that makes sense. The slaves are merchants and miners captured in the Pale Sisters. And the Druchii must send someone outside to replace the losses in their workforce.]
Again, Hakuno nodded. She was thinking.
She could count on Artoria and Lancelot. Each one was worth an army but... Dargin controlled an entire city full of Spectres.
[Master, if you like... I can take apart a Corsair and question him. ]
It meant that Lancer had to materialize to use his Noble Phantasm. Black Knight's Black Hand allowed him to control the mind of his target... one could even turn a Druchii into a loyal ally. Of course, it was taking a lot of risks... the young Japanese hesitated for a few seconds and then shook her head.
Iron Agravain showed no disappointment. He understood that the risks were significant... Moreover, if he had thought that the benefits were worth it, he was not the type to wait for permission to act.
[One last thing, Master. Beware of Sithel... Whatever she may say or promise, do not believe her. She's an excellent liar, very credible. But she's not here to help her brother, let alone your ally. She has her own plans, her brother is a nuisance and you are just a tool to achieve her goals. This woman is a scorpion waiting for a moment of inattention to inject you with her poison. If you let your guard down once... there won't be a second, because she killed you the first time. You understand, Kishinami? Never lower your guard.]
Agravain's misogyny had found a perfect target to express itself. Agravain's mental voice resounded with contempt and repulsion. Hakuno agreed, well aware that the Servant would not insist so much without reason.
Artoria and Lancelot had waited patiently, unable to participate in the conversation with the Black Knight. Hakuno summarized the report of Agravain Who Knew No Wounds.
Saber simply nodded.
"I agree with Sir Agravain. You have to be wary of Sithel." Her eyes hardened as an expression of determination transformed the beautiful face of Artoria. "Trust me, Master, I will not let him hurt you."
On contrary, Lancelot's face showed a mixture of discomfort and anger.
"I'm sorry, once again I can't be helpful, My King."
Saber turned to him.
"It's not your fault, Sir Lancelot. You don't have to feel guilty."
When they arrived, they had discovered that Lancelot could touch the city's ghost walls (1)... and even be jostled by Spectres. Caster had speculated that the Servants being Ghost Liners (kind of ghosts) were affected by the 'Shadow Mirror' spell.
This was confirmed by Saber. Although her body was made of prana, like Lancelot, her hand passed through the walls like she was a normal human... but the King of Knight was an exception among the Servants because she was still alive.
Thus, Saber could accompany Hakuno. But Berserker would be useless because he has to circumvent obstacles or even Spectres to follow humans... Which was even more serious, his behavior would immediately attract the attention of the Druchii. A necromancer as gifted as Dargin would immediately understand that Lancelot could not be a living being, and considering how powerful the necromancer was, he would certainly find a way to use that knowledge against them.
Hakuno turned to Lancelot.
"Berserker, someone needs to stay with Günter Braun and Werner Gauss."
The two Sigmarites archaeologists were an asset to their side because of their historical knowledge. They were the only ones who could identify the buildings, the emblems of the ancient Druchii... even the modern Dark Elves were unable to. But they were ordinary human beings... and not very young ones. Hakuno couldn't leave them unprotected.
Lancelot's gloomy expression did not change, but he nodded.
"I understand, Master. I obey, but... I'd rather go with you."
Saber touched her knight's shoulder in a compassionate gesture.
"My friend, duty is often a constraint. A knight's role is not to do what he would like to do, but to do what is right. Protect our friends, Sir Lancelot."
It is in moments like this that we realized the true power of the skill "Charisma" (B rank) of King Arthur. Lancelot's expression changed in an instant, replaced by determination.
"Indeed, my King, I thank you for reminding me of my duty. I will protect the innocent. Instead of me, my King, dedicate yourself to the protection of our Master."
"I will, Sir Knight, I give you my word, the word of King Arthur."
Saber turned towards Hakuno.
"Master, we have one last point to discuss. Do we really need to look for the dragon amulet?"
As the young Japanese woman frowned, not understanding what Saber meant, Artoria sighed.
"Master, I'm sure this amulet should not fall into the hands of the Druchii. Let's call it a warning from my gut. We can simply pretend to look for the amulet and wait for Gawain's return with reinforcements. Nevertheless... Sithel is following us to make sure we fulfill our part of the bargain. I don't think we'll be able to fool her.
[There is an intermediate possibility] responded the mental voice of Taliesin. [After all, we can have new ideas slowly... and take time to search the places where the amulet could be hidden. Let's be honest with them... but also slow and stupid... There is little chance that they will see through. The Druchii are convinced that they are smarter than humans.]
Stall the Druchii.
Two more days had passed. Normally Gawain would arrive at Mess the next day. After... everything depended on how quickly Marquise Patricia reacted.
It was a race against time now.
Agravain had continued to listen to the meetings of the Dark Elves. His reports were clear. Dargin was not interested in the amulet. He had only accompanied the expedition to be able to test his 'Shadow Mirror' on a large scale. The necromancer was the most concerned about the situation, he insisted more and more that Mizhan abandon the ruins before the Bretonians come to pick them up.
But Mizhan and Sithel refused to give up. They were literally obsessed with the amulet. It was quite frightening. The two Druchii were manipulative, cunning, and consistent beings, they would not have survived as long if they took risks lightly. That indirectly proved the value of the dragon amulet.
Once again Hakuno, Artoria, and Sithel visited the city of the Druchii. The 'Shadow Miror' spell brought ghosts back to a pseudo-life stage. Inside the large palace, the three women discovered the daily life of the inhabitants.
With the macabre decorations of some rooms or the Druchii who tortured slaves for 'fun', it was not precisely a tourist visit, but rather a ticket to the museum of horrors.
Uncomfortable, Hakuno and her Servant frequently looked away and walked through some rooms fighting a desire to vomit.
On the contrary, Siehel was perfectly relaxed, looking at the most abject behaviors with a certain curiosity but without being shocked. In fact, she was especially surprised by the clothing and appearance of her 'ancestors'. Indeed, it would have been difficult to differentiate them from the Asur. They were often dressed in long, light-colored, floating clothing, wearing gold headbands and jewelry. Most of the inhabitants had light skin, blue eyes, blond hair, or even light brown hair. They would not have attracted attention on a street in Ulthuan.
While looking around her, Sithel was talking to Saber and Hakuno.
The female Druchii asked questions about their lives, where they lived, and where they came from, seeming genuinely interested in their answer.
She also talked about herself... hard to know what was true in what she was saying. Probably not much... Siethel claimed she belonged to a group of Druchii who wished to live in peace with the Westerners. On the contrary, her brother was a 'traditionalist' who believed only in force, a slave driver, and a privateer who had made a reputation by raiding coastal towns of the Old World. Sithel had arranged to join his brother's expedition... to sabotage it, which was probably the only truth in everything she had told. According to his sister, if the dragon amulet fell into Mizhan's hands, he would make bad use of it...
At that moment, as any good actress, Sithel had taken a dramatic pause before turning to Hakuno with an imploring look... which seemed absolutely sincere. Without Agravain's repeated warnings, Hakuno would probably have believed everything she said at this moment.
"If only the amulet were found by more peaceful Druchii, who would be willing to put an end to the absurd conflicts between us and humans."
[If she goes on, I'm going to cry] Kay said ironically. [Poor little Dark Elf bullied by her evil brother... I am the only one to hear violins playing sad music when she speaks? Boy, that sounds like a sad interlude in Michael Bay's blockbuster ... and it's just as badly done.]
Luckily, Hakuno Kishniamai had the perfect poker face... because anyone else would probably have laughed.
Obviously, Hakuno couldn't believe what Sithel was saying... it was a trap, an attempt to manipulate her and use her against her brother. But what did she have to say to the Dark Elf Lady?
While she hesitated, Saber spoke.
"Master, look at this elf."
They were in a great corridor and in the opposite direction had just appeared a tall elf that was advancing between two guards in armor. In his path, the slaves threw themselves on the ground, face down. Even the Druchii bowed politely.
Delighted with the diversion, Hakuno looked at the elf. He was dressed in a white silk tunic that went down to his ankles. And his forehead he wore a tiara adorned with a dragon's head... dragon's head?
"Oh, but it was the elf lord who took the lead yesterday."
"And who's going to take over the defense in a few hours."
Sithel had also forgotten the conversation and watched the elf passing by them, an immaterial guard even passing through her.
"You think he's the bearer of the amulet? Yet he doesn't have it on him at the time of his death."
"Let's follow him," Saber said.
"All right... that or wander around at random... but you didn't answer my question."
"I don't know... but you're the one who says that this amulet must belong to an important person."
"Yes, but..."
Saber interrupted the Druchii, showing with her hand the courtiers who continued to bow on the passage of the elven lord.
"It's the biggest palace in the city and everybody's acting like this elf is very important. If he doesn't have the locket, it's probably someone around him."
"You score a point," admitted Sithel.
As in previous times, the repetition of the last hours of the existence of the city reached the moment of the attack.
However, this time, the three young women experienced the attack from inside a building. The dwarves' artillery was aimed at the palace and the ground was shaken by tremors... which they did not feel. Stretches of walls and pieces of roofs crushed the courtiers.
The elf lord was attending an official event at the time of the surprise attack.
In the midst of chaos, he was the first to react hastily leaving his throne to run to an adjacent corridor. Only his bodyguards were able to follow him.
"Let's not lose sight of him," cried Saber.
It was easier said than done. Of course, the jostling of the Druchii seeking to leave the building in the process of collapse did not concern them. Nevertheless, the smoke and the crowd quickly made them lose sight of the elf lord.
After a few hours of wandering around looking for him, the 'Shadow Mirror' spell ended.
Saber looked at the ruins around them. The palace was still recognizable, despite the passage of centuries.
"Lady Sithel, tonight you will lead us to the reception room where the Lord stood at the time of the attack."
Once again the agonizing cries of the dead, drawn from their eternal sleep by Dargin's spell, were preceded by a few seconds of the shimmering that announced the reappearance of the city. The ruins of the palace - a few stretches of half-collapsed walls - became again rooms furnished, decorated, and occupied by courtesans, guards, and human slaves.
Hakuno, Artoria, and Sithel had settled in the corridor through which the lord had disappeared just after the beginning of the attack.
Sithel was comparing the scene with a plan established during the excavations.
"In this direction, these are vast rooms that we think are apartments for high-ranking nobles and..."
She paused, smiling ironically.
"Look who is visiting us. The Lord of Minolta."
Saber turned around, recognizing the elf lord crowned with the dragon's tiara. The Druchii nobleman was advancing framed by two bodyguards.
"Minolta," asked Hakuno.
"That's the name of this town," said Sithel, who was a little annoyed at having unintentionally provided non-essential information.
Without hesitation, the three women followed the Lord of Minolta. It soon became quite boring, the tall Druchii visiting many places in the palace to be seen and to distribute orders. And of course, they never saw anyone wearing an amulet adorned with a dragon.
And the infernal repetition of events reached the hour of the surprise attack. Once again, the assault of the allied armies of the Elves and Dwarves occurred...
This time the three women succeeded in following the Lord of Minolta to his chambers. While terrified servants rushed to bring him his armor, a beautiful Elven woman holding a child by the hand entered the room.
Having finished putting on his armor, the lord removed a painting from a wall... revealing an iron chest embedded in the wall. Opening the trunk he took out a small flat box which he entrusted to the Druchii woman... his wife, no doubt.
Lowering the arm of a statue, he pushed the woman and the child into the secret passage that had just opened. After a brief and moving farewell, the woman and the little girl left in the company of the bodyguards of the Lord of Minolta.
Of course, Sithel wanted to follow them... but can't. One could see the ghost passage extending in the distance, in a blurry way. But the image was superimposed by the accumulation of rocks that filled the tunnel in the present time.
Zombies and human slaves worked hard, digging the ground of the palace, and removing the earth and rocks. We could already see the beginning of the screeching tunnel.
"It will take several days to clear this passage," said Mizhan, turning to his sister.
"Oh, and what should I do in the meantime?"
"Well, keep entertaining our guests. you seem so eager to get their friendship... I didn't realize you lacked that much affection. When we get home, remind me to buy you some human slaves to keep you company."
Sithel turned pale because of his derisive tone. However, she remained calm.
"I thank you, my brother. I will see to it that I reward you for your concern."
"Of course, my dear sister."
Mizhan walked away without worrying about his sister's hateful look.
A few hundred miles away...
Gawain was advancing on the red carpet leading to the few steps above which was installed the large armchair - almost a throne- where Marquise Patricia was seated.
He knelt and waited.
"Sir Gawain, Knight of the Round Table," said the melodious voice of the aristocrat.
The Knight of the Sun raised his eyes.
"To serve you, madam."
The Marquise smiled.
" I've heard a lot of good things about you, sir knight."
"Alas, my fair lady, I am not here to talk about myself or my exploits. I have an important mission. If you will listen to me, my request is urgent."
The smile fell on the Marquise's face.
"I listen to you, sir knight."
"My King and my Master are in danger, they were captured by Druchii."
There was a moment of astonished silence, and then all those present began to speak at once, shouting questions or becoming indignant.
It took the Marquise a while to calm the courtiers.
"Druchii are there?"
"Yes, my Lady..."
And Sir Gawain recounted the events which he had witnessed.
(1) See chapter 34.