Catalin reached out a hand to steady the Watchman in his saddle. Kraw was spent, in more ways than one. His face was thin and haggard, his eyes sunken in deep, dark wells. The man looked haunted and half-dead. Still, though, his eyes were wide open, and they shone with purpose. He swayed slightly in his saddle from time to time, but he rode. "What manner of darkness is this?" Catalin asked, half to himself, but the Watchman heard. "A deep and ancient one," Kraw responded, his voice tired, but firm, "That is all I know of it. I was told a Wizard of sufficient power could read the curse and help me find some succor from it." Aeritas glanced sideways at the Watchman, his face doubtful, but he said little. Still, Catalin had the impression that not much escaped the warrior's notice. There seemed to be much more to Aeritas than he was willing to show at the moment. Catalin turned back to the Watchman and nodded. "There is one that I know of," Catalin said, "If there is some lore or magic involved, he would be the one to seek. His name is Jupiter." Kraw nodded, a thin smile spreading across his face, "Yes, I knew him once," Kraw said, his voice soft and full of sorrow. ______________________________ On the shores of the Sapphire Pool, South Paws Jupiter's eyes began to glow. At first, the pale, milky white orbs seemed to expand, then they began to glow a soft red. The red lightened to orange, then faded to brilliant yellow. The yellow intensified, and grew to a blazing white lite that was hard to look at. His voice muttered ancient words of power, deep and guttural, just beyond the edge of hearing. The power of his spell seeped slowly into Ascher, where it met immediate resistance. Something deep within him pushed back, and the pressure began to mount. Jupiter's voice rose in pitch and rhythm, until he was chanting frantically. Then, finally, he collapsed one more, his robe beginning to show deep stains from his sweat. It was the fifth time he'd tried to cleanse the curse, and the fifth time he'd been rebuffed. The Wizard's breath came in rough, ragged gasps. He was exhausted. The spells he was summoning were of an older magic than the ones inscribed in the current spellbooks. These incantations drew power from no reagents...only from the caster and from the pure chaos of the universe. If they were used too much, or too often, they could literally drain the life from a Wizard's mind and soul. Aeritas helped Jupiter up and onto a bench to recouperate. Ascher simply rolled over onto his back, exhausted. As he did so, his right and touched the waters of the pool, and the water immediately began to roil and bubble where his hand had hit. Ascher jerked his hand back, and the boiling ceased. Jupiter rose, nodding his head slowly, "I thought it might be so. But is she ready to reveal herself?" Jupiter stroked one hand down his beard, pondering. The water had reacted on its own. Maybe that was a message in itself that she would be willing to help? After all, the power of the pool was such that it only bore those signs and reactions that the Sapphire Maiden chose to allow. Within her own environment, the magic creature was very nearly supremely powerful. There was only one way to find out... Jupiter rose, and strode to the edge of the water. He faced Ascher and took a deep, steadying breath. "There is one other thing that is within my power to attempt," Jupiter said, his eyes serious, "I must warn you, however, that it is dangerous in its own right. It involves an appeal to a higher authority…and there are no guarantees.†Ascher nodded numbly, exhausted. Jupiter immediately turned, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the waters of the Sapphire pool. Ascher watched as the Wizard seemed to flow through the water more so than walk through it. No ripples spread out, and there was no sound of sloshing water…Jupiter simply passed from one place to the next. At the center of the pool rose a tall stone spire capped with a pulsating stone. Jupiter stepped up to the stone, passed his hands over it, and whispered ancient incantations to activate it. The crystal seemed to vibrate for a brief moment, then it began to slowly pulsate alternating between red and green. After a time, the red faded away, and the rhythm of the crystal’s pulsing slowed, settling on a vibrant, shining green hue. Jupiter took one step back, and nodded, “I have explained our dilemma to the Sapphire Maiden. The decision is hers….†___________________________ Ascher swayed a little as he nodded. He looked at the crystal clear, blue waters of the pool. The water was the most beautiful, most inviting he’d ever seen. Even the deep indigo of the frigid North Seas in one of their rare calm, flat moments between storms was not enough to compare. Ascher started to turn away, but found he couldn’t. The water had mesmerized him in some way. He could feel it drawing him in, pulling on his mind and his soul. A voice, faint at first, seemed to vibrate through the water and out of the green crystal. Ascher Kraw, Keeper of Shadowcove, step into my waters. Ascher steadied himself, swallowed hard, and stepped down into the pool. The water was cool and ripples spread out in slow, even rings from his point of entry. Something about that troubled him, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. The water reached just above Ascher’s knees, but it looked much deeper towards the center of the pool. Come to me, Kepper of the Flame, let me examine this curse that I might determine the nature of the one who cast it. Ascher walked slowly towards the spire in the center of the pool and the water got steadily deeper. The ripples coming off him were larger now, and they began to meet the ones bouncing back from the spire and the far side of the pool itself. The ripples quickly grew into small waves, and those into larger white caps. When the water reached his shoulders, it was boiling so hard that Ascher wondered if he might drown. Then, a noise began to build around them. The day seemed suddenly to lose its force as the sunlight was drained from the area. The sound grew, a low buzz at first, but rising quickly into an ear piercing wail of pain and anguish that seemed to come from the very rocks and boulders of the earth as well as the air around them. The chimes from the Shrine were lost in the din. Ascher, worried that he was causing the Sapphire Maiden pain, turned to flee. Abruptly, the boiling water and the unearthly wail ceased completely. NO! Do not flee! The Sapphire Maiden called, I am not ready to reveal myself to this foe yet. His magic is strong and in the fullness of its power, while mine is still fledgling and growing. There will come a time when we shall be forced to do battle…. But not today The hue of the crystal changed slightly, and the voice of the Sapphire Maiden seemed suddenly stronger than before. Ascher, take an empty vile from your pack and fill it with my waters. The curse that afflicts you is a powerful one, and cast by one that is ancient and experienced in the dark arts. You must oppose this force with all of your will. As long as you do this, as long as you refuse to compromise even a small amount, there is a limit to what this evil can do to you. And, when you prepare to sleep, take a small sip from the vial. The Sapphire Waters will offer you some restoration and lend strength to your resistance. For the time, I’m afraid that is all I can do. Ascher took an empty potion bottle, and filled it, carefully replacing the stopper. The glow of the crystal had faded to a dim green deep within the gem. Jupiter was leaning close to it, nodding, and whispering alternately. After a few moments, the crystal faded to dark, and Jupiter motioned Ascher to the bank. The two of them moved smoothly through the water, causing no ripples. As Ascher climbed out of the pool, he felt renewed. His weariness was gone, as if washed away. He could tell that he needed sleep and rest, still, but he had his clarity of thought and his vigor back once more. Ascher stretched, and took up his spear, spinning it lightly in his hands. It felt good to watch the steel blade glint in the sunlight as he spun it. Jupiter stepped out of the water behind him, and Ascher blinked. The Wizard was completely dry. Suddenly, Ascher looked down at his own clothes, and there wasn’t a speck of water on them. He shook his head confused. “The Sapphire Maiden exerts her own power over the pool,†Jupiter said, “It is unlike any other water known to man. She bid me give you welcome any time to replenish your vial.†Ascher nodded, placing the bottle of clear blue water carefully in is pack. Jupiter took a deep breath, his face settling into a frown, “Your warnings earlier, Watchman,†The Wizard said, “It seems your hunch about a gathering darkness was correct. And we are not the only targets. There is, as we speak, an ongoing attack on the ruins of White Harbor. Undead spirits, including liches are haunting the area.†Ascher tightened his grip on his spear, “Then we should go and drive them out. It may not be any longer, but White Harbor was my home once, and it was a good one. I took oaths that I don’t consider forfeit, no matter how many ages have passed since I spoke them.†Jupiter smiled, “I agree,†The Wizard said, “There should be a quest. But, my old friend, this quest is not yours….†Jupiter turned his gaze, and Ascher followed it to the warrior Aeritas, sitting on the bench quietly. The warrior suddenly looked up from inspecting his boots and blinked. “Hmm?†Aeritas said, confused. Jupiter simply smiled, “It seems you have been chosedn, Aeritas…†The Wizard began…..
Suflare Vitale! ~The Reckoning~ Aeritas led the way south with Ascher guarding the rear. He guided his horse among the trees, staying well off the main roads. Aeritas proved a more than capable guide, though, and soon the terrain began to change. The towering hardwoods of the southern forest gave way to the jungles of Trinsic. They stayed out of the city, and looped far to the west before turning south again. As the leagues rolled past, neither man spoke much. As the night deepened, Ascher began to see landmarks he recognized. He was coming close to familiar ground. Suddenly, the thick canopy overhead parted, and they were in a massive clearing. The two men stared at the incredible way the jungle seemed to hover just at the edges of a massive expanse of calf high grass. Rabbits the size of large cats loped away into the thick jungle as the horses moved through the clearing. Beneath the grass, Ascher saw the outlines of massive stone slabs. He recognized the masonry. "This was the northern wall," Ascher said, smiling sadly, "It was the extent of White Harbor's reach at the height of it. Two castles stood here, shoulder to shoulder, and defended the southern city." "Why doesn't the jungle come in and claim this?" Aeritas asked, his helmet off his head, and resting on the pommel of his saddle for the moment. Ascher smiled, "A wizard asked it not to." "And?" Aeritas asked, confused. Ascher shrugged, "I guess the jungle agreed." He turned his horse back south and nodded, "I suppose I know the general area we are going now. Do you mind if I take the lead for a while? It has been a very long time since I set foot in these lands. This was my home... I was one of a handful that was there from the beginning." As they crossed the threshold of the clearing, the jungle closed back around them. But Ascher knew the direction now, and had no trouble keeping it. The jungle was different, as it always was, but the land was still the same. He had learned long ago to base his bearings off thinks like hills, streams, lakes, and other things that didn't tend to grow or die on short time frames. The one exception to that had always been the towering Yew trees of the north. Even when they fell they would still serve as a good landmark for months, even years as the lumberjacks worked to take them apart, board by board. As they rode, they encountered a few pesky ratmen, an ettin, and one heavily armored Troll. With both men wielding long spears and healing the little damage their foes were able to inflict, none of them posed even the semblance of a true threat. Still, there was a nagging feeling eating at Ascher as he rode, adn it made him restless. "The two that came last night," Ascher said finally, "They were from here too. They spoke about orcs and an invasion that finally broght White Harbor down. Back then, there was a man that I knew.... his name was Japheth. He was a scribe in Trinsic, the personal scribe to the Lord Captain of the Paladin. As such, he was never far from the Lord Captain's side, and he was a trusted council in unsettled times. And times grew very unsettled." Ascher paused as they dealth with a band of ratmen and harpies. The fight was intense, but over quickly. Both creatures were clumsy, and ill-equipped to deal with men in armor on horseback. The commotion attracted the attention of a pack of massive dire wolves, though. The horses were rattled by the scent of the predators, and threatened to bolt. And then, the wolves pounced. The fight was fierce, and by the end of it both men were bloodied and ragged. But the wolves had fared far worse. Ascher skinned two of them and tucked the hides into his pack. A skilled tailor would be able to put them to good use. After several leagues of riding, the two men came to the Shrine of Honor. They rode a quick circuit of the Shrine, checking for any enemies. Ascher, a master tracker, could find no sign of any threat. For the moment, it seemed they were safe, so the two entered the ancient stone cathedral. Ascher knelt at the ankh, and bowed his head. He heard Aeritas kneel as well. After a moment, both men stood, saluted, and Ascher said softly, "Suflare Vitale." "Japheth was an older man, and he was very wise," Ascher continued, "He taught me history in the Academy, when I was training to be a Paladin. The training never took, and I dropped out, but I remember his classes very well. He was a wise man, and he was a good judge of character. He could look at a man and take stock of him in a glance. The Lord Captain valued his word and his council. But the Lord Captain was also a fiercely loyal man. And when Japheth cautioned him that a life long friend's house would betray him, the Lord Captain couldn't believe it. He exiled Japheth in a fit of rage, and had him escorted under arms outside the walls of Trinsic. He was given a thousand gold pieces and a weeks worth of rations." "That hardly seems fair," Aeritas said, "Or just. Why such a harsh reaction?" "Because the daughter of the house was the Lord Captain's wife," Ascher replied, "And the Lord Captain could not believe that his wife would betray him, and she did not. In the end, it was a servant of her house that betrayed them all... a servant named Fiorn. But that is another tale itself. What is important to know is that Fiorn's betrayal was complete. He opened the gates to the enemy and they flooded in. Orcs, Ettins, Trolls, and all manner of minions of darkness ran through the streets of Trinsic, looting, burning, and killing everything in sight. It was a complete and utter destruction. There were some survivors, but far too few, and the city itself was not among them." Ascher paused, trying to take a breath past the sudden lump in his throat. For a long moment, both men rode in silence, the full weight of Ascher's words hanging heavy in the air. "I can still remember the smell of the smoke," Ascher continued, finally, "I was leagues away, patrolling the borders of The Vale, out by the Shrine of Spirituality when the wind suddenly shifted. I could smell it instantly...this dry, acrid stink of burning wood and flesh. My heart sank, and I knew what it was. Japheth had been warning about it for weeks as the guard patrols sent out to check on the outposts along the northern frontier kept failing to return. Japheth saw the signs, but the Lord Captain refused to, and the City Council deferred to the office of the Lord Captain in all matters of defense. I had to see it with my own eyes to believe it, though, so I turned south east and put my heels into my horse." Ascher patted his horse's neck, and smiled. "I pushed that horse harder than was fair, to be honest. Almost rode him into the dirt, but I had to see if there was any way I could help. I found Japheth on the slopes of the moutain to the west of Trinsic. He sat at the headwaters of a small river that runs off the face of the mountains and eventually into the sea. He was several leagues back from Trinsic, and had a full view of it." Ascher paused, and shook his head, "It was hard to look at that. The entire city was smoldering. The walls had been breached in several places. All of the buildings were either burning or burned out. The column of smoke rising from it was so large it had created a line of thunderstorms a hundred leagues to the north, and the flashes in the clouds lit up the northern darkness. I've been told they could see it in the sky in Britain once the sun was up. Japhet was sitting on a rock, facing the city, tears streaming silently down his face and into his long white beard." They were along the coast now, and Ascher was looking hard at the ground as they rode, checking for any signs of monsters in the area. "The eastern sky was just beginning to turn light when I came upon the Scribe. He didn't even turn around when I dismounted and approached him from behind. I suppose at that moment, he wasn't very much concerned with what was about to happen to him. As the first red edge of the sun broke on the eastern horizon, Japhet bowed his head, and his shoulders shook as he wept. I didn't feel it right to watch, so I turned and tended to both of our horses. After a few moments, he joined me. He never said a word, just took the brush from my hand and began to brush my horse. After a long moment of silence, I asked him, 'Japheth, what do I do?' He looked at me, his face a blank mask, and said, 'I am a Scribe. It is a Scribe's responsibility to record things. So that is what I shall do.'" "And what did you do?" Aeritas asked. "I was a warrior, as were many others here in White Harbor. So, we fought...and lost, eventually. The army of darkness turned south and attacked White Harbor. We were beaten back every time we tried to mount a defense. Fiorn had betrayed us too, but that is a different story. For now, it is enough to know that White Harbor fell and fell hard. However, before the fall was complete, there were some very nasty things done to the city and her people." Suddenly, Ascher pulled his horse to a stop, and motioned for Aeritas to do the same. He pointed ahead, around a slight bend in the coastline, and put one finger to his lips. The two crept forward slowly and silently. When they got close to the bend, they dismounted, and edged out in front of thei horses. There, around the bend and a hundred yard or so down the beach was the shattered ruin of what had once been a large brick home. The foundation walls, built with locally quarried stone, were still standing strong, but the walls had long since crumbled. In the center of the ruin was a gruesome altar in the shape of a massive stone abatoir. Ascher nodded, and the two backed up slowly, "That is the location you described to me, as best as I can tell," Ascher said when they were back behind the tree line, "I've seen signs of liches prowling the area. Small spells cast here and there with some twisted, dark imitation of natural magic. You will be in for a serious fight if you go alone. If you are willing, I will ride with you a little farther." Aeritas offered his hand to Ascher, who took it in a strong grip, "You have been an invaluable guide, and I would be honored to have you ride with me," Aeritas replied. Aeritas nodded, considering the matter settled, and took out a spear whose foot long leaf-blade of a point was cast in enchanted silver. Ascher took out one similar to it, and pulled his ringmail gloves tight on his hands. He checked his pack to make sure the bandages and potions were all within easy reach. He bent and whispered reassuringly to his horse, and scratched the animal's ears. Aeritas finished his own routine of preparation, and the two nodded to each other. Ascher raised his spear in salute, and Aeritas returned it. Then, Aeritas held his spear high, turned, and heeled his horse forward. The two charged at full gallop around the bend in the coastline, and they thundered into the midst of the ruins almost as quickly as the creatures lurking there took notice of them. Ascher brought down two wraiths and three zombies. Aeritas took out a trio of spectres, two axe-wielding skeletons, and a zombie himself. Then, they heard the bone chilling cackle of the liche. The towering, emmaciated creature lurched forward, leaning on its gnarled staff. It cast spells of summoning first, bringing more spectres and zombies to attack them. Then, it set about casting other spells of flame and energy... The air aroudn them seemed to hum with it. Ascher and Aeritas circled the liche, and came at it from both directions. WIth its attention divided, it couldn't defend from one while attacking the other. They put a quick end to the beast. But another sprung from the alter to replace it. The two men exchanged a knowing glance, and set their shoulders. It was going to be a hard task. They fought for what seemed like weeks. They felled a number of lesser undead as well as nine liches in all. When the last liche fell, an eerie silence seemed to settle over the ruins. Aeritas stepped out into the center of the altar and knelt. He placed a small candle in the exact center of the altar and bowed his head. He whispered, "Suflare Vitale." There was a brief flash, and the wick of the candle came alight. The flame burned tall, and bright as a torch for a brief moment, before settling into a strong, slightly flickering, flame. Even when Aeritas bent and attempted to blow it out, the candle remained lit. Satisfied, he stood, and walked slowly and calmly off the altar. "This area will be safe, for a short while," Aeritas said, "Jupiter informed me that was a magic candle he had crafted, and it couldn't be blown out by the wind. As long as that candle burns here, the darkness cannot come here. The wax will melt, though, and eventually it will go out. That is the nature of things." Ascher looked at this man suddenly with new eyes. Before he had seen only the image of an honorable warrior. The more he got to know him, though, the more Aeritas struck him as more than that. Fate had put her mark on this man, it seemed. "Jupiter wanted me to return and tell him when it was done," Aeritas said, "Come, ride with me and tell me more of the histories you know. I find them much more...engaging...than the histories I'm used to." Ascher nodded, "I will... and if you like lively histories, you should read the book that Japheth wrote on the fall of Trinsic. True to his word, he recorded things.... and that record still stands today." Ascher looked around the ruins of the old Guild Hall of White Harbor, and he breathed a heavy sigh, "His words have stood longer than the stone walls and towers of my home or his. Of course, the fall of Trinsic wasn't the end of the war; rather, it was the beginning. Still, things got pretty bleack from there.... but that is a different story altogether...." Ascher said as they turned their horses back north. The men rode, and talked, getting to know one another in the process. As they did, Ascher gained more and more respect for this man, Aeritas. He seemed fair and totally devoted to justice and honor. Still, there was a nagging question in the back of Ascher's mind throughout the ride back to Paws. He wondered why Jupiter had told Aeritas that it was the candle that was magic, and not the words. He scratched his chin as he thought, an old habit. He was sure the Wizard had his reasons, but as usual, they were far too subtle and complex for Ascher to understand on his own. The night passed quickly as they rode, and they encountered more creatures of the darkness as they rode north. They dispatched them together, and in due course found themselves trotting back into the relative safety of the Shrine and the village. As Ascher dismounted, the first rays of sunlight were just starting to reach the Shrine. Ascher paused and reveled in the moment. He breathed in deeply through his nose, and savord the smell of the morning. After every battle he'd ever been in, he'd followed this ritual. It relaxed him, centered him, and reminded him to take every breath and treasure it....for you never know when it might be your last.
Fiorn stepped into the common room of the inn, and everything seemed to suddenly go still. The noises that one always finds when men gather with drinks in hand faded to a dim murmur. The fires seemed to dim, and the colors greyed out. All except for one table, pushed back into a corner, half-hidden by shadows. That corner seemed to glow with the light of a thousand suns. When Fiorn turned toward it, for a moment, it threatened to overwhelm him, and he raised his hand instinctively to shield his eyes. His quarry was there, and the exhileration of finally tracking Kraw down was more than he could handle. Fiorn stood transfixed for a moment, and then the enchantment broke, and the world flooded back in on him. Fiorn scurried out of the inn, knocking over a waitress in the process. As he did, he cast a glance back over his shoulder. The overwhelming glow was gone. In its place was a pair of cold, hard eyes, following his every movement. Kraw gripped a bare dagger in his hand so hard, his fingers were white. Fiorn's blood ran cold at that glare. It was one he had seen in the face of countless men and women before....the look of pure, incandescent hatred. He knew that if he'd been standing within arm's reach, Kraw would have burried that dagger in his heart without hesitating. Then, the closing door broke Kraw's glare, and left Fiorn out in the night, panting and trembling. Kraw had known he was coming, and had recognized who he was on sight. That look of open hatred and rage was all the proof Fiorn needed. Somehow, he'd been unmasked..... That meant the time to strike was growing near.
