The dark elf stood over the pedastel where the ancient scroll once lay. It was both foolish and pointless for the king to have kept it there, as it was too obvious, and noone knew what the scroll meant. In it's place there was a small doll of it's abductor. It was a spell cast upon it so that it would be easier to locate the thief if it was ever stolen. This doll took the shape of a young human male, with dark red hair, and fierce eyes. The same human that was taken prisoner just that morning. Sashakra, the dark elf, turned and walked out of the library, and down to his secret room. he felt that he needed to report this to his true master.
Elsewhere in the castle, an Einhasad Priestess by the name of Winsum was also reporting to her master, the king of Aden.
"...and yes i do know him, to answer your question." She finished.
"Oh really?" said the King "What's his name, and how exactly DO you know him?"
"Simply put, his name is Gharik, and he is my brother." answered Winsum.
"So will you know where to find him?"
"Most likely, but now i must ask you something, why do you want this scroll back?"
"I don't" the king said, truthfuly. "You see, last night I had a dream, it told me the subject of the prophecy would find out his destiny. In the dream i knew what that meant, so i prepared the scroll to be stolen, cast the spell so that i would know the appearence of the man in the prophecy, and thereby bring him here and question him. Needless to say, i'm most displeased that my Court Magician was unable to prevent him from escaping."
"Well, worry not, my king, for my magics will be sufficient enough to subdue my brother, and i wil be sure he gets here safely."
"Any ideas where to start?" asked the king.
"The Thieves Guild seems like a good place to me." answered Gharik's sister.
"Oh come on! i think i deserve to read it at least once, i AM the one who got it for you anyways." Complained Gharik. Shadow was busy reading her new treasure, and held up her hand to silence him. The thief would have argued further, but knew there wouldnt be a point in it.
"Very fascinating." She said at last.
" What's fascinating?" said Gharik, reaching for it. His hand was grabbed, however, by the formidable sized orc. Gharik tried pulling his arm free, but it wouldn't budge, until Shadow told the orc to let him go.
"Who are you anyways?" he asked the orc.
Shadow answered for him. "His name is Uzza. He has been my bodyguard since i was 10 years old. By the way, here's your dagger again, you seemed to have dropped it."
"You would have misplaced it too if you threw it out a window." said Gharik as he held his dagger once again, and placed it in his belt. "Now can you please at least tell me about this scroll?"
"Alright." answered the young beauty. "To be honest, i don't really understand it that much, but i believe it to be a prophecy containing the future and fate of this world."
"Sounds big."
"Indeed, i don't expect you to comprehend this much either, but here you go" she said, handing the scroll to Gharik.
"Well, let's work this out together."
"Death has two siblings,
a twin also.
The times for peace have long since passed,
Doom and Destruction will follow.
Souls of long suffering will battle the ones that rest.
Death has two siblings,
a twin also.
The time for war has come,
The towers of Aden will fall.
The Dark Lord lives again,
and once more shall take up his call.
Death has two siblings,
a twin also."
"You know, for being so straightforward, it sure is confusing." Gharik said at last. They were looking at the ancient scroll in Shadow's study.
"Indeed." Shadow answered "Look at this line, 'the times for peace have long since passed'. We've been at peace ever since the war with Gracia.
"Not exactly, we've been at war with each other within Aden kingdom almost forever. Inter-racial wars, that is. Like the Elves and the Dark elves."
"If you're implying that we need to get them to be friends...."
"Of course not, that's almost impossible" Gharik interrupted. "What I'm confused the most about is all this 'Death has two siblings' jibberish."
"well, their names are given here 'Doom and Destruction'" Shadow explained. "They're usualy considered to be together right? Although, what about this twin?"
"It may be another expression. Like a second death. Look at this line 'Souls of long suffering will battle the ones that rest' they may the two Death figures."
"Well, we trust that the souls that die peacably are sent to the Underworld. I don't see how any could be at unrest."
"I can." Said Gharik remembering what he was told from the old man. "There's a cult in Aden Castle that's secretly ressurecting undead bodies by evil crafts."
"Where did you learn that?!" Shadow almost yelled out of surprise.
"An old man in the dungeons of Aden told me during my stay there." Gharik replied.
"That's big! How could you forget to tell me earlier??" She demanded.
"I had alot on my mind....speaking of which, i just thought of some stuff i have to do. I need to head to the Thieves Guild so i can retire finally."
"Very well, could you lead us to it then? We can't have you wandering about alone."
"Ok, let's get going. It's a bit of a hassle to get to." Gharik said, walking to the entrance of Shadow's home.
Meanwhile, at the castle, Winsum was forming up a squad of 6 capable soldiers to follow her to the Thieves Guild.
Sashakra was also given directions there as well. Arming himself with his seven-foot long, double bladed spear, he set out to capture Gharik, and kill anyone who got in his way.
The Theives Guild was located within the sewers under Oren Castle Town. Needless to say, access was strictly limited to burglars. To get inside, Gharik had to, first, locate the magical lock, which was found based on the time of day/night on an old wall of the sewer that led out of Oren, out of sight to any passer bys. Once he found the lock, he had to place the numbers, that were circling aound the center of the lock, in the correct order so that the trap was disarmed. Pushing the secret door open, he encountered the door-guard.
"Password?" the guard asked.
"Shut up" Gharik replied instantly. This wasnt the password, but he didnt need it
The guard smiled. "I didn't think you'd be back, you said you were going to rob a Wizard, which usualy results in death."
"Well, im back now, for the final time unfortunatly." Gharik said. "How are things here?"
"You missed alot of action here boy." The guard answered. "We got a new leader two days after you left."
"Death or Loot?"
"Death, the new guy killed our old leader in a fair one on one fight. If you were successful on your last robbery, you might start off on good terms with him." The guard eyed Gharik's coin purse curiously
"Well, i wasn't successful, and i'm retiring. I have much bigger things to do." Gharik explained.
"What bigger things?"
"Never you mind, let's just go, these two are my friends also, so they go where i go."
"Suit yourself friend, and goodluck with the new boss." The Thief let them pass into the Thieves Guild.
It was a big place. The sewers spread out to form an antechamber, which had to ramps on either side of it leading up to a makeshift throne. all around the bottom of the chamber were tunnels leading out into the sewers. Gharik lead Shadow and Uzza up to the throne, on which sat the King of Thieves. He looked at Gharik inquisitively, as they had never met before.
"Hello boss." Gharik said with only a slight sense of respect in his voice.
"Hello fellow thief. My name is Solt, what is yours?" answered the boss of burglars.
"I'm Gharik, and these are my friends Shadow and Uzza. I have come before you to resign from burglaring."
"Well, i didn't know you when you were here, so i won't care if you leave. However, i must demand that you keep this place secret for the rest of your natural life, of course. Can't have guards coming in here one day demanding blood or bounties and whatnot."
They suddenly heard a new voice. "It isn't that big of a secret, my dear thief."
They looked down and saw Winsum standing there, in front of six Castle guards. The leader of the Thieves Guild yelled in outrage at this trickery.
"Fiend! Backstabbing, double-crossing, idiotic fool!" He shouted at Gharik. He snapped his fingers and 10 rouges came out of the shadows of the sewers, unsheathing rapiers and daggers.
Thinking quickly, Gharik pushed Shadow and her bodyguard off the throne platform and jumped down himself, they rand over to Winsum as she was casting a spell at a group of thieves. Cords shot out of the ground and instantly entangled them, the began fighting them off, cursing.
"Ahhhh, I'm just in time." Came another new voice.
Gharik turned and saw a dark elf standing in the entrance of one of the sewers that lead into the main chamber. He was holding a very menacing looking spear that had a blade on both ends. two of the castle guards began closing in on the new invader, but with two quick slashes he slew them both. Twirling it around behind him, he lashed upwards, killing a rouge that was jumping at him. Stepping over the three dead bodies, he began advancing towards Gharik. Gharik stood, with his dagger at the ready, but the dark elf just laughed.
"Dead or alive, you're coming with me human" without even looking behind him, he lashed his spear in back of him, slaying another rouge that was trying to sneek up on him.
Gharik knew they had to get away, and fast. He looked around desperatly for help, Winsum was battling the leader of the thieves, Uzza was trying to be tackled by 5 rouges, but Shadow was just standing there.
"Do something" He yelled at her.
Shadow sighed, raised her hand at Sashakra, and began casting an arcane spell. A huge ball of fire erupted from her hand, and rushed at the dark elf.
Sashakra merely raised up his own hand and absorbed the fire into it. Which made Shadow stare in disbelief.
Sashakra was in striking distance of Gharik now, the dark elf swung once, twice. Both times narrowly being avoided by the young human. Another guard tried rushing at him, but was run through by Sashakra's spear.
"Run!" Gharik yelled in all the confusion.
Shadow and winsum both started casting a spell, and a huge fog suddenly covered the room.
Uzza, throwing off the final humans the were trying to bring him down, was guided by Shadow and Winsum. Together they found Gharik and hauled themselves out of the sewers.
"What in the Underworld was that?" Gharik asked once they were in the sunlight.
"The smokescreen? or the battle?" Winsum said.
"more of the battle" answered Gharik.
"I'm not sure of why the dark elf was there, or even where he got to, but I was sent here to find you, and bring you back to the castle." Said his sister.
"I'm not being thrown in the dungeons again, am i? asked Gharik.
"Oh don't you worry about a thing, you're big sister's here now."
Shadow winked at Gharik "it's nice to see someone who may be able to keep you out of trouble, here's your dagger again too."
"Oh don't you worry about a thing, you're big sister's here now."
Shadow winked at Gharik "it's nice to see someone who may be able to keep you out of trouble, here's your dagger again too."
babysitter haha. love the humor.
keep it comming!!!
The road back to Aden took some time, but with his new friends, it went by rather quickly. Gharik, Winsum, Shadow, and Uzza had just passed the river after Oren Castle, when they heard a loud fight going on. Gharik told they others to stay put, as he went and investigated.
crossing over a hill he saw the cause of the disturbance. The scene he saw was indeed an odd one. A lone dwarf was desperately trying to fend off 3 human brigands. He looked tired ad the humans were closing in on him, despite his spear swinging wildly at them. The now retired thief drew his dagger and rushed to help the dwarf. One of the brigands saw him running at them and pointed him out to his companions. They immediatly stopped tormenting the dwarf and rushed at Gharik.
Gharik inhaled deeply and dived under the first swing of one of the brigand's sword. Standing up, he drove his dagger deep into the human's chest. He immediatly dropped down on his stomach just in time to dodge another blow that was aimed at his head. turning onto his back, Gharik kicked out at the shins of the second brigand, causing him to fall on Gharik's outstretched dagger. He pushed the second corpse off him and stood up. The last brigand chose to run rather then fight, making the fatal mistake of turning his back on Gharik.
"Honor is for fools." he said to himself as he threw his dagger at the human's unguarded back.
Gharik now turned and faced the dwarf, who was busy raiding the dead bodies. He saw that Gharik was watching him, and straightened up.
"hello..." said Gharik, carefully.
"Greetings." answered the dwarf. "My name is Yarro, and i thank you very sincerely for helping me fend off these humans. I suppose now i owe you my life."
By this time, Shadow and the rest of the gang came to find their friend. They looked around at the three dead bodies questioningly.
"So what's a dwarf like you doing out here all alone anyways?" Gharik asked him.
"I'm returning to my home in Aden. After going all the way to Dion for a business deal."
"You live in Aden? We are going there as well." said Shadow.
"sounds like a deal to me then." yarro said, smiling. "I believe i'm going to repay your act by crafting a fine sword for you, I've been working on it for some time, and was wondering what i would do with it after making it."
Yeah, Win's still single (...not really but in this story yeah) anyways....
Sashakra walked silently into the High Priest's chamber, trying to remain silent. His throat was soon caught by his master's skeleton of a hand.
"You let the young human escape you when he was so close?" The High Priest asked in a hoarse voice.
"It's true he was within my grasp." said the dark elf, trying to remain calm. "The mages he was with cast a spell that blinded me temporarily however."
"That's a poor excuse."
"You know it's true however."
The priest sighed "Yes indeed, i shall not kill you as you remain faithfull and useful."
He released Sashakra who gasped slightly for air. After a few moments of silence, the dark elf spoke again.
"Do you know where he is now?" he asked.
"Yes I do, and you are to once again retrieve him for me and bring him here." Answered the high priest blankly.
"It shall be done my lord."
"Try not to fail this time Sashakra."
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"Good, now hold it up for us all to see." Yarro had just handed Gharik his sword. It was indeed beautiful, and very light.
"This is a good sword." said Gharik "But i'm afraid they don't suit me that well."
"Hold on, you young fool." said his sister scornfully. "That can change with due time. I have a friend of mine that can easily teach you how to effectively use and type of weapon."