The Awakening

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Finally Nalya felt like she had regained her strength and sat herself up, with weary eyes she looked about her hiding spot trying to remember why she was in this paticular spot. Her keen hearing caught a multiple of sounds. The smell of ash n chared bodies filled her nostrils which instantly brought her to cough. Strange sounds suddenly seemed to be within her surroundings, she muffled her cough. Slowly she shifted onto her knees and crawled closer to what appeared to be a language she was not familiar with. Poking her head cautiously through the brush she found herself facing some sort of lizard like beings legs dressed in what seemed to look like that of what Tyrtaeus had also been wearing. Was this creature also a knight in the midst of battle? How did she get herself in such a predicament?

Slowly she brings herself backward so not to be discovered but unfortunately the lizard creature had noticed her presence and what seemed to be a order to his fellow member, they swiftly were upon her before she knew what was happening.

"GET YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFF OF ME!"

She demanded but just as she could not understand them she assumed they as well had not a clue of what she requested.
 
As the Kharzai entered the citadel, torches lit and wells sprung to life. Those who entered were awestricken by an overwhelming sense of familiarity. The sights, the smells, the tapestries that depicted ancient peoples who looked very similar to those who cautiously walked the halls now; it all seemed surreal.

"This place...is feels..."

"Like home?"

"Yes...home..."


Upon the top of one of the high faces of the mountain side, two figures seemed to suddenly appear. One slowly gazed up at the skies as the greens and blues began to spill over each other and taint the heavens with ghostly hues. They watched quietly, their silhouettes obscured from view. As the Kharzai entered the citadel, the towers began to glow. All was radiant.

And then came the snow...


Tyrtaeus sent the others ahead of himself before he turned, leaving Matron where he stood. His eyes widened as he beheld a horrific sight. They were coming from all sides, closing in on them. Hundreds of them. Thousands of them. Some in armor, some upon the backs of beasts. An arrow grazed his shoulder, but did the steel little harm. In the distance ahead, he could see Nalya and the armored beasts that closed in upon her person. Raising his lance, he charged and plunged the spear deep into the chest of the beast that leered toward her.

"WE MUST GO! C'MON!" he shouted as he grabbed her arm and pulled her upon the back of the horse. "Hold tight! Close your eyes if you must, but do NOT let go!" Tyrtaeus leaned forward, one hand resting atop Nalya's, pressing them to his abdomen. He could feel it on his back. The breath of something large, but he dared not look back. His hands gripped to the reins, his jaw clenched tight. Thunder's nose began to bleed as he ran with all his might, just inches ahead of something that smelled of death and ashes.

They tore through the stone alleyways that made up the mountain path, death itself nipping upon their heels. He silently prayed for Swish and the child with her, but he could not go back for them...not now.

"THEY APPROACH!" a scout shouted from a high position as he pointed to the trail. Karma looked ahead and saw Tyrtaeus and Nalya...and those who gave very close chase. She nodded and turned to her soldiers. "3rd rank! Lower your spears! Await my command!" He shook her head as she watched the knight's steed rush closer. "I hope that beast can jump..." she muttered.
 
The creature fell to the ground and to her surprize and delight there he was, her knight in shining armor to save her. As corny as that may of sounded the fact was it was true.

"Tyrtaeus!"

Thunders hooves pounded the earth as they rushed to her aide, Tyrtaeus's arm lowered and his hand reached for her grasping her tightly about the wrist and with all his might lifted her upward and onto the back of Thunder. With a kick to the steeds sides he demanded his beast to ride hard to safety.
Arrows flew by their heads just missing them by inches.


"HOLD ON TIGHT !"

Tyrtaeus pushed her hands firmly against his waist making sure she did not fall, tightly she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed Thunder firmly with her knees.

"THEY'RE GAINING ON US!"

She yelled even though her lips were practically pressed up against his back armor. There up ahead, almost to safety, her mind raced with anticipation of making it in time. Then she saw the row or warriors lined up side by side spears drawn and ready at the entrance.

"Oh Gods of all creations, please help us" she begged while closing her eyes out of fear.

"Jump Thunder, JUMP!!!"

It was like Thunder was capable of flying, that mighty steed leaped into the air and over the heads , and spears of the warriors lined up within the entrance.
 
Swish remained where she was, with the boy, high in the tree tops. She watched the ground below with horror, her heart froze as one of the beasts grabbed the Lady, but she saw the Knight coming so she stayed very still, as not to awaken the boy.
As the light from the valley played in the air above it, Swish remembered what the light meant...Life...Love...Earth Magic...The small valley was waking up! Soon it should be just like the other small part of this land that was still awake, barely, but it was hanging on even as they grey tried to rip it free. One of the others of the Great Cat's was there, keeping the magic going, it wasn't much, but it was enough to give one hope. Swish kept the sleeping child hidden, she would move them both to the valley floor when the time was right, tell then she sent her thoughts to both of her companions and the new comer.

"Worry not for us! I'll get us to the valley when the time is right....Keep yourselves safe! I've grown rather fond of talking to others, I'd dearly hate to return to talking to things that don't speak back...Well sometimes they speak back, but that it just the little voice in m...Never mind!...Carry on!!"
 
Once safely within the fortress Nalya's thoughts went directly to Swish and the young boy.

"Tyrtaeus!"

She jumped down off of Thunder and began to pace back and forth.

"Swish, we forgot Swish!"

Frantic she ran toward the entrance where the warriors still stood with weapons drawn. She grabbed at one then another to try an get pass them but of course they did not budge.

"Let me through!"

She demanded they let her by but seeing she could not get pass them she spun around and ran back to Tyrtaeus.

"We have to go back for them! Please Tyrtaeus, please we must save them!"

A voice, it was Swish....."Worry not for us! I'll get us to the valley when the time is right....Keep yourselves safe! I've grown rather fond of talking to others, I'd dearly hate to return to talking to things that don't speak back...Well sometimes they speak back, but that it just the little voice in m...Never mind!...Carry on!!"
 
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Tyrtaeus dismounted his horse and grabbed Nalya as she returned. He listened to her plead for them to go back, but he shook his head. "We cannot! We must trust and believe that Swish will be safe. Get to the Ironhold with the others, you'll be safe there!"

Suddenly a crash was heard near the frontlines. Tyrtaeus looked toward the sound and saw what had been giving chase. Fangs and claws ripped holes in the ranks as the beast tore through the path and stood to it's full height and spread it's wings. A column of flame erupted from it's mouth and into the air. Even as arrows pierced it's flesh, the beast, the greater demon, advanced forward. The army of barbaric lizardmen advanced through the trail, pouring between the beasts legs.

Karma raised her saber and turned to her men. "For our chief! For our people! Forth, and fear no darkness!" And so, she turned her steed and pointed her blade and beside her brothers, her sisters, and her many cousins and friends, she charged into battle.

War had come to the valley...

Tyrtaeus stared at the demon and seemed to enter a trance like state. He handed his reins to Nalya and slowly removed his helmet. His hands were trembling. Even as he tore his sword from it's sheath. "Nalya...take Thunder and go to the fortress..." He spoke with a quiet reserve; a deep terror hidden behind apparent strength. The blade in his hand began to glow a bright blue; the glow was so bright, it caught the greater demon's lone eye...

"Go Nalya..." he said as he began walking toward the fray.

Khan saw the battle raging outside of a nearby window and ran toward the massive gates. "Those of you who can fight, I need you set a pikeline up on the black bridge!" He said to the others as he pushed through toward the front. "We must be ready to make a stand here! Archers, make your way to the upper floors!" Khan stares across the battlefield, hoping to catch a glimpse of his older sister.

The watchers on the ridge began to circle, moving toward one of the high towers built into the side of the cliff face. The snow began to swirl and flurries had descended upon the entirety of the valley now...
 
Pleading with Tyrtaeus was in vain, and even though Swish had sent her thoughts to not worry Nalya knew it was impossible but yet she still wanted to try.

"We cannot" was all Tyrtaeus could say before a crash was heard.

"Nalya...take Thunder and go to the fortress..."

She could see the fear in his eyes, as much as he tried to hide it she could see that he was aware all may be lost. All she could do was gaze into his handsome face and pretend she did not see it. Without thinking she stretched up to meet his lips and placed a tender kiss upon his then turned away with Thunder in tow.

Nalya jumped up upon Thunders back and with a swift kick to the steeds sides she demanded the beast to go. The sounds of death bellowed from behind her and she dare not look back.

She rode hard and fast to escape the fate of those left behind. Up ahead she lay sight upon the old and young running for their lives.

"HURRY MY FRIENDS FOR DEATH IS AT OUR HEELS!"
 
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Oh Matron was getting old. By the time he had kicked his own horse Poppy into motion Tyrtaeus was already well in advance. Now he was moving, inaction had cost him time now and he would be lucky to arrive at the fortress before they closed him out.

Blowing down the path lain by Tyrtaeus, Matron could only coax Poppy to run faster. Alas he was cutoff. A squad of the Lizard men roared up the hillside and cut off his path. Closing on them quickly Matron did the only thing that came to mind. A sounding resolution in his own mind...I WILL NOT DIE ON THIS MOUNTAIN TODAY!...

Taking his glaive up as if it were a short lance he braced it to the pommel of his saddle. Charging headlong into 10 lizard men he braced himself for the impact. The bladed end of the glaive steady and aimed for the chest. Impact, the blade struck home and the beast was skewered, the jolt however sent a numbing shock through Matrons wrist. Not broken but strained, he would not loose use of it just the effectiveness would be hindered for a while. Letting the force of impact knock the beast back and down Matron held to the glaive and pulled to free it from the beast, with a crack of rib cage the blade freed itself and he charged on.

His mind was racing with things that he should be doing at this moment but the only thing he allowed himself to think on was, getting to that fortress, this valley was quickly becoming overrun. Surely Tyrtaeus, Nalya and The Great Cat had taken the child directly to the hold. He liked Tyrtaeus, in just their short meeting he had a good feeling about the young man, Nalya as well seemed genuine and of course one always enjoyed the company of a being such as the Great Cat!

Why was his thigh burning so badly. Sparing a quick glance was the worst idea he had in the last 10 seconds. The arrow was pinning his coat to his leg. Sure the slight fortification of the coat had slowed the arrow but arrows were very good at penetrating light armor. The arrow was not deep maybe 2 inches however the damage was done. Now he surely needed to make it to the hold and fast!

Powerful strides shook and rippled Poppies muscles as she thundered down the valley, sensing her masters dire need she weaved on her own to avoid the beasts that would bring them down. Ahead Matron could see the lights, those bueatiful lights, and snow! What were they for, and from...With a surge Poppy found a stride or two more speed.

Matron fealt that tale tale sign of a wound creeping over his mind, shock was coming and his grip on the reins was loosening, the inferno set upon his thigh could only mean poison.

The blast of shear heat brought some senses back but did nothing to slow the poison. The legions of bad guys now had a demon, and from the looks of it, not just some Demonling that was common. This was something else entirely!

Charging still for the gates of the hold he saw Tyrtaeus draw that brilliant blade, if his memory served him correctly that was the same hue of the blade Lord Mephiston used to slay the Great Poison Spewing demon that had come to this land years ago. In the same instant as all of this the medallion around his neck grew cold.

Nalya was leading Tyrtaeus's horse and that is the direction Matron pointed Poppy. Into the hold, that would be safe...
 
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Safe with in the tree top, the child sound asleep, Swish watched the battle with dread in her heart. She thought long and hard on what to do next, then with a soft growl she made up her mind. Murmuring to herself quietly as not to wake the child.

"There was a time of Light, of beauty and splendor, of strength and hope. I ask of you ghosts of the Great Cats...Help these that I travel with! Help them win, help us return the realm to the Light"

She closed her eyes, her magic was weak from the lightening strike, so now she drew from the one place the Light still burned. Refilling her supply for when it would be needed. She thought she felt the Great Cats around her, helping, adding energy,she sent one more message to her friends before letting her weariness take her into the twilight.

"We are safe...Please be safe!!"
 
Tyrtaeus slowly took his blade in both hands as he walked toward the greater demon. They locked eyes now. Amid the chaos of war and chaos, even as arrows flew to and fro, betwixt these foes, time stood still...

The demon grinned, baring fangs as large as the men he devoured. Tyrtaeus roared and charged the beast. Driven by the fury in his heart; the oath taken to vanquish this devil from the lands, he leapt from the ground with an inhuman might...

Karma and her soldiers continued to fight. Masters of the horse, their powerful steeds charged bravely into the fray. Karma's saber arched madly to either side, slicing her way though flesh and bone. An arrow sank into her bosom, only to be yanked out and stabbed into a nearby foe. "Cousins! Fall back to the bridge and rally there! Go now!"

On horseback, the kharzai were faster than the lizard men. The call to rally at the bridge provided Matron and Poppy with cover to seek refuge in Ironhold. Khan waited at the bridge and raised his own saber. "Staaaand ready!" He called. The pike line raised. "Archeeeers! Volley fire!" Arrows cut the air, arching over the incoming Kharzai and sailing toward the horde...

The two robed figures entered the tower and descended down into the fortress. Silently the walked the halls of the castle until they reached a vast set of double doors. They pushed them open and entered into a large throne room. Black columns of marble adorned either side of the walkway. Blue and gold carpet lead to the immense single thone there. Carved of obsidian and gold and adorned with blue cushion, the throne bore grotesque motiffs of the raven. And there, upon the cushion, sat a black crown.

The pair shed their robes and revealed themselves to be Xanatos and Duvessa. Xanatos gasped in ecstacy as he took the black cown in his hands.

"It's mine..."
 
Poppy charged on. Her lather was well worked and she wheezed heavily. Matron then noticed the solid thud of earthen foot falls vanished and replaced with ringing cracks of hoof meeting cobble stone. His vision dimming as the poison worked and his body wilting.

Through the entry to the keep Poppy slowed to a gallop and then a walk then halted. Matron stumbling from the stirrups looked as if he was an infant learning to walk for the first time. Grasping the arrow in his leg he began to muster the inner strength to free it.

"Is there...GRRRRR...." He strode for the strength to speak, he needed someone to help with this matter but had no friends in this place. I made it off the mountain he thought, I said I wouldnt die ON the mountain, I DONT WANT TO DIE IN IT EITHER!

"Is there....a....grrrrr....healer....." with that the lights went out. Blackness came and he fell to the ground. His skin ashen and the arrow protruding from his leg. Low ragged breaths came hard.

In the back of his mind that cold knot began to expand slowly. Matrons defenses were down and she saw an opportunity...

The woman of the Kharzai knew something was wrong.

"Bring him over here out of the door..." The eldest of that group told two men.

They took Matron by his hands and feet and carried him to the side of the room. Another younger boy reached for the reins of Poppy, his posture and air about him was enough and she accepted him. She was unkind to those that were not knowledgeable of horse flesh, allowing the lead she followed him.

"Ill need a poltice for this, bring my satchel please Dormai?" The womans voice never showed excitement. She had seen this before, perfectly prepared to deal with it.

Scoring the shaft of the arrow first she snapped it with enough left to use a large stone to drive it clean through. The angle would not cause it to strike his arteries. This would allow a clean channel for the bleeding to carry much of the poison out of his system. The stone struck shaft and Matron was surely awake then. Sitting bolt upright his teeth clenched and spittle shooting forth in strings from between them. He had somehow known she was helping him, as if this had happened before. Shortly after sitting up he fell limp to the floor again.

Grasping the broad head of the arrow on the back side of the wound with a square of leather from her satchel she freed the shaft from his leg. She let it bleed for a just a moment and then dug into her satchel once again and retrieved a pouch and opened it, the smell was putrid and the texture was almost sap like. Using two fingers she dug out an ample amount of the mixture and forced it into the wound channel the antiseptic nature of pine oil would prove useful to keep infection at bay. As well is suppresses the nerves and causes heart rate to drop and breathing to slow somewhat. All of these things will aid in getting the poison to spread slower.

Next came the poison extraction. The granular material burned and caused Matron the thrash about. The salts would bring the poison to them and help draw the wound tighter once the flow of infecting materials were gone. The body had amazing reactions to simple natural things. Once this was applied and bandaged Matron would sleep, his physical shape would aid in the healing, however now it was only a matter of time.

The men once again lifted Matron and took him deeper into the keep.
 
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The crowd of elders and young ones ran as hard as they could toward the fortress. Some could barely walk but by the aide of others all made it safely.


"HIDE EVERYONE!" Nalya yelled.

Struggling to keep Thunder under control she jumped off and with a slap to the horses hind quarters she set him off for his own well being.


"RUN THUNDER, SAVE YOURSELF!"

Setting him free was the best thing she could think to do for him, he would be better on his own and not slaughtered if the fortress also came under attack.

Finally all were within and scattered about to keep themselves protected.
Aware that her human form would be hinderance Nalya transformed back into wolven form and once turned stood guard at the fortress's gates. She cried out to Swish, one howl and then another in hopes she would get some sort of sign from her furry friend that all was well.
 
Swish was still safely away from the battle, keeping the young one safe and warm. She wished she could turn her gaze away from the fight, but she could not do so yet. She had to now that her companions where safe....Swish's ears perked as the howl drifted to her on the wind. With a great sigh of relief she opened her mind to touch the wolves.

"You are safe?...Is the Knight safe as well? And the new comer?...I'm glad you shifted forms, if one of those creatures should reach you, they would fear the wolf more then the Lady, though I think they should fear both equally....I am here, still, in the tree with the lad...I'm refilling my magik...The lightening strike took a lot out of me...But worry not, my energy will be restored soon...*She laughs softly*...and it was worth it to see the birds owner and ruffle a few..feathers!"
 
Up the knee, across the thigh, to make hole in the demon's gut the knight did. Furious flurries of strikes spilled black blood upon the snow. Even as the demon coiled his hand around the lower half of Tyrtaeus' body, the knight continued to fight.

His blazing blade stabbed the beast's hand, even as it squeezed his body. Tyrtaeus called out with an in human scream as his armor slowly cut into his bones. He could taste blood in his mouth amd darkness crept into the corners of his eyes. The demon pulled him close, that he way look him in the eye. Tyrtaeus felt himself growing weaker with each fleeting moment. His head began to reel and the world became hazy.

You time draws near...

He heard the voice in his head. A voice not of one, but of many. It strengthened his head, all became clear...

Your task incomplete...

Louder now they spoke. Voices now familiar. Voices that commanded his strength of hand. His grip tightened upon his sword...

Do not fail...

Tyrtaeus screamed once more. A cry not of pain, but of rage. His body exploded with a blazing blue light that shattered the demon's grip. With a mighty leap, Tyrtaeus flew from the mangled hand of the demon and cleaved his sword deep into the beasts massive head. As he drove his sword deeper still, he spoke.

"I am Sir Tyrtaeus, son of Sir Vargus, last of the White Lions! I am a master of life and death and judgment has been rendered upon thee! Agitatus leonis, dominatus leonis, Fortis leonis!"

The beast cried out, it's body set ablaze. Tyrtaeus clung tight to his sword, even as the demon beneath him burned to ash. His body plummeted to the ground and landed hard. Still...

Karma and her troops had rallied at the black bridge and watched the scene unfurl. She shook her head then turned to her soldiers. The lizardmen kept pouring through the path on foot and upon the backs of larger, bipedal beasts. "Form ranks! This is where we hold them! No greenskin crosses this bridge! No dry steel! Archers! Volley fire! "

As archers fired, Khan called inside. "close the main gate!" And so, it was done. Those inside were safe behind the gates. But little did they know what dangers lurked within...

Xanatos smiled. His grin twisted by his lust for power. As he held the crown, Duvessa grinned. "Sit, my lord...and crown yourself..." Xanatos sank down upon the blue cushion and slowly placed the crown upon his skull. Suddenly, he gripped the throne and lurched in the seat, power radiating from his beung. But his cries were not of ecstacy...no. Xanatos screamed in terror and pain. It was a sound easily heard by anyone inside. Duvessa smiled as she watched...
 
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As she stood at the entrance of the fortress something she had not felt since the death of her parents struck her. Her ears perked foward as she listened.

"Nooooo!"


Her head lowered and she allowed her form to morph back to her human form. She stayed bent over and a tear dropped down her cheek.

"It cannot be, my Gods, WHY!!!"

She had to return to the Ironhold, she had to figure out a way in without being seen.


"Think Nalya, think."

Swiftly she ran into the fortress and ran throughout the place looking for something to aide her in gaining entrance to the Ironhold.

"Ah yes, that will do. " she retrieved a bow and a few arrows which lay upon the ground. Now just one more thing she needed and she searched until she was lucky enough to find some rope.

"Yes, yes this will do perfectly."

She slipped the bow up her arm and let it rest on her shoulder and then she ran as if her life depended it back to the Ironhold.

It was is it was taking her forever to get there, her keen sense of hearing could hear the jabbering of the lizard creatures and she made sure to stay hidden as she made her way around the structure until she came across a spot that was far from where the creatures gathered.

She tied the rope to one of the arrows and then slipped the bow off her arm and took aim toward the massive wall.

"Steady Nalya, take your time."

Her hands were shaking but she drew back on the bow and released the arrow which amazingly flew over the top of the wall. She drop the bow to the ground and slowly pulled the rope until it caught tightly. Cautiously she climbed the rope up the wall and as she did so she prayed to the Gods to keep her safe.

Finally she reached the top and so not to be discovered she grabbed the rope and swiftly pulled it up.

Now that the hardest part was over she now had to find her way to Tyrtaeus. At the thought of his name again a tear formed in the corner of her eyes.

"No! I refuse to believe it!!"
 
Matron fevered severely. The bandage had soaked through several times and the child set to tend him replaced it again. It was starting to look better, the black and green had began to be replaced with clearish fluid and blood. The Epson Salts had worked as well. Drawing moisture away the wound gradually closed itself. The herbalist had done well , that with Matrons will to live and fortitude.

Matrons mind although not well had stayed long enough to fend off Jezabel and retake mental control. The dreams however, he could do nothing of those. They came at will, and sought to torture him in a restless sleep. In the dream world only moments had passed.

**
"Effie, where are you? Come out I want to see my wife and children!" Matron had just returned from a hunting trip into the mountains. He had noticed the chimney was barren when he rode up however thought nothing of it as it was not that cold out.

Now inside the hose he saw everything in its place. Effervescia did keep a clean house. Nearing supper time however the absence of a pot on the fire was strange. Then the fright set in. Where were they, there is no one here.

"Theron....Sarah...." fear took him and as he did on the battle field so often he channeled it to anger, "EFFERVESIA, THERON, SARAH....COME OUT NOW!"

His command voice rang through the home. Boomed against the walls and threatened to shatter the very foundation. Surely they had heard him, surely they would come running to him from wherever they had been hiding.

Moments passed into minutes as Matron stood their in the center of the mountain home. Minutes passed into hours as Matrons mind raced. Where were they, the horrors assaulted his mind. The emotions raged, abandonment turned into fear, fear turned into anger.

They would not return. Wed to the perfect balance to his life for only 3 years, having only raised his children for 2, Matron was now once again alone in the world. What had happened to them....

"I can help you find them..." The voice said from behind him.

Matron wheeled and faced the voice clutching his glaive in a manner that only meant death for someone. Nothing was there, no person, no thing, the home was devoid and lifeless save him.

"My lord knows all and can bring them home to you...." Again from bbehind him.

Turning once again Matron roared and slashed with the glaive as he turned this time. Air screamed as it died a thousand horrible deaths to the blade of Matrons weapon. However blood was not shed.

"SHOW YOURSELF FIEND!" Matron bellowed to the empty air.

She was just there. Standing in front of Matron, the light glow about her person made the silver hair brilliant. Those green eyes were pools of mountain water one could just dive into. There was nothing about the woman that was imperfect. Even her feathered wings were daring him to look away.

"Angel, why have you come to me...?" Matrons eyes teared at the beauty of the angel and he fell to his knees. "Why do you tease me with your promises".

"I do not tease, I bring hope Matron" The angels voice was as song so beautiful. All you must do is release me, draw the sword Matron. Turn me loose and I will help you".

**

Matron sat upright, sweat splattering about him. Frantically he looked around him. The young man scooted back from him. Matrons eyes darted around him, they landed on the glaive and his jacket. His hat was there, all of his belongings except the sword.

"where is the sword...." Matrons voice was weak and low. He reached for the water skin next to him and drank deeply.

The young man pointed behind Matron to the wall. Turning he saw the weapon sheathed and leaned against the wall. A great sigh of relief escaped his lips. He hated the thing, hated what it did to him. Loosing control as he did the one time he drew the sword, the slaughter he caused with it. Vampires, of course did deserve that slaughter, however Matron did not deserve to loose that small part of himself that now belonged to the blade.

Standing his leg screamed at him and the young man protested, "Sir, the poison is not fully drawn out yet."

"There are things to be done..." Matron could not stand by when he could be of some help. It was impossible for him to know there was someone that needed help, and not be able to help them. His focus was not nearly that of which he saw from Tyrteaus, that man is a rarity anymore.

"Young man, the Knight..." Matron spoke as he pulled his jacket on "Did he make it inside the walls?"
 
Swish had closed her eyes, but opened the eye in her mind to watch over her friends. She felt the Lady's cry as the brave Knight fell, so still, o so still, her heart clenched, but her minds eyes showed the Ora of life still clinging to the Knight, for this she was grateful. But no sooner had this eased her worry, she found another to worry for! The Lady, dangling above, if they looked up, she would be their personal pinata!! She first sent her voice out...

"O great Lady, your heart thinks faster then your brain!...Let me lend you what energy I have to keep you safe, though I know not how long it will last, so be quick in your task of retrieving Him!! And where is the other??!!?? I find him not!"

Then she sent out her magik...The vanishing...The basic talent of all Great Cats, this power surrounded the Lady, hiding her form, but could not do more then muffle her sound.

"Please be silent, speak with your thoughts, for they can not see you, but they can hear should you make noise!"
 
The battle was slowly dying down. Fighting had come to a virtual standstill as Grom Bloodhammer called for his troops to regroup at the mouth of the mountain trail. Karma held her men at bay, fighting desperately the urge to pursue. Horses lurched forward, sensing the aggression of their riders.

"No, cousins...we do not have the numbers for a charge...It would surely be our end. Stand your ground...Catch your breath, tend the wounded..."

Karma looked out over the field. Snow and blood, ashes from the burning of the greater demon, the entire place had gone to hell. She frowned as her eyes fell upon a mass of faintly glowing metal. Her elven eyes could see it clearly. It was that knight, lying in a crumpled heap. "A pity..." she said to herself.

Xanatos continued to scream as lurch as power continue to surge through his body. He called to Duvessa to aid him, but she stood and watched. She bit her lip, relishing in his pain. Suddenly, his skin began to split. His eyes bulged as his entire being began to swell and pull apart. Flesh torn asunder, blood slipping over the throne. A final pained cry echoed through the happs of Ironhold before a chilling silence...

There upon the throne sat not Xanatos, but a being long thought forgotten. His dark brown skin, chiseled jaw and long white hair were flawless. The crown sat upon his brow perfectly. His eyes burned with the same ghostly blue light that had eminated from the entirety of Ironhold when the Kharzai arrived.

Lady Duvessa kneeled and touched her head to the floor in submission. "Hail The Raven King, Amenophis!" She dared not look, but she could hear his immaculate black armor shift as he rose from his throne. Leather clad fingers slipped under her chin and lifted her head. To gaze into eyes made her feel as if she had been set afloat. Her lips trembled as her breath was drawn from her.

"You have done well..." he said. His speaking sent ripples across the leylines of power. The grey shuddered and raged. Those sensitive to magic would soon feel as if a tidal wave of darkness had washed over the world and bathed it in cold.

With the awakening of ancient magic, returned an ancient evil...
 
"Young man, we did get the door closed before the bad guys got in..." Matron was looking for the direction of the wails and screams, "...didn't we?"

He stood as steadily as he could, propped up on his glaive. Another good reason to use pole arms, if your feeling lazy, you've got a prop. This was not lazy, this was Matron not having time to be on his back. The fire was not completely gone from his leg. And in a fight Matron would be utterly useless.

Suddenly grasping at his chest he tore the lacing of his shirt open and lifted the medallion away from his skin, "I have never fealt it THAT cold before..." his eyes wide.

As he had once before he reached out with his mind...

.oO(Great cat do you sense that?)

His attention returning to the young Kharzai boy, "Son, take me to someone that has any idea what is going on here..."
 
Silently she walked down a long corridor and as she did so she felt Swish's presence with her.

"Please be silent, speak with your thoughts, for they can not see you, but they can hear should you make noise!"

Thank you dear Cat she thought an onward she ventured until she came upon to large wood doors. She lay her hand gently on one of the knobs and be for turning it she pressed her ear up against it to listen for sounds. What she heard made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. It was the most gut wrenching scream she had ever heard in her life. Startled she removed her hand from the door knob and took a few steps back and remained silent.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she had to find out what was in that room. Stepping back to the door once again she lay her hand on the knob and all so slowly turned it until she her a click and the door creaked as it open slightly.

"Hail The Raven King, Amenophis!"

Two figures stood within the grand room, one a woman who knelt down be for another figure which appeared to be a man, at least she thought it was one. What she witnessed frighten Nalya and then he spoke.....

"You have done well..."

Her body trembled from fear and as she stood there gazing at the sight of the two she gasped. It was if an electrical shock rushed throughout her body and she stumbled within the room.

She quickly recovered her balance and prayed they had not noticed her and attempted to quickly and silently remove herself from the doorway be for she was noticed.
 
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