Subject:  A new beginning |
Author:
A Warrior
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Date Posted: Fri, Apr 12 2002, 02:28am
In reply to:
A Warrior
's message, "Blood Lines (RP story)" on Tue, Apr 09 2002, 10:10pm
The day began as any other, stable hands rushed to and fro, cleaning, feeding, polishing tack, and rubbing down their charges. Young lads, doing their best to please their masters in the hopes of earning the right to be taken as an apprentice or even better a squire.
Just before the sun broke the distant horizon, the warband started to rise. Some a little shaky from their nights drinking, some a little bruised and worn from the nights over zealous sparring with their comrades, others looking no worse for wear other than a nights worth of tossing in their racks.
Yes, just another day like most others.
Out of the iron doors of the Manor they scrambled, half a dozen pages all deathly pale, one sporting a nice red glow on one cheek and a tear in his eye. The lads in the stables all looked over to witness the commotion so early in the day.
"Here then fellas, whats your rush ?" one of them yelled out.
"Our Lord, Ka Null is in a devil of a mood again", one stopped briefly to reply, "He's got us calling in all the Lords of Darkstone for some such thing. For what I know not." and with that he rushed off.
"Oh shite !" one of the stable hands swore under his breath. Which was followed by a uniformed reply of "Aye" from the rest.
"Best we get these damm horses ready before the Lords are assembled", one of the older boys announced.
As one, the whole group of stable hands moved without speaking, preparing for anything that may be needed of their charges.
Within the hour the Lord's private chamber was a bustle with noise. All assembled within were of the highest ranks of the village and surrounding areas of Darkstone. All leant their fealty to Lord Ka Null unquestionably. All were wondering what was amiss.
The low roar of many voices was thing heard above the sounds of mail clanking and leather creaking. The pages all were sent off on some meaningless errand, only the Lords were left in the Manor. This did not go unnoticed by many of those present. But none were game to put to words what near all were thinking in thier heads.
The door to the private chamber swung open and the room went deathly silent. A gasp was heard from one near the back of the room. Some jumped to their feet, others were frozen where they sat. All were looking at the man they saw as thier leader as if they had never set eyes upon him before. He still wore his black leather suit, he still had his enchanted Shadow sword, crafted by the Lord Corathius of Darkstone, sheathed at his side, he still carried his tall, muscled yet slim figure of the status as their Lord. But his face was pale, white like that of a man who had been bled to death on the battle field, his hair had greyed, overnight he had almost withered to that of an old man.
"Curse it all man ! What, by the hairy black arse of a collector of Souls, has happened to you ?" Inferno bravely spat out.
Ka Null stood in the door way, setting his gaze briefly on each and every one present. Some looked away under the peircing look, some held firm returning the gaze, all wore a slight look of fear on their face.
Ignoring the question, he strode to take his place at the head of the table. Everyone followed suit and quietly took thier place as well. Some exchanging quick, worried glances with each other, wondering what enchantment had taken their Lord.
"My friends, " he started with a slight shake in his voice. Coughing he started again.
"My friends, undoubtably you all are wondering what mischief is about.". All nodded in unison. "I have called you all here this morning to give you some news. I am hoping you will all accept what I am to say, as you have in the past." he paused briefly and quickly searched the sea of faces before venturing on.
"I have recieved an omen, a bad omen. My days here are numbered, there is nothing I or you can do. My fate is sealed"
Curses and questions filled the room, fists pounded the table, oaths promised otherwise, a silver goblet hit a wall, in all, the room sounded like a battle from hell its self had errupted. Ka Null sat quietly back in his chair, is eyes closed briefly, then with the speed of only one elven born could posess, his was on his feet with hands on the table afore him spread at shoulders width. One word bellowed forward from the depths of his belly, "SILENCE"
And their was, some looked in fear, others in shock. Never before had they heard him raise his voice to any of them. They all took their places at the table once more, quickly.
Regaining his composure, he sat again in his chair and continued.
"I am handing the Stone of honor that binds us all over to one of you here. You WILL follow her and support her as you have I. Although I need not have said this, as I know you all look to her almost as your leader now."
Once again he quickly surveyed the room, the faces now looked on questionly, instead of with fear as they had before. He knew within himself, he had struggled with the knowledge the old woman had given to him. He had much to do before he left for the other world. This was just one of those things.
"Synergy Blaze will now be keeper of the Stone of Darkstone. As of this day, all will lay their fealty to her.". He looked to his old and trusted friend, Synergy. A bewildered look sat upon her face. Whispers filled the room along with nods of approval and oaths offering fealty and their lives. Ka managed a brief smile before raising a hand for silence and continuing.
"Teal, my oldest comrade at arms, although he has lived a life of selfimposed exile for the last few years, has been training himself back to the warrior of old he once was. Upon his return to Darkstone, he shall take up position as Darkstone Warband Leader. He knows my mind better than any, and will over see any matters of war in conjunction with Synergy. Do I have the support in these decisions of all of you?"
He looked up from the basket of fruit on the table he seemed to be studying, and waited for a responce from all in the room. Once happy with the replies he went on.
"There is something else, upon my death a book shall be found in the Tavern. This book will deliver you another piece of information. I ask you all read it and, as one last request from me, you accept and follow what it says. It may be a shock to most of you, as in truth it is to me now, but what will be written within shall be nothing but the truth."
His fist pounded the table with such a force that the basket of fruit spilled onto the floor.
"Darkstone SHALL live on and it SHALL always stand against those of evil mind" he half shouted.
Once more roars filled the room "For Darkstone" came one, "For Synergy" came another, "For Ka Null" came a third. Drinks were had, cheering rang on, the room felt a tinge of excitement coupled with that of sadness edge throughout. All knew now that an era of honor was about to fade, yet hope filled them all that this new begining would lift them higher than before.
Ka Null edged around the room and caught Synergy on the elbow. Still a little shocked she looked up with a tear in the corner of her eye. "A private word if I may" he whispered, before leaving the Lords and Ladies to speak their hearts outloud.
"I dont think I am ready for this, M'Lord" she protested.
"You are and more so than i ever was." Ka breathed.
Synergy could tell this was truly a broken man. She knew his newly seen temper was not truly a trait of his, but a curse of the burdens he obviously was under.
She nodded and bowed her head slightly.
"As you say then Ka. I shall lead the Lords and Ladies along with thier warbands as you would want it."
"I know" he nodded. "Trust Teal", he looked into her eyes, his piercing blue stare made her a little uncomfortable, but she dare not look away.
"Trust Teal, he knows some of what is comming and will be an asset in handling that mob in their" he waved his hand back toward his private chamber.
"The book I spoke of .. tells of my heir", Synergy was caught off guard, she stumbled slightly before gaining her composure. "Your heir ?!" she questioned. He nodded slowly, turning the next words carefully in his head.
"He or she, I know not yet, shall return someday to relieve you of your reign here. This child will need your support, but believe me when I say, it will not be easy for them. They will be of elven blood, more so than I, that in itself will put some of the Lords offside." he scratched his chin absently.
"The mother of this child lives in Sanctuary, she must be afforded all the nessasary honors of one who would be my wife. I will leave a list of things to be shipped to her after I am gone. My hope is this union will strengthen and seal the bond between our two cities and clans."
Synergy stood spellbound, so much was going through her mind, but still, she saw his pain.
"Synergy Blaze, you have been one of my most trusted allies and friends, for this I truly thank you. I know the men will follow you till thier deaths. Now off with you, you have much to do I would venture to say", with that he waved her off, and set about looking preoccupied with some small, meaningless task.
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