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Author: Atticus
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Ok, this is the first installment of what i hope will be a two part story. please excuse my punctuation and any other mistakes you may come across, i hope they dont ruin the mood :P please give me some feedback and enjoy the story :D
Chapter 1: the boogeyman
The rhythmic thrumming of General T’vek’s slender fingers on the black marble countertop echoed in Sathek’s ears and rattled his nerves. He was certain that He and Veshar had been summoned to the militia headquarters to be punished for brawling with a group of barbarians in a Scaleyard tavern the night before. Excuses ran through his mind; he could tell the General that the barbarians had been making derogatory comments about Lucan and maybe throw in something about dark elves just to be on the safe side, yes that would do nicely, it would strike a nerve with the Tier’Dal general and maybe even invite some sort of retribution upon the aforementioned barbarians. In truth the fight had started because Veshar had one too many Cabilis pale ale’s and began running his mouth on his favorite subject; himself. The barbarians overheard Veshar and decided to test his mettle and, as usual, it was up to Sathek to keep his friend from being beaten senseless.
The general stopped drumming the tabletop and both iksar grew noticeably tense. General T’vek eyed them coldly for a moment before letting a shadow of a smile betray his cruel gaze.“Relax citizens” he said, obviously delighted at the fear he could instill in them without saying a word “you aren’t in any trouble about that little tiff with the northmen if that’s what you’re worried about”
Veshar’s shoulders relaxed and he let out a small sigh but Sathek stayed alert. He was older than Veshar and had seen his fair share of deception, not just through the eyes of a bystander either. He knew better than to take a dark elf at his word, and thought it best that he hear a little more about why they had been summoned here before dropping his guard. The general stood and began to walk around the table toward them, his violet unblinking eyes holding their gaze like a steel trap.
“No, I actually summoned you here for quite the opposite” he said, circling behind the two iksar, and blocking the exit “You see, despite the odd bar fight, you are both very loyal citizens and have done much to aid the militia in the past. These efforts to better our fair city have not gone unnoticed and as such I have decided to entrust you with the completion of a rather important task.”
Sathek saw Veshar’s eyes gleam. They had been friends since they were hatchlings, and Sathek knew all to well what made Veshar tick . Veshar considered himself to be somewhat of a socialite among the iksar of the Scaleyard. He kept his scales scented and well oiled and was always looking for ways to inflate his reputation while doing as little work as possible. He would jump at any opportunity to do whatever menial task he could for the Freeport militia and then play them up as great services to Lucan himself, as long as he could find someone who would listen, which usually meant Sathek. He didn’t doubt that Veshar would have sold his own mother if that’s what the general asked of him.
Sathek, on the other hand wasn’t concerned with the trivialities of reputation and popularity. He loved nothing more than to help better his city, but would only engage in tasks he thought would truly advance the cause of Freeport, and tighten their grip on the shattered lands. If the general was being straightforward, and not just toying with them before tearing them apart (as dark elves are wont to do) then being called here was a good sign. It meant that this was no rat catching mission, and it also meant that Sathek’s skills weren’t going unnoticed. He was a good fighter and had the scars to prove it. He was broadly built and would have entered the militia if it didn’t mean having to go through six years as a watchman before being able to see any infantry action. Sathek thought he could better serve his city on his own terms.
The general clasped his hands and furrowed his brow, then continued.
“This is a fairly routine mission, as you will learn, but its necessity will require some explaining on my part, and some faith in my word on yours” he eyed them sternly “I trust that, as iksar, you have heard of a being called Xalgoz?”
Yes” replied Veshar eagerly “Xalgoz was the ssarnak who accidentally resurrected Venril Sathir while trying to raid his tomb. Rather than desstroying him, Venril imbued Xalgoz with vampiric unlife as a reward for freeing him. Xalgoz held dominion over the great library of Kaessora until the time of the rending when Kunark was lost, and Xalgoz lost with it.”
“Very good!” exclaimed the general “you certainly know your history citizen…Veshar was it?”
“Yes, Veshar milord” he gushed. He really was pitifully addicted to climbing the social ladder. Sathek sometimes hated his friend for his toadying ways but Veshar was gifted with a silver tongue so he usually let him do most of the talking when eloquent speaking was needed.
“Well as I was saying you are well versed in the history of your people. Up until the point of the rending that is, where your historical facts turn into suppositions and hearsay. For you see, Xalgoz was not swallowed with his library, on the contrary, he had vacated the sunken city of Kaesora months before the rending.” He paused to let this information sink in “Xalgoz, through whatever means, predicted the coming storm and began making plans to relocate to mainland Antonica, along with a good portion of his library. Xalgoz knew that he could not make the move swiftly enough by himself and seeing as how your ancestors had forsaken Kaesora long before, and perhaps hoping to rid himself of the iksar altogether, proposed an alliance to the governing body of Freeport. In return for Freeport’s aid in his relocation to the mainland, Xalgoz promised to give Freeport’s scholars unlimited access to all of the books that could be saved. Needless to say Lucan realized that the knowledge contained in the ancient library would be an invaluable asset to Freeport, and immediately sent forth the order to accept Xalgoz’ offer and comply with whatever demands the vampire had.”
“Unbelievable” muttered Veshar.
“Hold your tongue citizen” snapped General T’vek “I’m not finished.” He paused a moment, allowing Veshar to squirm a little under his cold eyes. After a long and uncomfortable silence, he continued “On Xalgoz’ order an underground chamber, not unlike Kaesora, was constructed in the hills to the West of the city and the entire transfer was complete in less than two weeks.” He strode to the window of the militia office and pointed toward the western hills “More than two thirds of the fabled Library of Kaesora now lie no further than six miles from where we stand.”
Both Veshar and Sathek were speechless. For hundreds of years Xalgoz had stalked the shadows and dark corners of every iksar hatchlings sleeping chamber. The most frightening of campfire tales, he was said to have sent forth his minions to the ancient cit of Cabilis in the dead of night to steal sleeping hatchlings from their beds. The hatchlings would then be brought to Kaesora where Xalgoz would drain their blood at his leisure and leave their dried husks for the spiders’. The only thing that made this horrifying fable bearable for iksar children was the fact that Xalgoz had died long ago, and far away, and they knew that no matter what their parents might threaten, they would never have to see the inside of Xalgoz’ lair. For Veshar and Sathek that comfort was no more. It was all well and good to pretend that you were grown up and such childish fears no longer swayed you, but being confronted with the fact that one of the worst of those fears was, in reality, alive and well and had been living just around the corner from you all these years was very disconcerting.
The two iksar just stood there, mouths agape, crippled under the weight of this revelation. Finally Veshar broke the silence.
“That is truly a tale ssire, and we are honored that you chose to share it, but what does all this have to do with uss?” he asked fawningly.
“Well my reptilian friend I’ll tell you. Xalgoz was true to his word. The Knowledge gained from the texts in his holding has been an invaluable aid to our cause. Through them we have unearthed much forgotten magic, as well as ancient military tactics, all of which has helped us win countless battles in our struggle for dominance over the shattered lands. This alliance has gone unfettered for close to five hundred years and we have learned much, but there is still more to learn. Even after hundreds of years of studying the books there still remain some that have yet to be opened. Lucan likes to ensure the future of the alliance by extending a gift to Xalgoz every few years in the form of a blood sacrifice. You see the old sarnak’s vampirism has become so well developed that he can live off of one feeding for many years. Xalgoz sends word of his hunger to one of our mages and we employ two up and coming citizens, such as yourselves, to deliver the sacrifice to his lair with good tidings from Lucan. We received word of Xalgoz’ hunger three days ago and the task of selecting two citizens to deliver the sacrifice has been appointed to me, which brings me to why I have summoned you here. Based on your past deeds and the dedication you both show to furthering our cause I have decided that it should be the two of you who escort the sacrifice this year. Upon your success you will both receive full induction into the militia at the rank of footman, along with new lodgings in the militia longhouse.”
Sathek exchanged an excited look with Veshar. This was a great opportunity for both of them. Usually it took up to ten years to achieve the rank of footman in the Freeport militia, and new lodgings were something they could both use. These things meant better lives for both of them but for Sathek it was much more than that, this was something he had waited for all his life, he would finally get the chance to do something that he could be sure would help to keep Freeport growing stronger and more powerful. He was almost certain that all his friend was interested in was bettering his social rank but Sathek was more than willing to accept the mission despite Veshar’s superficial motivations. One way or another the task would get completed, and the alliance between Freeport and Xalgoz would go on for at least a few years longer. Veshar opened his mouth to say something sycophantic but this time it was Sathek who spoke first.
“We are honored you have chosen us for this tassk milord, and we will execute it with pride”
“Well, I am glad to hear that you have a tongue in your head after all citizen…?”
“Sathek, Sathek Dredklaw”
“Well Sathek Dredklaw” the general said in a somewhat condescending tone “I trust that you will not fail us, and that you know what it will mean if you do.”
“I am fully aware of the consequences of failure” replied Sathek “and I do not expect to ever incur them”
“That’s what I like to hear. Report back to me tomorrow morning and we will discuss the mission in greater detail. I will provide you with a map to the entrance of Xalgoz’ lair as well as give you some instruction on how you should address him when you finally meet. You will also be given custody of the sacrifice at that time, I believe it’s a ratonga this year.”
“A ratonga?” asked Veshar timidly “Is it sstill alive?”
“Of course its alive” scoffed the general, walking back behind the marble desk “he’s a vampire you fool not a vulture, he wont eat them if they’re dead. You needn’t worry about him trying to escape he’s under the impression that he is going on a treasure hunt as a vassal of sorts. Do not treat him badly though, it is absolutely vital that the sacrifice be delivered. Xalgoz must feed, or the alliance will crumble”
“understood” said Sathek “we will report here firsst thing in the morning”
The two iksar turned to leave but were stopped short by the general’s inky voice.
“and friends” he said “I don’t think I need to tell you that what has transpired here will stay in this room, or you may find yourselves on the receiving end of this sacrifice rather than the giving. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crysstal clear, milord” Replied Sathek. He then turned and strode quickly out the door followed closely by a beaming Veshar.
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