Seed of Light

[Carneth]

OOC: This is happening just before everyone returns to Cedric's

IC:
Carneth looked around at the inn, which wasn't quite as full as it usually was, probably due to Nichtmar's illness. Dorian was still nowhere to be seen and Zigler and Storm had yet to return either. Luckily, Jherdar seemed to be entertaining the only patrons still around.

I guess I'm off t' find Dorian then, he thought to himself. I don' know what's gotten int' the man. He's not usually one fer slackin' off. Carneth shook his head as he turned and started making his way to the stairs that would lead him to the basement. As he approached the door, he heard the main doors open and a few people come in. He stopped for a moment, then continued on his way. Jhed'll get 'em, he thought. 'Sides, could even be Zig an' Storm comin' back. No matter, I'll be righ' back up anyhow.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Nichtmar grabbed his bread and mug and asked the keeper to drop his food at the table were Tsukasa and the elves were. Nichtmar vaguely remembers Authnor in passing with Elestirne. He nodded to the elf as he came to the table without interrupting. He had just heard the elf ask about the boy. Nichtmar is not one of magic or things that can’t be seen. Though he’s not naïve, the Silvertree alone is some sort of magic, the gods it spoke of, this undead plague, it’s all magic, and to him none can be truly trusted. It was magic that turned him against his friends. He preferred an enemy with a sword not a staff or a wand. Trickery and cowardness were these ways he thought. Though he’s seen good magic like Elestirne’s healing and Isen’s…whatever he did to get Telemachus out of his head. The ogre sat and sighed as he took a gulp of ale and waited to hear what Tsukasa had to say.

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne, after the others had left and she had warily watched the doctor and boy go off somewhere-probally to the back room,seeing the glow on her swords fade too-sat back on the bed Storm had brought her to. She would not have shown it in front of the others, least of all in front of her subjects and Storm, but she was weary. Healing Nichtmar when he had been so close to succumbing-had taken much from her,more than she had realized-and she needed to rest. She had fallen into a mini-trance to try to replete her energy-Olore standing guard-when, not more than a few minutes after everyone had left her keen ears caught, even in her trance-state- a faint sound.

Instantly,Elestirne came out of trance;her hands falling to and half-drawing her swords. The blades shimmered with a soft silver-blue radience. She looked at them, then Olore. Without a word elf-queen and silver stallion sprang for the back room. Moving noiselessly, she paused at the threshold to take in the scene.

The strange, masked man who had bowed to her and handed a note to Authnor had the boy against the wall, kept there by the point of his sword. The healer stood against the other wall,looking terrified. Elestirne's keen eyes picked out what Nichtmar, the healer and everyone else had missed.

The blood on the boy's lips was darker than human blood ever would be,and was already coagulating. Her senses could sense the taint clearly. And, unlike Nichtmar,who had just been touched by it, the boy was fully infected. His blank face, dead eyes and smell of death lingering about him told her that. Swiftly, yet still utterly silently, she swept into the room to stand next to the masked man,who had no forewarning of her approach. Olore was at her shoulder.

The boy's eyes, when he finally registered her, widened in terror as they took her, Olore, and her softly glowing swords in. Oh yes, even newly undead as the poor thing was, it could still sense the great danger it was in. Calmly,Elestirne slid one softly-shining sword free, but held it in a ready position rather than a threatening one for the time being. Silverly runes flickered to life along the shining mithral blade,recognizing a foe, and Elestirne leveled a hard, penetrating gaze on the youngster. Her silver eyes flared,uncannily bright. Olore's indigo eyes flared also,and he dug a silver forehoof across the floor. A faint,silver-white sheen seemed to limn his entire form-but a hint of the power that lay concealed-and Elestirne knew that, even if the boy decided to run,he wouldn't get far. Nothing moved faster than Olore. Just to be safe, Elestirne reached into herself for one of the few spells she knew and would use.. Already done. Olore informed her, before she had even dug the component out.

Are you sure?she asked. Olore's magic was infinetely stronger than hers, or any mages,and she trusted him beyond doubt, but all the same she couldn't afford a mistake.

Oh yes, Olore's voice was hard, his indigo eyes flaring again briefly, though they never left the terrified boy's. He is going nowhere. And if he tries he will not get past me. The undead-and the taint-cannot hurt me. Nor will they touch you because of what you are and your weapons. Relaxing the faintest bit, the elven-queen dropped what she had begun,and settled for keeping the boy under her impossibly bright silver eyes.

When she spoke, it was not to the creature the boy had become, but the master she knew had to be behind the creature and, she sensed, likely had an idea of what was happening here. "What do you want here? What is your purpose? And be warned,if you lie I will know." Her lyrical voice had a harsh tinge to it.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa finished his pen stroke. He looked up and and saw Authnor and Nichtmar had joined him at his table.

"Greetings Authnor-sama and Nichtmar-san. I'm going to be blunt with you and you may take what I'm about to tell you anyway you want. The boy back at the healing center wasn't alive. He wasn't undead either. Back in my homeland of Rokugan, I've dealt with taint and the undead. My mother's clan dealt with the taint there daily. She taught me ways of seeing the physically aspects of taint. The taint here is different, but I can still sense it somewhat. The boy just gave me a bad feeling. He had a small of rotting flesh about him and his eyes didn't have the sparkle that living eyes do. As you point out before you left though, the boy didn't show any of the actions that a normal undead creature does. These have been some very strange times."

Tsukasa stopped as someone brought his sake over. He thanked them and took a sip. The sake tasted good. It was the one thing he missed from his homeland. Tsukasa's heart got heavy once again. He closed his eyes for a moment.

"Nichtmar-san, I wish to help protect Mittelmarch in anyway possible."

Tsukasa observed both Authnor and Nichtmar to see what there reaction would be.

[Dorian Prior]

Dorian looked back to Zigler with a smirk.

"Uprising or not, I'm interested. I think I've had my fair share of the Jovians... The less of them there are, the better."

Dorian heard someone coming down the stairs.

"How are going to go about doing this?"

[Giggles "Adguin"]

I was afraid of this, the creature thought. They want to speak to my master and Wulf's here. Must not let him know, not now.

The creature got enough nerve to smile broadly and say, "You will not speak to my Master in such a tone she-elf. He is far greater then you could ever be." He hissed as he said the last part. He continued after sensing their patience draw to it's limit.

"But I shall tell you what he wants. Peace. When my master came to these lands it was a strife between the Jovians. He saw wills clashing over what was theirs and what should be theirs and he tired of it. He knew how to solve this."
He paused a moment trying to decide how best to proced.
"He would make all living things share his will. All pain, suffering, and war would end. But he knew no one would willing accept his gift so he prepares to give it any way he can."

The Raven decided to play his last card against being turned or destroyed on the spot.
'but if you want to know how he plans this or where he is you'll have to lower your weapons somewhat and then maybe I'll tell you."
He awaited their reply as he tried to formulate his escape, having no intention of telling or helping them any further.

[Wulf]

After a few moments of looking at the boy, he turned his eyes over to the elf as if asking for an opinion.

Back where Wulf came from, the elves were the main peacekeepers of society and were usually the more higher up officails of governent, so he had more than enough trust in her decision over his own.

[ziglerrobertson]

In the basement of Cedric's

"tis a simple job," says Zigler to Dorian, "All I be needin' is fer you to lock the doors, and take care of any guards. Not a difficult task I imagine. Once the arena is locked down, we harvest."

One of the steps creaks loudly as Carneth puts his wait on it. Not missing a beat Dorian and Zigler both look up at him.

"Ahh, Carneth," Zigler says as he recognizes the man,"seems you want to join in on this little party. Come down here laddie, but lock the door before ya do. I've had enough interruptions fer one day. Dorian shall explain what be goinin' on."

With a nod of his head Zigler strides to what looks to be a large and stained solid stone table.

[Lady Elestirne]

The elven knight's eyes narrowed. "Didn't show..."he murmured uneasily, remembering the danger his acute senses had warned him of... He was no magic-user,but being an elf he was acutely tuned in to nature and the weave of life. The human boy had not been 'sick'. "Not dead...but not alive.." Then it clicked and his eyes blazed suddenly with emerald light. She knew... That's why she stayed behind... And Olore knows and sees evil in all its forms-regardless of it was newly created or not..

Breaking his thought,he spoke aloud. Worry made his melodic voice harsh. "The human boy was undead, but newly so-probally just turned. Likely at the hands of the undead orc you fought." That last was directed to Tsukasa. He turned his head slightly to include Nichtmar, who he remembered vaguely now. "Lady Elestirne knew what the creature was, as did Olore. That is why they remained behind at the center." He looked hard at the ogre, curiousity for a moment overcoming worry. "What do you remember of being tainted, and then healed? Do you remember anything?"

[Lady Elestirne]

ooc: I am not going to kill him, or at least I will not unless forced to. Olore kind of wants to though,and he'll have no qualms about it. The 'spell' Olore did was an undectable, unbreakable barrier of blessed light about the whole room. Nothing may leave or enter unless they are of good. Olore's 'threat' will be acted upon only if the undead is foolish enough to try escaping.

At the healing center...


Elestirne's eyes flashed. Olore snorted and pawed the gound. Casually,the elf-queen took a single, fluid step forward and laid the blade of her shining mithral sword against the creature's neck, perfectly positioned. Silvery runes flared again on the sword and the blessed enchantments seared and blistered the undead flesh,the skin bubbling and melting away. The creature whimpered and yelped-his smile flying away-but was kept from moving by the masked one's blade.

The elf's expression was grim, her eyes narrowed. "I will speak in what tone I will, undead. Your master may think himself great but if he ever were to face me or my companion he would be sorely dismayed." Olore paced forward and the undead shrank away from the silver stallion and the light that limned him;yelping in pain again as his flesh contacted Elestirne's sword. The stallion spoke; his voice projected to all-even the terrified healer.

It makes no difference what they do foul one. You will still tell us, or be destroyed. Either way, you are not leaving this room. Trying will destroy you utterly and your master will not be able to help you. The stallion's bell-like voice was menacing, full of power. I have dealt with far worse and more powerful things than your master could ever dream of becoming, and I will deal with him if need be. But if he is wise, he will not cross I nor my lady. Now undead...you will tell us.

Olore sent a thought to Elestirne and she slowly,and reluctantly took her sword from the boy's throat. The wounds still festered there,and would never heal. Her silver eyes flickered to the masked man, and she nodded almost imperceptibly for him to lower his sword;knowing that Olore had things fully in control. If the undead tried to leave, he would be destroyed by Olore's magic, if not the silver stallion himself.

[Wulf]

As the Elven lady noded, he backed away a couple of steps then quietly sheathed his sword, and moving to the side, bowing to both the Elf and Olore , knowing both were more than capable of taking on this nusiance.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

The raven in the boys heart hopped they bought his act on the pain. He didn't know what to do. He tried to figure a way out of this mess, but it could only think of one thing.

Fallen...Hear me.....I've been captured by a Elf, her horse, and Wulf.....They don't know about Giggles or his plans yet but they are about to destroy me.....Help me....bring a great army to help me escape from these abominations of life.......

After a moment passed, it's answer was simple. A cruel laugh as the Fallen said in thought,

Good you did well not to tell ALL about our Master BUT you still gave too much away. So he has allowed me to prepare a little reward for you.

In a moment the boy was screaming his body writhing in agony as the Raven flew out of his chest. His body going limp as he was but a puppet. The bird was screeching in pain and rage.

The Fallen spoke though the bird, it's voice more twisted and corrupted then the bird's or the boy's. "If you want to truly know more she-elf you will head to the center of the Greatwoods alone, not even your beast of burden may come. There you MAY meet the master but only if he sees fit not when commanded!"
After he was done speaking he forced it to fly towards the door, knowing full well what the spell would do to the raven.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Cedric's Inn...

Nichtmar looked down then back up to the elf. He took a breath and said, “At first I lost control of myself, I could hear Zigler and the others I could feel, but when I tried to tell my body to do something…Nothin. Then I woke up in the Great Wood, it was dark, nothing livin and no birds were singin. I figured I was dreamin. Then darkness chased me, seemed forever, I almost gave up, and then I saw a light in the Mittelmarch castle. I ran for it. Guess I made it, next I remember is seeing Elestirne and you all about to kill some kid. Storm mentioned something about undead, but I thought that was out in Kanthea.”


Nichtmar looked to Tsukasa, “Do we know who is responsible for this? Can we find them”

[telemachus]

In the Lair of Giggles...

Telamon seemed to materialize out of the shadow behind Giggles. Telamon has been watching the dark lords of this land. Nudging them in directions in which would lead to a new world. A world where man and elf were slaves and their kind could rule. He doesn’t wish to be the ruler he just doing the work of the Dark Father.

“She-elf?” he interrupts Giggles from behind.

“Who are you talking to?” His voice a little uneasy.

[Tsukasa]

Back in Cedric's Inn, Tsukasa had his eyes closed, so he could mediate on what Nichtmar was saying. He also wanted to clear his mind so he could also pick up on any clues that might lead to the person responsible. When hearing Nichtmar asking him if he knew how was responsible and if they could find them, Tsukasa open his eyes. His eyes showed hints of sarrow and regret.

"I am sorry Nichtmar-san, but we do not know who is responsible for your illness or the undead rising. It also appears that the undead has spread from Kanthea."

Tsukasa eyes widen as he came to a very important realization.

"Authnor-sama, Lady Elestirne-sama is alone with the boy. I believe it would be wise, if someone was to go and make sure she is well."

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor's eyes narrowed as he thought hard on what was bein said. As gently as he could, he said to Nichtmar. "Perhaps it is best you remember only that much.. But the reality is that you were tainted-poisoned-by an undead. Storm sent for my lady,explaining te situation and we came as soon a the meesage reached us. It was luck and the favor of the gods that allowed us to get here so swiftly. Elestirne saved your life,an banished the taint from your body before you succumbed to it."

The red-haired warrior switched his focus to Tsukasa. "And it may not be that the taint and undead have spread from Kanthea, as it is that that they could have spread into it... And since it seems Mittelmarch also is having a problem..then it is possible they spreading into both from some other location..." At Tsukasa's suggestion about Elestirne, the veteran elf shook his head.

"She is never alone, for she has Honored Olore with her. Few can stand up to the pair of them united and I do not believe her to be in any danger from a newly-undead. However, it might be wise to send someone to bring her here-if she is rested enough. My lady is much wiser than any of us here and, if she was able to talk to the undead-she may have answers where we have only questions." Waving over one of the escort, Authnor spoke to him in their own tongue;his voice commanding.

" Find the Queen and Honored Olore at the human's healing center and bring them back here. She may know more about what is going on than we-especially if she has confronted an undead and possibly spoken with it-and her insight and wisdom would be invaluable. Besides,I feel safer having her where I can see her. Go! Quickly!"

The elf sketched a quick salute and dashed out on his errand.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa had a puzzled look on his face. The addressing Olore as honored did confussed him. Tsukasa knew that Olore was more then he appeared, but he wanted to know why he was honored.

"Authnor-sama, if it is not too much to ask, I wish to know why Olore is addressed as honored. I know that there is more to Olore then he appears. If now is not the time to talk about such matters, I would understand."

Tsukasa took another drink of his sake and waited for Authnor's answer.

[ziglerrobertson]

The basement of Cedric's

Tired of waiting around in his own depressing basement, and with an urge to be about this nights work Zigler interrupts the two men,"Laddies, it be getting late, the sun is surely getting low in the sky and I want to get this business over and be done with it." The Bard's smile belies his words.

"Carneth, Dorian," he address the two,"Ye can either come wit' me, and aid in this here endeavor or keep servin' drinks upstairs." Zigler pushes aside the heavy looking stone table, revealing a short set of stairs. An unheavenly scent wafts up from the recently uncovered sewer as Zigler motions for the other two to proceed him.

"After you lads." Zigler says with a grin.

[Lady Elestirne]

As soon as the boy started screaming and writhing, Elestirne started forward a step, but Olore kept he back with a headshake. The elf did, however, bring her sword back up as the undead raven burst from the poor youngling's chest. The action was unecesary though, as the bird veered around her; screeching in obvious pain and rage. Calmly, Elestirne followed it with her eyes and sword;realizing all was not yet over.

A voice came from the bird-one more twisted and corrupt than the boy's had been, and Elestirne realized that a higher undead was now controlling the bird and speaking through it. Narrowing her silver eyes, Elestirne patiently heard the creature out, but immediently started forward when it had finished. She had barely gone a pace when the bird wheeled and flew straight for the undectable barrier of blessed lght Olore had enacted. She halted and watched as the bird hit. There was a flash of light and stench of seared flesh as the bird was destroyed immediately;leaving only a few charred feathers.

Thoughtfully, Elestirne knelt;carefully and gingerly collecting a few of these feathers. When she rose, her fair face was at once thoughtful, concerned and faintly worried. Her first act was making sure that the head healer was ok and had not been tainted in any way. The man was fine, but terrified and in shock-and gazed at her and Olore with a mix of respect, shock, gratitude and sulky defiance. After getting him into the main part of the building and on a bed, she coolly instructed his healers to give him something for shock and make sure he lay quietly. When asked about the boy, she answered only that he was dead.

After seeing to the healer, Elestirne turned to the strange, masked man;meaning to discover who he was and what he had written in the note he had given to Authnor. She also meant to thank him for holding the undead until she and Olore had been able to join him. And she was curious, if truth be told. She had marked the deep respect-almost reverance-he had treated her and Olore with, the way he had instantly and wilingly obeyed, indeed, the way he had seemed to look at her as though waiting for orders on what do. She could only surmise that, whoever the stranger was, he obviously came from a place where elves were held honored and respected highly-maybe even in positions of command. She could not be sure. She did know though, that she had never seen such high and instantaneous respect towards elves by the humans of Mittelmarch, at least never on sight and never towards an elf that had not proven they were worthy of such high respect.

Before she could ask though, an elf came running into the hall-an elf she recognized as one of her own escort. He stopped before her and spoke to her in their own tongue;inquiring about the undead and asking her to return to the inn if she was rested enough. She reassured him that she was fine ,that the undead had been taken care of, and that she and Olore had been about to return anyway. With a brief glance of her eyes to the stranger, she gestured for him to follow, hoping hat he would, so that she might,possibly, learn about him and why he seemed to have such deep respect towards elves.

It took them only a few minutes to reach the inn where the others had gone and soon enough they were entering. The first thing she noticed was that all of her elves were here and accounted for, the second that Nichtmar was obviously well on the road to mending;judging by his color and the quantity of food that was before him. Authnor and the one called Tsukasa were with him and she could not help but notice that all three seemed troubled as she glided up to their table,with Olore at her shoulder. She knew that some faint weariness must still be showing in her face-as was the look of troubled worry-for Authnor's troubled expression deepened upon catching sight of her.

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor's expression was unreadable at Tsukasa's question. If he was offended, it did not show in his face or posture, for both remained unchanged as the elf took a sip of his wine;his emerald eyes on the door.

"Olore is...Olore. Yes, he is more than he appears, but what he is is his business, to be shared only if he wishes it to be known. If we elves guess at his true nature,we will not reveal it, for we respect and revere him-and honor him and his right to privacy. We are honored that he has chosen to live among us, and that he is the friend and companion of Lady Elestirne. Since we can not claim to be on the same familiar and casual terms that Lady Elestirne is, we call him either by name-as respectfully as we can-or we address him as 'Honored';reflecting his status among us, since there is no other title that fits him." Authnor ceased speaking as the door opened,revealing Elestirne, Olore and the elf he had sent.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa found everything that Authnor told him about Olore to be very interesting. Tsukasa was about to respond when he notice that Authnor look toward the door. Tsukasa did like wise and saw Lady Elestirne,Olore and one of the elves from the escort enter.

If she is here, then everything should be well at the healing center.

Tsukasa watched as Lady Elestirne glided over to the table. When she arrived, Tsukasa gave her a bow. Tsukasa notice that Lady Elestirne was troubled and weary.


"What is wrong Lady Elestirne-sama? If you are here, then it must mean the threat the boy possessed was eliminated. Were you able to gain any information from him that might help us figure out who is behind the undead uprising?"

[Giggles "Adguin"]

"Someone came and purified of my gift of unlife! The creature was so close to becoming something even more powerful then a Fallen!
When I went to check on the state of my gift, it was gone. Completely neutralized! All my spy told me was a elf and a horse was there with him.. That was all I could get without tipping my hand."

Giggles walked around in anger trying to think of a way to separate the elf that cured Nichtmar from her escorts.

[Wulf]

Wulf followed behind Lady Elestirne into the inn which he had been to before. He quickly took a table back in the corner once again and sat down as he sighed heavy, just a bit weary of his several hours of travel for the day. He quietly took out one of his notebooks and started to write in it.

[Dorian Prior]

Dorian felt his stomach turn over at the stench of the sewers, but was reminded of previous contracts that had required such unpleasantries. He looked quickly at Carneth, who was also repulsed by the prospect and uneasy by what he was told he'd be doing.

Dorian took hold of his shoulder confidently.

"This is for the good of the city, Carneth. They aren't innocent; they plot our murders as we speak. Zigler is right; the sooner this is over, the sooner peace will return to Mittelmarch. I swear by it."

With that, Dorian descended the stairs into the muck.

Dorian had never had a problem with lying through his teeth, but this time something didn't sit well with him. He contemplated this as the three made their way through the sewers towards the arena.

[Carneth]

Carneth watched until Dorian was out of sight.

'E's right, he thought, If'n the Jovians 're plannin' an uprisin', we need t' go show 'em what's what. But why don' we jus' tell the guards t' be on the watch? We wouldn' have t' kill 'em all... He glanced over to Zigler, who gave him a grave nod. Carneth shook off his doubts.

"Bah, Carneth, this is Zig 'nd Dorian ye're talkin' 'bout," Carneth muttered to himself. "They wouldn' steer ye wrong."

Carneth clenched his fists and strengthened his resolve. There was work to be done. He shook his head and began his descent into the odorous muck.