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In the depths of Mirghul, where the shadows lie.
Posted: 22 Oct 2008 05:44 PM |
Soon it would be too late. Action had to be taken before the Darkness broke the boundaries of Mirghul and loosed itself upon the world in force. Thus he entered the depths of Mirghul.
Long he sat unmoving humming a deep tone in rythm with the earth. Turandir had lost all sense of time when the darkness deepened. The trees where gnarled and dead, and he no longer felt the ancient life of the forest. It was like a dream. Or a nightmare.
A deep longing spread through his body, and he knew -just as one knows which way the wind is coming from when it blows on your face- it came from the western forest, from the Caverns of Syn. Not knowing whether it was the nightmares or the shades that called, he moved to finish what he had started.
The goblins in the western forest seemed more agitated then ever, and he took down quite a few -quickly and efficiently- before getting to the other side.
Upon entering the deep darkness of the cave, he came upon a gathering of Shadowstalkers engaged in a ritual. A man, or what had once been a man stood in the middle of a circle of Shadowstalkers. Around the man danced his shadow, apart from him instead of at his feet. Around and around it went, until it merged with him. He dissappeared for an instant before fading into the same, not quite there appearance of the shadowstalkers. They spoke to him in barely heard whispers that they seemed to communicate perfectly in. He took his place in the circle, and one of them motioned Turandir forward.
He entered the middle of the circle and bowed deeply in the formal Asashi way. The one who motioned him forward produced a dagger that felt somehow familiar and stepped out to meet him. The man of shadow placed the daggerpoint at his shoulder. Turandir looked from the dagger to the man and held his ground. There was no going back now.
The dagger pierced into his shoulder, remarkably painless. His shadow returned, darker than ever, engulfing him completely. The man told him to speak, and he heard him clear and crisp.
Turandir related the offer from Count Valinor, and the Shadowstalkers reacted -as one might expect- with scepticism. "Valinor wishes to perform a coup? Against whom?" The shadowstalker asked. Turandir told them of the vampiress who had taken over Maldovia, seeking to set it free, and the counts promise to put things back in its place. "What shadow can Valinor offer? The darkness spreads across the lands. Can you not feel it pulsing deep beneath the earth? It engulfs everything." Turandir felt it to his bones, and admitted as much. "Why should we not simply sit and wait for the shadow to take over the land? The darkness is Syn. Valinor cannot control a god." It was a very good question. What would the shadows have to gain by confining themselves to Maldovia with Valinor?
Turandir lowered his head and breathed deeply. With more effort than usual he released all his thoughts, his concerns for the moment, for himself and for the fate of the world. For the fate of nature and life itself. He floated in the empty silence of his mind and he saw with his minds eye the multiple paths he could take from here. He could appeal to their lust for power, saying that Valinor would harness the shadow after it had been weakened, and they would have some of that power. Promising them revenge against the warlocks of Naillamne by the help of the count, asking if they would not rather have it by their own hand rather than let the shadow take them, was also a valid path. But when there are two clear paths, there will always be a third, one that is not immediately obvious, and usually more perilous. Yes. These where once humans. Appeal to the human sense of worth, their pride and sense of righteousness. One that there is traces of even in the most blackhearted rogue. If there is anything left in the shadows of their former selves, he reasoned. This was the most difficult path, but if it struck true, he would learn something of the nature of these men of shadow. Thus his insight would grow.
From the depths of his mind he heard himself speak. "Do you truly wish to see the entire world fall to shadow? If so, i have erred in my judgement." The shadowstalkers exchanged glances that seemed to be as communicative as full sentences.
"We are not of this world. We sold ourselves to the warlocks long ago. We no longer fear death, so they made us pay an even higer price." Their spokesman responded in cold tones. He was guarded and dismissive, yet there was an opening.
"But where you not once of this world? The warlocks actions are unforgivable, but does that make it just to have everyone else suffer the same fate? You may rise above those that mistreated you, be greater than them." Turandir said in even tones. The shadowstalkers exchanged their glances again.
"The shadow rises and grows no matter our actions. There is no stopping it." Their spokesman said bluntly.
"There is a way to weaken the shadow. To take away the sources that feeds it." Turandir said in carefully neutral tones. The shadowstalker stepped forward and gazed at him intensely.
"You know how to control the shadow? If so speak."
"I know how it can be weakened, how to take away its sources. It feeds upon suffering and despair. Plans are being made to take care of this shortly. That way it may be that Count Valinor himself might harness it and contain it in Maldovia." He related, still keeping calm and detached.
The shadows exchanged longer glances this time, before the spokesman stepped closer. "We will speak to Valinor." He stated simply, and pointed the dagger at Turandirs shoulder again. "If what you say is true, we will reinstate your shadow and stop stealing the shadows of others" He added after a moments pause. Turandir barely stopped himself from letting out a pleased laughter. Careful. Do not stumble on the final steps of the path he thought.
"As you say." He managed, lowering his head respectfully. The dagger again pierced into his shoulder, and only when it was pulled out again did the pain come. His shadow was again gone, and the shadows spoke in barely heard whispers.
Turandir bowed formally as the shadows faded away in the darkness. He left the cave, briefly allowing himself to feel the pleasure of the nights accomplishment. This was but a small step, and undoubtedly the hard parts where still to come.
Moving unseen through the goblin infested forest, he plucked up a few weapons of good craftsmanship under their noses. Supplies would be needed for the battle to come.
((I thought I'd make a story out of this since i took the liberty of attempting this on my own. This is pretty much what happened, in the order that it happened. As I'm quite unexperienced in writing anything at all, I tried to keep the embellishments to a minimum. I added only some of Turandirs tought references so as to give an insight to his reasoning. My memory is far from perfect, (note to self: write things down dangnabit!) but I'm sure The Jester will inform us of any major inconsistencies.)) |
IG Character: Turandir |
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Re: In the depths of Mirghul, where the shadows lie.
Posted: 01 Nov 2008 10:22 PM |
((I post this here, rather than make a new thread, as it is essentially on the same subject. Feel free to move it to another thread, should it be suitable.))
Turandir sat in a chamber in the middle of Asashi, meditating, his mind quiet. He was illuminated from all sides, casting no shadow. If he turned to a shade himself, four of the finest of Asashi would rush forth with katana, and lop of his head. He would not to resist, if he could retain control of himself. He made a point of not asking the Shadowstalkers to return his shadow, as the sense of self is but an illusion, and is not to be considered in the matters of the world. It may be that his shadow returned on its own, or he may be turned in to one of them. The Salt Sower had predicted that the lack of shadow was a sign of the Syncurse. If this was the case he would not serve Syn, he would simply return to the cycle, as was proper. He had no regrets, he had done his task, cleansed the taint, and the cycle would run as normal.
Thus he waited, his mind in silence. |
IG Character: Turandir |
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