Wade-newb
02-18-2011, 01:43 PM
The cabal edged closer to the towering stockade surrounding a sprawling expanse of ancient buildings, it's shadow growing nearer. Mandrake glanced over at his allotted group of warriors and mages, dressed mainly in torn battle-vestments and smudged robes. Vakarin lifted his hood, revealing his scarred grey face and tendrils of missing flesh, baring bone and sinew as he watched the weather turn. The day that had started a typical screen of blue and white was now an ethereal gold, streaked with vines of black magic. He sighed and muttered, "This isn’t achieving anything, Mandrake."
"We've got nothing better at this stage, best you just keep yourself from danger. Don't make my job any more difficult." he retorted.
Just then, Vakarin pointed at two figures high above, circling the city of Khudaan.
"They're just harpies, hardly interesting." Kalessin droned.
Kalessin was the first to march towards Khudaan's Bone Gate. It was meticulously carved from marble, and had been named after the countless corpses buried before it. The entrance to this city was a mass graveyard. Kalessin's scimitars glinted in the eerie afternoon haze, matching the blood-lust in his eyes. Vakarin noted this, and felt a frisson of fear prickle along his spine. Plagued by curiosity, he asked, "What world spawned you Kalessin? Certainly not this one I'm sure."
Kalessin turned slowly at the question, his scales shimmering like a bird in the light and said nothing. Vakarin stared back at this reptilian and pondered on what bizarre state of mind the General was in to haphazardly place him with this lot. They began passing beneath Bone Gate, five curious looking hooded figures, and another two in poorly crafted vestments. Each noticed coins scattered through the entire main passage of Khudaan, throwing flecks of light up off the cracked, dusty path. Hyle, the quietest of the cabal, stared jadedly through the wispy white hairs that fell across his face. Pulling back his hood he said, "These coins paint a picture of recent misfortune, friends. Be vigilant"
"In what way, Elder?" Kalessin enquired.
No reply.
Despite the obstinate wealth in the streets, the only local in sight was an aged woman selling impeccably woven rugs. She glanced at the cabal awkwardly. Kalessin hailed her with a flick of his wrist. She stumbled towards him, bringing with her a pile of rugs.
"What are these?" Kalessin mused.
"I thought you wished to buy-" She was interrupted as the reptilian had set her rugs aflame, crushing one of his medallions to ignite it. Arms singed, the woman darted away on hobbly legs, whimpering.
Kalessin chuckled.
The rest of the cadre grimaced at the chaotic and almost playful nature of his ferocity.
Hyle curtly asked, "Was that absolutely necessary?"
"Better her than one of you don't you agree?" The reptilian said, a strange smile playing on his lips.
Breaking the tension, Mandrake pointed a stubby finger at the direction of their sector in Khudaan, making it clear he was in a foul mood. Feeling the need to make up for wasted time, they ventured straight into the passage. Kicking up dust and cracking the dirt underfoot, Mandrake and the others were joined by some inquisitive locals who seeped out of their homes, only to rush away again as figures emerged up ahead, augmented by the heat. The locals were brandishing commandeered weapons and armour, and formed in the middle of the street. Mandrake's mages stood at the ready, while his two melee fighters looking nervous. The local militia marched towards the cabal, lifting their shields as Kalessin, Vakarin and Hyle volleyed threads of magic at gaunt faces- Too late was the sound of padding feet behind them heard, as an assassin sprinted and drove his blade through Vakarin's chest, spurting a crescent of blood. By the time Mandrake and Kalessin had turned around, Vakarin collapsed while the shadow responsible melted away around a corner. Vakarin's breathing was erratic, each inhale a gurgling of blood. Mandrake spoke softly as the militia marched closer, "I'll see you in the next world, friend. I did not protect you as was my duty.", "And there is still much we have to argue about." Vakarin teased, as he took a final breath.
"We've got nothing better at this stage, best you just keep yourself from danger. Don't make my job any more difficult." he retorted.
Just then, Vakarin pointed at two figures high above, circling the city of Khudaan.
"They're just harpies, hardly interesting." Kalessin droned.
Kalessin was the first to march towards Khudaan's Bone Gate. It was meticulously carved from marble, and had been named after the countless corpses buried before it. The entrance to this city was a mass graveyard. Kalessin's scimitars glinted in the eerie afternoon haze, matching the blood-lust in his eyes. Vakarin noted this, and felt a frisson of fear prickle along his spine. Plagued by curiosity, he asked, "What world spawned you Kalessin? Certainly not this one I'm sure."
Kalessin turned slowly at the question, his scales shimmering like a bird in the light and said nothing. Vakarin stared back at this reptilian and pondered on what bizarre state of mind the General was in to haphazardly place him with this lot. They began passing beneath Bone Gate, five curious looking hooded figures, and another two in poorly crafted vestments. Each noticed coins scattered through the entire main passage of Khudaan, throwing flecks of light up off the cracked, dusty path. Hyle, the quietest of the cabal, stared jadedly through the wispy white hairs that fell across his face. Pulling back his hood he said, "These coins paint a picture of recent misfortune, friends. Be vigilant"
"In what way, Elder?" Kalessin enquired.
No reply.
Despite the obstinate wealth in the streets, the only local in sight was an aged woman selling impeccably woven rugs. She glanced at the cabal awkwardly. Kalessin hailed her with a flick of his wrist. She stumbled towards him, bringing with her a pile of rugs.
"What are these?" Kalessin mused.
"I thought you wished to buy-" She was interrupted as the reptilian had set her rugs aflame, crushing one of his medallions to ignite it. Arms singed, the woman darted away on hobbly legs, whimpering.
Kalessin chuckled.
The rest of the cadre grimaced at the chaotic and almost playful nature of his ferocity.
Hyle curtly asked, "Was that absolutely necessary?"
"Better her than one of you don't you agree?" The reptilian said, a strange smile playing on his lips.
Breaking the tension, Mandrake pointed a stubby finger at the direction of their sector in Khudaan, making it clear he was in a foul mood. Feeling the need to make up for wasted time, they ventured straight into the passage. Kicking up dust and cracking the dirt underfoot, Mandrake and the others were joined by some inquisitive locals who seeped out of their homes, only to rush away again as figures emerged up ahead, augmented by the heat. The locals were brandishing commandeered weapons and armour, and formed in the middle of the street. Mandrake's mages stood at the ready, while his two melee fighters looking nervous. The local militia marched towards the cabal, lifting their shields as Kalessin, Vakarin and Hyle volleyed threads of magic at gaunt faces- Too late was the sound of padding feet behind them heard, as an assassin sprinted and drove his blade through Vakarin's chest, spurting a crescent of blood. By the time Mandrake and Kalessin had turned around, Vakarin collapsed while the shadow responsible melted away around a corner. Vakarin's breathing was erratic, each inhale a gurgling of blood. Mandrake spoke softly as the militia marched closer, "I'll see you in the next world, friend. I did not protect you as was my duty.", "And there is still much we have to argue about." Vakarin teased, as he took a final breath.