Return of the Lord [OPEN - All Acuminites]

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

1st Brightening, The Month of Cryxatum in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate (Current Pattern) Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.

A lone figure observed the field of magic surrounding the small village of Acumin, smirking underneath his hawk like mask as eyes of blue shimmered with excitement. Cowled, he watched and said nothing as he tightened his cloak, hiding the sheen of mithril and the glimmer of his sword. There was only a slight buzz of life here, a shadow of its former self for what was once a growing town, and, if not for the terrible fire that had ravaged most of the town, it would have continued to grow. The losses were great, and even this black knight himself had sensed it… though he worried more about his establishments.

Stories of what had occurred here had eventually reached his ears since his return, for while he battled against great foes and accomplished dark deeds, his very home had been invaded by the rabble of Acumin whom were undoubtedly outmatched against the forces of Dar Havark. In that conflict they had held back most of their true power, a fact that had allowed the survivors to linger here now. Even now, as great power raced through his veins, he steadily walked towards where the main gate stood and stopped meters away from the curious barrier.

The chilling sensation of the dead was near, their presence made known as invisible wraths stood about him, ready to protect their master at any costs. Death they did not fear, nor did they fear ultimate oblivion. Bearing terrible claws that could pierce and tear metal as if they were nothing, the specters watched…

Using a mind perpetually attuned to the planes, a silent call for the dead was made as spirits raced up quietly about him, encasing the Lord in a powerful protective shield as he made his appearance known. Holding his power in check, the furious might that he could unleash could easily devastate this remote village in an instant, yet he chose to act peacefully. Placing a hand upon the magnificent Nemesis, he absently tapped it in reassurance as Lord Avanthar Dra’Aran finally made his presence known.

‘Acumin! I wish to see your leader… in peace… failure to do so shall force me to act. Hiding behind your bubble will only prolong your deaths.’

There was always ways around things. Even now the Necromancer, in the light of day, could sense and pinpoint every living soul in the vicinity, their lives were beacons that he could manipulate and diminish at any point in time. Those that sought to escape from behind, even to strike, would face his wrath. None were allowed to leave until matters were finally settled. A score needed to be settled here, for Dar Havark and its denizens have been mistakenly attacked in blind hate and ignorance. That needed to be dealt with… whomever had led them to such an action needed to be taught… a lesson.

[Lichen]

OOC: Brightening, please

Though the majority of those who heard Avanthar's decree were squirrels, there were enough cowed townsfolk who ran to their rangers for protection that it didn't take long for word to spread of the... showdown. They had no thane, but they had an aedile, who had been forced to fulfill this role due to lack of anyone more experienced or more inclined to the position. And so it was that Latherin Veridos, exhausted acting thane of Acumin, pulled himself away from the endless pile of papers to face the evil entity that stood on their doorstep, wrapped in the very forces of the undead he commanded.

Latherin was a human who was far from being middleaged. But sorrow and strain had sapped much of his youth from him as it had from so many in Acumin. His hair was not streaked with the gray of so many citizens, but his eyes bore the quiet acceptance that marked those who'd seen so much pain that they knew there was nothing to stop it. Some called it hopelessness. Those who bore this strange quality knew it as acquiescence.

Latherin stood quietly before the bubble's boundary for a moment, as if trying to decide who the man was and why he was here. He had not gone to battle with Avanthar, nor had he supported that decision - he had stayed behind and attempted to save the children the vysstichi sought to steal from them. He hadn't been terribly successful, a burden he would bear with him for far longer than his life would permit. Finally, with the assistance of a young man dressed in green, he walked through the boundary. As the boundary was a two way wall, he needed the assistance of the druid to make it through in any due amount of time. Once the thane stood outside the boundary the druid retreated to a safe distance to watch the proceedings, as did many of the bolder citizens of Acumin. "You've asked for me?" Latherin said, trying not to sound as weary as he was.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

New summer winds swept the lands as the powerful necromancer said nothing, waiting ever so patiently as time slowly ticked by. The dead waited with unnatural patience as they remained invisible to all save the Lord. He had returned with a purpose. Lord Avanthar, the invader of Zerdagia, and the slaughterer of thousands, would never end his conquest or his desire to kill, for now his very existence depended on it. Death was now a constant companion for the demon now. Remembering the deadly fires that had ravaged the town, the failure to find and capture the Thane who had gone missing at the last moment, fate had turned her ill gaze towards him. Hopefully it was not so now.

Measuring the figure that stood beyond the boundary, he was a man aged by sorrow and pain, his very eyes dark and thoughtful. Was this the one whom led Acumin now? Certainly things have changed if there was no Thane here, but then again it was not so surprising. The War of Zerdagia would have taken priority over matters of such a small village. Observing how the man moved through the boundary by a green dressed man, it was obviously some barrier barring everyone save the rangers, for Avanthar had seen them moving without such hindrance.

There was little spite in his words as Dra’Aran spoke calmly and clearly, showing signs that he was above the common with his manner. Nodding his head slightly in recognition, one gloved hand firmly wrapped itself on Nemesis, speaking loud enough so all in attendance could hear, yet below the point of shouting and yelling like a thug.

‘Know that I am able to speak for Dar Havark and its denizens…’

‘I had hoped that with a season’s passing that the memories pain and suffering of your village would have dimmed… and now we may discuss matters in a civil manner. Know that through your town’s ignorance and blind hate you have dared to invade my lands and kill my subjects… it is a matter that cannot be ignored. Clearly any competent leader would have sought much needed information before such an action. I shall not apologize for the deaths… for we acted in clear defense.’

‘I understand that Acumin may be in no position for reparations… yet I seek at least an apology… and with that the vow that those of Acumin shall never lay a hand against any of Dar Havark… failure to do so will be seen as an act of hostility against our combined host… and I will be forced to act. In return… those of Dar Havark will do the same… even offer protection if need be… even provide aid for your rebuilding... but…’

‘... Do not place too much faith on your bubble, sir, for it is both a gift and a curse. It will not protect you from my wrath if such a peace is broken…’

It was clear. For the moment Avanthar needed to secure his holdings and his home, that, and the fact that Dar Havark now was turning into a city that would one day be buzzing with life, making a peace with Acumin was needed. There was certainly nothing stopping him from unleashing his wrath upon the entire town and killing them all in one fell blow, yet he stayed his hand, brushing aside the inner demon that even now continued to batter against his mind’s bars. It was an offer… yet a rejection would mean certain doom for all of Acumin, whether this man knew it or not.

[Throk Mumson]

Throk felt a sudden gust of new summer wind blow through his hair. It was getting hotter by the day, and it sometimes made his limbs feel heavy. He was sweating heavily, and his shirt was drenched, just from walking! He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his thumb. He liked a bit of warmth, but this was too humid for good measure. It made his armpits smelly as well. He raised his arm and took a good sniff from to opulant odor that was emitted from the hairy bush. It was a combination between Mum's Stew, and rotten leaves on the ground during fall. That's about as descriptive as he could put it.

So he wondered around in the forests around Acumin, using the canopy to block the intense rays of the sun. The forest was cool, and the soft wind made his skin tingle. The forest was nice. He liked the chirps of the birds, the colour of the trees, all the little creatures that crawled around, looking for food. The smell of fresh grass replaced the smell of Giant Armpit, and it was better left that way.

Without taking notice, he found himself on the edge of the new magical barrier. The odd glow made him squint when he looked at the barrier directly. He looked away, and suddenly he saw someone standing in the distance. It was the Chief, Latherin. He was a nice man, albeit a bit too worried if you asked Throk. What was he doing here in the forest? Wasn't he supposed to...to...to govern the village or something? Throk decided to go and have a chat with the man. Perhaps he could cheer him up, 'cos he looked rather stressy these days.
He made his way through the bushes and entered the small clearing where Latherin was standing.

Only when he was standing next to Latherin, he saw Avanthar and the druid. Oops. Perhaps he was entering in the middle of a conversation.
"Ahm sorry," he apologized to the three people.
"Ah don't 'ope ahm interuptin' sumfink important, am I?"

[S'Lon]

S'Lon could not very well admit to any other feeling than that of his heart sinking as he heard the voice from outside the barrier speak to the people of the village.

He hadn't been on duty, even though he had been sharing the Rangers burden while he visited the village and it had caused him to delay his journey past the turn into summer. He had been fretting for a few brightenings already since he needed to be moving onwards, time was passing and every brightening was a brightening without Robyn and a brightening closer to the birth of their child. He worried about how she was and how she was coping without him, though he knew the Ranger Hall would provide every assistance should she ask.

But it was the foreseeing of just such an event as this that had made Robyn reluctant to let him go on his little tour, oh, she hadn't actually said anything, but it had been clear nonetheless.

He chewed his lip even as his hands grabbed for kit that even here in the dormitory of the Hall was packed and ready for use, and it was a matter only of moments before he was trotting out of the Hall and out to a flank where he could observe what was happening.

He moved fast but smooth out to where he could see the Aedile approach and to where he could just feel the effects of the boundary. An arrow lay knocked to his bow and he scanned the surroundings for movement. He knew some of the other rangers would also be out on the boundaries, sliding into their accustomed stag positions. The distraction on the boundary was likely to be just that and the rangers were there to ensure that no one attempted anything elsewhere in the village. Those rangers such as S'Lon who could be spared from that task made the best they could of the situation, and S'Lon sat thus just inside the boundary where he had a measure of protection and yet could easily move outside of it to lay down fire on the party who now talked to the Aedile or indeed to slip out into the forest.

He watched with interest and no little amusement as Throk blundered into the meeting party and made the instant decision to use the distraction to slip through the boundary and take up a position where the curve of the boundary no longer shielded him from direct fire into the small group, should the situation so demand.

[Lichen]

Latherin straightened slightly at the insult. Granted, he hadn't been behind the attack on the tower, but the intention was clear nonetheless. He stood quietly while Avanthar spoke, and once the man had finished he took his own turn. His voice was quiet, but given the relative silence of the area it carried easily. "As you speak for Dar Havark, so do I speak for Acumin. Had we expected you to appologize for the deaths of that brightening, I doubt we would have attacked you in the first place. However, I feel no shame in admitting a grief-driven mistake, nor in appologizing for it. At the time, there was evidence enough that our sorrows led us to an act of what we presumed was revenge. On behalf of the citizens of Acumin, I offer my sincere appologizes for the mistake, and can only hope to assure you through our continued passive existance that such will never happen again."

"While I cannot say as I have much experience with the tower of Dar Havark, having never trespassed its borders myself, I can say with certainty that the people of Acumin seek little more than the quiet existance a truce would undoubtable bring." Latherin wasn't entirely certain about Dar Havark's intentions in the overall scheme of things. If this... 'DarkSoul' - whom Latherin was unaware was standing directly in front of him - was indeed the evil man others claimed, than he didn't understand why he would request a truce be brought between the two towns. All he knew was that until Carmelya informed him otherwise, no harm could come from bringing peace between Acumin and the tower. "As he who speaks for Acumin, I swear that no citizen shall lift a hand against the denizens of Dar Havark. I would be loathe to request your aid, given the sorrows between the two, but I can freely accept the peace that you offer."

It was about this time that the giant came towards the two. Having been a ranger for a while by this time, the giant quickly crossed the boundary. A gentle creature, Throk was nonetheless not neccessarily the most diplomatic of men. "Thank you Throk, please take up your place within the shield." Latherin said, trying not to seem strained.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Dra’Aran was not one to miss the subtleties of one’s speech. Though to all outward appearances one could possible not see it, Avanthar had mingled with the most powerful nobles and influential merchants of the empire. Tensing a gloved fist as the other reflectively touched his sword of death, Dra’Aran grinned beneath his mask. Fate was obviously kind to the man, for an era or two past he would have cleaved him apart where he stood, and those that gathered to his aid, the many rangers that positioned themselves around them, all would face an untimely death, their last minutes living would be full of pain and suffering.

‘Us… Apologise… for the deaths that the Vysticchi’s caused… it is not our way… to stoop that low…’

Musing to himself, his voice darkened and turned cold, words icy and near silent as he held himself from thinking murderous thoughts, no matter how strong his inner demon sought it. Blood, the taste of death, old memories that sought to rekindle fresh thoughts, all were washed away in a sea of calm as he relaxed. He had come for one particular mission…

‘Then my mission here is done… and a peace we shall have… but I would not be so sure… for I can feel the hate and sorrow that dwell in the what remains of Acumin… there are still those who would wish to see us gone… or seek means to destroy it… but I shall trust your word…’

Merely shrugging at the refusal of aid, the Shadow Lord turned, his cloak sweeping behind him as he moved with unnatural ease, he moved with agile steps forward and stopped, sensing the appearance of a lumbering fool. Glancing backwards at the huge figure, to most the appearance of a giant would be intimidating to most, but alas it did nothing for the shadow knight. Like daggers his eyes narrowed at the figure… yet all that resulted was a mocking laugh at the thug. Turning his back on Throk, the Archmage began his trek towards the great spires of Dar Havark, his mind attuned as he knew where each and every man stood…

Invisible wraths followed the knight, the sense of overwhelming despair lifting from the area… the day’s meeting done. With Avanthar’s offer of truce it ensured many things… yet if the truce was broken by the villagers at any time, even Carmeyla’s bubble would not protect them… all would die a slow and lingering death.

[Throk Mumson]

Throk felt the tension in the air. Something was amiss. There was something that made his skin cold, and it wasn't the thought of a cold bath that did it. There was something about that man standing over there that made Throk shiver. Ieuw.

He quickly did as he was being told. He stepped inside of the bubble.

After the dark figure had left, Throk turned to Latherin.
" 'Sup, Laderin? Not much goods methinks. Dat guy gave me de creeps." He shivered again when he though of Avanthar once more.
"And ah do 'ave de feeling dat ah was interuptin' sumfink, wasn't ah? Ahm sorry..."

He sat down on the spot. He felt a little guilty, and for some reason, this meeting had made him a bit tired.

[S'Lon]

With the tension gone, S'Lon wiped his forehead with his sleeve. The strange man departed and with him gone the atmosphere lighted considerably, and S'Lon breathed a deep sigh of relief.

He removed the arrow and returned it to the quiver but left the bow strung for now, then stood and slowly made his way back through the barrier, the delay more in thought than becuase of any resistance from the barrier. He was used to the feel of it by now and while still something of note and he always muttered a short prayer to Carmelya.