[Private - Avanthar] Envoy to Dar Havark

[Lichen]

Brightening 39 of Cryxatum
Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XIV Post Fractum

It was warm in the caverns here, free from the icy grip the deep tunnels possessed. The furs she wore to ward against the worst of the chill were quickly becoming over-warm, sweat droplets beginning to form along her sides, the back of her neck. Illha paused in her travels to undo the leather ties, letting her jacket hang open. She had forgotten the season on the surface; warmth permeated even below the ground here, such was the power of the summer suns.

This was not the first time she had been to the surface in recent times, but she had been underground for several months after her last raid. It set her teeth on edge, this enforced stillness. Illha Melervs was not meant for planning. She was also not meant to be used as a messenger, but the Matron had insisted.

The attack on Acumin had left Illha’s face scarred, and her place within the family was now guard, messenger, or cannon fodder, depending on the brightening. Today she served as the second, and hoped it would not become the third. To that effect, she carried no weapons, a fact that made her feel naked despite the thick white fur she wore. Her tunic and leggings were thin and skin tight, the dark crimson leaving no place for a sword or even a small knife to hide. The only things she carried where the ropes and gear necessary to ascend, looped loosely around her shoulder and hung from a thick leather belt at her waist.

The caverns here smelled of mold and bat guano, wafted towards her on a slight breeze. She had to be getting close. The tunnel walls were no longer the smooth eroded surface of natural caves, but whitened and freshly chipped, carved to lead directly from Dar Havark into Herozzal. She would undoubtedly be greeted by guards in the near future. Hopefully, they would not shoot her at first sight.

OOC: This thread is a private thread between Avanthar and I. If you feel there is some reason why you should be involved in this thread, please PM me. Avanthar, it doesn't matter to me whether you, Kyoko or some lackey talk to Illha. Up to you.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Sounds could be heard, dull echoes from some far away place which still managed to reach her sharpened senses, that of constant chipping and grunts. Dar Havark had certainly grown over the years, Kyoko’s minions mining deeper and further then ever before, often as not releasing ancient horrors that now ran rampant through the tunnels. Those that had dared to drift upwards faced the swift wrath of the Brotherhood, where trained blades and dark magics worked in unison to decimate all sorts of evils.

For however long she traveled, the underworld seemed like a timeless place, yet soon the sounds grew louder, more distinct. But whatever thoughts may have entered her mind were soon forced away as the sense of motion and gleaming steal caught her attention. In front of her stood six figures all garbed in black standing in formation. Four swordsman wielding well crafted blades stood ready, another at the back had arrow notched and ready to let fly, while the sixth was in robes and made no motion, though a sense of power seemed to exude from its shadowy form.

‘Halt and name your business… you have entered into the tunnels of Dar Havark’

In a commanding voice, one made a step forward, his face hidden by a sinister mask that only accentuated the air of danger that permeated the tunnel. Standing in ready stances and ready to anticipate whatever was to come, the seasoned and well trained guards waited for response, knowing that those beneath the surface were anything but good.

[Lichen]

Finally. She was beginning to think she'd see sunlight before her goal. "I am Illha, of House Melervs," she said, her voice ringing clear, swallowed by the sheer depth and size of the tunnels. "I represent my House, and come bearing greetings and a message to Lady Kyoko of Dar Havark. I trust I am near my destination?" She smiled, but her face was so badly scarred that even amused expressions were turned into unsettling snarls.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

A moment of silence settled as the leader pondered for a moment, gauging her reaction and her intents as his eyes traveled along Illha’s heavily scarred face. There was no hint of approval, nor disapproval, yet only of wariness, for the world was a troubled place, the Vysticchi themselves long known for their treachery, deceit and desire for power. Lowering his blade slightly before sheathing it in one smooth motion, the others followed suit, though their hands never left blade or bow.

‘Welcome, Illha, of House Melervs. We shall escort you to Lady Kyoko now.’

With that being said he indicated for her to step forward, the six parting and moving alongside her as the leader led her into the depths of Dar Havark. Through well crafted tunnels, the more they ventured deeper the more she could see how skillfully dug they were, with depictions of demons and dragons soon showing upon the stone wall.

Squads past them by, some offering simple nods in greetings, others simply watching the messenger with the same dangerous eyes. There were creatures of all sorts, from ratta, men, orcs and goblins, yet all seemed to be silent and unnaturally orderly. Illha would certainly notice them all.

It was not before long that they entered into a huge chamber, one whose ceiling seemed to reach up into the heavens, the chamber easily fitting hundreds, if not a thousand or more. Two thrones were at the very end, whilst a cloaked figure sat watching them. Though slim, an aura of dark power emanated off her form. Was this Lady Kyoko?

[Lichen]

”Greetings from Herozzal,” Illha said, straightening and walking forward. She didn’t look like much – a once beautiful, now-scarred vysstichi girl of average height, her pants dusty and hair pulled back tightly. But the clothing was of fine material, and her posture spoke of training, and she spoke with the fine accent cultivated by the high houses. ”I am Illha, eldest daughter of House Melervs, envoy of the Council of Ten.”

She stepped forward, her movements smooth. ”Lady Kyoko, I know you have held ties to our city in the past. What do you know of Sylannen?”

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Illha could suddenly feel the piercing gaze fixated upon her form, measuring her worth, her use amongst many other things. The way she spoke and poised herself was enough to distinguish herself from an escaped slave. Saying nothing as she listened, an elegant and flawless hand revealed itself beneath her silk cloak, absently tapping on her throne as she pondered on what was said.

‘Serale… Illha of the House Melervs… and welcome to Dar Havark.’

‘… I have long not dealt with the Houses for quite some time... as you can see I have been quite… busy… please if you will… enlighten me…’

Her tones were commanding, icey, one that was expected to be obeyed at all costs. She was powerful no doubt, her name having reached those of the Houses spoke of her influence. But now she was a mother, and leader of the Brotherhood until her husband’s return.

[Lichen]

”Sylannen was our city above the ground, long ago,” Illha said, her hands lifting slightly. Though the story was old, and she had not even gotten to the meat of the tale yet, it was impossible to keep her body still, the passion aroused in all of Herozzal by their lost city giving her hands freedom to move. ”A great city, where countless lived their lives and worshiped Haya. A great spell kept the sunlight from entering the city, leaving our eyes free of the burn.”

”The Empire attacked us without warning or reason, and burned Sylannen to the ground, killing thousands. Unwarranted deaths – we were peaceful then, with our culture and trade ties growing each brightening.” Illhas mouth twisted downwards, her anger pulling at the scars that raked across her face. ”We retreated to the ground, to Herozzal.”

Her eyelid twitched. ”Without our presence there, the empire began to build a town. Acumin,” she snarled, ”naming it as if it was theirs to own!”

She took a deep breath, the twitch in her eye fading away as she gained control of herself.”We seek to have it back, and we seek assistance in these matters. An affiliate on the inside seeks a way to bring down the cursed shield, and our numbers swell while the town fills its belly with farmers and beekeepers.” She sneered at the thought, the townspeople trusting so firmly in their ridiculous shield that they did not even bother to arm themselves against invasion. ”We wish for your assistance. Your husband is a Mage of some skill, is he not?”

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Unmoving, Kyoko’s penetrating stare watched as Illha spoke with great emotion. Though she was old compared to those of humans, the tale of Sylannen was far beyond her time, and as her power had grown within the region her knowledge of the Vysticchi and those of Herozzal were more to do with the Houses and trades then their ancient history. But in all, it would prove interesting and perhaps useful…

She listened to the said proposition…

‘My husband is indeed a Mage of some skill… but he is also a man of his honor and his word speaks much. He had decreed that those of the Brotherhood would not bring harm to those of Acumin, a noble gesture considering that we were attacked first… as such… we will not partake in any of the slaughter… but…’

‘But… the shield was not part of the bargain… for we are not attacking the people… yet we will also not hold any of your brethren within the spire city… as a bargain by the Master who helped built’

With an evil sneer that could be felt, there was an almost tangible change in the air as she exuded her dark aura, the power of a Master was still formidable but all could sense the desire for action within her. She had been content to watch over Dar Havark and her minions that lay beneath her, digging deep into the earth and mountains for gold and other minerals… but long had she yearned to strike out… and perhaps allow Dar Havark Fortress to take hold…

[Lichen]

”We have homes beneath the ground, Lady, we do not need to squat in yours,” Ilha said. ”But we do need assistance with the shield. Our numbers are great, we will have no trouble with the paltry population of farmers, but we cannot get in until the shield is compromised.” Her fists relaxed at her side, the blood flowing back into her knuckles. ”We have a woman of great skill working on this problem, and we have spies within the town itself feeding us information, but our results are not satisfactory. Sylviskia has power in both sorcery and elementalism, and her powers have contributed to many a discover over her lifetime,” she said, suppressing her shudder at the thought of the woman. Illha had met her only once, when she was but a child, and the sight of what experimental magic could do to someone was easily enough to dissuade her from studying Arcana.

”But she is not a necromancer. She has no skill with the dead, and our other mages are not as talented as she in experimentation and spell creation.” Nevermind that working with the woman was impossible at best – she was decrepit and skirting the edge of insanity. ”Sylviskia feels she is close to a breakthrough, but requires the assistance of a necromancer well versed in magic and spell creation. We were hoping that your husband, being a well traveled man of the surface, would fit such a description.”