Chapter 13 Twilights End Pt 3 Land of DaylessNight

[Borg]

Chapter 13 Twilights End

Part 3 Land of Dayless Night

Greg and Steel continued on their journey to the Paladin City of Luna and it seemed that even in this odd land there were the occasional rogues of the road. Passing a small encampment the two took notice of a pair of ruffians sparring with odd weapons. One looked more suitable for harvesting wheat while the other a smaller version and tool for trimming a tree with. Pushing forward their concern for Martok’s well being overshadowed any adventuring or dealing with criminal folk. Ahead of them gleemed a white light and as the two grew closer to it the shape of a white marble bridge stretched out into the emptiness of the void.

Across the bridge another large piece of land existed and as they crossed the bridge they both felt a surreal feeling covering a distance that stretched across endless emptiness with only the stars light that bounced off the bridge itself. Reaching the other side the two stayed on the roadway and as they passed a treeline they saw in the distance a large building and on the horizon the outline of a walled city.

”Luna….brother”; remarked Greg

As they continued toward the city the large building to the west had cheers and jeers emanating from it and around the grounds were pets and a local crier declaring matters of some game score.

”Second Quarter……..CHIVALROUS CAPTAINS 1……LUNA LANCERS 2…..”; yelled the crier.

Martoks condition was the greater concern than viewing this spectacle and the two entered the southern gate of Luna and looked around at the towering buildings within its protected walls. They moved around to the West and found another inner wall gate which they then entered.. As they entered the walls of this gate were ablaze with a soothing warmth that seemed to almost purify their souls to the bone. A nearby healer named Jan approached them as they stood in the gateway.

”You are new to this land……I can sense this and much you have been through to this day.”; remarked Jan.

”Aye……we are strangers indeed. I am Gregory Meridius and this is Steel Darknight, we are from The Honor Empire in Illyceum of Britannia. Kind woman….we are seeking aid for a fallen brethren who is in dire need of healing. Our magical healing has not been able to tend his wounds and even our skilled healing does not seem to help either.”; Greg responded.

”Ahh…..the lands of Virtues. Here this land is of Malas…….a land of Light and Wisdom as well as Darkness and Doom. These fires here will cleanse your spirit go within the citadel and on the second floor you will find the Ank of Wisdom. Place your hand upon its stone and you will adjust to this world and be able to tend your injured brethren.”; instructed Jan.

The two thanked Jan for her information and help and proceeded to find this ankh. As they entered the citadel they could see a bustling commerce area and a stairway. Ascending to the second floor they were struck at the beautiful white marble fixtures and in one corner they found the Ank of Wisdom. Proceeding to do as Jan instructed the two heard a voice ask if they wished to Tith in the name of Chivalry. Again this was a matter they would investigate later and they proceeded to make their way back downstairs.

Greg could see a sign for a local bankers office and sought to see if this land could access his personal account now that they had been cleansed and attuned to this new land………it worked. Grabbing a few coins Greg then purchased some runes and reagents while Steel began to replace and refit his supplies for the team and the journey back to Martok. Outside the citadel, Greg marked a rune and as Steel approached he was holding one of the odd weapons they had seen before.

”Check this bad boy out Greg…….hehehe the local smith here sold me this and when he saw my apron he asked if I was of the smithing guild. I explained quickly who we are and how the Empire was forged from founders who all were smiths. Man you gotta see this scroll he handed me…….look!;”; Steel said with excitement as he unrolled the scroll.

* Scroll of Legendary Smithing *

”Amazing brother…….we will have to get that into the hands of Hephestus the Quartermaster when we return.. For now we must make haste and get back to Martok. I wonder if there is a mage that we can purchase travel from here..”; replied Greg.

”Perhaps at that game…..when its over I bet there will be mages heading for their homes…surely one will have a means to get us close to Martok’s location.”;; offered Steel.

The two then set out to go to the building where the game was nearly ending by now.

Back at The Sands border Martok concern was growing deep for Kalinaf had not returned and it was getting very late and the sky’s stars were dimming and nay did he have a campfire and no way was he going to go get wood again. Martok began to cast invisibility upon himself as a means of cover while he awaited the return of Kalinaf.

Kalinaf had ridden out and taken up a position on a dune overlooking a large area where the sand was being kicked up into the air. What he saw was a great battle progressing where it seemed undead where battling with undead and the Army of the Sands was engaged with another force of undead wielding horrific looking weapons and some gargantuan monsters and minions as well. As some forces on both side fell it was as if they were raised back to continue the fight….endless almost this cycle was….both sides raising their fallen and foes and in turn causing them to fight against their own kind.

“What madness is this?”; Kalinaf asked himself aloud.

Soon a horn was heard and from across the way a massive column of Scorpion Riders equipped with Lances formed then charged down the dune. The force which seemed to be recognizable by their dark grey colors attempted to reinforce their flank but it was in vain. Soon the Army of The Sands Scorpion Riders began to devastate the opposing undead force. It was only a matter of moments and the victory was assured and the remaining fallen undead on both sides were raised and assumed rank and columns and began to march away from the battlefield. As the sand settled the Army of The Sands literally marched directly into a large sand dune……there was no opening……they just went under the sand as if it was water and they marched down a lakes floor.

Kalinaf carefully moved down the dune he was on and moved into the area of the battle….a few weapons he found as well as a hooded cloak and secured them in his backpack. In the sand he saw a magic book and as he picked up a black book and dusted it off….he could see the face of a skull on the front. Opening the book, Kalinaf could see words of power and reagent requirements for spells that must have been used during the battle. As a Warlock the basis of the words of power he understood….this was a book of Necromancy!!! Some of the spells and secrets from the Book of the Dead were in this book……not all but some. This was terribly troubling and Kalinaf summoned his ethereal steed and set out following the vanquished forces trail Northward.

As darkness began to fall on the land Kalinaf began to see several fires burining ahead of him and as he rode toward them the outline of a city rose ahead of him. His ethereal steed stopped suddlenly and Kalinaf was flung over the head of the mount and found himself dangling by its bit over an emptiness of the void that made up the sky of stars. Regaining his composure he motioned the steed to back up and once on land he dispelled his steed for later. Kalinaf walked around the edge of the rift and finally found a bridge. As he stood beside it one of the towering Daemons he had seen on the battle field walked out from the city and did not even take notice of him. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kalinaf pulled out the hooded cloak and put it on and began to walk into the city.

Everything inside the city was dark…..even the light that came off the fires seemed to eminate darkness around it……piles and piles of skulls and horrific shops and stands scattered around the area. An open bar area had a buffet of pig entrails, living worms and various other parts he could not imagine where they had come from. As Kalinaf moved through the city many of the shops signs were familiar and inside their windows he could see tailors, smiths and a magery shop. Upon entering the Mage shop, Kalinaf did not notice that he had begun to be followed. Picking up some reagents and a few runes, Kalinaf noticed rows and rows of reagents that were listed in the Necromancy book…..the same reagents which were listed as forbidden back home in Britannia. As Kalinaf paid for his purchases and left he could not help but feel good that all of these citizens seemed to keep to themselves……almost antisocial in nature, concerned only with their job at hand or personal agenda.

Stepping outside though of the shop this feeling ended as he began to feel a companion walking in concert with him as he moved through the city. A mapmakers shop stood in before him and he entered and quickly stood beside the window and snuck a peek outside. Only seeing a shadowy wraith pass by as well as wailing liches and more giant Daemons…..the population just kept on to its own business. As he turned from the window he could see the mapmaker and as he approached the vendor simply asked what was his pleasure without even stopping at his work.

Kalinaf purchased 10 world maps and picked up a handful of tightly sealed maps labled “Doom”. Paying his bill Kalinaf stepped out of the city and decided it was time he returned to Martok. As he exited the city Kalinaf marked a rune and in an instant it turned black as soot. Still it merged into his rune book and he began to summon his ethereal steed for the journey. As he mounted, a voice floated down in front of him with the shape of a Wraith.

“You are another of the strangers……you are from Britannia……Honor is it you pledge to?”; hissed the Wraith

”Aye that is true Wraith……how is it you know this….for if you have come upon this knowledge by force and suffering of my kin……then be warned Wraith…..you will have your final lesson soon!”; Kalinaf barked as he engulfed his hand with power of flame.

”Heheheh…..Stay your hand Guardian Kalinaf….slay me here and I will return and more of me you will see…..I aim you no harm.”; rebutted the Wraith as he transformed into a Necromancer in a cloud of smoke.

”I am Vendis Stark, I met your brethren Greg and Steel on their way to Luna the city of Paladins. You are a far distance from where they said you were……and it is dark now…..if your camp is as they said it was, then your friend Martok is not in a secure place. When the light is most dim the Balusk surface from the lake and hunt. You should return quickly, besides…..you are not dark enough for this city of Umbra to favor you for long.”; Vendis added as he motioned for Kalinaf to make haste.

Just as Kalinaf began to leave Vendis Stark tossed him a strange crossbow.

”If you encounter Balusk you will need this……their heavy scale and coral covered skin is impermeable to blades and magic is useless against them….only the strongest bolts will find cracks in their defenses…..and thank Greg for the donuts.”; Vendis said with a smile and wave.

Kalinaf raised the odd crossbow in thanks and rode off at maximum speed. Martok was in no condition to fight and he was close to the water as well. He hoped that Greg and Steel would already be with Martok, but he could not expect that to be and push on he did his steed.

Back at the game the crowd was in fact leaving and Steel and Greg began to search the crowd for a mage who could possibly grant them passage quickly. They found one kind Mage who could send them to Hanse’s Hostel and the pair paid the mage for the service and a gate was produced. Stepping out of the gate they entered the Inn and asked Parker if any horses were available for sale? Parker did sell them a pair of good mounts and in a short time they began their journey to Martok. As they entered the cave they pushed their mounts hard for a full speed burst as they exited the cave, but it was not enough speed and soon Steel found his mount laced with Goblin arrows and he crashed to the ground. Greg spun around his mount and raced back reaching down and pulling Steel up they broke toward the south. Steel put up his shield to block arrows from hitting the mount and the danger was over. Heading Southwest they made their way through the dense forest and into the open ground.

Conversely, Kalinaf flew across The Sands Desert like a sand vortex himself and every so often he could see the surface of the lake now on his right ripple and move near the shorline. Balusk were active…Martok was in serious danger.

Martok had kept motionless and began to ration his reagent spell casting but he was parched and in need of some water. Staggering across the sand he knelt down to fill his jug with water and he was amazed at the wonderful image the sky made on the waters surface. Reflecting millions of stars, dim as they were they danced across the lakes ripples. As he finished filling his jug he stood and began to walk back to the mountain side when all the stars in the sky and all that he could see went black.

Motionless Martok’s body lay at the feet of a Balusk. The Balusk reached for a giant hook to latch onto Martok’s body when Kalinaf crested a dune and cast invisibility upon his fallen brethren. The Balusk look in puzzlement then turned its head to focus on the charging Kalinaf.

Grabbing a spear the Balusk flung it toward Kalinaf, who adeptly ducked the beasts throw. As he ducked though another Balusk lept from the water and its weight collapsed the ethereal steed and Kalinaf found himself completely in the clutches of the beast. Kalinaf pulled up the odd crossbow that Vendis had given him and shoved it right up against the neck of the Balusk and pulled the trigger.

* shunk shunk shunk shunk shunk shunk…. *

The crossbow rapidly fired into the beast and finally it seemed a few of the bolts entered its tough skin and the Balusk dropped Kalinaf to the ground. As he rose the other Balusk though swung around its arm with the giant hook and impalled Kalinaf stright though the torso. Coughing up blood and losing the strength to stand, Kalinaf found himself now being dragged like a rag doll toward the water. He dumped his backpack onto the ground and with his last breath before being taken under water whispered……

“For HONOR!!!!”

The Balusk submerged and in a few moments Martok became visible, rubbing his head and feeling some blood. He could not understand what happened. Steel and Greg thundered into the area and as they dismounted and tended Martok, Steel noticed the evidence of the struggle near the water and found Kalinaf’s backpack.

”Martok….Where is Kalinaf?”;asked Greg

”I do not know….”; replied a confused Martok.

”I think I know…..and it is not good.”; answered Steel.