Try blackwind.forumsplace.com go under the stories forum and you'll find stories by me and other clanmates. Enjoy JST
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Vapour Wiseblood Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 3:52 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: audyssey: innocence avenged - an Alter Aeon story-prolog and chapter I Hey, are your stories available for download somewhere? I'd like to read through them all over again. ----- Original Message ----- From: "johnny tai" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:41 AM Subject: audyssey: innocence avenged - an Alter Aeon story-prolog and chapter I > The Saga of Stormblade. > ----------------- > Entry VII: Innocence Avenged. > ------------------ > This tale contains a spoiler for one of the game deeds. It also contains > offensive language and violence. Please do not read if you are easily > offended, or do not wish to get the spoiler. > ------------------ > Prolog: Revelation. > ----------------- > Walking into the schoolyard, I immediately spotted him. The young, > agitated orc was a sorry site to behold, with his bruised face and fearful > eyes. He was dressed in the vest and helm that were common gears for all > new > students, but he had no weapon, not even a pocket knife. Small for an orc, > the youngling looked up at me with fear in his eyes, and, admirably, a > trace > of defiance. I had no particular love for his race. In fact, I had > destroyed > enough of them, yet this tiny creature looked so pitiful that I could not > help but to smile gently upon the creature reassuringly. > Leaning forward, I greeted the young orc with my gauntleted fist pressed > to my breastplate, for I had no desire to extend my hand to such vile > race, > pity or not. > "Hail, young one," I tried to make my voice less contemptuous, but even I > could hear the distaste in my tone. 'Oh well,' I thought, 'He's just going > to have to deal with it.' After all, he was quite lucky that I did not > strike him down like I had done to so many of his kind. "It is brought to > my > knoledge that you have been wronged?" > The orcish child looked at me in puzzlement, not comprehending my way of > speech. He was, obviously, not instructed in the art of High Speech. > Sighing > to myself, I switched to more common tongue, "I've heard that you are > having > problem with the school?" > This time, the orc's eyes blazed with anger, and in a winy voice, he > began > to tell me of his trouble. > Hopping up and down, he yelled, "I came to learn fight, they took sword!" > "Who took your sword?" I asked, trying not to let the winy sound of his > voice get to me. > "Human... Bad human thinks he's tough! 'Oh he orc he must be bad guy nyah > nyah'." > "I will get it back for you." I said. > "Oh you human you must be smelly." > Well, my armor did smell a bit, but I got his point. Not all human > smelled, and probably not all orcs were evil. In my younger days, I > might've > debated the point, but I knew enough to recognize the wisdom in the young > orc's rant. > Pointing at himself, the orc said, "Oh he just little he get beat up." > Anger took over, and the orc went on shouting with a trace of madness in > his > eyes. "Oh you old and in mud school you can't get in Mud U haha!" Throwing > his head back, the orc cackled with insane glee. Stomping about, the orc > looked generally pissed. > He was still shouting as I turned and walked away. "I get it back I get > it > back and then I'll show him..." > ----------------- > End Prolog. > ----------------- > Chapter I: Redemption. > ------------- > I gaze hard at the leader of the guards. 'I dare ye not cast such a spell > in the name of thy god, for the spell will certainly harm thy own kind!' > 'Step away from the human, Sarina!' He shouts, not slowing the weave. > To my horror and surprise, the young djinni holds her spot, protectively > before me. 'I shall not allow ye, in my presence, to harm my charge who I > have just healed!' > His lips pull back in a faint smile. 'Very well then. For the fate of a > traitor is no short of death as far as the temple law declares!' Then, he > releases the spell... > I see the spell coming, as clearly as I see the defiance in the young > healer's eyes. I see the spell of harm, and place my own shield before the > girl's body, knowing all the while that it is not enough... What can I > do?! > No time to push her aside, no time to move myself before her, for although > the spell seems to come at the speed so slow, it is actually travelling at > the speed of light. > The scream, oh the scream! It's Sarina, the young healer who has just > healed me, and oh how she screams! Then the spell hits me, right through > her > falling body it passes and hits me with none of its dreadful effect lost. > Oh > the pain, it's unbearable! > Blood... Blood is everywhere. My blood, and hers! I see her falling to > the > ground at my feet. Her face, so pale... Her blood's pouring out of her > small > body... Why is she still smiling up at me? Red, my vision is turning > red... > The bloodfever, it's taking me in, and, I, welcome, its, embrace!!! > **************** > Dead, they're all dead now. Bodies everywhere, torn from limb to limb. The > smell of blood is so thick. My sword, it's so heavy and slick with the > blood > of the guards. My hands, they are bloody too. It's what I am used to, what > I > am made for... Killing. Yes, I am good at such, but can I protect and save > as well? No. She's dead. She who has died to defend her belief. She who > has > died because I, the last son of Stormblade, failed to defend her who > healed > me... No...No...Nooooooooo!!!!! > ----------------- > "Noooooooooo!" > "Arise, Master Stormblade... In the name of Dentin, arise!" > The echo of the scream, my scream, rang in my head, and I felt the gentle > hand of the priest shaking me, gently but assertively. Sitting up, I > surveyed my surrounding. Traces of sunlight streaked into the room from > shaded windows, and I saw that I was in the small chapel waypoint, south > of > the graveyard of Thalos. I had apparently slept on one of the chapel's > many > long benches. My bones and muscles were stiff and aching, and my face was > wet with sweats and tears - the memory of my nightmare. I was a sorry > sight > to behold, and not many people would've been able to identify me as the > well-known, harden warrior who was known as The Blade Seeker, if they were > to walk into the chapel right at that moment. > The priest, a holy man of goodness, gazed down at me with kindness in his > wise, old eyes. He looked to be a man of middle age, yet something > terrible > had turned his hair white and made his eyes looked as though they had > witnessed all the pain and suffering in the world. He was just a lad when > he > first settled in this chapel, and never was there a man more faithful and > kind such as he. The horror that changed him forever took place about a > decade ago. It was an event so singular and horrifying that it deserves a > tale of its own. All that I'd say now is that many priests had gone down > to > the levels that were hidden below the chapel, and this man who now stood > beside me was the only one to return. What had befallen the rest, he would > not say for fear of the words themselves would recall the dreadful memory > of > those long, dark hours of which he knelt in prayer behind an overturned > sarcophagus, heard and witnessed the creatures of the night, while these > same creatures roared for his blood. "Ye are restless, Master Stormblade." > He stated matter-of-factly. > "aye," I answered as I stood up and stretched. My wounds had healed while > I > slept, or maybe the good priest had healed me, but that wound upon my > heart > throbbed like an asp's bite. > Not in the mind for words, I walked stiffly over to the corner where my > armors and sword lied and, slowly, I donned my battle gears. With my sword > and flute case strapped to my back, I turned and found the priest still > watching me with those soothing eyes of his, and was suddenly overwhelmed > by > a desire to fall upon my knees and beg for forgiveness which he could > never > grant. "Father," I began doubtfully. "I fear that I have wronged..." > The priest nodded and kept his eyes on mine. "We all have been, and will > be, tis the weakness of mortal heart." > "My hands... They are bloody." I said, gazing down at my gauntlets, the > mithril gleamed in the thin light. No trace of blood was left upon my > gauntlets of course, but I think he knew what I meant. > "And that pains thee?" He asked with something akin to amusement in his > eyes. "Ye of the follower of the Goddess of Insanity, a warrior who lives > by > his fame and skill with arms, ye who laugh death in the face, and ye are > pained by the blood thy hands hast spilled?" > "Nay," I looked down, refusing to meet his gaze. "Tis the blood that > spilled > due to my failed attempt to protect..." > "Ah," understanding dawned in his eyes. "We hast all failed one or more in > our past. Even skilled warriors such as ye cannot save all." > "Indeed, but for all thy philosophies dost not quell the pain that eats at > my heart like the poison of a serpent." > "To that," the priest said sadly, "My only counsel is for thou to find > ways > to serve and protect others, and hope that the deeds thou complete in the > name of goodness will cleanse thy soul. Go now. I shall pray for ye." > He was still looking at my back as I strode through the chapel's door, > into > the golden light of the morn. > ------------- > West of the city of Ralnoth, on the edge of the small forest, a watch > tower stood idly on the border between civilization and the wilderness of > the western plain. From atop the tower, one could see over the west > citywall > and observe what was taking place in the city itself. To the south, one > could survey the swamp and the abandoned castle of the Mad Alchemist, and > to > the north, the rusty gate of the city's huge cemetery provided a gloomy > view. The mean purpose of the tower however, was to keep a close watch on > the west plain, just encase any unseen threat was to approach Ralnoth from > that direction. > The tower itself was a construction of thick tree trunks, bound together > by heavy ropes. Four sturdy wooden posts were set firmly into the ground, > and there was a long ladder lashed to the eastern side of the tower which > provided a long ascent up to an open-air hut, situated at the highest > point > of the construction. > Two guards were appointed to guard the tower at all hours, and one of the > three specially trained highwatch scouts was to remain on duty atop the > tower for at least eight hours a day. Due to the great vantage view from > the > top of the tower, the highwatch scouts seldom missed any news that was > going > on around the area, making them a great source for information. > ---------------- > After leaving the chapel, I journeyed north from the Great Southern Road, > past the fallen city of Thalos and the famed Monk Tower, and after a full > day of travel, I arrived in Ralnoth. The journey was long, but it gave me > a > great oppertunity to think about what the priest had said. The pain of the > failure still clawed at my heart, but at least now I knew I had hope. > The Southern Road was quiet at this time of the year. Not many people > would travel in the area for awhile now due to the countless rumors > surrounding the annihilation of the djinni race. The most believed, and > probable, of these rumors was the tale of a great demon invasion upon the > sanctuary of the djinnis', but of course, I knew better. Rumor also had it > that, after witnessing the gruesome execution of his four champions, the > djinni headmaster had gone insane with fear and was attacking anyone and > anything that came into his sight. Well, maybe one day I would have to do > something about the crazed djinni, but at this moment, he was not my > priority. > Night had fallen when I walked through the southern gate of the city of > Ralnoth, but the streets were crowded with adventurers, thieves, and > merchants of various trades. Some of these adventurers I recognized and > hailed, and some appeared to know me, although not all of them greeted me > with friendly glances. Guards and sentries patrolled the streets, mostly > mercenaries with rough backgrounds and little skills. These guards were > useful only in numbers or when facing off with children and inexperienced > adventurers, but mostly they tried hard to keep out of the ways of > short-tempered rogues and wandering warriors. Despite their efforts to > keep > peace with the many battle-harden killers whom wandered the city, these > guards were, at the best of times, barely civilized. Thus, it was not > uncommon for one to come across discarded cityguard's equipments and > corpses > in dark alleys and back-streets. > The huge Unholy Temple of Dentin situated in the center of the city. It > brightened the Central Square with its many magical lanterns and torches. > There were many activities going around the temple at all times, but my > interest lied strictly on the saloon which was located southeast of the > Unholy Temple, across from the Clerics Guild. After a whole day of > travelling, I was not going to deny myself of at least a mug of ale and a > warm meal. > A big man greeted me at the entrance of the saloon. He was a hand taller > than I, and was built like a golem, but despite of his great size and > warlike appearance, Roan was a lamb at heart. The saloon owner had hired > him > to keep the saloon in good order, and that he did well. > "Master Stormblade! Welcome back!" The big man roared and clapped me on my > shoulder, nearly knocking me onto my knees. > "It's good to be back." I said, nodding at the big man. > "You do be seeking ales and a maiden for the night?" Roan said, and I > wished > he would keep his voice down. > "Actually," I said, "I just need a quick meal and a mug for the road. I am > not staying in town this eve." > "Ah!" Roan said with delight. "More adventures eh? How exciting. Well, in > you go now, Master Stormblade, we just got a new shipment of the most > tender > griffin steaks!" > "Um," I said as I walked past the small giant. "I have had your griffin > steaks before. I think I will be quite content with beef." > After a satisfying meal at the saloon, I set out towards the west gate of > the city. First, I made a quick stop at the armorer's place and left him > my > helm to be repaired. Thus, with my sword strapped to my back, along with > my > flute case and shield, I left the city and entered the western forest. The > forest was quiet and dark in the heart of night, but that did not concern > me. Walking slowly, I allowed myself to relax in the darkness. My trained > ears could hear sounds of small animals moving about in the forest, and > there was a light breeze that eased my mind of the pain. Reaching up with > one gloved hand, I trace my finger along the long scar on my cheek, > remembering all too well, the life and world I had left behind. In that > other life, other world, I had walked through a dark forest just like this > one, except I was not alone when I did. My friends, practically my only > family, were with me then, and twas then that the goblins had lured us > into > their trap. I could still remember the rage of the battle that followed, > and > the pain when one of those foul creatures brought its runed blade down > upon > my face. Oh what I would give to be back in that battle, among my friends, > but alas, TORA was no more, and I was alone in this world where pain and > suffer would never end... > My train of thoughts was cut short when I spotted the watch tower ahead. > Two guards were lounging against one of the wooden beams, passing a bottle > back and forth between them. They were dressed in the standard leather > armors of Ralnoth's cityguards, but they had the look of mercenaries. What > made the whole situation worse was the fact that they were obviously quite > drunk. As I approached the tower, one of them leapt to his feet. > "Who goes there?!" the guard shouted, his hand dipping towards the sword > at > his waste. > "Pharel Stormblade of Blackwind. I come in peace." I answered, walking > into > the circle of light casted by their lantern. "I am here to converse with > the > highwatch..." > The two guards first looked at one another, and started whispering > excitedly in each other's ears. Their next move however, was quite > unexpected, for they both stepped forward with drawn blades and barred my > path. > "What's this outrage?" I asked, puzzled by the aggressive behavior. > "Silence!" The guard who first spoke up sneered at me. "You are wanted for > the murder of Lenier the ranger-trainer, scum of Blackwind!" > A light began to dawn in my mind. These men had heard of the death of > Lenier the Rangers Guild's master and, with their nerves boosted by the > liquor and their judgement blinded by the prospect of bounty, they were > going to try to take me in. No, maybe they weren't even thinking about > taking me in, for I had not heard of any order for such action. It was > clear > to me that these mercenaries would try to dispose of me and just take my > head to the city council and demand payment. > "Lenier fought me in a duel, and died a honorable death. Wouldst low lives > such as ye denounce his honor and call this murder?" I said calmly, > pointing > out the true event. > "Ha!" the same guard spat. "Save your excuse for the executioner to hear!" > Well, at least I did try to reason, and I was not in the mind to let > these > men trifle with my patient. Taking a step back to give myself room, encase > I > had to draw my blade, I looked into the speaker's eyes and said softly, > "and > how do you propose to take me in?" > A flicker of doubt past over their faces, but in the end, the liquor and > bounty won out. Raising his blade, the speaker stepped forward, the point > of > his blade inches away from my throat. "I order you to submit yourself and > your blade under my custody! Now hand me your sheathed blade!" > "No," I said simply. > "What?" the guard was taken aback, obviously not expecting someone to > refuse > when a sword was being pointed at his throat. > "I said, no." > "I will have your blade!" he roared, not liking the fact that he was > failing > to scare me. "Hand me the blade, or die!" > "As you wish," I said, and with a fluent motion, I ducked beneath his > sword > and placed my enchanted dagger into his guts. The man screamed in pain as > I > wrenched my blade free of his body, his sword fell from his hand with a > clink. In the corner of my eyes, I saw the other guard hesitate before he > too joined the battle. With the first guard holding his guts and groaning > in > pain, and the second guard's hesitation before attacking, I had ample time > to replace my dagger and draw the long elven blade from its sheath. > Turning > at the waste, I parried the second guard's stroke with the side of my > blade > and, continuing my own swing, my blade glided along his and scratched his > sword-hand. With a yelp, he leapt back, barely holding on to his sword. > Stepping forward to press my attack, I did not sense the other guard in > time > to avoid his trip. Kicking my legs out from under me, the man sent me > crashing to the ground. Unfortunate for him was the fact that I did not > loosen the grip on my sword as I landed, and the fact that he was already > fatally wounded by the stomach wound which I had inflicted with my dagger. > Having retreaved his own sword, the guard stabbed madly at the spot where > I > went down, but I had already rolled away. With my back against the earth, > I > rolled on one shoulder and lashed out with both legs in a devastating > double > kick which by chance, struck him in his wounded stomach. With a scream, > the > man dropped his sword for the second time and staggered back. Sensing the > movement in the air to my right, I rolled and avoided the thrust of the > second guard's blade. I spun in a half circle, still laying on the ground, > and tripped my assailant. 'Have a taste of your own medicine!' I thought > as > I rolled to my knees. With one fatally wounded guard in front of me, and a > tripped one behind, I quickly decided my next move. Grasping the hilt of > my > sword with both hands, I put all my weight behind the swing. My blade > flared > with its enchantment as it whooshed through the air in a left to right > diagonal course. The long elven blade passed through the body of the guard > before me at the waste, cleaving the man in half, and continued downward > in > a circle and ***massacred*** the other guard who was just getting to his > feet. I was showered by a jet of blood as the two halves of the dead guard > fell to the ground, his guts spilling out in a gruesome display of crimson > heap. This was not even a battle. This was a slaughter. The guards were so > overmatched that they did not even trigger my bloodfever. Wiping the blood > off of my face with my cloak, I stood up and turned to face the remaining > guard. My last swing did not kill him, but he was fatally wounded and had > no > fight left in him. > "Have mercy!" he cried. > Walking up to the man, I grabbed him by his hair and forced him to look > up > at me. "The wind of darkness has none," and I removed his head with a > clean > sweep of my blade. Letting the decapitated head fall to the ground beside > the headless torso, I started to climb the ladder. > The eve cloaked me like a shroud as I ascended slowly up the ladder. My > armor and shield made the climb rather tedious and more than just a little > dangerous, but I just gritted my teeth and continued on. The wood growned > and creaked beneath my weight, and as I started to get used to the upward > motion, I became better at climbing. > ***You learn from your mistakes and become better at climbing!***You gain > 98000 experience points!*** > Finally reaching the platform, I pulled myself bodily over the guardrail > and stood, panting heavily. 'I must be getting old.' I thought gloomily to > myself as I leaned my back against the rail. > "Have a care!" a voice called out as I observed a tall man come striding > out > of the hut. "Your armor and steels are heavy, your person's stout, and the > rail has not seen repair for aeons. Have a care!" > He was about my hight, with slight build and a spring in his steps. He > wore light leather armor and a white tunic with the mark of the highwatch > guards, a rising sun, emblazoned upon the breast. A heavy-duty crossbow > rested easily beneath his left arm, and I saw the hilt of a short sword > protruding from his belt. The smile upon his lean feature was that of > amusement, and he came forth with his right hand extended towards me. > "Such > skills with a blade! Such ferocity! Ye are a true man of the sword! To who > do I be having the luck of addressing?" > To which I bowed and replied, "Pharel Stormblade of Blackwind. I have > come > in the name of peace, alas peace was I denied." > The man, after looking me over for a second or two, bursted out into > genuine laughter. "Ye may have sought peace," he said, still chuckling, > "yet > peace hast never been thy design." Getting himself under control, he bowed > and said, "I do be called Faerine. Faerine Fleetfoot at thy service." > "Well met Faerine Fleetfoot, Ranger-commander of the Ralnoth Highwatch > Guards." I saluted him, addressing him by his proper title. "And now," I > continued, my eyes on his, "do I come in and share thy fire, or will thou > raise the alarm and place me under arrest for the death of those two down > below?" > "Quoth arrest my duty be, then arrest must I venture." he replied, his > eyes > never dropped their amused gaze. "Quoth murder be done, then an arrest > must > I risk. However," and here he smiled good-heartedly, "twas the battle had > I > witnessed, and heard the words exchanged, and the poor lads didst bring > themselves the end they deserved. Come, Pharel Stormblade of Blackwind, > Seeker of Blades and the Guardian in Silver, I be proud to have thou share > my fire!" > "Wouldst thou have coffee?" Fleefoot offered as we sat down by the small > stove in the center of the hut. > "Nay ye have wine?" I asked, feeling the chill of the night draining away. > "Nay," the man laughed and pushed a mug of dark liquid toward me. "Tis not > permitted on duty." > "Twas not the case with those two lying below." I said, removing my > gauntlets to allow the warmth from the steaming mug to warm my hands. > "Some of us," Fleefoot grinned as he sipped at his mug, "do not follow the > proper code." > "And ye doth?" I asked somewhat cheekily. > "Aye," he answered and took another sip. > After a comfortable pause, the scout looked at me and nodded. "Now then," > he said, "Tis not that I do not enjoy the company, yet I've a feeling that > ye hath not traveled the distance for idle words, so let us get down to > business, for the night is long, and I have yet ticks of watch to stand." > ---------- > "So ye seek deeds. Deeds of goodness?" Fleefoot asked after I revealed my > reason for visiting. > "Aye." > "Let us see then," he said, withdrawing a small notebook from the inside > of > his tunic. "As ye know, we of the scouts hear strange tales and rumours, > and > many of which might lead to great deeds and adventures." > "Fame and greatness I seek not, just a peace of mind." I replied as he > thumbed through his records. > "Here we've a few cases which no one hath yet accepted," he grinned, > replacing the book. > "And I shall hear of them." I said, leaning forward to listen. > "There are rumours of an orc child who hast raised disturbance near the > Ralnoth School for Newbies. The child claims that he hath been wronged by > human, yet due to his race, no one hath yet acknowledged the claim." > "An orc child? Seeking teaching from Ralnoth? This is most interesting." I > said, my interest roused. > "Also," the scout continued, "a great fire hath taken place far west of > here. Rumours tell of a whole village perished in the fire. Look here..." > He > stood up and strode over to the guardrail. > Getting up and following, I saw him pointing westward into the distance. > "Traces of smoke can still be beheld beneath the blanket of night." > Indeed, as I peered into the night, I could see snaking shadows of what > looked to be the remain of a fire. > "Tis a remote village that hath no connection to trades or royalty, thus > no > one hath journey out into the west land to investigate the fire." Fleefoot > said as we reclaimed our seats by the stove. > "I think," I said as I pulled on my gauntlets and stood up. "I'll begin > with > the young orc's claim." > As I stood up and prepared to leave, Fleefoot raised a hand. "These are > not deeds of venture, and might not be of thy type. A warrior of thy fame > should consider investigating the > annihilation of the djinni race." > "Nay," I replied, walking towards the ladder. "I hath just returned from > the > djinni territory." > "Ah!" Fleefoot came to his feet excitedly, "Maybe ye can shine some light > upon the rumour then?" > "Rumour of?" > "Of a great demonic invasion that wiped out the four djinni trainers and > left the headmaster crazed..." > With my hands on the rail, I turned and gazed deeply into Fleefoot's eyes. > "No demon. No invasion. They have been devoured by the wind." Then, I left > him, still standing, his mouth agape. > > > > > to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. Yahoo! Groups Links to leave send a blank Email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can contact the list owners/moderators by Emailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] to go nomail send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] change "nomail" to "normal" to resume messages. Yahoo! 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