Part 4>>>The Shadow of Love (an LoF adventure)

[Larry_OHF]

Larry

Larry wheeled around at the talk of Andrion, hating him and killing him in his thoughts.

"It is YOU that serves the dark shadow that plagues these forums and it is YOU that tried to kill me when the world knows that I am not the One that resides at this time in the Tower of Shadow!

I knew pain and sadness in this game before you were ever born into Ironworks and I will still be here on the day Ironworks forgets who you were!"

Larry was breathing hard, glaring at Andrion as though he were the very personage of the Shadow Beast himself. He knew that it had been Andrion who lost him the candle and caused a delay in the return of Mistral, his beloved. For that, Larry would see Andrion destroyed utterly.

[ 12-26-2004, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[dplax]

Andrion Wilgor 60/60

Andrion looked calmly at Larry, who was consumed with rage. The Inquisitor would surely be interested in this conversation. Andrion flashed a smile at Larry before replying to him, showing him that he was much calmer than the ranger. Yet Andrion also knew from previous experimentation that shadow magic could not penetrate the room so for once he could speak freely, not needing to fear his master.

"Do I really serve the shadow? It is true that I have worked for him, yes, but do I ultimately work for the one of shadow? The one, who is so close to you. He and you have a lot in common you know. Whenever one of you fixes an objective for himself it shall be achieved whatever the means and the cost. You say that you do not reside in the Tower of Shadow, yet your methods do not differ from those of the shadow's ruler. Are you really better than him? Can you even imagine what consequences, you using shadow magic to bring back, the one you once lost would have on you? But then again it seems you accept whatever the consequences may be, even if you are once again claimed by the shadow. Would a really innocent man think like this?"

"No, he would not. This is why you are guilty and this is also the reason for which I agree with the Inquisitor. Your problem, Larry Silverfall, is that you are a possible danger to different factions in this world. You have made too many enemies for yourself. If I didn't get to you someone else would have."

[Morgeruat]

Morguerat

The Former Paladin sipped cautiously at the drink, always wary of treachery, though in truth he feared none in this place. A sage the grave could not claim would likely be far more dangerous to someone who disrupted his sense of order and stole his notes, than a confused traveller. He stands in silence while Myron drinks, chattering about how he cannot get warm, and thinking he honest to gawds doesn't know he's dead. The warmth of the cabin not withstanding the little man still seemed cold, the large man thought to himself, there are rings rumored to be about that can instill warmth in those who wear them, protecting against the baneful effects of chill, and even dragons of ice, perhaps such a ring would help one such as Myron, a token of thanks if they ever meet again. Then as he received the bag of clothing Morguerat picks out several dated, but still quite serviceable items of clothing, as well as two extra changes of clothing, for the road is not often kind to those who pack lightly. As he looks through it he spies a large blue suit of a strange material, complete with a cape made from the same kind of fabric, but red, and the former knight thinks to himself that perhaps is it weren't for the large red and yellow "S" on the front it might make a nice outfit for a masquerade.

The little man's attention had returned to his notes by the time the knight had finished, and he hesitated to bother him again, especially after how annoyed the little man was when he had mused about his location. Could he really be back in the Lord of the Forums? He vaguely recalled being cursed and he had had visions of purple eyes in the Tavern by the Creek, but no traveller had come, nor had he seen a pawprint to match his fevered dreams. And so he put that out of his mind. When he saw the sage lift his pen for more than a moment, the knight took the chance to ask Myron what he was working on, perhaps more insight could be gained this way than by asking directly about his own mission, or lack thereof.

[ 12-27-2004, 09:17 AM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

[Larry_OHF]

Guard:

Larry was about to respond when the guard interrupted...

"Quiet, you two...there will be no chatting amongst yourselves."

Another guard hurried in and whispered something to the previous guard.

"Well...it looks like Marcos is ready to have audience with this one. Stand away from the bars, please."

The guard pointed to Andrion, who was asked to step back from the bars. The guard opened the door while the other guard stood there with a sword drawn. Andrion was placed in shackles and led out of the room.

Larry was left with another guard who came into the room.

[Cyril Darkcloud]

Originally posted by Larry_OHF: He raised his arms toward the sky, having already prepared spells for this day. He began the incantations that would start things off with a powerful spell of shadow magic, but before he could finish...he heard a voice behind him. The Mage, who was the shadow of Larry Silverfall turned around and saw Terrakis, the stout leader of the vicious Shadow Giants. Terrakis was not even looking at his master when he spoke, and instead had his glare trained on the form of the man that stood in the void that had been two games, now seamed together. "Master." The voice rumbled. "Allow me the honor of fighting this battle for you." The Shadow mage considered this for but a second, then realized the benefit in it. "Very well. I shall let you slay my enemy." As Terrakis headed off toward the confrontation, the mage decided to relax and enjoy the show. A soft, red chair appeared with a cup holder in one arm. The mage took his seat and reached for some popcorn. A Cheerwine soft drink appeared in the cup holder. This was going to be a great show. All the critics were raving about it. They had said that it was the fight of the year, don't miss it, two thumbs up. He scooted down into his seat to enjoy the show. OOC>>>The Mage's persona is back!

ooc: Let's hope that persona does not get him killed ......

Elsewhere ....... A place where the sky is terribly close

With a savage and sudden ferocity the wind bursts into movement toppling the hastily conjured chair and sending the mage tumbling over the jagged stones of this place. Beverage and popcorn both are taken up into the gusting currents of the wind and dispersed.

"Very well. I shall let you slay my enemy."

The syllables of the mage’s voice are likewise seized by the wind and grow small within its angry movement until finally they too are torn to pieces and scattered. The absurd sound of tumbling furniture halts as the chair breaks apart, its fragments scattered and dispersed within the bitter air. The strength of the wind is a terrible thing allowing neither movement nor voice to the One that Mods for such a wind is not a thing of those forums so far from the sky, nor is this place a place where the sky is distant. Indeed, the sky in its silent vastness is frightfully and oppressively near and the way back to the inner forums is sealed beyond even the power of the gods of those places to breach.

This place is not the long-dormant Tavern by the Creek game. Nor is it within those lands where the Lord of the Forums has been played.

The wind falls silent and yet speech is not possible and there is only the limitless and expansive silence of the sky over the jagged stones, for this is the place of the Scattering, and the permission of the Mage means nothing here, for the Scattering has claimed a man and a giant and life will be lived and life will be lost here within this wind which waits once more to burst into movement. And that which is lost here within this wind and beneath this sky is lost to a silent and mighty vastness from which no hand possesses the power to retrieve it.

And near the Mage the silence is both deep and cold. The gods of the sky peoples hold sway here and never has an outsider been permitted to witness such a thing as this. Whether the witness shall survive what he sees, however, is quite another matter .......

ooc: Welcome to a quiet, if dangerous, corner of the Windbringer's world.

[Cyril Darkcloud]

Myron Epimetheus

The little man turns at the words of his visitor for it is all too rare a thing to encounter one with an interest in that which is truly interesting. Ah! To be interested! How few there are who truly possess the attentiveness and the discipline to sustain anything more than the merest of passing fancies. “Come, boy,” there is a note of fondness in his voice, and with a wave of his hand the little man draws a second chair away from its place near the wall to a spot on the floor near his own. “Quietly, boy. Move quietly for noise of any kind simply will not do.” The little man’s voice is hushed but there is a palpable excitement within its whispered hoarseness. As his visitor takes his place the sage extends a dessicated finger toward a shimmering globe of force within which floats a large diamond. Shifting tendrils of what seam to be a shadowy mist writhe within the gem.

The little man’s mutterings shift in tone once more and he begins to speak softly in a harsh and alien language so unlike the common of these Forums that perhaps only a dead tongue could form its syllables. A shimmering light fills the interior of the treehouse, a light which renders all things obscure save the suspended diamond. “Look,” the sage whispers, “there is that place from which you have come .......”

Within the stone the dusky tendrils hold forth images, a confusing welter of information difficult to put order and harder still to master. Still, however, certain forms might be perceived, one of silent storminess and another of terrible and looming shadow have a striking familiarity about them. “You know them, do you not, for once your place was in this tale. Your place, of course, has been filled by another ......” Suddenly, however, the gemstone itself shudders with the globe of force that encapsulates it. The images are scattered as if by a blast of wind and the shimmering light which fills the treehouse is dispelled.

“Remarkable!” The glee in the voice of the sage is unmistakable and he quickly thrusts a handful of those little square napkins which are so wonderful for the writing down of things into the hands of his visitor. “Quickly, “ he says, “get your notes onto paper. Yes, yes! These are the most curious of times .......” The little man’s voice trails off as he begins to write.

[Larry_OHF]

The Mage sat in the tower, smirking over the dead remains of the one that had been known as Roderik. He had died in such an entertaining way.

But then the Mage's attention was ripped from the scene in front of him as his vision became blurred with the sight of a battle that had comenced on the battlefield where another of the Mage's avatars moderated.

In this vision, he saw his other self being taken by the storms and the power of the wind leaving no foothold for this Mage of Shadow to grasp. He became fierce in his anger, and decided that something must be done now.

Another Mage appeared that was equal to the one that he stood in front of. This one took a quick glance around and then moved toward the throne room, knowing that he had been selected as the guardian of the Tower. The other two could handle this job.



[ 01-03-2005, 03:42 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Larry_OHF]

Two dark forms, each being an avatar of the powerful Moderating Mage appeared at the site that one of their own had vanished from. They stared at the break in the thread where this forum vanished into a void of winds.

They could go no further, for they were a part of the forum of Ironworks...but this void led elsewhere. How could one such as this Windbringer cause a divide in the very game?

At least they knew that the other personage of the Mage was not dead, for they could feel his life still.

=================================================

The avatar of the Mage that had been taken by the Winds found that no further harm was coming to him at this time. He did not have any communication with Ironworks, however, and realized that he was at the mercy of the Winds...so to speak. He had a view of the battle that was to ensue before him between his champion and his enemy. He decided to just stay quiet and watch, as he did not have any idea where he even was nor how to get back into the gaming forum of his home.

[Larry_OHF]

The guard that was leading Andrion had not been given permission to remove him from his cell. In fact, Marcos had no idea what was going on.

A few years ago, this man had lost his family to the wrecklessness of a mage that lived next door to him, who had burned down both of their houses, killing only the innocent family of the guard, who at the time was employed as a fisherman's aid. The mage had escaped and did not stand trial for the deaths of the family next door.

This man vowed to kill mages wherever he found them, and so joined the military in hopes of carrying out his plan.

Andrion was the first mage that he'd come across at this point.

He took Andrion to another room, telling him that this room was where Marcos was waiting for him. He led him inside, then drew his blade to his victim's back and took the time to say...

"Goodbye, foolish mage!"

[Larry_OHF]

Now was the time to move.

Nanashi was at the front gates, where two men stood guard. No trouble had been expected, so the guard was on normal watch.

Nanashi leaped from the dark bushes and grabbed the man on the left, pulling him so quickly back into the darkness that not only did the man not have a chance to scream...but the other guard had not actually seen what had happened. It had appeared that his partner had vanished.

He became alert, looking about frantically...too afraid to sound the alarm. He almost did not see a shadowy form that had leaped high into the air from the darkness to come crashing down on top of him. He died, not ever seeing his attacker, nor making a peep.

She licked her claws in her hybrid form, then made her way into the castle, keeping to the dark shadows along the wall.