Veldren's Hunt: A story - Page 2

Calaethis Dragonsbane · 10-25-2002, 04:24 PM

erm Att, you ARE gonna post somemore sometime soon arnt ya? lol, or write it...

Attalus · 10-25-2002, 04:44 PM

LOL, here we are, hot off the word processor:

Creeping cautiously, Veldren followed the trail of the wolf, here a footprint, there a spoor, until he reached a clearing where a small waterfall splashed noisily into a pool. There, drinking from the water was a huge Winter Wolf. Silently motioning Paoli forward, the two notched arrows to their bows, and, on Veldren's nod, loosed their arrows. They both struck the huge thing behind the shoulder, but he was not immediately killed, and rushed them after breathing blue fire from his fanged muzzle. Veldren dropped his bow and pulled out his katanas. He had tried to follow in his father's footsteps and use the two-handed broadsword, but he had not inherited Attalus' massive form, being only three or four inches taller than his mother. He had settled on katanas, since they suited his compact form and deft quickness of stroke.
With his right hand, he slashed the wolf's nose, stabbbing with the left deep into its chest. The razor-sharp steel penetrated hair, shin, and ribs, entering into the mighty chest. At the same time, Paoli struck hard with the boar spear, and down the wolf went, still snapping his jaws in death.
They quickly began to skin him, having no desire to lug the great carcase back to Paoli's cabin. As they finished, the last light disappeared over Toril's rim, and darkness followed quickly. After packing the pelt in a sack, they began to find their way out of the woods.

The war patrol gathered at the cave mouth to enter the Surface at sundown. The priestess issued final instructions. "I want every one of you worthless jaluks on your toes," Shal'drissa hissed. "This is not to be bungled. A spy has told me that an elven princess is to pass this spot on the way to one of their cities tonight. I mean to have her to sacrifice to Lloth, so no harming her. Kill all the escort, but not her. This is close to a very special spot, the site of the worst defeat that the Drow have ever known. The cursed Bhallspawn Attalus with his slut-wife, the rebel drow Viconia defeated our effort to take a Surface city, killing thousands of drow in the process. This very cave was one through which our army marched to die before the walls of that cursed city, Baldur's Gate, it is called. This princess is an emissary from one of the surface elf kingdoms to this Attalus, and her sacrifice to Lloth will humiliate him, and satisfy Mother Lloth very much, so there will be rich reward, more than your desserts, if we succeed. Come on now, let us go, and be as brave as your puny hearts can manage."
With that, she gripped her whip and stalked through the opening onto the now dark surface. Ganstis nudged Bobu. So, this was going to be good sport, plus a chance to improve his House's standing with Lloth. He gripped his scimitar hilt tightly.

Calaethis Dragonsbane · 10-25-2002, 05:03 PM

good; but I think I see whats gonna happen. Veld is gonna get captured isnt he? by those drow? then thing will have to resuce him. OR, he'll get back and find Viccy gone, maybe Att dying, and with last dying breath he tells him to go rescue Vics. Or Atts taken too. lol,. erm, just my "predictions"

lol, go on and "surprise" me [img]tongue.gif[/img] lol, I didnt work out the plot already I hope... *grin*

Attalus · 10-25-2002, 05:09 PM

LOL, nope, you're wrong. Wait and see.

Attalus · 10-25-2002, 06:05 PM

Here we go:

It seemed to Ganstis' excited senses that they had only reached the highway and taken their places for a few minutes when a few distant notes of music drifted through the still night air. He could hear stealthy movement all around him. Then, a party of surface elves on horses rounded the bend. Shal'drissa waited until they were very near before she shouted, now, and the road was suddenly full of fighting drow warriors, assailing the elves from all sides.
Ganstis had at once jumped from the bushes to rush at the party. A huge elven warrior stepped in front of him and knocked him sprawling. "Your Highness, make a run for it," he bawled, engaging Shal'drissa with a mighty quarter-staff. At the very rear of the column, a white horse bearing a cloaked woman whirled and galloped off.
"You," Shaldrissa managed to gasp at Ganstis as she fought the big elf, joined by several of the males, "you are fast, I have seen you run. Catch that bitch and bring her back, or I will have your hide." Terrified, he scrambled to his feet and rushed after the fleeing princess.
After running for a while down the highway, he was relieved to see the princess had halted in her flight, and was listening to the dying sounds of battle. Entering the bushes, he managed to sneak up on her, then lept upon the back of her horse, tackling her around the waist. The elven horse, terrified, bolted, carrying them both off into the night, until Ganstis managed to wrest the woman out of the saddle onto the ground.
After a brief struggle, he had her pinned. She was quite beautiful, with rich blonde hair and bright blue eyes that looked gray in the moonlight. Laughing into her defiant face, he straddled her and tied her wrists with some rope from his pack. "A fine one you are," he crowed, "and how good this shoud put me in the graces of Shal'drissa and Lloth. Up you go, and let us see where my comrades have gotten to, so that we can leave this cursed Surface and return to Ust'Natha in triumph." He pulled her to her feet, and, giving her a shove, started back in the direction that he imagined the fight might have been.
Veldren and Paoli first became aware of them by the sound of the drow's boastful taunts and the elf-maid's stinging rejoinders. Veldren knew some of the Drow language from his mother, so he immediately caught that this was some incursion from the Underdark. Setting the wolf pelt down, they hid themselves and waited until the strange pair came into view.
There was no doubt in Veldren's mind what he was seeing. That was obviously an elf taken prisoner by a raiding Drow party. He had heard what her fate would be, though she was holding her head high, cursing and berating her captor. He knew what his father would do, and a look at Paoli showed that he thought the same. The old ranger had no love for keeping anything free a prisoner, and was obviously angry. Once agan, Veldren nodded, and they attacked.
Ganstis was in the midst of describing the ceremony of sacrifice to the Spider God, when an arrow smacked into his chest and another into his belly. Afire with pain, he grabbed the princess around the waist and held his scimitar to her thrroat. He was quickly confronted by an old man with a spear and a boy weilding twin katanas. "Come no further, rivvil," he shouted, "or the bitch dies. Throw down your weapons."
They kept their weapons to hand, however, and the boy laughed. "From what you were saying," he chuckled in fair Drow, "she is going to die, anyway, and in a good deal of pain. Perhaps she would rather do it here, quickly, and not let Lloth's foul altar sully her skin. You should let her go, jaluk, and come after me, for Lloth would much rather have me. For, behold, I am Veldren, son of Viconia and Attalus, Lloth's greatest foes. But, lay my weapons down? Not a chance. Come, let us see who the greater God is, Lloth the foul Mistress of Treachery, or Helm the All-Seeing."
Enraged, Ganstis let go of the princess to take a cut at Veldren, who easily blocked the stroke with his left katana, as the right slid under it into Ganstis' armpit. A searing pain, and his world grew as black as Lloth's heart. He fell to the grass and died.
The elven princess spat on his body, then turned to her rescuer. "My thanks, Lord Veldren, for your rescue of me. I am Novenna, daughter of King Fandorn and emissary to your father. I have long heard tales of his prowness in battle, and give thanks to the Leaflord that his son is true to his breeding. Will you release me now?" She smiled whimsically.
At once, Veldren sheathed his scimitars and took his sheath knife out to cut her bonds. She proceeded to embrace him and kiss him soundly, to Paoli's silent amusement. When she had quite finished, Veldren smiled, a bit lopsidedly, and said, "Thank you, Princess Novenna, for your gift of a kiss. It is more than enouh reward for killing such scum and setting you free to dance on the grass again. But, come, we must be going, there must be more of these around, and my father must know.

[ 10-25-2002, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

Attalus · 10-25-2002, 08:01 PM

LOL, I got so inspired that I wrote some more:

"No!" the princess cried, "we must get back and rescue my escort. They fought to get me away, and some of them might yet live."
Paoli broke in, "Yer pardon, yer highness, but if there's a whole drow war patrol up there, we three aren't enough to defeat it. Listen to the lad, he's talking sense fer once. My cabin is just a short spell form here, and we can let them know in Baldur's Gate. Come on." He picked up the wolf pelt and loped through the forest, absolutely sure of where he was.
Novenna, for her part, put her fingers to her lips as they ran and whistled. Soon, the white elven horse joined them, and she jumped lightly onto its back. "Come now, Veldren, ride with me, and I shall show you Stagleaper's paces."
He jumped up behind her, and, when they reached the old man's cottage, they saw him coming out with a horn made of an auroch's antler. He put it to his lips and began to sound it. It stirred Veldren's blood as it bugled, "Awake, awake, the enemy is upon us."
"Come on, Princess Novenna," he urged, "the road is before us and my horse is there," he pointed to a bay that was plunging and whinneying at the horn call. Veldren jumped down and deftly leapt upon his saddle, freeing the reins with one hand. He then dug his heels in the horse's sides and galloped off for the gate with Novenna on Stagleaper close behind.
They thundered through the gate as the militia were gathering in response to Paoli's alarm. Veldren looked about, not answering their anxious questions until he saw his father, as he knew that he would, the huge figure standing above the crowd about him and the magical armor gleaming. "Father, Father, here I am," he cried as he dismounted by his sire.
Attlus looked relieved to see his wayward offspring and hugged him briefly. "Veldren," he boomed, "I am glad to see you. Do you know aught of this alarm? And, who is this with you?" he added, catching sight of Novenna.
"First things first, Father," Veldren replied. The drow are about, armed and in strength. I killed one of them. This is Princess Novenna, whose party they attacked. That one of them had captured her, and I rescued her," he finished proudly.
Before Attalus could reply to this news, Veldren found himself crushed fiercely in another embrace. "Veldren," Viconia shouted, "you are alive and safe, thank Helm. And this is princess whom?" She surveyed Novenna cooly. She stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
"If you are Veldren's mother, you must be the famous Viconia," she answered gravely. "I wish to thank you for the deeds of your son, who saved me from a ghastly death on Lloth's altar. This, I can never repay, but be assured I am grateful. I am Novenna, daughter of Fangost, King in the elven lands. I am his emissary, and was to meet you tomorrow with Lord Attalus, but, now, my escorts are slaughtered, I fear, by the wild drow. Lord Attalus," she turned to him, "it was on the main highway. Can we not ride and see to their poor bodies, and, perhaps avenge them?"
Attalus was grim. "Ride we shall, Princess. I will not have these things happening around my city. Come." They mounted, along with an escort of militia, and rode swiftly back to the ill fated spot on the highway.
As they neared the place, they were attacked by the remaining drow, led by Shal'drissa, who had been hunting for the vanished princess. However, it was not a small party that they attacked this time, but a strong group of armored men, led by their fell captain. At the first sound of a Drow battlecry, Carsomyr came out, shining with holiness, and took the head from the first drow that he came to. Shal'drissa struck at him with her whip and tried to use magic, but against the bearer of the great blade, it was no use. An overhead chop clove both helmet and head, and her blood and brains stained the road. A great cry came from the other drow and they melted away into the forest, leaving behind a fair amount of dead.

[ 10-25-2002, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

Kaltia · 10-26-2002, 05:53 AM

*applause*
*Whistle*
Keep it up, Ratty-boy

Attalus · 10-26-2002, 10:14 AM

*Smacks Kaltia* Show a little respect, daughter. Some more:

When the battle was over, Viconia closely examined the corpse of Shal'drissa, ignoring the horror of her head. Veldren was repused but fascinated by the ruin that his father's sword had wrought on the once beautiful woman. Through some freak of destruction, the skin on the right side of her face had fallen away from the shattered bone and resembled a mask that some reveller might wear to a party. He shuddered, a bit. His mother, intent on her task, looked up as Attalus came over to see what she was up to.
"Look here, abbil, she said excitedly, then looked confused, correcting herself to say, "husband, I mean."
Attalus, sensing her mood, put his hand, still a bit bloodstained, on the back of her neck beneath her helmet. He lightly ruffled the short white hair and massaged the muscles underneath. "What's the matter, love," he asked gently, "am I not your abbil, any more? I liked that name."
Viconia gave him a quick smile of gratitude. "I am glad that you liked it, husband, but you are more than an abbil, any more. There is no word in Drow for what you are to me." Then, her smile turned sardonic. "But, we shall not discuss this here amongst the dead. I was about to say, this one wears the badge of House Despana, which should be familiar to you."
Frowning, Attalus replied, "Despana? That was the House that Phaere and that Matron Mother, what was her name? belonged to, that we were the death of in Ust'Natha."
Viconia nodded in sober agreement, "Ardulance was her name. Yes, and it seems that the grudge is remembered. I would not have thought that a House could survive the loss of its Matron and a Priestess like Phaere, curse her name, but it seems that it did. I feel that this is no coincidence, husband. This was meant as a deliberate slap at you."
"Us..." Attalus started to say, but was interrupted by the rearrival of Novenna, who had ridden a little farther in search of her party. She was accompanied by a large, wounded elf, the same that had told her to fly.
"Lord Attalus, Lady Viconia," the princess broke in excitedly. "One of my escort survived! I found him bound just a ways up the road. This is Corund, my bodyguard these many years." She turned to the battered elf, "Corund, these humans have saved us all. Tell them what happened."
Viconia broke in concernedly, "A moment, Princess. This elf is wounded. Allow me." She cast a quick spell and the wounds disappeared.
Corund looked immediately better. "Humans?" he commented humorously, "A drow you seem to be, my lady, but a deuced grateful sight to a poor elf who has suffered at the hands of your race. My thanks. You must be the Lady Viconia of whom so much is sung. It is a great pleasure to meet you."
"I am glad to have been of service, Corund," Viconia responded warmly. "I have renounced Lloth but not my race, so must remind you that it is Lloth and these here who tried to harm you, not all drow. But, I forgive you, as you seem to have suffered much."

Calaethis Dragonsbane · 10-26-2002, 10:37 AM

Quote:

LOL, nope, you're wrong. Wait and see.

*grin* Oh GOOD, to often I'm right, (that sounds immoddest doesnt it? [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) lol, and work out the plot twists about 1/4 to half way tho the storys [img]tongue.gif[/img] it grows tedious when they're predicable, and the characters in the books are too stupid to see what I have seen and worked out about 6, 7, 8 chapters back.

hehe. soz, but I just thought I'd put that in. (A)

Quote:

*Smacks Kaltia* Show a little respect, daughter. Some more

*grin* you've finally seen the light Att!

hehe, hopefully she'll be a little more respectful now, tho I doubt it... "Ratty Boy"... where have I heard *that* before... ah yes, an msn convo [img]tongue.gif[/img] some comment I made about Kat calling you "Atty Boy".. I rather jestingly said "stick an 'R' in front of it"...opps [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. *hides* *grins innocently* hope you dont mind Att, erm, call it a "term of affection" or something. *grin* soz, too good to resist, and yes for the record, it IS a conspiry. [img]tongue.gif[/img] heheh erm, anyway, keep posting

[img]smile.gif[/img]

Galadria · 10-26-2002, 01:48 PM

Wow, you've done a lot of work on it. I like it, but rather wonder where it's going. I guess I shall see. [img]graemlins/kiss.gif[/img]

10-25-2002, 05:09 PM	#14
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	LOL, nope, you're wrong. Wait and see. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

10-26-2002, 01:48 PM	#20
Galadria 20th Level Warrior Join Date: November 3, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 54 Posts: 2,830	Wow, you've done a lot of work on it. I like it, but rather wonder where it's going. I guess I shall see. [img]graemlins/kiss.gif[/img] __________________ Lady Galadria,Goddess\' Equal of the O.R.T.; [img]\"http://havak.db-forge.com/portraits/bitmaps/wlf180L.bmp\" alt=\" - \" /><br />\"Romance at short notice was her specialty.\" - Saki <br />Founder of the IW Branch of the Anti-Anomen Society

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10-25-2002, 04:24 PM	#11
Calaethis Dragonsbane Legion Symbol Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Somewhere in between Age: 39 Posts: 7,029	erm Att, you ARE gonna post somemore sometime soon arnt ya? lol, or write it...

10-25-2002, 04:44 PM	#12
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	LOL, here we are, hot off the word processor: Creeping cautiously, Veldren followed the trail of the wolf, here a footprint, there a spoor, until he reached a clearing where a small waterfall splashed noisily into a pool. There, drinking from the water was a huge Winter Wolf. Silently motioning Paoli forward, the two notched arrows to their bows, and, on Veldren's nod, loosed their arrows. They both struck the huge thing behind the shoulder, but he was not immediately killed, and rushed them after breathing blue fire from his fanged muzzle. Veldren dropped his bow and pulled out his katanas. He had tried to follow in his father's footsteps and use the two-handed broadsword, but he had not inherited Attalus' massive form, being only three or four inches taller than his mother. He had settled on katanas, since they suited his compact form and deft quickness of stroke. With his right hand, he slashed the wolf's nose, stabbbing with the left deep into its chest. The razor-sharp steel penetrated hair, shin, and ribs, entering into the mighty chest. At the same time, Paoli struck hard with the boar spear, and down the wolf went, still snapping his jaws in death. They quickly began to skin him, having no desire to lug the great carcase back to Paoli's cabin. As they finished, the last light disappeared over Toril's rim, and darkness followed quickly. After packing the pelt in a sack, they began to find their way out of the woods. The war patrol gathered at the cave mouth to enter the Surface at sundown. The priestess issued final instructions. "I want every one of you worthless jaluks on your toes," Shal'drissa hissed. "This is not to be bungled. A spy has told me that an elven princess is to pass this spot on the way to one of their cities tonight. I mean to have her to sacrifice to Lloth, so no harming her. Kill all the escort, but not her. This is close to a very special spot, the site of the worst defeat that the Drow have ever known. The cursed Bhallspawn Attalus with his slut-wife, the rebel drow Viconia defeated our effort to take a Surface city, killing thousands of drow in the process. This very cave was one through which our army marched to die before the walls of that cursed city, Baldur's Gate, it is called. This princess is an emissary from one of the surface elf kingdoms to this Attalus, and her sacrifice to Lloth will humiliate him, and satisfy Mother Lloth very much, so there will be rich reward, more than your desserts, if we succeed. Come on now, let us go, and be as brave as your puny hearts can manage." With that, she gripped her whip and stalked through the opening onto the now dark surface. Ganstis nudged Bobu. So, this was going to be good sport, plus a chance to improve his House's standing with Lloth. He gripped his scimitar hilt tightly.

10-25-2002, 05:03 PM	#13
Calaethis Dragonsbane Legion Symbol Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Somewhere in between Age: 39 Posts: 7,029	good; but I think I see whats gonna happen. Veld is gonna get captured isnt he? by those drow? then thing will have to resuce him. OR, he'll get back and find Viccy gone, maybe Att dying, and with last dying breath he tells him to go rescue Vics. Or Atts taken too. lol,. erm, just my "predictions" lol, go on and "surprise" me [img]tongue.gif[/img] lol, I didnt work out the plot already I hope... grin

10-25-2002, 06:05 PM	#15
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Here we go: It seemed to Ganstis' excited senses that they had only reached the highway and taken their places for a few minutes when a few distant notes of music drifted through the still night air. He could hear stealthy movement all around him. Then, a party of surface elves on horses rounded the bend. Shal'drissa waited until they were very near before she shouted, now, and the road was suddenly full of fighting drow warriors, assailing the elves from all sides. Ganstis had at once jumped from the bushes to rush at the party. A huge elven warrior stepped in front of him and knocked him sprawling. "Your Highness, make a run for it," he bawled, engaging Shal'drissa with a mighty quarter-staff. At the very rear of the column, a white horse bearing a cloaked woman whirled and galloped off. "You," Shaldrissa managed to gasp at Ganstis as she fought the big elf, joined by several of the males, "you are fast, I have seen you run. Catch that bitch and bring her back, or I will have your hide." Terrified, he scrambled to his feet and rushed after the fleeing princess. After running for a while down the highway, he was relieved to see the princess had halted in her flight, and was listening to the dying sounds of battle. Entering the bushes, he managed to sneak up on her, then lept upon the back of her horse, tackling her around the waist. The elven horse, terrified, bolted, carrying them both off into the night, until Ganstis managed to wrest the woman out of the saddle onto the ground. After a brief struggle, he had her pinned. She was quite beautiful, with rich blonde hair and bright blue eyes that looked gray in the moonlight. Laughing into her defiant face, he straddled her and tied her wrists with some rope from his pack. "A fine one you are," he crowed, "and how good this shoud put me in the graces of Shal'drissa and Lloth. Up you go, and let us see where my comrades have gotten to, so that we can leave this cursed Surface and return to Ust'Natha in triumph." He pulled her to her feet, and, giving her a shove, started back in the direction that he imagined the fight might have been. Veldren and Paoli first became aware of them by the sound of the drow's boastful taunts and the elf-maid's stinging rejoinders. Veldren knew some of the Drow language from his mother, so he immediately caught that this was some incursion from the Underdark. Setting the wolf pelt down, they hid themselves and waited until the strange pair came into view. There was no doubt in Veldren's mind what he was seeing. That was obviously an elf taken prisoner by a raiding Drow party. He had heard what her fate would be, though she was holding her head high, cursing and berating her captor. He knew what his father would do, and a look at Paoli showed that he thought the same. The old ranger had no love for keeping anything free a prisoner, and was obviously angry. Once agan, Veldren nodded, and they attacked. Ganstis was in the midst of describing the ceremony of sacrifice to the Spider God, when an arrow smacked into his chest and another into his belly. Afire with pain, he grabbed the princess around the waist and held his scimitar to her thrroat. He was quickly confronted by an old man with a spear and a boy weilding twin katanas. "Come no further, rivvil," he shouted, "or the bitch dies. Throw down your weapons." They kept their weapons to hand, however, and the boy laughed. "From what you were saying," he chuckled in fair Drow, "she is going to die, anyway, and in a good deal of pain. Perhaps she would rather do it here, quickly, and not let Lloth's foul altar sully her skin. You should let her go, jaluk, and come after me, for Lloth would much rather have me. For, behold, I am Veldren, son of Viconia and Attalus, Lloth's greatest foes. But, lay my weapons down? Not a chance. Come, let us see who the greater God is, Lloth the foul Mistress of Treachery, or Helm the All-Seeing." Enraged, Ganstis let go of the princess to take a cut at Veldren, who easily blocked the stroke with his left katana, as the right slid under it into Ganstis' armpit. A searing pain, and his world grew as black as Lloth's heart. He fell to the grass and died. The elven princess spat on his body, then turned to her rescuer. "My thanks, Lord Veldren, for your rescue of me. I am Novenna, daughter of King Fandorn and emissary to your father. I have long heard tales of his prowness in battle, and give thanks to the Leaflord that his son is true to his breeding. Will you release me now?" She smiled whimsically. At once, Veldren sheathed his scimitars and took his sheath knife out to cut her bonds. She proceeded to embrace him and kiss him soundly, to Paoli's silent amusement. When she had quite finished, Veldren smiled, a bit lopsidedly, and said, "Thank you, Princess Novenna, for your gift of a kiss. It is more than enouh reward for killing such scum and setting you free to dance on the grass again. But, come, we must be going, there must be more of these around, and my father must know. [ 10-25-2002, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

10-25-2002, 08:01 PM	#16
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	LOL, I got so inspired that I wrote some more: "No!" the princess cried, "we must get back and rescue my escort. They fought to get me away, and some of them might yet live." Paoli broke in, "Yer pardon, yer highness, but if there's a whole drow war patrol up there, we three aren't enough to defeat it. Listen to the lad, he's talking sense fer once. My cabin is just a short spell form here, and we can let them know in Baldur's Gate. Come on." He picked up the wolf pelt and loped through the forest, absolutely sure of where he was. Novenna, for her part, put her fingers to her lips as they ran and whistled. Soon, the white elven horse joined them, and she jumped lightly onto its back. "Come now, Veldren, ride with me, and I shall show you Stagleaper's paces." He jumped up behind her, and, when they reached the old man's cottage, they saw him coming out with a horn made of an auroch's antler. He put it to his lips and began to sound it. It stirred Veldren's blood as it bugled, "Awake, awake, the enemy is upon us." "Come on, Princess Novenna," he urged, "the road is before us and my horse is there," he pointed to a bay that was plunging and whinneying at the horn call. Veldren jumped down and deftly leapt upon his saddle, freeing the reins with one hand. He then dug his heels in the horse's sides and galloped off for the gate with Novenna on Stagleaper close behind. They thundered through the gate as the militia were gathering in response to Paoli's alarm. Veldren looked about, not answering their anxious questions until he saw his father, as he knew that he would, the huge figure standing above the crowd about him and the magical armor gleaming. "Father, Father, here I am," he cried as he dismounted by his sire. Attlus looked relieved to see his wayward offspring and hugged him briefly. "Veldren," he boomed, "I am glad to see you. Do you know aught of this alarm? And, who is this with you?" he added, catching sight of Novenna. "First things first, Father," Veldren replied. The drow are about, armed and in strength. I killed one of them. This is Princess Novenna, whose party they attacked. That one of them had captured her, and I rescued her," he finished proudly. Before Attalus could reply to this news, Veldren found himself crushed fiercely in another embrace. "Veldren," Viconia shouted, "you are alive and safe, thank Helm. And this is princess whom?" She surveyed Novenna cooly. She stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "If you are Veldren's mother, you must be the famous Viconia," she answered gravely. "I wish to thank you for the deeds of your son, who saved me from a ghastly death on Lloth's altar. This, I can never repay, but be assured I am grateful. I am Novenna, daughter of Fangost, King in the elven lands. I am his emissary, and was to meet you tomorrow with Lord Attalus, but, now, my escorts are slaughtered, I fear, by the wild drow. Lord Attalus," she turned to him, "it was on the main highway. Can we not ride and see to their poor bodies, and, perhaps avenge them?" Attalus was grim. "Ride we shall, Princess. I will not have these things happening around my city. Come." They mounted, along with an escort of militia, and rode swiftly back to the ill fated spot on the highway. As they neared the place, they were attacked by the remaining drow, led by Shal'drissa, who had been hunting for the vanished princess. However, it was not a small party that they attacked this time, but a strong group of armored men, led by their fell captain. At the first sound of a Drow battlecry, Carsomyr came out, shining with holiness, and took the head from the first drow that he came to. Shal'drissa struck at him with her whip and tried to use magic, but against the bearer of the great blade, it was no use. An overhead chop clove both helmet and head, and her blood and brains stained the road. A great cry came from the other drow and they melted away into the forest, leaving behind a fair amount of dead. [ 10-25-2002, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

10-26-2002, 05:53 AM	#17
Kaltia Jack Burton Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Canterbury, England Age: 36 Posts: 5,817	applause Whistle Keep it up, Ratty-boy

10-26-2002, 10:14 AM	#18
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Smacks Kaltia Show a little respect, daughter. Some more: When the battle was over, Viconia closely examined the corpse of Shal'drissa, ignoring the horror of her head. Veldren was repused but fascinated by the ruin that his father's sword had wrought on the once beautiful woman. Through some freak of destruction, the skin on the right side of her face had fallen away from the shattered bone and resembled a mask that some reveller might wear to a party. He shuddered, a bit. His mother, intent on her task, looked up as Attalus came over to see what she was up to. "Look here, abbil, she said excitedly, then looked confused, correcting herself to say, "husband, I mean." Attalus, sensing her mood, put his hand, still a bit bloodstained, on the back of her neck beneath her helmet. He lightly ruffled the short white hair and massaged the muscles underneath. "What's the matter, love," he asked gently, "am I not your abbil, any more? I liked that name." Viconia gave him a quick smile of gratitude. "I am glad that you liked it, husband, but you are more than an abbil, any more. There is no word in Drow for what you are to me." Then, her smile turned sardonic. "But, we shall not discuss this here amongst the dead. I was about to say, this one wears the badge of House Despana, which should be familiar to you." Frowning, Attalus replied, "Despana? That was the House that Phaere and that Matron Mother, what was her name? belonged to, that we were the death of in Ust'Natha." Viconia nodded in sober agreement, "Ardulance was her name. Yes, and it seems that the grudge is remembered. I would not have thought that a House could survive the loss of its Matron and a Priestess like Phaere, curse her name, but it seems that it did. I feel that this is no coincidence, husband. This was meant as a deliberate slap at you." "Us..." Attalus started to say, but was interrupted by the rearrival of Novenna, who had ridden a little farther in search of her party. She was accompanied by a large, wounded elf, the same that had told her to fly. "Lord Attalus, Lady Viconia," the princess broke in excitedly. "One of my escort survived! I found him bound just a ways up the road. This is Corund, my bodyguard these many years." She turned to the battered elf, "Corund, these humans have saved us all. Tell them what happened." Viconia broke in concernedly, "A moment, Princess. This elf is wounded. Allow me." She cast a quick spell and the wounds disappeared. Corund looked immediately better. "Humans?" he commented humorously, "A drow you seem to be, my lady, but a deuced grateful sight to a poor elf who has suffered at the hands of your race. My thanks. You must be the Lady Viconia of whom so much is sung. It is a great pleasure to meet you." "I am glad to have been of service, Corund," Viconia responded warmly. "I have renounced Lloth but not my race, so must remind you that it is Lloth and these here who tried to harm you, not all drow. But, I forgive you, as you seem to have suffered much."

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