Luskan: The veiled city

[Soleus Blackthorne]

Soleus was thrown back into the undead, but for some reason they did not attack him. They helped him up, he hid amongst them as he saw the Phantom coming in his direction. Soleus waited and as he waited he saw an opening, taking aim on the inner thigh of the Phantom. He began to recite a spell of corrosive aicd, taking out the spell reagents from his pouch at his side. He crushed them in his hand, opening his hand he blew them and said the last word towards the Phantom. A round ball of redish, black, went flying towards the Phantom's inner left thigh. Soleus hated to try to hit someone below the belt, but he told himself it was a Darkthorne, therefore okay.

[gem_sherbrooke]

But the most terrifying feature wsas the glowing red eyes pearing through a slit in an otherwise covered face.....

Gem stared at the creature, who simply stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and hs legs slightly apart.  Looking at the "man" it was easy to see the shere power of him.  Gem warily approached him and kneeled bowing at his feet.

 "M'lord Knight, I am Gemeriana Sherbrooke, Healer of Quen, I seek the the great gift to heal the Darkthorne and Blackthorne clans"

She remained unmoving as she waited for the knight to answer....

((To be continued))

[Syn Darkthorne]

The phantom was hit by the spell which caused fire to race up his leg and burn his flesh. He reached down in an attempt to put the fire out, only to find it was magical fire. The pain however kept his concentration distracted, not allowing him an opprotunity to douse the fire with magic. He jumped around for a bit before running off to find some sort of water source to put out the fire. The flames were spreading now, only given strength by the action of him running. Soon his whole body was covered in the flames as a scream escaped his mouth which began to melt. Fleeing down a tunnel in terror he finally found a pool by sheer luck and ran straight into it. His form disappeared beneath the water's surface, sinking down into the depths.

[Soleus Blackthorne]

Soleus had finally defeated his long time enemy, but at what cost? He ran from the crowd of dead and went over to the fallen knight, seeing the others begin to regain their control. He placed a hand on the bloody wound and began to cast his healing magic. The other knights came up to Soleus and placed a hand upon his shoulder, " M'lord it's too late.." Soleus would not give up though, not until he realized there was nothing he could do. He lacked the knowledge to bring life back to the dead. He only knew how to raise the dead and that magic he dared not use. Not on a companion, for he would not even use such magic on an enemy. The solitude of death was a part of the great cycle of life and he would not disturb that. He however blamed himself for the knight's death, if only he'd acted sooner. Perhaps there was more he could have done, the knights began to try and pull him away.

" We can't leave him here like this, we have to take him back to Luskan with us...he didn't deserve to die like this..here..." The other knights stood around Soleus nodding, as they all began to prepare the knight's body for transportation. Soleus turned back to the tomb, just as the moans of the undead became louder now. Something had happened and now the dead were no longer sitting idly by watching. They began to circle around the group, the knights and Soleus took up a defensive circle preparing for what might just be their last stand.

[gem_sherbrooke]

Gem remained motionless, hiding her fear as the glowing eyes bore into her.  She felt almost nausea with fear. At last the raspy voice answered her.  "This is what the Thorn Clans send to claim the great magic? A mere mortal wench?" He starts to move towards her, circling around her form, each step full of the sounds of cracking bones and leather armour, The foul smell of death lingering behind him....

Gem remains respectfully motionless and silent. He stops again infont of her, his vile hand whipping out to grasp her slender troat.  His skeletal body full of strength, lifting her as he glares into her eyes ..With her feet dangling her hands move to grasp his arm, hoping to loosen the grip so she can breath....

His raspy voice echos in the room..."You are not worthy of the great seed wench" Tossing her as of she were a ragdoll, her body slams into the wall opposite him. Dazed she slides down the wall, sitting with her back against it while she gasps for air...

"M'lord, I was sent here to collect the seed, I can not leave here without it...What is your price? I must have it to mend the two clans....

The Dark Lord turned looking at Gem with a malicious grin....."That is easy enough...your soul would make a beautiful addition to my...collection"  He walks across the room quickly grasping her chin in his gloved hand.."I will give you the seed, Gem Sherbrooke, Healer of Quen and your soul will then be mine.  I will allow you to leave this place to deliver the seed the foolish Thorne Clans. But when I call you you must return or every one you care for will die long and painful deaths until your return....Is it a bargain then Healer of Quen?  Your soul to save the clans?"
Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the horrible deathknight. She had no choice ..."I accept because I must, but can I at least know the name of the one who owns my soul?"

"Yes my dear, of course, I am Lord Malak"  releasing her chin, his fingers having left red marks, her offers his hand to her, holping her to her feet.

Then he takes from the folds of his robes a worn velvet bag and hands it to her.."I will be calling for you soon" as he says the words, he dissappears before her eyes, leaving her in the bloodred room alone.

Glancing in the bag to be sure she has what she needs, she moves towards the door.  She could literally feel that what was in her hands was the right item, the magic to help the clans.  She could also feel a havey weight inside her, the weight of someone who had sold their soul.  

Licking her full lips, she opened the doors, taking the keys and item outside.  She slipped the keys inside her cloak for when she must return.

[Soleus Blackthorne]

Soleus and the knights stood there admist the bodies of many undead. They had been fighting for what seemed hours waiting for Gem to return. Soleus wiped sweat from his brow, and took in a deep breath. How much longer could they hold this position? He knew it wouldn't be much longer for they all were starting to get fatigued. Their nerves were jumpy, their bodies shook, sweat poured off their faces. More undead came and Soleus again blessed their weapons to send the undead to a eternal death. The enchant had been the only thing keeping their edge against the undead. The sound of metal slicing through dried flesh and bone echoed in the necropolis. Soleus braced himself against the wall feeling he could go no more.

Suddenly the doors to the tomb began to open and the undead began to back away. They watched as the undead returned to their tombs and the battle began to end. Soleus turned to see Gem there with a curious bag, he watched her tuck away the keys. " Gem your alright! Oh thank the gods I worried about you for what seems like ages. So you have it?" Soleus was happy to see Gem, more so then could explain. Soleus and the knights gathered around Gem, ready to leave this place once and for all. Gem had become their savior, not just their's, but the entire family's savior in that moment. Soleus looked on Gem seeing something different about her that he could not explain. His eyes scanned over her with worry, his heart almost stopping in that instant.

[gem_sherbrooke]

She smiles to the men, and holds up the velvet bag.."I am not sure what it is or does, but I know it is what we came here for". SHe moves away from the tomb, trying not to think about this place being her furture home.

She looks at the undead then to the Knights..."Where is Lord Tanner and the Phantom?"

"Wait never mind....we can speak of this when we are breathing the fresh air of the overworld, not here in the tombs..."

Gathering her self, she starts to head for the way out, saying a silent prayer to her goddess....

.

[Soleus Blackthorne]

Soleus and the knights looked to one another and nodded, they took their fellow knight's body upon their shoulders. Following Gem, up through the tunnels that were now the way home. As they emerged from the tunnels they looked upon Luskan. It still stood and the ghostly entities that once fought their were now solid, they stood there with pale white skin and grey eyes, white hair. They looked strange, they all wore black armor or clothing, their weapons were even black. They stood next to the people Soleus had brought to Luskan, the bodies of many orcs lay about in piles. Soleus, Gem, and the knights arrived at Luskan to hear of the great battle that had occured. Those trapped in Luskan by a spell, were released when they had entered the tunnels. The two warring forces began their battle once more, slowly becoming more and more physical instead of ethereal. When they defeated their enemies they turned to help the Velusians defeat the orcs.

Soleus ordered for everyone to begin to pack their belongings, the march home was about to begin. Soleus placed an arm around Gem's shoulder and told a few people how it was her that saved them all. Soleus had lands back in Lochland, lands had been begining neglected in his absence. He'd give some of them to Gem, build her a home there so she could leave in peace, give her the title of Lady. He was going to take care of her, for all that she had done. He'd even show her the sights of Velusia, he could already feel the excitement of going home. The caravan was ready hours later and they began the march out of Luskan, back to Velusia. The strange race stayed behind, saying that Luskan was there home, but they would see them again. For they were now free to leave Luskan anytime they chose.

The item Gem had collected had removed the veil from Luskan, freeing everyone within it. The souls of the dead were finally free to pass on into the after life. Luskan seemed different, almost peaceful now, as if the shadow that had lingered over it was gone. As they marched through the arched tunnel, something Soleus had longed to see hit their eyes, causing them to squint, the sun.

[gem_sherbrooke]

Gem went back to the inn to pack for the travel back to daylight.  It seemd like years had passed in the darkness, though for her it had been only weeks.  She said nothing to anyone of the price she had paid for the Luskans to be free and made up her mind that she would live her life to the fullest until the Lord Malak called her.

When the caravan at last reached sunlight Gem stopped, smiling, then closed her eyes feeling the warm rays on her face.   Climbing off the horse that had been Lord Tanners, she walked leading the animal's reins.  

Her thoughts only of her blessings....

[Soleus Blackthorne]

Soleus walked not far from Gem, heading up to catch up with her, for their trip to Lochland would not take long. Not as long as they kept to Siem's pass, it was the shortest route to Lochland out here near Lantern's Hold.

" So I would ask you what happened in the crypt, but you haven't spoken of it at all. I don't want to bring back any bad memories or anything, but think of it this way. We're free finally, the sun, the cool breeze, the fresh air, it's a blessing. We've been done there now for so long, I had forgotten what the sun looked like, what clouds looked like. I've lost so many friends done there, so many innocents died fighting for this freedom. By us being here enjoying this we honor their sacrifice. When we reach Lochland...if it still stands, I want you to come stay with me. I have some land, nothing big, but it probably could use some work now. I remember I had a whole crop of vegetables, herbs, and fruits. I enjoyed simply making due on that, my father didn't know what I found so facinating about being a farmer. I think it's clearer to me now, then before, in the midst of all this death and destruction, to see something grow reminds you that theres more then just the chaos around you."

Soleus looked up the road towards the pass, then back to Gem, he hadn't notice just how beautiful her face was till the sun hit it.

Continued in Lochland thread