Belgada Remorium: Outside the Veil

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

The Darkthorne Territory

Through the heavy fog and smoke the clang of anvils and the puffs of volcanic fire. Over the den of the dead and living which worked day and night in the mud to build the siege engines and armaments. There was one whom above all had come to hate his position. For he was the leader of the Darkthornes whom served another that was not of their blood. Prasutagus son of Kebald Darkthorne who reigned as the fourth leader of the Darkthornes many years ago. He served the one whom defeated the recent leader under promises of ending their war with Blackthorne. However the man whom he served could not be trusted this he knew as no Darkthorne could ever be trusted. Prasutagus sat upon a throne of bone clothed in red robes with long black hair. He still bore some of his human like looks however he could change that.

The illusion of normality was something the Darkthornes used as a trick the same as hunters used traps. There was no such thing as normal in the Darkthorne's eyes, everything was the same. Just because someone fought evil did not mean they were not evil themselves. Or that they did not have a sliver of evil in them somewhere. Something which given the right care could fester like a wound. A wound which every Darkthorne carried and wore proudly for to be evil was to be free. Nothing could stop someone who only cared for themself and their own pleasures. In all the time of the Darkthornes only one had unified them under one rule. That was Eseer and ever since his demise the Darkthornes had been split up into four clans each trying for the same goal and yet fighting against one another.

Truly the great legacy which Eseer was trying to create was only his dream. Prasutagus however had studied the life of Eseer and held a slight respect for the former leader. For he had conquered and achieved more then any other ruler had. If one could unify the now tribes back into one clan they could again lead Darkthorne into greatness. This mysterious man whom Prasutagus worked with said he could do such a thing, and for some reason Prasutagus listened. The man seemed to have a charisma or charm about him that overwhelmed one's natural thoughts. Perhaps using this power he could unify the tribes again and then lead them against Blackthorne and take the veiled lands for his own.

Prasutagus stepped down from his throne and began to put on his battle armor, taking up his battle axes the tall figure loomed like a shadow over the nearby map of Blackthorne. " You shall fall Blackthorne and I shall bath in the blood of your nobles and eat the hearts of your rulers." Prasutagus walked out on the stone dais in front of his castle and stood before his army and raised his axes high shouting, " For the might of the Darkthorne clan we shall crush our foes under foot and grind bone to dust!" Prasutagus was of a line of Darkthorne called " The Necroloris" meaning with death he changed. Prasutagus would gain more power each time he died, changing forms until finally reaching a final form of evolution. The Darkthorne blood was deeply tainted with the dark races.

They could not die like mortals for their bodies were mere vessel which they used like shells. Each time they grew their shell changed to accommodate the spirit within. His army began to prepare to embark on another campaign against Blackthorne meaning to strike it's heart. With the funeral of the queen's husband there would be a chance for them to wipe their enemy out once and for all.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

The younger of the Erewyn family had made a slight mistake as he always did. Having ventured out earlier with the army against the Darkthornes he'd found himself in the middle of battle. His magic tearing through foes left and right when sir Luthor had approached him. " Sigonus we are lost, they have joined forces with the other tribes. You must escape to tell the others of this knowledge. Tell my queen I love her and that I shall not leave our men here to die alone." Sigonus ran towards Luthor, " m'lord I will not leave you here alone I can fight, we can still win this battle." Even as Sigonus said this he looked up to see his own personal elven guards being cut down by a large warlord of the Darkthornes. Syn Darkthorne the leader of the half breeds which were the tribe to the east.

Lord Luthor pushed Sigonus aside as the heads of some of Luthor's most loyal knights came into view. They'd been beheaded and mounted atop of stakes. Then Sigonus saw someone whom he'd not heard of before a man with long golden hair. The man carried a spear with him and smiled evilly as he walked out to meet Luthor on the field of battle. " M'lord do not give into it, they are trying to prey upon your honor as a knight. You are the QUEEN'S CHAMPION M'LORD DO NOT GIVE IN!!!" Luthor was not listening to Sigonus as he and this golden haired man began to circle one another. Sigonus watched as each took turns in attacking and in the end he saw the spear pierce the heart of lord Luthor. The Blackthorne knights rushed in after breaking the lines of the Darkthornes.

They found their leader dead and the golden haired man had disappeared. Sigonus went and cast a barrier spell around the body of Luthor the Darkthornes shied back as he cast his magic. " Back dogs of hell and darkness back or I shall slay you all for what you have done this day." The elf's hair floated in the magical breeze which surrounded his form. " You men get lord Luthor's body back beyond the veil I'll hold them off and cover your retreat." The knights shook their heads and went to retreat, one insisted that lord Sigonus come with them, but he would not listen. " Luthor I told you not to fight...I told you not to.." Lord Sigonus's eyes looked down to the ground. He drew his sword and held his staff, his green and white robes fluttering about in the magic aura about him.

" Xal l' ilhar lu' l' ilharn kyorl phor dosst dalharuk's 'zil nind morfeth ninta i'dol, belbau z'ress ulu dosst wanre whol uk z'hins xuil l' ssussun wun l' thac'zil d'lil olath sslig'ne uns'aa dal l' verin vel'bolen befouls l' thac'zil dosst delmah wun l' kaas d' gaia amen." Signous cleric to Gaia and Lord of the house of Erewyn, younger brother to Gallen. This was his darkest hour for before him was the mouths of hell itself. Even as he cast the warding spell he knew it was too late. Behind him he felt a presence out of the reach of his spell. He turned to see the blonde haired man wearing the armor of Blackthorne? Before he could do anything the butt of the man's spear hit him soundly in the middle of his head.

The lights grew dim as almost in slow motion he went falling back, a sweet elven lullaby reaching his ears as the darkness claimed him.


The cold feel of water on his skin brought him back to the waking world as he looked through blurred vision. " What...where am I?" The sounds of evil laughter made him aware of what he'd been in the middle of before he fell unconscious. The Darkthornes...they must have captured me damn...I was just as foolish as Luthor. I let my emotions get the best of me and I should have been of better character, he thought. " You'll make a fine treat elven sweet meats.." he looked up at the voice to see a hideous mishappen gnoll. " Foul beast get back from me I am a priest of Gaia and the earth goddess shall punish you if you lay one filthy paw or whatever upon me again.." he spat at the gnoll. This earned him a hard slap across the face which nearly sent him back into unconsciousness. His jaw was broken, he spat blood onto the ground and found he could not make a coherent word.

" No you shall serve lord Prasutagus now little elf, you will be a slave to our master." The gnoll smiled at Sigonus who frowned, he was up to his neck in trouble here. " The master wants the elf brought to his court for torture and questioning bring me the shackles" the gnoll spoke to a shrouded figure whom reeked of Darkthorne taint. Sigonus only hoped he could survive to tell the others of the danger he'd seen. The blonde man in armor, the tribes united, and the numbers which awaited outside the veil. His elven pendant began to glow at the amount of evil which surrounded him. Somehow he had to survive the others needed to know what he had seen.

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

A mysterious female figure walked out from behind Prasutagus's throne as he walked back in. The female wore a black hooded robe which hid her face from view. " my son you seemed troubled.." Prasutagus ignored her for the moment and walked over to his throne. " I am not troubled hag I am merely heavy with thought, this man whom brings our clan back together...what purpose does he do this for? I do not trust him nor do I trust anyone as you taught me to do. No one can be trusted this is the way of the Darkthornes.." Prasutagus looked to his mother whom had been a shadowy figure all his life. Never once had she revealed her face to him this made him distrust her as well. Something about her told him that she would betray him in his glory.

" I shall see what knowledge this elf has for us before I kill him..perhaps he knows of a weakness in the Blackthorne's defenses we have yet to exploit." Prasutagus leaned back in his throne and brought his hand to his chin in thought. His axes lay on his lap now as he awaited the prisoner to be brought before him and broken as all the others had. " Though perhaps I have a better plan for him. I shall infect him with the Darkthorne blood and make him my spy. I shall have him keep an eye on that blonde haired stranger." Prasutagus smiled at the thought of watching the elf fight the taint of Darkthorne as it infected him. " No my son you must not kill this elf, he is a priest to Gaia...and I sense he has some tie to your great destiny."

Prasutagus laughed loudly, " how could he help in my destiny, he will not turn on the Blackthornes as he is mother are you a fool as well as old?" At that moment something told him not to say anymore. She walked up in front of his throne and spoke beneath her hood, " I sense some great hand of fate playing in this battle, you are all pawns in fates game my son. This elf has some role to play in this and even though he may not turn on Blackthorne he will turn on your other enemy, the one you do not trust." Prasutagus realized who she spoke of the stranger from another world, perhaps the elf would have his uses then. " Then I shall leave him in your charge mother even the lowly goblins seem to fear you maybe you can keep the minions of my great army from feeding on the morrow from his bones heh"

Prasutagus had already planned out a great campaign against Blackthorne and now he plotted against his so called ally. If he could kill this man and take that spear for his own then he could unify the tribes under his rule. Then he could crush Blackthorne and move on to the other kingdoms of the realm. For now he'd entertain his mother's notion of this elf's part in his destiny, but when the elf had served his purpose he would be of no use to Prasutagus as he was.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

Sigonus was dragged by the arms from the building his was being held in. The land was covered in a smoky darkness which hid the sun's warm light. The loud sounds of a drum beat could be heard coming from what seemed every direction. Sigonus's jaw was healing, thanks to the aid of some of their healing salve. Though the pain made it hard for him to speak or even make a word he could understand. His staff was taking from him when he was capture as was his other items. Everywhere his eyes saw a bit of hell on earth, skulls heaped in piles with fires burning high above them. Bodies impaled and crucified rotting with vacant stares. Signous felt himself becoming ill at the sites he was seeing. It was like being led through the levels of the abyss by the demons who lived there.

He looked to the skull cobbled road he was being dragged upon he wished he hadn't. Just as he looked down he was dragged through a small creek of blood and guts, what looked like hair and teeth, maybe an eye or two. He lurched forward slightly and voided his stomach onto the road. The gnolls dragging him began to laugh as the elf turned slightly greenish pale. Dancing women were outside a building snakes craddled in their arms and torches burning around them. Their chant was haunting and for some reason it made him think of sexual thoughts. Though he resisted enchantment well, here in this land it seemed it was apart of the enviroment.

Already his trousers were torn at the knees where he was dragged and now his knees were bruised. Vultures hung about the scene landing here and there upon a corpse still fresh with rot. Maggots crawled all over the ground and they made a noise that the elf could hear. His skin crawled at the noise and now he wished they'd killed him rather captured him. To suffer living in a land like this was worse then death in his thoughts. Signous's eyes were wanting to roll back in his head and the darkness of sleep wanted his embrace. He struggled through this for closing one's eyes here might be the worst thing they could do.

As he was brought up through the ranks of an army he caught the gaze of many unholy creatures. They were preparing for a war on a large scale and the thoughts of Velusia came to him. Why had he let Luthor go into battle? Had he not discussed with him that it could be a trap...no he had told Luthor he'd stand by him no matter what. And now Luthor was dead and he was captured with no one knowing he'd gone off with Luthor. His hopes of rescue at this point was diminished greatly. If he could even live and escape at the sametime, the chance of forgetting this place might be possible. Though he was sure it would haunt his dreams for a good many years to come.

The thought of escape right now was set aside, it was not possible at this moment he knew. The huge castle looked more like it had one time been a temple and then added on to making it a castle. The large stained glass windows and sculptures made him even more gloomy about being dragged here. " The dark lord wants to speak with you elf, though you will no doubt be killed remember to bow before your new master or you might become lunch...mmm" the gnoll began to lick his lips. The inside of the castle was vastly different then the outside. Everything in here had been made from the bones of the dead and a lot of it was enchanted.

The pulse of magic in here was overwhelming even to an elf, it was almost like being thrown into a magical ocean. One could drown beneath the waves and never reach the surfaces. He looked up and over the archway leading into the throne room was a sculpture of a winged man with a blindfold with a sword. Sigonus figured even angels feared to tread within these dark halls. The man before his was very pale, and muscled, with a long black mane and bits and pieces of armor on his form. Two battle axes lay in his lap, to the left of the throne a shrouded figure stood. The figure almost resembled a sculpture rather then a living being.

Though could one really call a being here living and not be mistaken? Sigonus was thrown down before the throne, the harsh cold floor giving him more bruises to the ones he already had from the trip here. The action of being thrown down caused his jaw to ache more. Sigonus slowly looked up at the man on the throne, his spirit would not be broken here. Nor would he allow himself to fear death and become broken. His honor and pride were not at stake, it was his soul which was a stake and the Velusian kingdom. He owed it to Gallen and the others to be strong in this time of fear and lonliness. He wouldn't tell the Darkthorne king anything at least nothing he could use. Sigonus turned and spit at the feet of the Darkthorne king.

Here he was thrown to the wolves, he had to be strong for the kingdom.

[Tempest Rynn]

Across the sky glided a red dragon with a feamale upon its back. The deep eyes looked upon what was goingon before. Looked like something that would be better close up. Slowly the dragon came to a spot little ways from where the action was taking place. Just as it touched the ground she had leaped from it's back. She readjusted her clothes along with the blade at her side. Making sure to keep watch upon those that were in the area. For it did not take a genius to know that she was out numbered by those already there. Coming to a stop a couple feet from the man sitting before all of them.

She took a moment to look to the one that pretty much layed before him. It seemed that the man had seen better days, this day may just get worse. It had been some time since she had seen a elf for she had been staying more to herself that last few months.

As she turned her eyes back tot he one that she believed that was the king or at least leader. She feel to one knee and knelt before waiting for her turn with him. So not to look a threat she kept the her in front of her away from the hilt of her sword.

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

The task was done, yet she was unsatisfied with the results. Who did they think they were to give her such menial things to take care of? Was she not the daughter of Eseer once the mos feared of Darkthornes, deserving of more respect? Rage boiled in those dark pits as she manifested her form from the very air particles about her. The gnolls and ogres were immediately scampering about to grab various weapons at this new proposed threat as her ethereal form took on physical state. Merlindria was in no mood to deal with such...primitive beings.

Finding herself surrounded almost immediately by armed beast she merely smiled snidely as both hands lifted fingers pinching together is if she were attempting to choke the air itself. This was not her target, nay, as soon as her finger began to apply pressure to the air molecules several of the dark beasts began to choke, their mouths gaping as throats gurgled and gagged gasping for air. The unique psioncist had taken hold of the liquid molecules of their blood using it to strangle them with physical contact. Her hands suddenly whipped outwards in a symbolic toss as she used the atmosphere to pick up and hurl her obstacles from her path.

" Out of my way fools. You are no match for me. Hells..you were no match for the wench who came before me."

Upon her words and actions those left standing immediately backed away not wishing to meet thier demise at the hands of this crimson haired witch. Haughty chin lifted as she marched past them with a great amount of authority heading for the throne room that no doubt contained the presence of her cousin, Prasutagus. At the great doors she once again found her path blocked by large gruesome looking orcs.

" He is busy. None may pass."

" None?"

To this she would merely smirk once again reaching into the dark passages of her mind unlocking those nefarious abilities upon thse two whom thought to keep her from her goal. Hands would be brought before her palms thrust outwards as she shoved the air with the force of five hurricanes against their forms rocketing them backwards explosively through the double frame doors. Wooden debris would shatter into the throne room with grand display, skipping and skidding across the dark floors. As the dust cleared she would waltz in eyes ablaze with the indignance she felt at being delayed.

" Has anyone ever told you it is rude to keep your family waiting while you deal with peons?"

If the woman and elf were insulted, she cared not. After all, she had only spoken truth in the eyes of any and all Darkthornes.

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Prasutagus glared at the elf who spit at his feet in defiance of him. Raising up swiftly as the woman (Tempest) entered and knelt, he backhanded the elf again.

" Mind you I could kill you if I wish, but I have other uses for you now for one I want to know how many Blackthornes are currently residing in Lochland? What is the size of their army and how well are they prepared?"

Prasutagus looked to the woman whom entered his castle as though invited. He seemed grow in size, his pale skin growing in veins which pulsed black. A slight toss of his head and the long black mane waved about as he sat back upon his throne.

" Guards sieze her! I shall ask mine questions of her once I am through with this retched elf!"

As he said this five orc and two gnoll guards came running into the chamber approaching the woman who was kneeled before him. They'd be cautious about siezing her since they knew nothing about her. Though they would sieze her because they feared more of their ruler's anger which would be instant death. They knew he could control the earth itself to simply rise up and inprison her in it's grasp, but he was being impartial towards the woman for the sake she may be on his side, though she may not.

Either the woman was brave or stupid for the Darkthornes normally killed any whom came unannouced into their lands. However should she be a willing recruit he would not have to kill her. No he did not kill recruits for the Darkthorne legions, but she would have to prove her worth to him. Also she was an unknown factor in a game in which he needed to know the players. However on that same note she might prove useful to him as a spy.

" Longinus has not sent any word on the funeral of Luther and should he have been captured I may be in need of a spy as well as someone to reclaim the spear of destiny. I won't allow that pompous fool to run around with an item that can give me the glory of banding all the Darkthorne tribes beneath me as Eseer once did..."

Upon his mention of Eseer a disturbance at the entrance of his throne room caught his attention as Merlindria came bursting in. It was rare to see another leader so set in her ways that she didn't care whose house she walked into. Prasutagus was raging mad now as his cousin came in like she owned the place. For the sake of possible alliance Prasutagus gave a courtly smile and nod to his cousin.

" I did not expect you to visit me Merlindria...did you give any thought about ruling beside me as my queen? Or are you still so arrogant that you would deny I am the next in line to rule over our clan?"

He motioned to an empty area next to his throne which could be her's should she ever accept his offer.

" Our two houses united would make a fearsome combination..don't you agree. After all my legion are the soldiers which your ancester Eseer led across the lands conqurering all in his way."

Prasutagus leaned back in his throne and laid his hands upon his battle axes should the stranger decide to attack him, he was ready. The glint of madness lightly hinting in his eyes as he smiled to his cousin.

[Tempest Rynn]

She watched the man on his knees be dealt with as she waited to speak withthe leader. Only to hear people called to deal with her, only to look behind her. As they closed in on her she stood up and looked to their ugly faces. She did not want their slimey hand on her but there was little choice. Gritting her teeth she let them do what they what was told of them. Glancing back at them out the corner of her eye she spoke to them under her breath.

"If it were not for the fact that I wish to speak to your leader you all would be dead. "

She stood there and watched what was going on between the two men. It did not seem to be going well for the elf. Only to turn her head quickly as she heard someone come through the door behind them. Looked as if her time there was going to get even more interesting before it was her time to talk. She gave the elf a smirk as she imagined what was to come for him.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

Sigonus reeled in pain once more from the swift blow to his face by the tryant Prasutagus. Anymore and he'd more then likely fall unconscious which would make him as good as dead. The dark hooded figure beside Prasutagus's throne continued to catch Sigonus's eyes. As the stranger who'd come in was held in captivity by Prasutagus's men, Sigonus looked for some form of escape. Nothing, he'd have to wait his time here until the opportunity presented itself to him. The noble elf peered over to his left as the female Darkthorne made her entrance. Though the noise of her entrance was enough to make Sigonus wonder as to her intentions. When she called him a peon he felt even more worse for wear.

They were all insane he was sure of it, for this was madness. The elf had one reply for Prasutagus, " You'll get nothing from me..." he knew this may serve as his death warrant, but oh well. The elf would not be broken for the amusement of some mad self proclaimed king. Nor would he suffer the slings and arrows of being insulted as well. Sigonus gave a hateful glance to both Prasutagus and Merlindria. They could both go to hell for what is was worth, he would not sell his soul to these devils out of fear. The elf could only hope he escaped soon or he would go mad from the depths of insanity which floated like air within this place. The darkness was only now becoming clear to Sigonus.

[Tempest Rynn]

Dropping her eyes to the ground out of respect of the leader of the place. She took a deep breath and let out the words that she had.

"I do not mean to interupt your majesty but he may need worse punishment to get those words you want. Maybe he needs some of his blood spilled so that ne knows that you are serious. For he seems to take you for a jokester. If you like I would be glad to spill some of his blood so that your hands are free to better work. "

She stood there her eyes upon the leader in hopes of proving herself to him. By what she saw could tell he was a great man not to be fooled with.

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

A dark smile slithered across her lips as he bestowed upon a gruesome facade of courlty manners and affection. It was always amusing these games they played. She knew well he would be angry with her for merely walking in unannounced but she cared not, after all who here would stop her? she could feel the laughter bubbling up inside like a demon trying to crawl out. Slowly her lips curled into a cruel smirk as her gaze cast itself casually over the form of the kneeling elf and the wench who had madeher presence known there.

" Tch. Now now cousin, we both know that you did not mean rule 'beside' you. It is not in your nature to share power, nor is it in mine. Though...the thought is amusing enough to ponder upon. After all if we wre to unite who could stand against us? That bufoon who fancies himself like my father thinks he has our loyalty. Frankly I tire of such--"

Her words were cut short at the words of the maiden who dared to interrupt her. Immediately those fathomless poosl narrowed pinning her with a venomous gaze as she hissed stalking forward.

" How DARE you interrupt me when I am speaking you vile excuse of mortal flesh! I will have the skin peeled from your skeleton and stretched to make a new tapestry upon my walls!"

As she lifted her hands with thoughts of ending the bitch's existence, common courtesy actually managed to stop her as another thought crossed that nefarious mind. Turning that onyx gaze back to Prasutagus she grinned in a way that could make most people's blood run cold with morbid fear.

" I say Prasutagus...I have changed my mind about that marriage. But I have conditions. One I want your blood oath I will rule beside you as your equal. Two...should we...produce an heir They would gain control of both of our clans upon our..demise. Three..I demand a wedding present", sliding her gaze slyly over the form of the woman," Befitting of one of my station."

Turning her gaze back to him a knowing grin lit upon her suddenly soft and alluring features.

" So what say you?"

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Prasutagus leaned forward as Merlindria raised a hand. Would she? He thought to himself now becoming excited at the thrill of watching her slay the woman. When she stayed her hand he leaned back disappointed. When Merlindria turned back to him and spoke he listened. A blood oath...of all the things she could ask for. Perhaps he could get her to look past the blood oath. And when she spoke of ruling as his equal he smiled for she was indeed an equal in evil. Had anyone else said that word he would have laughed at them.

An heir to the future throne, ahhh such a powerful being he would be. If they produced one successfully then it would be a sight to see. When she spoke of a wedding present and looked to the woman he almost stood up. A large toothy smile produced across his lips. A hand went to his mouth as the thoughts rolled around fermenting.

" Ahhh " he slapped his hands together rubbing them eagerly, " the woman is yours Merlindria, I was going to have her imprisoned and corrupted to the point of being another grunt in my army, but I can think of more interesting things you would do with her. Her dragon however will be mine once it meets my black dragons." Prasutagus smiled another toothy grin at the thoughts of adding another dragon to his army. The ones which he had now hid themselves above the cloud cover awaiting his command. The clouds forced anything else to fly low which was the point. " As for this blood oath...must we Merlindria?" he gave a pleading face." Do you not...trust me Merlindria? I'm shocked I thought we were so close you and I..."

Prasutagus raised his hand up forcing the very molecules within the earthen stone floor to react. Besides him rose a throne made for a queen, with skulls and a giant hand as the seat. He spoke a single word summoning the tainted earth elemental which he'd bound to his lands. A large golem like creature rose up from the floor the rocks falling upward as it assembled itself. " Dakkon here can do the honors my soon to be queen. Guards fetch me my good clothes...we have a wedding to get underway.." He slammed down a mighty fist causing the ground to shake slightly.

" Matron send out letters to the other two house leaders I want them here to witness two great houses marrying maybe then they'll recognize me as being fit to lead our great clan into glory." As was custom he was required to present her with a head as a present to wish her a long life. Prasutagus looked around, looking down to the elf he narrowed his eyes. If only he did not still serve a purpose, Prasutagus turned then to his mother and smiled. He stood up holding his axes in each hand. " Motherrr...my dear dear sweet mother..." Just then she vanished as if knowing his thoughts, Prasutagus raised his axes up and yelled, " OOOHhhh come on you old hag you've lived long enough...besides I doubt you would have missed your head very much..."

Prasutagus gave a disappointed look, " Oh well the hell with tradition, we'll make a new tradition haha..."

[Tempest Rynn]

Her heart races her what he said to the lady that had walked in. Thought of another laying their hands on her dragon angered her. She would have to try and keep him from taking the dragon from her. That ment that she wol dhave to do all she could to stay alive. At this moment she was not all sure who held her life in their hands.  If any were to die at this moment it wold be the elf for she had plans to fulfill. Best thing to do at this moment was wach and learn form what was said and go form there. At this time she sided with the leader for at least then she would be alive. After she knew that her sister was dead then all did not matter much.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

These things were definately out of their minds, if they had ever been in them to begin with. Sigonus thought of the offspring of the two Darkthornes and began to feel sick again. But he noticed that Prasutagus was now distracted, Sigonus looked each and everyway. Finally he spotted with his keen sight what appeared to be a hidden door just through the exit behind the throne. He took in more of the dark corridor finally spotting a rather odd looking stone. Perfect, he could make his escape, go back to Blackthorne and warn them. And by Gaia there would be hell to pay once the Blackthornes heard of the treachery and murderous plots here. Sigonus rose to his feet slowly whil Prasutagus kept his eyes on the female Darkthorne.

Almost stopping to think about saving the woman whom had entered into all this. However she seemed just as deadly as these Darkthornes and he wanted to live. He doubted she'd die since in this land death was only a portal for a new life. If she'd come to join the Darkthornes then she probably would be either by choice or force. Well can't save every soul, not when they'd kill you when your back was turned anyway. Jumping forward into a fast run, he made it through the corridor just as they noticed. Before they could call in more guards to get him however he was gone. Having kicked the rock with his foot and jumped behind the spinning wall.

Turning around he almost jumped out of his skin, a statue of a face stared at him. The statue had an enscription just below which he read, " all hail Reese Darkthorne, master of us all". The secret tunnel was in some disuse, with cobwebs and dust from wall to wall. Sigonus made his way into the tunnel hoping to find something to remove his retraints with. As he went deeper the tunnel become more elaborate. It finally ended in a well decorated room, in the center of the room there was a tomb, which looked out of place. It looked to have been moved there by someone, walking over to it he noticed the image of a beautiful woman carved on the lid.

There was another enscription on this that said, " rest well Malmora and awake to seek the revenge you wanted in life." Now he was getting somewhere, Malmora was a evil witch which took over the Darkthornes at the expense of the other leaders and then set about working with Mythocles to strengthen their rule over Blackthorne. However she killed Mythocles in the end, only to die herself yet again. Sigonus looked about and suddenly jumped yelping, there was that hooded figure standing in front of him. The purple female hands reached up and drew back the hood to reveal an image resembling that on the tomb. It was Malmora, she was still alive and that meant...Sigonus's jaw ached as he tried to speak. Malmora lifted a hand to his jaw, he went to pull away, but felt a soothing healing magic courses into his face.

" wh..what are you doing foul witch?" but before he could say anymore she  waved a hand revealing a secret doorway to his right behind a large picture of Reese. There was a new tunnel full of crystal balls, at the end of it was a man with an iron mask chained to the wall. At the entrace of this tunnel was a reflectin pool which had a thin layer of fog over it. Sigonus was urged by her to walk towards it. So he did even though he was regreting every step. When he looked down into the pool he could see images passing before him. They seemed to be images of the future, he saw the queen, the darkthornes, blackthornes, some other people whom he wasn't sure who they were. It showed a grim and deadly future for everyone with the Darkthornes winning finally.

However it was not Malmora who rose over the Darkthornes....it was...no he thought was the impossible she wouldn't. Sigonus looked to Malmore who nodded with a dark smile. " There is a way for you to take leadership here elf, the armor over there was that of Manece, the sword that of Diago, those robes were mine, the ring that of Smog, and the crown was Eseer's. However they were all tied to a greater power which none of them even knew, if you can take the other ring you can be a Darkthorne without becoming a Darkthorne. The ring was that of Reese and it shielded one from the effects of the taint and embrace allowing one to retain their former self." Sigonus looked to her confused, why was she telling him this, he didn't want to become a Darkthorne.

He was about to refuse when suddenly something struck him from behind. A tall mummy stood there in armor with a now bloody club in it's hand, it looked to Malmora and went to one knee. " Dress him in the wondermants I shall have my new chosen one for my new era of dominance. He will be easier to control without the taint running through his blood...with him I shall overthrow that brat of a son of mine, by challenge. He will have to answer the challenge for the elf will hold the sacred items of the leaders. And so the rule here shall be torn and they will have to compete for it, while they do this I shall undermine the others and bring the clans under my rule. Now do as I said slave!" Malmora pointed a thin finger towards the elf who lay unconscious upon the floor.

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

A sadistic smile twisted that decievingly beautiful visage as he offered her the woman as a wedding gift. Dark pleasures coursed through that frame at the thoughts of the things she would do to this female, forvering contorting her mind, tainting her spirit and poisoning the very blood that ran in her veins. She would be her greatest prize..her puppet to be controlled in whatever fashion she wished. Her thoughts were interrupted by the next words of Prasutagus.

"As for this blood oath...must we Merlindria? Do you not...trust me Merlindria? I'm shocked I thought we were so close you and I..."

To this she would outright laugh the sound lilting, inticing even as she shook her head and waltzed up to the edge of the throne laying both hands on either side of him fingers curling into the throne arms. Slowly that head would cock to one sides as her gaze raked over his form a dark sensualism evident in those glittering orbs as they trailed from his feet alllllll the way up to his handsome face.

" Do you honestly think me fool enough to agree to marry you without a blood oath? Close? We are as close as a serpent is with an eagle who has it in its clutches. The blood oath is part of the bargain..let us call it an absolute insurance that you can not betray me in ~any~ fashion nor could I betray you. It goes both ways my dear. Now...do we have an arrangement..or shall we go to war over such a trivial matter?"

She backed away her hands demurely folding together before her to rest at the junction of her thighs as she awaited his response only to find him more excied at the prospect of giving her a traditional gift for thier wedding day. The head of another. It was with great amusement that she listen to his voice take on that sing song tone as he called for his mother. It was with even greater pleasure that she watched the woman vanish as he threw a tantrum about the ordeal.

Chuckling she murmured in seductively evil purr.

" Seems you are losing your touch. Perhaps you need my at your side more than previously thought."

Casting a glance back at the woman and to where the elf had been she grinned turning back to him.

" Much more than previously thought. Seems your prisoner has slipped your grasp along with that of your mother."