Nothern Shadows

[Arcane]

"Kilden"

Kilden looked up from his walking and saw that it was Gylderon who called his name.

"Aye? What be it?"

"Kilden, this group will not win if we still bicker amongst one another...had Gilthanas surv...if he survived, I would have put aside MY differences with him and....well, Right now I propose to you a truce, at least. You are a man of word and I am not, but for the sake of the group...I shall become one. Do ye accept my treaty?"

Kilden looked at Gylderon as if seeing him for the first time....

The forest began to thin.

[Rail]

Loss!

The feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach as solidly as the creature's blade would have. Sedge continued to place one foot in front of the other as he led the group further from the gorge. Further from the creature. Further from his friends, or their bodies.

He felt hollow inside. Empty.

He saw before him scenes from the past. Gilthanas stood next to the campfire, animated and laughing as he told a wild story, a rare moment where bit too much of Sedge's wine had cut loose his inhibitions.

Anduin stood among a crowd of kobolds, one clinging desperately to his shield, but the bright young warrior continued to plow forward toward the evil priest of Bane. He didn't even seem to slow down. Such was his intensity and focus.

Gilthanas, in a blur of motion, blocked the verbeeg weapon as it descended upon a dazed Sedge. The half-elf moved with a speed and grace Sedge had never seen before. Nor since. He was confident and strong. Unbeatable, in Sedge's eyes. Invincible!

Anduin stood before the group, tears streaming down his face as he stoically pulled everyone together after the loss of their friend. And more. The veteran warrior was the first to pick himself up and convince the rest to carry on the fight, though the will had fled with their friend's spirit. He was a leader in all respects.

Was! The past tense of his thoughts rocked the old mage. He was empty, the the vacant feeling in his soul began to fill. First with sorrow and bitter loss.

Then with anger.

It was equally as bitter as the loss, but seemed to drive the cold from him like an inner fire. It was a rage the old brewer had never felt before all at once, but an anger that

Anger at Jenna for leaving him for another man. Anger at himself for giving up his life in pursuit of a woman who never loved him.

Anger at the years lost to the drink he now produced for others. Anger at giving up the magic he'd once loved as much as life itself.

Anger toward the helplessness he'd felt when they lost one of their own, one they'd all loved but refused to admit it to eachother.

Anger at the injustice of this creature, marauding through this forest..., Sedge's homeland! Killing those Sedge only knew by acquaintance. Killing those Sedge loved dearly. Killing those who Sedge thought could be bested!

The old wizard began to quicken his pace, eager to reach Clan Battlehammer. Eager for his next encounter with the creature. He began to feel the pulse of the magic around him once again, flowing naturally throughout the world as the heartbeat of life itself. Thoughts and images of magic and metamagic returned to him mind, thoughts he'd long forgotten in the bottom of his mug and the blissful tedium of everyday life.

He became aware of Kilden walking next to him, talking of the loss they all felt. He tried to tell him he needed a few moments of time and space, but the anger got in the way of his words. He hoped the young warrior would forgive him, the the mage did not look back. His eyes fixed steadily on the rocky path before them as it slowly began to slope upwards toward the Spine of the World.

He had little fear of surprise attack from the creature at this point. For some reason, Sedge knew they were in no danger, though the remaining forest and animals were unusually calm or absent. Perhaps it's in reverence at the loss of life, reflected Sedge bitterly; no emotion other than simmering anger touched his thoughts. His instincts said they were safe, if only for the moment, and in his current condition, he listened unquestioningly to those instincts where he would normally doubt.

Clan Battlehammer, thought the wizard. And if they refuse to help, we'll do this ourselves. Just how, precisely, Sedge did not know, but he was certain they would find a way. He had avoided the thought of death for the entirety of the journey, and now it stared him straight in the face. He was determined to stare back! Grim and focused, Sedge led the others out of the forest graveyard.

[Nippy]

"For a man hidden in so many shadows, you seem to be shedding a lot of light all of a sudden!"

Kilden looked at Gylderon with a slight smirk, but then smiled.

"Agreed. If we are to work as a unit we must act like one..."

Kilden put out his hand and grasped the forearm of the Elf tightly, the Elf returned the grasp and smiled back.

[Arcane]

That night, Durwyn and Vren took the watch. Gylderon was half-asleep in his bed roll. Sedge was studying his spells. Gylderon noticed something about the old man. His eyes were fiercer than ever, as if the flame of magic that was quieted for several years was reawoken with zeal. Kilden was sharpening his blades. Casan was absentmindedly stroking Lucky.

No one was getting any sleep

Gylderon finally passed into a deep slumber.

...he was standing on the roof, crossbow in hand, as Ferin Darknife left the building. Gylderon looked at the leader and smiled. Everything was going to plan and he was going to get his pay. Aiming his crossbow for the man's neck, Gylderon pulled the trigger and fired it....nowhere

Gylderon awoke with a start and laid his head back down. He took several deep breathes and fell into sleep again....

...he awoke and found he was hanging off a tree! He was in extraordinary pain and noticed that there was blood on the ground....his blood. The creature was nowhere in sight. Gylderon's whole torso was in pain. His legs were numb from being hanged upside down and his head was beginning to fill with a dark red haze...he panicked and attempted to hoist himself up. No use...he saw a shadow apprach him and swing a metal pole. His head clattered onto the ground and his eyes looked up at his body...his own headless body!

Gylderon woke again, sweating. He looked about and saw that everyone, exept Durn and Vren were asleep. "What if they never found me?" he thought. "What if....what if..."

What if he had joined the battle on the gorge, would it have made any difference?.....

The two warriors looked up and saw a shadow leaping from the rock face, two daggers in hand. The beast looked up to and stopped fighting. Gylderon landed with a yell of pure victory as his daggers plunged into the creatures back, mortally wounding it. Anduin and Gilthanas tore of its head with their weapons. In it's death throes, the creature tore the assasin of his back and tossed him like the ragdoll...it was dying but it wont die without killing the one who killed him. Gylderon was tossed over the edge and fell. Anduin and Gilthanas looked over the edge and yelled "Use your rope!" but their yells were becoming less hearable and they were becoming less visible....

He hit the ground and awoke with a start, sweating and on the verge of screaming. He took a few moments to put himself together and walked over to the Half-Orc. "Tell Vren your shift is over...."

Durwyn looked as if he was going to ask but Gylderon shut him up with a look. "Don't ask why....please Durwyn..."

[Craig]

@Rail:I wanted to go on the guilt trip!

A silent tear slid down Vrens face, still it was heard, and it was as silent as the impossibility of the world! The tears were vanquished though, vanquished by the heart felt sorrow for Anduin and Gilthanas, how many more friends would die? Durn? Casan? He had lost his foster-brother, now Anduin and Gilthanas, how many more!

For now, he would have to settle for a bitter, shallow pool of self-pity, loss and anger. How it burned! It bubble the imaginary pool, evaporating the emotionary lake! He nearly choked on those fumes; “The creature must die.” He said solemnly, heart-felty and over all, coldly.

[Aegis]

The wind had picked up as the group worked their way up the mountain trails. They had long since quieted their good nature, knowing that the battle would begin all to soon. Saulon had suggested that they make one last brief rest before going into combat witht he orc tribe. The others had agreed completly. The trails were a difficult trek, and they would need to be fresh, and ready for battle. They had all agreed that once they determined the location of the orc tribe, they would find a place out of the way, and rest for an hour or two. They had been in luck. They found the camp easily, and from a high vantage point. Sedge mapped out the camp easily, his sharp mind already finding a good point to enter and begin their job. Sedge was always good with things like that. Anduin chuckled to himself. Even Gilthanas had nodded in approval of Sedge's plan.

"So," started Sedge, "We'll go in through the south, behind what appeares to be their *ahem* lavatories. They probably won't expect anything to come from that direction."

Anduin nodded, and drew a line in the sand, showing that they should procede to the centre quickly, and try and find the chief. "If we can take him out early on, we can possibly send them into a frenzy." He tilted his head Saulon, as if checking to see if he approved. The man nodded.

"Sounds good." Saulon responded.

"It seems we'll be on our way home before sun down." Gilthanas chimed in, a smile adorning his face. "All the better, as I have no wish to stay in these mountains when it becomes cold." he smiled brightly.

Anduin grinned. "Alright then. We can rest under that outcropping over there." He pointed down the trail a bit to the outcropping. It was nothing more than a bit of the mountain jutting out, and providing slight cover from the elements. Nothing special, but was perfect for a brief rest. "After a bit of time, we'll go to attack them."

All of them nodded, and stood up from the cliff edge, and began to walk towards the outcropping. Kis'thana stayed behind, still looking over the edge. She wore a dark expression on her face. Anduin turned back, and walked close to her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. Her body felt colder then usual. Probably from the winds, thought the warrior. She turned his face to meet his. Her delicate elven features shown through the dismal surroundings, even with the brooding look she wore.

"What is it?" Anduin asked, concerned for her.

"I'm... I'm not sure." she responded fervently. "Something about this doesn't sit right with me." She glanced back over the edge, and towards the bustling activity of the camp below. She then turned back to Anduin. "Promise me something." Anduin nodded. "Promise me we'll go home, and we'll take a vacation to Silverymoon."

Anduin smirked, and nodded. "Of course." He steped up beside her, and began to lead her away from the edge. "When we get back, we'll both take a long vacation, and visit Silverymoon. Who knows, maybe we'll even see Alustirel." He smirked again, and Kis'thana smiled. She leant over, and gave him a breif kiss on the cheek.

She suddenly recalled, and moched a disgusted look. Anduin quirked his eyebrow. "What?"

"Your face. I've never done that when who had facial hair. Not sure I like it." she smirked playfully. "You, good sir, will have to shave before we do anything." She laughed, as did Anduin. The two continued to walk to join the group, who was already waiting for them under the outcropping.

Gilthanas sat in the shade, his face masked by the shade. No one saw the frown that now adorned his face as he watched the two rejoin them...

[Magus]

What did she see in Anduin? He couldn’t understand. He was alright, as humans went. Gilthanas had even come to respect him. But he was still...human. A short-lived flame that would dwindle and die. He had heard many such stories, of pairings between humans and elves. They always ended in tragedy. He just wanted the best for her...

No, that wasn’t it. It was a lie, and he knew it. Deep down, he wanted Kis’thana for himself. Her boisterous charm, graceful movements, soft teasing voice...she was the only woman he’d felt this way about since then...

His mind drifted back to earlier times, back when he was amongst the wild elves. The memories were difficult to recall, and curiously faded, though the pain still endured. He sighed. It had been like that for a while now. Memories just seemed to come and go nowadays. The price of adventuring, perhaps...?

He glanced at Kis’thana as they prepared to storm the camp. What did Anduin have that he didn’t? Looks? Strength? Charm? He didn’t understand.

He forcefully pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as he prepared for the battle ahead. It was time to focus on the task at hand. A single distraction could spell his end. Feeling eyes on him, he turned to Sedge, who gazed at him curiously. Was it...pity? Gilthanas frowned in puzzlement as he looked away. What’s wrong with him? he thought before clearing his mind, his hand grazing the hilt of his weapon out of habit. He glanced at Anduin and nodded. It was now or never.

[Arcane]

In the morning, Gylderon silently went through his sack and prepared a meal of elven Galdre, meat marinated in elven wine and what was left of his own Blue Bells. An hour later, the group was up eating their breakfast. Sedgemon motioned Gylderon over. "This is almost as good as..." "You do not need to tell me Sedge, if it hurts too much. Should you wish to know, its beef marinated in elven wine." "It is delicious..." Sedge answered. Kilden,this time, was oiling his platemail. Vren was whetting his falchion, Casan his blades and Durwyn was adding extra spikes to his already formidable shield. Gylderon walked over to them and said "Dont tell me you are going to fast until that creature dies..." They all looked up and grinned. Sheathing their weapons, they walked over to the pot of Galdre.

Half an hour later, everything had been cleaned and packed. Gylderon re-entered the camp. "I noticed three dwarves standing guard to an entrance into a rock face about 3 miles away." Sedge nodded. "They have to be of Battlehammer, there are no other dwarf clans this far south of the Spine." Sedge said. The young ones all nodded and stood.

"So the journey continues..."

[Rob-hin]

Casan looked up to the sky. There were only a few clouds and it looked like it was going to be a nice day, yet he didn’t feel any better.

Gylderon and Sedge go into a conversation; apparently Clan Battlehammer was only 3 miles away. It was time to set of again, everybody walked a bit slower then they normally did. The death of Anduin and Gilthanas weighed heavy on their shoulders.

Casan decided focused on Lucky, perhaps he could teach him a few tricks. Lucky did already listen to Casan very well. And he understood what Casan wanted him to do most of the times, so training him shouldn’t be a problem. What to teach him was something else; Lucky already knew how to scout ahead and to stay out of trouble. “Perhaps I can teach him to get things for me… my darts perhaps after I used them.”

He thought about it for a while, and considered talking to somebody about it. To see if they have any ideas, but not now; this is not the time nor the place.

They made there way up to the three dwarves. “Halt, who goes there… friends or foes?” The dwarves were alert as ever.

“Friends” Casan replied. “Friends…”

[Durwyn]

Halt, who goes there, friends or foes? said some dwarven setries

"friends, friends" replied Casan

Durn really thought that was a silly question to ask, if they were foes, they would have attacked already. But he remained silent wondering what there reaction to him be.

One of the dwarves, a younger one, scowled and leapt foward, axe in hand. "It's a blasted half-orc" he yelled and probaly would have cleaved Durn's head off his body if an older dwarf pushed him aside and said "keep your place, trainee" he snarled and then asked Durn "give me a good reason why I should trust you and let you enter." Durn replied "We are here because there is a creature attacking Bren Shayr. We are unsure of it's motives but it is very powerful. Our leader..." Durn choked up for a minute but resumed "Anduin, thought the mines here had something to do with the creature, though, I at least, are unsure why he thought that. Unfoutaly, we think that he is dead. But we continue our mission." The older dwarf looked at him and replied "I'll bring you to our king and let him decide what to make of this."

[Aegis]

"Ach! Can't ye go fer one patrol without moaning about your stomach?" A surly dwarf spat towards the ground, then crudly wiped his mouth with the dirty cuff od his sleeze. He hoisted his heavy axe up, and onto his shoulder, and looked to his partner, his bushy black beard almost getting caught in the fine chain links of his armour.

"Aye, I could if it weren't fer yer way o' hiking." The younger dwarf, a bit shorter, and with flaming red hair. This one had a vicious looking hammer in his hands, and he patted one end of it against his palm. He snorted, and spat out the substance. "Ain't no dwarf I'e ever seen so interested in these damn mountain plants." The red hair'd dwarf chuckled, while the older one muttered, and turned his back.

"What'ere... Ye blasted gnome." The older dwarf shuffled a few steps forward, then stopped again, squinting into the distance. "Now what in th' abyss is that?" HE suddenly broke into an awkward sprint, his twin stubby legs pumping wildly.

"What?" the belwildered red haird dwarf called after him, not sure what to do. "What is it?" He sighed, and shook his head, the broke out into his own run.

*****

The attack went well. They hadn't any trouble breaking past the latrines the orcs were using, and the intial defences were crude, at best. Anduin hefted his sword, and swung in a deadly arc, cleaving the arm of an attacking orc off the rest of the vile body. Bits of it's blood splashed out, and the limb was soon laying in a pool of liquid. His attack didn't stop, though. He continued with the momentum of the swing, and brought the weapon around, embedding into the deep barrelled chest of another orc, one of which was trying to sneak up on the warrior. Anduin pressed his foot against the orc, and kicked it off, freeing his weapon.

He glanced to the side, and smirked as he saw a large pile of dead orcs begining to form around the combination of Sedge and Gilthanas. the two made an awesome pairing. Sedge's finger tips glittered with magical energy, and Gilthanas blade shone with an intense fury. Anduin sparred a moment, and watched as a bright flash erupted from Sedge's hand, and a jarring bolt of energy flashed forward, cracking the air, and blasting into a pair of orcs. He watched as Gilthanas made one swift attack, and two orc heads seemed to roll of effortlessly from their shoulders.

Anduin's attention was snapped back to the battle as another orc approached from the side, a nasty looking spiked club bared straight for the humans head. Anduin reacted quickly, punching out with his left hand, slamming his fist into the orcs jaw. He followed through with a strong jab of his sword through the orcs abdomen. The orc gurgled, and slid to the ground, but Anduin was no longer there to watch. He had already sprinted off to meet the next challenge.

Saulon, though away from the thick of the fighting, was still fighting hard. He had volunteered to attack the three biggest orcs, hoping to keep them from the main fighting, as orcs have a tendency to gain courage around their larger comrades. Already two of them lay dead at his feet, and a third was joining them. Saulon cleaved the last orcs head from it's shoulders, and sprinted forth to meet Anduin, and Kis'thana in the centre of the camp.

The tribe had already thinned out, most of the orcs were dead, or fleeing from the scene. Anduin, Kis'thana and Saulon held firm in the centre, striking out occasionally at the wayward orcs, waiting for Sedge and Gilthanas to join them. When the other two had finally reached them, the turned to the passage in which the orcs were fleeing. Something wasn't right though. Many of them remained at the mouth of the trail, trembling, but standing their ground.

The orc cheiftan then appeared from the thick of greenskins. His face was covered in bright blue war paint, and a large feather stuck out of a head band. In his right hand, a large battered war axe was held tightly. In the other, a massive spiked club. He took a few steps forward.

"Youse humies!" It's voice was harsh, and gutteral, barely comprehensible. "Youse humies tink dat youse so strong and noble! Weese gots a surpris fer youse..." It grinned wildly, baring a mouth full of missing teeth.

Anduin quirked his eyebrow, and glanced to Sedge, who just shrugged. Suddenly, the five of them knew. the ground began to shake a bit, then stop, then again. Then three massive forms rounded the trial, and stopped behind the cheiftan. The three Verbeeg stood towering over the orcs, all menacing, and all hungry...

[Rail]

"I'm sure you know of Anduin, sir dwarf." Sedge's voice was quiet but full of emotion as he walked after the dwarf guards. "His death brings us all great sorrow, but we must continue what he started. It is of great importance."

"Aye," the dwarf glanced back at the wizard with downcast eyes. "If his demise be true, then it is a great loss to us all."

The heavy footfalls fell in time with the thumping of Sedge's staff as it hit the intricately laid flagstoned of the passage floor. Sedge was surprised as the shaft went further in the mountain that the air grew warmer, not cooler as he would have expected. The ceilings were easily four times the height of the tallest dwarf, and Sedge wondered if he would even be able to jump and reach it. Not at all what he's expected from dwarven homes. But perhaps he should have expected as much from the fabled Clan Battlehammer halls.

He noted the stone walls were hewn with such skill that it looked as if water had once flown through this tunnel and created the passage, though the corners were unnaturally square. Surely there must be a seam somewhere!

They were startled to see large steel doors looming up in the distance with squad of dwarven warriors barring the way. The doors were at least a hand's width thick and on hinges with no apparent mechanism to open and close them The dwarven guards kept the crossbows at the ready, though they seemed somewhat relaxed at the two dwarves leading the way. Sedge could see a chamber beyond the doors, but could not make out what lay ahead. He figured they had to be quite a distance still from the throneroom.

"Who're the humans?" The dwarf's voice was gruff and sharp. He clearly didn't trust the company.

"They need to see the king. They say it has to do with some creature plaguing Bryn Shander."

"Bah," the dwarf scoffed and spat on the groung in front of him.

"They also claim to bring news of the death of the warrior Anduin of Hoegsta Pass."

The captain's eyes widened at the name and seemed to reconsider. He marched forward and began to inspect the strange assembly of men before him, one by one as if weighing each in his own mind.

Sedge frowned at the mention of the past. Well, that brought up memories, he thought, and the memories were still too soon after his friend's... murder. He stuffed the old thoughts back into his mind and concentrated on the events at hand.

The dwarven captain apparently decided they were worthy of the request, though not by much, judging from the scowl. "Fine, you may enter with escort, but your weapons will be carried by one of my men." He stopped in front of Gylderon and Casan. "All your weapons!"

Gyldorn... that was his name, wasn't it...began to protest, but Kilden interrupted. "Of course, good sir," he nodded nodded and began to unbelt his sword. "As would only be expected when going into the court of a king." Sedge watched as some of the others unbuckled scabbards and laid weapons on the floor before them.

The captain turned to the old mage. "That includes you, wizard!" He motioned with his axe at the mage's staff.

"Wha..., this old thi..." He cut off his thought as the dwarf's face lowered to a deeper scowl, something Sedge hadn't thought possible only a moment before. The wizard nodded and laid the sturdy staff at his feet and waited for the rest to follow suit.

[Rob-hin]

"I'll bring you to our king and let him decide what to make of this."
With these words, the dwarf escorted the group to the entrance. As the rest of the group walked inside, Casan stopped.

Underground… I hate to go underground. He looked into the shaft and a shiver went up his spine. He had never gone underground and there was something that kept him from taking that first step. It was as if his feet didn’t listen to him anymore.

“Will ye be entering yes or no?” It was the younger dwarf, who stirred Casan from his thoughts. “I’m not sure.”

Come on, pull yourself together! If you really want to do your part in this group, you’ll start walking now!

“Alright, I’m going…” So, he started walking, still escorted by the dwarf. “Hurry human, if ye want to catch up with your comrades you’ll have to walk faster then this!”

Soon after, they found the rest of the group. A dwarven captain was inspecting the group; he looked a bit surprised about the latecomer. "Fine, you may enter with escort, but your weapons will be carried by one of my men." He stopped in front of Gylderon and Casan. "All your weapons!"

After handing over his quarterstaff to one of the dwarves; Casan unbuckled his holster with a simple strap on his back. It was a simple yet very strange holster. His twin swords were pressed against his waist, one on the left and one on the right. He started emptying the pockets of his long jacket and handed several darts to the same dwarf.

“You carry around a lot of weapons, are you sure you gave me everything?” The dwarf looked at him suspiciously raising one eyebrow, trying to make out Casans intentions. “Yes good sir, I assure you this is all.” Satisfied with this answer, and the dwarf walked over to the rest of the group to collect their weapons.

“Where were you?” Gylderon asked, he noticed the frown on Casans face. “You don’t look so well, are you alright?”

Casn took a deep breath, trying to calm his nervous a bit. It didn’t work. “Yes, I’m fine thanks. It’s just… these caves. I don’t know… never mind me. I’ll pull myself together.”

[Durwyn]

Durn drew off his mace and also gave the dwarf his throwing axes. They looked at him with suspicion but didn't do anything. Durn looked at Casan, who had a lot of weapons on him. "Your shield" the dwarf said, jolting him out of his thoughts. "of course" Durn replied, taking off his spiked shield and putting it on the ground. He waited for the rest of the group to finsh giving him their weapons.

[Arcane]

Gylderon unbuckled his long sword from his waist, his crossbow from his back and his bolts on his hips.

"His daggers are in his boots..." Kilden thought. Gylderon stood while the dwarves frisked him with a dirty look on his face. "I eva tell ye 'bout the time this here elf lass came up to me at the Bri Shanda' bar?" Gylderon smiled and said "Did she regret it or enjoy it?" the dwarf stopped, looked at him and grinned "Ah! Ye elves arent as tight arsed as I thought! 'Course she enjoyed it!" Gylderon grinned and nodded "Am I done?" "Aye..." the dwarf backed off and let the other two dwarves who led them up front.

They forgot about my wrist darts and the daggers in my boots...although they might come in handy if...

Gylderon nodded and tossed the dwarf who frisked him a sack of gold. The dwarf stared at him and grinned. "Thanks prissy!" he walked back to his post with the sack. Gylderon nodded. Turning to Casan he asked "Where were you? Are you alright?"

Casan took a deep breath, trying to calm his nervous a bit. It didn’t work. “Yes, I’m fine thanks. It’s just… these caves. I don’t know… never mind me. I’ll pull myself together.”

Gylderon unhitched a bottle wrapped in leather and handed it to Casan "Dab your lips..." Casan did and handed the flask back to Gylderon. Gylderon looked around and shivered....

"That makes two of us Casan."