[sardanapal]

*Next sections are guild and friends related*

Chapter 7 : Riverfall

Story 1 : Tulips and blood

Ramanli was on the road for two full moons now.He had passen through various settlements with hopes of befriending warriors and making a new family of hope and struggle.Things though didnt actually flowed in the river of trust and quickly he met one dissapointment after the other.
Kalanthes letter was ofcource a valuable asset at his grip but that wasnt enough to grand him a friendly entrance through the growing distrust of these days that was blossoming like a venomous plant and enveloping villages , settlements , chiefs and commoners.
His horse eventually brought his shadow in front of his fifth chance.The settlement in front of him was called Riverfall and housed the guild that was called Blood Dawn.He remembered vaquely seeing some members of the guild in the market street of Old Tarantia although he hadnt exchange words or looks at the time.The history of this guild was again unknown to him spare for some rumors of them harboring secrets of high artistry in armorsmithing, weapon forging and building techniques.

The palisades of the settlement stood proud atop the fertile grounds of Poitain like a wall of thick forest , uniting the streams of two rivers that were travelling eastwards and westwards from a mass of rocks that was reposing the entire city like a huge pillow.Behind the front walls he could see thin columns of smoke travelling through the sky and playing with the wind.

"Destruction through construction?,that would be...interesting" Ramanli thought to himself and started aproaching the front gate.

Just 15 feets from the entrance Ramanli would have his first peculiar acquaintance.
A tall barbarian in leather armor and horned helmet with two huge blades by his side , was watering some tulips in a small self-made garden protected by the shadow of the walls.

"Can i have some water for my tormented lips ? " Ramanli asked the strange man
The barbarian tossed him his flask saying

"Spare some for my flowers if you please"

The barbarian for an unknown reason stood up in a defensive posture and started walking with a hobble towards Ramanli reaching his hand and taking his flask after two or three sips.

"What kind wind brought you here friend ?" asked the barbarian with his eyes just wandering through Ramanli and into the surroundings.

Ramanli wasnt sure if he could trust the stranger in front of him and while he tried to invent a logical destraction he was saved in a speaking by a flying arrow landing at the hind quarters of his horse making him drop down.

The barbarian confused by the role of the warrior in front of him, was ready to strike but as Ramanli turned around he saw his black dragon cloak at his back and he grabbed him with one hand tossing him behind a fallen log following Ramanli with great agility.He then put out a horn and signalled the quards in the walls of the imminent danger of probably another band of raiders.

"Ramanli is my name by the way" Four arrows passed above his head.
"Pleased to meet you , my name is Koning" More arrows fly through some of them ending in his little garden.
"AAhhhh curses ....my plants ..not my plants "

The guards at the walls started counter firing at the group of a dozen at least horsemen galloping towards them

"Are you ready Ramanli for a welcoming gift?" said the barbarian now holding and swinging his two blades like toothpiks

"Ehhh how about your mobility ?" said Ramanli pointing to his apparent weak leg
"Oh that is a kiss from a wild boar...it kinds of remember me during the rainy days"

He said and jumped of the log throwing one blade directly to the throat of an approaching horseman.The blade met the man throat throwing him 3 feet behind his horse.

"Fu**ing awesome crafters" thought Ramanli and followed Koning with a unholy cry.

They were jumping from cover to cover behind trees and bushes , evading the arrows and flying spears.

For time to time they jumped on the raiders that passed unaware besides them , their swords singing the song of death , carrying away man and horses together.The barbarian in a frenzy state was slashing , knockbacking , rolling and executing with the calmeness of the sunset.

Finally with the help of the guards in the walls the raiders were pushed back.

"Are your lips still thirsty?" Koning asked as he was gathering his blades of the dead bodies
"For beer now i must say " Ramanli answered
"Welcome to Riverfall then....we have beer too" Koning said and they started to walk towards the town.

"Oh and can i ask a favor ?" Koning turned to Ramanli
"Sure anything"Ramanli answered
"The garden thing....can it stay among us?"

[sardanapal]

Chapter 7 : Riverfall

Story 2: Dreams of Anquish


Ramanli woke in a dark corridor , a corridor orphan of walls and roof.
Right and left of him the darkness choked his view of anything solid.
Weird flying insects kept flying over his head,though he couldn’t trace their existence or their shape.Their strange whir kept forming the word Walk in his ears although that could be his impression only.
Ramanli walked as he was instigated by the strange flying creatures.His walk quickly became a run, but he couldn’t felt moving at all .
Time , space and movement were blend together in a deep slumber of ignorance to his ever growing anxiety.
He couldn’t remember how he reached the big room at the end of the long corridor.The darkness was still there awake and hostile.He felt the presence of it daring to attack him if it could.
At the center of the room a large pillow was the only comforting sight he had for a while.He decided to rest on it as his limbs growed a strange fatique.
He was battling to keep his eyes open ,ironically to stare at the darkness.He felt asleep.

Ramanli woke by a sharp pain on his forehead.Before him was a strange abomination ruling the dark room.
It had the lookings of a woman but the gaze of a male Pict.From the head of the beast that was covered with poor mop of hair , two horns were emerging forming a black arc.Its body was covered with feathers that seemed to be glued on it with blood.It had three pairs of arms emerging by its abdomen and two fat goat-like legs. Behind it , Ramanli could vaquely spot three graves.

He tried to move,but his limbs were not listening to his orders.

“Who are you what do you want of me?” he said in a desperate tone

The voice of the beast had an assuring warmth to it.

“Neither the moon or the sun know the weavings of the Gods
Neither the wolf or the lamb know the decision of their fates
Neither the water or the land could conquer the same square
Neither the male or the female are so happy with their tastes
But the human, oh the human it’s a tale of its own
Blasphemous of all the living , its ambition and its sin
Myriad its choices choked in the dyne of its faults
Ahh a honoured human is a human buried deep within”

The beast said that and pointed to the graves behind it.

From the first grave surfaced Ramanlis mother holding some rotten flowers looking at her son with strange sympathy.She looked aged,un attended and tired.
From the second grave surfaced Gun-Hai Ramanlis first teacher and guide in thought.He reached to him holding a torned book covered by worms and little snakes.He send Ramanli a biter smile from his humble and obviously disappointed figure.
From the third grave surfaced the mysterious figure that haunted Ramanlis presence the past years and he was killed by its former student.He reached his hand holding the blade that should be lying somewhere in the deep depths of Thunder River.He send Ramanli a cold look but he was looking strong and agile.


The beast turned its attention on Ramanli and walked aggressively to him opening its mouth and revealing a pond of blood in which human limbs were floating aplenty.

“Choose Mortal , choose your poison , my patience runs thin with you”

Ramanli woke up covered in thick sweat.He was at his temporary loggings in Riverfall. Outside the sun was struggling to climb the east mountain slopes.
These nightmares were visiting him quite often the last months.
He poured some water at his face.Today was the day that the leaders of the Dawns were returning from their last journey.
He was eager to meet them.

[sardanapal]

Chapter 7 : Riverfall

Story 3 : Greetings and salutations

Ramanli was strolling alongside with Koning getting aquainted with the corners and buildings of the settlement.He was positively surprised by the quality of the architecture and materials used to erect the buildings and structures of the town.The smithy was a buzzling point of interest with people gathered there to admire the weapons and armor produced there in a daily basis.

"You look tired , bad night?" asked Koning
"Some silly nightmares , thats all Koning" answered Ramanli
"You should then talk with Monrath when he is here , he has studied the signs of the mind and the wishes of the gods all his life,he should help you.Come now let me meet you to our head armorsmith" Koning waved and lost in the depth of the smithy.

Ramanli walked with caution among the benches and the numerous tools hanging from the roof , ending in a poor lighted large room thats was governed by a dark tall figure endelesly moving between the workplaces and furnaces giving orders, shouting, correcting and cursing at the same time.

"This is Atalbert , our stygian master of the metals and rocks,pationed and dedicated to twisting the will of the elements to his use " whispered Koning to Ramanli
Atalbert was seemed to live in his own parallel crafting universe with eyes fixed to the hits of the burning metal and the transformations of the shape by his ravaging imagination.
"More fire you simpletons, more fire for the love of Set " Ramanli looked at Koning surprised
"Hit it harder, harder i say, like your best friend slept with your wife " Koning smiled back
"Cool it off now , feel the water eating away his energy and master its will" Ramanli smiled back
"Atalbert , Atalbert have you a minute to spare " yelled Koning
"A minute! A minute! A tiny fraction of eternity for you Cimmerian mate ! What is your will " answered Atalbert without even taking his attention of the hammers torturing the steel
"Come to meet a worthy new companion in our midst" answered Koning
Atalbert moved to them and send a look of pitty to Ramanlis old and worn armor pieces
"Greetings to you and welcome to the Dawn of Blood " said Atalbert hitting his fist against his chest.
"Glad to join your effort " said Ramanli noticing Atalbert scholastic gaze at his tasset,helmet and gauntlents
"Sorry mate to say this but your Armor is weathering away, and one thing i respect in the man is his armor blossoming....are these pieces left over from the cataclysmic ages?" Atalbert asked
"Haha nice one master Atalbert " Koning laughed for a second but stopped as he saw Ramanli frowned obviously annoyed
“Well it served me well in difficult times and im kind attached to it” noted Ramanli
“Lets see ....” Atalbert took a deep breath and looked on some papers at his hands
“I have a large order by some nobles in Old Tarantia to make armor for their spoiled brats that wanna become fearsome warriors ,but i ll manage to fit you in somewhere ..come to me in two days time, i will have something for you to ....get attached to. Now off you go i have work to do and wonders to perform”
They distanced themselves quickly hearing Atalbert return to his restless state.

As they were approaching the western gates they saw lots of kids as well as adults circling three large wagons that were moving slowly burdened by the weight of their cargo.
Amongst the cheering crowd a tall oversized middle aged chap with broad shoulders and a long fur cloak was playing with the children surounding his wagons.

“Master Gator tell us the story with the bear please” the children were shouting
“Again? Havent you been bored of this old story of my BIG..BLOODY...TRIUMPH –he said that bending his body to the height of the children emphasizing every syllabe- of the dark brown abomination of the forests of the north?” and he burst into laughs
Koning waved Ramanli to follow him and run to the crowd.

“Gator my brother long time no see” said and huged him hitting his fists against his back
“Yey Koning two months mate .....two months in the company of stone and wood .....you better have stored cool Nemedian ale for me to bathe on i say”
“Hehe hold yer horses thirsty barbarian ...didn't i say to you before you leave not to exterminate all the cimmerian deers?” Koning said that petting Gator lax belly
“Well my bow was complaining every day,what should i do? you know how i feel about my bow....and i had these spices given to me by Darkfoot.....hmmmm the deers kept me warm company they did...poor things” Gator answered back with an innocent look
“Ohh i m terrible sorry , let me meet you Ramanli a soul eager to help our cause” Koning steped away

Gator looked Ramanli deep into his eyes
“You have blood written all over you friend....killer no doubt about that, skilled and deadly killer , and i hope a virtuous one”
“Killing have been a big part of my short life Gator you are correct, is that a good thing to build your expectations of me?” Ramanli answered
Gator smilled and turn his head around in a cautious way
“I ve missed killing myself too...and im not talking about deers obviously”
“We been kinda of led astray last few months ....” Koning added with the same cautiousness
“Enough talk im off to the tavern and then to melaidy for a welcoming touch....a quick one!” Gator laughed atloud “If she still remembers me that is”
“Coming lads?” added on
“Bollocks Gator , Shaidarharan messaged all of us to be present for the alliance meeting today in the council hall, they will be here any moment” Koning said
“Well you know the drill...make an excuse for me” Gator said and continued his road with the children dancing by his feet.

They reached the entrance of the meeting hall an astounding building at the center of the settlement. The company they waited was soon to arrive.
Ramanli remembered vividly their first meeting.

They galloped like storm through the front gate , ten to fifteen riders spreading a strange silence to their passing.

He was dressed in a bright red chiton with gold stripes extending from neck to feet, a silver talisman was hanging by his left hand, dancing with the sun rays, and his right hand was holding a staff that was contructed by two wooden snakes facing eachother in a aggresive manner. He had one eye, like Ramanli s mother had ,but this orphan eye was more than enough to reflect rigor and respect. His name was Shaidarharan.

Next to him, equal in presence but different in his aura a silent figure with a dark but strangely warm gaze, and posture that seem to balance between the material and the spirit world made his appearance.He wore a strange bone medallion and was heavily dressed in thick fur harness covering his entire skin. His name was Monrath.

They took their positions on the council hall. The quests seats were filled by the representatives of another settlements friendly to Blood Dawn.

Brunlollita a dark red haired warrior representing the Clan of the Free City

Ballyfreya a sturdy man-shaped amazon send by the Black Wolves

“Where the f*** are all the men ?” thought Ramanli to himself

Satyrica a cunning manipulator of illusions and the dead arts from the
Village of Vengeance *

“Oh common this is getting ridiculous” Ramanli was amazed

Liliana a witty roque whose daggers were now physical extensions of her hands send by The Hand of Ibis

“You have to be kidding me” he started to get dizzy

Achylleas a tall guy with a polearm even higher than him,from Warbound

“Thank god” Ramanli breathed with relief.

A tedious tension was lurking through the hall

Shaidarharan waved to his officers to stand besides him.
Atalbert , that he had already met.

Dignity a priest in the service of Mitra.

Koning his most familiar face around

“Where is Gator?” Shaidarharan asked looking around

“He is a preoccupied with ....ehhhh...the resources he brought from the mountains” Koning was swift to find an excuse

Ramanli left alone, feeling stranger and naked , a feeling made more intense by the gaze of Shaidarharan locking on him

“I would appreciate the newcomers to spare us some privacy” Shaidarharan spoke with a cold tone.
Koning nod from afar and Ramanli exit the building.

The sun had started to bend tired and Ramanli decided to take a stroll alongside the walls.As he was walking he spotted a scout atop the wall staring at the horizon and the lands in front. He saw him riding with the team earlier and was curious to know his whereabouts.

“Greetings scout” shouted from the bottom of the wall
“Greetings to you too” he didnt move an inch, his eyes fixed in front of him.
“You are all of the time up there?” Ramanli asked but to no answer
“Do you need anything to drink or eat maybe?” Ramanli persisted
“Im all good here , have mine bow, have mine arrows , have the breeze to keep me company , have the silence to keep me focused...well up to now!” the strange scout turned his head for the first time.
“As you please...got the message stranger” Ramanli turned to walk away
“Im not called stranger ....im called Swiftbolt” the scout locked his eyesight in front of him again

The meeting was long and lively, judging from the shouts that reached the door in front of the meeting hall.
Ramanli was tired...he decided to reach the tavern hoping to meet with Gator..and some Nemedian ale.



*Victory Not Vengeance is the name of the guild , changed it a bit for storytelling reasons hope its oki

[sardanapal]

Chapter 8 : Battle of the Black

Story 1 : A Stone Tear

Ramanli woke up startled ...the hour has passed judging by the shadows growing in his small hut and he was really anxious to find out what was decided in the chiefs meeting.
Ramanli soon found Koning armed to the nose atop his horse
"Are we going somewhere? " Ramanli asked
"You are going first to master Atalbert , he has something for you ...post-cataclysmic i think" Koning said and laughed atloud
"Meet me at the east gate , the others are getting restless"
Atalbert was once again brilliant in his crafting
"I give you your second skin warrior, breath,eat,sing and die with it"
"Arent you coming to the fun?" Ramanli asked
"There is time and space for everybody in this circle of events my friend..." Atalbert said and disappeared in his shop again
He found Koning waiting for him a few meters away from the east gate , as they moved onwards Ramanli spotted a rock which surface has been bled by some strange writings:

*

Περὶ τὰ οἰκεῖα ἀλγῶ
ὡς γὰρ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι
ζώειν ἀχνυμένοις· αὐτοὶ δέ τ᾽ ἀκηδέες εἰσί.


μὴ δέ τί τοι θάνατος μελέτω φρεσὶ μηδέ τι τάρβος·
νῦν αὖτέ με μοῖρα κιχάνει.
μὴ μὰν ἀσπουδί γε καὶ ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην,
ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι


ὡς δ᾽ ἀναμαιμάει βαθέ᾽ ἄγκεα θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ
οὔρεος ἀζαλέοιο, βαθεῖα δὲ καίεται ὕλη,
πάντῃ τε κλονέων ἄνεμος φλόγα εἰλυφάζει,
ὣς ὅ γε πάντῃ θῦνε σὺν ἔγχεϊ δαίμονι ἶσος
κτεινομένους ἐφέπων· ῥέε δ᾽ αἵματι γαῖα μέλαινα.

For my own dealings i wail
i reap the gifts that gods passes to the mortals
to live in pain alone and without mourning to die
but im not afraid of dying,what more can find me here


but i will not fall without a battle
i will not fall without glory
my deeds will be at least remembered, if not i , by those that
waiting to be birthed


like in a sunburnt mountain ,grave fire roam
and in the deep burrows the matter burst in anguish
and the wind here and there , the flame spins around
i froth with my spear like a small god
here and there murdering and drowning the earth in blood

Arabth


"What is the meaning of this?" asked Ramanli

"Well its a carving of a restless spirit, sad words of sad circumstances" Koning lowered his eyes

"A warrior , with a flame similar to yours in his face , and moves like yours in his hands had stayed with us for awhile.He was very fond of the ancient Corinthian scriptures and philoshophy. He was also seen his entire family slaughtered by the Black Hands. Wife, son and female infant.He now roams the land and craves for vengeance,that is his poem all about."

"Black hands ... are they ???"

"Yes the puppets of the Dark Master have surfaced from their shitty holes ,the first attacks have been made months ago, and the aggresiveness grows with each passing morning."

"The alliance is planning a attack on one of their strongholds in Kheshatta.We have been given permission to attend" Koning concluded.
As they walked away from the rock Ramanli turned his face and saw the carvings covered by the moving shadows of the trees

"Is there a chance i meet this guy?"
"I wage my garden ...he will be there " Koning answered
At the east gate at least a dozen Dawns where facing the sunset
"Common Koning...you know i dont like galloping in the dark" Gator smiled
The Dawns lifted their right arm with the fist closed, facing the meeting hall in the distance

Ramanli lifted his fist with a slight hesitation

"FOR BLOOD AND HONOUR !! " the holler filled the evening sky

From the distance the answer came strong

"FOR BLOOD AND HONOUR !!" Shaidarharan , Monrath and the residents of the settlement all had lifted their right arm.

The team vanished in the forest trail.

The road to the Black Ring Citadel was long.

*Ancient Greek - borrowed some words from Homers "Iliad"

[sardanapal]

Chapter 8 : Battle of the Blacks


Story 2 : The closing of the hours




The eager group of vengeance , glory and naivety moved forward in a thunders pace.
The fighters from Blood Dawn met with their allies in the borders of Aquilonia and Argos and continued to pursue the road south
to the sandy beaches of Shem on their way to Khemi.There they hoped to get in contact with kalanthes who was leading
the resistance infrastructure in Stygia.
Ramanli had the change to talk and get aquainted and discuss with many members of the alliance about the future dangers or the past deeds.


The images on his day life on that long trip would nourish his memory and imagination for years to come.
Ramanli loved to see the two barbarians from Blood Dawn Koning and Gator,every morning before the sun woke up ,
to practice their moves and techniques on each other although some times their battle cries would wake up other guys and would receive a swearing or two

There where times of danger like a big ambush they had on the borders of Shem by a large group of bandits.In that fight Ramanli witnessed the
magnificence of the followers of mitra and the so called bear shamans of the north that could keep alive with their incantantions and chants even a snail fighting

He loved the discussions around the fire on the small night hours that struggled to hide everyones anxiety about the future dangers they would encounter.Ramanli kept silent
though most of the time....but then silence was one of his favorite habbits.

One day he was invited by a guardian that was in their company to follow him on a hunt for food to a nearby forest.
Ramanli decide to follow him.

"My name is Wengyr and i like hunting bears haha" said the guardian while they were walking deep into the forest
"All alone you mean? Without the company of a trapper or a scout?" Ramanli wondered
"Well its my favorite exercise to endure with the company of another soldier" Wengyr answered
"You see dear Templar the beasts are less inteligent from the people ...they keep attacking the one they perceive as the greatest threat"
"So ...in other words i would like to see your ehmmm threat potential" concluded Wengyr laughing
"Aha .... a test of strenght and aggresion ....i accept" said Ramanli in a heartbeat

They were moving as silent they could....well that was after all not so easy in their heavy armor and shield.
Finally they spotted their evening dinner. A large male brown bear was lazily enjoying the shadow of a great oak tree.

"Good luck Templar" Wengyr poked his companion
"I was borned lucky " smiled Ramanli....he knowed that was a lie

They charged like frenzied dogs on their target.The bear quickly stood on his two legs reaching 7 feet high.

Wengyr released a cry that Ramanli havent heard in the past. The cry was so loud the Ramanli had the impression that it moved the branches of the near trees.
The beast turned its attention to Wengyr hitting furiously his shield and trying to find an opening on his defences to taste his skin.
Ramanli swiftly moved to the back side of the bear and tried to hit it with guick moves as to cause it the more pain he could.

The bear though continued to lock its anger on Wengyr who was trying to evade with dancing moves the beasts massive hands

"I can use some help...like now dear Templar" yelled Wengyr
"Im f***ing trying" answered Ramanli obviously more anxious to take the beast attention than feared of the beating he might endure

Suddenly with one swift strike the bears hand landed on Wengyrs chest knockbacking him 3 meters away.
Ramanli then seeing the eminent danger with a leap climbed on the bears back and buried his sword on the beasts shoulder , the sight of the blood
jumping like a playful child, empowered the Templars courage and let his throat produce a sadistic cry that would make even Mitra heart bleed.

The bear in a painful roar threw Ramanli against the oaks trunk and turned his anger on him

"F*** Set,Mitra and Crom together....now what?" Ramanli shouted as he tried to stand on his trembling feets
" Now you have him haha" laughed Wengyr
"You are more crazy than all the Yuns together" Ramanli laughed back

The bear charged on the Templar but with obviously less strength. The two soldiers with more ease now landed their strikes and soon the beast lied dead on the fertile floor.

"That was...intense" said Wengyr looking at Ramanli trying to catch his breath
"You need some improvement of course ..but you have potential there " concluded
"Right...can i ask you something ? "
"What ?"
"How the f*** are going to carry this giant back to the camp?" Ramanli asked




The alliance force was a mere 3 days away from Khemi and anyone could understand that tension was rising among the ranks.The only ones always laughing and teasing everybody
was Brunlollita and Ballyfreya.The two women were always in close company together and always were trying to share a witty joke or ease the concerns and fears of the group
Ramanli had saw them on battle and respected them much as he was sure that when the chance arose they would show their true potential now hidden on purpose behind a charming feminine curtain
One night the Templar lost his grip and tasted more ale that could handle.Drunk and dissorianted he tried to return to his tent but it is strange
how the tents can look alike in a drunk mind especially on pitch black.

Ramanli entered the wrong tent.

In front of him Brunlollita and Ballyfreya were naked lying side by side kissing and fondling eachother. Their long hair uncaged by their usually worn helmets
were embracing them like lustfull vines and their breasts were meeting in a delegacy rendezvous. Their hands were reaching for theirs humid treasures in the caves
among their thighes.Their lips were struggling to climb eachother and their tongues were moving schemes of affection and desire.

Ramanli wore a tight tasset.Suddenly it become more tight.

The two women spotted the intrusion but were not startled.They smiled to him and waved for him to accompany them.

"Sorry ..ehhh im a man-to-man deal....ehh sorry i mean one-on-one deal....**** im drunk i mean man-to-woman something ..you get the picture" and exit embarrased the tent.

The next morning the group was ready for their final march on Khemi.The city was few hours away.

Ballyfreya moved with her horse to Ramanli

"Hail Ramanli ,i was said you was pretty drunk yesterday night ...all good now?"

Ramanli smiled back
"I had a very good sleep...especially after that thing in the tent...."
"What tent?" Ballyfreya answered in surprise
"Ehh...i mean me in your tent? Yesterday?"
"Oh Ramanli you must have been very drunk last night ....i havent see you since yesterday morning naughty Templar" Ballyfreya closed her eye and galloped away.

Ramanli stood for a moment.
"No i was in their tents yesterday......was i not?"

[sardanapal]

Chapter 8: Battle of the Blacks

Story 3: Orphaned Questions

His tired steps brought him in an cavein of a huge rock , whose surface was tormented from the merciless sun of Stygia.
Behind his sparkling armor at a distance the Citadel of sin and home to the potential usurper of the peace in Hyboria , stood intimidating,cold and arrogant.Above its massive towers clouds , thunders , and air tornadoes danced emiting a murmur of death and decay.

'We meet again eastern warrior, here where all eyes are met' Kalanthes gave away a weak smile

'And i m content that i find you healthy and eager.I had hoped the years that passed have been.....educating for you' he added swiftly

Ramanli started to outer a word but his mouth refused to obey.

'Please,please dear warrior ,let your heart address me freely.....and your thought doubt me as well' Kalanthes said with a reassuring tone.

'I think of her every single night, healer , the pain just resurects like a phoenix from the ashes of my memories....can you heal that as well?' Ramanli again felt a light breeze of electric stream climbing his spine , like Lucindas arms were all over him again

'Well the proper question should be do you want to be healed? ' Kalanthes stared at him

'You have the bad habbit of answering a question with an evading new question....you are aware of that at least?' Ramanli answered a little annoyed

'Is there a definite answer to any question in the world?' Kalanthes continued to stare him

'Well ....let me think....is the sun always waking with us in the morning...yes or no? ' the warrior pretended to dwell upon some serious thinking

'Are you so sure that the sun will continue to do so , in an aion or in a 100 aions after our deaths?' Kalanthes respond seemed ready even before Ramanlis sarcasm.

'You seriously believe that there is no truth,no answer no banner at all to organize our army of thoughts , desires and intentions?'

'Well there is one thing that strive our will and behaviour and it has nothing to do with truth, questions or answers. It is called purpose and it is up to every being to dress it with the warm colors of chivalry or the rude colors of aggresiveness.'

Ramanli stood troubled and silent.

'Why are you here warrior? Why are all those people here? ' Kalanthes pointed to the mass of bodies and steel that was gathering on the outskirts of the citadel

'Everyone has a purpose , for some its a lifetime achievement , for others its just a predecessor of another scheme that will surface with a new full moon.'

'Purpose is what keeps our will moving , purpose is what breeds questions , and purpose is what finally will provide you with an answer you so desperately need,but alas with an answer that will only suit you and just you.'

'There is more to you obviously then meets the eye' Ramanli tried in a dazzled way to turn the conversation to least complex twists

'Yes there is ' Kalanthes once again answered swiftly

'But neither you or the majority of you are ready to engulf im afraid'

Ramanli took a deep breath and turned his attention to the Citadel

'Can we beat this?'

'Well we will find out soon , shall we not?' kalanthes answered with a more generous smile

'Typical , a question for an answer again' Ramanli smiled back and started to descent the hill

'Oh and dear warrior....'
' Lucinda will be watching .....make her proud' Kalanthes concluded.

The first catapults were already at the first houses of Kheshatta pointing their arsenal towards the blasphemous walls of the Citadel.

[sardanapal]

Chapter 8 Battle of the Blacks

Story 4 : Blood Poems

The Eastern slopes a grassy hug
for beings of nature both gentle and disturbed
the sun in its glory a warmly thug
a lover of the living and envy of the dead

The grasp of your reach so firm and so cold
a guide for the weak a fist for the strong
the sins of your will no sight to behold
the tricks of your mind a countryside long

The young and the old still hungers the same
in teachings of rightness that make the orbs shame
love and compation are toys so lame
a rotten excusse for others to blame

The Soul in its birth knows no verbal bonds
no tutors no teachings no crossroads no frown
The Soul in its growning thirst and fonds
to blatanly envelope the world on its own

Rise and be the tip of the spears
tearing apart humbleness or pride
The Soul in its dying one thing fears
to have lived in a grave,and in a grave to hide

In the bloody lands our fate is caged
draw your arms,taunt your will,pity the living
witness how brutally your life is staged
and in the dawn of your path, embrace the killing

These almost forgotten words of his previous wicked benefactor were his first companions
as his sword shatter the chests of the first residents of the citadel that rushed to form the first line of defense
Ramanli with a party of warriors,mages and healers was assigned to storm the eastern wing of the citadel.

The rumors of unspoken abominations that dwelled there has fed his blood lust and his...despair.

[Audrey-]

Worth reading . Pleasantly killed 20 minutes of waiting on the server's comeback. Cheers to Ramanli

[sardanapal]

Battle of the Blacks

Story 5 : The Eastern Wing

Caves dark as blindess and corridors cold as a warriors last breath.
Walls emitting gloom and twisted corners harboring manipulations of a devious mind.
The mass of the scared adventurers were forwarding with an ants pace.
Thoth Amon was generous in giving them a strong resistance of semi-giants whose force was nothing the Templar had met before.
Contructions of Stone were among the first enemies the rebels danced with.
The sound of the swords clushed against their unearthly skin was enough to scare half Hyboria away.
They were pretty much undestroyable by physical force, as the Templar soon found out after several attempts of his sword at their supposed pulsing carotids.
And their hits ...by Crom their hits brought a stop to their breaths with each landing.
Their armor was suffering like a newborn child separated from its mothers breast.
The shamans and tempests were trying hard to keep them alive with chants of courage while the muscled soldiers were trying to dodge,endure,fight back.
Casualties were inevitable and horrid. The stone apparitions could easily torn away a head , arm or leg like a bunch of grapes torned away from a vineyard.
Desperation soon visited and covered them all in cold sweat.The stone apparitions seemed unkillable.
The soldiers were ordered to make an organised push with the help of some mages that would try to spread havoc and confusion by summoning tornadoes and illusions of terrors from hell itself.
They finally entered a wide hall with orange-painted walls depicting scenes of dark offerings to Thoth Amon by the stone army.

"By the force of stone and earth i welcome thee to my humble laboratory" a voice hard as a rock met them from their backs.

The stone apparitions suddenly ceased their aggresiveness as the rebels turned back to face what else was they stumbled across in this torturing pit.

It was a man dressed in mud-colored robes firmed and tall standing in front of a so called throne out of granite.
His right hand harbored a small dagger with inappropriate dimensions compared to him.

"I see my sons give you a hard time " he yelled mocking them.

"Let us bring an end to his sperm then " an angry soldier shouted and charged in front.

"No stop!!!!!!!!!!!!" some friends of him shouted back , others kept silent partly due to fear ,partly from interest to witness what will unfold.

"Come to Excorant infidel ....and embrace the all mighty stone form!!!!!!!!" said the man and his pupils transformed to two big melanite gems

The soldier jumped and was halted mid-air by a invisible force.He droped to the ground with the sound of rock not flesh.

"Now we are seriously screwed" a mage next to Ramanli noted ready to burst in tears.

The rebels slowly walked in the center of the room standing close together with shaking swords,staffs,shields and legs.

Excorant stood silent before his throne casting his black gaze to each one of them ..or at least that was their impression.

A silence crept in the room , a silence send by Al'Kiir himself to welcome them in pain and death.

"Keep clear of his eyes when they transform mates!!" a voice filled them with a bit of courage.

The force quickly split in half with some of them were fighting the stone apparitions that once again started to close on them the others attacked Excorant

But things were not going well.The stone father started to stun one by one by his black gaze.A solution was to be found swiftly.

And it came by luck. A fellow soldier took a hit in the chest and landed 6 feet away, his sword fly through the room and ended in a cauldron with a reddish essence.
,
The cauldron had escaped their attention after all in the hit of battle.

The soldier stood up in pain and rushed to retreive his sword with the stone apparition close by him.

He grasped the sword now covered in this red pulp and made a final stand by ferosiously hitting his enemy everywhere he could land a hit.

And then the stone apparition backed off.In pain.

A pain that was expressed in a deep murmur that shake the ground.

"Quickly mates...rush as hellspawns and dive your swords in the cauldrons " the soldier shouted in ecstasy. Another golem came from behind and shutter his head like butter.

Ramanli and few others rushed to the cauldrons.The fight suddenly took a hopeful spin.

"Noooooooooo, my sons , crush them now , protect the secrets!!!!!" Excorant now lifted his attentions from the soldiers that was closing him and watched
his unearthly sons fell one by one by the enchanted swords.

His turn came swiftly.

(to be continued)

[sardanapal]

OOC : As work hits hard i havent update the story for many months..but plan to do so ....just dont know if i may wait for new forums.Just for a treat this is a visualization of some of the above

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VY5a...ature=youtu.be

Cheers