FINAL REWARD: PART XII
by: Taliaferro Erucolindo
Tarina stalked into the Temple of Hate, deep inside Neriak. The priests and guildmasters stared at her disapprovingly, but she ignored them. She moved with a purpose. Still clad in her blood soaked armor, still burnt over most of her body by holy flames, still disfigured from the slash across her face, Tarina stepped into the main sanctuary of the temple dedicated to Innoruuk. There, kneeling before the altar, was a human female. Snarling, Tarina approached. "CRICETUS!" shouted Tarina, as the Human female Shadow Knight turned to face her mentor. "Y-yes, m'lady?" answered the penitant woman. Tarina responded with a kick that knocked the younger woman over backwards. "Why am I not in possession of the Artifacts of Light? Why am I here empty handed after months of planning? WHY AM I SCARRED!!!" screamed Tarina, pointing at her face. Cricetus, not sure what to say, responded honestly, "I do not know, m'lady." Tarina walked up to her taller, although somehow less imposing, apprentice. "It is because I was surrounded by INCOMPETENCE!" Tarina shook with rage. Looking up at the likeness of Innoruuk, Tarina drew her sword and pointed at it. "Our master does not take failure lightly, apprentice!" hissed the Teir'Dal Shadow Knight, "what shall we do to appease him?" Cricetus thought quickly of her teachings. "A sacrifice must be made," answered Cricetus, "perhaps the Dwarf that I originally fooled with the letter from his 'friends', or perhaps one of their cursed Druids..." Tarina walked around behind her apprentice, speaking calmly, "Yes....a sacrifice must be made....a sacrifice made to Hate.....a sacrifice made IN Hate. Are you ready to perform the task laid before you, Cricetus?" Cricetus nodded emphatically, never taking her eyes off of the statue of Innoruuk, "Aye, m'lady, I am prepared to harvest the soul of whomever you name, for the glory of Innoruuk! When shall I depart?" Smiling wickedly, Tarina drew back Innoruuk's Curse. "Right now, my apprentice!" said Tarina in a sickly sweet voice, as she plunged the blade through her apprentice's back! Cricetus looked down in shock at the sight of Innoruuk's Curse protruding from her own chest, then screamed in pain as the hungry sword devoured her very soul. Tarina smiled, and as the form that was Cricetus withered away to nothing upon her blade, the Teir'Dal Shadow Knight looked up at the statue of Innoruuk, which seemed to smile back down at her in return.
.......
Telree walked the halls of the Royal Palace in Felwithe. He still bore scars from yesterday's battle, internal and external, but he knew that he still had a responsibility to personally report the events of what happened, even though written reports had already been turned in. Stopping before an ornate stone carved door, flanked on either side by the Elven Royal Guard, Telree collected his thoughts. Knocking on the door, he heard a voice from within, "Enter." Pushing open the door, Telree walked into the room, and stood before King Tearis Thex, Lord and Lady Silvermoon, Father Finnwe Silvermoon, and Sir Finnwelion Silvermoon. The Fier'Dal Ranger was somewhat daunted to be in the presence of such Koada'Dal nobility, despite being distantly related by marriage. Kneeling before the King of the Elves, Telree awaited leave to stand. King Tearis spoke, "Noble Ranger, Leader of Giliath Lang, and friend of the Royal Court, Telree Shaderunner, please stand. You are most welcome here." Telree said in a low voice, "I am most sorry, that our hopes of seeing Lorfindur and Glorelion again were in vain. I wish that there was something that I could do or say to restore that hope." King Tearis strode forward and placed a hand on both of Telree's shoulders. "There was nothing that you could have done, Telree. Your men and women fought as valiantly as any whom have ever strode upon Norrath. The guardians of the Artifacts proved why they are worthy of being their guardians. Even your youngest members showed courage, sacrifice, and honor in the face of overwhelming odds. Nay, have no regrets Telree. A week from now, a banquet will be held in honor of Giliath Lang. Your guild will be honored with the finest food and wine of Felwithe. This, I command." "As you wish, your Majesty," replied Telree, bowing to the King. Lord Mannwe Silvermoon, Lorfindur's father spoke next, "We still have hope that our daughter and son-in-law yet live. We thank you for trying." Finnwe added, "No apologies, Telree. Based on what we have read of the incident, both from your own hand, and from Taliaferro, Darshan and Thanoslug, we do indeed believe that Glorelion and Lorfindur are alive and eluding capture. We take great hope in this. As to our brave friend Kiren," spoke Finnwe, "we have Clerics keeping watch over his body, waiting for signs that his spirit is returning. We also have Paladins guarding the room around the clock. My son, Finnwelion, requested the honor of the first watch himself." Telree nodded to the young Paladin, "I am sure Kiren would be honored by that, young Finnwelion." "Enough talk, my friends," said King Tearis, "let us adjourn and spend time in prayer for our friend Kiren."
.......
Taliaferro and Thanoslug stood before the Hall of Heroes once more. Taliaferro opened the doors, and the pair walked reverently into the room. Stopping before the pedestal dedicated to Glorelion, Taliaferro said a prayer to Rallos Zek, asking that the Warlord give strength to his fellow Warrior. Thanoslug continued to the pedestal dedicated to Lorfindur. With great care, Thanos placed Soulfire back upon the memorial. Bowing his head, Thanos said a prayer to Brell, asking that he watch over the true owner of the Holy Sword, keeping her safe while she did Tunare's work. Thanos was sure Tunare watched over her own, but a little help from Brell never hurt. Turning back to one another, the two weary soldiers let the moment sink in. "Someday," said Tal at last, "they'll find their way home." "Aye," replied Thanos, "Ah'm sure tha' they will." The two exited the Hall of Heroes, and Tal locked the doors again behind them. Turning and walking back through the hallways, Tal smiled sideways at his small friend and said, "You know, I'm sure Lorfindur would not mind you wielding her blade until her return. After all, Glorelion wished for me to put his armor and blade to good use until he came back for it. I'm sure that Lor-" "Now, ye listen 'ere ya bloody, hagis-brained, pointy-earred cur, ye know damn well tha' I won't be pokin' away at me enemy with some wee pigsticker! Tha' blue bitch mae hae shattered me blessed axe, but I'll nae be replacin' it with ANY t'ing other than another axe!" As the two turned a corner, Tal stopped and chuckled. "Wha' is so bleedin' funny?" Thanos said, almost getting angry. A deep voice answered from around the corner, "We thought you might say something like that," said Rekus, as he and Greyharte walked into view, ducking slightly in the small passageway. Greyharte added, "That's why we have something for you." Thanos muttered, "I'll nae wield a bloody rake, either....." but his voice trailed off and Rekus pulled from behind him a large, double bladed, silvery war axe. The two blade edges shone brightly, reflecting the torchlight inside the hallway. Thanos stood as though spellbound for a moment, then reached out and accepted the weapon from the tall Barbarian Warrior. "Wield it with honor, Thanoslug Axe-of-the-Dwarves," said Rekus. "Aye, and know that we'll always be there for you, friend, as we count on you to be there for us," added Greyharte. "What say we all go get something to drink, then check in on Kiren," suggested Taliaferro, "What say ye, Thanos?" The Dwarven Paladin held the axe in both hands and choked back a tear of pride. "Brell be praised! Pass the ale!"
.......
Darkness. Once again, Kiren found himself surrounded by darkness. Not an evil darkness, Kiren could tell, but rather a Darkness that was simply there because he was in a place not meant for his eyes to see. As before, Kiren felt grass and solid earth beneath his feet. The sounds and smells of nature surrounded him. Kiren knew that he was not dead, but he knew that he was not yet back among the living. "Mother?" called Kiren. "I am here, my son," answered a voice which filled Kiren with warmth and love. Kneeling before what he knew now to be the voice of Tunare, Mother of All, Kiren asked, "Have I done as you requested, Mother?" "YES, my son. You have done well. Darkness has been thwarted once again, and balance is maintained. I was not able to intervene directly in this matter, but I knew that you and your friends, my children and the children of the other gods of Light, would be able to rise to the challenge. I am well pleased, my childe." Kiren was proud to receive such high praise from his godess. Still, a question lingered in his mind. "Mother, is it my time to join you? Am I to die now, and be with you here?" Silence. Kiren began to worry that he had offended her. "I am not offended," Tunare answered, almost with a laugh, reading Kiren's mind and heart, "on the contrary, my son, I am merely considering. You have certainly earned your place here with me, of that I have no doubt. However, there is much work still to do. You are one of my finest champions, but I must choose how you may best serve me." "I am at your disposal, Mother, and will serve you in whatever capacity you wish!" replied Kiren earnestly. "I know, my childe, but what I have to offer you will be different from anything you have experienced before. Times are changing, my childe, and even we gods must adapt to how our creations have changed. I have a proposal to make to you, my childe, and you must decide whether or not to accept it. I will not order you to, for you have earned the right to choose. Listen closely, my son....."