Dusk's Embrace (mild language & content)

[Tenolein]

Hey all, this is a story of Tiiana, one of my best friends in EQ and EQII. She wrote this story, and all credit goes to her unless otherwise stated. She doesn't have much of an internet connection, so we agreed that I would copy and paster her stories here, obviously giving her full credit, I'm just the middle man. Also, there IS naughty words and some mild content, probally rated PG-13/R stuff.. Keep that in mind as well. Any and all CONSTRUCTIVE critisism is welcomed. 'ere we go!

~:Part 1: Exodus:~

It's been three days since it happened.

Tiiana pulled shut the drawstring on her pack and brushed back her flaming red hair from her eyes. Once more she looked around her simple bedroom, checking if there was anything she missed. A chair in the corner at the foot of the bed. A small wardrobe pushed against the opposite wall. It all would wait for a new tenant.

Three days...

Turning to the window, her hand lifting to touch her scar as she had become accustomed to doing when alone. She still woke in the middle of the night having to reassure her cold, sweating, terror filled body that the collar was gone. No longer a slave. Neriak was no more. But these were not thoughts she dwelled on for the moment. Her thoughts were of the man who grabbed little Kaninn and what Tiiana had done to him. She also thought of her friends Eiri and Tenolein and how'd she miss them, how'd she never see Kaninn grow up.

She didn't mean for it to happen, she didn't know she'd react like she did. Kaninn was late meeting Tiiana to go fishing and hadn't seen the drunken man until he grabbed the young wood elf's arm. He propositioned her, his words crashing into her face on a wave of foul breath. Kaninn couldn't twist away from his tight grip and could only think of one thing to do--bite. The man screamed, calling her a name before he struck her across the face. By then Tiiana had seen them from dowwn the street, by the time she got to them the man had hit Kaninn twice more. The high elf grabbed the mans arm, yelling at him to stop. Instead, he turned and raised his other hand to strike at Tiiana.

"****in' whore!"

That's all she remembered before it happened. She wasn't there when the guards, lead by Kaninn, found the man screaming in agony and writhing on the cobblestones. Now the man laid in a coma in the Temple of Life's infirmary. The story spread quickly. The drunken man was identified as a Lt. Darvis, an off duty officer of the city guard. The majority seemed to think there was a spy inside of Qeynos. Others thought it was a message from Freeport to try and scare the guards. The attack led the townsfolk to such speculations once they heard that an adept pain curse was used against the man; a spell only a shadowknight or necromancer with enough experience could use.

Tiiana had only agreed to learn the spells as to know what she would be against when in a fight versus evil. It had been her late husband's suggestion so she would be safer, to give her more of a chance to return from the battlefield alive. But when she was enslaved in Neriak she had had to learn to wield those same spells in an instant to stay alive. Now it was different, what if she lost control again?

Turning from the window, Tiiana went to the front room of her apartment. Her home had only two rooms and was dubbed quaint, cozy. One side of the front room held shelves and a table that served as the kitchen, separated by the fireplace from the other half of the room. The other side was inhabited by a dining table surrounded by five mismatched chairs and a smaller table in the corner by the bedroom as a desk.

Sitting at the desk, the knight picked up the quill and dabbed it into the inkpot. From the box next to the jar, she took a piece a paper and began to write:

Dearest Eirinnyeis, Tenolein, and Kaninn

I regret to tell you that by the time this letter is discovered, I will no longer be inside Qeynos. By now you will have heard of what happened to Lt. Darvis which is why I must leave. I cannot remain here for a moment longer. I cannot take the chance of harming any one of you; you who I call my family and who I love dearly.
Do not ask for me to return, do not seek me out. This is not an easy decision to for me to make but my mind is made up. I beg you, do not look for me. Think of me as dead and gone if you must. Just remember that I love you all and I wish not to harm any of you. But I can assure that harm will come to you if you find me.

May you all remain safe. Please forgive me.
Tiia

She pulled out a scrap of parchment and wrote a simpler note: For Teno. Leaving both notes to dry, Tiiana returned to her bedroom to remove the one thing that decorated the walls in that room: her old sword. It had been fondly named Ghoulie for its enchantment though the spell against undead was still there but had grown faint and the engraved runes worn from use. She wrapped the shorter note around the hilt and wrapped both securely into a bedsheet.

Wrapping herself in her cloak, the letter tucked away in its pocket, Tiiana shouldered her pack and lifted the bound sword as she walked out. The knight knew where Tenolein hid the spare key to his home and that he wouldn't be home til well after sundown. She'd leave the letter and the sword there.

Tenolein NOTE: Most of the characters in her story are people we had grown relationships with. If you reconise the name, it's probally an NPC in-game. Tiiana, Eirinnyeis & Kaninn are actually Erin's characters (Erin is the storywriter) Obviously, Tenolein is the one and only.. Me. I'll post lil note snippets at the end of each post with info as far as PC characters and who they are out of game, much like I just did with Tiia, Eiri, Kaninn, and Teno.

[Tenolein]

~:Part 2: Ambition:~


I have always wanted to fight, always loved the feel of a sword in my hand and a shield on my arm. During parades in Felwithe, I would watch, entranced and envious of the passing knights. Marching at attention, armor gleaming, order and power emanating from them as they passed. So organized that it demanded respect. This is what my dreams were made of.
But my Father, Rumiel Anzunden, had other plans for me. A daughter of the chairman for the Committee of Tradesmen would only be an embarrassment and a disgrace on the battlefield. Her place was at home or at the temple of Tunare. Such words were drilled into me throughout my childhood. "Leave the wars to the commoners, the ones foolish enough to go out there and get killed. I will not lose another member of my family to war!" Rumiel would rant. Later in my life I would find out from my mother what he meant. My uncle Artemis, who was older than my father, had died in the Battle of Kithicor before I was born. I also learned that my uncle Artemis had been the one thing I aspired to be; a paladin.

I spent most of my adolescence with tutors. I learned the dances of the court, etiquette, embroidery, writing, religion, and basic antidotes. Everything a proper lady of society was to know. I assumed gossiping and walking as if with a stick lodged someplace uncomfortable were to be learned later. Dancing was a joke, more of just stiff walking, turning and bowing in circles. I never knew it was possible to fall a asleep while on your feet. This was considered to be fun?! Writing was for invitations, thank you notes, love letters and other social nonsense. My embroidery always resulted in knots and tangles, let's leave it at that before the mere thought of it gives me a headache.

As for religion and basic antidotes, those had an alternative use for if I wanted to join the sisterhood and become a cleric of Tunare. Being cooped up in a stuffy old church to nurse some priest's hangover, cure the High Priestss's hemorrhoids or some other demeaning task? No thanks. And etiquette? Please. All that song and dance and "oh that is just splendid!" only made me want to stick my fan up someone's nose. Little did I know that my manners classes would pay off when I found myself in situations where a smile and a polite response were perfect to hide a "**** you". My commanding officers would often comment on how I was such a well-mannered soldier...

But I digress. Those lessons bored me silly back then, I didn't want to prepare to become someone's wife and to be married off for money or politics! If it wasn't for my weekly outings I would have gone crazy. Yes, if it hadn't been for my parents being too wrapped up in their own concerns then I would have never had the chance to pick up a sword. False errands and outings with nonexistent friends and even the occasional trip to the temple were all my reasons for leaving the house. Never once did my mother or Rumiel question my truthfulness. They never suspected a thing. That is, until my father spied me on the training grounds in the Academy. I never thought he'd actually come in person to discuss the school's annual order of supplies.

Thus ensued a yelling match between us when I came home that evening. When I carelessly taunted him, Rumiel struck me across the face. The argument ended there. I left home that same night after everyone had gone to sleep. I went to the school for help, hoping they'd take me in and I could continue my training. But I was wrong, my father's influence was quite effective and they turned me away and told me to return home. Feeling lost and frustrated I sat on the corner of the street and wept.

The day's events felt like they were piled on my shoulders and left me crying under their weight. I don't know how long I sat there before she gingerly laid a hand on my shoulder. I sniffled and wiped at my eyes with my sleeve and looked up. Never had I seen a Feir`Dal with eyes like that, let alone anyone with eyes like that! Yellow-gold and more suited to an animal, and they seemed to glow in contrast to her cafe au lait skin and almost-black hair. When she asked if I was all right, I was suprised yet again to hear a more dwarven accent than elvish. I shrugged in response, not knowing how to answer her query; was I all right? She only smiled and tugged me to my feet, "C'mon, ya look like ya kin use a drink. Then ya kin decide on talkin' or not."

We walked to a small pub by the lake where I learned my new friend's name was Eiri and I also had my first drink of something besides just a sip of wine. And I did talk. I told Eiri of how I came to be sitting on the street and crying like a child. It felt good to tell someone, I felt better. The weight seemed to lift off of me. But as I came to the end of my tale, my despair returned and solidified. Where was I to go? What was I to do? I couldn't return home, not to those horrid lessons!

Eiri only listened while I babbled on. She patted my hand in condolence as tears rolled down my face and my lips trembled from holding back a sob. And when we left the pub, I found myself to be quite drunk and my new friend stayed with me even then, holding back my hair as I tossed up my mead in an alley. Eiri let me stay with her that night and in the morning she was there to help me nurse my very first hangover. For the next few years, at her insistence, I stayed with my new friend in the tree city of Kelethin.

[Clareon Wolfeyes]

Great story, keep em coming, tell your friend she's really good.

[Tenolein]

~:Part 3: Hounddogs of War :~

The human stood on the dock, waiting for the raft that would ferry him out of the city. In Halas, the capital of the Northmen, it was even colder than usual that afternoon. He was glad he didn't have to wear his plate armor that day for it would have surely frozen stiff at the joints. Another reason to get that ward against cold placed on his gear.

"Hope they remembered here ta bring their brass monkeys inside today. 'So cold th' balls'll freeze offa them. Howsabout yer own, Houndd?"

The man didn't need to turn around to know who spoke to him. Very few knew his real name and those who did knew better than to address him by it. Only his mother called him Rutger. Hounddog Heilig`Klinge chuckled, "Well Eiri, that all depends. Are we talking about my balls or my brass monkey's?" The wood elf laughed and stepped up next to him, using his taller frame to block herself from the icy wind. She huddled deeper into her oversized coat, her breath making little clouds. "Dinna know ya owned one. Where ye headin' ta? I'd be happy ta port ye."

"Back home to Qeynos, if it isn't too much trouble," he looked down at the little druid.

Eiri scoffed, "Now would I be askin' ifn it was?"

"Probably."

"Ye're prob'ly right, ya know." Eiri took hold of Hounddog's arm and etched a rune in the air with a golden glow from the fingertips of her free hand. The rune took shape and glowed a bit brighter and the two friends were pulled out of Halas with a swirl of snow and golden sparks.

~o~

Eiri set her mug on the table, "Glad I bumped inta yer, I been needin' ta talk wit' ya." They had safely arrived at the druid ring in the hills of Qeynos and had stopped at an inn along the way to the city for an early dinner and a drink.

Hounddog sighed as he swallowed the bite of bread he had been working on, "If this is about that fiasco in Ak`Anon--" Eiri raised her hand to cut him off.

"S'not that, it's summat else. I gots a girl livin' wit' me fer 'bout a month who's wantin' ta be a pally. Thought I'd ask yer an' see hows ya feel 'bout teachin' her."

The man's eyebrows raised, "Me? Why me?"

"Why not?" Eiri shrugged and took a sip of her ale, "Yer the best I know an' ye're a friend, I trust ya."

Hounddog sat back in his chair and scratched at his beard. "If she's living with you in Kelethin, then why not take her to the paladins in Felwithe? I'd think they would be better equipped to train her than me."

"Ah, but therein lies tha problem. She's from Felwithe and they won't take her on. Seems her daddy is some hotshot merchant who's against the idea of havin' his daughter off playin' wit' swords. Told 'em not to train her even though he kicked her outta house an' home."

"Harsh. What about Kaladim?"

Eiri looked at the paladin as though he'd lost his mind, "The dwarves?! Pah! They'd laugh her skinny butt outta their caves 'soon as we ask. This girl's a high elf fer Tunare's sake, y'know they aint too keen on elves over there let 'lone teachin' one. I'm one o' the rare point-ears they tolerate, ya know that yerself. Prob'ly tha only." Hounddog nodded, she had brought up a valid point. The wood elf looked at him pleadingly, her forearms resting atop the table as she leaned forward, "All's I'm askin' is just talk ta her."

Almost a minute passed as they stared at each other until Hounddog sighed and asked, "She really wants to learn? Seriously?"

"Yep."

"And her dad really did kick her out of town?"

"Yep."

"And I'm the man for the job, huh."

"`Fraid so."


The knight folded his arms on the table and shook his head, defeated, "What's her name?"

~o~

Tiiana hit the ground with a thump and lay there, panting. She knew she'd be sore as hell by the next morning from today's training. After almost a year of this and I would've assumed I'd be used to these beatings by now. She raised a gloved hand to brush from her face a lock of hair that had escaped her ponytail.

Hounddog came to stand next to her and stooped down to offer his student a hand up. Groaning, she slapped her hand into his and got to her feet, slapping the dirt off her leather padding. She was over six feet tall, half a head taller than her teacher, and still a bit gangly even though it was passing as she matured. With flaming red wavy hair, topaz blue eyes and a pale complexion, Tiiana found that her looks worked annoyingly well to attract men. Most women would have killed to look half as attractive but to her it was a burden.

"I think it's time for a break, you've made some progress today." He brushed a couple of leaves out of Tiiana's hair and handed her the water skin.

"Progress?" Tiiana squeaked, "You call that progress? I spent half my time knocked on my rear!"

Hounddog paused and looked at her blankly, "Well considering you spent less time on your ass today than you have the past two, then yeah, I'd say it is."

The high elf made a noise of fruatration and uncorked the water skin, sulking. "But I haven't even gotten one spell off either. I don't know how that's supposed to be a good thing. I came close, but not close enough to complete it."

The paladin sighed and rubbed his hand over his beard. He was still in good shape even for being a couple years from forty, brown hair and ocean-blue eyes accompanied by a demeanor that allowed him to take his work seriously and still be able to joke around. Tiiana liked him and considered him a friend as well as a mentor. She respected him and that respect was boosted by the fact that he took the time to train her; and he tried his damnedest to be patient with her even though she wasn't patient with herself.

"Okay, I'm gonna be honest here. If you need me to lighten up so you can get off a spell I will, but don't be suprised if your enemy isn't so accomodating. Now what's the first thing I told you to look for when fighting a mixed group?"

Tiiana sighed and sat on the stump that she had been targeting for her casting practice, "Look for the healers and take them out first."

"Right, then what?"

"Magi; any and all magic users."

"Right. And what have you been learning to do for the past four months?"

"Magic."

"Right again. The enemy sees you casting and the first thing they're going to do is sic a guy on you to distract you from popping a heal or throwing anything detrimental at their healers and magi. To give yourself an opportunity, smack the guy with your shield good and hard and then cast."

Tiiana snorted, "Easier said than done."

Hounddog could only chuckle at Tiiana rolling her eyes. "Let's try again. This time keep an eye out for an opening and take it."

Tiiana nodded and stood, strapping her shield onto her arm and picking up her training sword from where she'd fallen earlier. As soon as she was set, Hounddog charged at her and swung his sword. Dodging with a sidestep and knocking his weapon to the side with her own, the hard wooden blades slid along one another and the human followed through the arc and back to strike again. In a moment she was down, cursing under her breath as Hounddog helped her to her feet.

Again they sparred for another minute or two though it seemed longer. She was determined to find her opportunity; lunging and blocking, dodging and lashing out until Tiiana found her opening. She thrust forward at her mentor hard with her shield but he caught her move in time to retreat. She followed, keeping her balance and bringing up her knee towards his groin. Again he retreated but not fast enough. Her plan was working. The knee was a feint, distracting her teacher enough for her to smash her fist into his face. Hounddog stumbled off balance and fell back. Tiiana pushed herself to concentrate on the spell and to worry about her teacher after. The stump cracked and a few pieces flew away from it. The smiting spell had hit dead on. "I did it! I fina--Houndd!" The girl's smile vanished when she turned back and saw the red streaking down his face and into his beard. Tiiana shed her weapons quickly and knelt beside her teacher as he gingerly touched his bloodly nose.

"Shid, I dink id's broge. Dice job, kid." Hounddog winced when he touched his damaged nose, looking more suprised than pained, he looked up and grinned at her. The blood and the smile together made him look slightly demented. "Really dice job. I dink we're done doday."

[Tenolein]

~o~

Tiiana walked down the street and turned a corner. Stopping at the second house on the left, she knocked on the door. It opened to reveal an old man, his once-brown hair had been taken over by grey and had lost the battle. It was apparent he kept himself in fairly good shape considering his age, though he did have the beginnings of a paunch. The man's blue eyes brightened as he recognised her, "Tiia, how you been girl? Come in, what brings you to Qeynos?" The man stepped aside to let her in and Tiiana stepped inside. "Haven't seen you in forever it seems."

"Not forever, only ten years Houndd." Tiiana smiled.

The old man beckoned her to a seat at the table, "Ten years is nothing to you, to me it's one sixth of my life so far. How's the Knights of Truth working out for you? Heard from Eiri that you took up with them a while back and made it to Lieutenant."

The high elf sighed as she sat down, "Things are going as well as one can hope. What with all the attacks lately."

Hounddog nodded gravely, "Things have been getting rough ever since that business with Lanys T`Vyl returning and taking over that outpost in Kunark. Seems like every time you turn around there's another battle taking place somewhere." He shook his head, palms flat on the tabletop as he sat down, "Bad time to be out of commission though. Since that incident a month ago when I screwed up my knee the Order won't let me stay on unless it's to train the new squires or as a tactical consultant. Hmpf, told me to go home and rest. How's anyone supposed to rest when every other day darkness looms just a little closer to our doorsteps?"

"I know. But they got me, don't they? And even though that's not as good as having the great and infamous Hounddog himself, I was still taught by him." Houddog smiled at her flattery and waved her off. "Honestly, I don't want you to retire anymore than you do. I'm sorry old friend."

The man shrugged, "That's what happens to us humans. We get old, we lose our sight, our minds, even our hair and teeth. We forget things. Next time you come visit I'll probably be drooling on myself and not have enough teeth to chew the meat off a bone, just wait."

"Oh don't talk like that, you know you're too onery to get that bad off. You know you'll be a hundred and still trying to cop a feel off some barmaid." the knight grinned, trying to lift her old teacher's spirits.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I'll still be too slow to dodge them when they turn around to slap me and you know it."

"Houndd?"

"Yeah?"

"There's a reason I came here. I want to ask you something." Hounddog looked up and waited for her to continue. Tiiana took a deep breath, "I want to ask your permission, if I could take your surname. To sort of carry on in your name and to be able to represent you while I'm out there on the field. You have been more than a teacher to me; I have always considered you as a dear friend. You've been almost like a father to me in a lot of ways and I would be honored to bear the name of Heilig`Klinge."

Hounddog couldn't find the words to answer, too suprised by her request to respond. He looked down at the table and reached out to take hold of her hand and merely nodded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Tiiana slid from her chair and around the table to him. And for the first time in the twenty-three years they knew each other, she hugged him.



((Hounddog Heilig`Klinge is based on a friend I met in EQ1 when I was in my first guild. I blame Tenolein for introducing me to ol' HD, or "Sex Machine" as I call him. He was a 65 pally who'd been playing since the game started. He taught me how to raid and how to tank properly with a paladin, and when he retired I did ask for his surname. I miss him.))

[Tenolein]

~:Part 4: Tactics :~

~:Entry #58 from Tiiana's Journal:~
It seems as though I have been fighting this war for an eternity. When it will end, I do not know. All of Antonica much less the whole of Norrath is in an uproar over Zek's seige and destruction of the Nexus. Cities are being ravaged, towns reduced to ashes, survivors left to wander about in search of safety. And more often than not, there are no survivors.

Our contacts have informed us of the growing restlessness inside the underground city of dark elves. Now the war has come to Freeport and the council has decided to hire outside help to battle against Neriak. The Knights are still skeptical on whether the Militia will help defend our city or not. I only hope the mercenaries are more reliable.


"Lady Heilig`Klinge? I was sent to tell you that Baron MacFurrie and another have arrived."

~o~

Tiiana entered the room and nodded to the other three knights; two men she had never seen before accompanied them. One was a Northman, tall and brawny with long brown hair pulled back into a low ponytail. This must be MacFurrie, she thought, remembering the squire's words. The other was hidden under the hood of his cloak, head bowed, the robe was parted just enough to show the flat torso undoubtedly male under the dark fabric of his robes.

"Well then, shall we?" Tiiana gestured to the chairs around the table. There was a brief shuffling and the scraping of chair legs against the hardwood floor. The unseen mercenary did not make any move to uncover his face and the knight noticed that gloves covered the man’s hands. This, Tiiana decided, would become an annoyance. "Pardon me, but would you be so kind as to show yourself? I would like to know just who it is I am conversing with."

The Northman turned to the high elf and grinned apologetically, "Sorry, he's a bit shy..." He trailed off, leaving the others under the impression there was more to his words than stated but that they'd soon find out. One gloved hand raised and pulled back the hood, revealing its owner's ebony skin, pointed ears, and stark-white shoulder length hair. The four knights visibly stiffened and one inhaled sharply, another glared in disgust. Tiiana herself struggled to keep her expression neural. He lifted his eyes to the others, bright green and filled with a tired expectation. He had apparently been through this sort of scenario before. "Dear Mithaniel, a dark elf!" breathed the knight on Tiiana's left.

"Now I know what yer thinkin'," explained the Northman, "but ol' Szinnie here is here ta help. He's an outcast and he knows his art like nobody's business, gives us an edge against our enemy. I trust him and have trusted him for tha past ten years give'r take. But if ya don't want him here, just give tha word an' we'll leave." He slapped a meaty paw on the Teir'dal's shoulder in a gesture of comraderie and waited. Tiiana looked at the other three knights. Two of them, Anders and Marcrum, were too suprised to object. The third, a man named Jeoffreys, sat in total opposition. Tiiana sighed; This is going to be a long day.

Turning back to the two mercenaries, Tiiana chose her words wisely. "I see no reason not to give you both, as well as the rest of your men, a chance to prove your worth. We must all set aside our differences and not dwell on each others' origins." Jeoffreys let out a frustrated sigh. "Any here who do disapprove of this will be free to leave and return to their previous engagements." The opposing knight muttered a curse under his breath. Tiiana knew how boring the night watch was and how Jeoffreys loathed it, the meeting giving him a reprieve. The knights looked from one to another. No one made any move to get up. "Now then, would you mind telling us your names and how we are to gain an 'edge' over the Teir'Dal with the assistance of... uh..."

"Szin, Szinmyr Ardolbo." Answered the dark elf, his voice thickly accented from a lifetime of speaking his native tongue.

~o~

~: Entry #64 :~
The meeting with our new allies, the King's Men as they call themselves, got off to a rather tense start. But none are to blame, when have the Knights ever worked with a Teir'Dal before? And on top of that, a necromancer! Supposedlly this Sznimyr Ardolbo is in exile, banished from his home and marked as a heretic by his own people according to"Baron" MacFurrie. I do agree with him though, having Ardolbo will be an advantage since he will know their methods. Bolrogg has also informed us that a few of his own men are inside of Neriak and have been hired to strengthen the opposing side. Clever fellow, this Northman. You can't help but like Bolrogg even though his manner is a bit rough. He reminds me of Eiri in some ways, perhaps that is why I can tolerate him.

As for the dark elf, I am still apprehensive. Partially, I feel the urge to not trust him though I am attempting to look past his racial difference. Over the past week, Szinmyr has done nothing to rouse my suspicions. In fact, he has suprised me by proving that perhaps not all dark elves are evil by birth but is learned.

Tiiana set down her quill and stared at her hands in the flicker of light from a lone candle. She recalled the meeting earlier that day, going over the maps for possible routes the Teir'Dal might take to Freeport. Several times during that meeting she had the feeling of being watched. Every time she glanced up, Szinmyr's eyes would quickly lower towards the map. His eyes made her uncomfortable, selfconscious. Surely he has seen a Koada'Dal before! Whenever he did let his eyes meet hers, Tiiana felt that the dark elf had something to say but had made no attempt to speak to her or any of the others.

Szinmyr only raised her curiosities; why was he banished from his homeland, what had he done? Several possibilities came to mind: murder, renouncement of faith, and treason seemed to be the most logical. Perhaps he simply wasn't evil enough for their likings. The high elf sat back in her chair and smirked, gazing idly out the window by her desk.

[Tenolein]

~:Entry #73:~

Bolrogg has sent word to us, his men inside Neriak tell him there is rumors of an alliance with the underground of Freeport. Also, his spies mention that a few necromancers have joined the party, only proving Szinmyr's assumptions. So far the Militia has not been the most cooperative, which has come to be expected. They give the appearance of being helpful though I, among others, remain in doubt. Their pasts as well as their present actions lead me to believe they will not be of much assistance in stopping this alliance. I suspect that we Knights are on our own and that hiring the King's Men has been a wise decision thus far.

Jeoffreys appears to have grown accustomed to Szinmyr's presence, though it looks to be more of a reluctant acceptance. I can see that he still does not enjoy being allied with a Teir'Dal and only speaks to Szinmyr when absolutely necessary.

~o~


"`Ey! Wait up!" Bolrogg hurried to catch up with the knight, "Ya must be pretty eager ta be rid of us eh? Runnin' off from these meetin's like ya do," he teased. Tiiana slowed her pace and shook her head, "No, I just have other things to attend to," she lied, Like getting away from your strange friend and those eyes.

"Always busy huh? J'you ever take a break, get a day off?" The Northman matched her steps, staying beside Tiiana, "I think some time off would do ya some good. Thought maybe ya might enjoy a night out, maybe go to a pub and have a drink." The knight stopped and looked at Bolrogg, one eyebrow raised in bemused questioning. He quickly put up his hands, palms out, "Now I'm not askin' ya out or nothin', I swear! I just--"

"Good," Tiiana smiled, "because I honestly do not think you're my type. Let alone the fact that I do not like to fraternize with those I work with." she turned to continue on to her chambers in the other wing of the Hall. Bolrogg still stood where she left him, slightly taken aback, finally calling out to the retreating high elf, "Well good, 'cuz it aint me who's inter'sted in ya!" Tiiana paused and was thankful no one else was in the hallway to overhear, calling back over her shoulder with a laugh, "Oh? And who would be interested in me?"

"Szin, fer one."

Tiiana stopped and turned back to Bolrogg. He nodded, "Yep, tha boy's got it in bad fer ya." Tiiana shook her head, feeling warmth upon her cheeks, This had to be a joke. Not knowing what else to say, the high elf straightened, "I await the next report from your spies. May next we speak pertain to more relevant matters. Truth guide you." Quickly she turned and walked away, not allowing the Northman to respond.

"Preposterous!" The knight muttered to herself as she entered her chambers, slamming the door, Last thing I need. She was positive it had to be a joke. Why would Szinmyr be interested in her? They were too different; he was a wanderer, a mercinary, and a dark elf! The last thing she wanted was to be tied down to some man, be made to stay at home where she would be "safe", be bored out of her skull. Tiiana stopped pacing her room, a thought came to her that conflicted with that reasoning. Not like Bolrogg said Szinmyr wanted to marry me... But then only lead her to one conclusion, leaving her to feel insulted. And if he is after that, then he's looking in the wrong place; he'd be better satisfied with a whore!

Tiiana, tying back her hair into a braid, grabbed her sparring gear and set off for the training grounds to release some stress. It wasn't that Szinmyr was unattractive; in fact he was suprisingly handsome compared to the other Teir’Dal she’d seen. But then anyone wouldn't look that attractive with his face twisted into the grimace of rage, a common expression seen upon her enemy's face during battle.

Admittedly, Szinmyr was good-looking in a bookish sort of way. He wasn't as loud and boisterous as his cohort, usually not speaking unless he had to. But those eyes, those bright green eyes, poison green, venom green, absinthe green. There was something about them, almost unnatural, something that pulled Tiiana into those eyes. The knight shook her head to clear the thought, trying to expulse the recollection of how his eyes made her breath catch, her heart skip. And here she was, all but mooning over him like some young girl! She was still young, but...but still! This was unlike her!

~o~

~: Entry #78 :~
Dark dreams now plague my sleep; of Teir'Dal sieging the Hall of Truth as the Militia looks the other way. Some of the Militia openly joins the dark elves in their attack. Lucan DeLere is undead and being used as a pawn of the dark queen, following her commands just as a necromancer's undead servant would, unprotesting in his mindless killing. All around me are those who I have known, loved and respected and they are dying, even Szinmyr and Bolrogg are powerless. I watch Eiri fall, screams evoked by a pain spell, swords slicing into her like axes into a tree. Zombies and arrows rip Tenolein to shreds. Hounddog is there too, though I know he has already passed away long ago but in this nightmare he is still alive, rendered immobile by a paralysis poison and unable to fight back. And I can only watch. I cannot move. I watch them all die. Please Mithaniel Marr, do not let this be a premonition.

~o~

~: Entry #81 :~
Two days ago, Bolrogg recieved word from his people; the Teir'Dal are to set out for Freeport in two nights, which means they will reach the city in little over four days. The party will consist of three necromancers, five guards, two shadowknights, and three others who appear to be more political than military or arcane. What role the Northman's men are to play I do not know. They have somehow been included into this plan though if they are to travel with this party or to remain behind is unknown.

A knock at the door to Tiiana's chambers interrupted her writing. "Come in," she sighed and hid her journal in a desk drawer, grumbling as she pushed herself out of the seat wearily, "This had better be good." The door opened and Szinmyr stepped in, "I do hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

Tiiana shook her head, "No, you weren't," she lied. Just keeping me further from sleep. The dark elf brushed back his shoulder-length hair from his face. He appeared to be troubled by something, shifting from one foot to the other. "Something amiss?" Tiiana queried, wondering what plagued her guest, perhaps new information from the King's Men spies?

"Bolrogg told me what happened, how he told you about..." Szinmyr trailed off, looking at anything but the knight. "He had no right to say it, true or not. Look, I'm just here to tell you that I am sorry; he had no right to do what he did. It wasn't his place, but that's how he is. Bol just butts in sometimes when it isn't needed. I had told him not to say anything." The dark elf stopped abruptly and glared at the floor, his cheeks darkening. The two stood in silence, not knowing what to say next. Tiiana had concluded that the Northman's words were a joke, though Szinmyr's words implied otherwise.

"I am intrigued by you. I am attracted and at the same time repelled by some unseen barrier. I find myself uncomfortable in your presence; I can't even speak directly to you without fear of making a fool of myself. I knew better than to say anything, that barrier... we... we're too different. What reasons would you have to feel the same? Why would you be...?" Szinmyr whispered, still staring at the floor. Sadness filled his words.

Tiiana nodded slowly, "You're right. We are too different. And I have no space in my life for... for such things. Your friend meant well I suppose..."

The dark elf stood there for a moment then nodded, mumbling "Yeah." as he turned to leave. "Sorry to bother you."

Once the door was closed, the high elf sank into her chair and slumped forward to rest her elbows on her knees. She stared at her hands, alone in the swirling pool of her own thoughts and emotions. After a few mintues, the knight stood and prepared for bed. The words she spoke had created a weight in her stomach, making her feel as though she were dragging herself into her bed with all her armor and a twenty-pound weight as well. Curling into a ball under the blanket, Tiiana wrapped her arms around herself and wondered why her face was wet. How long had she been crying? Why? She didn't feel anything for him, did she?

[Tenolein]

~:Part 5: Lost and Found:~

"Well? Any signs of them?" Tiiana whispered to Bolrogg. They, along with twelve others, crouched under the shelter of a large willow, half-hidden by the branches and far enough from the path to go unnoticed if anyone passed. The sun was setting in the Commonlands, dusk close on its heels. The Northman shook his head, "Nah, no signs from tha scouts yet. But we'll know when they're spotted."

The knight sighed and motioned for the others to gather around, "Alright then. Let's go over the plan again."

The party outnumbered the group of Teir'Dal who were heading to Freeport. Word had reached the Knights of Truth by way of a King's Men spy; a band of thirteen dark elves were to go to the underground of Freeport to form an alliance. Such an alliance would prove detrimental to the port city, as the Militia's alliegance was questionable. Tiiana looked over those she was to command as she spoke. Five knights and three of the clerics were from Freeport, followers of Mithaniel Marr just as she was. The fourth Marr cleric, a froglok named Redip, and Szinmyr made up the rest of the party besides Tiiana and Bolrogg. The three scouts were unknown, hidden away and watching for the approaching dark elves.

Just as they finished reviewing their plan, a wolf joined them under the willow. As soon as it reached them it sat, panting. Redip took the blanket from his pack and draped it over the wolf. The animal was already shifting, the bones moving and popping underneath its grey fur. A minute or two passed as the wolf's fur disappeared, the body rearranging itself into its original form. The wood elf, exhausted from the painfully quick change and her run, rasped, "They...they're here... H-half...hour from... from..."

The froglok crouched and let the elf rest against him, "Shush, it's alright Llyiada, you did very well. Rest for now, dear friend." The elf known as Llyiada closed her eyes, her breathing slowed to normal as Redip wiped the sweat from her face. The cleric looked to Bolrogg's concerned expression and smiled, "She'll be fine. Just give her a moment to recuperate. Her clothes are in my pack, could you get them please?" Bolrogg nodded, stooping to retrieve the bag.

Twenty minutes later and Llyiada was back on her feet, dressed and ready for the next part of her mission. The ranger grabbed her bow and quiver and trotted soundlessly into the dark to take her position near the path. Redip and two of the clerics hid one either side of the path along with Bolrogg and Szinmyr. Tiiana and the knights stood on the path, waiting for the Teir'Dal to come around the bend. Five minutes later, they were visible. Eight Teir'Dal were on foot and the rest on horseback, three skeletons and two ghouls accompanied them. The party halted a couple yards from the knights.

Tiiana and the others stood their ground. She called out,"Turn back to Neriak, you are--" A bolt from a crossbow whizzed past her left ear. The shadowknight frowned and took aim again, a murmuring of foreign words hummed from the necromancers. The undead unsheathed their weapons and advanced. The knights pulled out their swords, the high elf muttering, "Now that wasn't very nice." The dark elves grinned, these paladins were outnumbered! Did they really expect to win let alone survive? One of the necromancers fell, two arrows through his chest.

A volley of arrows rained down on the Teir'dal, the crossbow knocked from the shadowknight's now-impaled hand, the guards hiding under their shields. The clerics and King's Men joined the knights in fighting the undead minions. Bolrogg had summoned a wolf spirit to aid them, Szinmyr pelted the enemy with disease and decay. The shadowknights joined the battle, shouting curses as they attacked. The Northman let out a shout that Tiiana couldn't decipher over the cacophony of battle and the five Teir'Dal guards turned against their own. One of the three "politicals" cast a spell and the trio vanished in a swirl of gold sparks. The undead were now dead again. The remaining necromancer was faced off against Szinmyr, slashing at him with her dagger. Tiiana turned in time to see Szinmyr fall and the knight let out a pained cry. Before the high elf could reach the necromancer she had already escaped, gating back to Neriak.

The dark elves were either dead or had escaped. As for the knights, two were wounded and one of the clerics lay unconscious. The mercenaries suffered three casualties and two fatalities; one of the "guards" had been hit by an arrow, Bolrogg's arm was badly injured, and Szinmyr had been stabbed. The rest had only minor cuts and bruises. The cleric who tended Szinmyr shook his head, "This one won't make it unless we get him back to the city. I think he's been poisoned, it's too strong for me to cure."


~o~


Bolrogg stood, looking out the window, Llyiada next to him. The Northman's arm rested in a sling and he'd been advised not to move it too much. "You'd better go 'n' get some sleep darlin', ya gotta be tired after what we put ya through." The wood elf shook her head, "I'm fine." She was tired but didn't want to sleep knowing the others would still be up. Bolrogg nodded and didn't argue; he'd learned long ago not to go up against Llyiada's stubbornness. A male wood elf with long white-blond hair and a female with the eyes of an animal joined the two, "Any news?" asked the male.

The Northman shrugged, "The head priest said they've done all they could, the rest is up ta Szin. Sayin' he's fightin' the poison, which is a good sign. Show's he got some fight left an' aint ready ta die yet. Glad ta see you two aint hurt. Ya did good, I told Redip I knew what I was doin' by hirin' you guys as scouts."

The male leaned against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor, "Guess all we can do is wait, huh?" The yellow-eyed female put a hand on his head and ruffled his cornsilk hair, "Better go check on Tiia, come 'n' get me if'n ye be in need of me, okay Teno?" Tenolein looked up and grinned at her, she made a face to show she wasn't amused, "I didn' mean it that way, ya perv. Only you could think of playin' around at a time like this." Tenolein chuckled, "Yeah I know but someone's gotta keep us laughin', right Eiri? Say hi ta Big Red for me." Eiri shook her head and walked back down the hallway.

Eiri knocked on the door to Tiiana's room and then entered without waiting for permission to enter. She found her friend sitting on the bed, knees pulled close to her chest and her head buried in her arms. "Hey... ye goin' ta be alright?" The wood elf sat on the edge of the bed took hold of one of Tiiana's hands, giving it a little squeeze, "C'mon, talk ta me. Ya didn' do that bad, ye knew it'd be a dangerous fight goin' up against those inkies. Chora and Grandison died tha way they wanned ter: inna good fight an' not laid up in bed at home gettin' old."

The knight raised her head and shook her head, "It isn't that, Eiri. I...it's a lot of things, I guess mainly the stress." She wiped away the tears, "I'll be alright now that this is over."

Something in the high elf's voice told Eiri there was something else that bothered her friend that went untold. "Don't believe ya, sorry dear." She brushed Tiiana's fiery hair back with her fingers, "It's that other inkie aint it? Szinmyr. Ye're worried 'bout him." The high elf remained mute, not looking at Eiri.

"Bol says he'll be fine, the poison's not outta Szin yet but he'll live. Issat what's buggin' ye?"

Tiiana covered her face with her hands and began to sob. The wood elf moved closer and wrapped her arms around her friend, "Oh honey, don't ya be cryin'. I said he'll be okay!" The knight shook her head and said something unintelligible through her hands. "Whazzat? Lookit here when ya speak, I can't hear a word yer sayin'." Tiiana dropped her hands from her tear-stained face, looked at Eiri and wailed, "I am such a fool!"

"Hey hey, whatcha mean 'fool'? What's got ye so wound up?" The wood elf held onto Tiiana firmly, concerned and alarmed at the sight of the high elf coming so unglued. She didn' cry this hard when her daddy kicked her outta Felwithe! Eiri finally coaxed the story from the knight and out it came in a babbling sobbing mess:

"I was so horrilble to him I didn't want him to get close I was scared Bolrogg said he liked me and I thought he was joking but he wasn't oh I was so cold to him I was so stupid I told him there was no chance we were just too different what could he see in me he came here and said Bolrogg shouldn't have said anything and that it was true oh Eiri he was so hurt and I was the one who did it I said there was no chance and I felt so bad but I didn't say anything to him I should've told him the truth but I was scared I'm such an idiot I should have stopped him from leaving oh he was so hurt you could feel it and I almost lost him but I think I lost him anyway and he could have died thinking it was true but I lied I never told him I--"

"Whoa whoa wait, who we talkin' about here?" Eiri blinked, confused. "Bolrogg said he liked you? But I thought Bol an' Llyiada wer--"

"No! Not Bolrogg! Szinmyr!"

"Oh. Okay, that's makin' more sense."

[Tenolein]

~o~

It was early morning; the sun was barely over the horizon when Szinmyr struggled to open his eyes, groaning as he tried to move. Why was he so sore? Oh yeah, the fight. Gingerly he felt his bandaged side where the dagger pierced his flesh; it hurt only if he tried to move. How long had he been out? He looked around and saw what appeared to be a tent. His eyes adjusted to the dim light. No, not a tent; there was a solid ceiling above him and a curtain was used to partition off a semi-private area for him. Szinmyr tried to move his other hand but found he couldn't, he was holding something. Or was something holding his hand? He looked towards his captive hand and what he found was indeed a suprise to him. Holding onto his hand and fast sleep as she sat next to the bed, her head resting on her arms beside Szinmyr, was Tiiana Heilig`Klinge.

The dark elf tried again to move and winced, groaning again. Tiiana woke and turned her head, bleary-eyed and still half asleep as she looked at him. It took her a moment to realize he was looking back at her and no longer unconscious. "G'mornin'..." Szinmyr whispered hoarsely and wished he hadn't. He could really use a drink right now, just how long had he been asleep? The knight left her seat and leaned toward him, careful not to harm him in her embrace. He slowly put his arms around her in return.

"I don't care if you hate me," Tiiana said, "I'm too glad to see you awake to care."

Szinmyr cleared his throat, "Uhm, why would I hate you?"

"Because...I lied to you."


~o~


"Dos have failed us, Jhaelra."

The Teir'Dal male sat motionless, glaring down at the female necromancer who knelt before him. "Begging will naut help dos. We sent dos to Freeport to do one simple task and dos could naut even carry it out. The Queen will be most displeased with us."

"But the chancellors escaped unharmed! For that w--"

"Silence!" he hissed, his face contorted with fury, "The plan was to escort them to Freeport and back unnoticed, though word of the meeting reached the city before dos could even get there! The guards dos and Antaun La'Vyl hired were spies! Fool!! To think dos were trusted enough with something so simple! Now Freeport will be on the alert and a second attempt will be impossible! And to think I was considering naming dos as ussta successor, pah!"

Jhaelra V`Critx shrank back as though she had been struck, "J-Jabbuk Duralas..."

"Do naut call ussa by that name. I forbid dos to address ussa by ussta first name henceforth. Begone from ussta sight, dos have brought nothing but disgrace to the Lodge of the Dead." Duralas motioned to the two skeletons who stood guard on either side of his office door like statues. At once, the two skeletons moved forward, grabbing Jhaelra by the upper arms and hauling her to her feet. "Show this piece of filth to the gate." The necromancer turned back to his desk to resume his work. The skeletons turned toward the door with his ex-apprentice squirming between them.

"dosst dalharuk dron!*" Jhaelra shouted. Her mentor froze, quill hovering above the parchment. He raised a hand and the skeletons stopped moving, still holding the female firmly in their grip.

"My...son?" Duralas turned slowly to face her, "I nau longer have a son. He was declared a heretic and sent out of Neriak. Proof of his 'untimely' death was brought back to ussa. Dos know that."

"Then they lied!" Jhaelra spat, her lips drawing back in a malicious grin as she looked directly into Duralas' venemous green eyes, "Szinmyr Ardolbo yet lives."


((Yes I use some Drow words in DE speech, gimme a break =P
*=your son lives!))