The Prophecy Chapter Nineteen
Feb. 9th, 2007 08:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skieblueDisclaimer: There is some dialogue towards the end of this chapter that is based on the lyrics of the song "It Is You I Have Loved" by Dana Glover.
Chapter Nineteen: Travel and Discoveries
Group one left Minatar's village and continued on their journey. As soon as it got dark they stopped and set up camp in the foothills of the grimwall mountains. They started a fire and gathered around it to eat dinner
As she sat looking into the fire, Lia remembered her first trip across the Grimwalls, when she had been only eight years old. Eight years old, and learning the ways of war in order to defeat Dantor. That night, the idea of traveling over the moutains had terrified her, but her father had reassured her. And during the actual ride over the pass, she had been distracted by Dakkon, and the lesson he had given her about what they would face. With those memories in mind, she said, "We could encounter Foul Folk as soon as tomorrow."
Dakkon looked at her. "Yes. You remember. I knew you were paying attention, a smil eon his lips."
"Yes. Although, that time, we were lucky enough not to encounter them for a couple of days. They have more reason to stop us now. Then, Dantor may have known that we were no real threat to him."
"We're still no threat to him, at least not yet. He looked at Wesley.
Wesley looked up. "What?"
Dakkon laughed, "Nothing."
"Well, I would hope Dantor isn't an issue," Lia said. "I mean, even if he wasn't killed, he is still gone, isn't he." It was still hard for her to forget her three years as Dantor's prisoner.
"Let us hope."
"He is going to come back, though, isn't he? Because Kris wasn't one of the ones who was supposed to defeat him?"
"I am afraid so it is up to you and Karia now."
"What are you talking about?" Cordy asked.
"One of the battles that will be forthcoming."
"What battle is that?" Wesley asked
"Against Dantor."
"And who would have to defeat him?" Angel asked
"If the prophecy that was found in Beacondell is still true, then Karia and I have to," Lia said. "Of course, I don't even know her, so I don't know how some prophecy expects us to work together. At least I knew Kris, or thought I did." She realized she was saying too much, and stopped.
"You will get to. It will come in time. You already know Kaelea so it shouldnt be too hard to get along with Karia."
"But I don't even know anything about her, except that her mother was my real father's twin sister. And I don't even know my father's name, or his sister's name. Or what they were like. Or what she's like. Plus, I've barely spoken to her, except for during that battle, and then she just wanted to know why I'd stepped forward, and said she hoped I'd be useful for something like that."
"I am sure you guys will hit it off. She is a good kid." Angel answered.
"You know her?"
"Yes. I helped her out. I remember it as if it was yesterday. She was oh I would say 5 years younger when she ran into trouble. I saved her life and showed the ropes."
"Oh. Is that why she came to Arda with you. She was part of your organization?"
"No we just met up actually. She showed Vanidor to us and brought us here. I saved her from a man named Stefan who had tried to kill her and so I saved her by turning her."
"Turned her into what?" Lia asked confused.
"A vampire. She is just like me."
"A vampire? You mean, you're a Cursed One?" Lia asked. "Like the yellow-eyed man that Aravan is looking for?"
"Well...I am a good guy. There are two kinds, bad and good, and I am good. The one Aravan hunts is bad."
"Is my cousin a good one? I mean, I already have one evil cousin."
"Yes she is. "
"Oh."
"So...I guess we should get to bed, we have a long day ahead of us."
"Do you think we'll encounter the Foul Folk tomorrow?" Lia asked. "I mean, what if they hold the pass or something?"
"We can take them. Don't you worry." He smiled gently at her. "Get some sleep"
"Shouldn't we set a watch?" she asked.
"I'm on it." Wesley stated as he messed with his watch
After a moment he looked up.."Oh that's not what you meant is it?"
Angel shook his head. "Only you Wes. We should be fine. If anything does approach I am liable to hear it."
"Is that some kind of Cursed One ability or something?" Lia asked.
"Please stop calling me that. Yes, i have enhanced hearing."
"Oh? I'm sorry. It is just the term we use here."
"It's ok. Get some sleep."
"Okay. Good night."
They all fell asleep after some tossed and turned and stared into the night sky, even the fire died down.
As the fire died, a woman approached the camp, moving as silently as the Elves can.
Angel heard a woman approaching, and allowed her to get close enough to see if she was a threat
Thinking everyone asleep, Lothiniel approaching close enough to the camp to observe the people in it. She recognized four of them from previous meetings, but the Elf was a stranger to her.
The woman seemed to be studying the group, Angel waited.
Seeing that everyone was definitely asleep, she drew her sword, thinking what fools they were to not set a watch this close to the Grimwall. With any luck, she would be able to complete her mission and return to Kris and get that kiss he had promised her when she succeeded.
On her approach to Wesley he stood quietly and came up behind her. he caught her arm as it went back. "I wouldn't do that If I were you."
She struggled to free her arm. "So, you weren't quite as foolish as I thought. Just pretending to have no one on watch."
"I was asleep but you forget my dear, I am a vampire. I can hear you coming a mile away."
"You couldn't. Elves are able to move silently."
"Not as silent as you would think. I suggest you put that sword away."
"And what are you going to do if I don't?"
"I don't think you want to know."
Dakkon stirred, and immediately stood up. "You must be Lothiniel. You aren't as clever as they make you sound."
"And who would you be, since you obviously seem to know who I am?" she asked.
"Dakkon."
"Oh. Yeah, I remember Lia mentioned you once. She said you were dead."
"That was an undercover assignment. So why did Kris send you? To get rid of the competition? He will have to do better than that."
"He sent me to prove myself a capable assassin. And I certainly wasn't expecting to find someone else who's fate he was interested in. He'll be interested to know where she is."
"I don't think so dear." Angel stated.
"And what do you mean by that?"
"We can't let you go back." Dakkon added.
"Oh. Well, we'll see about that. The girl might let me, if she was awake. I know her pretty well. We traveled together on Arda. Plus, she knows that I was one that revealed Derek to be a traitor."
"She trusts my judgment. Besides Kaje told us all about you."
"I've never even met this Kaje, although I've heard his name. He was the one who raised both of them, right? He doesn't know everything. He doesn't know that his daughter slept with a traitor."
"Bite your tongue. You will not speak such things of any member of this group."
"Even if it's true? Ask her."
"I am not going to wake her."
During this whole conversation, Lothiniel had kept her sword out, and now, she turned her attention back to what she come there to do. She would deal with the girl later.
As she went to attack him a forcefield appeared around him and at contact threw her onto the ground. She vanishes.
~*~
Kris was standing in a room on the upper floor of headquarters, just looking out the window, when an Orc brought Lothiniel to him. He had sensed her return, and left instructions she was to be brought to him as soon as possible. Turning, he dismissed the Orc with a gesture, and then focused his full attention on Lothiniel.
"So, you return? Have you killed anyone yet?" he asked.
"You mean, not counting all those people I killed back on earth before you took over?" she asked. "I tried, but he's just too powerful. He wasn't even awake, and he somehow managed to send me back here."
"Hmm, we might have to try an alternate method of getting to him," Kris mused. "Did you accomplish anything. Can you tell me about who he is traveling with, and where they are?"
"He is traveling with the other two from L.A., as well as your cousin, and some Elf named Dakkon."
"That's impossible," Kris said. "Dakkon died fifteen years ago at Griffin Keep."
"Well, he looked pretty healthy for a dead guy. He said he was undercover, on a mission. Oh, and I talked to Angel and Dakkon, and told them about Derek. So, now they know that Lia slept with a traitor. That might influence their trust of her, and effect the group's efficiency."
"Well, you may have at least given my an idea . . . I doubt Lia is the only one of them that has a secret she would rather not have broadcast."
"No, probably not, but I don't see what your point is?"
"Well, if we could find out these secrets, or even some of these secrets, and expose them, then we could drive wedges in between their relationships. And, it will make it that much easier for us to take over. All I need is a way to find out what their secrets are."
"Yeah, well, you're hardly in the position to perform an inquisition. You need to actually be around the people to do that. Now, if you don't mind I have stuff to attend to now that I have finished my report." She turned to leave, wondering if he would try to stop her, or if he would just let her walk away. She hoped he would stop her.
He grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. "What exactly is this inquisition. If it's something that could allow me to learn their secrets, I would like to know about it."
"I said it was something you probably couldn't do."
"Well, I won't know that unless I know what it is."
"You spent five years on earth. Didn't you watch any television during that time."
"Yes, but I don't remember anything about an inquisition. Unless you mean the Spanish Inquisition. I think I may have seen a documentary on that, one night in a motel room. There was nothing else interesting on that night."
"Well, that wasn't what I meant. I was talking about something from the Hornblower movies."
"I think I remember hearing of those. What kind of name is Hornblower. It sounds like someone did a lousy job coming up with an alias."
"Well, I'm not sure of the name's origins on earth, but interestingly enough, here on Arda, it's the name of a family of Hobbits. There's another character in the movies whose last name is also the name of a family of Hobbits."
"Does this discourse on last names have anything to do with the inquisition you mentioned?" he asked, releasing her wrists and turning back to the window. He was facing the direction of Gondor, and he imagined he could see the flames that the sentries had reported that morning. He knew that Mordel would not be happy with the destruction of Gondor before she and her forces from Angmar seized control, and he expected an envoy from her at any moment. He had been thinking about what to tell this envoy to do about Gondor when Lothiniel had come into his room.
"No. You're the one who asked the name?" Lothiniel replied, joining him at the window. "There are four movies in the series, and in the first one there's a villain named Jack Simpson. The only proper villain in the series, in my opinion. He was very sadistic. The inquisition was something he would do, where he would ask someone else what their dirty little secret was, and I would guess this inquisition usually involved a beating. At least, it did when they showed him perform the inquisition on Hornblower. That inquisition was the first thing they show him do, unfortunately, but there are hints that he was capable of worse. In fact, most people are convinced that he did something worse to this other character, Kennedy. I guess they think this because Kennedy wouldn't even look at him, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Simpson did something really bad to him. Maybe he was just a coward. However, just about everyone who watches the movies is convinced that Kennedy was sexually abused by Simpson."
"That was more information then I wanted," Kris said, watching as a horse approached, and was stopped by the perimeter guard. "I have a new assignment for you. Since you know so much about this inquisition, I want you to go find a Cursed One or a Black Mage who is capable of performing one, and send him after the fellowships."
"I'm supposed to be an assassin. My job should be to kill someone, not to do your diplomatic work for you," she complained.
"Yes, I will let you know when I want you to assassinate someone. I came up with a plan while you were giving me a movie report. In the meantime though, you are the only one I can spare for this mission. I am going personally to see about fortifying Gron, so we have a stronghold on Mithgar. I need Mordel and her forces to hold the land of Gondor. Even if the city is gone, the territory could be advantageous to us. And, my father and Leareth will stay here to hold this territory, and keep Grool and his Orcs under control. So, I need you to do as I asked and return to Mithgar. I must go and meet with Mordel's envoy." With that, he turned from the window, and left to go downstairs, leaving her to follow his orders, as he knew she would.
~*~
Lothiniel walked through the portal and approached the Black Hills and Isarak's lair. She had met Isarak before, so no one challenged her, and she entered his main hall. Isarak was sitting at the far end of the hall. Aylis was standing behind him, massaging his shoulders.
"Well, what is your business here?" Isarak asked.
"I'm here to ask for your assistance in a plan that the dark lord has come up with. He wants to exploit the secrets of the Crusaders and needs help learning them. He sent me to find a Black Mage or a vampire who could find out secrets. I thought of you first."
"How considerate of you. Why should I help you?"
"I am prepared to negotiate an arrangement that would be beneficial to you. Is there anything you strongly desire?"
"I have all that I need. I highly doubt that anything you could give me would be beneficial to me."
"Well, maybe, we could do a job of some sort for you."
He quirked an eyebrow and looked up at Aylis. He chuckled. "Why don't you inform her of our policies. She's not worth my time."
Aylis looked at Lothiniel. "Dear, when you have something better come back. You're wasting our very valuable time."
"Yes, it looked like you were being very productive, hanging around this hallway. Is there nothing you desire?"
"What he desires is something you cannot give. So drop it, unless you have something else worth stating."
"I am an official representative of the Dark Lord, and I can say you don't want to get on his bad side. After all, he will be the first Dark Lord to rule both Arda and Mithgar."
"And I assure you that in your position you should not be making threats. He will only remain to the be the Dark Lord if Wesley doesn't call the Circle before he does. Give us one reason why we should help you. What is in it for us? Everything has a price, my dear. Make it worth our while or take your leave."
"Well, I will take my leave then, but the Dark Lord will be informed of your unwillingness to negotiate."
"Negotiate? I wasn't aware there was anything on the table to negotiate."
"I have asked you twice to name your conditions."
"That is not how negotiating works, my dear. You offer and then we discuss. You obviously need a bit of tutelage."
"This isn't my usual job. I'm an assassin. Do you need anyone killed?"
She laughs, "After the disaster with Wesley, I doubt you will get another assassination job. You seem to be a failure at everything you do."
"Well, I was surprised by his power. And how many people have you killed? Or if your job just to stand here and massage your boyfriend's shoulders?"
"For you information, I have killed several people rather successfully. More than I can say for you. And the only reason I am massaging his shoulders is because I want to. What my duties are, are of no concern to you."
"I have killed people. And I could care less what your job is."
"Good. If you have nothing else to offer, I suggest you take your leave."
"I believe I had already prepared to do so."
~*~
Kaelea rode up next to Calyna. "How's the circlet situation? Did you break it yet?"
"Yes, but I don't want to talk about it."
"How is everything else going for you?"
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing. Just curious as to how you are holding up is all."
"It's not like I was dependent on him. I hardly ever saw him most of the time we were married."
"That . . . okay . . . you sure you don't want to talk about it? It seems to be bothering you."
"I'm trying not to think about it."
"Well, if you need me, I'm here." She smiled and rode to catch up to Fairin and Karia.
"How is she?" Karia asked.
"She seems to still be bothered by it, but she did break the circlet. So, that's good news."
"This can't be easy for her."
"Of course not. But it seems that it was bound to happen. I have heard that he had been rather distant as of late."
"Not surprising, considering what he was covering up."
"I suppose that is true."
Karia stopped her horse and looked around suspiciously. She felt Stefan's presence, he was still following and he was very close by, too close to be exact.
Stefan stepped out in front of them. Karia narrowed her eyes.
"Hello, my Childe."
"Well, well, look who it is. Finally decided to show yourself to the others."
"I wanted to meet your little friends."
"My friends are of no concern of yours. Go crawl back into the hole you came out of."
"Why don't you accept your destiny, Childe?"
"My destiny? And what would that be?"
The others had also stopped their horses and were gathered around, looking confused.
"Your destiny is to join me. Why do you think I turned you? You are destined to be my consort."
"You didn't turn me. You left me for dead. I wouldn't touch you if you were the last vampire on earth! Get over your sick and twisted obsessions and leave me alone. How many times must I tell you?"
"You do not give me orders, Childe." He moved really quickly and unbuckled her stirrup, causing her to fall from her horse.
She was to slow and fell off of her horse. She blinked several times while staring at her surroundings. She felt the pain shoot through her body.
Vanidor got off of his horse and walked over to her, a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?"
She looked up at him. "Yeah, I need a moment." After a few moments she sat up slowly, and glared at Stefan. "What may I ask was the point of that? Level ground?" Vanidor helped her to her feet, and she dusted herself off.
"Basically, the Childe is not allowed to be higher than their master and who is your friend here?"
"None of your business. Now I am losing my patience. What do you want?"
"I told you a moment ago. I want you to accept your destiny."
"And I said no."
"You have no choice it is your destiny."
" Says you. I make my own destiny. Now kindly remove yourself from our path."
"You do not give me orders."
"And you do not give me orders. Now move or I will remove you."
"Go ahead and try. Your no match for me...Childe. I'm in charge here."
She quirked an eyebrow. "You are really getting on my nerves." She waved her hand and he flew a few feet backwards.
He stood up after a few moments, a furious look was on his face. "Now you're pissing me off."
"Oh? And just what are you going to do about it?"
"Just remember whose in charge here. You seem to forget that I know you, I know your inner soul. I am your maker and I know that you, such as I, have an inner demon. You were meant to be like me and join me in conquest."
"I think that you seem to forget that Angel is my maker, and if anything I owe my mere existence to him. I owe you nothing and I will never join you in anything. Just thinking about you makes my skin crawl. Now I will not repeat myself again. Leave me alone."
"For the time being maybe, but I will be back to claim you. You are mine after all."
"I am not something you can claim."
"My dear Childe I already have."
"So you think. I will not go anywhere with you. You will have to kill me first."
"We'll see." He turned on heel and walked back into the forest from whence he came.
She swayed on her feet. She hadn't completely recovered and using her power hadn't helped the situation. "Guys I think we should rest here for the night." She slowly made her way to a shady tree and sat down leaning against it, placing her head back against it with her eyes closed.
Vanidor walked over to her and sat down beside her. "Are you alright? That looked liked a rather...complicated situation."
She looked over to him. "Complicated isn't the word. I am still trying to recover from falling off my horse. If I was human I probably would have broken my back, among things."
"Do you need help?"
"The kind of help I need is something you would not want to give me."
He looked a bit puzzled.
"I need blood. I need to feed...that is the only downside to being what I am. I can't stand doing it but it is the only way that I can survive."
"Oh...."
"It's okay. I don't expect you to have any reaction. I just need to sit here until the world stops spinning."
Kaelea looked at Fairin, "I hope she is okay. She looks as if she's in a lot of pain. And just who was that man? He didn't like to hear no as an answer. I am really worried."
"I don't know who he was, but they seemed to know each other."
"I am actually glad that we stopped. We haven't had any time to ourselves to talk or just to be together."
"I guess things have been rather busy, but at least we are together."
~*~
"I am just so glad that you are alright." Luthan commented.
"Yes…it has been a little rough but I think that I can manage. I am going to go for a walk. I think a bit of fresh air will do me good."
Luthan nodded. "Indeed it will." He smiled fondly, for he knew what was about to happen, and walked off.
She walked a ways until she reached a cliff and she looked out at the land beneath her. It was a truly beautiful sight to see. The sun was setting and the breeze was beginning to set in. Aravan saw her walk off and he followed her. He wanted to make sure she truly was safe. He also didn't trust Isarak and wanted to make sure that she had been healed.
"Hey. Are you all right? You gave me quite a scare back there. I was afraid I was going to lose you."
She turned to face him, her heart pounding. "I-yes, I think I will be. I just wanted to get away from everyone. All of the fussing was making me uncomfortable. I guess I'm just not used to people worrying about me. Sometimes even you surprise me. Did you really think you were going to lose me?"
"Yes, of course I was worried. I care about you." His tone was softer and gentler.
"I know you care for me. You have told me many times before." His tone surprised her. He has never been so gentle with her…his tone was never so caring, even when he was being influenced he still treated her nicely but never quite like this.
He walked closer closing the gap between them. "I never realized how deeply I care for you until today."
"What do you mean?" Her heart was beating faster. Could this possibly be what she has been waiting for all of these years?
"I-I love you. I-I have for sometime, but failed to realize."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You-I-I have been waiting to hear you say that for so long. I-I just can't believe that you actually did."
He reached out for her hand, and clasped it between his. "There's something about you-about the way you look at me. I can see the truth in your eyes, and I know that you have never lied to me. I feel that this is where I belong. It suddenly became clear to me…you're the home that my heart has been searching for all along, and in fact it was you I loved for so long. I know that there were times that I ran and hid away from you, but I was afraid to show you the other side. I felt alone every night that I was away from you. I now know who you are and I know that you love me too. I have finally found where I belong after searching for so long, it is you I have loved all along. I am filled with emotion over and over again, when I am near you and your love runs through my veins, it is apart of my being. There is no more mystery. You're the home my heart has been searching for, and it is you that I love. I love you, Ria."
Her eyes filled with happy tears and she didn't know what to say. "I-welcome home."
He pulled her into a hug, it was gentle and loving. When he pulled back he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss upon her lips.
~*~
Luthan saw that Gildor and Isethia had been talking for quite sometime, he smiled and walked over.
"I don't care who your father is. What I feel for you has nothing to do with your family and is not something that is going to change."
"You should listen to him you know. He speaks the truth. And besides I think you should tell him what you have been pondering on for so long…because you will find it to be most rewarding…not to mention that your thought is not wrong." He smiles kindly, as he sits down and leans against the tree.
"What do you mean?" Isethia asked.
Luthan began to hum a common lullaby that is sung to babes when they are being put to sleep.
"Oh…" she stated obviously as she realized what he was talking about.
"Does he mean what I think he means?!" He asked excitedly, as he looked at her with anticipation and hope on his face.
"Yes, I'm with child."
He picked her up and spun her around. "I can't believe this! I am going to be a father…and you a mother!!! This is fantastic news." He pulled her into a hug.
Luthan sat there and smiled. It seemed everything had turned out as expected. He was in a good mood…things couldn't be going any better.
~*~
Kris entered the gates of the Iron Tower fortress, glancing up at Modru's iron-beaked mask as he walked by. The mask had been left there as a warning to any future evildoers, a warning that Kris heeded not. Instead, he was debating whether he needed a mask of his own. It might increase his authority.
He walked past all the outbuildings and entered the central tower, and approached a spiral staircase. He climbed up this staircase until he reached the room that had once been Modru's inner sanctum. This room showed signs of a fire, most of which were concentrated around a stone pillar in the center of the room. To one side were several instruments of torture, and at the other side were various Mage items that Modru had used.
Kris picked up an Orb that Modru had used to summon the Foul Folk, and focused all his will on it. Moments passed, and nothing happened. More moments passed, and Kris heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and looked at the door to see a Ghul approaching.
Not waiting for the Ghul to speak, he began, "I am your new master, now, and I have a mission for you. I want you to send all the Foul Folk to seek parties of Elves traveling across the land. And if you find a blue, red, or emerald gem in the possession of any of these groups, you are to bring that gem to me. Send all the Foul Folk you can out to seek these groups, and my orders are to kill anyone traveling with these groups."
"As you wish, Master," the Ghul said, rather insincerely.
~*~
"Celebdhel, see what you can do about this storm," Legolas shouts.
Celebdhel nodded and within moments the storm dissipated.
"It's about time. I am never going to get this sand out of my hair," Celendrea complained.
"Celendrea, there are other matters more important than your god-forsaken hair," Legolas said.
"Well, this sand just gets into everything," she complained.
"Shh. Someone's approaching, and they're not very friendly."
"Can you tell what it is?" Ayala asked. She noticed that her Companion, Tinviel, seemed to be acting nervous about whatever approached.
"I would say Foul Folk. My guess is that Kris sent them our way. Looking for something, no doubt."
"Well, I guess we'll just have to get rid of them, then," Ayala said.
"Just be sure to keep your distance. I can smell Vulg poison." Legolas pulled his bow and arrow, and started firing in the direction of the Foul Folk. The others also opened fire on the Foul Folk, as the Foul Folk got closer.
Celeborn glared at Celendrea. "Will you do something, you useless twit. We're being attacked here."
"I can see that," she said.
"Well, don't just stand there. Shoot some virai arrows."
After a few moments, the battle and they continued on their way.
~*~
Several days passed, as the fifth group journeyed across the plains of Valon. They were about two days journey from the Argon Ferry and the crossing into Pellar.
"This trip has been too easy. Don't mean to sound pessimistic or anything, but we've only encountered one group of Foul Folk," Haleth said.
"Yes, something does strike me as odd," Tolar agreed.
Adrianna puts a hand up to silence them and the horses came to a stop and she dismounted. "You had to jinx us, didn't you, Haleth?"
Lunea dismounted as well. "It is surprising that we have seen so few people here, as well. The people of Valon are much like the Rohirrim, and usually there are bands of them out here, tending their horses."
"Look, that seems to be our answer," Adrianna said. "We are being approached by Foul Folk."
A band of Vulgs and Ghuls was approaching. The Ghuls were still a few minutes away, but a pack of about twenty Vulgs was running ahead of them, and had almost reached the group. Within seconds, the first Vulg reached the group, and leapt to attack. Adrianna stepped in the way and took on the Vulg. However, the other nineteen Vulgs had now arrived, and began going after the rest of the group. Then, the five Ghuls arrived on their Helsteeds. The group found themselves surrounded within a matter of minutes. They fought back to back, killing as many Vulgs as they could.
"Haleth, stab them through the heart with your staff!" Adrianna shouted.
After quite some time, the battle ended. The group was tired, and some were injured, and they had lost their fake Ruby Sameril, which one of the Ghuls had managed to take off with. Adrianna was sitting on the sand looking through her pack, having several wounds on her body. Haleth was tending to a small cut on Tolar's forehead, and Elrond was guarding the camp while the others rested.
~*~
Back at the Iron Tower, Kris once again summoned the Ghul to meet with him. "I have another task for you," he said. "In addition to hunting for those parties I mentioned before, I want you to send parties out to scout all the lands, and kill all the Elves you find. Also, I want you to send a Horde through Kregyn Pass to attack Arden Vale. They are to kill all the Elves, and the hold the Vale as an addition to our territory."
The Ghul bowed and walked out.
Kris sat back in the chair that Modru had once used, and smiled. Finally, after many years, he would finally be able to give the Elves what they deserved, and prove to them that they were not, in fact, better than all other races. Within months, he would see to the extinction of the entire race.
Chapter Nineteen: Travel and Discoveries
Group one left Minatar's village and continued on their journey. As soon as it got dark they stopped and set up camp in the foothills of the grimwall mountains. They started a fire and gathered around it to eat dinner
As she sat looking into the fire, Lia remembered her first trip across the Grimwalls, when she had been only eight years old. Eight years old, and learning the ways of war in order to defeat Dantor. That night, the idea of traveling over the moutains had terrified her, but her father had reassured her. And during the actual ride over the pass, she had been distracted by Dakkon, and the lesson he had given her about what they would face. With those memories in mind, she said, "We could encounter Foul Folk as soon as tomorrow."
Dakkon looked at her. "Yes. You remember. I knew you were paying attention, a smil eon his lips."
"Yes. Although, that time, we were lucky enough not to encounter them for a couple of days. They have more reason to stop us now. Then, Dantor may have known that we were no real threat to him."
"We're still no threat to him, at least not yet. He looked at Wesley.
Wesley looked up. "What?"
Dakkon laughed, "Nothing."
"Well, I would hope Dantor isn't an issue," Lia said. "I mean, even if he wasn't killed, he is still gone, isn't he." It was still hard for her to forget her three years as Dantor's prisoner.
"Let us hope."
"He is going to come back, though, isn't he? Because Kris wasn't one of the ones who was supposed to defeat him?"
"I am afraid so it is up to you and Karia now."
"What are you talking about?" Cordy asked.
"One of the battles that will be forthcoming."
"What battle is that?" Wesley asked
"Against Dantor."
"And who would have to defeat him?" Angel asked
"If the prophecy that was found in Beacondell is still true, then Karia and I have to," Lia said. "Of course, I don't even know her, so I don't know how some prophecy expects us to work together. At least I knew Kris, or thought I did." She realized she was saying too much, and stopped.
"You will get to. It will come in time. You already know Kaelea so it shouldnt be too hard to get along with Karia."
"But I don't even know anything about her, except that her mother was my real father's twin sister. And I don't even know my father's name, or his sister's name. Or what they were like. Or what she's like. Plus, I've barely spoken to her, except for during that battle, and then she just wanted to know why I'd stepped forward, and said she hoped I'd be useful for something like that."
"I am sure you guys will hit it off. She is a good kid." Angel answered.
"You know her?"
"Yes. I helped her out. I remember it as if it was yesterday. She was oh I would say 5 years younger when she ran into trouble. I saved her life and showed the ropes."
"Oh. Is that why she came to Arda with you. She was part of your organization?"
"No we just met up actually. She showed Vanidor to us and brought us here. I saved her from a man named Stefan who had tried to kill her and so I saved her by turning her."
"Turned her into what?" Lia asked confused.
"A vampire. She is just like me."
"A vampire? You mean, you're a Cursed One?" Lia asked. "Like the yellow-eyed man that Aravan is looking for?"
"Well...I am a good guy. There are two kinds, bad and good, and I am good. The one Aravan hunts is bad."
"Is my cousin a good one? I mean, I already have one evil cousin."
"Yes she is. "
"Oh."
"So...I guess we should get to bed, we have a long day ahead of us."
"Do you think we'll encounter the Foul Folk tomorrow?" Lia asked. "I mean, what if they hold the pass or something?"
"We can take them. Don't you worry." He smiled gently at her. "Get some sleep"
"Shouldn't we set a watch?" she asked.
"I'm on it." Wesley stated as he messed with his watch
After a moment he looked up.."Oh that's not what you meant is it?"
Angel shook his head. "Only you Wes. We should be fine. If anything does approach I am liable to hear it."
"Is that some kind of Cursed One ability or something?" Lia asked.
"Please stop calling me that. Yes, i have enhanced hearing."
"Oh? I'm sorry. It is just the term we use here."
"It's ok. Get some sleep."
"Okay. Good night."
They all fell asleep after some tossed and turned and stared into the night sky, even the fire died down.
As the fire died, a woman approached the camp, moving as silently as the Elves can.
Angel heard a woman approaching, and allowed her to get close enough to see if she was a threat
Thinking everyone asleep, Lothiniel approaching close enough to the camp to observe the people in it. She recognized four of them from previous meetings, but the Elf was a stranger to her.
The woman seemed to be studying the group, Angel waited.
Seeing that everyone was definitely asleep, she drew her sword, thinking what fools they were to not set a watch this close to the Grimwall. With any luck, she would be able to complete her mission and return to Kris and get that kiss he had promised her when she succeeded.
On her approach to Wesley he stood quietly and came up behind her. he caught her arm as it went back. "I wouldn't do that If I were you."
She struggled to free her arm. "So, you weren't quite as foolish as I thought. Just pretending to have no one on watch."
"I was asleep but you forget my dear, I am a vampire. I can hear you coming a mile away."
"You couldn't. Elves are able to move silently."
"Not as silent as you would think. I suggest you put that sword away."
"And what are you going to do if I don't?"
"I don't think you want to know."
Dakkon stirred, and immediately stood up. "You must be Lothiniel. You aren't as clever as they make you sound."
"And who would you be, since you obviously seem to know who I am?" she asked.
"Dakkon."
"Oh. Yeah, I remember Lia mentioned you once. She said you were dead."
"That was an undercover assignment. So why did Kris send you? To get rid of the competition? He will have to do better than that."
"He sent me to prove myself a capable assassin. And I certainly wasn't expecting to find someone else who's fate he was interested in. He'll be interested to know where she is."
"I don't think so dear." Angel stated.
"And what do you mean by that?"
"We can't let you go back." Dakkon added.
"Oh. Well, we'll see about that. The girl might let me, if she was awake. I know her pretty well. We traveled together on Arda. Plus, she knows that I was one that revealed Derek to be a traitor."
"She trusts my judgment. Besides Kaje told us all about you."
"I've never even met this Kaje, although I've heard his name. He was the one who raised both of them, right? He doesn't know everything. He doesn't know that his daughter slept with a traitor."
"Bite your tongue. You will not speak such things of any member of this group."
"Even if it's true? Ask her."
"I am not going to wake her."
During this whole conversation, Lothiniel had kept her sword out, and now, she turned her attention back to what she come there to do. She would deal with the girl later.
As she went to attack him a forcefield appeared around him and at contact threw her onto the ground. She vanishes.
~*~
Kris was standing in a room on the upper floor of headquarters, just looking out the window, when an Orc brought Lothiniel to him. He had sensed her return, and left instructions she was to be brought to him as soon as possible. Turning, he dismissed the Orc with a gesture, and then focused his full attention on Lothiniel.
"So, you return? Have you killed anyone yet?" he asked.
"You mean, not counting all those people I killed back on earth before you took over?" she asked. "I tried, but he's just too powerful. He wasn't even awake, and he somehow managed to send me back here."
"Hmm, we might have to try an alternate method of getting to him," Kris mused. "Did you accomplish anything. Can you tell me about who he is traveling with, and where they are?"
"He is traveling with the other two from L.A., as well as your cousin, and some Elf named Dakkon."
"That's impossible," Kris said. "Dakkon died fifteen years ago at Griffin Keep."
"Well, he looked pretty healthy for a dead guy. He said he was undercover, on a mission. Oh, and I talked to Angel and Dakkon, and told them about Derek. So, now they know that Lia slept with a traitor. That might influence their trust of her, and effect the group's efficiency."
"Well, you may have at least given my an idea . . . I doubt Lia is the only one of them that has a secret she would rather not have broadcast."
"No, probably not, but I don't see what your point is?"
"Well, if we could find out these secrets, or even some of these secrets, and expose them, then we could drive wedges in between their relationships. And, it will make it that much easier for us to take over. All I need is a way to find out what their secrets are."
"Yeah, well, you're hardly in the position to perform an inquisition. You need to actually be around the people to do that. Now, if you don't mind I have stuff to attend to now that I have finished my report." She turned to leave, wondering if he would try to stop her, or if he would just let her walk away. She hoped he would stop her.
He grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. "What exactly is this inquisition. If it's something that could allow me to learn their secrets, I would like to know about it."
"I said it was something you probably couldn't do."
"Well, I won't know that unless I know what it is."
"You spent five years on earth. Didn't you watch any television during that time."
"Yes, but I don't remember anything about an inquisition. Unless you mean the Spanish Inquisition. I think I may have seen a documentary on that, one night in a motel room. There was nothing else interesting on that night."
"Well, that wasn't what I meant. I was talking about something from the Hornblower movies."
"I think I remember hearing of those. What kind of name is Hornblower. It sounds like someone did a lousy job coming up with an alias."
"Well, I'm not sure of the name's origins on earth, but interestingly enough, here on Arda, it's the name of a family of Hobbits. There's another character in the movies whose last name is also the name of a family of Hobbits."
"Does this discourse on last names have anything to do with the inquisition you mentioned?" he asked, releasing her wrists and turning back to the window. He was facing the direction of Gondor, and he imagined he could see the flames that the sentries had reported that morning. He knew that Mordel would not be happy with the destruction of Gondor before she and her forces from Angmar seized control, and he expected an envoy from her at any moment. He had been thinking about what to tell this envoy to do about Gondor when Lothiniel had come into his room.
"No. You're the one who asked the name?" Lothiniel replied, joining him at the window. "There are four movies in the series, and in the first one there's a villain named Jack Simpson. The only proper villain in the series, in my opinion. He was very sadistic. The inquisition was something he would do, where he would ask someone else what their dirty little secret was, and I would guess this inquisition usually involved a beating. At least, it did when they showed him perform the inquisition on Hornblower. That inquisition was the first thing they show him do, unfortunately, but there are hints that he was capable of worse. In fact, most people are convinced that he did something worse to this other character, Kennedy. I guess they think this because Kennedy wouldn't even look at him, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Simpson did something really bad to him. Maybe he was just a coward. However, just about everyone who watches the movies is convinced that Kennedy was sexually abused by Simpson."
"That was more information then I wanted," Kris said, watching as a horse approached, and was stopped by the perimeter guard. "I have a new assignment for you. Since you know so much about this inquisition, I want you to go find a Cursed One or a Black Mage who is capable of performing one, and send him after the fellowships."
"I'm supposed to be an assassin. My job should be to kill someone, not to do your diplomatic work for you," she complained.
"Yes, I will let you know when I want you to assassinate someone. I came up with a plan while you were giving me a movie report. In the meantime though, you are the only one I can spare for this mission. I am going personally to see about fortifying Gron, so we have a stronghold on Mithgar. I need Mordel and her forces to hold the land of Gondor. Even if the city is gone, the territory could be advantageous to us. And, my father and Leareth will stay here to hold this territory, and keep Grool and his Orcs under control. So, I need you to do as I asked and return to Mithgar. I must go and meet with Mordel's envoy." With that, he turned from the window, and left to go downstairs, leaving her to follow his orders, as he knew she would.
~*~
Lothiniel walked through the portal and approached the Black Hills and Isarak's lair. She had met Isarak before, so no one challenged her, and she entered his main hall. Isarak was sitting at the far end of the hall. Aylis was standing behind him, massaging his shoulders.
"Well, what is your business here?" Isarak asked.
"I'm here to ask for your assistance in a plan that the dark lord has come up with. He wants to exploit the secrets of the Crusaders and needs help learning them. He sent me to find a Black Mage or a vampire who could find out secrets. I thought of you first."
"How considerate of you. Why should I help you?"
"I am prepared to negotiate an arrangement that would be beneficial to you. Is there anything you strongly desire?"
"I have all that I need. I highly doubt that anything you could give me would be beneficial to me."
"Well, maybe, we could do a job of some sort for you."
He quirked an eyebrow and looked up at Aylis. He chuckled. "Why don't you inform her of our policies. She's not worth my time."
Aylis looked at Lothiniel. "Dear, when you have something better come back. You're wasting our very valuable time."
"Yes, it looked like you were being very productive, hanging around this hallway. Is there nothing you desire?"
"What he desires is something you cannot give. So drop it, unless you have something else worth stating."
"I am an official representative of the Dark Lord, and I can say you don't want to get on his bad side. After all, he will be the first Dark Lord to rule both Arda and Mithgar."
"And I assure you that in your position you should not be making threats. He will only remain to the be the Dark Lord if Wesley doesn't call the Circle before he does. Give us one reason why we should help you. What is in it for us? Everything has a price, my dear. Make it worth our while or take your leave."
"Well, I will take my leave then, but the Dark Lord will be informed of your unwillingness to negotiate."
"Negotiate? I wasn't aware there was anything on the table to negotiate."
"I have asked you twice to name your conditions."
"That is not how negotiating works, my dear. You offer and then we discuss. You obviously need a bit of tutelage."
"This isn't my usual job. I'm an assassin. Do you need anyone killed?"
She laughs, "After the disaster with Wesley, I doubt you will get another assassination job. You seem to be a failure at everything you do."
"Well, I was surprised by his power. And how many people have you killed? Or if your job just to stand here and massage your boyfriend's shoulders?"
"For you information, I have killed several people rather successfully. More than I can say for you. And the only reason I am massaging his shoulders is because I want to. What my duties are, are of no concern to you."
"I have killed people. And I could care less what your job is."
"Good. If you have nothing else to offer, I suggest you take your leave."
"I believe I had already prepared to do so."
~*~
Kaelea rode up next to Calyna. "How's the circlet situation? Did you break it yet?"
"Yes, but I don't want to talk about it."
"How is everything else going for you?"
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing. Just curious as to how you are holding up is all."
"It's not like I was dependent on him. I hardly ever saw him most of the time we were married."
"That . . . okay . . . you sure you don't want to talk about it? It seems to be bothering you."
"I'm trying not to think about it."
"Well, if you need me, I'm here." She smiled and rode to catch up to Fairin and Karia.
"How is she?" Karia asked.
"She seems to still be bothered by it, but she did break the circlet. So, that's good news."
"This can't be easy for her."
"Of course not. But it seems that it was bound to happen. I have heard that he had been rather distant as of late."
"Not surprising, considering what he was covering up."
"I suppose that is true."
Karia stopped her horse and looked around suspiciously. She felt Stefan's presence, he was still following and he was very close by, too close to be exact.
Stefan stepped out in front of them. Karia narrowed her eyes.
"Hello, my Childe."
"Well, well, look who it is. Finally decided to show yourself to the others."
"I wanted to meet your little friends."
"My friends are of no concern of yours. Go crawl back into the hole you came out of."
"Why don't you accept your destiny, Childe?"
"My destiny? And what would that be?"
The others had also stopped their horses and were gathered around, looking confused.
"Your destiny is to join me. Why do you think I turned you? You are destined to be my consort."
"You didn't turn me. You left me for dead. I wouldn't touch you if you were the last vampire on earth! Get over your sick and twisted obsessions and leave me alone. How many times must I tell you?"
"You do not give me orders, Childe." He moved really quickly and unbuckled her stirrup, causing her to fall from her horse.
She was to slow and fell off of her horse. She blinked several times while staring at her surroundings. She felt the pain shoot through her body.
Vanidor got off of his horse and walked over to her, a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?"
She looked up at him. "Yeah, I need a moment." After a few moments she sat up slowly, and glared at Stefan. "What may I ask was the point of that? Level ground?" Vanidor helped her to her feet, and she dusted herself off.
"Basically, the Childe is not allowed to be higher than their master and who is your friend here?"
"None of your business. Now I am losing my patience. What do you want?"
"I told you a moment ago. I want you to accept your destiny."
"And I said no."
"You have no choice it is your destiny."
" Says you. I make my own destiny. Now kindly remove yourself from our path."
"You do not give me orders."
"And you do not give me orders. Now move or I will remove you."
"Go ahead and try. Your no match for me...Childe. I'm in charge here."
She quirked an eyebrow. "You are really getting on my nerves." She waved her hand and he flew a few feet backwards.
He stood up after a few moments, a furious look was on his face. "Now you're pissing me off."
"Oh? And just what are you going to do about it?"
"Just remember whose in charge here. You seem to forget that I know you, I know your inner soul. I am your maker and I know that you, such as I, have an inner demon. You were meant to be like me and join me in conquest."
"I think that you seem to forget that Angel is my maker, and if anything I owe my mere existence to him. I owe you nothing and I will never join you in anything. Just thinking about you makes my skin crawl. Now I will not repeat myself again. Leave me alone."
"For the time being maybe, but I will be back to claim you. You are mine after all."
"I am not something you can claim."
"My dear Childe I already have."
"So you think. I will not go anywhere with you. You will have to kill me first."
"We'll see." He turned on heel and walked back into the forest from whence he came.
She swayed on her feet. She hadn't completely recovered and using her power hadn't helped the situation. "Guys I think we should rest here for the night." She slowly made her way to a shady tree and sat down leaning against it, placing her head back against it with her eyes closed.
Vanidor walked over to her and sat down beside her. "Are you alright? That looked liked a rather...complicated situation."
She looked over to him. "Complicated isn't the word. I am still trying to recover from falling off my horse. If I was human I probably would have broken my back, among things."
"Do you need help?"
"The kind of help I need is something you would not want to give me."
He looked a bit puzzled.
"I need blood. I need to feed...that is the only downside to being what I am. I can't stand doing it but it is the only way that I can survive."
"Oh...."
"It's okay. I don't expect you to have any reaction. I just need to sit here until the world stops spinning."
Kaelea looked at Fairin, "I hope she is okay. She looks as if she's in a lot of pain. And just who was that man? He didn't like to hear no as an answer. I am really worried."
"I don't know who he was, but they seemed to know each other."
"I am actually glad that we stopped. We haven't had any time to ourselves to talk or just to be together."
"I guess things have been rather busy, but at least we are together."
~*~
"I am just so glad that you are alright." Luthan commented.
"Yes…it has been a little rough but I think that I can manage. I am going to go for a walk. I think a bit of fresh air will do me good."
Luthan nodded. "Indeed it will." He smiled fondly, for he knew what was about to happen, and walked off.
She walked a ways until she reached a cliff and she looked out at the land beneath her. It was a truly beautiful sight to see. The sun was setting and the breeze was beginning to set in. Aravan saw her walk off and he followed her. He wanted to make sure she truly was safe. He also didn't trust Isarak and wanted to make sure that she had been healed.
"Hey. Are you all right? You gave me quite a scare back there. I was afraid I was going to lose you."
She turned to face him, her heart pounding. "I-yes, I think I will be. I just wanted to get away from everyone. All of the fussing was making me uncomfortable. I guess I'm just not used to people worrying about me. Sometimes even you surprise me. Did you really think you were going to lose me?"
"Yes, of course I was worried. I care about you." His tone was softer and gentler.
"I know you care for me. You have told me many times before." His tone surprised her. He has never been so gentle with her…his tone was never so caring, even when he was being influenced he still treated her nicely but never quite like this.
He walked closer closing the gap between them. "I never realized how deeply I care for you until today."
"What do you mean?" Her heart was beating faster. Could this possibly be what she has been waiting for all of these years?
"I-I love you. I-I have for sometime, but failed to realize."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You-I-I have been waiting to hear you say that for so long. I-I just can't believe that you actually did."
He reached out for her hand, and clasped it between his. "There's something about you-about the way you look at me. I can see the truth in your eyes, and I know that you have never lied to me. I feel that this is where I belong. It suddenly became clear to me…you're the home that my heart has been searching for all along, and in fact it was you I loved for so long. I know that there were times that I ran and hid away from you, but I was afraid to show you the other side. I felt alone every night that I was away from you. I now know who you are and I know that you love me too. I have finally found where I belong after searching for so long, it is you I have loved all along. I am filled with emotion over and over again, when I am near you and your love runs through my veins, it is apart of my being. There is no more mystery. You're the home my heart has been searching for, and it is you that I love. I love you, Ria."
Her eyes filled with happy tears and she didn't know what to say. "I-welcome home."
He pulled her into a hug, it was gentle and loving. When he pulled back he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss upon her lips.
~*~
Luthan saw that Gildor and Isethia had been talking for quite sometime, he smiled and walked over.
"I don't care who your father is. What I feel for you has nothing to do with your family and is not something that is going to change."
"You should listen to him you know. He speaks the truth. And besides I think you should tell him what you have been pondering on for so long…because you will find it to be most rewarding…not to mention that your thought is not wrong." He smiles kindly, as he sits down and leans against the tree.
"What do you mean?" Isethia asked.
Luthan began to hum a common lullaby that is sung to babes when they are being put to sleep.
"Oh…" she stated obviously as she realized what he was talking about.
"Does he mean what I think he means?!" He asked excitedly, as he looked at her with anticipation and hope on his face.
"Yes, I'm with child."
He picked her up and spun her around. "I can't believe this! I am going to be a father…and you a mother!!! This is fantastic news." He pulled her into a hug.
Luthan sat there and smiled. It seemed everything had turned out as expected. He was in a good mood…things couldn't be going any better.
~*~
Kris entered the gates of the Iron Tower fortress, glancing up at Modru's iron-beaked mask as he walked by. The mask had been left there as a warning to any future evildoers, a warning that Kris heeded not. Instead, he was debating whether he needed a mask of his own. It might increase his authority.
He walked past all the outbuildings and entered the central tower, and approached a spiral staircase. He climbed up this staircase until he reached the room that had once been Modru's inner sanctum. This room showed signs of a fire, most of which were concentrated around a stone pillar in the center of the room. To one side were several instruments of torture, and at the other side were various Mage items that Modru had used.
Kris picked up an Orb that Modru had used to summon the Foul Folk, and focused all his will on it. Moments passed, and nothing happened. More moments passed, and Kris heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and looked at the door to see a Ghul approaching.
Not waiting for the Ghul to speak, he began, "I am your new master, now, and I have a mission for you. I want you to send all the Foul Folk to seek parties of Elves traveling across the land. And if you find a blue, red, or emerald gem in the possession of any of these groups, you are to bring that gem to me. Send all the Foul Folk you can out to seek these groups, and my orders are to kill anyone traveling with these groups."
"As you wish, Master," the Ghul said, rather insincerely.
~*~
"Celebdhel, see what you can do about this storm," Legolas shouts.
Celebdhel nodded and within moments the storm dissipated.
"It's about time. I am never going to get this sand out of my hair," Celendrea complained.
"Celendrea, there are other matters more important than your god-forsaken hair," Legolas said.
"Well, this sand just gets into everything," she complained.
"Shh. Someone's approaching, and they're not very friendly."
"Can you tell what it is?" Ayala asked. She noticed that her Companion, Tinviel, seemed to be acting nervous about whatever approached.
"I would say Foul Folk. My guess is that Kris sent them our way. Looking for something, no doubt."
"Well, I guess we'll just have to get rid of them, then," Ayala said.
"Just be sure to keep your distance. I can smell Vulg poison." Legolas pulled his bow and arrow, and started firing in the direction of the Foul Folk. The others also opened fire on the Foul Folk, as the Foul Folk got closer.
Celeborn glared at Celendrea. "Will you do something, you useless twit. We're being attacked here."
"I can see that," she said.
"Well, don't just stand there. Shoot some virai arrows."
After a few moments, the battle and they continued on their way.
~*~
Several days passed, as the fifth group journeyed across the plains of Valon. They were about two days journey from the Argon Ferry and the crossing into Pellar.
"This trip has been too easy. Don't mean to sound pessimistic or anything, but we've only encountered one group of Foul Folk," Haleth said.
"Yes, something does strike me as odd," Tolar agreed.
Adrianna puts a hand up to silence them and the horses came to a stop and she dismounted. "You had to jinx us, didn't you, Haleth?"
Lunea dismounted as well. "It is surprising that we have seen so few people here, as well. The people of Valon are much like the Rohirrim, and usually there are bands of them out here, tending their horses."
"Look, that seems to be our answer," Adrianna said. "We are being approached by Foul Folk."
A band of Vulgs and Ghuls was approaching. The Ghuls were still a few minutes away, but a pack of about twenty Vulgs was running ahead of them, and had almost reached the group. Within seconds, the first Vulg reached the group, and leapt to attack. Adrianna stepped in the way and took on the Vulg. However, the other nineteen Vulgs had now arrived, and began going after the rest of the group. Then, the five Ghuls arrived on their Helsteeds. The group found themselves surrounded within a matter of minutes. They fought back to back, killing as many Vulgs as they could.
"Haleth, stab them through the heart with your staff!" Adrianna shouted.
After quite some time, the battle ended. The group was tired, and some were injured, and they had lost their fake Ruby Sameril, which one of the Ghuls had managed to take off with. Adrianna was sitting on the sand looking through her pack, having several wounds on her body. Haleth was tending to a small cut on Tolar's forehead, and Elrond was guarding the camp while the others rested.
~*~
Back at the Iron Tower, Kris once again summoned the Ghul to meet with him. "I have another task for you," he said. "In addition to hunting for those parties I mentioned before, I want you to send parties out to scout all the lands, and kill all the Elves you find. Also, I want you to send a Horde through Kregyn Pass to attack Arden Vale. They are to kill all the Elves, and the hold the Vale as an addition to our territory."
The Ghul bowed and walked out.
Kris sat back in the chair that Modru had once used, and smiled. Finally, after many years, he would finally be able to give the Elves what they deserved, and prove to them that they were not, in fact, better than all other races. Within months, he would see to the extinction of the entire race.
