Rashemen - Book 3

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"So, my blades and knives make me a monster?" He asked angrily. "Here, then I don't need them, the only remind me that I am the spawn of destruction." He started to unstrap his belts and he threw them on the soggy marsh, every balde, even the ones in his boot. He didn't stop there, he took off the armour and trappings until he stood in a flanel shirt and breechs and was barefooted.

"Now, I have had enough with you, I am no longer Drow filth." He lashed out at Delinos and knocked him down on his buttocks, sinking into the soggy peat. He spat on the glinting blades, and turned to march back into the fog.

 

Delinos recoiled in shock, and picked up two of his former brother's blades. He threw them with deadly precision at the back of his brother's legs, and watched as the legs crumpled when the blades hit their mark. Delinos spat and returned to the clearing where his group had been.

When he arrived, he glanced around angrily at the bowed heads, and spat once again. He found a stump in the opposite direction he had just came and slumped against it.

 

Kelvados cursed and vowed never to turn his back to the traitorous bastard ever again. He ripped a blade out his leg and launched it into the sky with a mighty cry, it flew through the air. It came down like an eagle and sliced through Drow flesh like butter. His brothers side was pierced by a blade.

"Delinos!" A mighty roar tore through the fog. Kelvados appeared in blood soaked breechs and a wet shirt, he had placed his helmet. He did not want him to see his pain while he killed him. In his hands were his favourite long sword, and his skinning knife. "Delinos! I invoke elghinn tai'luen, neither will rest until the other is no longer breathing. You were a good man, it will be a shame to kill you. But I think I'll get over it."

He stalked into the fighter's stance and held his sword beckoning the mewling brat to charge.

 

Delinos winced at the pain, pulling the blade out of his side, moaning as blood poured out. He used a quick healing spell that Sepp had taught him and smirked. "Oh brother, it will be a shame also for you to die. You were a shame to me, our family and our race. Not a shame for you to die, really, but to die a shame." He laughed a bonechilling laugh, "We haven't sparred in such a long time, but by the way you've softened, and tortured that idiot mage, you seem to have become.. an easier opponent."

"My blades will enjoy ripping into your flesh." Delinos also took the fighting stance and prepared himself for the battle of his life.

[ January 13, 2007, 06:20: Message edited by: Elwithral Irenicus ]

 

Nakia leaped angrily to Delinos and Kelvados.

"So now brother fights brother. Ayee, I call you both brother. Fight is what you want? Blood is nothing? Blood of kin or blood of Conrade? So it be true, the drow know only betrayal? I weep for you! Go then! Take your darkness with you! I am called and I must answer. I have no time for this.

She grabbed Sepp, pulled him over to Kongol. "Thanks Kongol, your words mean much to me. Help me get Sepp out of here. We must to the town go." She spat on the ground. "Let the drow to their brand of darkness go."

With Kongol's help she got to their swamp boat and called to the others. "Come or stay, your choice." Kongol began to pole the boat off the shore as various people quickly boarded it. Soon whoever made it landed on the main shore and headed into town.

Ciana had made it and Nakia turned to her. "You are hurt. Go to the temple, get healing and see if you can get directions as to the fastest way west to Waterdeep." She thrust some coins into Ciana's hand. "Take these, Temples need gold. We will get supplies and meet you there."

With that she dashed off with Sepp and Kongol to stock up on food and mead. Nakia was on her way home and nothing was going to stop her. At least she hoped that was so.

 

Ciana felt unsteady on her feet and Peleane supported her as they made their way to the temple, once there she sat down while the Paladin fetched a healer. Not long after a spell was cast on her and she felt a whole lot better, she then discussed with the priests Nakia's request and felt very pleased with their answer. They fekt it was the least they could do for the party after ridding them of the Necromancer, they took the gold of course.

Ciana sat on the steps of the temple, praying to her God while she waited for Nakia and the others to join her.

 

Jex had stood back watching the brothers. Stepping between them he knocked both sets of blades away from his body. Looking at Delinos he shook his head and continued towards Sepp, Nakia and the others. Stopping he quietly said "Take it from a fellow drow, although half blooded. You can never have to many surface friends up here. We're outnumbered badly. Have your figth, burn you bridges and die alone. I've survived for over 50 years because I understand that."

Following the others he left the brothers to their personal war.

 

Sepp was shocked at Delinos and Kelvados' actions, more so because in the past day he had been fantasizing of being more like them, powerful and able to exact dreadful vengeance on his enemies. But now he saw the deadly error of that hateful path.

He didn't say much on the boat to town, or getting supplies, though he did munch on and try the vittles. In a quiet moment when they were packing things away he spoke to Nakia.

"Cousin, thanks for having the giant drag me away from those brothers. I'm sure I would have stayed and tried to get them to have peace, only to end up part of their fight if left to my own devices. During the fight with the necromancer, I partook in their cruelty to our enemy, and I'm ashamed to say that I enjoyed it. Later, I dreamed of going with them to the ones that held me and making them suffer. It was tantallizingly sweet, but I understand now that it was evil, and can only lead to bad. I wish they could understand that."

He looked melancholy for a moment. He had of course had fights and tussles with Gesed, and even Drell a few times. But usually a black eye or at worse a lost tooth was the worst outcome. "It isn't right for brothers to fight like that!" he emphatically said. Sitting on a sack of oats, he closed his eyes and searched for the mental connection to them. He found them, still in the swamp, injured, but still alive.

"My brothers!" he implored them. "Know peace! While you yet live it is never too late to change your direction. Bury this hate, FOREVER, and return to us. You will be welcome."

 

Maron's voice came from the gloom. 'Idiot Drow. Clinging to your old ways, as if the surface will wash you away. Things can be so different here, if only you would let them.'

She paused for a moment, and then her voice came from anotehr direction.

'I've seen it happen. You've heard Her words. The Dark Dancer awaits all peaceful Drow. I'd heed her call, if I were you. Now, farewell.'

A sound of powerful beating wings, and she was gone, rushing off to follow Nakia.

 

Delinos cursed under his breath, ignoring the halfling who had grown to be his friend. His only friends on the surface, they had left him, to die by his brother's hand. No, they left him, hoping he would follow. Delinos thought for what seemed like an eternity. Kelvados' and Delinos' stare did not waver, and the energy between them grew dark and cold. Suddenly, Delinos let out a war cry and dove at Kelvados' heart. The brother quickly parried the blow, and answered the blows with a series of small thrusts and jabs.

The Blood Lust grew in their hearts, as it had done so many times before. All before them became misty, dark; only their opponent was truly visible. The brothers danced away, intricately weaving their blades in and out of each other's parries and blocks. Delinos blasted Kelvados off of his feet, and he landed a few feet away. The spellcaster jumped towards the ranger, to finish him, but Kelvados rolled and slashed Delinos' leg.

"AARGH!" Delinos screamed, stabbing the ground to keep himself upright. Kelvados jumped up and tried to slash again, but this time, Delinos parried and blasted Kelvados backwards using a jet of Flame. Kelvados landed in a small puddle, panting, but got up quickly. By this time, both brothers were badly wounded and bloody. Kelvados' shirt was crumbling to the ground, burned, and Delinos' robes were ridden with holes and slashes.

The Brothers resumed their battle stance, facing each other with an unbreakable stare. This time, Kelvados let his anger flow through and charged, silently, at his brother. The sparks flew as their swords met again and again, ignoring all previous wounds and battle scars.

Finally, Kelvados found a break in Delinos' parrying and blocking, as the mageling drow was beginning to tire, as was the ranger. Kelvados' blade met his brother's neck and paused. All life froze as the stare continued.

"Now what brother? Kill me as your ancestors did. The Blood Lust has taken you again." Delinos spat, literally spitting and coughing up blood. "Kill me now, brot--"

Kelvados stabbed his brother in the neck, letting his limp body crumple to the ground. Kelvados, suddenly not so hardened as he was in the battle, stared wide-eyed at his brother's bloodied body. He spat and turned on his heel, determined to catch up with his newfound friends and companions. Kelvados walked for a ways, thinking of how his brother's last words had hit him like an angry ogre. The Blood Lust has taken me again.. he thought.

An immense pain suddenly erupted inside Kelvados' chest. "Grrahggh!" He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, clutching his chest. "BROTHER! What treachery is this?!"

Delinos was still for a moment, then let out a sickly, muffled laugh. "Fool.. *cough*.. Did you think I would let you kill me, without proper punishment? I am a Drow. So are you. We kill, we poisin, we destroy." He coughed up more blood, and blood trickled down his cheek and onto the ground, "But.. I regret doing so. *cough* You.. I.. wish to find Viconia." Delinos vomited, then continued, "What.. what you said, it affected me.. But I fear my anger -- our anger, has gotten the best of us, dear brother."

Kelvados stared, once again wide-eyed at his now close to dying brother. Suddenly, a smile cracked his bloody face and said, "Our temper was never our brightest point." The Brothers laughed. "But I fear we have forsaken our friends. None shall come to our aid now." He paused.

Delinos dragged himself over to his brother and put his hand on his shoulder shakily. "Brother.. we almost killed each other.. and now we shall die together." The brothers both laid back, coughing, and closed their eyes. A raven flew over head, letting out a small crow.

 

As the brothers lay back to die, someone was watching. Their closed eyes didn't see the elf stride over to them, shaking his head.

'Idiots. Think you'll ever find her if you die?' He sighed, and looked up at the moon.

'Selune's healing light, help these wretched fools.' He waved his holy symbol over their bodies, before tucking it back under his robes.

'Now, how in Selune's name do I get you two back to your friends?' He wondered aloud.

 

Needed supplies purchased including some clothes for Sepp Nakia hurried the others back to the Temple. Ciana looked much better and told her that the Temple would be able to portal them to a site near the Anauroch Desert. This was welcome news. She checked to see who was there. Besides the brothers, Atten and Elendia where missing.

Atten and Elendia were a law unto themselves and she wasn't worried about them but a sad look crossed her face at the thought of the brothers. At that moment a cleric approached them. "I believe we have some friends of yours here." He lead the group to a room where Kelvados and Delinos were lying on cots.

"Dead? Are they dead?" Nakia stepped over to the bodies and saw the rise and fall of their chests. "Ayee, still alive. Blasted, obstinate, contrary Drow."

With a slight frown the cleric said, "They live yes but need some healing time."

Nakia knew the clerics weren't happy with the idea of caring for drow so with a sigh she pulled out a bag of gold and offered it to them. "Please care for them. When they are better tell them where we went."

Turning to the others, "It is time to go."

 

Kelvados ran through the Underdark tunnels, hordes of shadows followed and screamed at him. He ran faster, he could not see them, they produced no heat, but they screamed and scratched his back. His clothes were tattered and bloodied, a flash of light blinded him. He opened his eyes and he lay in a forest, light rain was sprinkling down upon his face. He sat up and looked around deer, rabbits, cougars, elk, and other woodland animals surrounded him.

"Monster. Monster." They chanted, their voices blended into one.

"I am no monster!" Kelvados screamed at the chanting animals.

"We can be monster as well." They said as one, suddenly their faces changed grotesquely, horns sprouted, fangs glinted, and wild furious eyes stared back. Suddenly they became the shadows that chased him, they crawled up the trees, hacking and ripping the mighty sentinels to pieces.

"Stop this!" Kelvados commanded, he reached for a blade, but he was naked. He wore nothing.

"Monsters kill their own kind," the voice said, the shadows became a brawl and one tall shadow was left. It was Kelvados, a shadow of Kelvados.

"Who are you?" The real Kelv asked.

"I am you, and you are a monster, I've come to kill you." It yelled as it pounced onto Kelvados, snuffing out the light. He couldn't breathe, it was forcing itself into his body. Then there was only black, empty, silent blackness that holds no life, only death.

 

"Nakia, do we have to cross the Aunorach? We won't make it with our paltry supplies. Give us a few more hours to purchase what we will need." Jex said from behind the two halflings. "I know you sense trouble, but we won't live long enough to help."

 

That place... familiar it was, but from where? Kongol thought as it was hearing Nakia and the Jex. Kongol's eyes shut momentarily, but while they were close, images of Kongol's past flash through him.

___

"Nooo, mother" Child like voice screams...

"Father, him" A girl points at him "He must go on with his life"

Fire, destruction, darkness, silence... great wings.

___


"Aunorach?" Kongol replied with a surprise tone, "I know that place, we will need to be swift there"

 

'You're late, all of you. Especially you, Maron Ivory Legs.'

A tall elf was leaning against the doorframe, smiling broadly. He wore long silver robes, hemmed in blue and silver. On his chest sat an ornately embroidered symbol of Selune, a pair of eyes circled with seven stars. His tanned skin and pointed ears showed him to be a sylvan, and his dark hair hung down to his shoulders.

'Daie?' Maron asked, incredulous.
He pulled himself upright, and bowed from the waist. 'In the flesh.'

He was cut short when Maron leapt at him, knocking him back into the other room as he found himself on the receiving end of a joyful Avariel-hug.

'I missed you too, Angel. Now, can I get up and speak to your friends?'
He brushed the dust from his clothes. 'These robes are expensive, Maron. Anyway,' he turned to the others. 'My name is Dai'altha d'Malkin, and I am, as you may have guessed, an old friend of Maron's. I'm also the one who found your two subterranean companions, healed them, and conveyed them hither. I
also understand that you intend you cross the Aunorach, and feel that you might need my services. I'd also liek to travel with Maron again.'

 

Sepp was feeling pretty good. He'd eaten a good meal nineteen times since escaping from the slugs, had a new shirt and breeches, with leather armor, wool cape, belt and pouches, rucksack full of food and gear, new sheath for Jex's dagger, and the Staff of the Tree in his hands. Now here was an old friend of Maron the angel. Things were looking pretty good, indeed.

"We are most gratefull to you, Daie. I am Sepp, this is my cousin Nakia, our good friend Jex. You obviously know Maron. That big guy is Kongol. Those drow are Delinos and Kelvados, and I still think that they are going to turn out to be fine people."

"What can you tell us about the Aunorach? I've heard of deserts, but never been to one. I'm very interested to inspect the stones and sands there, and of course the flora and fauna too."

 

"This is Ciana and Del. Yes we are headed to the Big Desert and then on to Waterdeep." Nakia nods at Jex. "The portal will cut down on weeks of travel time so I guess 3 or 4 hrs won't matter."

Settling on a bench she looks Maron's friend over and likes what she sees. A cleric of Selune, she smiles and remembers another of Selune's cleric and wonders what Dai'altha can shape shift into.

 

Delinos opened his eyes for a moment, but closed them quickly as the light burned. He blinked and saw the fuzzy outlines of his friends. No, it cannot be. We are to live? After all we've done?! Delinos asked himself incredulously. He looked over at Kelvados, who was sweating and twitching. "Brother.." He whispered. His shadowy friends surrounded him and all faded to black...

 

Jex nodded to Nakia and the others. "I will return shortly then." With that he scampered out to go to the market.

First thing he did was find and armory and get his armour repaired, it was battered to begin with and the recent events had taken their toll. The he purchased a few healing potions and alot of provisions. He sold some of the magic items he had found, mostly rings and amulets, it made him some gold but not alot.

Returning to the temple. He smiled and said "I'm ready."