Chapter 39 -- Suicide Mission

Old Windy and Lady of Magic spend long hours of discussion as to plan their strategy. It is agreed then you will go and recurit a eagle unit to scout out earth Lady of Magic.

Im on my way my lord cherps Lady of magic. To Life. with that she slowly fades away. while she is gone I feel like a child sneaking into her garden to gather a few organicly grown flowers to eat. Honey suckel and rubarb. She will never know. I grab a few dozen Plumbs off the flowering plum tree. Then a few hundred berries off the fire bush. I dont know how she does it, most these plants wont hardly grow in there own reigons. She deffinatly has a green thumb.

Lady of magic returns with the Eagles soaring like the wind around the temple and enter thru the terrace garden. She also has brought me fresh fruit and flowers from the city. I feel a little guilty as I can see fire in her eyes as she looks toward the garden terrace.

Eagles I want you to go on a very dangerous mission. I would like you to take a message to Balkoth. ARkkkkkkk cried the eagles. Ah but... I interupted on the way you should find a few bats as scouts. I could hardly restrain the eagles as I knew they could not turn down the chance for a tasty morsle of bat, gold and ale. Here is the message I have wrote on a scroll and pay them their fee in advance. for Balkoth. Balky sorry about your ear as Lady of magic was aiming between your eyes. Shame she missed. So you Have taken Earth as your slaves and minnions now. I fighred you would do such. Whos next Chaos, Fire, Order??????? Ha you have been resting in a grave for a long time now. I may be old and clumbsy but I watch the youth of today and they now plot your demise. Do to me what you must but take care of My Lady d you polymorfed into your steed. I noticed she has a flower behind the right ear. It should remind you what price you had to pay for taking my loved one. This is appropiate as you lost part of your ear. Ha ha. Beware of that staff you stole from me as it can only be used by us from the old days. It has severl spells combined in it by life and chaos. I only tell you this as I dont want you to accidently hurt my Lady d. I know she is safe as long as you need a steed.

I send you these few gifts to show you Air still has a heart one old giants smelly tennis shoe. a worn out Lich Cloak that is out of magic and has death blood stains on it. an amulet of poison with just enough in it for you to take and end your meseriable life. Death is becomeing to you. A right ear Lobe taken from a Death Mage.

Do as you wish with these eagles as they are mercinaries. and jump to the side that pays the most. They only came on this mission because they ate some of your best scouts. Ha ha ha coff cofff wheezz. It hurts when I laugh that hard I acutioned off your ear lobe to pay for these mercinaries. Oh ho ho coff coff wheeezz. Lady of Magic is singing you a song it goes something like Ole Balky fell off his bat, met up with me and now has trouble wearing his hat... Ha ha ho ho wheezzz coff coff. Your old Neminiss Old Windy. ex air Lord.


Chapter 40 -- Building an Alliance

"...and now there is reason to worry." Balathustri looked up from the great tomes in front of her. "My Lord, with this total annihilation of Earth, the balance of power in the lands has gone very awry. Evil is now permeating every fiber of every living thing. Some to a lesser extent than others, but even I have been feeling more aggressive as of late. I only wish that I could have read from these ancient books earlier. They foretell an event just like this, though there are not many details. It reads 'A great Darkness will descend upon Urak, brought on by a priest of Golgoth. It will begin with the destruction of one of the faiths of the lands.' We could have been preparing for this moment years in advance, but now it is too late."

Gilgamesh sighed. He was losing control on the situation. Not only had Balkoth gained a foothold on the territories of Life, but also towards the lands of his allies. "Get me my chief commanders!" A brownie standing near the door nodded, and hurried out of the room. Gilgamesh sat down and rolled out the maps and began studying them.

At the sound of someone clearing their throat, Gilgamesh glanced up at the door. Qar'Sela stood patiently alongside Vragen. Behind them, Shea arrived, squeezing into the doorway. Finally, Theli and Resam nodded apologetically as they came up late. "Please, everyone sit down." Gilgamesh pointed to the vacant seats around him. The elves shuffled into the room, and seated themselves in a circle around the table.

Gilgamesh paused for a moment before speaking. "Our ally, Lord Reisz of Order, is in grave danger. Balkoth has just destroyed Earth. The dwarves are scattered and enslaved. We don't know Death's next plan, but we can be sure it will involve Order in some way, and, to a lesser extent, ourselves."

"But sire, what of Air?" That came from Shea, the usually self-contained thief. Gilgamesh nodded. "Yes, that is also a concern. If we can agree on it, I favor sending a diplomatic party to their capitol. Can we get a consensus?" He look around at the members of the Command. A forest of nodding heads was what he saw. "Well then, it is agreed. I believe we should include Order in this, if they are willing and able. Qar'Sela, Vragen...gather a good-sized force of about thirty riders, and a score of staffmen. Resam, get another score of archers to accompany them. Shea, Balathustri, you will lead the party."

"But..." started Qar'Sela. Gilgamesh shook his head. "No, this time you are staying here with me, as are you, Vragen." I need someone to lead the main army to defend the capitol." Both of the aforementioned nodded, though they weren't happy.

Gilgamesh looked around the table-top. "Where can I find some parchment in this place?" "One moment, sire." Shea glided out of the room. A few moments later, she returned with fresh parchment. "Here you are." "Thank you, Shea." He retrieved the quill from the edge of the table, and dipped it in the ink bottle. As he began to write, he spoke to Balathustri in particular. "I'm writing to Reisz all that we discussed moments ago. I don't want anything to be left out. This needs to go as flawless as our meeting for alliance." Silence followed. After a few minutes of writing, he put the quill back in the bottle, and picked up the scroll.

"Let me make sure I didn't miss even the smallest detail:

'To Lord Reisz Roudabush of the Order Faith-

I have just been informed of the unfortunate demise of the Lord of Earth, ally of yourself, and therefore nothing less than that to my own faith. In these dire times, it is my belief that we must come together as we never have before. I hope that with the knowledge and experience of the former Lord of Air, Old Windy, that we have the greatest chance of overcoming the threat of Balkoth the Destroyer. With this hope in my heart, I am sending a large diplomatic party to treat with Air. If it is also your wish, you may send a small force of your own along with my commanders to further strengthen our alliance. If you plan to go along with my troops, please extend all courtesies to Balathustri, my mage-advisor, and treat her as if she were me. Thank you for cooperation in advance.

Your Allied Lord,

Gilgamesh the Strong, Lord of Life and Keeper of the Land of Neverending Sun

As Gilgamesh stood, the rest followed suit. "I would advise you to hurry and head over to the lands of Order. It will be a journey of many days, and we don't want to be caught with staffs half-raised, do we?" Smiling at the weak joke, the elves nodded and hurriedly vacated the room. Sitting back down, Gilgamesh again consulted the map before him. Now what to do about Fire...?

"My Lord?"

The sound of the squeaky voice startled him out of his sleep. Bolting upright, he reached for his staff. "What? Who is it?"

"It is just I, sire." A tiny brownie tapped his elbow from the edge of the bed.

"What do you need?" Still disgruntled from being woken at such a late hour, he was a little gruff.

"Umm...well, there's a dwarf here. Supposedly an ambassador from Earth, my Lord."

"Earth! Give me a few minutes, then bring him in!" Gilgamesh lept out of bed, and hurriedly dressed. After a short wait, a very small dwarf, which says a lot, entered the room. "Lord Gilgamesh, I am Earnest Earthenrock, ambassador from the Lord of Earth. I wish to treat with you, kind Lord, on behalf of the Dirty One." The dwarf smiled, strangely enough, causing suspicion in Gilgamesh's mind. What a silly little dwarf...

Before anymore introductions could be made, a staffman bolted into the room. When his eyes found the dwarf, they nearly bugged out of his head. "My Lord, the renegades have penetrated our walls! He is one of them!" With that, the dwarf whispered a few words, and suddenly, neither Gilgamesh nor the young staffman could move a muscle. "Ah, Sands of Sleep has always been useful to me." Cackling wickedly, he ran out of the room, which, by his stature, was merely the speed of a brisk walk.

Out in the anteroom, however, the renegade dwarf quickly met his end. For hearing the commotion, Qar'Sela had rushed to his Lord's quarters. Seeing the ugly dwarf, he raised his staff high, and slammed it down upon it's head, helping him meet the floor quite personally. With the mage's death, the spell upon Gilgamesh ceased to exist, and he ushered the staffman out ahead of him. The three elves raced out to the courtyard inside the main gate of the capitol. It was Chaos...or more accurately, renegades causing chaos.

With the surprise attack, the renegades, though vastly outnumbered, seemed to be winning the small battle. Gilgamesh jumped up on the altar to his God in the middle of the courtyard. He called for his lizard steed, and with this great sight upon the elves, and hearing the great battle horn, their spirits were renewed, and they fought back against the dwarves with greater passion. Before the sun rose, the last of the Small Ones were driven from the gate or killed. Bodies littered the ground near the gate, both of elves and dwarves. Gilgamesh wiped his bloody staff on the grass near his feet, suddenly incredibly exhausted. He called for his young mages, and they quickly cleaned out the town.

"Qar'Sela, casualties!" He looked around for his second, and found him helping Vragen to his feet. Both seemed to be bleeding from more than one place, though most of the blood on them wasn't their own. After a few moments, Qar'Sela rode over to Gilgamesh, with none too happy a look on his face. "Nearly 50 slain, sire, and more than thrice that injured. However, I have found nigh on a score of score dwarves. Not a bad fight, but it could have gone much better." Gilgamesh nodded. "Yes, better it could have gone."

"Brownies!" He looked around for one, and found many. "Is there any news of Balathustri's party? Did it make it out avoiding harm?"

One of the brownies hopped over. "Yes, my Lord. I saw them leave the gates nearly five hours ago. They would have been well on their way before these ruffians could have found them. Again, Gilgamesh nodded. "Very well. Not all is lost, then. Elves, listen to me. We must not let this happen again. All those who wish passage through our gates shall be seen by my eyes before they are allowed." All the elves within earshot nodded their heads. Very well, thought Gilgamesh, at least we can stop anymore nonsensical raids. If only Balkoth was so easy to stop...


Chapter 41 -- Air Parley

Lady of Magic, Now that we have really made Balkoth mad at us it is time we form an alliance and try for some life Battle units to help us free Wind Walker and our Ambassador The Bear. To do this I must make a decision for Wind Walker and hope it pleases our Lord. I wish to send you to the great Gilgamesh The Lord of Life and Lord Reisz the lord of Order. My Lord sang Lady of Magic what have we to offer them as our word of support is very thin. We have a 13 year old thief and myself to patrol all of our region. We need troops to offer. With Wind Walker and Bear captured and Balky has Lady D what do I offer. I wish not to leave your side untill Wind Walker is freed. Who would keep your head in the clowds and your feet off the ground? Ah I thank you Lady of Magic. But thanks to you we have one of the most prizzed possesions of all Urak. Your Garden grows some of the best Fruit, berries, And flowers. the dust from your wings and the tender love you put in it has magical powers. It gives energy better than the ginsing from the east, It makes one feel young. together we will pick 100 bushels of the finest plums from the flowering plum tree. 100 pecks of the best berries from the Fire bushes. Sprikled with the fairy dust of your wings. Pack them in the coldest snow we can find and I will add the air from atop the great temple garden to give it fragrance. fine my lord sang Lady of Magic, but I will pick the bounty and you pack it as i would appreciate it if you will keep those size 66 shoes out of my garden. As you wish my faithfull one. So shall it be. I also have to go and get a few artifacts I have laying around somewhere...... Now let me see where did i leave them .....that evening Lady of magic and myself look over the bounty. 5o bushels and 50 pecks for Life and a staff of Resurrection with one spell left in it. 50 bushels and 50 pecks for Order with a Amulet of control almost used up, this is it My lady of Magic. My Lord where is your red Suit of armor sang Lady of Magic. I know I know I replied but I met a man in the tavern that gave me enough gold and ale to hire some Windriders to carry this load for you. Ah so Old Windy it is true you were seen walking around the capitol and region in your Long Jons. My LORD please the next time you sell your clothes make sure your flap is buttoned in the back of your long Jons. I heard a group of renagades were going to attack you but fell off there horses laughing. There are jokes about a new moon over the air region. Crimson crept into my face as I realized it must have looked bad. I hope no one took offence I replied. Lady of Magic didnt reply as she was holding her stomache and giggling.. Lady of Magic It is time to go now as the windriders have the peace offerings packed REMEMBER no dancing for these Lords in Just your Bule chiffon wings as Wind Walker would not take kindly to it. besides it might make it start raining. Try your best for some elven archers and even a Enchantress Student would be nice from the Lord of Air. Try for some Knights and crossbowmen and maybe a Wore out old Order mage from the order retirement home if he can find one that isnt in an important meeting. Lord Reisz might not be able to comply as he has some big problems in his reigon with battles of his own. If they cant comply give them the gifts anyway. there going to need all the help they can get. We have to have some help although as I dont know what the young Archiever is up to, Balkoth has got srong enough to block me from seeing his reigon and where he moves from the top of the Air Temple. Wind Walker must be freed. we need the Bear to go to Water region and talk to the amazons Covinina I believe. and we need him to go and see Azzhirr and Wyrdaxe before its too late. May the wind be at your back........ Poof she is gone. I start paceing the floor......It will be a sleepless night of playing solatair without a full deck.........


How dare he insult me in this manner? Send to Dekay for more bats. Roast the Eagles I'll have them for supper.

Send Forth word to all our armies! 100 Gold and four tankards of Ale for the head of each warrior or ally of air.

I want three fully trained armies from Dekay and five from here in the field this day. If Chaos will let us pass we will move into a position just north of the Air capitol with those units. Within two days I want a like number marching for air through the lands of Order. If they will let us pass so be it...If they try to stop us Kill them all. NO ONE TOUCHES THE LORD OF AIR! He is mine alone!

Vampires! I need vampires!

This can not stand!


Chapter 43 -- The Armies March

Balkoth was becoming increasingly impatient. It had taken much longer than he wanted to train the number of required armies. Five now stood ready to march toward Chaos and a like number toward Order. Another ten waited in reserve and would follow where they were needed.

The four senior commanders arrived in a group for their final briefing. "I have just returned from Golgoth! The master is pleased with the plan and with your selection as the principal commanders." Balkoth rubbed his ear and frowned. "Neither Golgoth nor I will accept anything less than success!" "Each of you commands five armies." "All have been personally trained by me!" Should the battle go badly the fault can only lie with poor leadership!" "I can assure you you would rather sacrafice yourself in battle than suffer my wrath for a failure!" "Now GO! Prepare your troops we March when the first messenger returns!"

"NORAB! Get In Here!" Balkoths adjutant rushed into the inner chamber."Send forth Messengers to Order and Chaos. Tell their lords that we do not wish to do battle with them. We will pass through their lands but our prize awaits at the top of the mountain." "The messangers to offer my chief Mage to Order and my best thief to Chaos as prisoners to be first killed should I violate this word. If either or both refuse to let us pass we will deal with them harshly. Let them know I have ten fully trained armies in the field and many more in reserve. Tell them to return at once with word from each faith.".....Balkoth looked thoughtful for a moment breaking into a wry smile. "Send forth a 'special' messanger to the lord of air. Have the messanger say this and this alone. "Today I begin a journey to return some items that were borrowed from you. We shall meet soon!"........"Well? GO!!"

Balkoth resumed pacing. This was not starting off as he had wanted. Things seemed to be moving too slowly. Having to battle BOTH order and Chaos could indeed slow down his advance, weaken his units, and cause further delays. Having not eaten in two days and getting little sleep his temper was explosive. He had alreqady killed three followers while training units due to sheer frustration over these delays. Torn between the inner need to vanquish the lord of air and the need to proceed cautiously lest Golgoth be angered the frustration continued to mount within him.


Chapter 44 -- Winds of Air

Ah sleep at last. Its been a restless few nights with Lady of Magic out Parlaying. I am confused as to why the other Lords, my friends have not freed Wind Walker and the Bear. I must do it myself if no reply soon. I have not been able to sleep in my bed so I have been sleeping on the garden terrace under the Red Flowering Plum tree. I have been Laying here for 24 hours now as the birds keep knocking down plums and I keep eating them. Its a strong tree and I seem to grow strong as I lay with my back against it great trunk. The skys are so blue, and the wind crisp and cool. I miss Wind Walker and Bear. If we are to unite this reagion and train units we must get a move on before its to late....my thougts go to my fairies and Lady D. Ah they look like Barbie dolls with big beautifull blue Chiffon Wings. What beauty. There voices will calm any harden heart, and sound like songs in the air. Combine this with their Wisdom and you havee........ The birds take to the skys, and there is silence in the garden. I lay verry still and watch. Ah yes there near the fire plant... I see you... It is a cloaked Death Assassin. Now where is that order chalace, I think it has one possesion spell left in it. I slowly reach in my side pack and grab the challace and cast....... Fiiiizzzzzzz zzz. Zap.. Ah ha.... The death assassin decloaks and says why cast heal on me I am not... I immeadatly Jump to my feet as I never let a Death assassin say to much. It is my experience that by the time you find out what they want you in deep sh...As my giant body rises my head hits the lower branch of the Red Flowering Plum Tree showering the area with falling Red Ripe Jucy Plums. Darn Hit my head on the same knot. Its the size of a small mountain now. The assassin breaks into laugher. I pull my great ThundrClap blade and Charge only to step on the plums and my feet head skyward. I land with such a thud the area is showerd with falling fruit. The assassin is laughing as he approaches I know not wheather to parlay or to kill me. My thundrClap blade is not near enought to grab... The Assassin slides with such ease and grace across the fruit ladden terrain. not the slightest slip. Old Windy I have something for you.. says the assassin. Yeh I bet you do I think. I throw the challace as he speaks... The look on his face was was satisfying as he cant dodge on the fruit laden ground. The chalace catches him on the forehead and knocks him cold. Ah I must make note of these new uses of the magical fruit, and worn out confused artifacts. I finally get him in the great chamber and tied up. I wake the assassin.... I am not one to tortue an indivdual but Lady of Magic is returning soon and she like to shoot off One part of your body at a time i say. I see the fear enter the assassins eyes. He struggles and trys to cross his legs, but is unable to break the bonds. My Lord he says with his voice quivering. I was sent here with a message from my master. He says he comes soon to return some of your possesions. I am sure his intentions are peacefull. I study him closely. Either Balkoth has trained him very well or this thief is an idiot. Well I ask would you know how many units he will bring with him...No i have no idea my lord replies the assassin. Right!!!! I believe you I say. Trust me...But I have a dungon below this great air temple I will keep you in till Lady of Magic returns... I can see the fear in his eys but he says nothing. He is ready to die for his master. What ever the means my be. What a waste of such loalty. Balkoth must had known I would kill him, or is he getting smarter than I think. This Assassin is very well trained. I would guess a 10 level. I thump him a good one on the head and carry him to the dungon and lock him up in the thiefs Cell which is specially designed to keep thiefs in. I leave only Pickled knomes feet and some sour lizzard toungs with in his reach of his mouth, as I also leave him bound,. I dont trust this one. He is too smart. As an afterthought I put large amounts of salt on the food. No Water. I feel rotten... but such is the ways on Urak in these times. I return to the garden to find something to relieve this swelling on my head, Wheres a enchantress when you need one. As i tend to the knot I notice a large amount of blood coming from my forehead. I feel lightheaded, dizzy cant hardly see...I lay down under a strange Peach tree as I never notied it before. My thoughts go to Lady D as the light slowly dims into darkness.

On to Part 11