Chapter 49 -- The Master Stroke

THROUGH THE EYES OF AZZHIRR I trembled as I read the incants for summoning the Dragon. With THIS we are invincible, but Kallizshah must be remade first. My hands go to caress the Sun Staff of Solinaris. Its long tapering obsidian designs topped with an Ebony Crystal with a an Eternal Flame inside. To the task at hand. Gilgamesh, Lord of the Elves Your offer of a brownie is inadequate to assure me of your goodwill. As I know events are coming to a head, here is my offer for withdrawing from your lands. 1. The elves shall gives us 100 bars of gold, valued at 1000 gold pieces each. In return, I shall give twice their value in mana crystal. 2. The elves shall give us 200 fully trained archers. In return, we shall give 200 fully trained heavy horse cavalry capable of shock action plus the stature of a flame warrior to lead. 3. The elves shall give us the incantation for overland travel. In return, I shall give the flame incant of overland travel. 4. The elves shall sign a non-aggression treaty and deny passage to all Amazon units who wish to travel south of Primavera. In return, I shall withdraw from Pasifan and the surrounding territories. 5. As I promised, upon the arrival of your emissary, I release the following champions to your care: the Elven Warrior Lysander; the former disciples of Yari enhantresses Paidora, Vandiere, and Illindara, and finally the rogue Praespi. I am sending them in the company of thirty flame warriors and an elf enchantress by the name of Violet Sun. They will return immediately. I am sure you will find these terms acceptable. Wishing you Prosperity in Peace in the tradition of Bur-Jin Azzhirr, Great Daeme of Kallizshah and Custodian of the Temple of Penultimate Flame. I wrapped up the missive in a scroll case and gave it to an Imp to deliver. Wildezword walks in. "Events are coming to a head. We need to discuss..." "Of course," I reply. I look up at him. He looks back quietly. Something inside of me makes me look away and towards the map of Urak on the wall. "I plan to do nothing. Everything is going according to plan. The faiths will spend themselves fighting each other. I will build my strength and erupt over Urak at the appropriate opportunity." "Then, you will be missing an opportunity." he said. "What do you mean? What do I care what happens to the Archons...or the Barbarians for that matter." "You will care. The allied armies are scattered. The armies of Balkoth are already concentrated." Ugh, I sigh. what is he driving at? "What do you suggest?" "You know the Barbarians will refuse passage to Balkoth. Send a missive to Wyrdaxe. Instruct him...no PRESS him to allow passage of Balkoth's armies. Once the death armies are through and engaged with the troops of Air, Wyrdaxe can attack from behind on his natural terrain. Send the warriors of Rayaat Tokar to aid him. Balkoth will not be able to distinguish them as flame warriors. He will never know we were involved." "I was under the impression that I wanted the other faiths to die. Besides, the 500 Rayaat warriors number almost a third of my army and will make scarce any difference against Balkoth." "True, but consider. If Order is defeated, they can retreat to the Land of Faeries or if they are smart they will retreat to the Amazon region. But, if Wyrdaxe is defeated he can retreat nowhere except here. It will bring the war to us at a critical moment when we are remaking Kallizshah. It will destroy all our plans. Wyrdaxe only needs to hold Balkoth's attention not defeat him. I've told you before and I'll tell you again now. The Rayaat warriors are a liability to us. They are undisciplined. At a crucial moment in battle they will cause us to lose. They have been useful because our foes have been inferior up to this point. We have gained many lands to the north with their help. It is time to let Wrathkur and his men go. "Very well, I will send them off to join Wyrdaxe immediately. I will also send an Imp to deliver your suggestion to his Head Shaman. Do I want the Archons to win or lose?" "Neither. If the Archons hold, well and good. If not, Balkoth will sweep away the Faeries and the Amazons." "Hah! How is that? Look at the map. Should Balkoth take the Archon realm he will open two fronts, three if we decide to attack there." Wildezword shook his head. "If the command of the allied armies is unified under one intelligence then Balkoth is threatened. If not, he will use his interior lines to concentrate quickly against the Faeries, then the Barbarians, then the Amazons. That is what I see. The fools will offer him battle instead of strategically retreating and coordinating their armies. And he will take battle. He can replace whatever troops he loses with the undead. Their lands will fall one by one." "Then, what do you suggest?"I asked. Wildezword smiled. He seemed to know me so well. He was about to present his master stroke. I couldn't help but smile with him and our growing excitement. "It is common philosophy in war to strike at an enemy's emptiness and not his fullness even if that point be very distant. Let the battle in the world be fought. Rebuild Kallizshah. Summon the Supreme Dragon and conjure the Demons and Fire Elementals to your armies! At the critical moment, we shall strike...here!" I followed his pointing finger to the map. Of course! At last, I understood! The entire race of dark elves would do my bidding. Wildezword pointed at the Capital City of Deckay.


Chapter 50 -- Chaotic Madness

Looking over the messages from abroad, Wyrdaxe groaned miserably as he tried to decipher the silly squiggles covering the pages.

"Witch! To me!"

*BOOM*

Stepping from the dust disturbed by the outrush of displaced air, the old hag snarled back at Wyrdaxe, "What do you want?"

"Use your magic to make these scrolls legible, and read them to me, for my eyes are weary."

Under her breath, the old hag cursed Wyrdaxe for his illiteracy and his demands on her time to read his mail. Taking the two scrolls form Wyrdaxe, she unrolled the nearest.

The scroll was tightly rolled into a perfect cylinder. No smudges marred its nearly white coloring. "Such parchment could only come from..." she began as she unrolled it on the table. "...yes! A missive from the forces of Order."

"WHAT?!" Wyrdaxe screamed in outrage as he lunged from his carved-stone throne. Grabbing his mighty war axe leaning nearby, he swung the axe over his head and down onto the paper, cutting it cleanly in two, and destroying the table below. "I will not let their magics take hold of me!" Satisfied with his outburst, he sat back on the throne.

Curious as to what Order had deemed so important as to write to their arch enemy, she tried a new tactic with Wyrdaxe. "Now that you have split the paper, any spells are broken. If you will allow me to look at the remaining pieces, I may be able to.... create a counter-spell."

With indifference, Wyrdaxe waved at the witch. "Do as you wish."

Picking up the two halves of the scroll, she laid them out on another, less damaged table for review. Twiddling her fingers and mumbling nonsense, she read the letter. After a few moments of reflection, she turned to Wyrdaxe.

"Your strength is becoming known across Urak, for Lord Reisz seeks peace with us."

Nearly asleep with boredom, Wyrdaxe took a minute to digest this news. "Your spells must have misfired, witch. Order would never seek to ally with us, and they know we would never accept such an alliance."

"My powers do not lie, for I spoke with an Imp sent by Daeme Azzhir just this past day who confirms much of what is in Reisz’s letter. It seems we will soon have visitors to our lands, for Balkoth seeks to revenge an injury from Air. Lord Reisz seeks an alliance and asks that we stop Balkoth’s army, to save the old windbag."

"Does he?" Wyrdaxe asked rhetorically. "And what of Azzhir? Does she of course request that we allow Balkoth to pass through our lands?"

Amazed by Wyrdaxe’s intuition, the witch nodded in confirmation. "She does indeed. We will of course fight?"

"Of course, hag. We live to FIGHT!"

Subtly casting a small spell of suggestion with small finger motions, she asked: "Would the fight not be better if we were to catch Balkoth unaware and attack from his army’s rear after it has passed?"

Twitching his head, as if to shake off a bothersome fly, Wyrdaxe began, "Never! Chaos doe let enemies pass thr......"

Gesturing with more strength, the witch again cast her magics against Wyrdaxe’s stubborn mind.

"...ah, yes. Let the army pass...." With one last head-shake, Wyrdaxe’s eyes cleared and he spoke clearly once again. "Yes. We shall let them pass and sack their army when trapped between our own, and that of Azzhir."

"A wise decision, great Wyrdaxe." The witch assured him. "Will you now permit me to read the second scroll?"

Nodding, Wyrdaxe handed her the moldy parchment.

Spreading the parchment, on the remaining table, she almost gagged on the foul odor of decay emanating from the rotting paper. "A letter from Balkoth himself."

Relaxing in his throne, Wyrdaxe said "It is of no matter. We will crush his army. Destroy the scroll."

Reading hurriedly, the witch replied "I think that would not be wise. Balkoth informs us that his army will come through our lands and asks only that we let him pass on his way to claim revenge against the armies of Air."

"Then scribe a response, allowing him to do so. We will wait until his army is embroiled with Air, then we will sweep in and crush the remnants of both armies!"

Before leaving, the witch turned to Wyrdaxe, "You should also know that the great Daeme sends 500 of her horsemen as a tribute. Balkoth sent a thief as a hostage against his ‘good word’ offer not to attack us. It seems we have become quite popular."

"Let the horsemen stay. We will hold a feast in their honor. Send me the dark thief as you leave." Wyrdaxe demanded as he dismissed the witch with a wave.

Glad to return to her studies of the arcane, the witch sent a brief telepathic summons to the thief and *boom* was gone.

Waiting impatiently for the thief to arrive, Wyrdaxe was not ready for the thief’s entrance. Having slipped in silently, the thief made his presence known only as he stepped from behind the throne to take a bow before Wyrdaxe. "I am your servant."

Regaining his composure as best possible, Wyrdaxe gruffly replied, "I have a mission for you. Perform it well and I will let your master pass. Fail, and his armies will not cross my lands."

"While I do not think that your army can stop the dark lord’s, I was sent to serve you until my lords army passed through your lands. Command me."

"You heard the conversation between the witch and myself?" Wyrdaxe asked, expecting and receiving a positive response. "Yes. Well then. I also received this third scroll, but after the witch’s response to the first two, I decided against showing it to her. Read it, aloud, and tell me what you think. I wish to see if your thoughts are in line with mine."

"As commanded." The thief spoke as he unrolled the damp scroll. "We are disappointed that a single united front has not been formed to counter Balkoth’s threat....." reading the scroll from Coventina in its entirety, the dark thief finished with an amused grin.

"It would seem, Lord Wyrdaxe, that Coventina seeks to remain neutral in the coming wars. Would you not agree?"

"No, fool. She seeks not to remain neutral, but to poison us with her foul waters and attack us in our weakness!" Wyrdaxe replied. "I command you to seek her out and eliminate her. Begone."

Reveling in the prospect of eliminating one of his master’s foes, the thief sped form the throne room, planning his route and attack. Visions of great rewards from Balkoth crossed his thoughts as his plans came together.

As the waters in the scrying bowl settled, the old hag sighed. "Once again the influence of Orkus on a mortal is showing its chaotic side effects. I had hoped that Wyrdaxe would have proven strong enough to resist the mental un-balancing of Orkus’ link. His paranoia is the first step, I worry about the next..."


Chapter 51 -- Receding Waters

Resting after a recent training exercise, Manta turned to Silverfish, who stood nearby. Both were looking at Coventina as she walked away from the training grounds, her shoulders slumped.

"She looks so frail." Manta commented, to which Silverfish replied "Ever since her letter failed to spark the faiths, she’s been wasting away. Nothing inspires her."

With a sad nod, Manta returned to training the new recruits.

***********

"My lady, what good am I doing?" Coventina asked herself and her goddess. "With the exception of Order, no one took my admonishment to heart."

YOU CAN ONLY TRY, MY DAUGHTER. IN TIME, THE FAITHS WILL REALIZE THE FOLLY OF THEIR WAYS. IF NOT IN THIS CYCLE OF LIFE, THEN THE NEXT, OR THE ONE AFTER.

"I hear your words, but they mean nothing. What good am I doing if I cannot unite the faiths against Balkoth? Why did you choose me?"

OF ALL MY CHILDREN, YOU BEST SHOULD KNOW THE ANSWER, MY DAUGHTER.

"I don’t know. I just don’t know." Coventina lamented as she walked away from the training grounds.

**********

Throughout the lands of water, apathy was swift replacing vigor as the main emotion in the people’s hearts. If Coventina wouldn’t lead them against Balkoth, then why spend time away from family and friends? As the weeks passed while Coventina languished, citizen after citizen left the army and returned to their homes. Merfolk would disappear in whole squads overnight, returning to the seas of their birth. By the end of the next fortnight, less than half of Water’s army remained on duty.

**********

To herself, Manta reflected that as with the tides of the ocean, the army had come in, cleaned away the dirt and was now once again receding into the seas. "I only wonder if the tide will come in once again before it is too late." A melancholy thought, but an apt summary of her feelings.

********* In town, Silverfish, too, was lamenting the loss of the army. "Without all the soldiers, these bars are as dead as driftwood!" She commented to no one in particular while nursing her third mug of ale at the JETSAM seaside bar.

Other than the barkeep, a dour human wearing a scowl and fish-stained apron, the bar was near empty. The only other occupant was a figure sitting alone at a table in the shadow to the side of the firepit. Hoping for more agreeable company, Silverfish ordered two more ales, tossed a half-shell coin on the bar and walked over to the table where the quiet figure sat.

"This one’s on me." She said cheerfully as she slid a mug of ale across the table to the figure. Nodding in appreciation, the quiet man lifted the mug and downed the warm ale in one long swallow.

With a small hiccup, he thanked her for the drink and kicked a chair out from the table with his foot. Taking the cue, Silverfish sat down and offered her hand, "I’m Silverfish. Very glad to have someone to talk to."

"Likewise." The man said, signaling to the barkeep for another drink.

"Make it two!" Silverfish said as she chugged her own ale. Beginning to feel the effects of 4 large mugs of ale, she slurred her next words. "Your *hic* turn to pay, shir. *hic*"

"Gladly." The man in the shadows replied, smiling to himself. Rising from the table he walked to the bar where he paid a full shell for the drinks. Glancing quickly over his shoulder, to ensure Silverfish was not watching, he slipped a small vial of from the sleeve and poured its contents into one mug. The vial contained Runbua, the potent poison from the berries of the bush of the same name, known only to grow in rocky terrain at high-altitudes. Death was a given, but the side effects prior to death were perhaps Runbua’s best feature.

In even a small dose, Runbua frees the recipient from any sense of inhibition and makes the inbiber especially vulnerable to prying questions. A truth drug, with the benefit of eliminating the victim within just a few hours, of apparently natural causes.

Returning to the table by way of the most shadows, he placed the drugged ale before Silverfish and resumed his position beside the fire. "A toast!" He urged. "To Coventina!"

Scowling, Silverfish raised her mug in salute. "To Coventina… indeed." Both took long draughts from their mugs and sat back. Smiling gently, the shadowy man asked. "Did I hear disgust in your salute?"

Frowning for a moment, Silverfish nodded. "Yeah. Ever since her last attempt to spark the faiths of Urak, which failed, Coventina has been useless."

"Oh, how so?"

"Well, she does little to keep the citizens interests. She hasn’t learned a new spell in weeks and she keeps mostly to herself, muttering a lot to no one in particular." Silverfish bemoaned. "Citizens have become dejected and returned home. Look around. Do you see anyone else here but us? How can a thief like me survive, with no one to pickpocket?"

"Poor little girl. Maybe I can help."

"Could you? How?"

"Where I come from, I was known as a healer." He lied gracefully. "With a few word of inspiration and sympathy, I could even help those beridden with the plague of Golgoth himself."

"Well, you certainly won’t hurt things."

"Of course not. Where could I find her?" He asked.

"It is hard to say. She wanders around at random these days. She spends much of her time at the training grounds, so if she’s not there, maybe Manta could tell you. Just let Manta know that I sent you. She’s fairly uptight about things, but with my name, she’ll lighten up!"

"I’ll do just that. Thank you, I’d better get going before even the moon sets, leaving me without light to see the streets!" So saying, he stood up and walked back to the bar. Tipping the barkeep another full shell, he suggested that the barkeep keep an eye on Silverfish. "She’s looking pretty bad. I thank maybe she had 5 or 6 too many this evening."

"Yeah, I bet." The barkeep said as he pocketed the shell. "I’ll get her on her feet and out of here soon enough."

Nodding, the mysterious figure set out to find Manta, as Silverfish dozed off. Her last thoughts were of the strange dream she was having. One where the city was once again full of pockets to pick, fools to con and where a powerful feminine voice echoed in her head. WELCOME, MY DAUGHTER. YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE WITH YOU SOON…


Chapter 52 -- An Old Man's Vision

Wind Walker paced the magistrates halls back and forth. Its good to have thier support in times of need. He paced to the window and looked out. Over the great walls being built he could see the top of the great temple. The Lady of Magic would be tending to her garden on the terrace. At the Barracks he could see Burke putting the final touches on the training of Warriors and windriders. He glanced toward the Thiefs guild and watched as the fae silingers and fairy thiefs practiced their aim under sheas guidence. At the Mage towere he could see the Air Mages getting final instructions from the life enchantress balathustri. Both the life thief and enchantress were to return to life capitol tommorow. They would be missed. His glanced went to the tavern in there he new old windy was setting quietly drinking. He has been this way for days now and no one can seem to get him to speak.****AH the magistrates have returned with there decisions to help. We have decided anounced the head magistrate windy day, that it is in the best interest to send one of the elders to speak with Old Windy as when he wants to be left alone nothing can usually budge the old bagger. Fine replied Lord Wind Walker. Let it be done and none to quick. at the great air tavern old windy was very somber when the elder Bad Breath sliped up to his table and breathed a unwelcome hello. Old Windys eyes started to water as he reconized ole Bad Breath. My old friend Said Bad Breath I wish to speak with you as we need to know what has slienced you.... Old windy rocked with the mans words. Ahhhh I will speak if you keep your mouth shut Bad Breath... Just let me catch a breath of fresh air so lets walk to the Great Temple as we talk... Every one gave Old Windy and Magistrate Elder Bad Breath wide berth as they went to the doors.... Its my dreams said Old Windy.... I see disturbing visions... Ahhhhhh yes said Bad Breath I trust your visions I remember when The trees leaves wilted and fell to the ground as Old windy put his hand over Bad Breaths mouth. Please be quiet my friend or we will not have a forest to look at any more...The snow its starting to turn brown... The visions I have is of my Demise by Balkoth... he is young now since his ressurection form the dead and is very very powerfull. I am old and he has a score to settle with me. I have offended him just enought to get him to waste his resources to come for me. But to do this he must pass throght many lands.... I hope that the Lords of Urak unite in a unified show of strength and set the lord of Death packing back to his home while we grow stronger. My Visions show me that I will die if Balkoth enters the Air Capitol. My silence has been deep thought as how to save the Air Lord Wind Walker and his Lady of Magic. As only then will air have a rightfull place amoung the Lords Of Magic again....I need you to ask Lord Wind Walker to meet me in the great air temple.....Ah we are here have you seen the great garden that grows on the terrace? Let me show you.. A arrow zips right between the two air Giants. We both duck for cover and Old Windy Hits his head on a table as he dives for cover... Darn same knot and it was starting to heal...\ One step closer to my garden you two giants and you will taste my arrows sang Lady of Magic. I will not have Bad Breath and the lord of Clumbsy tramping thru my garden... with that we both sneek towards the exit on our hands and knees as we heare the Fairy thief snicker.... Bad Breath made like a tornado and headed for the magistrates building to ask Lord Wind Walker if he would honer my presents... ..Wind Walker noticed Old windy standing in the hallway of the great Hall.. Why are you not resting in the great hall Old Windy asked Lord Wind Walker? Ah uh ah I was just waiting for you my Lord... You may go in first... Old Windy slowly entered behind Wind Walker carfull to use as much cover as he could... Nothing happen... Well yes Bellowed Old Windy as I was saying I am here to serve you humph hunph. I could better sever you my Lord if I were to know you plans... I am sending Three units of Windriders with a Warrior and three units of fae slinger with shea and a air mage to Life with Balathustri to Life as a token of our kinship and to help with the up comeing battles... I am sending the same to Lord Reisz. I am sending the bear on a peace keeping mission to Coventina and giving her a pack full of plums and three units of fae slingers.... What will that leave to guard the region My Lord asked OLD Windy? It will strip us to just one small army but i feel it is nessary to help the other lords stop balkoth from reaching here.... Old Windy fades into his visions again..........What will be his fate.......

On to Part 13