Chapter 64 -- WHAT?!?!

Balkoth was furious.

"Under whose orders did they demand Half of the kingdom?

CUT OUT THEIR HEARTS AND BRING THE HEARTS TO ME! Send the rest to Gilgamesh with an appology and assurance that they act against my orders.

FOR THE LAST TIME! NO ONE IS TO INTERFERE WITH CHAOS OR ORDER! If this happens again the death will be slow and painful.

I will suffer no more delays and no more stupidity!"


Chapter 65 -- Last Drop of Water

The morning light broke through the clouds, spilling rays of gold onto the gathered crowd. Had anyone turned away from the view before them, they would have seen a rainbow stretching from horizon to horizon, yet none had. A few had noticed the smaller rainbows that came and went as the sea spray from the ocean below misted behind the dais.

Their attention was focused on the three white caskets that lay side-by-side on the dais. Each casket resembled the other, except for the silver engravings that had been painstakingly inlaid over the past two days. On the left, a manta-ray rippled through various colors, the quicksilver used in the engraving giving it a life of its own. Many in the crowd would swear that they had seen the manta’s wings swimming on the casket. On the opposite side, the casket lay engraved with the image of dozens of silverfish, schooling about. As the breeze shifted, the school of fish would rapidly change direction, or such was the illusion offered by the exotic carvings. Centered among these two, lay the casket of Coventina, engraved only with a simple cresting wave and a small bluefin leaping from the crest.

The silence was broken only by the cries of gulls, who wailed in their own lament, seemingly in tune with the misery of the gathering below.

With the single ring of a bell, the three caskets were hoisted by the appointed honor guard of knights and amazons. Turning towards the sea, the honor guard carried the caskets in solemn silence to the edge of the cliff behind the dais. Three elevated ramps had been prepared the day before, their wood highly polished and gleaming in the morning sun. Each casket was laid atop a ramp and secured in place by a single strap. The head priestess of the Temple of Tranquility approached the ramps and turned to the sea. "From Water we are born, to Water we return." She spoke and released the straps on each casket, sending them over the cliff into the sea below.

The caskets plunged into the sea at the same time, and bobbed back to the surface moments later. Tears streaming down many faces, the crowd watched as hundreds of Merfolk emerged from the waters. Riding atop a great Kraken, the high-priest of the Merfolk nodded to the onlookers above and to the great dragon that appeared at the same time. White as the caskets, and leaving a trail of snow in the sky, Frost circled overhead, offering the condolences of his lord, Old Windy, with a melancholy roar as the caskets sank beneath the waves.

*****

In the following days, the Water worshippers began drifting apart. Each village and town closed itself off from its neighbors, returning to the old ways they had known before Coventina’s arrival.

A small band of dedicated human soldiers passed through the villages, following a snowy trail in the air. The band headed in the direction of the lands of Air. They had agreed the previous night that they would honor their fallen Lady’s wishes and would join with the forces of air to continue the fight against Balkoth. A mere 200 knights and lone champion followed the great dragon, small relief indeed for an army poised to fend off Balkoth’s assault on it’s homeland.

WATER’S END


Chapter 66 -- Sean Plays With Their Minds

Sean stood on the balcony glumly, reading the missive from Death. On this star filled night his face showed a stern expression and it was easy to tell what he was feeling. The night lit up his facial features, including his normally well hid pointed ears. Reisz's life or Old Windy's...much a difficult decision...but wait! Sean snapped and ran downstairs where Krystin was handling commoner affairs. He grabbed her arm and walked to a private room.

=====

"Sean, what is the problem?" Krystin asked. Sean only grinned. "Death is giving us this ultimatum. Reisz lives and is delivered to us if they pass through our lands." Sean said, almost laughing. Krystin frowned and asked, confused "And this helps us how?" "Well, I need you to use your magic to check up on Air, Chaos, and Life. I will be writing a missive to ask Chaos and Life to have a joint attack on Balkoth's forces from the back, while Air would use my troops still there to attack their distracted front." Sean said, with an almost unusually evil smirk on his face, as he pointed to a spot on their simple map. Krystin could only grin. Sean had done it again. "Of course m'lord..." Krystin gave him a quick kiss and ran off to cast her spells. Sean sighed and started scribbling on some parchment.

=====

Krystin watched the three images. Air was running to keep up and prepare for an attack. Life seemed to be ready for war. As for Chaos, Krystin seemed interested.

"Never! Chaos doe let enemies pass thr......"

Krystin watched as the witch cast a spell.

"...ah, yes. Let the army pass...."

"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?"

Krystin laughed to herself as she saw how the witch was controlling him. Oh well...time to tell Sean.

=====

Sean nodded as Krystin filled him in on what was going on, then asked her to keep watching the other faiths while he wrote. Krystin agreed and walked off.

Lords/Ladys of Air, Chaos, Life, and Fire:

Greetings Lords of Urak. I propose a risky tactic to defeat our greatest evil, Balkoth of Death. If any do not wish to participate, or to formulate their own plan, do so. But these will be my own plans. Gilgamesh, my friend, I wish to ask you to send your forces to join 900 or more of my own and you yourself to lead them to attack Balkoth's back. If you do not feel this to be a valid idea, ask but another and we will speak of it. Wind Walker and Old Windy of Air, I wish for you to use what remians of my own men that you have to help defend your fronts while Balkoth's army is distracted. I would hope you could raise additional forces. Again, you are not required to join my attack. Wyrdaxe of Chaos...I cannot ask you for anything considering our past quarrels, but I would request you to attack Balkoth's left or right front after he passes your lands. Perhaps if the Lord/Lady of Fire joined this attack you two could combine forces. Once again, this is your option. If none join my attack, then I will have to state this might be one of our final missives. After Reisz is back in our hands he will be moved. In the suspicion that this letter may fall into wrong hands, I will not state where. As for location of this attack, I feel it should be in the valley between Lord Wind Walker's lands and my own, near the elven village. This allows us to encircle the Death forces. I would also ask a responce as soon as possible. Thank you. This is all.

Sean the Tenth-Elf, Current Leader of Order's Forces

Sean looked up and saw Krystin watching him in the door. She smiled. He rolled up the scroll, grumbled a few words and three copies of the original appeared next to the main parchment. He snapped and they all disappeared, heading to their targets. Sean stood, walked over to Krystin and picked her up as they both disappeared, grinning.

=====

The next morning, Order's troops were still practicing for war, awaiting their moment of fate. Their success or failure would determine Reisz's and their own children's fates. With battle so close, what else could they do?

Sean stood on the balcony watching the practicing troops with Krystin leaning on his shoulder. He knew what this curtailed. He knew he could save but a few of them if this battle did not go well. But part of his heritage would live on, no matter what. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes showing worry. She sighed knowingly and looked into his dark brown eyes, which were unusual for an elf of his caliber. "You worry about too much...just know that we will be able to retreat elsewhere if something happens m'lord." Krystin said confidently. Sean only nodded and continued watching the troops. Then they both proceeded back to their quarters.

=====

Burke knew what was going on. Balkoth was using Reisz as a bribe to let his troops through their lands. Burke sighed, knowing to stay well away from Balkoth's army, but being able to keep in something of a viewing distance. He put his hood over his head and rode off towards Life's lands, to see if Lord Gilgamesh knew any of these occurances.


Chapter 67 -- Old Windy Becomes Lord

Lord Windwalker Old windy and lady of magic stood on the garden terrace.. Old windy was hold his giant arms out spread to the winds.. It made strange sounds as it wissled thru his helment... sort of like a hollow drum... Old windy was a sight to be seen all decked out in the fanciest warrior outfit they had ever seen. This was to be the diplomatic weding night between air and water.. to bind the two great faiths... alas the lord amazon princess was dead. but Old windy knew that the bear had a silver tounge and he would hold the amazons together till he arrived..

In the great hall was all the elders from the magistrates building. They had brought dozens of large chests that old windy had them fetch from the lost city.. They were purple with strands of gold marbling the intericate design of a mountain sourround by water.. the cases were decorated with presious gems and the finest crystal in all of urak.. as to thier content one could on guesss...Old bad Breath the oldest elder let out a scream as in rode a raven with a tiny 6 inch bear wizzard on its back... both the raven and the little wizzard had clothing that reaked of royalty...

I am zorastra bellowed the tiny bear and this magical beast is my steed.. ah ah whats his name... We are Old windys stewards... and protectors... Old windy start to say yes these are my trusted stewards.. Zorastra chimes in Old windy i said that and im stepping on you mind again.. its like walking on air.. he he... It is time to go send the armies ahaead wind walker commanded.. There were 6 armies made up from the renagades they were of all faiths... and had been in training by the best for a long time... the had learned their lessons well... Thier was constant tourments testing their skills.. warrior against warrior and thief against their.. the mages almost killed each other in ttheir tournaments.. they all had new greater artifacts that old windy had got from the lost city... One champion of each would ride with old windy as each was selected from the tourments... The order warrior had won but it was a close fight with the death warrior.. the death mage had won out but is missing a hand due to a fight with a chaos mage.. he cast a spell and she cut his hand off.. so she lost by default... she said her aim was off... the thief was a assassin. at a 10 level he had taken out the compettion easly.. even the fairy could not reach him as he had a greater artifact that gave him range.. he already had the speed... When it was anounced that old windy was geting married their was a rush of marriges in the air world and lord windwalker performed the cermony andlady of magic sang the wedding vows for them... Most of the marriges were between diffrent faiths and some were strange. as we had a amazon warrior marry a fire giant, a death warrior marry a life enchantress, a life warrior marry a fairy thief. and many marriges between all faiths and the chaos warriors. which for some reason was in constant demand...Their were many fights for the right to marry a chaos thief...th;e knights of order renagades and the death halbrdires almost killed each other for the few chaos thiefs. hand....gee..

we off went the army toward waters capitol and traveling only by way of the secret tunnel that old windy had showed them... the would arrive in hours... Old windy said his good byes to windwalker and lady of magic.. and wished them luck on the upcomeing battles... they were ready... old windy walked to the edge of the terrace and trew a amulet at a pile of mountainous rocks... their was a loud explosion and to all amazement apeared a dragons lair.... Old wind held out his arm and sang a high c note for the longes time... soon the ground began to tremble, and the towere begun to sway. things were falling from the table and shelves. the tress were saying back and forth... Out of the lair came an enormouse greate drake... then the second then the third and forth and fith and sixth and 7,8,9. wow 9 great drakes and the wind was blowing like a tornado.. Old windy had each clinb on a drakes back and off toward chaos they flew...

they were almost at their destination just east of chaos and west of water... Old windy had the death mage cast spawn cave on one of chaos old abandon caves.. In they went.. befor old windy and the Dark warrior could pull their swords the assassin and the great drakes made short work of them. zorastra and his raven had destroyed a bat... Old windy had the necromancer cast raise shade on the dead bodies.. whith that they left and zorastra was telling the order warrior how lucky he was as that bat would have ate him and his horsy...The 10 level warrior and the 5 level knights all laughed and said thank you we thougt we were gonners for sure... Zorastra set so much taller in his little saddle and patted the raven on the side and said did they hurt you baby.. the raven replied oh my gods its for evermore...

When old wind rode in on the great drakes with his ontrage. there were the amazons all over to greet them.. Old wind looked stunnning and the 9 drakes were a sight to behold.. I Old windy the bethrothed to your loved coventina now offer my services as lord of this region...together we will unit all urak and let you take your rightfull place... if you do not wish it let me hear it now... there was silence...

if it is to be then lets hear your approval... there were cheers form the amazons like most gods had never heard.. it made the land tremble... he roared so let it be done... to battle first the 72 shades take up gaurd around the premiter of the water region you can travel fast... take one amazon thief with each of you... and keep and EAR out.. now here bar keep is 7000 peices of gold. open up that gin joint of yours.. and let the celebration begean.. with that old windy slid down the side of the great drake and hit his head on a rock... out cold again....