| “Lady Moriath is waiting for you. Do not keep her waiting.” Said the same cold voice before the four guards swiftly disappeared, leaving Skaris alone, in the deadly silence. Shaking with fright Skaris walked forwards, barely having enough strength to push open the surprisingly light door. * A strong fragrance greeted him as the door was pushed open, sweet and alluring. Before him stood a lavishly decorated throne room. Two large rectangular fountains stood on his right and left, perfectly aligned, filled with blood, carved and decorated in the same manner. No torches seemed to be present, yet the room shone and glowed with an eerie and unearthy light. Other Dark Elves were also present, adorned in lavish black robes or clad in fine black armour, on the sides of the room, eyeing Skaris suspiciously. A blood red carpet was before Skaris, leading to the back of the large room where upon a mighty throne carved out of the spine of a Black Dragon and decorated by black metal and purple amethysts sat Moriath. Upon seeing her, Skaris felt a sudden urge of terror sweep before him. He immediately thought of the exist behind him, the way out of all this…“Clang” the large door shut… Startled, Skairs turned around, paralyzed with fear for there sat Moriath, clad in a fine silk robe, the colour of midnight. Black feathers decorated the sleeves and the collar area, while a tiara of silver black sat upon her head, the symbol of the black lotus crystalised in the form of a large black opal. In her right hand she held a skull, serving as a cup while in her left she held the Staff of Moriath. If a warrior did not fall to the fears of Moriath the Cruel, then he would surely fall for her seductive charms, for she was still fair, despite her old age. Her beauty preserved by seeping the very blood of the dark elf virgin maidens. She stirred the red content of her cup with her long fine nails, looking down into the cup, as if oblivious of Skaris. Then shooting a sharp and malign glance, she smiled… “So Captain Skaris,” Moriath began. “How did you fare in your little raiding?” she asked in an innocent voice, the deep bitter sarcasm in her voice was only detected by a few of the members of her court. “Well…er…my lady…” Skaris stammered as his mind blacked out with fear. “We had a little difficulty and…” “Oh really?” Moriath continued, rising from her throne. “Tell me about it.” “Um…we were waylaid by Bretonnians…at least five times our number and….” Skairs’ voice was cut short by a sudden spasm of pain from his left knee, bring him down, head bowed and kneeling before Moriath. “Do not play games with me Skaris.” She said coldly, her eyes burning with black rage. “Agh….maybe it was only twice or three times and…” Skaris answered in agony, knowing that another lie could possibly cost him his life. “Good,” Moriath continued leerfully. “Now listen very carefully for I am going to ask you this one question. Answer it truthfully and I might just spare your worthless life. Lie to me again and…” Moriath thrusted up her staff. Immediately a whissing sound came then a bright spark. Skaris clutched his right shoulder in pain, for blood sprouted freely from the point where a sharp black glacial spike was protruding from it. Skaris wailed in agony until he was silenced by Moriath sudden glare. “Now where is Morlena?” Moriath asked coldly, her rage almost felt by the entire court for an utter air of silence. “I…I don’t know my lady…,” Skaris whimpered, the once mighty Corsair captain reduced to nothing but a beaten dog infront of Moriath. “You don’t know?” asked Moriath mockingly. “You assured me of her safely and yet now you don’t know where she is?” continued Moriath as she walked towards Skaris lying in agony. “We were ambushed my lady…and…” again Skaris was silenced by Moriath as she bought her finger to her lips. She stood now over Skaris, towering over him like a hungry tiger over a wounded lamb. “You see this cup Skaris?” Moriath said in a soft lulling voice, as if she was speaking to her self. “This skull is that one of a High Elf mage that I defeated, a noble in Saphery. I had it specially bleached, enchanted and jeweled, rather nice don’t you think?” she said sardonically as she poured its blood red essence over the face of the now battered Skaris. “Pity…” With that she casted the skull to the cold hard ground, with the strength and rage of a long imprisoned demon, as if finally unleashing its full anger. The skull shattered into a thousand fragments… “You have no idea what you have costed me Skaris !” Moriath then snapped her fingers, as Skaris lay on the ground, shaking uncontrollably. An elf clad in dark robes stepped forward. “I need a new cup.” was all she said. The long waillings of Skaris as he was dragged down the dark corridors was all that was ever heard from once the proud Corsair captain… Back in her private chambers Moraith was annoyed and frustrated. She should have been more patient, more collected. She should of known better then to send her prized princess in the care of some dimwitted bloodthirsty Corsair captain. But she had wanted Morlena to taste the savage of battle, the pleasure of killing, the odor of blood… Morlena was more then proficient in the arts of magic for Moriath had personally tutored her. She was coming to the age of eighteen and had still not killed. It seemed like the perfect opportunity, a raid on an undefended village, where she would have plenty to burn and slaughter. “May his soul be forever tortured.” Moriath cursed lightly for it had all gone terribly wrong. Morlena was missing, possibly dead. Her impatience could have caused all her years, all her years of cunning planning and plotting to come apart. It could have caused her chances of sweet revenge upon the Lord of Saphery, Theurman the Wise, where she had suffered such a bitter defeat and humiliation. She threw her arms high up in the air and cried in frustration. Lightening flashed and thundered roared around the Black Ark as powerful waves sprayed itself against the dark rocks. The Citedal guards looked up into the raging sky and whispered “Its going to be a long night…” To be continued… Part 5 is not yet done :( |