Coming upon a caravan of humans travelling through the mountain pass Bane was intent on passing them with no interruptions of his progress. However as soon as he came within distance of them several crossbow quarrels sunk into the chest of his bear mount. The huge animal cried out in pain and anger as it fell to the frozen ground. Bane looked upon the humans with anger and something much worse. With a savage primal growl Bane charged into the humans with his claws and ripped and shredded anything that moved near him be it man or horse. A human warrior tried an overhead cut on Bane but the speed and agility of Bane was faster. He caught the sword blade in his hand and with one motion of his wrist the blade was snapped in two and Bane thrust the piece he had into the mans throat. The blood flowed down the trail and pooled into a icy spot. The white mists of his breath frosted the lower half of his helm and made his growl seem mechanical. The last human lay mortally wounded. He pleaded for his life holding what was left of his left shoulder and arm. Bane pointed to his dead bear mount. The man looked at the bear and then at Bane and realized what they had done. Bane moved faster then the man could see and a loud sickening crack echoed through the trees. Bane roared his triumph and challenge to any who were near as he held up the head. None answered his challenge. Bane took supplies and a pack horse that he had left alive and quickly rode off going further into the mountain. He needed to find the door way to the South but first he would need the key from the North. Sitting on his throne of bones deep in his realm Anshar laughed a nervous laugh. This he was going to enjoy.
Coming out of the trees the elves looked at the scene with horror. They had been tracking Bane but this was the work of a monster. They would have to report this back. A hawk was raised in the air and flapped its great wings. A small gilded tube was strapped to its leg carrying the message of what had happened at the pass back to the elves. The signs were bad. Bane had reverted to the more savage nature of his race and it was not a good sign for any be it friend or foe. The elves began the task of removing the bodies and clearing the pass. The pass would be needed to be open should they have to run through before the coming storm.
Bane stopped his horse at a stream and looked about for shelter. A winter storm was coming. This was of natural design. He knew this somehow. He had sensed when magic was used near him but he had not sensed anything out of the ordinary. He watched a hawk fly out in the distance. Looking back towards the pass he knew the elves were there. Damn. If they knew where he was headed they would put an army in front of him to stop him if they knew his plan. None knew of the legends that were spoken only in whispers if at all by the oldest of folk. Those who had been around since the last great war. None dared speak of the names of those who lay entombed in the heart of a frozen mountain. None would remember except for Bane and the elves and possibly the dwarves. Yes, they would stop him or die trying. Bane knew what he would do. He also knew his own would try to stop him as well. He would have to move faster. The horse already drenched with sweat was kicked faster and the animal staggered but headed onward. In the opening of a large field a great obsidian spire jutted black against the frosted evergreens and ground. The storm was almost on him and Bane knew he would survive but he needed the horse to survive as well.
Getting to the spire just as the first flakes fell and the wind started Bane breathed a sigh of relief. A circular entrance with huge black metal doors that were blasted outward but somehow remained hinged an intact groaned as the wind buffeted them. Bane looked about and heard no other sound except for the wind. His horse screamed and tried to back away but bane forced the animal through the entrance and into the spire. The interior seemed cold but was warmer. Dried brush and small animal bones littered the floor. None had been in this place in a long time. Finding several pieces of timber and rope Bane was able to pull the doors shut and secured them so the wind would not blow them open again. He could see in the dark but his horse could not. The poor animal shivered in fright and fear. Bane set about finding wood and tinder to make a fire to warm the horse and himself. He noticed the interior of the spire was much larger then the exterior. He knew magic was involved here but did not care. He was out of the cold is all he wanted. Cracking the first sparks the fire lit up the interior brightly. The walls were also of a obsidian blackness and seemed to soak up the light. No reflections could be seen not even shadows. Bane put warm blankets on the horse and gave it a feed bag that had been with the animal. The horse nervously ate. Bane set out to explore the spire. Walking to the furthest wall opposite of the door Bane made out what looked like water. Yes it was a liquid of some type. Looking further at it Bane decided it was not water. It had a acrid smell and he did not like the look of it. Moving off he almost stumbled over the broken bench. Cursing and kicking the bench he moved to a slender spiral staircase. The steps seemed to float in the air but Bane knew they were anchored to the wall in a hidden way. He had seen such things before. He called them wizard's tricks. Climbing up the stair case Bane looked down at his horse who seemed to be sleeping. The poor beast seemed to be more at ease now that it was warm. A small sound, almost mouse like and very faint came from further up in the spire. Bane's hearing was better then it had been and his stomach growled. Well, it was not the first time he had eaten rat. Silently he made his way up the steps.
After for what seemed hours he finally came to a single door. Unlike the rest of the spire this door was red. Bane felt no magic but pulled his long dagger free anyway. His sword was too large to use in the space of the hall. Slowly pushing on the door Bane found it locked. Settling down on his heels Bane looked at the lock. None knew that in his youth he had been a thief. Pulling out the thin wires he had secreted under his bracers Bane worked the lock for another hour and finally after breaking two of the wires and much cursing the lock came open. Bane pushed the door open and stepped inside.
LLBane |
