skarlonkeep

Skarlon Keep
By LLBane

Falling through the cold damp mists of time Bane found himself floating in a world devoid of life, of color, of warmth. Formless beings slip past him just out of his reach. Bane realizes there is no air to breath but he is alive. Alive yes but where? Nothing in the mists can he touch but yet something gently nudges him forward. Walking cautiously on mist covered ground Bane's senses no longer functioned. He hurried ahead of the nudging. Looking behind him nothing but the mist creatures flitting back and forth behind him. He knew not why but he knew power of a sort he had not felt or seen was at work here.

She sat upon a throne of twisted swords formed to make the throne. No cushions, no coverings. Just hard cold steel. She watched Bane stumble into her great hall. Looking around he finally seen her. She smiled and stood up. She was very much a head taller then Bane and her body was filled out with powerful muscles that rippled when she moved. Her skin was like that of a grayish marble. She stepped closer to Bane and looked him in his eye. Bane knew she was a living thing, he could feel the heat radiating from her body. Her beautiful face framed by the war beads in her white hair filled his vision as she placed her full ripened lips onto his lips. Bane was unable to control his actions as his essence was slowly taken by Raddaka, Guardian of the Ethereal Mists. She was also the Shieldmaiden for Anshar, the god of war. She whispered prophecy and doom and of promises that Bane would have to keep should she help him. She gave him a bite on his furry chest and Bane shook as her teeth left her mark on his flesh. The shape of one sword twisted around another was to mark him. The promise was made and the pact began.

Waking up several days later Bane looked about him and knew he was alone. The blackness of the cold tower and the ache in his body told him that Raddaka had drained his essence or spirit almost to the point of death. She was insatiable. The promise was made and she would keep to her bargain now. Bane watched the storm through a slit in the higher level of the room. It seemed to be letting up. Standing he found he was fully cleaned and dressed. Grabbing the black egg he had promised to plant he headed down. It was the soul of the man-eagle warrior and Bane would do what he had promised. His horse looked up and stomped as he came closer. The poor horse had been without fire or light for some time but it knew master was back by his scent. Bane stroked the horses neck and cooed words in its ear. He readied the horse for its journey and together the two left the tower behind. Bane shuddered when he looked into the slit. He thought, for a moment, he had seen a face coldly peering out at him. Yes he would keep his promise and he knew she would keep hers.

Riding for days before he was just outside his old Clans hunting grounds Bane settled back into the saddle. He was tired and so was the horse. It stomped its foot and the nostrils flared suddenly and the animal twitched to the left and then the right almost throwing Bane. The animal went down trapping Bane underneath it. Bane felt the large three foot arrow shaft and knew it would be black with black feathers. The tip of the arrow was a ugly jagged triangular shaped head made from black steel. It was designed to puncture a hole in a foe or animal and leave a gaping wound to bleed out. Cursing under his breath for not having picked up on the scents earlier, it seemed he suffered some effects from Raddaka's taking of his life essence. His eyes blazed as he pushed the horse off his leg. Three more arrows hit Bane in the chest but bounced off. Bane caught a fourth arrow in mid air and whirled around and threw it back at the shooter so it would not loose any energy. He heard a cry and something roll down the hill above him. Smiling he used the distraction to hide in the under brush and made his way to the shooters. He could hear one of his attackers curse as they became the hunted.

"Shagra, where did that bastard go? You were supposed to be keeping an eye on him." A large black skinned Lycan hissed at one of his comrades. The two were about to argue but the sight of a vengeful Bane behind them cut short any arguing. Bane swung the great sword at one and hurled the silveron dagger into the chest of the other. The one dodged the sword and came up with a short sword of its own. The other fell face first into the dirt. The third was shocked in place long enough for Bane to kick him in the face to send him sprawling down the hill to where the other lay moaning in pain with a large arrow stuck in its neck.

"By Anshars guts yor a fast one. But you won't get away from me." The larger black skinned lycan cried as he cut at Bane. Bane dodge a swift cut to his stomach and parried a dagger thrust at his eyes with his gauntlet. The black skinned panther lycan was spun around by the parry and gave Bane enough time to cut across his right hamstring severing the tendons. The panther assassin went down howling in pain. Bane kicked him full in the face splintering nose and lips and some brain matter was left on his boots. Bane slowly walked towards the other one who had just gotten up.

Without a second glance the would be assassin snarled at Bane and turned into a large black panther and disappeared into the woods. Cursing again Bane bent down to the wounded one. Smiling evilly at the would be assassin Bane began his work. The assassin running away shuddered in his panther form as he heard the screams of agony from his partner he left behind. He know it would be only a matter of time before his partner would tell everything he knew. He changed course and began running to the East. He would seek shelter in Emani among the other Lycans and he would need to tell his master what had happened. The screams of the tortured Lycan echoed again through the woods speeding up the panthers run. What was more chilling was the laugh that boomed through the woods. The panther assassin looked over his shoulder in fright as he jumped over a stream. He had made an enemy today that he may not outlive. He cursed the gold he had taken for this assignment.

Bane washed the blood off his hands and dagger and smiled as he walked past the three heads he had staked on the road. This would let them all know that he was onto them and he would be coming for them. He whistled as he began running slowly through the game trail. He would not take the road now. It was faster to run through the old trails of his childhood now.

Borwik stood at his post like he had done for well over thirty years. His huge girth and strong limbs was more then enough to deter any who would come to the village. He was considered large even for a bear lycan and his strength was well known. None had ever tested it save one. And that contest of strength he would have won had it not been for a slip. Grumbling about what almost was about all he had to do now. The others avoided the subject for it would bring about an over zealous story being told. His brow hung heavy on this over cast and dark wintry day. He would not admit it but he could sleep standing up. It was one of his greatest gifts as he called it. He was looking forward to catching a nap when a disturbance caught his ears. Someone or something was coming up the game trail and it was headed right for him. He motioned with his heavy arm for others. Several more heavily armed and armored bear lycan guards showed up at the gate. The village was surrounded by a thick earth and wood wall. A great keep lay in the center of the compound. About a hundred bear lycans lived here and there were children and women an men. The brightest spot in the compound was a tavern where honey ale was served.

The large stranger came into view. He was larger then Borwik and was heavily armored and armed. The stranger was a lycan but of a sort he had never seen before. He was about to growl a challenge when the voice of a older lycan boomed down around him causing him to cringe.

"Lo don't tell me tis sorry sight be the great Emperor? What happened to ye boyo? What brings ye to Skarlon Keep?" A old even for a lycan bear stood there with the great staff of war in his hands. Bane came walked and stopped in front of Borwik. They used to be eye to eye but now Bane had to look down to see his eyes. Borwik swallowed hard.

"Master Loren, you're still alive? Wonders never cease. Your one of the few Lycans older then I am. It was your hand that guided me in my youth. What has happened to me is a long tale and I would tell it in the tavern with some food and some honey ale to drown it down if you wouldn't mind?" Loren bowed as did all the bear lycans in the compound who had come to see the stranger. He and Bane head for the tavern with almost the whole compound following behind. This was big news and none of them would miss it. The curiosity was burning Borwik up. He wanted very badly to be in there to hear the tale. But his duty was to guard the gate.

"By the gods thats horrible news laddy. Them dragons destroyed and all. I would have thought it impossible for them demons to come back. Them puritans must be a nosey bunch to get their noses into that buttcrack." Bane laughed and banged his goblet down on the table. He knew the old lycan was as wise as the elven elders and the pure blood of the lycan elders flowed in his veins like it did Banes. He watched the silver haired lycan and his bushy eyebrows look at him. He knew something was up. Bane sighed.

"My reasons for coming here must be between you and me." All others were shooed away by the guards who also took themselves outside the tavern. The tavern keeper placed two more pitchers of ale on the table and walked outside as well.

"I need to speak to Skarlon. I know he is dangerous but this new foe not only threatens us, it also threatens his people. We are mortal enemies yes, but a greater evil has come into the world and we need help." Bane almost whispered his reasons to Loren. The elder blinked and settled back into his chair pulling out his pipe. He placed some sweet smelling leaves and root into his pipe and lit it. The aroma wafted through the tavern and it flooded memories back to Bane of when he was younger.

"Tis that bad lad? By the gods I hope you be right. It's not an easy thing to do what your seeking to do. Your own laws prevent it son. Nothing will change for the guards. They would hack you down before you made it up the steps. You would be forced to fight them." Bane looked away and thought of the assassination attempt earlier. He would not let this stop him.

"If I must then so be it. I have a way not to cause permanent damage to them. I will wait until dark and then make my move." Loren nodded.

"I'll put a light watch on the keep tonight. I'll move them to a cottage we will say you are in. A cottage with a hidden tunnel to the center of the compound." Bane looked surprised at Loren who smiled at him. "Remember lad, I always taught you to be ready for future happenings." Bane laughed and nodded. "You do know this will make you an outlaw to our people?"

"I must do this to save our people old one. I must do it. It was my father who locked the beast away in that keep. I must try to reach it and make an alliance." Loren nodded. He knew this would not be easy on Bane, becoming an outlaw.

As the moon rose to its zenith a dark figure flitted through the compound. Quietly the figure hit the first guard and laid him against the column. The hit had been precise enough to knock the lycan out. The next two guards were choked unconscious and the fourth would wake up with a nasty bump on his head. Bane used the key that he had guarded for so long and unlocked the door and opened it. He stepped inside the dark and cold keep. His foot steps echoed throughout the keep. Magical wards held the vampire king in place and the key allowed Bane to walk through them unharmed. He stopped when he came upon a small circular room. On a would be throne sat a tall and lean man with almost bluish white skin. His hair was a dark rust color. His red eyes blazed at Bane with hatred. He seemed highly agitated. Almost twitching he held a hand up for Bane to stop. Bane stopped and bowed his head surprising the vampire king.

"I am Howler Bane, Emperor of the Lycan empire. I am the holder of the key that makes this a prison for you. I have need of your services." The vampire hissed and laughed.

"Bane, I know you. You helped your father put me here. I would have your heart for a meal before I helped you. Why would you come to me filthy beast?"

"Several days ago a band of humans who called themselves puritans opened up the doorway between the lower realms and our realm. Thousands of demons of all types have entered our world. They are led by powerful users of death magic. They attacked the dragon home and destroyed it. The queen of the dragons fell to their magic. They still pour out by the thousands into our realm. They have attacked your people in the South and drove them out into other lands or made slaves of them." Skarlon's knuckles grew whiter as he clenched the arms of his chair.

"So you need me to stop these demons? How can I if they slay dragons?" Skarlon hissed.

"I only need you to kill the lesser demons that inhabit your lands and I need you to rally your people. I would need you and your people to fight alongside lycans for the battle to close the lower realm gateway. We may be joined by others as well like the elves and maybe some humans. This is a threat to us all." The vampire nodded.

"How am I to leave here then? The wards keep me here." Bane held out his hand and held up the key in his other. The vampire understood as his cold hand took the hand of Bane. The two of them walked out of the Keep and fled into the night. The vampire king nodded to Bane and headed to the South to help his people. Bane knew he would have to deal with the vampire once this threat was over. But that would be another fight.

Several elven and lycan messengers made their way to Emani and beyond. Skarlon, the vampire king of old legends had been released by Bane. The message also told that Bane had also killed three lycans who tried to stop him and he piked their heads on the road to the Keep. Bane was to be known as a outlaw and to be dethroned for this gravest of acts against his people and he was to be considered an enemy and kill on sight by all lycans. Jadell read the message blinking and wondering what he was up to. Tamra clung onto Toul and Erix issued orders to post extra guards to the city and issued forth a call for a council to convene in Emani. Drax smiled and fingered his daggers. He would enjoy this he thought as he headed out with a panther lycan beside him talking in low tones.