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gaeleth:stories:son_of_a_witch [2019/02/26 01:29]
khavikanum
gaeleth:stories:son_of_a_witch [2021/09/28 15:50] (current)
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 He dreamt of snow, on a high mountain pass, with glaciers in a valley below him... He dreamt of snow, on a high mountain pass, with glaciers in a valley below him...
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Aegan leaned up against the ramparts, the rising sun at his back.  The peak of Mount Rilan soared into the clouds up above and ahead of him, and immediately before him were the open grounds of the Mages' Academy. ​ The large fortress was virtually unassaultable,​ standing as it did on the steep side of a mountain, with only one wagon-navigable trail up to Lok Magius, as the dwarves called it. Aegan leaned up against the ramparts, the rising sun at his back.  The peak of Mount Rilan soared into the clouds up above and ahead of him, and immediately before him were the open grounds of the Mages' Academy. ​ The large fortress was virtually unassaultable,​ standing as it did on the steep side of a mountain, with only one wagon-navigable trail up to Lok Magius, as the dwarves called it.
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 The smith nodded his head in the affirmative,​ and glanced at the other mages working with Master P'​Arkon. ​ One of the people there was Kendemon, the Master Groundskeeper. ​ While not a mage in any conventional sense, the elder elf with white hair and a gentle disposition never-the-less possessed a kind of power over plants that even priests of the Harvest God envied. The smith nodded his head in the affirmative,​ and glanced at the other mages working with Master P'​Arkon. ​ One of the people there was Kendemon, the Master Groundskeeper. ​ While not a mage in any conventional sense, the elder elf with white hair and a gentle disposition never-the-less possessed a kind of power over plants that even priests of the Harvest God envied.
  
-One of the mages with Kendemon, who was examining a shard of the armor in his hands, was pretty young elf with deep lavender ​eyes that matched her lavender ​and blue dress. ​ Her appearance, from her lean build to her raven-black hair, had caught Aegan'​s attention several times. ​ The smith knew only that she was an illusionist,​ but had never caught her name.+One of the mages with Kendemon, who was examining a shard of the armor in his hands, was pretty young elf with deep purple ​eyes that matched her purple ​and blue dress. ​ Her appearance, from her lean build to her raven-black hair, had caught Aegan'​s attention several times. ​ The smith knew only that she was an illusionist,​ but had never caught her name.
  
 "​Aegan?" ​ Master P'​Arkon was suddenly before Aegan, with both hands on the brawny smith'​s shoulders. ​ "You didn't get hit in the head, did you?" ​ His wide, mad eyes bored deeply into Aegan'​s,​ even as the instructor turned his head from side to side, his eyes never leaving his apprentice'​s. "​Aegan?" ​ Master P'​Arkon was suddenly before Aegan, with both hands on the brawny smith'​s shoulders. ​ "You didn't get hit in the head, did you?" ​ His wide, mad eyes bored deeply into Aegan'​s,​ even as the instructor turned his head from side to side, his eyes never leaving his apprentice'​s.
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 A beautiful voice, like a mellow bell interwoven with bright chimes, answered him.  "​It'​s srik armor. ​ Hide, rather. ​ When the orcs kill a srik, they use its carapace to make armor for themselves."​ A beautiful voice, like a mellow bell interwoven with bright chimes, answered him.  "​It'​s srik armor. ​ Hide, rather. ​ When the orcs kill a srik, they use its carapace to make armor for themselves."​
  
-Aegan turned to the young elf in blue and lavender ​robes, with those vividly ​lavender ​eyes that could only be found in an inhuman race.  He asked, not really comprehending,​ "​Vhat? ​ The orcs take it from some other creature?"​+Aegan turned to the young elf in blue and purple ​robes, with those vividly ​purple ​eyes that could only be found in an inhuman race.  He asked, not really comprehending,​ "​Vhat? ​ The orcs take it from some other creature?"​
  
 Her dainty eyebrows drew into a frown that Aegan thought would stop his heart. ​ "Has no one really explained what's going on?" Her dainty eyebrows drew into a frown that Aegan thought would stop his heart. ​ "Has no one really explained what's going on?"
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 She nodded her head, again, and asked, "And what kind of magical spells would most easily burst through this kind of armor?"​ She nodded her head, again, and asked, "And what kind of magical spells would most easily burst through this kind of armor?"​
  
-The smith blinked, and took his brown eyes away from her lavender ​ones.  He settled his eyes, instead, on the armor, and its small, jagged holes where Master P'​Arkon'​s magic had torn into it.  If only to impress the pretty elven maid, he wished he knew more about the magic he hated.+The smith blinked, and took his brown eyes away from her purple ​ones.  He settled his eyes, instead, on the armor, and its small, jagged holes where Master P'​Arkon'​s magic had torn into it.  If only to impress the pretty elven maid, he wished he knew more about the magic he hated.
  
 Aegan shook his head slowly. ​ "​I'​ve no idea.  I'm not a-" ​ He swallowed, having almost said that he wasn't a mage, and continued, "I am only an apprentice."​ Aegan shook his head slowly. ​ "​I'​ve no idea.  I'm not a-" ​ He swallowed, having almost said that he wasn't a mage, and continued, "I am only an apprentice."​
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 Eriel said softly, "The srik rarely attack, alone. ​ Dozens -- perhaps even hundreds of them -- will take anything that lives back to their nest, where they feed it to a fungus that lives deep in each colony. ​ The srik only eat from the fungus, and the fungus can eat almost anything but the srik.  This is what the orcs and the ogres of the deserts have been battling for close to a decade, now." Eriel said softly, "The srik rarely attack, alone. ​ Dozens -- perhaps even hundreds of them -- will take anything that lives back to their nest, where they feed it to a fungus that lives deep in each colony. ​ The srik only eat from the fungus, and the fungus can eat almost anything but the srik.  This is what the orcs and the ogres of the deserts have been battling for close to a decade, now."
  
-The creature disappeared in a puff of lavender ​mist, and Eriel laid a gentle hand on Aegan'​s forearm, to get his attention. ​ When his eyes met hers, she noticed with surprise that the human'​s eyes had turned an intense shade of green. ​ The moment they locked with hers, though, the brown began to return.+The creature disappeared in a puff of purple ​mist, and Eriel laid a gentle hand on Aegan'​s forearm, to get his attention. ​ When his eyes met hers, she noticed with surprise that the human'​s eyes had turned an intense shade of green. ​ The moment they locked with hers, though, the brown began to return.
  
 "​Aegan. ​ That was but a drone. ​ There are other srik, like the warriors, who are much more deadly."​ "​Aegan. ​ That was but a drone. ​ There are other srik, like the warriors, who are much more deadly."​
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 The instructor continued to see without seeing, until her gaze returned to Aegan and Eriel. ​ "Stay right here." The instructor continued to see without seeing, until her gaze returned to Aegan and Eriel. ​ "Stay right here."
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 "Oh, ho, my boy!" ​ Master P'​Arkon smacked his hands onto Aegan'​s shoulders, squeezing them fondly. ​ "Good job," the instructor growled, shaking the smith with surprising strength. ​ "Good job." "Oh, ho, my boy!" ​ Master P'​Arkon smacked his hands onto Aegan'​s shoulders, squeezing them fondly. ​ "Good job," the instructor growled, shaking the smith with surprising strength. ​ "Good job."
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 A gentle pair of hands from behind guided him to a chair, and forced him to sit down in it. A gentle pair of hands from behind guided him to a chair, and forced him to sit down in it.
  
-Eriel'​s concerned ​lavender ​eyes stared down into Aegan'​s unseeing, pasty white face.  Her hands hurt from where she had touched Aegan, and she feared she might have frostbite. ​ She couldn'​t lay a hand on him to reassure him, or take him out of the spell he was in, so she snapped her fingers in front of his face, and called his name.  "​Aegan!"​+Eriel'​s concerned ​purple ​eyes stared down into Aegan'​s unseeing, pasty white face.  Her hands hurt from where she had touched Aegan, and she feared she might have frostbite. ​ She couldn'​t lay a hand on him to reassure him, or take him out of the spell he was in, so she snapped her fingers in front of his face, and called his name.  "​Aegan!"​
  
 The smith closed his mouth, and swallowed. ​ He slowly brought his eyes up to hers, and she saw that they were switching colors, from brown to green, and back again, as though two molten liquids bubbled and roiled within one another. The smith closed his mouth, and swallowed. ​ He slowly brought his eyes up to hers, and she saw that they were switching colors, from brown to green, and back again, as though two molten liquids bubbled and roiled within one another.
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 She skipped gaily down the hall, gaily maintaining illusions that few could see through. She skipped gaily down the hall, gaily maintaining illusions that few could see through.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Eriel was waiting for Aegan the next morning, when he strode out of his rooms. ​ He was hungry, desperately needed to visit the jacks, so he only nodded quickly at her as he stalked by, heading for the jacks. ​ His hunger would have to wait, though, until he saw to Master P'​Arkon. ​ Aegan hoped that, with a war going on, the kitchens would be working at all hours, and not just for regular meal times. Eriel was waiting for Aegan the next morning, when he strode out of his rooms. ​ He was hungry, desperately needed to visit the jacks, so he only nodded quickly at her as he stalked by, heading for the jacks. ​ His hunger would have to wait, though, until he saw to Master P'​Arkon. ​ Aegan hoped that, with a war going on, the kitchens would be working at all hours, and not just for regular meal times.
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 Aegan sniffed at a red rose he had cut from a bush, and absently pulled thorns off of it -- his callused smith'​s hands unaffected by the big thorns. ​ "I have another qvestion. ​ About Prophecy."​ Aegan sniffed at a red rose he had cut from a bush, and absently pulled thorns off of it -- his callused smith'​s hands unaffected by the big thorns. ​ "I have another qvestion. ​ About Prophecy."​
  
-Eriel straightened up, her vivid lavender ​eyes coming alive. ​ She was learning that when this human asked questions, it was wise to think about the answers. ​ "Go ahead, Aegan."​+Eriel straightened up, her vivid purple ​eyes coming alive. ​ She was learning that when this human asked questions, it was wise to think about the answers. ​ "Go ahead, Aegan."​
  
 The smith absently plucked another thorn off the rose, and stared at some of the goldfish swimming in and out from beneath a large lily pad in the pool.  "How did Norion know to translate the demon-tongue as he did?  Vhat if his translation is wrong?"​ The smith absently plucked another thorn off the rose, and stared at some of the goldfish swimming in and out from beneath a large lily pad in the pool.  "How did Norion know to translate the demon-tongue as he did?  Vhat if his translation is wrong?"​
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 The smith nodded, and turned back to Krevlikair Arthmodine and spoke in Vridaran. ​ "I would like a sword, then, as well as armor, elder sir.  If the rocs are active, then I'd prefer to be prepared whether the dwarves patrol the roads or not." The smith nodded, and turned back to Krevlikair Arthmodine and spoke in Vridaran. ​ "I would like a sword, then, as well as armor, elder sir.  If the rocs are active, then I'd prefer to be prepared whether the dwarves patrol the roads or not."
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Only one road supplied Lok Magius -- the mages' academy -- with all its food, luxuries, and supplies. ​ The academy was situated on the east side of the mountain, on a slight pinnacle of rock, with only a narrow bridge connecting it to the mountain itself. ​ On the other side of the bridge from the academy, a number of towers of various types of rock stood as silent guardians to the bridge, each tower constructed of a different type of stone. ​ The dozen towers of different heights and thicknesses were the original mages' academy, until Lok Magius, the Fortress of Magic, had been finished by the dwarves of Rakore. ​ The road continued through the towers, and then turned south to wander along the south face of the mountain, slowly dropping, and occasionally switching back and forth to ease the grade of descent. Only one road supplied Lok Magius -- the mages' academy -- with all its food, luxuries, and supplies. ​ The academy was situated on the east side of the mountain, on a slight pinnacle of rock, with only a narrow bridge connecting it to the mountain itself. ​ On the other side of the bridge from the academy, a number of towers of various types of rock stood as silent guardians to the bridge, each tower constructed of a different type of stone. ​ The dozen towers of different heights and thicknesses were the original mages' academy, until Lok Magius, the Fortress of Magic, had been finished by the dwarves of Rakore. ​ The road continued through the towers, and then turned south to wander along the south face of the mountain, slowly dropping, and occasionally switching back and forth to ease the grade of descent.
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 Above the two of them, in the clear afternoon sun, the snow-capped peak of Mount Rilan was a massive sentinel that guarded the huge forests that spread all the way to every horizons. Above the two of them, in the clear afternoon sun, the snow-capped peak of Mount Rilan was a massive sentinel that guarded the huge forests that spread all the way to every horizons.
  
-Eriel, full of bright cheer and her lavender ​eyes sparkling in the sunlight, grinned in good humor.+Eriel, full of bright cheer and her purple ​eyes sparkling in the sunlight, grinned in good humor.
  
 Aegan seemed distracted and icy, however, and the elf maid's good cheer soon cooled as close to a mark went by.  Master P'​Arkon,​ as soon as he had awoken in the infirmary, had locked himself in a tall tower of the academy and refused to come out for anyone. Aegan seemed distracted and icy, however, and the elf maid's good cheer soon cooled as close to a mark went by.  Master P'​Arkon,​ as soon as he had awoken in the infirmary, had locked himself in a tall tower of the academy and refused to come out for anyone.
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 Aegan smiled at the pure joy in her face, and then turned thoughtful eyes back to the road, and then out to the forests far below them.  He thought for a moment, organizing his answer, and then replied, "I know that there are two different types of magic. ​ I know that vone type comes from within, and is a gift of the blood. ​ The other type, is something that is studied, and learned. ​ Vone born vith the gift can do both, but vone vithout the gift can only do the other."​ Aegan smiled at the pure joy in her face, and then turned thoughtful eyes back to the road, and then out to the forests far below them.  He thought for a moment, organizing his answer, and then replied, "I know that there are two different types of magic. ​ I know that vone type comes from within, and is a gift of the blood. ​ The other type, is something that is studied, and learned. ​ Vone born vith the gift can do both, but vone vithout the gift can only do the other."​
  
-The elf maid gave Aegan a side-long glance out of her big lavender ​eyes, a smile on her lips.  She twitched one pointed ear, and said, "​Correct. ​ You've just described the difference between a sorcerer, and a wizard. ​ Wizards have to study the magic, to cast it.  They memorize spell patterns that draw on the energies all around us, and then complete those patterns with simple words, gestures, or even little things that can fit in their hands."​+The elf maid gave Aegan a side-long glance out of her big purple ​eyes, a smile on her lips.  She twitched one pointed ear, and said, "​Correct. ​ You've just described the difference between a sorcerer, and a wizard. ​ Wizards have to study the magic, to cast it.  They memorize spell patterns that draw on the energies all around us, and then complete those patterns with simple words, gestures, or even little things that can fit in their hands."​
  
 Aegan glanced at her, studying her for a moment, and then nodded, his stride unbroken. Aegan glanced at her, studying her for a moment, and then nodded, his stride unbroken.
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 He frowned. ​ "Then vhy even try, if the products are so inferior? ​ Vhy should a mage attempt to access such power?"​ He frowned. ​ "Then vhy even try, if the products are so inferior? ​ Vhy should a mage attempt to access such power?"​
  
-Eriel smiled at him.  She murmured something under her breath, her head bent down in determination as she came to a stop.  The air around her exploded with butterflies of blue and lavender ​hues, and then continued to flutter around her in a beautiful whirlwind of beating wings, each catching the sun's light and refracting it.+Eriel smiled at him.  She murmured something under her breath, her head bent down in determination as she came to a stop.  The air around her exploded with butterflies of blue and purple ​hues, and then continued to flutter around her in a beautiful whirlwind of beating wings, each catching the sun's light and refracting it.
  
 Aegan was startled by the effect, but the effect to be one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.  After she coyly watched the effect it had on him for a moment, she let the butterflies fly up into the sun, where they disappeared in its brilliant light -- their shadows growing tinier until they disappeared. Aegan was startled by the effect, but the effect to be one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.  After she coyly watched the effect it had on him for a moment, she let the butterflies fly up into the sun, where they disappeared in its brilliant light -- their shadows growing tinier until they disappeared.
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 Aegan'​s face broke into a big smile, and he shook his head, chuckling. ​ He turned, and continued on down the road down the mountain. ​ He gestured for her to join him, and as she skipped up beside him, he asked her a question with a smile still on his face.  "How did you do that?" Aegan'​s face broke into a big smile, and he shook his head, chuckling. ​ He turned, and continued on down the road down the mountain. ​ He gestured for her to join him, and as she skipped up beside him, he asked her a question with a smile still on his face.  "How did you do that?"
  
-The elf maiden in her blue and lavender ​robes continued skipping beside him in short hops, and then settled into a walk with her knee-high brown hiking boots making no sounds on the paved rock of the road.  From a wide, brown leather belt at her waist, she pulled book only as large as one of Aegan'​s hands from... ​ Nowhere. ​ There wasn't a pouch hanging on the belt, but she pulled the book from the pouch, none-the-less.+The elf maiden in her blue and purple ​robes continued skipping beside him in short hops, and then settled into a walk with her knee-high brown hiking boots making no sounds on the paved rock of the road.  From a wide, brown leather belt at her waist, she pulled book only as large as one of Aegan'​s hands from... ​ Nowhere. ​ There wasn't a pouch hanging on the belt, but she pulled the book from the pouch, none-the-less.
  
 Eriel held out the book to him with both hands, as though she were handling an ancient relic of immense value. ​ She said with some reservations,​ but resolute determination,​ "This is my spellbook. ​ Please be gentle with it." Eriel held out the book to him with both hands, as though she were handling an ancient relic of immense value. ​ She said with some reservations,​ but resolute determination,​ "This is my spellbook. ​ Please be gentle with it."
  
-Aegan stopped in the road, and gently placed his hands over hers, slowly taking the book from her.  He looked from it to her lavender ​eyes, and then back to the book, studying it.  It was dyed in lavenders ​and blues to match her eyes and the skies above, leather-bound with beaten-copper reinforcement bands that were green from exposure. ​ The clasp on the copper binding was undone, and Aegan saw that there was a, odd-shaped key depression which was required to open the clasp.+Aegan stopped in the road, and gently placed his hands over hers, slowly taking the book from her.  He looked from it to her purple ​eyes, and then back to the book, studying it.  It was dyed in purples ​and blues to match her eyes and the skies above, leather-bound with beaten-copper reinforcement bands that were green from exposure. ​ The clasp on the copper binding was undone, and Aegan saw that there was a, odd-shaped key depression which was required to open the clasp.
  
 "Open it," she said. "Open it," she said.
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 She took a deep breath, and began to teach him magic as best she could. She took a deep breath, and began to teach him magic as best she could.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous
  
 They wiled away the afternoon, walking along the road down the mountain. ​ Occasional patrols or wagons passed, and at one point, a detachment of nearly a hundred soldiers went marching up the mountain past them. They wiled away the afternoon, walking along the road down the mountain. ​ Occasional patrols or wagons passed, and at one point, a detachment of nearly a hundred soldiers went marching up the mountain past them.
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 An arrow thunked into Aegan'​s back, lodging into his shoulder blade. ​ Another thunked into his calf, and went half-way through, fletching sticking out on one side, and a bloody arrow head sticking out on the other. ​ Aegan skipped back from the spear-wielding orc, snapping off the head of the arrow as he scissored his legs.  The orc with the short sword turned to grasp the reins, and gave them a mighty yank -- garnering the attention of the roc hawk. An arrow thunked into Aegan'​s back, lodging into his shoulder blade. ​ Another thunked into his calf, and went half-way through, fletching sticking out on one side, and a bloody arrow head sticking out on the other. ​ Aegan skipped back from the spear-wielding orc, snapping off the head of the arrow as he scissored his legs.  The orc with the short sword turned to grasp the reins, and gave them a mighty yank -- garnering the attention of the roc hawk.
  
-Eriel furiously spilled the words and gestures that she needed, cursing the need for every syllable and every movement of her graceful hands, because the spell was simply not fast enough no matter how she wanted it to be faster. ​ The spell circuit finally completed, and the pattern unleashed itself in a blaze of blue and lavender ​bolts of magic that tore into the orc holding the reins. ​ The orc staggered from each bolt, blackened and burnt skin sloughing off from the impact areas of each strike. ​ The orc collapsed under the fury of the bolt storm, the hand holding both a short sword and the reins half-severed,​ with bits of blackened bone jutting out.+Eriel furiously spilled the words and gestures that she needed, cursing the need for every syllable and every movement of her graceful hands, because the spell was simply not fast enough no matter how she wanted it to be faster. ​ The spell circuit finally completed, and the pattern unleashed itself in a blaze of blue and purple ​bolts of magic that tore into the orc holding the reins. ​ The orc staggered from each bolt, blackened and burnt skin sloughing off from the impact areas of each strike. ​ The orc collapsed under the fury of the bolt storm, the hand holding both a short sword and the reins half-severed,​ with bits of blackened bone jutting out.
  
 The roc jumped back from the display of magic, dragging the dead orc along with the reins. ​ The remaining orc threw itself onto Aegan, landing heavily on the smith, and beating him with the edge of his shield. The roc jumped back from the display of magic, dragging the dead orc along with the reins. ​ The remaining orc threw itself onto Aegan, landing heavily on the smith, and beating him with the edge of his shield.
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 Eriel was afraid that the swaying motion would dump Aegan off to one side of the beast, but the two dwarves that were belted onto the beast'​s long saddle easily held the heavy human in place. ​ As they passed a shattered wagon loaded with sacks of grain, the driver clucked at the hippotaun, and it lurched into a faster, smooth-gaited canter. Eriel was afraid that the swaying motion would dump Aegan off to one side of the beast, but the two dwarves that were belted onto the beast'​s long saddle easily held the heavy human in place. ​ As they passed a shattered wagon loaded with sacks of grain, the driver clucked at the hippotaun, and it lurched into a faster, smooth-gaited canter.
  
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Captain Loren Razorbraid rubbed the stubble on her two-day beard, and once again contemplated letting it grow out fully. ​ It would never grow more than a half-inch in length, but shaving it was a chore she had little luxury for since the war had started. Captain Loren Razorbraid rubbed the stubble on her two-day beard, and once again contemplated letting it grow out fully. ​ It would never grow more than a half-inch in length, but shaving it was a chore she had little luxury for since the war had started.
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 "Aye, Loren." ​ He saluted with a clenched fist that rang off his master-crafted plate-and-mail. "Aye, Loren." ​ He saluted with a clenched fist that rang off his master-crafted plate-and-mail.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
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 Fear held him down.  It kept his eyes closed, and his mind distant. ​ Aegan was afraid of consciousness,​ but his disciplined,​ ultra-rational Vridaran mind refused to allow him to sit idly in the darkness of his skull forever. Fear held him down.  It kept his eyes closed, and his mind distant. ​ Aegan was afraid of consciousness,​ but his disciplined,​ ultra-rational Vridaran mind refused to allow him to sit idly in the darkness of his skull forever.
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 The young smith dimly wondered why all the dwarves were staring at him, and coughed up the last of the blood in his airway. ​ He croaked out with his thick accent, "Does anyvone here know," and he hacked up a bit of something he didn't want to think too closely about.. ​ "Vhat '​cargdin'​ mithral is?" ​ He coughed, again, covering his mouth with his fist, and relishing the heat of his breath on his hands. The young smith dimly wondered why all the dwarves were staring at him, and coughed up the last of the blood in his airway. ​ He croaked out with his thick accent, "Does anyvone here know," and he hacked up a bit of something he didn't want to think too closely about.. ​ "Vhat '​cargdin'​ mithral is?" ​ He coughed, again, covering his mouth with his fist, and relishing the heat of his breath on his hands.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Anna Helldove paced in a small circle within her small cell.  The ceiling was only inches over her head, and the bed was sized for a dwarf. ​ She had already tried to take a nap, but she had been forced to lay at a diagonal in order to stretch out, and that left either her head or her feet trapped up under the small bed. Anna Helldove paced in a small circle within her small cell.  The ceiling was only inches over her head, and the bed was sized for a dwarf. ​ She had already tried to take a nap, but she had been forced to lay at a diagonal in order to stretch out, and that left either her head or her feet trapped up under the small bed.
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 Loren'​s eyes went wide with shock, and she sputtered for several seconds, unable to formulate words. ​ "​DWARFENDALE!"​ Loren'​s eyes went wide with shock, and she sputtered for several seconds, unable to formulate words. ​ "​DWARFENDALE!"​
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Aegan was in heaven, and in hell.  The hellish part of it was simple: ​ his shoulder, his gut, his calf, and his head ached with pain unlike any he had ever experienced before. ​ Had he not already survived it, he would have said that the pain was indicative of mortal wounds. ​ The one in his gut burned in a way that had him worried, despite the reassurances of the dwarven clerics. Aegan was in heaven, and in hell.  The hellish part of it was simple: ​ his shoulder, his gut, his calf, and his head ached with pain unlike any he had ever experienced before. ​ Had he not already survived it, he would have said that the pain was indicative of mortal wounds. ​ The one in his gut burned in a way that had him worried, despite the reassurances of the dwarven clerics.
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 He followed her gaze, and saw his boots, his clothes, the sword and the sledge-hammer,​ and a towel draped over it all. He followed her gaze, and saw his boots, his clothes, the sword and the sledge-hammer,​ and a towel draped over it all.
  
-She turned in a swirl of her blue and lavender ​robes, and left the room without another word.+She turned in a swirl of her blue and purple ​robes, and left the room without another word.
  
 Aegan sighed, pulling himself up out of the water. ​ He looked down at his side, and saw that there was an old scar, already long-since healed. ​ His calf was the same way.  He gingerly pulled the cloth aside on his head, and felt himself gingerly. ​ He found only skin and hair beneath his fingers -- and a thin strip of hairless scar going back into his hair line.  Aegan had been in fights before, and half expected to find tender, aching flesh. ​ That he was completely healed was a testament to the power of the dwarven clerics. Aegan sighed, pulling himself up out of the water. ​ He looked down at his side, and saw that there was an old scar, already long-since healed. ​ His calf was the same way.  He gingerly pulled the cloth aside on his head, and felt himself gingerly. ​ He found only skin and hair beneath his fingers -- and a thin strip of hairless scar going back into his hair line.  Aegan had been in fights before, and half expected to find tender, aching flesh. ​ That he was completely healed was a testament to the power of the dwarven clerics.
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 The brown eyes of a human met the blue eyes of a dwarf, and they shared a quiet understanding. ​ One began to understand the import of his mission, and the other poured faith into the enlightened from a cup that overflowed onto the boundaries of sanity. The brown eyes of a human met the blue eyes of a dwarf, and they shared a quiet understanding. ​ One began to understand the import of his mission, and the other poured faith into the enlightened from a cup that overflowed onto the boundaries of sanity.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Outside, in the hallway, Anna had had enough. ​ "What the hell is going on, here?" ​ She planted herself, and crossed her arms, refusing to move another inch until someone explained everything to her, her dark eyes blazing with repressed anger and fear. Outside, in the hallway, Anna had had enough. ​ "What the hell is going on, here?" ​ She planted herself, and crossed her arms, refusing to move another inch until someone explained everything to her, her dark eyes blazing with repressed anger and fear.
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 Granif merely nodded, and turned to the rest of them.  "​Let'​s get ye out, an on the dark road tae Rilan. ​ Tis a half-day'​s journey on foot, but I think wit hippotauns, we might kin have ye there afore midnight."​ Granif merely nodded, and turned to the rest of them.  "​Let'​s get ye out, an on the dark road tae Rilan. ​ Tis a half-day'​s journey on foot, but I think wit hippotauns, we might kin have ye there afore midnight."​
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 The five hippotauns headed out of Lok Magius a couple of marks after sunset. ​ Three of them bore dwarven infantry whose grim expressions and stoic refusal to understand common had kept conversation to a minimum. The five hippotauns headed out of Lok Magius a couple of marks after sunset. ​ Three of them bore dwarven infantry whose grim expressions and stoic refusal to understand common had kept conversation to a minimum.
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 "What is your problem, elf bitch?" ​ Anna Helldove'​s eyes flashed dangerously,​ and both women assessed one another at some gut level, deciding that a fight would benefit only the human woman that weighed half-again as much as the elf. "What is your problem, elf bitch?" ​ Anna Helldove'​s eyes flashed dangerously,​ and both women assessed one another at some gut level, deciding that a fight would benefit only the human woman that weighed half-again as much as the elf.
  
-Eriel buried her flash of anger -- and fear -- and reassessed herself and the situation. ​ Her lavender ​eyes softened, and she said quietly, "I heard about what happened to you -- and that your family was threatened. ​ You have my sympathy, there. ​ Doom Rex has been a thorn in our side for a long time."+Eriel buried her flash of anger -- and fear -- and reassessed herself and the situation. ​ Her purple ​eyes softened, and she said quietly, "I heard about what happened to you -- and that your family was threatened. ​ You have my sympathy, there. ​ Doom Rex has been a thorn in our side for a long time."
  
 Anna, suspicious, asked, "Who told you about that?" Anna, suspicious, asked, "Who told you about that?"
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 Anna turned her attention back to the conversation,​ and listened intently. Anna turned her attention back to the conversation,​ and listened intently.
  
-Aegan shifted uncomfortably under Eriel'​s ​lavender ​gaze.  "​I... ​ alvays vanted to be a paladin, vhen I vas growing up."+Aegan shifted uncomfortably under Eriel'​s ​purple ​gaze.  "​I... ​ alvays vanted to be a paladin, vhen I vas growing up."
  
 Eriel merely raised one delicate eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. Eriel merely raised one delicate eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
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 Anna said nothing, and the elf maid glanced at her, to see the human'​s gaze locked on the table where Aegan had been sitting. ​ Eriel glance at the platter Aegan had been eating off of, to see the whole of that side of the table coated in a clear layer of ice.  Even his chair had half-and-inch-deep black ice coating it. Anna said nothing, and the elf maid glanced at her, to see the human'​s gaze locked on the table where Aegan had been sitting. ​ Eriel glance at the platter Aegan had been eating off of, to see the whole of that side of the table coated in a clear layer of ice.  Even his chair had half-and-inch-deep black ice coating it.
   
-* * *+Son of a Witch 
 +Previous 
 +
  
 Outside, Aegan looked out on the city streets. ​ To his mind, being as he was from the Empire, Rilan was really no more than a large town.  He shrugged, and moved towards the small park around which most of the city was built. ​ Across from the Blue Tyven and the small park was a big cobble-stoned area that obviously doubled as a parade field. ​ Lording over the parade field was a stone edifice that was obviously the local governmental building. Outside, Aegan looked out on the city streets. ​ To his mind, being as he was from the Empire, Rilan was really no more than a large town.  He shrugged, and moved towards the small park around which most of the city was built. ​ Across from the Blue Tyven and the small park was a big cobble-stoned area that obviously doubled as a parade field. ​ Lording over the parade field was a stone edifice that was obviously the local governmental building.
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 Eriel forced herself to concentrate,​ willing herself to believe that Aegan would survive no matter what, and tore her eyes from him just in time.  A flash of light from the corner of a building briefly illuminated the spell-caster,​ and then a tiny sphere of light zoomed towards them, trailing liquid fire behind it. Eriel forced herself to concentrate,​ willing herself to believe that Aegan would survive no matter what, and tore her eyes from him just in time.  A flash of light from the corner of a building briefly illuminated the spell-caster,​ and then a tiny sphere of light zoomed towards them, trailing liquid fire behind it.
  
-The elf maiden'​s hands quickly moved through the somatic components of a spell, and with a flick of material from one sleeve and several short, clipped and rising words of power, she released a bolt of lavender ​and blue magic right back towards the ambushing spell-caster.+The elf maiden'​s hands quickly moved through the somatic components of a spell, and with a flick of material from one sleeve and several short, clipped and rising words of power, she released a bolt of purple ​and blue magic right back towards the ambushing spell-caster.
  
-The liquid fire and the blue-and-lavender ​bolt smacked into each other with a shockwave of power and light, briefly illuminating the riders before they struck.+The liquid fire and the blue-and-purple ​bolt smacked into each other with a shockwave of power and light, briefly illuminating the riders before they struck.
  
 Men with mail shirts and swords guided their mounts to run over the dwarves, saving their sword swings for the three members of Prophecy. ​ Two horses went down in screams as the dwarves cut them down.  One horse leapt over the dwarves, and one dwarf was bowled over in his plate -- and in so doing, broke the legs of the horse that went over him. Men with mail shirts and swords guided their mounts to run over the dwarves, saving their sword swings for the three members of Prophecy. ​ Two horses went down in screams as the dwarves cut them down.  One horse leapt over the dwarves, and one dwarf was bowled over in his plate -- and in so doing, broke the legs of the horse that went over him.
  
-The rider astride the horse that leapt was knocked out of his saddle by one of Anna's arrows, though she had to dive as the horse bore down on her.  When she came to her feet in a half-crouch from the roll,  a flurry of blue and lavender ​bolts of light ripped two more riders from their horses, and one of the riders was torn in half by the destructive energy.+The rider astride the horse that leapt was knocked out of his saddle by one of Anna's arrows, though she had to dive as the horse bore down on her.  When she came to her feet in a half-crouch from the roll,  a flurry of blue and purple ​bolts of light ripped two more riders from their horses, and one of the riders was torn in half by the destructive energy.
  
 Anna glanced to Aegan as she drew two more arrows, and saw Aegan place both hands out before him as though to physically stop the charge of a one tonne war horse. Anna glanced to Aegan as she drew two more arrows, and saw Aegan place both hands out before him as though to physically stop the charge of a one tonne war horse.
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 A second horse rode by the frost mage, and the sword of the rider hit Aegan where his bull neck met his shoulders -- the apprentice sorcerer went down, even as the broken end of the sword hurtled through the air with a whistling sound to plunk into the ground near Anna. A second horse rode by the frost mage, and the sword of the rider hit Aegan where his bull neck met his shoulders -- the apprentice sorcerer went down, even as the broken end of the sword hurtled through the air with a whistling sound to plunk into the ground near Anna.
  
-Eriel let loose another spell of blue and lavender ​bolts, aiming it at the dim figure of the spell caster just around the corner. ​ The ambushing mage, in turn, let loose a counter-spell of their own, and the two spells met in mid-air in an explosion of power.+Eriel let loose another spell of blue and purple ​bolts, aiming it at the dim figure of the spell caster just around the corner. ​ The ambushing mage, in turn, let loose a counter-spell of their own, and the two spells met in mid-air in an explosion of power.
  
 Anna tossed her composite bow aside, and drew the huge knives at her sides as one of the riders dove off his horse at her.  The impact cracked one of her ribs even as she rolled with the attack, and angled one of her blades up under the man's belt.  His sword never managed to strike her, as she parried it with the other knife, and then gutted her opponent. Anna tossed her composite bow aside, and drew the huge knives at her sides as one of the riders dove off his horse at her.  The impact cracked one of her ribs even as she rolled with the attack, and angled one of her blades up under the man's belt.  His sword never managed to strike her, as she parried it with the other knife, and then gutted her opponent.
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 Despite her reservations about mages, and Aegan'​s powers, the mercenary was at his side in a few short strides. ​ Her gauntlet hands barely shielded her from the cold still seeping out of Aegan'​s body.  She could find no pulse, which wasn't unusual in her leather gauntlets -- but she also saw no breath spilling foggy and red from Aegan. Despite her reservations about mages, and Aegan'​s powers, the mercenary was at his side in a few short strides. ​ Her gauntlet hands barely shielded her from the cold still seeping out of Aegan'​s body.  She could find no pulse, which wasn't unusual in her leather gauntlets -- but she also saw no breath spilling foggy and red from Aegan.
  
-Eriel began to chant, invoking a quick spell. ​ A moment later, a ball of blue and lavender ​light blazed above them, providing plenty of illumination.+Eriel began to chant, invoking a quick spell. ​ A moment later, a ball of blue and purple ​light blazed above them, providing plenty of illumination.
  
 What they had taken to be liquid air streaming off of Aegan had been blood from one of the rider'​s strikes. ​ His neck and shoulder were awash with blood, and the sight sickened Eriel such that she immediately began to dry heave, and then throw up her inturiel kevask. What they had taken to be liquid air streaming off of Aegan had been blood from one of the rider'​s strikes. ​ His neck and shoulder were awash with blood, and the sight sickened Eriel such that she immediately began to dry heave, and then throw up her inturiel kevask.
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 A set of hands on Anna's shoulders nearly caused her to attack, and then she saw that a crowd of people in robes -- elves, humans, and even a dwarf -- had gathered. ​ Several amulets, bracelets, and other oddments found themselves in the hands of the crowd, and faint murmurs in half-a-dozen different tongues joined into a tumultuous gathering of godly might. A set of hands on Anna's shoulders nearly caused her to attack, and then she saw that a crowd of people in robes -- elves, humans, and even a dwarf -- had gathered. ​ Several amulets, bracelets, and other oddments found themselves in the hands of the crowd, and faint murmurs in half-a-dozen different tongues joined into a tumultuous gathering of godly might.
  
-Eriel screamed, "​No! ​ No!  Stop!" ​ Above them, her ball of blue and lavender ​light flared angrily. ​ "Your prayers will kill him!"+Eriel screamed, "​No! ​ No!  Stop!" ​ Above them, her ball of blue and purple ​light flared angrily. ​ "Your prayers will kill him!"
  
 She tried to push one aside, even as another priest, an elf, moved to grab her arms. She tried to push one aside, even as another priest, an elf, moved to grab her arms.
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 A human of moderate height and lean build, with skin permanently reddened by the sun, and a strong, straight nose strode into the light, escorted by several other humans in expensive half-plate and mail.  The human wore a chain shirt under a tabard of rust-red, with a sigil on the left breast of a clenched, gauntleted fist with a gold ring on each finger -- the symbol for the Baron-and-the-Bishop. A human of moderate height and lean build, with skin permanently reddened by the sun, and a strong, straight nose strode into the light, escorted by several other humans in expensive half-plate and mail.  The human wore a chain shirt under a tabard of rust-red, with a sigil on the left breast of a clenched, gauntleted fist with a gold ring on each finger -- the symbol for the Baron-and-the-Bishop.
  
-The human looked over everything, and glanced up at the blue and lavender ​sphere of light overhead. ​ He asked of Aegan, "Why is no one healing this man?" ​ His tone of voice held an accent to it that few could place, and his dark eyes were fierce in the light.+The human looked over everything, and glanced up at the blue and purple ​sphere of light overhead. ​ He asked of Aegan, "Why is no one healing this man?" ​ His tone of voice held an accent to it that few could place, and his dark eyes were fierce in the light.
  
 Tram spoke up quickly, "Baron Complan, he is a mage immune to normal prayers for healing. ​ Only ice can help him." Tram spoke up quickly, "Baron Complan, he is a mage immune to normal prayers for healing. ​ Only ice can help him."
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 He spoke from beyond the light of the bright ball above, and so seemed lost in the darkness. ​ He strode forward, and in one hand he still had the mage suspended above the earth; his grip was tight, for she gasped for air with every breath. ​ His other hand held her hands behind her back, and her back was bowed as though she were trying to escape the pain he brought to her. He spoke from beyond the light of the bright ball above, and so seemed lost in the darkness. ​ He strode forward, and in one hand he still had the mage suspended above the earth; his grip was tight, for she gasped for air with every breath. ​ His other hand held her hands behind her back, and her back was bowed as though she were trying to escape the pain he brought to her.
  
-Anna would forever remember the strange color of the giant elf's orange eyes in the blue and lavender ​light. ​ She regretted ever having tried to pass herself off as one of his rangers, for the image was one that would haunt her nightmares for years to come.+Anna would forever remember the strange color of the giant elf's orange eyes in the blue and purple ​light. ​ She regretted ever having tried to pass herself off as one of his rangers, for the image was one that would haunt her nightmares for years to come.
  
   
-* * * +Son of a Witch 
- +Previous 
-"​Mrow?"​+ "​Mrow?"​
  
 The two guards in the dungeon glanced down at the gray short-hair at their feet, with a thin collar. ​ The cat meowed again, and rubbed up against one of their legs, purring, its tail straight up except for the curled tip. The two guards in the dungeon glanced down at the gray short-hair at their feet, with a thin collar. ​ The cat meowed again, and rubbed up against one of their legs, purring, its tail straight up except for the curled tip.
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 Maverick wasted no time and disappeared into the shadows even as two more guards, this time with torches, ran around a nearby corner. ​ They looked around frantically while aiding their comrades. ​ But of Maverick there was no sign. Maverick wasted no time and disappeared into the shadows even as two more guards, this time with torches, ran around a nearby corner. ​ They looked around frantically while aiding their comrades. ​ But of Maverick there was no sign.
   
-STORY INCOMPLETE+
gaeleth/stories/son_of_a_witch.1551144594.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/02/26 01:29 by khavikanum