Classic-Castle Roleplay: August 2005

[Formendacil]

Grid:Q-18
Location: Envika Sorgodh

Andrei Bartavlo was waiting when his master returned to Envika Sorgodh.

"I trust that Milord had an excellent journey?" he said, as Vækadær dismounted from his horse under the porcullis of the dark castle.

"It could have been better," said Vækadær, emotionlessly. "But Count Ollero is now dead. As soon as you verify that the rest of his kin are certainly dead, I can move on with my plans."

"It will be done as soon as possible, Milord," said Bartavlo, with a sharp salute to the chest. "Do you require anything else?"

"The cup intended for Lord Marshal Elbadar did not reach him," said Vækadær, with the slightest of frowns. "We will have to revert to our previous- more intensive- plan to wrest control of his regiment from him. See to it that the proper agents are in place by the time that he finishes his campaign with the Wolfpack."

"How long do I have?" asked Bartavlo.

"A month for certain," said Vækadær, "and probably more, but I can make no guarantees. In any case, I expect everything to be in place by then."

"It will be," said Bartavlo stoutly.

"One more thing," said Vækadær. "I need you to find me the current whereabouts or the final resting place of Harold Brakespear, former head of the Smiths' Guild."

"It will be done, Milord."

[Sir Dillon]

J-10
Location: Orien

Kor looked down at his feet, then back at Hidemitsu. Though he hadn’t realized it at the time, this was something his heart had yearned for, to leave everything back home, to start anew.

He smiled, and Hidemitsu smiled back. Kor looked down at the Bat Lord tunic that he was still wearing –he had no other clothes- and the sword still in his hands. He looked back up at Hidemitsu, and said:

“I would be glad to join your crew, and if you don’t mind, I would like some new clothes.”

Hidemitsu put his hand on Kor’s shoulder and started to say something, but Kor cut him off.

“What do you know about this” he said, lifting his sword in his hand so Hidemitsu could see.”

Hidemitsu took the sword from Kor and looked it over, after a little he replied. “Not much, but I believe that that dragon on the bottom of the hilt is the sign of the Shogan’s body guard, they are in charge if killing off the shinobi and pira…”

He stopped in the middle of his sentence and back up, surprised and somewhat shocked. “But you can’t be one of them” he gasped “my spies were confident that…”

“No I am not” Kor said, cutting off Hidemitsu again. “I bought this at the trade fair, but ‘your spies?’ I guess that explains how you knew about where I was and who I was.
Don’t worry; you have nothing to fear from me.”

Hidemitsu gave a sigh of releaf, handed the sword back to Kor and said;

“I am glad to have you as one of my crew, Kor.”

[Sir Drake]

Grid: P-19
Loc.: Karond Kar (Tower of Despair)

Vermicus sat deep in his throne, located high in the Karond Kar. Outside, the foulest of foul were rebuilding his fortress. Around the Tower lay the plains of Naggaroth, bleak and unwelcoming: bare rock and poisoned blackwater streams, the very air you breath can cost you your life. It is here that many of Dametreos' most wicked creatures life, but not always has it been this way. Many centuries ago, a powerful sorceror lived here, guarding over the many peaceful souls of the people of the nearby kingdom of Morcia and the kingdom he served: Ankoria. Like many people of that time, he had an unnatural long lifespan and great knowledge of magic. But his limited knowledge was not enough, he began searching other sorts of power. After years, he discover Black Magic, a powerful and destructive type of magic. Long he practiced it and his mind got torn and wretched by it, until he went finaly evil. The sorceror builded, in secret, the Karond Kar and created Orcs, whom on their turn turned into Goblins, and Trolls. Long he waited, but he was patient and when the time came, he took Ankoria over, ruining the landscape, palaces and great tower. By years of being exposed to the Black Magics, the landscape came as it is now: almost dead, bleak and mutated, just like The Sorceror. The Sorceror's war carried on for years and the Sorceror even gained pieces of Morcia, but there were, of course, those who resisted. Led by Sir Orlan, Hero Knight (martyr and god, now) and some wizard. They drove the Sorceror back and ultimately defeated him on his own ground. They destroyed his body, but never cared to destroy his soul...

"He's here..." the Sorceror muttered "the wizard's here. Crom!"

A relative small Orc came limping out of one of the Tower's many corridors. His skin was brown, tatooed with red markings, he was clad in scavenged armor with some leather here and there. On his back hung his scraggy hair.

"Yes, milord" came the sheer reply.
"Notify Sharkey on the mainland that he should prepare him and his wolfriders and search for a wizard"
"Yes, but there are many wizards, milord"
"I know, but these one is accompanied by some very colorfull men, Eastern Kingdom Knights, he'll be easy to recognise"
"It'll be done, lord"

Crom gave a slight bow and left the room.

"Perfect, now I only need the Shield and my Shadow will sweep over Dametreos again.

[Sir Kohran]

Solesstorn's gaze softened. "No. Not whilst me and others are here to prevent it. There will always be good people in the world, Jaythus Van Hawkonus, selfless men who will be there to hold back darkness. That's why I'm here."

And with that, he turned back to his riding.

Jaythus felt slightly warmer after that. And then he looked up, and saw a small but determined ray of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds, signalling a new day across Dametreos. He smiled softly.

Grid: K-10
Location: Legoland plains

Two hours later, the sun had risen fully, and now the four men were riding in the golden light of the plains.

"Shouldn't we stop? These horses are starting to lag," Viktor shouted.

"We'll stop when we reach that hill," Solesstorn muttered, pointing his staff at the large, rocky hill, about two miles off.

Santis groaned.

***

Jaythus had finished tieing up the horses, and now he strode up the side of the hill, when he caught the smell of eggs and bacon drifting down from the top of the hill. Suddenly, felt ravenounsly hungry. I haven't eaten since before last night, he thought.

He hurried up to the canopy, to see Viktor and Santis stooped over a small fire, with a platter of bacon and eggs. Solesstorn stood away from them, staring out from the horizon, as if he was going to suddenly spot something awful.

"Come on, lad, you're missing-mph-all the-agh-action," Santis said, through a mouthful of bacon.

"Yeah, come on, eat some, 'fore Santis gobbles it all down," Viktor laughed, taking his own share of the food.

"Don't mind if I do," Jaythus grinned, and settled down with them.

"You going to join us?" Viktor asked Solesstorn.

The wizard turned. "No thankyou. I have...someone to see."

And with that, he took off towards the top of the rock-laden hill.

Yes, he thought, now's the time.

[Robin Hood]

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion

"Well, am I ever glad to be off that bed." Commented Aiden as he got of the bed he had spent the last week on. It was the first time he could remember being able to be vertical and have no pain or dizziness in his head since the ball.

He reached up and slowly pealed away the bandages over his head. Carefully, he felt for a bump, or scab. Nothing. Good, that was the way he wanted it.

Aiden stretched and changed. He then headed down to the common room, where he found Kae-Os eating at a small table.

The elf looked up at his approach. "Your up I see. Now do you agree that the last night was worth it?"

"No," replied Aiden. He sat down and helped himself to some of Kae-Os' food. "It just another night that we have to pay for. And we didn't have any money before we came here."

"Fortunately for you," said Kae-Os. "I managed to earn a bit of money while you healed. I got enough to pay for our time here, plus a little bit more, which I have no doubt we'll need in our search."

"Yes," muttered Aiden, "Our search. I guess it would be too much to ask if you could find out where our prey went?"

"It would," answered the elf. "I don't know how fast he was going, but he went fast enough that he is well out of my range by now."

"Tyco," growled Aiden, and the two continued eating in silence. After several moments of silence, Aiden said, out of the blue, "Do you suppose that old man Zolten would help? I know he's a fair way off, but unless you want to travel all away around Dametreos until you feel a trace of him, its the only other alternative I can think of."

"Well, for the matter of traveling, you wouldn't have to go far. While I was working, I heard that he moved into Orion. I even got the address in case we might want to stop by. But do you really think he would help us? Unless we had a lot more money than we do right now, I'd say it’s not very likely that the old miser would help us."

"True." Silence again as the man and elf pondered. "You know," said Aiden. "The last time we saw him, he had a rather messy house. I wouldn't doubt if he is still was like that. I bet that there is some job in his house that we could do in exchange for his help."

"Hmm, I still don't know." Mused Kae-Os. "Even if he stood to gain something, I somehow can't see him helping us. Still," he rose, "we can try and see want happens."

The two men left, paying their bill on the way out. They then headed toward the address that Kae-Os had got.

**************************

Their destination was in a quiet part of Orion. It was one of many houses along a quiet street. The house had a nice homely look, with no stone in the building and brightly colored wood. A colorful flower garden surrounded the house except for a nice porch on the front. In fact it looked more like a cottage taken from a beautiful mountain scene than a house in the middle of the largest city in Dametreos.

However, the beauty of it was shattered by a grisly old man rocking of the front porch, whip on his lap, and a old dog sleeping at his feet. He looked like he had been taken, unwillingly, out of a bar and planted there.

As Aiden and Kae-Os walked up the finely polished white stone path, the old man growled at em. Seeing what his master was doing, the dog joined in.

"Fer the last dang time!" Snapped the old man in a weeze. "Miz Merwilda-bangcock lives next door. And if ye ain't lookin fer er, there ain't no one on this darn street worth visitin."

"Hello Lefty. We aren't looking for Mis Merwilda-bangcock. We want to speak to you."

"Dang nabbit. Aiden and Kae-Os. I eard rummor that you boys was in town. I had a feeling that you two would be comin by sometime te see me. Well, lets not stand ere yacking all day, whata ye want from me? I can't tell ye how much I wish people would stop askin me fer favors. I wish you young hill-billies would get it into your thick skulls that I am retired. I gave up three years ago. Though I ain't had a moments piece yet." The old man spit some blue stuff into the grass and the dog growled in agreement and went back to sleep.

Aiden snorted, "Ya right, the day you retire is the day you get buried. But I'll let you live with your fantasies if you want to. We need to find someone. And he isn't in, or near Orion."

Sighing dramatically, the old man spat out everything in his mouth, which made a slight sizzling noise when it hit the ground, and walked slowly into the house. His dog remained where he was, now snoring loudly.

The inside of the house was, by contrast to the outside, in horrible condition. I seemed that the old man hadn't done a thing since he moved in. All that could be found in the shabby rooms were boxes. Boxes of all shape and sizes. A layer of dust, fifty years old on the thinnest layer, gave proof that the boxes hadn't been moved by conventional means.

The old man reached behind a pile of boxes and drew out a chair, which he sat on, looking up at his two visitors.

"So Lefty," commented Aiden, in a conversational voice. "I thought you still lived at your mansion. Did you grow a dislike for the Zolten-Koffkatzski estate? And how is Opal? She must be quite a beauty by now."

"Questions, questions, questions. Thats all I get. Nobody ever lets me ask nothing. Still, I guess its one of em privileges of being old. You know more than the youngins. No, Opal's fine. Splittin image of er mother. Kinda the problem though. She was gettin too good at magic that I weren't getting any customers. That little daughter of mine was stealin em all. Plus, she down right ruined the place, making it all full of them strange critters and potions. At least she ain't dusted yet though. And look at me garden. Evertime that little pixie comes to call, she gets rid of ma weeds, grows flowers, paints the house. I tell ye, its more than a man can stand, more than a man can stand." Lefty Zolten reached into his pocket and pulled out a hip flask, which he drank from with gusto. He then dropped it, and halfway to the floor, it disappeared.

"So," said Lefty, looking up again. "Who is the unlucky fellow that ye are lookin fer?"

"A shapeshifter," replied Aiden. To this, Lefty raised one eyebrow, but said nothing. "Hes the guy that killed the Royal Knight king. We’re getting him for the bounty. Unfortuantly, he left the city a week ago, and we don't know where he is."

"Hehe, well I do." Sniggered the old man. "Came by ere a week ago. Tall, black guy. Not too good with kids. Ask te be transported somewhere. Also paid me not to tell. So I transported im, and took his money on silence." Another snigger. "However, I never promised not to show anyone in ma ball."

"Will you show us?" asked Aiden, cutting right to the question.

"Shoor I will. But it all cost ya. And since I know you two ain't got cash, I am willing to offer a trade. I'll show ye what you need to know, if you get do a little favor for me."

Before Kae-Os could say anything, Aiden nodded.

"Good," smiled the old man. "Now just let me find me ball." He started rummaging around the boxes, looking for it.

"I don't think you should have agreed until you knew what the job was," muttered Kae-Os to Aiden.

"Oh relax," laughed Aiden. "The old codger won't have us do anything we can't do, and you know that."

"Aha!" cried Lefty, as he withdrew his crystal ball out of a box. With all his rummaging, the room was a sea of dust, Lefty coughed as he returned to his chair. He angrily waved his hand, and all the dust returned to their positions on the boxes. "Nothin like a good wiff of dust." Chuckled the old man.

He placed the ball on his lap. Unlike most crystal balls you hear of, his was as ugly as he was. It wasn't even perfectly round. It looked like it had been flattened, then blown up again, but still holding a flattened look to it. The color was a cross between mud, and pale yellow. It also looked like it had caught the measles, for red lumps dotted it.

"Ain't as good lookin as Opal's stuff, but it ain't cheap like hers either. This baby'll run twenty-four seven. And it don't need rechargin neither." He looked directly at the misshapen ball and yelled, "Giddyap!"

Immediately, the ball cleared into a three dimensional map of Dametreos. In one corner of it, near the old man's knee, was the island shared by Ninjara and Dragonar. The Ninjara half glowed the same red as the spots on ball.

The old man pointed to it. "There ye go."

With out further ado, he picked up the ball, said, "woah," and put it back into its box.

"Hehe, works every time."

"So the shifter is in the ninja island?" asked Aiden.

"Can't say," stated the old man. "I said I wouldn't tell. Took money for it too. But the ball did say that didn it? Now, there’s no need to stick around an talk. I ate chit-chat. You just be off, and do that little deed I told ya too. Oh, and if ye see me Opal, tell er her old pappy says hi."

"But Lefty," said Aiden. "You haven't told us what little task you want us to do."

The old man slapped his leg. "Well gal-dang it, I didn't did I? You just pass by Miz Merwilda-bangcock's place on your way out and tell her a message from me. Tell that old coot that I ain't never gonna go to er place for tea. Not if the whole dang army tried to make me. And tell her that she'd better keep her dang-busted bottom out of my business or I'll turn her into a wart bustin pail. And tell her that she ain't never gonna step foot in my yard, or I'll curse her so that she grows twenty foot long nose hair that’s colored green."

[Sir Kohran]

"You going to join us?" Viktor asked Solesstorn.

The wizard turned. "No thank you. I have...someone to see."

And with that, he took off towards the top of the rock-laden hill.

Yes, he thought, now's the time.

Grid: K-10
Location: Legoland hills

Solesstorn left the three Eastern Knights' Kingdomers to their food, and walked to the top of the hill, through a winding maze of rocks. Eventually, he reached the top of the massive hill.

He took a last, long look around at the surrounding countryside, and then turned to a gaping, dark hole in the ground. He stepped into it, and found a long, winding staircase descending far below into the depths of the earth. He took a long breath, and then began his journey down.

Soon, he was in utter darkness, and the light of day above was too far away to see. He looked around, to barely see that the cave had braziers, but there were not light.

Too dark, he thought, A bit of light won't go amiss.

With a swing of his staff, each brazier burst into flames, dimly lighting the cavern. Allowing himself a rare smile of satisfaction, Solesstorn continued into the tunnel.

After another long journey down the seemingly endless staircase, the stairs suddenly stopped, ending in a small stone chamber. It's probably centuries since someone was last down here, he thought.

The chamber was completely empty, except for a strange pillar protruding from the centre of the dusty floor. A skeleton was slumped over the pillar, his bones ellowed and old. Solesstorn approached, and as he did, he felt mana spreading from the pillar.

Solesstorn reached out to pull the skeleton away from the pillar, but even as he did, it crumbled into dust under his touch. The bones were clearly many years old. He shivered as he realised he had touched the skeleton with his undead hand.

He turned to the pillar. It was actually a well, with a small pool of clear, still water sitting on top of it.

"This is it," he said aloud, and then raised his undead hand above it, and focused his magic towards the well.

"Vermicus!" he roared the name of his age-old advisery.

"Vermicus!" he shouted again. "I have come back!"

Suddenly, the pool shimmered, and within its waters, he saw the image of a massive, black fortress, towering above the dark mountains, with thousands of minions scurrying about it. The view then rushed upwards, up along Karond Kar, the Tower of Despair. Solesstorn steeled himself.

A horrible, grotesque face appeared on the water's surface, smirking at him. It was Vermicus, the Great Sorcerer, the lord of Ankoria and the Dark Fortress. Solesstorn was disgusted, but he held his ground.

"So!" the Sorcerer laughed, "You've decided to creep back here! I was wondering how many years it'd be before you realised."

"Yes!" Solesstorn bellowed, narrowing his eyes, "I've come back, to put an end to you and your monsters."

"Oh, like last time, I see," Vermicus grinned, but then lowered his voice to a mocking level. "But Orlan's not here to save you, is he?!"

Solesstorn's face turned to horror, then rage. "You murdering scum! You should burn in the Underworld for that!"

"Hahaha!" Vermicus chuckled. "You missed your chance last time. You won't get another. I will break you like Orlan!"

"You won't! I won't make the same mistake as last time!"

"Oh, but you already have," Vermicus gloated, staring at Solesstorn's undead hand. "Your end is already beginning!"

Solesstorn fumed in his anger. "It will not be my end, but yours! Like last time!" he shouted.

"Like last time? Yes, like last time, as in you will fail to stop me and I will break you!" Vermicus howled in laughter.

Suddenly, the pool exploded, and water rippled and splashed everywhere. The image was gone. Solesstorn staggered back, dropping his staff, shaking and reeling, but secretly, he was relieved.

Now he knows, he thought to himself, Now he knows that his end is near. His confidence will be shaken, and I will use that for our good.

And with that, he started to travel back up the tunnel to the surface of Dametreos.

[De_EmU]

Grid: E-11
Location: A few miles north of Port Jozef

After his voyage to Dameteos, Mulkriune did not stay long in Port Jozef and quickly headed north following the stars. It was not long until he sited a burning house in which he could see from afar. Dawn broke as soon as he reached the house which now lies in ruins. Mulkriune investigated and discovered a burned corpse laid in front of the threshold.

“First you westerners raid our ships and now pillage our citizens? You shall pay!” cried a loud voice from behind.

Mulkriune rapidly turned around in his Mil’zudak battle stance with his scythe in his right hand ready to defend himself. He notices the men were guards, one captain and two footmen with a lion crest on there tabard wielding battle axes.

“Hinde ako nag patai yung tao mo” Mulkriune replied as he lowered his weapon.

The guards charged at Mulkriune screaming, “For the royalty!”

Muilkriune swiftly turned to the right and behind the footman slashed his throat, kicked the captain’s back, twisted the other footman’s neck and beheaded the captain. All in a sum of four seconds.

[TheOrk]

L-12 Castle Dracul

Pythos laughed evily to himself. All was falling into place. The ritual would come in the late summer or early autumn. When it did the whole world would pay the price. All of them men, women and children would pay. They would be cleansed from this world and he would reign eternal over a land of shadows.

“Master, they have brought it.” Came a slave that appeared in the doorway.

“Excellent! Bring it in!” Boomed Pythos with unmasked glee.

Four brawny slaves brought in a small but heavy cauldron. It came originally from his laboratory but his buisness now rested in Castle Dracul. Once the slaves had departed, Pythos took out three potions and poured them in, muttering an incantation.

The smooth surface of the cauldron’s shadowy contents began to swirl. Pythos picked up his staff and began stirring it in the other direction. Instantly a plethora of images filled it. The lands of Dametreos, Ikros and a hundred other Kingdoms in various states of stagnantisity. He saw bloody battles, some fought for gain, some for revenge but all ended in dispair. Minifigs coming together in love and shattering in hate.

After several moments of searching, Pythos found all that he sought.

There was a power struggle in Dametreos. One that could rival the powers unleashed in the BloodVaine war. This could be worse, much worse. It was not a battle of mighty armies or kingdoms in all their splendor. This was a war of shadows.

The Cult of Shadows was on the move. Pythos had little solid information on them. He had successfully planted three moles in their midst, but fate conspired against him. Two died in the company of one deadly Shadow Knight known as Theron. The other had defected. Defected to one of Pythos’s main foes.

Pythos would dispose of this Vermicus if he ever got in his way. But that would leave two opponents. If Pythos was to be the greatest dark sorcerer in all of Dametreos, Lord Void and another unknown presence must be eradicated.

He would deal with all of them once another minor annoyance had been destroyed. The image in the cauldron centered on four horsemen thundering across the Legoland plains. Three armoured knights and one lavishly dressed man in a red suit. Perhaps he could conjure for them alittle entertainment…

[De_EmU]

The guards charged at Mulkriune screaming, “For the royalty!”

Mulkriune swiftly turned to the right and behind the footman slashed his throat, kicked the captain’s back, twisted the other footman’s neck and beheaded the captain. All in a sum of four seconds.

Grid: E-11
Location: A few miles north of Port Jozef

During the fight a patrol passed by and witnessed the death of their captain and quickly drew arms.

“Arrest the murderer! We must put him to justice!” A mounted knight roared standing next to the burned house.

There were five of them all uniformed in the red, blue, and white tabards with lion crests and heaver armor wielded with lances. Mounted on their white steeds, they waited for a response from Mulkriune.

“Nag lalaban yung guardgia mo. Hinde ko gusto sella pataing.” Mulkriune said to the men.

“Where are you from?” one of the knights asked.

Mulkriune looked as if he did not understand what the mounted men asked him.

“What say you?”

The foreign westerner still kept quiet.

“Seize him!” a knight roared as they rode towards Mulkriune trying to arrest him.

Mulkriune leaped on one of the horses and jerked the knight off his mount and took an immediate turn eastward. The other knights quickly pursued. After a couple of hours, the knights realized Mulkriune was too far ahead for them to arrest and gave up on the pursuit.

“I want posters of him in every single village, city, and outpost!” one of the mounted men said angrily.

“Does anyone remember his face?”

“I did not even get a glimpse of his face for he was too agile and swift for me to see with my visor down.”

The knights headed back toward the nearest city as Mulkriune headed eastward to wherever east would take him.

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Slacsentius Manor, Orion

It was a week after the Ball. Cate, Hans, and Adrian were having breakfast in the home of the former. They were all rather quiet, from lack of sleep, having been up quite late the night before.

"Well, Adrian," said Hans, "how much longer are you with us?"

Adrian hesistated.

"I'm not really sure," he said. "Eventually, I suppose, I need to get back to Tols or Leidenheim, and get a job. I can't just stay here and bum around forever?"

"Why not?" asked Cate, sounding quite honest.

"Yeah," said Hans, "thats, like, all that I do, really."

"I don't know," said Adrian, "it's not that I mind it, really, but a guy does feel like he ought to be DOING something, earning his keep, making himself a place in life."

"Do you even know what you want to do?" asked Hans.

"Not entirely," admitted Adrian.

"Then don't worry about it," said Cate. "Not now, anyway. How about you two come out to the villa for the rest of the summer? It'll be deadly boring on my own."

"When do your parents get back, anyway?" asked Adrian, who had still to meet either of them.

"In September," said Cate. "Normally, we always spend August out at the manor, but this year it was going to just be me. Someone needs to be there, anyway, to oversee the start of the harvest. We have a great vinyard."

Adrian had no plans for the summer. Hans had no real plans for the summer. So they joined Cate out at Siclent Villa in southern Tridentia.

"What does your dad think about it?" asked Adrian as they departed Orion.

"I think," said Hans, "that he thinks there's something going on- that he might be getting a daughter-in-law."

Adrian and Cate broke out in laughter.

"I didn't feel like disillusioning him," said Hans.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Not far away from the “crash site”, Japheth lay concealed by some scrub brush. He was wide-eyed, and he was sweating.

“Now that,” he said to himself, “Ajaxx will be most eager learn about.”

And then he crawled away.

Grid: E-11
Location: Port Jozef

“Checkmate.”

Ajaxx looked up. He had beaten himself. Again. Now, to the outsider, such one-sided games might seem pointless, even ridiculous. But they weren’t. Though most said that it was impossible to play both sides of a game fairly, that the player would favor one side or the other, this was not true for Ajaxx. He had the powerful ability to completely shut off certain parts of his brain. He simply wouldn’t allow himself to ‘know’ what the ‘other side’ was planning. His right hand not knowing what his left was doing, literally.

This game, white had won. Ajaxx frowned. On the black side, he began retracing his steps, one at a time, analyzing each more, scrutinizing every capture and check. Ah. There. That was were things had started to turn sour for black. If he hadn’t moved this rook --

There was a knock. Ajaxx looked up. He was not annoyed. Like being able to play himself fairly in a game of chess, Ajaxx was also able to completely ‘hold that thought’ until a later, more convenient time. He did this now.

“Enter.” he called.

The door opened, and in shuffled Japheth. Ajaxx stood with a smile.

“Japheth, you have returned. That be most excellent!”

Japheth nodded.

“Greetings, Ajaxx. I have news.”

“That be good. Sit.”

Ajaxx returned to his seat and pushed aside the chess board, careful to not disturb the location of the pieces themselves. He then reached over and poured two glasses of wine. Japheth took a gulp and set aside his glass.

“Void’s got a weakness.” pronounced Japheth grandly, and continued as Ajaxx raised his brows, “It be looking like he gets sick -- ill -- when he tries to do powerful things. Like, ‘e tried to move a huge -- huge! -- stone that be blocking the construction site, an’ he couldn’t do it. Not completely, that is.”

Ajaxx leaned forward.

“He was using magic.”

Japheth nodded.

“Aye.”

“Interesting.” Ajaxx leaned back, “How did this event yonder occur?”

“Just as I said,” said Japheth, “Void approached the giant rock, raised his arms, and shouted something. I dinna know what it was.”

Ajaxx frowned.

“Continue.” he pressed.

Japheth obliged, “Then the rock be pulled outta the ground, shaking everything. Then, as Void moved it away, it fell. It be like an earthquake! And when the dust cleared, there be Void, on the ground, writhing.”

Ajaxx plucked at his beard, listening intently.

“Soon,” Japheth continued, “Void got up, but very shakily. And as he left, everyone else was muttering. Darkly.”

Ajaxx let out a sigh of satisfaction.

“That be good, Japheth. Very good indeed…now we know…now we can strike…”

Japheth looked surprised.

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

[Maedhros]

J-10
Location: Orien

Kor looked down at his feet, then back at Hidemitsu. Though he hadn’t realized it at the time, this was something his heart had yearned for, to leave everything back home, to start anew.

He smiled, and Hidemitsu smiled back. Kor looked down at the Bat Lord tunic that he was still wearing –he had no other clothes- and the sword still in his hands. He looked back up at Hidemitsu, and said:

“I would be glad to join your crew, and if you don’t mind, I would like some new clothes.”

Hidemitsu put his hand on Kor’s shoulder and started to say something, but Kor cut him off.

“What do you know about this” he said, lifting his sword in his hand so Hidemitsu could see.”

Hidemitsu took the sword from Kor and looked it over, after a little he replied. “Not much, but I believe that that dragon on the bottom of the hilt is the sign of the Shogan’s body guard, they are in charge if killing off the shinobi and pira…”

He stopped in the middle of his sentence and back up, surprised and somewhat shocked. “But you can’t be one of them” he gasped “my spies were confident that…”

“No I am not” Kor said, cutting off Hidemitsu again. “I bought this at the trade fair, but ‘your spies?’ I guess that explains how you knew about where I was and who I was.
Don’t worry; you have nothing to fear from me.”

Hidemitsu gave a sigh of releaf, handed the sword back to Kor and said;

“I am glad to have you as one of my crew, Kor.”

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion

Kor smiled slightly at Hidemitsu. "And I´m glad to be one of your crew, captain."

"Just call me Hidemitsu. Now we´d better leave. My younger brother Takemasa is preparing a small camp for tonight in the woods outside the city. I think we should split up. The guards were suspicious when I came, and a Batlord and a Tridentine would certainly look a bit strange." He stopped for a moment and winked. "And besides, I hate these intellabrix clothes."

Kor smiled and nodded. Then Hidemitsu showed him a small piece of paper. It was a simple map of the areas surrounding Orion. He pointed at a wood.

"Takemasa waits here, look for a grey falcon if you have trouble finding it. Good luck." He bowed and went out of the room.

Kor returned the bow and then he sat down on his bed. He looked at the sword and sighed. He had pretty much to think about...

[Formendacil]

Grid:Q-18
Location: Envika Sorgodh

"One more thing," said Vækadær. "I need you to find me the current whereabouts or the final resting place of Harold Brakespear, former head of the Smiths' Guild."

"It will be done, Milord."

Bartavlo had begun on the assignment give him by Vækadær. An efficient man, he knew to serve his master, and to serve him well. He also knew that Vækadær would reward those who served him well and faithfully, and he had full confidence in his master's plans to increase his power and influence.

Bartavlo had just finished sending messages off to Vækadær's agents in Port Crowne, when a messenger arrived from Gynthaunt, with a message for him. Bartavlo heard the message, and then quickly called for Vækadær, and told him of its contents.

"So, She-of-the-Barrow wishes you to leave Envika Sorgodh," said Vækadær. "Most interesting."

"You think that she has an ulterior motive?" said Bartavlo.

"If you think the reason that She-of-the-Barrow wants you as her new ambassador to Orion, I assure you that it is not on the merits of your skills and loyalty alone," said Vækadær. "Or rather, that that is not the reason Batlord Durak suggested you to her. She-of-the-Barrow has appointed you for your qualities- Durak suggested you for a reason."

"A reason?" said Bartavlo. "To do with you, Milord?"

"That is correct," said Vækadær. "Durak is jealous of his position as the Batlord closest to She-of-the-Barrow's ear. By removing you, he seeks to weaken me as a possible competitor.

"What Durak does not realise," continued Vækadær, "is that I do not wish for She-of-the-Barrow's ear. I can serve myself better by staying away from the Barrow city. She-of-the-Barrow is a spider whose web can be best avoided by staying away from it. And I have webs of my own to weave.

"And for that reason I will not dispute her choice of you as ambassador, but will send you to Orion with my blessing. You can serve me nearly as well there, and can do many things that would otherwise be too delicate to entrust to others. Captain Drazzuil will assume the rest of your duties here. He is adequate, if no more."

"Yes, milord," replied Bartavlo. "When shall I leave?"

"As soon as you may," replied Vækadær. "There is no reason to give Her Ladyship displeasure."

[Maedhros]

"Takemasa waits here, look for a grey falcon if you have trouble finding it. Good luck." He bowed and went out of the room.

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion

Hidemitsu walked down the stairs quickly and passed through the inn without saying a word. He tried to be calm but he was very happy. But he couldn´t relax yet, he had to get out of here first.

The street where he stood wasn´t very busy and he sneaked into a small alley. He continued into the alley until he was concealed from view and then he started to take off his disguise. He had his usual black clothes under it. He sighed with relief as he took off the last pieces of the disguise. Finally he felt like a real minifig again.
He packed the disguise into a small bag and he tied it to his back along with the "sword". Then he tied a black scarf on his head.

When he was ready he climbed one of the walls and then he climbed and jumped on the houses and roofs until he was by the gate. The two guards were still there, they were talking to each other and didn´t pay attention to what happened behind them.
Hidemitsu jumped down from a roof and landed without a sound a few steps behind one of the guards. He took out his false sword and scabbard. The guards were still talking calmy to each other. He stood still a few moments and memorized his surroundings. Then he put down his scarf before his eyes and let out a highpitched shout.

Both guards turned as they heard the sound but the only thing they saw was a big gray cloud. Both of them began to cough and they were blinded. Both of them waved around and shouted for a few seconds until they nearly knocked each other down.

"Megabloks, Frangi. What was that?" One of them said. He sat down on the ground and rubbed his itchy eyes. The cloud had dissappeared now and there was nothing more than some ash and a scabbard on the ground.

Frangi looked at his mate and shrugged. "I dunno, and I don´t want to. The tyco captain told us this would be a nice and easy work." He sighed deeply and rubbed his itchy eyes.

The other guard nodded and then he coughed. "Megabloks!"

Meanwhile a dark figure was walking towards the horizon about 300 yards outside the city...

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

“Will he live?” asked Mistress Korvalt.

“He will live.” said Melkan, “But it will take time. He is severely weak. He’ll need a place to stay.” he added.

“I have a room available.” Mistress Korvalt volunteered immediately, “It’s the least I can do after what my fool son Erik did…”

Healer Melkan nodded, hiding a smile.

“Very good. Alice, if you take he legs, we can carry this poor fellow to Mistress Korvalt’s now…”

Grid: P-10
Location: A room in Mistress Korvalt’s house, located in the Dark Forest village of Hemmerington

A cool clothe touched Dale’s face. Groggily, he tried to claw his way to consciousness. His eyelids fluttered. Something -- someone -- was bending over him, blurred. His eyes struggled to focus.

“Shainya?”

“Shh…” the figure immediately bent forward, continuing to wipe the clothe, “Don’t tire yourself…”

It was not Shainya. Dale felt foolish at guessing it was her. This girl was thinner than Shainya, and her hair was longer, down to her waist. It was pale gold.

“Where…?” Dale began, but the girl murmured “Shh…” and pressed her hand gently to his lips.

Dale felt silent. He licked his lips, and tasted blood. His lip must has split from talking. There a was rustle. The girl had gone. Dale, agonizingly, shifted his head, trying to keep his eyes focused. He was inside. And he was on a bed. But where? Wherever it was, it was dark out.

The girl returned, followed by another man, a man with a square face and curly gray hair. His face looked kind, but not overly jovial. The girl whispered something to the man, and the man nodded. Slightly louder, he replied, “I see. Very good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The girl nodded and left. The man approached the bed and nodded at Dale.

“Don’t speak.” he said at once, holding up a hand, “Some parts of your skin’s about to fall off. Amazing you made it this far. You can hear and understand me, correct?”

Dale nodded. The man spoke kindly and crisply, but with an air of talking to one who was slightly dim-witted, the way a stableman would address a donkey.

“Good. And yes, we found were you can from. The whole lot, the tombstone, everything. Now, all of us here would like to know what happened, when you’re all good a ready. However…”

The man pulled up a three-legged stool and sat.

“I’m Healer Melkan. You’re staying here at Mistress Kovalt’s, see? Alice will be coming by every two hours during the day. I’ll be stopping by twice a day. If you need anything, anything at all, ring this.”

Healer Melkan indicated a small bell on a bedside table.

“You can ring it, can’t you?” he added.

Dale reached out and jangled the bell weakly. That movement tired him.

“Good, good.” nodded Healer Melkan, rising, “Rest well, sir.”

And Healer Melkan left the room. Dale went to sleep. He awoke later. He was quite thirsty. He opened his eyes -- it didn’t seem as hard this time -- and turned his head. Through the single window in the room, he could see it was daylight again. Birds were chirping. Dale opened his mouth. His tongue felt gritty. He fumbled for the bell. At that moment a girl walked in, the same girl he had seen last night. No, Dale realised, she was no girl. A young woman. She smiled when she entered.

“Hello. Do you want something?”

“Water.” Dale felt embarrassed at the croakiness of his voice.

Immediately, she left the room. Dale could hear rustling downstairs. The woman was back, carrying a pitcher of water. She poured a mugful and held it to Dale’s lips. Dale drank deep, drips of water dribbling down his chin. Again he was embarrassed. Efficiently, the woman wiped the water away.

“Thank you.” said Dale. His voice sounded much better this time, much more normal.

She nodded her head.

“You are most welcome.”

“Tell me…” said Dale slowly, “Where am I?”

“In the Dark Forest village of Hemmerington.”

“Hemmerington?”

“It’s on Fell Isle.” she responded.

Dale nodded -- or tried to.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Alice Clooney. I’m apprenticing to Healer Melkan.”

She looked at him, as if to say, “And you are?”

“I’m…Dale.”

She continued to look at him, as if expecting a last name or title or hometown. Dale had none to give and said nothing.

“How do you feel?” she asked as she pulled back the sheets. Dale saw he had been clothed in a worn nightshirt. He felt embarrassed again. Had she clothed him?

“I…I can barely move. It hurts.” he said.

She nodded understandingly, professionally.

“You’ve been inactive for quite some time. Your muscles have literally rotted away. Look.”

She lifted one of Dale’s arms. He felt sickened.

I must look like a corpse. He realized.

His skin was a dead pale, and was stretched over bones like canvas. There was little muscle.

“So,” said Alice promptly, “You must eat. I’ll see if Mistress Korvalt has finished breakfast.”

As Alice breezed out of the room, Dale looks back at his arm. He felt cold. He had returned to among the living…but at what cost? Would he remain an ugly invalid forever?