A rough, black stoned battlment encirlcing the entire camp. Ullarie will on occasion patrol the wall personally, but when not, several Dark Army units take over.
A young looking apparently human woman stood on the wall. Her silvery white hair blowing in the wind as well as the silk and velvet that she clothed herself with. She wore a discontented frown as she glanced over the camp, and her eyes were icy and not just because of their color. She stood for a time and seemed to be looking for something or someone among the many tents.
Gurthar eyed the feilds beyound the camp, the forests had long been burnt to the ground and cleared for a mile around. He was in a good mood, the raid had gone well his armour had been cleaned and he enjoyed the cool morning weather that accompanied late winter "Spring will soon be here" he mused, wondering what the summer would bring. Noticing the young woman on the wall he walked over "looking for somone?" he asked quietly not wishing to disturb the quiet morning.
The young looking woman twirled, her skirts and hair swirling dramatically around her frame. She looked Gurthar over with an imperious and arrogant gaze with her pale long fingered hands on her hips. "Who's in charge here?" She didn't ask she commanded a response.
"That would be me" he replied, on guard and off set by the sudden question. His silver hair flowed off to one side down to his waist, though his eyes glowed their usual dull red he was far to relaxed to amp himself up.
The young woman didn't blink but tossed her flowing hair so that it flew back like a banner. Now she smiled charmingly and curtsied slightly. "Is that so? Then allow me to introduce myself." She straightened and took a step closer. Her voice became a purr. "I am The Sorceress Aoris also known as the Diamondrose. I have heard that you might be in need of a skilled sorceress." She blinked her pale eyelashes and although her smile widened, there was no warmth in her eyes.
Gurthar smiled
oh dear...already have one high strung sorceress and it looks like i got me another one...hmmm...well maybe she'll keep Rayne busy he mused smiling alittle "Very well, yes we can always use somone of your calibre" he said straightening alittle "And i am Ullari's commander, Ullari being the leader of this army...he however is not available" The crusnik stiffened as a vampire walked up behind her. Gurthar used the Vampires blood in its' body to bend and flow to his hands. Momentarily forgetting Aoris, he bowed "My apologies" he said releasing the Vampire, whaching as she backed into a corner "To bad the sun isn't out or you would be burnt to a crisp now begone" he growled at the Vampire.
Aoris lifted a pale eyebrow as she watched Gurthar and the Vampire. "Many of these around here? I shall have to make an impression." Now she smiled flashing bright white teeth. Her face breifly took on a cruel cast before she erased her expression. "I am at your command then." She turned her charming but cold smile once more on Gurthar.
"Vampires?....
yes, to many if you ask me" he smiled at her mentioning an impression "You impress a vamp? you'd need to be able to turn their bodies against them to be able to do that" he gazed ruefully on the vampire stalking off.
Rayne walked along the wall, her arm in Ullari's, "Who do you suppose that woman with Gurthar is?" she asked him, spying the tall long haired woman.
"A newcomer, judging by her look and Gurthar's uptightness" he said softly "High captain lelaith" he called out "introduce me to your accuiantance if you don't mind"
Rayne approached the two alongside Ullari, her black and red dress rustling quietly.
Gurthar smiled "Welcome my lord and lady" he said with a slight bow to Ullari and Rayne "It appears i am mistaken, he is up after all...though that is probably on her account" he said with a slight tease at the two of them.
Rayne smiled a little, subtly looking the woman over.
Aoris turned to look back at Rayne lifting a silver eyebrow at the subtle inspection and smiling her icy cold smile. She said nothing and didn't bow or curtsy waiting for Gurthar to make the introductions first.
"Forgive me, may i introduce to you Lord Ullari, and Lady Rayne" Gurthar said with a gesture "And this is Aoris" Guthar felt awkward making introductions....this was not somthing he was not used to doing....but it mattered little.
Rayne nodded almost imperceptibly, her fiery eyes on Aoris, waiting to see how she would respond to titles when her own name seemed to lack any.
Aoris smiled and twirled her clothing sparkling with snow that fell from it to blanket the stone around her. She stopped and bowed gracefully and held out a rose that looked to be made of either ice or diamond to both Rayne and Ullari. "I am often known as the Sorceress Diamondrose, dear Lord and Lady." She smiled and her pale blue eyes narrowed a little waiting for a response.
Rayne smiled, accepting the gift. There was something about this sorceress that she liked, she could tell that Aoris was one to keep her head. But she looked like a human, yet at the same time there was a look to her eyes that suggested an almost elf-like age and wisdom, "Of what race are you?" she asked.
Aoris smiled and ran her fingers through her hair, more snow sifted out to land on the stone. "I'm half human... but I'm also half ice elemental. That's why I'm so pale and beautiful."
Rayne nodded, a look of understanding crossing her sharp features, that would explain the age and grace, but the woman was beginning to show signs of vanity that Rayne had not picked up on earlier, "That would explain a lot. I suppose that would mean your main magic talents lie in the field of ice." she observed.
Aoris nodded. "That's right... I'm good with snow and ice and cold. I'm also a mistress of illusions." She nodded her head at the diamond/ice rose that Rayne held which appeared to have turned into a poisonous snake in her hands.
Rayne started, almost dropping the snake that now writhed in her hand, "Impressive." she smiled at the woman.
Aoris bowed her head slightly in acceptance of Rayne's compliment. Then waved her hand dispelling her own illusion on the rose, showing that it was no more than some dead grass. "I can also read magic and point out where it's weaknesses lie." Aoris added as an afterthought.
Rayne raised an eyebrow, "Now wouldn't that be useful." she mused, "What do you think love?" she asked, looking to Ullari with a small smirk, "Do you think she could hold her own in battle?"
Ullari was amused "illusiones eh? well if any thing i would find such things most useful in battle" a thought crossed his mind later he thought. Deciding to test her reflexes he vanished only to materialise right behind Aoris "Can you mask your abilities young one?" he asked reappearing on a battlement beside Rayne "I admire your abilities young one but how are you reflexivly?"
Aoris smiled a flash of snow white teeth in her pale face. Her image wavered and dissolved and her voice came seemingly from everywhere at once and yet nothing could be seen. "Can you find me now? I can assure you that I rarely am ever where I seem to be. If one cannot find one's target how can one attack it?" The air darkened for a moment, as if the sun had been covered by a storm cloud, and now there were 4 images of Aoris all in different positions on the wall. All four smiled identical cold smiles at Ullari and Rayne.
Rayne was impressed, even a little envious, and it showed on the face that was ever an open book.
The eyes of the four women narrowed slightly and their smiles widened just a tiny bit at Rayne's obvious expression. But each quickly masked their own expressions. One of the four Aoris images stood up from where she had been lounging on the stone and pulled her thick hair behind her, before bowing once more to Rayne and Ullari. "Just a trick really. The difficulty is in illusions for the less noticed senses."
"That is good....for one who can't read a person's signature on the third plane" Ullari said absentmindedly "Like i said though, i think you will be a most valuable asset on the battle feild...even off" he smiled "Be forwarned though....i wouldn't try that on persons such as the Alliance leader...or a deamon, or a sentinel the first and the last though you are most unlikely to encounter" he reassured her.
Aoris shrugged and her four images each reacted at a slightly different time... then they all remerged into one shape, though still not where Aoris actually was.
Ullari was enjoying this game "Did you forget that i can read your mind?" he asked, his voice sounding near disembodied. He cause one of the nerves in her body to pinch sharply "Don't let this alarm you...as i said before you are most unlikely to run into people who posses power on this level...unless you make a point in hunting them which is quite fun" he finished with that same boyish laugh that was seldom if ever heard.
"I would not suggest seeking out Lomien." Rayne advised Aoris, her voice bitter as she recalled her own encounter with the Alliance leader just days ago.
Aoris winced at the pinch but her image didn't react. "Impressive. And why would I want anything to do with that... alliance group? They're all goody two-shoes anyway. Altogether boring." Aoris stretched in her fancy gown letting the material hug her curves, to attract any interested male eyes. "I prefer things to be much more interesting, wouldn't you say?" She smiled sidelong at Rayne.
"Because your goody two shoes alliance leader is more powerful than you can even imagine...but far from invincable" he finished and smiled at the side long glance "Things kept interesting are things worth doing"
Rayne watched Aoris, noticing right off that she was attempting to attract attention to her body. Her eyes narrowed a little, so much for being able to get along with the woman, "And considering the Alliance is our primary foe, there is a chance that you may encounter them in battle. In that situation, avoid Lomien, and Ninquelote. They're both very powerful, and they defend each other with their lives." her voice held more than a little disdain for this woman.
"Oh but wouldn't that make the game all the more...interesting" Gurthar chimed in siddling up beside Rayne "She's trying to get under your skin and you're letting her....lighten up" he said perching himself on a wall in between the two groups.
"Perhaps." Rayne conceded, though she glared at Gurthar, not liking the fact that she knew he was right. She just slipped her arm back into Ullari's.
Now putting on a slight show of humility, Aoris bowed her head letting her long hair drift forward to hide her face. "I will be guided by thee in this." She said almost meekly.
Rayne eyed Aoris distrustingly, she didn't believe the woman's sudden show of humility.
"Feighning humility is worse than lying" Ullari stated even toned, then smiled "But like i said....you would be a most useful individual should you so chose to join me" he gave Rayne a poke "Gurthar takes just as much if not more pleasure than Aoris in irking you....you have a very thin skin..if not a positivly beautiful one...try to thicken up" he smiled kissing her lightly behind the ear.
Rayne couldn't help but smile when Ullari kissed her, the disdain faded from her face immediately, and she smiled lovingly up at her husband. "Or perhaps they should just learn respect for your wife." she smiled quietly.
"People have no respect for those who also make no effort to respect...save for Gurthar...he seldom holds anyone in such high respect as he does you...don't cast that away lightly...he is in fact the reason why you and i can even be together hear today in the first....Ullari" Gurthar cut in "I think that is enough said my lord...with all due respect" his eyes where an unusual beautiful crimson, though they had a bluish hue as well...somthing that only happened when a Crusnik was guarding somthing very dear to it or otherwise closly guarded. To tresspass unbiden on such a thing....was a mistake.
Rayne looked up at Gurthar, surprise and curiosity burning in her red eyes, but she merely nodded, deciding to ask further questions later, "I understand your point love." she said quietly.
Gurthar's eyes turned a reddish blue as he walked off to The command tent he saw no need to remain any longer.
Ullari whached him go "Now would be a good time to go after him if you want those answers...i can handle this" he whispered to her gently
Rayne cast yet another suspicious glance at Aoris, before nodding and following Gurthar off to The command tent.
Aoris watched them go and said nothing, but after they had vanished she lifted one silver eyebrow at Ullari in question?
"A crusnik's riddle from a colorful past, long forgotten and ill recorded" Ullari replyed guessing her thoughts "Now, what is it that you want, what can i do for you? likewise what can you do for me? I have seen your abilities and am far from unimpressed, indeed...almost satisfied" He was all buisness now. He had many questions of his own...questions that would require his personal investigation into; would she be loyal? was she working for Lomien? would her personal agenda coincide or conflict? If it conflicted could she be counted on? He had many questions, some of which had already been answered.
"Let's say that for the moment I'm a sorceress for hire. The last place that I hired for got boring." Aoris stretched again and yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "I needed a change. This place seemed like the best idea."
"Well then, you said you where skilled in the water and illusionary arts correct? I think then that you will find this most interesting....least once the world starts to burn" he said gazing off in the distance. Eldamar could be seen as a white sliver against the dark obsidian black mountains.
Aoris grimaced breifly but smoothed her expression quickly. "Not water... ice. My mother was an ice elemental. And I also can 'read' magical spells. I can tell when there's magic about and where it has weaknesses or where it can't be breached." Here she smiled charmingly.
Ullari smiled at her grimace "You do not approve of the world burning? of seeing all your enemies vanquished in the fires of their demise?" he said, his voice emotionaless but the seriousness in his voice was such that there was no doubt he meant to do somthing like that "Can you affect water? this ability to sense the gap in an opponents magic....can you sense it if they are useing multiple forms and styles at once?" he said shifting subjects.
From the wall where they stood, Rayne could bee seen walking through the Dark Army training grounds. After a little while, she stopped walking and began moving slowly in an ancient training exercise that looked like a dance. She moved her arms in arcs, stepping and bending to some unheard melody, slowly picking up speed. Soon, she was moving quickly, her long black braid whipping through the air as she moved, many of her motions a blur.
Ullari smiled whaching her. A messanger interupted his thoughts "Well it seems you will have an oportunity to prove your use...how do you fare at sea?" he asked Aoris. Ullari considered a raid on a well garrisoned Alliance town let's see what Lomien thinks when i have that well protected vally of his burning he thought looking towards the nothern hill slopes, it would be difficult to be sure....but if he could pull off an operation that far behind enemy lines it would be a huge boost to morale.
After a while Rayne's motions slowed again, and she ended gracefully. Rayne lifted her eyes to the wall above her, and seeing Ullari and Aoris still there, she climbed the stairs to join them, "Hello my love." she said quietly, slipping her arm through his, "What is going on?"
Ullari smiled "Lomien is bringing a large fleet here...he's moving the vast majority of the wood elves and their armies to Tervel. We will of course meet them at sea, but in the meen time i'm thinking about launching a frontal assault into the rapanau valley...and lay waste the entire place" he said pointing to the isolated set of hills "Encircled in those hills is a huge valley....i plan to lay waste the entire valley leaveing nothing but corpses and burnt ground" he said whaching a calvart legion assemble behind a section of wall "what do you think?" he asked her.
A change came over Rayne's sharp features, her eyes hardened, burning brighter, "I think that Lomien will be humbled before your armada, and your legions." she looked at him, her voice low, "It will not be without cost of course, but the cost will be small in comparison to the victory that it may achieve for your cause, my lord. And if we are successful at sea, we may destroy nearly all of the Wood Elves."
"If Lomien meats us head on he will win by shear numbers....he would out number us twenty to one, and probably be able to mach even the best of my marines...that is why i'm looking for a victory...you see Rayne i think intercepting them at sea could prove an embarassment....so by laying waste to a valley..which by the way is the most populated place in Alliance held territiry except Eldamar...by inflicting that massacre on Lomien...will offest the sea battle...if we win both...the more the better" his tone was casual as he calculated just how many people lived in that huge valley.
Rayne's eyes narrowed slightly as her lips twisted in a venomous smile. She knew just how thickly populated the valley was, and just how much the Alliance relied on its farms, "And win you will, my lord." she murmured, her voice still low and dangerous.
Ullari smiled "Considering i don't become the newest pin cushion" he said with a grumble. Ullari had already lost nearly ten thousand men trying to burn the valley to the ground with little to show for it. Assembled below stood twelve thousand cavalry...a full legion "THose hills are lined with small fortresses and who knows how many militia archers...many i'm assuming are hunters and skilled marksmen"
"Locate the smallest one, and neutralize it. Then send your armies in. Bypass as much of their defenses as you can." Rayne suggested, "Send me, in command of a special force, to infiltrate the fortress of your choosing, and I shall see that it is no longer a threat. This time, Lomien will not be there to make a fool of me."
"Lomien is not the only one who can cause you trouble...." he said softly to her "No i think i will leave you here for this one, i already have a point of attack..here" he said pointing to the only entrance "The gate of kings it is called....surprisingly ill defended...most likely because there is a fortress five miles in front of it....easy enough to bypass" he said dismissivly.
Rayne's face fell, "Let me help you Ullari, you know I can do it. I have taken small fortresses for you before. Give me a force, and let me infiltrate, there are fewer losses that way, I can do it."
"Excuse me Aoris" he said softly, leading Rayne to a section of wall where he wouldn't be heard "Remember love you are more than a pawn now...trust me when i say you won't get into the fortress without being detected" he said softly to her "Yes i know you can help, but i will not send you on a mission that would spell death for all who took part...there is a reason why i ride with a full legion"
Rayne opened her mouth to protest, but sighed instead, "I understand." she said, bowing her head, "Allow me to travel with you again then?" she asked, looking back up at him.
Ullari looked at her "I can't allow you to travel Rayne...it will be a quick mission...the Valley is only fifteen miles away...i'll be back tomorrow evening...i have two other full calvary legions to take part in the attack, and i will return to you Rayne, i want you to stay safe...you and..the child" he was glad the light was dimming as he was quite red in the ears.
Rayne bowed her head submissively, something she had somehow always managed to do without her demeanor losing any of its obvious pride, "I understand love." she whispered, and lay her head on his shoulder.
Ullari looked on. Seeing the horses where nearly ready "Well then...i will see you in a few hours love" he said softly to her. In truth he doubted if he would come back alive...the valley was well defended, he only hoped his men could inflict enough damage to affect the Alliances ability to increase the size of their armies.
Despite herself, Rayne threw her arms about Ullari, hugging him tightly to her for a few moments, "Hurry back to me, my love." she whispered in his ear before releasing him.
"Of course" he said tenderly in her ear. Mounting up on his horse he led them, all thirty two thousand calvary out, as an earth bender lowered the walls. Ullari drew his sword, and with a thunderous roar the three legions moved through the night. Two hours late the hills and everything behind it where ablaze. Titanic elemental duals could be seen, lasting brief secounds.
Rayne stood on the wall as Ullari and his army rode off. She stood there all night, gazing at the hills, waiting for him to return, she didn't even notice Aoris standing there.
The hills where aflame as dawn crept over to reveal the retreating forms of only twenty seven thousand Dark Army cavalry, they had lost five thousand dead, another six thousand wounded. Ullari rode at the front, bloodied, severely wounded and swallowing the pill of bittersweet victory.
Rayne strained her eyes for a sign of her husband and his army coming into view. As soon as she saw them, she rushed down from the wall and through the gate to meet him.
Ullari balanced himself on his less injured arm to keep from falling off his horse. He had several slash marks, bruises, and dents in his armour, as well as arrows protruding from him.
Rayne stopped short at the sight of him, but recovered herself quickly, "Does the entire valley burn?" she asked, though the question that she truly wished answered was 'will he be alright?'
Ullari smiled through blood flecked lips "I will tell you everything Love, just let me get cleaned up a bit here?" at his saying the word love, many heads turned her way with inquisitive eyes. The Warlord they knew only said that to people he was cruely mocking before he killed them. Ullari rode off to leave her to answer the questioning eyes.
Rayne stared worriedly after Ullari as he rode off, not even noticing the questioning gazes.
After he was done being patched up, Ullar grudgingly allowed himself to be born on a palantine to Ullari's tent
Rayne looked around, finally noticing the stares, she knew what the soldiers would be thinking. Well, let them think, they'll figure it out eventually. She thought to herself, heading quickly for Ullari's Tent
A page approached Aoris, "Lady, a tent has been prepared for you, should you wish to turn in for the night." (Aoris' tent
"Of course..." Aoris replied. She had much she wished to think on.
return to: Akallabeth
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