-Run the Dark Gauntlet- Xvar's Saga: Issue #1

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar walked briskly from Sett's grave. He looked back once or twice against his own better judgement.
He sat at the docks, throwing stones and pebbles into the water. He watched as the circular ripples ran through the water. He spotted a shark at the bottom in the somewhat murky water. His attention to detail gave him a good advantage as a rogue. He knew now that was at least part of his fate.
-----------------
Darcy Conrad? I thought to myself. I skipped a few rocks on the water. The boat finally arived and to my great amusement a shark was trying to wiggle it's way off the deck. While watching my legs and feet I gave it a stern kick. Nearly sending it over. Some drunk sailor scowled at me, but the others laughed at him- they knew who I was. Once he realised he shut up too.
Silence didn't do me much good except my thinking was clearer. I had no emotion. I was simply blank. Deviod of feel that I was a seperate conscious being- only that what I did and saw was so simply... insignifigent.
I was 15 when this whole thing started, I'm 16 now. I wonder if this whole empty feeling is being young or simply loosing everything. I know that things will get better but until then I think I need to learn, not re-learn what true emotion is. All I know is how to be cold and silent, and a killer. Good for a rogue- but for a man? I'm not sure if I want to go through with this. But what the hell, I think to much already.
For now the war is over. The orc civilization is in ruins. The iksar were ready to give up dreams of conquering Norrath and are back to sweet isolation.
I hope they either stay there or go to hell. Either way I don't want to deal with them.
The humans are slowly pulling it back together. Mostly regaining territory to farm. They bought some off the halflings in Kithicor. I swear sometimes humans are the stupidest cows ever to trod on Karana's soil.
------------------------
Xvar slept, no dreams; at least none he'd remember. The ship rocked him back and forth gently and uneventfully. Soothing him like a mother's lullaby. He had never slept so well in months. He awoke in Butcher Blok he was happy to get off his stiff bed but somehow missed the boat. Wiping the crud from his eyes he ran in place to wake himself up.
A barbarian walked by and shoved him in the water.
He fell and bellyflopped. He reached the surface screaming, "Bastard! This water is cold as PermaFrost. C'mere you!"
"Perma? You wouldn't know a ting aboot there, ya look to still be wet around the ears!"
Xvar showed him the tattoo. The barbarian stiffened and apoligised.
"Forgive me dere Sir, didn't realize."
"Shut up and go about your buisness you stupid hulk."
The barbarian drew his sword, and living up to barbarians' usual reputation of stupidity charged.
Noone acutally saw Xvar's movement. He used a dagger. The dagger Sett had been given. All anyone saw was a flash of goldden blade. Amazingly light and strong for gold Xvar thought. Although he knew it wasn't gold...
The barbarian slumped on Xvar's blade. Xvar gently lowered him to the ground.
The dorf guards applauded.
Xvar pulled his cloak and hood over him and headed toward Faydark.
--------------------------------------------------
<Author blirb>
Hope you are enjoying this so far. Gosh, still juggling 2 sagas hehe. Forgive me if I'm slow- but it is tough sometimes. And sorry for all the deep stuff too. ;p

"The search for knowledge hath a pleasure like wrestling with a fine woman."

[EZ_Durath]

nice beginning, but real quick, which one is Xvar? was he the happy halfling full of life? or the one who had no emotion throughout the entire Scout's Saga? can you write a quit bio on him? i am not sure exactly which halfling he was so i am a bit confused =P

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

He is not a halfling. ;p
Yes he was the emotionless one. Which is why I like to write about him-- gives me a chance to really develop characther emotion and motive. You'll see.
"The search for knowledge hath a pleasure like wrestling with a fine woman."

[EZ_Deaze]

OK, im a tad lost with Xvar....what race is he? was it ever mentioned? and dont say if it will give away some story..

Like i said, you need to write books or something, you have alot of talent and need to use it more than entertaining us EQ hounds

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Arg!
Look in the Scout Saga- he was one of the 7. I wrote a whole paragraph describing him.
He is a half elf, black eyes and hair, fairly cold and unemotional, and a damn good fighter.
I'll write the isuue later today when I get enough time, sorry to keep you all waiting. ;P "The search for knowledge hath a pleasure like wrestling with a fine woman."

[EZ_Vija Dakalvi]

Aftually it never says he was a half elf, or any other race, But he did have his hood down at one time..

[EZ_Deaze]

WOOT! im not a moron! oh wait, i am...but i was right about one thing! -Deaze

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

I'm sorry I've been making you wait so long for a new issue -- I promise I'll write soon, I'm just so absorbed with this new game I've been working on. I'll write soon I promise! "The search for knowledge hath a pleasure like wrestling with a fine woman."

[Greldek]

Looks good so far, can't wait to read the rest Greldek Draegonbayte, Fier`Dal Rogue of Forsaken Legion
Jeckell Tier`Dal Rogue of Forsaken Legion
Gntik Gnomish Rogue of Jaggedpine Defenders

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar made it to the Faydark with time to spare.
Of course getting there was the easy part, finding one of the best rogues of all time was a bit harder.
He went from tavern to tavern, and from platform to platform, trying to find Coriard.
After about 3 weeks he heard a rumor that Coriard visited the bandit camp occasionally.
So he walked a well hidden trail to the 3 tent camp.
As he approached he was met with hostile resistance, but quickly dispatched of it.
The other bandits stared.
Xvar boomed, "I am looking for Coriard."
The bandits smirked, then laughed.
Coriard landed right ontop of Xvar from the tree above.
He smiled and helped Xvar up.
Xvar kneeled and said, "I wish to be trained by you, your nephew sent me."
He stood and handed Coriard the necklace.
Coriard stared at it.
"Is he dead?"
"Yes, by the jaws of sharks -- during the battle of Orcport."
"Ahh, I see."
Coriard frowned and began to walk away, with each step his image grew more blurry.
"Wait! Please, please Sett said I was worthy!"
Coriard turned around, "Sett?"
"He never gave us his real name..."
"Hehe, I see, I'll tell you when the time comes."
----------------------------
<AUTHOR'S BLIRB>
I'll probably make this a half-weekly thing, sorry for the wait... ~Parliamo Glasgow~"PYURDEDBRILYANT!!"

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

ooga booga VijaDakalviLevel Thirty-four Rogue of Prexus
CRIMSON STILLETO
Ace Of Hearts

[EZ_Yavie VeDui]

**chanting** WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE!

**grins and ducks behind a barrel**
Yavie Ve`dui
Rogue of the 30th
Shadow Striders
Tunare

[EZ_Andacanavar]

WOW! I just spent the last few hours reading the Scout Saga and I must say good job. I must say I was disappointed when i read the post where you said you quit your char and disband your guild. I thought that was gonna be the end of the stories. Was glad to read the rest of the post and see you weren't going to. Anyway I must say again what an awesome job. I can't wait to read more of Xvar's training.
Make sure Xvar hits the weight room tho so he can get those massive backstabs in. :)

[EZ_Korotana]

Aye.. i'm looking forward to hearing more about Xvar.
If anything is to be said i hope that there is more character develepmont in this Saga than in the Scout One.. People like the halfling and Kyor (the gnoll, he was my favorite, i was most sad to see him die) needed a bit more description/development, etc..
and whatever happened to Biem(think thats his name)

I also have a major bone to pick about the part where the dwarven king got killed in the Scout Saga.. i doubt the King of Dwarves would ever agree to even go there, especially on such a minor issue as a cease fire so they can use the ports.. maybe an ambassador, but not the bloody king himself, though i guess you did need a good motive to call the dwarves to war... but more important than that, would the dwarves seriously EVER WANT have a cease fire with the orcs??? they are sworn enemies and so filled with pride that i dont think theyd ever do that... the bastards practically turned traitor. bah, just ranting... Keep it coming.

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar was woken abrutly as Coriard flipped his hamock.
Xvar looked up from the floor, he had an empty stomach and faint sense of time.
He saw out the window, stars were still up, and the moon was high in the sky.
He sat up.
"First thing:
You must live in darkness."
Coriard kicked him. Xvar pulled himself to his feet and squinted at Coriard.
Coriard chuckled, "If you live here you will train and earn double what it's worth."
"Huh?"
"You will earn your stay."
"What...?"
Coriard pulled him by the shoulder, "See that, that's a raven. He never sleeps, he is constantly present yet unseen. YOU will become a raven."
Coriard let Xvar drop to the floor.
"For your first lesson go to the market, steal me a jar of honey and a bag of nuts."
"What? Why?"
"Just do as I say..."

[EZ_Dranec]

Awsome story bloke! smashing I say! do write more

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

He's not writing more.

The @#%$ has gotten to him

@#%$ THE WORLD VijaDakalvi
DEAF STARS
Retierd

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

I AM still writing, but my puter is going for repairs, and has been @#%$ing me over for the last few weeks.
Forgive me for being so late to make this annoucement. Please, be patient I promise to finish this story.

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar moved inconspicuously throught the busy market.
Kelethin had always been the hub of activity in Norrath.
He wondered silently to himself why Coriard would want such odd items.
"Peanuts and honey?" He thought, "Did I hear him wrong?"
He scurried behind a stand and easily pilfered the items.
He hid them under his cloak and jogged back to Coriard's high tree home.
"Ahh good work, good work."
"Excuse my curiousity, but why did you want these items?"
"Well, first off I like honey and peanuts, and second they are great training tools."
Coriard saw Xvar's look of complete bewilderment and chuckled.
He stood up slowly, as if to go easy on an old injury. Xvar noticed this and walked over offering a hand to help him up. Coriard refused and managed to slide himself up the wall then steady himself on the back of a chair.
"Open the jar of honey."
Xvar did so and looked up.
"Now open the sack of nuts."
Xvar ripped open the shabby rucksack and looked to Coriard.
"Now dip your hands in the honey and then in the nuts."
Xvar did so and cringed at how hard it was to move his hands.
"Follow me."
Coriard led Xvar to the roughest bar in Kelethin and they sat and had a few drinks.
After Xvar was sufficiently drunk Coriard stood up and walked over to a couple of large men. Whispering something to them.
Veins appeared in their necks and they slowly rose approaching Xvar who was at the bar, struggling to hold his glass.
One tapped him on the shoulder as the other through a punch -- which Xvar barely managed to dodge. He tried to draw his dagger but it slipped from his hand because he couldn't grip it well.
He stood, somewhat drunk, with hands that might as well had been tied behind his back staring at the impending situation.
He smirked, "Coriard was right, this will be a good training exercise."

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

In the scuffle's chaos it was not clear who threw the first punch.
But the outcome was clear, Xvar stood on the mens' limp bodies as they groaned.
"Good, very good."
Xvar panting walked over to Coriard, who smirked and began to walk back to their treetop hideout.
"Well, at very least you're a good fighter."
"Thanks."
Xvar spent the next few hours licking his wounds and trying to get some sleep. Sucessful in tending his bruises he stared up at the cracked wooden ceiling.
Sleep did not come and night lingered on like a bad taste in his mouth.
Coriard stood and went to flip Xvar's hammock. Xvar hopped out of it and smiled.
Coriard nodded, "Didn't sleep? You will tonight."
Xvar cringed and followed Coriard out onto the platform.
"See that rope?"
"Yes."
"Jump to it."
"What??"
Coriard bent his head to the side then cracked his knuckles. He walked back a few paces then sprinted forward jumping to the rope. He swung back and forth on it a few times then lept to another rope.
He slid down it to the ground and looked up to Xvar.
Xvar's eyes were wide as saucers as he spat in his hands and began to run forward. Flying through the air, arms out-stretched...

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

As he reached the course hemp rope he heard Coriard laughing ahead of him, calling, taunting him.
His efforts redoubled he swung and lept to the next rope, then a platform.
He bent over, nearly throwing up. You would to if you had seen how high up he was.
Coriard grabbed him and threw him backwards, holding him from falling over the edge.
Xvar looked down from the dizzying height.
"Are you AFRAID?"
Xvar shivered.
"Ravens FLY, they fear NOTHING -- FLY RAVEN!"
He threw Xvar toward the ropes, Xvar barely managed to grab one and clung to it, terrified.
Quickly he regained his senses and began going from rope, to rope to platform over and over until his fear left him.
"Yes Xvar! Fly! Embrace your fears until they are no longer felt, live without them!"
Xvar continued the strenuous exercise for days, taking time only to eat and sleep.
It helped him become extremely nimble, brave, and strong, he felt invincible.
"Now we go to the river."
Xvar was not fearful, for with each challenge he knew he grew stronger. He could finnally apreciate the old saying, "What does not kill you only makes you stronger."
But he wondered, did he walk the fine line to dangerously?
What did he have to loose anyway?
He spied Coriard looking at the amulet, Coriard rubbed the stone in it's middle. And ran his finger along it's shape. It looked to be a family heirloom, and Coriard always treated it as so.
Xvar was slowing gaining himself back. The first emotion to reappear was fear and anger.
"What kind of person am I that those emotions would form first?" He thought to himself in silence.

People take for granted their emotions. They never imagine what it would be like to loose the capacity to love, or be happy. To have to pertend you have those emotions.
Xvar knew this pain all to well, hope is a dangerous thing, maybe more so when it seems so dubious. But sometimes, it's all anyone ever really has.
Xvar knew that too.

[EZ_Digon Graves]

*Cheer* *Whistle* *Clap Clap Clap*
Great stories can't wait to hear more!

-Digon "Digs" Graves
Level 34 Rogue of Bristlebane.
Tunare Server <Northern Cross>

*You backstab Bouncer Raan for 113 points of damage!*
*Bouncer Raan has been slain by Digon*
"NEVER call me short!"

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar sat thinking on the platform, Coriard allowed him an hour each day right at dawn before they'd start training.
He'd often watch people start their day, and half wonder what their life was like.
Everyday he saw several in particular that were of interest. Two were a young couple, who owned a shop and loved eachother very much.
He watched them kiss hello and stock their store.
"Normal life..."
He realized just how much he wasn't connected to the world.
"All I am is a lot of beliefs, combat moves, and several traits loosely nailed down to a shallow and ever-changing personality. Yet I feel nothing wrong. I walk on the earth as if it's a dormant volcano, just waiting the next blast... Is that anyway to live...?"
Coriard interupted his thoughts with the smell of breakfast and a call to come in.
He played with his food until Coriard tried to throw a butter knife at him. He caught it in the air by the blade and jammed it into the table.
Coriard wasn't startled.
"Not bad.", he muttered.
"I'm giving you the day off today, go to town, enjoy yourself."
Xvar looked at him in disbelief.
"Noone can train everyday, it's not healthy. While you're there get me some bread and pork alright?"
"Yeah, sure, no problem."
Xvar wasn't sure what to do, the idea of coming here purely for enjoyment was a foreign concept to him.
He walked around, getting himself a fried rat as a treat. As he began to eat it he bumped into a girl, probably of his age or so. He wasn't sure what to do, he apoligised and helped her up.
She blushed and giggled and ran off, turning around once or twice and pointing him out to her friends.
Xvar was confused.
He belched and got what Coriard needed then began to return back. On the way he stopped by a small shrine to the "7 Saviors" everyone was happy to see him and cheered him.
Putting on a grin he bowed humbly then left, they always gave him some free treat so it was worth the crowd.
On the way home he saw the girl going into her house, and felt the urge to make note of it. He wondered why it was important.
Shrugging he noted the location and went home... "If I had a **** I'd go get laid, but we'll do the next best thing.""What's that?""Kill people."-Bartulby and Loki from DOGMA

[EZ_JoonLingShadowStryker]

Oooooo a possible romance? Cool. Um, why ya stop? Joonling Gutseeker
Worshipper of Blood and Blades
Wild Knights Guild
The Rathe

"Rogues are like your shadow; Follow them, they fly; Fly from them, they follow"

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

Xvar puzzled over his mixed feelings deep into the night.
The most confusing thing was their very existance, rather then what they were. But, what they were confused him just as much.
Somehow he had never noticed girls his age, in fact he hadn't really noticed anyone. He wondered why it had taken so long, and why now?
In fact, this might have been the most confusing part of all, now, while he was training to be a rogue he was gaining feeling?
Coriard could sense this.
Xvar was adept in the artifices of the shadow, but of the heart?
He shook his head violently, denying he felt anything.
"I'm becoming WEAK!!" he screamed.
Coriard sat down on the table next to his hammock.
"Compassion, and feeling, are not always a weakness, and you are not necessarily destined to be a rogue..."

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Hey kooran.. Were Waiting... Or not Vija

[EZ_Koz2]

"If not a rogue then what?"
"Well, different people fight and want to be the best for different reasons.
When I was young, I wanted revenge, nothing more, nothing less. But as I got older my hatred cooled and I simply wanted to be the best. My passion for revenge was stronger, so I ended up growing weaker...."
Xvar hung on every word, although mystified, he felt the words made perfect sense.
Coriard say besides Xvar, looking somewhere distant.
"You might need to find something to fight for."
An image of the girl ran like a lighting bolt through Xvar's mind.
"Don't worry Xvar, I can make you the best -- you just need to figure out why you want to be the best."
------------------------------------------
More tomorrow! I promise! Koz.Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25, 2000.

[EZ_Menyen]

Hmmm... I just read through this... you HAVE to finish it. "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Yavie VeDui]

You...must... continue! Pleeeeeeeease!! =) Yavie Ve`Dui
Rogue of 34 seasons

[EZ_Calacon]

C'mon, Koz! This has been another bump brought to you by the apprentice bumper, Calacon.

[EZ_Menyen]

Hey, YOU, yes you over there. Yea, I know you are called Koz now.

WRITE!!! Or else... or else... or else I will stop posting in the RoK forums???
"The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Dear Mr. "I'm too good to call or write my fans"
This'll be the last post I ever send your ass.
It's been six months and still no word. I don't deserve it?
I know you got my last two e-mails, I wrote the addresses on 'em perfect.

So this is my cassette I'm sending you. I hope you hear it.
I'm in the car right now. I'm doing 90 on the freeway.
Hey Kor, "I drank a fifth of vodka, ya dare me to drive?"
You know that song by Phil Collins from "The Air In The Night"?
About that guy who could have saved that other guy from drowning?
But didn't? Then Phil saw it all then at his show he found him?
That's kinda how this is. You could have rescued me from drowning.
Now it's too late. I'm on a thousand downers now, I'm drowsy.

And all I wanted was a lousy letter or a call.
I hope you know I ripped all o' your pictures off the wall.
Think about it.
You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it.
And when you dream, I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it.
I hope your conscious eats at you and you can't breathe without me.
See Koor, {screaming} shut up bitch, I'm trying to talk
Hey Koor, that's my girlfriend screaming in the trunk.
But I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up, see I ain't like you.
'Cause if she suffocates, she'll suffer more, and then she'll die too.
Well, gotta go, I'm almost at the bridge now.
Oh @#%$, I forgot, how am I supposed to send this @#%$ out?
VijaEdited by: Vija Dakalvii at: 9/30/00 11:13:13 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Sorry everyone, with the big game issue and so on I've been swamped as @#%$.
---------------------------
Xvar questioned himself extensively. The long inner monologue continued far into the night, resulting in a near nightmarish half sleep that plagued him until dawn.
Coriard understood Xvar's dilemma and told him to take the week off and figure it out.
"My training will be of no use to you unless you know why you want it."
Xvar decided to see the girl, somehow just thinking about her made part of him feel like it made sense. But most of his confusion was like a thick despair, veiled only by his own ignorance of living.
He only knew of hate and war, and Sett's death.
Sett's death made no sense to him, and yet he somehow understood Sett needed to die, and that he would never have been able to live whether the war had came to their sucess or not.
Xvar felt almost silly as he straighten himself up, Coriard smirked and walked to his side, putting a hand on his shoulder like a father would.
"You have lived life like a cold hearted soldier, go now, live life as a boy."
Xvar looked up at him, amazed that Coriard could seem to sum up the full span of his feelings with such a simple sentence.
He walked to the market, it's platform well worn by the steps of the elven tree dwellers.
It was the first time he had really noticed it, he never thought much of it, but after visiting several food stands he smiled.
He then saw the girl, she looked dressed up, as if for some special event.
He handled a pear looking for bruises, as she as if out of nowhere simply appeared by him.
She smiled at him as he gaped and dropped the pear. The merchant cursed, and Xvar gave him it's price.
"My name is Serhan, what's yours?"
He stumbled in his words slightly, "Me? Oh, Xvar, uhh, Hi, nice to meet you.. uh..."
Another man, Xvar's age but bulkier put his elbow up on the wall of the stand and flirted with Serhan.
Xvar frowned for a minute, then had a thought, he grabbed the choiciest piece of fruit, bought it, and handed it to her with a smile, "Here, hopefully I won't drop this."
He felt completely satisfied with the simple sentence and began to turn around when the other man grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Serhan is my girl, you stay away from her!"
Serhan prostested, "I am not, leave him alone, he's been perfectly civil."
"Him? Just some scruffy rogue's apprentice with you? Never."
Xvar's eyes narrowed, but his expression was unwavering -- as was his tone.
"Let the girl alone, we barely exchanged a sentence, don't embaress us all with your ignorance."
" What!? You dare denounce me! I come from a well to do family!"
The other man threw a punch.
Xvar grabbed his arm in mid air and squeezed it while turning it to the side.
"I told you, leave her alone."
With one clean movement, and none from his feet he threw the man into a hay stand.
As the man yelled while stuggling in the hay, Xvar smiled at the girl, then walked away...
She stood dumbfounded as the man pulled the hay out of his hair by her side and asked if she was ok.
"A fairy tale....", she mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Oh nothing." She said with a smile.
"Imagine that, a rogue flirting with you. He obviously doesn't realize you're promised to me. And he doesn't know who I am either."
"Oh yeah, you're dad's the self-pronouced master artisan around here, he probably doesn't even care."
She sighed, and bit into the pear. Musing over the mysterious boy named Xvar...
Xvar lay back in his hammock thinking. Wishing he was a hero. Suddenly what he was dreaming about hit him like a brick wall.
"A hero? Me? But I never wanted to be one before.... What's going on?
What's wrong with me!!?"
His dirty fingernails made small red indents in his palm as he opened his fist.
He picked at the dirt with the point of his dagger, thinking.
He put it down on his table and lay back again.
"Serhan..." Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/5/00 1:50:03 pm

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

HAHAHAHAHA

This stories done. You killed it. He is a hero remember his last adventure? He was one of the seven best "light" fighters in the world. So I won't check here anymore, it's ruined. Vija

[EZ_Koz2]

Vija the whole point is that he doesn't realize who he is, or who he wants to be now.
The way he saw it, killing all those people for no obvious reason did not make him a hero.
This story is purely about the development of his characther, not just the events in the world. Although they will effect him, they are not the focus.

How am I killing the story by introducing the idea that Xvar is going through a "personal identity crisis"?
Not all heros, or villians have to know exactly who they are, and I feel in this case it adds depth to his characther...

Xvar has lived all his life as if he had no heart, as a simple warrior with no life or experience at living.
He does not even fully comprehend who he is, or who a hero is. Or if he wants to be who he is or not.
If you felt this killed the story then fine, I'm not changing it.

[EZ_Kephka Nightstrike]

This is one damn good story.

[EZ_Menyen]

It's good, you just have to conbtinue writing... or else... "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar fought another endless battle into the night. The effects of little sleep were catching up to him. Light gray circles under his eyes and slight fatigue humbled him into a slow walk.
----------------------------
Serhan walked through the market, impervious to her suiters' flirts.
She sat back on a bench, resting her back on one of the great trees that holds up Kelethin.
She felt some paper crumble under her back and turned around to look.
In very faded black ink well worn by rain and wind it read:
"<u> THE WINNERS OF THE CONTEST ARE:</u>"
She scanned through it and only 1 name seemed to jump out at her and looked legible.
"Xvar"
----------------------------
Coriard walked up behind Xvar, Xvar thought he was sneaking up on him and just as he was about to turn around Coriard held something under his nose.
The edges of the room blurred and swirled as he fell to the ground, asleep like a rock.
"I'm sorry Xvar, but you need it."
Xvar's dreams were cloudy, and there memory stayed with him even when he opened his eyes.
He dreamed of the harbor, and of Sett, and of so many dying.
He reached for them, but they fell back into the black hole that was his subconsious...
He woke up in a cold sweat, panting, his hands shivering.
"Sett.. what could I have done to save you?"
Xvar nearly screamed, but managed to contain his rage. He stood up, Coriard was nowhere to be found and it looked to be about mid day, maybe a bit past lunch.
Shaking the coppers in his pocket he decided to go get something to eat.
-----------------------
"Aww c'mon Serhan, run away with me, what do you want with a fool like Yurd anyway?"
"I have no choice, I am promised to him, leave me."
The discouraged suiter moped off and Yurd soon took his place beside Serhan, boorishly flirting...
-----------------------
Xvar walked down the platforms when he overheard a couple of people, obviously talking in secret, he listened in on them.
"What will be do about the King?"
The other man didn't look nervous at all, "Kill him of course, we can find an assassin easily here."
Parts of the conversation he could not hear, mostly it was just tidbits.
"Once we have control of this army, we'll band up with the orcs, we've got them on alert too..."
"Yes but what about..."
"No problems, I'll have someone dispose of him as well, him and the apprentice."
"But what if they'd be willing to work for us?"
"Hah, never. We'd better just get rid of them now before the apprentice is fully learned in the artifices."
The other man nodded morbidly.
"I don't like all this killing, is it necessary?"
"Yes. Don't worry, we're disposing of obstacles for the true path we will create. Just stay calm, don't get scared."
Xvar had positioned himself so he could see one of their faces, the man with the deeper voice who had all the plans was very tall and stout. He looked to be a barbarian, whilest the other one, who's face he couldn't see looked to be an elf.
"What if someone discovers us?"
"Soon that will not matter."
The elf nodded.
"Well, I have everything in place, we're all ready to begin."
"Good. And I'm sorry to inform you, but we won't be needing your help anymore."
The elf step back several paces, and as if out of nowhere someone else pushed him off the platform and shot him with an arrow on his descent.
"Good thinking, I'm sure that foolish druid had levitate."
The thud was not even heard, and when he was finally found, the arrow was that of an orc, and it was not considered something worth investigation.
----------------------------------

[EZ_Koz2]

"Come now everyone, the pawns are in place, it's time to put the king in checkmate, and kill the knight."
The two thugs that had been hiding in the shadows stepped out and bowed to him.
"Yes Af-"
" Do not say my name fools!"
"Forgive me sir!"
"Don't let it happen again -- now go."
The two thugs stood up and ran off, one looked to be an iksar, who jumped high in the air onto a roof and jumped from roof to roof. The other was an elf. He threw his cape around him and walked 3 steps before fading into nothingness.
Xvar was not in the least suprised.
"Who have I stumbled upon?" he thought to himself.
The barbarian threw himself backwards, he dissappeared before he got even remotely close to hitting the ground.
"He was not a rogue... He must of been a shaman..."
He to pulled his cloak over himself and shadowed.
"Farren!" the iksar hissed, "I ssssmell ssssomeone...."
"Hmm suppose it's the apprentice Tyu?"
"He doesn't sssmell like I thought he would if he issss, but that doesssn't matter."
Tyu stood up, arching his back and fully opening his nostrils, sucking in a huge breath.
He closed his eyes and analyzed the smell.
"Yessss, it'ssss assss we feard, he'ssss clossse."
"Hmph, he must be cloaked, did you bring the fog with you?"
"Yesss. Here."
Farren took the bottle, uncloaking, then threw it up into the air as high as possible.
Xvar knew the second it smashed on the platform he would be seen.
Smirking, he jumped to the rope, just as the fog hit the platform, blocking his actions from site, but not revealing him.
He swung from rope to rope then lept from the last onto another platform.
"How can I tell Coriard not to come home..."
Xvar immeaditately knew what to do and ran at full speed to the falconer....
---------------------------

[EZ_Menyen]

Good, continue, or thou shalst forever burn in Hell! "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Coercing the falconer to send his fastest, Xvar then wondered what to do next.
If the falcon reached Coriard before those two thugs did, then he and Coriard would have to devise a plan...
If not...
The worse case scenerio came into his mind..
"What if Coriard is killed by these thugs? Then what shall I do?"
His thought loosely manifested itself into a low mumble that the falconer heard.
"What's wrong lad?"
"Nothing, I have to go. If the falcon returns send him out again for me with any news."
"Yes sir..."
Xvar's eyes narrowed and his blade flew to the man's throat, stopping short by less then an inch.
"If I don't see the falcon, I assume you wish to die, understood?"
The falconer gulped nervously, "Yes.. Yes sir!"
-------------
It then dawned upon Xvar that he had nowhere to go, so he went back to the platform parallel to the house.
Both thugs stood ready.
The one called Farren stood picking his teeth with his dagger, whilest the one called Tyu stood sniffing the air.
Xvar made sure he was not downwind.
"It'ssss getting late, ssssupossse he heard of usss coming for him and fled?"
"Not likely."
"And jussst how do you know that?"
"Their house was not disturbed at all, backpacks and armor were still there. If he was to flee, even with short notice he would have taken those things, correct?"
"Yessss...."
"Honestly Tyu, sometimes I think you're loosing your edge."
Tyu hissed and bared his teeth, Farren stood unintimidated.
"Let's not fight, it's useless and will get in the way of our objectives."
Tyu turned around and sniffed the air.
"Smell him yet?"
"No, he'sssss not even closssse."
"To bad, I'm getting bored. How 'bout the apprentice, smell him?"
"No, him neither, but I know he mussst of been here recently..."
Farren nodded, "More evidence they had no idea we were coming, simple coincidence that they weren't home."
Tyu grumbled and walked to the edge of the platform, looking down at some orc pawns.
He spat and hit one of them right on the head, it cursed, threw it's hammer up about 10 feet, only to fall back on it's head and knock it right over.
Tyu let out a laugh.
"Foolsssss..."
Tyu stretched and yawned, and mid yawn he stopped and stood stock still.
He sniffed the air with pure curiousity.
"What is it? Do you smell him?"
"Maybe... Not sssssure, sssssmellsssss like beer and him."
"Oh how perfect, he'll be far easier to dispose of drunk, we can simply push him off the platform, it will look like and accident."
Tyu sighed, "Aww, I had wissssshed him to be a little harder then that..."]
"Yes, so had I, but we have to do our job."
----------------------------
As Coriard walked up the platform steps a falcon landed before him and screached.
"Well Hello friend, what's this?"
A drunken man pushed him to the side and walked up the platform.
"Don't mind that rude man friend, tell me, what is this message you bring?"
-----------------------------
"As soon as you see him come up simply push him off, no questions asked."
"Yesss, good idea."
A rather fat drunken man had just crested the last step when Tyu pushed him off.
The man scream profusly until he hit the ground.
"@#%$, he wasn't Coriard."
A falcon flew right over their head towards Xvar.
"What the..." Tyu said watching it fly to the next platform.
"@#%$! He's been alerted, come Tyu, we were tricked!"

[EZ_Wiergraf]

Excellent story, Koz/Kooran. Keep it coming! "Thinking? Who said anything about thinking? Kill first, then loot....thinking is that unpleasant shouting business when it all has to be divided up. It makes brains hurt."--Torm the Thief

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Ha! O knew you'd fix it, just needed some encouragement. Vija

[EZ_Koz2]

I'm going to write an episode around 4 PM EST. I have alot of crap to do till then. But just wanted to make sure you all knew I was going to write today.

[EZ_Menyen]

Well, if you say you will, I belive you... but do not DARE to trick me! Mwuahaha! "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Tyu hissed in frusteration as Farren darted around, jumped on the roof of Coriard's home and spied around for any signs of motion.
"Tyu! Do you smell him?"
"Hisssss.... Yessss! A little, very faint, to the west!"
"You had better be right Tyu!"
"I know I am... C'mon, let'ssss find him."
Farren nodded, drew his cloak and jump from the roof to a lower platform.
Tyu walked into the shadows, dissapearing.
-----------------------------------------
Xvar sprinted to the falconer.
"Have you news?"
"Yes, this came."
He handed Xvar a small piece of paper, it was only about 3 by 3 inches with 1 letter on it.
"B"
Xvar's eyes lit up and he thanked the falconer, throwing him a gold piece.
The falconer waved him off as he ran out the door.
-----------------------------------------
As he ran down the somewhat overgrown trail he batted plants and branches out of his way. Running right into a clearing, he then stopped, skulking forward cautiously.
He heard a very low whistle.
He relaxed and stood up straight.
"Lead me to Coriard!"
A small whisper came forth, "Who are youuuu?"
"I am his apprentice, that's all you need to know."
"I seeeee... I shall fetch himmmm...."
Coriard walked out from the other side of the forrest around the clearing.
"You remembered?"
Xvar laughed, "How could I forget?"
"Come, the other bandits wish to meet you."
-----------------------------------
Yurd waltzed into Serhan's home.
"Heellllllloooo?"
"Just a minute...."
Yurd yawned impatiently and slumped against the wall.
"Ready."
"Alright, come on."
-----------------------------------
"They'll find us soon, but it won't matter, me, you and the bandits will be enough to make them reconsider and back off for a better time."
"I understand. They won't leave until they kill one of us at least."
"Yes, I know. And one of them isn't actually a rogue..."
"Huh?"
"I know who they are, and you're right."
"Who are they?"
"This isn't a good time to tell you."
"I understand."
"I'm going to die in this battle Xvar. I'm old now, and weary. I need to rest, I don't fear it."
Xvar's expression didn't change.
"When I die, take the letter out of my pocket and leave me. Don't linger."
Xvar nodded emotionlessly.
"It will explain the situation. When you've read it, burn it."
"I will."
"Also, take the medallion, the note will explain it to. At all costs take the note, even if you have to kill me for it."
"What?"
Coriard turned away, "Get some armor from the bandits, they have some high quality gear. It won't be long until they sniff us out."
-------------------------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Kephka Nightstrike]

It just keeps getting better and better.

[EZ_Koz2]

"Tyu! Come now, quick around!"
"Yessss... Clossser!"
Tyu drew his blades so quickly that the moon, now growing higher in the sky reflected off them as if they were lightning.
Farren stayed cloaked, running and jumping at full speed. Both were masters of the dark artifices, and Farren was quite respectable in several other fields of study....
------------------------------------
Not far off, in a well managed clearing a small get together was being held.
12 or 13 visitors of varing ages swung merrily around a may poll garnishing ribbons in the hair and hand, winding the long colorful strings around the poll while singing.
Yurd stood like a stately bird, chest puffed out, shoulders broad and strong and one arm close to Serhan's unwilling hand.
She looked distant, yet polite to every remark made.
"Ahh Serhan, you look gorgeous m'dear, and when's the wedding?"
"3 months."
"Ahh Yurd! Ya lucky dog! Hahahah!"
Yurd smirked and tried to put his arm around Serhan, she turned away, saying she wanted a bit of the food that lay on a well built, sturdy bench covered with a fine white clothe.
On it lay foods of varing sorts, she picked up something once resembaling a rat and ate it gingerly.
She looked to the ever darkening sky, "Xvar..."
------------------------------------
"Serhan...."
------------------------------------
Tyu caught the scent in several directions since the wind was playing tricks on his senses, Farren was getting frusterated.
"They must be close! Hurry Tyu!"
Farren eagerly put his hands to his sides, still running just behind Tyu, whose blades were drawn and steadied at his sides.
------------------------
Although Coriard had always been a bit of a marinet, Xvar had never considered this to be a fault of his.
Coriard now sat, contimplating his desicive moment soon to come.
Xvar didn't quite know what that felt like, and was curious.
Coriard stood up, looking to the sky, breathing deeply.
His somber, yet thoughtful expression intrigued Xvar.
Yet despite his usual apathy, Xvar did feel something, Coriard was far from decrepit, far from ugly or old looking, yet he wanted and was ready to die.
In Xvar's mind Coriard's death would not be lamentable, he would die much as Sett did, ready and willing to do so.
The retribution for their crimes, or well deserved rest for their good deeds...?
Xvar wondered which his death would be considered...
"In the eyes of the beholder Xvar, death can be anything." Coriard said. His gaze still fixed on the moon, slowly moving to the bottom of the sky and tree line.
Coriard let out a long, deep, sigh.
"Tomorrow Xvar, the sun will rise, whether I live or die. But I want you to be there to see it, and make sure it rises without me. For of course, I will have no way of knowing. And I wanted to apoligise, noone your age should have to live this life."
"I live as I choose, that much is up to me, let fate decide the rest."
----------------------------------------
Not far off from where Yurd and Serhan were standing a giant explosion rumbled the ground, throwing Serhan to the ground. Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Menyen]

Ey Yo! Ya write to da end, or I'll slice yer stomach open.... it's not a nice thing, so don't force me to do it... "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Yurd fell to over the bench knocking all the food over, he lept up, covered in goat cheese. Raging he flung it out of his hair, shaking violently.
"What the hell was th-"
Another sudden quake seemed to push up the ground in waves.
Throwing Yurd right back into the wooden bowl full of goat cheese.
Serhan struggled to get up.
She could see bright flashes of light coming from another part of the forrest, not to far off.
The other party goers were running around screaming and tripping over fallen trees and branches.
Two children stumbled over to Serhan, crying and shivering in fear, absolutely terrified.
"Shhh! Calm down, you'll be fine, quiet, it's ok, everything will be alright."
Their mother lay under a fallen tree, her head cracked open, with a small pool of blood gradually making zig-zagging capilaries in the grass.
The father stood over her scream and crying as well, he then saw beyond her corpse to his children, ran over and took them from Serhan.
Serhan was nearly knocked over again as a great shockwave hit the area making the first seem obsolete.
---------------------------------------
Farren cackled maniacly as his feet rose two feet or so over the ground before the ball of reddish orange mana in his hands raised above his head then drilled into the ground and exploded.
Xvar jumped from tree to tree as the ground shook, avoiding some of the shock waves.
Coriard fought Tyu fervently, both were talented in mid air combat. Running toward eachother then jumping in the air, avoiding the shock waves and striking at eachother.
Everytime Tyu's blade drew closer and closer to Coriard's chest.
Coriard hit the ground panting, partially knelt over. Tyu didn't even turn around, his eyes narrowed as his nostrils opened wider, smelling the blood in the air.
Coriard turned around, sprinted towards Tyu, Tyu made no move. Coriard jumped high in the air, twisting midway and doing a flip. Right as he landed in front of Tyu, a shockwave hit, Tyu jumped right as it hit and Coriard was knocked off balance. Tyu jumped right on him hearing several of Coriard's ribs break. Coriard grabbed each one of Tyu's feet and threw him off. Tyu fell to the ground on his side, completely suprised. He was not easily detured however as he jumped right back up. Coriard pushed himself back up, panting and holding his stomach.
A smirk crept onto Tyu's face.
Tyu charged forward, Coriard stood ready to defend. Their blades hit high, then low, Coriard twisted his arm around throwing Tyu slightly off balance. He thrusted leaving his stomach open, Tyu thrust his blade in so hard that as soon as the hilt hit Coriard's skin he threw up blood.
The blood was dark brown, almost black -- Tyu had hit the liver.
Coriard's dark black pupils narrowed, as his expression seemed to melt off his face leaving only a pale blank expression of death.
Tyu's blade protruded out Coriard's back. Tyu slid the blade out, Coriard stood as if he had become a statue.
Tyu jumped as a shockwave hit the ground. Coriard fell over, he held his stomach, slowly his hand loosened then fell to the grass. A leaf hopper jumped onto his fingernail, then jumped off, avoiding the drops of blood trickling off.
---------------------------------
Xvar didn't stop when Coriard fell, he continued evading Farren's attacks until he got a chance to jump over, grab the note and medallion and then paused. He hesitated leaving, staring at Coriard's empty expression.
Tyu's blade came whizzing by the side of his head as Xvar turned around thrusting his blade forward, it missed Tyu's heart by half an inch.
Xvar ducked and then bashed him in the chest, knocking his air out.
Tyu lay on the ground recovering his breath as Xvar positioned a blade right by his throat, calling to Farren, "Stop now or he dies."
"Fine, kill him, he knew the risk of his duty."
Farren walked in the air calmly over to them, Xvar looked up at Farren, half smiling.
"Fine then."
Xvar made a fient, looking as if he was about to kill Tyu, Farren tried to block. Xvar grabbed him by the hood, pulled it over his head and then threw a bottle of fog to the ground. Leaping away and making his escape.
-------------------------
Serhan ran into the clearing, coughing at the fog, catching Xvar in the corner of her eye, she shouted to him, "No! Wait!"
Xvar didn't stop, although he did look over at her quickly.
Farren and Tyu jumped up coughing and groping through the fog.
Serhan hid behind a bush as they ran after Xvar.
-------------------------
"I should have killed them when I had a chance." Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/13/00 7:16:22 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Damn you commie bastards!! I'll kill you all!
Muhahahahah!
(Joke directed towards Menyen.)


Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar took a breath or two between leaps from tree to tree, one of the many skills Coriard had taught him.
Xvar pored over all the techniques in his head, trying to figure out the best strategy.
He was trying to concentrate hard enough to be able to sense the two behind him, but he was to busy paying attention to jumping from tree to tree.
He felt the fatigue creaping up on him faster then the attackers, his lungs burned and his hands bled from small cuts and abrasions from the tree bark and branches.
His vision was blurring slightly, and he squinted to see in the dark. It was getting late, but not close to dawn.
"Tomorrow Xvar, the sun will rise, whether I live or die. But I want you to be there to see it, and make sure it rises without me."
"The sun will rise, without you, I shall see to it."
Farren was drained of most of his mana, Tyu's ribs still ached from Xvar's attack, but they both continued to pursue.
Tyu half clutched his left side, but with every step his rage grew and the pain shrank. His breath was slightly heavier, and manifested itself as short, angery breaths and hiss like muttering.
"Tyu," Farren called, not taking his eyes off his direction.
"Yesssss WHAT!?"
" Stay calm, don't get angry!"
Tyu shook with boiling rage, even his scaley hands trembled and his steps were more like stomps.
"You heard me! Now calm down, we need to stay focused!"
Tyu tried to put reign on his emotions, but his rage continued to flare up.
"I will get that, that, boy!"
"Don't you get it? It's not a loss, Coriard's dead, and eventually we'll catch up."
"When we do, he'sssss mine, I will never be sssshamed by sssssome, ssssome, kid!"
Tyu's fury interupted his thoughts and concentration, he tripped over a plainly visible root, flying through the air he recovered and landed on his feet. But all it did was redouble his angry and efforts to catch up....
--------------------------
"Serhan, you ok?"
"Yurd..."
"I was so worried I might loose you."
Serhan turned away towards Xvar's path.
"What's wrong? Woah! What happened here?"
"A battle."
"Well obviously, but who? What over?"
"Don't know..."
"It was that Xvar punk wasn't it! He killed that guy over there, didn't he?!"
"No... someone was trying to kill them both..."
Bandits also lay stroon about the ground as well, the grass was stained almost completely red.
"Tunare.... Wait.. How do you know?"
"I saw them fighting..."
"You haven't been hanging around with that guy have you?"
Serhan turned back to him.
"No."
Yurd sighed, frusterated, "I know you like him, but you're mine -- understand?"
"Yurd, leave it be."
Yurd's expression tightened as his anger pitted in his stomach.
"Stay away from him."
"Oh yes, of course, I'm really going to be spending time with a rogue who just ran away from two assassins... Honestly Yurd..."
Yurd's eyebrows furrowed but he simply walked away grumbling to himself.
----------------------------------
Xvar ran into Kelethin, panting and sweating he jumped on the lift, sitting right next to a guard.
Tyu barely had run a step through the brush when the guards noticed him and yelled a battle call.
"@#%$, he's led us to guards!"
"Cloak and desert! We can get him later!"
Tyu threw himself upwards and cloaked. Farren simply stepped backwards dissolving into thin air.
The guards were not at all suprised, "Cravens!"
"Smart cravens." Xver said between breaths.
"Who were they?"
"Assassins, they killed at least 1 person, probably more with those earthquakes."
"Yes, we felt them all the way over here, we had report a small party was interupted and several died. Malady Serhan and Milord Yurd were unhurt though."
Xvar looked up at the guard, "Are they to be wed?"
The guard stood up smiling, "Yes indeed, quite the lucky two kids!"
"Kids shouldn't be wed."
"Ahhh jealous of Milord Yurd eh?"
Xvar scowled, "Jealous of a fool like that? Never."
"Haha! Well, he happens to be the son of a rather rich fool, and a somewhat influential family ya know!"
Xvar changed subjects, "Where can I get a drink?" Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Menyen]

Well, c'mon then, I'll be ready for ya!

uh, actually I didn't get the part about "commies"... heh, never mind, you just keep on writin (and remember, I'm the bad cop!) "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar held the small flask of water as if it were a piece of pure gold.
His breath was settling, and need to vomit had left him.
He closed his eyes and gazed into the dark pit of his mind, a small, affectionate smile came into focus. The sound of a voice, warm and cheerful yet wise and well tempered.
His back muscles relaxed and he opened his eyes, looking up he saw the sky was turning purplish hues dissolving into gray then black across the sky.
The sun illuminated the edges of the mountainous horizon and reflected off a small puddle of water on the ground.
He soon realized he was soaked and had been sleeping.
The guards stood solid and proud on each side of the lift, once eyed him and spoke with a stifled chuckle, "You were asleep all night, you ok?"
Xvar flexed his hands, looking at the brown scabs and green bruises that fleckled them.
Groaning, he held the lift button post and pulled himself up. He rubbed the back of his neck and yawned.
"The note!" his brain suddenly screamed at him.
He felt his pockets, his chest, his boots, then found it, neatly tucked under the second layer of armor he was wearing.
It had faded and partially washed away at the bottom he clenched his hand, crumpling it a little.
He had learned how to read when he was young, but only in elvish -- luckily this was written in bold elvish text.
"Xvar,
If you've recieved this then you managed to get away, good job. I hope you're somewhere safe, it not, get somewhere safe.
You know I was from a small poor family, but that's only partially true. As I grew I was adopted by a slightly richer family, then I joined the guard.
This family was the family of Conrad, my original name might have been simply Darcy Coriard, but it's never been clear.
The Conrad family was a family of influential power and political scandal. They soon grew enemies all over the land, including a then small group of rogues, warriors, necromancers, everything, who smuggled and did venial damage to the land.
The Conrad family's father was named Asyrta, he was a greedy fool. When he met me, he had pity and adopted me. It never made sense until I found out his true motives. I was a decoy for his son. Well, by that time I was old enough to leave, and I joined the guard, when I lost the king to an assassin I ran away for good.
The smuggling ring killed Asyrta's son, Lert. Asyrta saw it as my fault and for years tried to track me down, never sucessful.
Eventually Asyrta died, and his nephew took the seat as head of the house, but his nephew was more guile and insidious the Asyrta. He allied with the smuggling ring and gave them real training. They became masters and assassins of a much more signifigent brand then originally.
He also supplied them with superior weapons.
I don't know what most of those weapons are, but I'm sure you'll find out soon. I don't know where there main hide out is, your best bet it to try and evade them then follow them back.
The medallion was given to me by ...... it........ keep..."
Xvar cursed himself for falling asleep.
He threw the note in a burning pot, straighten his dagger, swept back his hair and took a swig of the water before throwing the bottle into the fire as well.
Xvar walked up to the old house, when he opened the door he saw it had been searched, everything thrown the the floor and someone had tried to break open the chest.
Xvar picked up a roll off the table, it was moldy, but Xvar bit off a huge chunk anyway. He walked over to the chest, stomped on the board in front of it, which teetered up revealing a secret cubby.
He took the key from the cubby, pushed the board back into place and opened the chest.
Inside he smiled at the small heap of high quality armor and box of potions on the other side.
He pulled off the wet, rusting armor and put on something dry and clean. He felt exhilerated by the warmth, although his bones still ached slightly.
He secured his dirk in it's scabbard and rubbed his neck once again, rumaging through the remains of the once tidy house. He uncovered a small sketched picture of someone he'd never seen.
He scratched his chin then put the picture in his backpack.
He also put in a small blanket, 3 days rations, water, the potions, a change of clothes and a robe.
He walked down the platforms back to the market, to pick up a few more things before he needed, including some mead.
He saw Serhan, she was glancing around as if looking for someone, looking for... him?
She saw him, their eyes met but were quickly cut off by the passing people.
Somehow it felt they were the only two people there however, as if the existance of the rest of the world was unnecessary.
She hopped looking over the heads of the crowd, Xvar pushed through a couple, then realized what he was feeling.
"Wait a second.... What... What... What the hell am I doing!?" He simply stopped, frozen in his own confusion. Serhan stood before him, his gaze slowly rose to her face.
"Xvar, wait, just wait, don't run from me.. please!"
Xvar turned away from her, speaking over his shoulder, "I must go."
"I know, those men, they were after you, but please, stay, my family can protect you -"
Xvar swung around with great speed, his dagger flew through the air, cutting the air and making a sharp sound.
Serhan froze as it came straight at her, he cut two inches of her hair off, grabbed it mid air then jumped off the platform.
The crowd stood stunned for a second, Yurd ran over and shouted at them and tried to comfort Serhan, "It's ok, if he ever comes back I'll cut his head off!"
Serhan held her hair in disbelief, feeling the perfectly cut ends, even and perfect.
"Thank god you dodged in time, he would've cut your throat! Bastard!"
Serhan walked over to the platform, watching him draw his cloak and jump into the shady forrest floor.
---------------------------------------
&lt;Author Blirb>
In the Scout Saga I ditched the romance basically, but I've decided to go into it here with a more suttle tint of romance, rather then a huge spectacle of knight in shining armor saves princess angle... Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar smiled as he ran, one of his first genuine smiles in the history of his life.
He put the lock of hair to his nose as he ran, breathing in deeply and letting the smell rest peacefully in his nose, slowly working it's way into his lungs and heart. He could feel the warmth of the smell reach all of his body, gradually relaxing him.
His apathy partially broken, emotions of all kinds begining to sharpen, the smell made them more keen then ever as his mind stuggled to keep up with justifying his feelings.
He knew where to go, close by, in Butcher Blok somewhere was an abandoned mine shaft, well not as abandoned as rumored. For hidden deep within it's innards and dark chambers lay a guild shrouded by time.
He hoped it would still be there, and that he would be able to find it, to get to them, so they could tell him what to do.
He slowed down, feeling his stomach yearning for food he sat down and opened his pack. First he drew a small string and tied the lock of hair up so it would not fray. He then tied the makeshift necklace around his neck and smelled the hair again.
With that the other world, where he was mortal dissolved around him as he sat in his own world, him and Serhan sitting in the smell.
His feelings felt natural, he was amazed but did not try to over question them.
"Forsake my destiny, my fate, forsake my memory and trust, and all intense feeling had I felt before -- all of this just for one lock of your hair..."
His emotional recess was soon interupted by a passing hawk, which pierced the air with it's cry.
The sky, although light blue, with horse tail like clouds seemed just the same as the dirty mud trial beneath his feet.
But the seeming infinity of his new emotions still caused him grief. As on every day in which you can see the sun, even on the days of which it is most bright -- the slightest shadow, cloud, fog upon the land greatly detracts from it. With all his hope, he still could not see beyond the errors in his way, he could not see the good he'd done.
"I am not a hero for what I did. I never have been. It was Sett, he was the hero, and yet I, the living get his reward, do not they see the sapling above his grave?! Do the not understand the sacrifices he made!?
Before he knew what he was doing his voice became real, furiously real, he screamed at the unyielding trees, the hawk, the ground and sky, "I am not Sett!! I am no hero!!"
As he screamed the lock of hair bounced off his chest, seeming to kiss him, and make him sneeze.
He stuffed it back down his shirt and armor, panting, his fists white from being clentched so long. Several of the scabs came off and his hands bled slightly, he spat in them and rubbed the blood off. Looking back at the sky, in the far distance, darkening the edge of the sky, a large black thunder cloud bled on the ground beneath it.
It looked unnatural, darker then the usual thunder cloud, the rain was not right either, was it dark blue? Or was it dark red? From this distance all colors converged to a single blackness, and yet even from where he sat he knew it was not usual. It moved quickly, and behind it the trees seemed to sag as if a great weight had been pressed upon them, like putting tar on them. The leaves seemed to be falling off, like an acid, or disease had descended upon them. The leaves turned bright white, then darkened and fell off. It was striking because they did so in patches, as if the rain was not constant, it seemed more controled, as if trying to follow something.
He threw his rucksack on his back and began to jog, then run to the rain cloud, trying to get a better look at it. The gravel of the trail crumpled under his feat, from his pace it almost equaled the small cracks of thunder in the distance.
"What is that?"
All around the borders of the cloud a pale red light, as if shining through mist or fog showed the outline of the cloud perfectly on the snowy white treetops.
The smell hit him like a brick wall, it was horrible, and as he ran into it further it only got harsher and more acute. The abrasive smell of the dead, the rotting flesh and plants, all around him. It blinded him, drunkening all his senses, bewildering him, asfixiating him, he stood, like a statue as the pale red light drew closer and closer, like the reflection of a blade...
---------------------------------
&lt;Author Bli-ZZzzzz>
ugh... to... sleepy... must... go... to... bed... will... write... more... tomorrow... Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/15/00 10:56:07 am

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar threw himself into the curtain of intense burning fog, his eyes watering and his lips blistering.
He pulled his collar up to his mouth, attempting to block the smell out.
He awkwardly pulled the lock of hair up to his nose and held it there, it protected him from the smell as he trudged forward against it.
The light got brighter as he approached it, and he heard something running through the forrest in front of him.
The sound was growing louder, despite his senses getting dimmed as he continued walking into it.
As it neared it became 3 sounds, 2 of them the same, yet different in distance, and one was dramatically different.
The first 2 sounded like footsteps, running at high pace, not just on the trail.
They must've been running together, because they were close, and zig zagging back and forth off and on the trail, as if avoiding something.
The one behind them sounded like a daemon, it was a low rumbling growl and a moving at a sloth like pace.
They were growing so close he could hear the panting of the people running, one tripped, the other stopped, ran back and helped them to their feet.
They must of seen him, because they yelled to him, "Turn back, run! Run! It's a daemon of great power! Lead him away from the forrest! Run!"
Xvar squinted to see them, they were stumbling, as if blind, but continued running.
Xvar quickly grabbed a bottle from his belt pouch, it was a small oblong greenish blue piece of glass. He pulled the cork from it, grabbed another bottle, combining the contense of the two and recorking it. Then he threw it forward as far as he could.
It hit the ground and exploded with such force that both Xvar and the two that were running all fell to the ground, as the daemon screamed in agony.
Xvar heard a great chunk of the daemon's body fall to the ground, as a cloud of maggots flew out of the wound, falling to the ground in a great heap.
The daemon limped for a moment, then pulled itself up, continuing to scream in fury.
The daemon charged toward him, both the two that had been running ran straight past him -- not looking back at all.
Xvar stood secure, he did not move at all, his left hand resting on another large bottle on his belt, and the his right on his dagger handle....
------------------------------ Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

The great sense of calm, that only battle experience gains you swept over Xvar, helping heighten his dampered senses.
The daemon was about 8 feet tall, maybe a bit more.
He had no horns, showing he was a young daemon, and his wings were still small sprouts, he was weak.
Xvar's pupils widened, taking in all of the scene, despite the thick fog of acid like smoke.
The daemon dragged itself, then managed to get a 1 legged charging pace going. With every step his fury swelled inside of him and replaced the limb he'd lost.
As he ran maggots fell out of the open would in his side, his entire left leg had been blown off and atleast up to his 3rd rib from the bottom. The wound was jagged and burnt, the dead skin blistering and falling off, while more and more maggots and rotting inner organs fell out.
From all this Xvar knew the daemon was very young, and probably very weak. The older a daemon gets, the less maggots because they are completely decomposed inside and the more horns they grow.
Eventually as daemons grow older, the decomposed flesh from the inside hardens into a dagger like stone and pushes through the skin, creating a rock hard horn.
When a daemon eats a man, he takes their flesh and creates a horn, the more horns, the older, stronger, and more it's killed.
Xvar drew his blade, readided himself and pushed a leg back, to keep balanced and solid.
As his eyes narrowed, his pupils continued to grow, the daemon drew closer and closer.
It's face was half ripped off by shrapnal from the blast and several death beetles fell out of it's eye socket.
The daemon pulled back one of it's arms, this arm seemed undamaged by the explosion, Xvar saw the viens in the arm grow and his claws extend.
With great agility, Xvar drew the bottle, shook it up, and threw it with all his might at the daemon, it lodged right in the daemon's eyesocket.
Xvar jumped backward through the air to a treetop.
The daemon wailed and hit it's head against the ground, trying to free the bottle from it's eyesocket.
As soon as his head hit the rocks of the trail the bottle exploded, dispersing the daemon's remains all around in a 20 feet radius of maggots, flesh, and acid.
A small piece flew over to Xvar, the acid burned right through into his leg, he fell off the tree, screaming in intense pain. He quickly opened a small flask of water and poured it over the wound.
The acid had burned off a small layer of skin, a patch about 3 inches by 2 inches.
Xvar panted as he felt the wound spread deep into his flesh, penetrating even the marrow of his leg bone.
The two that had been running had abrutly stopped and run over to Xvar, one was a female wood elf, and the other looked to be a male high elf, but Xvar couldn't exactly tell because he went unconsious.
--------------------
When Xvar awoke the wood elf was patting his head with a wet prayer shawl.
He looked down to his wound, it had been well bandaged, and treated with aloe to sooth the pain.
He tried to move, but felt the searing pain shoot right up into his knee then thigh.
The woodelf pushed him back onto the bed.
"That was a stupid thing you did back there, but very brave at the same time."
The woodelf had chesnut brown hair, green eyes, and long fingers, she looked delicate, but several scars on her hands and forearms told Xvar she was some sort of active hunter.
His vision blurred as he tried to sit up, she pushed him back down and comforted him.
"My name is Jerra, and this is my brother Dacrin, you saved half the forrest from that daemon. But I'm afriad you'll need to recuperate for awhile, that daemon mark won't leave easy -- we'll have to take you to a shaman..."
"Where, where am I?"
"Kelethin of course, it's our home."
Xvar lept up from bed, the room swirled around him, "I -- it's not safe... I have to leave..."
He fainted after about two paces from the pain and disorientation.
Dacrin rolled his eyes, "He's persistant, I'll give him that."
Jerra nodded, "We'll bring him to the shaman tomorrow when he's a bit more stable..."
"Yes, wise thinking, but what was that he said about not being safe? Suppose he's a criminal?"
"Don't know, hope not, he's kinda cute."
Dacrin sighed heavily, "I'll go to market and fetch us some rabbit for tonight, sound good?"
"Yes, sounds fine..."
----------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar flickered in and out of consiousness for the next day or so, when he finally awoke Jerra sat close to him. She peered at him through the dim light of a near by candle.
"You're awake! Great! Well, it's to late to take you to a shaman... But we can at least feed you." she said with a grin.
Xvar looked around then over to Jerra, "Jerra, how is it that I saw the veins of the daemon grow? Is he not dead?"
"Well, many daemons are only half or partially dead. Evil majik keeps at least several body parts completely alive. Where did you see the veins? His arm? I noticed them too."
"Yeah..."
"He also had a great plague cloud above him, someone must've cast a powerful spell on him, since he was such a young one."
Xvar nodded sleepily.
"If you're still tired then sleep, when Dacrin gets back I'll serve up the charred rat, it's very good..."
"Yes, that sounds great.. thanks..."
Jerra smiled, "So how old are you? I'm 17, Dacrin's 19."
"I'm 16, a bit more now..."
"Only 16?! Wow, I knew you looked young, but you've got the equipment of a senior rogue, who did you study under?"
"Darcy Coriard..."
"I've heard he was the best ever. I know who you are by th way.."
"Huh?"
"The tattoo, me and Dacrin thought you might be a criminal, but when we saw the tattoo..."
Xvar turned away, "I am a criminal, just because I killed people who I was supposed to doesn't make me any less then a murdered..."
"But I heard you fought valiantly... You fought along side Sett and Beim and Sandrock, didn't you?"
"No war is glorious, Sett and Sandrock and Beim were all good men, but caught up in what they couldn't control. I felt no remourse for those I killed, that makes me a criminal, Sett felt regret for all but D'vinn -- I know he did."
Jerra's gaze lowered and her voice become quieter, "I understand..."
"I have to leave tomorrow, I must get to Butcher Blok..."
"You're not going anywhere tomorrow! We need to get that daemon mark off your leg!"
Xvar grimaced and turned onto his side, "It'll be fine."
Xvar tried to lean his legs over the side of the bed and stand up, but Jerra blocked his way.
"Sit!"
Dacrin pushed the door open with his back, carrying several large packages.
"I got the bandages we needed, the shaman also gave me several potions to put on the wound."
"Ooh, what's the big package?"
Dacrin smiled, "A gift for you!"
Dacrin put down the other packages and handed Jerra the well wrapped box.
She opened it eagerly to see a fine piece of armor, light green in tint, and chain in material.
"You, you, you got it!!!"
Dacrin smiled, "Now you're a real ranger."
Jerra ran up to Dacrin and hugged him, then ran back to the package and put the armor on.
The green armor seemed to gleem even in the low light of dusk, beautifully etched carvings of ivy shapes dotted the armor.
"How do they etch the chain?" Xvar inquired.
Jerra laughed, "I'm sorry, I got so excited I totally forgot you're here! I'm not sure how they do.. majik I suppose?"
Dacrin nodded, silently contently watching Jerra stroke her armor with pride.
---------------------------
Tyu and Farren walked down the long stair ways to the central oral report chamber.
Both were completely silent and had a somber look on their faces.
As they reached the oral report chamber a loud, deep voice beckoned them to the center of the room.
"Please report on assignment #459, the assassination of Darcy Coriard Conrad and Xvar Unknown Unknown, codenamed "dikill".
Please report in this order, sucess on first target, Conrad, sucess on second target, Xvar, any known witness, any problems, and possiple solutions."
"Sucess on first target. Failure on second target. One witness, unknown wood elf female, approximately 16 years old. Xvar was much stronger then Coriard or any of our estimates. I suggest sending us both on another mission just to kill him."
"Understood, Aftar will be informed of your progress. Take 3 days rest then report back for mission assignment. Your mission suggestion will be put up for review."
Another man waved them out of the chamber, down another hall to the barracks.
"Next!"
----------------------
Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Grateful Rogue]

man, i am consistently impressed with your skills. everyday i look forward to seeing this post. i love it, the story is great. thanks for the interesting read.
Mckernan, young backstabber of torvonnilous

[EZ_Auli]

Yes, yes keep up the good work. I love your writing. I wish I could half as good as you. Thanks for the story.

Auli
Gnimish rogue of Quellious

[EZ_Koz2]

I've got a long way to go, but I appreciate the support.
Thank you.
*bows humbly* Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar opened his eyes next at about an hour past dawn. The soft rays of sunshine poured in through the octogonal window above his bed.
He groaned and pulled the threadbare sheets over his head.
Dacrin walked over and promptly poured a cup of hot water over his wound.
Xvar barely managed to stifle a scream, his nails digging into the bedposts.
"Still hurts eh?" Dacrin said with a laugh.
Xvar's other, unwounded leg flew through the air stopping 1/2 an inch from Dacrin, who stood there stunned for a second.
Xvar panted, wiping the sweat off his brow, then pushing his hair out of his eyes.
Dacrin fell over, sitting on the wooden boards he stared at the dozing Xvar.
"How -- How did he do that? I didn't even see his leg until it stopped!"
Dacrin scooted back a foot or two then slowly got up.
Jerra burst through the door, grinning ear to ear, holding up a small boar.
"Nice catch!" Dacrin said smiling.
Jerra smiled then walked over to Xvar, patting his head and moving his hair out of his face.
"He's a strange kid..."
"Yes, he's got uncanny abilities as well..." Dacrin said, recalling Xvar's speed in kicks.
Jerra happily prepared a fire for the boar carcas as Dacrin went over to his desk, beginning to sketch something out the window.
Xvar was soon roused by a gentler sense, he smelt the boar cooking. The smell edged it's way into his dreams, then eventually pulled him out of them, beckoning him to awake.
"Hungry?" Jerra said to Xvar, who now stood in his underwear yawning.
Dacrin threw Xvar's cloak and pants at him and laughed.
"Not used to havin' a lady in the house eh?"
Xvar put his pants on and walked over to the table.
"I'd like to thank you for your hospitality and binding my wounds."
"Not a problem at all!" Jerra said.
Dacrin smiled, "Hey, you're one of the saviors, it's the least we can do."
Xvar didn't respond.
Jerra sensed the tension in Xvar's body language and handed him a piece of fruit.
"The boar won't be done for awhile, but here, this is good too."
Xvar thanked her and chewed on the tenuous dried fruit.
"Do either of you know who Yurd or Serhan are?"
"Yurd Irwan and Serhan Salleigh?"
"Yes."
"Well, Yurd Irwan Sr. is the best blacksmith in Faydark, maybe in Norrath itself, but Yurd Irwan Jr. is a total obnoxious jerk. The Yurds have ties to many different nobles since they are so rich from their blacksmithing, or so I've heard... And I don't know much about Serhan, just that all of the Salleighs are very good archers..."
"Why do you ask, Xvar?"
"No reason."
Dacrin raised an eyebrow and mouthed some words to Jerra, "I bet he likes Serhan."
"Have you ever met them?"
"Yes, both."
"Let me guess, Yurd made an ass of himself?"
"No, I made an ass of him. He implied me and Serhan were flirting, threw a punch, so I threw him into a hay cart."
Dacrin laughed out loudly, "Haha!"
Jerra gigled and tended to the meat.
"So Xvar, why did you fight?"
Xvar wondered that himself sometimes, he knew Dacrin was refering to the war against the orcs...
"It's the only thing I know how to do."
Dacrin was silenced by Xvar's unyielding expression of distance.
The boar tasted wonderful.
--------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Grateful Rogue]

i must say, this keeps getting better and better. i look forward to this as much as dragon ball z, if not more. can't wait to see what xvar does next. i like his character much more than sett's. he has that uncaring feel that sett could not pull off. thanks again for the fine time.
Mckernan, young orc stabber of Torvonnilous

[EZ_Kephka Nightstrike]

Koz you need to write a book,I would sure buy it.

[EZ_Koz2]

*scratches my head*

Well, I don't know... I do want to revision Scout Saga, close up some loop holes, add some more characther details, then probably combine it and this one into a single book. I expect Xvar's Saga to be longer then Sett's was, but we'll just have to see.
If I was offered publishing, I'll tell you right now, I don't see how I could turn it down. But since no one has offered yet, still stuck in second gear.
But let's just hope for the best.
I'll be writing an episode today, just not now, to early in the mornin'. Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/18/00 5:23:29 am

[EZ_Koz2]

"So Xvar, tell us about yourself?"
Xvar didn't hear them the first time, he was looking out the window to the market below.
"Huh?"
"Well, all we know is you're a savior... Mind telling us a little about you?"
Xvar didn't see any need to withhold his past, so he sat down on the edge of the bed and recounted his life.
"My full name is Xvarian Dashard. I was born into a small colony. Since I was born, fighting has been the focus of my life. I came to Kelethin when I was 9 to continue training with the masters of this area. I've lived here since then."
"Didn't you miss your parents?"
"I didn't have any. In the colony family was important, but we were all selected from birth by the Council to become fighters. If the parents refused, the child was killed. Mine were coerced into letting me go. I never met them. But I did have several friends before I left. Olar, Unic, Jaes..."
Dacrin was fascinated by Xvar's casual attitude about his unusual life. Jerra was equally intriuged and asked the next question, "Why'd you leave?"
"The best of every troop gets to leave and train here."
"How'd you train?" Dacrin interupted.
"They sent us into Crushbone, and when I was 12 they sent us into Lesser Faydark."
Dacrin and Jerra looked stunned and apauled.
"How could they make you do that!? Didn't some of you die?"
"We had to be strong. For the colony."
"But why didn't you go back?"
"After the war with the orcs I went to study under Coriard, I knew it would be allowed. But they haven't tried to make me come back yet."
"What colony are you talking about?"
"It's a hidden city, far from here."
"But it must be horrible there! Why doesn't anyone try to escape!?"
"It's not horrible for everyone. The soldiers are taken from the babies of the poor, and they are saved from a destitue life. The scribes and merchants are choosen from the middle class, keeping it strong. And the nobles are a wise dynasty. Soldiers can retire, but most don't. None can complain, the option is there."
"What is it a colony from?"
"Long ago, before our lifetimes, a proud and noble kingdom stood with the strongest of Norrath. Our leaders were fair and just, and the land was ruled with peace. No utopia, but far greater then any kingdoms. But the king was tricked, and killed. The kingdom split, into the colony, the loyal who ran away and tried to start again, and the rebels, who wanted to stay, but not unite with the new ruler. The rebels are the true heros, they were all killed. We must live our lives as best we can, to make up for our folly. They were the truely loyal, and everyday we regret our choice to leave. So we must become strong again, and reclaim the land. And so I fight."
Dacrin blinked, amazed that this had been hidden in the complicated folds of history.
Xvar turned away and continued looking out the window, down at the market below....
-----------------------------------
&lt;AUTHOR BLIRB>
Well took me long enough to tell you his history I guess, but I felt it was better hidden up to this point.... Anyway... Hope you enjoyed it. Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/18/00 2:22:17 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Just a side note, for those who don't know:
Xvar, or Xvarian has two seperate pronounciations.
One where the X is silent, which would be simply Var, or Varian.
Or one where the X is pronouced like a Z, like in Xena, which would be Zvar, or Zvarian.
Just thought you'd like to know. Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar pulled on a light shirt and his boots.
"Where are you going?"
"To the market."
"Why? We have food he-"
Jerra elbowed him and widened her eyes, Dacrin promptly silenced himself.
Xvar also secured his dagger, standing up and limping slightly.
Dacrin opened his mouth, but Jerra elbowed him even harder.
Dacrin cursed and rubbed his arm.
Xvar bowed, "I will return shortly. I thank you."
Dacrin scratched his head, "He really is a wierd kid."
Jerra elbowed him so hard he fell off his chair.
Xvar chuckled, bowed to Jerra, then left.

As he reached the market he glanced around for Serhan, she was nowhere to be seen. He sat on the roof of an empty stand looking down at the forrest below.
Another man sat down next to him.
"You've already figured out who Coriard really is, haven't you? Did you tell anyone who you are?"
"I knew ever since I heard his name."
"Indeed, that 'ard' must've been a tip off."
"I was starting to get worried you had lost track of me since the war, I wasn't being informed on a normal basis."
"We've been very busy you know."
"I understand."
"Coriard was wrong about who was after you."
Xvar looked over at him suprised, "What?"
"That crime band was long gone. You know who it is."
"How did you find out?"
"We have our ways, you know that. They'll be after you again soon."
"I believed him too, I was going to go to the guild in Butcher Blok."
"It's good you were interupted."
"Yes, it would've been a great waste of time."
"The heat is starting to build Xvar, soon you may have to return."
"I thought you could handle it."
The other man chuckled, stood up, bowed, then cloaked.
"I will report back as soon as I can."
"Thank you."
Xvar sighed again, thinking to himself, "So, they've finally rebuilt. I had no idea. This is getting harder to handle... Bad timing..."
Xvar saw Serhan in his mind, thinking about who he was, and what would happen if he were to pursue her.
"What bitter conflict love and hate creates, just as harsh on the heart as war is on the body!"
He stood, his clothes waving in the wind, his hair brushed out of his face by wind's gentle hand.
"Like a blade upon my neck does draw time, slow and painful,and no time creeps by like that which is weighed with sorrow! How she humbles me!"
------------------------ Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/18/00 5:19:25 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar walked slowly back to Jerra and Dacrin's home. Pondering his nect move and contimplating his empty stomach.
"The colony seems so distant, and like it never effects my actions, as if it's a ghost of my past -- yet it is so close..."
-------------------------------------------
Tyu and Farren went from the barracks to the training hall often. It was a rectangular room, no windows to the ground far above and no kind of flooring to protect them from the rocky ground of the cave.
On the far side to the enterance from the barracks were the climbing walls, which went close to the surface of the ground and must've been at least 40 feet high.
All sorts of weapons were organized by difficulty on a table on the left from the doorway.
On the far side of the hall targets for knive throwing and archey stood.
There were various other training devices at different stations, which were carved further into the wall, some of them up to 20 feet from the main hall.
On the cieling a long piece of wood, ropes, and cargo nets lined it, allowing students to try their hand at a more difficult and dangerous climb.
Tyu picked up some weights and went into the water room, which was the third on the right from the main enterence.
Farren immeadiately went to the caster room, meditating and scribing any new spells that had been found.
At least another 300 students worked on their skills as well.
A tall, stout barbarian entered the hall from the farside, through a door that was usually locked.
As soon as he did, everyone stopped ran to the sides of a carpet that ran from one door to the other and bowed out of respect.
The barbarian grinned and encouraged the younger students and bowed with respect to the elders.
"Tyu! Farren!" He called.
Tyu stood, soaking wet with wieghts tied around his ankles, he slowly walked in front of the barbarian and knelt. Farren walked over and knelt as well, raising their heads as he spoke, "Congradulations on killing Coriard. Now we only have a few loose ends to tie, am I correct?"
"Yes sir." Farren said, looking down.
Both lowered their heads as the barbarian's face tightened slightly, he looked skeptical, "Now, what was the problem with Xvarian? Our estimated are seldom wrong, how could such great discrepencies appear?"
"My lord, Xvarian trained under Ssssir Coriard, hissss training was excellent, far more then anything we could have anticipated..."
"I understand, I will send a new scout to try and gauge his strength. Then we will see about a mission for you two. In the mean time, I want you to both train non-stop."
"Yes sir!" Farren and Tyu said synonimously.
"Thank you. Alright everyone, back to your training, time waits for no man!"
"Yes sir!" all the students shouted with a note of pride in their voices.
The barbarian smiled then walked back to the door, shutting it gently.
The students dispersed back into their activities.
-------------------------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/19/00 2:04:26 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

As he entered the house, he saw Dacrin panting, with a long gash upon his arm, Jerra sat in the corner, near the corpse of an attacker, crying. The house had been completely dashed, everything either destroyed or out of place. Even some of the furniture was broken...
Xvar walked by them imperviously and picked up his armor, strapping it on and putting on his backpack. He strolled to the corpse, kicked it over, then leaned down, pulling the table cloth over the man's face.
"A robber?"
Dacrin nodded. Xvar ripped a strip of the table cloth off and went over to Dacrin, tying it around his arm tightly.
He walked to Jerra, pulling her up and looking her in the eyes, "Tunare forgives you, worry not, she does not cry over a robber's death -- you shouldn't either. I must leave, if you wish, you may accompany me, I'm not even going to feign wanting to do this alone. At this point, I don't need to. But I warn you, if you leave that doorway after me, you may never enter it again. By my hand, or their's, or Tunare's herself -- matters not."
Dacrin stood up, his face became firm.
"I will go with you."
Jerra walked forward, looking just as intense, "I will too."
Xvar didn't doubt her abilities, or that of Dacrin, but knew he had to tell and warn them, "I travel fast, if you can't keep up you'll die. I fight without mercy, if you fight with me you'll die. I die without hesitation, if you try and stop me you'll die. Understood?"
Dacrin and Jerra nodded, they gave one last look back at their mangled home, pulled thier backpacks to their shoulders and followed Xvar out the doorway...
--------------------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/19/00 5:29:55 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

"Milord Aftar?"
The barbarian put down the tome he was reading and stood from his chair, "Yes?"
"You know the scout we had stationed in Kelethin?"
"Yes, did he gauge Xvar's strength?"
"He didn't arrive at the rondeview point..." the messanger trailed off and his gaze reached the floor.
Aftar scratched his chin, "I'm sure Xvar must realize who we are by now..."
"But who is he?"
"Summon Farren and Tyu, Karok too... I don't quite trust those two to get the job done."
"Yes milord."
When Tyu and Farren entered the room, Aftar and Karok were already talking. As soon as the door opened, both silenced and looked to Tyu and Farren.
"I have found out who he is milord Aftar." Karok said.
Aftar sat in his chair, folding his hands he looked at Karok expectantly, "Go ahead."
"He's one of the Dashard."
Aftar didn't look surprised, "Makes sense... You've all been breifed on the Coriard and Dashard families?"
Tyu and Farren shook their heads, Farren spoke, "No milord, who are they?"
Aftar leaned back in his chair, as if looking through the solid rock to the moon far above, "The Coriard family was originally the royal family of Dakanolard, but they were murdered and a new ruler took over. This was several hundreds of years ago, so most of it was lost, even among the Dakans. However, it is rumored that one of the sons of Coriard left Dakanolard before the new rule took over, he had several sons, the lineage can be traced down to the last survivers, Quetra, Sett, and Darcy. Quetra's son, Sett was killed. As was Quetra... Dacry never had a son, or at least none we know of. Xvar didn't know of the Coriard lineage at all I expect, after the Dakans exodus to the colony, I doubt it would've been remembered. But often, the 'ard' on the end of a name points to Dakan lineage. Xvar must've known Dacry was Dakan, but probably had no idea that he's a royal desendent. But, he might have figured it out -- who knows, the kid has brains."
"So what was Xvar even doing in Faydark?"
"The Dashard family are the decendents of the imperial guard, all sons of this family are sent out to become masters of the fighting arts. If they don't return they are considered unworthy and their memory defiled. If they do, they are great heros."
Karok nodded, Tyu and Farren looked a bit lost.
"Now listen closely:
Dacry might have had the medallion, Quetra didn't. Now if he died it's logical to assume Xvar might have it. Therefore I won't waste time persuading him -- do it with your blades, understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Why do we want this medallion so badly milord?"
"It holds the key to our cause, now go."
Karok bowed and cloaked.
Farren and Tyu looked at Aftar who spoke slowly, "I want you two to go after Xvar. If you fail Karok will finish it."
Farren and Tyu bowed and cloaked, then left the room as well.
Aftar flipped through the pages of his book, thinking to himself, "One last obstacle prevents my well planned checkmate, that damn knight. Ahh well, we shall soon rid him." Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Ommundan Rii]

Quote from the author:

"I've got a long way to go, but I appreciate the support."

My response:

You may have along way to go with your story, but your skills as a writer are as great or greater than many published and highly praised authors. If you were to compile all of these posts into a book I would DEFINETLY buy it.

Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful work with us.

Luciien Vaynor, Scout of 20 seasons, Rodcet Nife Ommundan Rii

Master of the Hunt
Magi, Rodcet Nife

[EZ_Koz2]

*speechless*

A speechless writer... isn't that ironic?

Wow, I am really just flabbergasted...
Thank you very much. I think I'll take some time over this weekend and next week to compile everything, revise the Scout Saga, and maybe write a short saga on Coriard's past, to help the story a bit.

Once again, I can't thank you enough for the support. I love to write, it is my only way to express everything I feel without being blamed or attached to those feelings, it is a beautiful way to see the world.
I will write as long as I have hands to type and a mind to think, and heck, who needs the hands when you've got dragon naturally speaking.

I will write another episode today, but I'm a bit sleepy right now and need some vittles for me gullet.

One more time:
<u>THANK YOU.</u> Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Karok pulled his cloak around his face, preventing his breath from making clouds of heat above him in the chill air.
He followed close behind Tyu and Farren, he could see them both, cloaked or not.
He made no sound, not even his breath, heartbeat, or step could be detected. Tyu and Farren had no idea he was there.
---------------------------------------------
They walked through Kelethin's surrounding forests, it was late morning, or early afternoon. The sun barely reached through the tall conifers, making the woods chill.
"Where do we go Xvar?"
"To the outpost, a place for the Dashard to assemble outside the colony. They'll be able to give us better equipment, a place to rest, rations, and some information on who we're facing..."
Jerra couldn't help but to interupt, "Who are we fighting?"
"Right now it's best if you don't know. Much safer for you both, just trust me, when we reach the outpost they'll tell us all the details."
Xvar was walking at a steady pace, both Jerra and Dacrin managed to keep up easily.
"I expect that the robber was no robber, but in fact a scout looking for me. I also expect by now it's realized we have fleed and they'll soon be on pursuit."
Jerra nodded, she knew how to track, and how to walk so she couldn't be tracked. Dacrin had always been more of a warrior then a ranger or rogue, but he managed to keep his tracks covered as well.
Xvar walked normally, nothing unusual or noticable about his gait. But when his feet left the ground, you could see not even a blade of grass had been displaced.
Jerra had been watching Xvar's feet for an hour, totally entranced with them and his technique.
"Xvar?" she inquired.
"Hmmm? Yes? What is it?" Xvar said impatiently.
"Where'd you learn to walk like that?"
Xvar chuckled, "The walk of a cat is hard to learn, but very useful. They taught us the technique then during the fall they'd make us walk through piles of leaves without making the slightest noise. Very few pass that test... But I managed to make it..."
Jerra's eyes widened, "Think you could teach me?"
Xvar nodded, "Yes, but let's keep going for now, I don't have time to explain it."
"You're right, let's go."
"Xvar?"
Xvar sighed but answered, "Yes?!"
"Why do you wear that lock of hair? Who is it from?"
Xvar stopped as if yanked backward suddenly.
He stuttered, "No -- no reason, now let's go..."
Dacrin shrugged at Jerra and they continued....
------------------------------------ Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/22/00 1:46:43 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

When Tyu and Farren knew just where to look for Xvar. Killing a daemon single handedly isn't something that's looked over so fast. It was on Kelethin's news message board. Tacked up with a rusty nail:
" Xvar defeated daemon alone!
Saved half the forest! Xvar suffered only a small daemon mark, and is being taken care of by Jerra Caetyr and Dacrin Caetyr."
They found the scout at Dacrin and Jerra's home.
"No wonder he never reported in." Farren said coldly.
Tyu looked around, seeing if Xvar had left behind anything.
The picture that Xvar had taken from Coriard's chest had fallen out of the backpack, and sat near the bed.
Tyu leaned over and picked it up. It was a rough charcoal sketch of a man's face.
"Issss thisss one of the Coriardssss or Dassshardssss?"
Farren looked it over, "Not sure, let's keep it and bring it back to Aftar. Hmmm... They must've already left, trying to evade us."
Farren picked up one of Xvar's blood and sweat soaked bandages and threw it at Tyu.
Tyu grabbed it in mid air, and carefully sniffed it.
"Think you can track him?"
"They can hide footprintssss, but not their sssssmellssss."
Farren smirked, pulling the sheet off the dead scout.
"Hmm... he was killed by an axe, see that triangular gash?"
"Yessss, without a doubt. You ssssupossse those two caretakerssss have joined up with him?"
"Yes. Xvar uses a dagger, never an axe. He must be getting help."
Tyu nodded and continued sniffing.
Farren yawned, he put his hand up above his head and blew a small hole in the roof, levitating through it.
"Sssshow off."
Tyu jumped through it and stood, his back arced and his nose high in the air.
Farren tapped his foot impatiently.
"Ssssshhhhh."
Farren rolled his eyes, "Can you smell him or not?"
"Yessss... Get out the map, I want to check ssssomething..."
Farren pulled the small leather map out of his belt pouch.
Tyu glanced it over, his finger skirting a trail on the map.
"I know where they're going...."
--------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/21/00 1:30:25 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

"How far until we get to this outpost?"
"It's not far, see those cliffs?"
"Yeah...."
"We simply have to climb them, at the top is a cave enterance, then we go down those stairs into the door chamber, then to the main chamber..."
"Wait a second... How are we going to climb those cliffs?"
Xvar smirked, "You'll see..."
Jerra looked over at Dacrin, who's eyes were about as wide, and mouth gaping just the same.
Dacrin put his hand up to his forehead and shook his head, sighing.
"Remind me why I decided to follow some invincible rogue with a death wish to go fight some other seeming invincible force to the death?"
Xvar smiled, "I'm flattered."
-------------------------------------
"Sssshould we go to the outpossst or give Aftar the picture?"
"I have a better idea. KAROK!"
Karok uncloaked, he had been standing only 3 ft away.
"Well, my estimates of your distance were off, but no matter. Go give this to Aftar, it was in Xvar's possesion."
Karok took the picture then jumped off the platform, cloaking half way down.
"Good, that will rid us of him for awhile at least."
"Killing two birdsss with one sssstone eh?"
Farren chuckled, "Let's get moving, they're probably already there."
--------------------------------------
Jerra looked up at the cliff, her head tilted back so far she nearly fell over. The cliffs were at least 200 feet, a dark gray color, maybe granite. They had walked so far from Kelethin she couldn't see the familiar smoke coming from Kelethin's warm fires. She shivered a little pulling her collar up. The cliffs were devoid of any trees or plants and were straight up.
Xvar walked to a specific section of rock, pulled a peg out of his backpack and thrust it into a small hole in the rock.
"We have to climb it like that?!" Jerra yelled.
Suddenly the rock began to lower, then it suddenly plumeted.
Xvar stepped on the flat section now on the ground and waved them on too.
"Dakans always find a creative solution." Xvar said.
He reached down and pulled out the peg.
"If I were you, I wouldn't look down."
Jerra and Dacrin exchanged looks of pure terror, Xvar's face was blank, but a smirk soon crept onto it.
The rock began to rise, slowly returning to it's original position when about 30 feet from the top it jumped. Shooting them all up the last 20 feet or so at a high speed.
When they reached the top Xvar yawned and walked off the rock toward a cave.
Jerra and Dacrin stood like statues. Xvar turned around, sighed, and walked over.
He yanked them both by the collar and dragged them to the cave.
Both were still completely statue like, but slowly Jerra's eyes moved to Dacrin, and Dacrin's to Jerra.
Xvar grinned cheerfully, "If you thought that was fun wait until you see the stairs to the door chamber..."
They promptly fainted, falling to the ground and kicking up a little dust.
Xvar shrugged, "I was only kidding you guys..."
------------------------------------------ Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/22/00 1:50:24 pm

[EZ_Menyen]

Very nice!
It would be fun to know a little about the surrounding terrain. The forest they were walking through, was it dark? How did the cliff look like? What was the estimated distance from Kelethin? Please, I want to know more about the landscape they are walking through. "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

(I edited the last couple of episodes to tell a bit more about the setting. -- Your welcome. )
---------------------------------------------------------
Dacrin and Jerra managed to regain their senses and stumble down the stairs with the help of a small guard rail and Xvar.
The door chamber was a circular room carved out of solid rock, it's formation was obviously unnatural. A large wooden door was directly in front of them. A small slot about eye level flew open as soon ans Xvar knocked.
"Password."
Xvar spoke in a tongue they had never heard, "Yliac dashard nonrantaska."
The slot closed and they heard the sound of a man quickly fumbling to unlock and open the door.
"Xvar!" The man shouted and embraced Xvar.
Xvar smiled and gripped his shoulder.
He spoke in the dakan tongue telling the man who Jerra and Dacrin were.
The man ran up to them and bowed, thanking them in dakan.
Jerra looked to Dacrin who looked just as confused.
Xvar smiled, "If you're hungry the doorkeeper tells me the lunch will be ready soon."
Jerra smiled and said, "That sounds lovely, C'mon Dacrin."
Dacrin had been leaning on the wall, he stood up and came through the door.
Xvar noticed the blood from Dacrin's gash was starting to soak through his shirt.
He spoke to the doorkeeper in dakan, pointing to Dacrin's arm.
The doorkeeper nodded and pulled Dacrin left to the bandaging room.
Xvar showed Jerra to the right, they walked through a long rectangular corridor. At the end they entered a room with eight other doors, each with a carved wooden sign above it in dakan.
Xvar pointed to the one second on the left and read the sign, "Ration Hall."
Jerra ran her hands along the rock corridor, it was smooth and grey.
They entered a lightened large chamber. It was immense, at least 20 tables lined the chamber in rows. Each could seat 10 Jerra estimated.
On the far side from the doorway a long table stood, behind it was the door to another room where she could hear people cooking.
Some soldiers filed in from the door behind them. Xvar lead Jerra to a table and asked her if she wanted anything to eat.
She nodded and he went to the long table where another man took his order, ran back into the kitchen, grabbed two plates of food and handed them to Xvar.
Xvar sat down opposite to Jerra and she watched him as he ate.
It tasted like boar and roots and maybe some kind of vegetable. The vegetable was something she had never tasted and she asked about it.
"It is grow on the surface near the outpost. It's called iko. Very good for you."
------------------------------------------------
"Milord Aftar, this was found at where Xvar had been staying. We think he might have been carrying it."
Aftar examined the picture closely holding it near a candle.
His eyes slowly widened as he realized who it was.
Karok looked impatient.
"This is worse then I thought." Aftar scribbled something on a piece of paper then handed it to Karok.
"Give this to Tyu and Farren."
"Yes milord!"
"Go! NOW!"
Karok pulled his cloak over him and ran back to Tyu and Farren.
Before he left the room Aftar shouted to him, "Get another teleport, it's fast."
"I shall sir!"
----------------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Aftar brewed over the situation, " This is more complicated then I thought. If he dropped the picture at the caretaker's house he couldn't have shown it to anyone at the outpost... But still... What if he recognized it, he knew Coriard well, and Sett as well... I'm sure the picture must've looked at least familiar. But what if he didn't recognize it... I will hope for the latter, but I must take the appropriate precautions. He must not tell the colony who we are... Not yet..."
Aftar leaned back in his chair, consumed with his thoughts, " For now we'll just have to dispense of him as soon as we possibly can... There may be no threat, but I can't afford to take such a gamble. Karok will be able to handle it if Farren and Tyu falter. If all else fails I'm sure we can work something out... I know this is the true path for the world. I know Tunare will understand the sacrifice we all must make to help the world become as it should be... I only hope I have the strength to carry out this plan...."
Aftar sighed and stood, "I should go check on the soldiers..."
--------------------------------------------------
Jerra watched Xvar as he ate, looking him over with curiousity.
Xvar noticed and looked up, expecting a question. Jerra commented on the food instead, "This is really good!"
Xvar chuckled, "It's alright."
Jerra kept looking over at Xvar, who was getting self consious. He finally looked her straight in the eyes and asked her what she was so interested in.
She apoligised, "I'm sorry, you've just got an interesting face..."
Xvar's eyebrow rose but he looked away at some rucuss of a couple soldiers.
The lock of hair came out of his tunic as he turned his head.
"Xvar, please tell me, where's that lock of hair from."
Xvar's face became cold and stern. He crammed it back in his tunic and continued eating.
Jerra was a little surprised but went back to eating as well.
" Boy, what's his problem? He never talks about that lock of hair. Maybe he lost someone, hard to see him falling in love with anyone but I guess it's possible."
Jerra played with her food a little but was to lost in thought to be hungry.
----------------------------------------------
Serhan walked to the edge of the platform, looking to the east, wondering what Xvar was doing.
She whispered, "Xvar..." then walked back into the market crowd.
---------
Xvar leaned back in his chair, looking up at the cave roof,
"Serhan..."
Jerra saw him mouth the word and her eyes widened, realizing who's lock of hair it was... Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.

[EZ_Koz2]

Tyu and Farren traveled as fast as they could, but with the coming of a storm lost the trail several times and were delayed. They ran panting through the malevolent storm, Farren wiped sweat and rain off his brow then drew his hood tighter closed.
"We can't travel through this, it's foolish. Even if we get there we will be unfit to battle."
Tyu stopped and nodded. The rain didn't bother him, but he shivered at the cold.
"I can not go long without ssssome ssssort of sssunlight or warmth. Much longer and my abilities will be greatly affected..."
Farren nodded, rain dripping off his hood to his nose. They looked around seeing nothing but trees, no foreseeable clearing or village within at least 10 miles.
"I can't ssssmell over the damp mosssss, it'ssss to ssstrong for me."
Farren shook his hood a little.
A small winding smoke plume floated just over the trees to the east. It looked to be fairly close.
Farren pointed to it, Tyu looked and nodded as they both ran toward it.
-----------------------------------------
Xvar took Jerra to visit Dacrin.
Several medics bustled around the various beds in the bandaging room.
Xvar looked on curiously at several badly wounded soldiers. He remarked in dakan to the head medic.
The medic barked several loud orders at others then looked to Xvar, solemnly explaining what happened.
Jerra tugged on Xvar's sleeve, "What happened to those guys? And where is Dacrin?"
"Dacrin is on that stretcher, see?"
Jerra looked past the medics and saw Dacrin sitting comfortably on the edge of a cot.
Jerra inquired about his treatment.
He showed her the well bandaged wound and said, "It's wonderful, they use some vegetable called iko to heal me. See that medic over there? He speaks some elvish."
Jerra looked over her shoulder, since Dacrin had been facing the wall. She spied a wood elf looking medic leaning over a wounded trainee.
Xvar walked up and commented on the soldiers, "They just had a training exercise. Someone made a miscalculation and many suffered as a result."
Jerra frowned, "That's terrible, why send them out on such a mission if the risk is that great?"
Xvar sat on the cot, away from Jerra and Dacrin looking at the soldiers, he opened his mouth as if to speak, but instead sighed. He stood up and looked away, "Stay as long as you need Jerra, but let Dacrin rest, the medic told me the blood loss was bad enough that he should get some extra time to recuperate."
Xvar then walked out of the bandaging hall.
Jerra looked to Dacrin, "He's so completely shut away."
Dacrin nodded, "Sometimes a man must be far gone from his sorrows to be strong in a time of turmoil. But no man is so far gone from his sorrows that he is gone from the world that causes them. And I believe it's starting to catch up with Xvar..."
------------------------------------------- Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/24/00 7:04:42 pm

[Sneaking Uponya]

*cheer* very good very good keep writing and yes if u did put this all in a book or at least a .wrd or .txt file i'd love to get a full copy and would be willing to pay. i'm writing my own little saga kindof its here in the board i'd like to know what u think of mine its not much but im trying ot learn...

Sneaking Uponya I think that maybe I will be a little surer of being a little nearer thats all. Eternity is in the understanding that a little is more than enough.

[EZ_Koz2]

A medic walked out after Xvar and led him to a private chamber.
"I heard you fought a daemon, did you get a daemon mark?"
"Yes, I made sure to not let it heal completely so it's still legible."
"Good. I'll have to inspect it to see who summoned the daemon then we can heal it."
Xvar nodded and sat on a cot, pulling up his leg cuff.
The medic kneeled down pulling the skin on either side slightly to tighten the skin and clarify the image.
Daemon marks are not simple blots caused by daemon acids or blood, far from it. That blot only takes the outer shape of the mark. Usually this outer boundary is dark brown and like a thick scab, it becomes a light green until the pigment matches the healthy skin.
Inside this boundary is a thin layer of blood red dead skin, burned off by acid and tinted a brighter color then the actual flesh it would've revealed. At the center of the mark is a small symbol. Sometimes the symbols are so abstract that originally it was not realized that it was the mark of the caster, not a natural form from the wound itself. This mark is in the darkest black that the skin can become.
The medic looked it over closely then stood and pulled a tome off the shelf.
The room was very small, maybe 6 feet by 6 feet and Xvar had to duck when the medic pulled a book off the bookshelf above him.
He licked a finger and ran through the dusty pages until he found a mark of like form.
He put them close to eachother and compared.
He nodded and scratched his chin, marking the page with a leather book mark and putting it on the small desk beside the cot.
"Odd... The mark is of a high born, powerful wizard, yet you say the daemon was weak... It should have been summoned powerful, not in need of growth from corpse eating. Very strange... Well, I'll go report to the commander, you'd best take the potion on the desk, the uh..." he paused, "...red bottle... Yes, the red bottle. Ok?"
Xvar nodded, picking up the bottle and returning his cuff to his boot.
"Thanks."
The medic smiled and nodded, looking over his shoulder as he left the chamber.
-------------------------------------
Tyu and Farren jumped from ground to branch to limb to rock as fast as they could, approaching the smoke.
They came upon a small cottage and abrubtly stopped.
Farren looked to Tyu, "Let's do this the easy way, we have trouble we kill them, alright?"
Tyu nodded. He then rose his hands hands high in the air after securing his mask to his face. Green bubbles surrounded his form, slowly melting his figure to that of an erudite.
"Remember, don't speak."
"I underssstand."
They went to the door and pounded on it loudly.
A young wood elf boy opened the door, his mother ran over and picked him up, scolding him. "I'm sorry, he's so rude, need you place till o'er this storm?"
Farren nodded, "It would be appreciated, yes."
Tyu and Farren walked in and sat on a wooden bench near the fire. Several children looked on from the otherside of the small room giggling.
"My friend is mute, so I'll thank you on his behalf as well."
"Ahh, tisn't a problem. We cou' use company till Edric an' moy husban' ge back."
Farren nodded, she handed him a cup of hot tea and he sipped it thankfully smiling.
Tyu rested his chin on his chest and closed his eyes, crossing his legs and folding his arms as well.
One of the children came and sat near Tyu, looking at him happily.
One of Tyu's eyes opened and a small smile crept on his face.
The little boy ran over to Farren and tugged his pantleg, "Oy! Sir, sir, please tell your friend he should smile more sir, he looks very funny not smiling sir!"
The mother laughed and revealed a lack of teeth, she walked over and kneeled by her son, apoligising to Farren.
Farren smiled and looked to Tyu who's eyes were closed but smile remained.
---------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/24/00 7:46:23 pm

[Sneaking Uponya]

More More More I WANT MORE! =-) I think that maybe I will be a little surer of being a little nearer thats all. Eternity is in the understanding that a little is more than enough. ~~ I stand ready to die for the world, who will stand with me?

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar walked back to his chambers, Jerra had been led to them and sat on a bed ajacent from Xvar's, looking deep in thought.
Xvar was almost startled to see her there.
"How fairs Dacrin?" Xvar's words seem to pierce through Jerra's thoughts and she looked up, pausing before she spoke. "Oh he's fine, just needs some rest."
Xvar sat on his bed and pulled up his pant leg, applying the potion. It stung but Xvar didn't flinch at the pain, nor let it interupt his speech, "Good. We're leaving in a few days as long as I get all the info needed on our new enemy."
--------------
Sorry so short for today, I'll write far more tomorrow to catch up. Was simply so busy all day! Sorry!
Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Menyen]

Very good, very good indeed... it actually feels very unnececary to write any more of these posts, as you already know my opinion. The story r0x0rs.
Thanks for adding more details! "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_JarGon SCott]

Hello KOZ2,

I was quite taken aback at the way you carry your story with such driven passion...its great to see such writers like yourself practice such a skill in a manner befitting to you and not to anothers request..I simply mean writing for YOU will always be better than writing to the demands of others. I give to you friend Praise long overdue as to the great job you are doing. By chance I picked to read from your Post in the section, and I am glad for having ended up in here. There are many hinderances in the way of writers but you seem relentlessly driven on by your readers to write on. This for you should be a boon for their criticisms will only better you in your style of writing friend...

P.S. From one writer to another....GREAT F@k'N JOB!

[EZ_Koz2]

A sentinal knocked on the door, Xvar stood and opened it, walking out then closing it again. The door was slightly ajar and Jerra could hear pieces of the conversation, but since it was all in dakan she understood none of it.
One of them noticed the door was ajar and pulled it shut. A minute or two later Xvar leaned through the door and spoke to Jerra, "I must go and be breifed on the possible enemy."
Jerra looked a little worried but nodded, "Alright..."
Xvar gently shut the door and Jerra heard him walk down the dusty rock hall.
She sat back on the bed, then layed down on it looking at the black stone cieling.
------------------------------------------
Xvar walked down the familiar halls of the outpost to the 8 tunnel chamber, then to the 3rd to the left.
The tunnel was smaller then the rest and had several slots where large stone doors could be layed, making it almost inpenatrable.
As he reached the end of the hall he knocked on the door at the end. It was a gigantic wooden door reinforced with iron.
A slot completely hidden from view slid open slowly.
"We were expecting you." Said the man behind the door.
He opened it slowly and let Xvar in.
Parallel to Xvar was a large desk, surrounded by bookshelves on every wall. Behind the desk was a large intimidating chair, covered in leather and facing the wall away from Xvar.
Xvar knelt, his right fist on the ground and his left behind his back.
The chair leaned back, showing the hairline of gray.
As the chair swung around Xvar remained kneeling.
Xvar sharply saluted in dakan to the man in the chair, who responded with a similiar salute.
Xvar stood and so did the man, who walked out from behind the desk to a bookshelf. He spoke very quietly and gently, "I've heard of your hardships. And of the daemon, and of Coriard's assasination. I was told the assassins were an iksar and an elven enchanter."
Xvar nodded.
"Now this sparked my interest, for I know of an organizations who's cheif assassins would be of that like."
"And who is that m'lord?"
"Now Xvar, this may be painful for you, but I'd like you to sit down and read the marked passage in this book."
Xvar looked intrigued but worried as well, he took the book and sat in another chair diagonally to the right of the desk.
"Royal Family Coriard's Accounts:"
Xvar's expression loosened as his jaw hung open and his eyebrows raised and forehead wrinkled.
"C-c-coriard was a royal family?!"
The man nodded, he sat in the chair and folded his hands.
"What have I done! I let him die!"
"You did not fail your cause Xvar, the Coriards have long lost right to rule. But it does explain several things, like why he might have been a target. That is, if who I think is reasponsible is reasponsible."
Xvar calmed himself and focused, looking to the man he questioned, "Why did they kill him?"
"For an heirloom actually... You see the Coriard's were of little importance, but their cheif magician, Korrash.. Well he's a different story."
"Who is Korrash?"
"I'm getting to it, heh. Korrash was a very wise sorcerer and the son of the Coriard king was promising. He wanted to raise him to become a great champion of the Dakan and a great king. But alas, the Coriard king was killed, and the dakans declined to the point of being conquered and then came the exodus.
That son was named Eroc. He fleed with Korrash to Kelethin. Eroc had 3 sons, Qetra, Darcy and a bastard son who's name was unknown. Now Eroc was nearing death when they were born. So they were taken to a small cottage and took care of by a foster family. You see Eroc was quite old when he married, and even older when his wife had children. Now none of this matters except that Qetra was about 4 when they were left, and he had the amulet tied around his neck. He never took it off, and even more seldomly even showed it to anyone. Now this amulet was made by Korrash and contains all his earthly power, originally destined to protect Eroc, then Qetra. Qetra had a daughter and son, he gave the amulet to Sett, his sucessor. And in turn, Sett gave it to you."
"What sort of power does it pocess?"
"More then could a mortal imagine. It can only be used by a decendent of the Coriard. Which is why our enemy is after it."
"The bastard son?"
"Indeed, as far as we know. We assume he knew he had syblings, but I doubt he cared enough to value Darcy's life."
"And his name?"
"Aftar..."
-------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_JarGon SCott]

I happened to see you had started another story, an interactive one in which others had a chance to join in, the whole concept I saw to be fun and was left wondering if you might be interested in starting yet another one...maybe not right away as i see you are already in the middle of this one but perhaps the time would give me the break i need to learn the background lands so that I wouldn't distort the story.(I have a lev9 Pick Pocket in Luclin, and am currently travelling around, exploring the zones mostly around FP, East&amp;West Common lands, and currently at Befallen.)

Well looking forward to hearing what you think and anyone else whom might be interested....thx to reply NP~

[EZ_Koz2]

Aftar walked the halls of his chamber, it was the only chamber that was so elegantly furnished in the hideout. The rug was woven with silk strands, the walls had been so skillfully carved they were flat and painted. All the walls were white, with red trimming and a velvet curtain. Behind the red velvet curtain lay a smaller room where he slept. All the furniture was darkwood, stong and beautiful. The furniture was fairly simple, a velvet red couch, a darkwood writing desk, a circular table, and a elaborately carved darkwood liquor cabinet. In his bed chambers were simply the bed and closet, which looked much like the liquor cabinet.
He paced around the central room, sitting on the couch and sighing, worried.
" I'm sorry father, but you know I had to do what I did. I will soon return our deserved glory. For the Dakan and the Coriard! I just hope you and Tunare can understand that to put this world back on it's correct path we must cut down a few trees. Xvar must know by now that Coriard was of the royal family if he had Eroc's picture with him. But it's not as much a threat as I thought. He probably knows my reason for need of the amulet. He'll run. It creates complications, but I believe we can handle them..."
--------------------------------------------
Xvar looked the man in the eyes, "Do I need to kill him?"
The man turned around again, speaking although he had turned around, "We're not sure of his motives, he may be harmless. But due to his past belligerent nature, I'd say he's a threat. We may have to take the amulet and keep it here... Although it may be safer to have it traveling around so it's harder to track down..."
"I'm going to keep it. If I need to kill Aftar it will be done."
The man pulled a book off the shelf and turned back to Xvar, putting it down on the desk. He licked a finger and flipped to a page with a sketched picture on it.
"This is him."
Xvar reached forward and ripped the page out, stuffing it into a belt pouch and standing up.
"I know you'll leave whether I allow it or not Xvar, but loose that amulet, and we're done for."
Xvar didn't look back over his shoulder has he left the room, pausing only for a moment to speak, "I won't come back after this you know, I'll either die to Aftar or to Serhan."
The man chuckled, "Love kills more soldiers then wars, be careful young Xvar."
-------------------------------------------------
Tyu and Farren left the cottage much rested. They had spent the night, and were filled with warm food. Their clothes had been dried by the fire and were still warm from it's orange glow. As they walked out into the damp forrest Tyu commented, "I'm glad we didn't have to kill them."
------------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 10/27/00 4:26:51 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Oh yeah, in response to JarGon:
I'm thinking of making an interactive series, but anything like that is still tentative. I won't make any concrete plans till Xvar's Saga is done.
But if I do, I'll gaurentee you a slot.
Plus, I really should catch up on Spiteful... Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

Sorry guys, I've been really busy lately, I promise I'll write soon. Don't loose heart. Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar approached the counter of the equipment chamber.
He put both his palms down on the counter, narrowed his eyes, and said to the clerk, "I want the dragonscale armor."
The clerk's eyes widened, "Is, that uhhh... wise sir?"
"You hear what I said, now do your job." Xvar said sternly.
The clerk stood and walked behind him to a small door, he opened it revealing a large chamber with rows of racks and shelves for armor. He reached to the top of the one in the very back grabbing a chest.
He put it down on the counter with a thud and pushed it to Xvar.
Xvar picked up the chest and walked out.
Once he reached his chambers, seeing Jerra was asleep he suited up in the glinting red scale armor.
"It's to flashy." Xvar said coldly.
He reached under the bed for a small chest, taking some over armor black clothing to put on. He pulled it on then pulled on the scale gauntlets and boots, which weren't covered in black then pulled his hood over his head, securing it accordingly.
Letting out a long sigh he stood, looking to Jerra who had not awakened.
He walked to her, trying to rouse her from her sleep. Unsucessful he sat back on his bed and fell asleep as well...
----------------------------
Karok grinned, hovering close to Tyu and Farren, hidden by the opaque mask of tree foliage and shadow.
----------------------------
Serhan's mother smiled, her wrinkles were pulled tight be the action and she cooed, "Ohh my baby, growing up."
Serhan seemed indifferent to her mothers annoying comments.
"Are you not happy to marry a man such as Yurd?"
"My heart is not settled on him, though my hand is promised."
"Ahh, but you will hold your heart in your hand my dear, will you not?"
"If I still have a heart to hold, to clutch broken pieces and clasp a hand is a tricky thing to do -- unless I mean to prick the hand I clasp."
"Be frank my child, have you love for another?"
Serhan's tears flew through the air as she turned to her mother then away, running out the room, "Why not ask me this when I was promised? Why did you let yourself hurt me by waiting!?"
Serhan ran from her house, down the platform and through the forest, ripping her dress and scraping her arms and legs. She kept running despite the mounting pain of multiple cuts and scratches. She reached a clearing. After leaning over with her hands on her knees, panting for a moment her head flew upwards and she screamed, "Xvar!"
-------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Slyblade of Tunare]

Good work keep posting (loved scout sega by the way) lets hope for a happy ending this time.




Slyblade Level 15 Rogue of Tunare

"The best full group you can form at my level?...Hmm that would have to be 6 twinks." ;P

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar awoke, still in his armor, well rested. Since there was no indication of what the time was by the sun he was unsure of the time. Jerra lay in her bed, her back to Xvar.
He came close to her, but stopped and left. He went and got some breakfast of iko, rice, and some meat.
When he was done he went back to the chamber, Jerra had woken up and sat on her bed, looking groggy and stupid.
Xvar sat next to her and pulled his blade from his belt and handed it to her, "Have you ever heard the legend of Tunare's blade?"
"No, I didn't know such a thing existed..."
Xvar sighed, "I know there's something about this blade, some kind of power it has, but I haven't been able to wield it properly yet."
"I've never seen you wield it..."
"Whenever I do I feel as if I'm somehow holding back, I'm not sure what it is. There might be a spell trying to channel through the weapon..."
Jerra nodded, "Maybe so..."
"Then again, I am not a loyal follower of Tunare in the sense that I rarely go to worship her... Maybe it needs a true follower to unleash it's power..."
Jerra seemed lost in thought, Xvar's words were absorbed as if by osmosis, since she didn't seem to be paying attention, "A ranger or druid perhaps?"
"A druid cannot wield a dagger well, maybe a ranger..."
Jerra looked at the blade, as she moved it through the air slowly the light reflected off it in different directions, it seemed to refract the light, because when the light hit the wall it seemed to turn to the rainbow.
The blade itself, and handle were both golden, but were much stronger and lighter then gold. It was not a thin covering, for in battle that would have chipped or scraped off. Encrusted in the pommel of the handle was a large stone with a black symbel that seemed embedded in it.
"What does the symbol mean?" Jerra said, intriuged.
Xvar looked at it, surprised he had never noticed it, "I'm not sure."
His eyes narrowed as he examined it closer, taking it from Jerra and running his finger along it's smooth surface.
"That's not the symbol of Tunare..."
---------------------------------------------
"Sir, did you see who the daemon mark was from?"
"Yes, I'm aware. I'm surprised he's still alive, and yet at the same time I could have expected as much -- he's known to be very clever."
"I suppose it would explain his lack of power... I didn't know that entry in the tome was so old..."
"His power would not decrease with age, he's probably still contained and he gave a call for help."
"What?"
"The daemon, it was weak on purpose. He is obviously still contained in the perfect cell, but he thinks it's been long enough that we'll forget and some fool will unleash him again."
"How could he get the daemon out of the perfect cell?"
"He probably summoned it right outside the cell, the bars only keep him from leaving. And his majik doesn't allow for teleporting. I doubt we have to worry. But if he gets angry he may unleash something stronger. It's probably a symbol to his followers to try and release him."
The medic nodded, "But why not destroy his maaterial form and summon himself out of the cell?"
"Allow it seems ironic, he cannot destory his material form without giving up a great deal of power. And for a long time he'd be severely impaired. He'd rather wait until he's released then have to live in fear..."
"Yes... But sir, I do not know the circumstances that led up to his capture, how was his power subdued long enough to get him into the cell?"
"I know not, only Korrash knows, and he is long been lost."
The medic nodded downcast.
"If he manages to get out of the cell..."
"We must find Korrash!"
"It is not even known what happened to him when he left, besides, we should first focus on Aftar."
"Sir, why did he wait so long?"
"I don't know, Perhaps some sort of event he's been waiting for. Bad timing for us might also be part of it."
"I didn't realize quite how important that daemon mark was sir, I had no idea who Daro was, all it said in the tome was-"
"Do not recite it for me, I know his crimes."
The medic nodded apoligetically.
"We will deal with Aftar first, if we are lucky he might know where Korrash is..."
"Are you going to tell Xvar?"
"Not many know of the perfect cell, or of Daro and Korrash's battle, we kept it all secret. We knew someone would be idiotic enough to release Daro. I trust Xvar, but I want him to focus on Aftar for now. If you hear of any activity from Daro's followers then report it and Xvar will be informed."
"Yes sir."
The medic briskly saluted then walked out of the chamber. The man in the leather chair turned back to his bookshelf...
He opened a tome and read a passage to himself, " And did the storm clouds open as red and blue blood was shed to defend Dakan! Korrash fought Daro, oh and how the thunder screamed their names! Oh how the lightening matched their conjurations' fury! And Korrash did stand over Daro and defiled his face with blood and dirt! And took him to the perfect cell and enclosed him there! Oh, and Daro did yell and scream for many an hour until Korrash did smite him and make him sleep! Ahh but Daro was crafty! He did feign his sleep until Coriard twas dead! And Korrash gone! But wise, Korrash's cell kept Daro enclosed! Daro summoned many a daemon, but all were struck down by the rebels until the exodus and death of the rebels. Oh and how many a man cried for the death of the rebels who stayed behind to protect the cell! The exodus took their loved ones to safer grounds as the new conquered the rebels and the rebels covered the cell's enterance with their corpses!......"
"The rebels shall be someday justified, but Aftar, this is not the way..." the man said with a long somber sigh.
---------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/1/00 5:45:04 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Daro walked around in his circular cell like a trapped panther. Although most of his energy was drained from lacking the evil energy around him he had been suited to his thoughts paced around his brain like he did his cell.
He reached out his hand, as he paced his hand grazed against the cell's smooth wall.
He grumbled and mumbled, all chants in a long lost language of arcane evokers.
Sweat drops formed on his brow as he paused, concentrating.
His red eyes, which seemed to glow with an aura not of earthly light narrowed, fixating on a certain spot in the cell. His eyes then closed and he put his hands infront of his head. Putting his fingers together, forming a triangle he put his hands right in front of his eyes. His eyebrows constrained and furrowed his brow. His mouth opened partially, revealing a hodge podge of mismatching canines.
Suddenly he put his head up and his eyes opened, then screamed an evokation. Between his fingers a small ball of reddish glowing mana dripped from his hands from all sides. The ball grew until he had to open his hands and it skyrocketed toward the wall in a crimson wave of power.
It smashed against the wall with such great force that the shockwave almost knocked Daro over. He put his arms in a criss cross in front of his face, creating a small protective aura around him. The aura flashed as it clashed against the shockwave.
The wall absorbed the the power turning bright red for a moment then cooling to it's constant black.
Daro's fists clenched then relaxed as he sat, further pondering his seeming eternal fate.
---------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/3/00 3:16:14 pm

[EZ_Menyen]

WOOOT™!
You have to keep this story going... you know what will happen if you don't.

©WOOOT™ is a trademark of Koz. All rights reserved. "The way by which you may get money almost without exception leads downward"

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar woke and put his feet over the edge of his bed; yawning.
Jerra was lying peacefully in sweet repose. Her hand was off the bed and she lay on her stomach. Xvar felt awkward, he poked her gingerly.
She didn't notice.
He poke again, with more pressure.
She again, didn't wake.
From sheer frusteration he threw a pillow at her.
She wiped her eyes and looked at hin bewildered, "Morning?"
"Could be," Xvar said with a chuckle, "Can't tell in the caves."
Jerra yawned and nodded sleepily in agreement.
"We're leaving today, I assume Dacrin will be fit to travel."
Jerra threw the covers off her and hopped off the bed.
Xvar stood and left, calling over his shoulder as he went, "I'll go get Dacrin, meet us in the food hall."
"Yes, see you there."
Xvar went to Dacrin's cot. He was already up and sitting on the stone block supported stretcher.
Dacrin asked if he could borrow some equipment.
Xvar showed him to the equipment chamber and they suited him up in glowing greenish armor. He too put some other leather clothing over it to keep inconspicuous.
Xvar then took Dacrin to Jerra and left them to talk as he went to the report chamber.
He there recieved a leather map of the area, including some suspected hang outs of Aftar's organization.
Apparently, the organization even had a name, "The Knights Justified."
They even had ties to pretigious artisans, who could discreetly supply them with weapons and armorments.
Although most didn't know their true purpose, to redeem themselves by taking over the world -- The Knights Justified also did venial misacts for rich people, namely assassinations to supplement their plans for world domination.
Aftar was by no means a fool, in fact, he was at least close to a genius. His plans were always flawless and his charasmatic diplomacy spared the Knights from a criminal reputatation.
-------------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

After carefully putting away the map and information he walked back to his chamber.
Jerra and Dacrin sat on the edge of the bed, looking ready.
Xvar didn't need to say a word, they both rose silently. He led them out the caves and back down to the ground. This time neither seemed as phased by the elevator rock.
------------------
Tyu and Farren had met some opposition in their search for Xvar. This opposition came in the form of bandits. The bandits weren't helping Xvar out of the kindness of their hearts, but more for the coins out of Tyu and Farren's pockets. They had no idea this had aided Xvar in getting from the outpost safely.
The battle was not long, but Farren now had to wear a bandage over his recently gauged out eye.
This hindered their search immensely. Although Farren could handle the pain, the lack of an eye is not an easy injury to recuperate from.
Tyu was none the worse for ware from the battle, but understood the severity of Farren's injury.
Blood continued to drip profusely even with Farren's turban of bandages.
"I swear, I swear on my blade and my lost eye that I shall gain back vengeance from a hundred men."
Tyu knew what this meant, but kept from expressing his own discontent in Farren's decision.
They found another small village where Farren's eye was better tended to and the bleeding subsided.
A long, fresh scar now ran from his left temple, across his nose and a small part on his right cheek. Farren had never revealed much emotion, even now he kept most of his rage to himself. He only hinted at it with his new short temper and obscene comments. In the village tavern he drank until he passed out and the next day fought off a massive hang over.
Karok noted the new behavior. He had gotten a teleport back and had been following them. Even during the battle with the bandits he did not interfere. He knew his place, it was not to defend Farren and Tyu. His place was to simply to finish the job if they failed to kill Xvar.
-----------------------------------
Down a dark passage somewhere in souther Nektolus a small dark elf ran. He cross over a bridge made of several wooden boards tied together with leather. Tangled and woven into the long leather strands were bones of a human or elven kind. Skulls had holes through them and were stacked on spears at either side of the wall where the bridge led.
Underneath was a long drop into what looked like black, bubbling tar. He was panting, looking excited but at the same time a little worried.
He burst into a chamber of occupied priests. They were all chanting, or commiting sacrifices to the alter. His rude entrance made them all silent, waiting for his news.
"The signal! The signal!" the man panted breathlessly.
The priests threw their arms into the air in a panic, scurrying about the room, pulling books from the shelves and making potions. The man was so tired he fell back on the wall and slumped to the floor. A priest, the only one who had remained calm approached him.
"When?"
The man looked up at him, "A week ago, maybe more, it took a long time to travel milord."
"I understand, thank you."
-------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/5/00 4:15:30 pm

[Sneaking Uponya]

great work keep going u are truly one to learn from =-)

J... Sneaking Uponya I think that maybe I will be a little surer of being a little nearer thats all. Eternity is in the understanding that a little is more than enough. ~~ I stand ready to die for the world, who will stand with me?

[EZ_Koz2]

Daro's head looked like that of a snake. It was completely devoid of hair and covered in scars that almost looks scale like. He had several notable scars. The most notable was on that ran right down the middle of his head and brow. Ending on his nose. The other was more suttle, two rows of small scars below and above his lips. All of them looked like only as big as a nail head, but were parallel to the ones below. When Daro was young, and fully an elf, they saw him turning. His chants were drawing power from evil and evil alone. In order to stifle this growing power they held him down and stitched together his lips. Of course, they were majikly bound; making them almost impossible to cut, but eventually Daro's power surpassed their power despite his handicap. He learned to chant without opening his mouth and eventually tore the stitches off anyway. The large scar that ran down his head was from the battle with Charikak, the high priest of evil, thus claiming his place at the throne, the throne of the necromancer guild that is. He still had another throne he hoped to attain -- the throne of the gods.
-------------------------------
Aftar was fully dressed in the finest garments he could afford. He wore a dark blue vest, a white jacket, white sash, and black pants. The jacket was velvet, with large cuffs and bright gold buttons. His boots were dark black, shined to the point of perfect reflection.
His sash was laced at the ends and had a slight fringe. His hair was perfectly combed, also dark black and tied back with a small blue ribbon. His beard and mustache were perfectly trimmed as were the side burns from the beard to his hair. He scratched his beard impatiently as a servant brought him the carriage. He stepped up into the carriage, riding to a large mansion.
He stepped out, immediately greeted by a servant who led him inside.
His we led into a large, slightly dark chamber. All the curtains were closed tightly and the only light in the room came from a large lamp.
"Welcome Lord Aftar." The man sat Aftar down at a small circular table.
"I have no time for pleasantries, please simply inform me on the status of our goods."
"I understand milord, forgive me. It is all ready. We have it at rondeview point QKE, everything is in perfect order."
"Well done, how much do we owe you?"
"6000 platinum, or preferably, a favor for our business."
The man slid across the table an envelope.
Aftar opened it, seeing a picture and a set of instructions.
"A favor? It's the least we can do for such appreciated business, consider it done."
"Thank you milord, if you'll honor us with your presence tonight at the party we would be able to discuss some other jobs you may be able to do. But on a more profitable basis."
"The honor is mine, I would be happy to attend. Have you chambers I can stay at until the party?"
"Why yes, indeed, I shall have a servant show you to your room until tonight. You are also welcome to come quail hunting with us after luncheon."
"I'd enjoy it immensely, I shall see you then, I am quite tired -- I take my leave."
The man shook Aftar's hand and called a servant to show Aftar to his room.
As soon as Aftar reached his room he threw a piece of paper out the window, below one of his servants retrieved it and look at it for a moment then scurried off.
"I am done doing favors, we must now seize our destiny. But I shall wait until after the party, I do enjoy a good social event."
---------------------------------------
Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

---------------------------------------
The servant brought the note to the carriage rider; he nodded and raced down the path back to the headquarters and handed it to several men standing on guard outside.
“Right now? It’ll take several hours to prepare the needed chemicals and place them for blast.”
“That’s what the note said, he’s serious about this. You better get it done.”
The man sighed and walked down into the caves. He walked into a room labeled “Specialty Alchemy”. He handed the note to one of the men.
“Formula 219, sharp snap men, we have 3 hours!”
The other members of the alchemy team stood up quickly getting to work.
“Pass me the bottles 3-20, 9-9, 4-57, and 12-233, now!”
The intricate process of making explosives, mostly from fertilizer was performed over and over.
“3-20, 9-9, 4-57, 12-233” rang out the loudest in the hushed panic.
“Pass me that one, yeah, wait no- that one, next to it!”
“Pass me the fuses, and a box, now come on! We had this drilled at 450 seconds, we’re already far over that, now let’s GO!”
The men quickly attached fuses to the bottles full of explosive then carefully put them in a wooden box, filled with hay.
Several of the alchemy team hurried through the cave to the waiting room, where a team of gariks, or elite stealth warriors waited.
“One box for each man,” said the alchemist, “and here is a map of where to place them, be very careful to make sure you don’t lay fuse in wet grass!”
“Yes sir!”
Each garik grabbed a box and jumped into a specially made wagon. It looked like a normal hay wagon, but about 1 foot under the hay was a small chamber made to hold about 12 men. The wagon driver sped down the trail at full speed…
When the gariks arrived at the house each took a box and put the explosives at strategic places around the mansion, each at a stone support. All the fuses were readied and the men stood each with a way to light the fuse.
One man ran back and forth from each, inspecting the explosives masked by grass and darkness. He checked each one and gave a thumbs up, standing by the entrance, waiting for Aftar.
----------------------------------
“Milord Aftar, the party shall begin in only a few short moments, your presence is awaited.”
Aftar nodded at the servant, straightening his sash and lace tie. He stepped down the stairs carefully, both hands behind his back and his head high and attentive.
The other guests applauded his arrival and several beautiful women came over and flirted with Aftar. He took it gracefully, being polite and slightly dismissive.
His manners were that of a well-trained courtier. His hand movements, facial expressions, speak, all of it perfect. At every guest he met he made a bow, always attentive, always graceful.
He bowed to the man, Count Lugiver, “Forgive me milord, I shall return in a moment.”
The count nodded, barely noticing as he drank his wine and flirted with women.
Aftar walked nonchalantly out the mansion, not bothering to look back at the beautifully crafted marble mansion.
As he walked by the garik team leader he removed his hand from his vest and put his index finger up.
The garik leader nodded, still lying in the grass, he suddenly jumped up, screaming, “NOW!”
Count Lugiver looked over his shoulder, shrugging off the disturbance.
Each garik lit his fuse and watched it start to burn down to the bottle. Each got up at the same time and turned around.
Aftar paused, not looking over his shoulder as the mansion exploded furiously in the night. Creating a sun in the mid-evening sky.
“Delightful party Milord Lugiver, but unfortunately for you, I have more pressing events to attend to. Forgive my rude absence.”
Wreckage and shrapnel flew through the air, several pieces near his feet. The gariks dispersed into the night, as silently as they had come.
Aftar stepped up into the carriage, looking on the burning remains of the mansion, “I always did think your home to be a bit garish though Lugiver, I think these renovations look much more humble.”
--------------------------------------- Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

Dacrin and Jerra conversed in length while Xvar was lost in silent thought.
Although the blue sky was not blushing white with cloud, or gray with scorning storm, it still seemed oddly ominous.
Maybe it was because it was so early, and on all the edges of the horizon is till blurred slightly into darkness. As the day went on and the sky became lighter Dacrin was slightly slowed by his obviously painful injury although he didn’t complain.
Xvar saw several winding towers of smoke in the sky over the trees. After a few intersections on the path they reached a small village.
It consisted of only two parallel rows of houses and shops but it looked like it could offer the repose that they needed. They soon noticed that outside the tavern were several scattered pieces of broken furniture and some dazed looking men. In the doorway the barkeep swept out pieces of broken tankards.
He stopped and wiped the sweat off his brow, it was nearing noon and getting pretty warm. He was a stout, sweaty, and tall man, but friendly enough.
He greeted Xvar with a nod and continued sweeping.
“What happened here?” Dacrin inquired.
“Last night a couple of rogues came through here. An elf and another man, he didn’t speak and didn’t take off his cloak so didn’t see his race. The elf had a long, imposing kind of scar on his eye. He was vicious. After only a couple of beers he was drunk enough to get himself in a fight and take out a few men before fleeing. He tore up the bar real bad. The other one didn’t fight a bit, simply sat there the whole damn time.”
Xvar nodded, then looked to Dacrin and Jerra, “They’re after us.”
Jerra looked worried, “Good thing they missed us.”
A bard ran into the town, hopping over the broken furniture he stood before the barkeep. He knelt over panting, putting up a finger as he caught his breath.
“Count Lugiver was killed! His mansion was blown up! They say the farmers did it. They must’ve been sick of the taxes.”
The barkeep nodded while continuing his sweeping. “I had a feeling Lugiver’s greediness would catch up with him.”
“Yes, it’s no surprise. His son has sworn vengeance on whoever did it. They say he’s gonna go after each farmer until one admits he did the crime.”
“Oh Tunare, just when we hope that Lugiver’s reign of terror is over his son has to take over.”
Xvar looked preoccupied, but still interested in the issue at hand. “What’s his son’s name?”
“Uh, I believe it’s Renyor.”
“They tax the farms right out of the farmers. It’s depressing around here.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the farmer doesn’t pay his taxes and give his quota of crops each season he get his land taken away from him and is sold into servitude until he can pay his debt.”
Jerra sighed, “It is not a good system, but we can not rebel. To be weak would allow us to be conquered easily.”
“Indeed, a strong kingdom is an unhappy kingdom, but just as unhappy as a weak one – so what’s the point?” Dacrin scowled.
“One man leads a kingdom, if he is strong he stays happy longer. If he is a good leader, his people stay happy and strong as well. But most of our leaders are weak or greedy.”
The barkeep nodded somberly.
"Lugiver's son is just as greedy as him, and he will be strict to be stronger then his father. It is the wish of all ambitious sons."
"Unfortunately..."
-------------------------

EDIT: For some reason it repeted itself over and over, no idea why. Anyway, it's fixed now. Sorry about that. Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/8/00 4:14:12 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Dacrin slumped up against the wall of the tavern on his shoulder. He slid down until he was sitting; “I don’t see the point. I mean defeating some enemy? For what? No peace lasts, neither does war. The world just keeps changing, I don’t see the point in trying to change it for the best when it just keeps going bad.”
Jerra looked over at him disgusted, “Dacrin, the world doesn’t always change to better times on it’s own. Right now people all over are suffering and we need to help them!”
“What good does it do if the root of the problem is still there? Greed, hatred, gluttony, foolish ambition, they will control the future, not our pathetic battles against the enemies of our time.”
Xvar spoke before Jerra could, “The world is not meant to be pushed to the perfect good or perfect bad Dacrin, it is meant to be kept in balance so that it will continue. The gods are petty, and simple power separates them from us – not more wisdom or good character, simple power. But we must keep this world from becoming perfect bad or perfect good. As long as the world continues to dynamically change and keep it from staying the same forever, this world will be worth saving.”
Dacrin pulled up his sleeve, ripped off his bandage and showed his scabbed wound, “Look, look at what hatred is! Look at it! It’s ugly, and painful, and it’s in all of us, just waiting to come out! I don’t want to fight to save that, I don’t want to fight to save anything.”
Jerra pleaded with Dacrin, “What do you mean? Do we not have responsibility to each other, to nature, to those to come after us?”
Dacrin slid himself back up the wall, using his hands to steady him. He walked over the broken glass into the bar, where he sat and drank from a half empty mug.
“Go on, I don’t care anymore, I don’t want to be a part of this.”
Jerra looked near tears but Xvar looked her in the eyes. “Don’t worry Jerra, the world changes, and his mind might to.”
Jerra nodded but still looked worried.
The next morning Dacrin did not go with Xvar and Jerra on the rest of the journey.
------------------------------------
Farren penetrated the outpost undercover only to learn to his great anger that Xvar had evaded them. He masked himself as a weapon supplier and asked how the Dakans were doing. The clerk foolishly blurted out that Xvar would save them all, and that he had already left on his quest to put the world to right! Upon hearing this they left double the pace they had come to the outpost and eventually made it to the small village. Of course Farren wasn’t exactly welcome in this place, he was intimidating enough that people left him alone.
They picked up Xvar’s trail and went after him as soon as they could.
Xvar and Jerra had been pretty silent since Dacrin’s desertion, but they still continued on.
Farren was as mad a wet hornet and his pace was furious. Tyu was more focused, and now was very worried about Farren’s recent mood swings.
Karok made no intimation of his existence behind them.
Xvar heard them coming and tried to dodge the attack, but they managed to catch up with Xvar.
They stood in a thickly wooded area, completely overshadowed by the foliage. On the ground the pine needles were brushed to the side where a well-worn trail lay. Xvar readied himself, daggers in hands, and Jerra stood ready as well.
Tyu stood back, since Farren wanted the first blood. Tyu hoped this might quench Farren’s insatiable thirst for revenge that was unjustified.
Farren gloated, sporting a malignant smirk.
“I can kill you with only one eye, heh.”
Farren’s gaze shifted to Jerra, she looked more novice then Xvar.
His eyes narrowed as his gaze focused on her. He drew his blade and jumped to a branch, Xvar looked up, right as Farren jumped down.
He flew down towards Jerra, hoping he’d be able to take her hostage, knowing Xvar would then walk into his hand like a lamb.
Xvar jumped in front, taking the blade in his shoulder and flipping himself to the left. Throwing Farren, still holding onto the dagger right into a tree. This blow to the head promptly knocked him out and he lay weak on the ground, dazed.
Tyu walked forward, throwing his daggers to the ground.
“I have been thinking, looking at thisss world. It isss a beautiful world, and I don’t underssstand quite what we’re doing now. Aftar wantssss to hurt it very badly then fix it. I don’t believe thisss issss the right way. I don’t want this world.”
Xvar nodded, “I understand, please try to understand me now. If you stay you know I will have to kill you, for you are still a possible threat, take your friend and run. Don’t ever, ever come back, hear me?”
“Yesss, I undersssstand. Hopefully that bump knocked sssome sssenssse back into him.”
Xvar grimaced as he pulled the blade out of his shoulder; it was not in the bone, nor deeply in the flesh. But it hurt anyway. Karok dropped from his position.
He smiled, “I can’t believe it, the famous warrior Tyu, gone soft.”
Tyu picked Farren up and left, he didn’t look back not say a thing.
“Well, now that we’re along, may I have this dance?”
Xvar pulled out a throwing dagger from his boot loop. He threw it so quickly; it cut the air so sharply that it made no sound.
Karok looked at his chest the blade was in to the hilt. He put his hand on it in disbelief, wondering if it was truly real.
It felt solid, it looked to be there, he could smell his blood and beneath the numbing he could feel some pain. But suddenly his senses stopped, he no longer smelt his blood as he fell backwards. By the time he hit the ground, his heart had taken it’s last beat as he pulled in his last breath. Still in utter shock.
Behind the silhouette of Karok’s corpse Xvar sat, Jerra leaning over him, bandaging his wounds.
Jerra bound it so tightly it was hard to move and he couldn’t put his arm in his sleeve. Jerra gave him a bandana to put around his neck and hold up his arm.
She helped him get up and he nearly fell over.
“We need to find a cleric to heal that so we aren’t slowed down…”
She looked to the treetops, she could barely see a plume of smoke rising in the distance. Helping Xvar plod his way towards it, they slowly made their way...
------------------------------
&lt;ENERGIZER BUNNY BIRLB>
Just keeps going and going! Hope you are still enjoying this! Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/8/00 9:27:30 pm

[EZ_whycantIusedren]

and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going... WE WANT* TAKES A DEEP BREATH* MOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE * takes another deep breath* ORRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Dren, Level 14 Halfling rogueInny serverSoon to be guild master of " the denizens of death"The greatest truth in the world of norrath is that it is kill or be killed. Thats where I step in and **** up the order of things. Peace of mind for profit, I quote from Zato, I shall deliver death, and make a coin or two as well.

[EZ_Koz2]

Lol, damn double posts.
Thanks Dren! Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.Edited by: Koz2 at: 11/9/00 9:25:35 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Serhan sat at her desk, reviewing her studies as her tutor leaned over her shoulder.
She sighed and looked out the window, the tutor snapped a ruler on her hand and she instantly focused back on her book.
Her mother walked in. The hairs on Serhan’s neck bristled.
“Stand when you receive me daughter.”
“Forgive me, I did not hear you for I was so occupied with my studies.”
“This problem, with the other suitor, it must be resolved. The Irwans are very wealthy and respected. Who is this rogue you consort with? I shall not allow such a travesty! You will be wed to Yurd in 1 month. If your heart is not to him, then forgive me, but this must be done.”
Serhan nodded, “May I be excused for a small break? I can’t concentrate like this.”
The tutor waved her off.
She curtsied to her mother and walked out the door.
“Wait! I want you to be escorted!” her mother yelled.
Serhan bound off before her mother could call a bodyguard of any sort.
She sighed watching Serhan descend onto the market platform.
Several gariks stood on the roof. Each of them was crouched like a stone gargoyle and about as friendly.
One rose and jumped off the roof, cloaking in his flight. All of the others, like a flock of birds stood and then followed. One landed on a twig by mistake, and Serhan heard it. She turned around in somewhat perturbed curiosity.
She saw the twig relax as if a foot had left the site. One of the gariks grabbed her from behind, putting a blindfold on and another piece of cloth over her mouth. She struggled as much as she could, but they bound her arms and legs as well. Taking no chance that she would escape them they went as far as to actually put her in a bag.
They then jumped off the platform carrying her back towards Aftar’s lair by way of the hay cart.
When they reached it they put her in a very comfortable chamber, locked however.
Aftar congratulated the gariks and told one of them to make sure it was in the news everywhere. They were not sure of Xvar’s location, so they needed to make sure the news reached him.
“I assume he’s coming this way to kill me himself. But in this way he’ll know she’s here and that he cannot kill me. We’ll simply bait the trap. Understood?”
The garik snapped to attention, “Sir!”
He turned around crisply and marched out.
Aftar let out a breath of relief; “Finally we may be rid of him.”
--------------------------------
Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

Hey all,
I've been writing here for about half a year, give or take.
Once Xvar's Saga is done, and hopefully published I'm going to be taking a long break.
When I started writing here, there were very, very few regulars. That is not the case now. We now have a very large community of strong authors. I claim no credit for this, I want to make sure that's clear. I love writing here, being so close to the readers, hearing their compliments, it's wonderfully encouraging.
I remember in the beginning, when I got my very first compliment on the Scout Saga. I still remember what that felt like. I sincerly hope that this board and it's posters will have a long lasting stay.
I am definately going to complete Xvar's Saga, which isn't even half way finished -- and no I'm not kidding. After that I think it'll be time to let someone else take over. I have gotten e-mails in the past, thanking me for my work, and saying they could never post their "sucky" stories. If I made anyone feel like that, I'm really sorry, I never meant to intimidate anyone. And that isn't meant as a brag either, I am completely sincere.
Anyway, I guess my point is after Xvar, I'll be gone for a possibly permenant vacation.

Thank you all for your spectacular support of me, and of all the other authors here on the board.
If my book gets published, I will dedicate it partially to the Safehouse Rogues.

My warmest regards to all of you,
-Koz Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Wiergraf]

Well then, best of luck to you, Koz, and I hope you get yer book/saga/story thingie published.



"Soup is good food."

[EZ_kaerlane]

Farewell Kooran, I have only been blessed enough to have written with you on one occasion, in Spiteful Crusaders, it had the makings of being yet another of your fantastic works of art to say the least. Well,what else is left to say than i ish you good journies and much luck on all of your future novels, although it is plain to see that you wont be needing any.



Farewell,

Kaerlane Moonshadow
Ranger of Tunare
53rd Circle of Life

[EZ_Koz2]

The man sampled the stew, giving an approving nod, "Quite good if I do say so myself."
Xvar smiled at the kind old man, he had a peculiar respect for his generosity.
Jerra was instantly appreciative and hungrily slurped down the stew. The old man gave a gentle smile, slowly eating his own portion.
Xvar was slower he moved the spoon around the bowl like an oar in water, thinking and looking at the ripples and carrot bits.
He ate but his mind consumed other thoughts.
"I wonder what I should do. In peace, will Serhan even need me? How long until that comes, her time to marry comes soon. What the hell am I thinking about? I don't love her, I feel nothing for her." Xvar lied to himself with a stern, decisive inner voice.
His inner monologue and subsequent battle of the emotions continued, “I don't even know what love feels like, how could I even try and fathom, how could I dare guess? Only demons have no love, no soul, and up until recently I barely considered myself above that of a demon. She humbles my strength yet I feel more human; do I strive to the impossible? To be a mortal demon, cold, emotionless, hollowed man? This infinity I feel, it is not the length of the emotion, which may stretch days or years, but the depth, which feels as if it has no bottom. It creates it's own void so deeply that the lack of emotion I had was nothing compared to it's unspelunked cavern. May I trespass on land I know nothing of, and no map of, and feel the earth shake so violently when I walk there? I feel so weak to feel, but is it right to feel weak? I am a raven, I fly from all cages but that of my duty, and yet a dove may stop me in my flight? And if this feeling is solid, if it is there to stay and fills itself or hollows me more, does that make it more easily accepted? Her love for me, is it merely an illusion my eyes wanted to see, or there in front of me but fogged by my eyes for what they do not want to see? Love is not all of me, but all it does, all it reaches to, emotion inside and betrays my actions outside... To the point where the war inward seems more dangerous then the war outside. I have never felt this. I have never needed to, it was never there, not even the capacity to feel it, and never the capacity to understand... A taunt, a jeer, and yet the single shout of hope in my darkened mind. So accustomed to shadow would light kill me?"
Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Digon Graves]

&lt;Mourn Koz> &lt;Sigh Koz> I'm learning, I'm learning.

-*sigh.*

[EZ_Koz2]

Hey newbie eating is yet another one of my copyrights that's been ripped off.
*grins*
I'm sorry I was SO swamped with work for the end of the marking period, I'll write today -- I swear. Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Koz2]

**
Famous last words huh? Heh. After this episode I won't be writing for a week, I'll be visiting relatives and so on. As soon as I get back I'll try and write.
**

Jerra noticed his expression. She smiled somehow, not sure why her interest was in his emotion. Eventually several yawns dragged them down to sleep, Xvar slept on the floor, giving Jerra his blanket, he said he didn’t need it. She reluctantly, but graciously accepted the offer and slept, looking at him in the pale light.
“He looks just like a normal boy when he’s asleep.” She murmured.
They slept well that night, and when they awoke left promptly. Thanking the man and walking off into the morning fog and dew covered clearing. The forest was colder, the slow change of the seasons more evident. The leaves weren’t dead yet, or blazing with the fire of fall – it was just starting to chill.
The weather reflected Xvar’s mood, he was cold as well, focused on his tasks ahead. It seemed it had no end. If he lived past Aftar he’d have to deal with Daro and Lugiver.
“If I’m lucky maybe Lugiver has some brains and will kill Aftar for me, what a treat that’d be. I suppose I can’t rely on something like that however, and that still doesn’t rule out Daro’s threat.”
Jerra looked over to him, although his dark black, coal like eyes conveyed little of the inner wars that plagued him, she knew he was thinking.
His expression was that of a dead soldier. Sternly focused beyond even life or care for it.
His steady breaths barely made a cloud of heat by his mouth. He was breathing mostly through his nose, and the heat from his breath was minimal. He looked like a trained animal in some ways, tame yet with that underlying instinct of death and battle.
His hair, dark black as well dangled partially in front of his face, rough bangs crowded to one side or the other as he brushed them out of his way. In the back it was carefully tied with a small strand of leather. It did reached about to halfway down the nape of his neck.
“This is no good, we can’t walk it’s to slow. We need to steal- borrow some horses.”
“We need to get some horses.” Xvar said in a rather monotone voice.
Jerra examined his unyielding face. He could go from being nearly friendly to completely barren and icy within a second it seemed.
“I suppose this situation requires such an attitude.” She thought to herself.
She sighed. Xvar’s eyebrow arced inquisitively but he said nothing.
The ground underneath was crisp, nearly with frost. As they walked the pine needles and dead leaves gave an almost eerie muffled crunch. The trees ran in all directions in unorganized zigzagging rows.
In the distance they heard the driving calls of horse thieves. Hoots, hollers, and a literal stampede of horses.
Xvar smirked, “How convenient.”
Jerra looked over her shoulder, somewhat frightened. Xvar signaled her to back off the trail and hide.
Xvar then leaned against a tree, picking his teeth with a sturdy pine needle, his hand over his dagger.
His nonchalance startled the driver in front. He approached warily, scanning the roads to try and detect evidence of an ambush or trap.
“Ho! Traveler, what be your name and cause?”
Xvar’s lips wiggled as he continued picking his teeth, he then flicked the pine needle away and licked his teeth. He stood up, off the tree and walked in front of the driver, his side to the driver’s horse.
Several other horse thieves watched as well, all of them with weapons drawn and ready.
“I am but a simple rogue.” Xvar said staring off into the distance, his glance quickly turned to the rider, “Looking for some high quality horses.”
The others relaxed slightly they were still suspicious but not willing to turn down a deal.
“Ahh I see, well you have some luck.”
Jerra nervously eyed the other bandits, a group of about twelve men in a mangled hodge-podge of armor. The leader stood out however, his armor much cleaner, while still stained with low quality iron stains and blood, was better then the near rags of leather the others wore. He had the stubble of a beard on his chin, slightly grayed. His hair was also streaked with gray, and his eyes were prussian blue and his features looked wind burnt. The bridge of his nose was slightly flattened, probably from frequent breaks. His cheeks were high and a small scar burnt through the stubble on his chin. His horse impatiently neighed and stamped its foot. He slapped its neck a little, murmuring to it something gentle.
He squeezed his legs a little and the horse moved forward to where Xvar was standing.
“Young Dashard.”
Xvar’s expression didn’t change, it was just as unmoved as ever. Jerra looked on in fear now.
“I see you’ve become a bandit, just as was suspected.” Xvar said plainly.
He nodded, “And you a savior? Funny the ironies of life. I do believe someone’s played a joke on us.”
“Tunare has a good sense of humor.” Xvar said, his face becoming slightly gentler.
The man chuckled waving his hand at the men behind him, “A horse for my friend, well? C’mon Werik!”
The other man, presumed to be Werik hit the back of a horse in front of him who galloped forward until it reached Xvar.
Xvar smiled, “Care to join us Asunder?”
Asunder smiled, the scar on his chin stretched slightly as he did so, “Well, let’s see if we can make a hero from a horse thief and a royal guard.”
Koz.
A man with no title is a man with no enemy.

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

sup Koz


Yea I'm back. Spent the last 3 hours catching up on your story. I must say that the story line is awsome, and you do a good job in confusing the hell out of me at some points, make me think wtf! and alo, holy crap, this is amazing. It is so intreaging and is a really great story.

One thing that makes it so different from other storys is the was you keep changing Point of veiw, it is similar to a movie in the way the camera keeps cutting away to other charators. most of us can relate to a movie, and find this a new and intreaging form of literature


"I remember in the beginning, when I got my very first compliment on the Scout Saga. I still remember what that felt like."
Glad you remember me.


And near the beginning of the story when I was all pissed becuase you killed it with the love, you did a good job of still keeping the main love part in, but mostly the war and battle. I was just afraid that the whole story would turn into a romance novel.

I was also just in a crazy point in my message boarding at that time.


Love the zany story line.

Think thats about it. You'll be back an a few days. good luck. Vija

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

I've complied all the issues of Xvars Saga that have been writen so far. If anyone wants it, send me an e-mail.

40 pages
1,361 lines
26,596 words
148,779 charactors
1361 paragraphs
2205 lines.
1000's of spelling errors
-------------------
Run of the Dark Gauntlet (half-way done).

great work. Koor. (No I won't call you Koz)
Vija

[EZ_Koz2]

“I’m not looking to be a hero.” Said Xvar flatly, “But I do owe a few unpaid debts.”
“Well, I have to say this horse thief business is getting pretty boring, I’m getting old and plump and rich, but no excitement.”
“He’s getting old, but I suppose he still has the spirit despite his disgusting lack of a sense of duty.”
Xvar waved Jerra onto the path and introduced her, several of the bandits smirked and made dirty jokes, but Asunder quickly righted them.
“Shut your traps you old fools, if she’s a friend of Xvar’s she’s a friend of ours.”
The bandits scowled and muttered amongst themselves.
“Quite the motley crew I admit, but they’re alright.”
“I’m not inviting you to come die with me, or them, especially them, but I could use some horses.”
Asunder scratched his chin thoughtfully, the setting almost suggested a contemplative mood. The trees let in only streams of light, they were in the thick of the wood. Dark green moss covered the northern face of some of the trees and grayish brown bark covered the rest. Most trees still had their leaves for it was early in fall, but some had small balding patches on their branches.
Asunder looked back to the men then to Xvar.
“Indeed, I know you weren’t. Come spend a few hours with us Xvar, can’t you spare that time? Then I’ll even lend you several horses, to make up for the time deficit.”
Xvar looked to the wary Jerra who nodded approvingly although still somewhat apprehensive.
One of the bandits from behind slapped a couple of horses that trotted forward and neighed as they reached Xvar and Jerra.
Xvar jumped on top of the horse, which had a small leather saddle and motioned for Jerra to do the same.
The horses and bandits likewise were getting restless and were all to happy to get moving when Asunder signaled.
They led Xvar and Jerra, who followed close behind to a small clearing near a creek where the camp was set up. Several other meatier looking horses stood monotonously chewing on grass tied to a large tree. They were impervious to the arrival of their owner and continued munching slowly.
Xvar pushed his hair out of his face as his eyes narrowed on a couple of other, familiar figures sitting near a fire mixing stew.
“Tyu, Farren…”
Asunder noticed Xvar’s curious look immediately and smirked, “A couple of known drifters. You friends?”
Xvar hid his surprise and his voice became monotone, “Maybe so.”
Asunder smiled, “Allies and foes change like days during war, don’t you think?”
Xvar’s eyes became focused on a distant object in space; a determined look on his face was all needed to answer Asunder’s question. But Xvar offered his word as well, “Allies and foes are governed by duty to someone, if that duty changes that is the only true time you have new allies and foes. To me, it is all the same.”
Asunder’s eyebrows rose but he closed his mouth in mid thought for opening it.
Neither Tyu nor Farren bothered to look up, they knew who it was and didn’t care. They were pure rogues now, separated from duty or loyalty to a single man besides themselves, but not eachother. They were friends of course, and partners in survival, but the instinct to live despite lack of purpose was to strong within them to truly bind to eachother. They would not die for eachother.
Asunder dismounted with a small grunt and hit the ground with a larger thumping sound. He politely took Jerra’s hand and helped her off the horse.
Xvar sat across from Tyu and Farren by the fire. Asunder looked on and commented to Jerra, “I suppose silent people enjoy the company of others with such a temperament.”
“Quiet people attract quiet friends.” Jerra said, quoting an old proverb.
“Well put, and I suppose loud people attract loud friends. If you’re a friend of Xvar’s you must be quiet, but if you’re any friend of mine you’ll speak loudly.” He said with a large smile.
Jerra smiled gently, “Quiet people need some quiet friends and loud friends. Silent people don’t need to talk much, and sometimes that’s why the like silent friends, more is communicated through gesture rather then word. But it’s just as strong a bond as anything else is. Just different, not better or worse, just different.”
Asunder couldn’t help but grin, “Wise words for such a young lady. Now how about some stew? I’m sure it must be done by now and it’s definitely a good time to eat, wouldn’t you say?”
Jerra nodded cheerfully, “That sounds great…”

Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message Board

[EZ_Digon Graves]

Hehehe my bud on EQ is a halfling rogue by the name of Deppil Newbieater, got really stumped on a name and was sick of only having a first name and asked him if we wanted to be bros, and he said that'd be cool and ta da

I thought your copyright was mercisely beating newbies since &lt;some date>

**EDIT**
AHAH! See..


"Koz.
Mercilessly beating newbies since July 25."
Edited by: Digon Graves at: 11/28/00 11:41:53 am

[EZ_Koz2]

After a well-deserved warm meal and a test run on the horses time had fled by unbeknownst to Xvar and impervious to it’s importance. It was a peaceful recess from the tension that had been building in Xvar’s mind over the last few weeks. Asunder was a joker of sorts, and boasted unreasonable and witty tales into the evening. Xvar suddenly realized the sun was long gone and another day wasted, he justified his actions by thinking of the good time he’d make up with the horses. His thoughts slowed and drifted to Serhan eventually. He thought about her for only a few moments, and on that more pleasant note he drifted off to sleep.
In Felwithe, the high official Daiferious walked out of his stone tomb-like hall into the garden. He let himself slump against the white marble wall of the building as he thought wistfully about the flowers and there beauty. However, his more serious thoughts were not severely lagged by this brief intermission and he soon contemplated the current situation,
“I wonder, even in such “modern” times as these if this dictatorship is appropriate to lead the masses. The hierarchy of lower officials becomes easier corrupt due to lack of sense of duty and responsibility. Which is easier for a top official to feel, even when idealism is blinding to reality. But higher level officials are more susceptible to ambition, when the purpose of leadership becomes blurred. And all strong civilizations eventually fall to indolence and the gap between the rich and poor. This is not stoppable, simply delayable. Decline is inevitable, and as I see more and more of the lower officials give over to the indulgences and petty wants my faith in my own ability wains although this does nothing but continue the pattern. I wish there was a better way, but it seems, to rule such a large area as Faydark one needs to be a wise, virtuous and with fortitude. But as more and more give their titles to descendents, foolish and spoiled sons we grow weaker. But I can do nothing to prevent such tradition. Lugiver is prime example of this. He, his father before him and now his son are all given to the same traits a power leader has. When ambition, personal opinion, and greed control the actions of a leader rather then emotion, virtue, and wisdom, the leader will rule as a child. As nothing more then a stubborn child bent on getting his will. Am I doomed to be a spoiled child’s father as he torments my people? I can not attack him, for warning would have to be given and he has the side of most of the army for the spoils he provides and further promises. If I were to attack suddenly, to overwhelm him before he could organize his force then I would loose the loyalty of the people for they would see me as no more then a spiteful back-stabber. Most would not understand that I was doing this as favor to them except the taxed farmers. Perhaps I can threaten him, yet he would call my bluff for he expects both of these circumstances as well. If I were to disband the army I’d leave the entire empire weak to conquer. My days as a general are long over and my legacy is largely forgotten. Lugiver has well placed himself with criminals as well, except for the recent move assumed to be perpetrated by the Knights Justified. I doubt he loved his father, love is more then far beyond him, it is impossible for a spoiled child to love his father in such a way. But his duty binds him to the idea of revenge and many soldiers who supported his father would feel betrayed if he were to dare betray his father’s memory. Even if while he made shady deals he consecrated a millions statues to Lugiver, the discontented would still arrange his assassination.” He sighed to himself, letting his head rest against the cold wall looking up to the sky. He turned around putting his forehead against the wall. His pale reflection staring back at him in the white mirror of rock. He shut his eyes silently and as his hands moved down the rock he slowly rose. “I know that right now Lugiver has me in a checkmate, but the Knights have him in one, too. I can only hope they are not as restricted as I am.”
He walked back into the building, sweeping his long nearly white hair out of his face. His voice was somewhat gruff as he greeted the other officials. The king was a mere puppet head. He was the true leader who hid behind the mask of a false monarchy. Daiferious Magnatic was his name. He was once a glorious general, only 10 years ago, he was a young man of 25 or so. Still young, but far aged by experience he now held grasp to all of the power within Faydark. He was a smartly dressed man, long leather boots, black and polished to perfection on the bottom, then a pair of dark green pants, a black outer coat, a red vest, a white shirt and a white, fluffy cravat were in his usual fashion. His hair, long like most, hung down, he refused to tie it up most of the time. His bangs were well trimmed but some hung down to block gaze to his eyes. His eyes were dark brown, which was a very odd clash to the near white blonde hair and eyebrows he had. His chin was perfectly shaven, never showing even the hint or shadow of a beard. In all accounts a handsome young man.
“Will I be meeting with Milord Salleigh today?”
“Yes sir, he’s in the purple room sir.”
“Ahh, good, thank you.”
Magnatic walked down the hall briskly to the room name the purple room, which was attributed, quite obviously, to its purple decoration. Probably one of the most beautiful rooms in the hall of the officials. All the wood was blackwood, a rare, super heavy kind of wood from the dark woods. The curtains were dark, deep, regal purple and the carpet as well. The walls painted in a slightly lighter violet color while all the other pieces were colored in other various shades of purple.
Salleigh stiffened as Magnatic walked in and sat down, almost casually.
Salleigh bowed and flapping the tails of his coat to his sides sat in one of the blackwood chairs. He shifted uncomfortably as he eyed Magnatic apprehensively.
“It’s been so long cousin.”
“Indeed, to long, to long…”
“I hear you are forcing Serhan into marriage soon?”
Salleigh’s face darkened, “We don’t call it “forced.””
Magnatic nodded, “I am sorry to bring that up, but I believe it’d be best to not go on with this marriage.”
“Why not! The Irwans can provide wealth, status, security, everything we need, and Serhan needs!”
“So can I cousin.”
Salleigh looked confused and shocked at the same time.
“Serhan has great virtue, wisdom and fortitude. I have seen that as she’s grown up. I wish to give her opportunity to grow these before she is chained to a husband.”
“I don’t understand…”
“I have been looking for a wife, or a rightful heir. I do not believe that if I had a son I could separate enough time to make him a right leader. But if I can meld an already virtuous youth into the child I do not have, that would be preferable. For then it is not based on a bloodline, it is based on my faith they got enough attention and training from me to rule well.”
“But a mere child of 16, a girl at that?”
“You question your daughter’s intelligence so blatantly? And mine own judgement as well? Serhan is a well-known prodigy of her time, well skilled in all she’s undertaken. As was I when I was young. If a pattern exists, I wish to realize it.”
Salleigh saw he hadn’t much choice in the matter, but continued to try and avert the inevitable.
“I believe, even if it is rather inappropriately biased, that only a woman could have proper compassion to rule. My time has been with much event and dispute because I am not one who loves my people as much as simply knowing what is best. If I can find someone to love them and help them, then they will be much better then I.”
“But sir, she is not leadership material, I know she isn’t.”
“Your heart tells you to lie to defend her innocence, but I doubt she is far removed from the oppression, war, and unhappiness that reality holds. I have seen her, she has the diplomatic touch in her, although her age does somewhat restrict her maturity, by the time I am retired she will be more then ready.”
“But Lord, the other officials will not follow a women, will they?”
“The officials are corrupt and foolish, they will be tricked into thinking she is weak or stupid, and will let them continued to be venal. And the wiser officials, despite any prejudice will see her right to rule. Eventually, hopefully she will be able to stultify the weak officials and help bring some peace to this battle-scarred land.”
Salleigh nodded, knowing his daughter’s fate was sealed, he still made one last plea, “But please milord, she is still a young women at oldest, and has not yet lived life, why be so cruel as to sacrifice her adolescence?”
Magnatic stood, turned away from Salleigh and began to walk out, as he reached the door he spoke over his shoulder, his head turned only slightly. “The strong must make great sacrifice to the weak. I’m sure the wise can understand the steps we’re taking to ensure the peace of this and every other world. I do regret that she must be taken so early and thrown so harshly into it, but there is no other savior right now.”
He gently pushed open the door and walked out, throwing his cape back over his shoulders as he left.
Salleigh sighed, “The young continue to have to make sacrifice for the elder’s mistakes. Where is the justice in that?"
The door had not shut, and Magnatic spoke from just outside it, “I do not look to only correct my mistakes, but I wish to prevent further ones, for the sakes of all my people this is the best course of action.”
-----------------------------------

Woah! 3 pages long! Yipes, big episode eh?
Alot of political theory thrown in there, hope it's not overly confusing. I put it in there to deepen the sense of moral dilemma and make myself seem a bit more intelligent then just bad evil daemon dude vs. good sorceror + co.
Anyway, hope you're all still enjoying this, I know I am!
(EDIT: Few minor errors that bugged me.) Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message BoardEdited by: Koz2 at: 11/29/00 7:28:38 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar woke with a faint sense of time and an empty stomach, as it usually seemed.
He stood in the tent, bowing slightly since the roof was several inches shorter then he. He walked out and stretched. Several men lay passed out around the blackened ashes of the campfire.
Xvar scratched his neck groggily and pushed his jet-black hair out of his face. Jerra roused inside the tent and he heard her yawn. She had slept on the cot opposite to him that night.
She looked twice as groggy as Xvar and leaned on the tent poll for support, reaching for her cloak. She sleepily eyed Xvar as he walked, in bare feet, in the freezing cold without a hint of discomfort. He walked over to a plate of icy meat and lifted the leg of an unfortunate boar and bit right into it. She expected to hear his teeth crack, but instead it looked as if he ate with relative ease. He sat cross-legged on a large rock and leaned back. He was wearing only a short sleeved tunic and some leather pants.
She winced at out cold it looked outside. As he breathed clouds of water vapor formed near his nose.
Without turning to look back at Jerra Xvar spoke as if to the trees. "G'morning Jerra."
She stiffened slightly; surprised that he had heard her.
"Sleep well?" he said in a low monotone voice.
She shook herself off, stepped into her boots and drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders walking into the cold.
The wind nipped her face like needles and she grimaced.
Xvar sat as if on a balmy beach, his exposed skin wasn't even goosebumped.
"Aren't you cold?"
"It doesn't bother me, you ok?"
His empathy almost caught her off guard but she managed to respond. "Freezing."
His face continued to be unyielding. But he stood, walked to the tent and grabbed his cloak, wrapping it around Jerra.
"Do you miss her a lot?"
"Hn? Miss who?"
"Serhan, do you miss her?"
Xvar's stony exterior didn't falter, but he shivered slightly.
Jerra's eyes widened.
"Serhan makes me weak. I don't miss my weakness."
Jerra smiled as she spoke, "You don't show it, but I think you do miss her. I think it really annoys you too."
"Weaknesses always annoy me, that is until I destroy them."
"You're going to destroy Serhan?"
"I won't need to, Yurd will do that for me."
Xvar sat back down on the rock his eyes focused on some imaginary object about 50 yards off.
Jerra knew there was no point arguing with him.
Xvar had always been taught to live a certain way, to live for duty. His life had a very clear, perfect direction. The sort of direction that leaves no room for confusion or anguish over what could have been. But now that this life was cracking, and this direction was straying -- what would he do?
Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Why is Xvar back to his old monotonous self. Just a few chapters ago he was laughing and smiling alot, and now after a great night of fun he is back to hating everything. I noticed you focused this episode on how sharp all his senses were, and how strong he was. Why is he like this all of a sudden?

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar is slowly learning to feel. This does mean some lapses in characther traits. Especially when Serhan is mentioned, since she is the base of these drastic changes any problems he feels associated to the new found feeling he will blame on her. Ergo him calling her his "weakness" which he will "destroy".
I tried to explain in that last paragraph about how he's starting to think and wonder about life. He's never had to do this, so alot of philosophical questions are hitting him like a brick wall. Which are making him weak at what he's best at being, a soldier.
He has to accept these feels before he'll become a true person. His inner demons still plague him. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

I understand that, But he was begining to be a human latly, laughing and telling stories, talking. But then after a nice get together with the fun horse man he goes back to being how he was before the story. What triggered the change in the morning just doesn't make sense. Mabye I just need to read a few chapters again.


PS Down with the internet!
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Koz2]

As you'll remember, I never said he was laughing at the "party". All I said was he lost track of time. This doesn't mean he was socializing. He also thinks the most during the night. I have written many dialogues with him battling which way to live. But some of them I don't write out. And mostly because I want you(!) the reader to THINK about it. Think about why you do the things YOU do. Xvar is no more then a confused kid, that's the underlying reality. He's been taught one way to live, and that's by killing. The idea that he might care about something is difficult. Complicated people are used to making complicated decisions, but simple decisions are foreign to them because they've never had to deal with them.
He will go back and forth as one side of his personality dominates according to what's appropriate to the situation. Xvar knows that that day is going to be a hard one and one of long traveling, possibily fighting. This makes him switch gears to what seems more logical, the fighting mindset.
Try and think about it a little Vija, Xvar is dealing with normal emotions he's never had to deal with, this does sometimes negative things to a personality. And his own confusion is apparent in how he switches moods. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

ok. I'll take your word for it.
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Koz2]

"How disgusting I've been. I've parted from my path. How dare I betray myself." Xvar thought to himself.
He stood pulling the lock of hair from out under his tunic he held it to his nose. "Serhan..."
Jerra noticed his movements and watched in pure curiosity.
His voice was low and in the single tone so over used.
"I am going to go for a walk."
Jerra watched his form descend from the rock, and still with bare feet he walked into the icy forest.
Asunder had been at her side and she hadn't even noticed.
"Charming, ain't he?"
Jerra's thoughts broke and she turned to Asunder.
"I used to train kids like him. I thought it was wrong to force good kids like that into a life like that."
Jerra nodded solemnly.
Asunder continued as if thinking aloud, "Xvar probably never worried about falling in love. When you don't have a heart it must seem paranoid to worry about something like that."
Jerra looked at Asunder's face, his chuckle turned grim and he sighed.
"These youth. What a horrible fate we've thrown you into. Disgraceful really."
Jerra looked at him trying to show some condolence in her eyes. She reached up to his shoulder and smiled at him.
"The turning of generations is so often marred by the wars of the past generation. This is a pattern. What is unsettling is that we as a people aren't learning from it. Not that it's anyone's fault. It's not going to be solved by blaming it on someone. We have to all accept as a people that this isn't the right way." She realized that she had never thought about it. The truth in her words was foreign. It had simply popped into her head and out her mouth. It was all so clear now.
Asunder looked his age, not the genial man she had seen last night but an old man. An old man marked by experience, war, and the turmoil all life brings to life till death.
Life's pattern had marked him with age, with sadness in his eyes, with wrinkles and scars. He lowered his head breathing out slowly.
Jerra turned around and went into the tent.
Asunder fell to his knees. His fingers kneaded in between the rough strands of dead icy cold grass. His head fell to his chest then to the ground. He pounded his head onto the ground. Crying silently he pushed his face into the ground.
Jerra heard him from the tent, she sat on her cot. She looked just as full of apathy as Xvar was. She was silent, although tears of hopelessness streaked her face.
She understood now. She saw why Xvar couldn’t cry. She saw why Asunder cried. She saw why the world wouldn’t let go. She knew they couldn’t defeat Aftar as things stood.
“Hopeless.” She said with a light, gentle smile.
Her gaze went to the floor of the door where Xvar appeared.
He walked in, raised her chin looking at her sternly.
He wiped her tears from her cheeks and said very simply, “Not yet.”
His voice was completely gruff. The only trace of emotion was determination. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[Sneaking Uponya]

vija i'd reccomend not making her mad =-) I think that maybe I will be a little surer of being a little nearer thats all. Eternity is in the understanding that a little is more than enough. ~~ I stand ready to die for the world, who will stand with me?

[EZ_Koz2]

Salleigh returned home to a disaster. His wife collapsed into his arms as he opened the door, screaming about Serhan’s kidnap.
She threw her head to his shoulder weeping and moaning. Salleigh had lost his daughter twice over. Holding his head in his hands he breathed heavily, but no tears came. His breaths shortened, breaking into a few sobs. His brow furrowed and he fell to the ground, his wife in his lap.
A man behind them stood solidly. He spoke quietly, “We sent a messenger, but he did not arrive, his horse died from lack of rest.”
“No matter how that horse could have arrived, he would have been black as death.” Salleigh said quietly.
They were both startled by a sudden slam against the door. It knocked the door slightly ajar, and a small gust of wind blew it open. Pierced into the door was a dagger, which held up a small note.
Salleigh rose and walked to the door reaching tentatively to the note.
“Sir Salleigh-
I must apologize that your daughter had to be used as a political tool in my favor, but the fates had it to be so. She will be returned once her purpose is realized. I promise she shall not be harmed.
My deepest regrets,
Sir Aftar Coriard.”
“Magnatic wishes to make her the heir, I must go tell him of what has happened.”
His wife sat shocked on the floor as he turned and walked out.
“My daughter… a queen?”
Magnatic sat his hands over his nose in a position you’d think he was praying.
He breathed in slowly then exhaled at the same pace. He was completely calm.
“This is perfect.” He said.
“What do you mean! My daughter is kidnapped!”
“We are kept in check by Lugiver. Lugiver’s army followed his father, who was so recently murdered. If I point the blame to Aftar, and tell them of Serhan’s kidnap the temptation to be heroes will make Lugiver have to rescue her. They will crush Aftar, but I do not have him underestimated. The army will be weakened, but not severely. We can call in the legions from our southern frontier to replace the dead. Lugiver’s army shall be heroes, but Lugiver is no general. I shall send someone else to lead them.”
“Who?”
“Myself. This shall restore the needed order. Lugiver can then be taken care of. His army will be brought here to become part of the royal army and take orders from me as their ‘reward’. In this way I can make sure their loyalty will not be to Lugiver. Freeing us from his political checkmate. At the same time, the Knights Justified will also be taken care of. Order can be fully repaired after that.”
“But- who will lead in your absence?”
“I will inform the other officials of the situation and they will not betray me. For when I return, with a massive army, they won’t dare try my patience or mercy.”
Salleigh stared at Magnatic. “He’s brilliant,” Salleigh thought.
Magnatic stood slowly. “I must go prepare for the upcoming battles.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You are a legendary archer, your fortune raised by winning tournaments, but do you think you could help me win a war?”
“I can help you get my daughter back.”
“Understood.”
Xvar stood under a tall leafless tree on the hard cold stones of a small road. Looking above his shoulder he saw a single raven perching above him.
“Yes, I know I can’t defeat him. But I don’t think it’s him I’m supposed to be fighting. There’s something else in this my brother, something of blackened evil. It is him I need to find and defeat, not Aftar. Where is my enemy?”
The raven straightened up and cawed, flying closer to Xvar. His beak pointed back to Xvar’s ancestral home.
“The cell. Is that my enemy?”
The raven cawed and stamped its feet on the branch, hopping forward several times.
“Thank you brother.” Xvar paused and looked to his elder land. “My brother tells me you are my enemy, what have your brothers told you?"
--------------------------------------

I'd REALLY appreciate comments on this part. I felt really good about writing it, so I want to know what you think.
Please, please, please comment. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[Sneaking Uponya]

very good very good =-) I think that maybe I will be a little surer of being a little nearer thats all. Eternity is in the understanding that a little is more than enough. ~~ I stand ready to die for the world, who will stand with me?

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Looks good. One Question. What ever happened to the
-------------------------------------- to make show that the story has switched scenes. The lack of this confused me in the last episode, where they suddenly showed up somewhere else.

Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Koz2]

Yeah I just sort of stopped using those, sorry about that, just slipped my mind... :b Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Koz2]

Jerra watch over Xvar from not far away on a small hill overlooking the road.
She heard him speaking, despite their distance.
Xvar raked his fingers through his hair, pushing his recalcitrant bangs from out of his way. Jerra saw his thoughts move to something else, somehow more troubling then his last thought. He looked exasperated.
“A warrior’s greatest enemy is himself and all distraction. I find the more I consort with other people the harder this enemy is to combat. Useless, ugly distraction in the way of a meaningful battle. I was once free of distraction. I did not even consider myself, so my will was not my enemy, nor were ideals. Pure and simple battle was the way I lived. I know where I have to go now, and I know why I have to go alone. I only wish they could understand.”
Jerra looked disappointed. She knew Xvar had to leave them, but she hadn’t thought he’d have to so soon.
“But first I must take care of this painful distraction from my battle. So I will have to endure myself for a little longer. I don’t feel guilty for what I have to do, in fact I resent that they will make little effort to understand, not that they ever could.”
Jerra did understand, the more she heard from him, the more she understood why he had to be the way he was, but she still didn’t understand the unspoken attraction to Serhan.
The news of her adoption by Magnatic and her subsequent kidnap before she could even learn of this greeted them in the first town they traveled to.
Asunder had parted with his band and followed Xvar and Jerra on their journey to Aftar. In the fairly large village they happened into the first thing their eyes met was an inviting looking inn. Deciding to rest for the night they walked into the lower floor, which seemed to be a tavern and office in the corner.
Asunder walked over to get a room, Jerra a drink, and Xvar looked curiously at a small group of men by the wall. A poster on the message board stood out immediately. A printed sketch of Serhan adorned the poster with a small article underneath. Xvar pushed his way through, to the dislike of the other patrons for a better look.
Underneath her face it read,
“Magnatic was to claim an heir, and as he did so she was kidnapped before she could meet her new father. The somewhat famous Serhan Salleigh, daughter of the archery tournament champion, Sir Salleigh was abducted sometime in the last two days. Apparently a distant cousin of Magnatic, she was also an excellent student, debater and archer. Most notable for her debates in the city hall over recent laws, Lady Serhan is also an accomplished student of philosophy and apparently the perfect candidate for top official. Magnatic has issued a warning, if she is not returned within 10 days the suspect, Lord Aftar Coriard will be attacked by Lugiver’s forces under the guidance of Magnatic. It was also said that Lord Coriard may have been the assassin who killed the late Count Lugiver the first. The army is eager to avenge their loss, and willing to do so were tomorrow the day of the attack.
For all those in the southern frontiers, you may be advised to move out of the area until a more secure force is stationed since it is expected the legions will be withdrawn from this area to reinforce the attack…”
One of the patrons jested at the picture, “Awfully pretty, would make a good wife and mistress, I mean daughter.”
All the other patrons burst out in laughter as he made his comment.
Xvar threw his dagger forward, whizzing by their heads just under the single nail that held the parchment up. He reached forward, moving it back and forth making a small half circle under the nail until the paper was free and drifted into Xvar’s hand.
He rolled it carefully then put it down the left side of his tunic.
He walked up to the room Asunder had gotten and lay on the floor in the corner, free from conversation about his action.
Jerra had been witness to it as well and looked at him in the corner, his arms folded behind his neck and his eyes closed.
His expression was nearly unreadable, but the bulge in his tunic spoke more then anything he could of conveyed with his face. As he adjusted himself the bulge crinkled slightly and he stiffened, making certain not to crush the small piece of brittle paper.
Asunder stayed in the tavern below, and who better to walk in this moment then Tyu and Farren, who promptly sat down next to him. Farren spoke.
“We want to come.”
Asunder nodded. “I know, I know.” He said sipping his tankard slowly with his eyes narrowed. He put up to fingers without putting up his head. He spoke to the bartender, “Two more of the same.” Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Koz2]

Aftar rubbed the bridge of his nose, attempting to think a reasonable solution to his problem.
“We can not return her, they will attack regardless of whether we do or not. They don’t understand our intentions at all; it’s all been misconstrued just so Magnatic can get the power back from Lugiver.”
Aftar sighed, collapsing into a nearby chair he continued rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“We can not win if we fight them. But we must fight. Can’t anyone see how ugly this battle will be?”
Aftar stood and walked briskly to Serhan’s cell. He had provided her with unusual luxuries for a prison, trying to keep her comfortable.
She stiffened as she heard the door unlatch.
He sat down in a chair, looking defeated and somber. He looked up at her, “What would you do Lady Serhan? What would you do?”
Her voice was perfectly calm, almost as if she was speaking to a wounded child, “I would not have gone down your path. I find it difficult to justify your motives, although they are understandable. However, I do not think rebellion is in the best interest in the people. Those that are dead need not be consecrated through more bloodshed. This only furthers the illusion violence can accomplish satisfaction and peace. No true peace can be reached if the underlying reality is the same. You made a large mistake trying to reach your goal through crime. Those you mean to justify are dead. They need no justification through your conquer. They died to protect their land, not to conquer others’. Your purpose is obsolete now. Please release me, I want no part in any mans motives for power. Neither yours or Magnatic’s despite how I agree with his more.”
Aftar nodded his expression distant and unreadable.
“I had a feeling you would say something to that affect. But Serhan, I do believe you misunderstand our intentions.”
“If your intentions can be so easily misread, then you should learn to better express them. How you gained power will always taint your power, no matter what a good leader you become.”
“But Lady Serhan, I don’t do this only for myself. I do this for all those under the tyranny of the king, or of Lugiver.”
“The king is nothing but a poster face, the true power lies in Magnatic’s position, and he holds and wields it well. If Lugiver was without an army Magnatic could restore the proper order. And in a way, you’re defeat will only further that.”
“Yes, I see that now. Kidnapping you was a mistake, but it is not the only factor. Lugiver’s assassination certainly stirred things up as well, but it had to be done. He was no longer cooperating with us. Lady Serhan, please understand, I don’t mean to simply conquer for the sake of power. I mean to conquer this land and restore the proper way of things. Those that died for this cause should be avenged. We will fight this last great battle until every one of us is dead. If we can not influence this world the way we meant to, we shall let them see how truly evil a battle can be.”
Aftar stood up, looking down briefly at Serhan’s stunned face.
“This isn’t the way to show them! Not all will understand! You have to teach them!”
Serhan yelled as he shut the door behind him. She pounded her fists on the door for a few moments. Before slumping onto the door then down the door to the floor. She pulled her knees to her chest and leaned her chin on them, the putting her forehead to her knees she began to quietly cry.
Aftar sighed as he left the proximity of the door, hearing Serhan’s sobs…
His brow relaxed and his eyes shut, putting his hand on the railing down the stairs from her cell.
Opening his eyes, he looked over his shoulder, “They will learn, Lady Serhan, they will learn – the hard way.” He turned back to the stairs and walked down them, his steps became nothing more then silence.
---------------------------
Xvar awoke with a slight crick in his neck, but nothing serious. He rose from the hard floor of the room and looked over to Asunder and Jerra. Jerra lay peacefully asleep in her bed. Asunder was sitting over the edge of his bed, looking deep in thought. Xvar ignored Asunder’s expression and walked out of the room. Pausing only once not bothering to look over his shoulder.
“Wake her up and bring her down, we need to leave as early as we can.”
Asunder nodded in silence as Xvar walked down the corridor to the stairs and tavern below. Navigating through the upturned barstools and passed out drunkards that seemed to frequent the bar he walked out to the horses below. Tyu and Farren stood arms folded and silent.
Xvar’s expression seemed impervious, but he spoke. “I assume you want to tag along?”
Farren didn’t adjust his posture to acknowledge Xvar but simply nodded. Tyu’s hood fell far over his face, his emotions shrouded from view, but he was the one to speak.
“I know what Aftar will do, we musssst prevent it.”
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[EZ_Koz2]

“Aftar’s moves are predictable from a strategical standpoint, but from a philosophical one his actions are very random. It would help if we knew what he meant to do when he kidnapped her.”
“To get to you, of course.” Farren said, not moving his chin off his chest.
Xvar’s eyes widened with a trace of fear, then he pulled his mask back over him and his face settled. He wanted to ask how they knew, but he could probably figure it out himself. Just as his thoughts were following a line of logic, trying to figure out how Aftar had known Farren spoke again.
“She wished to postpone the wedding. The rest was putting 2 and 2 together.”
Xvar let out a small breath turning away from them violently and jumping on his horse. He yelled up to the window of Asunder’s room.
Asunder scurried down the stairs with a groggy, disoriented Jerra in toe.
He put her on top of her horse and she wiped her eyes, give Xvar a small wave of approval.
Tyu and Farren walked to the side of the inn, returning with two healthy horses, noone asked where they had gotten them.
Asunder reared his horse and turned it around, speaking to Xvar as the restless horse kicked the ground with impatience. “I bet you 10 plat I can find where Magnatic would put his troops for the attack, maybe we can meet up with him there.”
Seeing no other choice Xvar nodded and waved his hand, pointing in the direction Asunder galloped off into.
The first leg of the trip led through a small forest. Luckily a trail big enough for horses wound through it, making for a faster ride. The five riders were completely silent except for when Asunder was barking out directions and where to turn.
The forest seemed to be a large triangle like patch of land in which it’s center a large river furrowed through the landscape. Most of the trees were evergreen, with the occasional bare branched oak or elm. They rode until nightfall, stopping near the edge of the forest where it meets a large plateau of solid, granite rock. At the plateau’s base were the intermittent remains of dead dry plants and skeletons. The flat, dusty land stretched out for what seemed the infinity right past the horizon. The once vigorous river was no more then a trickle of a creek at this point as it reached the barren, yellowish soil.
“Qlirec Lands.” Asunder said his face looked grim.
“Qlirec?” Jerra questioned.
“It means, literally translated from Dakan, ‘Go in and die.’” Xvar said sternly.
Jerra looked to Xvar who was steadily eyeing the horizon in front of them. The sun’s eerie glow made all the land tinted with a reddish orange.
“What does Xvar mean in Dakan?”
“Xvarian means ‘Sentinel’.” Asunder said, the slopes of his mouth tugged at by a smile.
“Asunder means ‘Tides’.” Xvar said, countering Asunder.
“Tides? Why would anyone name you that?”
“I had a rather mercurial personality when I was young I’m afraid. It’s meant to represent my patience, or lack thereof.” Asunder said with a large smile.
Jerra nodded, dismounting and tying her horse to a small dead tree.
Tyu and Farren were already off their horses. Tyu sat up in a tree, looking out over the land. Farren spoke, “Tyu will keep the first watch.”
“I’ll take the second.” Xvar said, nodding at Tyu.
Asunder made a small circle of stones, then asked Jerra to gather some firewood. Once he had arranged the sticks into a small tee-pee like structure inside the stones he took out his tinderbox and struck a light. He gently fanned the spark into a comfortable flame. Then holding his hands gratefully over the fire soaking in the heat he spoke. “Someone grab some water from the creek, I’ll get the bits of rabbit meat and vegetables I have and we’ll make a stew.” Everyone, except Tyu of course, sat around the now cozy fire basking in its glow. Asunder decided to tell a Dakan tale. Everyone sat attentively as he spoke.
“There was once a great knight. He was admired by all his peers, and loved by all his ladies, and fighter for good.” Asunder paused to test the soup then continued. “He found a suit of armor, unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was beautiful and intricate and light. It felt as if he wore a suit of feathers with the strength of a hundred steel layers. Noone wanted to fight him for they thought this armor to be invincible. But another champion, from a not so distant kingdom came. He mocked the armor and said it to only be a fable. But when the knight fought in the armor for the first time, he almost went mad. The world shifted, and in this world he saw every world the armor had seen. He saw every battle, and although blinded by this illusion of past battles the armor led him to kill the other knight. When the illusion faded he saw his sword stained with blood. The last illusion he had seen was his death. He had in fact, in this illusion killed himself. And as the last words of the dying knight were heard the armor mangled those as well into this, ‘In yourself is your only enemy.’ And after that day he threw off the armor, locked it away and never let anyone use it again. This armor, it is fabled, shows you your true future and your true enemy.” Asunder sipped some stew from the wooden ladle and smiled in satisfaction. “Well, enough about mystical armors, how bout some stew?”
Xvar looked at Asunder and asked curtly. “What was the armor called.”
“Hmm? Oh, it was called the Armor of Tru’Ferr, since it showed it’s wearer true fear. Clever eh? It’s rumored that the armor was that of a dakan knight and is somewhere locked up in dakan ruins.” Xvar nodded and continued on his soup.
“And the moral of that story is that all invincibility comes with an equal price.” Asunder said with a slight smile.
Jerra looked over at Xvar, who seemed to be deep in thought about something. “Probably the armor intrigued him,” She thought silently to herself.
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[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Looking good. No complaints Today =)
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Koz2]

The eerie red glow of the distant sun eventually faded into the blackness of night, it was a moonless night.
Xvar took the second watch as he said he would, but Tyu did not sleep. He walked into the desert, scaled a dead tree and looked over the parched land. Xvar knew parts of Kunark looked highly similar to these lands, and Tyu probably was struggling with memories.
This thought brought back thoughts of his home to him. By the time he was born all was left of the once great empire was the colony, and now that he thought of, he had never been home. He sat back, his head leaning back on the course back of the tree. He spoke an ancient dakan poem about the original land and it’s fall from glory.
Jerra listened in silence, not understand it of course since he spoke it in his native language:
“Gold. All around us is this land of gold. Gold crops, gold roads, gold hearts of fortitude.
Blue. All around us in this land of blue. Blue seas, blue streams, blue sky.
Green. All around us in this land of green. Green grasses, green marble, green trees.
Red. All around us in this land of red. Red blood, red scars, red anger.
Black. All around us in this land of black. Black night, black death, black forests.”
Asunder roused, he knew those words. Every single dakan ever born after the exodus knew those words. They were the words taught to everyone and memorized by the age of 5. So noone ever forgot the pain, or the homeland. But it wasn’t a simple poem of despair. It also showed the great strength in the times of the exodus. The Dakans had overcome all in their path. The struggle of over a thousand miles and 50 years had led them to settle in the colonies. The Qlirec lands used to belong to the Dakan. There were probably some cut off forts still operating in those lands. Some were still maintained by the colonies, and some were no more then deserted piles of rubble.
The Dakans had once a marvelous culture and civilization. Their beliefs based on the ideals of realistic organization and peace within. Rebellions were rare and easily undone. The dynastic cycle left small patches of history tainted by indolent or foolish rulers, but this wasn’t as serious a malady as it was for other places. The pride of the Dakans was a lingering force for motivation.
Asunder rose. He and Xvar exchanged glances, brushing past eachother as Asunder took the next watch. Jerra watched as Xvar walked off to sleep away from everyone else. With a sigh she rested her head back on her makeshift pillow, a saddlebag.
“I know it’s not the right time yet Xvar, but aren’t you strong enough to win with a heart?” Jerra said to herself and she drifted off.
Xvar looked up to the stars, over the desert no clouds dared cross. It seemed even the moon and the clouds feared these lands. These lands were pure death. There was no native life, just those old forts and a few dead remnants of a dried lakebed. A thin layer of dust rested on top of the cracked dried mud that stretched out in front of him. He was lying facing the desert. It was his way of facing the future. He wondered what the armor would have shown him. What would his future be? Would it be as desolate as the lands in front of him, or as beautiful as the sky above him? He had to admit the cloudless view of the stars was stunning. He knew who his enemy was. He knew what his only distraction was. “Serhan…” He silently mouthed to the sky. He spoke, “I don’t like that you already know where I’m going.” His anger seemed to be directed to the sky. “I wish you’d just tell me. Just tell me so I don’t have to ask… I know you won’t tell me, but I know who will.”
He said, his gaze was stern. He pulled the small parchment from his tunic, tracing the features in the picture.
“Maybe you can tell me who I am.”
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[EZ_Koz2]

--------------------
Serhan was taken to the library. Aftar sat, his face looking contemplative positioned on one of his fists. His elbow was on the arm of a large chair in the middle of the room. Several desks, book shelves and various tomes were the only decorations besides the intricately carved chair and beautiful rug. He was faced towards the hearth and when the guards pushed her in he seemed oblivious.
“Why are you doing this? Your motives are nothing more then revenge and ambition masked thinly with a false story of glory and justification. You claim to seek justice, but how can you when all you do is create more unrest and bloodshed? Are you so blinded by your hazy ideals that you don’t see the recourse of your actions?”
“Lady Serhan, my intentions are inversely masked. The soldiers who seek bloodshed will fight for me. The soldiers who seek justice will fight for me. I take no more advantage of this then does Magnatic. A soldier’s intentions are his own, and no reasonable amount of training can change those. I prefer they join with similar intentions. But their true motives, revenge, greed, need, or duty are their own and I can never see them all. Those that I keep close to me I keep in check from being misguided. I believe that is why Tyu and Farren left me. They knew they could no longer follow my ideals. This is the greatest respect they could have shown me, and I understand that now. The underlying reality of what I’m doing will not change with change of intent. I was going to show this world what the Dakan life was like. How the Dakans’ emphasis on realistic ideals could help this world reach closer to a peaceful, good place. Unfortunately, this idea got lost in the diffusion of ideas among the soldiers. When the soldiers forget what they’re fighting for the battle is useless and ugly. Even if they fight with bad intentions these intentions are their own and they will fight with justification no matter how evil the discourse. This makes a battle worthwhile. Can’t you see that Lady Serhan? This battle will make every single man, woman, and child think about why they fight. If we can all get to the root of why we fight then maybe we can use it like a snake’s poison is used to cure a bitten man. I did not have this in mind in quite the same way. I meant to take over as peacefully as possible and then show the way. The orcs would have been involved. They are a stupid race that fights because it’s all they know how to do. Those that have emotions are scorned and killed. They are a perfect and necessary evil. When this battle passes we will be destroyed, but you will live on and you can show everyone just how disgusting this battle truly was. I have to say my ideals evolve as I see more of this world. I find it discouraging that I could get so much power so easily. A mere criminal with a force could take over this world at any moment…”
Serhan stood there, taking in his speech.
“This is not the way to show them. People, normal people, poor people want peace. They want a good, normal life. When we try to organize people, try to categorize people is where the battles start. People should be equal, people should be taught, people should be led by a good, virtuous leader. But even I know that this is unrealistic. Not in these times, in the times of deep-seated hates that rips us apart, not in the time of such foolish decisions. You can’t be serious. You can’t mean it this way! You don’t see what you’ll be doing. All this to prove a point? No. This is not the truth.”
Aftar stood up and put his large hands on Serhan’s shoulders. He looked into her eyes, his expression sincere:
“You were right about one thing though, the way you get power always taints your power. I see that now Serhan. The people will learn the hard way. They will feel the need for hope. And you must help that blossom. I know my intentions are masked by your prejudices of me. And they are rightfully so. I have killed 3,467 people in the last 26 years. That’s more then you’ve probably ever met in your entire life Serhan. But the common people don’t kill anyone. The Dakans understood this Serhan. They wanted to show everyone this but were cut short. Now I will show them, and you will tell them why I did. The strongest soldiers will not follow a man who preaches peace, a man who preaches the things I believe. I needed to change, I needed to be the way I am so this can happen. I didn’t want things to be like this, but now that they are I think it’s better.”
“I think you drastically underestimate soldiers.”
“And I think you have just the hope in soldiers, and all of people to make things right again.”
Serhan’s breath caught as he said that. The sudden realization of the truth in his words made her freeze.
His face became cold, he put his hands back to his sides and turned back to the hearth. With a sudden boom he yelled to the guards to put her back in her cell.
“Magnatic was right about her. If he understands that, maybe he’ll understand me. I hope I won’t have to kill him.”

Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Koz2]

http://www.fanfiction.net/master.cfm?action=Directory-AuthorProfile&UserID=29349

The above link is to my fanfiction.net where I put up all the story that's done. It's a lot easier to follow since I was able to get it organized into 14 chapters and scout into 6. You can also download/print the stories write off the site so you don't have to compile them from all the posts. The link goes directly to MY fics, if you want to browse others just click the "HOME" tab. Enjoy! :) Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_McKernan]

how terrible, how absolutely terrible. what a shame this is. i have avidly followed the scout's saga and now xvar's saga and have so far enjoyed the reading entirely. then i started to see the referances to gundam wing. the armor that is exactly like the wing zero and the epyon. the fact that heero yuy and xvar are the same, or serhan and relena peacecraft, or aftar and zechs/milardo and sometimes treize kushrenada. i was only suspecting such a blatant ripe off until i headed over to your site and saw the first line: "I'm a Gundam Wing addict. . ." then in this last episode, aftar told serhan this: "I have killed 3,467 people in the last 26 years." Strange, when wufei chang battled treize for the second and last time, treize happened to mention that he knows how many and the names of all the people who have ever died for him. seems quite odd to me.

[EZ_Koz2]

I figured this would happen eventually.
I am a gundam wing fan, but non of the characthers are quite the same.
I'll try and explain myself here:

the armor that is exactly like the wing zero and the epyon.
-Eypon tells futures, zero shows a hiegthened sense of battle, I guess, in some ways, this is true. But then again, I have read a series with a sword that shows everyone the truth about themselves was the main feature. I thought this would be interesting, so I tweeked the idea from that. I needed some concrete reason for Xvar to have motivation to protect Serhan. His reason is almost completely selfish. He just wants her to help him figure out who he is. He believes this way he can withstand whatever the armor shows him about himself. In reality Xvar is plagued with caprisious depression. Thinking that he can never love anything long enough to really settle down and live a good life.

the fact that heero yuy and xvar are the same
-They are close in personality, but not the same. Both cold yeah. But Xvar is much more in touch with his humanity and yearns for it much, much more. Xvar is incredibly complex. The only constant thing in his world is his duty. And this was inspired by THIS quote, not Heero Yuy:
"A samurai's spirit cracks and decays when besides his duty- he finds a reason to live."
That is Xvar's ENTIRE basis for characther. Xvar looks NOTHING like Heero.


or serhan and relena peacecraft,
-Yeah, they are close. Jesus, the more I think about this the more I agree, these stories are really close. Serhan wants peace, Relena wants peace. Wow, exact replicas. Serhan was NOT sheltered, Relena was. Serhan is already realistic about her ideals. She believes what Aftar is doing is right. How is this similiar to gundam? Isn't it exactly the opposite?

or aftar and zechs/milardo and sometimes treize kushrenada.
-Aftar has evolved during the story. He hides his motives saying he's a barbarian and a conquerer. I've never heard either Zeches or Treize say this. If they have, please, tell me where and I'll simply cut out the lines. Aftar looks nothing like either characthers and his methods are pretty different. Aftar wants to show the world how they were wrong about the Dakans. He wanted to do this by reestablishing the Dakan empire. But now that he sees he can't do that he's trying to help Serhan figure out how she can show them.

i was only suspecting such a blatant ripe off until i headed over to your site and saw the first line: "I'm a Gundam Wing addict. . ." then in this last episode, aftar told serhan this: "I have killed 3,467 people in the last 26 years." Strange, when wufei chang battled treize for the second and last time, treize happened to mention that he knows how many and the names of all the people who have ever died for him. seems quite odd to me."
-Yeah, he did. I don't want Aftar to be a bad guy. That's why I wrote that. There are many, many stories where the enemy incites how many people he's killed. Aftar would have to know it because it's a trophy. But it's PART of his explanation that the common man doesn't know the guilt of death until they're FORCED into war and then find out the hard way. This was never mentioned in gundam.

I wanted a dynamic moral dilemma. Here's how I thought I'd go about doing that:
Xvar - Shows you eventually that people can overcome lack of emotion and gain back humanity. While still trying to figure out who you are, where you should be and whether destiny exists or not. Xvar shows the hopeless people who want to be heroes because they want to use their own worthlessness in a good way. Heero Yuy never does this, he lives for the mission. Xvar does not.
Jerra - The main reliable narrator of Xvar's emotions since Xvar won't talk much. Also shows the confused population which is being kept out of touch.
Aftar - Shows a crushed people who think their ideas were best and should be how the world is ruled. A man who is born a barbarian but ideals are so strong can overcome this original emotion and find a way to take over the world and show them the right way. Shows the idea of force of undeniable fate.
Magnatic - Shows a good man who is plagued with a lack of humanity and knows it, looking for a better heir. Represents the confused, unhappy generation which are trying to help the new generation from destruction but plagued by helplessness and guilt. Noone in gundam, that I ever saw, showed this.
Serhan - Represents what's still good about ideals. I had to have her become more powerful in some way because I needed her to become worth fighting a war for. I considered making her the daughter of Lugiver, but I decided this was even more of a stretch. And then I couldn't have Magnatic kill off both Lugiver and Aftar in one stroke, returning some peace. But I complicated this further. I made a completely evil charachter, Daro, to show the exact opposite of what a bad guy can be. I did this to make you question what makes a good and a bad characther good and bad. I also let Lugiver run off so he could find an army and cause later trouble.
Lugiver - Represents the basic human instincts of greed and survival, I needed people to find someone they could hate because in reality they knew a part of them was just like him. And no matter what, he will always survive in some way.
Asunder - Represents the elder generation marred with a feeling of guilt for the new generation. Similar to Magnatic's feelings. Also saw the exodus of the Dakans first hand.
Overall theme: To show that bad and good, war and peace, and human and animal are balanced and subjective. That is my theme.

Tell me McKerrn, compare all this to Gundam. I admit, some of the characthers have the same mannerisms. They have to if I can show them correctly and get the point across.
If you can find EVERY charachter's match I'll delete the whole post. But until you do all you have is that some talk and walk the same. Big deal. The entire plot is different, the characthers motivations are different. The setting is different. What else do you want me to do? Make them all just drop everything and go fight a dragon? Noway. I wanted the reader to really think about why the hell they are doing what they're doing. That's what Xvar's line is about:
"Have someone write it down. Have someone draw it. So everyone will remember even when the original memory is nothing but a bad dream."

Still not convinced? Just ask. I will defend the originality of my story to whatever lengths I have to.
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It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Koz2]

I'd like to add that I actually appreciate your comment more then any compliment I have recieved. It gave me a chance to explain everything and clarify everything.
Now that I am rather more calmed down I'd like to apoligise if I was to forceful. But I did feel you were jumping the gun, since the story isn't over and that you would have best just e-mailed me and if you didn't get a satisfactory reply post the whole thing so I don't have to humiliate either of us.
This story is my story, and to be most honest about it, Xvar is my characther. Xvar, in many, many ways represents the depressed, unhappy, and confused person I am alot. Your calling him fake, or a copycat hurt me in a personal way. Because in all truth, writing is my only way of expressing whatever I feel, which is why I wrote this story. In Scout I used large events to exagerate unhappy times in my own life. In this story I articulated my loss of hope in parts of humanity and my own struggle to figure out who I am and what I mean.

I apoligise if I am not an original person, but I'm me, and that's something I can't change, not yet at least.

I'd appreciate you returning the consideration of replying. It took a great deal of effort for me not to explode considering how hard I've worked on this and how it feels sometimes it's all I've really got that's part of me. I hate getting in to that cliche "poor, starving misunderstood artist" thing, but it partially applies.

Once again, thanks for bringing up the issue. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
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[EZ_Koz2]

----------------------
Xvar walked through the bustling camp. Some soldiers were playing a drinking game and bellowing out louder laughs then spell kickbacks.
A few were barking out orders to some workers putting up tents.
Xvar began to help, having twice the strength of a man his age the others were impressed and surprised. The man in charge walked up to Xvar who was helping raise a heavy wood frame. He put his face inches from Xvar’s and screamed. Xvar held up his piece of the frame with one hand and pushed the man to the side before helping hoist it to the stop. The other soldiers laughed and cheered. Xvar kept himself busy for the rest of the day. In the evening the loud noises of tired, hungry soldiers filled the camp. Most soldiers were dusty and sweaty. The grunts, groans and complaints rang out over the disgusting slop called dinner. Eventually the vociferous motley crew settled in, chomping down the brown lumpy goo assumed to be meat and gravy.
The youngest at the table, who looked a year Xvar’s younger, finished first but remained silent. He seemed resentful at the other soldiers, of the tent, of the food.
One of the older, more experienced soldiers jeered him.
“Eh now wee muscles, fast eater too? Hope your sword is as quick as your fork!”
All the others, except Xvar gave a boom of laughter.
Xvar sat over his food in total silence. The same man poked some fun at Xvar.
“So, you a big talker or ya scared?”
Xvar didn’t respond.
“C’mon boy, we’re fighting tomorrow! Glory! Riches! Heroes! The rise of a beautiful age is afoot! And revenge for Lugiver.”
Xvar put down his fork, matching the man’s look with a stare of stern apathy, “Lugiver deserves no revenge, his people did and they will have their way. No thanks to him, or your army.”
Another man spoke up in defense of the first. “He might not of been a good man, but he was a damn good general and you know it. He showed us just how good war can be to us.”
The young soldier interrupted. “I don’t see the glory in death. From where I come from death and glory are natural opposites. War is hideous, but it pays my way. I came for a meal, for some coins. I don’t see why I should help this world.”
The first man shouted at him, drawing his sword. “How dare you! We fight to be heroes!”
“So do they.” Xvar said as he stood up. The man was frozen by his words. Sitting down looking subdued he slammed his sword right through the table.
“Fighting because you’re hopeless is just as bad as fighting for false glory, just as it is for fortune. There is no truly noble battle.” Xvar said.
“I never said I was a good man.” The young soldier retorted.
“But a good soldier, yeah, I know. I would have said just the same thing myself. I’m so inconsistent it’s disgraceful.”
The young man looked fairly subdued by this comment as well.
“You don’t seem to understand why this battle if going to happen. It’s ironic that those who see it first hand would be the last to understand. I guess that’s just another evil of battle itself.” Xvar threw his bowl in the wash pile and walked out of the tent.

The next day began far before dawn etched the land with cryptic heat. The men were suiting up in armor, sharpening blades, and getting into battle formations.
Xvar went to Magnatic’s tent. He was already suited in armor, ready for battle.
“Ahh, changing your mind?”
“No.”
Magnatic nodded, he was looking out of the small window from his tent. The first rays of light illuminated the edge of the land. It was then that Xvar noticed Magnatic had cut his hair so that only a very short ponytail existed.
“I only cut my hair before battle.” Magnatic said, not moving his gaze from the window.
“I hope someday that it will grow to my feet then maybe I can have some peace.” He chuckled, although Xvar could tell even Magnatic yearned for better times.
“It’s not your fault.” Xvar said.
Magnatic looked over the land slowly eyeing each feature.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not my responsibility.” Magnatic said, his voice showing a trace of guilt, but maybe Xvar was imagining that.
“You have to kill Aftar. I’ll get Serhan back for you.” It was a statement, not a question.
Magnatic looked back slightly surprised yet acceptantly he nodded.
“Why is it you want to save her?”
Xvar didn’t respond until he was almost out of the door, pausing long enough for a simple sentence. “What better do I have to do?”
Magnatic smirked. Walking slowly out the door he thought to himself. “He’s less selfish then he thinks.”

Magnatic rode out to the battle line. In front of him a large array of soldiers in tight formation stood in near silence.
Parallel to them the plateau was dotted with archers on the top and a mass of soldiers thickening around where he assumed the entrance of the underground fort.
He gestured to the first rows. Pointing strategic parts to take first.
“Leave the leader for me.” He said as the soldiers stiffened in readiness.
Asunder, Jerra, Tyu and Farren stood not far behind Magnatic, awaiting his word.
Battle drums sounded helping the premature flow of adrenaline. The men felt anxious and their grips tightened and loosened on their weapons as the minutes crept by.
Xvar was far to the side, deciding he would go along the plateau until he reached the entrance, then to just wing it. Satisfied with his lack of plan and adorning a look of impatience he waited.
Suddenly one cry opened a dam of others. Several catapults and magicians from behind supported the first surge of soldiers, but they were still no more then simple cannon fodder. Xvar watched as the men from the plateau abandoned the positions, running forward to join the fray. Noticing this seeming lack of good soldiers he rode forward to the entrance. He took one last look back at the seeming living entities of soldiers. The formation moved like one being rather then a hundred. Aftar’s soldiers lacked this organization but were twice as motivated at the defenders of their home and ideas.
Xvar ran through the long chambers, he wore no colors to distinguish himself and the others thought he was a soldier of Aftar. Some yelled at him to get back to the battle but he ignored them and continued going up and down and right and left. It was like being lost in a foggy haze, an endless maze of twisting corridors. He grabbed a younger looking man and thrust him against the wall, his rage leaking into his actions. “Where is the prisoner?”
“Up! Up at the top!”
Xvar threw him to the ground and ran to the stairs, it was obvious to him now that not only did this fort go underground, but up into the plateau as well. He skipped as many steps as he could with each leap, trying to get up them as fast as he could.
Aftar sat in a large armchair waiting by her cell.
Xvar drew his blade and thrust it next to Aftar’s throat, growling. “Let her out.”
Aftar didn’t even raise his head, he simply flipped up the lock and rested his head down back on his fist. Xvar kicked the door open from where he stood and yelled into Serhan. “Out, now!”
She ran out looking over to the seemingly crestfallen Aftar and Xvar. His blade managed to collect a small toll of blood.
“You’re not who I’m supposed to fight. You’re Magnatic’s.”
Aftar nodded silently. Then looking up to Xvar his gaze sincere, he spoke. “Take care of her Dakan. Brother Dakan.”
Xvar withdrew his dagger and sheathed it in his scabbard. Grabbing Serhan by the hand he pulled her down the hallway.
Aftar rose and wiped the blood from his neck and picked up his sword. Walking down to the main chamber he sat, waiting.
Xvar held tightly to Serhan as they made their escape. She spoke as they ran. “Aftar was right. I know he was, but I just hope someone is going to tell everyone about this.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s your job.” Xvar said, stopping her abruptly from turning a corner. Shaking his head silently he removed his dagger hearing footsteps in the hall.
He readied to pounce except the footsteps announced themselves. “Xvar!” Asunder’s voice called. Xvar pulled Serhan into the hall.
“Get her out of her Xvar.”
Xvar nodded and Asunder continued running through the halls. Magnatic was close on Asunder’s tail. He stopped thanking Xvar then bolting down the dark hall again.
As Magnatic reached the great chamber Aftar stood, turning to him.
“I’ve been waiting.”
Magnatic charged and slashed his sword down from above his head, wasting no time.
“My apologies, shall we?” Magnatic said from clenched teeth.
Aftar thwarted off Magnatic’s blow with a crosscut.
He threw down blow after blow advancing forward slowly.
“Do you understand why we’re fighting?” Aftar said, leaning in.
“I fight to restore order.” Magnatic said somewhat caught off guard by the question.
Emphasizing each word with a strike of equal measure.
“You are wrong. We’re not fighting for that, and I won’t die until you figure out why we really are. I am always right.”
“Is that a motto or a threat?” Magnatic nearly shouted.
“Advice.” Aftar countered.
“Lies.”
“Promises.”
“Death wish.”
“Peace.”
Magnatic looked into Aftar’s eyes. He was panting from exhaustion, at this pace Aftar would kill him.
“We are fighting for a reason, the only and last noble reason.”
It suddenly came to Magnatic why Aftar was fighting.
The leaned into each other’s force as the sword blades pushed together.
“The Dakans came up with this noble reason. This reason to show how bad conflict is. You have to tell everyone how bad this was. How it was a massacre of rebels, rebels who were good men, who wanted a good world. Show them in this world there are no bad men except for those truly evil. This is a civil war, Magnatic. The true battle lies with evil itself. In men and beasts.”
Magnatic threw Aftar’s blade off the handle of his own they stood back. Magnatic nervously eyed Aftar. Aftar sat on his knees, he lay his sword to the side and removed his chest plate, exposing a thin leather tunic.
Magnatic walked forward, thrusting the sword with all his force into Aftar’s chest.
Leaning down into a kneel he whispered, “Commend me to Tunare.”
Aftar kissed the blade and whispered back, “With pleasure, friend, king.”

Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message Board

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

*cheer*

Hooray for koz! This is great!
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Arachnis]

Damn Koz, you're a little freak aren't you?

[EZ_Koz2]

Arachnis, I know you're still angry at me for... Wait, what did I do again? Oh yeah! I remember now, I defended the validity of my game and after a long discussion you left the board without having me have to ban you.
I really thought that was respectful and felt that I had gotten my point across.
This story has nothing to do with my game, so you have no reason to start tossing names at me.
What you're doing is immature, and seems to be motivated by some odd kind of soreloserness or plain old jealousy.
If you want me Arachnis, if you hate me, and hate who I am as a person then attack me. Don't attack what others hold so dear like the game, or what others find a little entertainment in, like my story.



If you want me, come and get me, because you accomplish nothing like this except demonstrate what a conceded, jealous little 13 year old that you are. You give all us teens a bad name. And if you're not a teen - then this is a @#%$ tragedy.


(Note: I bet $10 that Arachnis will not e-mail me, or have any civil contact with me. I've seen foolish human nature long enough to see pride win over logic a million times over. Oh, and I also assume that you made McKerran's account considering it was used once then never again when he said he's been following the story since it began. I'm going to ask the administrator for the IP number of him and I already have yours -- it's very easy to see through your facade.) Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message BoardEdited by: Koz2 at: 12/13/00 5:46:49 am

[EZ_Koz2]

Aftar slumped over on the blade and Magnatic gently lowered him to the ground.
Magnatic stood silently but after a moment or two raised his hand in salute.
“The only way I can show my respect is to not regret your death. Thank you, friend.”
The battle waged on for the remainder of the day. Even without a leader the men fought to the bitter end. The Gariks leaving several final surprises, including the explosion and collapse of the fort’s plateau crushing all inside and all within a close proximity. This battle was now without a purpose, ugly in it’s own worthlessness. Although Magnatic saw it as the last great battle ever to be fought, the soldiers saw it as a cold, heartless, terrifying battle. He hated to subject anyone to that, but he knew if it was not as bloody, as gory, as unromantic as it was that no man would speak of it in glory. It would always be a beautiful tragedy.
As the last banners fell to the dust in pools of partially dried red-brown blood the victors galloped back to camp, to exhausted to gather the wounded and dead or even hold their banners up. They looked as if they had lost. But no matter what the outcome had been, there wouldn’t have been a true victor, because this battle was not fought to win, but fought to be recorded. It was unknown to the soldiers, but many of the officers realized this. They cried with downplayed pride knowing their place in history was secured. The soldiers simply trodded back to camp. They fought like soulless zombies. Escaping the hopelessness of battle and life in violence. It was a noble, respectable distraction and noone would ever question them. It was a way to fill the hole with another hole that was easier to deny. Trading one poison for another. It was the only way for them to somehow feel like they were doing the right thing, using their own uselessness to help other worthwhile people. Just another battle to fight at the end of many others. Each was the same in its painful but soothing confusion. Each battle giving man the leeway to do as he pleased. Each man could simply fight to die and noone would stop him.
A respectable suicide. The only thing that kept some of these men alive was that they had a small house or farm to return to, and maybe a wife or a child. Soulless men walking back to an empty camp. Soulless men walking back to a home. Noone stops them, because a man with no soul is more likely to give his body up in battle. They were more likely to be a steadfast soldier, a ready elite, and men with a wish for death, a prayer for death. They were not men; they were mindless, soulless, blind automatons. They were the void in humanity that continued to think they served for the good of man. But all they do is prolong their own sorrow and add that of those who never meant to be part of the battle in the first place.
At the camp Xvar stood silently with Serhan. She turned to him and spoke.
“What will you do now?”
Xvar reached for the amulet under his tunic, rubbing it to a shine he stared at his own reflection in it. “I know who I have to defeat for the time being, maybe then I can figure everything out. You have to defeat Lugiver, Serhan.”
Her look asked the question and he answered staring off into the distance.
“You aren’t fighting evil. You’re fighting the humanistic traits of evil. I know what I have to do. I have to fight evil itself. I am not fighting to win.”
“What do you mean?”
“Evil and good will always exist because evil teaches people how to be evil, because in truth everyone has that within them. This is just another time to fight. Don’t try to make us all the same Serhan, that won’t work. You have to figure out to make everyone want to accept each other. Unity is a mindset, not tangible equality.”
She nodded. “Will you die you think?”
“No. In the end good has to always win the battles because evil always owns the hearts of power. I’m just another person fighting for good. Magnatic did the right thing. He’s going to make it easier for people to want to accept eachother. For people to love eachother on some level.”
“If you can’t win forever, why fight?”
“Someday tangible equality may become a reality. People may become open enough to want everyone to be happy. We’re not working to end the story, Serhan. We’re just working to end our chapter.”
“Will you come back?”
“I can’t say. I still haven’t figured out exactly who I am. I know what I’m supposed to do, and how I’m supposed to do it. Now I have to go and try. If I fail I’ll be back at the first step.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“I know. Believe me Serhan, I wish more then anything if I could have a reason to come back it would be you. But it’s for that same reason I have to go and see if this is who I’m supposed to be. Do you understand?”
She nodded. He leaned his forehead against hers and they shut their eyes.
“You need to figure out if this is who you’re supposed to be too. Maybe by the time I come back we’ll both know and we can have some real peace.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away so he could see her face.
A small gentle smile formed on his lips.
“I’ll wait for you.” She said again, with a smile. He nodded and cloaked.

Magnatic returned to Felwithe a hero, just as he knew he would. He soon declared the promotion and partial disbandment of Lugiver’s army. Of course it was masked as a reward, and all soldiers he thought fit were simply put in the royal army. His plan was working perfectly. He commissioned 50 artists, 20 poets and 10 authors to write about the battle. Copies of each of the works were mass circulated as much as they could be. Any veterans who stepped forward to make a work of art or prose, or to tell tales to the young were given rewards by the kingdom. The battle was greatly exaggerated, but it was one of the best secrets ever kept. After only several weeks the war was legendary and forever imprinted into the minds of the men.
Now he just had to make sure Serhan understood what she would have to do when he left.
Well, everything seemed to be going well until he got news that Lugiver had successfully fled Faydark and it was rumored he was going to create an orcan army.
Orcs were only born to fight. They weren’t born with good or evil, because that’s not why they fought. They fought out of a need to feel good and evil, a subconscious yearning for a conscience. From the moment they are born they look to kill and kill and kill, stupidly, blindly looking to feel regret – an appetite with no satisfaction because this capacity eludes them. This is not evil, this is tragedy. The ambitious orcs would seek riches, trying to fill this void in them by quenching their greed, a merciless, bottomless greed. But these are not the root of it, evil is not to blame. Simple and utter ignorance is the only one to blame. Created without need for love, in stead a need to feel at all. Created without need for life, in stead a need to find out why they lived. All of this was because of their apathy and in no way by their fault or deliberate intent.
Simple and utter ignorance is the only one to blame for the tragedy that is their meaningless existence. The greater tragedy of course is that no other race helps them, but in stead takes full advantage of them, playing on their needs for meaning, playing on their greed. Playing on their ignorance.
Like telling a child whom knows no better to hit another person, a disgusting act of cowardice and malice.

Serhan knew that. She knew that soon Lugiver would be able to convince the orcs to rise up and try to defeat the elves again, despite their recent defeats.
This relentless need to justify their existence seems to drive them even more then how much the people want happiness. Serhan knew what Xvar meant now. Lugiver was whom she had to defeat because he was human evil. Xvar wasn’t fighting that. He’s just keeping the balance in this world. She put her hands on the windowsill, looking to the outstretched forest in front of her. Leaning over the sill she watched as the guards barked orders in the rain. A few young cadets ran around, some were doing exercises in the mud, some sparring. She looked at the young men, who’d give their lives for her. She wondered if they had family, if she was worth that.
“I don’t know how I’m worth so much if I can be replaced so easily. But I guess that’s not my problem yet.”

Magnatic looked to Serhan. She seemed lost in thought.
“Who was that boy?”
Although her expression made her continue to look a million miles away she replied. “The force for good. Xvar.”
Magnatic nodded a smile forming on his lips.
“A force for good…? Hmm… Serhan? I need to speak with you.”
“Yes, what about? I thought we were finished today.”
“It’s not about your studies I’m afraid.”
“Lugiver?” Serhan said looking back over her shoulder from the lofty castle window.
“I know about him already. He’s going to raise an army of orcs and try and take us back by force, hoping to win favor with his old army. He’s clever. I think you should have someone kill him alone and spare us all the bloodshed he would wreak.”
“I don’t think that’s possible unless we got an orc to do it. And there are no orc assassins we can find. We’ll have to battle.”
“The people are tired of battle.”
“The elves are tired of battle because that’s what they saw. But the orcs see nothing else and can not tire of it.”
“All that effort to inform people of the battle for nothing?” Serhan said her voice growing in anger.
“No, now the elves know they don’t want to fight anymore. Now we need to find a way to show the orcs.”
She nodded. “I don’t think they can be shown by the horrors of battle. Maybe we need to show them the opposite to get the right effect.”
Magnatic spoke firmly. “Yes. That is how we have to do it. Now I just have one question to ask, if Xvar is a force for good why did he leave?”
“Because we’re not fighting the force of evil itself. We’re fighting greed and ignorance. He is fighting evil itself.” She said a note of finality in her voice.
“We can defeat them.”
Serhan looked up to him, smiling. “We will get the mindset for unity.” She said looking out the window again.
“Xvar…” she mumbled. “Just don’t die.”
She sat on the edge of the windowsill looking out to the rain soaked forest. Her gaze traced the contours of the landscape from the dew-covered grass to the heavy-branched trees, sagging with the weight of the water. Everything seemed freshened by this symbolic gesture of unhappiness and sorrow. She smiled, “Irony is beautiful in an odd way…”

Deep in the orc caves, the new home of the orcs, Lugiver sat reviewing ideas for conquer. The orcs were fickle in their hatred. All hatred has its root in incident or difference, but they caused the grudges they sited as justification. But like waving a piece of candy in front of a child’s face for motivation Lugiver had their loyalty within a day. He promised them to get revenge for the loss of Orcport. He promised them riches and victory, as any leader does. But his plans were complicated. He planned to destroy important areas of agriculture one by one until Faydark relinquished. A devious, insidious plot to take over the area without permanently destroying it. He then planned to turn on the orcs and destroy them. He figured he could then raise a rebellion against the orcs, since he wasn’t conspicuously leading them, noone would know the double cross except the orcs. Lugiver was a man of arrogance, greed, temerity and recalcitrance – like a spoiled child.

But he was also clever. He knew enough to find someone else to represent him in public. To the orcs he adorned a new name, “Grananaric” or “grand orc”. This way the elves would never know he had been the one to organize their destruction. Now he had to find someone hopeless, soulless, ruthless, and loyal. Someone looking for a reason to kill, and using that as a reason to live. Men like this made the best soldiers. Recently a man had become famous, he had once been a simple man who lived to write, draw and take care of his sister. The rumors varied that she had run off with some man, a rogue. And that after that he lost the will to live a good life.
Because all love really is, is a reason to live – a reason to be a good person. As long as a person has this they will never fight to offend, but always to defend. Love keeps battles pure. But he had lost this, and supposedly found peace in the chaos of battle. His name was Dacrin.

He was smart, arrogant, cruel and merciless. He fought to escape himself and with each battle became further empowered by his drug of choice, adrenaline of murder.
When asked why he fights he always says the same thing, “Because men without souls aren’t good for anything but fighting.”
He was undefeated. He sported several scars that looked as if they’d require immortality to survive. He felt no pain. He felt no remorse. And strangest of all he had no true reason to be heartbroken, no reason to have lost his soul. All he had done was kept asking himself why, over and over until he convinced himself there is no reason why and there is no reason to live a good life.
Lugiver made Dacrin the general of his army of orcs. Dacrin fought with less mercy then even the deadliest of orcs. They soon respected him and grew to admire his attitude toward war and death.

His hair was often unwashed from the last battle and patches were stained and hardened in blood. He flaunted them like trophies and soon so did the orcs. They mimicked his disregard and indifference for life. He was casual about killing things, much like D’vinn and this got to the orcs like nothing else.
He had painted he skin jet black, only his palms were still the native color since his weapons rubbed off any paint applied. He was strong, not as strong as the orcs but his own ruthlessness helped any shortsights in strength, as did his cunning nature.
He was a mongrel, some said possessed by a demon. When an orc asked him what true strength was he replied, “The only strength is to never fear death, pain, dishonor, and injury. Nothing can make up for this.”

The emptiness his questions created made a suitable vessel for blood. He had to fill this hole, but there was no fill to it because blood can not fill a hole like that. Some part of him knew this and yearned for hope, hope to peace. But Dacrin, much like many lost behind him had given up his soul for blood. This is not a hole that one thing can fill, maybe nothing can fill it. The secret is not in the hole’s depth, it is not meant to be filled. The secret of this hole is its length, and how to mend it.
All violence is created by need. This need is so varied from situation to situation, and justified in some and not in others that it is nearly impossible for most to find a different solution. Violence is created by need and creates more need; violence creates more of it self. To stop violence the need must be filled, besides the simple stripping of weapons and stop of combat. Maybe, somewhere in his mind Dacrin knew this. But he took orders, and had stopped listening to his own thoughts for far to long for this truth to be realized.

Dacrin was a soldier. He fought to fill what he could not fill because a clever leader took advantage of his soulless actions. Lugiver was very, very clever in a manipulative sense. He knew just what needs caused conflict. He understood perfectly how he could create these needs to create conflict exactly where he wanted it and avoid it where it wasn’t useful to his purposes. It was this clever manipulation of human need and want, this deep understanding of human consciousness that gave Lugiver true power over others. No amount of physical power could equal what his understanding showed him. This is the darkest side of human nature. Taking advantage of ignorant innocents to fulfill his petty, unlasting wants. He was selfish to the point of killing others for what he felt he deserved.

Xvar had been riding in the rugged Dakan highlands for what seemed like weeks, but with no sure way to keep track of the days it could have as well been months. A small, chin-covering beard had grown on his face and his hair had grown slightly. Whenever it got overly annoying he simply sliced off the bangs and ponytail he was growing and let it grow again. He was searching for several things. First of all Korrash’s original home, the cell, and the armor. He knew if he didn’t find them in the right order nothing would work out. Asunder had managed to track him down several days previous and said that Jerra may try and come as well. Xvar didn’t mind the extra company, it meant a helping hand with the regular chores of setting up and taking down camp and provided an extra pair of eyes for searching.
It wasn’t for several weeks more that they found the first thing they needed to find. A small white marble door shown out of a large rock outcropping. It gave no great resistance when Xvar pushed it open. Warily stepping inside he lit a torch and walked down the long first corridor.
The first room was Korrash’s library. Cobwebs hung like thin sheets over the shelves and desks. This room was full of unlit torches. Xvar of course lit them and was able to further explore. Through the large marble room was another corridor. Asunder had just caught up with him and walked tentatively behind him. They descended deeper and deeper into the building. Each level was colder, mustier, and danker then the last. Eventually they reached the dungeon levels. The very bottom level consisted of a simple 500-foot corridor with a black door at the end.
“The cell.” Xvar muttered spying the door at the end. It was dark black iron, a great contrast to the polished white marble all around.
Each of the marble floor slabs contained a trap. Each had a different way to die, and by the time they reached the cell they were exhausted from the run and the dodging and the warding off of snakes… Xvar put his hand on the cool iron door, sliding to the handle, which had a lock. He carefully picked the lock and turned the handle.
He pushed the door open calmly without even a hint of fear.
Inside Daro sat twitching every few seconds, his eyes tightly shut and his fists clenched.
Asunder let out a small gasp and Xvar silenced him walking back out and shutting the door. “Korrash made a cell for Daro’s MIND, not for his body. Korrash knew no physical bounds could keep him, so he made a cell for his mind. I believe the only way to wake him up is to remove the curse. I’m no magician of course, so there’s no way I can fight him until the curse is removed.”
“Can’t you kill him while he’s like that?”
“Not like this.” Xvar gestured to his weapon and armor.
“Even if I had the proper equipment I don’t think I’d be able to harm him in this building, I bet you anything Korrash put a curse here. So noone could fight or use majik. So noone would be able to kill him or free him while he’s in here. I guess it’s a safeguard. He did everything he could.”
Xvar pulled out a map of the area and marked the place of Korrash’s home.
“I would have thought he’d have hidden it a lot better then this.” Asunder looked back down the hall to the now subdued traps, panting slightly.
“Oh, I think he did an alright job.” He said with a smirk.
“I imagine he also created this so Daro can’t be moved. But when I get the armor maybe I’ll be stronger then his curse.”
Asunder nodded. “And if you aren’t?”
“Then I’m sure Daro’s priests are.” Xvar said sternly turning back to the traps.
“They’re disabled now. Korrash knew no simple traps would affect Daro if he escaped.”
Asunder nodded as they returned above ground.
“Korrash was smart, but he knew he couldn’t kill Daro himself. He knew he had to delay the battle and make sure Daro couldn’t grow stronger.”
“Why couldn’t he?”
“Because he knew what he was fighting for, and he wasn’t supposed to be fighting Daro. The man who was supposed to fight him didn’t for some reason, and he had to continue the fight.”
“Who was supposed to fight him?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that Korrash was fighting what Serhan is supposed to be fighting, the evils of human nature, not evil it self.”
“I don’t understand how there’s a difference…”
“Evil is a force within everything. Human evil is the ignorance that makes people think violence solves problems and fills the hole those problems create. These have to be fought separately.”
Asunder nodded thoughtfully, the night had already drawn a curtain over the usually blue sky.
“So you’re not trying to end this are you?”
“No, that’s not what I’m supposed to do Asunder. Fools can change all of history with one bad action. I’m not going to do this because I’m going to find out exactly where I’m supposed to be and exactly what I’m supposed to do so I won’t live with any regret because I’ll do what the fates bid me do.”
“Don’t you dislike heeding the word of the stars?”
“They’ve seen the entire span of all history, they’ve guided everything before me and you and they’ve taken me this far, I don’t see how I can mistrust them. I know parts of what are going to happen to me. I know I’m going to live and I know I’m going to have to fight Daro. That’s where I’m supposed to be.”
Asunder mounted his horse, looking back to the sky.
“I often wonder if my life up to this point has been entirely worthless. But I think the fact that I’ve learned from it makes it worth it. The fates are good teachers at least.”
“They have to be so we can understand where we’re supposed to be. Otherwise nothing they do would work.”
“I wonder where I’m supposed to be.”
“Only you can figure that out, but if you’re here and feel right then you’re supposed to be here.”
“What if you feel wrong?”
“Then you do what everyone who is lost does, find yourself. To many people use that as a reason to become a soldier. They are wrong of course. Because you’ll still feel wrong, you’ll just feel wrong in a different way.”
Asunder nodded as Xvar mounted and they rode back to camp, taking their time to admire the stars.
Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message Board

[EZ_McKernan]

koz, i understand entirely that writing is a source of expression, even your only source of expression for it is the same in me. writing is my life and my passion. but on that note, i must run quick to see the night, for i have much to do this evening. i will post again and give a better explaination for my earlier post. but i apologize for sounding like such an accusation flinging person. it was just so upsetting that i saw sooooo many coincidences between GW and this saga. i was impressed and elated to see you define your characters and your story with such sureness and love. that was my main concern in my post, to find out if i wasted my time with your words or not. i am glad to see that i have not. thank you and i look forward to your future writings. goodnight sire

mckernan, possibly the greatest halfing rogue who had ever played everquest.... until he was so violently mauled by 47 kodiaks.

[EZ_McKernan]

oh yes, one more thing, i had been reading this from the beginning, but for some reason, my original mckernan became deleted and when i could not help but wonder about the gundam wing business, i had to recreate him. so don't put too much faith in the fact that you "assume that you made McKerran's account considering it was used once then never again when he said he's been following the story since it began. I'm going to ask the administrator for the IP number of him and I already have yours -- it's very easy to see through your facade.) "

[EZ_Koz2]

Then excuse my mistake. But the arrival of both you and him at exactly the same time seems so coincidental that it's surreal. Anyway.
*bows in apoligy* Sorry to be presumptuous.
Anyway, glad you understand. I think the biggest problem is that I agree with alot of the things Gundam was trying to show, although I want to show alot more then that, and a few different things, the coincidences from how we agree will show.
Trust me, I will waste no man's time with my writing -- especially my own. Thank you actually, because you got so close to destroying the flame that makes me write that it just made me stronger. *bows again*
I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story, and the many more to follow. Koz. Lean, Mean, Posting machine.
It slices, it dices, it fondues! The new and improved Koz! Woot!(c)
The X-Perimental Entertainment Message BoardEdited by: Koz2 at: 12/14/00 6:09:51 am

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar’s sleep was remarkably untainted by nightmares that night. Asunder groaned and snored and shifted in his bed but none of this bothered Xvar at all.
His dreams were quiet, absolutely silent and peaceful. He dreamed of sitting in the colony on a hill in the snow when he was a young boy. Before he had to go to training, before he came here. The entire land would be covered in a light sheet of snow. He would run through it, looking behind him intermittently at the familiar footprints he made. All that he heard in the dream was that soothing sound of the snow crunching under the weight of his foot. He would dance around, trying to confuse his footprints, trying to get them to miss their step. He would smile and jeer at them, racing them into the open fields.
He started to hear the drums in the background. The sky was growing darker and he saw the firelight gaining more presence in his site then the sun’s last rays. He skipped back to the city’s walls and his mother would taunt him playfully. His father was bending down to ruffle his hair, a sign of affection. Xvar would smile and grab their hands and swing on them until they returned home.
More sounds in the dream appeared the scene shifted suddenly to his days in training. The walls of musty stone seeming to go on forever as he looked up to them. He saw himself running through Faydark, chasing and orc and killing him. The first orc he ever killed. He saw himself standing over it asphyxiated in bewilderment and guilt as he warily touched the blood on his blade and then gave the orc a timid kick.
“Dead… He’s dead…” the little boy whispered. Xvar jolted out of his dream, sitting upright, sweating lightly and panting. The tent door had blown open and he saw snowflakes coming through. He fidgeted and then put his legs over the edge of the bed leaning his weight onto them as he sat. His arms resting on his knees he looked out the window, cocking his head slightly to its side.
He stifled the urge to shiver as he stood up and the wind blew on him. He walked to the tent door and looked out as the tent flap gently slapped against his leg with each wind gust. Putting his hand on the tent pole he leaned out slightly, there were at least 3 inches of snow covering the ground. Securing the tent flap he went back to his bed, sitting down and pulling on his boots and over tunic. He walked over to Asunder’s cot and nudged him Asunder rolled over and grunted something to the affect of, “Just a bit longer.”
Xvar went outside and began to pack up his things into his saddlebags.
The hairs bristled on the back of his neck as he thought he heard a sound. Calmly he spoke. “Asunder?”
No answer. His brow furrowed in quandary and he turned around slowly.
A lone figure stood. A long, hunter green cape wrapped tightly around them.
“Jerra?” Xvar asked, his eyebrow slightly raised.
Jerra smiled. “Did I surprise you?”
Xvar smirked slightly then turned back to his horse, speaking. “I thought you’d stay with Serhan, or is Dacrin not your enemy?”
Jerra shook her head and gave a sigh of defeat. “No. He’s not. He took a new name too.”
“Yeah, Ekul Mekon. Doesn’t that mean “Sure Victory” in Orc?”
Jerra nodded slowly. “Someone else has appeared as a general in Lugiver’s forces.”
“Who’s that?”
“Kurt Durmen.”
Xvar turned around, his look made it obvious that the name was familiar but unplacable.
“He was some sort of gladiator in Freeport for awhile, when the Deathfist took over he served them loyally. So I guess the orcs have teamed up.”
Xvar nodded, still looking as if thinking about the name.
“Yeah, I would’ve guessed by now the orcs have at least figured out they need to unify to defeat anyone.”
Jerra was towing her horse behind her and walked up next to Xvar, tying her horse to the tree.
She turned and leaned her back against it, nuzzling her horse’s nose while she stood looking up into the sky. “What’s it like being home like this?”
“This isn’t my home.” Xvar said flatly.
Jerra looked over at him rather surprised. “But you’re Dakan aren’t you?”
Xvar nodded. “This is my homeland, but not my home. My home is in Kelethin now.”
“Why is that?”
“Home is wherever whoever believes in you lives. That’s the only place worth going back to after you fight.”
Jerra gave a gentle smile, as if reminiscing about her childhood.
“Where’s my home now I wonder.” Jerra said sadly.
“With me and Asunder. Xvar turned away and walked back over to the tent. “Speaking of Asunder I need to wake him up before death is tricked into thinking he should pull Asunder to the otherside for resembling rigormortice.”
Jerra laughed and stood up from the tree walking to her saddlebag she removed a small meat pie and happily munched on it, watching the gray clouds slowly crawl over the sky.
Xvar pulled Asunder’s cot over and then walked back out of the tent. Pulling on his armor.
“5…4…3…2…1…”
“Bloody hell! Don’t do that Xvar, the floor is cold as ice!” Asunder yelled from in the tent.
“You’d think he’d wake up when he hit the ground…” Xvar said conversationally to Jerra passing her and moving to his horse. Asunder had pulled on his armor and boots and started to put the tent down. After they were done disassembling it they mounted their horses and discussed where they should search. Xvar circled several areas with his finger on the map.
“We might have some luck around here, these castle ruins date back to about when the legend started.”
Asunder nodded and pulled on his reins lightly, getting his horse’s attention.
“Shall we?” He said with a smile.
Xvar nodded. “Let’s shall.”

Lugiver smiled as he looked over the maps spread out on the thick oak table. Dacrin and Kurt sat at opposite ends nodding and making suggestions on Lugiver’s plans.
The slowly poured over the plans for Kelethin, looking for all the weak beam supports and lifts.
“We will destroy the lifts, cutting them off from getting more food. Then we trap the Elven forces within Felwithe until they to starve or relinquish defeat.”
Kurt spoke up. “As long as I get to fight, the plans are fine with me.”
Dacrin nodded silently, his arms folded and his eyes closed, his chin nearly touching his chest.
“I’m glad you’re both so eager to fight.” Lugiver said slowly. “But it’s best that you remember the plan.”
Simultaneously reciting the plan Dacrin and Kurt then stood and left the room.
Lugiver knocked over a chair in anger. Moving his weight onto the table through his hands he began to mutter angrily. “Live or die I don’t care as long as they die for me and live for their duty alone.”

[EZ_Koz2]

http://ravensaga.homestead.com/index.html

*pants* After several hours work(damn puter crash!) I got the site up. It is all about Xvar/Sett's Sagas. Please, for the love of mercatroid and everything holy, go check it out. It even has cast info and a section on me. *falls over from exhaustion*
*mutters under breath*
enjoy...

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar looked over his shoulder to his other companions. Asunder was giving Jerra some riding tips and they were laughing and talking. The snow had stopped, and as the neared the coast, the snow was more and more scarce.
The riding had progressively gotten easier as well as the neared the ruins of the coastal castle. It had once been a magnificent, proud castle standing like a king over all the people. The stones were now covered in moss and lichens, rodents scurrying between them. Jerra and Asunder fell silent as they neared it. Asunder stopped about 50 feet away and tied his horse to a tree. Walking forward slowly, looking warily around the clearing.
Jerra follow his example, dismounting and tying her horse. Xvar had already tied his up and was nearly at the ruins. She jogged to catch up with them.
Xvar put his hand up and Asunder and Jerra froze in their step. Xvar approached the ruins more slowly, looking as if focused on something in them just out of site.
He reached down and picked it up, it was an old torn banner.
"Marko Qerec Dasan Dakan!" He read aloud.
Asunder translated under his breath, "Long live the Dakan."
Xvar fell to his knees cradling the banner in his arms his eyes shut tightly. Jerra ran to his side falling to her knees as well. Xvar wasn't crying but looked as if remembering something painful. He stood up Jerra looking up at him with much worry in her eyes. Asunder walked over to it and took the banner from Xvar.
"This is not what we fought for. We didn't fight for banners, for fabric with symbols on them. We are the true lands, the true banners. We fought for our people, our way, our children!" He started to yell, then threw the banner to the ground and fell over sobbing. Jerra was by his side in an instant, rubbing his back and trying to sooth him.
Xvar looked over to Jerra who looked up at him concerned.
Xvar walked into the ruins, rummaging around through the boulders and rocks.
Asunder had composed himself and was now looking around as well, Jerra close to his side. Asunder treated Jerra like a daughter, helping her with any rocks she couldn't move and always being protective. Xvar almost smiled at this.
"When Asunder and I return to Kelethin I know Jerra will have a home." He thought to himself. The thought reassured him and he thought of his own home.
"Mine will be with Serhan, because she is my reason." He thought to himself.
At that moment Asunder rolled over a large stone with his shoulder and shouted to Xvar. Xvar ran over and looked down at the curious chest. He removed his lock picks from his belt pouch and began to coerce the lock into opening.
Finally he heard a triumphant click and pulled the lock off. He slowly opened the lid to the chest revealing something covered by purple silk.
"Damnit." He said. "That's not it." He said standing and turning away.
Asunder looked at him with perplexity, pulling off the silk revealing a king's ransom in jewels.
"How did you know?"
"I recognized the lock as being royal issue and the purple silk was a dead give away. Only kings use purple, it's the royal color."
Asunder nodded then smirked. "Well, we can't just leave it here, can we?"
Xvar was already walking over to his horse. "Grab anything you can carry, it'll buy you some better armor. Same to you Jerra."
Jerra and Asunder nodded and took handfuls of the jewels, using their shirts as makeshift pouches then dumping the riches into their saddlebags.
Xvar pulled out the map mumbling to himself the names of the various routes.
"Hn. His one looks promising." He said pointing to a route slightly north of the ruins. Tracing the line with his finger it led to the ruins of the old capital. The capital was moved several times, and this was one of the oldest.
"This was built around that time, wasn't it Asunder?"
"Yes, yes it was. That's Fliran right?"
Xvar nodded as Jerra watched on.
Asunder hopped on his horse and grabbed the reins. "Well then, let's give it a shot."
Jerra nodded and Xvar gave his horse a stern kick setting it into a trot so he could keep talking. Asunder and Jerra matched his pace as he explained how they were going to have to go through several obstacles to reach Fliran.
"Fliran was very well protected, but since a couple of key flaws in the defenses were found the capital was moved."
Asunder nodded, "I heard there's some sort of underground tunnel."
"Yes, there is. It's big enough to travel by cart through if you wanted. But getting to the entrance isn't exactly easy and I'd expect by now the tunnels are heavily infested by Tunare knows what."
Jerra spoke up. "Do you think we could make it through safely?"
"It's pretty much our only option, so we have to give it a try."
Asunder smiled at Jerra. "Don't worry a bit, we'll all watch each other's backs. Right Xvar?"
"Right."

Serhan moved quickly through the halls to Magnatic's chambers several parchments in hand.
"Magnatic!"
Magnatic was leaning over a letter, writing slowly.
"Yes?"
She slapped the paper on his desk, on top of the letter.
"Mysterious orc forces seem to be targeting farms on outskirts of Faydark…"
"Lugiver." Magnatic muttered angrily.
"He's slowly trying to attack our food sources and infrastructure, cutting us off from the frontiers. The orcs have been attacking all messengers on the roads."
"He's clever. But he made one mistake he started to soon. It's too obvious that he's behind it. We can turn the people completely against him. Leave it to him to try and ruin this fragile peace."
"I don't think fighting is the best answer here. The orcs are like children, ignorant and spoiled. We have to change them, not kill them."
"I know that Serhan, but how do we do that? They are very loyal to the tradition of war."
Serhan nodded sadly. "We must find a way."
"And soon." Magnatic finished. "Before we have to fight a war. It's foolish of Lugiver to do this unless he has something up his sleeve. The Crushbone could never defeat us alone…" A wave of realization washed over Magnatic and Serhan instantaneously.
"They're not alone," They both said slowly, turning to eachother.
"We have to find out exactly who they are allying with!"
"We must send spies…"
"But who?"
Magnatic stood quickly, holding Serhan's shoulders he said with a smile. "I know exactly who can do it."
"Tyu and Farren?" Serhan questioned.
Magnatic nodded and walked briskly out of the room.
Serhan sat down on his desk catching her cheek in her hand, her elbow on her knee.
"If they can't do it there's only one person who can…"

"Xvar!" Asunder shouted pointing to the horizon.
"Kobolds?" Xvar questioned.
"What are they doing around in this area?" Jerra asked.
Xvar shook his head dumbly. "I have no idea."
Asunder tugged the reins fiercely stopping his horse abruptly.
Xvar and Jerra also stopped looking at the band of dots slowly descending from the horizon.
"A whole pack. Maybe 12 most."
"Think we can take them?" Asunder questioned at Xvar.
Xvar nodded. "Yes, but we need to get the horse away from here, we can only keep some many kobolds entertained at once the others would rip the horses to shreads."
Asunder nodded and they all dismounted.
"Jerra." Xvar shouted and she turned her head quickly. "Take the horses as deep in to that brush as you can, don't change direction, just walk straight. We'll shout to you when we've got this finished. If something goes wrong and we don't shout, jump on your horse and ride out of here. Got it?"
She nodded hurriedly and grabbed the horses running into the dense thicket on the side of the road.
Xvar looked to Asunder who had already drawn his sword and was ready for the impending fight.
"Don't stop fighting. I know we're not supposed to die here." Xvar placed a stick right by his feet, it's end was slightly sharpened.
Asunder nodded, slightly reassured by Xvar's stern voice.
The kobolds were tackling eachother every few steps. Playfully wrestling without a care. Then one stopped in mid gate and sniffed the air. All the others stopped and mimicked his behavior. A fit of barking and howling ensued as they recognized the smell. The stronger males went to the front, charging ahead.
Xvar pulled out his daggers and stood stock still, waiting for the males to reach them.
"Once we kill these the others will probably flee, but don't move until I tell you we'd killed them all."
"I understand." Asunder hissed through his teeth, his gaze locked on the 4 stocky males approaching. It was their hair color that confused Xvar the most. Most kobolds are light brown with large flecks of blackish spots. But these were a red clay color with tan spots.
They bared their teeth and growled as they grew closer, their claws began to show out of their paws.
"You take the two on the left." Xvar whispered quietly.
"Got 'em." Asunder whispered back.
Suddenly the males charged forward gaining speed with each step. Xvar leaned down and grabbed a stick on the ground and as the kobold jumped it landed on the stick's end - impaling it straight through. The stick broke under the kobold's weight and Xvar had to roll out of the way so the kobold wouldn't crush him. As he turned the other kobold pounced on him. Xvar held the kobold's mouth away from his neck and they rolled over the ground, Xvar desperately trying to make his mark with his dagger.
Asunder had decapitated the first kobold with a clean diagonal slash, but the other was far more elusive. He swung and swung but the kobold managed to dodge each blow.
Xvar finally managed to stab the kobold just below the neck and tried to pull his dagger down the body through the collar bone and the kobold yelped out in pain. The kobold backed off of him and swayed back and forth slightly. Making some dog-like whimpering sounds until it finally fell with a large "thump" on the ground. Xvar sat panting for a moment then jumped up as he saw Asunder still fighting the other kobold. He ran and jumped on the kobold's large back thrusting his dagger between several ribs then pulling the dagger out only to stab again at the base of the neck. The kobold gave a large howl of pain then immediately fell to the ground.
Asunder held his sword and let the tip touch the ground as he reached out to Xvar helping him up. He sheathed his sword back in its scabbard and Xvar sat on the kobold corpse wiping the greenish blood off his daggers.
The other kobolds howled for several minutes in the distance, mourning the death of the males then eventually moped off into the thicket.
Xvar yelled to Jerra. "Return now."
Asunder sat next to him on the kobold corpse. "Should we skin them?"
"We don't really need to, we've got enough furs for now."
Asunder nodded looking down to the kobold's head which was slowly drooling blood into a large puddle underneath its left temple.
Jerra pulled the horses out of the thicket several feet in front on them. She looked at the kobolds and walked forward slowly to inspect one.
"I've never seen any kobolds this color."
"Neither have we." Asunder said.
"I think we should be more careful, if the kobolds are different who knows what else may have changed or migrated to this area." Xvar said, standing and walking to his horse.
They mounted and began again on the road, but this more alert…

[EZ_Koz2]

I'm going to be taking a break for awhile. I think people aren't really into it much anymore so I don't see the point of writing these days. Maybe I'll continue if I get some form of support. Otherwise, *shrug*.

[EZ_Eiji15]

NO NO NO NO NO...keep writing...i dont wanna be left hanging!

[EZ_Koz2]

I don't only write for myself you know, and the occasional comment would be nice.
Thanks though, I'll consider it.

[EZ_Darkenn Velgarn]

my goodness. it took me a day and a half to finally catch up with everyone else. i finished reading the scout's saga and xvan's story up till this post.

i didn't think i should put up a reply until i caught up

it is excellent writing. the content is very in depth encompassing many areas. the ideas of government, good vs evil, war, etc are expressed very well. i'd have to agree with everyone else and beg that you continue. however, it is the holiday season, maybe you should take a break no?

i do have one question though... where in the world do you have time to write all of this??

[EZ_Koz2]

Good idea. Just a Christmas break. Ok with me. :)
And the only reason I have time for this is because I MAKE time for it lol. It's like all I do to relax and get out of my head for awhile.

[EZ_Eiji15]

Yeah, you deserve a break Koz. Just please don't quit. You are a really talented writer and I really look forward to reading each installment. :-)

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

mmmmmm. I especially enjoyed that one.
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_Kwikster Milkbeard]

Just wanted to let you know that we are here and reading, enjoying your wonderful piece of work. Forgive me Im tired, you have managed to keep me up the last 2 nights reading.

Have you ever read a book you just couldnt put down? Well let me say if this wasnt a computer it would be with me till I was finished.

Great work so far, I look foward to more. Enjoy your break.

And one last thing, dont scare me with Jerra again, I thought you were gonna take her out, hehe, shes my favorite =)

Keep it up. Kwikster Milkbeard35th MageHumble officer of the Phoenix Trading CompanyVeshan

[EZ_Koz2]

Arg, I'm in the process of moving, so I won't be able to write and post a chapter till Tues or so, but as soon as I get the chance I'll write, I'm dying to! :P

[EZ_Kwikster Milkbeard]

Woot! cant wait, dont rush though =)

Good luck with the move.
Kwikster Milkbeard35th MageHumble officer of the Phoenix Trading CompanyVeshan

[EZ_robb the rogue]

i caucht the first post then i did not think you would wright anymore. i do love the wrightings and have been reading all day. i would love to hear more. just keep it up man




robb arachniid &lt;house of arachniid>
lv 30 rogue
rodcet nife

[EZ_Wiergraf]

Yeah, we're all keeping up with the Dark Gauntlet, Koz.

I still can't believe ya killed off Coriard...


Wiergraf Deathstalker
Isn't it sad that families can be torn apart by something as silly as wild dogs?

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Don't you hate it when someone tries to help you fix your cd writer but it turns out that your computer was just to slow, but then he @#%$ up your computer and you order 128 more ram, and then your internet stops working and so does your printer and then you fix the printer and the cd writer but the internet still doesn't work and you get your cable provider to help you fix it but they can't fix it and you get another friend to try and help you and then after a few days with no internet you call back the internet company and they walk you through things for 2 hours and still cant help you so you have to format your computer? And here I am now, and I do hate it when that happens.
Spitting out yer daily dose of BS.

[EZ_McKernan]

i was on vacation and i just caught up and let me say... do not stup writing, more for yourself than for the many readers you have attained. i'm lovin' it koz.

[EZ_Wiergraf]

Yes, I would hate that too, Vija.

Wiergraf Deathstalker
Nero, you are an example to all the children on this shuttle. Because most of them are so foolish, they think it better to keep their stupidest thoughts to themselves. You, however, understand the profound truth that you must reveal your stupidity openly.To hold your stupidity inside you is to embrace it, to protect it. But when you expose your stupidity, you give yourself the chance to have it caught, corrected, and and replaced by wisdom. Be brave, all of you, as Nero, and when you have a thought of such surpassing ignornance that you think it's actually smart, make sure to make some noise, to let your mental limitations squeak out some whimpering fart of a thought, so that you have a chance to learn.--Captain Dimak

[EZ_Vividar DePericulo]

I only recently started checking the "by the fireplace" section of safehouse. I read something about the original scouts saga (or something) thats the background to this whole story. anybody have a link they could post for me?

[EZ_Koz2]

Lordy! What a pain in the neck, been off-line for about 2weeks and going into MAJOR internet withdrawl symptoms. Managed to get on a puter at my friend's so I could at least check my mail and so on. Luckily (my home computer is on a network which I don't administrate) the administrative computer of my home network should be on-line tonight and I might be able to post the 5 pages I've written since last time. And if I'm really lucky my own computer might be back on the internet by Weds, but probably closer to Fri. Anyway, I'll really try and get the new issues up asap! Thanks!

[EZ_Malvagita]

Fun times =P Cleaner
Rogue of Fennin Ro
Brotherhood of Crimson Knights
www.bck.org

[EZ_McKernan]

your keepin' us hanging koz....

[EZ_Koz2]

For Daro, the only enemy is time and the illusion it gives of a future. Time is more like a fog on his consciousness then a measurement of sand grains falling. It is infinite in the future, infinite in the past, and infinite in the present - a monotonous continuum of painful infinity. The invisible cage around him draws tighter everyday. Insanity, if it were not already present, looms like a constant, ominous thundercloud.
His days are spent planning revenge with intermittent bouts of paranoia and hysteria. His fits of rage only further waste his energy. He injured himself several times, although he saw no mark once his fits died down the pain did not seem to subside. Even if he woke from this nightmare-ridden comma, his muscles by now were no doubt suffering from atrophy and the elements as dust and worms took their toll. This was the pain he felt, however small, magnified by his lack of wits that plagued him and fed his paranoia. The worms were small and took a long time to reach his marrow; they caused him the greatest pain. Although most of his flesh had already rotted from long past necromatic accidents and spells, what remained tortured him in his old age and tormented circumstances. It is possible, however incredible, that dead and live flesh can remain together on a well trained necromancer's body. This is the immortality they boast, but even it is not indomitable. Usually lack of food, disease, worms, and injury destroys much of a necromancer's few living cells as immortality wears on.
His fits are soon forgotten, keeping the realization of what his cell actually is just out of his reach. He couldn't escape because he thought he was escaping a physical cell, but all he was doing was living in dreams and nightmares. On occasion memory would also flood his senses, an overbearing touch of the past. He had managed enough of a fit to create a demon in the physical world by somehow regaining control of his lips long enough to manifest the spell, which is why the demon was so weak. His spell was barely a whisper, unchanneled, and unaided by his mana reservoirs creating a very weak model of his power. Daro's fits would usually end with a spell cast, always very weak, mostly unnoticeable to the naked eye or unaided ear. Despite their weak nature it took most of his mental capacity to create them, but as he did, each time he hammered a little bit off of the cell. Each time he almost opened his eyes he grew closer and closer to escaping. As his paranoia and radical nightmares reached more terrifying extremes his eyelids twitched more. His face gained control sometimes and became contorted in horror and pain. But the tedious routine of torture and boredom was soon to end…
--------------------------
Magnatic surveyed the darker side of Faydark. The trees obscured some of the view to the orcan outlying forts, but the pillars of smoke helped pinpoint their location.
Serhan looked very concerned as she leaned over the platform observing the brewing situation.
Magnatic leaned on the railing of the Kelethin post next to her.
"Lugiver knows how to manipulate the orcs, the orcs are no more then overgrown children."
Serhan looked out thoughtfully into the distance. "Ever since I was a little girl I was taught how horrible their actions have been in the past. I was told about how they've raped, pillaged, looted, burnt, killed, lynched, tortured and destroyed. But noone ever wondered why. They never thought about what we did to them. We never took serious thought to that we intruded on the land they had kept fair care over for centuries. We never thought that maybe we're as much to blame as they are…" She paused, thinking about Magnatic's comment. "How does Lugiver control them?"
"With fear, Serhan, with fear. He fails to realize…"
"Realize what?"
"That respect is the only practical bond between people, or orcs. Love is to capricious, hate too contentious, materials too superficial and fear… Fear is the simple breeder of dangerous ignorance, unnecessary timidness, and the resentful rebellion that destroys empires. But at the same time, regretfully, fear provides the framework for the perfect shortsighted autocracy. Once that leader dies however, the entire empire is thrown into disarray. But he was smarter then that, the orcs don't know who Lugiver really is. If that orc who is Lugiver's decoy dies he simply finds another. In this way, the orcs will think him an immortal god. He has the heart of a coward, but a clever coward."
Serhan nodded, she was having a lot of trouble not hating Lugiver.
"Respect is the necessary unifier and realistic equalizer that still provides the proper amount of latitude for the essential diversity to keep the empire strong. When this is lost, all is lost."
Serhan looked to Magnatic whose eyes were closed as if remembering something distressing.
"We have a diplomatic meeting with our neighbors from Butcher Blok tonight."
"Hmm?" Serhan awoke from her thoughts and turned to Magnatic. "About what? I hadn't received notice of it."
"About Lugiver, and a possible alliance. We should go get prepared."
Serhan nodded. They had been in Kelethin for a week now, going to various diplomatic meetings and checking the legions.
Serhan had grown used to Magnatic's enigmatic and sometimes cold personality, and the recent haircut, but she still felt rather outclassed. His manners were completely cultivated and courtly, his looks were dashing but he always seemed elsewhere. She believed she knew the reason for his distance, there are some battles that are not fought on any battlefield but the mind alone. Although he claimed he felt no significant affection towards his people and that his actions were more governed by duty and logic then fairness and care she was somewhat skeptical. He did cast a gentle smile on the land when alone, and was kind to the men on the streets as he passed, often generously giving them money. Magnatic played on his peoples needs as Lugiver did, but instead of using this skill selfishly, he helped them uphold a fair standard of living.
But without sounding didactic or tiresome he taught them how to aid themselves. Through grants to artisans and writers he kept a good record of history and promoted the respect of literacy and artistic ability. Endorsing wisdom as virtue and priority as much as he could. But several obstacles lay in his way. First of all the official government was a monarchy, and he was not king. And despite the lack of real authority the king had, he was subject to frivolous whims and fickle regard to his friends. Often taking the head of anyone who he felt was taking too much of his power, ironic, but indefiable since he claimed to be given the mandate of authority from Tunare herself. Magnatic believed this was ridiculous, and that Tunare would never choose such an imbecilic man. Though all elves claim to be descendents of Tunare, the High Elves allege that they should rule since they were the pure breed of elves. Magnatic also believes this to be asinine but can't deny that the high elves would probably defeat the wood elves if a civil conflict erupted.
Besides, what leader could ignore an innate advantage to power? Even one as virtuous as Magnatic knew this could not be denied. High elves were a noble and prestigious race, described widely as beautiful and delicate yet elegant and pure. Most high elves had white hair like his, but his dark brown eyes did stand out, most high elves had blue or green. High elves were usually tall, lean, and made more for the arts of magic rather then war. But the elite few of the high elf warriors were adroit generals and soldiers due to their rareness. Magnatic's long hair was also unusual, most high elves had shorn short hair so it would not catch their hands while they cast. Even the warriors had it short for a similar reason that it might catch in battle and stop them from delivering the final blow. Which was part of the reason why he cut it before battle, but not the reason he let it grow in times of peace. As his hair grew longer it took much more effort to keep groomed, a symbol of the frailty and difficulty of peace and how easy it was to return to war for the sake of traditional simplicity. You curse, declare, fight, die, loose, win, curse, declare, fight, die, loose, win, an unending cycle carried on by all of the races. Evolving independently, yet a shared trait - on-going chaos, on-going war. Revealing the tendency to fight, and the need of peace realized only after peace is missed in times of strife, peace is always taken for granted in regretful ways.
But, is Dacrin right? Are worthless people only good for fighting; are people only good for fighting?
-----------------------------------------
Striding down the marbled halls of the Felwithe castle Serhan nearly jogged to keep up. The short yet bumpy carriage ride had left her somewhat sore and numb and she felt embaressed limping alongside. Magnatic had to stifle a chuckle at Serhan's flimsy gait.
The entered the impressive great hall of the castle where the chairs of the great table had been fitted with steps for the dwarfs. Although this was a polite gesture, several dwarfs had found it offensive and had torn the steps off and thrown them in the fire.
Magnatic smiled at this, the dwarves were a proud, strong race, not always bright but their sense of heroism was in the right direction.
The meeting was a long one, sometimes angry, sometimes calm voices echoing off the pristine walls of the great hall.
By the end however, a treaty was signed by and in the name of the elves and dwarves to ensure a strong, fair alliance.
The dwarves and elves often relied on eachother's help during times of war. They had a long standing relationship as amicable neighbors. Some conflict occasionally arose over the boundaries of each kingdom and petty matters of pride, but those were few and far between.
The next step was to ally with the humans so the elves would have better naval support. Humans, being piggish and insidious, were still strong and ambitious, worthy of alliance. Their navy could wipe out almost anything, and although most of Freeport's harbor had been destroyed during the 7th Orc War between All vs. the Deathfist, most ships had been rebuilt or sent in from other harbors.
With this support the plan was to blockade any coastal support or communication between the Deathfist and Crushbone and then starve them or out flank them.
Magnatic, and the respective allies had agreed this was the best way to do it. In fact they were confident, considering the sanitation and isolation that the orcs would be vulnerable to plague. Reassured by the seeming easy victory over the orcs Magnatic and Serhan retreated to bed...
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&lt;Author's Notes:>
Yeah, I know, way to much talking right? Action is coming down the pike people, just want to get everyone's motives clear before the butt-kicking begins so noone is confused why it's going on.
BTW: Everyone rejoice, I'm on-line(some restrictions may apply)! Yipppppeee!

[EZ_Koz2]

----------------------------
Xvar's Saga - Chapter 20 - The Black Wolf Orc and the Troubadour Troublemaker
----------------------------

Dacrin, adorned in his sloppy mess of fur robes and threadbare leather sat on the roof of the blacksmith shop. His sword and menagerie of other weapons, daggers, spears, blade breakers and so on were all being repaired. He sat right next to the chimney, inhaling the blackish smoke, chuckling in morbid delight.
His scratched the itch on his arm, some sort of disease had been getting to him ever since he had his arm injured when he met Xvar. The infection was unnoticeable at first; the symptoms were implacable and seemingly benign. He barely detected the slight tug at his mind, a growing madness as he regressed into the mentality of an animal.
His days were filled with training exercises and sadistic rituals. In the morning, a casual routine of killing nearly the first recruit who made a mistake during warm-ups. During lunch, some unfortunate animal, usually boar was captured and eaten -- sometimes raw and not quite dead. Dacrin relished such things, for the orcs saw him as an equal. Equally as indifferent to the suffering of death, disease, and his own pestilence. He almost smirked at the thought. Soot, and various other elements contained in the smog settled on any exposed skin, making it black and gritty.
Kurt, although equally as indifferent about death, was far neater. He was insipid and nearly melodical in speech. The sort of annoying, uppity tone that crawls under your skin and drives you to your wit's end.
His face was clean, except for the typical tribal markings and scars that gave an orcish appearance. His armor was in far better order then was Dacrin's. His breastplate, made of pure bronze, was painted over with orc emblems and colors, as was the rest of his armor. On the elbow joints a spear point protruded out. So that when he charged towards his enemy he could spike them on one of the points or slash them to bits.
Kurt was self indulgent and selfish to the extremes. Anything he wanted he expected to get, and get it fast.
He organized a forthright and simple system to do this:
Get it for me, or die.
As even orcs are more inclined to do petty favors then die, he always got his way. And those stupid enough to challenge him, or be tardy, were ensured a gravestone.
Both were model soldiers for the orcs, and served Lugiver accordingly. Of course, there was no reason not to. He gave them power, blood, coins and a lofty castle in which to hide from the law. They required, and in fact desired no more and knew if they suddenly did they'd probably see evidence of Lugiver's sometimes-short temper.
Kurt scowled at Dacrin's complete lack of hygiene and with the help of a few volunteer orcs they snuck up on Dacrin and soaked him with water. Stripping all of the black off his skin, while a rather large ecosystem of insects spilled out of his furs and hair.
Dacrin of course killed the orcs involved and jumped back on the roof of the smith shop. Leaning over he could put his head in the pillar of smoke. Smirking malevolently at Kurt he was disgusting within minutes.
Dacrin eventually leapt down from the rooftop, of course leaving a trail of black footprints, to the center of the city. It was not organized like a typical city.
The center had several ritualistic temples, shops, and firepots, but not much else. The castle loomed in the background, an ever-present reminder of Lugiver's, or "Granaric's" power.
The rest was mostly farmland, hunting ground and roads winding around the scattered buildings and houses that dotted the area.
The roads were not paved, more like large paths, carved and recarved into the ground over generations of orcs who had lived in the area.
They were dusty, rugged, bumpy and inefficient, and Lugiver meant to change this. He wished to change the dusty, rugged orcs into a formidable empire. Which had never before been truly attempted since the orcs have a rather severe lack of intelligence.
He had ordered that the smartest orcs would become scribes to record economic matters, such as taxes. He reasoned that a great army fit to conquer the world must have the following things:
1.Money
2.War-accepting, War-loving background
3.Illiterate soldiers who won't think for themselves or will be easily swept up by false promises…
And 4. A strong leader.
He had 2,3, and 4, but needed a better way to organize the orcs so he could revive the nearly non-existent economy.
And so he devised a system of ranking.
At the top are the Uracs, then the Yilracs, then the Defdefs, then and the Shen.
The Uracs can ride horses, use the best weapons and wear plate armor. The Yilracs can't ride on horses, but can use nearly the best weapons and wear plate armor. The Defdefs use mediocre weapons and chain armor. And last, and least, the Shen wear rusty chain or leather using any weapons they can scrounge up. The Shen would be mostly used as the expendable frontline, taking the edge off the attackers. In time, if the Shen survived they could be promoted, but often most Shen never lived to see more then one battle. The Defdefs are commonly from the merchant families who can provide better equipment. Defdefs are the second to go into battle, and most survive since the Defdef is the largest group of soldiers. Defdefs must survive 6 battles to be given the chance for promotion. Once they have the chance they must fight with the Shen during a battle and if they survive, they are promoted the Yilrac. The only way you become a Yilrac is to either be a poor noble or a promoted Defdef. Yilracs charge right ahead of the Uracs with long pikes to knock off the soldiers from the enemy's cavalry. So the Uracs will have a tactical advantage when they finally get to fight. Although the Defdefs and Shen fight the majority of the battle, it's the Uracs that get all and any of the glory. Uracs are purely from noble families, and rarely promoted Yilracs. They are rich, arrogant and stubborn, but often have been trained as fighters from birth. Whereas most of the others are broke farmers, merchants, or jobless poor.
Since slaves are bought or stolen from the neighboring races, most remedial work that the poor would do is done cheaper and easier by slaves. Completely undermining the entire social system. Slave drivers had the easiest life in orc society. Simply whipping and shouting, doing otherwise not much work and getting paid quite the reasonable sum, they lived an enviable life compared the beggars and slaves.
Kurt in his spare time loved being a slave driver. He wouldn't even whip the slaves; he'd have a slave do it for him while he held a knife close.
His punishments were always over cruel and sometimes fatal or crippling. But all the time he would smile and watch with a darker, eerie kind of glee.
Dacrin took no part in the slave driving, he more interested in hunting.
He hunted any game he could possible find. His senses recently had become more acute and his shagged appearance resembled that of a wolf or some other gnarled beast.
The orcs never used the name he gave, which was Ekul Mekon. But instead called him "Racracfar" which was eventually contorted into Racrac, and in some cases Racfar. Literally translated into "Black Wolf Orc".
Since his skin was always black, and he looked like a fur-covered orc, it seemed appropriate and intimidating. In fact, since the civilians of the Crushbone so rarely saw him, he was described as a terrible monster that would eat young orcs' eyeballs if they were disobedient.
Dacrin had grown into an incredibly limber yet strong warrior and although he had had some background in fighting before, now his skills were superb, maybe even enough to match Lugiver's.
As Dacrin continued his daily ritual he went into the forest. Sniffing the air and scanning the trail for tracks he spotted those of a deer, several in fact.
Tentatively putting his hand on the track feeling how moist it was he knew it was fresh. Standing he drew his sword and ran through the thick undergrowth.
His pace became faster as he knew he was getting closer. Then slowed as he neared a clearing. From his position in the bush he could see the tail of one of the deer. Leaping out from the shrub he pounced on the deer. The deer, being a somewhat frail animal collapsed under his weight with a disgust sound of broken limbs. The other two deer had scurried off into the opaque foliage as fast as he has leapt out of it. Giving the deer a stern kick in the neck, and hearing a satisfying crunch he picked it up and dragged it back to the city center, putting it near a firepot as he sat and ate. His teeth made small gnaw marks on the bones as he cracked one open on the edge of the firepot, eagerly sucking up the marrow. Kurt was appalled by Dacrin's disgusting manners watching from afar he felt almost sick. Kurt could kill 10 men, 10 good men without a second thought, but the site of Dacrin eating made him ill.
Kurt went to Lugiver in the castle and Lugiver sat him down and they began to discuss battle plans.
Lugiver had a large map tacked onto the thick wooden table in the room. There were various models and figures symbolic of armies strewn on the thin leather diagram.
"I believe if we station camps here and here and here." He said while he pointed to various locations near Kelethin. "That we can take Kelethin quickly."
Kurt nodded. "Did you manage to find any of those explosive experts Aftar had? The uh, what was it, Gariks?"
"No, but I have assembled my own team, and in honor of the late, great annoyance, Aftar, they'll be named Gariks."
Kurt nodded and chuckled at Lugiver's sarcasm.
"Shall we burn it down then?"
Lugiver smiled and tossed the plan with all the vulnerable spots of the platform supports marked.
"Let's shall." Kurt said in his melodiously insipid tone, much like that of a drunken troubadour or bard.
Grazing his hand against the plan gently he whispered in a darker, crueler tone. "Let's shall…"

[EZ_McKernan]

it is interesting to hear from daro, kurt, and dacrin again. especially dacrin, i cannot wait to see how it developes. great work koz, keep it coming.

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

"It is known that there are an infinate number of worlds. simply because there is an infinate amount of space for them to be in. However, not every one of them in inhabited. Therefore, there must be a finite number of worlds. Any finite number divided by infinity is as near to nothing as makes no odds, so the average population of all the planets in the universe can be said to be zero. From this it follows that the population of the whole universe is also zero, and that any poeple you may meet are merly products of your deranged imagination." -Douglas Adams

So if all this is from my imagination, does that mean that I wrote this story?

[EZ_Koz2]

You wish. ;)

P.s. I've been busy studying for my midterms which are next week, but I'll have another issue up soon. With my regards.

[EZ_Kuai]

Excellent work man i havent read anything more interesting than this before. VERY NICE keep up the good work!

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Ya I do wish

In the website you made with the different chapters to the story, the numbers for the chapters are messed up. When you click on chapter 3, it says chapter 4, but it really is chapter 3. Just thought to help, none of the links on the website you provided work either.

In a few days I am going to print all 100 pages and put them into a book, make a cover. ect.

[EZ_Koz2]

Yeah, I am fixing that, that's why none of them work right now. Thing is, I can't use homestead for extended periods of time since my time on-line is heavily restricted until the network's up.
Glad to know you enjoy it Kuai, great personal pic btw, where'd ya get it?

P.S. Vija, it's actually 110 last I counted. ;) Just make sure to put my name on the cover, alright? Thanks... With my regards.Edited by: Koz2 at: 1/21/01 8:18:01 pm

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

I thought I wrote the story? Don't you read my previous posts?

But when you really look at it, I got it up past 4000 pages, by increasing the font size...



PS. Do you have a real name? or just Koz2?
Edited by: Vija Dakalvii at: 1/23/01 11:15:20 pm

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/loth/t/a/tayce2/an.jpg.html

Found a nice picture for this story. Fits in with the end of Sett's saga.

[EZ_Koz2]

Nice pic. Sorry I haven't written yet, my midterms are this week so I'm, well, swamped. Anyway, thanks and see you soon.

[EZ_Afk Assasin]

I just wanted to say how well your story has come along, I just started coming to the Safe House since I made and rogue and I stumbled upon this story. Taking a few days on and off I have read up to where you are currently and I think its AMAZING. I also wanted to say thanks for entertaining so many people with your uncanny writing talent. Scotsman
Level 18 Thief

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

know whad be neat? a Prequil staring Quetra, Coriard and Aftar!!! evena bit shoter than the scout saga would do.

Yea I know you'll be retiring after this story. But we all have a dream

[EZ_Koz2]

Sorry it's been so long folks, but I've been way the hell busy with school, midterms, and moving into my new house so I've been incredibly behind in my writing. I promise to have a new issue up by at least the end of this weekend, hopefully sooner. Thank you so much for the support.
And Vija, that's not a bad idea, I think I might just do it, what the hey, everyone needs an impressive exit. Salute. With my regards.

[EZ_Koz2]

Sorry, didn't write much yet since I was busy writing a sidestory fan request:
---------------------------------------------------
A band of a dozen or so defdefs ran down a trail of cold mud. They were 5th ranked defdefs, meaning they had survived 5 battles, one more and they’d be promoted to yilrac. They were mean creatures, ruthlessly created from gore and steel. Since defdefs could live a good life as a yilrac, they would work tirelessly to gain the promotion. They went through a painful routine in the day. In the morning they were woken up by a pitcher of boiling water, then immediately doused in freezing water. They had to swim 20 laps in the moat around the castle, no matter what the weather. When it was cover with ice in the winter they had to break the ice before they swam. For lunch they’d have to hunt for their food, then roast is quickly and move on to organized formation training. During the next 6 hours after lunch they’d form battle groups and practice. All the 5th rank defdefs would take a trainee 1st rank defdef and teach them anything they knew until bed. All the other 2nd-4th ranks would train with eachother until dark. They slept on the ground, with a rock pillow and for the lucky ones, a patchwork blanket.
Dacrin was skulking around, lurking around the camp tents and watching the defdefs train. In his mouth he licked his teeth, his canines had been growing lately, and he had sharpened their ends, giving the appearance of a werewolf. He wrinkled his nose at the pungent smell that floated through the camp.

[EZ_Koz2]

Yawning with his mouth wide open he spotted something in the sky. It was a pigeon, a messenger pigeon. Even from where he sat, on the corner of a tent roof crouching like a gargoyle, he could tell it had a message tied to its foot.
He reached out to it, as if he could've touched it, grunting that he had to get the message he lept from the tent roof and ran through the camp, searching for a bow.
His head darted back and forth, looking by the entrance to each tent, row by row for a bow mistakenly left behind. Spotting one out of the corner of his eye he stopped abruptly and ran toward it. His sprint recently had become more hunched. He ran with his arms near his knees, spread out in the air for balance and ready to strike an enemy.
He picked up the bow, drew, and shot the arrow with lightening speed. The arrow, true to its fine craftsmanship flew straight and hit it's mark. Falling the poor pigeon from its air-born track. It plummeted after a bit of struggle and fell about 50 feet from Dacrin. He lept again, the movement was graceful and he landed on all fours. Raising his head slowly he spotted the pigeon, sprinting forward to it and sitting on his haunches while he took the note from the foot of the pigeon.
He carefully unrolled the parchment, his blackened fingernails carefully picking it open. Flattening it on the ground he put his face only a foot or so from the print that was messily scratched into it. He sniffed the parchment, it had the smell of orc on it and looking at the handwriting and text it was in he knew an orcan hand did it.
"A scout notice?" He spoke in a gritty rumble that came from his chest, not his throat. He sniffed it again, this was not a Crushbone orc. Crushbone orcs had a very particular smell because of the type of land they worked most Crushbone orcs were encrusted with a rare reddish clay smell. As opposed to the Deathfist who smelt more of sweat and sand. That's what that smell was, and those bits of grain on the note. A Deathfist notice? But the pigeon couldn't have flown from there.
"They must have a camp close by now, I must bring this to Lugiver." Dacrin said aloud.
He took the note in his mouth and ran forward quickly, leaning forward, his hands back far to balance him as he sprung from tent to tent to the road, hitting the wet mud with a smacking sound. Despite the lack of support the mud gave he still ran through it quickly and with great ease. He skidded to a halt when he reached the outer wall of the castle. Jumping to the wall he ran across its length until he was directly across from the tower, which he threw himself towards and clambered up on top of. As usually Lugiver did this time of day, when the late afternoon when the light was best, he looked over the span of his kingdom, masked in several layers of cloaks and robes. Dacrin slid over the slick stone floor of the tower to right in front of Lugiver. He stood and shook himself off, removing the note from his loose grasp in his mouth he handed it to Lugiver.
Lugiver smiled, reading it to himself his lips silently enunciated the ancient orcan tongue. His smirk grew wider as his eyes traced down the columns of words. He walked over to the edge of the tower, supporting himself by placing his hands on the ledge. The note waved back and forth under one of them as he gazed off into the distance. Slowly but surely the sun was creeping down the western edge of the sky, on the eastern side the moon was already visible. The grain fields on the borders of the orc kingdom were more vivid in this light and even the small gradual waves of the wind in the wheat field were visible.
Lugiver loosened his grip on the note under his hand and it floated away on an intense breeze. Dacrin crouched ready to jump and catch it, but Lugiver waved dismissively at Dacrin's instinct. "Don't worry about the note, it's not important."
Dacrin stood again and cleared his throat, speaking in a more elven tone, "What did it say?"
"Summon Kurt." Lugiver said, his gaze not wavering from the distant fields of golden wheat. Dacrin nodded and did a back flip off the tower, twisting in mid fall and grabbing onto one of the castle window's bars. He slowly lowered himself from window to window until he jumped onto the ground. Sprinting off to get Kurt, who was in the slave fields as Lugiver watched from overhead like a vulture.
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Xvar watched with curious interest at a small form not too far ahead of them in the trail. It was a small form, and from even the distant they were at, that would've made a human form shadowed the color was visible. It was a pinkish color, bright pink, the sort of pink in fresh spring flowers.
It was groaning about something. A small, frail hand reached up from its front and rubbed its shoulder as if it had a terrible cramp.
By the time Xvar looked over to Jerra and Asunder they had already noticed the form in the road. It stood up, to maybe about 4 feet at best. It crouched slightly, putting its hands on the ground for support as a pair of butterfly like wings sprouted from its back.
"By the gods, a daughter of Tunare." Asunder whispered, "A fairy…"
The fairy noticed that she was being stared at and giggled. She pranced forward a few steps, continuing to giggle in an eerily magical voice. As her wings shook while she walked sparkles of fairy dust trailed behind her.
Xvar slowly and carefully dismounted, carefully nearing the fairy. She smiled at him and floated up, kissing him on the nose and then giggling more. He reached out to touch her but she turned away and fluttered her wings in his face. He sneezed and in that instant she seemed to disappear.
Xvar looked over to Jerra and Asunder, "This land is sacred, Tunare walks these woods, don't touch anything or disturb anything but the leaves and ground."
Jerra was still somewhat in awe at the fairy. The road now twisted around a large tree, which seemed to be the cornerstone of a large thick patch of foliage. The road curved suddenly around it, and on the other side from the patch of foliage was a sudden drop off, a muddy ledge. All around that was more and more forest. Most of the leaves were dark green, casting a dark shadow on the ground and letting very little light to the forest floor. And the overhanging branches above their heads overcast even the clearing of the road. The light was so dim that even at about noon it was as dim as winter dusk.
Xvar mounted and told Asunder and Jerra to stay back a moment, since they couldn't see anything that might be around the corner of the road. Xvar road cautiously to where he could see and then gave a shout back to them, "All clear."
Far down the trail to where it was to dark to see further a small lamp was shining and swaying back and forth, suggesting it was being held by a slow walking creature.
The form of the creature was large and strong built, suggesting an orc, but it didn't have quite such a clumsy gallop, but rather a graceful gait.
Asunder moved up next to Xvar and looked at it with interested. From what they could see it was alone, no taller then Asunder, and moving slowly without fear of the forest's predators - suggesting it might be one of the forest's predators.
Jerra moved up in-between Xvar and Asunder, casting a spell of sight. Moving her arms swiftly through the air she incited a stream of diamond-like mana floating out from her open hands. Putting the palms of her hands in front of her eyes and speaking in the ancient casting tongue her vision blurred for a moment then stretched out so she could see the form in more detail.
It looked to be a man's form, two legs, two arms, but the skin wasn't skin, and the head wasn't the head of a man. A fuzzy tail swooshed back and forth behind the form. The hands were irregular as well, clawed on each finger. The feet as well were clawed and unshoed. The thigh and shin were not connected as a human's was either. Instead of straight down, they were like a cat's, the foot going up so far that the shin was very short and pushed backward from the thigh.
The whole form, which she decided immediately, resembled an animal standing on its hind feet, was covered in a short fur coat.
The head was that of a leopard's. Its mouth was slightly agape and it sniffed the air occasionally. Its whiskers twitched whenever it sniffed and it would make a small pause in the trail, moving its head around inquisitively.
"A Kerran…" She said quietly, "But then what is it doing so far from Erud?"
Xvar drew his blade quickly. The horse reacted in slight panic but he calmed it.
"It'll be close enough to smell us soon, we'd better give it a wide birth. We don't know if it's a scout for a migrating or nomadic clan. We'd do best not to chance it."
Asunder and Jerra nodded at Xvar's idea and began to take their horses down the ledge slowly. It was not as steep as it had been at the last turn and they slowly half slid half walked down it to the bed of a dead river. From a safe distance they watched the Kerran pass by, stopping and sniffing at the unfamiliar smell, but without anything resembling a tangible threat it eventually continued on its way.
Following the riverbed was a good as following the trail since both seemed to be taking the same winding turns and both gave a good place to walk the horses without disturbing the forest itself. As they went farther down the river the moister it got until it had a current strong enough for them to have to scale back up the ledge to the trail. The trail was getting wider, and more frequently they spotted fresh Kerran prints. Everything about the forest, the river, and the trail seemed to indicate they were drawing closer to civilization…
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Sorry that took SO long to get up here, I've been doing several other writing projects on the side of this one and they're competing for my time. Hope you guys are still following this. :) With my regards.

[EZ_Kwikster Milkbeard]

Keep it up, and no need to hurry. Its coming along great. We are here, just reading =) Kwikster Milkbeard40th Mage ( I hate hell )Humble officer of the Phoenix Trading CompanyVeshan

[EZ_Koz2]

xvar.homestead.com/

New, far improved homepage, check it out please. I know, I know I should've been writing. That'll be done soon (the next chapter that is) I promise lol. With my regards.

[EZ_Koz2]

In the distance, but not to far off individual and spread out pillars of smoke rose into the chill air. It was winter now, and although no evidence by snow or even by drastic cold was evident the forest was still with the death of the season.
Jerra and Asunder looked over to Xvar who nodded and continued forward.
He slowed his horse to a gentle trot and looked over his shoulder to speak.
“Asunder? We’re getting to where Xerocix would have been, it’s not far from the Fliran tunnel is it?”
Asunder coughed slightly, the effects of the cold wearing on him then grunted a yes.
Jerra looked off to the town. “Was Xerocix an important town?”
Xvar nodded and Asunder, in a slightly gritty voice recounted its history.
“I went to the Xerocix military institute. Ironically enough however, the city was more known for it’s theater, the ‘Xerocix Iltaron’.”
Xvar continued. “In the colony they have a theater called that now, in tribute to the old one. I guess when we left the Kerrans took over this part of the country.”
Asunder nodded. “The conquers were strong but short lived, as I heard parts of the country became overrun by animals and the like, eventually when the invaders strengthened again they simply assimilated with them, or at least that’s what I’ve heard. Although I didn’t know they’d all look so different.”
“Like the kobolds?” Jerra inquired curiosity and even a bit of fear ringing in her voice. Xvar nodded.
“Who were the invaders?”
“A rival kingdom, the Kefka. It’s really by chance they managed to invade, the king’s death and several agricultural problems led to our demise.”
“You had a famine?”
Asunder nodded morosely, “It was such a terrible famine it was given its own classification and name, the Unydoric.”
Xvar translated, “The Death of Harvest. Uny, death, and doric, harvest.”
Asunder nodded and continued between coughs, “The people were afraid their way of life would die, so they left.”
“What is the colony called?”
“Simply ‘the colony’.”
“I mean, in Dakan.” Jerra questioned, looking over to Xvar who almost smiled.
“Malandir. Mal, foreign, and andir, home.”
Jerra nodded, noting Xvar’s expression, which resembled homesickness.
The trail led them to a steep hill, overlooking Xerocix.
Below them lay a bustling city of Kerrans. It looked similar to when Asunder had seen it and his heart pained in silent recognition that the Dakan time there had passed.
In the Iltaron a play was being performed, all around the stage were stone risers where row upon row of attentive Kerrans sat. The Iltaron was at the northern side of the city, across from them. In the center of a city, a rather impressive castle of black marble stood. The Kerrans were not generally known for building skills beyond simple tents and cabins.
“A Kefka outpost.” Xvar said disdainfully, spitting the name out like a curse.
“What are Kefkans?”
Both Asunder and Xvar looked sadly to the castle. “Elves. Elves like you’ve never seen, not blue, nor pale tan, no, they are red – bright red. They are this color for they were born with poison in their veins; it’s a warning to all that would hunt them down. They are a savage clan, but very well organized…”
Xvar interrupted Asunder, “We’ll need to either sneak through or go around.”
Asunder nodded.
Jerra looked to Xvar who had so quickly changed the subject from the Kefka, did they bring up bad memories?
“Xvar?” Jerra questioned, and Xvar looked back at her intently. “Yes?”
“Have you ever seen a Kefka?”
“Only illustrations, I was born after the exodus. But the myths, legends, stories and pictures of them have been handed down.”
“What are they like?”
“They think there is no such thing as ‘elf’ and ‘animal’ they believe nothing separates us from them… So they act as animals, with motives and culture befitting animals.”
Asunder looked off over the ledge to the bustling city, the Kerrans and Kefka got along nicely as far as he could see on the surface. “We might be able to sneak through if we can color our skin red. This is a trade town, it will be crowded and many strangers pass through without restraint.”
Xvar looked around. He knew exactly what to find. There was a certain plant that gave off bright red pollen. They could rub it on their skin and pass through while staying inconspicuous.
“Jerra, Asunder, does pollen make you sneeze?”
Both shook their heads, partially in curiosity to Xvar’s seemingly irrelevant question and partially since pollen affected neither. It suddenly dawned on Jerra why Xvar asked, being a ranger she remembered there are certain pollens that can be used as body paint – for the hunt or for camouflage.
Xvar almost smiled, Jerra was quick to pick up on his idea as she trotted her horse around looking for it.
“It’s getting to be winter though, is it a winter flower?” Jerra asked, concern weighing heavy in her voice.
Xvar paused. He looked over the ledge, and down in the city he saw what he expected. “Yes, but it will be a little more difficult to get than I had anticipated.”
Asunder knew what he meant this time, in the ancient Dakan lands they had devised a system to keep soil warm even during the winter so that crops could be grown year round. It was ingenious really, except when the system failed during the Unydoric…
Xvar began to inch his was down the hill. “I’ll go down and get some, wait here.”
Jerra and Asunder waited impatiently as Xvar disappeared from view into the farmland below. But with all his unceremonious nonchalance about dangerous situations, they soon saw him ride up the hill again – triumphant as ever.
Jerra examined the flowers; they were warm to the touch and in the chill air emanated their warmth in the form of misty fog. She smiled at Xvar, “They’re perfect, that’s really amazing – how do they do it?”
“Under the ground a special room is kept, it is gigantic, and in it the kilns for the pottery shops and blacksmiths are all firing. In this way, no energy is wasted.”
Jerra’s eyes widened. “I wish I could see it…”
Xvar looked out to the crop fields. “They made one in the colony, it’s incredible. Always hot, filled with potters working furiously, large as a cathedral and filled with rack upon rack of pots, weapons, tools, armor, and everything you could imagine. It’s called the Veodoric. The fire harvest.”
“Veo means fire?”
Xvar nodded gently, “Yes. And the men who work in it are called the Veoards.”
A smile of understanding appeared on Jerra’s face. “Oh, I get it.”
“For example,” Asunder continued. “Dash, means guard of importance, add an –ard to the end and you get Dashard, the men of the royal guard.”
Jerra smiled, “What would my name be?”
Asunder smirked, “Ranger is frorik, so Frorikard.”
She laughed gently, “I think I’ll stick to Lasian for now.”
Asunder laughed, “Wise thinking.”
“What does Morrenard mean?”
“Morren is the word for fisher, but during the time before the war, even many common men went to train as soldiers.”
Xvar cleared his throat. “We need to get going. Rub down with this on your face and hands put your hoods up and no matter what don’t remove your hands from your reins or speak. Understand?”
Both Asunder and Jerra responded curtly as if given an order. “Sir!”
Xvar groaned in response, “We need to get going before it starts to get dark…”
-----------------------------
-Author's Blirb-
Sorry for all the language stuff, it's just important that you understand some of the place/people names so you can understand the Dakan. Likewise, it's important for Jerra to learn the language... Anyway, I'll post more up asap. Thanks. :) With my regards.

[EZ_Koz2]

They rubbed a thin layer of the pollen on their skin, they were bright red even the palms of their hands were a darker shade of pink.
"Remember, don't take your hands of the reins, they'll rub the pollen off and your skin color will show."
Pulling their hoods as far over their faces as they could they slowly trotted down the side of the hill, leaning back as far as they could to prevent slipping down the incline. Eventually, they found the trail on the hill, although winding and sinuous, was far easier to navigate than the slippery yet rocky ledge. The city limits were marked with two stones; one was in Dakan, and the other in Kerran and Kefkan.
Asunder was tempted beyond belief to touch the smoothly carved marble of the Dakan sign, but turned away, ignoring the ghost of the past.
Xvar noticed his action, and even he was tempted to touch it; but likewise, he knew it wasn't worth the risk.
The city was the perfect example of a busy market town. Down the center, and parallel to each side were several rows of streets, all lined with stalls, inns, and various other stores. Kerrans jogged, walked, ran and strutted down the streets, making two flows of traffic. The one on the left towards them and the one on the right went forward.
On their right Jerra looked over at the stalls. There were food stalls with various charred-beyond-recognition snacks and fried vegetables. The Kerrans looked to the Kefka as the richer race, so all the merchants scrambled to attract their attention.
Xvar noticed this and improvised a plan. He spoke a little Kefkan he had known, "One thing, best thing, show it."
The Kerrans immediately knew this meant a bidding war and each held the best they had up and shouted out lower prices. Xvar being the practical one he was, picked out the best piece of meat and threw several gold coins to the ground. This momentary distraction allowed the trio to trot off down the road while the Kerrans scrambled over the ground for the gold.
Perpendicular to the rows of stalls and stores were small alleys connecting them, they were darker and used for shadier deals. As they passed by a Kerran was trapped between to bill collectors who tore him to shreds and left him in the mud to die. Jerra desperately wanted to help it, feeling her affinity to animal suffering it was so severe she nearly fell off her horse. Xvar took the risk of moving his hand to put it on her shoulder, looking at her with pained determination.
She saw a flicker of regret trace in his dark irises. She nodded mournfully, taking one last gaze at the Kerran whom was shaking with the last tremors of life before he relaxed and sunk into the mud.
Both Xvar and Asunder seemed to be weighed down by incredible sorrow at seeing the once proud city become one of poor markets and crime.
"People used to smile at the name of this town." Xvar said to himself.
Xvar looked to a young Kerran and asked in Kefkan, "Where is Fliran?"
The Kerran was frightened of them, and crept back, pointing silently to the western corner of town before creeping off out of view. A few paces forward several Kefkan guards came from the left alley, chasing a Kerran. They commanded him to stop, and eventually, from what looked like exhaustion and acceptance of defeat the Kerran finally fell to the ground, panting. The guards gathered around him, Xvar couldn't make out what they were saying, the spoke quickly and harshly, but it sounded as if the Kerran was being accused of a crime.
Another Kerran, this one female, ran to the other's side and begged them for mercy, holding him close to her.
One of the guards struck her with the pommel of his sword and cast her side, then picked up the other Kerran and threw him on the back of his horse.
He ordered the other guards to follow him closely as he charged back in the direction of the castle.
Once again, they could feel nothing but helplessness at the scene before them as the female Kerran regained consciousness and begged the indifferent passerby's to help her, but to no avail.
"Now people cry regret and hatred of its name." Xvar hung his head in shame as they continued through the town… With my regards.

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar's Saga - Chapter 23: In men and war
The moment Kurt entered the room he knew that Lugiver was in a methodically contemplative mood. His face had turned from its usual smug and superficial smirk to something more of a deeper, ironic enjoyment of his own superiority. It was, in an uncanny sense, almost more natural to Lugiver's temperament.
Lugiver shifted slightly, his back was sore from sitting at the narrow window but he couldn't help the temptation to survey the land around him.
As soon as Kurt stepped in, without looking, Lugiver knew he was there.
"You know Kurt, in all the volumes of text of history and even of fictional history there is a pattern I find. This pattern of human behavior, traced back to a simple question is played over and over, awkwardly and unoriginal it's almost boring."
Kurt averted his gaze when Lugiver looked over to him, even for him; Lugiver could be incredibly… creepy.
"You know what that question is Kurt?"
Kurt shook his head; his eyes cast reluctantly close to Lugiver's twisted features.
"Which came first, the soldier or the war?" Lugiver said with a note of odd mischief and snideness in his voice.
Kurt was by now confused, although he followed Lugiver's logic and agreed with it partially, its relevance eluded him.
"Where does the war start Kurt, where does it start? In men, or in war?"
Kurt's features constricted into quandary as he struggled to catch up to Lugiver's train of thought.
"You see, a great part of understanding how to win wars is why they are fought. My motives although somewhat immature are endemic to me and cannot be denied inwardly or outwardly - so I know why I fight. I fight for what I want and myself. I am no great burden, for I will die, but before I do, what a great chaos I hope to bring to this world. So, really, a war for me is easier. I have no aspirations; no ambition to unite, simply to prosper, you see, to defend against that is so much harder. I am not afraid of killing or gross negligence of others' death. But, the war to keep the races, on the inside, and together is so much harder.
I am just one of the many who finds some reason to wreak havoc in this world. I am no ashamed of this, it is who I am. I was not born to save, I was born to destroy, I have seen that clearly since the beginning. That is why I know I have the advantage. I have everything to gain and nothing to loose."
It was then that Kurt came to the conclusive decision that Lugiver was utterly insane.
"I do not know what you are thinking Kurt, but whatever it is, if you can't look me in the eyes while thinking it - then it makes that thought so much more conspicuously offensive. I know you fight because you are bored, and somewhere, in your mind this is all you can and want to do. I have no qualms about that what-so-ever, just remember; with me, you'll never get bored."
Kurt although mostly not in his own right mind still had a clearer sense of logic. What Lugiver was proposing was not the take over, but the draining of the world. Kurt had no scruples about this, but still, somewhere in the back of his mind, at a basic level it still unnerved him.
But to satisfy Lugiver he looked him right in the eyes, and it was not what was in them that scared a man. It was not the fierce hatred or seeming evil, it was the lack of guilt or conscience. For your conscience is really your only enemy in crime, without such balance a man looses his wit.
Kurt was more unnerved by simply being unnerved. It reminded him of when he was a very young boy. It was during one of the civil wars; most are not kept accurate track of. But as a general assessment everyone lost everything, family home and any assets tangible or otherwise. He was a normal boy back then, and being the normal boy in the normal war meant he suffered the normal consequences.
His parents had been murdered and mutilated in front of his helpless eyes that day and he was a walking ghost of a boy. He was 5 when they died, and yet, as he walked the neighborhood his own humanity showed itself. For in the midst of his lack of emotion, his sudden acceptance at the loss of everything that meant 'Kurt' he could not avoid what he could not escape: being human.
Skirting the destroyed homes in the neighbors and some of the people he had known he walked by a dog. It was not a large dog, a normal dog, tense and frightened and lost as he was, but instead of being emotionless it was furious.
As he walked by, still in a daze approaching inhuman madness with one bark of the dog he was startled and snapped back into the broken world.
The events after that were hazy, he barely remembered being trained. He felt even from a young age no ties of comradery that keep a soldier human in a human world. He had always felt foreign. And when it came to becoming a full time soldier, a noble and trusted thing, he declined. Instead he choose the life of a mercenary, harsh and rugged like his youth, teaching him from terrifying experience what nothing else can teach a mind to resort too. It made him a sadist, for it was the only way he knew to reciprocate the only part of human nature he knew: pain.
He felt emotions of course but they were not the same. They were not like typical emotions, those had been long since stripped through trauma and training. He felt no guilt, he felt no voice of doubt in a moral sense, only a logistic sense.
He could go through the motions of being a man, like any other normal man, but was he really anything at all?
Lugiver seemed to trace his though through the rapid movements of Kurt's eyes, as he became almost uncertain of himself.
"Man has always been arrogant in asserting that they are above animals, but really Kurt, what does separate us?"
Kurt paused thoughtfully, and much to the surprise of Lugiver came up with an answer evocative in its elegant simplicity for it had several subliminal meanings,
"War. War separates us."
Lugiver smirked his more superficial smirk, which put Kurt as ease. He was done talking now. He had made his point.
"All I'm doing," Lugiver said calmly, "Is proving I'm human."
Kurt nodded slowly, his mind still mulling over Lugiver's long speech.
"And all you're doing," Lugiver continued, "Is proving you're a man."
But, Kurt was slowly learning, learning something more human.
"If war separates us," he thought, "then so must empathy, mercy and peace…"
But under Lugiver's intense gaze his thought only lasted a moment before being shaken to his memories' graveyard.
Lugiver's amazing manipulation was necessary to test Kurt's loyalty. He knew that to have his soldiers think would be a mistake, but that his generals had to have a deeper sense of battles.
"It's all about balance and control." Lugiver thought to himself while glancing, almost wistfully out the window.
"Balance and control…"

Xvar, Jerra, and Asunder were all having a difficult time coping with the sites around them. Xvar of course could deny all of this guilt until it was nonexistent on his mind, he could ignore that he was home, in fact, his home town, and ignore the suffering of even his companions.
But for Asunder who found the homesickness, regret, and helplessness the most acutely, it was almost intolerable.
Jerra felt not odd, ancestral attachment to this land; but still felt some pang of regret that nothing could be done to rebuild it or help its present inhabitants.
It's true, in some way that you can never come home. In essence this is true because as you grow and change so does your home, and as you will never fit its memory, it will never fit yours. It causes pain on a superficial level, but on a deeper level a feeling of severe displacement.
Asunder cautiously espied the surrounding buildings. Some were run down, some were modestly kept, and some were lavishly extravagant. He turned his head away, unable to let his older memories be replaced with these.
He wished he could replace every crack and tear in his surroundings with what he knew should have been there, used to be there, wishing somehow he could fill in these gaps.
He felt as like an anachronism, or some similar misplaced relic of time. He felt so far from the home he was in.
Slowly, making as straight a route they could take the trio went west to find the tunnel to Fliran. Since this tunnel was obviously still used its dangers were not in what they didn't know were in it but what they did know were in it: Kefkans.
Once they were safely out of city limits and drawing closer to the tunnel Xvar finally spoke.
"I'm not sure if we'll be able to continue this façade the entire trip through the tunnel. Asunder, do you remember about how long it is?"
Asunder nodded thoughtfully, "It's a day long trip. We could travel all night, but it isn't really practical. By then we'll already be less alert and may let our guard down near a Kefkan centurion."
Xvar nodded in agreement. "We'll need to find a safe camp for tonight."
The scanned the area, there were no obvious formations for convenient camping spots. The mountain that the tunnel was carved through was jagged and offered no level cave entrances that could be reached.
The trees were thick and dense. The floor of the forest was covered in frosty pine needles, which were like little daggers when frozen, and some were large enough to draw blood.
The walked along the mountain's edge searching for some small clearing in which they could unroll their sleeping bags and settle in for some much needed rest.
Eventually they found a small fallow garden and near it was a deserted cottage.
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to take advantage of free heat, shelter, and possibly a ***** bed the three tacitly agreed it was the place to stay. Tying their horses out front to graze on the little grass around the dead garden they walked in, although exhausted, happy to be safe.
They were happy to be safe in their home, or to be dreaming of it in Jerra's case.
It was odd for Asunder and Xvar, knowing where they were, knowing that many years ago a humble family of Dakans may have lived in the cottage where they now comfortably lay…
-------------------------------------------
PLEASE tell me what you thought of this chapter. I really, really am craving some comments. :) Please? :) Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Shadowphyle]

Very nice, I found this story tonight and have read the entire thing at work&lt;very slow here hehe>
Im definitely looking forward to the battles looming in the future. I like the idea of the Kefkans. Are they made up? Or are they a common fantasy lore? Lets see some more! My heart may not be in the right place, but my dagger always is...

[EZ_Koz2]

Kefkans are a race I made up. They are physically a lot like elves. Usually pretty muscular although much leaner then say a barbarian. They have very long pointed ears, usually either very dark or very light eyes, and blood red skin.
They all wear different tattoos on their faces and arms to show rank, hometown, job, so on. They are a very contentious race that is not really ambitious, but when they get it in their mind to conquer they do not give up to the point they'd rather die trying then retreat.
They are incredibly agressive and cursory in judgement.

All in all they are really a terrifying race as you'll eventually find out. Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Koz2]

Hot damn! Got the character pages done on my site. Please, for the love of pete, check out my site.
There is info on the story, dakan culture, and characters that was either somewhat unclear or missing from the story. Please, please, please, please go here:
xvar.homestead.com/index.html Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

Looks great Koz. I loved the last chapter. keep it coming!

Great webpage. Very origional, I've never seen anything like it. Any reason there are 2 slightly different colors of grey? Edited by: Vija Dakalvii at: 3/7/01 9:15:04 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Yes, because I didn't use html color codes there is some color variation depending on the date I did the sites. It only keeps logged my custom colors for a day or two.
Btw, I'm really sorry for being so slow with chapter 24 but I banged out 22 and 23 last week because I knew I'd be busy this week a lot.
Hopefully I'll have 24 done by this weekend. :) Thanks a lot though. Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Koz2]

The roof, although holes worn in by time was sturdy and kept out all but the view of the stars above them.
As was becoming his habit, Xvar rose early. He regarded the sky through the decrepit skylights. He turned his gaze from that to Jerra then Asunder. Asunder lay sloppily over his furs. Although peacefully unaware of Xvar’s bemused smirk, he still roused slightly at Xvar’s movement and turned over. Mumbling something in dakan, no doubt something vulgar.
Jerra was unaffected from Xvar rising to his feet. He skulked over the bodies, tiptoeing with relative ease. Below him the bodies lay oblivious, their chests raising up and down slowly and gently as dreams filled their heads with blissful memories that they would not retain beyond dawn.

“Aves, Naeus!” A stern voice called, cracking the chill air like a kick to an ice covered puddle. One of the men took longer to break from his thoughts but within seconds both were attentive and watched the man before them with genuine concern.
The man before them was large. Especially for a Kefkan, who were usually about the size of an elf. His face was a slightly darker red, closer to light brick then dark blood. His armor made soft metallic noises as the pieces chafed together. His face was flat, except for his cheeks were somewhat sunken in and his nose was large. His ears were adorned with many earrings most of them blood stained gold or silver. His ears were clipped at the top. Creating a V shaped indent into them.
The symbol on his armor was that of Aves, the @#%$ of the Battlefield – that same that was his soldier’s namesake.
“Aves. Naeus.” He announced as they gave a curt nod in respect.
The younger was Aves, but his name often caused confusion. Some of the Kefkans worshipped the Dakan war @#%$ for they thought he had assisted them in the battles.
And his name was none other then Aves.
So, unless it was Juris, as it was this time, most superiors called him Vaenen his last name.
But Juris had trained Aves and Naeus himself and found no need for the titles of “respect” used commonly among the ranks.
Juris’ armor gleamed in the early morning sun, which came over the hills to the east giving it the perfect illumination. Naeus squinted as it blinded him slightly but did not squirm or give any other sign of discomfort.
Juris eyed him suspiciously; nothing was ever beyond Juris in the range of senses.
Not even those that relayed him the workings of others’ emotions.
Juris turned to the west, leaning on the edge of the charcoal black tower. His cloak now covering the silvery armor he was famed for.
Aves’ eyes follow him to where he stood as he spoke still watching the Kefkans and Kerrans below.
“Strangers rode through yesterday. Might have been foreign Kefkan traders, might not.”
Aves and Naeus nodded. “After the offering today at clayor, we must try and find who they are.”
Aves and Naeus took this as a command and dismissal, both standing rigidly and saluting.
Aves was very well built, he was the average size of a Kefkan but just as strong as any other. His armor was teal colored. Several strips of metal wound with leather in the front, with the fray covering down to his knees. He also wore teal metal arm guards. They were made of segmented pieces, tied together loosely to allow for easy movement in his swings. Over his shins he wore thick teal plates tied at each end with a thick sinew string that was tied tightly in the back. They had made reddish welts in the skin where they had blistered and chafed it away. His sandals had done much the same to his feet leather bands crisscrossing in between his toes.
Naeus was bound in dark gray armor. It had a similar design to Aves’ armor but the leather had been died black as well. And for a helmet he wore the skull of a barbarian lined inside with black rabbit fur. Copper made horns had been attached symmetrically onto the skull and from far enough away he looked more a demon then elven kin.

Naeus stooped the grip the iron latches of the trapdoor. They were wet from the dew on boots that had been carried over them. Naeus grunted in frustration and readjusted his broad sword at his side. Finally securing a safe grip he pulled the door up.
Aves held it up for him as he bent under it and began down the narrow steps of the tower. He shut it from over his shoulder and followed Naeus out.

Juris was the head general and therefor didn’t pray to the gods at the same time as all the others did. He prayed alone, later so that the gods could hear his pleas and questions with more clarity.
But Aves and Naeus prayed with the rest of the soldiers during clayor, the morning rituals. Although it had been a hundred years since the @#%$ Aves had intervened in their battles, they knew his favor was still critical.
The @#%$ Aves had been the only to control the armor, the armor of stolen ambrosial, the Tru’Ferr armor. The @#%$ Aves had embodied the empty soul of immortal battle and consistent bloodshed as long as Kefkans had left the Dakan lands in the first place.
The @#%$ Aves loved the Goddess of Sympathy and Rain, which the battles always brought in their ends. She would cry for his soul every time he left to fight, and mourn ever loss and every victory.
Her name was Caetyr and was the compassion for the lost souls in war. It was believed that women in Kefkan society must model themselves after Caetyr while the men modeled themselves after Aves.

But this belief was misconstrued by their bellicose temperament and they used it as an excuse to invoke the many wars. All soldiers wore the symbol of the rose on their left side of their face. Symbolized by three almost thorn like shaped petals.
While on the right side of their face a circular tear was tattooed for every man they killed. But instead of mourning these deaths or showing them with some understanding of their symbolic call for respect; they were nothing-other then battle trophies.
Once, longer ago then when Asunder had been a soldier the Dakans wore these symbols, too. But every tear placed on a Dakan cheek was one always regretted, not respected.
Walking into the only decorated room in the castle, the clayoran or house of clayor worship. The room was painted elaborately, showing the formidable Kefkan art. Most of the art was the symbol of Aves. In rows were indents into the wall where smaller shrines to specific functions lay embedded in the cold red marble.
In each of the shrines was a different color of rose. In some the rose was white, to symbolize the pale dead Aves, whereas the some roses were robustly red symbolizing great strength and pride in bloodshed.
Although, the @#%$ Aves had never advocated such things, he was the @#%$ of war. And however war was interpreted was however he was interpreted. Besides that he had to keep the record of the battles, he had to keep the armor for those who would give in to its inherent evils.
Before the @#%$ Aves had worn the ambrosial armor of Tru’Ferr, many other warriors before him had.
The armor was made by a mortal craftsman, trying to protect his son from the corruption of war and its ghostly fingers of death.
He worked fervently to create the perfect armor stealing metal from depths of Veo’s workshop. Veo was the @#%$ of fire and the @#%$ of blacksmithing he kept all the armor of the gods, repairing and maintaining it.
Veo admired his courage and efforts in skill and consulted the fairy muses to help inspire him with the idea of the Tru’Ferr armor.
A set of armor that could not only learn and remember but dictate to its wearer what it knew. The idea was ingenious and as soon as the man heard it he began. He enchanted it with memory of his own youth and that of his son’s.
But his son did not fall in war to a sword. Instead he was seduced insidiously out of the armor so it could be stolen. But the armor did not dictate to the new man what it had learnt and was useless.
The father was crushed and decided to find a new son to wear the armor.
He searched and found the best warriors he could, trying man by man but each fell to their temptations and died.
But eventually the old man found a young warrior named Aves. Aves was not the best of all warrior, he had seen stronger and taller. But Aves was so much like his son in character and looks that the man insisted Aves try.
As Aves grew the armor seemed to grow with him and slowly it recognized him as the new son. But Aves could withdraw himself completely from emotion. He knew he had to so that the armor could be kept out of the wrong hands.
The gods, by now very jealous of Aves’ fame and power tried to kill him but were unable. And after many of harsh tests Aves gained immortality and took his place as a good. But instead of finding a sacred place he stayed always on the battlefield. Moving from war to war, battle to battle, fight to fight without concern.
As he stepped onto the field he would cry,
“Behold, the shell of armor. The immortal soul of death encased in gleaming gold of blade and shield. Behold the lasting spirit of war in all its false glory. Behold death and run to tell the tale of carnage!”
But Aves did fall, like all those before him, to the love of a woman. He met Caetyr, the goddess of compassion and could not help but fall in love with her.
And ever since compassion and war had been accepted in Dakan culture as either hand in hand or not at all.
This was not the case with Kefkan culture though, for they rejected many of Caetyr’s teachings.

Clayor was the most sacred ritual, the offerings to the @#%$ Aves in the morning after dawn.
Picking up a small-decorated pitcher of water each, they watered each shrine moving through the room in a circle chanting prayers.
Finally they sat in the middle of the circular room and bent down on their knees and recited long tales of the glory of the @#%$ Aves to show their glory and respect for his triumphs.
After this a falcon was brought in, Aves’ sacred animal and it was fed a mouse then set on a candle lit alter in the center of the room.
A small figurine of ivory carved to the lithe form of Aves on the pillar where the falcon stood in its regal beauty.
They knelt one last time and gave the last line of their prayer.
“Hear our plea, our respected @#%$ Aves. We wish nothing more then to be your humble soldiers. To fight with divine right to win."
With that said, each soldier would slowly rise salute simultaneously and leave the room quietly to not disturb Aves’ memory. . . Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Kooran Katshadow]

*grins*

Look who finally found their password? The big thieves hang the little ones.
-Czech Proverb

[EZ_Koz2]

Xvar regarded the edges of the clearing around the cottage. Sitting down on a fallen moss covered log he leaned his head against the cabin wall and let out a long breath. But a rustle to his left made him alert again as his head swooped up from repose and jerked to see what had caused the noise.

Slowly a man, very old, with very many rags and threadbare coif made his limped gait to the cottage. Taking barely any notice of Xvar whom stood no more then a few feet from him. His eyes filled with such intense distrust that most men would be intimidated.

The man pushed the large wooden door open receiving a rusty creek from the door hinges as his only welcome. At this Jerra and Asunder rose promptly and with a sleepy daze in their eyes asked who the stranger was.
He seemed somewhat annoyed with their presence. "You damn Kefkan soldiers invading any house you see fit. What do you need from me? I have no money or food or even good disposition."
His voice was gruff but still distant, acting as if the ordeal was a casual one.

Asunder recognized the accent in his words however, and responded in Dakan.
"Kefkan soldiers are not worth the time to flay their fiery skins."

The man smiled at this, his wrinkled cheeks and worn lips pulling into a gentle smile of remembrance. He walked, or more accurately hobbled, to Asunder and clenched his hand on his shoulder. He reached a pained finger to just below Asunder's eye and wiped the paint from it. "Brother." He said slowly.

The man then offered them a place to stay again for the night. Xvar found no fault in a little rest. Weeks of constant travel could wear on a man's body and spirit. They eventually crept around the fire outside the cottage and the old man cleared his throat. They had come to know him as Galyar.
"I believe…" He stated slowly. "I know a good tale of interest. Xvar, you remind me very much of the old murals of Aves in the black castle. So I shall tell you the tale of the uncelebrated @#%$ of the battlefield. Those Kefkans though, they still worship him." The man began to shake his thin walking stick, flailing it in anger.
Asunder calmed him and nodded respectfully. "Please, begin."

The man grumbled more about the Kefkans for a moment but then took a breath and began from memory the winding myth of Aves.
"Aves had fought many battles before the death of Caetyr.

Even beyond her town, her name was known as one with great compassion for all that suffered in both times of war and peace.

Aves had no interest in her initially. How could he? He was a @#%$. A @#%$ bound only to his armor, never to be seduced from it lest he die. He understood this meant he could never truly be a man in any sense. He could not share his emotions or share his triumphs. But he accepted this fate and simply let himself be absorbed into battle after battle.

He wandered the graveyards often, placing the white rose upon their graves. But as he treaded in the shady yards covered by high conifer trees that wept their needles to the ground he noted rain.

The graves, they were damp but no cloud had poured or drizzled on them in seasons. He knew this well, for he had cursed the famines it created.

Reaching out tentatively he grazed his hand over the wetted needles and course stone of the unmarked graves. Some still had a little bit of their carved writing, but it was matted with mosses and liverworts. He brushed them away tracing his finger in the dull lettering.

The graves had been cried on.

Inexplicably he hadn't even spotted the faint trail she had left. She had brought offerings to some of the taller graves but wept beside all, whether she had kin to them or not.

He traced them carefully back to her village where she cradled strangers' children and told them stories of the Dakan lore. She told them of the fiery @#%$ Aves, a @#%$ of bloodshed and loneliness. She told them of his evils in battle.

He threw his ambrosial sword over his shoulder to rest on his cowl in the crook in his neck. His heavy hand balancing with the blade's weight as he lightly clasped the pommel.

His gait was slow yet graceful. Not unlike how a tiger walks confident in its strength but humble in appearance. His armor made light noises of metallic chafing as he walked. His chest rising and falling in slow measured breaths, the weight of the armor ignored.

She knew immediately he was a @#%$ or daemon. His armor was golden and bronzed round the edges, giving an aura impressive to mortals and immortals alike. The glimmer that the angle of sundown produced only helped to emphasize his majesty.

She stood and waved the children to their homes. Her gaze never averting from the man who now was few feet from her. She regarded him somewhat apprehensively but he ignored the conspicuous distrust of her hand on her dagger.

He sat down beside her and stretched like a cat. Yawning as he set down his sword and flexed his arms. His helmet held between his elbow and side he relaxed against the small wooden house taking in the scent of burning poplar from the chimney.

He gave little reward of speech to convey his cause to Caetyr. He simply sat his eyes now closed in humbled repose. She tentatively reached out a finger to touch his sword but he removed it from her reach.

"I am no daemon, good lady, hold your curiosity." He said gently, his voice was a commanding tenor. She cowered from his words and slid down the bench giving him a wider girth.

"If you are not a daemon, explain yourself. Elaborate to your cause and travels, announce yourself." She said cautiously, taking heed to cause him no offense.

He then opened his eyes and looked to her, a worn but warm smile crossed his lips. His voice did not rumble with volume or force in a battle cry. He spoke his proclamation quietly.

"Behold, the shell of armor. The immortal soul of death encased in gleaming gold of blade and shield. Behold the lasting spirit of war in all its false glory. Behold death and run to tell the tale of carnage."

She immediately fell before him bowing and praying words of respect. This was the @#%$ Aves and he often decided the fates of men in battle.

"Good Aves, I implore you not hold against me the rudeness of my tongue."

He chuckled and closed his eyes once again. "Tell me the tales of myself. I wish to know what horrifying crimes I have committed."

Caetyr saw his face change as his eyes opened again. They did not scan the area but rather focused on the dulling light of the quickly falling sun. Distance grew within them as he sighed in remembrance.

"Or shall I tell you them myself? Do you believe I am evil enough to forget my travesties? Do you think I am ignorant of the face of battle? Good lady, tell me the wrongs I have done so I may hear them from a mouth besides that of my conscience. Maybe then I can have true repentance, you my witness."

Caetyr cried at this, not a loud sob or one of pity. No, her cry was of empathy for she felt the pain of battle through Aves. She felt the unanswered cries, the empty threats of revenge, the gore of it.

Aves could no longer cry. His necessary denial of his passions and hatreds made all his senses dull. He felt moved to tears, but the capacity of this eluded him and he could do nothing but watch as Caetyr cried.

He pulled her closer then and held her to his breast. It was cold and metal, but her tears dripped down it in rivulets and streaks. Through even these layers of apathetic steel she pressed upon she heard his heartbeat.

She heard the heartbeat that once belonged to a mortal man. And with this they became inseparable. She carried within her the heart he did not possess. He could not leave her side without becoming empty once more. He remained nothing but a shell of the fighting spirit when love and mercy could not fill him.

But still when each battle arose amid the chaos of relations in the world Aves would mount his white steed and ride steadfast into battle. His flags and insignias held high and flaunted brightly so all on the battleground could see them.

Some cowered appropriately at his sight, justified in their fear as he swooped down to the front line. Others were arrogant and met him with their own weapons held high. Some curling their legs tightly around the horses and holding javelins to spear him from his horse. Some with long bows held steady on the ground the flexible sinew pulled back to drive their arrows to mark a small hole in his armor. Some even ran on foot with their two handed swords held back so they could throw the weight of their bodies into their strike; gashing long rips and scars into any exposed flesh.

Amid the bloodshed and terrors of soldiers that clung with ghostly grips on his armor he swung his great blade to slice down his enemies as you might cut wheat with a sickle. His hands although were so cold you'd think them numb gripped the steel tightly.

His armor held a reddish glow, as if the light reflected on it first passed through a layer of translucent blood. It washed over him obscuring the more conspicuous trails of blood that ran down his face.

He could walk in the carnage unfazed by the pure dread that it was. The battlefield was too covered in corpses to see the ground. But if it had been noticed among the few patches where the cadavers had been rolled off the ground was the color of brownish congealed blood.

He knocked all the men with pikes from their horses. Impaling their horses with his sword. He would swipe his sword about his head to cut all arrows from their points. He would thrust his sword and knock down any of the mercenaries' broadswords. Slowing cutting a course through the militia and then turning and continuing in any direction that suited him.

Caetyr would await his return all the time concerned he might die or find injury in the wild tangle of spears and pikes. But alas, Aves could not avoid his duties due to their significance and could not protect her.

Caetyr paced the halls of her home. Although temperate in nature and well accustomed to Aves' absences she could not help but feel anxious knowing the weight of importance on this battle.

Slowly creeping through her hall a cleverer soldier of the opposition skulked through the corridors. He was dressed in tight fitting black to help him blend in with the now darker shadow cast within the castle.

He watched her demure but confident movements in silence. Spying her gait to gauge her strength and resistance. He hid carefully behind a column of her great hall where she now looked out the dim window to look for Aves. He cautiously removed his dagger from its scabbard attached firmly to his charcoal boot. Sliding it up his side then grasping it rigidly in his hand he stood and crept from column to column shortening the distance to Caetyr.

Once behind her he raised his dagger far above his head and struck her harshly in the back before she could react or even scream from pain. Taking no heed of respect for the dead woman he climbed over her and dropped gracefully from the windowsill.

When news reached Aves of her death he became so enraged he outright destroyed all men he saw. Killing many by using some of his more godly powers of wrath and punishment. He summoned to him a great thunder and a great force of death pushing all men standing into cold dirt graves far below.

He returned somberly with no victory, only loss despite the enemy's surrender. He paced heavily to her tomb where she lay still embalmed and covered in a pretty white cloth. He smiled gently to see her so well taken care of. But with his smile as his face contorted, it pulled from his eyes a long awaited tear. As it did it made her face rose again from the moribund pale that hung to her features.

The gods watched their love, forbidden in nature as it was, blossom into immortality as Caetyr lifted her head in response to Aves' tears. Aves pulled off his armor and let it fall to the ground of the tomb in a great clatter of godly steel.

He took Caetyr then, and sealed the tomb forever to be closed from mortals and immortals alike. He grazed his hand along the edges of the door and doorway and with that it melted and fused. The once cold marble being heated to lava, dripping down in hot rivulets over the surface of the stony gate.

And as they now sit among the gods, with their fingers still intertwined - you can still see evidence of their love here among the mortals."

The man now done with his tale he relaxed again by the fire although his gaze was simply to those embers you could tell he saw far beyond them. He saw beyond their dancing lights on the charred bones of chopped poplars all the way to Fliran. Flying above the city and looking down to the ancient dusty marble. There were some footprints still intact in the undisturbed corners and surviving temples. The temples were a testament to the battle. No wooden parts or lavish curtains remained; they lay at the ground in a burnt mass, eventually blowing away in the meticulous wind.

The winds that still blew down just as fierce as if mourning the loss of the land. The heat of the once irrigated farmlands turning them to dirty deserts. The sand dunes now encircling the bustling center which held some Kefkan merchants and a few Kerran reed huts.

The man still felt the once easy breeze of humid mist and farmland scents blow sand into his face. The abrasive sting making him cower into his robes.

"Oh Fliran, when did you fall from grace?" He whispered sadly. In his mind still surveying the terrible landscape.

[EZ_Wiergraf]

Very nice story, Koz. Anyway, my question:

What are Defdefs? Or are they those Kefkan things cleverly disguised?


EDIT: Oh yes, and that's post 200 in this thread!

Wiergraf Deathstalker
"Evil will always triumph because good is dumb."Edited by: Wiergraf at: 4/10/01 6:32:46 pm

[EZ_Koz2]

Defdefs are a low class rank of soldier. Basically speaking, cannon fodder.

Yes! I'm still around and I will be writing more, just taking a wee break. :) Which came first? The soldier or the war?

[EZ_Kaerthon]

love the readin man. keep em coming... now i have to finish all dat reading . Kaerthon EvershadowTunare Server

[EZ_Gullen Shadowwalker]

good story want more, need more making work go by faster.

[EZ_Pieksy Kenderkin]

Well...

Spent the last 7 1/2 hours reading the Scout's Saga and Xvar's saga (only halfway through Xvar's yet) but...GREAT WRITING !!!! Kinda slow at reading english but I am trying my best :o)

/salute

I just love it, nuff said!


...black orchid, red velvet... a coffin for all I leave behind.

Pieksy Kenderkin
...a shadow near you
Namenlose Bruderschaft
The Nameless

[EZ_Koz2]

Sorry I haven't written in so long. The school year is winding down and my time is getting eaten up pretty fast. But I want to try and sit down and write the next chapter within the next few days, hope some of you are still with me.

[EZ_Gullen Shadowwalker]

Im here waiting.....waiting.....waiting.........COME ON MAN DO NOT MAKE ME WAIT ANY LONGER! please Gullen ShadowWalker hafling Rogue, walking the shadowes for 23 moons on Quelious.
Curently reaking havok in Unrest.

[EZ_Vija Dakalvii]

I can't beleieve I missed it!!!
I'm five days late for the one year aniversary of the scout saga!

Well happy birthday Sett, Xvar and all the other good poeple of the story. Mabye one day you'll all make it into a book!

And Koz, I'm still here. I just havn't been able to read the last 5 or so chapters, they just make no sense to me. It's not becuase of you, but you know how when you read a story and your not done for a year and you forget what happened at the begining of the story? Well thats what happened to me. I guess I won't be able to critisize your writing for a while. Mabye when school is out i'll print out all 114 pages (I'm stil collecting the chapters to read at a later time) and read them in a way i'd read a novel.

So cya later and happy belated birthday!!!

--edit--
Dam I spelt it Koz. I guess Kooran is dead then.. You win.

--Second Edit--
Well Dam Do I feel stupid now. It turns out I'm a month and 5 days late for the anniversery. 13 months Koz. Looking good. Edited by: Vija Dakalvii at: 5/25/01 10:53:01 pm

[EZ_Gaena]

you cant possibly stop now, can you? Edited by: Gaena at: 8/19/01 4:07:35 am

[EZ_karamorfbackstabber]

more more more more more more more more, gimmmie more! hmm odd good mage friends anme is xvar /shrug. MORE! great work btw. MORE. need i say it again?

[EZ_Koz2]

All good things come to those who wait. I'm working on the new chapter as we speak. I'm afraid, as usual, school's got me down but I should have time this weekend. No promises, but I'm sure as hell not stopping. Sorry for the hiatus.

[EZ_Koz2]

Here ya go folks. Sorry for the wait.

Note: Kerrans speak a strange slang language. I thought since they’re animals it makes no sense for them to speak perfect English. Just as I did with giving Tyu a strange accent on his words with “s” in them the Kerrans have a dialect to themselves. The dialect is taken from many slang languages and partially made up. Most words will be defined from context but if you’re lost here’s a short list of definitions:
Segs, segots – friends
Lemmycuts – a term between Kerrans for a close friend or battle companion
Mott’s – mott means wife, mott’s means something a wife does
Gomogue, gom – idiot
Gurrier – thug, enemy, bully
Guff – nonsense
Vittles – food
Slash and clipping – fighting
Surpose – think, suppose, wonder, figure
Un-reechy – good

Several Kerrans were moving through the forest doing a bit of hunting in the early morning. These particular hunters were volunteers in the Kefkan army so they could go through any of the Kefkan empire’s reaches and kill whatever they so pleased.

The first and obvious leader of them was a stocky cat with large tufts of fur coming out of his ears and a fierce set of teeth. If those teeth weren’t enough the heavy cast iron pike thrown casually over his shoulder was. He wore a tight leather jerkin dyed black with a red scale cuirass over it. The cuirass had one bit near the left side that was patched up with thick brown leather.

He threw a glance at one of his companions behind him and barked in the strange Kerran vernacular, “You gom, hasten up for I clip you under the chin!”

The smaller one cowered slightly and nodded his head. This one had a couple thick bastard swords in scabbard on his back. His armor was a light blue chain link with a couple rusty spots here and there. He smoothed out his leather slacks out of nervousness then hopped forward a bit to catch up.

The cat next to the smaller one sneered at him and quipped, “Gomogue.”

The smaller one looked frustrated and replied, “Mean gurrier.”

The largest one pulled back his ears and identified the two in a stern voice. “Menith, Uuen no more guff out of either of you lot!”

Uuen shifted uneasily in his chain mail. Menith toyed with a tassel hanging off the shoulder strap to his thick iron breastplate. The breastplate was a strange purplish color, which the Kerrans saw as green. Menith was carrying a large mercenary double handed blade strapped to his back.

The larger one, his name etched on his pike’s tip ‘Gram’, continued plodding over the moss-covered rocks near a small creek. On either side of the gently babbling brook was a small leaf covered hill with a thin frost. The water was icy and Uuen winced as one paw slipped into it.

“Bah.” Menith complained, “I miss my mott’s good vittles. Yesser, yesser I sure do.”

Uuen nodded sadly. Gram snarled at them both, “You miss your mott’s bed is what you miss. We’ll have plenty vittles soon.”

Eventually some drizzle started from overhead. Reaching well through the now naked tree’s thin hands and plopping bit by bit on their heads. Gram continued his mumbled grumbling while Uuen and Menith spoke of their wives at home amongst themselves.

They spotted a cottage from through the gray and brown wet tree trunks.

“Uuen, you’re quite the artist, can you tear over, fiddle the lock, and have a look and figure if the gaff’s got floorboards?” Gram asked looking over his rain soaked fur shoulder. Water was steadily dripping from the end of his nose and few cats have a fondness for water.

Uuen complied and after rubbing the bridge of his nose with his furry thumb and adjusting wiping off the handle of his sword he sauntered over to the cottage. As he approached he heard a low little snoring sound.

“Well, well, we’s second to claim it I surpose.”

He peeked in through the bare window and ran his eyes over the occupants of the room. An old man was laying on a cot on the far side and three what looked to be Kefkan soldiers were sleeping in a huddle on the floor. They all had well worn sleeping bags and their swords were poking out from under makeshift ***** and seed bag pillows.

“Segots, segots. Well now though not much room for even my tail. No not a sliver of space for my pack. But they’re friendly. Yes, segots. Surposing they know of another nearby barrack for mine own lemmycuts?”

Since paws are rather difficult to knock with Uuen gave a small shout through the window. “Mornin’ segs, mornin’!”

Xvar bolted up dagger in hand looking over the Kerran with a confused look.

“No slashing and clipping, segs, no, no. Just curious as to where my lemmycuts could find a roof.”

“Lemmycuts?” Xvar repeated.

“For a Kefkan you sure are dim and glassy. Lemmycuts, you know my companions of iron arms and dirt roads. Now about that roof segs you surpose you can give us some direct towards one?”

By now both Jerra and Asunder had woken and were carefully moving their hands towards their weapons as well trying without success to understand what in the world the Kerran was saying.

“Segs, eh now, calm your segs dim. No slash and clipping just a roof!”

“Yes, no slash and clipping.” Xvar said looking over at Asunder and Jerra who moved their hands back to their laps. Xvar moved to the window and pointed in the direction of the nearest village he knew. He leaned out to explain how to get there and the rains started to streak and smear his disguise.

The Kerran watched with a mix of astonishment and horror. He mewled loudly out of fear pointing with a single extended claw. “Segs your cheeks and image are all dripping off!”

Gram and Menith bounded out of the forest into the clearing and called to Uuen if he was in danger. “Wee lemmycut are they segs or gussiers?”

Xvar tried to calm him. “Shh, shh, no slash and clipping. We’re segs, not gussiers, segs just giving you directions to a roof. I have fighting paint on it’s running that’s all. I’m an albino Kefkan, hush.”

“Great cat whistling! An albino?” Uuen shouted back to his companions, “Purr lemmycuts, no troubles from the segs. They’ve given direct to a roof.”

Gram narrowed his eyes still suspicious. “If the roof has so much as a worm hole I’ll put out all my claws and give them a slash and clipping of the likes they’ve never seen.”

Gram flashed his porcelain teeth at Xvar and shook his tail back and forth furiously swishing water through the air. His claws burrowed into the earth as he curled his toes from anger. “Still wagering on that direct, ‘segs’?”

Xvar knew three Kerrans wasn’t an easy fight. He’d survived much worse but with Jerra and Asunder he couldn’t risk an injury it would take too much time. Xvar could take on several Kerran if they were all on him but they’d go for the weak first or kidnap one of them. Kerrans are remarkably more clever then given credit.

“It’s in better shape than this cottage last I knew. That’s all I can tell you about the condition it’s been awhile.”

Menith and Gram leered at Xvar then beckoned for Uuen to come over. Uuen looked over at Xvar then his companions and back again eventually jogging over to speak with his ‘lemmycuts’.

The spoke in hushed tones for a few moments then looked back over.

“You’ll lead us.” Gram said in a harsh no-nonsense tone.

Xvar swore under his breath. They’d have to go miles out of their way to show the Kerrans to an inn or village. Jerra tugged on Xvar’s tunic from behind whispering, “Why don’t we just let them have this cottage and leave?”

Xvar nodded and Jerra slipped back to pack her things. Asunder took the cue and followed Jerra’s lead.

“Why don’t we save you the trip and you rest here? We should be moving on to our next camp anyway.”

Menith was about to agree but Gram cut him off. “You lot aren’t going anywhere, something’s sketchy and is irking me about you segs.”
The old man was now seriously annoyed by the whole situation. He pushed Xvar out of the way, flung the door open, and walked out onto the little bit of gravel in front of the door.

“This is my cottage. Mine you understand? I’ll say who stays and who goes!”

Gram, who was already on the edge of his senses, finally lost control and tackled the man giving him a large set of 5 parallel cuts on his chest from his left paw and several scrapes on his arms.

Xvar leapt on Gram and hit him with a rock in the chest. Asunder and Jerra jumped behind him, weapons in hand, ready for a fight. Gram was lying on the ground gasping for air and struggling to loosen his cuirass.

Menith and Uuen stood ready as well. Xvar ripped part of his linen undershirt to bandage the old man, pressing down on the wounds while trying not to crush the fragile friend. Jerra immediately started on a healing spell and was able to close the wounds but not free him from the stinging pain.

He lay in the wet gravel writhing and shuddering. Asunder lifted him up and brought him back into the cottage lowering him gently onto the bed after kicking another sleeping bag on top of it.

Menith and Uuen had dragged Gram several feet away in the mean time. Menith was kneeling by him watching Xvar while Uuen was undoing Gram’s cuirass. Once it was properly loosened Gram lay in the wet dead grass trying to regain his breath. Lucky for Gram Xvar hadn’t hit him hard enough to crack his solar plexus that would’ve killed him.

Gram coughed up a little blood but not enough to suggest he was drowning from it. He panted for several minutes and then propped himself up on his elbows with some help from Uuen. Menith took a cursory look back and asked quickly if Gram was all right. Gram nodded but his face was contorted with pain and he was still gasping slightly.

Jerra stepped in front of Xvar. She looked back at him for approval and he nodded gently.

Mercy wasn’t the right word for Xvar’s decision since it was mostly out of self-interest that they not kill any Kerrans. The rain and long since ceased but clung in the air as a heavy sent of dew and wet wood and plants. He knew that for Jerra however, the decision was not out of strategy but out of the kindness of her heart.

She carefully made her way over to them. Their ears swiveled back and their whiskers twitched with anger.

She mumbled in a low tone the healing spell and little clear bubbles of mana emanated from her hands, which she tossed around in an odd shape then cast forward towards Gram.

Gram stiffened for a moment then let out a comfortable breath.
Xvar said slowly. “No slash and clipping.”

[EZ_Koz2]

I'd like to note a lot of the bad spelling/grammar/plot holes/goofy wording, etc has been editted and the revised full version of the story is here:
www.fanfiction.net/index....yid=137161
The working name is now "Red Dove". *shrugs* If you have any other name suggestions, or suggestions in general, send them here: koorankat@yahoo.com

[EZ_karamorfbackstabber]

bah made me all freak out cause their was another post.

[EZ_Koz2]

Bribons – A fighting staff/band dedicated to a high ranking soldier, henchmen or lackeys if you will
Grimmers – Bandits/thieves/rogues

“Aves, Naeus!” An exhausted voice called from further down a long flight of spiral stone stairs.
Aves and Naeus turned around, Aves hesitated a second looking impatient to reach the top of the outer guard tower. The man crouched over himself, his hands on his knees, catching his breath. Interrupted by a few huffs and small gasps for breath he spoke.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Gram of Gralack’s hunting party is missing in the area of the road to Fliran.” The man let out a big breath, trying to calm himself. “They suspect a party of rogues intercepted him.”
Aves looked indignant, “And how is this remotely important? I don’t care about some Kerran hunting party!”
The messenger cowered slightly but continued. “A necromantic guild had claimed jurisdiction of the party and wants our help of capturing them. They are willing to pay quite a bit.”
Naeus and Aves spoke almost at once, “A necromantic guild? What do they want with a small band of mugging grimmers?”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The messenger looked frustrated. “Well, apparently sirs, you’ve greatly underestimated the power of the rogue band. No necromantic guild would get themselves in a huff over some bandits. They’ve stolen something or else are wanted for crimes.”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Aves furrowed his brow for a moment. “How much are they offering?” The messenger smiled slightly. “Let me put it this way, for a few days work you could buy yourself a coach set of horses.” Naeus looked rather indifferent but Aves grinned. “Tell them I’ll take the job. Summon my bribons and tell the stable man to saddle my horse. Care to join us for a romp, Naeus?”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Naeus nodded. “I suppose.” The messenger asked if Naeus wanted his personal fighting band to be summoned as well but Naeus declined. “Aves has fine bribons. But do have my horse saddled and make sure to add an extra days rations just in case.”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The messenger nodded and sprinted back down the cold stone stairs winding into darkness, as the sound of his feet grew lower until he disappeared. Aves went to the top of the tower to inform his commander to find a replacement for his shift because he had a private commission. At first his superior was reluctant but after being promised a fine warm meal he couldn’t resist and waved Aves off.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Once Aves and Naeus reached the ground they walked through to the stables then galloped out with half a dozen bribons armed to the teeth. Each man had a sturdy horse, dark green plate armor (sans a helmet which was hanging off the saddle), 4 days rations, and a short thick bastard sword encased in a winded leather scabbard strapped to their steed.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Aves looked on them with an air of personal satisfaction because of course it was him who had to pay for all of the armor, weapons, and horses. Before he had become a soldier he was the song of an honored duke in the Kefkan south country with 400 serfs and a great mansion. Although his title wasn’t nominal now he spent much less time in domestic matters as he did in finding trouble he could get himself into or what kind of bottle he could reach the bottom of.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Naeus on the other hand was withdrawn and always prudent. Also the son of a duke he had twice the fortune of Aves but half the spirit of adventure. Aves and Naeus had grown up together, fishing, fighting, and creating mischief on their father’s manors since they were old enough to walk. Generally balancing each other’s faults they were a reputable team and close to undefeated in battle.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Naeus had been married twice already and wasn’t yet 25. His first marriage, planned even before he knew Aves, had failed when his young wife died in childbirth. The second ended when his wife caught the black blood, dying within only a few days and only a month since their marriage. Naeus never spoke of his wives or of the fact he had to conceive an heir to his position or else instability in the power structure might arise. Recently his entire life had been preoccupied with having fortune hunting beauties paraded around his halls while making vapid comments about the carpet or art on his walls.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Aves had been married but his wife died under mysterious circumstances that were never quite solidified into a direct cause. Since then Aves had taken up dragon scale ale and bed-warming wenches from taverns. He boasted a 478 long list of his trophy stays in overnight inns and could down a mug of ale in one gulp. But it was suspected that what seemed to be a healthy young man’s appetite for normal pleasures was more a distraction than an indulgence.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The bribons themselves were typically the top of their class at the academy but without noble title or birth right. Most were fighting to give their sons a chance to be real soldiers and rise up in the world. Being a bribon was the highest you could possibly rise if you didn’t have lineage and although the nobles looked at them as scum, the poor looked at them as noble heroes.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp While Aves and Naeus nonchalantly galloped over the cold cobblestones leading out of the city to the rugged and unkempt country roads leading to Fliran, the rogues they pursued were cooking a meal for some Kerrans. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Uuen, Menith, and Gram were watching with apprehension as Asunder hummed while adding some herbs to a light stew. He had managed to build a fire despite how most wood was damp. A broken table from inside the cottage had been smashed into firewood over which a bubbling concoction of rabbit and potatoes was being stirred.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Apprehension turned into anticipation as the heavy smell permeated the air already thick with the smell of rain and elicited the smallest bit of drool from Uuen’s tongue. His eyes watched anxiously as a wooden spoon slipped into the thick liquid mixing the sprinkled herbs in with the chunks of meat and vegetables.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Jerra smiled at the now pacified animals. Throwing a knowing, amused look over to Xvar whom reciprocated with a small smirk. “Who needs a dagger when you’ve got a soup spoon?” She said to herself.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Uuen and Menith were fighting over who should have the biggest of the 7 polished wooden bowls when Gram smashed one of them and then instructed them to share a bowl. “That’s what you two bickering urchins get for being rude.” Jerra eventually managed to sneak Uuen a small pot that he could eat his soup in and the two embarrassed cats remained quiet until their meal was ready.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp With a proud smile Asunder took each bowl and served an equal amount of soup to each of them with a dull metal ladle. To him it brought back memories of sitting around a crowded campfire handing out bowl after bowl of soup to the tired Dakan troops in the revolution. Each man taking his soup and with bandaged, bleeding, or dry dusty hands trying to make his trembling from battle subside long enough to bring a cracked wooden spoon to his parched lips. Asunder rubbed his callous hands remembering the particular texture that the dust and blood made, which would flake off to show small cuts or blisters.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp He remembered the texture acutely. It was like a thick grimy second skin stuck on him as if a physical coating of guilt, sorrow, and exhaustion. He was snapped from his reverie by a gentle tap of a paw on his shoulder. Uuen pushed his empty pot forward and Asunder smiled and emptied another ladle full of soup into the pot.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Xvar perked up momentarily and looked in the direction where the Kerrans had entered the clearing. Asunder and Jerra immediately looked that way as well. “At least half a dozen horses going about half full tilt. Not Kerrans.” “How do you know that?” Jerra asked quietly. “Kerrans don’t use horses.” Menith interjected.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Xvar hurriedly swallowed the rest of his soup and ran into the cottage. Tightening his frog straps as he came out he rested his hand on the pommel of his dagger and looked over at Asunder. Asunder nodded and poured a bucket of water on the fire and began quietly picking up his things.
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp He jogged over back to the cottage and put them down waving over Jerra and the others. As Jerra passed Xvar she stopped her and said, “Give me till nightfall. It’s getting close to sundown and they’re more likely to be setting up a camp. I want to see exactly who they are. Understand?”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “And if you don’t return?” Jerra inquired gently. Xvar didn’t look surprised. He answered calmly. “Then try and escape the Kerrans and make it to the road to Fliran. Asunder should remember the way there.” Jerra nodded and shut the door to the cottage behind her looking out the window to watch Xvar disappear into the line of trees on the edge of the forest.

[EZ_karamorfbackstabber]

you got a typo i think

As Jerra passed Xvar she stopped her and said, “Give me till nightfall. It’s getting close to sundown and they’re more likely to be setting up a camp.

should be he instead of she. view my stuff.

[EZ_BringIt002]

Hey Koz. Is there a place where you posted your story? Well, as much as your story that you've done so far. All the links in the thread don't work, and i was wondering if you have a new link. Thanks. Rogues Fo Life!

Ueuin
Sullon Zek

[EZ_Koz2]

Fanfiction.net looks to be down on a semi-permenant basis so I'm slowly revising and reposting my stuff on Elfwood. But since the Elfwood search engine doesn't work you can't view it yet. Arrrg. However check Elfwood soon and it should be up. Search for Red Dove.

Elfwood is here:
elfwood.lysator.liu.se/elfwood.html

[EZ_Gaena]

yay koz.. continue please ;o

[EZ_Koz2]

I made a small site where you can read the revised, and much, much, much, much improved version of Xvar's Saga. There will be whole new fight scenes and maybe even some new characters.
So if you want to get the full scoop on Red Dove read it from the beginning.
However, the site needs a good browser since it uses java and such.
So for people with slow modems/crappy browsers you'll have to wait to see the new version until Elfwood gets their @#%$ together.
www.geocities.com/koorankat/reddove.html