Would be a knight

[SlySparrow0003]

Thorn snapped for no reason She threw her knife, which landed right between Norics cuffed hands. Noric shrieked a little. "And what of the wood elves?!" Angry of no mention as if her race was nothing. Caught up in the conversation, angry of the plans he planned along with Ella's father. She threw another throwing knife, landing in his hair. Followed with a look from Ella. Which caused Thorn to sigh but stop ranting.

 

[rbo214]

Noric regained his composure. looking at Thorn. Ella had a slight smirk, realising that Thorns temper wasn't just directed at her.

"The wood elves have already been conquered by the Orcs as have the nomads and the mountain dwarfs. We supplied them with weapons making them easier to defeat. There are only a few pockets of resistance left. The other Elven races and dwarfs will fall in line once the kingdom of man falls to out great nation.

Treborin now joined the questioning. "What about the old king did you do anything to him?"

Noric Looked at him, Treborin could tell the drugs were already wearing off. "No that was just good timing. And his brother will be a lot easier to manipulate. he is not a strong leader. Look at his first major order. sending an untrained group of soldiers to the north to halt an orc incursion. Your little group won't even slow them down... that is if any of you survive the vampires you seem to have attracted.

Treborin looked at Ella, is that what they were doing marching towards an orc army?

"So Donella, what about my offer, will you except my hand of friendship, and fulfill your fathers wishes. I did love you, and i know you loved me." Noric said with a smile.

 

[Iscaa]

For an answer Ella walked over to Noric and slapped him hard across the face.

"Does that answer your question? Don't you ever say that word to me again, you don't know what love is and never have, not all those years ago and certainly not now. I am going to let you live for now, because I am sure you have more information then what we just squeezed out of you." She glanced over at his cohorts, "But it's a different matter with your partners over there, they are expendable....I'm thinking they may come in handy when we have to deal with those vampires that we have dogging us now."

She walked over to the woman sighing, "I've never had much use for assassins but on second thought maybe I do have a use for you after all. I believe you would make excellent bait. I know it won't be a nice way to die, but you may as well make some kind of atonement for all the lives you've probably taken over the years."

Ella directed her gaze from the woman on the ground over to Thorn, " Everyone get ready we're going to the cave Thorn told us about and getting this vampire situation dealt with once and for all. Thorn you take the woman, Tre you handle that elf, I will take care of our friend here."

With that being said, Ella walked over to Noric grabbed his arm and hauled him up to a standing position. He was still pretty dizzy, so she pulled him over to her horse and pushed him up onto the saddle before getting up there behind him. She took a rope and wound it around his tied hands and wrapped it around her own waist. Making sure he wouldn't get a chance to give her the slip.

When he leaned against her she whacked him on the back of his head growling, "Do that again and you'll see stars the next time I hit you." Glancing around she added, "OK everyone ready? Then lets move out!"

Thorn started first followed by Tre lastly came Ella and Noic.

 

[rbo214]

Treborn followed Thorn while heading fo the cave with the "blood stone" they needed.

His father had obtained one once while trying to save his brother, but there hadn't been time to hunt down four clan leaders or one of each of their sired children.

His father in the end had to kill his own brother. Was that the fate for Thorn and her special blood?

Treborin looked over his shoulder, his prisoner, was lying on the back of his horse being silent with his eyes closed. Tre's thoughts went back to what he had said. "Where did you get this?! This shows runes of Blood elf magic?! "Answer me now, or I will send you to hell!"

What was the legend of the halfbreed, was that why the two races never had children? Ella knew, and by Thorns outburst about hearing he was part blood elf, he expected she did too. He would have to ask them... later. Obtaining a blood stone should be what he was thinking about. Not legends, or Orcs, and certainly not wanting to kiss thorn. He blushed slightly as he realised he wanted to kiss her. Now was not the time for such thoughts.

The elf suddenly said, "You have to die halfling. nothing else matters, not the vampires, or even Donella's father is as important as you.

"Tell me why I have to die?"

"The legend states: the child of an elf and a human, will be able to control the darkest magic of them all. the magic from hell. His very blood makes him a perfect vessel for satan himself. You and your blood elves will not succeed on bringing him back, on this I sware."

Treborin thought about what the prisoner had said for a moment. It was true that blood elf magic was dark, using sacrifices and rituals to the dark god satan. that was the source of their power. but Tre had no interest in that. he had been given up by the elves when a child. "I am no satan worshiper," he replied.

"Matters not, all that matters is that you die before satan finds you."

 

[SlySparrow0003]

Thorn trotted on, the forest seemed to get more darker and scary, Thorn started to get another blinding headache, which seemed to grow, "We should dismount, we're close" everyone tied their horses, and Thorn and Tre dragged the prisoners in front. Until Thorn suddenly stopped, a large hole in the ground led to a large opening at the bottom. "Found it" she looked at the women she held, looking down, "Ladies first" Thorn said mockingly before pushing her down the hole and jumping down, landing on her, with a grunt from the women, she hauled her up and continued to walk through the passageways, with Ella and Tre behind.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella watched briefly as Thorn shoved the woman into the hole and jumped in after her, soon followed by Tre. She sighed thinking, ( I'm not going to like this, gods but I just hate dark damp holes in the ground!) She slide off her horse grabbed Noric's arm pulling him none too gracefully off. Digging in one of her pockets she brought out a small dagger. Moving behind the elf she cut the rope around his wrists. Immediately putting the blade to his kidneys and in a low voice uttered,

"If you so much as blink I am going to shove this dagger so deep it will come out the other side of your stomach. Have you got that?"

At his nod of acknowledgment she pushed him forward keeping the dagger at his back so he knew she meant business. She looked at the creepy hole again breaking out in a sweat as she did. With a courage she didn't feel she told Noric,

"Jump in now, and don't forget I'll be right behind you. One false move and your a dead elf."

She landed seconds after he hit the dusty floor, standing up she put the dagger point back in his back. Pulling out a small crystal glob she said a few words within seconds it shone with enough light to enable them see a few feet ahead.

"OK...now move but keep close to Tre."

 

[rbo214]

It was so dark until Ella finished her incantation. Tre had been holding the elf's dagger, the point touching his back to keep him under control and quiet.

He smiled, for a moment as the light shone around, but what he saw didn't fill him with joy. Several passageways lead off from the room they were in, and his scenes seemed to have gone dead.

"I sense nothing." he said to Ella and Thorn, hoping their senses were still working.

Noric laughed, "We are not alone." he stated, sounding cruel, "release us or we will all die."

Treborin looked to Ella for a sing of what to do. Even though he had only just started to use his Elf sense, he almost felt blind now it wasn't working.

 

[Iscaa]

After hearing Noric's words Ella shoved him at Tre whispering,

"Here watch him I'm going to have a quick look down some of these passages. I would hate to be caught by surprise."

She handed Tre her crystal glob, and took out a wand that would give her a brighter light. She spoke another few words to the others surprise it shone immediately, pushing the shadows in the cavern back to the walls. Looking at the others Ella nodded her head,

"Stay here I won't be long."

She turned to the closest passage entered it cautiously stepping around fallen stones as she made her way down the tunnel. She wrinkled her nose, noting that there was an intense stink further on. Soon she came upon what looked like a long dead human. She couldn't tell the age, but it looked like it might have been a man once. She saw that this passage ended in another ten feet so she quickly turned around trotting back to the main entrance within minutes. It was with a sigh of relief that she saw the others were all there and still waiting.

"There wasn't anything in that passage but a long dead body. That leaves that bigger one, Let's all go into this one....be ready for anything!"

 

[SlySparrow0003]

Thorn sighed with relief, and they followed the long passage. They tracked a long way through the dark passage, illuminated by mysterious dim red mushrooms and Ella, mysterious, and they entered a ancient room with dead bodies stacked in holes, and the doorway was blocked by huge swinging axes. "I'll get through the axes and get the button, or switch, it'll stop the traps, just be wary for other traps. " Thorn said to Ella and Tre. She dogged all axes, but when she touched the button, every body, got up, and had weapons, and started to attack all three.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin couldn't believe his eyes, there was around twenty corps climbing out of there holes all holding swords, axes or daggers. He pushed the elves he was guarding out of the way and drew his sword. He was scared but had no time for that. He had to act.

Treborin swung his sword at the closest corps, and as the sword struck it.The corps burst into flames, right in front of Tre's eyes. It managed a few more steps, before it collapsed, the fire burning the dark magic out of the body.

Treborin ran around the room tagging each corps in turn they were slow, and not very smart, most didn't even try and block the swipes of the blessed sword and as the sword struck them fire spread all over there body's.

He looked over at Thorn. she was using her vampire speed and strength to rip the creatures apart, but her weapon was having very little effect. fortunately, she was too quick for these mindless attackers to catch her.

Ella was defending the prisoners with her magic, Tre saw one of the corps's being blown apart by lightning. but one of the elves was missing... the assassin was gone.


Sara ran down a passage, escape was the only thing on her mind. the ground shook, and suddenly more corps's fell around her. she kicked one in the head elbowed another, but for all her skills they kept coming, one had her arm, she desperately punched it and kicked it, but another, clamped its hand on her other shoulder.

She tried to break free, but a third stabbed her in the back, she could taste her own blood, this was not how she was supposed to die, this what not what was promised to her.

One of the corps's grabbed her throat, she looked at it. She hadn't felt this scared since she was a child. The creature violently jerked his hand as he squeezed. Sara heard her own neck snap before darkness fell over her.

The elf's lifeless body fell to the floor. It started to twitch, before it stood up and started walking back towards her former colleagues were.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

Thorn used a newfound dark magic, She clasped her hands together and using most of her strength, blasted all the ashes, leaving none behind, Thorn collapsed on the ground, Useing Dark magic of blood magic, was dangerous, and illegal. Just as necromancy was. Thorn panted. And then her bracelet began to burn like holy magic against her skin, it started to tighten, giving her no blood flow in her wrist, and Thorn started screaming, as the pain quickly grew, Thorn was now on the verge of unconsciousness. And tugged at her braclet uselessly.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin rushed to thorns side, he didn't understand what was going on. The axes had finally stopped swining, opening a new path, but Thorn was in no condition to more. He looked over to Ella but was just starting at thorn as well.

The ground shook again, more violently this time. More of the walking corps's appeared in the doorway, they were cut off from the entrance to the cave. Tre positioned himself between the dead creatures, and Ella and thorn, his sword pointing the corps's

"We need to find the bloodstone and get out of here." He shouted

Suddenly Sara landed in the middle of the room facing away from Treborin. He turned his head to look, he even smiled, thinking the Elf came back to help them, but then he saw, the sword sticking in her back and her head was tilted. She had an axe in her hand, she ran at Thorn. She was going to kill her. Ella pointed her ring at her, but Tre had already thrown his sword. The blade hitting the dead elf assassin, and she burst into flames.

Treborin smiled for a moment before the other corps charged at him. He was defenseless they had him.

 

[Iscaa]

With all the bodies moving towards them Ella quickly cut Noric's bindings and immediately pointed her hand at the nearest disgusting thing. She concentrated her mind, the lightening came out bursting it into flames as well as the one right behind it. She shouted at Noric to get behind her as she continued killing everything that looked dead.

From the corner of her eye she saw Thorn and Tre busy trying to keep alive. Then suddenly she shouted,

"Where is that woman? Did she run? Blast her cowardly hide!"

Ella had no more time to think about the elf, she was too busy trying to keep herself and the rest alive. She was kept busy blasting bodies that just kept on coming at them.

Suddenly the assassin jumped into the cavern. Ella saw that Tre had his back to her, she pointed her hand towards the woman when Tre threw his sword at her. She burst into flames. Ella saw that now Tre was defenseless, she shouted,

"Tre, Thorn get over here we need to form a tight defense now, keep our backs touching! We need that sword back, lets move towards it as one body, it may be our only hope!"

They slowly made their way towards what was left of the elf woman and sword as Ella kept her magic ring in play. Body parts fire and ashes swirled all around them as they finally came to a stop beside the sword.

 

[rbo214]

Noric rubbed his wrists where the restraints had been holding him. He never expected to have been taken prisoner. He had been doing retrievals for over 50 years.

Donella had caught him by surprise, he had underestimated her. The Vampire elf girl was also more powerful and skilled than he had expected. and the halfling, well he wasn't as skilled, but his sword was incredibly powerful. If he got the chance he would have to take that back. It would almost be worth losing 3 of his men... Almost.

Right now though they would have to work together. His elf scene didn't work in this place, and he assumed the others were having the same problem. He was back to back with Donella, Dumar and the boy. but more of the animated dead, kept coming through the door. The boy was a fool, to through his sword, even to save their friend. Donella's magic was now the only thing which can really hurt these things.

He watched Thorn, she was undisciplined, a loner, too young, but she wasn't a vampire. At least not yet. She had been bitten, but not killed, that was unusual, it would take a full moon to make the vampire curse permanent. She was closer to the sword and she was faster. "Get the sword, vampire!" He shouted. but suddenly more corps's fell from the ceiling. He kicked one under the chin, and its head flew across the room, its body falling to the floor. "Take their heads off!" he shouted, but more corps's were closing on them.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin was quiet, he only had a dagger now. One of the corps's tried to grab him, but he slashed its hand, severing it from the undeads arm. another one tried to grab him, but Noric kicked it in the head so hard its head flew across the room. "Take their heads off!" he shouted.

Thorn ducked under a swipe before she jumped on to the closest corps and with a swipe of her arm, she severed its head for its body. She smiled, her eyes even glowed she could see as easily in this dull light as she could in the sun, better in fact.
She launched herself with brutal instinct, ripping another dead man's head off its body.

The sword was there, she went to grab it, but suddenly her hand was on fire... she couldn't touch it, her bracelet flashed and she fell, pain surging through her body again.

 

[Iscaa]

As Thorn fell on the cold ground, the pain in her hand intensified. (Oh why did I try to touch that blasted magic sword?) She rolled over onto her back as the pain surged through the body leaving her weak and panting. Holding her breath she pushed herself up and finally stood on wobbly legs. Grasping her dagger again she growled as she sliced the head off the nearest thing. Her anger helping her to focus on killing instead of her pain. It got less as she fought along side Ella and the others.

She reached inside her belt and came out with another dagger shouting,

"Two is better then one, come on you ugly things, lets see what you got!"

She then went into a frenzied burst of rage...decapitating two dead things at a time now. With her enhanced vision she could see more and more of the things coming at them. She shouted,

"There is just too many of those things, we have to get out of this chamber, that tunnel over to the right, lets make a run for it! But we must get the sword first, it's our only chance!"

 

[rbo214]

The group were close to the sword, but there were so many of the undead in the chamber, it was getting harder to move. Treborin looked at Ella, she looked exhausted she couldn't keep using magic for much longer.

She had been right the sword was there only chance. He had thrown it to save Thorn, but now realised how stupid it was. They were so close. He broke formation, he was only a few steps away. He heard Noric shout how stupid he was, but it didn't matter, if he got the sword, her could save everyone. He was so close.

Something grabbed his arm, he tried to twist out of the grip, but it held, he slashed his dagger, at the corps's neck severing it from its body, but two more grabbed him, then another and another. He couldn't see the others, one grabbed his throat, squeezing. He franticly tried to break free, but with a violent shake, he heard his own neck brake.

 

[rbo214]

It was silent where Treborin was. nothing was moving like Time was frozen.

A voice came from the shadows, "You are dead, boy!"

"Who is there?" Treborin called out, but the only reply he got was laughter.

He was falling the creatures had realised him. time wasn't frozen, just moving slowly. He saw his charm in front of his eyes, the runes were glowing, he didn't understand what was happening?

Treborin hit the floor, he felt pain in his neck, everything was going dark. "You are mine now" the voice shouted from the shadows. but Treborin suddenly could move. he grabbed the charm, the runes burning his hand, but he didn't let go. He felt his neck bones reset, (which was like nothing he had ever felt)

He jumped up from the floor, everything was still moving so slow. He grabbed the sword, in his free hand and heard the voice cry out as if suddenly in pain.

He span on the spot, the sword cutting several of the dead things before he started running. stabbing and cutting every corps he could get to. He looked back at the first one he had cut, did the sword no longer work?

He smiled as he saw the fire slowly start to spread over its body. The fire spread not only over the corps's he had cut but any close to them as well.

He saw Thorn jumping away from the fire, but it was so slow, it was like she was floating away.

 

[rbo214]

Dumar saw the half-elf fall. "One less thing to worry about," he thought, but he knew the boys fate was going to be theirs as well. Donella's magic was getting weaker, and the bodies just kept coming.

Suddenly he saw a blur rush past them and saw fire spreading over the dead men that were attacking. he looked over to where the sword had been, but it had vanished. He saw the Vampire elf girl jump, and grab hold of a grove in the ceiling, avoiding the fire, as the dead men started to fall.

The fire was spreading, jumping from corps to corps. Ella used her magic to protect them, and as the seconds flew past all the creatures in turn fell.

The fire went out, and the murky light, Donella had created, returned to the room. Thorn dropped down joining the group. before all four of them saw Treborin, alive and standing in the chamber sword in hand.

"How was this possible?" Dumar asked himself. He had seen the boy fall, his neck obviously crushed or broken. "Satan's magic?" Whatever it was, "the boy had saved them... but still he had to die... if that was possible." Dumar thought to himself.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella cried out when she saw Tre hit the floor, her heart hardened as she renewed her efforts to fight off the dead things trying to overwhelm what was left of them.

She quickly protected the little group as fire erupted all around them but knew her magic was rapidly being depleted. They were all getting tired, their arms heavy from all the efforts of cutting and slashing repeatedly. As she watched another head roll off a rotting body, she shouted,

"We need to get out of here or we are all dead!"

Suddenly Ella saw things starting to happen around them, she looked, the sword was gone, that could only mean Treborin wasn't dead after all. She watched as the fire consumed the dead bodies. As this was taking place she saw Thorn jump to the ceiling to avoid being burned. With the little magic she had left Ella formed a protective circle around them until there was only ashes and smoke in the chamber.

To everyone's surprise Tre suddenly dropped down in front of them. Ella was overjoyed to see him thinking, ( I knew there was great magic in him and I was right!) She cocked her head to one side saying,

"Well Tre, looks like you got us out of a really bad situation, I for one am very glad to see you, thought for a moment you were a goner."

Glancing around she added,

"OK everyone, we need to carry on before they are able to rally their forces. Thorn you lead the way!"

 

[rbo214]

Treborin could hardly stand, his hand was shaking, and he couldn't let go of the dark elf charm.

He smiled and nodded at Ella while breathing heavily.

Thorn jumped down, and hugged him, catching him by surprise.

"Don't do that again ok" she whispered in his ear, before kissing his cheek.

She headed off down the tunnel which had been guarded by the swinging axes. Treborin went to follow, but Ella hadn't moved.

"We should keep up," he said to her as he swung the sword over his shoulder, the kiss seeming to have rejuvenated him.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella watched as Thorn hurried down the tunnel finally she glanced at Tre, seeing he seemed to come through the fight in pretty good shape. She nodded her head as he swung his sword over his shoulder saying,

"We should keep up."

She indicated for Tre to follow Thorn. She would be along shortly but first she had to deal with Dumar and Noric. Ella took in the two elves a few feet away with narrowed eyes she said in a low voice,

"Do I dare trust you two or do you need to be tied up again? I don't know what is further down that tunnel but I have a feeling we are still in much danger. Your fighting skills will come in handy, but I need assurance that your not going to turn on us. Give me your pledges now before we go any further. It's your pledge or being trussed up like a couple of turkeys again. Speak now!"

She looked each one in the eyes and waited for a response.

 

[rbo214]

Dumar, couldn't believe what he had seen, nor could he accept Noric, would give Ella his pledge. He would, of course, follow orders. He watched the halfling walk towards the entrance, but he paused looking back as if to make sure Donella wasn't attacked or harmed.

Noric squared up to Ella. "You know I can't pledge allegiance to you. I have already pledged to your father. You need us right now. so I offer a bond. we will follow your orders and will protect you, Donella. Until we are out of these caves. on this you have my word. We will talk again after we get out of this mess you have walked into."

Dumar couldn't believe his ears, they could take her now, knock her out kill the halfling, and run. The vampire would die in these caves and they could be home by the full moon.

"What do you say to my offer Donella. no tricks we follow you... for now."

 

[Iscaa]

Ella's lip curled as Noric spoke with such arrogance. She felt the heat raise as she lost her temper,

"How dare you say "this mess I walked into?" You arrogant son of a worm! Let me tell you we are here of our own volition to help Thorn. It has nothing to do with the likes of you and your men! Oh you make me want to stick my dagger in that cold heart of your!"

She paced back and forth as she told him off, then stopped taking a deep breath to calm herself she looked at Dumar knowing she must look like a fool to lose her temper like this. She shook her head dismissing him, he was just another elf it was Noric that she had to deal with now. Her glanced snapped back to Noric as she thought about his proposal, realizing he couldn't in good conscious give his allegiance to two different people. He may be a worm but she knew his word could be counted on....sort of.

"OK Noric, here is the deal, while we are in this so called mess you and your man here will be under my authority which means my orders until we leave this cave....dead or alive. I mean to get Thorn cured of this evil that has invaded her body. Once that is done and we are safe, you and I will go our separate ways. And don't think I trust you cause I don't. Just you remember that. Before we go any further I want the both of you to give me your word on this arrangement."

She stood in front of them and waited.

 

[rbo214]

Noric smiled, she had lost the advantage and her control with the out burst. He remembered that temper, the passion, but now he was using it against her. "You have my word that I and Dumar will follow your orders until we get out of here, but don't think we will be sacrificing ourselves for you, the vampire, or the boy."

Noric smiled again as he took his dagger back from Ella, "And we will need our weapons back."