Seriya DeLacey
24th-May-2003, 17:48
The box was becoming troublesome. But it was becoming a troublesome item that a lot of people were interested in.

Seriya herself had felt quite detached from the thing for a few days. Thinking about it, things had changed the day she had that row with Callum, told the Master about it and gone to sleep on Malechi’s roof. It wasn’t just that she had finally been able to get some sleep. That nagging feeling, the restlessness, the headaches, they had all vanished too. She could talk about the box with others, even talk of giving it to someone else, without getting upset. She wasn’t quite sure what had caused this change, but it certainly was welcome considering what had come to pass since.

First there’d been Ayame. Ayame told her that Alynora, the mate of Garod Tremere of Naeloth, wanted to talk to her about the box. Alynora wanted it to trap someone, a dangerous person named “Gabriel”. Seriya had heard the name before and had some suspicions that this was in fact the person she’d met a few days earier under very strange circumstances, just outside Trinsic. She really had to talk to Alynora to find out for sure.

Seriya had also heard a rumour that Ashoka naz’Ruidin, the Vizier of Nujel’m, wanted the box for herself. Apparently she was willing to pay quite a lot of money for it. Perhaps with two ladies of power and influence interested the Darkcloaks might yet get something useful from this box, she thought with glee.

However, Ayame disagreed. “If you want my advice, end this. Just throw it into the fire.”
“And forgo whatever price the Vizier or Alynora are prepared to pay for it?” Seriya asked incredulously.
“No reward is worth all this. People are going to die.”
Seriya shrugged. “As long as it's the right sort of people that'll die, I'm not even sure that that's a bad thing.”
“Including you? And Callum?” Ayame replied piercingly. “You know, it is still using him, even though he gave up carrying it a long time ago. And it will find a way of using you also. Your Master might be shielding you from its influence for the moment, but that won’t last forever.”

Seriya chewed her lip thoughtfully. If Ayame really was right they might indeed have a problem. What Ayame did not realise was that there was another Darkcloak who’d been touched by the box. Choma.

He’d been hiding it well, but Seriya had noticed how he’d become more and more restless. She’d also noticed the bits of blood and fur that matted his warhammer almost every day lately. She would have to speak to him, and soon.

But first she’d have to know all the options
, and the whole picture. She had to talk to Alynora.

Seriya DeLacey
24th-May-2003, 18:56
Alynora seemed very pleased to see her. She showed her into her home, which turned out to be a hidden gem in the dark and foreboding city of the vampires (“What else is an elf to do after all?” she said with a grin at Seriya’s astonished face).

However the matter at hand was all the more serious and dangerous, and the pleasant surroundings and the sound of water trickling through the lush green meadow were soon forgotten.
“This is about the black box, is it not?” Seriya asked.

Alynora nodded. “I was wondering if any research has been done on it and its origins. From recent information, I believe it is more important to keep this thing out of the particular.... person’s…. hands.”
“And which person would that be?” Seriya said, holding her breath. An image from her dream crossed her thoughts unbidden.

“This.. person.. if that is what you wish to call it.. is actually a rather troublesome spirit who has a bad habit of returning from the void from time to time. He goes by the name of Gabriel, and often likes to take Ra'Karn's image... but with blond hair.”
Seriya could feel her heart miss a beat. This was exactly what she’d feared. Her dream…. It had been true. A warning, perhaps?

Alynora proceeded to tell her a lot of the history of this Gabriel, and how he related to Ra’Karn, and Garod, and the black gate of Nokhmar. He’d been banished once before, but now a ritual that Shelly, the crone of Crosswood and Ra’Karn’s mate, had inadvertently released him again.

“Gabriel has .. drawn forth images of the dead and has them follow and protect him,” Alynora said in a toneless voice. “Such as Shannon.”
Seriya thought back to the Shannon she’d seen with the man she now knew was Gabriel. She’d been extremely pale, which suggested that Alynora might be right. Her dream also suggested that Shannon had changed. She wondered, did Ayame know this?
“I need to know if the composition of the box.. and this black gate are similar,” Alynora continued. “I would like to rule out this possibility if possible.”

Seriya told her that the Master had been studying the box, and that he might indeed be able to answer her question. She also warned her that any information and help they might have would most likely command a price…
Seriya DeLacey
25th-May-2003, 20:28
The sound of laughter and animated talking drifted from the Shadow Tower when Seriya arrived. Muldran expected her, she knew.

Muldran, the head of the Shadow Court, had asked Seriya a few days previous if they could speak. He’d heard of Callum’s dreams, and knew she’d also been having similarly strange dreams. Apparently he had some knowledge in their interpretation; and Seriya hoped he might know a bit of the box’s history too.

Inside she found half the members of the Shadow Court. A few she already knew – Callum, obviously, and Jarik Stoneheart, the quiet ranger. Seriya was not overly surprised to see Ayame there too, she knew that she kept many friendships with her former guildmates. Others were new, such as Repanse, Ben, Darius, and Salazar, a splendidly clothed but quiet and sullen man.

Muldran wasted no time with smalltalk. “This concerns the box, doesn’t it?” Seriya nodded quietly. “I think so. “From what I heard of Callum he's been having odd dreams too. It should be strange that only us two should be suffering from the same affliction if it wasn't the box connecting it.”
Muldran looked at her intently. “Have you shared the same dream? Of the rain?”
“Not the same dream. But similar.” Seriya sighed. “I'd better start at the beginning I guess.”

She recounted her dream. Muldran let her talk without interrupting. Only when she mentioned Shannon he seemed surprised. “Shannon? Another one in the mix…”
Just at that moment the door creaked open. Shannon – or more precisely the pale image Seriya now knew Gabriel had created – casually strolled into the room.
“Hello there,” Muldran greeted her, his voice betraying a hint of amusement.
Shannon took a seat next to Ayame. Seriya shuffled a few seats down. Knowing what Alynora told her, she did not want to be to close to this Shannon. She’d mutilated herself and others, she’d heard.
Callum had also gotten to his feet. “This isn’t Shannon,” he proclaimed, rounding on her. “You are the twin. She’s the one!”
Shannon stood her ground. “This is not true! First Lereia, now you…. Who has been telling these lies!?”
Ayame seemed equally incredulous. “This IS Shannon Callum”
“It isn’t. Are you blind?”
“I know who she is,” Ayame said determinedly.
“Callum, Seriya, you both believe she is not who she thinks she is - or says she is?”
Seriya shook her head. “Before I was just suspicious. But now I am sure.”
Muldran seemed unconvinced. “Are you both sure, you've both been... affected by something else...”
“And Lereia? And Alynora?” Seriya retorted. “They have not been touched by the box but they will tell you the same thing.”
Still Muldran insisted to let the pale Shannon stay and hear her out, but even he was suspicious about the timing of her appearance.

Shannon of course denied all accusations. No, she didn’t have a twin. It had been pure coincidence that she’d turned up the moment she had. And anyone was allowed to change his clothes every once in a while..
Callum tried a different approach. “You are an undead, are you not?”
Shannon nodded.
“What do you feed of?”
“Err, people”
“Would you know another vampire by the taste of his blood?”
“Of course.”
Taking a knife, he cut his arm and let the blood drip on the table, in front of Shannon.
“Drink of that and tell me.”
Shannon shook her head resolutely. “No.”
“No?”
“I don't want your blood.”
“Because you wouldn’t know. Would you ?” Callum nodded, not waiting for an answer. “She’s an impostor.”
“Why would someone... impersonate a vampire?” Muldran asked unbelieving.
“To get close to that vampire's nearest and dearest?” Seriya suggested calmly.
Shannon meanwhile decided to answer Callum’s question. “Hmm .. i think you are no more than a ghoul.”. Seriya looked up in surprise as Ayame confirmed her pronouncement with a quick nod, even while Callum was protesting that they were both mistaken This was one interesting little detail she hadn’t known.

Muldran shook his head and returned his attention to Seriya. His face took on an almost scholarly look as he pronounced “From my... admittedly inferior knowledge of dreams... But from what i learned from X'hephra, rain, forests and, dare I say it, chasms. On their most... erm, basic level. an be a concept relating to Birth. Or...” He gestured to Shannon. “With people becoming something else...Rebirth.”
He paused. “I don't begin to understand what that damn... what your box has to do with this. Or why it would insist on showing people these things. Perhaps it's trying to give you not warnings... But hints?”

The door creaked again. Scathach, Callum’s teenage daughter, strolled into the room.

“It's difficult for me to understand what direction this box is paving,” Muldran continued hesitantly. “But Seriya, did you actually feel any malice when you saw Shannon and Ra 'change;' in your dream?
Seriya thought for a moment. “Not as such. It was scary and confusing, not malicious”
Muldran nodded. “A message rather than a warning then.”

Seriya nodded. “Perhaps. You should also perhaps know that I’ve just been to see Alynora. Some of the things she told me have a bearing on this.” She told them what she knew of Gabriel, and the ghostly Shannon Alynora thought he’d conjured up.

No sooner had Seriya finished that Shannon turned to her. “Could you make a gate to Ra'karns house?” she asked. The preacher of the word .. He needs a gate.”

Seriya looked to Muldran questioningly. He nodded quietly. “To the roof. It is an open space. He could do little damage there.”

[to be continued]
Seriya DeLacey
28th-May-2003, 14:50
“Hello little ones,” Gabriel greeted the assembly with a beatific smile. “My follower tells me you were all here,” he said, patting Shannon on the shoulder like one might fondly pet a lapdog, “I thought it would be good to come meet you all – meet you and tell you-“
“Don’t listen,” Callum murmured urgently.
“tell you of something great
“Don’t listen.”
“so amazing-”
“Don’t listen.”
“I've come to tell you of the ‘Word’”
Callum kept shaking his head
“I just want to bring happiness to everyone,” Gabriel continued. “Through the word we can all be happy and filled with joy….”
“Liar!”

Muldran looked sceptically from the one to the other, clearly unsure what to make of the situation. “Why would you need to take Ra to do this?” he eventually asked.
“Ra has nothing to do with this,” Gabriel replied. “I assume he is at home for all I know. This is his old body, I’m merely using it to get around. A loan if you will….” He trailed off and looked into the faces turned towards him – some suspicious, others outright hostile. “Really, you people are so untrusting,” he said, his voice gentle and soothing. “Just look at you….. ready to arms at something you simply don’t understand. Listen to me. Mankind is dirty. Rotten. Spoilt. It needs to be clean. And the word can do that. It can take away those dirty thoughts.”
“Noooo,” cried Callum. “It can’t! Mankind must be evil, and good to – to balance the scales.”
Gabriel quietly shook his head. “You only think that, Callum, because you know no different.
Muldran shifted uncomfortably. “Purity is one thing, creature, but enforcing it on others?
“No no no….” Gabriel said quietly. “I enforce nothing. I am merely a preacher. Much like many of your kind do about your virtues.”
“Your word is like the virtues?” Muldran said slowly.
“Yes. Now you understand. It is a meaning so deep…. It will help you understand, and set you free, once you truly understand its meaning…”
“Seriya, you have heard it, have you not?” He turned to her. As his gaze met hers, she felt…. Something, like a quick cold touch or a sudden draft, and it made her shudder. But that was all.
“Don’t listen to him,” Callum implored her. “He is all that is evil.”
Gabriel shook his head sadly. “He does not understand. He needs the word more than most…” He held out his hand to Muldran. “Take my hand. I will tell you the word.”
Mudran wavered. Part of him was curious, the look was plain on his face. But he was also made wary by Callum’s open distrust and hostility.

It was Scatchach who made the decision for him. Grabbing his cloak she tugged it hard and gave Gabriel a fierce loom. “Ah ain't trustin yeh! but then again..” she paused. “Ah trust no man.”
“Is that so?” Gabriel said gently.” “Then I pity you. For this means you don’t trust your own father – he is a man after all….”
“Ah never said ah trusted him,” Scatchach said with the scathing openness of a child. “But he is kin.. an yeh.. don't seem right ta meh.Yeh borrow life from others, like ye've borrowed thet body. As far as ah know mister... yeh bear the face o meh mother's murderer!”
“Is that what Ra told you, little one?” A note of genuine amusement tinged Gabriel’s silky voice. “I fear the truth is much more darker then you think. And I know the truth. I feel pity for you, little one, because you do not.”

Callum, unable to witness this spectacle any longer, buried his head in his hands. His shoulders were shaking violently with his sobbing.
“Have you come here to spread this word, or break Callum into pieces, Gabriel?,” Muldran asked sternly.
“Are not both the same? To be free, we must let go of our sins. Our hate, our anger…. To do so makes Callum anew. He can be born again. The word can show you the way, Callum….” He stretched out a hand imploringly.
“Come. It can make it all better.”
“Not by your hand Devil,” Callum said, but is voice was wavering. Almost against his will his hand began to extend towards Gabriel’s.
Seriya and Scathach glanced at each other. With a swift movement, Seriya slapped away Callum’s hand, just as Scathach stepped in between the two, spear extended.
“yeh'll nay be touchin him either,” she said defiantly.
“I did not touch him,”Gabriel said patiently. “He reached out for me.”
“But he speaks the truth,” Callum said weakly.
Muldran shook his head. “He speaks what you want to hear. There's a very very small difference. You want to feel bad for what you did, fine. Just don't think there's an easy way out. Because touching him sure as hell won't be easy.”

“Are ye so weak father, that ye fall fer everythin ye hear?” Scathach asked.
Seriya could almost audibly here something snap in Callum. Those few words, spoken by his only daughter, broke the spell.
“No,” Callum said hotly, his anger returning. “Scath, it was Garod who held you as a bairn. As it was Garod who banished this beast the last time. He will do it again.”
Gabriel smiled softly. “I think you will find Tremere is asleep.”
Callum stared at him. “When he awakes, you will be damned.”
“Because you believe your kind if better then mine?,” Gabriel asked, still smiling.
“Because I will skin you body from its bones. Slowly. Inch by inch.”

“I think, Gabriel, you can tell that your Word will fall on deaf... minds,” Muldran interjected. “Perhaps you should walk away for now, I think Callum's made his decision.”
Seriya DeLacey
28th-May-2003, 16:05
It was a few days later that a rather large raven made its way to the coop on the roof of the Master’s Keep. It carried a note written in a fine, spidery hand.

Seriya,

A few associates and I would like to meet with you urgently. It is concerning the black box.

Shelly, Crone of Crosswood

They met the same evening, in one of the tents of the old gypsy camp south of Minoc. Accompanying Shelly she found other members of the Coven such as Rev and the dark witch Faye, as well as Attorok of the Duchy. His involvement was a bit of a mystery, but Seriya accepted the Coven’s word that he could be trusted, and had a reason to be there.

In the end there was only very little she could tell the Coven. They had questions aplenty, starting with the material the box was made of and finishing with its contents. Most of these questions were way above Seriya’s head, and she told the Coven as much. After all while she’d spent a good deal of time living close to the box, she hadn’t actually seen it for more than a few moments, much less studied it.

No, they would have to talk to the Master. Seriya volunteered to inform the Master of their request and carry back any replies. Shelly was clearly disappointed, but accepted that there was little else Seriya could do.


------------------


The Coven got lucky. The very next evening, the Master sent Seriya back to Shelly, with a message to come and see him. This time it was only Rev who accompanied her. Seriya took them to the Keep and informed the Master, hoping that because of her direct experience with the box she would be called to also attend the meeting.

Alas she had no such luck. The Master politely but firmly ushered his guests into his study. The door fell into its lock with a thunk of finality, and with Igor around Seriya didn’t dare try to listen at the door. Most infuriating, considering the three of them remained locked away for hours….
Seriya DeLacey
14th-June-2003, 16:54
With every bit of news she heard, Seriya was getting more worried. All had gone quiet about Gabriel for a few weeks, but the evidence that he was back was mounting.


------------------------------------------------------


A few days ago she’d gone to Vesper on a whim, and found the town bustling with activity. Muldran Skully and many of the Shadow Court were there, as were a few Vesper guards and a lone Kaldorian who introduced himself as Dimman. Muldran walked up to her.
“Has anything happened? I’ve not seen so many people in Vesper for a long time.”
“Just now, no. But… there have been daemons and undead attacking the city.”
Seriya’s eyes widened. “Really? When?”
A few days ago.” (http://www.theguildhall.net/vb/showt...threadid=40481)
“There’ve been more attacks since,” Dimman added. “There’ve been at least three attacks already.”
Muldran and Seriya exchanged worried glances. “The Vesperians don’t seem too troubled by this,” Muldran said.
Seriya frowned. “I don’t like this.” She thought of something Shelly of Crosswood had told her. She’d been directly involved in the events that inadvertently had released Gabriel into this world, and she knew more of him than most. She’d been worried that Gabriel might try to open another interdimensional gate, and bring more of his kind to these lands. Maybe he had found a way already, although she couldn’t think how.
“Do you think this might have something to do with Gabriel?” she asked.
Muldran sucked in a breath. “That hadn’t occurred to me yet. But…. You may be right. The possibility can’t be discounted.” He thought for a bit. “Have you been to see the black gate of Nohkmhar since all this started?”
Seriya shook her head. “I only saw it once, and that is a long time ago.”
“Perhaps we should go and investigate it.” Seriya nodded.
“I can ask a few Darkcloaks to accompany us.”
“A good idea. But… you know the gate is dangerous. Take only those that you can trust absolutely. Or those that are completely under your control.”
Seriya raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing. Muldran knew more about the Darkcloaks than he let on, evidently.


------------------------------------------------------


She was still planning this expedition,when, the next day, she saw a proclamation nailed to the Britain town board.

http://users.skynet.be/bk339109/misc/parcht02.jpg


Britain as well then…. Seriya thought. And this time there was no doubt it was Gabriel’s work. Something had to be done to stop him.


------------------------------------------------------


A couple of days later Seriya found herself in Nujel’m, watching the jousts. The main battles were over and the crowds were dispersing, when she noticed a familiar-looking figure standing towards the back. She couldn’t quite place him at first, but something about him seemed very familiar. Then he moved, catlike and graceful, not making a sound.
“Venom? Is it really you?” Seriya exclaimed, her surprise making her incautious.
“Shhh” Venom hissed, nervously glancing about. Fortunately it seemed noone had overheard her outburst.
“I thought you’d left!” Seriya said smiling happily. “Camigwen was very worried…”
“Oh I heard lots of rumours of what might have happened to me, or where I’d gone,” Venom replied leisurely. “None of them are true.”

Just then she spotted another familiar figure. Muldran. Several other members of the Court and their friends were also milling about in the crowds, as was Crent. “Hello there Seriya,” Muldran said, walking over. “I came to see what Gorthyn is doing… and I was hoping I could find some time to track down Nohkmhar's gate.”
“I think that would be a good idea,” Seriya replied levelly. She told him of the state of emergency in Britain.
Muldran frowned. “Perhaps we should go to Nohkmhar tonight. See if there is anything more we can learn of it, and what Gabriel is up to. With all the eyes and the people here tonight, it may be a good opportunity for us to get this done now.”
Seriya nodded. “I think that would be a good idea.”

They gathered in a small group – Muldran, Seriya, Crent, and some Court members and friends that were introduced as Bertrand, Miki and Miss Lag and opened a portal to the Shadow Court, to gather supplies and make sure everyone knew what they were looking for and why. Just as the gate opened, Venom walked up to it, feigned to trip and stepped through it. Seriya didn’t believe for one moment that that was an accident, but she remembered that Venom had always been a well of information, and that he also knew a lot more about daemons than your average person. Maybe it was good if he came along.

Venom proved himself to be useful right from the start. Seriya was not overly surprised when, upon hearing their destination, he produced a slim runebook from his pack. One of the rules clearly labelled Nohkmhar.
“Well that’ll save us walking,” Muldran chuckled.
One by one they stepped through the gate Venom had opened.


[to be continued]
Seriya DeLacey
15th-June-2003, 15:53
Nokhmar was still as dark and foreboding as she remembered. The magics were strong in this place, and they weren’t of a friendly nature. The whispering and pull of the gate could be felt all around it.

No one spoke much as they entered the building, following Muldran up the stairs. Bones littered the floor, and pools of blood. Ducking under the swords and knives that hung motionless in the air, ready to cut any unwary visitor to little bits, Seriya was fiercely reminded of how much she hated this place.

On the roof, the inky black opening of the gateway immediately drew their looks. She’d been there once before, and it had been a very scary experience then…. Ra’Karn had started talking very strangely, it was as if some presence – perhaps from the gate – was seeking to take control of him. Had that been Gabriel, even then?

She reminded the others to stay away from the gate and not stare into it for too long, and went to talk with two strangers who’d appeared – the watchers of the gate, or so they claimed. For all their watching, they couldn’t tell them much that was of use. The only interesting piece of information was that Ra’Karn had once again been there, some weeks previously.
“That would place it just before Gabriel appeared…” Muldran mused. Seriya merely nodded. Well at least the timing made sense.

Turning to see how the others were faring, Seriya found that despite her warnings, Crent and Venom were staring at the gate. Crent seemed utterly transfixed, and Venom was slowly inching towards the gate. To her horror, Seriya noticed something odd about him: His eyes, just for once not hidden behind the mask he habitually wore, had started taking on a green glow. As he crept closer to the gate, the glow intensified.

Seriya rushed towards Venom, hoping somehow that she’d be able to hold him back before he walked into the gate. She tried to grasp his cloak, but instead he snatched her hand and held it, hard. She struggled, but his strength was remarkable, she had not a hope in hell of freeing herself… Bertrand and Muldran nocked arrows and aimed straight at Venom.
“I know what is past this gate,” Venom murmured. “I wonder where my old friend Kurt is ...”
The glow in his eyes lessened for a second, and he let go of her.

She stood a few steps back, panting and trying to regain her composure. Venom was still staring at the gate, the green fire glowing in his eyes. In desperation, she clutched a jug of water and doused him with it. That, finally, seemed to have the desired effect. Venom gasped, and the glow lessened.
“We’re leaving,” Muldran said with a tone of finality.

Lucia Lag already incanted the spell for a magic portal. Dragging Crent and Venom away from the portal, the group rushed through the gate, away from that dreaded portal.
“A lovely place,” Venom remarked when they were safely back at the court. “I shall remember its whereabouts.”
Muldran shook his head. “I think that place has a way of, politely, messing with one's head. I know of at least two people that went through there. And only one that came back.”
“There is nothing past the gate I fear,” Venom replied levelly. “You might say ... I've been there, done that and look at me now.”
Muldran seemed unconvinced, but changed the topic anyway. “I'm afraid I didn't ask your name... And I can't very well keep calling you 'Seryia's friend'...
“Call me ... John ...,” Venom replied, slowly. “Yes ... that's right ... John.”
Muldran nodded slowly. “I couldn't see any traces of Gabriel...” he continued.
“You wouldn't. Such a being leaves no traces for us,” Venom replied.
“You are familiar with... such beings?” Seriya asked.
Venom coughed and tried to avoid her look.
“Perhaps I should leave.”
“No no, please stay… perhaps you can help us,” she said.
“But I cannot help you ... I mustn't ...” Venom shuddered. “You know not what you deal with!” His eyes began to faintly glow again.
“So you *do* know...” Muldran said, his tone betraying satisfaction.
“It will destroy you! Be grateful it is only one!” Venom shouted.
The other Court members looked at him with an air of discomfort. “Do you trust this fellow who calls himself by christian name?” Bertrand whispered to Muldran.
“You want to know my name?!” Venom roared. “I heard you there. Whisper not for I can hear you.” he laughed. “I hear them all…”
Just as suddenly as he’d raged, he calmed down again. Bowing courteously, he said. “Apologies. No offense was meant. My name is Jonathan d'Orsay, of House d'Orsay. My foes call me Venom.”
“I would hope that we do not number among your foes,” Muldran replied. “You seem to know much... Although I will understand if you cannot say more”
“Oh fear not,” Venom chuckled. ... “Not whilst the lovely Seriya is here ... you have nothing to fear.” He glanced at her, and Seriya smiled in wry amusement, although she was more than a little confused what he’d meant.
Muldran continued. “And likewise, while we do not pose you any troubles, you are welcome here.”
“Perhaps ... in time, I can tell you more,” Venom replied. His hands felt for his facemask, but it wasn’t there. “My mask…. “ He ran from the house. A few minutes later he returned, his face hidden by the familiar skull mask.
“I am sorry, I was not quite myself. The gate brings memories of a past life… a past future..”
“I am sorry, I should not have let you come to that place,” Seriya said.
“The Shadows from the Gate are dangerous. They corrupt mind and soul.
“ Shadows are what we specialize in. Thankfully not this kind,” Muldran said.
“Do not jest!” Venom hissed. “These Shadows have substance. They corrupt all they touch.”
“Those breezes that we felt,” Muldran said slowly.
Venom nodded. “Even now they corrupt your souls. You have not stood in their presence long but you felt the darkness close on you!”

Muldran nodded thoughtfully. He seemed weary and pale. “I'm afraid I must leave now. It has been a most tiring day.”
It seemed he was not alone in that, and one by one the group broke up and people left.
Seriya and Crent returned to Hawk’s Hollow. Crent still seemed withdrawn, and even quieter than usual. “Are you sure you're alright?” Seriya asked. “You seemed... transfixed.”
Crent gave a short laugh. “Three weeks ago all I thought about was mining. Now my soul is corrupted forever apparently…”
“Times change.” Seriya replied.
“No matter.” He flashed a grin. “I shall get over it I'm sure.”
Rangarig
15th-June-2003, 22:11
OOC: I felt compelled to add a little bit of background to the story, trying to establish a link of why Venom appears on the scene. I am hoping I will get somewhere with this that makes at least some sense. This is the first part, taking place just before the tournament in NuJel'm. Enjoy.


“Seriya!”

Venom awoke with a scream. He found himself gasping for air, breathing heavily. What a horrible dream it had been. She had … oh no, Seriya! He tried to force the memory from his mind.

For a few days now, his dreams were haunted with frightening images. They seemed so real, as if they were recollections of events that he had witnessed. But they could not be real. In his dreams aberrations and horrors from his past caught up with him. They tortured and corrupted his friends and companions. They killed all around him he held dear.

He slowly stood up from his makeshift bed. Around him, the abandoned wooden shack was slowly filling with the warm light of the early dawn sun. His head was pounding as if a sledge hammer had hit it squarely. It had been for a few weeks now, it was the reason he had left Trinsic. It is why he had left the Shades. He wondered what had become of all who had worked with him and for him. Well, they would fend for themselves, as they had done before he had drawn them into his net.

He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pain. It was futile. He knew it. The pain was not physical. He could feel the darkness pull at him, his conscience, his being. He felt a presence in this plane, a presence he had hoped he would not feel ever again. It was calling him, trying to corrupt him as they had tried so many years ago, when he had thrown himself into their clutches to save that wretched Templar, Kurt.

Bah, how he despised the man. Friends, they had addressed each other. Friendship had caused Venom to attempt all to save Kurt from the Shadowlords. He had left all the instructions for Kurt to arrange his own return. And to what end? He had been left to rot. The plane of the Shadowlords, from which he had saved Kurt, had become his permanent residence …

Well, all that was far in the past. More dire things needed to be taken care of now. Foremost he needed to find Seriya and make sure his dream had not shown him the truth. He washed himself and dressed. He picked up his mask and held it into the sunlight. He hoped he would not need it. He placed it into the small niche which held the few possessions he had taken with him from Trinsic, then turned around and left to find Seriya. He had to find her before it was too late …

[to be continued…]
Rangarig
17th-June-2003, 16:06
Venom slid through the crowd like a snake. He had seen Seriya not far ahead, standing at the back watching the tournament. He hoped she would not recognise him. He did not know whether she had ever seen him without his mask. He did not remember what he had felt for her, whether he had felt anything before the dreams had begun to haunt him.

He had managed to move to a spot not far behind Seriya unnoticed by most around him. He was surprised that despite this, Seriya turned around and looked at him.

"Venom!", she cried out. "I thought you had left!"

He quickly glanced about to see it anyone had heard her and motioned her to be quiet. It would not be good it anyone recognised him and put a name with the face.

Seriya stepped closer and lowered her voice. "I had not heard from you.", she paused and continued "Camigwen was very worried."

There had been a lot of rumors about his sudden disappearance, but none of them covered even the brink of truth. Nonetheless he now understood that some of them had distressed a few people who knew him. All this was irrelevant now however; He had found whom he had been looking for.

[to be continued...]
Rangarig
19th-June-2003, 11:11
[OOC: Seeing as Seriya and Muldran have written a detailed description of the events, again I will only concentrate on the inner workings of Venoms mind.]

He looked intensely at the gate. He had felt its presence many years, but had never ventured out to seek it. Now here he was, standing before it. He felt it tug at his conscience, but he knew not to let it get a hold of him. He could see the black vortex within the gate and the pure evil that emanated from it.

Besides him the Darkcloak, Crent, was transfixed by what he saw. Venom could see that that he was having troubles to resist the urge of approaching the gate. Venom smirked to himself, then let the waves tug at him for a while. He felt the inebriating sensation he had known so well in the past.

At a distance, Seriya stood quietly observing the scene. Venom knew he was here to protect her from this gate and all that had spawned from it, but the tug of the gate made any straight thought impossible. He knew she would be alright as long as she did not approach or even cross the threshold of the gate.

Venoms thoughts darted back to that day in the past when he had practiced the ritual for his old friend Kurt. Old friend! Hah! It was laughable to still refer to Kurt that way. The man had betrayed his friendship and left him to rot in the very world that was on the other side of the gate he was looking at.

http://users.skynet.be/bk339109/misc/venomglw.jpg
He looked up and found Seriya looking at him and he saw her lips moving, but heard no words. She was tugging at his cloak. Why was she doing that? Didn’t she see he was busy? He snatched her hand and looked at her intensely. He could feel the energy of the gate flow through him. Yes, he could feel it feed on his anger and he felt it feed on Seriyas fear. Feed, yes … he should feed Kurt to it. Again he looked at Seriya, … beautiful Seriya, how he longed for her. He let go of her arm and took a step back.

He again felt the gate tugging at him and he turned to face it. He needed to give it sustenance, he needed to feed it. He knew exactly what was on the other side. The domain of the Shadowlords.

His trail of thoughts was interrupted abruptly as cold liquid hit his face. He swung around and found Seriya staring at him, clutching an empty water pitcher and a look of great worry on her face. He barely heard the man he knew as Muldran speak of leaving. His thoughts were still on the Gate … and on Seriya.
Seriya DeLacey
19th-June-2003, 14:54
It was late at night…. Seriya was sitting in the meeting hall, engrossed in a book she’d borrowed from the Master’s library. A scratch from the door jerked her out of her reverie.

Outside she found a large panther. Not a native creature to Malas. Seriya was rubbing the creature’s neck and wondering where it might have escaped from when it quite suddenly changed shape, and transformed itself into Venom.

“Oh, it’s you!” Seriya laughed. “Novel way of sneaking into someone’s house….”
“I was restless. Wanted to make sure you were alright,” he replied.
“I’m at home, in the Master’s Keep… can’t think of many places that’d be safer than that, silly,” she chided him.
Venom gave her a troubled look. “Someone has to watch your back.”
“Ah?” Seriya looked at him bemused, one eye still on the book she had been reading.
“I have ... premonitions is the word. I recall things that have not come to pass yet.”
“And those premonitions concern me?”
Venom nodded slowly.
“Then for heaven’s sake, tell me!”
“No.” He sighed. “There is a danger in heeding premonitions too strongly. They only say what may be, not what will be. By paying too much attention to them, you might make them come true. But, let’s just say I’d rather watch your back.”
“Hmm.” With a thump she shut the book and wrinkled her brow. “You know, I have known you for a long while. We might have met sporadically, but I always considered you a friend. And I would be a liar if I said I didn’t enjoy your company.” She smiled. “Besides I learnt some time ago to value your… insights, and your advice. So I’ve no objections.”
“But?” Venom asked.
“But a lot of my business is Darkcloak business. And that means that much of it is private. We don’t much like the idea of outsiders being privy to what we know, or do. “
Instead of a reply, Venom took a sharp dagger and handed it to her. Motioning at his tongue, he said: “Whatever it takes, Seriya.”
Seriya felt far too nauseous to reply. Ever since she lost her ear, the idea of cutting off organs or limbs made her profoundly sick. “You…. You must be joking. No way.”
“I mean it,” he said, quite sincerely.
“No. I will not have that.”
“What then?”
“I think you should speak to the Master. I think he should know in any event, and well…. Perhaps he has a suggestion. Maybe if you could return tomorrow?”
“Of course.” He smiled and looked at her.
“Good.” Seriya stifled a yawn.
“In that case… if you don’t mind, I really need to get some rest. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Sleep well. I will be nearby, just in case.”

Seriya chuckled. She had an idea how solve the ‘problem’ of his presence. She just hoped the Master would agree with her – because it didn’t seem as if there was any way she could stop him from watching her back, even if she tried.
Rangarig
19th-June-2003, 15:24
http://users.skynet.be/bk339109/misc/pantglow.gif
A shadow crept around the keep. Nothing could be seen of it, except the faint green glow of it's eyes. It was watching silently, guarding.

Very faintly a sound emanated from it ... it was almost as if it spoke ... it sounded like ... Seriya ...
Rangarig
19th-June-2003, 23:24
Venom looked after her as she hurried up the stairs. He had sensed that she was distraught about his presence near her. He could not say what Seriya felt or thought, but he knew something was wrong. He just had to make sure that she was kept safe and perhaps he would have a chance to ask her. He sighed to himself and wondered what it was that made her shrink back from him just when he was trying to comfort her and get closer to her.

The evening had been pleasant enough. Despite the troubles that had sought Trinsic, the Darkcloaks and himself had spent a quiet evening within the city of Honour. They had feasted and entertained themselves in the Tavern. They had talked quietly, played games, played tricks on other guests at the tavern and all had looked as if they enjoyed themselves. For a few hours the worries of the past weeks were forgotten.

Well, almost forgotten. Had it not been for his sudden collapse, Venom would have been able to call it a perfect evening. He did not know what had happened. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Shadows had overcome him. He felt the evil emanating from the Gate in Nokhmahr as well as from Gabriel himself. Both were trying to locate him and drag him back into their power. But he would not let this happen!

Camigwen had been overjoyed to find him alive and well and despite the constant looming presence of her companion Gorbash, it was nice to see her again. Her assignment with him had been cut short, due to his sudden disappearance. Perhaps they would get to know each other from now on.

He waited until the doors of the keep locked themselves, before he started to walk away, his thoughts about Seriya coursing through his mind. A dark cloud briefly obscured the moonlight and as it moved past and the bright moonlight returned, no trace of Venom could be seen. Merely a charcoal black panther moved silently through the undergrowth, its green eyes glowing gently in the pale darkness.
Seriya DeLacey
20th-June-2003, 11:45
Seriya sat up in bed, her mind in turmoil. Sleep was out of the question. One question kept running through her head - Why had she run away like that?

She reached for her diary. She could usually think the clearest when she wrote things down.

The evening had been pleasant enough. Her sides still ached, she had laughed so hard when Venom spiked a poor stranger’s drink with a laxative as a result of a dare. The hapless man had run to the latrines more often than Hanse went shopping in Trinsic, and that was saying something.

The mood in Trinsic tavern had been boisterous and jolly, and even the South Beach Mercenaries choosing to remember their fallen leader Raxnixia by getting thoroughly drunk, rather than solemn mourning.

She must’ve had a bit more drink than was good for her too, well either that or not enough to eat. Either way she was feeling the effects, and she was rather grateful to Venom when he offered to walk her home, and lent her an arm to steady herself on.

But then…. They were saying their goodbyes outside the keep…. he’d removed his mask and gently taken her hand, on the edge of saying something…. And Seriya simply panicked. Turned and bolted up the stairs, and down into her room.

The strange thing was, she honestly didn’t know why, or where this impulse had come from. It wasn’t anything to do with Venom – she’d tried to explain as much to him, although she very much doubted he believed her. In fact she’d felt it before, when someone was getting close to her personally, although it had never been quite this strong. The strangest thing of all was, she was certain that this reaction had not always been a mystery to her. But now, try as she might, she could no longer remember it – it was as if the memory had disappeared.

Seriya dropped her diary and buried her head in her hands. She should see if Igor was still awake…. Maybe he could brew her up something that would help her remember – or failing that something that would make her sleep. It would be a very long night otherwise.
Cal Soulshadow
21st-June-2003, 10:26
Cal received a pigeon asking her to go to Hawk's Hollow immediately. The note was signed Callum Fitzhugh.
"Hmm," she said out loud, to no-one in particular. "Hardly my business, but let's see what he wants."

Callum was waiting for her when she arrived. He greeted her and handed her a note.

Seriya and the Darkcloaks,

The Greater Darkness threatens. I implore you to give me back my Black Box, either before Ayame destroys it or Gabriel's power becomes so strong that he cannot be stopped. I am already on the run from the Shadowcourt, who seek to harm me or imprison me. We must find the contents of the box soon. I have vital information on the contents but I fear for my life.

Please help me

Callum

Cal looked up when she'd read the note. "Do you need somewhere to stay, Callum?"
He shook his head. "No, but thankyou."
"So it is your box, is it?" she asked.
"Yes, I found it."
Cal raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't everyone who comes into contact with the box consider it theirs?"
"True," he said. "But I must find it."
"And what do you intend to do with it?"
"Find the contents and stop Gabriel," he replied.
She nodded. "Good luck then, Callum. I'll make sure the Council knows."
"Thankyou Cal. I must go, I am meeting someone in Vesper."
"Farewell then, Callum. Take care."
Cal took the note inside and placed it in the green chest, next to the recipe book.

Then she sent a note to Seriya and Choma informing them of Callum's message.
Seriya DeLacey
21st-June-2003, 15:13
Seriya told the Master of the news as soon as she’d heard.

“He wants to use the black box to stop Gabriel?” the Master roared. “Is he a fool, or has that witch Shelly shared nothing of what she has learned?”
Not waiting for an answer, he continued. “The box is made to a large part out of blackrock. Any child with a half-decent education should know a few things about this, but if not you may suggest to him that he visit a public library; they should have tomes on this.

“Blackrock is a versatile material with many properties – it slows the ether, allowing communication across planes. It has known uses in the construction of permanent interdimensional gateways, such as the one he entered this world by. It has also been used to generate harmful ether waves: on a place I visited quite similar to this, it was used to construct a so-called Tetrahedon Generator, which drove most mages insane. Not to forget that on this world itself, at the dawn of time, a creature called Zog has used it to cast an Armageddon spell, tearing the world asunder.” He paused for a moment. “Can you imagine the havoc a being like Gabriel could wreak if he had a quantity of blackrock such as this at his disposal?”

“I have not been able to devise what the actual function of the box is, without the contents it is impossible to say. Perhaps, if they are able to locate the contents, we will know what its proper function is. There is a chance – a slim one, I believe, but yet a chance – that with its proper function restored it can indeed be used as Callum suggests. But until the contents are found and the box’ function is clear, there is no way I will release it.”

“As you wish, Master,” Seriya said demurely. “I will inform Callum of your decision, and your reasons.”

Retreating to her room and her desk, she began writing a note.

Callum,

I have spoken to the Master about your request. He does not believe that the box, in its present state, can be any use in banishing Gabriel. Moreover, as it is made mostly out of blackrock, he fears that Gabriel could use it himself, and bring utter destruction to Sosaria. You should be able to look this up for yourself in a library, I think Garod for one is quite knowledgeable in blackrock and its uses.

I strongly suggest that you concentrate your efforts on finding the lost contents of the box. Once we know what they are we should be able to tell what the intended function of the box is. Only once this is determined, and we can be sure that it will help with dealing with Gabriel, will the Master consider releasing it.

I advise you to make your peace with the Shadowcourt, and that together you work towards finding the contents. If there is anything I can do to help you in finding these contents, please let me know. I want to see Gabriel gone as much as you do.

Regards,

Seriya
Rangarig
23rd-June-2003, 00:24
So here they were, wandering around the southern region of Ilshenar with the strangest group of people. Venom stayed closely with Seriya, eying their companions suspiciously. His dreams had shown betrayal, but not from where, nor at whom… just betrayal.

Venom was not feeling well. His dreams had been so erratic that they had not allowed him to sleep. He felt weakened. And to make matters worse, his normal mastery of magic seemed to have left him. He could hardly complete the easiest incantations. He was unsure whether this was just due to his weakened state or whether the Shadow had anything to do with this.

The group was approaching the Undead Fortress, dubbed “The Dungeon of Blood”. It was unsure whether this name meant the blood that welled up from the earth within collecting in pools, or the blood that seeped into the floor from the bodies of unwary adventurers. It was clear however that only death awaited the group inside the walls of the dungeon.

Seriya and himself had arrived in NuJel’m, finding Callum speaking to the other members of the group. He was speaking of the Black Box which was currently in the Master’s possession. He further spoke of the family Hardwood, more precisely a man named Edward Hardwood. Edward Hardwood and his family had lived in Yew, yet their travels had often taken them to the lands of Ilshenar. The had possessed a tower there as well, of which only ruins were left to this day.

It was the entrance to that towers basement before which they were standing now. The stench of blood and death hung in the air, a nauseatingly sweet aroma. Around them lay the shattered bones of many creatures, human and otherwise. Some of them moved as they had approached, but it was nothing a few well prepared spells had not solved permanently. A few of their group had lit torches and ventured down the steps into the dungeon …

Down there, all had been a blur. They had been ambushed by hordes of evil critters, abominations that had inhabited and spawned within the walls of this ancient cellar. They had barely managed to make their way towards where Callum claimed he had lost the parchment they were seeking. In the end by pure chance a young traveller who had followed them from NuJel’m had found the parchment lying on the floor, still where Callum had dropped it.

On Callum's request he gave it to Rom Silverblade for safekeeping. As they returned to the dungeon exit, Seriya asked to see the note. Her eyesight enhanced with a nightsight spell, she scanned the document and discreetly made some notes. Nobody paid much attention to her as they were huddled around Venom and Rom, trying to see the Will, and she very much doubted anyone saw her craft a copy of the document. She had glanced at Venom, making sure he understood what she attempted.

Venom’s dreams had been quite clear. Nothing about this will was as it seemed. It was not merely a piece of paper, but rather a further key in the riddle of the black box. He had seen the parchment in his dreams, he had seen a large glyph hidden by a spell, only visible to those who knew how to summon it. It was this parchment, the original will, which he had dropped unseen into his sleeve, whilst he returned the copy Seriya had crafted to Callum. The Master would be pleased with their work today …
Seriya DeLacey
23rd-June-2003, 15:03
The will itself was straightforward enough. Most importantly, it mentioned that there was a book that containing information about the box. Apparently this book was hidden under the King’s throne in the temple on the island in the middle of Ilshenar, “in the sea that no boat will sail”. Seriya knew the place, and the way to it.

Seriya looked around impatiently. It had not taken her long to scan the pages and find the vital information, and yet the others stood around for what seemed like an eternity, talking and debating their options. Had they not noticed that they weren’t on their own?

Through various stages of their quest, they had run into a group of drow, led by Cean. They kept themselves to themselves, and insulted Callum and the others. It was clear that while they were for some reason curious in their search for the will and any information about the box, they were playing their own game for their own reasons.

After leaving them in Nujel’m, they had once again found them in the dungeon of blood. Somehow they’d gotten their hands on one of the hastily drawn up copies of the will. And while Callum’s group was still sitting around, reading the will and fighting off bone knights, the Drow had quietly and quickly melted away into the background. If they were also looking for information on the box, then they were no doubt heading to the island this very moment.

FINALLY people began to realise that they should maybe get moving, and the party headed up towards the spiders cavern, where the secret entrance to Reg Vorlom lay.

The spiders did not prove too much of an obstacle except for Ilsa, who got tangled in one of the webs, much to Gorthyn’s horror. While Gorthyn and the others struggled to pass the ferocious Terrathan Matriarch that was defending the cave, and Ilsa’s body that lay motionless behind, Venom put his fabled talent for moving quietly to good use, and having sneaked past the matriarch he soon had the girl freed and back on her feet, much to her delight and Gorthyn’s relief.


The Eternal Warriors that guarded the island proved to be a different matter though. Seriya knew how harshly they dealt with less-than-virtuous people such as herself, and ran as fast as she could all the way through the temple and into the pit below, where the throne room was. This place was haunted by spectres and wraiths, but those she could deal with.

She was not overly surprised to find she was not alone. Cean and her company of Drow had indeed been ahead of them. Seriya found them muttering among themselves, although when they saw her they fell silent. Had they already found and retrieved the book? Seriya could not tell. Hastily, batting away adventurous wraiths, she searched the throne room and the forgotten libraries that flanked it. But all she found were useless tatters and a lot of dust…

The remainders of the party who’d meanwhile also made their way down to the lower levels and the throne room were no more successful than she. More than once did she hear people angrily muttering Cean’s name.

Frustrated and angry they returned to the Shadow Court hall. There was talk of retrieving the book by force, but all remembered Callum’s previous attempt to retrieve something from Naeloth by force. It had ended in his arrest, and only the strangest of coincidences had kept him from being killed in a trial by ordeal.

Seriya meanwhile had her own ideas… She looked at Venom who was sitting next to her at the meeting table. His wink told her that he, also, was keeping his plans to himself. With a bemused look at the Shadow Court and their indecision, they decided to leave them to it. They had a lot to talk about, but their talk was not for outside ears.
Seriya DeLacey
1st-July-2003, 15:05
Seriya sat in Hawk’s Hollow, poring over the reports. Last night had been a fruitful evening by all accounts. The Cloaks had searched the most renowned libraries in the land – Spiritwood University, Revelstone, the Beaufort and Naeloth – for information on the black box, Blackrock, daemons and Gabriel, and their research had turned up a lot of interesting information.

Now there was just the issue of Cean’s strange request, and her even stranger behaviour, to consider…. Taking the research into account, these were promising to be interesting times….
Seriya DeLacey
3rd-July-2003, 15:33
They’d caught her again, just as they had years earlier….

Seriya had only gone out on brief shopping trip, and wasn’t expecting any trouble. Remembering that Tamryn DeLacey had built up a collection of runes to the best shops of the land, Seriya stealthily made her way to the DeLaceys’ tower, near Yew Crypt.

She knew the area was infested by undead, who chose to make their home near the old crypts – and after her rather unfortunate previous run-in with the Undead which had cost her her ear she knew not to underestimate them.

And yet again they’d trapped her.

Seriya was furious with herself. Venom had urged her to be cautious, berated her for being too careless, urged her not to go out alone. She’d put it off as unnecessary worrying and laughed at him. But he’d been right…. And now he’d disappeared. Seriya could not stop worrying that something might have happened to him, that maybe Gabriel had gotten to him. But there was no news. Not on Venom, not on Gabriel. Nothing. It was driving her crazy.

She’d been pondering his whereabouts when suddenly, jumping out of hiding from the shadow of the crypt, the undead surrounded her, cackling gleefully.

“A morrtall, to tesssst our brew on!” one of them had said, pouring some foul-smelling concoction from a brazier into a bottle. Three others, new recruits judging by their robes, had grabbed Seriya, making sure she could not escape. She eyed the potion warily, determined that they would not make her drink it.

In the end all her struggling amounted to nothing. One of the undead pinched her nose shut, and as she was gasping for breath the others forced the potion down her throat. The taste was vile. It’s effect was…. interesting.

Sitting in the relative comfort of her room at the Master’s keep, Seriya tried to think rationally about what had happened, and ignore the lingering nausea. The potion seemed to make its victim very open to suggestions, for a short time. Seriya tried very hard not to think of what they had made her do, and instead of how she could turn this knowledge to the ‘Cloaks’ advantage.

If only they could obtain a bit of that brew…. A few drops in someone’s drink could save hours of bickering in bargaining.

The other thing that occurred to her, if the Undead had such knowledge in the manufacture of magical potions – would they also have some knowledge in other areas of the arcane arts? Like, how to banish a daemon?

It was a long shot but they could maybe help with that whole problem of Gabriel. Of course, that was assuming they could overcome the fact that the undead didn’t generally talk to mortal humans – save to tell them to begone, that was – and that someone could be persuaded to try and negotiate with them…

How she wished Wrack the Rotten was still there… he would have been the perfect negotiator for this mission. But he, like Venom, was nowhere to be found.
Seriya DeLacey
6th-July-2003, 16:58
The bird she'd sent to the Undead did not return. Presumably it got eaten before the stupid skeletons had even discovered the message.... but nevermind, Seriya thought, and looked once more at the brief note that had just arrived.

I have received your message. If you wish to talk to me about Gabriel, you should be able to find me on Wednesday evening.

The note was unsigned, but the archaic handwriting, the old-fashioned parchment and the dust of the ages that covered it made it obvious that its author measured his lifespan in centuries, not decades.
Seriya DeLacey
10th-July-2003, 16:36
It was the small hours of the night by the time Seriya had finished writing her report on the evening's events. Garod, Lord of Tremere, had been in an uncharacteristically talkative mood, and had told her much about Gabriel, and the black gate of Nokhmar.

The Master would be pleased. Wearily she sealed the report with a drop of red wax. She could barely keep her eyes open as she shuffled over to her bed. Not even bothering to undress, she collapsed onto it. Moments later all that could be heard was a soft snoring from the bed.
Seriya DeLacey
11th-July-2003, 13:42
A couple of days before this, Seriya had gone to the Shadow Court in the early afternoon. She had hoped to find Muldran or Callum, assuming they would be interested in attending the meeting with Garod that was to take place later that night. Instead she found a green-robed figure she recognised as Ulrik von Beck, the strange man she’d encountered at Moonglow telescope some months previously.

Ulrik mentioned a Court meeting he’d managed to sneak into the previous night. He hinted that he’d heard some interesting information there that he would share – at a price. Seriya was suspicious of what he might demand in return; but his price was comparatively cheap. All he wanted was a suit of shadow iron plate armour. No problem, she still had the keys to the DeLaceys’ armoury. Riyala would probably not even notice if one of the suits was to go missing.

The information was interesting indeed, and well worth the price. Apparently one of the people attending the meeting had been a woman called Leen, a direct descendant of the Hardwood family, the oldest traceable owners of the black box. Leen was in possession of a curious black dagger which, according to Ulrik, was a copy of another dagger which had since gone missing. It was this first dagger that had been kept in the black box.

Ulrik did not know what had happened to this original dagger, nor whether it too was fashioned out of blackrock as its black colour suggested. But at least they now knew what the box had once contained. Maybe this would give some clues as to what the purpose and function of the box was.
callumf
11th-July-2003, 16:12
Callum left the meeting with Garod with a heavy heart . He couldnt see any further than the next few hours . His nerves were on a knife's edge .

The only thing which gave him any pleasure these days was the company of his daughter Scathach . He smiled every time he thought of her - she had made his life happy .

He wondered about the futility of this adventurous life and all the trouble he had caused over the years , and the deaths and the pain .

There was a never ending trail of blood which seemed to follow him around . Garod had spoken long and given out more information than Callum had ever heard in all this time they had spent together . He smiled , well maybe Garod has his eye on Seriya de Lacey ? But then he knew the real reason Garod had said *those things* to her .

The question was this : How smart really was Seriya de Lacey ?

She was very young and headstrong , on more than one occasion she had dismissed Callum's advice . But now she was walking a path of bloodsports and pain .

Should mortals really know of these things ? He thought as he opened the door to his tower .

He walked up to his bedroom and looked at Scathach lying fast asleep tucked up in his bed . She still sucked her thumb when asleep , and for all her bravado was still a child . He brushed her hair from her face and sang a nursery rhyme to her that his mother had sung to him . He gently stroked the soft skin of her cheek with the back of his hand and she flinched slightly and murmered something in her tongue ...

He had grown weary of life outside of her .

He went over to the chair and sat down .

He took the sword out of its scabbard and lay it down on the table in front of him .

He fetched a bottle of wine and opened it .

He drank from the bottle directly musing that Drow wine was of a finer vintage than its women folk .

He looked back down at the sword .