Lord Havok

It was a perfect fall day in Silvervale. The leaves on the trees were changing color, the sun was shining brightly in the sky, a few clouds sailed quickly overhead while their shadows seemed to race each other across the city.

The road through Silvervale was busy, a few travelers, some gypsies, and a few questionable characters, bandits perhaps, all moved up and down the road, and they all tried to ignore the man sitting off to one side of the road, in the middle of a small field.

A man sitting on a rock in the middle of a field is in itself not so odd, but when that man is wearing dull black platemail, with a shield resting at his feet with the symbol of Chaos upon it, and a large sword, the color of dried blood, laying across his lap, one tends to take note.

The travelers on the road shot qucik glances his way but it mattered not, for the man stared, unblinking, past them all.

Aside from his unique arms & armor the man appeared fairly normal. He appeared to be in his late 20's or early 30's, in excellent shape. Long black hair framed a impassive face that seemed to be made of all sharp angles and edges ending in a well groomed goatee. His most unique feature being the unblinking eyes that were a most unusual shade of green, unusually bright, similar to the color of nox crystals.

The man did not stir, but he spoke two words, apparently to himself "report Wraith", suddenly a ghostly form appeared to his left "I still can't figure out how you know when I'm about M'lord, especially in this form" the wraith complained "Rel Xen Um" he muttered, transforming into another man, also all dressed in black, but his armor was of studded leather.

This man seemed closer to 40, then 30, but he was also in excellent shape. His skin was well tanned and he had slightly receding white hair and light blue eyes, similar to the color of the sky that day.

Wraith waited a second for Lord Havok to respond, but he just continued to stare across the road. Sighing to himself Wraith began his report "Lady Malia, Bloodlust, Surzog and The Shadow were at the meeting.....why again didn't you accept the Shadow's invitation to attend M'lord?" without turning Havok calmly responded "I resigned my seat on the council some time ago, and though I am not opposed to working with The Shadow if the oppurtunity arises, and is mutually beneficial, at the moment, as Darth Oni informed me after their last meeting, the council sides with the daemons, and we do not......which is why it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on them."

Nodding Wraith continued "The primary base has been acquired, we will most likely need to do some minor modifications, but it is in a very useful location, The Silent one is there now getting things in order. The second base that you recently requested is also nearing completion and should be in operation within 24 hours.

"Coincidently, shortly after construction of the 2nd base began, Lord Gareth sent a message welcoming us to PaxOku, informing us we are part of the "necro village" as he puts it" Wraith grinned while saying the last few words.

"What is so funny Wraith?" Lord Havok inquired.

"Oh, nothing M'lord, the concept of a necro village amuses me is all." Wraith replied "Really Wraith, and what do you make of Umbra then? , does a necro City amuse you as well? " Havok asked.

Suddenly looking slightly uncomfortable, Wraith responded "No sir, I jus..." Havok raised a hand to stop him "never mind Wraith, continue please, He informed us that we are a part of this village...." Havok put his hand back down.

"Aye M'lord, part of the village, within the city of PaxOku....he even informed us of our address." Wraith paused for a second, but when Havok did not respond he continued "Apparently Guardians Gate would like Silvervale to join their.." Again Lord Havok raised his hand to stop him "Nevermind that, Darth Oni has already informed me of the offer, and the terms.....continue."

"The daemon invasion started yesterday, and has meet much resistance from the warriors and mages of the realm, and thats all I have to report, M'lord" Wraith glanced in the direction that his lord was staring. "Do you have any other tasks for me, M'lord ?"

"No" Havok replied "You may return to Zento, I shall catch up with you there." Wraith began to turn away, then stopped and turned back "Sir, may I ask you something?" He asked.

"Yes, go ahead my friend" Havok replied. Looking uncomfortable, it took Wraith a moment to build up the nerve to ask his question. "Err, well sir, I was wondering why you take such a interest in Silvervale, and its affairs?"

This time Havok Did turn his head, and he locked eyes with Wraith, who's eyes quickly began examining the ground at his feet. "That is a good question Wraith" Havok calmly said "I take such an interest in Silvervale because Darth Oni is my Ally, and when I deem someone trustworthy enough to be my ally, their cause becomes my cause, their fights are my fights. If a ally of mine gets insulted then I am insulted." All of this Havok said calmly, but Wraith had known him long enough to know that his lord did not often openly display emotions, so him appearing calm was no comfort. Wraith feared he had over-stepped his bounds.

Lord Havok continued "I often publically speak for her as her mastery of the king's language, though very good, is not perfect, and it is easier to relay her messages through me, with the hope of doing away with any general misunderstandings." Havok returned his attention to his original target.

Wraith knew he was pushing his luck, but he was a gambler by nature, "no risk equals no rewards" in his mind "M'lord, what are you staring at? Lady Oni's house? Id's School of magery?" Wraith asked.

"No, Wraith, I am looking at Lord Gareth's property, and trying to decide what his intent is towards Silvervale. Darth Oni is undecided if she is ready for any outposts here, yet, as she fears it may confuse people new to Silvervale, causing them to think that Silvervale is part of the Paxlair Statehood......which is something Id stated, before he left on his journy and placed Oni in-charge in his absence, that he did not want.

"Lord Gareth inquired about that beautiful bathhouse, down the road becoming a PakOku outpost, and Oni has yet to respond to him, yet he suddenly obtains a property here." Havok frowned. Wraith also frowned , for he knew better then most how easily his Lord took offense, and how territorial he could be. "Is that why we built in PaxOku M'lord ?" He asked.

"In PaxOku ?, No my friend.....that is why we built "Next" to the city of PaxOku. If Gareth's intent here in Silvervale is good then there is no problem, he did after all own a building or 2 in or around Guardians Gate for a good portion of their first year, and look how well they are doing!"

"But enough of this, my rest is over, let us return to Zento now and focus on The 13th's issues, such as preparing to do our part against these daemon invaders!" Lord havok said, as he stood up, finally removing his gaze from Lord Gareth's house, he picked up a black robe he'd been sitting on, and put it on. "Rel Xen An Sanct" Havok cast and his skin turned as pale as a corpse's. He picked up his shield and regarded Wraith, "ready?" he asked "Aye M'lord, I'll meet you there." Wraith responded.

Both men cast recall off their runebooks and disappeared from sight, leaving only the sun to watch over the peaceful city.

~The End~

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