Ghosts from the Past

[Alais d Nitesong]

Uly’s voice broke the stillness, “'briel, just be diplomatic. Do not expose your hand to the Druidess--whatever knowledge you garner in Nightsong, keep it close to your breast. I fear the moment she perceives you a threat she will act against you. I have danced this dance with the old dame. She is not so wise as she thinks she is. I'm sure you've played these games with the Kindred. Legendazona has a single-mindedness not unlike what I am sure you have seen in some of them. Good luck, little sister, and take care.”

The hug was warm and caring, reluctant to release her to the road ahead. Then Uly was off, out the front door to the bunker--inspecting and directing the final work being done there.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The trip to Nitesong, Celebriel gazed about her in unalloyed delight. How green and sweet this land was, and how stark the change from the Devastated Lands. Yet, her heart faltered. Something was subtly *not right.* She knew not what. she only knew it was so. Perhaps, she thought, the stillness, the fact that no newcomers had come here in so long. Nightsong had become accustomed to its incestuous embrace. Locked in its changelessness, it desired nothing else.

Absently she touched the pale braid that swung behind her, brushing her knees. "Silver Crowned" she'd been named. For the moon that'd swung like a disc of light in the sky at her birth. But like the moon, she'd changed. And like the moon she would bring change. Nightsong would either bend to some change, or she'd expend her strength in fighting this silly death.

Uly and Alais were enrapt by one another. That was all to the good. Such love came but once in ten-thousand lifetimes. If she ever saw it again, she would count herself fortunate to have been a witness. But whether or not she would function as a good Heiress? She didn't know. She did know that even gifts are bought and paid for. She owed Alais and Uly. She owed the people of Nightsong. And she owed those who had fought to get her this far. Time to pay. Time to serve.

She stepped out along the path, to meet Alais. She would fight to open Nightsong. The Sidhe in their shining realms no longer breathed and pulsed with the heat of mortality. They'd become as stiff and shining as their legends. And she herself, perhaps more mortal than the rest. Bearing her scars. She laughed to herself suddenly. She dared to claim Caythe? It was inconceivable.

Then, her chin lifted. And why not? She was as Sidhe as he. No matter the reason. If it were for Nightsong, she'd propose marriage to King Oberon himself, and damn the consequences. She grinned, in savage self-mockery. No doubt the Druid Priestess would faint if she knew Celebriel's thoughts.

But that brought the thoughts of Legend to mind. What had she planned that Uly had seen? And apparently whatever it was so involved Celebriel herself that she could not 'see' it in her dreams. She shuddered, and touched the ring on her finger. Suddenly the wrath of Ulysses seemed a fearsome thing indeed. He would tear apart the fabric of Nightsong like a paper toy. How could she prevent it? She was startled to see where her feet had taken her. And more startled to see Alais herself. Whatever happened, and whatever the reason, she had best pay better attention next time.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Images shifted to Riverbend, and my silver-grey eyes studied Glum a moment.

“Glum... I haff been troubled these weeks past.... since last I didst encounter Morrin in RhyDin, b'fore 'is disappearance.... 't ist a nitemare most 'orrid. Yon rose an' crumblin' well seem tae be th' key that allows th' bloody visions tae end... fer until they dae appear in mine sight... I am locked in a crimson fog... wi' th' carnage o' 2 battles all 'boot me.... Daemonbane's voice speakin' o' blood an' souls... o' death an' lives” I shivered, remembering the crystal clear visions, the bloody carnage, then pulling the cloak about me with too thin hands... belying the lost sleep and slipping health.

“Glum... ye say th' rose ist tatooed 'pon 'is flesh? That doth nae explain howeffer th' pristine an' untouched rose 'ere amid th' construction mire... an' th' glamour” suddenly choking off my words... worrying Glum about that part was unnecessary.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Images faded to the ravine ensorcelled by the High Priestess. She spun about and returned to the caverns, thereupon taking her staff and going to the Goddess' altar for a
last prayer.

alone in the chapel, the bluish lite of the ever burning light from the Goddess the only source of illumination.

“Goddess Ceridwen.... long have I sought your guidance on this issue with Lady Alais and her Lifemate, not of our world. Your silence has been agonized over and over again. I was charged with the protection of the Sidhe....and throughout my life, I have endeavored to fulfill that promise to both Nitesong and to yourself. What I have done this day I believe I have done for the best for Nitesong. I pray you judge my spirit accordingly when this day is over.

She made her obeisance to the altar of her Goddess....Legend departed the chapel to return to the overlook... waiting.... as were the remains of the Druids... everyone poised, alert to all movements...each one wondering just how much Ulysses knew... and how fearsome his attempted retribution.

[Alais d Nitesong]

I was thanking Legend for the tea... foregoing a sip in favor of following my friend’s recommendation to drink it swiftly... grimacing at the taste of the tea... and the aftertaste sending a shiver of revulsion down my spine. It was vile.

I set the cup down slowly.

“Legend... I am nae one tae be verra competent wi' 'erbs... howeffer... I didst distinctly taste th' muskiness o' mushroom... didst I nae?” The Priestess had nodded.

“At anna rate Legend... prithee... dae update me 'pon th' events since mine departure fer RhyDin.”

the next hour was spent in deep discussion... and slowly.... the poison began its work... at first... vision blurring....

I raised slender fingers to my temple... listening to the High Priestess... trying to focus my gaze upon her... but failing miserably

“Are you alright Alais?” Legend's words sounded far off and distant... reality seemed to be swimming.

“Nay..... I dae nae thin' I am Legend”

As the High Priestess approached, my befuddled mind thought I saw tears glistening on Legend's face.... and then unconsciousness fell.

Legend called a guard.... "Find Trezor and Celebriel.... tell them that Lady Alais is not feeling well... and that Trezor is to escort Celebriel home... I shall be seeing to the Lady Alais until she is recovered.... " dissmissing the guard... and taking me to her personal chambers... the poison working too quickly in her current physical state... much too quickly.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The sickening feeling of disorientation from the tea. The first symptoms beginning within half an hour of the ingestion of the hot liquid....vision derangement first, progressing thru mild dilerium. As the toxin wends it's way thru Alais' bloodstream... her heartbeat weakens....the Atter's Cap toxins taking effect first. As the other toxins begin to take effect, the digitalin's insidious work augments the mushroom's action on the heart... causing further slowing and irregular pulse. The salicyn thins the blood further....and the body temperature begins to fall, as the poisons prepare for the convulsions to destroy the half breed child. The mistle berries being the primary cause of abortion and heart failure.

Thru the early stages .... Legend speaks quietly to Alais... the High Priestess' words sinking into Alais' brain...."poisoned"... "for the good of the Sidhe"..... "mean no harm to you"::

Pain knifes thru her body as convulsions begin, and then blackness, cold and dark and alone.

[Alais d Nitesong]

After leaving the Heiress in her private chambers, Legend warded the whole complex of rooms tightly against the rifting capabilites of Mr. Graham. Undoubtedly, he will come seeking Alais. The Starfyre band would not come off her hand, and that would most certainly be one means of finding Alais. “Well Mr. Graham, you may locate her, but I doubt you can get to her thru the wards in time.”

moving swiftly back to her offices...there was much yet to be done in preparation.

Awaiting her at her office was a rather frazzled looking guard. “Your Grace...you must come see this.... the Sidhe are in panic.....

Picking up her staff, I follow him to the lookout point on the mountain, in time to see what at first glimpse appeared to be a great steel dragon making a second pass over the sacred mountain. The roar though was not that of a living dragon....turning swiftly Legend returned to her office. “Cauldron FIRE..... he's come with a star ship!”

Not exactly certain how much ability he had in those ships... it would be necessary to protect not only the mountain, but now the Sidhe proper... that ship would ignite pandemonium unless she warned the inhabitants that such would be landing.

Penning a missive to the Council of Elders.....

Council....
Please immediately advise all of your respective areas that the steel dragon flying above Nitesong is but the Heiress' Lifemate. They are in no danger as long as they stay well away from the Druid's Mountain. They are to make no moves toward the Sacred Mountain. Make certain that is clearly understood. NO ONE approaches my home.... no matter what they perceive to be happening. This dispute is between Mr. Graham and myself. We will conclude it without interference. Well meaning or otherwise. Keep the Sidhe on alert for Ghrial, who may take this opportunity to attack if he senses a weakness or other diversions.

High Priestess Legendazona
Council Speaker

[Alais d Nitesong]

Summoning those remaining within the Sacred Mountain to the Great Cavern, Legend addresses them all at one time, and notes that the numbers are small.... most of the remaining Druids out dealing with Ghrial.

Beginning without preamble...knowing there will be complete acceptance of her actions.

“I am about to ward off our home. We will be denying entrance to the mountain to our Heiress' Lifemate, Mr. Graham. Lady Alais is here, under our care and protection. It is in the best interests of Nitesong that we succeed in holding off Mr. Graham and any compatriots he may bring with him until late tomorrow. Her protection from Mr. Graham is of vital importance to us all. It shall be necessary that each one of you be on alert to forestall any attempt by Mr. Graham to enter this place. There has been seen above Nitesong a star ship, which I presume to be Mr. Graham. Use any means necessary to keep him from arriving here. I should let you know that I do suspect Mr. Graham to be capable of violence upon your own persons in this matter. Do not hesitate to use appropriate, or like levels of force to defend our Sidhe.

Turning abruptly, she headed to the look out point on the mountain, and began the stronger wards around the Mountain, wards that would be picked up by any looking at the jagged mountain... and undoubtedly showing strongly on the sensors of the starship that passed overhead.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Summoning those remaining within the Sacred Mountain to the Great Cavern, Legend addresses them all at one time, and notes that the numbers are small.... most of the remaining Druids out dealing with Ghrial.

Beginning without preamble...knowing there will be complete acceptance of her actions.

“I am about to ward off our home. We will be denying entrance to the mountain to our Heiress' Lifemate, Mr. Graham. Lady Alais is here, under our care and protection. It is in the best interests of Nitesong that we succeed in holding off Mr. Graham and any compatriots he may bring with him until late tomorrow. Her protection from Mr. Graham is of vital importance to us all. It shall be necessary that each one of you be on alert to forestall any attempt by Mr. Graham to enter this place. There has been seen above Nitesong a star ship, which I presume to be Mr. Graham. Use any means necessary to keep him from arriving here. I should let you know that I do suspect Mr. Graham to be capable of violence upon your own persons in this matter. Do not hesitate to use appropriate, or like levels of force to defend our Sidhe.

Turning abruptly, she headed to the look out point on the mountain, and began the stronger wards around the Mountain, wards that would be picked up by any looking at the jagged mountain... and undoubtedly showing strongly on the sensors of the starship that passed overhead.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Lucas dropped his ship onto the newly completed landing area at I' Taurn. Kartuis the Dwarf, Xyclone the warrior and Rastin the sorcerer stand at Uly’s side as he stepped outside to meet him.

Uly asked immediately, "Lucas, do you have the hologram?"

"No, Uly, sorry man but two ships popped into nearspace and scared the bejeezus out of me."

"What? Oh crap, Ajax must have sent scouts as soon as Ozy got a Flux rift generated." ::Slamming his fist against the landing apron so hard the alloy crumbles under his fist.

"The High Priestess will be even more prepared. I'm going to lose starfighters. Dammit!"

turning back to Lucas:: "Okay, get this straight, any ships over Nitesong are mine. They are friendlies and they have your trasponder code...they won't fire on you. I NEED that tachyon scan and I need it bad. Penetrating the mountain isn't going to be any cake and coffee run. Thousands of my troops are going to go down and you getting that scan could save two or three thousand of them. Get it and meet the fleet over Nitesong in two hours, got it?"

"Yeah, I got it; but don't order me around. I'm not stupid and I'm no coward--and I'm not in your fleet. I'll get your scan--you just make sure it's worth my while after the battle goes down, got it?" Lucas stands toe to toe with Uly--he in his flight suit, Uly in his near-black purple plasmesh Loyal Commander battle armor. "Yeah, I got it," as he smiled at the fire in Lucas' spirit. "Thanks Lucas, and good luck."

[Alais d Nitesong]

The gathering at I’ Taurn fades into view: The guards expect you when you arrive at the gates of 'I Taurn, "M'lord Ulysses await you within, lord Xyclone." The gates open and Xy was escorted to the main doors of the house. Within the entry hall Uly greets Xy, near-black purple battle armor glinting in the low lights.

"We depart soon, my friend. Karturis and Rastin are in the next room. Lucas' ship will be landing soon with the hologram of the inner passages. Are you ready for another trip to Jacynth?"

With a harsh laugh, "Aye, Uly, Jacynth be an interestin' place to me. And I'm eager to join the battle."

Uly nodded grimly, "The corridors of the Druids' mountain will run with blood and stink with the carnage of dead and burning flesh today. I'm pleased with the courage of my friends, so willing to join me in the charnal flood of war."

As Karturis and Rastin joined them, the landing of Lucas' ship was heard outside. After a brief exchange with the pilot, I turn back to the three of you. "We are away. Follow me into the bunker."

[Alais d Nitesong]

Then shifts to the overlook on the Mountain, the golden streaks of starfighters entering the atmosphere and disappearing beyond her horizon bring a quick frown of concentration to the High Priestess' features....studying the narrow approach to the main entrance of the Caves... the ravine dropping off sharply to either side of the rocky outcropping that served as the only entrance to the Great Cavern from the outside world.

Looking up the slope above her... the wards over and around the mountain glimmering with the energies of their magic... then studying the ravine once more.... uttering the words of a prayer, the rock shifts slightly..... caught only if you had been there to see it... but Legend did see it, and a flicker of a smile lit her features.

[Alais d Nitesong]

As planned, no ships approach the moutains. From space, far overhead, the dreadnoughts gather their readouts on the Druids' stronghold. Calculations are made, energy matrices assessed. Broadcast ties between the twenty city-sized ships and the artificial intelligence banks directed by Ozymandias on Jacynth are established. Ozy knows the signatures of Sidhe sorcery and has taken massive readings of the whole of Nitesong, including the Druids' mountain when no reason to suspect surveillance was present. Prior data and new data are compared, descrepancies are noted. Danger zones are marked and sent the heads up displays (HUDs) in every craft and suit of powered armor. Every unit has their assignment. Every Maireen silently recites the standing orders--these soldiers among the most dangerous in the infiniverse. The briefings have been thorough, the expected casualty rates of thirty to fifty percent are known--but the Maireen learns from birth to put fear aside. They sense their humble place instinctively from the beginning. We live; we love; we die.

Cruisers and destroyers silently deploy from the carriers, taking up positions in nearspace--ready to rain megatons of force on the planet below if need be. The first landing of destroyer transports spirals downward with their escorts as the dreadnoughts overhead initiate the suppressive fields over the Devastated Lands. Seventy-five hundred troops focus their minds--thinking of nothing but the battle to be joined. The securing of the Sidhe, and the lockdown. All of the operation hinges on this. Below, the starfighters flash through the Sidhe skies, dropping any who show the most infinitesimal sign of resistance. Few of the Sidhe know if this is death or something else, but the effect is just the same--those who begin to move stop and do not start again.

The golden streaks of two hundred additional starfighters ring Nitesong. Dozens flash near Ghrial's forces, vigilant eyes ready to speak the words to bring mass drivers and atomic fire on them in a fraction of a second.

In the boat to the Carrier, Uly spoke briefly, "Ajax, you know your children are in danger. I swear we will save them if we can. You and Atalanta volunteered--remember that. All of you--I want Legendazona alive. I will not threaten you, just please do this--that is all I ask. Karturis, you are my guide through the underpassages. I know where Alais is--we are bound, I sense it. Xyclone and Max, you are sensitive and resistant to the magiks we face. I can see them somewhat and resist them as well. The three of us must keep our eyes open. Legendazona will have her back to the wall; she will be deadly. Our saving grace is I doubt her goddess backs her in this deed. We are following an assault force of seventy-five hundred heavily armored troops plus three thousand support troops. I don't expect the five of us to have to face anything except Legend herself and perhaps Trezor. Please, if you can help it, don't kill Trezor. I like him despite all of this. Max, if you can, draw Legend's fire along with me--we are the most resilient."

Arrival on the carrier complete, we await the return of the destroyers as Maireen troops flood the Sidhe below--7500 strong. Special forces and intelligence battalions lead the way. Indirect fire sets up, ready to strike the mountain. Starfighters continue overhead. The communications companies establish relays and backup relays. The heavy assault headquarters company takes up residence, dug in within sight of the mountain itself. The fighting is brief--the Sidhe suppressed. Ghrial's forces unmoving. We begin our drop with the second stage, one and a half hours into the operation.

[Alais d Nitesong]

No love is lost by Kart, Xy or Max on the ride down. The destroyer transport moves fast--destined for an additional mission as soon as completing the drop. "Take it easy guys, I promise we're not crashing," Uly commented reassuringly. Ajax--the Maireen measuring half a meter taller than he, and weighing in thirty kilos heavier--smirks, clearly loving the feel of the decent.

They hit the ground at the rim of the Devastated Lands. Hover vehicles awaited to whisk them to the headquarters company. Ajax immediately assessed his troop’s situation and began barking orders. "Ulysses, there's some kind of forcefield. I'm calling in a Cruiser PPC strike to take it down fast. Radioactivity will be of minimal risk as long as everyone keeps moving."

"I'll accept your judgment on it, Ajax. You're the ground commander--I've always been a fly-boy," turning to the three others, "You ready to hit the ground running, my friends?" Kart, Xy and Max respond with their own idioms.

Across the ravine, the pummeled mountain bears the fire of three Maireen Indirect Fire batteries. Mass driver projectiles crater and re-crater the entrance as a flash of blazing fire irradiates the sky from nearspace, smashing the wall of force to nothingness. Ajax bellows into the comm unit, "That's your cue, third division. Hit it!"

Ten-thousand troops began the grueling step by step penetration. The special forces and intelligence battalions having done what they could, fall back in the formations--silently hoping their skills have saved Maireen lives. Destroyer and starfighter strikes resound around the Sidhe and the Druids' mountain. The early morning soon becomes a portrait in blood as wards and traps do their deadly work on the heavy assault regiments. Hundreds fall in the initial engagement with the mountain defenses, but the near-black purple clad assailants are relentless--and meter by meter the mountain entrance opens to overwhelming forces.

"Time for us to hit the show, boys," none of them had ever seen Uly’s face with such an expression. Those who knew him well wondered--is this how he looked when severing the billions of lives of a star system. We moved out of the fortified position, into the light of day. Across the light assembly of the special forces engineers' bridge and into the maw of the mountain.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Karturis looked about nervously as the thrumming of the flagship dreadnought's engines began to pulse through the fabric of the craft. "By Gar, the beasty is comin' to life!"

"You're not far off from the truth, Karturis. Just think of it as the forge firing up. There's fusion fire in this beasty's belly, though," Uly cannot suppress a smile at Karturis’ mild distress. Xyclone and Max don't react much differently to the pulse of the sublight drives.

"Sir, the fleet is ready to launch," Achilles voice comes through the speakers. "Take her out, admiral. Operation Mountain Sunder is in your hands for now. I'll be going down with my companions in the first landing. Make sure a boat is ready to fly us to a carrier as soon as the initial suppressive strikes are in progress."

"Aye-aye, commander."

The massive starship drifts away from the techmoon Jacynth, joining the formation of nineteen other dreadnoughts and thirty carriers--loaded with the additional four-hundred and fifty ships for the fleet.

Onscreen before us, space is lost in a massive golden rift through which the fleet slowly drifts, maintaining distances and degrees throughout the maneuver. Suddenly Rhydin looms before us.

"There she is, gentlemen; and on her, our target--Nitesong."

From below, the early morning sky of Nitesong becomes day, as fifty ships fill the space overhead--blotting the stars, basking in the golden glow of the Flux rift larger than the island of Nitesong itself.

One-hundred streaks of fire drop to the planet--the air/space fighters delivering the initial suppressive strikes to the Sidhe.