Matlal and the Eldarie

[Alais d Nitesong]

I do not know how long I remained kneeling in the sand. My blood had dried upon the white wood, and my fingers were stuck to my staff by the congealed blood in my palm. The ribbon of crimson had dried to a deep brownish black, and in the night, appeared black against the soft white glow of the wood. My hair formed a curtain around me, and my eyes were closed. I was lost in a world of my own, and the gentle sounds of nightfall on Matlal were not a part of my personal world. I was focused on the rejection from Khirsah, for I know it was Khirsah who rejected my attempt, and for reasons I do not comprehend. It had been he who’d touched me from that darkness before, and it was he who rejected my return to Darkness.

The moon had climbed high into the night sky, and the stars in the constellation Draco glittered overhead when Garl found me. He stood just beyond the closed circle that still glowed faintly, taking note of the candles and the binding ward. “Lady Alais, you should retire. What ever you sought to do here, it is finished. Allow me?” He offered his arm to help me rise, and as I did, I paused to study the constellation of the dragon over head. My voice was barely a whisper, “He wouldn’t come Garl.”

The dragon beside me followed my gaze to the stars overhead, and then simply nodded.

As I stepped across the circle, the pale glow died, and I allowed Garl to escort me to my new home. The dragons had moved the scant belongings I’d brought with me to Odhran over to Matlal. The dimly lit rooms reminded me that this was not my home, and that I would always be an outsider in the world of dragons. In Tass’ time of need, I could not reach the Elder for help, and healing a dragon goes way beyond my skills, especially when I do not know the source of the malady.

I thanked Garl for the escort, for such is not really needed here on Matlal. I am safer here than anywhere else, at least for the moment.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Matlal does not yet feel like Home. It is mine, it remains under construction. It contains my sorceries to ward it, and yet, it feels as though I am but a guest. The dragons are unerringly polite, and even a bit protective. The surroundings are pleasant, the construction is everything I can hope for. This feeling will fade with time.

Time. How much do we have? The power I feel in the Annaran sources grows, and I do not know why this should be happening. Tass has told me that the tear originates in Riverbend, and opens atop The Pearl. I cannot go to the top of that mountain alone. Few here can, even among the dragons, but I can go to Riverbend. One last trip before the Isles’ wards close even to me, for I feel it in the Isle’s themselves, as Tass slips deeper into this malady, the Isles, which are of his making, are sealing themselves away, to remain separate and isolated until either Tass recovers, or Khirsah returns.

The tanzanite gate rune in my library had been completed, and I stood considering the wisdom, or folly, of going alone, but what choice is there really? I cannot ask Garl to come along, and I cannot seek out Teleperien, she is of the light. We need to know what is going on in Riverbend, and that world of the dead is no place for the living. But, I would not go unprepared. What ever is widening the tear, and causing the power changes is not likely to be friendly, and as I prepared, I heard the books. From deep within their sealed chamber, they spoke to me.

“L’khol b’riyah yeysh sheym, shenatan hal hayam, v’natan lah motah.“

I paused, “each of us has a name, given to us by the sea, and given by our death.” ‘Our death.’ I am returning to a place of death. A place where the dead reside in the oblivion Morrin had sent them. I answered them quietly, “Keyn y’hi ratzon” (May it be so.)

At last I believe I am ready, and as I turn around, Garl steps from the brightly lit morning into the cool interior of the entry hall. “You appear to be traveling. Do you not feel the closing of the wards?”

I nodded, “Yes Garl, I feel it, and this is probably my last trip that I will be able to make before they seal against me completely, but we need to know what is happening in Riverbend. I will return quickly. I do understand the risk of traveling right now.”

I gave the great dragon a quick hug, and then stepped onto the tanzanite rune and whispered the Annaran words that would take me to the Keep of Annara, into the mausoleum where Morrin now rests. I glanced at Garl as I faded, and his look was one of worry.

[Shakira]

Watching and waiting -- it's all she's been able to do since that day.

The ever-shifting landscape of her domain can drive a mortal insane with its unspeakable horrors. Within that realm is a tall fortress and within its walls a tall, pale woman with hair as black as ebony stares into a tall mirror. A mirror that will be the portal back to mortal world. But for now, that is denied to her.

One day, but not today as there are other matters that have attracted her attention. She's heard talk of dragons, she's heard talk of someone traveling. That someone is the hated woman, Alais.

"Show me," the woman commands softly to the mirror. The surface becomes cloudy and her reflection changes into the semblance of Alais. She is here. The fool. Alais has come close to her domain, willingly and completely alone. Out in the mortal world she has no power, but here... a soft smile crosses her lips.

"No, not that way," she says softly as Alais begins to walk along a path that will surely take her to Riverbend. "You want to go the other way. The road that will deliver you to me."

Alais begins walking down the path and suddenly it becomes unaccessible. The path is blocked by a landslide, too tall to climb. Maybe she can go around by the other path. Time is short and she must hurry. The path twists and narrows; Alais knows that to stray is to be lost. She's not willing to gamble with that.

The landscape changes and she realizes she's gone the wrong way. But realization comes too late as a powerful blow knocks her off her feet. Alais lands hard on her back and, just before unconsciousness takes a hold of her, sees a woman standing over her.

"Welcome to my home, Alais," the woman smiles.

Alais can't speak. The last thought before her world goes black is a dread name: Shakira.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The gate rune has always taken me on a direct path to Riverbend, but this morning the path was unexpectedly blocked by what appears to be a landslide that is too tall to climb over, and too large to go around, and yet, I must reach Riverbend. Time is of the essence.

Abruptly the landscape shifts around me, and I have taken a wrong turn. In Hell, it is never a good idea to take a detour. I found myself in serious trouble as my legs were knocked from beneath me. In a brief moment before blackness covered everything, I looked up into the cat like eyes of Shakira!

I came to with a start. Shakira! She was supposed to be banished or dead. I blinked several times in this distorted and shifting world before I could focus once more on the gaze of the daemoness.

"Shakira, what a surprise." I moved with a groan, and discovered that I was shackled to the walls of a cell. The daemoness smiled one of her worst smiles at me, one that said I was in serious trouble.

[Shakira]

"Shakira, what a surprise." Alais moves with a groan, and discovers that she is shackled to the walls of a cell.

Shakira reaches for Alais's hair and twirls a curl around her fingertips while smiling at the captive woman. She leans closer, her voice almost a whisper. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you here, Alais. I thought my wait would be longer than this, but you came to me so willingly."

Shakira licks Alais's cheek in a slow and sensuous move. Alais turns her head away abruptly, disgusted by the touch which only makes Shakira laugh. Alais desperately looks down at her own body hoping to see any of her stones or amulets. But they are all in a neat pile along with most of her clothes to the side and clearly out of reach.

"You didn't think I was going to leave you armed, did you?" Shakira smirks as Alais' situation is clearly written in the elf's horrified expression.

Shakira reaches for the woman's chin and forcefully turns her face to look at her in the eye. The smile melts to a mask of hatred, "You will regret ever coming here. You will not die, but you will beg me to kill you."

"If you kill me someone will come looking for me, it is well known that I have come to return to Riverbend," Alais counters.

"I am counting on that," Shakira's smile never reaches her eyes.

Shakira takes a couple of steps back, as she does the walls melt away, leaving Alais suspended in the middle of the room. Shakira extends her hand as if reaching. Her hand curls around the a leather shaft from which a long leather braid, tipped with razor sharp metal, grows.

Shakira watches the woman with cold hatred, she wants to make sure the woman realizes what's in store for her. Alais knows, and even though she is aware she doesn't show it. She won't give her the satisfaction. Shakira's anger at this reaction shows on the first lash. Alais tenses and grits her teeth, closing her eyes tightly. Another lash, and another, and another. Alais feels a trickle of blood down her back, but refuses the give in to the pain.

"I want to hear you scream and I won't stop until you do," Shakira says through gritted teeth as she continues the punishment. Alais continues to deny that small pleasure to her. Each lash cuts through her skin, leaving bloody welts. Alais knows her strength is fading, she is weaker from the loss of blood. How many has it been? Ten? Twenty? She's lost count. Again the pain, and again, and again. Finally the pain becomes unbearable, there's nothing she can do but scream and Alais feels hot tears roll down her cheeks.

Shakira walks near her, a hand grabs her hair and pulls her head back. "That's a good girl," she croons. She takes the whip and licks the blood off the leather. "That will be it for today. I suggest you rest." As if this had been a command, Alais passes out into a dreamless sleep.

Alais wakes up, she's laying on the ground. She looks at her hands, her rings are there. She sits up quickly, looking at her clothes she realizes she's fully dressed. Her staff is right next to her. Her back burns and aches, but there's no blood. "It wasn't real," she says softly. "It wasn't real!" She repeats louder to herself. She laughs at first, then cries at the realization that it didn't happen. She wipes the tears with the back of her hand and stands up slowly.

"I must continue, time is short." Alais looks at the path again, yes that's the way to Riverbend, and immediately goes on. A faint sound follows her, a low rumble like mocking laughter.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The pain had been excruciating, and as I moved, opening my eyes, I found myself not chained to a cell wall, but collapsed along the path to Riverbend. But the pain remained.

I frowned, stretched gingerly, realizing that all of my magical items were now with me, and they had not been when I was being held by Shakira.... or had I actually seen Shakira? The Demoness would never release me with these.... a dream?

More like a nightmare! "It wasn't real!" Realization hit me hard, and I had to wipe tears of relief from my eyes before I could continue on. Time was short, and there was so much to do!

I rose, dusting off the bits of stone that clung to my robes, but every movement screamed pain along my back. Something was dreadfully amiss, but there was no mistaking the solidity of my staff in my hands, and the flow of Annaran sorcery through it. As I moved in the direction of Riverbend, I heard the sound of laughter, the same mocking laughter I'd heard in my 'dream' if that is what it was....I shivered, even in the heat, a cold finger of dread moved down my spine.

The Keep loomed before me in the darkness. The 'Others' moved at my approach, and I could feel an unease among them. The sooner I could get to the mausoleum and leave behind my body, the sooner they would settle and I would learn what was going on here.

I moved in silence across the courtyard of the great stone castle, and into the old chapel. Even here the trappings of Annaran gods and goddesses remained intact. I slipped through the door on the right and into the Annaran mausoleum. It was cold. I stood studying the room that was so familiar to me, and there, near Morrin's sarcophagus was the tear. The place Tass and I had stepped through when he'd come for me.

I walked toward the tear, it was larger than it had been. I could see the top of The Pearl, where unearthly cold awaited any who walked through it. I reached out lightly to touch the tear, and felt the flash of cold even more severe than what was here in Riverbend's shadows.

Turning, I surveyed the room once more, I was alone, but there were traces of trespass by someone other than Tass and myself. Scorch marks on the stone, a drag mark here or there. Someone has been in my sanctuary since I'd left it all those weeks ago.

I pushed aside the stone that covered the place where one day I too would rest, thinking to leave my body safely within before I began my search for answers. A subtle sound perked my elven hearing, and I decided to leave my body in Morrin's tomb instead.... it was a last minute change that should help protect my body from whomever was within my Keep.

Morrin rested silently, and I left my corporeal form beside him, and moved through the matrix of stone above us after warding both Morrin's and my stone sarcophagi. Then, I moved out of the mausoleum in search of whomever was trespassing here in Riverbend!

[Alais d Nitesong]

Riverbend was strung tightly. The 'Others' were uneasy, edgy, and they clustered around the entry to the mausoleum, waiting. Murmurs rippled through them, they were going to be free!

I listened as they murmured. Their excitement was almost tangible. Free!

I moved throughout the whole of the keep, and everywhere the same whispers.... freedom waited..... Rael would take them through the tear. Rael would lead them.

They would take back the books and the sword, they would once more be free!

I melted into the stone of Morrin's effigy, settling into the matrix of the alabaster as I pondered what I'd been able to learn. Who was Rael? Why was he promising freedom to the banished Annarans? Did they know they would be walking into the realm of the Dragons? Would it matter?

There were more questions than answers right now. My discoveries have only opened more puzzles and not solved the one I came seeking to resolve.

[Alais d Nitesong]

I remained within the stone effigy, my thoughts drifting as I pondered what was happening.

Khirsah. The Elder was so desperately needed right now. Had he heard me? I know he'd felt me, but had he heard my plea for him to return?

Well, it would not matter if I returned with no more information than I have now. Tass had already known the dead were planning to come through the tear, and all I have new is the name of the leader... Rael.

The familiar sensation of numbed senses was welcome. It made me realize how much I had missed the solitude of Riverbend. Silence broken only by murmurs of the dead. Peace.

Time ceased to have meaning. It was so peaceful here in the mausoleum with Morrin. Silence.

[Tasslehofl Momus]

Had it been hours? Days? Weeks? How long had it really been since that night? Would it matter in any case? He was where he was because things needed to be done, and they had been. But what was the cost of those actions? It didn’t matter. It was worth it.

He must remember that. The cost of securing the blade from the rest of the world was worth every stitch of muscle fiber that had been torn from his body. He would do it again if it came to it.

He would. He knew he would. There was no question to it. He knew that this trial was far from over. There were so many things that were taking place in the outside world that warranted his attention. Each would be dealt with in turn.

But the matter that was at hand was what needed his attention the most. His soul was alive… in truth, it was afire with life. He had not felt this euphoria of life since… well, since the beginning. This told him much of where he was. But again, it was not the matter of where his soul was that was in need of the attention.

It was the matter of his body that he needed to be tended. In truth, he only needed it revived enough so that he could return to it. He could complete the healing from within. But, as of this moment, it was beyond inhabiting… beyond even the recognition of being inhabitable.

So, how was one to gain that healing? The borders were sealing themselves. He had made sure of that. Above all else, his kin needed to be protected. The tear was bad enough, and in truth, the boarders might stay sealed until that little matter was taken care of as well. There was no need be vulnerable on multiple sides. It was best to deal with one battle front.

But that was a matter that digressed from the foremost at hand… the healing of his body enough so that he could return to it. There were very few who had that power, and unfortunately, they were not at this time on the Isle’s. His wife and his daughter, both blessed to him by the Father, could not take this matter on. He loved them both, and for one without the power of the dragon, it was death. He would not lose them. The Elder… that was a matter that was very tender. He had faith in his elder, but would be faith enough against the rage of the want of power? He wasn’t sure… not yet at least.

There was another power that recently just awoke. It was still young, by his years at least, but old enough in the line of dragon lineage. But the one who created it was long gone, and the one who could wield it was… captured. She would be returned soon enough, but would that imprisonment hinder the power that would be required in order to wield the power?

The General would take care of her. He had faith in him. There were few who he felt an immediate liking to, and the General had been top of the list of those few. He would have faith in the General, and he knew that that faith would be fruitful.

Faith… so much riding on faith. And it was perhaps faith that had led Alais back to the realm of Riverbend. Yes, he knew of that too. He had wanted to protect her from that place, from what was growing there. But he couldn’t. You cannot keep those you care about the most under constant protection, can you? No. But she had still shown poor faith in going there again, especially with the growing hostilities that were on the other side of the tear. Then there was the ‘detour’ which she had been forced to take. She had survived it, true… but again, what would the lingering affects of her ordeal?

Yes… he watched that too. And yet, there was nothing he could do. His power could not be extended beyond that of keeping his body, or rather, what was left of his body, alive.

So much… there was so very much to contend with. Yet, here he was, unable to even lift a hint of a finger at any of them. Again, it came to faith. He would have it… he must.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The murmurs told many things, and I have no doubt that as I learn of this would be general for the massing of power and a planned invasion through the tear Tass had created between Riverbend and The Pearl, he is learning of my presence. After all, how normal is it for a live elf to come and go from a place like Riverbend in Annara? No, I do not underestimate this Rael.

The 'Others' were more active than was usual. As though all this talk of war and 'freedom' had energized them in a realm where I found my senses dulled, and where emotion did not run as deeply as it does in the world of the living.

The power flare in Annara remained here. Magic had been enhanced around the tear. The dark taint of necromancy was richer, more textured and layered than before, and as I touched it, I felt the influences of another.

I should return to Matlal. This is news that should be known. Perhaps Rhaine's knowledge of the Hells will include this Rael. If he is leading the dead and undead through as their leader, he is not likely to be an obscure figure.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The thought of leaving Riverbend grew less and less crucial. My bodiless state was unencumbered by strong emotion and the murmurs of the ‘others’ was filled with a sense of hope. I disengaged myself from the stone matrix, I wanted to walk by the river.

Memories came back as I reached the old forge where Moonglum had first introduced me to Morrin. My first introduction to the great sorcerer King had been where I now stood. He’d dismounted Hadrian, a great black destrier and dismantled my shield as easily as a child unties a shoe lace, and yet I never felt afraid of Morrin. Here, on this spot had begun a relationship that lasted decades, and that had profoundly altered my life.

As I moved into the old forge, I could hear Glum the day he recognized that Morvinyon was not whole, that there was a missing shard of the historical blade from the Nitesong ancestors that we needed to find before he could attempt to re-forge the elven blade. It was the first time that Xenograg, Amaltea, and I had met Shakira as a partnership. She was well known to Xenograg and Amaltea, but Shakira was new to me.

The forge was silent now. No dwarven fires heated its low ceilinged shop. I wonder whatever happened to Glum. He’d vanished shortly after Morrin and I had consigned the entire Annaran population to the 6th level of Hell. We had left the stone structure in existence outside of RhyDin, and set the ‘others’ to guard over it, but Glum was a gregarious sort, and the haunted solitude of Riverbend would never suit him. He needed the bustle of life around him. I hope he found happiness somewhere after his lifelong friend Morrin left the world of the living.

The river flowed endlessly by me as I remained there, lost in reverie. I do not know how long I was there. Time has a different rate of passage here. Part of me longed to remain in the peaceful silence.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Riverbend - sanctuary, solitude, peace. It represents my legacy from Morrin. It represents safe haven - I would like to linger, and yet, there are duties in Matlal and RhyDin I need to attend to assure completion.

Reluctantly, I moved away from the river, returning to the mausoleum and the confines of returning to my body along with my committment to Tass and my return to Matlal. Part of me still longs to leave my corporeal form with that stone sarcophagus - but now is not the time.

I studied Morrin's remains for long moments, remembering so many events from our time as student and master. How I wish he were here.

I closed and sealed the sarcophagus again, pausing to study the cold stone effigy. It does not do justice to the man. It is a tragic understatement to the granduer that was Morrin in life. It is however a stark reminder that in death, as we pass through this existence, we only leave behind our works and influences on those who remain after us. Nothing more.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Construction continued during the sorceress' absence. The walls of the building rose, but the great black blade still lay upon the foundation stone, and the walls there could not be built up.

Daemonbane lay quietly, only writhing when someone drew near to it. No whispers. No lure to the unwary.

The pale salmon stone rose, rooms completed. The dragons and the architect worked in cooperative harmony to complete the dream of the Eldarie woman who would now reside in the Isles.

The inner spaces began to resemble the motif of the islands. The artistry of the sculptures held the flowing elegance of the elves, but the themes were very much dragon influenced. The soaring dragons in flight graced the vaulted ceiling of the great hall, the pillars that supported the ceiling appeared almost real dragon wings extended. It was cool inside. The stone keeping a fairly constant temperature within the shaded space.

The sorceress had not brought furnishings for so much space, and right now, the nearly empty rooms echoed whenever anyone moved within them. Garl stood studying the structure from one of the arched entrances. It would be grand when it was completed, but the elven sorceress had left, and so far, not returned.

[Alais d Nitesong]

As Garl walked through the structure, he paused near the rooms that were being occupied, well, were occupied when the sorceress was in the Isles, and as he stood there, the scented candles that seemed to be always lit flickered, wavered, and went out.

He turned on his heel and made haste to return to the main island. Tass was healing, and this was news he should have.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The black blade lay unmoving upon the foundation stone.

Work went on all around it, but all of the dragons gave it a wide berth.

It no longer sang to those nearby. No longer seeking to lure them to it.

pick me up, take me to hand, wield me in your cause.

It was laying there silent.