Nocturne of Forgotten Pain

[Sylus Kurgen]

Everything for the trip back to Kelvar was in place as Sylus checked the cinch and gig on his roan. Leaving the bit out of Stepper's mouth, he went and got a sack of fresh grain to keep the unruly animal busy. His tanned leather saddlebags were strung over the railing of a nearby stall, with several of the pockets bulging profoundly with the things he would need to get home. Checking over the items he noticed that a certain vial was missing. Cursing under his breath, Sylus searched the other pockets hoping that he merely misplaced the item. Finding nothing he searched the lining of his supply packs. Still he found nothing.

He was in his rooms, going through a few drawers when the sound of a pounding hammer came to his ever sharp ears. Sticking his head out into the hallway the sound was a bit louder and seemed to be coming from the floor below. Dashing back to his room he grabbed his scimitars and moved cautiously down the steps. As he came to a blind corner, Sylus knelt and slid his right blade straight out. Tilting the weapon, he could see down the hall, no one was in sight. WIth a slight sigh he rose and moved around the corner.

The slight rush of wind was all the warning he had. In the next instant a searing pain flared in his side. Glancing down, he saw his life blood seep from a clean perforation. Though the wound was not mortal it would prove an annoyance if not treated immediately. He felt a second rush of wind, but this time he was prepared for it. Diving off tot he side he heard the blade sing through the air where his head had just been. Coming to his feet he looked around, keeping his breathing slow. It was then that he heard the footsteps, soft but still audible, scraping gently over the flagstones of the hallway. He felt a third rush of wind and knew what it was immediately.

The rush was not his assailent but a form of his aura that preceded his movements. Sylus had all the advantage he would need for now. Knowing that the invisible assasin would expect him to roll away once more he did what would be least expected. He stood his ground. Knowing that his opponent would have his blade wide, to catch him in a roll, Sylus braced himself and leveled his right scimitar straight ahead of him at gut level. The force of impact was enough to jar his teeth as he felt the hilt of his blade slam into his open wound.

There came a strangled gasp as an invisible weight pushied down on his blade. Shoving forcefuly, Sylus removed the body from his blade, and stepped back muttering words to reveal his attacker. As the invisible killer faded into sight Sylus was taken aback at the face in front of him. With infinite care he lowered the young woman's body to the floor. Her name was Ilyena. She had been a love of Sylus' and had gotten close to wearing his ring on her finger as well as his name. Troubled times, duty, obligation, and betrayal had driven them appart with bitter regret.

Coughing up blood she looked into Sylus amber eyes and touched the side of his face. The look and touch were too intimate for words and left him speechless as she confessed with her dying breath why she had come to try and kill him.

" You broke my heart all of those years ago....." Her voice was a soft rasp as a crimson tide stained the corner of her rosebud lips. " But I found solace in the arms of another and my place. Varad fears you..Sy....as does his master. Try as he might, killing you seems beyond his power. Out of love for him, I had to try and finish the task, but it ...::Her eyes began to unfocus as she clung to his arm::...it seems your skills have grown tenfold......he.....fears...you......Antala.... ::With her final strength she leaned up in a kiss that conveyed all of the pain she had endured over the years that had separated them.

Sylus knelt there for several moments, tears blurring his eyes, before he got to his feet with what felt like the weight of the world on his shoulders. Carrying her body outside he burried her beside a lillac bush. The only thing to mark her grave was the dirk she had used to try and take his life.

This attack only strengthened his resolve to return home and figure out what in the Nine Hells was going on. Hand pressing firmly to the wound at his side he went back into Kurgen Keep. When he walked through the entry way the sound of hammering came again.

[Sylus Kurgen]

Blood staining the front of his blue tunic, Sylus moved towards the sound of the hammering. The rythmic pounding of hammer on steel led him to the sixth floor....Artemus' floor.

Breathing heavily, he made his way towards his brother's room. Trying to open the door, Sylus found it to be locked and teh hammering was making the door shudder out of it's hinges. Artemus was nailing the door shut.....

"Artemus!" He pounded on the door with as much force as the hammer "Artemus!! Are you nailing the door shut?" The hammering paused momentarily before his brother answered.

"No...I'm trying to give myself a concussion.." His voice dripped with venemous sarcasm as the hammering resumed.

( An hour later)

Pulling the need through his skin in one last stitch, Sylus heard the hammering gradually stop. Artemus was sealed into his room now.

Placing a bandage over the stitching, he put on a clean shirt and went back out to the stables. There, on the ground, by his supply pack was the vial he had been looking for. There was a note underneath of it.

The writing on the small piece of paper was almost regal
" I sensed the moment of Ilyena's life. I felt the exact moment when your blade slid into her soft flesh. :: His next words were filled wiht malice:: I know how much you had loved her before I tore the pair of you appart, so I know that by sending her I have hurt you as much as I am capapble...I await you in Kelvar...come if you dare...."

Crumpling the note in his hand Sylus placed his saddlebags on Stepper's back and rode towards Rhydin with the speed of a raging storm

[Sylus Kurgen]

Entering the Outback I spotted Dimitri immediately and made my way over to him. Sliding up to the bar I started talking with him aboutcertain aspects of the journey. Telling him what he would need to know in order to make it there with ease. I did not want him to have too many suprises when we arrived in Kelvar.

After a few duels I felt pretty good, broke even which wasn't all that bad. Even though dueling was probably not a smart choice given my wound...I needed something to keep my mind off of unpleasant memories. It was after my last duel when Alais came into the room. I winced slightly as I slipped out of the ring. I tried to cover it up but she saw my hand move to my side. As I sat down with her she asked what was wrong...

" It's nothing...you've got enough on your mind...don't worry about me" I covered another wince and managed to restrain my hand from slipping to my ribs again. She quirked a brow and slipped her arm around my waist " Yer ah terrible liar, m'dear" With another overt look sle pressed her hand against my side, eliciting a sharp gasp from me. I couldn't hide the chagrin on my face. "It is nothing...I'm serious...." I tried to allay her worry but it was to no avail.

"Ye've neffer made me angry afore nae Sy......donnae make me so now, with you leaving...prithee...tell me whatst haff happened to ye?" With a exasperated look I related the attack on my life by Ilyena.

" SHe left me no choice...." I said quitely as I let my gaze fall to the floor. I waited for her to shy away from me, call me monster. Tell me I'm heartless and a hundred other things. She merely leaned against me, letting her hand slide through my hair and told me she understood. This was another show of why I love Lais so much...she does not judge me and only reprimands me when I am truly out of line. We spent the rest of the night talking about my trip and when she should expect correspondance from me on my arrival in Kelvar and of our progress towards my homeland.

Dimitri came over to me at one point and told me he would await me at the Keep. Walking towards the door he whistled loudly and waited a few moments. Soon there came a loud crash from outside as Dimitri's wyvern landed and took him to Kurgen Keep.

I got in one last duel before I bit Alais fairwell and left the Outback.

( At the Keep)

I arrived in time to see Dimitri placing the supply packs on his wyverns' back. Stepper knickered warily as I rode up to Dimitri. Though the big roan's eyes were impossibly wide, his training kept him planted where he was. With a plaintive look at me the horse shook it's head and pawed a little at the ground in protest.

"Stop that!" I admonished the animal digging my knees into his side a bit.
Slipping out of my saddle I walked over to Dimitri, adjusting my sword belt. "You ready to depart?"With a nod he said yes and we road out of the courtyard after I put the wards of the Keep back in place. We road until it was too dark to ride safely and made camp.

Gathering a few logs of dead wood I found nearby we made a meager fire and turned in for the night.

[Sylus Kurgen]

Rising early we rode until the sun had reached it's zenith and took a break by a small stream. I removed my saddle from Stepper's back and let him graze near the water's edge.

Dimitri's wyvern went off to hunt while the two of us sat down and had a meager lunch of dried meat and cheese.It was time I started my deciet and train Dimitri without him knowing it.

" Now Dimitri...I'm going to speak with you about what you should expect in my homeland. Now when I left the city was healthy and prosperous, but according to missinves I have recieved it has not stopped raining since the day I had to leave. The mood of the city itself might be a little downtrod and depressing. So be on your guard for dark looks and a few attacks since you are a stranger there." I continued to speak of what kind of greeting he may recieve. "Though my homeland has many races..the sentiment is still vastly pro-human. Teh dwarves keep themselves cloistered in the city's underside with their forges and taverns while the human's operate the upper half of things. Teh few elves within the her walls are mainly emissaries. Kelvar is one of teh few cities where humans, dwarves, and elves actually live in close vacinity, so be wary of what you say. There are unfriendly ears everywhere." I gave him a few moments to digest my words and warnings before I continued.

"Now...the current leader is a man named Varad Rovensheaf...he is the late ruler's brother. He has power similar to that of a king, but his powers are limited by the city's council. They make the laws and he enforces them.."

Deciding that this was a good time to stop class, I nudged Stepper forward into a gallop and continued with the journey.

[Dimitri]

As he rode the Wyvern through the night skies from the Outback. He could only think of where he was going. As he saw the keep ahead he leaned forward and pushed his fingers into two nerve points in the wyverns neck. Dimitri guided the wyvern towards the ground. It's legs finally hit the ground as they did Dimitri jumped down.

After a hour or two he heard Sylus coming. He looked at the horse he was riding stop. "Damn horse afraid of wyverns. Tel'Ranaemyn easy" He patted the leg of the wyvern as it stared at the horse. He heard Sylus yell "Stop that!"

When Sylus approached he asked "You ready to depart?" Dimitri just nooded and replied yes. Dimitri summoned stone stairs to climb onto the back of the wyvern. With that he pushed his fingers into the nerve points and he was in the sky again heading for Kevar.

[Dimitri]

As he woke up he knew Tel'Ranaemyn was gone. He looked around and saw Sylus. A bit later as they waited for Tel'Ranaemyn to come back from his hunt, Sylus talk to him about his greeting and what to do. Dimitri knew that there was some other reason why Sylus brought him along. but didnt bring it up. As the wyvern came back Dimitri just stood up and walked over to it. Dimitri saw Sylus ride off at a gallop, he quickly got onto Tel'Ranaemyn and dug his fingers into the nerve points and flew at incredible speed and past Sylus with ease.

After a day of flying in the open skies. Night was upon the two of them when it became to dark to travel they set up camp. Dimitri layed down away from the fire looking at the skies. Thinking about the Temple, the guild and Alia anor. after a hour of thinking he drifted off into sleep.

[Sylus Kurgen]

The next several days were uneventful as Sylus pushed them at a hard pace towards his homeland. The only time they ever took a break seemed to be when Stepper needed one, and those were few and far. After about eight days of travel Dimitri and Sylus came to a roadside inn. There were only a few leagues left in their journey but Sylus felt a night spent inside of a respecatble in with warm beds was a much needed treat.

Dimitri sent his wyvern away as Sylus walked around the back of the inn leading Stepper by the reins.

"Evening, neighbor.." Sy greeted the stable boy who greeted him. As the lad took the reins from his hand, Stepper gave Sylus a mischevious look. He knew right away what the horse was going to do and stopped the boy. "Careful lad...he has a meanstreak and might bite you" Tossing the boy a few coins, Sylus walked back around the front of the inn and joined Dimitri.

By Sylus' estimation there were still three more full days of hard riding. "We'd best rest while we can. There are only a few more days left of riding until we make it to Kelvar"He told Dimitri over the din of the inn's barroom.

The bar was practically filled to capacity as they moved to a back corner and took posession of a vacant booth. A serving girl sauntered up to them almost as soon as they sat down. She was dressed in normal bar wench attire. Her white shirt had several beer spatters on one sleeve as well as a few bits of dried blood on her apron. The front of her shirt was undone enough to show an ample bossom but still be in good taste. She was extremely friendly, with her hands and looks, as she went about asking them what they'd like to have that night. When she came back with their drinks, and Sylus handed her coins to pay for it , she saddle up close to him almost whorishly. ]"If I can be of any further assistance M'lords just ask for Camilla." With a look filled with promise she leaned in close and spoke into Sy's ear. " I live to please....." Her voice was husky and seductive.

Sylus chuckled at the girls' forwardness and held up his ringed finger. "Sorry love...but I'm taken." She just smiled more and pressed against him firmly. "She'd never know..."Her breath was hot against his neck and ear. Putting his hand on her shoulder he pushed her away gently. "But I would..." Sylus told her in a voice filled with iron.

Throughout the rest of the night the serving wench seemed to find a million different reasons to visit their booth. She no longer had her sights set on Sylus, so she started working her best game to appeal to Dimitri's sensual appetite. Sy watch all of this with a smile on his face. Leaving Dimitri alone for a little while, he went and found the inn keeper and reserved a pair of rooms. When he came back to the booth, the harlet was sitting next to Dimitri and whispering in his ear. At the look on the elf's face Sy laughed and handed him the key to his room.

[Dimitri]

After several days of travel, they stopped at a Inn. As Dimitri landed the wyvern he jumped down "Tel'Ranaemyn go." As Sylus went around back Dimitri looked around. He saw Sylus come back around and they went in.

As soon as they sat down a bar wench approached them. She took an order for drinks. When she left and came back with their drinks. She saddled up to Sylus and said "If I can be of any further assistance M'lords just ask for Camilla." as she said that she leaned close to Sylus and whispered something. As Sylus told her that he was married she pressed on. But he still said no.

But the night seemed to drag on. The wench kept comming back, but she completely forgot about Sylus but kept trying to get Dimitri. Dimitri knew that Sylus was enjoying this and trying not to crack up. As he left to get a pair of rooms. The bar wench then pulled a chair next to him extremly close and began to whisper in his ear. Dimitri couldnt help but smile guiltily. As he saw Sylus return Dimitri stood up. Sylus handed him his key and left to his room. Dimitri then turned and said to the Bar wench"I must get to bed I have a long trip ahead of me." The bar wench then smiled inoccently and replied "Who needs sleep the night is still young." Dimitri bowed and left he knew that the harlet was watching him go.

But he didnt turn around but just unlocked his door and went in. He made sure to lock it back up again. He went to his bed and began to think once again about everything that has happened lately and wondering why even agreed to come along.

[Sylus Kurgen]

The pair rose early and left with the rising sun. As Sylus went to get Stepper from the stables he looked at Dimitri "Are you sure you don't want to tell that bar maid from last good-bye?" He did his best not to smirk. The most part of that day was as uneventful as the previous ones. Cresting a hill top a lush green filed was spread out before them, with several goatherds grazing idly. In the distance, a small village could be seen.Wendh Ruune..... Sylus was home......

Not wanting to be recognized, Sy pulled his hood up over his face and gestured for Dimitri to slow his pace. "The village may not take kindly to seeing a wyvern...." He cautioned his friend. His face hidden in the recess of the hood, the pair moved through the village casually. With their movements' slowed down to a casualy canter, the village had sufficient time to put thier children into safe places and prepare a few meager weapons if needed. The square loomed ahead, the feeling in the air dripped with tention. From the looks they were given, it was not a good time to be a travelar in this particular area.

They were almost at the edge of the village when a commanding voice sounded from behind them. "Halt!!" the voice had the firmness and strength of youth. Sylus turned in his saddle and regarded the lad who approached. He was a little bit bigger in build than Sy was. His chestnut colored hair was wet and matted from working in the fields. Where there should have been a hoe or rake in his hands now sat a long handled axe. "You..."He gestured to Sy with his axe "Remove your hood...show me your face...." Sylus turned Stepper around and looked more clinically at the lad. "I am but a mere travelar passing through your village....surely my face is of no interest to any here?"

Sylus had recognized the youth's face the minute he saw him. The youth standing before him was Fulgar Maddle. Sy remembered how gangly and unflinchingly just and truthful the boy had been before Sylus left all those years ago. It seemed the lad had done some growing up.

"What our interests are, is none of your concern....Now would you be so kind as to lower your hood...and bring your face into the light..."With an exasperated sigh, he did so. The face that was revealed was not Sylus' face. As he had raised his hands to pull his hood down he had chanted a simple encantation to change his face. What everyone saw was a man in his mid-thirties with slightly graying hair. "Are you satisfied?" He asked Fulgar. The lad grudgingly nodded and told them to go,

Sylus and Dimitri made camp early that night and rose early the niext morning. In matter of hours the city of Kelvar loomed before them...

[Dimitri]

As he lay awake in bed a slight knock on the door. He knew it was time to leave. The two of them went outside Dimitri followed Sylus as he got Stepper, "Are you sure you don't want to tell that bar maid from last good-bye?" He just shook his head and whistled into the air. The sound of flapping wings could be heard then Tel'Ranaemyn was there ready to go.

A few seconds later they were off Dimitri flying at incredible speeds but not letting Sylus out of his sight. As Dimitri banked and flew above Sylus. Sylus then told him to slow down. Dimitri obeyed and slowed the wyvern. Dimitri landed the wyvern and let it walk behind Sylus. As he looked around the Village he saw that they were not wanted. As the two reached the square there was a lad who command them to halt. Dimitri stopped when Sylus stopped.

Dimitri didnt listen to the lad and Sylus talk but looked around the village. Ready to move if anything happened. As he looked at Sylus he did not see Sylus but a different person. He knew what he did. As the lad let them by Dimitri passed him by with the wyvern whispering "Easy boy. Easy it's alright we'll leave this god forsaken place soon. Dimitri turned around and glanced at the village before taking off follow Sylus. That night they set up camp early. Dimitri sat away from Sylus.

[Dimitri]

Early next morning the second night that Dimitri didnt get any sleep. Sylus said "Lets go we have a short travel today." As Dimitri stood up he mounted Tel'Ranaemyn and began to rise. Sylus got on Stepper and rode forward at a gallop. Dimitri just followed, after a one or two hours there it was Kelvar there destination. "Hope it isn't as bad as that village." they pressed on, the trip was over.

[Sylus Kurgen]

The city loomed larger and larger as the pair approached, and Sylus was giving him the last few bits of advice and instructions he was going to need.

"Now...I know that you realize I've brought you with me for a specific purpose..." Sylus looked pointedly at his companion. "Here is what you have been asking yourself. There are two reasons I brought you with me. The first..was for your own protection.....With the way things were going in Rhydin...and choices you seemed about to take...I thought it best to get you away for a while." Sylus reached up at that point and covered his eyes as he scanned the horizon for any arrival committees frim Varad. "The second? " Dimitri asked from the back of his wyvern.

With a sigh he turned and looked at his friend. "The second is for my own security. I know what to expect from my adversaries within the city. Varad....the man I told you is in charge? He is one of them...he'll find some loophole or an unused law to try and have me imprisoned. I brought you in case that happens...to get word to our friends...and to get me out."

The city was downcast and sullen as the pair made their way past the city guards. The streets could barely be called what they were. The rain had reduced the paving to bare hunting trails. Stepper trudged on through the ankle deep mud as they passed a small boy plaing in the street. The childs face and knees were covered in topsoil. The boy shied back in fear from the wyvern as they passed. With a depressed look claiming his face as they rode farther into the city, Sylus dropped a few coins here and there for a few random beggers and children. Through it all Dimitri had not said a word to him as they approached the Tower of Divine Justice.

[Dimitri]

As they reached Kelvar Dimitri landed Tel'Ranaemyn and began to follow Sylus. When they reached the muddy streets of Kelvar Tel'Ranaemyn's feet sunk deep into the muddy streets. Dimitri looked around and saw all of the peoeple. "What the hell happened here." He whispered to himself, As they walked farther into the city a boy shied away from him.

Dimitri kept quiet as they reached the Tower of Divine Justice. Dimitri looked at the tall tower. but just continued to follow Sylus trying to keep the wyvern from sinking into the mud.

[Sylus Kurgen]

Hearing Dimitri, he turned and looked at his friend. "This is what happens when good rulers die...and the wicked sieze control." He stated simply as the came to the Tower of Divine Justice. "Now the fun part begins...." A paige came out to the pair and led Stepper off towards the stables. This time Sylus did not bother to warn the boy and afew moments later there came a loud yell and a curse as the boy came running back towards them crying and holding his hand.

Sylus' smile was cold and cruel as he watched the boy run past. " I knew I forgot to do something....." A few seconds later Stepper returned to them and motioned with his shaggy mained head where the paige had tried to look through a saddle bag. "Trust no one from here on out Dimitri.." He looked at his friend as he gestured the the attempted search on his saddle bags. Pulling the bags off of Stepper' back the large roan made it's way back to the stables.

A pair of guards stopped them at the large iron gates leading to the first floor of the Tower. "State your purpose!" The larger of the pair demanded as he stepped in front of the gate.

With a sidelong look at Dimitri, Sylus turned back to the guard. "Ahh...the warm welcome I soo expect on my return. I can truly see how much I have been missed..." His tone was arrogant and condescending as he shoved his command into the gaurds face. "Here's my business pissant.." The gaurd looked up from reading the paper, his face was deathly pale. "Y.....You.....You're.....You're S...Sy...Sylus Ku...Kurgen? " The man stammed with a sever speach impediment as he hasitly stepped aside to let Sylus and Dimitri past. Never missing a beat the other guard knelt respectfully as Sylus looked at the stammering guardsmen. "Y...Y..Y...Yes...I I I I a..a...a...am.."

With a cruel laugh Sylus gestured for Dimitri to follow.

[Sylus Kurgen]

The greetings from there on out were more cordial as word of Sylus' return spread throughout the Tower. Paiges and servants scurried all over the building informing the various leaders and department heads.

As they made their way to the council chamber, the gaurds they passed shied away from Sylus and looked quizzically at Dimitri. They were trying to figure out the reason the elf was with him. Since he strode beside Sylus without fear, the took the logical conclusion that he too was a deadly assassin like Sylus. and a skilled one at that to show now signs of caring.

Upon entering, the council chamber was filled. There on a raised dais, sat the seven law makers of Kelvar.....the Council of Seven Stars was officially in session.....

Command to return firmly in hand, Sylus bade Dimitri to take a seat as he strode towards a lighted circle before the seven men and women. A servant approached Sylus, cringing visiably away from him. Sy dropped the scroll into the lad's hands and looked at those before him. A door off to the side opened and a tall, gaunt man of middle-age came into the room. The robe about his was black wth silver trim, a pendant around his neck pulsed with magic power. Varad Rovensheaf had joined the party.

Rovensheaf's face was calm and composed as he regarded the assassin. Stepping forward into the lighted circle, Sylus looked at Varad.
"As I was bidden to return, so I have come." He gave the customary response and knelt before the council.

"So you were commanded...so you have returned, our faithful servant" came the reply from a silver haired elven femail off to Sylus' right, who was seated on the last chair at the council' table. IN his mind Sylus knew that most of teh members on the council were on Varad's payroll, but this new one had him at a loss. Per edict..the only way for a member to be replaced was for him or her to die. Knowing it to be impossible, Sylus hoped that this new member was not in Varad's pocket.

The deliberations began almost immediately, with Sylus' fate and honour on the line, to decide in he should retain his mantle or not. Varad's minions questioned Sylus without mercy, trying to get him to slip up and fall into their hands.

This was one of the day's when Sy was at the top of his game. Meeting their questions and challenges with flawless ease until the new member rose to her feet and looked at those gathered. "My fellow council members..the hour draws late and the decision before us is a tough choice to make." Her voice had a musical lilt that made her beauty all the more exotic. The agreement among the members was varied but a quick vote went in favor of the elven maid and the council adjourned for now.

Dimitri and Sylus were shown to their rooms with were down the hall from the meeting chamber. "Now we wait..." Sylus said upon entering the room. Tossing his saddlebags down at the foot of the bed Sylus lounged on the sofa and decided to take a bit of a knap.