The Elder

[Alais d Nitesong]

Alais had not slept much, the spells they would need had played through her mind most of the night, and she wondered if Morrin would resist, or if his warning has been genuinely motivated. As morning drew closer, she rose and waited for Khirsah. They would learn Morrin’s intent soon enough.

Khirsah stepped through the door. He had not left the night before, for the mere practicality.

“G'mornin' tae thee milord.” Alais gave him a smile, 're thee reada tae visit 'ell? It was asked lightly, but she knew the gravity of their path that morning, and she had no doubt that Khirsah knew it as well.

“That, in truth, would depend on who's.” He said without a trace of humor in his expression.

She summoned her staff from Oblivion as she looked up at him, noting the plain blade and it's black gem. “Mayhap this oone ist mine oon.” She knew that one day, her soul would likely be consigned here as well for her part in Riverbend’s exile. But she would repeat her actions without hesitation. Annara had to be exiled.

“Then a guide would be prudent, no?” He glanced at the staff, giving a slight quirk of his brow. “I take it your blade will be staying behind.”

“Aye, Ah'll be yer guide fer this one...” She glanced at him, somewhat surprised at his query. “We shall ken shortla whether or nae Daemonbane ist coomin'.” She very much doubted that the great black blade would miss a chance to go to Riverbend, but since it had rejected being forced there, perhaps it would decline this trip just in case. She had no doubt that Daemonbane knew Khirsah for what he was.

He lifted a hand, that brow lifting in question as he invited her to lead onward.

Alais spoke a series of Annaran that opened before them a path into the nether world. It was dark and silent, it held a chill of death, and as she stepped through the shimmering opening, the great black blade appeared. Daemonbane it seemed was coming along.

Khirsah folded his hands into his sleeves, stepping around behind her. There was a slight twitch to his lips as he watched the blade appear, and the touch of the cold came. Warmth, but that was for another world.

The portal closed behind them, leaving them both in a dead place, cold and forlorn. “Rifferbend ist 'n th' sixth level.” She lit the staff and proceeded toward a destination they could not yet see, but one she knew well. Her own body responded to the cold realm of death.... warmth fled the elf's body as the realm of the dead wrapped around her. “Ah dinnae ken 'f Morrin ist gaein' tae r'sist 'r 'elp.“ Still she hoped Morrin was as resolute as he had been the day he had consigned them all into hell, but there was no way of knowing.

His steps were as methodical as ever as Khirsah continued behind her. There were more direct ways, but one sometimes needed the time to prepare ones self. This was such a time. “If he does?”

She glanced up at him, “'f 'e doth r'sist, thence Ah dae ask thee tae aid me wi' th' bindin' spell.” Alone she wasn’t sure she could over power Morrin, but together with Khirsah, she knew the outcome was secured.

“Then I take it that you are ready to cast it,” he asked without any inflection at all.

Alais paused in the dark cold. “Aye, Ah'd nae be r'turnin' 'f Ah were nae.” She knew Khirsah had more direct routes into this place, but he had let her take the lead, and this was her path into hell. That he gave her the freedom to choose had been important to her. "'f Rifferbend ist nae bound 'ere, thence 't mayst r'turn... an' th' Morrin Ah didst ken wouldst nae wish tha.” What remained unsaid was what changes had been wrought on the Morrin she once knew.

There again was that twitch of his lips. Her meaning of his words were not his own, but when was that ever? “I think you need not worry.”

Alais made her way ever onward in a place where time and distance have no meaning. “Ah'm nae worra'd m'lord, bu' Ah wouldst be verra sad 'f Morrin didst figh' me.” She slid a silver gaze up at him as they moved through the bleakness. “Ye've nae reservations aboot condemin' a verra great mage once more tae bein' such 'n anchor?” She had not asked him this question before, she had simply assumed that if he had agreed to come along, that he knew the potential existed that he might need to help her do the unthinkable.

“None.” It was a simple, even word. Oh, how they speak volumes.

She lifted a brow at him, then offered her hand, “We are verra close, th' gates 're near.”

Khirsah took a moment, curious at the gesture she made. Then his hand withdrew, and cold though it was, his fingers still felt colder within hers in this desolate place. She had taken on the unnatural chill of death here, but Khirsah was colder still. Would she notice?

Alais noted the colder feel of his hand as they came around the bend to face the great curtain wall of Riverbend. She did not have time now to ask him about it, and so she simply continued toward the portcullis. The grey stone towered above them in the darkness, and the portcullis was closed when they arrived. “Ye'll need tae be 'n contact wi' me tae pass th' portal intae Rifferbend.” Alais alone could come and go freely, and she did not think that even Khirsah could walk through the wards with impunity.

With her words there was a twitch of his lips again, but he continued with her, not resisting her impulse to be his guide in this place.

[Alais d Nitesong]

The solid looking portcullis posed no obstacle as she walked up to it and through it, it was no different than her ability to enter the stone matrix in the mausoleum where Tass had found her...... inside the curtain wall they found an entire city of dead Annarans going about their "daily" lives and she made her way toward the great hall. “We shall find Morrin wi'in th' mausoleum.” It was where he had been anchored, and where the mage should still be.

His gaze caught all and more that were around him, watching all and none, he was simply aware. “He knows that you came not alone.”

Alais paused in mid step, turning to look up at him. “Ye mayst feel 'im?” In that moment, a tall, black clad mage strode from the Great Hall toward them. “Alais!” His manner was too friendly, too jovial, and so very unlike the living man she had known for so many years.

Khirsah gave a nod towards those that looked upon them as he spoke softly, “I am not exactly one who blends in.”

Alais gave him a brief flicker of a smile, Khirsah would stand out no matter where he went. Then she turned toward Morrin. “M'lord Morrin,” She dropped him a curtsey. “Mayst Ah introduce ye tae Khirsah Tavadon.....” Her gaze was solidly locked on Morrin as she spoke, and her hand released Khirsah's almost belatedly and with a touch of reluctance.

His hands once more found their place within their sleeves, standing there, waiting.

Morrin paused close enough to reach out and touch the hilt of Daemonbane as he studied Khirsah a long couple of minutes. What Morrin felt made him uneasy. Power was something he knew well. This one not only could manage power, he was power. “What brings you here Khirsah Tavadon? This place is for the damned. “

“My feet, and who isn't damned?” Khirsah was always a man of few words.

A ghost of a mirthless smile graced Morrin’s features at that, “Some of us are more damned than others.” He turned to Alais then, “I am pleased you have come. Please, join me inside?" He was genuinely pleased to see Alais, but the one at her side posed serious complications.

Alais nodded and took the first step toward the door, she was afterall very familiar with this place.

Khirsah however, continued to stand where he was.. a sentinel in stone for the little movement that could be found.

Alais paused and turned back toward Khirsah with a questioning glance as Morrin reached for Alais' arm in escort.

Morrin paused as well. “You will not join us?”

“Courtesy” Khirsah said, though with his single word, a step was taken, following after their lead.

Morrin gave him a nod and proceeded to lead them into the Keep, but his eyes darted to the black blade at Alais' back.

Alais watched the goings on of Riverbend as they headed for the Great Hall, "Ye didst say ye 'ad seen th' cause o' th' trouble 'pon Matlal 'ere? Prithee, where ist 't?"

Morrin glanced at her, and then at the black blade "Yes, and I am glad to see that you brought Daemonbane, I shall have need of him."

There was a twitch of a brow, though he continued his silence.

They reached the Great Hall doors, and Alais made to step through them as Morrin's hand caressed the hilt of Daemonbane. She paused and looked at him in silent warning, “Ah've nae coome tae bring thee th' blade m'lord.”

Morrin stayed his hand and stepped inside. "The binding spells are broken Alais." It was said very simply.

Khirsah continued his sentinel watch, letting their conversation continue unabated. He was, after all, only here by invitation.

Alais nodded and cast a glance at Khirsah..... "An' 'ow dae we remedy tha' M'lord Morrin?"

Morrin glanced at Daemonbane for what seemed to stretch into eternity, and then at Khirsah, as though abruptly remembering the power he felt coming from the man. “You come with a knowledge of my world that you gained how?”

[Alais d Nitesong]

“All worlds hold to the same concepts.” Khirsah said quite simply.

The black cloak rippled around Morrin, as though touched by an unseen power. "You wear power easily Lord Tavadon, but how did you gain your knowledge of my world? Annara has been gone a long time." Every trace had been wiped from the world of living things, with the exception of the books, and Daemonbane.

“I was unaware that it existed before I.” There was nothing before The Elder, would Morrin challenge that?

Alais stepped between the two, she could feel Morrin's drawing of power, "Morrin, Ah didst giff th' books intae Khirsah's keepin', 'e doth ken th' 'istory o' Rifferbend, an' yer people."

Morrin studied Khirsah long moments, as though weighing him. "Where are the books now?"

Khirsah continued to stand as he had since they had stopped. The answer was not for him to give, so none came from him.

Morrin's eyes traveled to the sword at his hip and back to Khirsah's face. "You are mage?" The black gems were powerful, and held a signature that Morrin recognized, even without actually touching the gem.

:Mage? I would not say as such.” But no further explanation was forthcoming.

Alais took a deep breath, "Morrin, Lord Khirsah hath coome 't mine r'quest, tae see tha' Rifferbend ist once more bound 'ere where ye didst d'sire 't be locked. We mus' nae waste time." She wanted Morrin's attention on her and not on Khirsah, but Morrin was stubbornly refusing to yield. “Lord Tavadon, the gem is from my world.” It was said quite simply, but Alais could feel a seething fury beneath the calm exterior.

Alais reached for Morrin then, “Milord, 'ow dae we r'pair th' wards tae keep yer people 'ere?”

Khirsah continued as he did.. quietly.

“May I see the blade you carry?” Morrin's eyes were locked on the black gem, and a growing need to touch it.

“It is not for your world,” Khirsah declined.

“The magic of that gem is of my world.” Morrin stood his ground as Alais once more stepped between them.

“Was,” Khirsah amended.

“Was?” The cloak billowed slightly behind him at that as he wrapped himself in power.

Alais reached for Morrin's arm, "Th' books didst nae coome wi' thee 'ere.... they are nae longer froom yer realm m'friend." She sought to sooth Morrin. The last thing she wanted was an altercation over what could not be changed.

And still, he just stood there. He was there at Alais' request, after all... not to exert his place in this world.

Alais tried again, “Morrin, prithee, 'ow dae we rebind Rifferbend?"

He drew his eyes slowly away from the black gem, but gave Khirsah a hard look. "You and I need to go inside Alais, we must plan how to do it so that it cannot be undone again. Perhaps your friend here would like a tour of my home?" Somehow, he needed to separate Alais and this one.

“I do not require one, but thank you.” Khirsah supplied.

“You do not know what we must do, I am certain we would bore you.” Morrin moved then toward the doors then, as though all was decided, “I will send you a guide.”

Alais glanced at Khirsah, "Ah dinnae thin' we shouldst be parted 'ntil th' risk ist passed m'lord Morrin."

Khirsah turned his gaze to Alais, a brow lifting, “I am here at her request, but I see that my presence makes you uncomfortable.”

Morrin fairly glowered at Khirsah, “Your presence is irrelevant Lord Tavadon. It is Alais I require to mend the spells that bind Annara here before it is too late. If you are no mage, then you need not suffer the technical discussions we must have. I sought only to make your time here as pleasant as may be.”

[Alais d Nitesong]

Morrin gave Khirsah a level look, “Perhaps you’d prefer to remain here while we discuss what must be done before…” Morrin reached for Alais’ arm.

Time means little to me, and pleasantries even less. I do not believe that you will bore me with your technical discussions.”

Morrin gave a faint shake of his head, “Lord Tavadon, you may have read my works, but what must be done is between Alais and I. She is my student, and my accomplice. Time runs short Alais.” The black robed mage closed his hand over her arm as a great door swung open leading into the deep bowels of Riverbend.

Alais shivered, Morrin had never been so insistent, “Morrin, we may need Khirsah’s abilities to make the binding longer lasting,” She shot a glance at Khirsah, “He is an accomplished magic weaver.”

“He doesn’t have the timing down, come.” He moved through the door, intending to seal it before Khirsah could come through.

“It is interesting how time grows so short for one of the supposed dead, when the dead have eternity.” His gaze shifted to Alais, “It is ok, if he insists, go. I shall be where you need me to be.”

Alais gave a brief nod as the door swung closed behind her and darkness wrapped around she and Morrin, “Morrin? The last time we did this in the open, atop the hills of Riverbend, why do we go into the depths?”

Morrin hurried down the stairs, secure in the knowledge that the door behind him was magically sealed to keep out Khirsah. “We don’t have the element of surprise any longer, from here, we will be more successful.” He gave a hungry look at Daemonbane, then summoned his own staff, “You remember it all?”

Khirsah turned his back to the sealed door, his eyes moving to watch those who were around.

Remember it? How could she ever forget it? “Yes, I do.” She summoned her own staff, the crystal held by the dragonet flaring brilliantly as she drew power from this place, but the white light was darker, sootier, but it matched Morrin’s as they began the binding spell.

Instantly felt, the denizens of Riverbend reacted, masses of people swarmed from their homes, fury emanating from each one, and they all headed for the source of that hated spell. Stop it they would!!

Morrin’s chant altered slightly, the ancient Annaran words substituted the feminine for the masculine as Alais spoke the original spell.

Above them, Khirsah’s brow lifted as the swarm descended upon him, yet he continued to stand there, his hands coming to rest within his sleeves.

Morrin’s lowered voice was difficult to hear, but Alais felt a subtle shift in the spell as it reached for her more strongly than before. She wondered fleetingly if her ties to this world were stronger this time, hence the spell pulled more forcefully on her. She felt the rising anger above them, the sensation of resolve not to be bound again, and Morrin continued his spellwork.

Daemonbane shifted against her spine, its whisper insidious as the bindings tightened. Blood, it would once again return to its master and taste of power and war!

[Alais d Nitesong]

The rabble approached Khirsah, “Let us pass or die where you stand stranger!” The mob leader walked boldly up to Khirsah bearing a club and whip, one in each hand as he squared off with the man between them and the mages below.

Khirsah eyed the man who approached, the weapons he carried, then his gaze passed over those who stood behind him, “You don’t have the power to do what you threaten, but I’m not here to stop you.”

He made to shove past this stranger and the crowd pushed closer to stream through the door.

Khirsah, of course, didn’t move, and even the shove seemed to slide off around him, rather, he turned and watched as the mob worked their way toward the door.

When the door refused to open, the leader swung around on Khirsah, “Open it gate keeper, you interfere where you should not.”

A fine brow lifted as he simply looked at the man.

Below, Morrin buried a smile of satisfaction as Alais ignored the growing bindings as she was now the anchor, it was nearly finished, and Morrin could taste freedom.

Khirsah’s hand shifted within his robes, a fine thread of power siphoned through the scar that bound her to him. He knew what was planned, and had of course, allowed the closure of the door, but one could not block what one did not understand.

Daemonbane hissed with anticipation.

The mob leader brandished the club menacingly, “Then get away from the door that we can batter it down.” He didn’t believe that Khirsah wasn’t here to help the mages below.

Alais felt the thread of power through her tie to Khirsah, she’d felt the change in the spell, and chosen her moment carefully. She’d asked Khirsah to come this time because she suspected that Morrin desired his release, and it appeared that he was about to make his bid for freedom.

Khirsah shook his head as he eyed the club, “I doubt that will do much.” His hand shifted inside the fold of his sleeve, turning to open with the palm up, and letting the chill of the Primordial thicken into her scar.

The mob leader stepped up into Khirsah’s face, “Move, now”, he raised the club prepared to strike as several others moved in behind him. One burly fellow, a blacksmith from his looks grabbed for Khirsah’s arm, they all wanted a piece of this stranger.

His gaze leveled on the leader, and immediately his eyes bled to Ebon Black as a single stone thrummed, sending power rippling in and around him, permeating all around.

“I knew it!” shrieked the mob leader, “Another mage! You’re with them!” He swung hard, aiming for Khirsah’s head as the blacksmith glommed onto Khirsah’s arm, intent upon holding the mage for the beating they intended.

[Alais d Nitesong]

There was a single beat that pulsed from him. With that beat, there came enough pressure to press all those around him far enough away that they would not find themselves hurt. “Perhaps it would be best if you reassessed your situation.” His voice carried that cool tone as his eyes showed that constant bored state. The single ebon black jewel continued its soft song, telling of a darkness that sent the blackest night fleeing.

The leader narrowed his eyes at Khirsah, “You think your sorcery scares us? We’ve lived with your kind for too long!” He charged back with the crowd in agreement behind him. Even mages died.

Below, Alais focused on Morrin as the incantation was about to close and once more bind Riverbend here, keeping the damned locked in their hells. She focused on the portion that would throw off Morrin’s binding and reflect them onto her mentor at the last second, and she prayed that Khirsah was ready.

The pressure around him continued, keeping those around him away at that safe distance, “I’m afraid you are mistaken. The one you’ve lived with is within, preparing to keep you here, locked behind a closed door.”

The leader snarled at Khirsah, “Then help us reach him before its too late… unless you really are working WITH them!” He uncoiled the whip and lashed at the force keeping him back. The whip crackled as it sought to neutralize magic within his reach.

The pressure didn’t seem to shift any, nor did it seem phased in the least. “This is not my war. I am here at the request of one, and you are not she. Perhaps your efforts would be best used at trying to get within rather than wasting energy with me. Time, after all, is limited for you.”

Morrin threw both arms skyward, prepared to tie his student forever into the bowels of Riverbend, to lock his people here, and set himself free after so long, the Annaran words riffled in the darkness around him. Power crackled as a living thing between the Necromancer and Alais.

The mob grew silent as they felt the dark power they’d known once before. “NOOOOOOOO!”

Pandemonium broke loose as a wave of sooty, oily magic drifted down over Riverbend and every inhabitant. It was tangible as the dark power wrapped insidiously around everyone, young, old, male, female, animal, plant, it didn’t matter. The unified power of Morrin’s dark arts grabbed onto everyone simultaneously.

Khirsah’s gaze settled over those that writhed before him, still, he stayed as he was, an untouchable force waiting to be put to use as needed.

Alais felt the dark energy wrap itself around everything Annaran, and even as it reached for her, she heard Morrin’s altered words….”Firyon indicil erirista Ethryion. Firyon indicil umie Iliel Alais.” The Annaran language is one of the most beautiful outside of Elven that Alais had ever heard, and the music of the words often lent itself to failing to pay attention to the meaning.

The scar that she shared with Khirsah burned briefly, it forced her attention on the meaning rather than the beauty of the language. It was a timely warning at a critical moment.

Morrin’s words were meant to tie her in his place. She knew this was coming, and the connection Khirsah had provided gave her the courage to dare something she would never had dreamed of before now. She turned Morrin’s spell back upon himself and added a twist to the binding. Alais drew upon the thread that connected her to Khirsah as she released the spell just as Morrin spoke her name. She defied her mentor… she fought the Arch Mage for control of Riverbend.

[Alais d Nitesong]

Daemonbane’s glee was complete! The sword had turned each generation of Annaran mages against the older one, ever destroying those who would wield it, even briefly. Now the cycle continued. The more powerful needed to prevail, and the mage that was currently bound to Daemonbane just proved herself the more cunning, the more resourceful. The black blade purred at her back as first shock, and then outrage crossed Morrin’s features.

The spell bound Morrin not only to Riverbend, she’d tied his physical essence to the sepulchral stone of his mausoleum. The solid form of her mentor and teacher began to fade as he was drawn into the essence of the stone. Alais watched Morrin fade with tears falling from her eyes.

The mob wailed around Khirsah. It was too late, too late to stop the mages as the dark magic surrounded them and bound them to the land once more.

Alais let go of the ley lines, but she didn’t sever her connection to Khirsah.

Khirsah calmly watched those around him, a brow lifting in curiosity as the mentor was drawn into the stone.

Alais began to make her way back toward the door that Morrin had closed and sealed behind them, pausing at the barrier before she rested first her palm against the door, and then her forehead. She closed her eyes and searched for the equanimity she needed to face the people on the other side of that door.

He moved finally, coming to stand directly in front of the door which she was behind. There, he once more took his simple stance, his hands having never left their place from within his sleeves.

Alais softly whispered the counterspell that would open the door. Annaran words drifting in the air, so counter to the reality of this place. The beauty of the language belying the ugliness of what they’d become. She slowly pushed against the door, and it groaned on ancient hinges. She stepped out of the darkness and into the twilight that was Riverbend to find Khirsah standing there. “’t ist done, fer th’ nonce. Thank ye.” It was simple words for a not so simple deed he’d enabled her to accomplish.

Daemonbane whispered.

Khirsah’s head turned slightly, enough that a fine brow could be seen raised as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Alais knew Khirsah needed no description of what had happened, and she turned to push the door closed once more, though why she did so she could no more explain than she could explain the mixture of emotions in her heart now. ‘t ist time tae gae Khirsah… there ist nae reason tae stay taenigh’.” The truth of it was that she wanted to return to Matlal, to hear the surf against the sand, and remove the slick feeling of the necromancy she’d worked a second time, but nothing would remove the memory of what she’d just done to Morrin.

“Perhaps.” His gaze shifted to those still there before him. “What was it that these people did to warrant this existence?”

[Alais d Nitesong]

Alais turned slowly to look out over the denizens of what was now totally hers. “Their decadence and morality became abomination. The final act for which Morrin bound them here was so heinous, it is difficult to imagine. To celebrate the conquering of long standing enemies, the people brought together the prisoners for a celebratory feast…. They roasted the children and served them on great platters like succulent piglets. They made their mothers carry the platters and serve them to the victors. The fathers were chained to the walls to watch it all before their manhood was cut from their naked forms and they bled to death before their wives, who were then murdered as each captor saw fit. All of this was done in gaiety and revelry. Not a single life was spared.”

“Morrin knew it was Daemonbane’s influence, but he could not spare any of his own people. Here he sent them for all time.”

“I see. Then what should be done to complete this?” He turned enough so that he was looking upon her fully.

Alais paused and lifted silver grey eyes to him, “I think enough has been done this day. A second banishing into hell seems terrible to me.”

Daemonbane whispered to her, softly, enticingly, “Blood should be let, the victor must display power and strength.”

His brow rose once more, that gaze shifting to the sword above her shoulder.

Alais took a deep breath, “Daemonbane is a powerful force for darkness. But it cannot be left to its own devices.” With their link still open, she knew Khirsah had heard the blade.

“Then perhaps it’s devices should be rmoved.” Khirsah said quite simply.

Alais quirked a brow at him, “Many have tried. Annara’s history is replete with mages who sought to quell the lust of this blade and the influence it’s had on many.”

“Perhaps the right one has just not come around,” Khirsah offered.

Alais studied him long moments. The rational elf was telling her to give Daemonbane to him and let him try. The part of her that was bound to the blade rejected the offer almost violently. She trembled as Annaran history replayed itself in her thoughts, but confusing the images were the ones Daemonbane gave her, the ones of Annara and the good the blade had accomplished. “We should go,” she simply said at last.

“In time. But first you need to decide on your own what should be done.”

Alais looked across the bailey, but her sight was focused on something not in this place. “Daemonbane and the books are all that is left in our world of Annara.” Her voice was a thread of a whisper, she didn’t add that perhaps part of her too, but if she was part of this world, she should be bound here like Morrin. Perhaps in time, someone would bind her as she’d bound Morrin, but not today. She gave herself a mental shake before offering her hand to him. “It is time to go.”

He finally nodded, “As you wish.” Then his eyes moved to the blade itself, simply giving it an unfathomable look.