Erinal briskly walked through the gates, warily glancing back the way he had come. He had seen the new patches on the tent, and after a brief talk with the Drow Elf Nilan, knew that his tormentor, one of his many tormentors that is, had been about. He roughly made his way through the thick crowds of the Waterdeep Market, carefully keeping his cowl over his head. The Prince of the Fire Plane had warned him that the portal would only be open for a short while, and although Erinal knew he had plenty of time to return to his safe haven, and the protection of Prince Imix, the elf did not want to chance a meeting with the infamous Duergar King.
Erinal ducked his head and stepped under the awning of Selune's Smile, a small tavern outside of the Bazaar. He peered out, searching the crowd for recognizable faces, but none jumped out to him. He decided to hurry and gather his supplies, and make haste back out the gate toward the portal hidden within the woods east of the City of Swords.
Dralerikerus shifted uncomfortably in the brightness of the sun, not two steps away from the elf. Even that far away from him, Dralerikerus could feel the waves of heat that rolled off the elf - magical heat that didn't burn the elf, but scolded those who touched him, or stood near the elf, for too long. He tailed the Elf as he made his way around the city, the young Duergar's innate ability to render himself invisible keeping the skulking dark dwarf from the prying eyes of the city guard. Finally he followed Erinal outside the city. Nodding towards the trees, (where a trio of Clan Blindhammer scouts stood beside equally invisible lizard mounts), and continued to stalk the young elf. They entered a small copse of trees. The light filtering through the trees seemed to ..dim.. and a small portal flared up before the elf. Dralerikerus snicked and backed off, noticing movement from the other side of the portal...
The portal flared into existance and with a final look back and a small adjustment to his pack, Erinal strode forward. He bounced into a magical wall, the air blasted from his lungs. The invisible wall chuckled, and the enchantment faded, revealing the scowling visage of Artikerus Blindhammer, King of Gloomhaven.
"Oh, dear..." groaned Erinal as he flew backwards, launched by a vicious right hook from the dark dwarf. He landed, bounced once, and came to rest near a tree. He was jerked roughly to his feet by pairs of invisible hands. Dralerikerus and Drulokerus Blindhammer dispelled their magical enchantments as well. Erinal looked from one, then the other, noticing with some trepidation, their equally conniving grins. They leaned back and swung Erinal forward, right towards the waiting boot of the Head Patron of Clan Blindhammer. With a small whoosh, the air was again blasted from the small elf's lungs.
"Where ye been, Elffy?" inquired Dralerikerus, bending down to pick up the wheezing Elf. He jerked him to his feet by the scruff of his neck. Drulokerus knocked him back to the ground with a left hook, smashing the elfs pointed nose to one side.
"Ye been missin' fer a bit." stated Drulokerus. Erinal only groaned in response, holding his broken and bleeding nose. Dralerikerus snickered evilly and launched a stern kick to the Elf's ribs.
"..and ye be fergettin me monies I take it?" asked Artikerus, standing nonchalantly a few feet away, examining his fingernails. "Ye know I should be killin' ye fer runnin' away." He nodded to his brother and Drulokerus launched a kick of his own at the elf, landing one squarely on the elf's rump. Erinal skidded forward and landed before the King of Gloomhaven, who promptly pressed a solid leather boot on the elf's forehead, pressing down painfully on his neck. Erinal moaned softly. "So....?" Artikerus prompted.
"Errmpdh emdpf dme" was all Erinal could make out in the painful posture. Artikerus grumbled and released the pressure on the elf's neck. "I've...I've got the stuffs..in my pack.. and I've been gathering information...your lordshi..Kin..king sire.." Erinal moaned.
Artikerus nodded at Dralerikerus, who reached down towards the pack. After pulling several things out of the enchanted pack, he nodded back to his king and father, assuring him that everything seemed to be in place. "And me monies elf?"
Erinal reached towards his robe and was met with a great and sudden pressure on his neck from the King. "Slowwwly elf." Artikerus warned. He allowed the elf to pull a large purse from his pocket. When Erinal dropped it, the latch burst, and platinum coins veritably poured from the open bag. Artikerus smiled wickedly. "Get up." He ordered.
Erinal slowly gathered himself and clambered to his feet. His nose dripped and most of his face was black and blue from the beating. Some of the rubber sole from the King's boot had melted onto his forehead, leaving a black smear. "What informin' ye got fer me elffy?"
Erinal looked hopefully at the portal for a quick second, then nodded quickly. "The..the barbarian you told me to find out about..he has not made it to the Griffon's Nest yet.." Artikerus nodded, more to himself than the elf. He knew from other scouts, of a much more favorable pursuasion when it came to elves, that the army had not yet reached the plains of the North. More than happy that he had finally found this surface elf, and had regained all of his black market items for sale and more than his share of platinum, Artikerus didn't notice the elf slowly placing one foot in front of the other towards the portal.
Drulokerus coughed into his hand and snickered as Erinal lurched into a limping run towards the portal. Artikerus spun suddenly, reaching behind his back and unsheathing a large mithril dwarven warhammer. With a mighty swing, he connected with the Elf, right behind the shoulder blades. The weapon emitted a great spark, and with a faint crackle, a bolt of lightning seared into the elf, blasting him into the portal. The portal faded from view as he entered.
Artikerus snickered and waved for his family, his clan to come closer. Bushes rustled and moved from unseen bodies. Drulokerus looked at Dralerikerus, who smiled and raised the overstuffed pack with one hand. He looked at his father, Artikerus, who was beaming proudly at the other dark dwarves, nearly 10 score in all, fading into visibility around him.
"This will be a good start fer us all," the king told his clan. "Ye get back to yer scouting and ye meet me here every second night. Ye keep yer tabs on the barbarian, the drow, and his surface elf maidens. Ye're not to be touchin' a one o' em, and if'n I hear of ye do it, I'll smite ye, raise ye, and let them smite ye a second time!" Artikerus huffed in his surly voice. He smiled brightly. "Ye have the lead here Drulokerus. Dralerikerus come with me back to the Halls of Gloom, we got much a plannin' to be up to."
With a final word and a wave of a hand, the two generations of Duergar faded from view. The other Duergars looked at each other, grinning wickedly and muttering to each other.
"Well?!" barked Drulokerus. "Get ye scoutin!" he ordered.
The Duergar army faded from view as one, silent as night, and fell upon the lands of the surface.
------------------
King Artikerus Blindhammer
Patron of Clan Blindhammer
Fallen Priest of Shimmergloom
Findin' the Damned Fool
-
- Sojourner
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 6:01 am
-
- Sojourner
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 6:01 am
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ashiwi:
You need to write lots, lots more Artikerus. Your stories are always interesting and fun to read, as well as well written.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Aye, ye make an old dwarf blush Elffie. Ye just make sure yer old boy Lorgan doesn't catch ye praisin' the works o' this dark king. I favor the lad fer a contact on the surface, but i'm not to be botherin' with explainin' why 'is lady, or any surface lady fer that matter, is battin their wee lil' lashes at me!
***Thanks all who have before written responses to my stories. I hope one day to use my writings on a much larger field, and can only say, on Artikerus Blindhammer and Erinal Ithil'akh'Faern's behalf (and of my lesser incarnations, Ssixxizzirrill and Matje Moonhollow) that your kind words and positive criticism are much appreciated, AND, that in truth, I couldn't build such complete characters without the interaction of such fine people as you guys.
Sincerely,
James C. Graham
Artikerus Blindhammer
Drulokerus Blindhammer
Dralerikerus Blindhammer
Erinal Ithil'akh'Faern
Ssixxizzirrill, Poet Squid of Ixarkon
Matje Moonhollow
Metji Moonhollow
Simbe Soulwind
Monthalamonzire De Fuentes Dicarlo
Ticarios DiCarlo
Tromos Blackraven
Sideul Songstem
etc. etc. etc.
------------------
King Artikerus Blindhammer
Patron of Clan Blindhammer
Fallen Priest of Shimmergloom
You need to write lots, lots more Artikerus. Your stories are always interesting and fun to read, as well as well written.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Aye, ye make an old dwarf blush Elffie. Ye just make sure yer old boy Lorgan doesn't catch ye praisin' the works o' this dark king. I favor the lad fer a contact on the surface, but i'm not to be botherin' with explainin' why 'is lady, or any surface lady fer that matter, is battin their wee lil' lashes at me!
***Thanks all who have before written responses to my stories. I hope one day to use my writings on a much larger field, and can only say, on Artikerus Blindhammer and Erinal Ithil'akh'Faern's behalf (and of my lesser incarnations, Ssixxizzirrill and Matje Moonhollow) that your kind words and positive criticism are much appreciated, AND, that in truth, I couldn't build such complete characters without the interaction of such fine people as you guys.
Sincerely,
James C. Graham
Artikerus Blindhammer
Drulokerus Blindhammer
Dralerikerus Blindhammer
Erinal Ithil'akh'Faern
Ssixxizzirrill, Poet Squid of Ixarkon
Matje Moonhollow
Metji Moonhollow
Simbe Soulwind
Monthalamonzire De Fuentes Dicarlo
Ticarios DiCarlo
Tromos Blackraven
Sideul Songstem
etc. etc. etc.
------------------
King Artikerus Blindhammer
Patron of Clan Blindhammer
Fallen Priest of Shimmergloom
Deshana watched Erinal stumble out of the tent, a worried frown creasing her brow. There had to be a way to get the old Dwarf to leave Erin alone.. unless...
Deshana closed her eyes, thinking back on the old Dwarfs words.. "I know what ye are, Elf, If ye be wantin My Silence, ye be buyin it in me bed" She choked down her humiliation at those words, but wondered if she could convince Artikerus to leave Erinal alone. The young elf was fragile, what strength he'd regained could be shattered by the force of the dark priests will.
She'd have to try.
***
It was a bright, beautiful day, a year and a day after the wedding of Nilan and Elisten. The tree of them met up not far outside waterdeep so Deshana could give the couple her congratulations, and a few trinkets of friendship. Not long after Eli returned to her duties, Artikerus turned up. She steeled herself, and confronted him. He laughed heartily. "I knew ye'd come around, Come with me then, We'll get this busniess dealt with now."
'N..now?' Deshana stuttered a little. following blankly in his wake, her stomach churning, not knowing what he'd ask.
He led her to an old farmhouse, to a bedroom, and sat on the bed. "What are ye waitin fer Elf?" He leered at her. "I want ye to Dance"
'Dance?' she couldn't believe her ears. 'You want me to dance?'
"MOve yer skinny arse girl, Dance." The king of Gloomhaven roared at her, causing her to rock backwards in shock and fear, her gut twisting with anxiety. Nervously, she began to dance one of the dances of Eilistraee, ment for worship, it felt wrong to be doing it for the leering enjoyment of this... creature. Her movements were stiff, her mind churning with humilation. Finally he grabbed her arm and pinned her against the wall. "Thats enough girl, Halflings are more amusing." He leered again, shoving her roughly away. "I want ye to know I could have demanded ye to lie with me. The reason I didn't is because I respect your brother. Remember that wench. I hold yer secret." He sneered at her and led her back to the tent.
Deshana hung her head in shame, her soul heavy with humilation. Nilan was still there, and looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Abbil, What did the dwarf do to you?"
Not looking up, she whispered 'Nothing V'danre, He did nothing..'
"Don't lie to me, abbil, not now." Nilans voice was tense with anger, and he grabbed the hilts of his daggers, his eyes glaring at the dark dwarf.
"Feh," spat Artikerus, "I didnae harm her. See for yerself"
Deshana didnt look up, shame crushing her shoulders. He could have asked much worse then a dance.. Lazus would never forgive her... Erin.. was he alright? 'Nilan, please.. I'm alright.. speak no more of it, I beg you' her voice quavered a little, inflaming the drows rage.
"Liars!" Nilan rushed the dwarf head on, without a single shred of stealth, rage blinding him. Artikerus twirled away, taking the drow down easily, blinded as he was, and soon pinned him, concentrating a brief moment as a surge of unnatural strength caused his muscles to bulge, pinning the slender drow. Nilan spat a curse, and Artikerus slamed his forhead forward, there was a crunch as blood flowed freely from the assassins nose, and the drow ceased to struggle, unconcious.
It took the better part of an hour to convince Nilan not to murder Artikerus, and explain the situation. The drows eyes burned with rage, and he spat at Deshana, "Selling yourself to a Dark Dwarf? i hardly think that Eilistraees will" Shame pounded on her.. driving her deeper into despair.. What had she done..
In the aftermath, explaining what had occured.. Nilan apologized for his cutting words. Artikerus jovially slapped the drow on the back, proclaiming no hard feelings, and went on his way. Deshana watched him go, and whispered a curse in sylvan. She looked at Nilan with pain in her gaze, smiled weakly, and went off to think.. Nilans words echoing in her mind.
----"Selling yourself to a Dark Dwarf? i hardly think that Eilistraees will"----
Deshana closed her eyes, thinking back on the old Dwarfs words.. "I know what ye are, Elf, If ye be wantin My Silence, ye be buyin it in me bed" She choked down her humiliation at those words, but wondered if she could convince Artikerus to leave Erinal alone. The young elf was fragile, what strength he'd regained could be shattered by the force of the dark priests will.
She'd have to try.
***
It was a bright, beautiful day, a year and a day after the wedding of Nilan and Elisten. The tree of them met up not far outside waterdeep so Deshana could give the couple her congratulations, and a few trinkets of friendship. Not long after Eli returned to her duties, Artikerus turned up. She steeled herself, and confronted him. He laughed heartily. "I knew ye'd come around, Come with me then, We'll get this busniess dealt with now."
'N..now?' Deshana stuttered a little. following blankly in his wake, her stomach churning, not knowing what he'd ask.
He led her to an old farmhouse, to a bedroom, and sat on the bed. "What are ye waitin fer Elf?" He leered at her. "I want ye to Dance"
'Dance?' she couldn't believe her ears. 'You want me to dance?'
"MOve yer skinny arse girl, Dance." The king of Gloomhaven roared at her, causing her to rock backwards in shock and fear, her gut twisting with anxiety. Nervously, she began to dance one of the dances of Eilistraee, ment for worship, it felt wrong to be doing it for the leering enjoyment of this... creature. Her movements were stiff, her mind churning with humilation. Finally he grabbed her arm and pinned her against the wall. "Thats enough girl, Halflings are more amusing." He leered again, shoving her roughly away. "I want ye to know I could have demanded ye to lie with me. The reason I didn't is because I respect your brother. Remember that wench. I hold yer secret." He sneered at her and led her back to the tent.
Deshana hung her head in shame, her soul heavy with humilation. Nilan was still there, and looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Abbil, What did the dwarf do to you?"
Not looking up, she whispered 'Nothing V'danre, He did nothing..'
"Don't lie to me, abbil, not now." Nilans voice was tense with anger, and he grabbed the hilts of his daggers, his eyes glaring at the dark dwarf.
"Feh," spat Artikerus, "I didnae harm her. See for yerself"
Deshana didnt look up, shame crushing her shoulders. He could have asked much worse then a dance.. Lazus would never forgive her... Erin.. was he alright? 'Nilan, please.. I'm alright.. speak no more of it, I beg you' her voice quavered a little, inflaming the drows rage.
"Liars!" Nilan rushed the dwarf head on, without a single shred of stealth, rage blinding him. Artikerus twirled away, taking the drow down easily, blinded as he was, and soon pinned him, concentrating a brief moment as a surge of unnatural strength caused his muscles to bulge, pinning the slender drow. Nilan spat a curse, and Artikerus slamed his forhead forward, there was a crunch as blood flowed freely from the assassins nose, and the drow ceased to struggle, unconcious.
It took the better part of an hour to convince Nilan not to murder Artikerus, and explain the situation. The drows eyes burned with rage, and he spat at Deshana, "Selling yourself to a Dark Dwarf? i hardly think that Eilistraees will" Shame pounded on her.. driving her deeper into despair.. What had she done..
In the aftermath, explaining what had occured.. Nilan apologized for his cutting words. Artikerus jovially slapped the drow on the back, proclaiming no hard feelings, and went on his way. Deshana watched him go, and whispered a curse in sylvan. She looked at Nilan with pain in her gaze, smiled weakly, and went off to think.. Nilans words echoing in her mind.
----"Selling yourself to a Dark Dwarf? i hardly think that Eilistraees will"----
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