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Episode 11: The Twisted One.


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#1 Guest_Dashael_*

Posted 12 November 2002 - 05:46 AM

"Almost all the players were on their marks, and the curtain was set to rise on what was sure to be a grand little melodrama."

"Central stage stood the Twisted One, torn from the internal struggle between The Beast and the Golden One. To his left the heartbroken Heartwarder, enamoured with the Golden One and uncertain of her abilities because the Twisted One loves her not. Beneath his feet, a chessboard, upon which Gods of Shadow and Light play for, and with the soul of the Twisted One. Behind the Dark God, a presence more evil but less potent stands watching, her concern unfamiliar to her."

"Lesser players walk the stage, the broken father weeps over the slaughtered daughter and plots his revenge. Those who walk by night and those who walk by shadow compete for dominion of the night, oblivious to the power play. The band of heroes travels oblivious to the viper in their midst."

The lich's spectral hand hovered over the enormous beholder's central eyestalk, enhancing his own divination powers.

"The prophecy is nigh," Shangalar announced, as the others gathered around the rune etched round table. "There will be a new God of Murder, and soon."

"Bhaalspawn?" Layene surmised, despite being less powerful than Shangalar, her elven heritage made her older, and though he knew and didn't care, she coveted his rank and power.

"There is a Bhaalspawn in the bigger picture but there are powers arrayed against that one, conspiring to provent her from taking her sire's seat, not least of which her own powerful distaste for the office."

"If not Bhaalspawn then who Master?" Shyressa hissed. The vampire was little more than a wild animal, Shangalar had elevated him to the inner circle only to keep tabs on the activities of The Shattered One and his bitch.

Released from Shangalar's spectral hand spell, Vaxall floated over to his place at the table. "And why does this mysterious Twisted One have the attention of Shar?"

"This matters not. What is important is that we thwart Firehair's plans for the Twisted One. She seeks to hold him under the thumb of Law. Perhaps hoping imprisonment will prevent the rise of The Beast." Shangalar pronounced.

"What is to be done?" Layene inquired.

"We need him fleeing like a cornered animal, but not trapped. Events shall transpire as the Sunites expect, but we shall send another in the place of the Twisted."

There is a general mutter of agreement and consent among those gathered at the table.

"Revanek!" A man strode into the chamber, muscle on muscle but obviously a lack-wit. "Go to Koshi and Dahn. Give them these scrolls." he handed the slackjaw the two scrolls that appeared in his hands.

***

It was nightfall of the tenth day since Madelaine had met him and commissioned his services. It didn't matter that she had sent him a note cancelling the contract, it didn't matter that Rencour was trying to reassert control. It didn't even matter that as women go, he kind of liked her. Talon tightened the Shadow Thief cloak around his shoulders as he passed soundlessly under the arch and entered the Government district. None of those considerations mattered because he had a contract, and tonight Madelaine Marquise shall die.

The district was packed, Madelaine had picked the day well, some manner of festival or celebration had brought every pretentious fop and gold-digging debutante in the city and surrounding areas as far afield as Trademeet, strutting around like preening peacocks.

He wasn't the lone representative of the shadow crafts at this outting either, various cutpurses and pickpockets as well as a few slightly darker shades of pale. One could expect at least one kidnapper at noble gatherings of this scale, and Talon was not disappointed, but it looked like most of the nobles had a competant degree of security.

Where was his target? Talon was trying not to think of her as a person by this point. Not usually something that troubled him, but for some reason he needed to think of her as something less than human in order to do what he must. He continued to scan the scene, one silk-and-lace noblewoman begins to fade into another in a field like this.

There, he thought to himself. standing alone by the statue in the central courtyard. She was wearing a helmet and light chainmail, and armed with a mace. Having changed her mind and attempted to cancel the contract, Talon expected her to avoid him altogether, but it seemed from her armaments that she had decided to make a stand against him. It wouldn't help, he'd stuck knives in the spine of full-plated knights before.

It's time, he decided, as he began to slink through the shadows toward his target.

"Don't do it!" A voice commanded.

Talon wheeled around, searching for the source of the voice, but the crowds continued to mill about as before. He shook his head, dispelling the confusion, and continued to press on toward his target.

"You should leave, something isn't right." The voice continued. This time Talon recognized it.

Shut up Rencour! Talon commanded himself. I have to do this.

"You don't, you can do anything you like, you're in charge right now. But if you don't get out of here right now, don't blame me ok?"

Get the hell out of my head.

"Like that's going to happen. I exist here, and I'll be here till I can take control again."

Get out! Get out! Get out!

Rencour laughed derisively.

Talon screamed in feral rage.

All the nobles in the district stopped suddenly, not even breathing, and turned toward the sound of his scream. Fortunately Talon's reaction kicked in and he bailed behind a merchant wagon.

To his surprise though another figure lept from the shadows, wearing a Shadow Thieves cloak it dashed forth toward Madelaine who stood just as stunned and confused as the others.

An arc of blood spurted forth high into the evening sky, and the body of a beautiful human noble fell to the ground, life draining from her throat.

Rencour looked at the lifeless form of the charming woman who he'd spent a wonderful evening with yesterday and a tear spilled down his face.

"There he is! Get him!" One of the nobles guardsmen yelled as the figure dashed past the wagon, disappearing into the night. "Take him dead or alive."

Talon reasserted himself and quickly assessed the situation. Something had gone wrong, and he'd been set up. He'd have to flee for now and figure it out later. He disappeaered into the shadows to seek refuge and some time to think.

***

Koshi, Kensai Mage of the Twisted Rune grinned wickedly as he dispelled the illusion that surrounded him. Licking some of the blood from his blade he cleaned it on a rag and then sheathed it.

Closing his eyes he imagined the symbol of the Rune and concentrated.

"Shangalar-sama, the task is done. The Twisted One flees like the wounded fox."

***

From the rooftop of Hall of Government, a figure collapses in exhaustion into the arms of a Sunite cleric.

Taking the Helm of Vhailor from the woman's head, the Acolyte applied a cool compress to her sweating brow.

"Thankyou." She breathed as she lost conciousness.




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