S.Y. 318.1
(May 25, 2003)
The Beginning of the End
By Sardel
From Sardel's Journal
Nightfall descended upon Skara Brae. Citizens, tired from a hard day's
work shuffled home to their waiting beds. The townsfolk settled in
for the night, content with their dreams of peace and tranquility.
A shadow moved in the city, slipping unnoticed through the darkness.
Without a sound the shadow sneaked into the town hall and the meeting
chamber of the Skara council.
Skara's mayor, Humbolt, sat at the table pouring over his paperwork.
Times were troubling. The moongate faire was fast approaching and there
was yet much to be done. The matter of Chancellor Sarcoph also troubled
him deeply. Clearly a large portion of the citizens were at odds with
the new Warder. Humbolt prayed fervently that the council would find
some way to resolve this matter.
That prayer froze on Humbolt's lips as he felt an odious presence
enter the chamber. The candlelight disappeared with a flicker and the
room was plunged into darkness. Peering into the black gloom, Humbolt
could see two points of bright red light staring into his soul. As
he opened his mouth to scream the shadow released a quick spell that
paralyzed Humbolt before he could make a sound. With an imperious gesture
the shadow beckoned for Humbolt to leave his seat. Humbolt was compelled
to move by a force that was not his own. The shadow settled into the
vacated chair with a contemptuous grin.
It briefly glanced
at the mayor's paperwork before brushing it aside. "Democracy
at it's best", the shadow chuckled to itself. "These fools
have elected a lich into their own council. This being could prove
to be a dangerous adversary... or a very useful ally."
The shadow's gaze
wandered over to the Steward's chair. "Ahh
yes, the one who defeated me and freed that wretch of a scribe Sardel." The
shadow allowed itself another dark chuckle. "How costly that victory
will soon be."
Behind the shadow Humbolt struggled to break free of his paralysis. The shadow spared the mayor a quick glance realizing that it had come for more important business. With a practiced ease the shadow stood and gracefully wove a pattern in the air, chanting the fell words to a dark spell. The candles in the room burst into a bright red flame, filling the room with a red glow and an evil presence. The flames continued to rise until they exploded with a magnificent fury once again plunging the room into darkness.
As the candlelight returned to it's original state, Humbolt sat up straight with a start in his seat. Blinking, he looked at his paperwork. "I must have nodded off, how strange."