Innoruuk's Curse

By Ferrel

Chapter 6 – New Burdens

The Champion of Hate appeared in a swirl of haunting mist. The sickly green cloud clung to him, parting in wisps as he glanced around the city. Sniffing the air, he growled, "It reeks of wood elf. Who is in charge?"

Running to and fro, controlling the fires that burned their city and trying to position soldiers to defend what was left of it, the Tier'dal stopped, stunned as they found the wolf-like beast standing in their midst. Behind him, a dark honor guard; each shrouded in tawny full plate.

From the ruined threshold of the cleric guild, a blood splattered Templar addressed the Champion, "I am, now."

"You're no longer." Lucine growled. "I am the Champion of Hate and with me is the host of Innoruuk. It is time we chased these elves of light from our home." As he spoke, the swirling mist spat forth more Tier'dal. Warriors, clerics, shadow knights and their supporting brethren joined the ranks of their beaten cousins. Pointing towards the commons gate, the dread knight shouted, "Captain, secure the city. No quarter!"

A booming cheer ripped through the city as the Host of Hate charged. For a moment, a brief heartbeat, the invaders halted in their onslaught. Their hearts sank into their bellies, for something there told them that they were undone. Officers half-heartedly shouted to hold the lines, but it was not to be.

The wings of hate flew through the city streets, rising from its bowels like a Phoenix from the ashes. At the head, death himself, slaughtering any who stood in his wake. The evil lupine form froze any who had the misfortune of seeing him. In short minutes, the invaders were tossed aside like rag dolls, long forgotten for a better toy. Those few who survived spilled into the forest, running as fast as their legs would carry them.

Lucine halted at the gate, laughing furiously. Lifting his head to the sky, he unleashed a piercing howl, sinking the hearts of all the retreating raiders.

Turning to his army, the champion lifted his paw. He shouted, "Hold for now, they're on the run." Pointing back into the city, he added, "Look to your homes. Stop the fires and regroup. We'll press the attack tomorrow."

Ferrel watched in horror as the husk of what had once been her army spilled through the valley, fighting to escape the dark forest. She breathed, "Sweet Tunare, what has happened?"

Running towards her routed troops, the templar leaped upon a supply wagon and shouted, "Brothers and sisters, stop! Whatever trepidation has moved you into flight, it does not follow. Steel your nerves, for you are safe. A minor set back, all wars have them. Whatever has moved you today, will not move you tomorrow."

Seeing their general, standing high and unmoving, the unruly mob gradually began to come to a halt. Officers that had survived tried to organize their shattered commands.

Ferrel called and pointed to a bewildered cleric, "Tell me, what has happened? The last runner brought news that Neriak burned!"

The cleric looked up to his mistress in shame. "Lady Ferrel, we had them defeated. We were ready to invade the third gate and destroy their very essence, but a force was waiting, previously unseen." He said weakly.

A blood splattered ranger added, "They were lead on the wings of death general. A creature, more horrific then any I've ever seen, lead them."

The group nodded, murmurs about the beast rippling through the ranks. Mournfully, they all looked up to their leader.

Holding her arms out, encompassing them all, Ferrel's look was one of compassion. "Brothers, sisters, and my friends, the fight is done for today." she began. Shaking her head, she continued, "But the war is not. We are beaten, we are bloody, but we are not slain. There is no beast too evil that Tunare's power cannot undo. I have been to Hate. I have taken the battle to Innoruuk himself, and I have won it. Tomorrow is a new day. Find your officer and report that you yet live. Captains, upon nightfall, come to my tent and bring your reports. Rest now. Sleep and be comfortable, tomorrow is another day."

Glancing away from the piles of shattered bodies that now burned in Nektulos, Lucine yawned in boredom. "The necromancers will be overjoyed." he drawled.

His new aid, the former leader of the Tier'dal forces nodded. "Aye sir."

Gingerly fingering his sword, the Champion of Hate looked up and asked, "So, they're led by a templar? The same one who is rumored to have raided my home and stole the life of my mentor?"

"That is what the black guard tells me Lord Lucine." the aid answered quietly. He was more then slightly intimidated, standing next to the beast that was sitting as tall as he stood.

Lucine growled, "Send for the head assassin. I would speak with her."

"Yes sir, very good sir." The aid murmured before he hurried off to find his quarry.

Sitting quietly on top of her sea chest, Ferrel mulled over everything her officers had described. The list of missing was over one fifth of her army and the stories of the beast that lead the opposition had everyone shaken.

"You say he carried a flaming sword?" Ferrel asked a senior officer.

Nodding, the aging paladin murmured, "I am certain of it general. The sword was a mockery of our own. It burned with a sick fire, one that turned my stomach to look at."

Leaning back against the foot of her cot, the templar nodded. Closing her eyes, she motioned to her officers. "I have much to consider. Go rest and encourage your men." she said softly.

The small group of men and women exchanged brief pleasantries and left their commander to her musings.

After their departure, Ferrel slowly removed her armor and slipped into her soft robe. Settling herself to meditate, seeking Tunare's guidance, the high elf felt a soft swish by her cheek shortly after. The small gust of wind failed to roust her, however, as her mind was far away.

"Ow!" The woman exclaimed as her sensitive ear was tugged on. "Was that necessary?" she asked as she opened her eyes.

Fluttering in front of her, arms folded across her chest, the sparkling pixie nodded. "Never know with you! You sit down and zone out for hours." she challenged.

Ferrel half-heartedly feigned a swat at the bright, blonde haired trickster. Deftly, the pixie dodged, taking flight with her multi-hued, kaleidoscope wings.

Smiling sleepily, the templar ignored the small stream of swears that followed. "What do you know Sol?" she asked.

Straightening her antenna, Sol landed in her companion's lap and sat down. "Oh I see, try to swat me and then ask for help without payment!" She muttered before going on. "I was playing jokes on the dark elves when your forces were routed. The beast, I saw him."

"Oh?" Ferrel asked questioningly. "Is he as beastly as all my men seem to think, or was he an excuse for defeat?"

Fluffing the generals pink robe for comfort, the pixie settled in. "Worse. He is a dire wolf who walks like a gnoll. In his paw he clutched what looked like a paladin's flaming sword," she explained and then added, "I want one of those by the way, it would make my job easier."

Patting the pixie softly and somewhat absently, Ferrel asked, "Did you feel anything?"

Still muttering about the sword, taking a few practice swings through the air, Sol looked up. Holding her small glittering hand to her neck, she explained, "I feel Innoruuk about here when I'm pestering his clerics." Moving her hand over her antenna, the pixie yammered, "He was somewhere between here and your nose."

"Innoruuk walks with him then. I see their patron has not abandoned his mockeries as readily as I thought he would." the templar mused.

"Nope, nope." The pixie replied. "I." She paused, her antennas twitching. "Did you hear that?" she asked.

"Hear what?" Ferrel replied. Standing slowly so that her companion could take flight, she fell silent, focusing on her hearing.

Flying up into the steeple of the tent, the pixie settled herself on one of the cross posts. "I think someone is coming." she whispered.

Nodding with a sigh, Ferrel began to strap on her purple armor. "I didn't think I would be bothered again tonight. I suppose I should look presentable." She muttered more to herself then to Sol. The pixie simply nodded.

Moments passed as the templar finished dressing in her hard won full plate. Her ear twitched, everything was quiet now. "Hmm." she pondered.

With no warning, three Teir'dal appeared in her tent. Two in black chain and one in a robe; the small group pounced upon the shocked general. As the two assassins forced a sack over the high elf, the robed figure began to chat the arcane language.

Ferrel screamed once, but by that time, they were gone.

With tiny tears rolling over her cheeks, the pixie reached out for her dear friend, shouting her name as she disappeared.

Innoruuk, Norrath, Velious and Kunark are Copyright ©, 1999, 2000,2001, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. All rights reserved.
Lucine, Murrel, Dissa, AlterQuest, and all other works above are Copyright ©, 1999, 2000,2001, Ferrel T. All rights reserved. Do not distribute or reproduce without her written permission.

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