Arrow and Dagger Chapters...

[Marko]

This is a set of short stories writen with a friend about the adventures of an elven marauder seeking revenge and a cleptomaniac ex-Imperial Assassin. Or the Adventures of Arrow and Dagger.

[Marko]

Arrow and Dagger Saga

Author & Original Idea : The_Harbinger
Editing and Lore Master: Lord Marko


Chapter I : The Stronghold

The sun slowly descended over the horizon and it’s orange rays reflected upon the high walls of a human stronghold deep within an ancient forest. A warm wind was blowing and the melancholic and lazy atmosphere made the guards attention and care for the surrounding world less then it should be.

But upon an old oak tree, near the stalwart human stronghold someone was observing them with sharp eyesight and a burning desire within his heart.

" They have taken from me."- said the elven marauder standing tall upon the dark, thick oak branch, his silhouette hidden by the dense lea****e - " They have taken all I ever loved, all I ever treasured, all I’ve ever known."- he prepared his bow and with his free hand he pulled on his elven cloth so he can fire more easily - " And now all that I have left is my own life, which they left me – mind you with wound as deep as the largest blades, hoping it would prolong my agony." – he removed two arrows from his quiver and a sick pleasure filled his mind – “Good !” – he was thinking stringing his bow – “They have done me a favor in the end. Life still flows trough these hands, I have healed but the agony continues to last, fueling the hunger in my soul.” – his bow was armed and aimed upon the nearest squire guard that patrolled the stronghold wall. -"Heh-he, both – my life and agony – shall help me in my quest for beautiful vengeance." – the elf now waited for the next wind blow to mask the sound of his arrows. He did not have to wait for long and fortune was on his side because the wind came as a storm. The oak leaves frantically moved and twitched, even the horn – announcing the hour was silenced and unheard. And during this time one squire mysteriously collapsed upon the battlements. The second guard had seen his friend and came there to pick him up, discovering an arrow hallway trough his skull but the elven marauder was quick to loosen another arrow that pierced the chest of the second squire. Only a muffled scream was heard but drowned in the chaotic symphony of forest and wind.

" And now the time has come for me to feed my hunger" – said the elf picking up speed, running upon the oak branch – " Father Galean give me strength !!!" – he screamed in his mind jumping from the old oak and landing upon the cold stones of the stronghold. He walked stealthy to the bodies of the dead squire’s to reclaim his arrows. “You are a large bunch and I’ll be needing more of these.” – he said removing the last arrow from the chest, looking in all directions and the continuing. The elf never understood how humans could live in such cold and dead dwellings. But that tough became secondary when a large wooden door stood in his way. And calling again the aid of his elven god he drew his blade and plunged it into the great wooden door's of a stronghold tower. The sword made it way about three quarters of its length into the solid oak door until the elf stopped and started to murmured mystical words. He was taught, a very long time ago, the ways of the wood by his people. But many of his more exotic abilities he got from a very ancient elven hermit living near his home village.
He raised his head and golden sparks flew from his eyes while his blade turned from a normal silvery shimmering into a burning red glow. " Alar - Naras - Karh -Gath" – the glow burned even redder, spilling from the swords blade into the wood of the door. On the other side a black charcoal spot appeared. First it was small but it grew quick and in its center a red dot soon materialized itself, dissolving the wood. There were no traces of the smoke. The elf moved his sword up and then down until a hole big enough for him was burned into the door. He spoke only the last part of his chant to dispel the magic that inhabited him and his sword. Using his right hand he removed the last pieces of charcoal from the former door and proceeded on his way.

The marauder walked upon a narrow corridor, from where he could observe the entire main courtyard of the stronghold. The sun was already low so the elf could use the shadows to keep out of sight. All appeared quiet in the outpost's courtyard, but appearances can be deceptive, as the marauder soon learned when an Imperial Assassin assaulted him in another tower of the stronghold. The Assassin had his daggers drawn and charged the elf from behind. Luckily for the forest denizen he heard the foot patting of the human killer and he prepared himself as best he could. The Assassin swung his daggers at him, the elf just barely dodging the first blow. The Assassin was not green, he showed much experience and skill. In a lightning fast move he got behind the elf and plunged one of his daggers in the direction of the marauders body, opening a flesh wound on his thigh. The elf hissed form pain retreating to a corner of the room, knowing that the assassin can come from only one direction. The elf grabbed with both hands his sword and grinned at the Imperial Assassin. The butcher turned master, charged again rather annoyed of the elfs defiance. But the elf, using his own speed let go of the sword with his left hand and extended his right hand thrusting the sword in the assassin. When the latter was clearly expecting the elf to use both hands, that extra length surprised the killer, now horribly wounded in the abdomen, collapsing and holding his guts. Before he could even say a word, the elf severed his head.
The marauder hid the assassins’ body behind some wooden barrels. He used the latter’s cloak to clean himself and his sword of the assassins blood. Again grinning as he threw with disgust the blood soaked cloak on the corpse.

After dealing with the Assassin, the elven marauder continued his track towards the largest building in the whole camp – the Inquisitor Tower. A large black gothic tower with level's above and under the ground from which upon approaching you could hear the screams and pleas of help from the ones being tortured inside, the perverted cacophony of sound was even more enhanced by sadistic laughs and commands of the torturers. The Tower, seeing it was such a grotesque place attracted the elves attention because within its dark and terror filled walls resided Master Inquisitor Mathias Grenn, the monster who had commanded the Empire's soldiers to raze his village and destroyed all and everything just because the elves had not allowed his men to hunt in the woods around their village.

[Marko]

Upon entering the tower, he quickly slashes the neck of the Inquisitor who had fallen asleep at his post guarding the entrance and proceeds through the stairway to the next level.
From the information he gathered to that point, the marauder knew he needed some more items to get to Inquisitor Grenn. Only the Grand Inquisitors had keys to the level where his target lived and he needed some disguise, a uniform, grand inquisitors one.
Upon reaching the second level he realizes that to get to the next stairway he will have to cross a corridor lined with torture rooms and prisoner cages. What better place to seek for grand inquisitors, the elf tough, then in torture chambers.
The marauder moved ever vigilant down the corridor. He was now in the belly of the beast. Any stupid moves and he would become the next toy of the master inquisitor. He passed a couple of torture chambers, all empty and with a rather revolting, putrid smell. The torture devices covered in dry and fresh blood. The elf quickens his step, disgusted by the sight of these rooms. Only stopping while hearing in the next room some voices:
" We have all night friend." – said on voice taunting someone - " But I don’t think you can last that long!" – said the other followed by a strong manly scream – " This will teach you not to steal from his holiness." – the elf, as he approached, could hear even the sound of the nightmarish machine that tortured the poor soul, that was trying not to give them the pleasure, but the pain was too much and shrieks of screams followed as the machines was unleashed upon his body. Moving closer to the door, the elf slowly pushed his head, crossing the doorframe, he was temporarily blinded by the light, walking so much in the pitch black corridor he needed some time to adjust. In the room two inquisitors are torturing what looks like a tall young human, with raven black hair and blue eyes, the man's body is covered in wounds and burn marks and the Inquisitors seem to be taking great pleasure in their work. It was revealed that they have renounced on the machine and are using something more basic, stabbing the shackled man with hot iron bars, kept red hot with the use of a fire burning in a brazier. One of them is doing the pocking and the other is in charge of the warming of the iron bars. The elf is delighted, not so much of seeing humans killing humans but the fact that the torturers are grand inquisitors. So the marauder decides to put an end to their pleasure and prepares himself taking a couple of arrows from his quiver. He takes advantage of the fact that the Inquisitors are so absorbed in their work that he sneaks behind them without even gaining a drop of attention from them. The elf takes one of the arrows, moves close to a torturer and sticks it with all his strength in the back of his head. The second Grand Inquisitor realizes what is happening and quickly grabs his mace and swings it at the elf, but he respond quickly pulling the dying Inquisitor in front of him and the mace hits the head and smashes halfway though splattering the walls with blood and brain. Before the Inquisitor can strike again, the elf lets go of the body and plunges one arrow under the Inquisitor's chin and another one in his left eye instantly killing him.

After killing both Inquisitors, the elf inspected his work with proud eyes. The man stared to move, spitting some thing made from saliva and blood. The elf then picks up the key chain from the dead inquisitors’ belt and proceeds in opening man's shackles and lays him on the floor. Deciding that his work in this room is done he proceed to the door, dragging the grand inquisitors uniform with him - " T.. Thanks a .. allot stranger. Those sadistic bastards would have killed me if you hadn’t showed up." – the elf turns to the human - " Keep your thanks human you where just lucky I'm sparing your life." - the human struggles to get up - " If you are here to kill that rat lover Grenn than I can help you." - the elf turn's and looks with disgust at the human - " You can barely stand up, what can a pathetic creature like you do to help me?" - the human now stands and walks to a nearby old chest - " Well for one I can tell you how to avoid Grenn's elite guard and also tell you all the guards patrol routes." – the marauder stops and considers the offer as the human takes out of the chest some black clothes and dresses himself, placing a belt of small daggers around his chest. He uses a large scarf to cover his neck and mouth, lastly he takes out a harness with two daggers and equips it. The marauder was astonished that the human, just a couple of moments ago was lying almost unconscious, is now quite quickly equipping himself like nothing had happened to him asked - " Why where the Inquisitors torturing you ?" - the human now fully equipped turns on his toes - " Well his holiness Grenn saw fit to confiscate my favorite daggers when I seeked shelter in this goddamn “drunken rat inn” motivating his actions by saying that only the soldiers are allowed to posses weapons in the outpost. At first I had no choice but to agree, since I was bloody starving but the next day when I tried to retrive my daggers and go on my way the bastard refused to return them saying that they where now imperial property. Since they are my favorite daggers I decided to sneak in to his holiness’s chambers and retrieve the daggers myself but after I got them I decided to also help myself to a couple of his holy belongings, seeing how they are made of gold and all, after filling my bag with my new treasure I decided to slip out the way I came in. But alas my rope seems to have lost its strength and about halfway down it broke and I fell, jewels and all and made quite a ruckus. The nearby guards heard the noise and caught me as I was trying to gather the stuff that had dropped out of my bag. These event came to pass this morning and these bastards have been torturing me ever since."
After hearing the human's offer the marauder decides to accept - " My name is Gabryel and you are free to tag along " - a short pause - " If you can keep up that is !" - the assassin comes closer to him - " The name's Alameth, elf. And don’t worry I'll keep up."

The footsteps of the two new comrades covered the entire corridor towards the staircase leading to the top of the tower. Upon reaching the door to the stairs Alameth places his hand on Gabryel's shoulder - " Wait!!" - the marauder slightly annoyed turns to him - " What is it now human ?? " - the assassin points to the door - " As I've already mentioned before, my dear forest dweller, I know when Grenn's elite guards patrol the tower...” – the human cracked open the door just a little, turning back to the elf smiling – “And here they are!”. Both intruders scrambled to get inside the room closest to the door to the staircase. The marauder gently closed the door to their temporary chamber of residence. As the sound of the guard was growing in intensity until a large burst, as the door opened to the staircase. The marauder and assassin flanked the door to the chambers next to the staircase observing the square drawn on the floor by the small opening in the door and the lazy orange glow of the torches. When the sound was loudest, shadows appeared inside the square as the guard passed. Gabryel looked outside to observe the guard. A White Wizard – dressed in his traditional attire lead the group. Close to him, flanking his sides four Grand Inquisitors in their lavish costumes. So pompous where the cloths that the elf failed to observe the Defender of Faith next to the Wizard. But the sound of his great armor echoed in the corridor, the sound spilling voraciously into the chamber.

“I think the coast is clear.” –whispered the assassin after moments in silence. “Come now, child of Galean.” – he added after observing no response from the marauder – “Wait...” – he also added – “Don’t tell me you locked the door too!!” – the elf turned his head, now visible in the torch light, with an expression storming with rage – “What do you take me for?” – he spilled his anger but still keeping a whisperish tonality to his voice – “The air that rushed from the door opening to the stairs sucked the door closed ...” – he stopped for a moment observing the assassin – “And I don’t like the implication of that smile on your face.” – the assassin moved closer to the marauder and as such to the door, taking something out of his clothes. The marauder prepared himself for battle gripping his blade and planning how to strike best against the assassin, if that thing is indeed a dagger or weapon of sorts.
“Oh, would you relax !” – burst the assassin when he saw the intentions of the marauder, hand on his sword and stance – “You look like you’re gonna crush that sword handle. These are my lovely lockpicks” – he raised them into the light – “Praise them because they will set us free.” – the elf relaxed and just crossed his arms, taking one step back to let the assassin do his work.
“Good.” – said the human, observing the lockpick chain and the lock - “Now, which one to use. Lucy, Cindy...” – he went trough his metallic tools.
“You named them after human women?” – inquired the elf
“Yes, and mind you, they are picky as their real life counter parts.” – the assassin smiled.
“Indeed. If you say so.” – Gabryel responded visibly not amused.
“Bah. You elves have no sense of humor.” – Alameth worked his magic upon the lock moving two metallic tools in the bowels of the locking mechanism.
“Just open the damn thing !” – barked the marauder. The assassin didn’t even answer, totally absorbed in his work.
Not long and the click of freedom was heard to which Alameth added: “And you didn’t want to take me along!” – the elf shook his head in dismissal and just exited the chamber.

[Marko]

Upon reaching the door to the highest level of the tower the two hear the screams and pleas of what seems to be a elven woman – "Please nooo !!!" – the plea is followed by a scream, whip sounds and more pleas – "Please sir, stop! Please no more!! " The marauder slowly opens the door and sees two Witch Hunters guarding a door out of many - " Human we need to take them down at the same time so as not to alert anyone else. " - the assassin nods and reaches under his scarf and pulls out a throwing dagger. Gabryel takes an arrow from his quiver and strings his bow, they both take aim and launch almost simultaneous attacks. Gabryel's arrow pierces the head of one of the Witch Hunters and Alameth's dagger hits the other one in the neck. Blood gushed upon the wall and the door behind them, followed by a thump made by the bodies crashing upon the stone floor.
The two move closer to the door still hearing screams and pleas but weaker than before and they seem to get weaker an weaker. The two open the door to find Grenn's nephew, Tobias in what seemed to be a more lavish decorated torture chamber. Centered in the chamber was a table and fixed upon it with chains and black leather was the source of the cries. A young elven girl. Gabryels’ heart boiled under the flames of anger when he realized why the pleas became weaker. An Imperial dagger was impaled into her chest. It stood there erect and proud while elven blood rivers spilled from its base and ran down the milky skin of the girl. The ripped cloth absorbed the blood, some tickled down on to the table but much of it was on the face and hands of Tobias. While he was breathing stronger and more violently, enshrouded in the pleasure he got from raping the girl, her breath was by every moment that passed shallower and shallower. Tobias puffed as he reached his climax, rubbing his face with blood from the girl igniting a maelstrom in Gabryel.
“No!” – the human stopped the marauder with his blade drawn and determined to rip Tobias to bits. The elf eyed him.
“You will get burned by my fury human, if you plan to stand in my way.” – he tried to pass, but Alameth stood as a wall.
“Wait!” – he begged – “Here’s how I see it...” – the assassin tried to explain stopping another push by the elf – “The girl is... you just can’t do anything more for her. I mean you don’t look like the healer type.”
“No human! Now let me pass!” – he raised his blade at the assassin be he was able to parry it.
“Wait! In the name of Gallean, hold!. I’m not your enemy, trust me. Killing him quickly will not help you. Pouring terror in his heart as his did in that poor child’s heart. That’s what we must do” – the elf took a step back.
“Fine!” – he acknowledged in the end – “I shall sneak upon him. You will taunt him.” – the elf pushed the door, just enough for the two to enter the room. Gabryels’ eyes would not fall to another side, they where fixed upon the lips and mouth of the girl. Ah, her lips of red color, they moved slowly and sketched the same pleas as before, but in vain the sounds were distant, lost to the darkness of the room as was her hope. Something broke at that moment in Gabryels heart, no longer his soul felt tormented but enjoyed suffering. As if a nihilist was suddenly born in him. Loving nothing more then total destruction.

“Who tough that we would find such a virulent ravager in your heart, hands and hmmm..., young Tobias” – said the assassin in the proximity of Grenns’ nephew.
“Who’s that?” – Tobias couldn’t find the words as he threw his head behind him to see the intruder.
“Oh, don’t stop because of me. I don’t actually like to keep men from their lusts...” – he pocked him with the back of his dagger, bringing his head in the right direction. The assassin was half in the light - "It’s just bad manners I always say ! But I have a friend here that has absolutely no care or tangent with imperial etiquette” – at that moment from the dark emerged Gabryel, in his hand the blade lusted for human flesh.
"How dare you speak to me in this manner insolent whelp ?? " – fright already found a crack in his mind and started to grow and flourish. His accusations had no weight as his voice trembled with every word, replacing his highborn arrogance." My uncle will flay you alive for your insolence. " – he bent over to pick up his pants – “Guards!!!” – he attempted a glorious shout for the two witch hunters, but ended up whining as a little child for his mother.
“Guards!!!” – Alameth shouted with Tobias – “You see we have reasoned with your hunters. And persuaded them to take a permanent brake, or cut” – the assassin snickered and Gabryel mimicked a throat being slashed.
" What are you talking about worm. Is this some kind of trick ?? Guards !!" – but by now his eyes accustomed to the dark and he had seen the corpses of his guards upon the floor. He glued himself to the table in shock, finally buttoning up his pants, Alameth followed him, always keeping a small distance between him and Tobias. When the required distance was reached he continued his mockery.
" Oh, don’t worry you lustful boy,” – Alameth ran his finger down the silk sheets upon the table – ” we’ll use the same persuasion techniques to send you on a long vacation any second now." – and before he could say anything more, Tobias got a hard punch to the rights side of his face from Gabryel. Tobias plummeted down on the floor, holding his jaw. Alameth bent over closing the gap between their faces.
“That was “Good day!”.” – the elf used his leg to kick Tobias’ stomach. And he shrieked with pain, gathering himself into a ball as flowers close their petals for the long, cold and dark night – “And that’s “How are you doing?” – the assassin pulled out a disgusted face – “Well, I guess not all that good.” – and he grinned. Tobias looked up just to see an elf glaring down at him. Grenns’ nephew crawled up to the wall and said in horror - " W...Why are you doing this to me? " – he then looks to the assassin – “You! My uncle will pay you the treasure of your dreams. Just spare my life!”
“And how much is that actually, ‘cause I can dream very opulent about treasures.” – the elf now glared at the assassin. He responded visually that there is no problem.
“Five hundred golden globes!!” – said Tobias with somekind of pride that was still left in him.
“Not enough!” – and the marauder punched him again. Tobias coughed, spitting blood.
“Eight hundred then....”
“Well...No!! Gabryel?” – the elf didn’t need more to land two more punches – “Come to think of it I don’t like to be bribed. Yes today is no-bribe-me day. And your very unlucky day ! Here Gabryel a very sharp knife, be creative!”
“No! Please no!” – at that moment the two intruders smiled with sadistic pleasure.
“No?!” – the assassin asked looking coy – “Don’t worry, my dear forest dweller here, has a shaky hand from all the misery you have given him and he promises me to make this dreadfully slow and painful.”
“Please...” – he started to cry, but Gabryel stuffed a cloth down his mouth. And tied him to the wall using shackle that hung conveniently from the ceiling. The marauder then took the dagger from the assassin, the smile on his face everlasting and begins to slash deep cuts into his victim's skin, who screamed loudly with every cut, but muffled by the cloth. Alameth turned his attention to the table and the girl. The marauder didn’t stop until the nephews whole chest was split open and in dangling strips of skin. After he finished cutting wound after wound on Tobiases chest, Gabryel went for his eyes saying" This is so you won’t get distracted from your pain.”
When Gabryel was satisfied with his butchering he turned to his fellow intruder." Will she make it ?? " - the assassin shakes his head, urging him to come next to her. She was covered and her chest, now without the dagger, jumped slightly from rhythmic spasms.
“I’m here now, you’re not alone.” – said the elf grabbing her arm. She could not do more but say –“Thank you." – then the last drops of life slipped out of her.
“She's dead friend, I’m sorry." - with those words Alameth covers her face with the same cloth – “Let’s go before the guards make another round. We’ll come back after her later.”

Gabryel and Alameth exited the room leaving Tobias to die, bleeding to death. Their next destination – Grenns’ chamber. To put an end to his life in the most painful way they can think of. Tobias was just the beginning, an apéritif, if you will.

[Marko]

They reach the chamber and open the door. Blinded they were, because Greens’ chamber had a large stained glass window. But upon stepping in the room they discover that it is completely devoid of any human life.
" What the fruck ?! " - the assassin asks surprised, but not stopping from his looting spree - " I think we should leave !" – said the marauder turnning towards the door. But when he turns he realizes it's already too late - " Alameth I think you better see this ... " - the assassin stops filing his pockets and turns only too see Grenn standing in the doorway together with a Defender of Faith, a White Wizard and four grand inquisitors - " Aww crap. Not again! " - he drops the stuff and takes out the daggers from his harness.
" Yoouu wiilll surrendeerr nooww!” – the wizard spoke, but his voice had an aerie sound, not as a normal voice. – “Surrenderrr now and make it easyyy on yourselfff."
" You waste your words human, I will rip the hearts from you chests and feed them to the crows." – said the marauder and drew his sword. The Defender of Faith hurled himself at the marauder and swung his greatswords at Gabryel but his moves were slow and the marauder easily evaded them. When the Defender stopped to catch his breath after a number of swings the marauder started to chant – " Alar - Naras - Karh -Gath" - and his sword started to glow red once again. The human swung again but once again his moves were just too cumbersome and he’s not even close to hitting the elf, and this time his swing has left him open, the elf moves into position behind him and prepares his thrust.
" You think your puny toothpick can pierce this blessed armor, patethic elf ?? " – the defender turned and smacked hard the torso of the armor with his hand and sword. The metal noise engulfed the chamber.
“Well let’s find out, shall we?” – the elf said sparing no emotion upon his face and sticks the flaming sword through the chest of the Defender, vapor and smoke emerge on the other side as the sword slices trough flesh and metal. On the human's face there is more surprise then fear or pain as the elf pushes with all his strength his leg upon the chest of the Defender. The human stumbles and brakes trough the large window falling to his death with a large black hole where his stomach used to be.
“Arrogant bastard !” – the elf said looking down upon the corpse, crashed upon a tile roof shattering most of the tiles.
Upon seeing the Defender of Faith defeated so easy Grenn directs two of his inquisitors to join him in slaying the elf. The two leave the pack of four grand inquisitors that encircled Alameth. He himself slowing retreating from his enemies. Alas his back was now stuck upon the heavy wood desk of Master Inquisitor Grenn. He smiled trying to respond to the two grand inquisitors’ grins and swiftly he grabbed the chair and pushed it in the direction of the holy warriors. They received it with no problem but as they raised their head they saw how Alameth was turning in the air above them. He safely landed behind them. And with his landing two daggers found their way onto their backs.
Gabryel strung his bow with an arrow and flinged it at one of the inquisitors piercing his eye and skull. Small was Grenn chamber that the marauder didn’t have more time to send another arrow. He threw his bow to the ground and raised his blade just in time to block a mace strike from the remaining grand inquisitor. The force of the impact sent the elf out of the window frame and quickly loosing his balance. The loss that can send him to his death down the height of the tower and near the Defender of Faith he defeated not long ago. With a last attempt at life he tossed his hand in a bid to attach it to the right curtain, the left one was lost in the defenders fall. He captured it and pushed himself inside kicking with his right leg a part of the window still left intact, sending shards of glass upon the face of the grand inquisitor, blinding him.
Grenn kicked the elf in the stomach finally sending him over the edge. But the elf was quick enough to hold on with his hands to the stone base of the space were the window resided, hanging high above the courtyard. Alameth wanted to go after the white wizard but he was leaning on the door seemingly not wanting to do battle and his battle companion was in need, even more the assassin owed him some of his life to the elf. So he searched his clothes again, producing a throwing dagger, which he threw at Master Inquisitor Grenn. It missed him and went trough the glass falling outside somewhere. Grenn turned to the assassin and just grinned as he laid his foot upon Gabryels left hand.
"Your mighty holiness, have you seen your beloved nephew lately?" - Alameth tried to distract Grenn's attention with a taunt. While signaling Gabryel about the sword on the ground.
" What are you talking about, Alameth, was it ?? " - Grenn speaks with anger rising.
" Well your holiness I’ve decided that he was a bit bored with raping elven women and decided to play a new game with him. " - Grenn's anger was rising - " Now what was it called ? " - the assassin continues to taunt him, and moving cautiously towards the sword - " Oh yes now I remember, it was called how fast can you bleed to death ?” – the assassin smiled – “And he was really good at it . " he added. At that moment Grenn raised his mace and rushes towards the assassin - " You shall pay tenfold for what you done to my poor, innocent nephew !!! " – Alameth kicked the sword tossing it in the air. Gabryel jumped and grabbed it. While Grenn was trying to hit the assassin with his mace, the elf swung his sword cutting trought the master inquisitors cloth. He cried out in pain but was determined to land a final blow upon the assassin and crush not only his bones but also his pride. Alameth strafed to the right evading the mace and loosen a punch implanting his fist deep in the skin covering the stomach. Grenn crouched for a moment and then sent one last atack sending his mace in an upward arch. It hit Alameth in the torso, and flew out of the masters’ hands. The latter falling on his knees feeling another burning wound appearing on his back crossing the last one from the elven marauder.
" Assist me !! " – Green uses his last breath to yell in desperation to the White Wizard - " Stop them now !! " - the White Wizard raises his hands - " Well iff I musstt . " - and the White Wizard mumbles a few mystic words and ribbons of light fly trough the room.
After the light fades the marauder and the assassin are lying unconscious on the ground and Grenn collapses on the ground giving of a large puff of air. He was wounded, badly, but alive. Near the White Wizard rush six new grand inquisitors.
“Master, at your command !” – barked one of the inquisitors.
“Picckk upp thee inquisitoorr andd takee himm too thee healerr.” – the wizards unworldly voice commanded respect.
“Yes, master. And the two intruders?” – asked the inquisitor.
“Lockk themm upp, I shall deall withh themm laterr!”
“Oh course, master” – the inquisitor bowed and directed his men to the tasks presented by the wizard. It wasn’t long until the wizard was left alone in the room. With a grim look on his face, he glided among the corpses rather amused at the scene before him. He turned his head to a rather random corner and addressing what seemed to be an invisible guest - " So it has begun. Hasn’t it?" ....

End of the Chapter I...