City of IF

Chinaren

Chapter 10. Necromancers.

“You must believe me!” The young woman said, squirming on the ground and trying to move away from Byrold’s sword.

“Keep still,” said the king, moving his blade slightly. “There is no urgent rush. I’m the guard for this area. No one will interrupt us.” He looked left and right, and then leaned closer. “Who are you working for? What do you know of the Centic? Who are you? Tell me now, or I will march you back to Forex and decry you as a traitor.”

His prisoner looked at him with big blue eyes. “You…” She stopped speaking and took a deep breath. “Listen, this is important. You don’t know how important.”

“So tell me,” Byrold responded with a frustrated hiss.

The woman frowned, her hand twitched and then stopped when the sword at her throat did likewise. “Very well, but your life will be in danger knowing what I know.”

“I will take that chance. Speak wench! This is your last opportunity!”

She scowled at him, but spoke. “I am a member of an… organization. An agent, a spy if you must know. I have information about the Centic that I must pass on. If you come with me you can be back at your post before your replacement comes.”

Byrold paused, his blade hovering. She could be making this all up of course, yet why would she? Even if she were a spy for some enemy she would likely not be meeting an overwhelming force. If she had another reason for running from the caravan Byrold couldn’t think of it. He made up his mind.

“Where are you going? Who are you meeting?”

“Come with me. I swear you will not be harmed.” The woman showed signs of hope now.

“You will make no sudden moves,” said Byrold.

His captive nodded and stood slowly as Byrold backed up.

“This way,” she said, gesturing into the dark.

Byrold followed her into the night, all his senses stretched to the maximum. He considered casting a small spell to improve his night vision, but then decided against it. He would have to speak the cantrips, and the girl would hear him. She may recognize it as magic, and then he would lose the advantage of surprise should he need it.

The king followed his captive down a wooded slope, dodging low branches as he did so. At the bottom of the hill the woman paused, looking about nervously.

“Well?” asked Byrold.

“He should be here.”

Byrold sensed movement and swung around, to be met by a ghastly apparition. It was a man, but one long dead. Yet the beast walked! Staring at the king from empty eye sockets, muscle and tissue hanging off yellowing bones, the thing lurched forward at him. Byrold gave a cry and swung his sword, cleaving the monster clean in two at the waist.

The zombie let out a brief gurgle and sank to the ground, rotten entrails sliding into the mud.

“Impressive,” said a dry voice from the dark.

Byrold whirled around to meet another shadow that appeared from the blackness. The man held up his hands in a gesture of peace. He wore a dark red robe that merged well with the gloom. Bloodshot eyes and uneven yellow teeth could be seen from the recess of his hood.

The newcomer bowed slightly at Byrold and then turned to face the woman. “You are late,” he said.

Byrold’s new associate stepped forward. “I ran into this one,” she nodded at the king. “He was rather insistent that he come along.”

“Interesting,” said the robed man.

“Who are you?” demanded Byrold in turn.

“My name is not important. However, I am willing to wager I know yours.”

Byrold suddenly looked nervous. “Me? I am but a mercenary down on his luck.”

“A mercenary who wields a sword imbued with the highest level of magical enchantments. One that can slice through a zombie and suck the magic out of it at the same time. Such weapons are rare enough that they be counted on the fingers of one hand.” The man stepped forward, peering more closely at Byrold. “And so young. Strange that. For I have recently heard of a certain young member of a royal family who has disappeared. Transported it is rumored, to a distant land. I cannot help but be intrigued by the coincidence.” He cocked his head to one side.

The woman stepped up and took a closer look at Byrold. “What is this information?” She asked. “I have been undercover.”

“There is no time to explain. I can only be gone from my post for a short time more.” The man turned to her. “What have you found?”

“The Centic ambassador has visited the People’s Council. My informant says that the Vestrel has agreed to ally themselves with the Centic in a mutual defense policy. Even now the army readies itself for war, under the guise of training exercises, preparing to attack the dragon lands should they enter Centic proper.”

The man shook his head. “The Northern Alliance, as they have styled themselves, are close to the borders, yet they are delayed still by Creep. It seems our deadly plant was of Centic origin. Worse still, we have had no news of our agent. The location of the Pinnacle shard is still lost to us.”

“If we could gain the artifact, then we would have a chance of Unification at long last! To be so close and yet thwarted by a premature strike…”

Byrold stepped forward. “What are you two talking about? What is this Pinnacle shard? What do you mean by Unification?”

The woman put a hand on his arm. “I will explain later. We must return now, before one of us is missed.” She waved at the man. “Thank you. Return to your post, we cannot afford to be discovered.”

With a nod the necromancer slid backwards, to be quickly cloaked in the dark of the night.

“Come, I will explain everything later, just as you must explain yourself to me. The fate of the Fractured Lands is in the balance.”

As quietly and as quickly as possible, the two climbed the slope in the dark.

>

Byrold awoke to the sounds of the wagons moving once more. His bed rocked slightly as the wheels bounced over a rut in the road. A head popped though the flap at the rear.

“Come on, rise and shine sleepy head! We are on outrider duty!” Whitey grinned at the king’s moan. “Not that we have any horses to ride of course. I hope you are good at jogging.” With that he disappeared from view.

Byrold yawned and stretched as he swung his legs over the side of the bunk, then grimaced in annoyance. If he was assigned sentry duty he wouldn’t have time to speak to the woman from last night. They had not managed to exchange any further information in the rush to return.

Splashing water over his face from a large metal bowl, he shook himself awake. Strapping on his sword he staggered towards the rear curtain and peered through.

They were traveling slowly forward along a hard mud road. Bleak moorland stretched away all around them, oppressive gray clouds hanging low over the land, pushed along the sky by a cold wind. The whole scene looked as if the color had been washed out of it. Byrold shuddered.

“Finally awake then!” Whitey appeared from nowhere, making the king jump. The elf handed him a paper bag and then gestured for him to follow.

“What’s this?” Asked Byrold, stumbling as he tried to keep up with the guard.

“Breakfast. We eat on the move today. Forex is in a hurry. Can’t blame him either. I am not overly fond of this country myself, let alone our guest.”

The two moved out to the side of the convoy. Trotting every so often to keep up. Byrold looked back, trying to spot the Centic, but it was out of sight. He opened his bag instead and bit into the hard bread he found inside.

They moved on at a steady pace through the morning. The day remained bleak, and several times spots of rain threatened to turn into something more.

The landscape remained the same too, with only the occasional small hut standing isolated amongst the bracken to break the monotony.

“Who lives out here?” Asked Byrold of Whitey, gesturing at another shack as they jogged past.

“Necromancers.”

“Mages? Out here?”

“Charredal is a paranoid nation. They stand alone, with few allies. So they spread their wizards through the land to keep watch. We have been followed ever since we entered the country no doubt.”

Byrold thought of his meeting last night. Had they been watched by unseen eyes? He resolved to be more careful.

Onwards they went, until Byrold began to wonder if he was in some sort of never ending dream, plodding through the same landscape that seemed to go on forever. He thanked the Greater God that the Mage academy had kept the apprentices fit in body as well as mind, or he would have soon fallen with exhaustion.

Yet all things end, and so it was that an interruption appeared upon the horizon. As they closed Byrold could see a group of houses constructed of some kind of black stone. It looked as if a graveyard had decided to dig their way out of the ground and build a village.

The wagons clattered into the small village square, and the drivers reigned in the horses, who blew and stamped on the hard earth, clearly tired.

Byrold remained on guard duty until a tall thin man in dark leather armor relived him. Upon which he returned to his bunk and collapsed onto it.

Whitey settled himself down more easily on the bunk next to his. “Youngsters, no stamina,” he said with a smile.

The king waved a fist in mock anger. “It’s a good job I am so tired right now, or I would kick your white ass out of the wagon. When do we eat? That breakfast was hardly a filling meal.”

“I shall go and see what they are cooking,” said Whitey. “Rest yourself youngster, I will bring something back for you.” So saying he disappeared out of the back again, leaving Byrold alone in the wagon.

Several minutes passed, and Byrold dozed. He came to with a start as a shadow crossed his face. Looking up he saw the attractive face of the young woman from the night before.

“So, Eldembar, I know your name now.” She sat down on his bunk.

“Been asking around have we?” Byrold sat up and rubbed his eyes. “You have the advantage of me I am afraid.”

“They call me Alice.” She glanced about and leaned forward. A strand of blond hair fell forward. “We need to talk.”

The king rested against the wall. “I’m listening.”

Alice scowled briefly, a frown marring her face. She really was very pretty, thought Byrold.

“I think you should tell me who you really are. I told you enough to start with last night. Are you really a member of a royal family?”

The king leaned forward. “I was attacked by mages. My own mage fought them, but he couldn’t stop them entirely. I was hit by a spell, and the next thing I knew I was in Vestrel. It is vital I return to my country as soon as possible. Tell me, what do you know of the Centic?”

“We have managed to infiltrate Centic, and have been monitoring them for many years…”

“How? How could you do this when no one else has managed it? Only one agent…” He stopped speaking, not wanting to reveal more than he had to.

“One agent what?” Asked Alice. “Managed to get in and out?” At Byrold’s silence she frowned again. “Well, we have our secrets too. In any case, we know that the Centic have been building an army for hundreds of years. They aren’t like humans, elves or any of the other races. They can lay eggs and keep them in ‘storage’ to hatch at a later time. They have been laying and storing these eggs for centuries now. Recently they started to hatch them. They have generations upon generations of warriors all preparing for battle. Preparing to invade the Fractured lands. Soon millions of Centic soldier drones will spill forth and overrun us all!”

Byrold slumped backwards. “So the agent was right.” He frowned. “Yet if they are so powerful, why solicit alliances with Vestrel and others?”

“They aren’t quite ready yet. As far as we can tell they have more than enough troops, but the Centic are a cautious race. They move slowly and patiently, more so even than elves. They hadn’t planned on attacking for some time, but this new Northern Alliance has upset their timescales. Ours too.”

“Ours?”

Alice sighed. “There is little chance for us if the Centic proceed with their plan. Yet we have found out about a certain Artifact created by the Drusk before Man came to these shores. We believe with this artifact we have a chance of fighting off the Centic threat.”

“I can hear a ‘but’ looming here,” said Byrold.

Alice nodded. “One of our agents reported that he had discovered the whereabouts of the device, but he disappeared before he could pass on the information. We have been looking for him ever since. Now we are worried this attack by the Northern Alliance could plunge the whole country into war before we are ready. If nothing else, war will make it harder to find the thing.”

Byrold nodded and then jumped as Whitey’s head popped over the back of the wagon. “Here we go…” he started before spotting Alice. “Hello. Am I interrupting something?” He asked. “Because this stew is mighty tempting, and I am hungry…”

“I was just leaving,” said Alice, standing quickly. She threw a glance at Byrold before exiting hastily.

“So,” said Whitey, plonking a wooden bowl full of broth next to the king. “You have a new girlfriend then?”

“Oh shut up,” Byrold laughed despite everything and reached for his lunch.

>

Byrold expected the caravan to proceed, but afternoon came and went with no movement. To his frustration Whitey or other were always around, and he couldn’t find a good reason to slip away. Eventually night fell, and Byrold was assigned first watch. This time he was patrolling the perimeter of the camp.

He walked steadily around the wagons. The Centic was no where to be seen, though he had heard the guards mentioning it was somewhere about, near the village.

The village itself was nearly deserted. Byrold had only seen a couple of pale faced locals since they arrived, and the houses appeared to be abandoned, facing the street with unlit windows. The whole scene was spooky, and Byrold shivered as he patrolled.

It was nearing midnight when there was a movement from one of the wagons.

“Pppst!”

Byrold stopped, hand on sword and waited as a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Alice.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I have news for you,” she replied in a whisper.

“Go on,” said Byrold.

“The Centic will travel with the caravan down to Mordon, to solicit their aid after he has met with the Charredal leaders.”

“I doubt they will have much luck with the wizards,” mused Byrold. “Still, that is on my way.”

“But listen, I have more news. I think I have a lead on the person I was looking for, but I need help.”

“And you want me to help you?”

“This is important,” said Alice. “It is vital the artifact does not fall into the wrong hands.”

Byrold scratched his chin and looked around to make sure no one was watching. “How long would this take?”

“A day at the most, so I believe. Once we have the information you could make your way to your home. I have a friend here who could guide you through this land safely.”

The king paced forward slowly as he thought about this. It would certainly be useful to get more information on this artifact if it was as powerful as Alice made it out to be. On the other hand if he stayed with the caravan he would reach Mordon and from there he could return home easily.

He looked at Alice, who raised her eyebrows. Maybe there was another option…

>>>>>>

A long overdue chapter all.

What’s Byrold to do? Let’s hear your input.

I may put up another ‘half’ chapter soon, depending on events in other places!

<<<<<<

The White Blacksmith · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 2477

Run with her. She knows his identity, and it'll be understandable for her if he wants to go on a circualr route through Yroth. Besides, he might find out something that could help his lands, and if the Centic do manage to invade they're all doomed anyway.

Mastermind · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:22 am Post subject:

Quote: “They all me Alice.”
"They call me Alice."

JezSharp · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:36 am Post subject:

Well knwoing the necromancers are paranoid, and that they are likely to move upon and investigate the caravan at some stage it might be best to pre-empt such a search by going with Alice, she seems to have good contacts anyway.

solus.serpen · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 615 Location: UK

JezSharp wrote: Well knwoing the necromancers are paranoid, and that they are likely to move upon and investigate the caravan at some stage it might be best to pre-empt such a search by going with Alice, she seems to have good contacts anyway.

Yep, I agree. Besides, Alice knows more about him than the people in the caravan. It might be worth going with her to make sure nothing leaks out, as well.

~Solus

Mastermind · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:46 am Post subject:

Just a thought, but maybe he can convince Whitey to join him?

Argonaut · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 345 Location: California

I have to agree. If what Alice says is true (and why shouldn't it be?) Byrold can't afford not to be involved in this artifact business. Besides, she says she has someone to guide him home directly through Charredal. If he stays with the caravan he'll have to wait for the Centic to meet the necromancers, then to get to Mordon, then leave the caravan and convince some friendly wizards to send him home. seems like quite a delay, and he can't afford to be late or they'll declare him legally dead.

dinranwen · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

I agree with the others here. Risking the chance of discovery, a search, and more delays, isn't something you can risk right now. Bryold has to know that his step-mother is up to something right now, and may even guess that if he doesn't go home soon things may go very badly for him and for his country.

juggernaut · Guest

This seems to be a good time to split from the caravan. However, Alice seems very shady. She's part of a mysterious organization that wants to unify the fractured lands and she associates with necromancers. Byrold, being the King, should have heard some sort of rumers from his network of spies about Alice's organization. I believe going with her will be extremely dangerous because of the unknowns. Besides, following pretty young spies around is a big no-no. By staying with the caravan he may be able to covertly sabotage the Centics plans to ally themselves with other councils. He should stay with the caravan.

D-Lotus · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

When was the last time you heard of a brave man NOT following a pretty woman into some kind of danger? ;)

Nice chappy, China. Perhaps you could have expanded into the adventure itself before introducing the DP, but either way.

I can't remember when or where, but I remember a PM I received about a spy network that was operating throughout the whole fractured lands who no-one knew anything about. Based on the clues you offered, I'm guessing Alice is part of this network. I know that it would seem stupid to take a risk, but from what was conveyed in that PM, this network is highly efficient and secretive. So I would trust Byrold's life into their hands, especially as they promise a quick escape route.

The Centic, meanwhile, are developing as the 'bad' guys of the story, and the Northern Alliance as the fools who attacked when it was inconvenient for everyone. I suspect that the Northern Alliance would be very interested in this item as well, if they know of its existance, as it would aid them immensely against Centic. Also, if Byrold reaches his country in time, he will most likely move against Centic, understanding the threat they pose. In which case, the balance might be tipped?

Its all speculation as to what will happen. Its in China's power. :)

Jack_D.Mented · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

Run with her. Right now, she's the best bet you've got as far as allies go and she's got a good bit more information than you. Who knows? Maybe later, she can be employed to rid yourself of problems close to home...

Argonaut · Guest Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 345 Location: California

Juggernaut makes a good case for actually staying with the caravan, but it looks like he's severely outnumbered... unless we have a lot of silent readers who will come out to vote :)

Kalanna Rai · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject:

I say go with Alice...even if your stepmother is scheming to steal your kingdom you won't have a kingdom to worry about if the Centic have their way.

Mastermind · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

Just a random wacko idea, but maybe Byrold can ally with the Centic himself? If the Centic are a race that honor their word, then he would avoid the problem altogether, and if not, he can always betray them first.

juggernaut · Guest

Why does everyone automatically assume that the Centic are evil? What, besides unsubstantiated info does Byrold acyually have about the Centic. Surely he can't act on the story she has told him purely on the possibility of a million strong army of ruthless killer bugs. Byrold seems the type to save judgement of a creature until it's intentions are known, and neither the Centic or Alice's are known. Although, it would be convenient if the Centic were evil ruthless expansionists bent on world domination. It would make the story a little easier for china to write. I mean he already has like 25 storygames going at once! :D (where does he get the time? :confused: )

Chinaren · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject:

Quote: (where does he get the time?)

Lately I haven't! ;)

Anyway, Juggy makes some good points. Remember it is the Northern Alliance that is actually being agressive at the moment. :shock: Though now two different sources have claimed the Centic are constructing an army. Still this claims are not proven and could be some kind of ruse.

And a good suggestion from Mastermind too. I like the cut of your job mister.

D-Lotus · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject:

Why are the Centic evil?

Quote: Preparing to invade the Fractured lands. Soon millions of Centic soldier drones will spill forth and overrun us all!”

Obviously they want ALL the Fractured Lands. Their allies will be disposed of when they have no further need of them. Not that I'm biased towards them or anything. ;)

Quote: Surely he can't act on the story she has told him purely on the possibility of a million strong army of ruthless killer bugs.

If Byrold is anything like President Bush, he will. After all, Bush invaded Iraq purely on the basis of the menace of weapons of mass destruction.

In any case, now its been discovered that Creep comes from the Centic lands, which is further proof of their intended expansionism. Besides, Byrold wouldn't have any reason for liking the bugs.

juggernaut · Guest

Quote: Preparing to invade the Fractured lands. Soon millions of Centic soldier drones will spill forth and overrun us all!”
This is a good quote if it did'nt come from Alice. And Bush is not the best president to emulate. I think that trusting Alice would still be premature. If Byrold could somehow convince Whitey to secretly follow him as insurance or use some type of spell to help coax the truth from Alice it would make his trip safer. I mean, Alice consorts with necromancers(the one that knows his true identity) and they are in necromancer territory. Byrold handled one necromancer, but could he defeat 2 or 3. I dont know. Byrold is considerably safer if he follows the caravan to Mordon.

D-Lotus · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

I never said Bush was a good example, but he's still a very modern example of manipulative politics. Maybe he fooled us with his uncultured speech and constant stupidities- maybe he's covertly manipulating us. ;)

Anyway, now that Alice knows who Byrold is, he is in her power, really, so there isn't much choice. If she tells anyone, Byrold will be in deep ****. I just realized this. So we can't do anything but trust her.

Kalanna Rai · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

D-Lotus wrote: Maybe he fooled us with his uncultured speech and constant stupidities- maybe he's covertly manipulating us. ;)

That's right...he only waved to Stevie Wonder to confuse the hell out of us and mask his true intelligence.

Back on topic though, Alice really does have Byrold in a tight spot, and Byrold has no reason to love and trust the Centic. As D pointed out she's got his identity while he knows nothing but her name, which is a cover since she said they call her Alice not my name is Alice, and that she works for some intelligence agency...which one he's got no clue.

For all we know she could be working for Yroth...and she just hasn't realized that Eldra is contemplaiting an Alliance with these things...

LordoftheNight · Guest Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5241 Location: Hell

Quote: “So, Eldembar, I know your name now.” She sat down on his bunk.

“Been asking around have we?” Byrold sat up and rubbed his eyes. “You have the advantage of me I am afraid.”

“They call me Alice.” She glanced about and leaned forward. A strand of blond hair fell forward. “We need to talk.”

Does she actually know his name, or just the alias he's using? She wouldn't have learnt about Byrold by asking around the camp, and he never mentioned his name to her earlier. From the fact she was disbelieving of his royalty, I think it's safe to assume she doesn't know his real identity.

Afterall, she's been a spy in Centric - why should she know the goings on in Yroth(is it?).

D-Lotus · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

Quote: “But listen, I have more news. I think I have a lead on the person I was looking for, but I need help.”

I'm guessing that if she somehow found the information to this lead, she also had the info about Byrold passed to her.

DELETED · Guest

DELETED

Chinaren · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:58 am Post subject:

The poll is up. Lick the ice-cream of voting.

This vote should be interesting!! :D

The White Blacksmith · Guest Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 2477

*grabs ice cream and runs off with it*

CunningFox · Guest Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 211

excelltn! Voted for first option.

Lilith · Guest Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 1099

Curses! I have tied the vote! I apologize China... :cool: can't wait to see what happens... *gets her own ice cream and takes off as well*

Mother Goose · Guest Joined: 09 May 2004 Posts: 520 Location: Connecticut

I untied it.

Chinaren · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the delay all, I meant to write the next chapter last week, but I am having a bit of a mental block on this one at the moment. Hopefully I can break it soon...

In the meantime, I believe the poll is still open for a tiebreaker.

D-Lotus · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject:

UNbroken.

Chinaren · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:51 am Post subject:

As I have finally started the new chapter, the poll is now closed. Hopefully episode 11 will be up within a couple of days, if RL will just let me get a chance to concentrate for a bit. :x

Chinaren · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:16 am Post subject:

Next chapter is on its way. Closing this one down now.

Thanks for playing! :D