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[Shihan Reckoning]

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The Ophidian General saw them from across the field as the troops came into view. Its voice spouted incomprehensible words and it sent its warrior’s at the fighting force now slowing to hold a position at the boat dock cross roads. Another wave of snakes moved into the fray and slithered across the ground in a never ending wave of foes bent on annihilating the gallant combatants stoically standing to await this latest onslaught. The once gleaming armor and shiny polished blades now grizzled in the swill of blood and flesh that covered the entire group from head to foot.

Skara Brae was once again the site of another attempt to push the snakes back into the sea. Duke and Duchess Kaldhel, Pharaoh Ramses, the great paladin Lady Mia and her protector Lord Porthos lead their forces together in the common cause, the defense of the great land of Sosaria. They were joined by many guild and alliance members, along with brave fighters who found themselves separated from other armies or hoping to gain fame, all hoping to retaking the grand city that lay beyond their grasp.

The hope was to take the docks. From there they would move into across the bay and into the city of Skara Brae. Once the foothold was in place a new camp would be set up and a push to remove the snakes from Skara Brae city would begin.

The only problem with the plan was that no one told the Ophidians. They flanked the war party several times. Heroism and valor by groups and individuals alike were all that kept the force from falling apart with each setback. Battle songs were sung and battle cries were shouted as the force pushed forward towards its intended goal of the docks. But the forces of evil can be strong when rallied behind an ambition. Today the Ophidians seemed to be very ambitious indeed. Each time an enemy general or berserker was slain a new group would appear to take its place. Hundreds, perhaps in a day’s time, thousands were slaughtered in the maniacal struggle of war.

Amidst the battle little time could be take for reflection, but Shihan found himself watching others actions. The singular magnificent of warriors like Sanjuro who single handedly seemed to keep a open path in the rear. The Lady Mia jumping to the aid of her companion Lord Porthos as he was attacked by a general, berserker and lieutenant on a single charge. That battle had taken a small force to finally clear and Porthos had retired from the field afterwards in exhaustion but their compassion for each other was obvious in the way they fought back to back. Duke Kaldhel’s ever hovering presence as he covered whole troops of fighters with his healing magic and assisted with his magically created creatures. Duchess Kaldhel’s inspiring veterinarian skills and care used on her tamed creatures as she coaxing them to battle significantly stronger creatures. Pharaoh Ramses death defying charge and desire to fight snake generals single handedly. Countless untold stores of fearlessness happened everywhere.

In the long run while the port had been taken and held for a short period the shear numbers of opponents kept the battle at a stale mate. Tired, weary, but not beaten the forces withdrew. New battle plans would be created. Reconnaissance would be reevaluated.

Shihan was tired and covered in gore. He knew this fight was not over by a long shot but this evening fight was over. Returning to post he set down with his liege lords after releasing the troops and wrote up his after action report. As he was finishing his written report a note came to him via pigeon. Lily was requesting to see him. Filing his paperwork for later review he magically departed for her house.

Early the next morning Shihan woke with a start to find Lily next to him on her couch. He must have been more tired than he thought. Picking her up he gently carried her up to her bedroom and placed her in the bed. He grinned at his brother who was standing at the door watching him and ask him the time.

“Half past two in the morning.” Sorrow quietly replied. Shihan left the sleeping girl and walked over to him and gave his brother a bear hug..

“Thank you for watching her. Has everything been ok?” he asked as they moved into the foyer of the second floor.

Sorrow nodded and smiled at his brother, “I did not want to wake you want I arrived. You both looked so peaceful I did not have any reason to do it. You should get some sleep though. You look like you could sleep for half a day.”

Shihan nodded bleakly and took his brothers burly hand, then moved away and magically aspirated to his home.

[Lily Deathsheart]

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Lily rolled over and curled up against a pillow,the last thing she remembered was her and Shihan talking out on her front porch. Sitting up some she rubbed her face and looked around,"now how did I...oh wait...Shihan...,"she said then looked towards the door as her brother knocked on it.

"Lily..you awake yet?,"he asked causing her to snicker and stand up,"yes Rolland I'm awake...,"she said as he opened the door and walked inside.

"Sorrow left about an hour ago...said to tell you that Shihan brought you upstairs and put you to bed before heading home himself...,"Rolland said causing Lily to nod and smile,"I kinda figured it was him...,"she said as she moved into the bathroom.

"Did he spend the night here Lily?,"Rolland asked while looking to her with his best stern little brother look,"yes he did not that it is any of your business or anyone else's for that matter...,"she said as she threw a wet wash cloth at him.

"It is my business Lily....its my job to protect you...,"he said as he threw the wet cloth back at her.

"Rolland if you must know we fell asleep on the front porch..last thing I remeber is us talking....then waking up in my bed...,"she said as she stepped out of the bathroom and froze,something in the air didn't feel right.

Sensing something wrong Rolland moved to her and placed his hand on her arm,"Lily whats wrong...?,"he asked as he watched her shiver then push his hand away to rub her arms.

"Rolland make sure the fireplaces all have enough wood please..the house seems abit cold...,"she said as he nodded and moved to do as he was asked.

Grabbing her cloak she slipped it around her shoulders then moved downstairs into the kitchen to fix herself some hot tea and perhaps a piece of toast.

"Lily...all of the fireplaces are ok..,"Rolland said as he stepped off the teleporter and looked to his big sister as she moved to the table and sat down,"then I am not sure whats going on...,"she said then sighed and sipped her tea.

"I think I will fix me something to eat as well..,"Rolland said then moved into the kitchen just as dark mist began to take shape near his sister.

"Lily...its time you became one with me...,"a voice said unaware that Rolland had turned around in time to see Lord Edge Martmin grabbing his sister by the her arm and pulling her close to him.

Rolland stepped forward but froze when he saw Lily give a slight shake of her head,"get Shihan...,"she mouthed as Rolland hesitated then nodded.

"Lord Edge please....,"she said as he lifted his hand up and caressed her face the put a finger to her lips,"shhh my precious Lily...you can't fight me....,"he said as he backed her into a wall.

Outside Rolland looked towards the house a moment,"she needs me...,"he said then remebered the promise he had made to her,his mind going back to her words.

"Rolland...if he shows..promise me you will find Shihan...and not try to fight him alone...,"she had said as she sat rubbing her neck,her fingers trailing over the bruises.

Jumping onto White Heart he pulled out his runebook and recalled himself to Shihan's keep on Ice Isle,sliding from the mount's back he moved to the door and began to bang loudly,"Lord Shihan?!?!!? Please...Lily needs you...she's in danger!!!?!?!?!!?,"he screamed then stepped back as he heard movement inside.

[Shihan Reckoning]

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The thumps resounded like someone tossing down bags of flour on the ground. Someone wanted access and was taking pains to get anyone’s attention. Passing out onto the outer rampart to see was creating such a thunderous ruckus, Shihan looked between the archery buttresses and down onto the front entrance. The boy standing in the snow was shouting about someone attacking and looked very familiar. “Open the doors and let him in.” He shouted and returned to the warmth of the central building to accept the visitor.

Rolland entered flushed and bright eyed. “Lily is being attacked!” he shouted when he saw Shihan in the room.

There are moments in life once reflected on; you wish you had done one thing instead of another. Shihan would look back later and wish he had taken the few seconds needed to grab a good suite of armor instead of running out with just his robes and his traveling mage bag. Creating the magical gate that opened right in front of Lily’s house was also probably not the best of ideas. What ever surprise that could have been obtained was wasted as the gate was considerably obvious. Stepping though the gate Shihan immediately moved up the stairs and into the house looking for Lily and her attacker.

The forethought of casting paralyze came to him as he moved for rooms upstairs. Moving to the second floor he heard a scream and rushed the door. This is where a little planning and forethought would have come in handy. In his rush to stop an attacker he failed to realize that the person might have been quite away of the fact that he had come into the house. If he had not precasted paralyze the fight would have been over before it got started. He caught out of the corner of his eye as he entered the room a blade being swung at him. The paralyze spell was cast as he though himself against the wall. Fireball, Poison, Fireball, Weaken, Poison, Flamestrike. As Shihan dodged across the room, he cast a barrage of spells. He looked quickly to see if he was doing any damage or not and saw that the initial barrage was not what he attacker was expecting as he was applying bandages and to the burnt flesh that had been singed between his armor pieces. Shihan created a air elemental to distract the attacker and told it to kill him. It started moving around the room casting spells at the foe. His attempts to attack Shihan with a weapon ended there. The howl of a necromancer’s vengeful spirit filled the room and the dark creature screamed across the room at Shihan.

The darkness of the creature drank from the light of the room. Its movement across the room flowed as it raised its great halberd in its preparation for its strike. The air elemental moved again to the left and the spirit followed passed Shihan and around the room. The dryness in his throat was suddenly palpable as he drew another deep breath. The air elemental evaporated as the spirit hit it with its black halberd a second time. Shihan was not watching though as he scanned the room for his adversary. His wish for armor suddenly became relevant again.

The blade was swung with intense force but lacked of the accuracy needed to hit. Shihan founds its wielder slightly off balance as he ducked back and swung to the left with the spell of paralyze on his lips again. The man froze in his slightly off balance step as the spell went off. Paralyze field, stone wall, paralyze field and the man was stuck in a box, not able to move.

Shihan stood looking at his handy work. Draining his mana came next. The paralyze field dissipated as and at that moment the cloud of pasty white smoke of the smoke bomb filled the room. “Lily you will be mine. I will kill this man of yours, you are mine.” The voice was full of animosity as it echoed from the room.

As the smoke cleared Shihan looked around the room. He saw Lily on the floor curled and disheveled next to her bed. Keeping the walls he moved around the room to her. As he reached out to touch her she jumped. She called for a flamestike and was pointing at Shihan but the lack of regents kept the spell form forming. “It’s Shihan.” And he gently lifted her battered body to the bed.

[Lily Deathsheart]

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As soon as Shihan had appeared outside Edge threw her into the wall then unsheathed his sword,preparing himself to kill whoever had interupted his intentions with his precious Lily.

"Your friend will pay....he knows not who he messes with...,"he said as he glared down at her,his red eyes causing her to shudder,"no please don't hurt him...,"she said then cried out in pain as he backhanded her.

"You are mine!!! Not his!!!!,"he screamed just as Shihan appeared casting spell after spell until he had him trapped in a stone wall and paralyzed,"it won't keep him...,"she said to herself just as the stone walls began to dissipate and white smoke began to fill the room.

“Lily you will be mine. I will kill this man of yours, you are mine.”

She heard him say just as he dissappeared within the thick white smoke,the smoke causing her to choke and become even more disheveled then she was. Feeling a hand on her arm she jumped,"Kal Vas Vlam...,"she said only to have the spell fizzle out.

"It's Shihan..."

Hearing his voice she collasped in his arms and began to sob,her head resting on his chest as he lifted her up onto her bed.

Looking up into his eyes she grabbed his hand,"I told you....he would come for me..,"she said weakly as she tried to sit up but cried out in pain.

"Lily!!!,"she heard her little brother call as he and Sorrow stepped into the door,turning her gaze to the door she nodded,"I'm alright Rolland...,"she said weakly as he ran to her and kneeled down beside the bed on the opposite side of where Shihan was standing.

"I got him like I promised Lily...,"he said as she nodded her head,"....I know Rolland...,"she said as Shihan let go of her hand and moved to his brother,leaving her and Rolland to speak alone.