Dealings (1)
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Dealings [1]
Author: Lord Rune Artisem
I felt truly at peace whilst I was cloaked within the shadows. Granted a being much like myself was so very used to the Darkness but perhaps my silent joy was in watching the preparation of the Lady of the Society, Lynne Darkthorne. She neatly sat at a small desk, and a small box was placed in front of her. She was well aware of the hidden presences of both Elrand Silverose and myself, and let loose a small dark smile towards my direction. Many of the sheep were busy with their own business on the outside of Skara Brae's bank. And although I enjoyed being hidden within the Darkness, I did not enjoy having to hide within my own city. But since the ends do justify the means, then so would it be.
Eldred Jonas was a strong man. That was evident in his position as a military commander of the nation of Stormhaven. However, he was also weak in many aspects of his life. It would be through these weaknesses in which he would be put to use. He walked inside of Skara Brae's bank and approached Lynne. I had to refrain myself from laughter as he and Lynne exchanged greetings. If only the poor fool knew what was in store for him. They spoke for a moment and then went to business. Lynne had crafted many spell scrolls for him, and presented him with a small box that contained them. In exchange for the scrolls, Eldred handed her a rather large bag filled with gold coins. She smiled at him and neatly tucked the bag away. She stood up and glanced toward my hiding place in the shadows. It was time.
I was rather disappointed at his reactions. Both Elrand and myself emerged from the shadows and held Eldred in a rather forceful position. Although he did seem surprised by this, he did not seem to worry or to show remorse for his dealings with a member of the Society. Lynne slowly walked from around the table and approached him face to face. She began to speak to him in a soft and gentle manner, her words weaving an enchantment upon Eldred. He soon began to fall under her spells of charm and enchantment. He was not as strong as I thought. After submitting to Lynne's will, we proceeded to head to the Moongate of Skara Brae Trammel.
With the spies of the Regent and Moonglow about, this city was not a choice location to hide this man. Nor was my homeland of Caina due to the rats that were also searching for things there. It had been decided that this man would be detained within the hidden chambers of the Society. And with that we left the sickening false facet called Trammel and emerged upon the true facet of Felucca.
We had already made plans to hold Eldred within the largest of our buildings. Nas'Rath and my most favored servant Vailanna greeted us upon our arrival. Eldred followed Lynne into the building like that of a confused lost boy following an all knowing mother. Lynne led him to a chair and had him sit down in it. He looked about the room and saw beings that he did not feel comfortable with. Lynne then went into another room to fetch something. She had returned with a small amulet. She smiled at Eldred and spoke more words of enchantment upon him. It was then that she placed the amulet around the poor fool's neck. She then let out a bit of laughter and released a bit of her hold over him. In terror, he stood up and demanded to know what had occurred. She smiled at him and told him that the amulet was our way of keeping him as a guest. For it was this amulet that would allow Lynne to control this man's destiny. Should she have the slightest inclination, the amulet would cause a rather gruesome and brutal death for dear Eldred. She further stated that she had bonded the amulet to the confines of the building we stood in, and any attempt to leave without her consent would result in a painful death.
Eldred gritted his teeth and slowly moved towards the exit. As he approached the door he was quickly brought to his knees as the amulet began to emit a burning sensation throughout his body. He turned back to us and gave out a look of despair and fear. I smiled at him, and told him that he would be in the best of care under Vailanna's watch. My laughter apparently gave him no assurances of his safety.
A few days had passed since the Society had taken Eldred Jonas into possession. After attending to a messy and blood filled incident in Skara Brae, I then returned to where he was being held captive. I was greeted by Nolzian Tal'Kohl, Elrand Silverose, Vailanna, and a most frustrated Eldred Jonas. I then smiled at the man, and removed my sacred ritual dagger that had been forged from the hands of Obilvion. And within mere seconds I had grabbed his left hand and sliced off his ring finger.
He screamed and knelt over in pain. I proceeded to kick him out of my way, and retrieved his finger that had fallen to the ground. I looked over it with the utmost care as his ring of knighthood was still attached to the severed finger. I motioned towards Nolzian and he brought a small decorated box in which the finger was placed. I laughed over his pain but also at what was to come. Vailanna was given orders to guard the military commander. Even with Lynne's amulet keeping him within our grasp I would not chance any form of escape, and I trusted none other then Vailanna to guard and watch over him. It then came time to make my way into Stormhaven.
Elrand and Nolzian accompanied me back to Trammel and then to Stormhaven. Oh the pleasure I would have in giving Princess Shantel so many tokens of Eldred Jonas! We came to the Citadel of Stormhaven and were greeted by their guards. I made my presence known and demanded to speak with Princess Shantel concerning relations between both Stormhaven and Skara Brae. The guard nodded to me and asked us to step inside. He ushered us into a small waiting area and then told us he would go and seek an audience with Princess Shantel on our behalf.
What I have heard concerning the nobility of Stormhaven is so utterly true and typical of most nobles. We waited for what seemed to be hours and during that time dear Elrand became a bit antsy in his waiting. He proceeded to look about and play with a few items. One of the guards approached him on this and asked him to please stop. He grumbled at the guard and then took a seat once again and joined us on the ever-annoying wait.
Miracles can apparently happen. The guard returned and announced Princess Shantel. The Princess then appeared accompanied by that filthy woman Molly Teach. Oh, how I wanted to release a bit of my powers upon them both... But control is something one most practice in order control others. And that was something I mastered long ago. I gave a bow to Shantel along with that of a greeting. The stuck up brat apparently has no manners whatsoever as she just gazed upon me in such a hateful manner.
I let out a chuckle and told her I came to speak with her in regard to relations with Skara Brae and Stormhaven. She assured me that Stormhaven would have no friendly relations to my rule of Skara Brae due to what she called atrocities committed to the people of Skara Brae by my rule. I smiled and assured her that Stormhaven was to stop any and all claims on Skara Brae. They were also to never assist any of their allies in whatever forceful and futile invasion attempts upon my domain. And a small tribute of 40,000 gold coins would be presented to us on the behalf of Skara Brae.
Her mouth dropped at these demands and she let out a loud laughter. I joined with her in the laughter, and then threw the black staff of Eldred Jonas to her feet. She picked the staff up and looked over it in horror. She asked how we had taken the staff of Eldred into our possession. I smiled at her and replied that we had gathered it in the same manner as we did with this little box. I then gave to her the box that contained the finger of Eldred Jonas. Slowly she opened it and let out a scream upon seeing it. The sight of his finger and the ring still attached to it was a bit too much for Princess Shantel of Stormhaven. She looked at me with anger in her eyes and demanded to know his status and whereabouts. I assured her that he was quite safe and in good care.
But I also informed her that if she wanted to avoid future delivery of other body parts then she would agree to our demands. The woman then stated that this would be so and that we would meet within twenty-four hours to conclude the transaction. I agreed with her on the time but told her that the transfer would occur within Caina, on the rooftop of Golgotha. A feeling of dread covered the room with the mere mention of the Tower of Skulls. Both Molly and her guards all tried to persuade the Princess not to travel to Golgotha. I reassured them all that this was not an option, and that I would have no problems with placing the head of Eldred Jonas on a spear within the center of Skara Brae. She bitterly agreed to this, and assured me that if any harm befell Eldred that I would certainly pay with my life for it.
--continued in second volume--