Laina And Her Pact

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Latest revision as of 05:51, 26 July 2025

Title: Laina and her Pact

Author: Shardak Mardas

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The night had begun with a wisp of warm air floating through the tidal currents to the great icy isle of the north. Perhaps this was to be some kind of an omen for things to come, but who would have known.

I had spent the entirety of my day hunting with friends and allies alike, leaving nary all to pleased with them yet regardless with a pack fair to full of gold. So then had I came to rest, and when I had awoken to that breeze and checked those ravens bearing messages to me, astonishment crossed my face. Twas said, by many, that Caina had been placed under the rule of the Moonglow Militia, that they had occupied the city. Well, I came to find this preposterous, and ifin true, last for a short time indeed. Picking up my cloak and settling hat unto my head, I walked forth from the Casino where I had been resting and into the snowy streets.

An eerieness befell me as I did this, one I could not quite place… so forth, I dismissed it and took up my staff and proceeded to venture to the tower of bones, Golgotha. Upon the tower steps indeed stood several of the Militiamen I had come to know in my days working by their sides. Giving them a slight salute, I ventured into the tower and was immediately set upon by those far so untrusting of myself.

A few words passed, and I came to lean upon the stone walls of the tower, bones crushing beneath as I stood and watched the goingons. Little did I hear save of the usual banter I would expect to occur, and so gave little head to it all.

A witch came so to happen past, and words where crossed by her and the “occupiers” of the city. All through and through, I still came to find little of interest about this occupied tower save the amusing fearfulness of those militiamen at being in this unholy place.

Journeying back to rest within the confines of the Casino, I found a fitful rest and so awoke later that eve with a multitude of ravens upon the windowsills. Reading each in turn, I came upon a message sent to me by… an acquaintance, who told of an interesting conversation that had occurred between the ancient wyrm Laina and those humans of Rivendel.

So it would appear that from this letter I gleamed, that the mage Xerot, bearer of the lantern that housed the Shadow Flame, used a grand spell of invisibility of one we know naught, to traverse unto the temple that houses the flame, hence passing the guard within unnoticed.

The guard, as it was known, was but a Shadow of the entree, who would attack its owner. This temple, as well she had spoken, lay on the highest peak of Sosaria. Also she had stated that one of those of the recent shadow assassins had attacked her, and then twas that the letter stopped. Well, I so thought to myself, a most interesting turn of events. So then, I stepped forth from the Casino once more and headed towards the tower. Not far off from, I came upon the wyrm Laine toying with the human Thoma, who seemed all but enthralled in her charms. I watched on with a sort of pity for the poor chap, and listened as well. It seemed that a tome of illusions that the wyrm needed was in Caina, and she wished for Thoma to find it for her.

Giving the lad some advice of to the lass being one who would rather eat him then any other action, I gave him a swift smack to the back of his head and proceeded on, muttering of to wyrms and idiot humans. Venturing into the tower, I strode up the steps to my usual seat by the window of the 3rd level, looking out over the city I had known so long as home and sighing in remembrance of times spent. Twas then that I looked before me, and saw a tome sitting on the table before me. Picking it up, I read the cover; “On Illusions”.

Thinking to myself, perchance that this was the tome that wyrm had been seeking, I sent a raven out to Azalin, the Lich Lord, and awaited so a reply. That so eventually came in the action of a door opening before me, admitting entrance into his chambers. Within, a few others sat with at the long table before this great being. Moving forward and besides him, I handed over the book and awaited as Oblivion came forth to the Lich to tell him indeed that was the book sought after. So then did he bide me fetch the wyrm, to make a pact with the ancient creature in exchange for the book it sought.

Journeying to Leigh’s, I quickly searched through the boxes within until finally I had found the rune I needed, that to the ancient wyrms layer in the depths of Despise. Directing my magic’s into the ancient symbol adorning the piece of wood, I found myself in the depths of Despise, and with a spawn of fire staring straight down at me. Coughing slightly, I ran like the dickens from the thing, but far to slow as soon enough it had struck me down with a fist of flame that burnt my body in numerous places.

My spirit formulating about my body, I continued the rest of the way to the Wyrms layer and turned my corporal head up to stare at the dragon as it lay coiled about its heap of treasure. Soon enough, it awoke to my wails and returned me back to a more solid form. Inlisting its help, I soon enough regained my belongings and fell into a conversation with the creature.

We spoke so, of the book and I told of our wish to perform a trade with the beast, and asked of what it was willing in trade for the item. Its reply brought a smirk to my lips, as I had remembered the words that raven had brought me far earlier. She had offered us the lantern, but I knew forth that it would be useless as any other lantern ifin her plan, which so was to bond with the Shadow Flame, took place. So then, I told her of that and said such negotions could indeed be furthered if she so would come with I to Golgotha and meet with my master, the Lich Lord, that they two might discuss such.

So we journeyed forth into a gate of mystic energy she had summoned forth upon my a rune I had been carrying, and we came to the stone tower soon enough. Before entering, I had taken notice no longer where there Militiamen about, and so forth saw that indeed the “occupation” had been broken.

Venturing forth upon its steps, a sort of darkness befell me and wence I awoke once again, I quickly hurried to where my master so waited.

Talking so went on, that the wyrm was on the roof, and I offered to fetch her after telling of all that had passed between us in those humid caverns of despise.

At that time, Mesostopheles had entered the room and whispered words of caution to the Lich Lord concerning the beast. So then, I awaited till Azalin bid me forth and so exited to the roof, biding that Laina would come with to see my master. And thus she did, and negotions went forth most of the remaining eve, by which time I began to tire greatly.

So spoken of in these negotions, that I might tell you of before I journey once more to the realm as another of the Moonglow militia raid our fair city. Well, I prattle on… in the end, this pact was made… for so, when the wyrm achieved the means to break Xerots magic’s of invisibility, she would so allow for those of the Order to learn of the magic’s he had used and so stay invisible. But now I must go, and bid thee farewell… I do so hope this was of some aid in the understanding in that eves occurrences…

Walk in Darkness.

- Shardak Mardas