A Quest for Humanity

[Stormfollower]

In the bay thousands of more ghosts lurched to the waters surface . Former saints who did not deserve the praise they still received in the mortal realm, ancient warlords whose fate it was to drown in disillusionment with their own foiled plans, wicked witches whose curses had been moiled in their own evil souls while they hid away in their secret sets, old men who had given their all throughout their lives in the name of wrongful causes, and many other forms of spirits came to the dark barge all intent on speaking with the Speaker. And even though they numbered in the many thousands one type of soul was missing from this host. One type of soul which represented the vast majority who still held a link with this mortal place and time. The contented souls of the sacred tribe, whose numbers far surpassed those of the troubled, remained righteously in the beyond.

[Zotreth Myurden]

A cold breeze drifted past Zotreth as he recieved the message from Cerissa. The Shadow was diminished after a few minutes, it's time on Norrath finished along with the dark energy he had released earlier. The Knight of Shadow mounted his Abyssal Steed once more, and started toward the direction of the barge.

On his way there, he sensed a mass of the Undead in the same place where his Right Hand awaited him. He drew his sword, and pulled his Fiery Shield of Solusek Ro to his side.

"This time," Zotreth said aloud, "someone is going to die." And with that, the Knight of Innoruuk stared upon the mass of Shadows and Ghosts.

[Gilliadson]

Sineliniel watches as the spirits head toward the bay and pushes back the fear that tries to well up inside her. Her Husband is on the front line preparing for an assault so she takes comfort in the fact that he and their daughter are well able to send the dead back to their rest but these numbers may be a bit overwhelming. The Arch-Mage hopes that whatever Stormfollower has in mind can be brought to fruition in the amount of time that the companions can buy him. Tunare have mercy on Norrath if they fail here.

[Cerissa]

As the ship sailed on Rixcis hissed out orders to his men. Orders of preparation, orders of protection and finally, though definitely not the least considered, orders of death. Cerissa had seen to it that he had been well paid, and those that were recruited would receive their just rewards, should they survive. Her Benefactor had cared well for her, and a portion of his provisions were spent keeping the young girl well protected.

Mercenaries of all professions gathered around their leader ensuring their undivided attention was on him. The lure of coin and keeping their hearts beating being the lure to their service. Some were easier than others simply for the promise of removing the light that taints the darkness known as the obscure world where they resided.

The ship approaches the fleet of nearly empty boats, and the Mercenaries grin watching the souls gathering around the barge. Some could hear their wails, while others only wished they could. Words avoided meaning as the spirits could only speak with Remis. Rixcis called his men to ready themselves and minimal time was spent due to the preparations along the way.

Cerissa could sense Zotreth’s presence being nearer to her brings the grin of The Father to her lips, “He is here.” As the many souls and ghosts leaped and bounded around the boat Cerissa leaned back for a moment to watch Remis the puppet at work. How beautiful he was to her, how deliciously beautiful. His power, his anger, his hatred, all this fueled her power, and desires.

Her reptilian eyes lower to his Human body and she looks over it with hunger. “You are such a sight.” She whispers raising her eyes and watching the spirits numbers drifting and gliding through and around the world of Remis. Wrapping her clawed, tiny fingers around the pendant she grins. His world was ruled by her, but she had enjoyed him too much to pull him back into the pendant. The fact of who he was made his dark soul even more beautiful.

[Jetamio]

On the outskirts of the camp, the golden armored Paladin sat, rocking her body with her hands over her ears. Like her twin, Radha could hear the dead, but unlike him, she did not embrace their whispers. Usually she could ignore them, but with Remis calling them all to the area in such great numbers, their cries and pleas tormented her. She cursed her brother...and then immediately felt guilty. He did not know she could hear them too, that she had been born with the same gift. She had felt embarrassed by it and kept it to herself, told no-one.

Most of the spirits left her quickly when they found that she would not listen to them, but one spirit stayed near her. Unlike the others, it did not bombard her with demands and tales. She sensed instead nostalgia, an old spirit come back from the beyond for one purpose, and a small glimmer of hope.

We would follow you...

Radha heard the words as clear is if someone had spoken them to her.

"I'm not like him! I didn't want this!" she cried to the empty air.

Your Father can help you...confide in him...

Radha suppressed a shudder and jumped to her feet. She ran to her father, ignoring the Elders all vying for his attention and decisions much to their displeasure. She ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest.

"Help me Father... I don't know what to do and they won't be quiet!"

[Stormfollower]

Her cries of torment hit her father through the crowd of worried elders. He pushed his way out from the midst of them and embraced his daughter soundly. Stormfollower looked around as if expecting a group of teasing boys to come chasing after Radha. Seeing her run towards him for a hug, and hearing her song like voice took him back to the days of her youth when he continually had to teach her many childish suitors what it meant to be men. But this was not then and whatever scared her now was fully the fears of a grown woman. She was a trained paladin no less. Some thing assaulted her mind with grave consequences and it was obviousness she was having a hard time focusing on the here and now.

"What is it Rhada? What troubles you so?" His voice was filled with concern and love for his daughter.

[Mujbura]

Mujbura crouched low as the ghosts and spirits flew past her. Looking over at Stormfollower she felt a certain feeling of honor as he stood proud and strong while they wisped past him. She turns back around to see Radha running up and leapt out of the way, all four paws landing solidly on the ground. She looked back at the pair with curiosity and quietly listened as she stood her ground protectively.

[Zotreth Myurden]

Sensing the presence of Cerissa, Zotreth continues toward the barge. He casts an invisibility against the undead spell to avoid any unnecessary risks. His Abyssal Steed lands on the barge and then suddenly disappears. Zotreth takes his sword and follows his senses to Cerissa.

After he is near enough, he steps into the shadows and appears before Cerissa and her puppet, Remis. "Greetings Mistress... What have you gotten yourself into now?" he says and smiles.

[Gilliadson]

The Love-bearer watches as Radha runs by her and into Stormfollower's arms. Myrikel reaches out and touches her Father's hand for a moment and smiles reassuringly as she looks into his eyes. Gilliadson reaches out and pulls Myrikel to him and kisses her forehead.

"It does not matter what tomorrow brings, my Daughter. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today we stand together and that is all that matters. Praise be to Marr."

"Praise be to Marr, Father." Myrikel senses the presence of her life-long friend and looks to the sky. "The Mistress of Love watches over us Father."

A blue bird circles high above and watches the scene below. Lithian was not allowed to interfere but only observe.

[Cerissa]

The demons and unfortunate souls pull from the fabric of her robes they are woven into as they reach in desperation to join the ranks of the ghosts and spirits swirling around Remis. Seeking freedom…. Freedom from their imprisonment within the hell she has entrapped them in.

Tiny, fine fingers slip from the pendant as she turns around smiling sickeningly sweet towards Zotreth, a half-hearted attempt to hide the wicked grin lurking beneath. “I was called into this. I am being….” she pauses for a moment to flash a faux heartfelt pout, “helpful.” She allows the grin of her birthright to darken her face.

“Would you like to play?” The word ‘play’ seeps past her lips dripping in the evil intentions she plans to put into place. She refrains from going in to details, knowing their connection is close enough that he knows fully all that begins, and ends, with his right hand.

[Jetamio]

She looks up at her father who still towered over her own almost 6 foot tall frame. Her amber eyes pleaded with him to understand.

"I can hear them father, I... I am like Remis...but I don't want it, I always ignored them before! But there are too many, they scream and moan and cry!"

She takes a deep breath and tries to compose herself in front of the crowd watching them. She lowers her voice so only her father and maybe the wolf close by can hear her.

"But one of them is different Father... it said it would follow me, to tell you about this... what does it mean Father? Who can it be? What do I do?!"

[Stormfollower]

Stormfollower hugged her close and then looked into her eyes.

"You should have told me of this Radha."

His sternness quickly melted to his caring and paternal tone as it always did with her.

" Voices from beyond can be dangerous but you were right to ignore them. Spirits who moan and rail against their demise were often misguided in life too. Their complaints are aimed at those who still hold life. They are motivated by sorrow, regret and jealousy and foster only evil Powers..."

He paused to stroke away a tear and smooth back her disheveled hair.

" This spirit who speaks calmly and offers to follow you, this one you must heed. The advice of our ancestors often come through to us as warm and lucid epiphanies. Yet to thee they speak directly! This gift is that which even the greatest shamans strive for all their lives without total success. Let this voice in, it will silence the others and bring more peaceable spirits to aide thee. Let thy holy training guide thy judgment of their intent."

He smiled proudly at her and turned his attention back to the trail that led out to the bay now teaming with the army of disgruntled spirits.

[Jetamio]

His answer was logical, though she had her doubts. It was one spirit among thousands that fled towards Remis, and she was completely untrained while her brother had long since mastered his gift. To even consider going against him she knew she'd need many more benevolent spirits. But would the Ancients leave their place of rest to aid their descendants? Radha frowned and followed her fathers gaze to the bay.

[Cerissa]

Four eyes watch, two dark, two a glowing yellow. A hiss is heard and a whispered voice calmly states she is okay. The glow of the orb creates an eerie blue mist which drifts its way to the floor. Stirring in the background does not disturb the two observers who have always stood watch.

A soft chuckle from one causes the yellow eyes to look at him with a lethal gaze. Black eyes do not turn away as he whispers, “She has my hate.” The orbs glow illuminates the toothy grin of the other as he proudly states, “She has my dread.” A scuffle is heard in the background and dark, scornful eyes look up at the Troll.

A low voice grumbles out, “Can we eat her yet?” Green lips rise exposing sharp teeth and four large canine fangs, “I heared the Feir’dal taste good.” A small figure begins to struggle once more.

“No, we still need her. When we are done you may do as you wish.” Dark eyes provide a warning look and the green lips lower into a sort of childish pout. “Silence her.” With a solid fist to the head blackness over comes and the four eyes return to the orb.

[Stormfollower]

Stormfollower stood as still as a statue. His eyes were oriented towards the sea but his mind was elswhere. He knew the turmoil of his twins. Remis and Rhada where the inheritors of his gift. To hear the dead was no simple thing and for those like Remis it drove them mad. Rhada however had her faith and this kept her strong. For Stormfollower it had been his indominable will that had allowed him to comune with those who had passed beyond, but this will had also kept the contact at a minimum. As it was now he spoke to the spirit of the Raventear Tribal ancestors, a great Tribe who had succomed to the Gnolls first at the battle of the shadowed mountain and then slowly dwindled in numbers until today when it was uncertain if any even still roamed the indesicrate nothron wastes. He bade them to aid his cause and fend of the spirits whome Remis had envoked and protect he and his friends from thier maddening plees. He asked that they help Rhada to see the truth in thier being and not to let the dark side of her brother draw he into its abysmal depths. After a long time he opened his eyes once more. He was ready.

"Remis!" He shouted with a voice like thunder.

Remis heard his fathers voice well and was frightened by the bravery in it. How could he remain so sure of himself against such odds? the young necromancer thought.Surely his Power is as great as always. He shivered involontarily and was about to speak when Stormfollowers voice rang out again interupting him before he could utter aught but a peep.

"Remis! Come with thy challenge! bring thy ancient rite to bear as is your want." He walked closer to the beach infront of his friends.

Remis was startled by the revelation of his fathers knowledge.Somehow he kne of his plan to usurp the leadership of Wolf Cult by way of an ancient trial that was the rite of all children of its leader. He collected his racing mind and made his way off the dark barge and towards the beach without a word making sure his new found "fiends" were coming too.

Heedless of the impending juxtaposition of traps he headed with his fathers fearlessness for the guardians path.