Firiona Vie Everquest

The Huntress walked into the room and commanded her pet to sit in the corner.
R`Lith came to the Teir`Dal and bowed respectfully.

“Mistress, a message arrived for you.” Announced the old wizard.

“What message R`Lith?” Asked the Teir`Dal maiden. The wizard bowed and handed the letter to his mistress. On the letter was the seal of Licinia DuQeynos.

“Now what in name of all that is hated would she want?” Thought D`Nar. D`Nar opened the letter and read:

Lady D`Nar. I think you can provide me something I want to provide something you want. I can be found in the Refined Palate, in the Commons.

“Hmm... this sounds intriguing... R`Lith have my horse prepared and out front in ten minutes.” The Teir`Dal maiden cleaned her blade and made her preparations to leave. The Huntress rode to the Common area of the city and entered the establishment. D`Nar pushed her awareness outward checking for any sign of Sanguine. A Teir`Dal commoner approached the Lady Shadowknight.

“Lady D`Nar?” Asked the commoner.

“Lady Vel`Dynn to you. And you should know to show proper respect to your betters.”

“Forgive me, Lady Vel`Dynn, I only used the name that I was given.” The commoner kneeled reverently before the Shadowknight. “Let me fetch the Lady DuQeynos.”

“Be quick about it.” The commoner arose and bowed again before departing. The commoner shortly returned with a Teir`Dal arcanist.
The arcanist nodded to D`Nar.

“Lady D`Nar?” Asked the Arcanist. D`Nar nodded. “Shall we sit?” The arcanist gestured towards a reserved booth in a discreet corner of the restaurant. The pair moved to the booth indicated by the Arcanist.

“You make a fine looking Teir`Dal, DuQeynos.” Remarked the Teir`Dal knight.

“While I am welcome enough in this city, meeting with you openly would draw perhaps too much attention to you... although it is known that whom I favour often benefits, in this city... However, it would be presumptuous of me to offer, unsolicited.” The Arcanist paused for a moment. “The Fordel red here is quite good, as I recall...”

“I do prefer to keep things discreet here. The Sanguine are getting wise to the fact that they are being hunted. However, they have no idea by whom.” The Arcanist gestured to a server and a bottle was brought to the table. Licinia Poured two glasses herself, and politely waited for the Teir`Dal knight to choose whichever goblet she wished. “I do not drink. Thank you... I keep my senses sharp at all times.”

“Perhaps a gift, then.” The Arcanist offers D`Nar a package of Qeynos Afternoon Tea. “Steep it for three minutes, no more, no less.”

“I do like to sample what other cultures have to offer in the way of food and drink so the gift is welcome.”

“Amongst other things I do hold the letter of consignment to supply this tea to the great houses here.”

“I see but I know you did not call me here to trade Tea bags.”

“Demand has gone down slightly. I note that demand for bloodwine from Cabilis has gone up slightly.”

“Bloodwine is a favored drink amongst the Sanguine... “

“There is much myth about their abilities, their preferences, and their weaknesses. Some claim to have preternatural senses. I have never found one that could penetrate my illusions but... so they claim. Others claim their condition gives them enhanced strength compared to their original form... I would imagine you would know of that more than I would. Then there is that annoying ability to learn thoughts by drinking their victims' blood... Some claim they are vulnerable to holy water, while others claim the contrary. I think it would be beneficial to discover more of the truth, yes? What I am about to propose would meet with distaste within much of the Candle Alliance... Including dear Gilliadson, who I would imagine would not approve. However, a true paladin confronts his or her foes, armoured in light, and with honest steel.”

”I do not worry about him... He and I will meet soon enough.” Said D`Nar.

“Others of us have different options, no?”

“So what is it that you propose?”

“How badly does Thex Christanos dislike the Sanguine?”

“She has denounced them as a plague upon our people.”

“What she says and what she means are not necessarily the same... but I think you would know.”

“She does not normally release her Shadowknights from service to her but she did release me so I could dedicate my time to hunting them. The Queen and I share this same opinion of them that they are not true followers of Innoruuk... They are Mistmoore's progeny.”

“The ones I have met seem to be quite fervent followers of the Father. Indeed, some are even priests.” Said the Arcanist

“Misguided heretics. They are dead that do not have the common sense to crawl into their graves and stay there much like the common skeletons and zombies that wander our world only they still have their brains intact.”

‘Christanos claims to be Norrath's foremost necromancer. That could be true, although Miragul might rival her... Or Sathir.

“Both of them are Lich's now, shells of their former glory.” Said D`Nar

“Which leads me to my next link in the chain. I am seeking necromancers in Paineel and Cabilis both. You can speak to the Queen. The former - are neither Sanguine, nor Teir`Dal. Thus my plans are unlikely to be leaked to Dalharen or their like. You, on the other hand, can meet with the Queen without drawing attention...”

“True.” Licinia leaned forward with an unnerving intensity of earnestness.

“I think we should seize a number of Sanguine, alive, If you will forgive the contradiction in terms. And then… I propose that we take them to the necromancers for experimentation to determine their capabilities.”

“That would be quite interesting indeed... They do not seem to be strong enough to break Mithril bonds. I can tell you about some of their abilities though from experience.”

“I do not doubt it, but what I am proposing is a... scientific approach. When I was an investigator, I spent some time researching the contagion in rats from the plague that the Bloodsabers released. I propose we obtain… samples, Surreptitiously. I agree with Her Majesty that the Sanguine are a plague and I think we should see what... extreme curative measures might be possible… No?” Licinia paused for a moment. “So… Do you consider this a worthwhile course of action?”

“I will talk with her Majesty and see what she has to say.” Said The Huntress

“I intend to pursue my own portion in any event... but so far I have not found a suitable necromancer. The one who extracted the sanguine bond from me is gone, now. I suggest we work from the shadows.”

“That is what I do best.”

“Already you stalk them. Who is to know that they are being taken, rather than slain?”

“That is true...“

“What of Shadowbane?”

“Whatever I discover I would share with him for his happy little sanguine-hunting expeditions. He need not know where it comes from, no?”

“That is not what I meant...” D`Nar grins slightly.

“If you refer to your vendetta... Nothing has changed.”

“It was actually quite funny that he bonded to such an idiotic female.”

“Let me put it in some terms that you would appreciate. He is useful to me. And for your perspective... You have a chance here to serve your queen. Moreover, you can admit that you find this plan... amusing. Why throw that away for a human paladin? As for Sineliniel... I consider her a friend. Neither of us need pretend that our goals are the same. Merely... convergent.”

“True... like I said before... I will not actively pursue him... I will keep tabs but when our paths do cross, do not expect me to stay my hand...”

“I would expect no less and no more.” Licinia nodded.

“For now I will be content to let him live long enough to regret his choice of life mate.”

“We humans do not live very long by Dal standards. Perhaps one of the reasons why we take such risks.” Commented DuQeynos

“D`Nar: Bonding with an elementalist as unbalanced as she is... *snickers* is really quite the risk...”

So, then - are we agreed? We collect subj... specimens, and what knowledge we obtain, we share between us? Assuming in your case that Christanos agrees.”

“Agreed... Maybe i can get Mogadeche to be a test subject...” D`Nar grins evilly.

“Unlikely. Let us remain realistic. Take the strays.”

“I know but a lady has to have her dreams. Strays are easy.”

“I have good reason to want to see him dead as well. However, I am realistic as to my own abilities. He sent me another package a while ago. So I had one of his own people attack him. If he persists in murdering Qeynos guards, I shall force him to murder his own.”

“Do enough of that and he will be alone.” Remarked the Shadowknight

“I am merely trying to convey the message to him to lay off.”

“I may have some trouble getting enough Mithril to make binding cords.”

“It can be obtained in Felwithe. I can arrange for that. I can even enchant it.”

“Ohh that might hurt them...” D`Nar stifles a laugh.

“Only if they struggle too hard. Moreover, I imagine their overconfidence will not let them hurt themselves. They enjoy inflicting pain; they are not so adept at absorbing it.” Said Licinia

“I will be sure to give them reason to...”

“That might be enjoyable but... to be honest... I would rather let them pass unharmed until the moment their heads are uncovered and they realize *just whose* laboratory they have woken up in. They should be flattered.” Licinia Laughed mirthlessly

“I suppose I can take care of that detail” Said D`Nar.

‘It must be considered quite the privilege to have a private audience with Queen Christanos. One could even say it will be the honour of their lifetime.”

D`Nar laughs wickedly.

‘Well, I know you are a busy woman, as am I.”

“Always the pleasure, Lady D`Nar.”

“Well maybe not so much a pleasure but a welcome change anyway. If I enjoy this tea I may just have you add my house to your list of recipients. You know, you would have made an excellent Teir`Dal.”

A familiar voice broke her train of thought was she wandered past the restaurant. The Enchantress that the Ilharn so loathed. She stepped closer to the wall, listening as best she could. She could hear their voices talking but not what exactly was being said, though she picked out the odd word, particularly names. Mogadeche and Queen Christanos? What could they possibly have in common?
She listened closer, trying to pinpoint the second voice but did not recognise it. She gathered unpenetratable shadows around her and headed towards the door. But the Enchantress was leaving already, the Tier'Dal disguise not fooling Kalsari this time. She recognised the scent, the voice. Frowning, she turned back towards the Manor, intrigued as to what Licinia duQeynos had been after in Neriak.

The presence of a Sanguine entered D`Nar's awareness. It was the one that she had tracked to Surefall Glade. D`Nar decided that she would add this one to her list of "test subjects" for the Queen if her Majesty liked the idea. D`Nar drew her cloak about her and slipped into the shadows before leaving the restaurant unseen by all.

D`Nar waited outside the Queen’s chamber for permission to enter. The Teir`Dal Huntress carefully examined herself in the mirror to make sure that her appearance was perfect. The Queen would brook no disrespect in any form. D`Nar handed her weapons to R`Lith when she was given permission to enter and walked into the Queen’s chamber. The Huntress approached the Queen Christanos, knelt reverently before her and held the position, awaiting the order to arise. Queen Christanos arose from her seat and slowly walked around the Shadowknight inspecting her appearance. Once she was satisfied, Christanos returned to her seat.

“Arise, Lady Vel`Dynn and tell me what brings you before me.” D`Nar rose to her feet and addressed the Queen.

“Your Majesty, I have an idea that you may enjoy entertaining.” Started the maiden.

“Tell me then, child, what idea this might be and do be quick about it.”

“I thought it would be a good idea to try to capture some of the Sanguine and bring them to you to study. Being that you are the most powerful and knowledgeable Necromancer in all of Norrath, I think that you may be able to determine not only their capabilities and weaknesses but also perhaps a forcible cure. Our people are being thinned out by these spawn of Mistmoore. Eventually there will not be enough of us faithful to Innoruuk to hold this city if we were to be attacked.” Christanos Thex thought for a few moments before responding.

“D`Nar Vel`Dynn, you are wise beyond your experience. I have thought on this course in the past but was not sure who I could trust to bring me live, so to speak, and undamaged specimens. I have heard of some Gnomes who have built a stasis device. Such a device would come in handy for transporting these specimens to my laboratory. Find and obtain this device. I will then commission you to bring me what specimens you can obtain.”

“As you command so it shall be done, my Queen.” D`Nar knelt reverently again before Queen Thex.

“Arise and you are dismissed.”

D`Nar stood up, bowed respectfully to the Queen and left the chamber.

“R`Lith, I want you to arrange a meeting for me with some of your Gnome friends.” Said D`Nar as she left the Queen's chamber.

“As you wish Mistress.” Responded the elder Teir`Dal wizard as he returned the Shadowknight’s weapons to her. The two of them returned to the manor. R`Lith went to his study and retrieved a small Gnomish device. After touching one of the runes on it, the device started to hum. The image of an elderly female Gnome hovered over the device.

“R`Lith!” Exclaimed the Gnome in a squeaky voice. “Have you finally decided to take me up on my offer?”

“No Izzi, I have not, however, I do have an offer for you and our other friends. My Mistress wants to meet with you all and I can say from experience that she rewards quite well.”

“Very well, I will send word to the others. We could have done quite well together, you know.”

“No doubt but I am bound to my service here. I doubt very much that my Mistress would release me.” The image faded and the device ceased its humming. The wizard went to D`Nar and informed her that arrangements were being made.


“Very good, R`Lith.” Said the Shadowknight. “You are a most faithful servant.”

“I live to serve The Father and your house, Mistress.” R`Lith smiled. He had served the House Vel`Dynn for almost nine hundred circles. Vel`Dynn was one of the few original matriarchal houses left in Neriak's Third Gate district. While they were no longer a ruling class house, they still had much influence with Queen Christanos due to their unquestionable loyalty to her. D`Nar's mother still served as the Queen's personal guard, a position D`Nar would take once the Sanguine were no longer a threat.

The reply from Izzi did not take long and the meeting was set. R`Lith muttered an incantation and opened a portal. D`Nar and the old wizard stepped through the portal and appeared on the first Island in the Plane of Sky. Shortly afterward another portal opened and three Gnomes walked out of them.

“Hello R`Lith.” Said the female of the group. “It is good to see you again.” R`Lith nodded.

“Allow me to present to you my Mistress, The Lady Vel`Dynn.” Said R`Lith as he motioned to D`Nar. The three Gnomes bowed respectfully and D`Nar bowed likewise.

“I will get right to the point.” Started D`Nar. “I have information that one of your people has invented a stasis device. I have need of such an item for a very important mission. I am prepared to pay quite well for information as to how I can obtain such a device or will pay much more for the device itself if you were to acquire one and deliver it to me. The choice is yours as to how you want to handle this task.”

“We have heard rumors of such a device.” Said Izzi. “We will look into it and see what we can do to either provide you with the information you seek or the device itself.”

“That is well enough for me. Do be as discreet as possible.”

“Discretion is not a problem.”

“Very well. I shall await your word.” D`Nar ran to the edge of the island and jumped off followed by R`Lith. The two of them landed in Freeport Harbor and R`Lith transported them home. “We must find a very discreet way of contacting DuQeynos to let her know that the deal is on.”

“With your permission, Mistress I think I can accomplish that task.”

“Very well, do what you must to make it happen.”

“I will not fail you Mistress.” R`Lith bowed respectfully and went to his room and retrieved another Gnomish communications device. “I just need a head to put this in to send to her.” As many body parts have been sent to Qeynos lately, I do not think the Dalharen will suspect one more.”

“Leave that to me.” D`Nar smiled wickedly as she strode out of the house and into the night. The Shadowknight returned a few hours later with the head of a Sanguine. “This one should do fine.”

The Gnome enchantress bound her sight to the Paladin as he wrote the missive that he handed to the bard. Quickly, Izzi's friend wrote down what he read and marked the place on his map of the Emerald Jungle as well. Izzi snatched the paper from the enchantress and ran to Neriak's Third Gate District. Izzi knocked on the door and waited.

R`Lith heard the knocking and briskly walked to the door.

"Izzi!" Exclaimed the old Wizard upon seeing his old friend. "Come inside quickly. You know it is not safe for you to be in this part of the city."

"I have information for your mistress. I may have the location of the device that she seeks, but she needs to hurry, Shadowbane is on his way to the location." Izzi handed the parchments to the old wizard. If the information is good then I will collect from her later. She is a knight, so her word is good enough for me.

"I will deliver this right away." R`Lith left the Gnome as she was casting a portal spell.

The Huntress was in her study looking up information on the name that she had gathered from the last meeting with the Gnomes when R`Lith knocked on the door.

"Come in only if it is important or your head will roll." Hissed the Shadow Knight. R`Lith stepped into the room and knelt humbly before his mistress.

"News from my friends My Lady. They think they found the location of the device."

"Well that is important enough to keep your head on your shoulders for another day." D`Nar walked over to her servant. "You may rise." R`Lith stood up and handed her the parchments.

"Izzi also said that Shadowbane was on his way there as well."

"Well then I think we should get moving. Send for my steed and fetch my gear."

"As you command My Lady." R`Lith departed the study to do his mistress' bidding.

R`Lith returned shortly afterward with D`Nar's armor and weapons. As the Shadow Knight slipped out of her silken gown the old wizard averted his gaze. The Huntress quickly dressed in her violet armor and gird on her katana. While her armor looked like violet leather, it was as light as silk and stronger than steel. D`Nar slung her bow over one shoulder and strapped on her quiver. The Huntress was ready. D`Nar ran out of the house and mounted her black steed. The Teir`Dal mistress drew her cloak about her and she and her mount became invisible to all. D`Nar spurred her horse into a gallop and rode out of the city.

Hekzin K`Jartan was hungry. Even if he hadn't been, he still would've been hunting; he enjoyed the hunt. But he had to be circumspect here in Neriak. The Commandments of Innoruuk, as some referred to them, prohibited one Tier'dal from killing another, although that was an old temple teaching that most Tier'dal ignored, for murderous hatred was best practiced amongst those who knew it best. Nor was Hekzin, strictly speaking, Tier'dal anymore. He was something different. Something stronger, faster, better. Sanguine. More than a few Tier'dal had aspired to this changed state, despite the oppostion of the Thex. So determined were these to seek immortality, that they travelled to distant Faydwer to take service in Castle Mistmore, where the great Mayong himself had been said to reside. Few found what they had been seeking. K`Jartan had been luckier. He'd been turned willingly by his own master, one of the new generation of Sanguine in Antonica.

Still, even if Hekzin K`Jartan wasn't Tier'dal anymore, he still wouldn't have been stalking dark elves. Too dangerous, for one thing. And moreover, he preferred humans as his prey. They were so much easier to terrify. The last one had been a human woman in the Commonlands; he savored the fear in her eyes that dimmed even as her heart had slowed while the last drops of blood were drained from her body. He'd experienced that obscenely delicious thrill as he'd raped her of her memories as he took her blood; far more intimately and hatefully satisfying than any mere physical violation could ever have been.

This one would be just as delightful, he was certain. A human woman, a merchant, would not be missed in Neriak's foreign quarter; certainly no-one would come looking for her. She was attractive, which quickened a sexual pleasure in the Sanguine. He'd watched her for several hours, hidden in the shadows as she ended her day's business and gone to her inn. Humans were notoriously blind in Neriak's dim lights; even so, he'd gathered shadows around himself to watch her, amused by the fact that she'd looked right at him several times without seeing. Oblivious as the sheep she was. Like all the great hunters, he would only reveal himself the instant he took his kill. Silently, he clambered up the wall outside her window, invisible even to the occasional patrolling guard. From there he watched her as she began to undress for the evening, amused moreso by the fact that he could observe her face in the mirror, where his would never again appear. He smiled as she pulled off her tunic, leaving her in flimsy underclothes with her neck bare. His appetite rushed through him and his fangs grew in sudden anticipation. This woman would know him. She would know terror and she would know pain, and then she would know death. Through her blood, he would know all three; a memory to be cherished now that he himself would never know death, nor the fear or pain that came so easily to a mortal shell.

In a blink of an eye, he flashed across the room, quick and deadly as an assassin's arrow. His fingers grasped that warm brown hair, and he pulled his arm back so as to bare the woman's neck, with a vampiric strength far greater than any Tier'dal should possess.

It was startling, therefore, as his body was halted by a sudden flash of a mystic rune.

Licinia turned towards her attacker as her Eldritch Rune flickered, barely registering the assault. She was glad he'd finally made his move. She'd been waiting for some time, never giving any hint of her awareness even as she'd watched him crouch in the darkness, grinning at her obscenely. She'd had to suspend her animation as well, for she wanted the sanguine alive - so to speak. She hadn't been actually hunting one - certainly not here in Neriak - but when the opportunity came clumsily presenting itself, she could hardly refuse to take it. Tuned to the moment of his entrance by her Sentinel spell, her hand flashed up to grasp the vampire by his collar, pulling him off his balance. Even so, the sanguine strugged with a strength that was impressive by Tier'dal standards. Not quite as much by human ones, especially one who had spent great time and effort in physical training.

Coupled with the layers upon layers of enchantment sewn into every fibre of her clothes, it wasn't even a contest. Licinia slammed the vampire's head into the table, savouring the briefest moment of hateful pleasure before suppressing the emotion ruthlessly. An effective hunter had to be dispassionate, and playing with her prey was unbecoming. She twisted the young vampire's head to face her own, and looked deeply into his eyes. She took a certain pleasure in watching those eyes widen with shock, then denial, as her will crushed his effortlessly in bonds harder than the hardest of steel.

Well, I'm only human, Licinia thought with a brief smile.

Stay tuned, dear viewers, as our protagonist, Hekzin K`Jartan, receives a private audience with the Tier'dal Queen, Cristanos Thex.

Having lost her chance at getting the mesmerizing device in the Emerald Jungle put the Shadow Knight in one of her foulest moods ever. As she sat at the desk in her study there was a knock on her door.

"It had better be extremely important or whoever is disturbing me will find out how much pain I can inflict before death comes to take them." growled The Huntress. R`Lith opened the door and entered the room. The old wizard walked up to the desk with a smile on his face as he placed the device upon it. D`Nar could not believe what she was looking at. "How in the... Did your Gnome friends discover how to make one?"

"No Mistress. This is the one that the Knight had placed upon the table. I merely opened a small portal next to it on the table and snatched it as the explosion started. Everything I did was masked by the explosion so none of them have any clue that you now have this device. It was slightly damaged but my friends were able to repair it. They wanted to keep it longer and study it but I insisted that it be returned so that I could present it to you when you arrived."

"R`Lith I do not know what I would do without you sometimes. How much longer is your service to this family?"

"Ten more circles Mistress."

"You have served this house loyally for a long time. I do not know what your payment was to be but you are free of your debt to this family as of this moment. If you wish to take your reward and leave you have my blessing."

"Mistress, out of all of your family that I have served, you have been the best. I wish to stay on and continue serving you for the rest of your life or mine, whichever ends first."

"So be it! I would have hated to see you leave. I must prepare to go before the Queen. Dispatch a message to Licinia and let her know that the deal is on.

Much time had passed. The Sanguine had disappeared from Neriak for some time and the Pain Mistress thought that they were gone for good until a familliar presence passed through her area of awareness. It felt like the one called Kalsari but different, more mature and stronger. For now this one would continue its existance, D`Nar decided to pay a visit to the Alliance. If there were any who had knowledge of these creatures they would be found there. D`Nar went to the armory and donned her armor and strapped on her blade and shield. A young Teir`Dal dressed in the garb of an arcanist entered the room.

"Is there something that I can assist you with, Sister?" Asked the young Lady.

"No Dear Sister. Go back to your studies. I am going out for a ride." Replied the Huntress as she slung her bow and quiver over her shoulders.

D`Nar left the house, mounted her Nightmare and rode out of the city.

D`nar approached Surefall Glade, dismounted and pulled her cloak about her. Shadows coalesced and then faded leaving an empty space where the Shadow Knight stood.

<D`Nar>
*Shadows coalesce into a small cloud and then dissipate leaving a Teir`Dal Lady dressed in Violet plate armor standing boldly where the cloud had been. She moves gracefully to the nearest chair and sits in it. *
Greetings friends of Shadowbane.
*her voice soft and silky as if she were calling a lover.*

<Crikkit>
*Looks over, blinking, trying to make out the figure in the low light of the small fire in the hearth* Are you...a friend of Sir Gilliadson or his lady?

<D`Nar>
I am, shall we say, an acquaintance. We have a little history

<Crikkit>
*Nodding vacantly* I am an acquaintance of theirs as well. I'm Crikkit HIxx, priestess of the Temple of Thunder out of Qeynos.

<D`Nar>
I am D`Nar Vel`Dynn of the Queen's Royal Guard and Knight of Innoruuk
<Crikkit>
A history? Anything you'd like to talk about? I should like to get to know all members of the Alliance well....Innoruuk? *Looks baffled* First a vampire and now a knight of Innoruuk? I must not have read the charter correctly *but her voice sounds friendly and light hearted*

<D`Nar>
Vampire you say? They have returned?? Seems I will have more hunting to do. But the history between Shadowbane and I is quite simple. He killed my father and I killed him though somehow he was returned to the living. But that is not too important... My father was a bastard anyway. I only killed Shadowbane for my family honor.

<Crikkit>
Uhm...oh my! So...now you're even? As to Vampires I heard something called Mogadeche is roaming about. Can you tell me what a Mogadeche is?

<D`Nar>
Mogadeche is a son of Mistmoore who claims to be a follower of Innoruuk. I thought he was gone but you say he has returned? Perhaps the Queen will release me from her service again to hunt this taint again. Mogadeche and his ilk are a plague upon my people. Bloodsucking dead that do not have the good sense to stay in their graves.

<Crikkit>
Ah, that cheers me. My people, humans, do not know hate like the dark elves, but we know it in a way. Better that we battle against evil together than against each other. *Laughs* At least, until there is no one left to fight

<D`Nar>
Your people may consider me evil but these vampires or Sanguine, as they refer to themselves, are a true evil and a menace to all the live whether they be of Innoruuk or of Tunare. I must inform the Queen...

<Crikkit>
In truth, I joined the Alliance to be a light in the darkness. I thought I would shun all evil, but as you say there is evil, and there is -EVIL-. You spoke of your honor. I do believe you have it in you, or you would not civilly speak with me so. I have been to the plane of hate and seen beings that are nothing but hate. You are much more elegant, if I may say so
<D`Nar>
I think I serve Innoruuk by maintaining control over Hate rather than letting it control me. Make no mistake that I hold no love for Gilliadson or the Alliance, but I do know how to be Civil and now in the face of a greater evil perhaps it would be in the best interest of all to put what differences we have aside to face this menace. If you see Licinia let her know that I have the stasis device and am prepared to use it in the hunt of these Vile Sanguine.

<Crikkit>
I will tell her. May your mission against the undead bear great fruit child of hate, who perhaps have a greater capacity for destruction than we who walk in the sunlight...

<D`Nar>
When Shadowbane returns you may give him my regards. *rises from her chair*
Well I do suppose it is time for me to take my leave. We shall meet again.
*Shadows coalesce around her as D`Nar draws her cloak about her. The Teir`Dal Sword maiden fades into the shadows before they dissipate leaving an empty space.*

Upon returning to the House, the Shadow Knight called her sister to her.

"It is time for us to put our plan into action and reveal to this alliance of the Light where their weakness lies so that they can take appropriate action. After which, your most dangerous mission will begin."

"I live to serve our Queen as you do my Sister and will do what must be done to rid our people of this disease."

"Good. We will begin thinning their ranks soon. Starting with the forsaken of Mistmoore's Castle. Eventually these Sanguine will know Fear and Pain as only a true Teir`Dal and deliver it."

The Sisters laughed together before going out on their tasks.

It was easy to track the rough wherabouts of D'Nar. Wherever she went she left a trail of death. While Tajer cared little for most of them, she still found it a little disturbing to be part of an increasingly rare people. D'Nar made no distinction between the mindless creatures of the catacombs and the Sanguine, she seemed to quite happily destroy both. Tajer herself had slain many of those that lurked in there, but she did not consider them to be like her. They only knew thirst, they had forgotten who they were.

Mogadeche was gone, and wherever he was he was well hidden. Tajer had not felt his presence in a very long time. Everyone else seemed to have vanished too. Vendayvian had been gone longer than Mogadeche, Kalsari was long dead and Ultriin was in training, seemingly unaware of his bloodline. He had not tasted blood, he was still Tier'Dal.

Tajer was the last to her knowledge. She had promised Jetamio that she would not create any Sanguine, in return for her 'life'. But she was still hunted, despite obeying the Druid. She had not even killed, and she had not found anyone worthy to even consider breaking her vow. But still this blasted Knight hunted her, yet for some reason or another, never struck. She did not fear D'Nar, but always being watched annoyed her. But killing her was not an option...yet.

And so Tajer stopped her constant roaming and waited, deciding to see what D'Nar would actually do when faced with the opportunity...

Cautiously and silently the lady knight approaches the One she had been hunting. Watching from the shadows to be sure there is no ambush awaiting her.

Recent events have tempered D`Narr a bit. A few circles ago she would have just fired an arrow through the Sanguine's heart and be done with it but now after all that she had been through in the last few circles, she was more curious about this seemingly last Sanguine. D`Narr had questions and hopefully this One had some answers. D`Narr suspected that there was some tie to those of the Light. Her presence had been felt on more than one occasion in one of the alliance's meeting places. The rest of her kind seemed to have faded from existence. The great Mogadeche disappeared without a trace and not of the Shadow Knight's doing. If anyone knew where they had gone and whether they would be returning, this one would probably know.

D`Narr draws her bow, leveling an enchanted arrow straight at the Sanguine's heart and throws her cloak back.

A cloud of shadows form around her and dissipate leaving her visible.

"Do not move. This arrow will pierce your heart if you even so much as twitch an ear. Whether you leave this encounter on your own will depend on your answers to a few questions..."

Ah, threats, it always had to start with threats. Tajer simply looked back at her with a frank stare, glanced at the arrow then met D'Nar's eyes with a strange smile, as if she had half expected a similar scenario.

"And what kind of questions might those be?"

D`Narr keeps her bow leveled remembering just how dangerous these creatures can be if even given a moment.

"Well then we will start with the foremost question on my mind." The Shadow Knight kept her eyes locked on the Sanguine's eyes. "Where are the rest of your kind? They all appeared to have disappeared at once."

((Perhaps an in-game interview would be best for this part... Say Monday evening?))