The Dark Lord, Assassins, blood, fighting, love?

[silent_voice]

"Bring in the dancers!" Liam roared as he took another deep swig of wine. The shack full of people roared their approval in response as two massive wooden doors creaked open. Music began instantly, a group of people in the corner began to play ancient instruments including guitars and drums, creating a steady sensual beat.

Penneth began to move her hips rhythmically to the tune as she entered the room, the many bells and chimes on her clothing jingling to the tune of her movements. The drunken lords and warriors alike began to cheer and jeer at the dancing. Penneth winked at the others, a silk veil over her face hiding her features, but making her eyes almost appear to be glowing. Soon other dancers began to enter and join. They themselves could not master the control that Penneth managed to have over the group. Her erotic movements increased the music's speed grew faster and faster. The young woman slowly danced her way towards the drunken king, a smile crossing her covered face. The other dancers themselves mingled in the crowd, much to the amusement of the folk.

Liam laughed and rose from his throne, grinning drunkenly as he did so. The young woman danced closer and closer till finally she was grinding up against him in erotic movements. Touching his chest and stomach gently.

To others in the group the distraction of the dancers was almost too much until suddenly the music stopped. The king staggered back before slumping into his chair, a glittering jeweled dagger sticking from his chest.

Penneth turned to the crowd as the first cries began "THE KING!" Penneth grinned under her veil as the guards began to attack, drawing out swords "KILL THE ASSASSIN!" Others cried, a voice began to call before suddenly it stopped in a strangled squawk. Heads began to turn in that direction as the other dancers pulled out knives themselves and began a bloody attack on the surprised guests.

Penneth ducked under the first swing of a guard, lashing out with a blade in her hand, the small dirk finding a gap in the armor easily and peircing the heart of the first man to attack. The second guard lashed out only to receive the same painful fate. Finally the group seemed to me mobilizing the dancers were slowly picked off one by one, finally, Penneth was the only one remaining, standing before the dead king she looked either way at the guards slowly advancing before she threw her arm down, flames erupting from the ground and engulfed the woman, once they disappeared, so had she.

---

Walking up to another throne, Penneth knelt "It is done my lord." She said placing her hand over her chest. Now dressed in a dark loose shirt and a pair of black slacks, she had a numerous amount of knives "The false king is dead." She said to the dark figure on the raised throne.

The beast smiled, his teeth and eyes catching the dim light and reflecting it, giving him a monstrous appearance "Good. Seems that my training has not been wasted on you Penneth." He said before rising, walking down the stairs made from stone he stood before her.

Penneth lowered her head in respect, looking down at the two steel enclosed boots before her, he tapped her shoulder, giving her the signal to rise. Slowly she looked up his armor encased legs the knee guards having three small spikes out of the black steel itself. Looking up further she saw the raised skull plate on his chest. The gloves over his hands had spikes coming from the knuckles, looking up she stared into the face of the beast that had saved her, to the face that had become a father figure to her, the man that had trained her to be a perfect killing machine. He had not aged a day since she first remembered.

Looking down at her he inspected her carefully before looking over to the side at his own guards, the creature standing there was wearing engraved armor the face inside the armor however, was a half rotted corpse, an eyeball hanging half-way out of his head "Retrieve Venix. Bring her to me." He said before turning back to the throne "You may leave Penneth." He said, sitting on the throne once more he watched her go a smile crossing his lips once more.

---

Sparhawk turned to the group "We have to launch a full assault to the north. Show them we are not weak, it is an embarrassment to our lands that they could get an assassin past all our defenses and into the very chamber with Liam." he said looking at each and every man and woman in the meeting "Its time we attacked back." he said with finality.

Leron rose "I have to agree with you lord. I have one point to make though." He said before looking at the massive badger who had been placed in charge of the lands of Krentor "We don't know how powerful their armies are." He said before pointing at a place on the map "I suggest we Marshall the armies, but do not advance, yet. We should send a small group to investigate the lands, maybe get close enough to the king to kill him. I suggest, subterfuge, and if things happen to get dangerous. Then we attack to give the others a chance to escape." He said before sitting down once more.

Sparhawk nodded thoughtfully "It sounds good." he said before looking up at the others "Who do we send?" he asked Leron, he had been the lead adviser for the previous king and the king before that, an intelligent but shrewd man, his quick eye saw faults in others plans and mistakes, with his help, were quickly rectified.

Chanice raised her brow "I will go" She said, the long elegant dress over her thin frame gave the impression that she was weak. Her strengths however came from somewhere far deeper, her magical abilities were thus far unmatched. "I will go prepare." She said turning away and leaving the room with a soft grace.

Sparhawk watched her go, captured by her beauty like many others in the room "Who else?"


O.O.C.: I thought I would try this on for size, there are plenty of opportunities to play multiple characters here to please do not skimp, or put many characters in the same area... twould suck.

There are three main areas.

With the dark lord.
With Sparhawk
With Chanice

Please spread around? Sox, you might need more charys XP

Uhh, its ancient times... limits on magic are: No teleportation, no uber destructive forces... uhh.... and magic isn't involved with a lot of things
its a rare gift, and when it does work its usually not that great, but there are a select few that have major magic, the dark lord being one. The other is Chanice, but even then, she is not anywhere near a match for the dark lord.

*thinks* Any questions, just let me know and I'll answer it best as possible.
Super powers are allowed, but only parially. again, no real super powers. strength is allowed but not super duper strength y'know? anyway... thats all for now.

[Shay]

Venix waited in a small room when she heard the locks on the door start to turn over and she stood up, she wasn't going to be taken by surprise.


Adrian stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "I will go also.. but I'm afraid I'm not one for subtleties.. But I can provide my men for your cause." he paused long enough to glance around the room, "I am Adrian Johanson, My father was Nathaniel.. he died in the last campaign against the one who calls himself the 'dark lord'." he said, lowering his head in respect for those who had already fallen to the darkness.

Chennelle stepped forward also and looked at Sparhawk, "I want to go to.."

[silent_voice]

As the foul stinking creature opened the door, an eyeball fell from its rotting face. Coming to a roll and stopping at her feet "Come...." it gurgled in the back of its throat, looking at her with its one eye, the other having nothing behind but a black darkness. Not giving her a chance to respond it reached forwards and clasped her upper arm in a grip similar to a vice. The fingers felt like cold blocks of ice. A deep feeling of dread came with the grip. "Now...."

Half dragging her, half letting her walk, the creature took her to the dark lord. Sitting on the top of his great throne, the dark lord looked at her with his fierce green eyes. "So. Venix Muhn..." He said before rising from his seat. "Did you enjoy your stay so far? How's the meals? Square and true? I wonder if its as good as what you had at home." He said giving a little sick laugh, it turned to a cough, it got progressively worse until he hacked up a peice of flesh and spat it to the side, it sizzled on the ground till it turned to a black patch of ash and blew away in the breeze. Vanion looked up at her, taking a labored breath before he rose fully "Have you decided whether your chambers need an upgrade yet?" He questioned, his eyes glinting "All you need to do is rid me of this disease."

Sparhawk nodded to Adrian "I'm sure Chanice and the others would be able to use your blade to their assets Adrian. Take five others with you. The smaller the party the less chance you will be found." He said with a slight smile, walking around the table he put his hand on Adrian's shoulder "You would do your father proud." He said with a sad smile. Before she could say another, Chennelle spoke up. Sparhawk's grip tightened, causing Adrian some pain as he turned to her "No." he said, his eyes turning hard "You will not be going. It is too dangerous for you to go, you have not finished your training." he said, his blunted claws almost drawing blood in Adrian's shoulder.

[Shay]

"That's not fair!" Chennelle said indigantly, "I've got every right to volunteer and Leron already said we don't know how big their armies are so we need everyone who's willing to go!" she said crossing her arms angrily, "You can't keep me here..." she challenged

Adrian was struggling to keep standing let alone keep from crying out in pain, "I.. Thank you for your words of encouragement, lord..." he managed to say, changing the subject before Sparhawk's grip did permanant damage, "but perhaps.. I would work better with a shoulder that works.." he managed to say before giving a small yelp.


Venix inclined her head before looking at the guard still holding her arm, if you feel like keeping the rest of your decaying body in one relative peice, let go of me.." she said in a low growl. She waited until the guard released his grip on her before she stepped forward, giving a curt smile, "I assure you that I am quite content to stay in my current state.." she said cooly, "The food here isn't much improved from the mud pies we'd make as children, Vanion... but it has improved..."

[silent_voice]

Sparhawk released him in an instant, giving him an apologetic look before he turned to Chennelle "No, you are not going Chennelle and thats final. I am not only telling you as your father, but telling you as your king." he said walking up to her fully "You are not going on this journey." he said with an air of finality.

Roven stepped up behind Sparhawk and placed his long fingered hand on his shoulder "My lord, if I may." he said before winking at Chennelle before Sparhawk turned "You cannot stop her from going in any legal respect. She is of age, and unfortunately for you you are unable to use the right as king because you are only a temporary one." he said before giving his shoulder a light squeeze "She will be alright, Chanice is going with them. She is the most powerful mage of the century." He said before Sparhawk finally gave in with a sigh, turning back ato Chennelle "I want you to stay, but... if I cannot stop you, I can only ask you not to go." he said walking up to her and putting his hands on her shoulders "Please Chennelle. Don't leave."

Vanion straightened himself and sneered at her "Children? Venix, I am no child, I am not that little boy you knew, I am no longer Vanion D'ask. I am the Dark Lord, the ruler of an empire, and soon, the ruler of the world. How do you know that I won't be a better leader than the previous ones, how do you know, that I wont be able to bring this country to the next level? I want you to fix this illness. Brew me another batch of the medicine." he said, trying to convince her, when he realised it wasn't working her snarled "I'll have you know I killed Lyam." he said stepping forwards "they've placed Sparhawk in charge now. can you believe it? That big slow idiot." he said stepping forwards once more "And your ex husband if I'm correct." he said with a snarl "I also happen to know you have a daughter." he said before leaning over to her ear and whispering "Brew my medicine, and I will let her live." He said before pulling back and exploding into another coughing fit, this time after he spat the phelm to the side, his nose began to dribble blood. Wiping it Vanion glanced at it before he started back up the stairs to his throne "I'll give you an hour to think about it. Take her back to her cell." He said coughing a few more times and wiping away more blood.

(I've had a thought and maybe the brew only lasts like, three months? So thats why he keeps her there.)

[Shay]

Chennelle considered her father's words carefully, looking him in the eye and speaking quietly. "Father..." she paused to consider her words, "I know I have only just come of age.. and I know that my training is not completed.. and I know how much you don't wish to see me hurt... which s why I feel I must go." she said placing a hand on her father's cheek, "If I don't go, how will I know what my limits are?"

Nix inclined her head, looking at the figure in front of her, "You speak so highly of yourself... and that is how I know you are not fit to lead a country... others lead by example and hard work, you would lead through fear and darkness.. using your powers to influence others and make them do what they would otherwise never dream of.." she hissed in her throat, "Using my daughter as a bargaining chip is exactly the thing I'm talking about... If you harm one hair on her head you'll never see another drop of the cure.." she turned her back on him and strode ahead of the guard escorting her back to her cell, "You are right about one thing though... You are no child, Vanion D'ask... you are an infant!" she shouted so that it echoed off the stone walls.

[silent_voice]

Vanion watched her go with what appeared to be a calm exterior, but inside he was seething. Venix thought she could just talk to him like that? We would see about that. Vanion's face twisted to one of pure hate, his eyes showing the pure malice in his eyes. Pushing it aside he took a deep breath. Calming himself and focusing what was at hand. Looking over at one of the guards he watched them carefully, his eyes showing how boredom. A slight smile crossed his face. Suddenly the undead guardian burst into flames and collapsed on the ground in a burning pile. "Penneth" he said softly, his eyes closing slowly "I want you to go back to the city, find out what they're doing to 'retaliate' to the attack."

Penneth stepped out from the shadows her eyes watching her lord, master, and the only person she believed was her father. "Yes my lord." She said softly before she moved down the stairs and out of the great hall.

Vanion watched her go "I will contact you once a day." he said before looking back over towards where he had Venix taken. After a long time he finally rose.

---

Opening the door to the chambers with a simple wave of his hand, Vanion entered the small room, looking at Venix he watched how she was sitting, her nature, her attitude, everything. Finally he walked into the room and sat down next to her on the bed "Your country, your people, your kind turned me out Venix. For what? Raising dead animals? If anything has made me this way Venix. It was being outcast from the lands." he said before he winced and took a deep pained breath, holding his ribs tightly.

---

Sparhawk looked into the eyes of his daughter before he finally reliquished. Stepping back he sighed heavily "Fine. Chennelle, go with them." he said before stepping back "Adrian." he turned to the other "If one hair on her head becomes harmed...." he let the threat hang in the air.

Leron watched with a smirk on his face before he cleared his throat "I suggest you also send Azoth." he said in serious tones.

Sparhawk spun to him "Azoth? Are you mad Leron? Azoth is a murderer, a barbarian, a brute. Nothing more than a beast. I will NOT send him." He said with a snarl.

[Shay]

Chennelle stepped back and bowed her head to her father, "I'll be careful, I promise.." she said with a small smile.

Adrian bowed respectfully to Sparhawk at the request-by-threat before looking over at Chennelle with a hint of concern, how could he possibly keep her from harm from the most powerful enemy the had ever encountered? especially with her strong personality..

Nix was sitting calmly on the edge of the bed when he entered and only looked up at him as he came to sit also, "My kind was your kind as well when we were children.. nothing mattered then.. but you changed into something darker than shadows when you began raising the dead.. you made yourself this way and you were cast out for it.. your situation today is your own doing.." she watched him clutch at his ribs and something stirred within her, she remembered back when they were kids and she had fallen, winding herself in the process. She had clutched to her ribs in nearly the exact same manner as he was now... With a sigh she stood up and walked over to the workbench where several bottles and vials stood, taking one of the smallest ones she brought it back over to him, "For the pain.." she said simply.

[silent_voice]

Vanion took the vial slowly, taking it his fingers touched hers, he looked up at her "I need the remedy Venix." he said in an almost pleading tone. "You are a healer, the best in your art. Thats why I need you. Nobody else. You can make it for me, I know you can." he said before looking down at the small vial in his hand "I don't want to die." He said, appealing to her 'humanitarian' side.

---

(OOC: I'm going to do a quick fast forwards on the 'good guys' just to get things moving.)

Sparhawk stood at the door, his eyes narrowed as the riders prepared, Chanice sitting sidesaddle, holding onto the horses reigns with delicate hands, her frame almost lost in the simple dress she wore. Her eyes lost in the distant in thought as the others prepared.

With them was Roven, a young man who was chosen to go with Adrian in his little battalion due to his youthfull appearances and his astounding fighting ability, it would look less of a group of fighters if they were all different. Mounting a heavy warhorse was Azoth, a massive crocodillian, he wore nothing but a simple waist covering and a thong over his back where he kept his axe. He was going with them for simple power, if they met trouble he would deal with it with unfeeling and carelessness.

Sparhawk looked at the group and a concerned frown appeared over his face as his daughter came from the stables with her own horse ready and packed for the adventure. "Good luck." he said softly under his breath as the riders mounted.

Unknown to all of them Penneth watched from the roof, her sharp eyes noting every single one of the party, counting how many and estimating how hard they would be to defeat. Finally she made a hmph sound under her breath and turned away, slipping off into the forests behind the castle.

[Shay]

Chennelle looked at her father breifly before stepping up into her horse's stirrup and swinging her other leg over and settling into the saddle, Dispite their best efforts, her teachers had never been able to convince her to sit side saddle as a lady of her heritage should.. fact that brought a small smile to her face every time she went against what was 'proper' for her to do. She lead her horse back overto her father, coming to a stop beside him, "I'll be fine, father.. I'll be back before you know it!" she said with a cheerful smile before she leant down and kissed her father on the cheek, "Love you Dad." she said before leading the horse away again to follow Chanice.

Adrian was already up in his saddle and was watching the small exchange between father and daughter with a careful eye, pulling his horse up beside Sparhawk after Chennelle had gone ahead, "You have my word, Lord.. I'll watch over her.." he said with a slight nod

[silent_voice]

Sparhawk gave a nod before he watched them go, his heart sinking slightly in his chest. Turning to Roven he forced a smile "Let us prepare for war then." he said before heading back into the castle. "Mobilise the west and eastern armies, give word to the duke's. They'll need to bring their garrisons.

---

Chanice watched the others riding with her silently, her mind lost as thoughts moved through her mind. Sitting rigid in her seat for a moment she sniffed the air "Everyone." She said softly. Looking around slowly before she stopped her horse "I smell death." Looking around further she took a sharp breath "North, there's...." She paused, closing her eyes tightly and touching her forehead. "Oh god...... We need to go north... NOW!" She said with a shout.

Azoth moved his horse up next to hers and his eyes narrowed "What? Just because the girl has a headache and says we go north, we have to go north?" he questioned with a snarl, the chains that were still attached around his wrists clanged with his movements.

[Shay]

Adrian cast a glance at Chanice and then Azoth, about to caution him to calm down before Chennelle spoke.

"I smell black powder in the wind.." she said with a small sniff, "Chanice is right, we need to go north.. there's nothing but farming villages there!" she said, kicking her horse off at a gallop.

Adrian gave a sigh of dispair, the girl he was supposed to be protecting was at full gallop toward probable danger. he kicked his horse to a start after her.


Venix sighed heavilly, "You aren't going to die, Vanion D'ask.. not anytime soon... that vial will help with the pain while I gather the ingredients I need for the remedy.. I need to go back out to the fields for some witch hazel and wormwood."

[silent_voice]

Azoth was prodded into moving by the guards that were sent to look after him "Don't." he snarled before he turned and headed up the hill, following the others.

Chanice watched them before she spurred her horse into a gallop. What she saw at the top of the ravine made her heart sink, the entire village was burning to the ground, everything that could burn, was burning. Chanice felt a twinge in her heart, turning to the side she called out "Everyone! We need to flee here. We need to go, now!" she cried out, her horse rearing in fear as everybody's horses suddenly went beserk, threatening to throw their riders to the ground "Its the undead!" She called.

Vanion looked up at Venix and nodded "Thank you Venix.... When do you want to return to the feilds? Now?" he asked before standing slowly.

[Shay]

"Undead?" Adrian whispered in horror, he had heard stories as a child about these creatures who walked after death took them, either through damnation or spellcraft, it was unnatural and frieghtening to him then, even moreso now that he could see the writhing forms within the flaming houses and fields.

He calmed his horse best he could, turning it away from the village, however he was not going to let it run without knowing that Chennelle was safely with him.

Chennelle had her horse calmed enough for it to stand in one place, however it still kicked it's head back as though telling her to let him run from the flames. There was a deep seeded curiosity that kept her there, watching the lumbering stumbling forms as they moved through the flames.

"Chennelle!" Adrian's voice rang out to her ears and she tore her gze away from the burning bodies, "We have to go!" he shouted, Chennelle turned her horse and set off with Adrian following close behind her.



Nix shook her head slowly, "It will be sundown soon, the field I need is a half day from here and I'll need the daylight... I'll leave first thing tomorrow." she said pacing in a small circle, "The contents of that vial will keep you from intense pain until I return." she said, looking for any signs of the boy she once knew in the eyes of the monster before her.

[silent_voice]

Vanion looked into her eyes, his own hard for a moment before they faultered. He looked down at the small vial in his hand "Thank you." He said unable to keep eye contact. Opening the stopper he took a deep smell of the substance before he downed the vial. He glanced at her and opened his mouth for a moment before his ear twitched, he turned his head towards the door "I need to go. I'll return later, I'll take you to a better room." he said gesturing before he turned and left, leaving her in the cell for the time being, the door closed behind him and the sound of the lock turning.

---

In the village the creatures began to rise out of the flames, with burning flesh they left the buildings, making soundless movements, it was scary the silence.

Suddenly a very human scream emitted from the village, Chanice turned suddenly her horse halting "STOP! There.... There's one alive in there!" She cried out before turning her horse and charging back towards the town, her hands suddenly began to glow white "We have to save him!" She called.

Azoth didn't enjoy fleeing from an opponant and grinned "Thats more like it" he said before turning his horse, his muscles flexed and the chains snapped in the center leaving him with the manacles around his wrists. Reaching behind him he pulled his axe from his back and spurred his heavy horse forwards with a snarl.