TVC - Chapter 34 - Friend or Foe

[Ghouly]

Graveclaw shrugged “Graveclaw’ssssss ghoulssssss found it, came and told Graveclaw, Graveclaw told tem to dig it up while Graveclaw went to find Lahmian, but sse wassss with the Carssssstine, sssssso Graveclaw came to Nerarch inssssstead “ the Strogori growled in explanation “When it isssss uncovered, Nerarch can take away the magic”.

 

[Get of W'soran]

"You mean the wardings?"
V'azrin circled the doors that where being uncovered slowly
Why should I help this deformed creature? he thought to himself
Then barking a laugh he knew that his curiousity would not allow him to deny his help
"That would depend on the strength of said wardings, such things might take time and perhaps materials that we do not possess at this time" murmered the Necrarch
Glancing at Graveclaw he nodded slightly
"I shall begin my examination immediately but I will have to wait till the Ghouls are completely finished to complete said examining" he explained.
The ancient vampire then set to work.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

As the skeletal masons reconstructed the defenses of the castle. A shadowy figure stepped out on an intact tower, his tattered black cloak a flutter with an unnatural wind, and his hood pulled over his features making it impossible to tell what he really looked like. You would however catch glimpses of feral yellow eyes, that glowed with an unnatural energy. Seeping with this energy black wings grew from his back, the fabric alive raising into the sky, as he leaped form the tower on to the ground below, his wings folded into his cloak once more as he landed.

He glanced around the court yard, looking for signs of anything with a pulse unfortunately no one could be found. He ventured over towards the door of the castle, he was like a ghost quiet and quick. He ventured through the castle and discovered a great hall, he sat at the large table, pulling from his cloak, a large stone book. magical wards and curses covered the book, it was covered in a dark green stone that pulsed with ancient energy. He moved his hands over the cover feeling for curses of any kind, this was not his book but after he was finished its secrets, soon would be.

He raised a hand, and from his cloak a wisp of dark energy few from it into a spirit clad in black robes, shreaking it bowed before him, his thoughts played through its head, flinching at his commands it ventured away, seeking Count Simon von Carstein.

 

[Simon von Carstein]

A voice rang out from somewhere within the hall. "I'm starting to think that brother Mircea is correct to criticise my security arrangements. As it would seem some tramp has been able to walk through my doors and sit at my table." The voice continued "Identify yourself stranger or be destroyed."

 

[Mr Nightwere]

The figure turned his head away from his book, to see Simon von carstein with four wright guards at the great door, there blades shining with a furious pulsing energy. He stood up and walked slowly towards the count he peered through his hood to examine the count, after a moment he spoke pondering on his words "my name is Jason Nightwere i presume that you are Simon" a small smile crept on his face barely noticeable under the cloak.

"Yes indeed i am, now explain your purpose here or ill have you slashed to Ribbons" Jason smile dissipated. "I would enjoy seeing that but I'm afraid I'm be a little tougher than i seam Simon". "Simon's eyes shone a faint glow of anger, the wrights ran forward as Jason stood still watching them for a moment there blades lunging froward, Jason's cloak came alive, wrapping there blades in the dark cloth, twisting them around he grabbed a sword from the cloak and sliced a head from one of the creatures and grew up a hand and turned the other to little more than dust, as he finished off the wrights, with a mermer of words under his breath, sucking the dark energy away from there dry bones. He stood for a moment Simon's sword was drawn, tapping it on the ground lightly ready to strike. They gazed at each other for a moment Simon keeping his anger in check.

Jason broke the small silence " I've proven my point, i do not wish you dead Simon Von Carstein, that being quite difficult i would imagine. I wish instead to join your council if you'll have me, or you could simply try and kill me where i stand, the choice is yours". Jason stabbed his sword into the ground, unveiling his face his feral yellow eyes a glow with an energy Simon had not witnessed before, He could see scars on his body from his neck down glowing of a faint purple color. Simon gripping on his sword tightly, as Jason's eyes glue bright and narrow waiting for the counts decision.

 

[Simon von Carstein]

"and What pray would you have to gain by joining us?" asked Simon "We're about to go to war with our creator who is not renowned for his good graces or merciful attributes." As he spoke armoured figures started to appear within the room emerging from all the entrances. "Baalak Gul." Simon thought "They're finally here." as his thorough bred ghouls surrounded the intruder. "and what do you have to offer?"

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Looking about the room, one of the ghouls hissed in dismay as his eyes fixated on the creature. Jason pulled over his hood once more and said,
"I have lived for over 2000 years, Simon Von Carstien. I have ventured to the edges of the world and beyond..." he paused as his cloak caught an unnatural wind, small threads dissipated from it turning into cairn wraiths before Simon's eyes. Seventeen wraiths formed from the falling threads causing the ghouls to sink back towards their master slightly.
"...And in that time I have learnt much, I find it is so much more helpful for me to be allied with this council. The world has grown and I have become more noticed over the last few decades, the black guard hunt and follow me wherever I go. I am capable of many things, but defeating an army of Morr is not one of them".

Jason pulled from his cloak a small amber orb that was etched with glowing wards.Magic swelled through the gem growing brighter it formed into a book of Golden Stone.
"This is my tomb of knowledge inscribed with wards and curses more potent than you can imagine. It contains vast knowledge that has been lost to the ages and ravages of time, some that only I shall ever know. I offer you my services and knowledge in your campaign against Nagash and Neferata," Jason paused distastefully dwelling on the thought of the Queen of the Vampires.

He pulled out a silver pocket watch and examined it, a horrible face was carved into the watch. Glaring at Simon through his hood, "well? Am I worthy of your precious council?"

 

[Simon von Carstein]

"If you are as knowledgable as you say. Then no doubt you are aware of my reputation amongst our kind." replied Simon coolly. "Vampires are at the top of the food chain but I'm even higher up. Remember that!" he gestured to the Baalak Gul to stand down which they did. "Now then! You've shown me what you can offer me. But what do you want from me in exchange?"

 

[Mr Nightwere]

"Vengeance" Jason said darkly, " turning away and regaining his composure. "Among other things, what I seek is a sanctuary, a place where I can study and experiment, without priests of Morr at my back, you would of course benefit from there results, I have heard of your reputation Simon and what you plan against Nagash, you will need me".

Staring downward Jason spoke " And... I need your help against Neferata," he paused, anger filling him at her name. "Long ago before i wield the power I wield today, I was young and arrogant and discovered a way to immortality. Foolishly I found it in the queen of mysteries, trekking through those mountains until I came to her lair the silver pinnacle. I struck a bargain with her, my people for my immortality, but was thrown into the dungeons after she had my rechid people, when I tried to escape I was turned. thus my torture continued for centuries, it took a loving stranger Shara to give me my freedom and I want both her and my vengeance and you can assist me in both."

focusing back on to Simon, his thoughts becoming focused once more "Do not mistake me for any one who is weak that was many centuries ago and a faint fickle memory. "I also wish the spoils of a your war with Nagash, they would be great indeed. That Simon is what I want, that is what I have come here for."

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason placed the pocket watch back into his torn cloak, he could feel he was quickly losing this grip on reality. Although his movements however became more sharp, the more his mind slowly slipped away, Simon had quietly noticed this unfold. Memories played through Jason's head his people there mocking laugh's, as his father the king traveled the street's, feeling their arrogance tugging at Jason's emotions, recalling his father leaving him for war and death. Realizing his grip on the past, was clouding his judgment, he snapped back like he was awakening from a dream or nightmare.

" Forgive me " pausing to regain his conscious thoughts, " it is a rare occasion that my emotions manifest them selves like that ". "consider your self forgiven" Simon said is a calm voice". What i offer, and what i want are the same knowledge. you have a collection of tomb's that i wish to examine and i have enchantment's and elixirs to bestow of your followers. There is also Neferata to consider, it will not be long until she becomes involved in this war if she hasn't already, and i seek vengeance as well as my sire " Jason said in a quiet tone, his composure defined and focused.

 

[Ghouly]

Graveclaw stared at the crude stone door the ghouls having finished their escavation had fallen back into the forest away from the baleful magics of the door. "Now Nerarch work your ssssspellssss Graveclaw will take care of the resssst".

 

[Get of W'soran]

V'azrin tapped his chin as he frowned thoughtfully at the door, slowly he walked around the door flicking his fingers occassionally small sparks leapt from his fingers causing the air infront of the door to shimmer causing hissing sounds, the Ghouls looked slightly afraid of the effects of the Necrarch's magic.
After a few moments the Necrarch crossed his arms standing straight staring with Authority around the grove,
Alright then...thats enough of the useless dramatics now I should actually get to work he thought to himself

"Now the first step..." said V'azrin mostly to himself and with that he snapped his fingers causing a resounding bang...
For a few moments there was no discernable effect apart from the noise, then the air around the dig site began to shimmer, where there had been empty space there was now dozens of black robed figures their faces hooded apart from one, he stood out not only being the only one not to wear a hood but also his black robes where covered in runes.
The unhooded human smiled faintly, in his hand was a staff crawling with dark runes as he ran a hand through his dark hair he spoke
"All is in preparation master"
"Good Damek" replied V'azrin.

The robed figures, humans of the Pale Order, now stood in a large circle their heads bowed, they all chanted quietly channeling the winds of magic towards the Arch-Necromancer Damek who in turn mumbled words of spellcraft to give this power to their Necrarch Master.

V'azrin reveled in it, the power of the greatest Magi from the Pale order was flowing through him bolstering his own considerable magical power. With a single words of power the vampire assulted the wards of the door.
Screeching filled the air as dark magic smashed into the doors defences.
The winds of magic where in upheavel.
V'azrin stood in awe and astonishment at the power of the wards.
Hmm these wards are greatly cast indeed...however...I can not expend to much power in this effort...or that of my servants...I shall have to be careful he thought to himself with annoyance
Narrowing his eyes he forced more power into his spells
Shatter you damned doors! No Von Carstein spell will stop me!
In the back of the Necrarchs mind he imagined he could hear the laughter of Mannfred

 

[Simon von Carstein]

Simon watched his visitor carefully."I will of course endeavour to aid you in your vengeance. I have no love for Neferata or her supporters. We will travel to the Silver Pinnacle soon but we will have to make a short detour to Schwartshafen to sort out some unfinished business."

 

[Mr Nightwere]

He smiled faintly, raising a hand; he summoned wraith's clad in black robes simmular to Jason's own. He shot it a gaze into the pits of its cold eyes.
It shuttered at his commands, bowing in pain to his master will.

"I shall summon my army and my supplies they shall arrive here soon, let us continue to Schwartshafen"

Jason said as the spirit's flowed away silently.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

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