''Are you sure they will suceed? The Council are still vampire lords and they boast many powerful fighters still brother'' Mircea questioned.
TVC - Chapter 41 - The Point of No Return
- Thread starter Disciple of Nagash
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The masquerade of murder returns! A new game of Vampires Amongst Us has begun. Unmask the killers, trust no one, and try to survive the night. Find out more and sign up now!
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Kaladas Harkon
Wight King
Quezalat's rage had simmered down to a cold anger by the time he returned to the Council's meeting place. He realized that he had no comprehension of travel in this place; he needed someone else to return to Lustria and have a chance against this monumental threat.
Damnit to all hell. He needed that elf.
Damnit to all hell. He needed that elf.
Count Erick
Wight King
Müller laughed at Milosh's face. It was a strange barking laughter. He straitened up and gave the Von Carstein a look of utter contempt.
"You are all so...stupid."
He shook his shaggy head from side to side.
He said nothing else. Any more words would be a waste of breath.
Müller shoved roughly past Milosh towards Graveclaw.
"Von Carsteins" he thought. "Nothing but a bunch of insufferably whining puffed up tom-cats with delusions of grander. They bicker about the smallest of details, semantics and their illusion of self worth called 'pride'."
In the same span of time it took the von Carsteins to accomplish nothing with all their talk, he had severely injured one of their enemy.
And Milosh dared question his sense?
He was either truely stupid, or a fool so blinded by fault he couldn't see strait.
The Werewolf flexed his claws as he neared Graveclaw.
Von Carsteins be damned, he was going to continue his fight.
"You are all so...stupid."
He shook his shaggy head from side to side.
He said nothing else. Any more words would be a waste of breath.
Müller shoved roughly past Milosh towards Graveclaw.
"Von Carsteins" he thought. "Nothing but a bunch of insufferably whining puffed up tom-cats with delusions of grander. They bicker about the smallest of details, semantics and their illusion of self worth called 'pride'."
In the same span of time it took the von Carsteins to accomplish nothing with all their talk, he had severely injured one of their enemy.
And Milosh dared question his sense?
He was either truely stupid, or a fool so blinded by fault he couldn't see strait.
The Werewolf flexed his claws as he neared Graveclaw.
Von Carsteins be damned, he was going to continue his fight.
Following the brief silence that followed Lesa's grim words Helena answered the Duke,
-"Of course it will not be as easy as it sounds - it rarely ever is - but as you said yourself, the enemy outnumbers and overpowers us, so we'd need a way to circumvent the main body of their army to have a chance at a meaningful victory. Jason's idea could work but would be filled with risk as an early detection could leave him and mistress Lesa stranded and isolated."
A thought suddenly struck her and she fixed her eyes and the Duke again,
-"What about our allies from Blood Keep, what of Lord Walach? Is he not supposed to arrive here in short? If we could orchestrate our own efforts with his timely arrival then it would definately increase our chances!"
-"Of course it will not be as easy as it sounds - it rarely ever is - but as you said yourself, the enemy outnumbers and overpowers us, so we'd need a way to circumvent the main body of their army to have a chance at a meaningful victory. Jason's idea could work but would be filled with risk as an early detection could leave him and mistress Lesa stranded and isolated."
A thought suddenly struck her and she fixed her eyes and the Duke again,
-"What about our allies from Blood Keep, what of Lord Walach? Is he not supposed to arrive here in short? If we could orchestrate our own efforts with his timely arrival then it would definately increase our chances!"
Zaak let out a girlish giggle, looking and speaking towards the Duke. "Come now, you know there's no sense to be found here!" Briefly displaying an idiotic blush, his face snapped to harsh and cold attention. He spoke quickly, lowly and darkly, but the message was clearly heard by all. This new side of Zaak was stunning and certainly disconcerting. "I am not suggesting in the slightest that it would be easy, but it is a simple question of mathematics. We already know they are greater than us in might and numbers and we need not reinstate that fact. All breath spent reasserting such a truism is wasted, and for creatures such as we breath is precious indeed."
His eyes snapped to Jason, who he began to advance upon. "And an assault from the air upon the second greatest magician we know would be wise, yes? Attempt to assault one who has over a thousand eyes at his command from the heavens, despite the fact that should just one soldier glance upwards V'azrin would strike us down from our high horses? Nay, such a flight of fancy is a fool's errand, and even a fool such as me would not partake in it. Hah."
He swiveled quickly and stormed towards Peter, but with an exited gleam in his eyes rather than a malicious one. "I like this one! Quick to action, slow to think! Go ahead, ride in on your horse, storm the castle, slay the beast, correct? WRONG!!!" He blared that word with the force to shatter a window. Thankfully there were none nearby. "Again, what hope have we in face to face combat? The crux of the plan relies on our victory over V'azrin, and with the von Carsteins surrounding him there is no hope. My friends, we are in checkmate with our backs against the wall and the ball is in their court. Sallying forth would spell decimation for us alone, not them."
Stepping outside the ring, he paced over to Lesa. Once behind her, he placed a hand upon each of her shoulders. Speaking softly, he mimed whispering in her ear whilst speaking to the whole group. "Ah yes. Our lovely witch here with a heart for our foe. What a pitiful sight. Our only hope is against us, is she? Well, I say she is right." Releasing her, he boldly marched into the center of the ring. "We should remember that neither Milosh, nor Simon, nor any of the von Carstein rats that were taken, nor even V'azrin are our true foe. They are our most pressing issue no doubt, but not our biggest. Nagash is ascending from his grave and descending upon us like an avalanche of rotting meat. We cannot afford to cut off our resources.
"It again seems to come down to V'azrin. Kill him and the von Carsteins return to us, including your precious Milosh. Kill V'azrin and his magnificent armies are once more ours. Kill V'azrin... and we are once more free to prepare for bigger things than this." He paused, then continued. "All we need to do is kill, maim or otherwise incapacitate V'azrin. To do this we need him separated from the rest of them. For that, we will need distractions, we will need faux armies! We build an army, no matter how small, and each pick our targets. Contained in one-to-one duels, or two-to-one if you can handle it, we can detract from V'azrin's guard. NONE SHALL BE KILLED, especially not Milosh. Once we have dealt with them, a very specialized selection featuring Lesa will have a hope of combating V'azrin. This is the plan. Tie up their army with our own, tie up their Vampires with our own, and tie up the Key with Lesa. Do you object?" He stood before them all, awaiting a response.
His eyes snapped to Jason, who he began to advance upon. "And an assault from the air upon the second greatest magician we know would be wise, yes? Attempt to assault one who has over a thousand eyes at his command from the heavens, despite the fact that should just one soldier glance upwards V'azrin would strike us down from our high horses? Nay, such a flight of fancy is a fool's errand, and even a fool such as me would not partake in it. Hah."
He swiveled quickly and stormed towards Peter, but with an exited gleam in his eyes rather than a malicious one. "I like this one! Quick to action, slow to think! Go ahead, ride in on your horse, storm the castle, slay the beast, correct? WRONG!!!" He blared that word with the force to shatter a window. Thankfully there were none nearby. "Again, what hope have we in face to face combat? The crux of the plan relies on our victory over V'azrin, and with the von Carsteins surrounding him there is no hope. My friends, we are in checkmate with our backs against the wall and the ball is in their court. Sallying forth would spell decimation for us alone, not them."
Stepping outside the ring, he paced over to Lesa. Once behind her, he placed a hand upon each of her shoulders. Speaking softly, he mimed whispering in her ear whilst speaking to the whole group. "Ah yes. Our lovely witch here with a heart for our foe. What a pitiful sight. Our only hope is against us, is she? Well, I say she is right." Releasing her, he boldly marched into the center of the ring. "We should remember that neither Milosh, nor Simon, nor any of the von Carstein rats that were taken, nor even V'azrin are our true foe. They are our most pressing issue no doubt, but not our biggest. Nagash is ascending from his grave and descending upon us like an avalanche of rotting meat. We cannot afford to cut off our resources.
"It again seems to come down to V'azrin. Kill him and the von Carsteins return to us, including your precious Milosh. Kill V'azrin and his magnificent armies are once more ours. Kill V'azrin... and we are once more free to prepare for bigger things than this." He paused, then continued. "All we need to do is kill, maim or otherwise incapacitate V'azrin. To do this we need him separated from the rest of them. For that, we will need distractions, we will need faux armies! We build an army, no matter how small, and each pick our targets. Contained in one-to-one duels, or two-to-one if you can handle it, we can detract from V'azrin's guard. NONE SHALL BE KILLED, especially not Milosh. Once we have dealt with them, a very specialized selection featuring Lesa will have a hope of combating V'azrin. This is the plan. Tie up their army with our own, tie up their Vampires with our own, and tie up the Key with Lesa. Do you object?" He stood before them all, awaiting a response.
"I object." Valda's voice was a little distant "Simply put, asking any of us to actually take part in a plan that puts us on an even footing against this army of Von Carsteins in any form is a plan based on failure. In their state of mind, I doubt the Von Carsteins would face us one on one and even if they do, the Dreadlords would never be so pretentious as to allow it. Its a fools game."
He began to muse some more as his voice began more coherent.
"You also assume that with the Von Carsteins help their forces would be turned to our cause easily. If I were commanding them I would die no vital part of my forces to potentially fickle allies. The Von Carsteins may come back to us but that just adds more vampires to our forces, not more forces and as the old addage goes about facing the skaven in battle 'quantity has a quality of its own'".
A cold chill reached down Valda's spine.
I'm not with them Amadeus. I'm not there. I'm not even watching and you waste your time helping the fools. I've got her here now you know.
Valda snarled and turned away from the Council for a moment.
He began to muse some more as his voice began more coherent.
"You also assume that with the Von Carsteins help their forces would be turned to our cause easily. If I were commanding them I would die no vital part of my forces to potentially fickle allies. The Von Carsteins may come back to us but that just adds more vampires to our forces, not more forces and as the old addage goes about facing the skaven in battle 'quantity has a quality of its own'".
A cold chill reached down Valda's spine.
I'm not with them Amadeus. I'm not there. I'm not even watching and you waste your time helping the fools. I've got her here now you know.
Valda snarled and turned away from the Council for a moment.
Mr Nightwere
Necromancer
An eerie glow flickered from Jason’s robe as if some internal mind roared with rage at the slander of being called a fool but was merely greeted with a smile apon a face which held eyes of a similar rage.
"I'm sorry I didn’t know it was common place for rotting legions of corpses to simply look sky wards. Next I suppose you'll tell me that they'll be praying for Sigmar to strike me from the sky. I would suggest you not to call me a fool as I do not half fast plans did you honestly think I would not offer my own hide some kind of cover form wandering gazes. Of course not! besides last time I checked the undead do not have a very strong grasp of aiming or shooting and should V'azrin himself see me Lesa is one of if not the most powerful Witch's I have ever seen and....."
Jason paused his sermon and calmed himself grasping onto a silver pocket watch at his side before continuing slowly.
"If indeed we cut of V'azrin form his Carstine thralls, there’s is no guarantee that they will remember themselves and join us. Such a bond is not so easily broken. But, I feel as through there is little choice either way V'azrin must be destroyed so I ask you Lesa do you think this could work you have stayed rather quiet, it is your choice only you can match V'azrin is a duel?"
He looked to Lesa confident that she would make the right choice, what ever the plan of attack would be and hoping she would have the strength, to face it through.
"I'm sorry I didn’t know it was common place for rotting legions of corpses to simply look sky wards. Next I suppose you'll tell me that they'll be praying for Sigmar to strike me from the sky. I would suggest you not to call me a fool as I do not half fast plans did you honestly think I would not offer my own hide some kind of cover form wandering gazes. Of course not! besides last time I checked the undead do not have a very strong grasp of aiming or shooting and should V'azrin himself see me Lesa is one of if not the most powerful Witch's I have ever seen and....."
Jason paused his sermon and calmed himself grasping onto a silver pocket watch at his side before continuing slowly.
"If indeed we cut of V'azrin form his Carstine thralls, there’s is no guarantee that they will remember themselves and join us. Such a bond is not so easily broken. But, I feel as through there is little choice either way V'azrin must be destroyed so I ask you Lesa do you think this could work you have stayed rather quiet, it is your choice only you can match V'azrin is a duel?"
He looked to Lesa confident that she would make the right choice, what ever the plan of attack would be and hoping she would have the strength, to face it through.
"They will succeed!" said Simon moving away "I will go with them to make quite sure of the council's demise. You may begin your attack now!" he said as he disappeared into the distance.
Stop!" V'azrin hissed at Simon's retreating back, "you forget yourself. You are under the command of the Dark Lord, and thus you will take commands from me as if they were his." Whether he was willing or not to follow the command, he had no choice as the spell wrought pulled the vampire back regardless.
"This army will prevail, which it will not if each thinks to do their own. Even one such as I knows your creatures are not nearly strong enough to stop the Council. Enhanced they may be, but they are still Ghouls none the less. It seems as you cannot agree I will have to make the choices for you."
V'azrin stopped for a moment, as if hearing the voice once more in his head, before speaking once more.
"Yes, a combination of the two would seem to be in order. Simon, take your creatures and select a select few of your underlings to join you. You will use the blackpower from your cannons to create a landslide at the smaller route into the valley, sealing it off. You will then hold position.
Mircea, command the rest of our forces to attack from the larger entrance. Once the Council has committed whatever forces they have, then Simon should attack from the rear. With the pass closed they will not expect the small unit, but it may be enough to destroy some of the Council. I assume you have no....ah....objections?"
*******************************************
Milosh stared at Vekarin before shaking his head,
"A simple no would have sufficed," he finally said before turning his attention back to Muller, "and you. We have been commanded to return." As the words were spoken Muller was brought to heal like a dog on a leash by his arcane binding. Before either Vekarin or Graveclow could react Milosh burst apart once more, the mist wrapping round Muller before streaming skywards, leaving an empty clearing behind.
*******************************************
"I can defeat the bastard Necrach," Lesa answered, "if you can get me to him. But Valda is right. Even I can see that they will not fight us one on one, nor will V'azrin make himself easy pickings." Turning to Valda she looked at him questioningly, "however you did not make a suggestion as to what we should do otherwise? Perhaps you can advise what you think we should do?" The Duke too turned his head to look at him, curious as to what mysterious vampire would suggest."
"This army will prevail, which it will not if each thinks to do their own. Even one such as I knows your creatures are not nearly strong enough to stop the Council. Enhanced they may be, but they are still Ghouls none the less. It seems as you cannot agree I will have to make the choices for you."
V'azrin stopped for a moment, as if hearing the voice once more in his head, before speaking once more.
"Yes, a combination of the two would seem to be in order. Simon, take your creatures and select a select few of your underlings to join you. You will use the blackpower from your cannons to create a landslide at the smaller route into the valley, sealing it off. You will then hold position.
Mircea, command the rest of our forces to attack from the larger entrance. Once the Council has committed whatever forces they have, then Simon should attack from the rear. With the pass closed they will not expect the small unit, but it may be enough to destroy some of the Council. I assume you have no....ah....objections?"
*******************************************
Milosh stared at Vekarin before shaking his head,
"A simple no would have sufficed," he finally said before turning his attention back to Muller, "and you. We have been commanded to return." As the words were spoken Muller was brought to heal like a dog on a leash by his arcane binding. Before either Vekarin or Graveclow could react Milosh burst apart once more, the mist wrapping round Muller before streaming skywards, leaving an empty clearing behind.
*******************************************
"I can defeat the bastard Necrach," Lesa answered, "if you can get me to him. But Valda is right. Even I can see that they will not fight us one on one, nor will V'azrin make himself easy pickings." Turning to Valda she looked at him questioningly, "however you did not make a suggestion as to what we should do otherwise? Perhaps you can advise what you think we should do?" The Duke too turned his head to look at him, curious as to what mysterious vampire would suggest."
''It's not exactly how I would have done it, but it seems satisfactorly to me'' Mircea replied grudgingly. ''I shall begin now''. His form warped and blurred as he transformed into a swarm of bats that rapidly flew away to the rest of the army to begin the preperations
A grinding laugh escaped Vekarin once more.
"Flee, then, darkspawn. The end will come to you and your master. Your fates will end soon."
The massive Blood Dragon fell to his knees, a last word escaping his lips before the fire burnt out of his eyes.
"And it will be I who ends them..."
"Flee, then, darkspawn. The end will come to you and your master. Your fates will end soon."
The massive Blood Dragon fell to his knees, a last word escaping his lips before the fire burnt out of his eyes.
"And it will be I who ends them..."
Aurelius watched as his get Gabriel supervised the positioning of the barrels of black powder. The Baalak Gul were originally bred to be warriors and they didn't take kindly to what they saw as manual labour. Fortunately fear of Simon and his gets kept them in line. Gabriel stepped up to him. "We're ready to detonate as soon as your ready." he said Aurelius nodded as Simon appeared "I assume everything is ready." he said. He was in a bad mood having to take orders from a blasted Necrarch. "Yes milord just say the word and no one will be leaving from this way." replied Aurelius.
Count Erick
Wight King
Müller raked his claws over the crumbling alter of the Sigmarite Temple. He had been forced to return to V'azrin's camp before he managed to kill the Strigoi or Blood Dragon. Infinitely annoyed he had sought solace in a crumbling ruin not far from the camp.
He expressed his on the already wrecked masonry, tearing down columns and smashing the faces of saints, their hollow eyes staring accusingly down at him.
Their eyes...those damning orbs that eternally cast their scorn down on him.
Müller picked up a large chunk of rock and threw it into the face of one of the statues, destroying the graven image.
The werewolf breathed heavily, his anger abating. With the red-mist of anger clearing, he two new aches moved in to replace it.
The first was the ache of his mending leg.
The secound was the gnawing bite of The Hunger. The need to devour human flesh that cursed his breed.
Müller pushed the feelings to the back of his mind. He wasnt in the mood for hunting at the moment.
He leaped up, grasping an arch of the decaying church. He swung himself up onto a pillar and climbed up, before humping up again. The temple must have been a large structure before it was brought to ruin. Climbing among the shattered and vine encrusted stonework, Müller eventually reached the top of of the tallest remaining pillar.
He looked up at the two moons, feeling the night wind blow through his fur.
It would be Geheimnisnacht soon.
Müller closed his eyes and smiled, remembering the past deeds of slaughter and carnage his kind had wreaked on the world at that most auspicious of nights.
Things had changed from those past centuries. His kind no longer sought the company of each other, not since The First had passed into his Sleep of Centuries.
Müller howled at the moons. It was a long and chilling sound and it communicated more than could be understood by other sentient races.
The night rang with silence.
A sound answered the Werewolves howl. Müller's ear perked up.
It was an answering howl.
Müller looked out from his high vantage point, intrigued, at where the sound had come from. The wind blew and he caught a familiar scent.
The light from the moon shown and he saw familiar shapes creeping through the night.
Müller's fangs flashed in a wicked smile, his fur stood up in excitement. He stood up, his massive form framed by the two moons.
He howled into the night.
Scores of howls answered the call.
Müller, now in human form and clothed, walked back into the Von Carstein camp, approaching V'azin. He was accompanied by sixty or so individuals. Most where wild Norsemen dressed in animal skins and fair haired, but several Bretoinians seemed to fill out the ranks, their fine clothes and darker hair setting them apart.
Müller approached V'azrin and bowed.
"Behold, the Werewolves are at your command!"
He expressed his on the already wrecked masonry, tearing down columns and smashing the faces of saints, their hollow eyes staring accusingly down at him.
Their eyes...those damning orbs that eternally cast their scorn down on him.
Müller picked up a large chunk of rock and threw it into the face of one of the statues, destroying the graven image.
The werewolf breathed heavily, his anger abating. With the red-mist of anger clearing, he two new aches moved in to replace it.
The first was the ache of his mending leg.
The secound was the gnawing bite of The Hunger. The need to devour human flesh that cursed his breed.
Müller pushed the feelings to the back of his mind. He wasnt in the mood for hunting at the moment.
He leaped up, grasping an arch of the decaying church. He swung himself up onto a pillar and climbed up, before humping up again. The temple must have been a large structure before it was brought to ruin. Climbing among the shattered and vine encrusted stonework, Müller eventually reached the top of of the tallest remaining pillar.
He looked up at the two moons, feeling the night wind blow through his fur.
It would be Geheimnisnacht soon.
Müller closed his eyes and smiled, remembering the past deeds of slaughter and carnage his kind had wreaked on the world at that most auspicious of nights.
Things had changed from those past centuries. His kind no longer sought the company of each other, not since The First had passed into his Sleep of Centuries.
Müller howled at the moons. It was a long and chilling sound and it communicated more than could be understood by other sentient races.
The night rang with silence.
A sound answered the Werewolves howl. Müller's ear perked up.
It was an answering howl.
Müller looked out from his high vantage point, intrigued, at where the sound had come from. The wind blew and he caught a familiar scent.
The light from the moon shown and he saw familiar shapes creeping through the night.
Müller's fangs flashed in a wicked smile, his fur stood up in excitement. He stood up, his massive form framed by the two moons.
He howled into the night.
Scores of howls answered the call.
Müller, now in human form and clothed, walked back into the Von Carstein camp, approaching V'azin. He was accompanied by sixty or so individuals. Most where wild Norsemen dressed in animal skins and fair haired, but several Bretoinians seemed to fill out the ranks, their fine clothes and darker hair setting them apart.
Müller approached V'azrin and bowed.
"Behold, the Werewolves are at your command!"
V’azrin’s rotten features pulled back into a cold smile
“Excellent Müller, this is most pleasing†the Necrarch rasped, he had previously thought to reprimand the wolf man for his actions in attacking the Strigoi without orders but had decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
Turning he strode of slightly and turned to glance at Akarin and Karl
“Baron! Go and assist Micrea in everyway imaginable against the Traitor-Vampires of the council, do not allow him to become outnumbered or out classed, you shall be held responsible for his death should it come to pass.†the Scribe hissed.
Karl sneered faintly
“As you wish Master Corpse†the Baron said mockingly before striding off as the Necrarch glared hatefully at him.
“Assassin, you and your servant Silibar shall remain with me, no doubt the council shall think to strike me and even behind my wards I am a target, you shall protect meâ€
Akarin bowed silently and stepped back into the shadows, vanishing from sight.
The Necrarch smiled faintly again, a cunning expression creeping across his features,
â€Stay with me for the moment my loyal warrior he said to Müller.
Murmuring an incantation he sent his mind outwards.
___________________________________________________________________
In the centre of the Councils debates shadows began to gather, within moments every vampire present had noticed the strange magical anomaly, those of more magical inclination also recognised its meaning.
The shadows took on a hunched outline of the Scribe.
“Greetings Worms†sneered the projection of V’azrin
“I come with one offering and one alone, lay down your arms, surrender your armies and submit to the will of Nagash! Accept this and the Dark Lord may forgive you, do not and your destruction shall be assuredâ€
Sweeping his gaze over them the shadow smiled coldly
“You have a single turn of the hourglassâ€
The shadow vanished as it finished speaking.
_____________________________________________________________________________
As V’azrin opened his eyes he turned to look at Muller
â€Go to Micrea, Karl should already be on his way, the von Carstein shall be leading the army’s attack, ensure that he does so even if it seems that the council is standing down and assist on the assault on the Council Members, I shall speak to you by mind command if required. Order your men as you see fit but leave five here for my own protection†hissed the Necrarch
“Excellent Müller, this is most pleasing†the Necrarch rasped, he had previously thought to reprimand the wolf man for his actions in attacking the Strigoi without orders but had decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
Turning he strode of slightly and turned to glance at Akarin and Karl
“Baron! Go and assist Micrea in everyway imaginable against the Traitor-Vampires of the council, do not allow him to become outnumbered or out classed, you shall be held responsible for his death should it come to pass.†the Scribe hissed.
Karl sneered faintly
“As you wish Master Corpse†the Baron said mockingly before striding off as the Necrarch glared hatefully at him.
“Assassin, you and your servant Silibar shall remain with me, no doubt the council shall think to strike me and even behind my wards I am a target, you shall protect meâ€
Akarin bowed silently and stepped back into the shadows, vanishing from sight.
The Necrarch smiled faintly again, a cunning expression creeping across his features,
â€Stay with me for the moment my loyal warrior he said to Müller.
Murmuring an incantation he sent his mind outwards.
___________________________________________________________________
In the centre of the Councils debates shadows began to gather, within moments every vampire present had noticed the strange magical anomaly, those of more magical inclination also recognised its meaning.
The shadows took on a hunched outline of the Scribe.
“Greetings Worms†sneered the projection of V’azrin
“I come with one offering and one alone, lay down your arms, surrender your armies and submit to the will of Nagash! Accept this and the Dark Lord may forgive you, do not and your destruction shall be assuredâ€
Sweeping his gaze over them the shadow smiled coldly
“You have a single turn of the hourglassâ€
The shadow vanished as it finished speaking.
_____________________________________________________________________________
As V’azrin opened his eyes he turned to look at Muller
â€Go to Micrea, Karl should already be on his way, the von Carstein shall be leading the army’s attack, ensure that he does so even if it seems that the council is standing down and assist on the assault on the Council Members, I shall speak to you by mind command if required. Order your men as you see fit but leave five here for my own protection†hissed the Necrarch
The Baalak Gul moved away from the barrels of black powder and took up position behind Simon, Aurelius and Gabriel well out of range of the expected blast. "Its too bad we couldn't save a couple of these for that freak V'azrin." Aurelius commented "That time will come Aurelius and i'll probably let you do the honours." said Simon with an unpleasant expression "I assume your ready?" he asked "Yes milord." replied Aurelius "Then by all means DETONATE!" Simon shouted. Aurelius raised a hand flames enveloping it. Forming the flames into a ball he hurled it at the barrels. The explosion almost threw the three vampires off their feet but the resulting landslide seemed to do the trick as the pass was blocked. "Now we wait." Simon said
Meanwhile
The face of Valda was a confused one. He had faced numerically superior forces before and prevailed. In this sort of situation though, he had little experience. It reminded him of the bothersome campaign he had fought against Zhufbar for many years. Their small forces in key places had hampered him to the point of unleashing his full might on their keep in a single night. A thought then struck him.
"What if, instead of attacking this enemy as a fully armoured single massive division, we divide our forces into smaller attack groups." Valda cast his mind to the mental map he had made of the area "With some of the Dark Elf forces at our disposal along with every vampires inherent ability to maintain a small retinue, we could, in theory, create small cells all over these mountains to hamper the enemy and assassinate their own necromancers one by one. If we isolate them enough, we can then add the fallen dead to our own ranks."
Valda kept on pondering away. The other option was a direct attempt to behead all of Nagashs leadership in a single move. It was an equally risky strategy with much more consequence.
The face of Valda was a confused one. He had faced numerically superior forces before and prevailed. In this sort of situation though, he had little experience. It reminded him of the bothersome campaign he had fought against Zhufbar for many years. Their small forces in key places had hampered him to the point of unleashing his full might on their keep in a single night. A thought then struck him.
"What if, instead of attacking this enemy as a fully armoured single massive division, we divide our forces into smaller attack groups." Valda cast his mind to the mental map he had made of the area "With some of the Dark Elf forces at our disposal along with every vampires inherent ability to maintain a small retinue, we could, in theory, create small cells all over these mountains to hamper the enemy and assassinate their own necromancers one by one. If we isolate them enough, we can then add the fallen dead to our own ranks."
Valda kept on pondering away. The other option was a direct attempt to behead all of Nagashs leadership in a single move. It was an equally risky strategy with much more consequence.
Mr Nightwere
Necromancer
Jason contemplated the idea around in his mind, the Von carstiens could indeed be severely hampered if they were to divide there forces to combat the various attack's of the council members. But should such a plan fail there would be catastrophic losses on the council’s side. Mulling this around in his head, he decided it was the most logical of the current selection.
Jason spoke up “I will agree with Valda, without their necromancers the Von carstien army would certainly crumble. I know enough that the Von carstiens could not keep them up by themselves nor could V’azrin keep such a force up either." Many of the council looked to the idea with favor some still looked unconvinced
"Shall we decide on how will go in that retinue now, or is further discussion of the plan needed.." Suddenly the explosion was heard thundering through the mountain range like a thundererious wave it echoed through the passage the council was gathered in.
Jason spoke up “I will agree with Valda, without their necromancers the Von carstien army would certainly crumble. I know enough that the Von carstiens could not keep them up by themselves nor could V’azrin keep such a force up either." Many of the council looked to the idea with favor some still looked unconvinced
"Shall we decide on how will go in that retinue now, or is further discussion of the plan needed.." Suddenly the explosion was heard thundering through the mountain range like a thundererious wave it echoed through the passage the council was gathered in.
Zaak gave pause to this particular theory. A quizzical tongue traced out the edge of his mouth, bumping over his serrated tongue.
"Not my favorite battle plan, but tiny cells seems to be an effective theory. And seeing our current situation, it would be advisable. It requires little summoning, and should we come across a Carstein we can call for another pocket for reinforcements. We'll need some kind of communication spell - no doubt Lesa here can do something to rocks to let us talk through them.
"Of course, we'd be very maneuverable. This is very good." He paced, thinking this through thoroughly. "Yes, this would work. If we are decided, then I will retire. We have little time, and I need some new armor." Gazing down at his bare chest, he looked back up again and nodded. he walked to the door, before an afterthought made him stop. Turning, he asked a question on the threshold. "Work out the logistics amongst yourselves. I'll build my own armor, but does anyone else need a new blade or suit of armor?" He briefly waited for a response.
"Not my favorite battle plan, but tiny cells seems to be an effective theory. And seeing our current situation, it would be advisable. It requires little summoning, and should we come across a Carstein we can call for another pocket for reinforcements. We'll need some kind of communication spell - no doubt Lesa here can do something to rocks to let us talk through them.
"Of course, we'd be very maneuverable. This is very good." He paced, thinking this through thoroughly. "Yes, this would work. If we are decided, then I will retire. We have little time, and I need some new armor." Gazing down at his bare chest, he looked back up again and nodded. he walked to the door, before an afterthought made him stop. Turning, he asked a question on the threshold. "Work out the logistics amongst yourselves. I'll build my own armor, but does anyone else need a new blade or suit of armor?" He briefly waited for a response.
"In smaller forces, we would allow Nagash to hunt us one by one, achieving a difficult, yet debilitating victory against us. It has the potential to go very, very wrong." Victarias commented. She turned to Zaak.
"Perhaps, not a new suit, but perhaps mine needs some repair." She said, gesturing down to the twisted metal that adorned her.
"Perhaps, not a new suit, but perhaps mine needs some repair." She said, gesturing down to the twisted metal that adorned her.
The distant explosion did not escape the Council's ears. It definitely did not escape Sweeney Todd's attention. He wordlessly left the gathering with Mrs. Lovette almost immediately after the sound, and returned quickly thereafter to make an announcement
"The smaller pass has been collapsed. No doubt we can expect an assault from behind later."
"The smaller pass has been collapsed. No doubt we can expect an assault from behind later."
When V''azrin had appeared Lesa had started at the apparition, mouth already opened in an incantation. She quickly realised that what is nothing but a projection, one that had faded in an instant. After it had gone the Council had resumed talking, ignoring the issued threat as it was no more than they expected. However the distant sound of explosions and Todd's words had made it clear that battle was fast approaching.
"Then we had best start planning," the Duke said, "if we are to split into cells and each try to destroy the hold over the Carsteins army, we had best do it quickly. As for Mistress Lesa, I would suggest that a bodyguard is assigned." As the Lahmian's head raised sharply the Duke bowed his head,
"Apologies Mistress, but I do not mean to insult you. Powerful in magic you may be, but in the art of combat you are sorely lacking. If any of the Carsteins manage to engage you in hand to hand combat I fear we would loose our best chance of destroying the Necrarch. I would personally volunteer for such a duty...........though it galls me to say with my brothers magical plate," he spat the word magical with distaste, "he would have would have been ideal for such a duty, as V'azrin's magic would have had difficulty hurting him."
"I care not who accompanies me," Lesa said bluntly, "my only task in the upcoming battle will be to destroy the bastard, and I promise you I will succeed." Turning to Zaak and Jason she addressed them directly,
"I have something I require you to make........"
"Then we had best start planning," the Duke said, "if we are to split into cells and each try to destroy the hold over the Carsteins army, we had best do it quickly. As for Mistress Lesa, I would suggest that a bodyguard is assigned." As the Lahmian's head raised sharply the Duke bowed his head,
"Apologies Mistress, but I do not mean to insult you. Powerful in magic you may be, but in the art of combat you are sorely lacking. If any of the Carsteins manage to engage you in hand to hand combat I fear we would loose our best chance of destroying the Necrarch. I would personally volunteer for such a duty...........though it galls me to say with my brothers magical plate," he spat the word magical with distaste, "he would have would have been ideal for such a duty, as V'azrin's magic would have had difficulty hurting him."
"I care not who accompanies me," Lesa said bluntly, "my only task in the upcoming battle will be to destroy the bastard, and I promise you I will succeed." Turning to Zaak and Jason she addressed them directly,
"I have something I require you to make........"
-"Ashlotte and I could volunteer to be among your bodyguard. This metal body is well suited to be a living obstacle.", Helena said to Lesa in reply to the Duke's request. She continued, "We'll help you destroy the traitor in whatever way we can."
"It is near music to my ears, the sound of the Red Duke of Aquitaine extolling my virtues."
Vekarin's resonating voice sounded from entrance to the Council's conference room. Victarias looked perturbed at his arrival, Requarah shrank into the shadows at the sight of the gleaming-armored behemoth, "It is a task that I would accept with honor, my lady." Vekarin bowed slightly to the Lahmian. Without pausing, he continued.
"Although I was not aware that you made it your duty to ally yourself with the lowest of society, those who would turn traitor to their masters and seek to destroy all that we have built."
The Duke bristled, and Vekarin chuckled deeply at his offense.
"Relax yourself, child, I speak not of you."
Vekarin's resonating voice sounded from entrance to the Council's conference room. Victarias looked perturbed at his arrival, Requarah shrank into the shadows at the sight of the gleaming-armored behemoth, "It is a task that I would accept with honor, my lady." Vekarin bowed slightly to the Lahmian. Without pausing, he continued.
"Although I was not aware that you made it your duty to ally yourself with the lowest of society, those who would turn traitor to their masters and seek to destroy all that we have built."
The Duke bristled, and Vekarin chuckled deeply at his offense.
"Relax yourself, child, I speak not of you."
Evidently, Zaak now had three duties, and the message and explosion meant they needed doing quickly. Walking half-way back into the room, he turned to speak to Victarias. He was however interrupted by another. After briefly listening to Vekarin, he added his own comments. "Lady Victarias, if you would simply drop it off at the workshop when you're ready I would be happy to oblige." He turned again to Sweeney. "I would assume I may have access to it again?"
In response to Lisa's mysterious request, he said, "Most certainly. What is it that you need?" He hoped that it would not take too long, whatever it was. He still needed to make himself a new suit, and prepare some forces for his own cell. As for a companion (as there should probably be at least two vampires in each pocket, he surmised), he would extend an offer to Jason shortly. He had at least some knowledge of him.
In response to Lisa's mysterious request, he said, "Most certainly. What is it that you need?" He hoped that it would not take too long, whatever it was. He still needed to make himself a new suit, and prepare some forces for his own cell. As for a companion (as there should probably be at least two vampires in each pocket, he surmised), he would extend an offer to Jason shortly. He had at least some knowledge of him.
Lord of Ravens
Vargheist
"I believe Mircea will be the tactical head of the army," said Peter, "I ask permision from the Council to engage him and his force. As some of you may know, he and I fought together during the first Vampire Wars. It would be of some comfort to me that if he is to fall in the following battle it be by my hand, and visa versa."
The vampire knight turned to the armoured giant who had strode into the room.
"Lord Banespike, I remember when you came to the Blood Keep many centuries ago. I am Peter von Krahe. I was not aware that you were part of this operation. I was sorely tempted to join the Order you founded, but alas I was not strong enough to leave Walach's Keep on my own then. I am humbled to fight along side you."
Peter then faced the Red Duke. Bravely (or foolishly) he told him, "If you have a problem with Lord Banespikes armaments, prehaps you should face me in combat. I would gladly fall facing somebody who questioned Vekarin's honour. Although now may not be the best time"
The vampire knight turned to the armoured giant who had strode into the room.
"Lord Banespike, I remember when you came to the Blood Keep many centuries ago. I am Peter von Krahe. I was not aware that you were part of this operation. I was sorely tempted to join the Order you founded, but alas I was not strong enough to leave Walach's Keep on my own then. I am humbled to fight along side you."
Peter then faced the Red Duke. Bravely (or foolishly) he told him, "If you have a problem with Lord Banespikes armaments, prehaps you should face me in combat. I would gladly fall facing somebody who questioned Vekarin's honour. Although now may not be the best time"
- Status