Elissril sat at the middle of the market ward in Solinar, the morning sun was just starting to peek down into the city when a flash of light appeared infront of Elissril, a man in black appearing from the outlines of the flash of light. Elissril's eyes caught a glimpse of the flashing light, and she glanced up.
“Miss Elissril?” The archmage asked.
Elissril nodded. “Yes? Thats me.”
“Would you follow me into the Mage's Tower, for a moment?”
“Sure.” Elissril said as she stood up and followed the archmage into the tower that was nearby.
“Please close the door behind you.” The archmage said as they entered the tower, Elissril obliged, and pushed the door closed, before following the archmage to a corner of the tower. The archmage waved a hand, and two chairs appeared. “Why don't we have a seat.”
”Ah, convienient.” Elissril replied as she sat on the chair, the archmage himself wasting no time in seating himself as well and continuing. “It has been brought to our attention that you possess a certai--” The archmage's words were cut off as a loud crack was heard beneath Elissril's chair, the legs breaking off and sending her tumbling on the floor.
“You had to break it?” The archmage asked curiously.
Elissril stood up, rubbing her backside and replying. “I didn't.”
The remains of the broken chair disappeared, and a new one appeared. Suspicious, Elissril placed her knee on it carefully to test its stability. “There, that one should be more stable.”
”Fair enough.” Elissril said as she said down, satisfied with her own testing of the chair.
“Ahum, as I was saying. We have been giving the understanding that you are in possession of a certain dagger.” The archmage continued again.
Elissril tilted her head. “This wouldn't happen to be the most recent dagger I got, would it?”
“One that has been claimed to have been created by a demilich, yes.” The archmage replied.
Elissril waved a hand slowly. “Mmmh, so what of it?”
“We have credible information that states that using it, would be very unwise.” The archmage warned.
“It drains the power back to the demilich, or what?” Elissril inquired.
“As I understand, it works only against palemasters. Curious as that is, as the only existing source of power to do such, is the Power of Hades.” The archmage explained.
“That sounds like powers beyond imagining.” Elissril nodded as she replied.
The archmage stood up as he said, “Let me show you.” and stepped towards Elissril, holding out a hand. “Are you willing to join me, for a short, yet safe, insightful trick?”
“Eh, sure. Lets see what this is all about.” Elissril said as she took his hand and stood up, moments of total darkness engulfing her vision. And then she was standing in an endless graveyard, stretching in all directions as far as any human vision could reach.
“This, miss Elissril, is what Hades looks like. This is where the forgotten rest, where the dead, long forgotten, lie eternally. Uninterupted.” The archmage explained.
”Hmm, indeed.” Elissril mused out as she glanced about, and then suddenly saw a torrent of light streaming into her eyes, causing her to squint.
“Mage. You should not have come here. Return now.” A commanding voice called out from towards the light, and Elissril could make it out to be a winged angel as her squinting eyes began to adjust.
“Thats a bit bright.” Elissril said in reply.
“You are not allowed here. Go home.” was all she got in response from the archangel.
“I am merely showing the girl, what she is dealing with.” The archmane answered.
“Yeah, just a bit've insight, we'll be gone before you know it.” Elissril added.
“You should turn back, now. This is the last warning.” The archangel said again.
“Lets leave.” The archmage said, reaching out a hand, and Elissril took it. A moment of darkness ensued for both of them, and then they were back at the corner of the Mages Tower where the chairs were, and they both sat down. “Most curious. I did not think we would even be noticed.” he mused out loud.
Elissril nodded. “Sheesh, planar things don't like us roaming around huh?”
“The correct question would be, why is Lord Michael there. Its unlikely, unless something is due, that an archangel is guarding the plains of Hades.” The archmage explained.
“I dunno, I don't know him.” Elissril answered.
The archmage responded quickly. “You do. That was Lord Geran.”
Elissril raised a brow and looked at the archmage incredulously. “Really?”
The archmage nodded, “Yes. This matter has become a lot more interesting. I came to teach you of a dagger, instead, we must all learn... from this short... trip.”
“Nathan was about when I got the dagger, but he seemed to have gotten beamed out halfway through.” Elissril explained.
“This is not my area of expertise miss Elissril. I suggest asking miss Anni or lord Scarbo about it. But they are probably as likely to answer as lord Geran himself. As for the dagger, it is a key, not a weapon.” The archmage answered and explained.
“A key huh, like a key to a ritual?” Elissril tilted her head, being familar with such things as that by now.
“No. A key into Hades. To unlock the thing that can destroy the palemasters. If we wish to rid the world of their evil, you must find it.” The archmage explained to Elissril.
Elissril pondered this. She still thought it might be a bit too good to be true. “But why would a demilich give out a key like that?” she inquired.
“Because he cannot go there himself.” The archmage answered.
“And I bet Nathan will try to stop me if I go to look, too.” Elissril mused out loud.
“Those are not his lands, miss Elissril.” The archmage said in response.
“But he chased us away from the endless graveyard.” Elissril retorted, which she was still curious about.
“Lord Geran is not in charge. We really could use that weapon.” The archmage said back firmly.
“So you propose I go to Hades, and find where this key unlocks?” Elissril asked, finally.
The archmage nodded. ”Yes. Imagine it, miss Elissril, ridding the world of Palemasters.”
“Thats a worthy goal to have, and I'm honored to be carrying it out. Just know that I'll be needing a means of getting there though.” Elissril said in agreeeance.
The archmage nodded, before standing up. “I will have to return to my colleagues. Expect to hear from us soon.” The archmage said, before walking upstairs further in the tower.
Elissril stood up and nodded before leaving the tower, and stepping out of Solinar's city gates. As she stepped into the plains, she pondered the entire meeting and trip. Why was an archangel patrolling Hades? Perhaps knowing that Elissril would be set to the task that she has ahead of her? She shrugged that thought off for now. Now was the time to begin thinking of bringing allies together. But first was the matter of writing a few notes and reporting.
None saw the cat vanish as she stepped behind a boulder.
|