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ReubenHWeber — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:26:27 CDT

"Champion of the Gauntlet" (the J. Sebastian Chronicles) copyright 2009

If you like what you are reading in these pages, please go to www.tiptopwebsites.com/reubenweber and order the book, it would sure help me out. *note* not all the stories you read here are in the J. Sebastian Chronicles, some will be out in the Antonio Chronicles and still others will be in the Pach Chronicles. Feel free to drop a note indicating which is your favorite.

The Kinetic

ReubenHWeber — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:18:49 CST

"The Kinetic"

Pach returned home to Vienna after a lengthy tour in the far off land called Britain. He toured England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I envied him his tour, as I loved these lands so dearly. He was tired and hungry. The day was May 6th in the year 1695. Pach rode into town, stopped at the stables, and put Orion to bed. After feeding, watering and brushing the ravenesque beauty, he blanketed him and then headed for the inn. He entered to a shocking event. My usually gentle niece, Jenna stepped forward to him, "Good afternoon Jenna." Pach said warmly, he was greeted, instead of with words, with a vicious blow to his fair face from Jenna. He was so shocked he could not speak. "Murderer! You Killed Them Both And Then You Have The Nerve To Show Your Face Here?" She screamed at him, she raised her hand to deliver another and he stopped her hand in mid air with his own fast reflexes, "What do you mean?" Pach demanded, "Do Not Play Coy With Us, Murderer! Everyone In Vienna Knows You Committed Those Crimes! Now Get Out Of Here Before I Kill You With My Bare Hands!" My usually calm and collected assistant Viktor said with great hostility in his voice. "What murders? What are you talking about Viktor?" Pach demanded, but the Dutch giant flung little Pach out the door. Pach turned to find his belongings unceremoniously thrown into the streets as Jenna and Viktor had evicted him with out my knowledge. Where was I you ask? I was away in Belgium getting supplies and recipes from my brother, Myron. Pach gathered his belongings and wandered about trying to find a place to put his things. He thought, ‘Saint Peter’s. If any one will take me in Antonio will.’ He was, of course, right, had Antonio been there, which he was not.
Pach entered Saint Peter’s church to the scene of two funerals. The priest at the altar was definitely not Antonio. Pach stared in disbelief, "What is going on here?" He asked. A man nearest the door turned and called out, "Here He Is! Here Is The Murderer!" And with that, several men surrounded Pach. The kinetic was surprised but did nothing startling, then they moved in and took him prisoner. These men began beating on the helpless one with walking sticks and their very fists. Pach screamed in astonishment. "What Are You Doing?" He cried out, some of the women pulled at his long blond hair and scratched at him viciously, it was as though a pack of wild wolves had attacked a single innocent lamb, which may as well have been the case.
At that moment, Sheriff Kristoff Toffin showed up and took control of the situation, "Leave Him Be! I Will Take Charge Here! The Next One Who Lays A Hand On Him Will Be Arrested! Is That Clear?" The good sheriff shouted angrily. The grumbling crowd dispersed grudgingly, Sheriff Toffin told Pach, "You had better come with me, for your own protection child." "What do you mean? Why did they do that to me? Whose funerals were those? Where is Antonio and J. Sebastian?" Pach asked anxiously, he was terrified. Never, since his encounter with Gliden in Rotterdam, had he been so sorely treated. "Pach. They did that because they feel you committed two horrific murders. And the answer to whom you were supposed to have murdered, answers your next question. The funerals are those of J. Sebastian Bach and Don Antonio Vivaldi. Pach please, just come with me so you will be safe." Sheriff Toffin said kindly, he was so fond of this wayward young warlock. He took Pach into custody; Pach was so stunned he could not think right. The vicious crowd followed them to the jailing house; among them were Martinique, Jenna and Viktor. Before they reached the building the crowd began pitching stones and shouting at them, "Hand Him Over Toffin! He Deserves To Die! Just Like He Did To Bach and Don Antonio!" One angry man shouted, "Hang The Warlock!" Another shouted, "Burn Him Alive!" A woman shouted, "Drive A Stake Through His Black Heart!" Another woman shouted, everyone was shouting at once. Pach felt dizzy and faint. His head pounded with the stress of these events. Sheriff Toffin shouted, "Anyone Who Dares Touch Him Will Be Dealt With Severely! Mark My Words Citizens Of Vienna!" When the good sheriff looked Pach over, he noticed the boy had gashes on his face, arms and throat. His clothing was ripped and he was bruised where stones had hit him and where they had hurled mud balls at him, the young kinetic was now filthy as well. "He Will Be Tried For His Crimes Toffin! He Will BE Found Guilty! Let Us Exact Judgment And Be Done Of It!" Jenna shouted, "It Is Not Your Place To Judge Him Mistress Weber! Not Even You And Your Good Uncle Can! And I Wish Reuben Were Here Now To Warm Your Skirt Side Young Lady!" The sherrif shouted, Jenna then shouted, "Why Do You Defend Him?" "Because He Is A Human Being, Not An Animal! Even An Animal Deserves Better Treatment Than You Are Giving Him! Now Begone The Lot of You!" The sheriff shouted angrily. The angry crowd thinned out some and Sheriff Toffin came and said to Pach. "What I am about to do I would rather die that do. It is however, what I have to do. I hereby charge you with the murders of Johann Sebastian Bach and Don Antonio Vivaldi." "What? What do you mean they are dead? How? How did this happen?" Pach asked, "According to the reports, you committed these atrocities. I, personally, do not believe these charges, but they do, so, I am charging you for a reason to keep you safe from them." Sheriff Toffin said, "They would harm me?" Pach asked in surprise, "Child, they would kill you if they had the chance." Sheriff Toffin said seriously, "Will I have to stand trial?" Pach asked, the sheriff sighed and said, "Yes. They insist on this." Pach's eyes filled with tears and he fell silent. Sheriff Toffin put him in a cell and locked him in safely.
Pach was silent and withdrawn, he was confused, J. Sebastian and Antonio? Dead? He, accused of the crime? Unthinkable! Jenna, Viktor and Martinique turned on him? Horror filled his sweet mind, 'No! Antonio! J. Sebastian! No! Oh, Reuben, where are you?' He thought to himself. His sad eyes cast towards the 'Green Dragon' inn. He felt betrayed by all he thought loved him and cared for him. He sat on the lonely bed and wept, he was sad, confused and afraid. Yes, my Pach was afraid. He tried to sleep late at night, but his sleep was disturbed by townsfolk throwing things at the window of Pach’s cell and shouting at him, "Go Kill Yourself Warlock! It Is The Only Right Thing To Do!" And other such horrible things. Pach could only sit frozen with terror and the bitter tears fell from his usually laughing eyes. He was betrayed, he was alone.
It was another three days before I had gotten home when I noticed the huge crowd still near the jailing house, I wondered who was being held. "Stav. Who is in the holding house?" I asked the giant Norseman, "Tragically Weber! Tis ye Kitten. He stands accused o' th' murders o' Antonio an' J. Sebastian." He answered, "What? Pach? What are you saying Stav?" I asked, "What did yer hear me say, Weber? They have accused me Kitten o' murderin' Antonio an' J. Sebastian, is what I said." Stav said steadily, "God of Martin Luther! Not Pach!" I said sadly, "What I said Weber. I da na' believe that child murdered anyone ana more then I be an choirboy." Stav said, "Thank you Stav. I am glad you hold to Pach's innocence." I said, "I haf to. Th' child is not a murderer." Stav said. "I have to go see him." I said, and Stav went with me. We walked in and I asked Sheriff Toffin, "I wish to speak to Pach." I said, "At last. Of course Weber. It has been three days since his arrest and he has not said a word since I put him in there, nor has he eaten nor drunk anything. Please help him Weber." The kind-hearted sheriff fairly begged. He said, and led Stav and I in to speak to Pach, "Pach, my little one?" I called, he sat silent and unmoving. He did not lift his head nor did he move a single muscle. "Pach. It is me, Reuben." I called, still he did not move at all. "I will go bring him some food and tea." I said, "Good thinking. This has been a traumatic experience to that child. I would be eternally grateful Weber, if you feed him." Sheriff Toffin said, "Of course I will feed him. I cannot allow him to starve." I said and I took myself to the inn. Stav went on to his work as a carpenter. I went in and said, "I must take Pach some food." "Why bother, Uncle? Just let that foul murderer starve to death." Jenna said coldly, "What? What are you saying? I thought you cared about him?" I said, "Care? For him? Hmph! Maybe once upon a time I did, but that was before I learned he was a cold blooded murderer." She said, "Jenna, surely you do not believe such nonsense." I said, "I do. I saw him do it." Jenna said strongly, "As did I Reuben." Viktor said, "Impossible. Pach is no murderer. You both know it." I said steadfastly. "We both saw him do it Uncle. There is no use in trying to change the fact, the boy I thought I loved is a cold blooded murderer." Jenna maintained, "He is no such a thing Jenna Anne. I will find out what is going on here." I said in an offended tone. "Reuben. I liked that boy as much as any one else. Do you think I would speak against him if it were not true?" Viktor said, "I do not know Viktor, but I will not let that child starve because you two have some mad notion that Pach is a murderer." I said. I took myself to the kitchen and sliced off some of the fine roasted beef that was cooked up, I served some steamed spinach and potatoes with butter. I got a mug of tea and took it to the jailing house. I asked the good sheriff to open his cell, which he did. "I truly hope he eats Weber." Sheriff Toffin said doubtfully. "I do too." I said and I took it in to Pach’s cell. "Pach. My little one, please. It is I, Reuben. Please child." I called to him. Finally a terrified little creature peered his fear-drenched eyes at me, I gasped at the sight of this poor pitiful little thing, and my heart sank. "Pach?" I called to him, "Reuben?" He answered in a voice barely audible above a whisper, he sounded like a frighten child, which of course, he was. "My poor child. What in God’s name have they done to you?" I demanded as I took him in my arms after sitting down the tray of food. I looked at the scratches on his face and the rips in his clothing, he sobbed stormily as I held him. I had never known such weakness in my strong boy. "There Pach. It is alright. Please, tell me about this horror." I encouraged him; he stared at me as though he did not know me. "R-Reuben. They tell me I murdered Antonio and J. Sebastian. I swear I did no such thing." He said in a cracked voice which was definitely not his usual sweet musical voice. "I know you did not child. I know you are no murderer." I said, "Jenna does not believe me… Nor does Viktor o-or Martinique." He sobbed, I wondered mostly about Viktor, who never pre-judged anyone no matter the reason. "This is ridiculous! Sheriff, please let him out of here. He lives at the ‘Green Dragon’ inn." I said, "No longer does he." Said Deputy Penzing, a rather unsavory fellow, "I heard Mistress Jenna and Master Helgaar threw him out when they learned of the crimes he had committed." Penzing said, "What? That is an outrage!" I seethed. I asked Pach, "Please eat child." "Alas Reuben I cannot. I do not mean to offend you, but I cannot." He said wearily. "Alright child. Then sleep, please. I will bring you more food later on." I said as I stroked his soft child like hair. He did indeed lie down and fell asleep, if nothing else I would say, out of sheer exhaustion.
I took myself to the inn and fairly demanded of Jenna and Viktor, "How Dare The Both Of You! Who Do You Think You Are? Just Because You Are My Niece, And You Are My Best Friend, You Two Think You Can Evict Pach Without My Consent?" I said furiously, "Uncle, I…" Jenna began, "Silence! I Do Not Care What Your Reasoning Was! You Had No Right To Do This To Him! Either Of You!" I continued on lividly, Viktor stared at me as though I was a stranger, he had never seen this side of me, but then no one had wronged an innocent child before either. "What do you want us to do then Reuben?" Jenna asked, "You May Go To Your Room Young Mistress! You Master Helgaar May Go Home! I Am Closing The Inn Till This Is Resolved!" I shouted in rage. Meekly Jenna ran upstairs to her room and Viktor gathered his cloak and book and left for his Dutch chalet at 1685 Viola Road. Once alone I did as I said I would. I locked the door to the inn, I would not allow anyone save Stav and the young farmer Andru Iversen in, neither of them thought Pach was a murderer, so I allowed them entrance. I fed them and we spoke of what could be done. "The one thing more disturbing is that J. Sebastian was only a bystander. The killer seemed more intent on killing Antonio." Andru said, "Really?" I asked, "Yes sir. For all the world it did look like Pachelbel, but I know it was not, this was most definitely a youth with blond hair, but he was taller and more muscular than Pachelbel." Andru said, "Andru. Are you absolutely sure?" I asked, "Of course Reuben. He was very fine in appearance, which is likely what made everyone think it was the amazing one. Besides he did vanish vie use of a portal as the Warlock does sometimes." Andru said, "Yet you maintain it was not Pach?" I questioned the young farmer, "No. It was the child of Lypeni, the one called the ‘Warlock Fair’." Andru related, "Jeset!" I shouted in a whisper, I then ran as fast as I could to the jailing house, "Sheriff. Andru Iversen knows who the murderer is. It is Jeset of the Haunted Forest." I called to the good sheriff, ""Jeset? Then all is truly lost for poor Pach. There is no way to prove the deeds of Jeset." The sheriff fretted, "Perhaps there is." I said as I hurried out and back to my inn. I mounted Toccata and rode north to Idengaard.
I found the "Dancing Youth" inn owned by my friend, Graf von Brenne. "Graf I need a meal of beef steak and potatoes with your richest beef gravy on the potatoes. And a mug of tea flavored with honey." I requested, "Reuben, what in the name of Mount Olympus are you doing? Do you know whose meal this is?" Graf asked fearfully. "I certainly do." I said as I took the meal and headed for the Haunted Forest of Idengate. I sat it by the sacrificial altar of Jeset and hid. In an instant the beautiful child appeared, his sharp eyes peered around and saw nothing. He took the meal. I ambushed him with a tree limb to the right side of his fair head. This rendered Jeset unconscious and I lifted him and placed him on Toccata’s back I mounted my horse behind the boy, and took him back to Vienna.
When I got there the townsfolk had revolted and stormed the jailing house and taken Pach by force. The terrified child cried, he knew they were set to execute him. He was too weak to fight them. After they tied him to the burning circle, they ripped his shirt from him, used a coach whip on him, and beat that poor child mercilessly. His body bled and he was afraid and sad, he was certain this was his end. ‘How could they do this to me?’ He wondered. In truth, he could have spirited himself away via his swift portal, but then he would lose the trust of these towns folk. Was this the end of my little Pach? Surely not. I rode up behind the furious crowd and shouted, "Stop! Do Not Light That Fire!" The townsfolk turned to see who had called for this stay of execution. "Here is your murderer. Jeset Decaden of Idengate. He is the one responsible for this. Tell them the truth Jeset." I demanded of the child I held onto, Jeset was strong, very strong and stubborn as a month of Sabbath Days.
"lleh ni tor." Was all he said in the reverse tongue. "Stubborn like your father, are you Jeset?" I said and dismounted Toccata and dragged Jeset to the burning circle. "Let us reveal the guilty party here. If Pach is guilty, so he shall burn in the flames. If Jeset is guilty, then he will burn. Agreed?" I asked the town of Vienna, "Agreed Weber. But We Already Know The Warlock Will Burn Then!" One man shouted, "Yes, but which warlock? Is it the Black Forest Warlock, or the Warlock Fair?" I asked. "Alright then Reuben, conduct your challenge." Viktor said. I had them tie Jeset to the stake beside Pach and pile kindling around him. The stunned warlock was so astonished that he did not know how to react. "Light the fires." I said and Jeset cried out, "No! I Confess, I Did The Deeds! I Confess! It Was Not Pachelbel!" "Why? Why did you kill them Jeset?" I demanded, "My grandmother, Gliden demanded their lives as Vivaldi is the second to the Champion of the Gauntlet, and with him dead would leave the Champion vulnerable. Bach simply got in the way, is all!" Jeset said anxiously, "Gliden! I might have

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known.Do you repent your sins child of Idengate?" I asked the boy, "Never!" He spat through gritted teeth, "Then die in peace Jeset." I said and nodded for them to burn him alive. "Noooooooooooooooo!" Jeset screamed but the flames crept higher up on his plank. "ereh morf em ekat, rehtaF" And in the blink of an eye Satanik’s hand reached out and took his eldest son away from Vienna. Then the towns folk realized they very nearly killed an innocent child. "Oh, Johann, can you forgive us?" Jenna asked as she ran to her loved one, Pach shied away from her, it was an honest reaction after the way eh was treated. I personally took his things back to his room with him in tow and laid him down to sleep.
In the meantime, J. Sebastian and Antonio had revived. Antonio now sat back at his helm as the priest of Saint Peter’s church again. Both came to see Pach to make sure he was alright after his horrific ordeal. "Oh! Antonio! J. Sebastian! I am so glad you are alright!" He cried out before a wave of pain struck him and he fainted away into unconsciousness. "He will be alright. He just needs sleep is all." I said. The next day, Pach, sore and stiff from the events of the day before, woke. He came down the stairs and found his dear kindred there. Stav, Andru, Viktor, Jenna and Martinique. He sighed a heavy burdenous sound. "Praise be to the Creator." He said. He went outside and I called him over to a posted letter in the town circle. It was a formal apology signed by the entire city of Vienna. Pach smiled and said, "Under the circumstances I cannot hold it against them though." I embraced him as I thought, ‘What a fine piece of work you are Johann Pachelbel. And I would not have you any other way.’
Code: TK1695

"Not Always What They Appear"

ReubenHWeber — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:45:28 CST

“Not Always What They Appear” The musicians were eating a fine hot meal on this eighteenth birthday of our own dear J. Sebastian. The day may have been the first day of springtime, but it was cold and snowy. Suddenly Adelheid Menser, the mayors thirteen years old daughter burst in and called out, “Jenna! Come Quickly! My Sister Is About To Deliver Her Child!” Without hesitation, my niece ran and got her coat on and in no time was ready to leave with Adelheid. They ran out into the cold dark morning. “Many happy frigid returns of the day to you dear J. Sebastian.” Pach said as he personally brought J. Sebastian more coffee. “Ah Pach. You certainly know the way to a persons heart my boy.” The grateful Bach said. We all laughed at this idea. After two hours Jenna came back. She looked tired and dragged, “Jenna? Are you well child?” I asked concernedly, “Yes Uncle. I am only tired. I must rest for a short time before I can resume.” She said, “Of course. Take your time girl.” I said, Viktor thought something was strange about this, but he could not place it just then, so he said nothing. Soon, Jenna came out of the back room. She had on her coat still and came to Pach and purred, “Johann. Will you come for a walk with me? Please?” Her words startled Pach who would rather have stayed in where it was warm, to celebrate J. Sebastian’s birthday with him. But he was too much a gentleman to refuse a ladies request. “Of course Jenna. If you like.” He said as he rose to his feet and put on his cape and neck scarf and his warm gloves. They left and I watched as they crossed Canon Lane onto Oboe Avenue. “I do wish they had stayed here and had some nice hot soup.” I said as they vanished from sight. “Or at least some nice hot coffee.” J. Sebastian said as he banged the mug on the side of my hand. “Yes young sire. At once my liege.” I said jestingly, and everyone present laughed about it. Meanwhile in the cold storm Pach walked on quietly with Jenna. This was rather unlike Jenna who was not a great admirer of the cold, but would rather sit by a fire reading a book instead. He felt a tingle in the Kinetic’s Eye warning of pending danger, but what danger could there be walking in Vienna with my niece? Instead he asked, “What did Frauline Menser have?” “What do you mean?” Jenna asked in an unfamiliar voice, this made Pach stop in his tracks, “Did she deliver a boy or a girl child?” He asked the next part of the question. “Oh that. Neither.” Came an unfamiliar voice again, “What do you mean Jenna?” Pach gasped, “It was a spawn of evil!” Came the cracked croaking voice of the evil sorceress, Gliden Subrad, who had taken over the body of my poor niece in an attempt to trap Pach, and it had worked to her advantage. “Sweet Savior!” Pach barely had time to gasp when a heavy fist rendered him unconscious. Back at my inn in the meantime, Antonio was suddenly seized by a massive headache. It brought tears to his eyes it was so horrific. “Are you well Antonio?” J. Sebastian asked his friend, “Yes. I am now.” Antonio said as the pain subsided as quickly as it began. It was indeed very unusual. With this collection of young people I have come to expect the unusual, especially with Pach. When Pach finally revived, he found himself tied to a huge wooden cross. He was tied crucifix fashion. His Kinetic’s Eye was blindfolded so Elipta could not aid her Master. Pach looked down from the cross into the eyes of the one he thought was Jenna, his kindred and soul mate. Instead he was greeted by the sight of her standing there with a fully loaded crossbow in her hands. “Jenna! No! What Are You Doing?” He screeched, as he was actually stricken with fear the likes of which few had ever known in this boy. “It is gratifying to me to see fear in your eyes just seconds before you die. Farewell Warlock!” Gliden said coldly as she released the arrow and it impaled Pach’s heart. With a single scream of pain, he gasped and died. Antonio was taken too the floor by a dreadful pain in his chest exactly where the killer arrow had stricken Pach. Antonio could not catch his breath, he was dying. I ran to Antonio while J. Sebastian bolted out of the inn to fetch the physician. In his haste he ran onto Dwyler Road where his eyes met the tragic sight of…”Pach! Son Of God, No!” He was in shock, but remembered he had to get the physician before Antonio also died. He continued on to the physicians house and got Physician Adelsen and they ran back to my inn. They ran in only to find Antonio much better. “Are you alright Don Antonio?” Physician Adelsen asked, “I am thank you kind sir.” Antonio answered. After the physician left J. Sebastian said, “But Pach is not.” “What do you mean J. Sebastian? He is with Jenna.” I said, “No Reuben. Pach is dead. I just saw him.” J. Sebastian insisted. “What?” Antonio breathed softly. “Come I will show you.” J. Sebastian said and we all left with him to the gruesome sight on Dwyler Road. When Antonio and I saw the awful scene Antonio instinctively crossed himself and I gasped and cried out, “Son Of God!” There was the tell tale sign of the deed completed, Pach was dead. Antonio climbed onto a low tree near the cross and cut Pach free. I caught the pitiful little body and lovingly held him close to me. I carried him back to the Green Dragon and carried him upstairs to room 13. I laid him on the bed and caressed his forehead. Then I suddenly asked, “Where is Jenna?” “I thought something was very wrong when she came back from the mayors home. Kristeni Menser did not have her child as yet. And there was no blood or after birth anywhere on Jenna’s being. So she could not have delivered a child. Or so it is to my knowledge. Besides, when she came in, she said nothing of the birth which as you know Reuben, she would surely have done.” Viktor said, “Santa Maria! You are right Viktor!” Antonio said as he ran down the stairs and stopped at Pach’s place long enough to grab the Gauntlet of Power. Then out he ran into the unknown. He did not know what Gliden Subrad looked like and that made him fearful of what he might find otherwise. After an hour of searching, he found Jenna walking carefree and humming to herself. It was not really Jenna, he knew that. He ran towards her and called, “Gliden!” Forgetting her hiding place for a split second, the old witch revealed her true self to the priest. “Begone From This Child! The Innocent Jenna Weber Shall Not Suffer On Your Behalf Witch!” Antonio shouted as he produced a gold crucifix. Gliden lunged at Antonio who tagged her forehead with the crucifix. It burned her and she creamed in pain. She lunged at him again and again he tagged her and it burned her so that she actually abandoned the body of Jenna. Then the witch in her full horrific form faced Antonio and with a wicked growl she drew her staff and swung it at the young priest. Antonio flung the Gauntlet of Power up to deflect the blow, which it did and in fact, the force of the staff slamming against the Gauntlet made it reel back and hit Gliden between her eyes. This sent the evil Queen of BlackDomain back to her realm in defeat. As soon as she was vanquished, Antonio helped Jenna home to the inn and was relived to find Pach, weakened, but now alive. Jenna offered to care for him since she had been to object used to harm him. Pach consented as he sensed old Gliden was gone… However, assuredly, not for good, unfortunately. Code: NAWTS1695

Sword of Souls

ReubenHWeber — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:43:53 CST

"Sword of Souls"

My young musician friends were sitting at their usual table on May 1, 1696 eating thier fine lunches when a woman ran in screaming, "My Husband Has Just Been Murdered!" The boys and Viktor and I ran out to an alleyway, there, sure as the world, lay a man slain by a large sword or so it would seem.

"Did you see the weapon?" Asked J. Sebastian, "You mean Excalibur? I certainlly did. It looks like something you can make with your mind, Warlock." she said to Pach who did not answer except one word, "Brodrish!" And he looked to a large house on the hill near the old grain silo. J. Sebastian said nothing either, but he must have known what Pach meant, as he too peered toward the large house. Pach went to his home, got the Gauntlet of Power and headed toward the house of dread.

He was distracted when he saw a creature he did not recognize near the cemetary. What was this thing? 'Not a werewolf.' Pach thought to himself with a none too subdued sigh of relief, 'Not a windego.' He thought with a shudder, he went to investigate because he knew he could not allow strange beasts in Vienna. He carefully entered the old cemetery and followed the fleeting vision of this creature which appeared to be about 74 inches tall.

Meanwhile, J. Sebastian did make it to the old house and went in. "Brodrish! I know you are here you old murderer!" The Saxon boy called out. In a second the door closed behind J. Sebastian and an ugly old man stood there with the murder weapon in hand. "Ah Johann Sebastian. A nice surprise. I was hoping for this opportunity to add you now." Said Brodrish, J. sebastian gasped and said, "God of Martin Luther! The Sword of Souls! You are in leagues with her!" "Yes. And now you will join your father." Brodrish said wickedly,he swung the heavy sword but missed J. Sebastian, fortunatly. The Saxon ran for the door and yanked it open so hard he nearly pulled it off its hinges. He ran like the wind for anywhere else. He ran into the town square and turned to see Brodrish right behind him. He screamed the sound of which caught Pach's sharp ears.

Pach came running and rounded the square turn just as Brodrish smote J. Sebastian, "Mary Magdelaine! NO!" Brodrish turned to face Pach, "Champion! Are you Regis?" He demanded, "I am Johann. You have taken my kindred, foul wretch!" Pach growled, "Now I will take you Champion!" Brodrish said wickedly, "You will not now, nor anytime hereafter!" Pach growled viciously. And with that Pach formed the infamous Sword of Athena, and smote Brodrish. This, however did not revive J. Sebastian,which puzzled Pach as Antonio joined him. "Take him to the infrimary, let no one touch them till I come." Said Pach,"Yes Pach, do you know what is going on?" Antonio asked, "I have an idea. I shall return soon."Pach said cautiously. So Antonio took J. Sebastian to the infirmary and Pach took off in pursuit of the creature from the cemetery.

Pach followed the mysterious creature to BayBridge and crossed it, he was now in the realm called BloodRealm, 'At least it is not Rof.' He thought. Suddenly the creature showed itself, a horrific monster, half woman, half skeletal. Pach recognized her at last, "Bridena SoulStealer! You!" He hissed venomously, "Champion! Say not so! Are you Regis?" She growlled, "I am Johann, son of Richard, brother of Regis Pachelbel, who passed from life the year of my birth." Pach said, "Regis? Dead? Then I will take you in his stead." Bridena said with a vicious roar, and she swung her soul stealing claws at the boy who side stepped her easily. He then drew a black crossbow, remenesent of the one used by Gyada and shot at her, the first arrow missed her.

Back in Vienna the infirmary workers prepared to cremate the bodies of those who died mysteriously as they were considered cursed. "NO! They are not dead!" Antonio screamed excitedly, "They are Antonio, there is no heartbeat or anything like that, they are dead my good priest." The cremator said carelessly,'Pach, please hurry or we will lose J. Sebastian and the others.' Antonio pleaded.
Pach stood move for move against Bridena SoulStealer, his moves of cat-like grace made him hard for her to hit, but she managed to scratch him on his right arm, which healed up instantly with the sounds of a Druidic chant indicating, "Thy poison effects him noy foul monster", then Pach delivered a slice from the sword of Ares which ripped open Bridena and all the souls she had swallowed were released, including J. Sebastian. At the instant he was lain on the cremators table, J. Sebastian woke and freed before any harm befell him as did the others a well. "You did it Pach! Praise God! Praise God!" Antonio wept with joy, "He sure did Antonio, he sure did." J. Sebastian sighed happy to be alive once more.

When Pach got home, he was greeted by all the "souls" he saved that day, the day Bridena went away.

SOS:1696

King of the Rof

ReubenHWeber — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:40:45 CST

"King of the Rof"

On a very stormy July 18, of the year 1695, at the battlefield of Xyoxi near the realm of DarkHaven, Pach, aged 16 seasons, and the army of Darkhaven, including King Phyadazirex and his sons, Xycaprion and Epsion, stood prepared for battle against the fearsome Rof. On a brown horse sat King Kinshawn BloodPool, a very arrogant ruler, with long black hair and dark eyes. He was about 73 inches tall and a little rotund, but not too much that made him appear fat though.
On a raven colored mare named Xyephen, beside Kinshawn was a very young immortal with long auburn hair and hell-pit dark eyes. This young menace of 76 inches in height was true dread, this was Rofi, the warlord Prince of Rof. He was called the Devastator and for good reason. He was known to obliterate entire communities in one felled swoop. He had a war cry that could send a force that lay everything in its path to waste. All who knew Rofi feared this child of Death. He was Rofi which mean, 'of the Rof' a title denoting immeasurable power and strength.

Pach sat regally atop Orion looking evey bit like a king ready to go to battle, he was dressed in only a white ruffled shirt and black leather breeches. His blond hair held back with a black satin ribbon. He was armed with nothing but the Gauntlet of Power, Phyadazirex sat mounted on his horse, Zedda and ready for battle, armed to the hilt. The storm unleashed it;s mighty fury and the rain fell in sheets. That was when Rofi gave the order to attack, the rain would act as a cover for the warriors.

The two armies met in mortal battle and it was a bloody hellacious war to be certain. Many fell on that tragic scene of bitter warfare, and Kinshawn was one of the major contributors therein. He finally met Pach on the battlefield and swung his mace and dislodged the little Champion form his horse. Orion stopped still as a statue. Pach was dazed but not out so far that he could not defend himself still.
He swung the Gauntlet of Power around so that it caught Kinshawn on the jaw and Pach cried out, "Sovianet sivai monoi!" Forming a deadly ice sword in his hands which he used to impale Kinshawn with, the King of Rof screamed in pain then died with a shudder.

Rofi felt this immediately and saw his father lying dead in a heap. "Father?" The Prince of Rof said softly at first, then he noticed Pach standing over the body and that fuelled Rofi's rage, he then changed his voice to the devastating war cry, he leveled all around him for five full miles, Pach and the Royals of DarkHaven escaped barely as the devastating menace saw Pach as the murderer of his father. The death dealing Prince came after Pach, who eluded him by forming a portal out of harms way along with his friends from DarkHaven.

"For now we are safe Johann. But I fear the Devastator will come for you now. Please exercise caution my friend." Phyadazirex said to Pach back in DarkHaven. "I shall my friend." Pach promised and departed for Vienna.
He no sooner got back to Vienna then a hellacious storm slammed into our fair city, doing insurmountable damage to many structures. The Green Dragon inn stood strong against the fury of Rofi's storm, we knew it was Rofi as the lightning was an unearthly blood red and Rofi's surname is BloodRain. Suddenly, with no warning except the storm, Rofi appeared in the town square and proceeded to obliterate Saint Mary's Cathedral where Ignazi had taken up residence. Along with the giant cathedral, many houses and businesses were destroyed, that is, unless a cat lived there, Rofi would never harm cats as he knew them to be the embodiment of beautiful women.

Pach ran as fast as he could for the ruins of the south side of Vienna to see if anyine could be saved, "Here you have come to face me, and meet your death!" Came an icy cold voice of pure hate. Pach turned and there stood Rofi. "Mary Magdalene! Rofi BloodRain!" The Champion shouted as Antonio and J. Sebastian ran to their friends side. I saw Rofi as he drew a deadly silver crossbow and in a heartbeat, shot J. Sebastian, killing the Saxon boy. Antonio fainted and Pach had to react very quickly as this menace named Rofi would wait for no one.

Pach scooped up Antonio with his mind shroud and whisked him back to Saint Peter's. "Keep him safe." Pach said to a small gray kitten he placed in Antonio's arms. Seretto became a friend of the church. Then he went to face Rofi. "Devastator! It is me you want!" Pach shouted, "Indeed it is!" Rofi shouted and came after Pach with a fury, Pach used his mind shroud to form an ice crossbow and armed it with an ice arrow, he shot it at Rofi who easily deflected it then used his own power of the mind to destroy Pach's crossbow. This startled Pach and the young one took off in a dead sprint for anywhere else.

Finally Pach ran to his small house just built a couple of weeks prior and in the blink of an eye, Rofi exploded it into splinters. Pach ran as fast as his legs could carry him for the forest, on his way there, he formed a portal to Darkhaven. He ran to Phyadazirex and pleaded him to make it appear as though Pach had been killed in Darkhaven. Phyadazirex oblidged and set an appearance of Pach's lifeless body before his throne.

When Rofi came and saw this he confronted Phyadazirex, "Why would you kill your companion?" "He set the Devil called Rofi on us, we had to kill him to calm your fire Lord of Rof." Phyadazirex said, Rofi accepted this for now, but it would not take long before the young one knew better. But for now he stayed quiet, planning his next move.
He was crowned King of the Rof in a weeks time, when he conducted his fathers funeral and said at last, "Be done and be damned!" He always thought his father foolish and weak.

While Vienna surrected from the carnage of Rofi's visit, Ignazi stayed with Antonio and everyone helped with the re-building. Pach had never faced a menace like Rofi before, the new King of Rof genuinely frightened Pach so that the young Champion feared to face the fiery Rofi BloodRain. He made no pretences to the contrary either.

KOR:1695

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ReubenHWeber — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:21:09 CDT

Welcome to the world of Johann "Pach" Pachelbel, (1679-1706), the one around whom the original tales of the Gauntlet of Power centered. This site is strictly for my tales and any comments or suggestions I would appreciate no editing except by Lila,(Abbeleze), as she has my permision to do so. NO printing except by strictest permission. The picture is Pach as he appeared in the Champion of the Gauntlet tales circa 1696 around September 1st, making it his 17th birthday.
This is Reuben H. Weber welcoming you all to have a good read.
the Green Dragon Inn, Vienna, Austria, 1707

The Awakening

ReubenHWeber — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:11:51 CST

"The Awakening"

A very stormy night was this July 18, 1704 when the evil wizard Danaren, sent his minions to the north gate of the surrounding walls of HauntWise Palace the ruling home of Rofi Bloodrain, the young but vicious King of SevenGate. There were six who ventured fearfully to HauntWise, they did not intend to go inside the ancient wall, good thing as it would have been utter suicide, "I think we were sent on this mission because Danaren considers us expendable." Grumbled Emaro, one of Danaren's main henchmen "We are sent to almost certain death to retrieve the body of a dead Prince of BlackDomain, what is Danaren thinking?" Asked Morgain another of the legion of the damned as they called themselves because of this deadly mission.
They cam to Treasen's grave and quickly but very carefully unearthed the body of Treasen. There lay a beautiful silver and black coffin in which lay Treasen. "This is what we need. This is Treasen!" Edar shouted before he remembered where they were. "Who goes there? Advance and be recognized!" Shouted Cyrana Cryptis from his perch on the high tower of BiLoft. The suddenly frightened workers fled as fast as possibly carrying the heavy silver coffin between them, they ran to the region called Soffis and Danaren scooped up his legion, coffin and all, and whisked them to his lair of evil in FalconsCrest Keep. He eyed the coffin eagerly, his dark as hell-pit black-brown eyes searched for the mark to open the entombment of Treasen who had some seven years prior to this, died for the life of our own J. Sebastain as the music of J. Sebastian made even Treasen's instable mind calm. His own father, the evil LeShane Subrad had taken the life of his youngest child himself, causing dire hardship between he and his wife, the evil incarnate, Gliden.
"I know Rofi sealed you in here to keep you from the world that rejected you, Treasen, but I have a use for you. You shall take the Gauntlet of Power from Johann Pachelbel and bring it to me along with his lifeless body!" Danaren said as he used his magic staff to search the well defined runes on the coffin, this was done to confuse would be grave robbers. "So, you have gained much wisdom in your reign as King of Rof have you Rofi? It shall be for naught as I shall revive Treasen and make him an intrument to do my bidding!" The evil young wizard said with a wicked smirk across his thin face, his pallor skin flushed with frustration as he brushedn his hand along the seal on the coffin. "How can I reach you Treasen? There must be a way in to get to you." Danaren whispered as he comtemplated his prize within. "Perhaps a few drops of blood from one of his kindred would break the seal." Spoke Emidoc, Danaren's best friend. "You may well be right at that. Go then, fetch me the blood of Oublion DeathRain." Danaren said, "Oublion? It could not be one of the others? Perhaps Tovon, or Eberten?" Emidoc failry whimpered, "Enough! Ouiblion is the one he wa s closest to, so it must be Oublion! Now go!" Danaren said heartlessly, he indeed, had no compassion for anyone, not even his closest friend. Danaren was a cold and ungiving wizard with a heart as cold as the frozen wastelands of the North Country where Stav hailed from.
"I need this entire vile filled with the blood of Oublion DeathRain. Make certain no impurities come in contact with it. It must remain as pure as the blood of the insane one himself." Danaren said as he produced a vile as large as a horseshoe nail. "I am supposed to get blood from Oublion how?" Emidoc asked, "Use your imagination Emidoc. You once imagined yourself as King of Rof and you are still not." Danaren said, "If I am caught Rofi will kill me! It is suicide!" Emidoc said fearfully, "Rofi BloodRain is a child. Certainlly you are not afraid of a child, are you?" Danaren asked, "This one, any one with a stable thought would be afraid of." Emidoc said, Danaren laughed, "Well the sooner you complete your task the better we shall all be. I will soon have the Gauntlet of Power and you, my dearest Emidoc, shall be the second to not the Champion of the Gauntlet,but more over, the Master of the Gauntlet of Power!" Danaren's maniacl laugh rang throughout his castle called FalconsCrest Keep. Very reluctantly, Emidoc left for SevenGate and an unknown fate which awaited him.
"Oh the things I do for you Danaren. It is best that I am your closest friend or this would not be in my interest to be doing this mision of suicidal tendencies. Otherwise wizard, you would be doing this on your own." Emidoc spoke to a Danaren who was not there, good thing as Danaren's cold heart would not have stopped him from smitting even his closest freind. Emidoc knew this too, likely why he never said such things to Danaren's face. Emidoc reached the west wall of the Seventh Realm and called softly top the darkness, "Let what is seen, be unseen and appear as a dream." He was suddenly enveloped with a misty cloud which made him appear in dreamscape form, he then moved easily throught he black as hell-pits corridors of the eerie palace called HauntWise. "Gods of the Realm, this is a true fortress. No wonder no one can penetrate HauntWise. This place is a cavern above ground!" The wizard's apprentice said as he crept about looking for Oublion. He opened a door and went in cautiously approaching the sleeping figure, itwas not Oublion, the sleeping auburn haired personage was none other than Rofi himself, Fearfully, Emidoc turned and left as quick as he could, "Gods of the Realms! Rofi! Goddess Beyri be with me!" He said as he fairly ran down a black as hell's night corridor. he crept into a dark room and used his illuminant eyes to light the room, but not enough to wake the sleeper, this time it was Oublion.
"Oublion, at last." Emidoc said in a whisper, he approached the giant immortal and slit the palm of the right hand open and collected the necessary blood easily enough, then as Oublion began to stir a little Emidoc fled and in doing so released the spell of dreamscape from over the Palace HauntWise. The sudden pain woke Oublion and he sat up and said "What is this?" The slave girl he was sleeping with opened her eyes and purred, "I guess you must have cut yourself in your sleep my Prince." "I should not have thought so, on the other hand who knows." Oublion said as he got up and made his way to the wash stand, he ripped a long piece of cloth from the pile of hand rags there and wrapped up the wound, it was on his way back to bed that a lightning strike illuminated a misty footprint very fresh on the floor, "WHAT IS THIS?" His great voice rang throughout HauntWise in the process waking Rofi from a sound sleep, "Gods of Rof! What was that?" He scrambled from his bed and ran out into the dark corridor and down the small stair well to Oublion's room, "OUBLION? IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?" The door whipped open and the giant Prince of BlackDomain stood there angry and seething through grit teeth. "LOOK AT THIS!" He demanded of his young King, Rofi looked at the bound cut on Oublion's hand and then the giant immortal shouted, "NOW, LOOK AT THAT!" And Rofi looked down at the floor of Oublion's room and there was the misty foot print still, "WIZARDS!" Rofi growled menacingly, "Wizards? Here? In HauntWise? But how my King?" asked the slave girl, whose name was Marna. "They come and go as they please in misty forms called dreamscapes child, I must find out who has been here. Go now Marna, fix our breakfast we shall be to the dining room soon." Rofi said kindly to the girl, "Sire. What shall I make you for breakfast?" Marna asked cautiously, "Bacon and whatever else, but lots of bacon to be certain. Eggs will be very nice." Rofi said, Marna looked to Oublion who nodded and waved his hand indicating her to go. After Marna left, Rofi glared at the foot print and spat, "Wizards! Hmph! Thieving monsters. Did they take anything from you Oublion?" Rofi asked, "YES! MY BLOOD! WHAT DO THEY NEED THAT FOR?" Oublion roared, "I know not unless..." Rofi and Oublion looked into each others' eyes and shouted "TREASEN!" And they fairly flew out Oublion's window which was nearest Treasen's grave and they lit safe and sound on the bare earth there within the ancient cemetery of Rof. They ran to the northest region and found the grave of Treasen violated, "NOOOOOOOO!" Oublion shouted so that even far away in Vienna Pach was rousted from his sleep by the great howl like a million wolves. "Mary Magdelaine! Oublion DeathRain! What could be wrong?" The kinestic asked the air around him, the usually calm eye of Sygrace was suddenly an eerie jaded green and glowing like a hot coal. This was a warning of pending danger of the worst possible sort, but what? "Sygrace? What is it?" Pach asked in a small frightened voice, "Vioku ti augo, mi naka whi ghi via Treasen." Answered Sygrace, Pach's wife, Judith was awake and though she did not understand most of what was said, she recognized the name of Treasen. "What about Treasen? Is he not dead Johann?" She asked, "Yes. Sygrace said, there is a dire dread in the air and it smells of Treasen." Pach answered his wife openly, she and his children Wilhelm, Igeni and Charles were quite accustomed to the goings on of Pach, Wilhelm and Igeni were thrilled but often Judith was terrified that he would die in a battle. "But, Treasen is dead. He cannot be a problem now." Judith almost whimpered, "Judith, my Sweet Rose, you know in the dealings I have any strange occurance may manifest itself. There is obviously a reason for Treasen to be a threat once more." Pach said as he grabbed up the gauntlet and it actually burned his hand, he dropped it with a yelp from his soft lips, "Johann? Are you alright?" Judith asked concernedly, "The Gauntlet. It is very hot. It must be the pending danger. Sygrace says it is a deadly threat not simply dangerous." Pach spoke these words as though dangerous were the lesser of two evils. Evidently it was.
In FalconsCrest Keep Emidoc returned with the blood vile and Danaren opened it and mixed half with morning glory oil and this opened the coffin of Treasen by melting away the seal placed by Rofi. He opened the coffin revealing Treasen's body, "Ah there you are my beautiful Prince. I shall make you alive again, only not as you were." Danaren said with a wicked laugh, Emidoc stood fearfully by, he so desparatly feared Treasen the insane Prince of BlackDomain. Danaren mixed trhe remainder of Oublion's blood with belladonna poison and opened Treasen's mouth and poured the deadly mixture down the throat of the dead Prince. Then he spoke the words of revival in the language of BlackDomain, "Siova timik sadu, sadu, sadu, minen touk tiarouk!" His voice was loud, demanding and clear, in an instant Treasen's dark eyes opened slowly, he drew a breath, a taste unfelt for a number of years. "I am the master of your mind now Treasen. I am Danaren, Wizard of FalconsCrest Keep. You will do my bidding for me now. Do you understand me Treasen?" Danaren asked the insane one, Treasen 's eyes were not the usual playful eyes if a childish mind, but rather, hateful, murderous orbs of cold unrelenting and unfeeling lack of emotion. "What is your desire Danaren my master?" Treasen asked, ""You will go to Vienna and take the Gauntlet of Power from Johann Pachelbel and bring me the body of the Champion there and then shall I claim the Gauntlet as mine and proclaim I am the Master of the gauntlet of Power!" Danaren said with an evil smirk on his actually quite handsome face. Without another word Treasen left for Vienna. Meanwhile in HauntWise Palace the name Rofi extracted from the mist manifested itself as "Emidoc", "A minion of that slime Danaren. I might have known." Said Rofi, "What does he want Treasen for though?" Oublion asked, "The Gauntlet of Power!" Rofi shouted, "We must make haste for Vienna!" Said the king of SevenGate as he grabbed his cloak of flight and ran for the west balcony on the seventh story of HauntWise. Oublion caught the tail winds of Rofi's flight and followed easily on his King's open air flight. They made it to Vienna but not before Treasen. Just as they lit in Canon Circle a mighty thunderbolt was seen and thunder deafened everyone in town, hundreds of unsuspecting people poured out of their houses to see what was happening, I and my friend Viktor were among them, further away stood J. Sebastian and his family, Antonio and his adopted son Adriano, and Pach and Judith, the Pachelbel children remained in the house knowing he dangers their father often faces. In an instant Treasen appeared atop a church his deadly crossbow armed with four arrows. He shot them at the unsuspecting crowd killing six people with just the four arrows, Oublion and Rofi appeared at that exact instant, "Mary Magdelaine!" Pach shouted in disbelief. "TREASEN! STOP!" Oublion shouted to his brother, Treasen turned to Oublion and snarled, he drew his armed finger bows up and shot them at Oublion and Rofi, Oublion managed to move out of the way, Rofi did not though as the arrow struck him full in the chest. Rofi cried out in unspeakable pain as he fell to the ground bleeding and possibly even dying. "Sweet Savior!" Pach screamed as he watched the seemingly unshakable Rofi fall. The young Champion strapped on the Gauntlet of Power and ran forth to meet Treasen, "Damn it Treasen! What are you doing?" Oublion shouted at his beloved brother, Treasen faced Oublion and snarled again, itb was fearsome to see Treasen as a dangerous vent of unbridled vicious power instead of the usually playful but misguided child of BlackDomain. "Gowiva nok tunia vonulu Sebe Oublion!" Treasen shouted then aimed another arrow at his brotherr, this time the arrow found its mark in Oublion's right bicep. Oublion bellowed in pain as the barbed tipped arrow ripped through his arm and was left hanging on the other side of his mighty bicep. Treasen then leapt from the church tower and landed on the cobblestones within reach of Pach. "Good evening Champion!" was all he said as he shot a deadly barbed arrow into Pach's heart killing the young Champion instantly, Judith screamed in agony and terror.
Treasen scooped up the body of Pach and vanished into no where. "PACH! NOOO!" Schouted Antonio, everyone was dumbstruck to what just happened, Rofi, mortally wounded, Oublion wounded at all and Pach dead and taken? This could not be. Treasen took the Gauntlet of Power from Pach and held it close to him. "Mine!" Treasen grinned wickedly and took Pach's body to Danaren.
I had Oublion carry Rofi intro my inn and up the stairs to room 16, here the King of SevenGate was tended to and so was Oublion's wound. "What happened to Treasen ,Oublion?" J. Sebastian asked, "If I knew I would ratify it Bach." Oublion said, "Rofi said it is a wizard named Danaren, have you heard of him?" The giant immortal asked, "I have." Came a voice from behind the others crowded around Rofi and Oublion, it was Oublion's brother, Ignazi Decaden, "I would have expected you to have Ignazi. There were many wizards constantly mulling around Idengate. Who then is this Danaren?" Oublion fairly demanded, "He is a power monger. He feeds on power and will use any source to get it." If he gets his hands on Pach's Gauntlet of Power, he will be unstoppable." Ignazi said, "HE HAS THE GAUNTLET ALREADY IGNAZI! HE MURDERED PACH AND TOOK THEM BOTH AWAY TO LORD KNOWS WHERE!" Antonio shouted, he was still very excited concerning the events around that early morning. "Oh how awful! Then nothing will stop Danaren now!" Ignazi said disheartened. Was all hope lost?
Meanwhile in Danaren's castle, the evil wizard eyed Pach's lifeless body and stroked the soft cheek of the dead Champion, "Perfect. Just what I need. Only one thing more now. The Gauntlet of Power, Treasen." Danaren said as he put his arms out to accept the Gauntlet. Treasen growled menacingly and said, "No!"Danaren was shocked, "GIVE THE GAUNTLET TO ME TREASEN!" Danaren said forcefully as a collection of his minions gathered in the altar room, "I SAID NO!" Growled Treasen as he waved his hand and obliterated the roomful of minions, Emidoc was shocked at this display of power, "He is turned on you Danaren!" Emidoc said, "NO!" Danaren shouted as he drew a deadly silver blade and stood poised to destroy Treasen if the young Prince of BlackDomain further resisted . Treasen grinned an evil smirk and drew his arm up and outward , Danaren had never seen a native of the land of BlackDomain use a swatch wave as a means of defence, "Fool, I know well the defence tactics of BlackDomain, you are not fooling me one bit Treasen, I know that is not a defence stance." Danaren said as he laughed at Treasen, not a wise idea, insane as Treasen may have been, his mind was incredibly wily in other ways, "Yes, it is Danaren." Treasen said in a heartbeat Treasen shot one of his deadly accurate wristebows and impaled Danaren's evil heart, Emidoc was shocked and tried to stop the insane one, but that was to no availe as Treasen easily smote the wizards apprentice by ripping his head off and throwing it on top of Danaren's body. Then he placed the Gauntlet on his own arm and claimed absolute power. This ultimately struck fear into the hearts of Isentari, the insane Treasen, in possession of the Gauntlet of Power? The idea was terrifying. He left for Vienna once more with the body of Pach in his left arm, he unceremoniously threw the body of the Champion onto the cobblestones, "Pach! Sweet Savior! We are doomed!" Shouted Viktor as he collected the dead Champion. "Maybe he will listen to me." J. Sebastian ventured, "Perhaps, he died for you the first time, perhaps, yes, he will listen this time as well." Antonio said hopefully.
They hurried to J. Sebastian's home and grabbed the violin on the kitchen table, they ran to the town square and J. Sebastian stood tall and straight if not terrified out of his wits, if this failed what then? He played his music as best his trembling fingers allowed. Treasen heard the music and stopped his onslaught in mid motion, he followed the music to J. Sebastian who played the music that calmed Treasen before, hoping nothing will have changed. Treasen stood listening and carefully released the Gauntlet of Power from his arm and laid it at J. Sebastian's feet, then with one of his own barb tipped arrows and thrust it into his heart taking his own life and giving back to those whose he took. J. Sebastian shouted, "NO! TREASEN!" But it was too late, Treasen was returned to the dead and all he killed were revived except Danaren and his legions. They were gone for good, but all the townfolk who died including Pach and Rofi were revived and this time when Rofi reburied Treasen only he, Oublion and Pach, knew where the new gravesite was.
In Pace Requiescat, Treasen

Code: TA1702

A Song For J. Sebastian

ReubenHWeber — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:10:06 CST

"A Song for J. Sebastian"

The young musicians were in their prospective schools teaching the classes appropriate for that time, all seemed to be well and uneventful otherwise. Suddenly there came a massive explosion that shook the very foundation of my inn. It was March 15th of the year 1696, well to say the least,I was naturally unnerved by this and Jenna came running from the kitchen, as did Viktor, "What in the name of Helsinki was that Reuben?" Viktor demanded, "I have no idea what so ever." I said, we ran out of the inn and noticed a huge pillar of smoke from Saint Sebastian's Music School. "Antonio!" I shouted, we ran as fast as we could for the sight of Saint Sebastian's school and found it in total ruin. "Merciful God!" I shouted as I noticed Pach dash into the ruin followed closely by J. Sebastian. I ran in followed by Viktor, Stav and Andru were there already and pulling survivors to safety and doing what they could to help these poor souls. I found Laura Felding right off. She was 10 years aged and burned quite badly, she was sobbing and terrified as I might expect. I could hear Pach and J. Sebastian shouting for anyone to answer their frantic cries. Viktor ran through the ruined rooms in search of anyone as well. He found four injured girls and carried all of them at once out to safety. Thank God, he is big and strong.
J. Sebastian ran into a room filled with smoke and fire. "Antonio!" The frantic young teacher shouted, "Here! J. Sebastian! I Am Here!" Antonio shouted back, "Merciful God! Where Are You?" J. Sebastian called again, "Here! J. Sebastian! Here! The Organ!" Antonio called out, J. Sebastian looked to the organ through the thick smoke and barely saw his friend, "I Am Coming Antonio!" J. Sebastian shouted, "I Am Trapped Beneath The Organ J. Sebastian!" Antonio cried in terror and pain, terror at the thought of being burned alive, and pain from having a two thousand pound organ crash down on him. J. Sebastian ran toward the scene when a window suddenly exploded and sprayed the room with large shards of glass. J. Sebastian threw himself on top of Antonio to shield him from the glass. J. Sebastian screamed in pain as jagged shards ripped into his body. "Get Off J. Sebastian! Do You Hear Me? Get Off! I Do Not Want You Harmed!" Antonio shouted to his dear friend, "No, I Am Alright Antonio! Be Still!" J. Sebastian shouted as the shards continued to shower him, After the barrage had ended J. Sebastian tried to get up, he could not, "Ohhhhh!" He screamed and winced in pain, "J. Sebastian! What is it?" Antonio cried out, "I-I cannot move." J. Sebastian said weakly, "Merciful God! Pach! Please! Come Quickly!" Antonio shouted for his kinetic friend. In a heartbeat Pach was there and saw the carnage, "Mary Madeleine! Oh Sweet Savior! One second Antonio!" He shouted to his friend, "Pach! J. Sebastian cannot move at all!" Antonio shouted back, "J. Sebastian? Sweet Son of God!" Pach shouted. First he used his mind power to move the organ off of Antonio and got him out of the ruined building. He ran back then and found J. Sebastian, "Dear friend, tell me if you feel pain." Pach pleaded, "No! Oh Pach! I Cannot Feel Anything!" J. Sebastian said in a frightened tone. This was uncommon but understandable under the circumstances. Pach used his mind shroud to lift J. Sebastian, who clearly out weighed Pach by a good 50 pounds. Pach carried J. Sebastian out and it was then the awful truth was revealed. No less than ten girls lost their precious lives in that horrific explosion. Antonio was devastated beyond reckoning. Pach was in shock, how could he allow something like this to happen? Viktor took J. Sebastian to the infirmary and left him there. Antonio was also taken to the infirmary but by Stav. Antonio's fair young face was severely burned, I was so afraid of the out come. As for poor J. Sebastian, he was almost certainly paralyzed.
Pach stayed beside his friends every minute, he refused to leave them. His tears fell like rain and as stormily as the great thunderstorms of summer. Antonio stroked Pach's soft hair with a bandaged hand and said as best he could through the bandages which covered most of his face, "Pach, it is alright. You did the best you could." "I did not do enough. I let you and J. Sebastian down. I should have been faster. If I had this would never have happened to you dear ones." Pach sobbed, "Pach. Child please, you did what you could. It is not your fault." Antonio said. Just then, Physician Crandel came over and told Pach, "You will have to leave now Pachelbel, he needs his sleep and you are disturbing him." "He is not..." Antonio began but Pach cut him off by saying, "No. It is alright Antonio. I will go." And the unnerved kinetic got up and left. "That Was Uncalled For! He Has Feelings Too!" Antonio shot his fiery temper directly at the physician, "Antonio, ten girls are dead, J. Sebastian will never again walk and you are scarred for life yourself. It is indeed his fault. He could have prevented it." The physician said, "What? How do you figure that?" Antonio shot forth his rueful question, "He is, after all, the Champion of the Gauntlet of Power, is he not?" The physician asked with a smirk. Later that night in the infirmary J. Sebastian woke and asked Antonio, "Was Pach not here?" "Yes. But the physician made him leave." Antonio replied angrily, "Why? He is one of our dearest friends and had it not been for him we would be dead now." J. Sebastian said in an astonished voice. "That man had the unmitigated nerve to imply that Pach is fully responsible for what happened." Antonio said in a rage. "What? Surely not. Pach would never do anything to harm his friends that idiot must realize." J. Sebastian said angrily. "In any event Pach is gone now." Antonio said sadly, "Well, when Reuben comes to visit we will have him tell Pach to come visit us." J. Sebastian said willfully, "Good thinking my dear friend. How are you feeling by the by?" Antonio asked concernedly, "I have no feeling at all from the left side of my face down only the right side of my face can feel anything at all. Otherwise I am well enough." J. Sebastian answered, "And what of you Antonio? How fares you?" J. Sebastian asked, "I am alive and that is all that matters dear one." Antonio answered, Antonio knew that the damning words of the unfeeling physician probably left poor little Pach consumed with guilt and sadness. He was so right too.
At the noon hour I brought J. Sebastian and Antonio their luncheons and sat patiently feeding J. Sebastian. "Reuben. When you see Pach, please tell him to come see us. We miss him terribly." Antonio said, "I certainly will." I said and glanced at Antonio, the voice of sweetest silver tone was still there but the now horrific scars made my once beautiful Antonio gruesome to see. The left side of his face had been so badly burned that no skin remained on it, and the weight of the organ against his arm had left his right arm, his violin arm, a mangled stump of useless flesh. I wept with sadness; my boys were so torn apart at this time. My J. Sebastian was paralyzed and God only knows where my dearest Little One was. My heart was sad and I made no pretences of it what so ever.
After I finished feeding J. Sebastian and talking to them extensively, I took their crockery and went back to the inn. I had promised I would pay Pach a visit and let him know they wanted to see him. I went directly to his room and knocked, there was no answer. I was perplexed, but not worried till I knocked several more times and got no response. I went down stairs and asked Viktor, "Did Pach come back here after he left the infirmary?" "No Reuben. He did not. Truth is, I have not seen him since the accident happened." Viktor said as his keen eyes peered about as though he were trying to catch sight of Pach. "Jenna. Have you seen Pach?" I asked my niece, "No Uncle. Not since early this morning." Jenna said honestly, "I have no idea then where he is." I said in a tone of perplexity.
Where Pach was, was in the loft of Saint Peter's church. He sat silently weeping as he gazed out the window of Antonio's loft. His pain stricken heart was heavy and sad, he was so ridden with guilt he could not face anyone any longer. At the stroke of the midnight hour, he stood up and walked to the balcony of Saint Peter's church high above the streets of Vienna and closed his eyes and stepped off the balcony, surely to his death.
In mid fall he was caught by an unseen hand, powerful and warm. "On uoy od ton ym noipmahC, ti si ton yht emit ot eid!" Came a voice calm and gentle, it was unmistakable to Pach who this was, "Sygrace! No, please, let me die! I have betrayed the faith of my friends." Pach wept, "No Little Champion, you have not betrayed their faith in you. It is not your doing you must realize Champion." Sygrace said calmingly, "I allowed ten girls to die. I allowed J. Sebastian... I-I meant Johann Sebastian to be paralyzed and Antonio is scarred for ever." Pach sobbed, presently a handsome man we in Vienna came to regard as du Blanc appeared beside Pach and held the shaking youth, "Let it out, clear your mind, and your heart. Child it is not your doing." Sygrace said calmly, "Then who? Lord Sygrace, I cannot trace the source this time. Have I finally tasted defeat?" Pach asked in pain drenched tones, "No child. It is a dread you must over come in your heart." Sygrace said, "My heart?" Pach repeated, "You are the Champion of the Gauntlet of Power, that power is not just of might, Pachelbel, but of truth and light as well. Use what is available to you my Champion." Sygrace said, "He will be fine Lord Sygrace. He is stronger than any can imagine." Came a small voice so child-like it sounded like that of a child of perhaps ten or barely older, Sygrace and Pach turned and there stood the shadowed creature known only as the nameless one. "I know he is strong my dearest friend, but he is after all, a child as yet." Sygrace said factually, "Ah Sygrace. You look at him and you see a child of only his sixteenth season. I look at him and see a warrior of seasoned battle, so strong, so brave and so willing to die for what he knows is right in his heart of hearts. I see a warrior worthy of the Great Achilles. I see a warrior worthy of the ascension to Valhalla should you fall in battle child. I see a warrior of golden armor as none other can wear. I see a figure shimmering in the light of truth and the shadow of the unknown, he shines above all others as the greatest Champion ever known to your Gauntlet of Power." The nameless one said, Pach stared in awe at this creature whose voice seemed to echo like thunder with each word he emphasized greatly, "You know me nameless one?" Pach ventured to ask this ancient creature. "I do. I know you well Little Warlock. I know and love you as I love my precious kindred Sygrace. You are so close to my heart. I want you to know I am with you, in any way you choose." The ancient creature answered. Pach felt a new strength grow in him, he felt as though he could and in fact would over come this guilt and find a way to undo the wrong which was done, he refused to fail this unknown shadow that had such faith in him that he felt it would be a sin against his own heart to fail now. He needed to succeed in finding the cause and undoing the effects on the afflicted. "I will not fail you then, nameless one. I will do my very best." Pach promised, "Your best is all you can give. You have the will of a warrior and the heart of a king. Go, be the Champion of your friends as well as the oppressed of the world around you Child of the Light." The Ancient One said. Pach closed his eyes and drew in a breath.
When Pach woke he was in his own room and it was morning. He gasped as he tried to recollect what happened last night. He remembered talking to Sygrace and the nameless one. He suddenly remembered the words of the ancient Lord of Shadows words and took the Gauntlet of Power on his arm and formed a portal saying, "Ekat em ot nehw siht derruco." and in a heartbeat he was gone and back to the instant before the explosion tore Saint Sebastian's apart. At that exact moment he saw he evil monster called Gilgamesh du Noir, set the deed into motion and made the stone building explode in a barrage of death and flame. Or so he thought.
"Gilgamesh Du Noir! Face Me Wretch!" Pach shouted as he used his powerful mind to halt the explosion in so nothing happened, but he at the same time could not do battle with Gilgamesh and hold the explosion at the same time, or could he? He sent a message telepathically to Antonio, 'Get you and your girls out! There will be a massive explosion in a mere few moments.' With those words of warning, Antonio dismissed class and guided all his girls out of there safely. None too soon either, for at that moment Gilgamesh attacked Pach and the kinetic lost concentration on the building and it exploded in a fireball. The girls and even Antonio screamed in fright, the explosion alerted all of us and we came running as we had before. Pach knocked Gilgamesh back with the Gauntlet to his jaw and then as the Dark Knight lunged again, Pach formed a deadly flaming crossbow armed with the deadly flaming arrow, which he shot with the accuracy of Nura and it impaled Gilgamesh and melted (literally) his icy heart. Pach saw that Antonio was alright and then ran as fast as his fleet feet could carry him and found J. Sebastian, who was on his feet and not injured, "Come J. Sebastian." Pach shouted and they ran back to the scene and there stood Antonio, beautiful, tall and unscarred, Pach dropped to his knees and wept with joy, he had done it. None of us understood, but little do we understand the dealings of this most unusual child either.
That night as he slept, the nameless one came to him and he woke and softly smiled, "I told you, you were stronger than anyone can imagine. You have proven yourself worthy Child of the Light. Now, sleep in peace." And the ancient one bestowed a kiss upon Pach's forehead. So, the young kinetic fell asleep peaceful in the knowledge that his friends were alright, especially J. Sebastian, who had been so gruesomely scarred, the girls were alive and his guilt ridden mind was at ease at last. He slept the sleep of the weary. The night passed uneventfully.

Code: ASFJS1696

Music of the genius minds

ReubenHWeber — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:17:32 CDT

Blood on the Altar

abbeleze — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:09:15 CDT

" Blood On The Altar"

It was the late summer night of August 4, 1697, close to midnight, when Reverende` Antonio Vivaldi finally closed his teaching ledger, and his school room to go to his sleeping chambers. Antonio made certain all the doors were secured and all the candles except the one he would use to find his way upstairs, had been safely extinguished. Before washing and getting dressed for bed, Antonio stepped outside on his private balcony to take in a breath of air. The young priest closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, the day had been a harrowing one. Not one of his students had accomplished her assignments. "NOT ONE!!' Tears of defeat streamed down the face of the weary young priest. Suddenly a soothing voice filled Antonio's mind. "All is well my friend. Be at peace and rest well" the voice said. A wave of calm overtook Antonio and he went inside to his bed. Blissful slumber soon found the weary young Vivaldi, and the hours of night slipped by peacefully. But with the rising of the sun the following morning agonizing and anguish filled screams broke the silence of the dawn. The screams of pain and horror pulled Antonio back to wakeful conciousness. Antonio's eyes were wide with fear, and the young priest was clearly and deeply shaken.
Cautiously he made his way down the stairs to the chapel. Slowly he opened the double doors, and what greeted him made his blood run cold, a shriek of terror escaped him. Outside J. Sebastian had been passing by and tried to run to his friend. However with the huge front doors locked he could only pound on the huge front doors and cry out to him. The frantic knockings finally reached Antonio's ears, and he slowly walked to the doors, and opened them.When he seen it was J. Sebastian he grabbed on to him. "What vexes thee my dear friend?" . J.Sebastian asked. He glanced at the tear filled espresso eyes of Antonio. He seen terror and fear that went beyond explaination. "Oh J. Sebastian, it is horrid!" Antonio said with tears in his voice. "What is it? What has you so distraught my dear friend?" J. Sebastian asked. "Come you shall see, but I warn you it is most hideous." Antonio said as he led J. Sebastian to the chapel. There on the altar were two of Antonio's unruly students, slain. One's throat had been slashed open and her front was torn away so her entrails hung out, displayed as a trophy. The others heart had been ripped from her chest and impaled upon the bow of her violin, which was sitting next to her body. Her head barely dangled fromher spine, being kept there only by her spinal cord.
Another scream of terror filled the early morning air of the streets of Vienna, this time it was J. Sebastian's powerful voice which sounded out. Antonio and J. Sebastian began to slowly back away from the murder scene, only to be scared when a soft voice met them at the front entrance of the church. "What is the matter here?" Pach asked. Suddenly Elipta sent Pach a psychic message. 'There is innocent blood on the altar.' Pach started toward the chapel. "Please Pach, do not go in there, it is hideous!" Antonio pleaded. "I am sure there is nothing in there that I have not seen before in one form or another, Antonio." The young kinetic said. "Truly but it is still hideous, I warn you." the priest continued. Pach placed his hands on the knobs to allow himself entry into the chapel. As he did, the kinetic's nostrils caught the overpowering scent of blood. Elipta cried in horror, at the scene which greeted the kinetic's eye.Pach reeled back and turned to run out, it was too much for the youth. When Antonio and J. Sebastian caught up yo him, they noticed their young friend was pale and sickly. "Are you going to be all right my friend?" J. Sebastian asked in concern. Pach's wide eyes were trembling, and he was slow in answwring his friend.
Suddenly Pach found his voice. "Yes" he said swallowing hard. "I will be all right. I did not such an evil to greet me in the church of my friend." That night Antonio made a sign and hung it on the class room that all classes were called off until further notice, then the three friends made their way to the 'Green Dragon' inn. There they rested and talked about what they needed to do. "Pach when you were in there reliving it, did yoiu recognize the demon who desecrated the chapel and my students?"Antonio asked. "No my dearest Antonio I surely did not. But from the way the blood was everywhere and the body parts were strewn about, I would say this one is of darkest pure evil. As it had no respect for your church." Pach reasoned. As Pach sipped a glass of water brought to him by young Jenna the friends further dicussed what their plan of action should be. "Truly I must call upon Sygracce, he will help and guide us. He may also be able to identify the demon which has caused this horror." Pach stated rather matter of factly.
"However for now we can do nothing, and it would not serve any good purpose for us to go without eating." J. Sebastian stated. With that the auburn haired Saxon called Jenna over, and they ordered their breakfasts. Antonio was still feeling a bit faint. "Just a light breakfast of fruit, cheese, bread and tea for me thank you." he said in his modest quiet voice. "I shall have the same." Pach said , still very pale from his experience. "I too shall have the same, but coffee with mine please." J. Sebastian said smiling ,though still nauseated from the event at the church.Which under the circumstances was not easy. "Has something happened that you three have lost your appetites?" Jenna asked out of concern for her friends. "Yes, but we do not wish to discuss it until we have had a chance to talk to the sheriff." Pach said. With a curtsey of acknowledgement, Jenna turned to get the breakfast orders.
Meanwile, Reuben Weber, the owner of the 'Green Dragon' inn, came over to greet his patrons. "How are you gentlemen doing this fine day?" Reuben asked with a smile on his lips. "Unfortunately not well my good Reuben." J. Sebastian began,"it is awful. There were two of Antonio's students slain in the chapel this morning." he added after a swallow of coffee. Reuben offered his condolences to Antonio. "Is there anything you need? Would you like me to send Viktor to fetch the sheriff?" he asked.Pach nodded, "Yes we need to report this tragedy quickly." His voice still shaky. "You can have any room you wish for as long as you need it, Antonio." Reuben said. "Graci Reuben, I am in your debt." Antonio said softly. "Nonsense ...you owe me nothing. You are my friend and what are friends for if not to aid each other in times of tragedy and peril?" It was just in a matter of minutes that Reuben sent Viktor to fetch the sheriff of Vienna.
Within about 20 minutes sheriff VonHelgen, and Viktor entered the 'Green Dragon' inn. "Over there in the corner, they are the ones who require your assistance." Viktor said as he motioned the sheriff in the direction of the table where the three companions sat. Sheriff Von Helgen joined Pach and the others and was told of the slayings in the Chapel of St Peter's Church. "Take me there, I wish to examine the scene." The sheriff requested. The three friends swallowed hard, and closed their eyes to prepare for their return to that dreadful sight.
"Very well then, follow me." Antonio said as he found the keys to the church. As the four proceeded to St. Peter's Church, Pach clearly heard himself, J.Sebastian and Antonio in prayer. Soon they reached the huge set of double doors of the church, and Antonio hesitated before unlocking them. Looking first to Pach then to J. Sebastian. Pach gave an encouraging nod to him, letting him know that he and J. Sebastian, and the sheriff were right there for Antonio, and none would allow harm to befall the beloved priest. Antonio finally caught his breath and stepped forward, entering the foyer. He led the sheriff to the chapeldoors and bade the sheriff to open them. Sheriff Von Helgen looked questioningly at Antonio, Pach, then J.Sebastian. "What is so awful in there?" he asked, "What has you three so clearly shaken?" the sheriff continued. "The fact that these murders are an otherworldly work, my good sheriff." Pach said sadly. "Otherworldly? You certainly are quick to say that young Master Pachelbel." the sheriff said with a raised eyebrow. "See for yourself if you do not wish to believe us." J. Sebastian challenged. With those words the sheriff thrust the chapel doors open and nearly gagged at the sight which greeted him. The two bodies horribly maimed, the blood strewn all about, but mostly the claw marks in blood on the chapel ceiling. "How in the name of.......?" The sheriff began in a terror filled voice which faded out with fear. Pach clapped his hand on the sheriff's shoulder, which startled the sheriff profoundly. "That is how we know they are otherworldly murders, my good sheriff." Pach said with stern reason.
The sheriff remained quiet, and simply backed out of the chapel, unable though he was to take his eyes off the horror before him. After he passed the chapel doors, he shoved Antonio aside, and made a mad dash for the double doors at the front of the church, where he proceeded to vomit fiercely. After the sheriff was finished being sick, J.Sebastian helped him to the infirmary. Antonio and Pach went to St. Mary's Cathedral, the Catholic church in Vienna ran by Ignazi Decaden. Antonio told Ignazi of the murders. Ignazi told Antonio; "Do not worry my friend. I have people which will clean that for you, and make your church as clean as though nothing like that had happened." "But there is blood on the ceiling and deep claw marks on the ceiling and the walls." Antonio explained. "Worry not of it my friend, the people know how to restore buildings, even such grand ones as your beloved church." Ignazi said trying to comfort Antonio. "Thank you my friend. I will be forever in the debt of your people." Antonio said. Getting the church cleaned of the blood, and the remains of his students was just one chore Antonio simply did not have the stomach to face. He was grateful for the help of those people who could tolerate the chore.
Ignazi sent Pach, and Antonio on their way, and called upon the people who would clean the church. "However you must wait until the sheriff and his deputies have gathered whatever evidence they need from the scene of the slayings." the former satanic leader told his servants.
As Pach and Antonio walked back to the inn, they noticed a storm coming in. "We should hurry as you and J. Sebastian need to be on your way to your own homes, and I, myself am very tired and in need of rest." Antonio said. Pach nodded in agreement and the two walked on to the 'Green Dragon' inn. J. Sebastian was waiting there. "I had to leave the good sheriff at the infirmary. He was in poor condition. The physician suggested he rest in the hospital for the night." J. Sebastian told them. Antonio swallowed hard. It was clearly uncomfortable for him. "I can understand that, it was terrible. I know that it lwft me in a shattered state. He admitted, Pach nodded his head in agreement, the pallor of his skin told of his illness from the mention of the event at Saint Peter's church.. The three frinds called Jenna over , Antonio and Pach asked for tea, and of course, J. Sebastian asked for coffee. Jenna brought them their drinks post haste, then returned to her other duties. After they had rested Pach and J. Sebastian bade Antonio goodnight and they left for their perspective homes. Pach walked along with his friend, the night was silent and troubled even between them. Pach understood that the subject was not to be discussed in the open and it did need the utmost delicate attention. Soon they had reached Cantata Avenue where J. Sebastian lived. "Good night my friend, I shall see you in the morning., hopefully I will have been given some answeres to our dilemna." Pach said with a cordial smile. J. Sebastian also held the same hope.
Pach proceeded to walk on to Sonata Lane. Suddenly a blood red bolt of lightning struck the ruby jewel of the 'Gauntlet of Power' The jolt knocked Pach flat on the ground, and rendered him unconscious. The young musician was unconscious for somewhile before awakening. Pach groggily stumbled for what he thought was his home on Sonata Lane, but it was not. He actually walked, or rather stumbled to the evil forest called Idengate. A shadowy figure watched the dazed kinetic as he struggled to find a familiar place. Suddenly the previously unseen assailant leaped from the shadows, in front of Pach. "Champion, I am Darquan. I have come to seek my vengance on you and Sygrace of the Light." then with a hiss on his tongue , Darquan dealt a viscious blow to the fair young face of Pach. The evil dragon carried Pach's body to a dark cavern, and encased the pure and good essence of Pach in a wall of ice. With the wave of an ancient wand of blackest onyx, Darquan released the evil and vile opposite of Pach. Opposite in every way except appearance. "You shall do my bidding. With your aid my vengance will be complete." he hissed wickedly. "You shall be called Idoni, and answer only to me. When citizens approach thee, thou shalt be as this
one." Darquan said indicating the real Pach. Darquan then took Idoni to the modest home on Sonata Lane , placed him on the bed, and left him to carry on as the illustrious Pach.
The following morning both J. Sebastian and Antonio paid a visit to their friends home, only to be greeted by one who looked familiar but certainlly was not the true Pach. Antonio could tell it wasn't his friend, there was something horribly amiss here but he could not place it. "Pach, are you not going to open the school today?" Antonio asked. "I have no time for such foolishness. Those students are idiots,and I will not waste my precious time on them."Idoni said with a wave of his hand and a toss of his blond hair. "Very well Pach, we will make your excuses , and inform your students." J. Sebastian offered. "You needn't make excuses for me. They are not worth the time and effort it would take to do so." Idoni said snappily and went off to take care of his business. J.Sebastian and Antonio looked at each other questioningly. "What shall we do now? You and I both knowhe is not in his right mind,and who else can talk to Sygrace, or find out what demons have defiled my precious church?" Antonio asked anxiously.
J.Sebastian thought for awhile. "We shall go talk again to Ignazi, this time let himknow the situation of Pach. He can contact the forgotten realms such as Dark Haven." J. Sebastian suggested logically. "An excellent suggestion, my dear friend." Antonio agreed and with that the two made their way to the residence of Ignazi Decaden. After Ignazi, J. Sebastian, and Antonio share the late evening discussion Ignazi promises the two friends that he shall make contact with the one who may be able to help them. Antonio, and J.Sebastian then left for their homes. "This has been a very strange day." Antonio admitted. "Yes, indeed it has been." J. Sebastian agreed.
"With Pachnot inhis right mind, and the schools being closed, it is simply chaotic." Bach stressed as he and Antonio continued on to the 'Green Dragon' inn. After bidding Antoniogood night, J.Sebastian made his way home. That night at midnight, Ignazi went into an hypnotic trance, and made an astral connection with Phyadazirex of Dark Haven. Ignazi explained what had happened in Vienna.
"This sounds like the work of an evil dragon, the one called Darquan." Phyadazirex began. "Darquan is a rival of Sygrace. He is as dark and evil as Sygrace is good and light. Sygerace imprisoned Darquan 500 years ago for crimes against the 'Fellowship of Dragons of the Order of Light.' Phyadazirex explained. "You will be able to know if Darquan has taken possession of the 'Gauntlet of Power,'if the jewel is no longer the reddest of rubies, but instead is an onyx as black as evil itself, then Darquan has taken the Gauntlet of Power and imprisoned Sygrace. The innocent blood gives him the power to stay on the earthly plain. The blood of innocents on the altar of a church gives him thrills." Phyadazirex explained further. "I see, and thank you Lord Phyadazirex for your time.and aid in this most serious matter." Ignazi said as he broke the astral connection.
The following morning Ignazi told Antonio and J.Sebastian what he had learned fromPhyadazirex. The three walked on to the 'Green Dragon' inn, intending to take breakfast. As they passed St.Peter's Cathedral a horrible, blood curdling scream filled their ears. Antonio looked to his companions. "I made a sign that none were to enter the church until I had given notice." He said fearfully. Antonio found his key to the church and began towards it, then abruptly stopped and turned away. Ignazi stepped past him and offered to lead the way. Antonio gladly permitted it. When Ignazi opened the foyer doors , he was not ready for the sight which greeted him. Bits and pieces of the body of a young girl led him into the chapel, the doors were already opened and the blood and body parts continued on to the altar. The head of the same young girl whose screams had alerted them just a few minutes before was propped on the altar between two gold crosses. Another young girls body was slit open and her entrails were strewn about, she lay infront of the altar. Suddenly the eyes of the disembodied head on the altar flew open, and a scream escaped the mouth. "Please...help us!" it cried out. Ignazi drww back in fear. "Tell me was this murder done by the dark dragon called Darquan?" Ignazi asked boldly. "Yes. He wants vengance and has taken steps to assure he gets what he seeks." the head answered. "And just what is it he seeks?Who is he that he defiles my church, and murders my students?" Antonio demanded. "He is Darquan, a rival of Sygrace. He is the opposite of the Gauntlet of Truth and Light. He wishes to control the Gauntlet of Power, and make the champion his own slave.. He has replaced the one you know as Pach with one of his own dark essence." the disembodied head revealed to Antonio. When Antonio turned to his companions to discuss what they had heard, he found himself standing there alone, and he hurried out of the church to find his companions.
"Why did you abandon me back at the church?" Antonio asked in a disturbed voice. "We needed to take some air, and get away from that place, it is disturbing." J.Sebastian admitted. "I see. So now that we know who this evilis how do we stop him?" Antonio asked Ignazi, after he caught up with his companions. "I will have to visit the Kingdom of Isentari and speak to Kyna their king. As King of all Dragonkind he will know how to proceed with this quest." Ignazi answered with hope. "I want these murders to stop.If they proceed in such a manner, at this rate I shall be out of students." Antonio surmised. "Truly we must stop him. I wonder if either of us could call upon Nara~Nara for assistance." J.Sebastian thought aloud. "With the jewel of the Gauntlet being contaminated by Darquan, I seriously doubt if you could." Ignazi ventured his reason.
Antonio sighed in dismay, "I am beginning to believe this demon is as none ever I had known before." he said wearily. J.Sebastian laid a comforting hand on his friends shoulder,"Antonio, we shall overcome this horror and retrieve our beloved Pach. We will be done with this tragedy soon I pray." he said to his shaken friend. "I know as a priest I must remain true to the faith which guides me.However when things like this happen it shakes me to my very foundation." Antonio cried as tear of sorrow filled his eyes, and streamed down his cheeks.
That night Ignazi made another astral connection to the forgotten realms, this time it was to Kyna of Isentari. "Kyna I come for aid in the name of the Fellowship of the Dragons." Ignazi began "Our friend, your Champion of the Gauntlet has been taken from us, as also ws Sygrace."he explained to the proud king. "Sir... you come bearing to me the most awful of news. Darquan is a most powerful dark force. How long has his work been seen in your own world priest?" Kyna asked "It has been three days. Four students have been slain inthe Luthern Church called St Peter's. Claw marks are inthe walls and ceiling. Blood has been strewn on the walls, ceiling, floors and pews of the church. The altar, I am afraid, is permanently stained with innocent blood." Ignazi informed King Kyna. "Four murders? Then he has gained much strength. I will need to call upon one of your kind who owes me a favor, or two. He may be dark but he is true to his word." Kyna said mysteriously. He did not wish to divulge the name of his albeit, unwilling aid, not to this one, not to anyone. Kyna broke the astral connection between he and Ignazi, sending the Catholic Priest back to his own real and a restful nights sleep.
The following day Ignazi watched from afar , as the one he knew as Pach walked out towards Idengate. Ignazi followed, undetected in hopes that he would discover where the real Pach was. Ignazi stopped just short of where he seen Idoni halt. Ignazi soon recognized the dragon called Darquan, and noticed he and Idoni engaged in a conversation. Darquan needed to renew his essence, which was this embodiment. Ignazi watched as the dark dragon poured the blood of the slain students over his slave, baptizing him completely in the evil, which harvested the innocent life force. Ignazi was nearly sick at the sight, but managed to contain himself.As Ignazi turned to run back toward Vienna, Idoni informed his master that there was one lingering about that could be a hindrance to the plans of vengance which were in progress. SNAP! a twig cracked under Ignazi's boot heel. The priet froze withhope that he would remain undiscovered, but alas, Darquan was right there and took Ignazi prisoner. "You want to know where the real champion is? Very well, I shall take you to him." Darquan hissed evilly. He then dealt a viscious blow to the face of the Catholic Priest. Darquan swept Ignazi up into his talons,and flew to the caver where he had imprisoned Pach's pure essence. Darquan slowly brought the unconcious Ignazi around. The young Catholic Priest looked about the cavern and beheld the sight of Pach's body in the wall of ice, and whispered...."Is he dead?" Darquan laughed wickedly...."Not yet, I am saving that rite to be done in the presence of Sygrace." he purred throatily. "I want to watch him suffer the loss of his champion, then one by one I fully intendto slaughter his own kindred." the dark dragon continued. "But you dark one are one of those kindred." Ignazi mentioned, just as the eyes of Darquan met his own, and immediately Ignazi was sealed in a sheet of ice, and placed upon an altar of evil. "Hmm, quite a collection I have started here." Darquan snickered to himself and his slave. The two figures left the dark cavern and Darquan vanished leaving Idoni to return to Vienna.
After the astral departure from Ignazi, Kyna summoned several of his loyal warriors to his palace. " I will need two volunteers to travel with Nara~Nara, to free the Lord of Light,Sygrace, from the prison in which Darquan has trapped him. It is in an otherwise forgotten place, one of blackest evil." Kyna warned the dragon warriors. Grey Diamond, and Dynirus both stepped forward and offered their elite services. Corio and T'Rose also stepped forward. "We both, offer our protection, as a force of five would certainly be more effective than one of three." The bronze dragon Corio said, offering his opinion. "A wise obsevation. Very well, a force of five it shall be. Be strong, and walk in the light, even in deepest darkest evil." Kyna said as he bestowed the Blessing of the Light on each of his warriors, with his staff of 'Truth and Light'. "I wish you success." Kyna added as the group of dragon warriors left on their quest to free their imprisoned commrade. Nara~Nara joined the foursome just outside the palace gates of Isentari. "According to the journal of my father, we are to travel to the dark cavernous pit called 'Morderosi'." The son of Sygrace led the way as he looked to a map left in the 'Book of Light' by his father.
The road was indeed treacherous, and the group found need to stop and gather their wits, for many of the road signs appeared to be as ones indicating the opposite direction. Confusion and illusion veiled the location of the Dungeons of Morderosi. As the group neared a body of black water, and odor most foul filled their nostrils. Immediately the dragons veiled their mouths and noses with thin cloths which prevented gases from filling their nostrils and rendering them unconcious. Quickly the group moved along, and finally found air that was clean and breathable. All decided to rest, and survey their immediate surroundings. Nara~Nara refered to the map he held, and pointed to the mountain range which was still some distance ahead of them. "We must make it to the third peak, then bear North from that point." he told the others.
"If we are indeed to make such a harrowing trek we will need our strength to be at it's maximum peak." Grey Diamond noted as he held up a food sack and smiled widely. "A grand idea." the others agreed. As they took their afternoon meal break, Nara~Nara concentrated on the location of his beloved father. In a vision he seen his father frozen solid, as if he were encased in diamond. The boy tried to communicate with the frozen figure of his father, and found the words muffled. A tear fell fromthe eyes of Sygrace. 'Father ...if you can not speak to me then let your music guide me. ' Nara~Nara bade the Dragon Lord via kinetic message. It was a mere thirty minutes later that the five dragons continued on their quest. "Can we not take our dragon forms and fly for some distance? Surely that will bring us closer to our destination." T'Rose suggested, whether it was from the urgency of the quest, or the fact that he was growing weary from being on foot, it seemed a logical suggestion in his mind. Nara~Nara nodded,"Yes that would be acceptable, and indeed more expediant." he agreed. The five companions prepared for the transformation to dragon form, and soon were in flight. If the sky had not already been black, it certainly would have appeared so then. The third peak of the mountain range came into view within a mere ten minutes. The dragons landed and observed the area. "According to the map we indeed must keep to our dragon forms and fly North from here a good thirty miles yet. Then we should behold a mirrored pool of ice. That is where we need to be most cautious, but it is one place where we need to be for it is the hiding place of the gate to Morderosi. Do not touch the gate while in dragon form, for it will send you to the pit immediately. Though that may sound beneficial it is not, for you would arrive dead." Nara~Nara warned. "Then pray tell, oh son of Sygrace,..How are we to get past the gate?" Dynirus asked.
"We will find a way, I promise you." the persistant youth vowed. When they landed near the pool of ice, they noticed a dark figure standing there waiting for them. The group took on human form to observe the figure and their surroundings. As Nara~Nara's vision cleared he immediately recognized this one. "Osio Dark-Water, what brings you to this most foul and dire of places?" he asked suspiciously.
"Ease your mind young warrior. I am here at the request of your own King Kyna. I have owed him a debt for some centuries now and this is my chance to clear it." the Black Wizard explained. The eyes of the Fellowship fell upon him and read the intent upon the heart of this dark one. "His words are truth." Corio revealed. "Only a fool would bear false witness to an order of Dragonfolk." Grey Diamond reasoned.
Nara~Nara nodded in agreement, then turned to the Black Wizard. "How are you going to be able to assist us,Osio Dark-Water?"he asked. "Quite simply put, none of you may touch the entrance gate without fear of death." Osio began. "However, since I have a black heart, I can touch the gate without fear of retribution from it. My staff will keep us safefrom the dangerous unknown of the pit, as we walk the darkness. It was with a wave of his staff then that the Gate of Morderosi opened unto the will of Osio. "Use only your dragon vision in the tunnel, as any source of light will awaken unknown evils." the Black Wizard warned. The Dragon Fellowship nodded, to let Osio know they understood completely. "But how will you be guided wizard?"asked T'Rose curiously. "By following you and being in the center of the five of you. With one by my side, two before me, and two behind, that is how." Osio explained. The group lined up. T'Rose and Corio up front, Nara~Nara standing beside Osio, and Grey Diamond and Dynirus immediately behind the others. Onward they trod, through evils and dangers non of them had ever encountered before this time. At the jagged edge of one cliff, Osio warned them all to walk silently, which meant the dragons needed to levitate themselves, and Osio. As they did, the sharp eyes of Nara~Nara spotted why they need to engage this maneuver. Below was a dark swamp filled with flesh eating eels. "Those eels would think nothin of strngling any of us, man or dragon." Osio whispered to his traveling companions. A shudder of disgust escaped T'Rose. The group continued on for what seemed like three days. Then there at the moouth of a cave shone a gate of purest diamond clear ice. "This is it. This is where Sygrace is being held captive." Osio announced. As Grey Diamond approached the gate a feeling of intense cold enveloped the might dragon. Suddenly a growl from the darkness arose and filled the air, it sounded and felt otherworldly. Dynirus peered past the gate and determined the eerie sound had come from infront of the gate. Osio being caught off guard jumped back a few steps. His eyes were wide with startled fear. "I do not know what that was, but I beg you take caution." he said softly.Carefully Osio raised his onyx staff, to shed a ray of light into the shadows. There the Fellowship beheld a rabid werewolf. No shackles or chains to bind him, he simply huddled in the shadows as guardian of the Gateway to the pit of Morderosi. "Just how,my dear Black Wizard, are we supposed to get by that?" Dynirus asked with a bit of a sarcastic scoff in his voice.
"Let me ponder this situation first, then I will inform you of my findings." Osio said seriously as he stared into the darkness. He bade the young warrior Nara~Nara to discuss their situation a few feet from the others. ... "What if you sent the illusion of another werewolf? Would that not draw this beast from the gate?" Nara~Nara suggested. Osio smiled and laid a hand on one of the young dragons shoulders. "You are wise for such a young dragon." he said quietly. The wizard then proceeded with the spell of conjuring. Suddenly in the shadows appeared a second werewolf. Indeed it had worked. The second werewolf caught the attention of the Guardian of the Gateway, causing the guardian to give chase to the illusion while the Fellowship and Osio slipped by the gate of ice and into the pit of darkness. Finally they reached the dungeon which held Sygrace. Nara~Nara stepped through the doorway, and as he did, reeled back at the sight of his father in such a helpless state. For it appeared to Nara~Nara that his father did not sleep, but was dead. Grey Diamond stepped forth and laid his stone of awakeningagainst the sheet of ice, but nothing happened. A perplexed look crossed the face of the grey dragon. "Simple my good dragon your stone is of the light, this place is of blackness. Therefore anything of light can not work here the same, as it would in your world of light." Osio offered the explaination. The Black Wizard reached into his robes and withdrew an onyx of such purest black that it glowed. Osio laid the stone against the wall of ice enveloping Sygrace, and it caused the wall of ice to shatter. It did not take more than a few seconds for all six of the travelers to rush to the aid of the Dragon Lord. They carried Sygrace to a warmer corner, away from theice, and gave him nourishment. After a few minutes Sygrace was recovered. "What am I doing here, and how long have I been here?" he asked. "Darquan has taken the champion, and imprisoned you here, Father." Nara~Nara began. "You have been here for one week, and in those seven days the shedding of innocent blood, on the altar at St. Peter'sChurch has been terrifying." Nara~Nara continued. "Then we must get back to the surface world, and quickly!" Sygrace reasoned. "Truly, for the pure essence of the youth called Pach has been taken, and so has Ignazi Decaden, the priest of St. Mary's Cathedral." T'Rose explained. Sygrace's eyes flew open wide with fear. "He has a priest imprisoned?" he gasped. "With the sacrifice of a priest he will be nearly unstoppable." the Dragon Lord warned. "Then truly we must hurry." Osio and Nara~Nara said in unison.
With that Sygrace called for his ruby of transporting, and the seven were taken to the Kingdom of Isentari within a minute. As Osio stepped from the tunnel of ruby light King Kyna was there to greet him. "Thank you Osio. Truly our debt has been wiped clean." Kyna said as he clasped hands with Osio Dark-Water. Sygrace looked astonished at the King of Isentari. "How can you be friends with one of such pure evil?" he asked Kyna. Osio has not always been evil, Sygrace. But that explaination I will share with you another time. Now you must go to the aid of your champion." Kyna said, and turned to thank Osio again, and bid his friend of many centuries farewell. Sygrace asked the Fellowship of Five to accompany him on his quest. They all agreed and were soon on their way to Vienna, and the surrounding areas, to fight for the return of Ignazi and the Champion of the Gauntlet of Power, Pach.
Meanwhile in the township of Vienna, Antonio and J.Sebastian were engaged in conversation at their usual corner table of the 'Green Dragon' inn. "Where do you suppose Ignazi has disappeared to these past three days.?" J.Sebastian asked his friend. "I can not begin to venture a guess as to his current locale, but I am beginning to become quite worried of him. I must admit." Antonio said frankly. . Shortly after their luncheon had been served J. Sebastian observed a familoiar figure enter the inn. The young musician stood up and bade the familiar one to join them. "Welcome Sygrace, how splendid of you to grace us with your presence." J.Sebastian said warmly."After my most recent plight, it is grand to be here." the Dragon Lord said factually. Just at that moment Idoni came into the inn, and ordered a drink. Sygrace's eyes caught him immediately.
"Purest evil he is." Sygrace hissed quietly. "Purest evil?" Antonio said questioning the statement of the Lord of Light. "Yes, the one you see there is only using the person of my champion.The essence therein is one provided him by the evil called Darquan." Sygrace explained to the two companions. "Then that explains his behavior as of late. Most uncomely, very unlike himself, to be sure." J. Sebastian noted.
"Yes I have no doubt of that young master Bach. We need to find a way to confront him, without alerting Darquan, and I believe I may have that solution at hand." the Dragon Lord said, being hopeful. With that Sygrace excused himself from the table, and as he left he purposefully walked beside Idoni. Idoni stood up and proceeded to follow the Dragon Lord. Sygrace observed J.Sebastian starting to rise from his chair, and signalled himto stay put. Bach sat back down, and both he and Antoniowondered what the sly dragon had in mind for this evil one that looked so much like their friend. A sudden commotion from the alley way alerted the entire inn. But when Viktor, and Reuben dashed for the backdoor, leading directly to the alley, they seen nothing butbroad still daylight. "I wonder what happened!" Viktor said as he closed the alley way door. Shortly afterwards Sygrace returned to the 'Green Dragon' inn, and ordered a glass of water, then rejoined J.Sebastian and Antonio. "We have him. Now we must devise a planto rescue Ignazi and the real Pach." Sygrace said ."Wr? Who, pray tell is this 'we' you speak of?" Antonio asked. "A Fellowship of six dragons, five others and myself" Sygrace told him softly, as he placed a slender finger to his well formed mouth. Antonio and J. Sebastian both nodded, realizing being secretive at this point would be most crucial and beneficial to their cause.
That eveing when Idoni woke, to go to the place of meeting with Darquan, Corio followed silently. The dragon stayed behind his mark, yet never lost track of him. Idoni had not noticed a silver chain around his neck, from that chain dangled a diamond of significant size, it was surrounded by thirteen rubies, and thirteen onyx. When Darquan seen the diamond pendant he grabbed it. "Where did you get this? " he hissed suspiciously. "It is a treasure I found. It is mine." Idoni grumped as he pulled the pendant out of Darquan's claws. "Very well I have no use for it, certainly." Daarquan said raising an eyebrow. Then he and the essence he had unleashed walked into the cavern of darkness.
In Isentari, Kyna was watching every step, and told Sygrace by telepathy where the two dark figures were going. When the dark emissaries entered the cavern, Kyna noticed the true essence of Pach in the ice wall. He also noticed Ignazi frozen solid on an altar of stone. The altar was carved with ancient writings. These writings were a prayer to the Grecian god of death, Hades. Infront of the altar was a dagger of onyx and silver, engraved with the same markings. "In three days we will have the full moon, it will be a blood moon, and our sacrifice will be most powerful, and complete. My vengance will be sweet and most satisfying then. To have taken another friend, the priest, as well as his champion from Sygrace." the dark dragon laughed maniacally. The essence of evil turned to his master and spoke, "This one is not the close priestfriend of Sygrace, he is merely an acquaintance.The close friend and future champion is the red headed priest named Vivaldi." he revealed to Darquan. Darquan growled at the news, and pushed Idoni aside..."Then I will take that one!" he roared venomously and stormed off towards Vienna.
In Vienna, Sygrace quickly hid Antonio, and J. Sebastian, with the other five dragons. Sygrace then turned and exited the safety realm.As he walked through the door a flash of bright blue light filled the area just outside. Antonio and J. Sebastian looked at each other, and T'Rose calmed them. "It is Sygrace, he has taken another form." the wise drgon told them. Grey Diamond summoned the two musicians to his side. "Look in here, behold. Sygrace has taken the guise of you my dear priest." Grey Diamond told them. Antonio's eyes flew open wide. "NO! He can not. He will be killed." Antonio cried out. "Calm priest. Sygrace is well versed in deception, and he has a plan." Corio injected confidently. Antonio turned and sat on the pile of furs provided to both he and J.Sebastian, and he sighed mournfully. A tear escaped Antonio's eyes, and he began to pray silently. Sygrace, in the form of Antonio began to walk to his church. As he did he heard cries of agony and pain coming from the Cathedral of St. Peter's Church. The Dragon Lord took off in a fast sprint, and confronted Darquan. "Be damned foul beast, thou wretch who doth desecrate mine church!" he screamed at the black dragon. "I aim to do more, much more." Darquan said as he licked his thin lips with his forked tongue. He grabbed the one he believed to be Antonio. Idoni jumped on Darquan's strong back and they flew off to the cavern of blackness. When Darquan landed he dropped 'Antonio', and Idoni dismounted the dragon. Idoni leaned over the limp body of 'Antonio' and smirked. "Yes this is he." Then Idoni scooped up the one he believed was the true priest of St. Peter's Church, into his arms and carried him into the cavern. As he laid the priest on the altar near Ignazi, he felt a tug on the silver chain. Idoni thought nothing of it, for he knew after the vengance of Darquan was completed, he would be free to search for his treasure. When Idoni had emerged from the cavern, Darquan sealed it closed with a thick wall of ice. Sygrace remained motionless until he felt Darquan, and Idoni were far away. Then Sygrace took his own form, and used the Diamond of Isentari to free the true and pure essence of Pach, and then he released Ignazi from his icy prison as well. "How do ye fare Champion?" he asked Pach. "I feel dreadfully weak, but I will be fine. I am certain." Pach said as he stretched his tired frame. "And you priest, how art thou?" Sygrace asked Ignazi. "Cold, but I will also be well." the priest shivered weakly. Sygrace gave both of the men nourishment, before allowing them to proceed with him in the pusuit of Darquan, and Idoni. Then with the aid of Elipta, Sygrace and Pach proceeded to melt the wall of enchanted ice at the front of the cavern. Within thirty minutes the three were hurriedly on their way to Vienna.
Just outside the city of Vienna, Pach,Ignazi and Sygrace stopped and discussed their plan of action. "I am going to use my portal from here, and go to my home. If the evil named Idoni is there, then it will be there I face him." Pach declared. Sygrace could tell his champion was more than a little angered at being taken by an evil, and imprisoned to the point of helplessness. After Pach was on his way, taking Ignazi with him. Sygrace took his dragon form, and flew overVienna,to survey the city, and see if he might catch a sighting of Darquan, or Idoni. Ignazi ran to the church of St. Peter's to hopefully find Antonio. Instead what he found were two more innocent girls slain in the church. This time the skin was peeled away from one of the girls, and her face had been chewed away. The other was impaled on the huge eighteen foot high cross, which hung upon the west wall of the church. "Blessings of Heaven! This evil must be stopped." Ignazi declared purposefully. Ignazi ran out to find Pach, Sygrace, or anyone he could report this horror to. Sygrace, being sensetive to the criesof anguish, landed before Ignazi and changed back to his human appearance. "Tell me what troubles thee, Ignazi." Sygrace coaxed calmly. "Two more slayings in the church." Ignazi said, his voice trembling with sorrow. "Then we must tarry not." Sygrace exclaimed and went in search of the one nemesis named Darquan.
In the house on Sonata Lane, Pach exited his portal and surprised Idoni. The evil one hissed and dashed out of the house. Pach ran in pursuit. Citizens of Vienna watched as the two, who were mirrored images of each other ran through the streets of their fair city. It was at the town square that all four came together. Pach and Sygrace, Idoni, and Darquan. The war had begun , the combatants faced each other, all showing no fear. Pach yelled at the evil named Idoni, "Turn here coward and face me." Idoni turned quickly and hissed at Pach as he crouched into a fighting stance. At the same instance Darquan and Sygrace engaged in battle. The fierce fighting continued till nearly midnight. It was then that Pach gained the upper hand over Idoni, rendering the evil one unconscious. Also the Sygrace bested Darquan by slashing his chest open with one of Sygrace's own dagger-like talons. As Darquan stumbled in his weakened state, Sygrace produced a huge diamond encrusted Emerald pendant. As the Lord of Light waved the emerald it immediately encased all the evil within the area. Sygrace then lifted the previously contaminated 'Gauntlet of Power', and cleansed the ruby eye. The magnificent jewel shown brighter now than it had beforw. Sygrace presented the reborn gauntlet to his champion. "It has been reborn to the greater good." the Dragon Lord declared with a smile.
He then indicated the Emerald pendant. "This however will take the evil within and be guarded by an unyeilding watchman. One of my own choosing, for his force is great. He fears evil not, for he is evil, evil incarnate." With a wave of his hand Sygrace sent eh pendant to a dark foreboding realm. The realm called Seven Gate. When the emerald pendant arrived, there also was a message in dragon-speak. A deceptively delicate hand picked up the scroll and read it. 'Guard this pendant. It is holding the evil named Darquan, and his servant named Idoni.' the scroll read. The figure summoned two servants. "Bring a treasure chest of purest gold, then leave me." he demanded. The servants did as instructed, without question. Rofi placed the emerald pendant and the scroll into the gold chest and securely locked it. "It is safe now, and for all time." Rofi declared as he carried the chest to the darkest recesses of his private vaults. Back in Vienna there was great celebrating with the return of our beloved Pach, and Ignazi. The following day however was one of intense sorrow, and mourning, as Antonio conducted a mass funeral for all the slain girls, which were the victims of Darquan's evil. When all was passed, Ignazi bade his friend to follow himto the church of St. Peter, Antonio hesitated at the doors, "I can not bring myself to enter therein." Antonio said as he drew back. "Please I beseech thee, fear it no more." Ignazi pleaded Antonio agreed and slowly entered his church. It was again clean and beautiful as ever it had been. "I could not remove the memories of your torment, but I pray in time you will be able to imprison them in a dark forgotten recess of your mind." Ignazi said. "No, I shall not forget this horror, ever. But I pray the Heavenly Father eases my mind to bear it more easily, soon" Antonio said. It was many weeks before Antonio's class was back to normal, but it was at last. We were all much happier when we were told by Pach that the evil which befell us then will not return.

The War-lord

ReubenHWeber — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:39:00 CDT

"The War-lord"

It was the day after Pach had come to us, so December 25, 1694, and very cold and snowy. Pach was up in his room asleep when I knocked on his door and called, "Little Pach, time to rise, it is three o'clock and time to get breakfast for our Christmas gatherers." The young Warlock appeared from the small room designed for washing in. "Be there in one second Reuben." He smiled as he peered around the doorway. "You are amazing Pach. You are even awake before Jenna, and she has been doing this for a while now." I said as I smiled back at him, he was dressed in a plain white shirt with button up sleeves and well taylored black knee-button breeches his bootlets securely on his tiny feet and clean stockings completed his attire. He was just tting his hair back with a black ribbon which finished his look perfectly. He was a vision of splendid young manhood.
In a minute he was ready and we went downstairs, I rapped on Jenna's door, "Rise and with it niece!" I called to her. "One second Uncle." She called impatiently, she was soon ready and joined Pach and I down stairs. She immediately began setting tables while Pach and I went into the kitchen area where Viktor was already hard at work. "Mary Magdelaine! Do you work in your sleep as well Herr Helgaar?" Pach asked Viktor and the giant said, "Well, sometimes I manage to pull myself away from work." We had a good chuckle over that one.
Suddenly the dark was shattered with the sound of a massive explosion, We ran outside to see what had happened if we could. There, on the horizon was a gathered swarm of warriors from the deadly realm called Rof. "What is this about?" I wondered aloud, but Pach was gone, he ran upstairs to get the Gauntlet of Power. "The army of Rof! Mary Magdelaine! What does this mean?" Pach was frantic as he ran back down stairs, he ran in front of me and shouted, "Aurei! Paud di i cout midin Nowme!" (stop! And explain this advance now my General) in the language of Rof. Suddenly a giant monster of an immortal made his way to the front line of the army, the giant was not impressivly muscular, but impressive enough. He weilded a massive sword with the greatest of ease. Pach gasped, he took one step backward in recognition of this monster, the eyes were a strange shade of green, unseen by any till now. "Necat shom be auch tie Oublion, ghet maga, Magnis!" ( I am Oublion, your worst nightmare Champion!) "Ootappa soita chi deeki i Magnis?" (How know you that I am the chosen Champion?") Pach asked, "Jentaro, be ghatu nahara,yoi sio kunu toh Magnis, taren di chak beddi tore?" (I was told to expect the Champion and since you spoke you are he, correct?) The thunderous voice of the monster sliced throught the falling snowstorm. "Maharen vi, copi tian Kinshawn?" (Do you bring a challenge from Kinshawn?") Pach asked, "Better. I bring a challenge from Oublion DeathRain!" And with those words, Oublion advanced and dealt a devastating blow to Pach, which threw the young Champion off his feet but little more damage because it was the Gauntlet that took the brunt of the force. "You challenge me Oublion?" Pach shouted as he leapt to his feet, "Foi, tu ou com pia timiti?" (Yes, and do you accept?) Asked Oublion, "Foi, tia moc!" (Yes, I do) Answered Pach.
The monster Oublion easily 96 inches tall and over 30 stones, compared to Pach at barely 69 inches and not even 10 stones. Clearly Pach was out matched, in every way, save one, intelligence. Pach stood absolutely prepared for anything this giant could throw at him, Oublion attacked with a force Pach could never have prepared for, a bolt of lightning shot from Oublion's fingertips and threw Pach against a brick wall. Pach was dazed but not helpless, he could still defend himself.

"Miu kau!" He shouted in the language of DarkHaven and formed a flaming sword. "PONTU!" Shouted Oublion and in a breath the army of Rof flooded the streets of Vienna, everyone ran for cover against the fury of these warmongers. The marauders burned and pillaged homes and businesses, the home of Tomas Carvener was taken in an instant, he was a widower who wanted to be with his wife, so now, he was.
One of the warriors grabbed up the week old daughter of Marie Sebbet, the frantic Frau Sebbet screamed her protest, that was all it took for Pach who instantly smote the monster with the flaming sword and caught the baby unharmed, with his kinetic mind. He returned the baby girl unharmed to her mother, "Thou shalt harm not the innocent!" Pach shouted at his victim. One of the monsters invaded my inn and attacked Viktor, the giant sliced Viktor's shoulder open and grabbed the Dutch giant with ease and slammed him against the cook stove, which was very hot, Viktor burned his hands arms and legs on the hot stove. Pach ran in and vanquished that one with his double edged makat, a spiral bladed dagger that twists into its victim. "Are you alright Viktor?" Pach called to the giant Dutchman, "I will be, go, stop them Pach." Viktor shouted and made his way outside and lay in the snow to cool the burns. Pach ran back outside, he saw the carnage and destruction and knew he had to do something, "Sycatten CHI'AN!" Pach shouted and in an instant the giant ruby on the Gauntlet of Power glittered and in the blink of an eye, a collossus black dragon shot forth from it.
This was Sygrace, the giant black dragon-priest of Isentari. The icy blue flame shot forth freezing all the army of Rof in their tracks. Except for Oublion, Cyrana and Penlus, the two generals and a captain high mark. "SOUVAN KU OUBLION! MAKU TI OOKU DARU SANTARU!" Spoke the dragon lord (Relinquish now Oublion! Least I kill them all) "Ovak tuf. Wono taug oosan ooko, Parro!" Oublion said, (For now. We shall meet again though, Priest.), "Jesenu espete' taro vai." Sygrace said inn the tongue of Isentari, (So then let it be). And so, grudgingly, Oublion gave the order to retreat to his minions, and they left Vienna without further incident.
The town was in disrepair, but not total ruin, we rejoiced that Christmas Day that we were alive, yet we were saddened by the deaths of 19 souls, we spent a quiet Christmas celebrating the birth of our Saviour, then we set to cleaning up our town and burying the dead. Through it all, Antonio was very busy conducting Christmas ceremonies and then conducting the funerals of the dead. J, Sebastian told Pach, "You are amazing. Unshakable in the face of death." "You, my dear J. Sebastian, would have been surprised at how frightened I was actually." Pach said as he eyed the Gauntlet gratefully. "You? Frightened? I find that hard to believe Pachelbel." J. Sebastian said, remember, this is before they became the close friends they would later on. We all knew, (especially Pach), we would see Oublion and his legions again.
code:TWL1694

B.B.&C.

ReubenHWeber — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:53:15 CDT

"The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker"

My young musician friends were returning to Vienna on March 1st, 1695, from a tour of England, having ended this tour in London. They traveled toward Austria chattering about their performances and the performances of the others as well. They came to a township called "Red Water", ‘Unusual name for a town.’ Pach thought as they rode through the streets. The people there seemed very untrusting of strangers and especially those from countries other than England. They rode down Downing Street in search of an inn. "There is no inn ‘ere in Red Water." One of the men called to the young travelers. "A butcher shop then. Is there one of those so we might purchase our own meat?" J. Sebastian called back, "There is. Tis Beane’s Butcher ‘Ouse at the end o’ Market Street. That’s where ye finds yer meat it tis." The man called back to them. "Then thank you for your information kind sir." J. Sebastian said as they rode onward to Market Street. They were soon nearing the very end of Market Street and found a place called Beane’s Butcher Shoppe. They went in and Mr. Colin Beane came out from the other room and asked, "Afternoon lads. What can I get ye fine gentlemen this day?" His voice was rough but a good business tone. "We would like three of your finest steaks good sir." J. Sebastian said as he peered at the hanging ham shanks. "Good choice lad. I ‘as the best steaks in all England I does." The instant Mr. Beane stepped back from the counter something caught Pach’s eye. He looked closer at it and then reeled back in unbridled horror. He ran out side with Antonio quickly on his heels, "Pach! Pach! What Is It? Are You Alright?" Antonio called as the young kinetic dropped to his knees and held his stomach, "Oooooohhhhh! Antonio!" Pach moaned, "What is it? Tell me!" Antonio encouraged his friend, "J. Sebastian came out shortly afterward and asked, "What is this all about Pach?" "A head!" Pach gasped, "What? What do you mean?" J. Sebastian asked, "He means he saw a human head in that evil establishment." A voice answered Pach’s attempted answer. "What? What did you say?" J. Sebastian asked in disbelief. "He saw a human head. Did you not young master?" Responded a certain Christopher Dowling, who was blond haired, blue eyed and all of 21 seasons aged. "Did you Pach? Is that what you saw?" Antonio asked his young friend, Pach nodded but could not speak. "Oh my Lord. I nearly bought those steaks too." J. Sebastian said in repulse. "Who are you young master?" Asked Antonio, "I am Christopher Dowling and I have been trying to bring charges against Colin Beane for years. I know who and what he is!" Answered the young resident of that township. "Why would Herr Beane have a human head in his butcher shop?" Asked J. Sebastian, "Because he is a murderer! A defiler of God and an agent of the Devil." Young Mr. Dowling said in a disgusted tone. They helped Pach on to Christopher’s home where he was allowed to lie down for a while. "Why say you he is a defiler of God?" Antonio asked, "Because, good priest, each of his victims was a Catholic priest. And as Red Water is a predominantly Catholic order." Christopher said as he eyed Antonio as though he felt a sense of dread around the young priest. "He kills all the priests who are sent here." Christopher said accusingly, Antonio wrinkled his nose in disgust and J. Sebastian reeled in utter horror. "My Sweet Son of God!" He said with a tone of repulse in his voice. When they reached Christopher’s home, they went in and put Pach on a bed. "My wife, Angela will fix you something to eat and drink." Christopher said, "Thank you. We appreciate that." Antonio said, "And also for allowing our young friend to lie down for a while." He added, "Not at all good priest. I know who he is and that he is most likely our only hope for salvation against this mortal dread." Christopher said firmly, "Dread?" J. Sebastian repeated, "Colin Beane is a murderer, just like his forefather afore him." Angela Dowling said, "Who is his ancestor then Mistress Dowling?" Asked J. Sebastian. "That nasty ogre Swaney Beane. It was a cannibal in the early sixteenth century. It and its woman spawned a whole gaggle of evil monsters not fit to breath the same air as real people." Mrs. Dowling spoke as though she knew all too well the horror of which she spoke. Truth was her ancestors had been victimized by the Beane clan long ago."Swaney Beane was a vicious cannibal born in Scotland in 1523, he had a veracious appetite for human flesh and took his sister, Mary, who had exact likes. They had twenty-six children who were inbred due to the encouragement of incest. Therefore, many were mentally deranged and insane. These horrific monsters grew vicious and wild as wolves. They ate human flesh and that was all they ate. Their evil clan grew to over sixty strong when the children of Swaney and Mary bred between themselves and gave grandchildren to the evil forbearers. For over thirty years did they ravage the countryside they lived in. Once an unsuspecting soul came close enough to their cave it was too late for escape as the monster’s children surrounded them in no time and they were devoured often right on the spot. Or, more often than not, taken to the cave, tortured and then eaten. Some were eaten alive; others were mercifully killed before hand." Pach related the dreadful history of Swaney Beane. Antonio curled his lip in disgust, "How dreadful. And you feel as though Herr Colin is a descendent of his?" J. Sebastian asked, "I know ‘e is. The scum even looks like it." Mrs. Dowling said. Pach got up and decided that something had to be done. "Is there further evidence of his work?" He asked Christopher, "There is. Would you like to see?" Christopher invited, "Yes. It is important that I know everything." Pach said as he took full reign of his scattered nerves. He had the Gauntlet of Power with him and Elipta would be a great asset to him as well. After the luncheon, they went on to "The Waxory", a candle shop. Christopher showed the musicians several candles shaped like human limbs and even a head. Pach took note that the candles for the church were an unearthly shade of blood red. A deeper investigation by Pach showed him that they were indeed colored with human blood, this repulsed the young kinetic. The young Warlock gazed deep at the arm shaped candle and noted that under the wax was a ring. A priests ring. The ring of a Catholic priest. "Sweet Savior! You are right." Pach gasped. "And that, my friend, is not all. Come." Christopher said. He led them to Beane's Bakery. "Here is another of his businesses." Christopher said, Pach examined a loaf of fresh bread and found that the flour was not the usual wheat flour used by people, but rather it was made of fine ground human bone with tiny bits of human skin in it. He was repulsed and gasped. Then he turned to his friends only to notice to his horror that Antonio was missing, "Where is Antonio, J. Sebastian?" He asked, J. Sebastian looked around in surprise, "I-I do not know Pach… You do not suppose…" He began, "Mary Magdalene! No! Antonio!" The frantic kinetic cried and sprinted for Beane’s Butcher Shoppe. As it was, no one had noticed Antonio since the candle shop, Antonio was usually always quiet, and everyone had been very distracted by the evidence they were finding, so no one noticed our dearest Antonio was no longer with them.
Pach ran into the shop and loosed his amazing mind to find Antonio. There was no sense of his friend anywhere in the shop. 'Mary Magdalene! Where are you Antonio?' The young kinetic thought to himself. Colin Beane came out from the other room. "Afternoon again young master. What can I get ye this time young gent?" He asked, "I was looking for my friend, the priest. Have you seen him by chance?" Pach asked, "I fear I 'ave na' seen 'im since ‘e was 'ere with you and yer friend airlier." Beane said in a friendly tone, Pach was puzzled and said only, "Thank you sir." And left the shop and returned to J. Sebastian. "He is not in the butcher shop." Pach was very concerned about his friend who he knew was not safe in this township. They searched and searched till nightfall for the missing Antonio, they found nothing.
"Come on home with me young masters. We can look for him again by morning." Christopher said, Pach was devastated, he felt as though he had failed his friend and what if Antonio were to be found dead? 'Oh that I would fail you in the flower of your youth my dear Antonio.' Pach thought to himself. At supper the boys talked about what could possibly have happened to Antonio. "He was right there with us at the candle shop. It is not like him to just wander off without letting us know where he is going." J. Sebastian said in frustration. "This is very true J. Sebastian. However, his curiosity often gets the better of him too." Pach said. "We will find him in the morning. I will have the sheriff lend his aid to us." Christopher promised. That night, while they slept, Pach heard Antonio, "Pach? Where are you?" He asked in a ghostly whisper, "Antonio. Where are you?" Pach asked, "I do not know. I was blindfolded when I was taken." Antonio said. "Why did you not call out when he took you?" Pach questioned, "He had a cloth with sleeping liquid on it. Which he clasped over my mouth and nose before I could react." Antonio said, "When I woke, I was here, bound to a wall and blinded of my whereabouts." Antonio continued. Pach tried in vain to search his friends location. Still he did not find Antonio anywhere. Pach was grieved by this and wept himself to sleep finally. Morning came and as promised after their morning meal, Christopher went to get the sheriff, he brought Sheriff Marsden to his home to speak to J. Sebastian and Pach. After a while of talking the sheriff asked for a description of the young priest. "He is Venetian. Auburn hair and very dark brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red robe with a ruffled white shirt beneath and his breeches were black as were his boots." J. Sebastian said, "And his crucifix was gold, as is customary, he carried a red rosary." Pach added. The sheriff wrote all this down and took it to the printing office to be made into a post and set about the town in hopes that someone would know of Antonio's whereabouts. The day passed and no one found Antonio. Pach and J. Sebastian searched and searched, still there was no sign of the missing priest. Pach was so concerned he could think of nothing else. Night came and no sign of their missing friend. "Oh J. Sebastian what if we do not find him in time? What if..." Pach began and J. Sebastian cut him off, "Do not say those words Pach! He is alive and we will find him in the same condition." Pach grew silent, he was very concerned. Night came again and Sheriff Marsden said, "We will search again for him come the morning." Pach went to his chamber and laid down, he did not even eat supper. "Poor Pach. He is so worried." J. Sebastian said, "Well, you are too are you not young Bach?" Christopher asked, "Very much so. But unlike Pach I am more prone to eat when I am worried." J. Sebastian said. That night Pach again dreamed of Antonio and this time he heard something else, the sound of water, running water, a stream! At last, a clue. Pach concentrated on Antonio with all this might. He finally found the source. Antonio was in Colin Beane's cellar. He got up and quickly grabbed the Gauntlet of Power, J. Sebastian woke, "Pach? Where are you going?" He asked his young friend. "I have found Antonio. Stay here till I return." Pach said hurriedly. J. Sebastian indeed stayed but not idle as one might think, no, not he. He found the sheriff and informed him that Pach had found Antonio and they should wait at Christopher's home till Pach returned so they could learn what had happened.
When Pach arrived at the home of Colin Beane he found no one home. He cautiously crept in to the cellar. He found no Antonio as he had seen in his vision. He left the house and mounted Orion and away they dashed for the butcher shop. He stopped in front of the building and noted that it was open for business. He anxiously went in. Colin Beane came out from the other room and asked Pach, "Mornin' young master. What can I get for ye, me young gent?" "I wish to purchase sausage. About one hundred and twenty-seven pounds of it." Pach said, "About as much as you weigh." Mr. Beane said as he eyed Pach, "Exactly as much." Pach said suspiciously. Mr. Beane turned to begin Pach’s order and asked him, "Why do you want so much child?" Beane asked, "I owe much to Mr. Dowling and his good wife. And besides, my friend and I need food for our trip on home to Vienna." Pach answered, "Did ye ever find yer Italian friend?" Beane asked, "No. Never." Pach answered in a quiet voice. His sharp eyes gazed around the room covered with blood, he saw immediately that it was human blood, Pach peered at a package of the sausage already wrapped up, and he thought to himself, ‘Show me how this came to be.’ Elipta opened her bright violet eye and showed her Champion the event of a handsome young priest named Michael Killian, who vanished a week ago, he had been the last priest of Red Water. She showed how Colin Beane had bound Michael and tortured the handsome boy. Then the heartless monster used a meat cleaver to cut the young priests heart out, and then he chopped him up and ground him into sausage. "My Sweet Savior. He murdered them all." Pach said aloud before he thought, then he asked Elipta, ‘Show me where is mine kindred, Antonio.’, and Elipta showed Antonio bound and hanging from a meat hook in the room Beane had just been in. Antonio’s mouth was bound so he could not cry out. "Antonio!" Pach breathed before he thought again, "Ye learned what ‘as ‘appened ‘ere? That, young master is too bad faire ye. I canna’ let ye live now. T’would be me death if I did. Ye will just ‘ave te join yer priest friend in death young master." Beane said as he lifted a meat cleaver over his head and brought it down quickly. With the reflexes of a cat, Pach flung the mighty Gauntlet of Power in the path of the cutter. The cleaver broke under the unshakable force of the Gauntlet of Power. Beane then ran into the back room and took up another cleaver and readied it to cut Antonio’s heart out. The unnerved Red Priest gasped at what he feared would be his last vision on Earth. He was already terror stricken after having been tortured by Beane just like Michael had been. Just as Beane swung the cleaver, it stopped in mid swing. Beane turned to meet Pach’s fury. The angry kinetic jerked the cleaver from his hand and threw it against a brick furnace which threw sparks all around the room. Beane took up a filleting knife and threw it. This skewered Pach’s hand and the young one cried out in pain.
Just at the moment, Beane stepped forth to kill Pach, J. Sebastian and Christopher Dowling burst in with the good sheriff of the township. J. Sebastian cut the ties that bound Antonio and the priest was so relieved that he fainted. Beane was arrested and held for his trial that everyone was certain would end in his execution. Pach asked J. Sebastian, "How did you know to come here?" "You, my remarkable friend. Your mind was meld to mine and you told me, unconsciously or not, but you told me every minute, where you were, so when you headed here, we followed you." J. Sebastian answered. Pach’s injured hand was tended and the musicians left for Vienna with Antonio safely along side Pach and Orion on his beautiful Saint Anne.
Once here they told me of this horror. I sent Jenna to get the physician to further care for Pach’s wound. Three weeks later Christopher Dowling and his wife, Angela, visited us and he told us that he was named mayor of Red Water because of his courage to find the Champion of the Gauntlet and ask him for help to rid them of Colin Beane and his priest murdering ways and re-named the township, Brighton, a much more agreeable name and Christopher told us, as my musicians had suspected, Beane was executed in the fashion of Swaney Beane, burned alive in the public town square. We all rejoiced in this knowledge and Pach treated the new mayor and his good wife to a fine steak dinner here at my inn. "I assure you, this is real beef steak, nothing human about it at all." Pach said, and everyone laughed over that idea. Pach’s hand healed with no ill effect and he resumed playing his music as always he had done before.

Code: TBTBTCM1695

The Master Composer

abbeleze — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:59:22 CDT

"The Master Composer"

My dear musician friends sat at their traditional table enjoying their breakfasts and chattering pleasantly among themselves. It was only two days removed since the evil Gilgamesh du Noir caused a massive explosion that left J. Sebastian paralyzed, Antonio scarred and ten girls dead. A tragic occurrence, however, with the aid of Sygrace, Pach was able to undo the horror and all ten girls were returned to life, Antonio was beautiful and whole again and J. Sebastian was no longer paralyzed. All was well once again and all these boys wished was to forget this tragic occurrence. Stav Lougstor, the giant Viking, sat only two tables from them. Jenna had just brought coffee for J. Sebastian and Stav when the doors to my inn suddenly burst open and a boy ran in. The musicians and I recognized him immediatley as Dini, the youngest son of Satanik, the evil cultist of Idengate.
He was not dressed in his traditional ceremonial robe of white, but rather in silver brocade with a fine purest white satin shirt with cascades of lace ruffled down the front. Dini's long black hair was tied back with a silver cord. He ran about spraying a perfum of some sort all about my inn. The musicians looked strangely at Dini wondering what in the world had possessed him, 'This is unusual.' Pach though. Stav however, bellowed, "Hey! Do Yer Haf An Death Wish Boy? Yer Spray That Skunk Oil On Me Meal An' I Swear By Th' Great Hornspoon, Ye Be Th' One Ter Eats It!" The giant stood menacing before the terrified lad, "Beg pardon large sir. But, the Master requires all unnecessary scents to be removed from the establishment before he enters it." Dini answered, Pach was immediately on guard, 'If Dini's Master comes, then it surely is Satanik.' He thought. Just then, Jeset came in a bit more calm dressed in red satin brocade with the same style ruffled satin shirt as Dini, his long blond hair was tied back in a black cord, not a ribbon which was the mark of a fine musician, he began stripping my best tablecloths off the tables. I came out and shouted, "Hey! What The Hell Is Going On Here?" "Pardon innkeeper. The Master requires the establishment to look as grand as possible before he enters." Jeset said, as he continued stripping the cloths and replacing them with ice blue satin over lain with pure white lace. Pach sat amazed at what he was happening, 'Why,' He thought, 'would Satanik come into the 'Green Dragon' inn? There is an inn there in Idengaard where he could eat. Besides, they eat off the fat of the land; they do not as a rule bother with inns and or taverns.' The kinetic thought.
"Who Is Your Master? And What Right Does He Have Uprooting My Inn?" I bellowed, "Please innkeeper, it is not necessary to rave on so. My Master is one William Robbinsdale, the Master Composer and Greatest Musician ever." Jeset said in a strange voice, Pach looked at Jeset and though, 'Oh? Really?' "Your father is Satanik Jeset. He is not even a musician at all child." I said to Jeset, "Satanik? Surely ye doth jest verily innkeeper." Jeset said in a strange speech most unnatural to him. "What are you saying? Satanik is your father Jeset." I said, Pach peered hard at the young cultist and read his inner thoughts, there was nothing seemingly unusual, what could be wrong then with Jeset and Dini? At that moment a beautiful young lady ran in, she was dressed in an Arabian harem ensemble of ice blue and white, the colors of this so called Master Composer. Then, after the lady tossed several rose petals around to glorify this man, the person himself entered. He was tall, slender with long blond hair, his eyes were always half open and looked as though nothing were good enough for him, he was dressed in golden brocade, wearing an ermine cape and a monocle through which he looked down his nose at everyone. His shoes had lace on them with shiny black satin covering the leather they were otherwise made of. ‘Is it Carnival already?’ Wondered Antonio. The Master came to a table and stood staring at the chair till Jeset came and plopped a cousin down for him to sit upon. Then he did so only after dusting it with his personal fan. Pach rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his breakfast. "I do believe he is what is referred in London as a dandy." J. Sebastian said in a whisper, "J. Sebastian, it is not your place to say such things." Antonio said, but even he could not help grinning about that idea.
"Innkeeper, if you please. I wish to have my slave girl, Mioni, prepare my meal." The Master said, "If it is all the same to you sir. I do not like anyone in my kitchen that is not supposed to be there." I said, "Well it is not all the same to me. I wish for Only Mioni to prepare it. I trust not your cooks with the cleanliness of common sty pigs." The Master said, "Sty Pigs? How Dare You! This Is One Of The Best Inns In All Vienna!" I shouted angrily, forgetting myself, as a rule I am not given to bouts of self-glorification. "Now see here sir…" Pach began, "Who are you boy and what gives you the right to even speak to me?" Robbinsdale asked, "I am, Johann Pachelbel. I have the right as a citizen of Vienna to speak to you. What gives you the right to come here upsetting an otherwise perfectly normal day?" Pach maintained his composure, so far. I allowed the girl access to the kitchen if just to silence this man. She went in and began preparing his meal of only the ingrediance he brought. I recognized her as Oleandra, the wife of Satanik. This made me wonder where Satanik himself was, and why did his own family no longer recognize him. "I am, William Robbinsdale of London, England. I am here because I have the knowledge you need so desperately here in Vienna." Said the snob in gold, "What knowledge do we need here that we do not have?" Pach continued, "Why. My genius of course child. I am the greatest composer of music ever born and my musical prowess is unmatched by any! I am the greatest ever born even over the Greek god Apollo." Robbinsdale said confidently, Pach rolled his ebony orbs and sighed, "It is not necessary for you to disrupt Reuben’s establishment so." The miffed kinetic said, "Reuben? Reuben? You actually allow an underling to call you familiar, innkeeper?" Robbinsdale said in a disbelieving tone. "He has been a great friend of mine for some time now; he can call me Reuben if he wishes, as friends will call each other familiar… Sir." I remembered to add, "You should apologize to Reuben, Herr Robbinsdale." Pach dared to say, that was as far as it needed to go for Robbinsdale, he drew his hand back and with no warning struck Pach across the face as hard as he could swing his walking stick. This sent the young kinetic to the floor on his knees. "There! On Your Knees, Where You Should Be Before Me… Peasant!" The enraged Robbinsdale shouted, then to add insult to injury, he rose up and kicked Pach in the ribs. Antonio flew out of his chair and ran to the scene with fire spelled in every word, as he shouted, "How Dare You Touch Him! You Will Answer To Me!" The fiery priest said angrily, "You? And who are you? " Robbinsdale demanded, "I am Antonio Vivaldi of Venezia, Italia." The young Venetian answered, "Vivaldi. I have never heard of you. Are you a musician?" Robbinsdale asked rudely, "A mere musician? Hardly likely. Hmph! He is the best ever." J. Sebastian ventured, "Truly? Then he must engage in a competition with me to test that theory." Robbinsdale said. "You need not be so smug Herr Robbinsdale. Antonio's music can make people weep." Jenna said, "As can the sound of any wailing dog Mistress." Robbinsdale said unfeelingly, Pach gasped at this obvious insult to his friends glorious music. "I hope Antonio beats you soundly, Herr Robbinsdale." He said rather uncharatceristiclly of his usually gentle nature.
"Then does he accept?" Robbinsdale inquired, "I do. If it will prove to make you more understanding of the people you sweep under your feet, I will accept your challenge." Antonio said. "Splendid. We will each take till the weeks end to compose a new and original piece and perform it Saturday evening then." Robbinsdale said, "Then you will be staying here for the next five days Herr Robbinsdale?" I asked, "I? Stay here? In this inn? Nonesense. Do not be absurd." The snob said disregardfully, he signaled for Jeset to come over and whispered something to the youth. In a moment Jeset signalled to Dini to come with him. Another young man, dressed in bright royal purple brocade with the same style of shirt worn by Jeset and Dini, no one recognized this youth, and no one had ever seen him before. He was beautiful with long black hair with flawless Mediterranean skin, his hazel eyes were clear and piercing. He stood tall and with perfect poise, in that respect he reminded me much of Pach, but his over all appearance reminded me of no one I had ever seen before. This youth sat beside Robbinsdale and waited. He would wait entirely on Robbinsdale while Jeset and Dini were out finding Robbinsdale adequate lodging, since he did not wish to stay at my inn. It was his prerogative, so I said nothing, as I was actually glad to not have to deal with such a man.
When Oleandra had finished preparing the meal, she signaled to the mysterious youth and he came and picked up the tray. He brought it to Robbinsdale and knelt on the floor as he placed the tray on the table and carefully uncovered it. The youth then rose and opened the wine and carefully poured it up. The pure crystal wine goblet was trimmed in pure gold. In a while, Jeset and Dini returned and announced, "We have found your castle Master." "Excellent. I will go and inspect it after I dine. Until then, slaves, sit and rest for a moment." Robbinsdale said, and Jeset and Dini did as they were invited by their Master. Soon he finished and left with Jeset and Dini, leaving Oleandra and the unknown boy to pick up the remnants of Robbinsdale's belongings. "I must go then and prepare for the challenge." Antonio said and he rose to his feet and shook hands with J. Sebastian and Pach. He left and J. Sebastian said to Pach, "Surly that idiot cannot believe he will actually defeat our Antonio." "It is difficult to say J. Sebastian. Lord knows his arrogance spelled heavily of confidence. I believe he truly does think he can defeat Antonio." Pach sighed. Suddenly, we all heard a grief stricken wail. All of us in the inn ran out in the direction of Saint Peter's church where we had heard the cry come from. Sure enough, it was Antonio, standing in the carnage of his meager but precious belongings. His clothing was ruined and muddied. His parchments, inks and quills ruined and his books, violins and bows were destroyed utterly. Unceremoniously thrown into the street like so much common garbage. "Antonio! Are You Alright?" J. Sebastian cried, "No! They Took My Church!" The distraught priest wailed, J. Sebastian and I took Antonio to the inn and made him comfortable in room number 15, where he had stayed before. Pach cast his eyes toward the doors of the church and glared hard, not at the sanctity of the church itself, but the monster within.
The gentle kinetic knew that Antonio would need a violin and walked slowly toward the inn. Suddenly, someone grabbed Pach from behind and pulled the unaware musician into an alley. It was Satanik, or more accurately, Ignazi Decaden, without the horrific red paint on his face, he was a very handsome young man of perhaps 30 seasons aged. "What Are You Doing Here?" Pach screamed in a whisper, "Silence Pachelbel. I am here to help you. I must make sure Reverende' Vivaldi wins this competition." Ignazi said quietly, "Your family?" Pach asked, "Yes. They were tricked into consuming a liquid that robbed them of their right minds and made them believe themselves slaves of that man, William Robbinsdale." Ignazi explained, "What of your coven then?" Pach asked, "He only needed the three strongest. The rest... He poisoned. My coven is dead Pachelbel. This is personal in more ways than one. My family and my coven. Do you understand now?" Ignazi asked, "Yes. I do indeed. You can help me by going to the inn and explaining your involvement here. I must go to Saint Martin's Academe' and get parchments, inks and quills for him to compose with." Pach said, "Very well then Pachelbel. I will go at once." Ignazi said and the two, for the first time ever, actually shook hands, parting in friendship.
Ignazi came to the inn and came in. I saw him and came forth asking, "What are you doing here?" "Calm innkeeper. I have come in the name of peace. I have much at stake in this matter. My coven is dead except for Oleandra, Jeset and Dini. They have been taken from me by this man Robbinsdale who took their minds from them and made them quite literally forget who they are and any knowlwdge of me. I come to aid the priest, Vivaldi." Ignazi said, I understood completely and bade him entrance. He came in not wearing his black robes of Satanik, but rather a fine white brocade suit with a beautiful white ruffled shirt as well. Any jewelry accentuates were silver. He came up the stairs and knocked on Antonio's door. "Please come." Antonio said, and Ignazi entered. Antonio looked up from his bible and saw the cultist. "Somehow I expected you Ignazi Decaden. I am truly pained over the enslavement of your family." Antonio said, "Thank you Reverende'. I have come to help you defeat him. I must save my family." Ignazi said. Antonio looked at him carefully, "I have spoken to your Warlock, Pachelbel. He bears no ill feelings, I believe." Ignazi said, "I believe you." Antonio said, "You do?" Ignazi asked, "Yes. I am in tuned with Pach enough so that I know if you have or have not spoken to him in truth." Antonio answered, "I feel no sense of lies in your words." He continued. "Then I will help you by teaching your school while you compose your works." Ignazi said, Antonio smiled, "You know how to teach school?" He asked, "Of course. I have taught the young children of my coven before they..." Ignazi hesitated, "It is alright. You need not say it. I understand. I accept your offer Ignazi." Antonio said cordially. "Splendid. Then Bach and Pachelbel will be free to practice with you as I will find adequate replacements for them as well till you are finished disposing of that monster." Ignazi said and he and Antonio shook hands in a friendly manner.
J. Sebastian came in and was immediately on guard as was Pach at first. "What Do You Want, Satanist?" The fiery Saxon hissed, "Calm Bach. I mean no harm." Ignazi said, "What? You? Ridiculous!" J. Sebastian growled, "Calm J. Sebastian. He speaks the truth. He has a large stake in this as well. His family, Oleandra, Jeset and Dini are the captive slaves of this man." Antonio vouched for Ignazi, "Thank you Reverende’ Vivaldi. At least you have faith in me." Ignazi said, "Well. I did not know Decaden. Last time we saw you, you tried to kill us, had I not outfoxed your coven, you and Jeset would have surely killed us." J. Sebastian said, "Much has changed now Bach. I have lost my coven save Oleandra, Jeset and Dini. They are all dead, poisoned at the hand of that Robbinsdale. My wife and sons are all I have left." Ignazi said truthfully, J. Sebastian’ s mouth fell open slightly and he gasped, "Oh, Ignazi I am so sorry." And he extended his hand in friendship to this wayward priest of the darkness. Ignazi accepted the gesture of friendship and it sealed the bargain between these new found allies. Strange though it seems it would prove a strong union.
As soon as Pach arrived back at the inn, he gave a great abundance of parchments to Antonio and plenty of ink and a grand selection of quills. Antonio sighed and set to composing. "I told him I would teach his classes for him till he is finished. That is only fair since he is doing this for my family as well." Ignazi said, "Very well then. I will take you and introduce you to Herr Groman. He is the headmaster of Saint Luke’s Orphanage for Girls." Pach said carefully, "Splendid idea Pachelbel." Ignazi said, "If you are going to work with me at all, please, just call me Pach. It is much easier to speak quickly." Pach smiled shyly. "Very well then, Pach, you must call me only Ignazi then." The cultist said, "Very well. Let us go, we have much to talk about." Pach said and the two left. J. Sebastian went to Antonio’s room and asked, "Have you thought of nothing as yet Antonio?" "Alas. I am at a loss. I can think of nothing at all." Antonio fretted, "I have faith that you will come up with something my friend. I have never known you to fail at any thing you attempt." J. Sebastian said confidently, Antonio sighed and asked, "Might I trouble you for a cup of tea dear one?" "Tea? Of course Antonio, I shall return in but a few moments with your fine brew my friend." J. Sebastian said to the weary Venetian. And he left to go get Antonio’s tea, as requested.
After J. Sebastian left, Antonio sighed and stared at his blank parchments, he was dumb-struck. He then became aware of a flute sound, like that of the ancient seven-reed flute called the syrinx by the Greeks. He heard it grow louder and louder till finally it seemed to fill his very head. So beautiful was the sound it played Antonio wanted to listen forever. Suddenly his listening pleasure was interrupted by a knock upon his door. "Uh… C-come in." Answered a startled Antonio. The door swung open and a beautiful Grecian youth entered, he was so beautiful in fact, that Antonio gasped at the sheer glorious appearance of this boy. His long raven black hair hung half way down his back, his large luminous eyes were like two mysterious stars in a midnight sky, his soft Mediterranean skin was flawless and his body was perfect in structure and appearance. He wore the traditional Grecian tunic mantel and a laurel wreath around his head framing his beautiful face perfectly. "Who are you child?" Antonio asked as he bade the youth to enter, "My name is not important dear priest. I heard you were having trouble with your composition of music." The musical voice of this child spoke, "Yes. But, how did you know? I did not say as much." Antonio said, "Not with your voice you did not. I heard your heart speak to me. It told me of a dedicated musician, so strong in his faith and yet, unsure of his ability at this time as you fear failure in the face of your friends. I heard your heart say to me, ‘I am Antonio! I write what they expect me to.’ Why do you do that dear Antonio? You have a heart and a mind of your own." The youth said, "I am a messenger of God though." Antonio said, "Then write for God. Write about all the glory of the creation of all you know. Write what is locked away in your heart. What is there for you to look upon and take as your own to enjoy the grandeur and purest beauty ever known. Listen to your heart Antonio Vivaldi; it will lead you to your victory over the monster you dread. Face your demons and your demons will flee you for you show them you fear them not and they have no hold over you. So it is with your writing. You are a perfect musician most blessed Antonio, never, forget that. You are a messenger of God, a child of Nature and a beautiful soul of perfect structure. You can and shall over come your fears, just listen to me." The Greek lad said and he raised his syrinx to his soft lips and played a hauntingly beautiful tune. Antonio smiled and sighed, "You are brilliant." "I am only as good as the music I feel, as you should be blessed heart." The boy said, "You remind me of the Greek god…" Antonio started to say but something prevented him from finishing his thought, "As you should, only be as good as the music you feel. Play the natural beauty you see with your eyes and your heart." The child said and with a soft stroke to Antonio’s fair young face the Greek boy was gone and Antonio opened his eyes and sighed with a smile. He began to write then furiously at a great speed. J. Sebastian came back in a short while and gave Antonio his tea. "I am glad you finally came up with an idea." J. Sebastian said happily, "Yes. Oh, J. Sebastian yes, it all came in a flood of brilliance. I must write as much as I can least I forget what I am thinking." Antonio sang as he wrote as fast as he could without making any mistakes. J. Sebastian smiled and said, "Splendid. I will go see if I can find Pach then." And he left to locate the little kinetic "J. Sebastian!" Antonio called, "Yes Antonio?" J. Sebastian called back, "If you see the Greek child. Tell him thank you and I am ever grateful." Antonio said, ‘Greek child? He must be more fatigued than he thinks.’ He called back however, "Alright Antonio. I will." And he left to find Pach. He caught up with Pach and Ignazi at Saint Luke’s Orphanage for Girls. "Pach, I think this is taking a dangerous toll on Antonio’s mind. He thinks he had a visitor while I was gone." He told Pach, "Unusual indeed J. Sebastian, however. It is not like Antonio to imagine things. I am certain if he were terribly fatigued he would sleep rather than chance making a colossus mistake." The young kinetic said, "I trust you are correct then my dear little one." J. Sebastian said, "But, then how do we explain the Grecian boy he thinks he saw?" J. Sebastian asked, "Uh... We do not. It is obviously Antonio’s way of dealing with stress. The Grecian boy is of Mediterranean decent, and therefore someone Antonio can relate to as he is also Mediterranean. I believe that is all." Pach said, Ignazi smiled as he looked at Pach,"You are a miracle child. So young and yet so wise in your ways. You are a miracle." Pach blushed and said, "Just logical thinking is all." The three friends walked back to the inn, "How is Antonio coming with his composing J. Sebastian?" Pach asked, "Very well when I left him, he was writing as a man possessed." J. Sebastian said, Pach laughed, "Interesting words while pertaining to a priest." He giggled. When he realized what he had said, J. Sebastian also laughed as did Ignazi.
Meanwhile, Antonio continued to write on furiously, he could hear the faintest strands of the beautiful syrinx echoing in his ears, he wanted to compose so his music did not copy the syrinx, but rather matched it and made a beautiful companion to the ancient flute. Hours passed and J. Sebastian brought Antonio his supper while Pach brought the tea to him. "One can never have too much tea." Pach commented, Antonio smiled as he continued to write as fast as he could, with no mistakes. "Take your time Antonio. It is not going anywhere." J. Sebastian said, "I need to write as much as possible. I feel an urgency to complete it as soon as I can." Antonio said, and he wrote on and on. Finally late, late at night, Pach fell asleep in the armchair in Antonio’s room and J. Sebastian had already gone away to his home, leaving Ignazi to sleep in the Pach’s little room. At 3:16 that morning, Antonio finished and sang out, "Success! I Have Completed It At Last!" This very nearly startled poor little Pach out of all sixteen of his years. He woke with complete surprise, "Huh? What?... Oh! Antonio! You nearly frightened the life out of me." The child said breathlessly, "I apologize my young friend, but at long last it is finished!" The Venetian sang out. Then at Pach’s urging, Antonio laid down to sleep finally.
Bright and early the next morning though, he was up at breakfast with his friends and the scroll was safely in his hands at last. "Here it is. Twelve Pieces in Four Suites, which I call the Four Seasons Suite." Antonio sang triumphantly, Pach smiled and said, "Congratulations then Antonio." J. Sebastian said also, "Congratulations Antonio. I know it will defeat that monster Robbinsdale." Ignazi said, "We can hope so. We must get him practiced on it as soon as possible." "Agreed." Said Pach and he and J. Sebastian took Antonio to the theater and they practiced daily till it was perfect, Pach on the harpsichord, J. Sebastian on the viola and Antonio, the master violinist, on the sweet violin itself.
Finally, Saturday came and Antonio nervously prepared himself for the nights competition. He bathed and dressed in his finest white brocade with a beautiful white satin shirt ruffled with cascades of virgin white lace. Antonio was perfect, as his long auburn hair was tied neatly back with a singular black satin ribbon of traditional style. He ate and drank carefully so as not to spoil his beautiful ensemble. Then at 6 o’clock he went to the theater. He went back stage and found Robbinsdale there, "Ah, priest. I am going to give you one last chance to relinquish your challenge to of me least I will be forced to take other matters." The snob said to Antonio, "I will not back down. I still accept your challenge." Antonio said, "Very well. I have no alternative then." Robbinsdale said as he signaled two large men to take charge of this. One held Antonio so he could not do anything, while the other took his music and ripped it to shreds. "Nooooo!" Antonio cried in dismayed horror. Robbinsdale laughed as he and his cronies left a heartbroken Antonio in the wings. The evil man ascended the stage and performed his pieces called, "Symphony for Oboe". It was beautiful to give due credit, but the injustice done to Antonio was immeasurable. After he had finished everyone applauded and Robbinsdale took his bow as he expected to do.
Then it was Antonio’s turn the heartbroken priest took the stage and looked to Pach and J. Sebastian. The two friends came up and took their places, Pach at the harpsichord and J. Sebastian on the viola. Antonio turned to them and announced, "My parchments have been destroyed! I no longer have my music!" Tears welled up in Antonio’s large espresso eyes. Pach and J. Sebastian gasped with horror, "Oh no. That cannot be!" J. Sebastian gasped, Ignazi heard this and felt his heart sink, he was now afraid he had lost his family forever.
Just then, a soft but forceful wind blew the shredded parchment to Antonio’s feet and they formed themselves back into the perfect scroll as before, still tied with the red ribbon Antonio had secured it with. The overjoyed priest plucked it up and opened it. He signaled to Pach and J. Sebastian and the three began playing the music on the parchment. After the last note of the final piece of the last suite was played there was applause so deafening that it seemed it would smother the three musicians on the stage. Clearly, Antonio won the competition. Robbinsdale was so enraged he took Oleandra, Jeset and Dini and screamed, "I Never Lose! I Will Win At Any Cost!" And he proceeded to slit the throats of Oleandra, Jeset and Dini before the shocked eyes of the audience,
Ignazi most of all. "Nooooooooooo! Oleandra! Jeset! Dini! Nooooooooo!" The pain stricken Ignazi screeched. He ran to the stage and grabbed Robbinsdale, "Unhand me you animal!" Robbinsdale shouted, "Not Till I See You Rot In Hell!" The enraged one shouted back and he and Robbinsdale vanished in a black cloud of smoke. No one ever learned the fate of Robbinsdale, no one was brave enough to wonder even. There are some things best left unknown.
Code: TMC1696

"Shadow of Death"

ReubenHWeber — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:58:09 CDT

“Shadow of Death”

While my dear musician friends sat eating a delicious luncheon a young lady burst in franticly looking for a place to hide, obviously she was in great distress. She was tall, well structured with long ravenesque hair and large green eyes. She was extremely beautiful and unusually graceful as she made her way around my tables. She ran to Antonio and knelt down beside him, “Please young Father, here my confessions before I die!” She cried as she flung her self against his chair. “Die? Child what do you mean?” Antonio asked. Just then four men burst in also. “Surrender yourself Martinique De’ Lore’, Do not Make this harder than it need be.” One of the men said, “She does not have to surrender her self to anyone. What is her crime?” Antonio shouted defiantly, “She is a whore from the region of Orleans, in France. We are here to see that she stands trial for her crime.” That man said. “I am a priest. I grant her immunity. Leave her be now.” Antonio said as he got up and lead Martinique out of the inn and on to Saint Peter’s church. He would further discuss the matters with her there. The men started to follow Antonio and the girl, Pach rose to his feet and stood before them, “Leave them be.” He said, “Very well. We have our way child.” Said one of the men who produced a medallion and touched Pach with it. Pach felt a sudden surge of pain shoot through his young body, he cried out and fell to his knees. J. Sebastian ran to Pach, “Are you alright?” The shaken kinetic replied, “I-I think so.” He rose to his feet and sat down in a chair nearby. I asked Pach,”What happened to you?” “I-I do not know Reuben. I felt a sudden fiery pain envelope me and it shot into the very heart of Elipta as well.” Pach answered, “Well child you look rather spent. I suggest you go upstairs and sleep.” I said, “I c-can make it to my own home Reuben. Thank you.” Pach smiled wearily. “Are you sure?” I asked, “P-perhaps you would let Viktor walk with me to my home.” He requested. “Of course Pach.” I said and indicated to Viktor to take Pach home. The Dutch giant left with the tiny kinetic and as they walked they talked, “I wonder how that girl knew enough to come there to seek Antonio?” Viktor began, “I cannot answer that question Viktor. She perhaps had heard of our illustrious Antonio and sought his services in that fashion.” Pach offered the explanation. “Whoever she is, she best not cause any trouble.” The giant said. Pach only grinned at this point. Once home Viktor left Pach after seeing the young kinetic safely inside his home. Once inside Pach felt very strange, he felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet. He lay down on his couch and slept for a while. While he slept a strange sensation over took him. A feeling of madness, of unsteadiness of the mind. ‘No! This cannot be happening!’ He cried as the strange feeling enveloped him completely. His last rational thought was, ‘At any cost I must stay away from my friends.’ It was a battle for his mind and he was losing quickly. The next morning Antonio and Martinique showed up at the inn for their morning meal. “Is it true what those men say? Are you a harlot Signorigna De’ Lore’?” Antonio asked her, “I was a harlot. I admit that. I have since denounced that practice. I no longer sell myself for profit. I wish only to live here in Vienna as a respected member of the community.” She answered, “If you truly repent I will help you find work here.” Antonio said. “I do repent. My sister, Angeline is a harlot still in France and I wish to help her in whatever way I can.” Martinique said quietly. Antonio and Martinique talked as J. Sebastian listened to give his opinion if necessary. Viktor, Jenna and I worked on as we did every day when suddenly the doors to the inn were literally ripped from their hinges. In the door way stood Pach, dressed in shimmering silver, his hair flew free and his eyes were strangely ghostly as though they were not his at all. “Pach! What Is The Meaning Of This?” I demanded, he cast his dangerous gaze at me and using his kinesis threw me hard against the stone-faced north wall, I was dazed but not unconscious. “Pach!” J. Sebastian shouted at the unsteady kinetic as well, he lunged at Pach and was deflected by the powerful Mind Shroud which slammed against J. Sebastian throwing him against the fireplace stones. Stav Lougstor, the giant Norseman stood up quickly and roared, “Kitten! Be Still A’Faire I Crack Yer Head Child!” The deadly kinetic picked up a table with his mind and threw it at Stav, which hit the Norseman and sent even the mighty Stav to the floor. Antonio thought it wise to move Martinique out of danger. They started to move on and tried to sneak out the back door. Pach saw this and picked up a handful of very sharp knives and pitched them at Antonio and Martinique which missed them by mere inches. “Aligne thyself with ye worthless harlot priest? Then ye die as the dust dies in the calm of the storm.” The words of the maniacal one spoke in a fashion unfamiliar to Pach, the voice was unknown to any of us who knew Pach. “Pach! What Are You Doing?” Antonio demanded, as Martinique screamed, “He has been taken by the Medallion of Medius! He has been driven mad!” Her words rang in Antonio’s head like a thunderstorm. Pach advanced toward Martinique when suddenly it ended. *Whack!* came a sudden deliverance of a skillet against the back of Pach’s head. The young kinetic fell unconscious at last. I got to my feet as Viktor caught the little one he had just rendered into oblivion. “What has gotten into him?” Viktor demanded as he lifted Pach and followed Antonio and Martinique to Saint Peter’s church. “It is the Medallion of Medius! Anyone touched by it is driven mad as Medius!” Screamed Martinique, “God of Martin Luther! What can we do then?” J. Sebastian cried out, “The Medallion must be destroyed before the mind of the Champion can be calmed.” Martinique said a bit more calmly. “Then that is what we must do.” J. Sebastian said, “Yes. Firstly, however, we must subdue Pach.” Antonio said as he thought about how close those knives came to he and Martinique. They took the wounded kinetic to the basement of Saint Peter’s and chained him there after placing a black cloth over his eyes and that of Elipta as well. After having secured the young kinetic, Antonio and J. Sebastian left to find the men who had first chased Martinique into the inn. I stayed with Pach bathing his fevered forehead with holy water as Antonio had instructed me to do. Viktor stood nearby with a poker just to be sure Pach did not get out of hand again. Jenna stayed at the inn and minded business, truth was however, she was worried to death about her young love. She was so hoping Pach would be well. Antonio and J. Sebastian found those men at the “Prancing Unicorn” Inn four blocks from the “Green Dragon”. J. Sebastian saw the man with the Medallion and tried to sneak close enough to steal it from that person. “Here now. What’s this?” The man shouted as he noticed J> Sebastian’s attempt, “I want that Medallion Herr Stover.” J. Sebastian shouted, the other three men stood up around the first one. “What Medallion mate?” Herr Stover asked in his very Southern British Commonwealth accent. “The one you used on Pach to steal the steadiness of his mind!” J. Sebastian growled menacingly, “I know not what ye talks about .” Herr Stover said, “Perhaps this will refresh your memory then, sir.” Antonio said. The men whirled about quickly from the startling sound of Antonio’s voice. At the tip of his walking stick dangled the very Medallion they sought. “Hey! Gives That ‘Ere! That Don’t Belongs Te You!” Herr Stover shouted as he lunged at Antonio, the quick thinking priest cast the demonic Medallion into the fire where it was consumed by the fire and destroyed as Martinique said it should be. The very instant that dread was gone, Pach’s mind cleared and he was his usual self again. The next day, Pach was busily repairing the doors he had ruined. While he did Viktor said, “That was quite an adventure young Pach.” “Yes. It was, and I apologize deeply for this.” Pach agreed. “Not a problem Pach.” I said as I approached with bread, cheese and tea for him, “All is normal again.” “However you state normal in the presence of the Black Forest Warlock that is.” Viktor said with a grin and a ruffle of Pach’s long blond hair. Everyone laughed at that. Martinique, was given a position as a schoolteacher at Saint Anne’s Orphanage, teaching children who were blind and deaf to be independent young people. She moved into a fine home at 531 Chiaconna Lane. Code: SOD1695

"Crystal Tears For J. Sebastian"

abbeleze — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:21:12 CDT

My three young musician friends were on stage performing some of the most enchanting music I had ever heard on that stormy April 28th in the year 1696, J. Sebastian worked his magic on the delightful sounds of his violoncello, while Antonio caressed his beautiful violin and Pach conveyed his passionate splendor on his harpsichord. It was magic, bewitching and absolutely spellbinding. Without warning the evil king of BlackDomain, LeShane Subrad appeared onstage with one of his minions, a wicked creature no one had seen before. Pach rose to deal with these intruders, upon which LeShane dealt a vicious blow to Pach’s fair young face, sending the young Champion flying off the stage and down he fell a good five feet, he landed hard and was unconscious as LeShane seized J. Sebastian and the ugly brute with him seized Antonio and in a heartbeat, they vanished. I ran as fast as I could to the fallen Pach, “Pach? Can you hear me child?” I called to him, he was dazed when he regained consciousness and when he tried to stand he felt a sharp pain in his ankle, he cried out and sank back to the floor, “My ankle seems to be broken!” He whispered as he winced in pain. “Antonio and J. Sebastian have been taken by LeShane and another creature I believe to be of his realm.” I said, “Was it Oublion?” Pach asked somewhat shakily, “No, it was assuredly not Oublion.” Came a cold and unyielding voice from behind Pach. I looked up and beheld Oublion DeathRain in his full glorious 78 inches for height. His long blond hair hung as golden strands of thread, “Oublion! What are you doing here?” I asked, this immediately put Pach on guard and he leapt to his feet though it hurt terribly, “Hold fast Champion. I am here not as a menace, for were that my intention you and the innkeeper would now be dead.” Oublion said, “What do you want then?” Pach asked, “I have come to form an alliance with you rather. There is an evil ceremony about to take place in BlackDomain, in three days. On the day you call the first day of your fifth month is the anniversary of the birth of that foul slime, Iguada Subrad. Your friend is to be sacrificed to the god, Dovis, in exchange Dovis will revive Iguada. You will no longer be necessary to Gliden and she will destroy you without a second thought there after.” Oublion explained. “Which one is to die?” Pach asked, “The one with a stubborn streak to match that of Gliden herself.” Oublion said, “Mary Magdalene! J. Sebastian is in dire danger!” Pach screeched, “We must get to Orobez Palace before the anniversary of Iguada’s birth. Oublion said urgently, “Pach is injured. He is in no condition to travel Oublion.” I said, “Calm innkeeper. I will take your Champion to someone who will heal him completely and make him strong enough to fight this dread.” Oublion said, “Who was the other with LeShane, Oublion?” Pach asked, “That scum was Ghie Odigaron, LeShane’s general of his army since Iguada was killed and I left there.” Oublion said, “You left BlackDomain? You are a prince there, why would you leave?” Pach asked, “After what they did to Treasen? No Pachelbel, I could never bow to the will and wishes of that monster LeShane nor that harpy Gliden, that is why I have gone to Rof, I have been given sanctuary by Kinshawn and his son Rofi. They are warriors, yes, but they are also very fair and just… At least Prince Rofi is.” Oublion said, “Where is Treasen?” I asked, “I only know he sought sanctuary in DarkHaven, whether Phyadazirex granted it or not I do not know.” Oublion said sadly, he so missed his wayward brother Treasen. “I will go with you then. I cannot allow Iguada to rise again, if he does the life of my mother and my kindred Eldwin will have ended for nothing. As it is the unworthy that slew them needs to remain in the realm of Satan forever!” The outraged kinetic said as he leaned on the wall. “It is done then. I will take you to BlackDomain straight off.” Oublion said, “Not without the Gauntlet of Power you will not Oublion.” I said forcefully, “Say not indeed innkeeper. He will in fact need the Gauntlet for his assigned task.” Oublion said, “I have the Gauntlet with me in my violin satchel. We may go right away.” Pach said as he took the Gauntlet of Power from the satchel and clasped it to his right arm. They were now ready to go. “God speed and protect you both.” I said as they vanished. Meanwhile in BlackDomain LeShane had chained J. Sebastian and Antonio to the walls of a long forgotten dungeon there in the rank foul walls of Orobez Palace. “You are a priest, your blood will be of no use to revive Iguada… But too, you cannot live as you will serve as Iguada’s first meal, after you are roasted and your blood offered as his wine.” LeShane said, “Foul wretch! How dare you threaten my kindred!” J. Sebastian said through gritted teeth, “Silence Bach! Your part is to be the sacrifice which brings Iguada back to life. You will be a part of a history so sublime it defies all else. The return of my eldest child.” Le Shane said evilly, “Iguada? Pach slew that monster! You cannot revive him.” J. Sebastian spat, “Oh but we can as long as it is done on the anniversary of Iguada’s birth by the strong willed blood of one of you. And you, Bach are the chosen one who will revive Iguada.” LeShane said with a wicked laugh, “Blessed Virgina Madonna! How could you?” Antonio spoke at last, “He is my firstborn! That is reason enough priest!” LeShane spat as he dealt a nasty blow to Antonio’s gentle face, “That… Means I can revive my son Bach, and make no mistake I shall.” LeShane grinned an evil smirk. Oublion and Pach arrived in BlackDomain, “Where is this Orobez Palace, Oublion?” Pach asked, “Calm Champion. I said I would have you healed before we went to the palace otherwise you will die before you are meant to.” Oublion said, “Where will we go then?” Pach asked as he limped beside Oublion, “This will never do.” The powerful son of BlackDomain said and scooped Pach into his arms as easily as a child plucks up a rag doll. He carried the small boy to a very ancient looking home and tapped the door with his foot. A very ancient man answered and exclaimed, “Oublion! Gods of BlackDomain child come in! What have you here?” “This, Uncle Ghenemir is Johann Pachelbel, he is the reigning Champion of the Gauntlet of Power, he is injured and requires your healing powers. I need him, please take care of him.” Oublion said, “Where is Treasen? Have you heard from poor little Treasen?” Ghenemir asked, “I have not Uncle I am here to stop that wicked brother of yours from reviving that cattle fodder Iguada. If, and when I ever find Treasen I will let him know you inquired of him though.” Oublion said, “Thank you my child. I will assist your young friend now.” Ghenemir said. “That is good. I need him to stop LeShane.” Oublion said as he looked out across the vast emptiness that is the realm of BlackDomain. “Why do you form an alliance with the Champion of Sygrace? He is dangerous Oublion.” Ghenemir asked, “I am aware of his powers. That my uncle is why I need him. His kinesis will protect us from LeShane and Ghie. His Gauntlet of Power will be the necessary strike needed to obliterate the anniversary celebration of Iguada. Nara-Nara’s breech of evil will prevent this.” Oublion said as he gazed upon Pach lying now on a large bed. “He is in poor condition Oublion. His right ankle is broken, his right wrist is also broken, his left knee and shoulder are broken and he has a serious fracture on his skull. He will need to stay here for at least a day.” Ghenemir said, “Then that is what we shall do.” Oublion said factually. So Ghenemir set to caring for Pach as he did he fearfully peered at the Gauntlet of Power knowing full well the mighty dragon-lord, Sygrace was at that very moment watching the goings on concerning his Champion. Oublion meanwhile, went to the ancient swamp called Venen and asked the old witch who lived there, “What have you heard from Treasen?” “Your brother has run far and with great haste, he wants none to know his new home, save for you Oublion… Your brother resides now with Phyadazirex in the first realm. He is safe and well cared for.” She answered, “As long as he is well.” Oublion said as he left the old witch on her floating raft. The giant prince of BlackDomain then walked to the top of Vallis Hill where his Uncle Ghenemir lived and glared at the distant palace where lived his evil father and mother, “Soon. Very soon…” Was all he said in a cryptic tone. He watched as the sun rose dawning on that terrifying April 29th. He released a blood chilling primal guttural yowl somewhere between a screech and a howl, it was Oublion’s battle cry, and it was a sound that struck fear into the hearts of the army of BlackDomain. He thrust his deadly broadsword into the soil of his homeland indicating no further allegiance with this realm. “Ei monda sieg danna vina si berrex si, soi nica.” The young immortal spoke in his native tongue, (The sooner your evil blood is spilled the better.) As it translates. In a moment Ghenemir came out to the high hill and shushed his nephew, “Your primal war cry will alert LeShane you have come.” He warned the young war-general. “My apologies then my uncle. How fares the young Champion?” Oublion asked, “He rests, I have healed his wounds, it is up to his will to live to heal his confidence.” Ghenemir said, “I can do that.” Oublion said and passed his uncle with a meaningful strut of purest confidence. “Pachelbel, how fares you?” Oublion asked as he sat on the stool beside Pach, “Weak, but better.” Pach answered, “Good. I was told you need a healing of your confidence. Recall you the day your mother was murdered and your kindred was driven to suicide… Know in your heart it was Iguada that did this to you. Your mother died at the hands of purest evil, your kindred was driven to suicide, which in the eyes of your One God, is an unforgivable sin. He cannot rest in peace completely. Know that it was Iguada that brought that to be.” Oublion said and Pach’s rage grew with every word till his kinesis actually threw Oublion across the room against a wall. “Well done Champion! You are healed and as soon as your strength returns, I will lead you to save your kindred.” Oublion said as he rose from the heap he had been thrown to and smiled a genuine grin of satisfaction, “I am ready whenever you say Oublion.” Pach said fiercely. He was determined that if there was a way to keep Iguada Subrad from being revived he would do so. “Your courage is refreshing Pachelbel.” Oublion said, “I have been Champion of the Gauntlet for a few years already Oublion. I fear little and Iguada Subrad is definitely not something I fear.” Pach said with a light of fierce rage shining deep into them. “Good, this will serve you well then.” Oublion said, the day crept on and in a short while Oublion and Pach were ready to go on to Orobez Palace. Oublion mounted a magnificent black stallion named Onyxis and Pach called his own raven beauty, Orion upon mounting the mass of horse flesh, the two left Ghenemir’s home and raced across Vigod Plains long desolate and unyielding of any vegetation. They made good time and by nightfall they were in Seledan, the large city near Ovis, the capital city of BlackDomain. “We will stay here long enough to eat, then we must enter the gates of Ovis while the guards are in change. Otherwise there will not be another chance till your friends are dead and Iguada is risen.” Oublion said, “Very well. I must ask though Oublion, is the food here safe for me to partake of?” Pach asked, “Yes. I assure you. I personally guarantee it.” Oublion said, and they went to an inn, not like mine at all, this was a den of very ill-repute and my dearest Pach should never have gone there, but he blindly followed Oublion whom he had no choice but to trust at this point. True to his word, however, Oublion took perfect care of Pach; he fed him well and treated him to fine drink of tea for Pach and hard corn mesh for Oublion. Their horses were well cared for as well the stable master cared for Onyxis and Orion with great care for detailing. When they went to the stable to get their horses Oublion noted it was very dark. He lit a lantern and at that moment four large soldiers of LeShane’s army attacked them. It only took one to subdue little Pach but the other three giant soldiers fought hard to hold Oublion, but finally they did. They were taken to Orobez Palace and immediately dragged to the dungeon and there, bound like J. Sebastian and Antonio. “Pach! Say this is not so, you were our only hope. Now J. Sebastian will die and Iguada will rise to wreck havoc all over the world.” Antonio said in horror, “Oublion. Is there nothing we can do?” Pach asked, “These are made of Vina Hemp, the blood hemp of Rof, even I cannot break this binding!” Oublion said as he set his strength against the ties that bound him fast to the walls. There they stayed till the after noon of May the first. The anniversary of Iguada. The procession was a dreary one as they walked behind the executioner to the sight where J. Sebastian was to die. The flame haired Saxon was laid on the altar of evil and made ready. Just as the fatal blow was to be delivered a voice called out, “Stop! LeShane, this cannot happen. The one called Sebastian Bach cannot die! It is not his fate to end his time here in your den of filth! Moreover, there is sacrifice more appropriate for this ceremony!” LeShane looked about, Gliden was no where around and he found a chance to be invaluable to her at last, revival of Iguada assured, he called, “Who is the sacrifice then?” LeShane called back, in a moment a white robed figure strolled out with a hood over the face. The hood was flung back and revealed Treasen. Oublion gasped at the sight of his youngest brother. Treasen stood in his full height of only 70 inches in height, he was slight of frame at only 10 stones. His long flame colored hair hung to the middle of his back and his ebony colored eyes shone steadily. “Forgive me Oublion, it is the only way to save Johann S. Bach and release the torment of my tortured mind. I want to save the life of Johann Bach as his music makes me feel peaceful and calm. I will not let you die Grand Musician. If my life need end for this to come, I go in peace then.” Treasen said. LeShane fairly leapt at the chance to be rid of this troublesome child of his. “You offer your life freely Treasen?” LeShane demanded, “I do. Please. I beg forgiveness from you Oublion. And you, priest Vivaldi. Recite my last rites, please.” Treasen requested as his ebony eyes met Antonio’s “I will. And I will pray for you Treasen.” Antonio promised. So then, J. Sebastian was released and made to stand beside Pach. The robed figure was laid on the altar and a prayer by the evil priest of BlackDomain was recited and then just before the fatal blow was delivered, Treasen’s eyes met Oublion’s and the bond between them was forever strengthened, ‘Farewell my precious brother… My beloved Oublion.’ Treasen spoke telepathically as a single tear escaped his eye. Oublion was racked with sorrow and rage, how could he allow Treasen to die? This could not be! “No! Treasen! No!” Even Pach felt a sense of sadness pending the death of this wayward child of BlackDomain. As agents of the light, neither Sygrace nor Nara-Nara could enter, even to save the life of Treasen. He telepathically said to Treasen, ‘Peace be with you Treasen WildOne. I will pray for you as well.’ ‘Thank you, Champion.’ Treasen answered then the fatal blow was struck as the black sword of Glidenis (Gliden’s grandmother) ripped the soft flesh of Treasen and slit the young one’s heart form his body. The instant the victim died, Oublion felt a severe pain in his chest. “Treasen! NOOOOOOO!” The mighty warrior screamed in unbridled rage and sorrow. When the hood was pulled back Oublion did something unexpected and uncharacteristic... He wept, bitterly. “Treasen! No! Damn You To The Farthest Gates Of The Ten Hells LeShane Subrad!” Oublion said, but still Iguada did not rise, LeShane wondered, Gliden came in and saw what had happened, “What is this?” She hissed, she turned suddenly and saw Pach, “What is he doing here?” Gliden demanded, “I put Treasen to death in exchange for the life of Iguada. They were blood witnesses.” LeShane explained, “Agh! Fool! That was not the agreement!” Then, at that moment Pach used his portal and spirited all of them away even Treasen’s body. Pach took Orion’s reigns and held fast to his friends and portaled away to Vienna once more. Oublion in his sorrow took Treasen to Rof and asked Rofi to bury him there in the safe realm of the Seventh Gate. “Yes, he will rest here. And by all that is holy or unholy I swear revenge for you, Treasen.” Rofi said as he took Treasen and led Oublion to the chaplet. Meanwhile, Gliden screamed in rage at LeShane, “You Fool! Sacrificing Treasen? What In The Name Of The Ten Hells Were You Thinking?” “Ridding us of Treasen seemed a favor Gliden! Be thankful, we are finally rid of that little menace.” LeShane tried to reason, “But Treasen’s unsteady mind was the poison that will forever bind Iguada to his grave, now he can never rise, even by the hand of Pachelbel! Fool! You Have Ruined Us!” She screamed as she dealt a vicious blow to her husband’s face she left in a huff for the realm called Sognora, where she was born so long ago. Pach told us at the inn all about the adventures in BlackDomain, and of the tragic sacrifice of Treasen, “At least he died for a cause unselfish. He died for the life of our dear J. Sebastian.” Antonio said and then rose and said, “Speaking of Treasen. I promised to recite his last rites and pray for him. I must fulfill my promise to him.” He readied to go to Saint Peter’s church. “Wait. Antonio. I will go as I promised him as well.” Pach said, “He died for my life. I owe him everything. I will go as well.” Said J. Sebastian. “We all owe Treasen for your life J. Sebastian. We will all attend his memorial then.” I said and we all adjourned to Saint Peter’s Church for Treasen’s ceremony, at peace at last. Meanwhile, far away in HauntWise, SevenGate, Oublion, buried Treasen with Rofi at his side, in the sacred floral bed of Prince Rofi, the fragrant gardenia forever soothed the fragile mind of the dead Prince of BlackDomain, and for the first time in their lives, Oublion and even Rofi shed a river of tears for his dead brother and vowed revenge for him as well. And so it began the revenge against BlackDomain… Code: CTFJS1696

"Red Sky In The Morning"

ReubenHWeber — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:08:31 CDT

"Red Sky in the Morning"

Pach woke on the chilly morning of March 4th in the year 1696. He got up and washed himself all clean and sweet smelling, he dressed in a soft grey knee button breeches and white ruffled shirt with a matching coat of soft grey as well, carefully he tied his neatly washed hair back with the traditional black satin ribbon of the learned musician. He sat down at the small desk I had provided for him in his room and wrote out a list of things to do for this day, the first and foremost was to get a gift for Antonio, as this was the anniversary of his birth seventeen gentle seasons ago. Then he came down to breakfast with his friends, J. Sebastian and Antonio, they ate and chatted merrily between friends. Often their conversations were about music. After breakfast, they went their merry ways to conduct the businesses at hand. Once outside Pach noted the sky was an unusual blood red instead of the usual gold and blue. 'Perhaps a storm comes brewing.' He thought, he had no idea just how right he was. He went to the shop of Dannon Massengaile, a maker of musical instruments and asked if he could make a special violin, a beautiful special quality violin of exquisite property. Herr Massengaile said he could and promised Pach it would be ready for Antonio's party. Pach smiled and paid for the violin immediately. Then off Pach went to the mayors office and asked about buying a lot of property so he could have a home built there. "I have a vacant lot at 724 on Sonata Lane Pach, if you are interested." Mayor Steiner said, "Is it relatively small?" Asked Pach, "Well, it is not too large for one as small as you, Pach. It is for your home, am I correct in assuming?" The mayor asked, "Yes Good Mayor, it is." Pach smiled, "You know Pach, I have never heard of anyone as young as you taking a home site by yourself." Mayor Steiner said, "I could stay at the inn as Reuben would allow, I feel, however, that it is time for me to be on my own." Pach said more seriously, "After all, J. Sebastian lives by himself, as does Antonio." Pach reasoned, "J. Sebastian was all of sixteen seasons when he moved to 321 Cantata Avenue. And Antonio is supposed to live at the rectory, but you, Pach are only still a very young boy." Mayor Steiner said, Pach smiled, "I have pretty much been on my own since I was thirteen seasons. I will be alright Good Mayor." Pach said, then he thought and said, "Besides, I am sixteen seasons now." "God of All of us... Has it really been a year since you came to us?" Mayor Steiner asked in awe, for truth it felt as though Pach had only been here for a very short time and yet, it seemed as though he had always been here. Finally, Pach purchased the property at 724 Sonata Lane for the sum of $400. The contract was drawn up for Stav to begin building the little home as soon as Pach had drawn the design for his home exactly as he wanted it. Then Pach went to the furniture builder and ordered a bed frame to be built and a chest of drawers, a table, a cabinet, bakers rack and lastly, but very important was a roll top desk with a special place to safely keep Lady Rose Wood and Idyllwild, his two prized violins. Then after that, Pach left the storeroom and headed for his teaching position at Saint Martin's Academe'. He entered the Academe' and went directly to his classroom number 13. This was his music class. "Good morning class." He said pleasantly, "Good morning Herr Pachelbel." The children said in unison. Pach sat down at his desk and began writing something. He finished it and then asked one of his students, "Do you know what is composition structure?" The student shook her head, "It is the body of the composition so it is not simply unsubstantiated jumble." Pach answered, the class breathed in awe, so intelligent was their young teacher, and barely older than his pupils. "I want each of you to compose a piece for violin, using the structure as you know it. I do expect uniformly consistent compositions." The young teacher said. With that, his pupils set to composing their assignments. Pach took this opportunity to also compose some music. Everyone was busily writing when Pach heard a strange noise. He looked up quickly and gasped with his eyes wide with terror. He rose to his feet quickly, the sight which greeted him was his pupils drenched in blood. The sound of his chair against the floor caught the attention of one James Mendener, “What is it Herr Pachelbel?” He asked his teacher who was suddenly pale as a ghost, “N-nothing… Please, continue.” Pach said as he blinked his eyes and suddenly all was normal once again. He drew a shaky breath and wondered what that was all about. Quickly he put the back of his wrist to his forehead… No, he was not running a fever, so it was not an illness. He took note of his body, no, he was neither hungry nor thirsty. What could it have been? He consulted Elipta, she found no explanation. ‘Most perplexing indeed!’ Pach thought to himself, what followed was most disturbing however, the sound of a childish laughter, it was not familiar so it rather unnerved the kinetic. Pach disregarded it finally and continued with his class. ‘It must have been only an illusion caused by stress is all.’ The young teacher thought. Finally, the morning was over and it was now time for luncheon. By now, though, Pach was really hungry, were he not before. He came into the inn, sat at his usual place, and looked at J. Sebastian who was sitting in his usual place as well. “What is it Pach? You look a bit peaked.” J. Sebastian asked concernedly, “Nothing J. Sebastian. I am well, just a bit stressed is all. Thank you for your inquiry however.” The small kinetic said, “Well a nice cup of tea will make you feel better.” J. Sebastian said, Jenna brought Pach his tea and just as Pach picked it up to drink, the cup exploded into flames in his very hands. Pach jumped with a start and a sharp gasp of shocked surprise. “Pach! What is it?” J. Sebastian inquired, “The cup…” Pach began, “What of it? Drink child.” J. Sebastian said encouragingly, but also very concernedly, “It exploded in flames J. Sebastian!” Pach said in an elevated voice from his norm, “Pach, what is the matter with you? You did not even touch it yet.” J. Sebastian said as he touched Pach’s hand, at that moment the unnerved boy felt something and looked down at his leg, there were scores of huge, black spiders crawling up his legs, and when he looked to the side there the same sight greeted him on his arms. He leaped to his feet and ran into the street screaming in utter terror, he so disliked spiders. Antonio was just walking to the inn from Saint Luke’s Orphanage for Girls when he saw Pach running madly through the streets, “Mi Maria! Pach!” The priest shouted and then ran after the shaken boy. He caught up with him and cornered him in the alley behind Adele’s Dry Goods Store. “Pach!” Antonio shouted to his shaken friend, “No! Spiders!” Pach cried, “What spiders? Pach?” Antonio was afraid for his young friend, just then J. Sebastian came up to them, “What in the name of Satan’s Arse is going on here Antonio? Pach, what is the matter with you?” J. Sebastian demanded, “Spiders!” Pach maintained, “There are no spiders Pach.” J. Sebastian insisted, “Nooooooooo!” Pach cried out and it was then that Antonio realized what he had to do, he dealt a sharp slap to Pach’s face which brought the young one back to his senses, “Th-thank you Antonio!” Pach said as he drew a very shaky breath and stood taking in lungs full of cool air, Antonio had turned a gentle seventeen seasons on this day and it was to prove a devilish anniversary of his birth to say the least. Pach went back to the inn with his friends and sat down to eat. “You are likely simply over stressed is all Pach.” Antonio said, “Likely.” Pach agreed finally., they ate their luncheons and then after a friendly chat between friends, and much more tea and coffee, they decided it was time to go back to their schools for the final part of the day. J. Sebastian left first after shaking Pach’s and Antonio’s hands he paid for his meal and walked out into the windy daylight. Pach observed this and then gasped sharply as he saw a sail, as that of a sailing galleon appear on J. Sebastian’s back and arms and he spread his arms to the wind and flew along with the wind shouting and whooping hysterically. Pach closed his eyes tightly and shook his head sharply with a gasp he opened his eyes and the spectacle was still occurring, “God be merciful!” Pach screamed in a whisper, Then he closed and opened his eyes again and the sight was gone. J. Sebastian was walking normally on to Saint Matthew’s High School. Pach sighed and sat still and looked around, he had no idea why his usually strong mind was playing such tricks on him, Antonio looked at him, “Are you well Pach?” He asked caringly, “Yes, Antonio. I am well, I am just more tired than I thought is all I think.” Pach said hopefully, “I pray that is all it is child.” Antonio said as he embraced his young friend and headed back for Saint Luke’s Orphanage. Pach got up and walked slowly back to Saint Martin’s Academe’, he was shaken to the core but he would not let this keep him from teaching his class either. He took up class and asked his students to perform their compositions one by one. He called Angelin Maris first, a flame haired beauty who so loved her teacher stood before Pach and took up her violin. She handed the composition to Pach for him to study. As he read the composition, the writing on the page began to form into a circle and then dance as though performing a gigue. Pach gasped and dropped the page as though he had just touched a satanic bible. Angelin looked at him shocked, “Surely it cannot be that awful Herr Pachelbel.” She said in a reproachful tone, “No. o-of course not. Continue Angelin.” Pach said as he stared at the page lying on his desk. The girl played and it was beautiful, Pach’s mind concentrated on the music and not the horrific scene, which had so, frightened him. After Angelin was finished, he smiled and said, “Well done. That is a worthy composition.” She smiled back and gave a well-executed curtsy to him; she knew he would award her a star on her composition parchment. Then, after what seemed an eternity, the day of school ended and Pach took himself out of the building and into the cool air, he took in large quantities of the coolness and looked around. What he saw next shocked him severely. My niece Jenna was walking down the street with a basket on her arm… She was stark naked as the day she was born. Pach was so over come by this he fainted dead away. When he woke he was in Saint Peter’s church and Antonio was beside him holding his trembling hand, “Pach, thank God you are awake. You fainted and it was because Stav was bringing the materials to the sight of your home he found you and brought you to me. Are you alright child?” Antonio asked very concernedly, “I-I feel fine Antonio. I do not know what is wrong with me.” The shaken kinetic said truthfully, “You are pale as a ghost child and shaking like a leaf in a strong wind. You will stay here, or I will stay with you at the inn, whichever you prefer.” Antonio offered, “I will s-stay here with you, if that is alright.” Pach said, “I offered, therefore of course it is alright.” Antonio said as he softly stroked the boys forehead. Pach sighed in a defeated tone, “We must go have supper before retiring Pach. Do you think you can manage to come with me?” Antonio asked the young one. “I can.” Pach answered unsurely. They came to my inn and as soon as they came in Pach gasped and stepped back in horror. “What is it Pach?” Antonio asked, “There Are Dogs Sitting On The Tables!” The unnerved boy shouted, I looked around quickly, “Pach? You are hallucinating. There are surely no dogs in my inn. Least of all on the tables.” I took Pach’s hand and led him in showing him carefully no, there were no dogs on my tables. Only the water pitchers with cool water, which I sat Pach down and poured him some of, “Drink this child. It will make you feel better.” I said hopefully, He drank it slowly and Antonio said, “I am going to keep him at the church with me tonight, so I can keep watch over him Reuben.” “Splendid idea Antonio. Whatever is ailing the boy, I pray you do him good and get him over it.” I said. They ate their suppers slowly, Pach kept peering around cautiously, he could feel a presence he had felt before but could just could not place what or where it was. This unnerved him greatly and he began to breathe faster and faster, harder and harder. He was clearly on some sort of brink of insanity. After they ate, Antonio took possession of Pach and they left the inn. “I am going to get you to bed immediately.” Antonio stated, as they left Pach gasped at a truly shocking sight… There in front of the inn was Stav Lougstor… Dressed in tight pink and white ballet garb and dancing a dainty ballet, as graceful as any fine ballerina. Pach made a sound as one terrified and slowly losing his mind. True is, he was. “Son of God! Pach are you alright?” Antonio said, “No. Let us get to your church… Now!” Pach fairly shouted, he took off in a dead sprint for Saint Peter’s and stood trembling on the steps when Antonio arrived. “Wait Pach. I will unlock the door for you.” Antonio said. Pach peered over at the town square and saw a sight that completely unnerved him. The Egyptian god, Anubis was chasing the Egyptian goddess, Bastet around the town well. Pach closed his eyes tight and then opened them, “Mother of Christ.” He sighed weakly as the vision vanished finally. Antonio took the pale kinetic in and aided the unsteady boy in dressing for bed, then he laid Pach on a soft bed and covered him. He bestowed a kiss on Pach’s forehead and said, “Sleep well Pach dear. I am only a whisper away.” Antonio left Pach to sleep but did not go to his loft. Instead he went into a smaller room next to the one where Pach lay. Somewhere in the night, Pach was awakened by an unusual sound, singing, but where? And who? He got up and went in search of the sound. He went into the theater and beheld Antonio on stage singing opera… But in the voice of a mezzo-soprano diva. “Noooooooooooo!” Pach screamed as he put his balled fists to his eye temples and clinched his eyes closed tightly. He ran as fast as his fleet little feet could carry him for Saint Peter’s he burst in and screamed, “Antonio!” The priest jumped out of his bed as one stung by a hive of bees. “God Of All Of Us, Pach! What IS Wrong?” Antonio shouted excitedly as one frightened out of his wits as well. Suddenly, Pach could not speak, he simply could not utter a word. Antonio was terrified, “My Creator, you have lost your mind. Oh, Sweet Pach, no. Not you.” He said softly in saddened tones. Antonio went to get the physician to see what could be done for Pach. “They mean to lock me away. I cannot allow that. I am the Champion of the Gauntlet of P…” He hesitated, “Or am I anymore?” He ran to his stabled horse, faithful Orion and asked, “Tell me true… Am I the Champion of Sygrace of the Light?” His black beauty turned to his small master and opened his mouth. Instead of the expected whinny, Orion meowed at Pach like a cat. Pach back away in shock, this was too much for him, he ran as fast as he could for the safety of Saint Peter’s once again, he huddled on the bed sobbing and frightened. The physician came with Antonio and I was with them. Pach looked at me and gasped. What he saw was I playing the violin, upside down and in reverse, every piece I played was this way, alas though, and I am no musician. We carried him to the infirmary so the physician could more readily care for him. Physician Moyer gave Pach a sedative to make him sleep. The weary kinetic fell asleep immediately. He slept soundly till he heard a strange sound, the sound of soft strings ripping against something, ‘A violin bow?’ he suggested to himself, he got up and looked out the window, it was Viktor, cutting ham steaks in the town square. Pach ran out and confronted Viktor, “What are you doing?” He asked excitedly, “Cutting ham steaks for the morrows breakfast Pach. Why are you in your night shirt?” Viktor asked as he eyed Pach, Pach noted the instrument he cut the ham with was none other than a violin bow and the delicate strings were ripping apart in the ham, “What are you doing with the violin bow Viktor?” Pach demanded “Trying to cut this bedamned ham, but the stupid strings keep breaking.” Viktor said angrily, “Wha- what?” Pach said confusedly. It began to snow and the physician and Antonio came and found Pach bare foot and not properly dressed for this weather in the town square. “He must be sedated more heavily.” The physician insisted, Antonio hated to, but he agreed this time, they took Pach to the infirmary and sedated him heavily. He was totally unconscious this time. “What will become of Pach, Antonio?” J. Sebastian asked when he finally caught up with his friend, “I do not know. The good physician can find no explanation for this.” Antonio said worriedly. Time passed and Pach got no better, in fact he got progressively worse. He was finally taken to the sanitarium and locked in a room with only a bed and stand that was all. “I fear he will leave here never.” The sad physician said to us when he came to the inn to have his luncheon. “He is mad as Treasen.” The physician said, “Treasen.” Antonio shouted in a whisper, then he vaulted to his feet and ran with all his might for Pach’s room number 13 at the top of the stairs. He burst in and found the Gauntlet of Power. He gazed into the Eye of Sygrace and said, “NesaerT si erehw em wohs.” Antonio was instantly transported to an abandoned house, he went in silently, he found Treasen asleep on the old bed there within. The priest grabbed Treasen and shook him hard, “You Did This To Pach!” He delivered a massive blow to Treasen’s face and the insane one laughed as hard as he could, “Yes, stealing his sanity and leaving him my insanity.” Treasen said manically, Antonio drew his silver dagger he used to peel potatoes and held it threateningly to Treasen’s throat, “Release Him Or I Will Kill You Treasen!” The priest shouted, Treasen laughed hysterically, “Kill me? But you are a priest. To kill is to be killed in the eyes of God, you know that.” The wild eyed child of the black realms said, “Release Him Treasen!” Antonio shouted as he pulled Treasen’s hair, “Alright then!” Treasen consented, and he took up a mug with a strange tea in it and drank it down quickly, “There! He is loosed of my grip. Now go away red haired priest.” Treasen said angrily. The instant Antonio left Treasen and the house he was in vanished back to wherever the insane unforgiven stay. Antonio went the sanitarium and found Pach in full reign of his mind. He was well again. “It was Treasen. He was stealing your mind Pach. Leaving you as mad as he is.” Antonio explained, “Sometimes I wonder how mad he is… Alternatively, if he is actually a misguided genius. His mind is sharp at devious deception that is sure.” Pach said. “Regardless of what he is, I am glad you are back Pach.” Antonio said with a gentle embrace. “Thank you Antonio, and this is for your anniversary of your gracious birth.” Pach said as he presented Antonio with a beautiful honey gold colored violin with matching bow. “Beautiful Pach.” Antonio sang out, He took the instrument and played some of his finest pieces, so lovely it brought a tear to the eye of Pach, ‘So sweet, so innocent, so brave… I owe you my life dearest Antonio.’ As for Treasen, that insane creature retreated back to his lair in Idengate, the Haunted Forest, he sat watching the cult of the Forgotten Realm and whispered icily in Pach’s kinetic ear, “em fo tsal eht nees ton evah uoY.” A chill ran down Pach’s spine, he knew that was all too true. He said nothing; he did not want to spoil this day, the day he found again, his lost mind.
Code: RSITM1696

"Church of Death"

ReubenHWeber — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 10:44:53 CDT

"Church of Death"

The very early morning of June 2nd in the year of our Lord, 1695, found Pach riding into the beautiful city of Rotterdam in far away Holland. It was so early in the morning in fact that it was still dark as the pitch used by Stav to secure the rooves on the houses and other buildings. Pach had been asked by his good friend, Heinrich Biber to come join him there to perform a special concert for the king of Holland's sons birthday. Pach was curious as to why Heinrich did not perform himself as he was a splendid musician himself. Pach would never intentionally hurt anyones feelings so he went away to perform as asked. He arrived at the home of his friend at 3:30 that sleepy morning. He stood in the dark and thought, 'This is madness. Even Reuben is not awake to open the inn for business as yet.' He then took himself to the inn called the "Blue Delft" and gently rapped upon the door. The innkeeper came and opened the door cautiously, "Ah! Pach! As I live and breathe! Great Creator! How are you child?" Sang Herr VanDakken as he grabbed Pach and embraced him tightly, "I am well Jan. And how are you and Angelita?" Pach said as he fought free of the embrace so he could breath, "Oh, she is very well indeed! How pleased she will be to see you!" The ecstatic innkeeper sang out then he called out joyously, "Angelita! Come quickly!" In a very few moments the beautiful wife of Jan VanDakken appeared in the door, "By the gods Jan, whatever is it?" She asked before her eyes fell upon Pach. The instant she saw him though, she gasped and ran forward to him. "Pach! Oh! Little Pach! Come child. You must be hungry and thirsty!" The over-joyed lady spoke quickly, "If it is no trouble, may I have some cheese and tea?" Pach requested, "if it is no trouble? Child, you are no trouble to us at all. I will get your cheese and tea immediately." Angelita sang as she fairly flew away to fill his request. "What brings you here to Rotterdam? have you moved back here for good child?" Jan asked, "No. I am here by request of my friend, Heinrich Biber. he wishes me to perform for the Kings sons birthday." Pach answered, "Splendid, then it should be perfection itself, as I recall you are quite the accomplished musician Pach." Jan smiled. Jan VanDakken was of pale blond hair and very brightest blue eyes, his hair was long and always braided neatly. He was tall and very stately in structure. He was only in his twenty-eighth year and already a well defined innkeeper. Angelita, had the golden hair of the Saxon but the bright blue eyes of the Hollanders. She was tall and statuesque in structure. A fine couple. "I am the teacher of music and history at Saint Martin's Academe', as I had always hoped to be." Pach said, "Splendid. Where do you live child?" Jan asked, "I live at the 'Green Dragon' inn, owned by Reuben Weber. I work there at night after school." Pach said, "As long as you are happy child, then it is well for us also," Jan said, "I am Jan." Pach said as Angelita came with his cheese and tea. While he ate, Jan asked, "You will need a room will you not?" "Most likely I will, as I doubt I will go home till the morrow." Pach said, "Then I will give you our very best we have available." Angelita sang out as she hurried off to make certain his room was ready. "I am certain you will be perfect as I recall the music you played before was enchanting." Jan said again. After half of an hour, Pach retired to his room to sleep for the remainder of the time till Heinrich woke for the day. Pach's sleep was troubled as he was plagued by scenes of death, followed by signs of a shining cross. Pach woke, "Antonio?" Pach said to himself more than any one. Suddenly, the nightmare was made complete when he saw in his waking vision the sight of children massacred in a church of all places. He woke with a horrific cry from his own youthful mouth; he was breathing hard and bathed in sweat. He looked about quickly and swallowed hard, “Mary Magdalene. If never I have that vision again I will be the best pleased ever.” He spoke in a shaky voice. He looked at his pocket watch, it was 7 o’clock, surely Heinrich was awake by this time. He opened his eyes to the sight of Heinrich standing over him, “My but you sleep late, Johann. My Lord. Come, we have work to do.” Heinrich said pretending to be severe with the Child of the Imperial City. Pach got to his feet and went with Heinrich. They went to the theatre and Heinrich showed the kinetic where he was to perform, that night. “It is not as large as Concerto Hall in Vienna.” Pach commented, “Well, Rotterdam is not as large as Vienna either Johann.” Heinrich reminded him, “Yes. I know, it has not been that long since I was here.” Pach said with a shudder as he recalled his encounter with the evil Gliden Subrad not that long ago. The two friends practiced and the sound was sheer magic, so lovely was the sound of Heinrich’s viola matching note for note Pach’s incredibly beautiful violin. Passersby listened enchanted and breathed in awe, “It is Pachelbel and Biber. It must be, only they can produce such magic.” “Well, Pachelbel is a Warlock you know; he is capable of such spells.” One man said actually admiringly, not accusingly. The night fell and the mass of people crowded into the theatre. So many in fact that some had to stand and even sit on the steps out of doors. Pach took the stage and Heinrich and his brother, Karl, stood behind Pach and while Pach performed his pieces on the violin Heinrich accompanied on the viola and Karl on the violoncello. It was the sound of the purest beauty ever. Then Pach set down his violin, approached a harpsichord, and sat down. His magic fingers caressed the keys and made the harpsichord sing its haunting song so brilliantly it was the sound of Heaven’s Own Gates opening up to give joy unto the world of man, surely. Pach played the harpsichord with a lonely haunted essence of spellbinding entrancement. After the concert was finished, Pach received a standing ovation for a full ten minutes. That is how much the people of Rotterdam loved their little Warlock. The mayor of Rotterdam paid Pach a handsome sum of $1,500 for his perfect performance. Pach was astonished, he had never had so much money in his young life. He thought it had bankrupt the city of Rotterdam, “No dearest Pach. It is the proceeds of sales of admittance to the theatre. This is for you alone.” Mayor VanTannen said. Pach was rather over-whelmed and yet pleased, for he knew this meant he had done well and pleased everyone enough so they would pay him handsomely. After the reception for Pach broke up at 12:15 in the morning, Pach lay asleep in his bed at the inn when he heard a sudden blood chilling scream, it was familiar. Too familiar. It was his own voice. He saw the sign of the flaming cross, a church of evil. He leapt out of bed and dressed very quickly and then took the Gauntlet of Power in hand and clasped it to his arm. He went to the church and ran in. He saw at the altar a creature this massive monster growled low and then roared a demonically hideous sound, then howled as a wolf would. A wolf? Then he was right, it is a werewolf. He gasped as the thing saw him and ran out. The strong scent of blood filled Pach’s nose and made him flinch. He ran to the altar and reeled back at the sight of two dead children lying on that bedamned altar. Suddenly he was startled by the touch of Reverend Den Darken, which nearly sent Pach off the Earth and into the Arms of God. “What do you fear, my child?” Reverend Den Darken asked, “I fear nothing.” Pach answered, “You do not fear the werewolf then?” The reverend asked, “How did you know I am stalking a werewolf? And also, how is it you are not afraid of the menace?” Pach asked accusingly, “I think you know why child.” The reverend said, “I do.” Pach answered, “Then you know I cannot allow you to live.” Reverend Den Darken said as the clouds parted and the moon shone brightly and the reverend transformed into the vile werewolf once more. Pach gasped and leaped back a bit. The monster swung its heavy claws at Pach, but they met instead the immovable force called the Gauntlet of Power. Pach formed a silver crossbow in his hands using his amazing mind shroud. The monster quickly knocked it out of his hands and dealt a blow to Pach’s fair face so that it rendered the young one unconscious. When Pach woke he was tied to the altar in a crucifix fashion. He looked up and there stood Reverend Den Darken, a vision of evil itself. “Time for you to join your ancestor’s child. It is a shame, you are so young, what are you thirteen?” Reverend Den Darken asked as he stroked Pach’s fine blond hair and eyed his chest ready to rip the heart from the boy, Pach swallowed hard, he was truly afraid this time. ‘Is it really my time to die?’ Pach thought, then the moon shone again and the ugly werewolf again manifest itself from Den Darken, it drew its claws up ready to kill Pach when suddenly the silver arrow formed by Pach’s mind earlier impaled the monster and it died painfully. Pach was astonished, as he had no idea how that happened. Suddenly he heard a soft sigh and the scent of rain and hyacinths filled the air, ‘it is the nameless one.’ he thought as he glazed at the doorway, surely, there stood the shadowy creature no one knew save an elite few who the creature allowed to know, holding the silver crossbow Pach had formed some time earlier. The creature touched Pach as its fading voice said in a haunted whisper, “Wake unto freedom Pachelbel…” When Pach woke he was surrounded by children and the scent of blood was gone, all was right again and it was daylight, the perfect greeting. Pach and the children walked to the inn where each child was then claimed by their family. All were happy and then Pach left Rotterdam. As he rode away a chill ran down his spine as he passed the cemetery containing the corpse of the dead werewolf/reverend. He rode on till he came to a wooded area, he noted a creature not so far away, but could not really see it. He realized then it was the nameless one, since there was no threat attached to this creature. Pach rode on happy and at peace. Code: COD1695

"Servant of the Church"

ReubenHWeber — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 10:35:37 CDT

“Servant of the Church” My dear musician friends sat at their usual table eating a fine breakfast and chatting merrily between themselves as was their custom on this frigid February 2nd, in the year of 1696, when a woman broke in and ran directly to Antonio and threw herself at his feet. “Father, hear my confessions! I am in desperate need. I must give you my confessions!” She cried, Martinique rolled her eyes, she was not buying any of this womans words, “Of course my child. We will go to my church immediately if you wish.” Antonio said, “Yes, the sooner the better.” She cried and got to her feet. With a glance of apology to his friends, the fine young priest left with the strange woman. “That was unusual. But then, life has been a bit unusual ever since you arrived Pach.” J. Sebastian smiled at his young friend. Pach smiled back and gave a playful, “Hmph!” In mock offense. Then they laughed about it. Martinique was not at all happy about her beloved Antonio being taken from the gathering, “She could not wait till Sabbath?” The raven-haired beauty grumbled, “Now Martinique. It is Antonio’s duty to hear confessions whenever one decides to deliver them unto him. This is one of those times is all.” J. Sebastian said comfortingly, “All the same though, Sebastian.” Martinique always preferred to drop the J from J. Sebastian’s name. And that was fine, it kept him special to her that way, but Antonio, she always regarded as “Mi Amour”, not exactly appropriate, but then it was a thing with Martinique, often she acted without thinking. More often than not in fact. Pach, love him though she did, she feared greatly, knowing the incredible power this child held. In Saint Peter’s church Antonio sat the woman in a pew and then sat on the altar and asked, “What is your name child?” “I am called Wesleia. I am from Idengaard. I have come to confess my sins to you.” She answered, “Me? They have a priest in Idengaard, do they not?” Antonio asked in surprise, “They do, but is he the infamous Antonio Vivaldi?” Wesleia asked, “Possibly not. He can, however, hear your confessions as well as I could.” Antonio explained, “I wanted no one but you, I have my reasons.” She insisted, “Of course. By all means continue.” Antonio said bored though he was, for her confessions made little sense. She rambled on about things unrelated to her so-called confession. Just as Antonio was getting tired of this charade, the door burst open and several men ran in and took Antonio prisoner. The priest called out, but only once. The leader of the armada, a demonic faced creature painted like the Devil himself entered and dealt a severe blow to Antonio’s fair young face rendering him unconscious. Pach was seized with a crashing blow to his face by an unseen hand and then excruciating pain in his head. This sensation literally knocked Pach out of his chair, he was dazed but not unconscious. Jenna ran to him, “Johann! Are you alright?” Her concern for her beloved was as pure as her love for him. “Yes, Jenna I am well enough, may I have a glass of water though?” Pach answered shakily, “At once Johann.” Jenna cried as she sprinted for the well. “Pach are you alright?” J. Sebastian offered the same question, “Yes J. Sebastian. I have no idea what exactly, however, I fear Antonio is in peril of some venture.” The kinetic said, “Antonio? In danger? What is it kinetic?” Martinique fairly demanded, “I do not know at this moment Martinique. I must go to Saint Peter’s and find the reason.” Pach answered and glanced at J. Sebastian with an eye that asked, ‘You will come along, will you not?’ J. Sebastian’s eyes answered, ‘Of course.’ After Pach had drunk his water, the two friends left and went as quickly as possible for Saint Peter’s church, Pach was as fleet-footed as a deer, but muscular J. Sebastian was not as quick as the child with the wings of Hermes on his ankles. They arrived at Saint Peter’s and found the door burst open. Pach’s sharp eyes flashed wide open, J. Sebastian shouted, “Hey! What The Name Of Satan Is This? Who Would Desecrate A Church?” “A Satanic cult is who.” Pach fairly whispered, “Satanists? The Foul Wretch! How Dare They!” J. Sebastian thundered, “Shhh! J. Sebastian, please. We really do not need all of Vienna to know what we are doing.” Pach calmed J. Sebastian’s bellowing, they entered the church quietly and found traces of the struggle in which dear Antonio was taken. Pach gasped when he saw the ruins of the pulpit, ‘Antonio!” he cried out, “Pach! You just reprimanded me, what are you doing?” J. Sebastian asked confusedly, “Antonio has been abducted; we must find him J. Sebastian.” Pach said franticly. They ran from the church and began looking the city of Vienna over not once not twice but three times before admitting defeat. Meanwhile in the Haunted Forest of Idengate, the leader of the Satanic cult called the Order of the Forgotten Realm who called himself Satanik, who we knew as Ignazi Decaden, Pach and I had encountered this evil creature before when we stopped in Idengaard, mostly we had encountered a young source of evil called Jeset. But, where there is Jeset Decaden his father Ignazi is not far away. Antonio had been tied to a stake. His shirt had been unceremoniously ripped from him and he had been whipped with a riding whip and burned with red-hot coals from their fire. His chest had been cut just deep enough to inflict painful wounds but not kill him. This was the work of Jeset and Dini, the sons of Satanik. Oleandra, the wife of the evil priest, was the one who poured the burning vinegar onto the wounds inflicted on Antonio, “Why Are You Doing This To Me?” Antonio demanded, “Even I cannot simply take the Warlock, so if I take his kindred, I will force him out of hiding and then, oh then I will take him.” Satanik said wickedly, “Monster!” Antonio screeched, “Silence Boy!” Satanik shouted as he delivered a massive blow to Antonio’s face, it stung but it only served to enrage the Venetian. “I Hope You Rot In Hell!” The outraged priest spat. Just then, Satanik took a red-hot sword blade and laid it against Antonio’s face the priest of Venice screamed in unbridled pain, the heartless cult laughed and jeered at Antonio’s suffering. Pach too felt the pain and knew they had to make haste. He grabbed J. Sebastian and formed a portal to the location of Antonio. Pach had found Antonio’s crucifix and used it to locate the priest. Once in the Haunted Realm Pach searched for Antonio, the forest was pitch black though it was broad daylight. They ran in the direction Pach’s intense hearing had noticed sounds. They ran into a clearing where Pach saw Antonio tied to the stake, “Son Of God!” The kinetic cried out and ran toward the bound priest, in mid flight though, a large stone was cast from Dini’s sling and hit Pach between the eyes rendering him unconscious. When the young kinetic woke, he was tied to a tree his right arm stretched higher up and bound so he could not move it. “With this axe I will remove the Eye of the Warlock!” Satanik said as he held a blood red axe before Pach’s terror-stricken eyes. He drew it back and was about to swing it when a voice called out, “Stand Thy Keep Satanik One!” The voice was unfamiliar and the cultists were terrified, “There really are ghosts in this forest!” One of them shouted and the cult began running about like unheeded goats. Only Satanik, Oleandra, Jeset and Dini remained calm through this terror, “It Is Not A Ghost You Simple Minded Fools!” Jeset shouted, “Then Answer The Question Jeset! What Is That?” The terrified cultist screamed, “I will discover the answer and shame you for not having any more courage than a mere babe.” Jeset answered ruefully, he was only 15 years aged as was Pach, but Jeset was a rageful child, some say possessed by the spirit of evil itself. Suddenly the voice again sounded, “Jeset! Thy Tongue Sharp As The Blades Of Sarengita!” Again, there was no explanation for the voice that now unnerved Oleandra and Dini. Satanik looked down at Antonio and drew a some what nervous breath, “By the Damned Gates of Hell!” he screamed in a whisper and then he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Everyone! Get Out Of Here! It Is A Haunt More Dangerous Than The Ghenederhine Of The Frozen Lands!” Pach swallowed hard, he knew he and Antonio would be left to fend for themselves and with his arm bound he was helpless. The Satanic cult fled as fast as they could leaving Pach and Antonio as the kinetic thought they would. Then out stepped J. Sebastian and cut Pach loose then the kinetic cut Antonio loose and formed a portal home to Vienna with J. Sebastian in tow. Jeset noticed they had been tricked that it was only J. Sebastian shouting through a wind reed that amplified his voice making him sound imposing and threatening. Jeset was furious, “Father! We Have Been Fooled By A Mere Musician!” He screeched, Satanik came back into the clearing with his son, he was livid to say the least. “Bach! I Will Get You For This!” Satanik howled hatefully, then an unseen hand dealt a blow to Satanik so powerful it sent the evil priest flying against a thick tree trunk rendering Satanik unconscious this time. “Father!” Jeset cried as he ran to his father, the unnerved child sat beside his father as the sound of maniacal laughter filled the still air, it was neither masculine nor feminine, it was unearthly and otherworldly in fact. Jeset, who feared nothing or no one, was suddenly gripped with unbridled terror. He saw a silhouetted figure standing atop the sacrificial altar, dripping with blood and laughing in that unearthly sound, “Who Are You?” Jeset called to the person or thing there atop the Altar of Blood. “Beware The Insane One!” Was all it said before vanishing with that horrific laugh echoing in the air. “The Insane One? Who Are You?” Jeset called again, this time no answer only a haunted whispered sighing. Jeset was very afraid now, “What evil wakes this night in the Haunted Forest of Idengate?” He whispered to himself. Code: SOTC1695

"Air on the G String"

ReubenHWeber — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 10:26:33 CDT

“Air on The ‘G’ String” The next morning after the devastating attack on Saint Peter’s church in which Antonio had vanquished the evil monster, Loy du Mar, Antonio woke at 3 o’clock, he was tired and sore. He crawled out of bed and took the Gauntlet of Power in his arms and left the inn enroute for Saint Peter’s church. He hesitated on the steps and drew a shaky breath. Then he went in. His eyes cast upon the horrific sight of the charred bodies of Stephan and Adella and Michal. “Innocent blood lost in my church? I think not.” He said and placed the Gauntlet of Power on the altar and spoke, “Sygrace. Guardian of thyChampion of the Gauntlet of Power, hear me I am Antonio Vivaldi, the second to thy Champion who is Johann Pachelbel. I come at this time to ask your restoration of these three lost souls, who were untimely taken by the evil called Loy du Mar. I ask you Sygrace du Blanc; restore the lives of Stephan, Adella and Michal Renfeld.” He watched as a slim figure appeared from nowhere, he gasped at first before being informed by the creature he could see but not make out any features of, “I am the one called the nameless one. I will return them as long as you promise me to make the child of your church, save that innocent life and I will return them.” The shadowy creature said, Antonio was stunned by the appearance of the nameless one, far more ancient than the Gauntlet of Power even, this awe inspiring creature was even far more ancient than Sygrace who was born in the year 5702 B. C. When Sygrace was born at this time, the creature called the nameless one was already incredibly ancient. Antonio only nodded in agreement. “Then consider it done.” Said the nameless creature and it vanished in a pearlesque cloud. A shower of soft sweet rain fell inside Saint Peter’s church, purifying everything the evil had defiled. In no time, the corpses were returned to life, as the nameless one said they would. Antonio was over-joyed. The happy family were also and the grateful father said, “Please, Father Antonio, since you saved our family, will you please baptize our son?” This was what the nameless one had requested, so Antonio said, “Yes. Of course I will.” So, he performed the baptismal as perfectly as he had been shown. Then a kiss was bestowed to Antonio from unseen lips on his forehead. It was the blessing of the nameless one. After this was done Antonio told them, “Go now to your homes and live in the ways of Christ for the rest of your lives.” The agreed they would gratefully. After this was done, Antonio took himself to the inn and sat wearily down. I had since opened the inn for business and J. Sebastian sat at their table as was customary for the three dear ones. J. Sebastian noticed his friend looked drawn and tired. “When last did you eat Antonio?” The concerned J. Sebastian asked, “I cannot recall.” Antonio said, “Then you must now.” J. Sebastian said forcefully, and signaled Jenna over. “Bring Antonio a breakfast steak with eggs and hash shredded potatoes and his tea, please Jenna?” He asked, “Very good J. Sebastian. And more coffee for you?” She smiled, “Always Mistress.” J. Sebastian smiled back. When Jenna brought Antonio’s breakfast the gentle priest asked, “How fares Pach?” “He is still asleep my dearest Antonio. He was in quite atrocious condition when you saved him.” J. Sebastian said factually. “Poor child. I will go check on him when we are finished here.” Antonio said, J. Sebastian smiled and looked to Antonio’s right arm, “You still bear the Gauntlet of Power my friend.” He said, “Have I? It is so light I had forgotten I was wearing it.” Antonio said as he looked down at his right arm still encased in the Gauntlet of Power. They laughed over the recollection, still their hearts were heavy with Pach being incapacitated. "I have composed a new piece as of yesterday, Antonio." J. Sebastian said in hopes of averting the sad events from the mind of his young Venetian friend, "You did? What is it called?" Antonio made inquiry, "I call it 'Air on the 'G' String'. I would love you to give your opinion." J. Sebastian said with a shy smile. "I will gladly give my opinion, my dearest J. Sebastian." Antonio said, he glanced up the staircase in an idea that he wished Pach could give his opinion as well. "When would you like to hear it then?" J. Sebastian asked in his attempt to avert Antonio's attention once more. "He is well. Jenna is with him." J. Sebastian said calmly, "Thank you J. Sebastian. I know what you are trying to do. We can go now. If you are finished with your breakfast that is." Antonio said, "I am. Then let us go. We will go to your church where it has a better effect." J. Sebastian said, "Splendid." Was all Antonio said and the two left the inn enroute to Saint Peter's church. As they walked they spoke of their music, while they talked neither noticed a fast approaching coach, the coach stopped suddenly and a large man leapt out and grabbed J. Sebastian, Antonio attempted to fight him off but another man dealt a great blow to Antonio which sent the priest to the ground in a daze. The two men loaded J. Sebastian into the coach, fighting and screaming though he were, and sped away as quickly as possible. Antonio got to his feet and shouted, "Stop! What Is The Meaning Of This?" He was excited with dire concern for his friend and cried out in anguish, "J. Sebastian!" The early morning was shattered by Antonio's cries. Suddenly he was startled by the touch of a soft hand on his shoulder. He turned suddenly and there stood Pach, pale and thin, but it was Pach. "Are you well enough to be up and about my friend?" Antonio asked suspiciously, "Of course. I still feel ever so slightly weak, but I am alright." Pach said, "Oh, Pach. Tragedy! Our dearest J. Sebastian has been abducted!" Antonio said excitedly so, much so that his strong Italian accent was making itself well known. Fortunately for Pach, he understood the beautiful language very well. "Calm, Antonio. I will get J. Sebastian back. Never concern yourself my dear friend." Pach said, "What if we cannot though?" Antonio demanded anxiously, "Come to the inn and we shall talk about it." Pach nearly insisted, finally after a considerable amount of persuasive measure, Pach talked Antonio into returning to the inn with him. Once there they sat and talked about the abduction of J. Sebastian, They drank tea as was the custom for these two. Suddenly, Antonio felt very sleepy and fell fast asleep. Only then did Pach leap to his feet and patted his pocket containing the package of sleeping powder given him by Physician Eisenbach. He then ran out after tossing a few silver pieces on the counter and called, "Put him to bed, please Viktor." The Dutch giant nodded his acknowledgement. The young kinetic recalled Antonio saying that J. Sebastian had been telling him about a new piece he had composed only the day before. Pach went to the modest home at 321 Cantata Lane and went in, "Forgive me, my friend, but I must find you." Pach spoke to an unseen J. Sebastian. Pach searched for the scroll on which 'Air on the 'G' String' was composed. 'Always you rolled your compositions into a scroll.', he thought to himself. Meanwhile, where was J. Sebastian? He had been taken by the henchmen of a particularly evil sorceress named Charlott Epstein. An altogether disagreeable woman in her late fifties with long, unkempt whitish hair and small blue eyes of a rather plain hue. She was not particularly heavy, but she did not have a stately figure as many baroque era ladies had. Charlott intended to marry young J. Sebastian as a retaliation against J. Sebastian's uncle, Johann Markus Bach, who long ago had agreed to marry Charlott but on the day of their wedding, he instead, eloped with the beautiful and vivacious Maria Louisa Templar. "So you see, young Sebastian. Had your uncle been an honorable man this would not be necessary." Charlott said, "But, I am only a child by comparison to yourself Mistress Epstein." J. Sebastian said before thinking of how dreadful that sounded. "It Matters Not! I Will Marry You!" Charlott said ruefully. "No! I refuse!" J. Sebastian said forcefully. "You Will! Or You Will Die, Child!" Charlott said, she then dealt a vicious blow to J. Sebastian's face. This fired the fury of the enraged boy. "Then I chose death over a marriage to the likes of you!" J. Sebastian said angrily, "Do not be insane. You will make a fine replacement." Charlott said, "Replacement?" J. Sebastian questioned, "Well, one of my statues was destroyed during a storm. I need a replacement." Charlott said, "What?" J. Sebastian asked, "After we are married I will encase you in granite and you will be my new statue. A perfect reproduction of Johann Sebastian Bach." Charlott said, "This Is An Outrage!" J. Sebastian shouted. "It is not so bad. You will be in fine company at least." Charlott said, "What do you mean?" J. Sebastian demanded, "Do you see the first statue? It is the encasement of your uncle, Johann Markus. I did that just before you were born. On December 16th, 1676." Charlott said, "You killed him?" J. Sebastian asked in shock, then came the horrific answer, "Well. He was not dead at the time of his imprisonment. But, I assure you, after a week of starvation he soon was." The evil witch said, J. Sebastian was then gripped with horror, "God of Martin Luther!" He gasped, “Sweet Son Of God! You Are A Murderess!” Then he asked more directly, “Is that what you intend to do to me?”, “My dearest Sebastian, of course. As I said I must have a new statue and who better to have near Johann Markus, then his distinguished nephew?” Charlott asked, J. Sebastian turned pale as a ghost, “Sweet Savior!” Was all he managed to whisper be fainted. Pach in the meantime, found the afore mentioned scroll and unwound it carefully so it could be easily replaced. He took the Gauntlet of Power and clasped it to his wrist and then took up his violin and played the piece in full in absolute reverse. The instant he reached the end (or beginning in this case), he vanished to the very realm of Charlott Epstein. He wandered in search of his missing friend using his amazing mind to locate J. Sebastian, who had by this time, been taken to a chapel and forced to marry Charlott Epstein. The evil priests wife held an axe to the statue of Johann Markus Bach and threatened to destroy it, therefore destroying the essence of J. Sebastian’s uncle. Tearfully, J. Sebastian allowed this horrid union. ‘I simply cannot actually be marrying this crone.’ J. Sebastian thought as he dared not look to the side at that horror. “Surely, even Gliden Subrad cannot be so ugly as you.” J. Sebastian said before he thought, he gasped as soon as he heard these words escape his lips. “Fool!” Charlott hissed as she dealt a vicious blow to J. Sebastian’s face, “Finish the ceremony. Now!” The evil woman demanded, and the priest said, “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your wife.” J. Sebastian’s eyes grew wide with terror, “Surely, you jest.” He said in disbelief. “He does not jest Bach.” Charlott said as she grabbed J. Sebastian and forced him to kiss her. J. Sebastian reeled back and gasped for breath, “My Sweet Savior!” He gasped, “No One Will Save You Sebastian! Your Fate Is The Same As Markus’ After We Consummate Our Marriage That Is!” Charlott said in her cracked gravelly voice. “Oh God of Martin Luther. Pach!” J. Sebastian shouted nervously, Charlott laughed wickedly and then had her men take J. Sebastian to her chamber. They did and unceremoniously, ripped off his shirt and then tied his wrists to the bedposts. ‘Pach! Can you hear me?’ J. Sebastian cried in his mind ‘I can hear you, J. Sebastian, know that I am looking for you.’ Pach said as he looked everywhere he could. Tragically, Pach was not in time to prevent the horrific ordeal of the consummation of the unholy union as Charlott took full advantage of J. Sebastian. After she did, she took the torn musician and laid him on a table. “It is time Bach. Time for you to join your ancestor in immortality!” The wicked Charlott said, “Nooooooooo!” J. Sebastian cried and just as she began the process, Pach burst in and immediately one of Charlott’s men attacked the young one. Using his mind shroud, Pach bound the man with unseen binding cloths. Charlott spat and growled, “You’ll not save this one Warlock!” “That, evil woman is where you are so wrong!” Pach said as he advanced, Charlott knew she could not let the kinetic near enough to use a telepathic portal. She turned suddenly with a large sword in her hand, swung it quickly, and grazed Pach’s arm. The kinetic flinched but did not cry out. “Fool! This Concerns You Not! Begone, Warlock!” Charlott hissed venomously, “You have taken one of my friends. Therefore Madam Epstein, you have made it my concern!” Pach shot back quickly. She lunged at him and in a heartbeat, Pach ran by her and found himself with J. Sebastian. He grabbed ahold and said, “Close your eyes.” Without hesitation, J. Sebastian did exactly that and Pach formed a portal out of that horrible place. Charlott screamed her rage and cursed Pach for every breath he drew. In such a haste was Pach that his aim was off and he and J. Sebastian landed not on the bed in J. Sebastian’s chamber as planned, but rather, they were deposited roughly on the floor of that chamber. Then Pach asked J. Sebastian, “Are you alright?” “I am. Thank you Pach. I owe you my life!” J. Sebastian said breathlessly. “Nonsense. You are my friend. Your friendship is all you owe me.” Pach said. The two laughed joyously as they realized they were free and J. Sebastian was safe. J. Sebastian did ask one question of Pach though, “We were married and we did consummate our marriage, therefore, am I actually married to that monster?” “No, her evil intent against you annulled that marriage.” Pach answered. Pach was very knowledgeable of such affairs. They went to the inn and joined Antonio who had awakened, they were merrily enjoying life again, when Pach was taken by a wave of sleepiness. He fell asleep in a few minutes after drinking his tea. Antonio leaned over the young kinetic and whispered, “Do not ever do that again, my wily young friend.” Then everyone laughed as Viktor carried Pach up to bed. Life was good again.
Code: AOTGS1695

Gyada

ReubenHWeber — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:38:17 CDT

"Gyada"

It was late on the night of May 29 of the year 1696. Pach lay asleep on his small bed. He began to dream, or he thought he was dreaming. He dreamed he was beside a crystal clear stream on a warm summers night. The full moon shone down on him and he was lying on the emerald green grass.
A beautiful woman joined him finally. She slowly undressed him and made love to him it felt so real that Pach was not sure it was not. After she was finished, she laughed softly and left him asleep on the grass.
Pach woke, he was breathing heavily and almost laboriously. He noticed he did not have his nightshirt on. This in itself was highly unusual. He never lulled about in just the skin he was born in. He slowly rose and slid his nightshirt back on himself. He noticed he was drenched in sweat and he felt very weak and his body hurt as never before. He felt dreadful and went back to bed and slept. That was all he wanted to do. When morning came, J. Sebastian came to the inn. Antonio was already there, but there was no sign of Pach at all. "Where is our dear Pach? He is always here before either of us since he lives here." J. Sebastian said, "His house is nearly built and ready for him to move into, perhaps he is already one to have a look at it." Antonio suggested, "I seriously doubt that. He has not even been down to breakfast." Viktor said, "That is not at all like Pach." J. Sebastian said concernedly, "He must be ill then. We had best go check on him." Antonio said and rose to his feet and hurried up the stairs to room 13. Antonio pounded on the door. "Pach? Pach? Are you there? Answer me child!" The concerned priest called. There was no answer, J. Sebastian pounded on the door. "Pach! Answer The Door Boy!" He called in a strong voice denoting one of regal character. There was no answer. "He must be in there. He has not come out." I told the boys as they stood at Pach's door. "Santa Maria! Pach!" Antonio called as he opened the door. There. Before us was Pach, bathed in sweat and breathing laboriously. "Pach! Can you hear me child?" Antonio called as he flew to Pach's bedside. Pach barely opened his eyes and moaned weakly, he was feverish and in very depleted condition. "Santa Maria, J. Sebastian. He does not look good at all. We must get the physician here I do not think it would be safe to move him at all." Antonio said, "I think that is wise. I will go for the physician." J. Sebastian said and turned to leave after giving Pach's feverish little face a gentle caress. Antonio sat beside Pach and held his young friends hand tight so the young one knew he was not alone. I brought a hot bowl of chicken soup to Antonio who fed Pach as best he could. The young one was so drained he was barely responsive.
Meanwhile, in a borrowed lair in DarkHaven,
the evil witch, Gliden Subrad was standing in a very dark room nurturing a massive cocoon like abject, it was large as a person and it breathed on its own. It was formed from the pearls this evil woman stole from innocent little Pach. She had taken from him to form this creature about to be born. She took up a poisoned dagger and carved a large numeric 18 on it. Meaning the creature inside would be born in nine days but be aged two years for each day it grew in the cocoon. "You will be my greatest triumph over that irritant brat Pachelbel. You will be all I ever dreamed of in a beautiful mass of evil. So I proclaim you as the Champion of BlackDomain." Gliden laughed wickedly. She caressed the large cocoon, sang, and danced around it, pouring poison over it every hour exactly. This added hate and icy emotionless reaction to the creature inside. "Soon. Very, very soon Pachelbel, you will meet your match!" The evil queen of BlackDomain said in a cracked voice. Meanwhile, poor little Pach lay on the bed in pain and fever, he was in perfectly dreadful condition. We all worried greatly about him. Antonio was concerned to the point where he was afraid our little Warlock would die. J. Sebastian was afraid he would be severely brain damaged at the very least. "So high a fever without relief? I fear he is in greatest peril." He said fearing for the health of the young teacher. "He is strong, and forget not, he is a warlock of immeasurable power." Came a familiar but rare voice, it was the man called du Blanq. "Lord Sygrace. Have you any idea what has happened to him? He was well when we parted company with him the previous night." Antonio said, "No priest. I do not know what ails my Champion, only that he needs to be watched and watched very carefully. I would feel so much better if you saw to his care personally Antonio." Sygrace said, "The physician can find no reason for Pach's illness. Do you think it may be of a demon realm?" J. Sebastian offered, "That, my dear Bach is most likely as my Champion often deals with the realms of evil and it is not beyond that possibility that one, or maybe more, have sought to take the life of the worthy Champion." Sygrace said in a pained tone to think this could be a possibility
Days passed and Pach got no better, in fact, in many instances he
got progressively worse. Many times,he even nearly died from the tapping
of his strength and very life to give life to the evil creature about to be
born in DarkHaven.
Then, that fateful day arrived as Gliden took the
poisoned dagger and sliced open the cocoon after reciting an ancient
ritualistic spell. When she cut the cocoon open out stepped a child of
extraordinarily flawless glory. "You will indeed be my greatest triumph
over that accursed imp. I want him dead at any cost, you will be the
instrument which performs the act none so far have accomplished. I will call
you, Gyada, which means, deaths right hand, I name you this and give your
only mission to destroy Johann Pachelbel!" She sang in her choked
ugly voice. She eyed the child, naked he stood in his glorious structure of
18 seasons as she had given birth to him in nine days adding two years to
each day of his life. He was now nearly a whole two years older than his
young father. "You will need clothing. Stay Gyada while I fetch you some."
Gliden said with a wicked tone in her evil voice.
Back in Vienna, Pach was finally beginning to show signs of
recovery finally. His fever broke and he was beginning to wake a bit more.
He was incredibly weak though. For four days, a thunderstorm had ravaged
the city of Vienna but Pach was too deep into a comatose state to even
notice that which he usually adores.
Now, he was at least awake, it was a great relief to all of us to see him
finally awake and more alert. Though he did keep falling asleep, which was
evident that he was not as far over this as we had hoped, so Antonio
stayed with him and cared for him with the great skill the young priest knew well.
After securing Gyada some clothing, Gliden sent the deadly child
on his way. He was mounted on a raven black horse of mystical power, much
like the legendary Orion, now owned by our beloved Pach. The horse ridden by
Gyada was named Nike; she could match the wondrous skills of Orion perfectly
since they were of the same breed stock. Their father was the
incredible, Noricon, the famed black horse of mythology who carried Athena where she wished to go. Orion was the offspring of Noricon, as was
Nike. Gyada rode toward Vienna in the guise of a priest, a most deceptive
costume as there was nothing priestly about Gyada. The child Gyada, had long blond hair and fair skin, much like his fathers, the difference being that
Gyada was considerable more muscular than Pach and his eyes were not the
deep espresso brown of Pach's but rather a strange, unearthly shade of
glittery green. Gyada carried a bible if you will, for lack of anything better to call the book of the wicked young priest. He came to a town called Marris, after deciding he was hungry, he went into the "Bard of
Austria" inn and sat down. The innkeeper came over and asked Gyada, "What is your pleasure young priest?" "I would like cheese and wine." Gyada answered, "Would you like bread with that young Father?" The innkeeper asked, "No, thank you." Gyada answered in a voice, which was actually very pleasant, not at all like one might expect from a work of evil as this unusual weapon to be used against Pach. "Since you are a priest, your realize your meal is of no cost to you." The innkeeper said, "Just as well as I have no funds to pay with anyway." Gyada answered, the innkeeper simply smiled, unaware of
the deadly creature he was currently hosting in his very inn. Had he known it would have been for naught, as these mere mortals could not have stopped Gyada.
The meal, however, passed uneventfully. When Gyada left the inn
however, it was a different story. Four men had noticed a fine golden
curifix hanging from Gyada's neck; they of course, thought it was a
crucifix, thinking this young murderer a Catholic priest enroute to
somewhere. The curifix, however, is the cross of DarkHaven, it is a symbol of the King of the realm, Phyadazirex DeathStrike, who is a mighty warrior elected as king of his realm by his people when he alone managed to hold off the advancing menace called the Rof in the year 1106 B. C. The Rof are, perhaps the singularly most deadly force ever recognized by anyone. The story of
the Rof is an interesting tale in itself, which will be told later.
Now, the dread called Gyada prepared to continue on to Vienna. He mounted Nike and headed off to his destination. The four men mounted their horses and followed him. The meant to ambush Gyada somewhere between Marris and Perchern. After following him for some time, one of the men decided they had come far enough and rode on to intercept the young priest. Once he caught up with Gyada, he held a blunderbuss aloft to the young one and demanded, "Halt! Before I Kill You Priest!" As ordered, Gyada pulled on Nike's reigns and she stopped with a whinny. "What may I do for you gentlemen, and I use the term with little, if any regard." Gyada asked rather agitated. "Your cross, your priest. It is gold?" One of the men ventured to ask the dangerous child, "Of course. Do I appear as one who would wear anything less?" Gyada said boldly, "Then I will just have to relieve you of it." The man said as his cronies moved in around Gyada, "Oh, really. Is this at all fair? Four of you against only me? Surely you jest. And you do not even seem the religious sort as to need a cros, less tis to save thy heathen soul." Gyada pretended to be afraid. The men laughed and Gyada then laughed as he reached behind himself, under his cloak and produced a deadly black crossbow armed with poisoned black arrows. In a swift, continuous spray, he impaled each man with an arrow, which killed the men and gave their strength and soul to the bearer of the crossbow of Gyada, who is, of course, Gyada. Then he rode on unmolested to the city limit of Vienna. He used his sharp eyes to locate Saint Peter's church where Antonio sat now writing the sermon for his Sunday service after having J. Sebastian stay with Pach for the time it took to write his sermon. Gyada rode up to the church and entered boldly. Antonio heard the commotion and came to see what it was. "Who are you?" He barely had time to inquire of Gyada before the wily one aimed and fired his black crossbow at Antonio, the fact that Antonio was a priest and saved by the Light of God, made it impossible for Gyada to steal his soul, so when Antonio's body fell from the banister to the floor below, Gyada looked into the eyes of the dead priest and said, "Nia misi notes moreg." In the language of DarkHaven, he literally took the form of Antonio. Gyada carefully concealed his curifix by turning it backward so it was on his back, and straightened the gold crucifix of Antonio on his chest and stroked Antonio's face saying, "Thank you Reverende Antonio." And he left to find his father so he could continue with the task set by his mother. He stepped out of Saint Peter's and sniffed the air, searching for Pach's scent. He found it entering the Green Dragon inn. J. Sebastian had brought Pach here to get him some exercise and so he could eat and drink. "Poor boy, you have been cooped up long enough. It is about time you got out of that nasty old infirmary. We will enjoy conversation with Antonio and some food in its finest form. I know eating in an infirmary can affect your appetite Pach." The Saxon said, Pach smiled weakly, "It will be good to be out of there at long last." He said in a voice so weak it was barely there at all. Gyada smiled, 'The time has come, father mine.' He though as he walked steadily toward the inn. J. Sebastian sat Pach down first and then took his own seat. Jenna came over and asked what their pleasure would be, "Some of your finest roasted beef milady." Pach requested, for now he was gaining his strength back and with it came his appetite. Enter Antonio. Or so everyone thought. "Welcome Antonio. Look who is well enough to be up and about now." J. Sebastian sang out, "Splendid. I trust your strength is also returning." Gyada said in the strong Mediterranean voice of Antonio. "Yes. I am getting better each day Antonio. But, you know that." Pach smiled, "I meant that I trust your strength is returning so you are well enough to be up and about. We certainly do not need a relapse, now do we?" Gyada smiled in Antonio's gentle way, "No. We most certainly do not, that is sure Antonio." J. Sebastian said, Pach then gasped and Gyada looked at him sharply as though he suspected Pach of discovering his identity. "What is it Pach?" J. Sebastian asked, "I forgot the weidaberry tea that Antonio made for me." Pach answered, "Not a problem my dear Pach. I will run and get it for you." J. Sebastian said and sprinted away to Saint Peter's church.
Once alone with his quarry, Gyada began to plot his plan of action. Pach began to notice glints of green light coming form somewhere other than out of doors. He followed the source to Antonio's eyes, which had taken on the unearthly shade of green as Gyada's were. "Mary Magdalene! You are not Antonio!" He cried in horror of the thought of someone stealing Antonios identity. "No, I am not Antonio." Gyada said in agreement. "Who are you then?" Pach nearly demanded, he was angry at the idea of someone doing so horrible a deed. "Look deep into me father. Then you will know me completely." The evil child said. Truthfully, Pach did search Gyada's soul, dark and foreboding it was but in the life of this Child of the Dark, Pach found his stolen pearls. 'So, Gliden stole from me to form you' He thought, "Exactly. I was created with but one purpose. To take your life father." Gyada said, "You are my son?" Pach fairly cried out. This caught everyone elses attention. "That is his son? Tis witchery I proclaim!" Cried old Herr Tavvers, "Of course tis witchery old one, da yer think th' Kitten would ha' taken hes own body and gived birth ter th' bitter son o' an dog?" Stav bellowed, "Pach is not a dog!" I cried, "No. if wha' he says be truth though, then that ragnamorog bitch Gliden Subrad certainly is!"Stav maintained his idea. Gyada proceeded to draw his black crossbow and aim it at Pach's heart, "Farewell father. For what it means to either of us." Gyada was unprepared for what happened next. Pach used his powerful mind shroud and yanked the crossbow from Gyada's grip and threw it across the room, Gyada was startled and in fact rather taken; he was definitely not prepared for a battle against a powerful Warlock. "What Is This? She Did Not Tell Me Of This Part!" Gyada was infuriated, "Did she not tell you I am a warlock of the kinetic power?" Pach asked, the young blond before him, and Gyada growled and lunged at Pach, the kinetic exercised his brilliant power and formed the Gauntlet of Power on his right arm and brought it up swiftly and caught Gyada on the right jaw line. The dazed demon fell to the floor but only shook off the effect. He rose up then and took the silver tipped walking stick and swung it swiftly catching Pach on the side of his face, this sent the young kinetic to his knees. Pach was dazed and in pain as he was still rather weakened from the birth of the demon-seed called Gyada, Then Gyada rose to his full height of seventy-two inches and was about to take Pach's life when Viktor cried out, "No Pach! Do Not Allow Him To Win! You Are Stronger Than That!" "He-he is m-my son, Viktor. My own blood." Pach said in grieved tones, Gyada laughed heartlessly and raised the stick even higher for a more devastating effect.
Just at that moment, J. Sebastian burst in and screeched, "That Is Not Antonio!" This startled Gyada long enough so that when the young demon looked up, it gave Pach the edge he needed and he grabbed the stick from Gyada, whipped it around, and drove it into the chest of the Child of DarkHaven. With a horrific pain stricken cry, Gyada faded away, "Is he gone for good?" Jenna asked, "No. I fear our experiences with him have only just begun." Pach said weakly. After Gyada was vanquished, everyone who died from the poison of his black arrows was revived and returned to life, as they knew it. After Pach was taken to his room Antonio came to visit him, "You are incredibly brave child. I owe you plenty." Antonio said with a soft stroke to Pach's forehead, "You owe me nothing but your friendship dear one." Pach smiled, they were only glad the horror of Gyada was over for now. One thing they had forgotten. Under Antonio's altar lay a strange shaped cross called the curifix, unnoticed by any. Perhaps the wrong thing to not notice.
Code: Gyada1695