Another night was passing slowly and high above on the castle walls the tactician took his nightly walk along the battlements. The moon had been turned a blood red, it was a bad omen. A single talon rested quietly along the maw of the creature as he peered out into the shadows outside, and thats when it happened.
The enemy raided and stole the stones. He didnt hear the calls from his viewpoint but saw the figure running through the castle grounds. He had missed the first opportunity, the enemy had made it past the defenses and he could do nothing but watch from above as the vandal escaped.
Even later in the evening Sparky of the befallen Stygian Temple had came to claim his stake in the raiding of Ahrimans Castle and was driven away by Ahrimans Knights in each attempt. It was a blow to the demons pride that they had finally been found, however, the tactician saw it as a double-edged sword.
"We will still conquer." He muttered quietly inside the War Room to Silthe, Cornell the Orders Caster of Arcane Spells, Tirus and Nimbis. "Tactics is the key now, we know they know where we are, let them come. We'll set traps." A smile spread across the small group as a map of the castles halls was spread along the oak wood table and candles were set on each corner lighting it in the dim room. "Shamra has returned our stones to us, this will lure Sparky to our halls quickly, he'll want them to stop the threat it represents." The price for the stones was a decent one, but one well paid and worth the price. "If we place our spellcasters here and here, and set up Nimbis in the altar room, theres a chance we can route any attack before they even reach the stones." He was pointing and glancing around the group that had gathered, they seemed to understand more than he noticed.
"What about me?" Came the voice from the shadows. The amber and ruby eyes of Silthe slid free of the darkness and soon the Abyssal Assassin melded free from the encompassing darkness.
"I need you to go between the two focal points. Your the only one that can move through the shadows with such ease, it'll be up to you to blind or catch the victim unprepared and knock him unconcious." Armanon's eyes never left his brothers and even though the words were spoken, they were more for the others in the room. They had that knowledged bond between them, where there was one, the other was shortly behind.
Silthe nodded quietly in responce, a smile flickering across the corners of his lips before he dissipeared back into the darkness and began his routes. Tirus and Cornell both nodded and dispersed with a quiet word which left Nimbis and Armanon alone in the tacticians war room.
"So, leaving me alone at the altar?" He chuckled softly and nervously ran a hand through his hair.
"No, I will be with you. Cornell gave to me inscribed scrolls of the gas breath spell so that I may uncover any sorcerors shrouded in darkness. I have a very special plan for you."
Nimbis smiled and nodded, "Great, what plan?"
"Freeze his mind, keep him from casting spells and should he manage to flee the chamber keep him confused and stuck just outside so that we may refresh the assult quickly." He pointed at the map just below the altar's chamber. "Here."
Nimbis looked and nodded, "What are the chances of this working Armanon.. seriously."
"Its up to fayte. Sparky is not a normal sorceror, he has been in these realms for a long time and his wisdom and knowledge are a constant test of our wits. Hes escaped us enough before, but this time we may have a chance." He smiled, "Not that it matters really, even if he gets away it wont be the last time he'll try his luck. Now that the Infernal Order knows of our location D'Sar will send his troops in full force. The Darkforce controls him more than he controls it, he deals in Absolutes and it will be his downfall."
Nimbis was wise and Armanon would suspect none less than the Telepath to question him or offer him his advice, which he took with a trained ear, his views were greatly appreciated and often found helpful. "Are we ready for it? For a full on assult? D'Sar's Darkforce has shrouded his minions in a powerful shield." Armanon nodded again, "Yes we are, for all the powers the Darkforce may provide, there is a reason why Ahriman was his master. Our leige wont fall to these armies, our castle will not fall and we will win."
Would the confidence last? Would the walls hold? Would the Knights of Ahriman force back the on-coming armies that would see them fall? Time would tell and darkness would win. Now the question was which side.
Posted by Armanon at June 24, 2005 07:02 PM