Oops, sorry. I'll go correct that right away, before the carps get hungry...
Chapter II: Unholy Alliances.
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It was the most stormy night at Othono since the Nightbringer and his acolytes had arrived.
The lightning seemed to threaten to rip open the sky and the raindrops were not only twice the normal size, they also were pitch black, as if they were made of tar.
Everything tried to hide from the ravaging storm, and for once, their were no howls of hunting wolfs.
But out of thin air, a lone cloaked figure appeared. He seemed too large to be a human, but too small to be an elf. Slowly and confident, he waded through the mud and the rain, as if he knew exactly where he was going, even while he could not see further then a few feet.
Abruptly, he stopped at a large lone birch, looked around, and took something out of his pockets... a letter.
He started reading, even though he knew what it said. He had read it a hundred times, over and over again, just to be certain what he was reading was correct.
"Bren, dear friend. It's been ages. I hope you're not to busy, since I could use your help. I've been isolated in this bloody dull world with some incompetent followers of mine. Accompanied with this letter is a map with my whereabouts. I'm pretty sure you'll find me. This letter has been sent by an old gating network, so it will take the demons guarding the interworld traffic a while to find my exact location, but do hasten. Things are spiralling out of control over here.
Your friend, Gatrick.
P.S.: Bring some wine, will you? I haven't drunk anything decent since I have arrived here. Oh, and bring some of you're lovely servants.
First, he thought this was some kind of an ambush. But he recognized Gatrick's writing and his... unusual kind of humour.
He glanced at the map. This seemed to be the place. Now, to enter.
He knocked on the tree and said "Fear the House of Nights."
The tree suddenly came to life and replied. "Indeed, my friend. But did you bring some wine with you?"
He sighed. Typical. Trees demanding wine.
"Blackpond."
"Blackpond?"
"Just let me in!"
The ground next to the tree ripped open, revealing a hidden staircase.
"Next time, bring some Redmaiden. And where are those lovely servants of yours?"
"Ah yes, I almost forgot..."
He made a small hand gesture and just like him, more cloaked figures appeared out of nowhere.
"You brought Blackpond?" one of them jokingly asked.
"Just shut up, will you?"
The entire group descended the stairs and came into a dimly lit square room. Different statues were placed at it's corners in an effort to liven up the room a bit, and standing in the middle was a large stone throne, with Desocucu sitting on it.
"Ah Bren, old friend. Good of you to drop by."
"Gatrick! What trouble have you gotten into this time?"
"Quite a lot really. I have a lot of things to explain. But first, let Ramkal show you're friends their rooms. Ramkal! Bring these... people to their rooms."
The undead archangel appeared out of a large door in the right corner of the room. "As you command, mylord."
"Got a new pet, Gatrick?"
"Yes. You could say it some sort of a... welcome present from the Deui."
Bren frowned.
"A gift?"
"As I said, I have a lot of things to explain. Follow me to my quarters."
Curious, Bren looked around in what seemed to be Gatrick's new home while walking to Gatrick's quarters.
"So... since when do you live in such a small new home? Have you become bored of your old large necropolises?
"Ofcourse not. I've only arrived here a month ago and I have been babysitting my acolytes more then anything else. I guess I'll have to be glad with a bed and some basic furniture."
"Poor you. But tell me, what was so important I had to sneak past demons and elementals?"
"I might tell you, for a bottle of... Blackpond?"
"And I might tell you some news from the frontlines if I can drink along."
"Naturally, my friend. Have a seat."
Some time later...
"But tell me, Bren, how are things out there?"
"Chaotic at best. We've lost a couple of our undercover cells, and we are getting beated up from all sides. The fact that you were missing didn't make things better."
"I apologize for my abrupt disappearance, but it was the only way this diversion would ever succeed. If my plan works, we might be able to end this, Bren!"
"I understand. This war will go on for aeons if it is not stopped."
"And I need your help in ending it. We are isolated and Athari's servants know we are here. I need someone who could... persuade the human king into... donating us his lands..."
"Naturally. Persuasion is my trademark." Bren grinned.
Suddenly they heard a scream. "VAMPIRES! VAMPIRES!!!!"
"Gatrick."
"Yes Bren?."
"Don't yes me. You've FORGOTTEN to tell your acolytes about our arrival?"
"Hmmm. You could put it that way, but I prefer to call it 'lowering it's priority'."
"You'd better go and calm them down, before one of mine gets aggressive and beats up once of yours."
"Beats up? You think your lackeys are better then mine?"
"Come now. Humans?"
Gatrick sighed.
"I guess you're right. I'll go calm them down. And after that, I'll beat up one of yours to even the odds."
"You do that."
Laughing, Gatrick left the room.
[ April 13, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
