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Elenor. A city of beauty, its marble towers engraved with golden runes, piercing the blue clear skies above. After the Degree of Nations that was brought in 2089 by the Council of Equilibrium, a small kingdom was created in the summit of the Sunrise Mountains. This city-state was governed by The Archbishop Geondar, grandson of Otam II, emperor of the former Elenian Empire. At first many thought that this was nothing but a feeble attempt of the now dead advisors and nobles from Rinodan to re-establish Elenia, but under a different name. They were wrong. With the coronation of Invictus, these plans failed. The Archbishop Geondar is also a Favored One as Invictus, and he wanted a new form of a kingdom. The forging of the new children of Humanity. He preaches the religion of the Favored Ones, those who have been touched by the Holy Gods, now presented as Saints. Yes, they were, are saints, and his cause was seen as just and holy. That’s how Elenor was established. As a kingdom of perfection, a kingdom of wonder, a kingdom that will erase the past sins of Humanity. Elenorians don’t care much of war; they care only of improving not only their life-style but also they bodies, their minds and souls. Elenorian healers are some of the best known in Archanon. But amidst the lavish wonders of Elenor there is no place for the poor, or the weak. To be an Elenorian means not only to be rich, but to be respected, wise and intelligent. That’s the only crime Elenor has made against this world. By many, nowadays Elenor is seen as a promising kingdom, even though small in territory, its resources are vast. They have now joined the League of Peace, among Equilibrium, Aurin, The Scaraabian Dynasty, The Dwarven Clans and the Mata Nui. And today, in 2130 New Age, Elenor was put to a test…
The cloaked halfling was shouting on the streets of Elenor:
-The Archbishop, the one that brought us together! The DEVIL! A spawn of Evil. A shadow!-He was running down the streets, towards the Academy. Finally one of the guards stopped him:
-Sir please calm down! If you don’t stop this I’m afraid I will. Come with me to the Guards Post.
-No! NO! Stay back! You will turn me in one of them! Stay back!-The halfling shouted, launching a Magic Sphere towards the guard. The chaotic sphere of swirling magic struck down the guard, he slammed on the ground, his chain mail making a terrible noise. Everyone on the streets was staring at the halfling. Some of the citizens came to help him:
-Sir is there something wrong? Please let us help you. That’s why we are citizens!-The told him their voices filled with fear, from the uncontrollable magic of the halfling.
-No, no, no! Stay back! Stay back from me! NO!-eventually, more guards came and stopped him, and chained his hands with a dampening collar. They dragged him to the nearest guard post, as he was shouting down the streets, sobbing:
-Geondar has gone mad brothers and sisters! HEAR ME! The Human wants us all dead! He summoned and army of the Abyss! Run while you still can!-The halfling has gone mad, everyone thought, confused. Not even the children were laughing at him. To speak such words against the Favored Cleric, blasphemy. You have to be either the bravest mage that ever walked on Archanon, or to be the stupidest one. The noon sun was reflecting against the trail of tears that ran down his face. His tattered rags were like a dark spot, a drop of ink on a letter that had to be erased. In the Kingdom of Perfection there was no place for the mad, the poor and the chaotic. The once tranquil city of Elenor, its golden silence was being shattered by the ravaging of a crazy halfling.
They cam in front of the Guard Post. A small stone building, much different than the other lavish towers and domes. Inside there was the captain, angry as usual. He ruffled his fingers through his gray hair, blue eyes, examining the map of the great city. The wooden doors opened wide, and the guards and the halfling entered inside.
-So this is the madman that is causing all this trouble?-the captain eyed him raising an eyebrow, trying to hide his anger.
-Yes sir, one of our patrols found him half an our ago-one of the guards said.
-Why is he wearing a dampening collar?-the captain asked the young guard.
-Sir, he injured one of the guards of the patrol I mentioned.
-An assassin?-the captain smirked at the halfling who was sitting there, silent, his face still cloaked.
-A mage I suppose. Or a sorcerer.-the guard answered.
-He couldn’t control his magic sir. He is obviously a sorcerer, the usual madmen, ravaging the lands.-the other guard said, with discustment.
-I’m a Scion…-the halfling said quietly-Please remove the collar.
-A what?!-The captain was amazed-Don’t play fools with me halfling or I will have your head on that table, you understand?
-That’s what was said about the Tao-Maj. That’s what was said about the Grand Elves, the Yaka Ha’lli. That’s what was said about the Dark Claw and the Turquoise Archers. Now please remove my collar, please…-the halfling said, lowering his voice, almost begging.
-How do we now you won’t use your magic against us, Scion?-the captain eyed him questioningly. He might be right, the captain thought to himself.
-I’m only an Initiate Scion, you are six guards in chain mails, with swords and arrows. I don’t even have decent clothes.
-So be it-the captain sighed-Guards you heard him. Remove the dampening collar.-One of the guards came, and took a key from his pocket. He unlocked the collar, a fiery ring that was looping from his hands disappearing immediately.
-Ah, much better.-the halfling said, cuddling his hands.
-Who are you halfling?-the captain asked.
-Me? M-m-m-y name is from no importance to you.-the halfling was running away from something.
-Yes it is. And I want that name, NOW! I’ve already wasted my time with you, you filthy little halfling.-the captain was getting mad.
-I’ve been hiding for so many years. I don’t see a reason to hide myself any longer.-the halfling sighed-I’m, was, Dorim Van Angest.-the captain and the others hissed or laughed. Whispers started to spread among the young soldiers. The captain bursted out laughing.
-Ha ha ha! A good joke little one! Now, tell me who are you?-the captain was becoming very serious.
-Believe it or not, I’m Dorim. - hr took of his cloak, and long white hair fell to his shoulders, a pale face, dark, black eyes. An aura of undeath emanating from it.-Everyone was shocked. The captain took a few steps back. His forehead drenching with sweat. The guards preparing their weapons.
-T-t-ake him to the dungeons! Summon the Archbishop. You boy!-he looked at one of the guards that brought Dorim-Go immediately to the Grand Council. Tell them a messenger of the Dark Claw has arrived.
-Please, don’t do this.-Dorim said-there is no reason for violence, I’m not a necromancer anymore.
-You’re not a necromancer! You’re a vampire, an abomination, a LICH! There is only a matter of weeks before your skin fells off.-the captain was reaching for his sword. In the same moment the doors came down and the small room was filled with soldiers and mages-Take him! Take him out of my sight!-the captain yelled, falling on the ground, crawling away from Dorim. Even the soldiers and mages were afraid from him. Dorim turned towards them, two spheres of black matter gathering in his small pale hands, his tattered rags engulfed in purple flames, and turning in black leather robes. Clothes that even the strongest and most powerful of dark mages wouldn’t resist.
-I’m warning you…move away.-No one did, everyone was just staring at him, petrified, their arms shivering. He grabbed one of the soldiers and put his finger on the neck, making a small cut. Small drops of blood were falling down the neck of the young soldier.
-Let me go sir, please.-he was sobbing- He, all of them new Dorim’s power, a former Magistrate of the Dark Claw, the only halfling necromancer that has ever walked these lands. Even the grass was withered from his touch. No one new how he managed to keep his form, and not becoming a lich for over 1000 years.
-No boy, no. I won’t let you go. Not until our friends here clear the road, so master Dorim can go home.-he was whispering on his ear, the young soldier on his knees.
-Please, listen to him!-he said, shivering sweat and blood running down his face. The road cleared the group of mages and soldiers moved back.
-That’s it…-Dorim said statisfactionly. With the boy in his grips, he started to move slowly, his black eyes glaring at the others, fearful and dangerous-Don’t make anything stupid now…-suddenly someone shot an arrow at him. All the others bend down, like they were timed, awakening them from the shock.
-Who did…-Dorim looked around when…
-I DID! - someone yelled from above him. On the roof of a small house, in front of the noon sun there was a she-elf. An archer. Her white cape, wearing the insignia of Elenor on the back, waving on the gentle breeze. Her deep green eyes penetrating the dark gaze of Dorim.
-Who in the name of Scions are you?!-Dorim asked, reaching for the neck of the young soldier.
-I’m Andara. A Pearl Archer in the service of Elenor. That was a warning shot, necromancer…-she said to him.
-I guess you want me to put the boy down yes?-Dorim smirked at her.
-I see your brain hasn’t rotted yet.-she said, taking another arrow from her quill.
-You blind fools! Your Archbishop has gone mad! I tried to warn you. But I can see that the lavishness and the arrogance has poisoned your mind.-he kicked the boy with his foot on the ground, and he stepped back. In the same moment, black flames consumed him, and he was gone.
-He will be back…-Andara said, jumping on the ground where he vanished. She took the boy in her arms- Are you all right soldier?
-Yes, yes…I think I am.-he said regaining his strength, rising from the ground, wiping the dust from him.
-All of you, listen to me…-Andara looked at the other soldiers and mages around- This didn’t happened? Am I understood? The Archbishop is not feeling right and the least he needs is this scandal. Double the patrols, I want extra guards in front of every door in the castle.
-Yes m’lady.-the captain said- We shall keep this a secret.
-Very well them. Now go, and take some rest, we don’t see abominations less much necromancers in this fair city.-she said, knowing that he will return, sooner than she thought. Or at least that’s what she thought. A man said, watching them from the distance leaned on the wall. His pale hand touching the marble wall, exposing a strange ring, a ring that wore the symbol of the Dark Claw.
-So it seems that Dorim still lives. And even joined the Scions. - A smile stretched on his cloaked face, vampire teeth showing, many and grotesque.
-I’m going to inform Jonathan about this…-she said trailing off, down the Old King’s street. As the soldiers still watched at her, many of them confused, and her snow white cape enveloping her graceful figure, thoughts were screaming inside her mind: How? Why? It can’t be! But, what if…What if he is right? Then what? Her emerald eyes shifted from one person to another passing by. With her face she was telling them Nothing happened here. Still, the people were scared, and this “gossip” will remain for quite some time now. She could see the fear in their eyes. For many Elenor was a bastion of peace, a place were they could feel safe. A sanctuary for all Humanity. The irony was she was no human. Nor was Dorim…
Since the moment when she joined the Pearl Archers, Andara, and the entire guild was transferred here in Elenor. Two hundred years ago, the Turquoise Archers abandoned the Seraph Order, and many of them joined the Drow or offered their services to the underwater kingdoms. The Pearl Archers willingly abandoned the Order, soon after that, for unknown reasons and joined the Banished Nobles, the mocking term of the old Elenian Nobles and advisors. Andara was among those who offered their services to the Prodigious Knights, in exchange for a home and gold of course. Even so, day by day there were less elves. Elenor was well known for its racism towards the other races, but Elves? The Pearl Archers were one of its greatest warriors. Andara was one of the few remaining.
-I feel so alienated in here.-she thought to her self as the lavish mansion of Jonathan was glooming ahead. His estate was one of the greatest in Elenor, and most lavish. One square kilometer of land, two ponds filled with one of the most exotic fishes and a small personal forest for sport hunting. The mansion was even more pampered. The entire structure was made from marble taken from the best mines in Snowsong Mountain, towers dwarfing the nearby houses. Some would think that a king lived here. She came in front of the wide gates made from gold, the emblem of the Prodigious Knights engraved in the middle, a flaming sword, with yellow streaks swirling around it.
-I came to see Jonathan…-she said quietly to the old guard in front. He was asleep, and he would not hear the elf if his halberd didn’t slam on the ground.
-Ah!-he jolted up from his wooden post and had a good sip from the cup in front of him.
-Unbelievable…-she said to her self-he drunkens his own guards with the most expensive wine.
-Mistress Andara, its…you…-she narrowed his eyes-I must inform you that Sir Jonathan is having a sleep, and he strictly ordered not to be waken from his slumber. Don’t awake the lion while he’s asleep. - He said with a mocking voice, imitating the deep stern voice of the knight.
-Its urgent Jacob. I have to see Jona…
-Sir Jonathan, elf…-he raised his eyebrow.
