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From WikiWatch

The Halberd of Hate

Written by Ysandre

The old Dragoon K'Naae glared at both Teir Dal. In turn Ysandre glared back while Malise just smirked. She had negotiated well with the Thexian despite her knights protestations at dealing with those who would ursurp the queen. The pair had done the dirty jobs as requested by the dragoon and now he had to stick to his part of the deal, or run and there wasn’t anywhere to run.

“Alright. I’ll tell you about the weapon.” The aged warrior explained about a magical halberd he had stolen from orcs many years ago. It had been used at the battle for Kithicor forest and when the great god Innoruuk had opened the portal to bring his daughter to safety his hate had flooded the forest. Everything had died instantly and the forest was turned into a haven for undead. Years later Orcs invaded and one had found a weapon left over from the battle. It had been infused with Innoruuks hate and was a powerful artifact indeed. It came into K’Naae’s possession some time after that and the weapon served him well on the battlefield. His captain greatly desired the halberd and so challenged the dragoon while he was in a weakened state. K’Naae lost the battle and his halberd to his superior. Shortly after the captain lost his own life although he was raised in death and still clung to the magical blade.

“Prize it from T’Saane’s cold dead grasp for me and you will be greatly rewarded.”

Malise agreed and the pair rode across Nektulous forest to the Thexian Citadel. It was well guarded by powerful undead and Ysandre spent a long time planning a strategy just out of range of the skeletons. The resulting battle was difficult but the Shadowknight beat through the two guards on the bridge, Malise’s spells exploding undead bones while keeping Ysandre fighting. The knight and inquisitor peered around the door of the castle but were seen. After another intense battle Ysandre was beginning to look rather battered. Her armour was dented and her own blood dripped over it. Malise provided healing and both Teir Dal used the opportunity for a brief rest.

Ysandre leaned against a wall, pointed at a door ahead of them whispering “Through there” as she stepped forward. Malise hefted her staff and readied her spells. The plated boot of the knight smashed through the rotten old door and as she suspected, several pairs of blank skeletel sockets where eyes once were looked up at them. At the back was Captain T’Saane and he was wielding the halberd. The room felt oppressive and the weapon seemed to emanate black tendrils of hate.

Ysandre shouted “It’s mine!” and lept into the fray. The skeletons responded immediately but the knights eyes were only for the one who swung the long handled blade. The fight was deadly and continued for many minutes but eventually the knight stood up and in her hand was the halberd. The weapon was a good six feet tall and even after 500 years it shone a bright silver. Intricate carvings were etched into its blade and Ysandre shivered as she held the shaft of the weapon. Her voice is full of awe and her eyes of desire “I feel its hate”.

Malise nodded in satisfaction. “Now lets return it to K’Naae.”

“What?” Ysandre looked over at the cleric with a narrowed gaze. “Return it? Why not just keep it? I would be powerful wielding this instrument of our Father.”

“But you promised Ysandre… Remember your ‘code’.” The last word was dripping with sarcasm as the cleric stood arms crossed amongst the bones of the dead.

The knight glared at the inquisitor while her mailed fist still clutched the weapon. For a moment both Teir Dal looked at each other, then Ysandre sighed heavily and hoisted the Halberd across her back. “Yes… Yes you are right. Lets go before I change my mind.”

The journey back through the forest was in silence, the only noise the clip clop of the Teir Dals horses. Ysandre glowered while Malise seemed serene. Finally they reached the dragoon and his eyes lit up at the sight of the weapon.

“You have it! Wonderful! Now.. give it to me.” He held out his hand, his whole body leaning forward in anticipation. Ysandre was slow as she dismounted her horse and walked over to the warrior. As she reached him three forms melted out of the shadows. Masked Teir Dal raised short blades towards the dragoon.

“Help! Help! Protect me!” he shouted and Ysandre lifted the halberd and swung it in a giant arc. The assassins of the Ebon Mask didn’t stand a chance. The fight was bitter but short and the knight was victorious. At the end she turned back to the old dragoon who had fallen to his knees in fear during the fight.

“Take it away. I don’t want it any more. There are to many people wanting to kill me for it.” The knight glanced back at Malise who remained on her horse. The clerics gaze was unreadable and Ysandre turned back and looked down at the prone Teir Dal.

“Coward.” Turning, the shadowknight mounted her horse and moved the beast near to Malise’s animal. They walked the horses away along the forest path. Ysandre still held the weapon and was gazing at it adoringly. She glanced up at Malise who had an extremely satisfied expression.

“Wait!” The knight stopped her horse and it took a few moments for the cleric to turn her own animal to face back at Ysandre.

She narrowed her gaze and looked at Malise. “You didn’t… Have anything to do with what happened back there.. Did you?”

Malise’s smile was broad and her voice innocent sounding “With what are you referring to knight?”

“The Ebon Mask!” Ysandre speaks the name too loudly. “We have had dealings with them before. Their headquarters are not far from the temple.”

“How could I?” Malise maintains the innocent sounding voice but her eyes dance “I was out here with you.”

Ysandre stares at the priestess for some moments and her glance drops to the weapon in her hand. She places it slowly across her back while her gaze is fixed on Malise. She clicks her heels lightly against the horses flank and it begins to walk sedately past the priestess.

Malise’s voice is honey “Your ‘code’ is intact is it not Ysandre?” The knights body freezes before she nods reluctantly.