- Register at http://www.truewatchguild.co.uk/forum/portal.php

From WikiWatch

Chapter One

Ysandre stood to one side of Malise as she checked the complex map for the city of the giants. She kept a wary eye although most of the large inhabitants of Solusek's Eye were careful to avoid the well equipped and dangerous looking pair.

The dark knight glanced at Malise. Side on it was obvious the priestess had loosened the straps of her leg armour again. The bulge of her pregnancy was becoming ever apparent and Ysandre felt a surge of protective pride. She sighed wistfully making Malise look up from her map at her. She said nothing but raised an eyebrow and Ysandre found herself rapidly checking the state of her new blade for nicks or chips.

The priestess shook her head and returned to gazing at the map. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as while the Teir’ Dal had journeyed here once before the place was huge and confusing. Ysandre straightened and thought back to their earlier conversation. Malise had spoken about getting a ‘replacement’ baby for her birthing. This one would have been suffocated beforehand to convince the young fathers powerful house, the Ebon Mask that the priestess had still birthed and there was no longer a child.

Ysandre bit her lip. Although she had agreed to the plan, citing that her knightly code above all was to protect those dear to her, she felt uncomfortable with the idea of killing an innocent Teir’ Dal child. Any other race would not have garnered a second thought, but one of their own… She flexed her gauntleted hands and privately decided that there was months yet left of the pregnancy and another option may be forthcoming. If not she would worry about it nearer the time.

“This way knight.” Malise had folded up the map and set out along one of the narrow pathways that balanced precariously above molten lava. Ysandre jogged to quickly catch up and walk in front. The magic, power and hate emanating from her made the giants cringe. They moved away as if hoping somehow the dark elves wouldn't notice them. The giants luck was in as the Teir’ Dal had bigger fish to fry that day. It took many hours of striding across the walkways, taking lifts, opening doors and glaring at the inhabitants before they reached their goal. Huge doors barred their way but Malise spoke a word in the dragon tongue and they opened slowly. Ysandre had to steel herself not to draw her sword immediately at what lay before them, Malise’s expression was stoic.

A huge red dragon looked down at the insects stood in his chamber. Its instinct was to remove them and he took a large breath but one spoke in his language, requesting an audience with his greatness. The insect was respectful but not pleading and Nagafen found himself intrigued at the boldness of this one. He leant down and one huge eye regarded Malise for a few moments. He licked his lips, amused at the response of the other female who immediately stepped forward as if it expected to protect this one. The dragon smiled and granted the audience.

Malise sighed inwardly in relief. The weeks of research in learning the language of these mighty beasts had paid off. Now for the reward. She spoke to the dragon about fire and ice. She talked of the dragons mate and the treachery of the one the dark elves only recently knew as Darathar.

The creature roared at the name and belittled the promise the priestess made in bringing his enemies to justice. Again Nagafen considered ending the lives of these impudent humanoids but he recalled his own captivity and scraped huge claws over the stone floor making the insects wince at the noise. Leaning down again he studied the two before him. They were brave to come here alone that much was obvious. Could he trust them? No, he knew something of dark elves and the god they worshipped. Flame licked around the edges of his mouth while he continued to muse. The one who spoke seemed calm, almost bored the other was tense but wore her armour with ease and Nagafen sensed magic around them. Nothing even close to any of his kind of course, but powerful in its own way. His decision made, he spoke in low tones and gave the Teir’ Dal the tools and information they needed to bring down his enemy. Then to amuse himself he gave them 5 seconds to leave, laughing as they scurried out of range of his mighty jaws.

Ysandre leaned against the rapidly shut doors to the dragon’s chamber. She was sweating slightly and her breathing was fast. Malise looked smugly satisfied.

“We are done here. Let us return to our rooms.” She activated her portal stone and the knight soon followed.

Chapter Two

Malise sat stiffly on a too low chair in the Seraphs office suite. Her back was aching and she just wanted to sleep. The journey home to Neriak had been long and she was getting tired more easily these days as her daughter continued to grow inside her womb.

Xilania sat at her expansive dark oak desk reading papers. She was in a large comfortably padded chair significantly higher up. It was a cheap tool to show her supremacy but it generally worked. She glanced up at the priestess before her and smiled, Malise looked tired but her body was rigid. This one wasn’t going to give an inch. Eventually, the half elf put her papers down and steepled her fingers.

“Thank you for attending Malise, although you are a candle mark late.”

Malise frowned slightly but kept her voice even, “The journey from Kunark took longer than expected Seraph.”

Xilania nodded absently, “You look well and the babe survived your… punishment. Excellent.”

The priestess shuddered slightly at that memory. A Spires envoy does not hide information such as a pregnancy from the Seraph without expecting violent consequences. Her gaze towards Xilania remained neutral but the seraph could see the hint of rebellion in her eyes. Malise was no longer her puppet, something had to be done.

“Tell me Malise, have you prayed to the Father recently?”

The inquisitor raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question, “Of course Seraph.”

“And what do you pray for?”

Malise’s eyes narrowed, “I think that is between the Father and I.”

The Seraph leaned back in her chair and opened her hands palms up “I am the voice of the Father in Norrath; it’s not an unreasonable question.”

Malise’s violet eyes darkened with hatred “I pray for the ability to worship the father freely, away from the politics of Neriak.”

Xilania laughed, “Oh my dear inquisitor! You tire of politics and games? It is the life blood of our people, are you no longer a Teir’Dal?”

Malise’s voice was iron “Are you?”

The Seraph banged her fist on her desk. The racial slur on her heritage made her skin flush. She glared at the priestess sat coyly before her and Malise’s stomach clenched. She knew the game she played just got ten times more dangerous. After a moment, Xilania sat back in her chair and spoke in matter-of-fact tones, “I spoke to Jerak’s mother and she agrees the child should be raised in the Ebon Mask. She feels her boy is too young to be an effective father but acknowledges his responsibility in this matter and has agreed to take the babe so you may continue your work for the Spires.”

Malise’s fists clenched and it took all her willpower to remain seated. She said nothing.

Xilania continued, “I have negotiated a closer alliance with the Ebon Mask through this child you bear. It has been beneficial to all concerned and I am pleased with this outcome.” She sat back and watched the Teir’Dal sat before her with a dark gaze.

“And if I refuse?” the priestesses tone was careful.

“Refuse?” Xilania spoke cruelly “Why would you refuse? The child has a negative impact on the work you do for me and the Spires. I have freed you from it. You should be grateful.”

Malise’s tone was acid, “No doubt, but the question remains.”

The Seraph paused, she watched Malise closely. The priestess had changed from only a few months ago, back then she would have never questioned her, but only sought to increase her own powerbase in the Spires. It seemed the knight she was originally assigned to bring back into line had instead been a bad influence and Xilania made a mental note to rectify that situation. In the meantime the Inquisitor needed a lesson in manners, “Then I would see you banished from Neriak and stripped of your rank for disobeying direct orders from the representative of our Father.”

The Inquisitor’s skin paled and her eyes grew large. Her body got even more rigid in the chair. The Seraph continued with grim satisfaction “and I would inform the Ebon Mask they could take the child at their convenience. You would lose all the protection I and the Spires can offer you ‘priestess’. “

Malise froze. Her mind was moving at speed with how to deal with this unexpected turn of events. Ideas whizzed by too fast in her brain with only one thought becoming crystal clear… She would finally be free. She stood slowly, her back ache becoming worse and her legs cramping from the uncomfortable chair, but she stood tall and strong and her gaze alone told the Seraph her decision.

Xilania’s expression was filled with hate “So be it.” At a wave of her hand two large temple guards entered the room and stood either side of the Inquisitor. The Seraph stood and spoke in clear tones “Inquisitor Malise of Neriak, you are hereby stripped of your rank and titles. Your home and its contents will be confiscated and you are banished from the City of Neriak with immediate effect. Take her away.”

One of the soldiers gripped Malise’s arm but she shook it off her voice low and menacing “Don’t touch me.” She turned to walk out of the room flanked by the two Teir’Dal guards.

As she began to walk the mocking voice of the Seraph echoed behind her, “I hope your ‘knight’ is as good as you think she is Malise, although I expect to hear of your passing into the Fathers dark halls very soon.”