Jun 27^th – 28^th cy 4850

The Rosen forces move against Drusor Luckwarden’s position relentlessly. For the third time that night a wave of marauding shock troops try to puncture their way through his fortification at the mouth of the Lanik Pass. Above him Malethrax, Danat Peres and Zavien Scourge watch the grapples and rope ladders arrive – but this time the approach is different.

Malethrax senses higher spirits below and his fears are greeted by a rising shroud of thick fog. As Danat hurls large rocks onto the climbers both Malethrax and Zavien launch arrows at the start of combat. An arrow from the assassin Zavien slips through the semi corporeal form of a sorcerer causing an unearthly scream from the figure. A further arrow sees a cloak fall to the ground as the sorcerer disappears.

As the fog lifts so the killers climb under the cover of it. Zavien’s highly tuned senses can feel the danger rise. "They send assassins!" he yells to the Drenai on the walls of the pass.

The first Rosen killers are up on the walls and the fighting is ugly. It soon becomes clear that these are specialists in hand-to-hand fighting, their swift knives and cruel blades take a heavy toll as they struggle to gain a foothold. All the men know that if the walls of the pass fall then all is lost. Zavien sees the danger more than anyone; his first action is to emerge from the shadows to slit the throat of a Rosen killer…so expertly that he melts back into darkness to await another opportunity. More present themselves. Within three minutes he has sliced open the throats of three more and sent them into the foggy abyss below.

Danat, the martial artist, lashes out with a deadly combination of unarmed and knife work. Trading blows with a Rosen he manages to kill one before he takes a vicious underhand cut to the face. Blood gushes into his eye as he struggles for balance on the edge of the walls. Despite the pain and disorientation he manages to kick his assailant off the wall to his death.

Malethrax levitates above the combat and after a phantasm he launches arrows at the fight below. The combat is vicious and even the Drenai veterans are pushed to the limit by the two score assassins all around them. Malethrax’s aim is true and he picks off several Rosens selectively, concentrating on supporting Danat.

But the tide of the fight is turned by one man. Zavien Scourge is amongst the killers, his unseen hands strike at them when they least expect it…from his hands alone almost a quarter of the killers are despatched. As the battle beneath dies so the assassins lose heart and flee – to the great rousing cheers of the Drenai. Drusor is amongst the men again but the Drenai have a new hero as many of the fighters on the walls turn to Zavien and salute him. Even Drusor – the veteran slayer – smiles at the young assassin and slaps him firmly on the back.

But the Rosens delivered a heavy blow on the third wave. Malethrax is already amongst the injured, Irilea, the Willowstar priestess, helps him as they try to bandage and splint and care for the wounded. Danat is bandaged but his head wound is severe. Rell, the mercenary captain, brings his five remaining men up onto the walls to help with the wounded.

A scout calls and the attention of all on the walls is on the pass. A hooded man limps up the track but the volley of arrows pass harmlessly over him. Malethrax recognises the dark feted Rosen. "He is called Nethar," he explains to Drusor.

"I wish to talk," Nethar says.

Before anyone can stop him Malethrax levitates down and the two men face each other once more.

"I offer you a way out," Nethar says, "for the time of these Drenai runs short…soon they will be dead. Your hospitality and talent will be rewarded. Meet me at the western edge of the White Woods and I will offer you and your friends sanctuary."

Malethrax sighs but refuses to respond. Instead he returns to Drusor and reports the conversation. At this point a scout enters the company and informs Drusor that the White Woods and all other resistance in the area is gone. The Rosens are marching three thousand men to cut them off from behind…the scout says that they will arrive in twelve hours.

Drusor, Rell, Malethrax, Danat Peres, Zavien Scourge and the other captains debate what to do next. To stay would mean death. After lengthy talks they decide to head east to join the siege of Dros Goran – if the citadel remains in Drenai hands. Drusor orders the priestess and the sorcerers to rest for four hours (to regain some of their magical strength) -–after that the depleted battalion march east out of the Lanik Range.

Malethrax has the idea to gather Rosen uniforms from the dead troops and Drusor laughs at the irony; "Never thought I’d join the Rosen army!" But the disguise helps them move quickly through the borderlands. At the start of the journey Irilea cures Danat’s head wound and the Drenai troops move cautiously across the borderlands – their first stop is at the deserted chateau Malethrax.

As they get closer to the city the paraphernalia of war is all around them. Siege engines, supply wagons, reservists going to and from the front line. Drusor and his men move without being challenged. Malethrax casts an alter self to disguise himself more thoroughly. As they near the smoking citadel they can clearly see the siege in is full swing but as yet the walls have not crumbled. Malethrax casts stone tell in an attempt to find a possible route under the army and into Dros Goran.

But an alert guard spots him.

A Rosen captain called Getheren advises Malethrax that he should – as a spellcaster – wear a sash that marks him out to the commanders. He then suggests that he and the rest of his men go to see Sadrak, the general in charge of the god king’s armies. With little chance of escape Malethrax, Drusor and the rest are taken deep into the inner sanctum of the Rosen army.

At the general’s tent Drusor, Malethrax, Danat Peres, Zavien Scourge and the Marraq Veldus are led in. Sadrak is an urbane, polite man with exquisite manners. He informs the Menelothian that he knows of his reputation for fine wines. At this point Malethrax reaches into his backpack and produces a fine vintage. Sadrak drinks it slowly as the tension in the tent rises. Drusor is impatient – like a caged tiger – and he asks Malethrax bluntly; "Death or siege?"

Malethrax says; "Death."

Any pretence of a fight is quickly abated as the Rosen elite guards swarm the tent. General Sadrak does not move a muscle as Drusor, Veldus and the rest have knives put at their throats. The general is less than pleased at the attack but seems to have a degree of respect for Malethrax. "I like you," he says, "which is why I’m going to let you back into Dros Goran with your friends…that is, of course, without the veteran and the Marraq. I have uses for those two."

The remaining Drenai battalion are released into the citadel of Dros Goran. The scars of two days under siege are clear to see. Malethrax and Irilea head straight for the Willowstar temple. "We need to rescue Drusor," the Menelothian says.

At the temple they are greeted by Aenor, an Elenorian high priest, who shows concern at their plight. Malethrax begs the elf for Willowstar’s help and he is led to the altar. "To save Drusor you will need a sacrifice," the high priest says. "His life for another."

Zavien, Irilea and Danat watch in horror as Malethrax hefts his katana and turns it on himself. Before any of them can react the blade bites deep into the flesh of his abdomen as Malethrax commences the ritual suicide. The atmosphere in the temple changes. Even the high priest, Aenor, is startled by the spirit that suffuses Malethrax who continues the ritual oblivious to his surroundings. Both priests of Willowstar are now on their knees – the katana finishes the final cut…but there is no blood!

As the weapon exits Malethrax’s stomach there is mark on the Menelothian – he sheathes the sword amid the wailing of the priests and a figure begins to appear on the altar. Malethrax grins as Drusor Luckwarden is amongst them.

The veteran warrior can barely contain his anger. "Get me a sword!" he growls. As he marches from the temple he says nothing – no thanks to Malethrax, no friendly words to his saviour. Instead he moves like a brooding storm up into the higher levels of the citadel. Drusor Luckwarden heads for the Ducal palace with Malethrax and his friends behind him.

An old friend, Lord Snuffnir, greets Malethrax. The thin nobleman throws a question to the Menelothian. "Where’s he off to?"

Malethrax shrugs. "I think our friend here is about to take over the city…"

Back    Next