Darkness and Light - Necromancer's Beginnings

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><SPAN><EM><SPAN><SPAN><STRONG><U>Chapter 1:-</U></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN><BR><BR>In a small room lit bright with sunlight from the small window on the northern wall - a young Ayr'Dal with long green hair that covered the right side of her face and vivid jade eyes was sat at a small dark, wooden desk in the middle of the room. She wore a long, white silk dress with elaborate frills along the edges and a pair of small reading spectacles.<BR><BR>Lady Geburia was 14 years old, the daughter of Lady Shechina Mal'Kut, a Feir'Dal noble and an unknown father who was presumably human. She was well provided for. She had an expensive education, she was well clothed and had a health diet, although her mother had little time for her (even less so than other noble mothers) and Geburia was brought up almost entirely by her personal maid, Elenore. Elenore was a young human servant brought into the Royal Qeynosian Castle where Geburia lived by the noble Mal'Kut family that resided inside it's walls. She and Geburia were good friends, enjoying their time together.<BR><BR>Now, however, Geburia sat alone in the red silk carpetted room (carpets which were made from materials looted from the Ruins of Varsoon) lined with many large wooden bookracks, studying the history of her home city of Qeynos and it's many noble families. Geburia suddenly heard a knock on the door.<BR><BR>"Come in.", Geburia said calmly.<BR><BR>A tall black haired Feir'Dal walked into the room from the door on the south side wearing a long black dress. She had her hair in a bun and had hazel brown eyes.<BR><BR>"Mother. It's nice to see you again.", Geburia said with a element of surprise as Shechina Mal'Kut walked into the room.<BR><BR>"Yes, well, I have something I need to talk to you about, Geburia.", Shechina replied sounding unusually stern.<BR><BR>"As you know, Geburia, I have provided you with the best education that money can buy here in Qeynos. However, your studies can only go so far here. I think it best if you learnt more practical skills than the theory you've been learning here. For that reason, I have arranged for you to spend the next several months at the mage tower of one Master Malvonicus on the Isle of Refuge so that you may begin to learn arcane magic. You shall leave for the isle this time next week on a ship I've booked with the Far Seas Company. Is this clear?", Shechina explained suddenly.<BR><BR>Needless to say, Geburia was a little shocked, but she nodded calmly all the same. "Yes mother."<BR><BR>"Good. That will be all then. Until then, you will continue with your studies as normal.", Shechina said in the same stern tone she had kept through her entire visit before walking calmly through the door, gently closing it as she left.</EM></SPAN></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>12-02-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:47 AM</span>

[Ekuthh]

<P>Very nice... you paint a good picture in a few paragraphs.  One small quibble, though:</P> <P>In your sig, you have Gubria as a Dark Elf (Tier'Dal) and in your story you state she's Ayr'Dal...</P> <P>Mistake, or plot to come?:smileyhappy:</P> <p>Message Edited by Ekuth on <span class=date_text>12-02-2005</span> <span class=time_text>01:02 PM</span>

[Renita_Serafim]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Ekuth wrote:<BR> <P>Very nice... you paint a good picture in a few paragraphs.  One small quibble, though:</P> <P>In your sig, you have Maati as a Dark Elf (Tier'Dal) and in your story you state she's Ayr'Dal...</P> <P>Mistake, or plot to come?:smileyhappy:</P> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>It's a rewrite of Maati's story. In game, she's Teir'Dal. In the rewrite she's Ayr'Dal. Sorry for the confusion.

[Ekuthh]

LOL no prob, works for me!

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><SPAN><EM><STRONG><U><SPAN><SPAN>Chapter 2:-</SPAN></SPAN><BR></U></STRONG><BR>Geburia leant against the wall in a small wooden room consisting of one desk, a chair and a small window. She held in her hands a small book which she was trying to read dispite the constant shaking of the ship she was currently on. Sitting down to read was an exercise in futility since the chair would rock so much it'd be impossible to concentrate. So Geburia, wearing her small reading spectacles and a long green silk robe, did the best she could and leant against the wall to read as she passed the time until the boat arrived on the Isle of Refuge. According to the captain, they were about half way.<BR><BR>Underneath the floorboards of the ship, however, where no one could see were many small clockwork devices ticking away. They were bombs, made by gnomes and planted in the insides of the ship where no one among the crew would ever find them. The countdown to denotation was nearly over.<BR><BR>Geburia, who was starting to feel a little dizzy from reading with the constant rocking of the ship, closed her book and slipped it back in one of the left pockets of her robe and rested against the wall facing the chair, desk and window - resting her eyes and losing herself to her contemplations. Just as she was getting relaxed, or as relaxed as she could be under the current conditions, there was a sudden burst of flame from underneath the floor and Geburia was thrown into the air as the room was blasted apart by the ensueing explostion. As Geburia was thrown into the sea air, she saw that this had happened all across the ship and the crew were all desperately clinging to wreakage in order to stay afloat. Seconds later as she hurtled downwards toward the sea, Geburia did the same and grasped onto a small plank of shattered wood in order to stay afloat. Suddenly, a huge tide of water crashed over the crew and the destroyed ship, and Geburia soon lost conciousness whilst still clinging desperatly to her piece of wreakage.<BR><BR>When Geburia awoke, she found herself lying alone on a beach on a small island out at sea. It consisted of a small coral reef to the west, a small forest of palm trees in the middle and a beach stretching around the south, east and north sides of the island. There was a small spring in the heart of the forest. Geburia's robes were tattered, but still intact for the most part, although Geburia herself had sustained a few scars on her face and her arms that would heal in time. Next to Geburia were the plank that she had clung to before and the book that she had put in her pocket before the explosion.<BR><BR>Geburia ran desperately across the island, calling out to anyone who might hear her, but the isle was deserted. After an hour, Geburia had travelled across the entire island and found nothing except wildlife. She was back on the beach where she had first awoken. Falling to her knees, Geburia abandoned hope of salvation and wept.</EM></SPAN></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>11-30-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:56 PM</span>

[Ekuthh]

<P>*munches popcorn and awaits the next installment* </P> <P>:smileyhappy:</P>

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><SPAN><EM><STRONG><U><SPAN><SPAN>Chapter 3:-</SPAN></SPAN><BR></U></STRONG><BR>It had been 4 years since Geburia had first arrived on the desert island that had become her home. It had not been easy. Geburia had to learn quickly how to survive on just the islands natural resources and for the next 4 years she had lived on the fruits that grew there and the fish that surrounded the beach that circled around three quarters of the island. It had been a lonely existance, but a tranquil one. Geburia had managed to survive keeping alive both her sanity and her hope that one day a ship would pass close enough to the island for her to light a distress fire to draw attention to her plight and return to civilization.<BR><BR>Geburia sat on the beach one morning rereading the book that she had brought on the boat that fateful day when she had first become marooned on the island. Both the book and the green silk robe that Geburia wore were extremely worn, the book's bindings were starting to wear and the robe's fabric was beginning to fray in parts. Geburia herself looked much like she had 4 years ago, except that she had one long scar along her forehead that would never heal. A scar she had gained the day she was stranded on the isle from a stray piece of wreakage from the ship. The other scars had healed with time, except this last remaining one that cut too deep to ever recover.<BR><BR>Rereading her book entitled "Tales of Dragonkind" was the only thing aside her hope of rescue that kept Geburia sane and so every once in a while, she'd reread the book dispite having it memorized by heart. Which was good seeing as how, like so many others nowadays, her fate was about to become intwined with that of the dragons without even realising it. If one dragon in particular was to have his way, Geburia would be on her original destination of the Isle of Refuge by the end of the day. By sheer coincidence, a cargo ship bearing the insignia of the Far Seas Trading Company headed there skimmed just close enough to Geburia's isle for her to see it off in the distance as she read her book.<BR><BR>Immediately, Geburia rushed to the cave in the coral reef where she slept at night ,her heart pounding with excitement, and grabbed some of the logs of firewood she had stashed away there and headed back to the beach. She placed logs onto the beach into a circle formation with each log pointing outwades. She then used two stray tree branches lying around by the beach to light a flame and dropped it onto the logs to light a fire. Geburia stood back and allowed the fire to grow. Once the flame had grown to a sufficent size, Geburia cried out to try and draw the attention of the ship's crew. "HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?"<BR><BR>Geburia waited for a few moments before she heard a reply from the ship's captain. He shouted "YES! WHO ARE YOU?"<BR><BR>Geburia instantly answered. "GEBURIA MAL'KUT! I'M STRANDED HERE! PLEASE! GET ME OFF THIS ISLAND!"<BR><BR>After about half a minute, the captain replied "WAIT THERE! WE'RE GOING TO PULL OVER ON THE ISLAND AND BRING YOU ONBOARD!" The ship then turned around to face the isle and slowly headed toward Geburia. Geburia's eyes welled with tears again, but this time they were tears of joy. She was going home, after 4 long, hard years, she was going home.</EM></SPAN></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>11-30-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:57 PM</span>

[Ekuthh]

<P>:smileyhappy:</P> <P>*makes more popcorn*</P>

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV>I want to let everyone know that, since I've made this fanfic the backstory of my new alt on the Antonia Bayle server, I've gone back and changed some of the names to reflect this.</DIV>

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><STRONG><EM><U>Chapter 4:-</U></EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM><U></U></EM></STRONG> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"It's been three days now since I arrived back in Qeynos after 4 long years. Funny, I covered everything the mages on the Isle of Refuge had to teach me in less than a day. Why would I need to spend several months there like mother said? Although the question I'd most like to ask is why, when I went to the registrar to report to everyone back home in the castle that I was still alive, not one person, not even my own mother, could come down to check if I was the genuine article? It wouldn't be that difficult. And I haven't changed that much either, aside from the fact I'm slightly taller now and I have a scar along my forehead,  so I fit the bill of Shechina Mal'Kut's daughter. And I'm carrying WITH ME a book with the seal of the castle library stamped into it! "It could have been forged", they say. "We get frauds from time to time" they say. For goodness sake! How many people in this godsforsaken city actually even recognize the seal in that book! And are those frauds that resemble the genuine noble in every conceivable way?! Argh!!!! </EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>I live day by day in the hope that somehow I'll strike gold and find a way to drill into their thick skulls that I'm Lady Geburia Mal'Kut. 'Though I should be grateful for one thing, I'm back in civilization at least and not stuck on that island without a soul in the world to accompany me. I pass the time until I find further proof of my nobility earning money doing tasks for people and practicing my craft. I achieved 10th rank as a mage on my first night back and gradiated as a summoner, which was the day I found my new best friend Yesoda, my summoned pet. Yesoda follows me wherever I go, helps guard me from danger and stops me from feeling lonely. My friend, Yesoda, you can never know how much you mean to me.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>My second day in Qeynos, I began investigating goings on in the Down Below in search of coin. By the third day, me and my adventuring companion, Juxtopse, stumbled onto the secret hideout of Qeynos' resident crimelord, Fippy Darkpaw. It had seemed that Fippy had gone to some trouble to lure us there and coaxed us into collecting signatures from merchants around Qeynos, exposing once again how corrupt the people of this city can truely be. The fact that they're aiding the person who is also the leader of the gnollish forces waging war on Qeynos means nothing to them, it seems. This city disgusts me. The people here act like they're tolerant and kind, but they're constantly sneering at their fellow citizens and undermining their own home by supporting known enemies of their own city.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>Juxtopse suggested to me upon completing Fippy's task that I follow him to Freeport where the people are at least honest about what they are and where I could seek the "honour" of a "fresh start". He was a pleasent enough adventuring companion who helped me finish my investigations but I can't help but dislike people who use terms like "honour" in such an inappropriate context. Honour is a term used to describe admirable deeds in the name of your friends, allies and loved ones, not a term used to describe foolish acts of pride or principle meant solely to increase your own sense of self worth. I have no reason to betray my home city, it's not like Freeport is that much better off for their honesty and it's hardly worth risking my life to defect. Meh. I'll never understand some people.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>For now, I can only try to live day by day beside my new friend, Yesoda. I miss you, Elenore, and even if you don't believe me, I miss you, mother. I hope to see you again soon."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>-Geburia Mal'Kut</EM></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>12-05-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:21 PM</span>

[Ekuthh]

<P>*waggles eyebrows*</P> <P>Hmmm those names sound familiar, somehow... what's the name of that-  Stations of the Cross, that's it!</P> <P>Interesting...</P> <P>Looking forward to seeing where this story goes. :smileywink:</P>

[Renita_Serafim]

<P>Close, Ekuth. The names are derived from aspects of the 10 Sefirot from the Kabbalah.</P> <P></P> <HR> Ein Sof - The Infinite; the true hidden essence of God unknown to humans<BR><BR>Keter - Divine Crown; "pillars of light", this is the aspect of God that can be understood by humans<BR><BR>Hochmah - Divine Crown; the contemplative aspects of God's Thought,a point where reality that humans can understand emanates from<BR><BR>Binah - Understanding; a feminine element called the mother of the Shekhinah (see below) referring to the analytical aspect of God's thought.<BR><BR>Hesed - Merct or Love; benevolent and masculine side of God<BR><BR>Geburah / Din - Justice; divine punishment and wrath that controls the universe; though this destructive force also can be demonic, imagery is the left arm<BR><BR>Tipheret - ideal balance of Justice and Mercy, masculine<BR><BR>Netzah - Eternity; God's grace, also endurance and victory<BR><BR>Hod - Glory; associated with prophecy, it is God's judgment into the world<BR><BR>Yesod - Foundation; a medium for creative and divine forces (phallus imagery)<BR><BR>Malkut / Shechinah - Kingdom / God's Presence; while having no special attributes, it can be used as a medium where all the nine other Sefirots can be chnanneled into the created world. <DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I don't want to spell out why certain characters have their names derived from certain aspects since I'd be spoiling some of the fun behind the names, but look at this list I got off the internet and I'm sure you'll be able to work it out.</DIV>

[Ekuthh]

<P>Interesting... many of those names bear a strong resemblance to the ritual I was speaking of, SOC.</P> <P>In order:</P> <P>Ateh</P> <P>Malkuth</P> <P>Vegubrah</P> <P>Vegadulah</P> <P>LeOlahim.</P> <P>Worth digging into further...</P> <P> </P>

[Renita_Serafim]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Ekuth wrote:<BR> <P>Interesting... many of those names bear a strong resemblance to the ritual I was speaking of, SOC.</P> <P>In order:</P> <P>Ateh</P> <P>Malkuth</P> <P>Vegubrah</P> <P>Vegadulah</P> <P>LeOlahim.</P> <P>Worth digging into further...</P> <P> </P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Wow, those are similar. I wasn't aware.</P> <P>In case anyone's interested, here's what Geburia looks like in game, in both euro and SOGA.</P> <P><IMG src="http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/3343/geburia5pe.jpg"></P>

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><EM><STRONG><U>Chapter 5:-</U></STRONG></EM></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM><U></U></EM></STRONG> </DIV> <DIV><EM>Geburia sat at her cheap wooden desk in her apartment in the Willow Wood. Yesoda, a large black spider familiar, rested against the chair leg. Geburia, after an evening in which the description "traumatic" would be an understatement, had recieved a letter in the mail which she began to read, stained with tear drops from the author.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Dear Geburia</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>I was the one who paid the Guard off before they arrested you for Aaldar's murder, I believe you did the right thing earlier today in slaying that awful monster. Over this past week since you returned, you've done so much for this city and it disgusts me that your mother still won't come down from the castle to confirm your identity and I'm forbidden from seeing you myself. Ever since word got to the castle about your return, I knew it was you. The evidence in your favour was too great for you to be a fake and yet your mother still won't acknowledge it. There is a reason for this, and it is almost too horrible to say. But you deserve to know the truth of what happened 4 years ago. </EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>You were never meant to study at the Isle of Refuge. The ship you boarded to travel to the Isle had been rigged with gnomish explosives by scouts that your mother hired, set to explode half way between Qeynos and the Isle. Your mother had decided that you were simply too much of an expense to justify keeping around and she could neither disown you nor have you killed within Qeynos whilst she was still a noble and under the Queen's eye. She determined that the most inconspicious way of doing so was by having you set sail on a ship and having it destroyed out at sea where not a soul would notice. It's a miracle you survived.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>You must know that you haven't a hope of returning home at this point, and that's being brutally honest. The only thing left to do is continue with your life as best as you can as you have been doing. I'll help you in any way I can, I promise. You mustn't try and respond to this letter or your mother will know I've contacted you.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>Love</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM>Elenore"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>Geburia's eyes welled with tears as she read the letter. "Elenore, you did it...you paid the guards off...."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Mother....how could you?!", Geburia shouted out loud, her heart suddenly filling with rage. She stood up suddenly from her chair, her entire body surging with electrical energy as she turned towards the window.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Too much of an expense, huh?! So you just tried to have me killed off?! Is that somehow acceptable, mother?!", Geburia raged as she stared out at the castle through the window.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"You're no different from anyone else in this godsforsaken city! The only pure hearted soul I've met here since I returned was Kililae and she was crushed under the weight of this city's cruelty!"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"You're all a disease upon this world. You, mother, you tried to kill me just so you could continue your classy lifestyle in peace! You who conduct deals with the very people who seek to destroy everything you claim to hold dear! You who claim tolerance and good will towards the very people you condemn every waking hour! You who think it's acceptable to manipulate the minds of whoever you please for your own sick satisfaction with your ill used magic! You who teach those people that magic with no thought to the consequences! And worst of all. The one who sanctions ALL of this, the one who oversees all of this cruelty without an ounce of guilt in her so called heart! Queen Antonia Bayle! But it isn't even just you, is it, Antonia? It's this whole world, Qeynos, Freeport, EVERYTHING! The only difference is Freeport is at least honest about it's evil nature!"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Yes. You're all the same. You're all a disease, corrupting this world we share, twisting it to your own sadistic purposes with no thought for those you hurt in the process! You should all be purged! But who to do it, hmm? Who has such mastery over life and death that they could successfully purge Norrath of every last ounce of disease, every last drop of corruption? It seems, no one. But that can change. I'm already on the path that leads to necromancy, and who more fitting to pass judgement upon this guilty world but me!", Geburia raged as her body continued to surge with arcane energy.</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Yes, I shall travel to Freeport and master the magics necessary to purge this world of the corruption that plagues it!", Geburia shouted out toward the window, cackling wildly. "There are whispers of a person within this city that can aid in one's defection to Freeport...what was the name....ah, yes....Cordun Brenland....", Geburia continued, giggling nervously.</EM></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>12-08-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:23 AM</span>

[Renita_Serafim]

<P> </P><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>12-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:53 AM</span>

[Renita_Serafim]

<DIV><STRONG><EM><U>Chapter 6:-</U></EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM><U></U></EM></STRONG> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"I stood in Queen Antonia's personal chambers with Yesoda by my side. I had entered the castle that had been my former home with Cryptkeepr Remy's help in order to assassinate a noble before we escaped to Freeport. Well, after I was confronted by mother on my journey upwards towards the "noble's" personal chambers, I wound up in none other than Queen Antonia Bayle's chambers. There she was before me. Queen Antonia Bayle herself. It seemed she was the noble I was sent to assissinate by Cryptkeeper Remy. But who were these people accompanying her aside the guard and the mage but Cryptkeeper Remy and Cordun Brenland! They sold me out, those lowlife scum!"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Sir Orm is dead! He was like a father to me, and you slaughtered him!", Antonia raged at me. Heh. If he was willing to lay down his life for scum like you then he deserved to die."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""How could you? And what about me? If these goodly citizens didn't warn us in time, you'd have killed me as well!", she continued. Darn right, I would have. Goodly citizens, huh? Filthy backstabbers more like, but if you define good by blind loyalty, then I guess they are."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""This vile murderer threatened me with my life and said only darkness would save me. I was so scared I didn't know what to do!", Remy then claimed. Oh yeah? As I recall, you were the one who wanted ME to assassinate this "noble". And dispite the truth of the words I spoke, I mearly parroted what Brenland told me too. Some nerve!"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Your highness, I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner, but we feared for our lives! We thought the murderer would kill us in our sleep. Alas, we warned you too late.", Cordun then said. You flithy liar. You filthy, no good liar. Got scared and backed out, did you? I was mearly your lackey in this and you make me out to the the mastermind? You've got imagination, I'll give you that much."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""No, you alerted the guards just in time. You are heroes today and I'll reward you hansomely for your courage. As for you, vile murderer, do you have anything to say for yourself before you are taken away?", Antonia asked."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Release me so I can kill these two! They are as evil as I am!", I responded. Well, by her logic, I AM as evil as they are. We were all part of the same scheme. I smirked a little as I spoke. I deserved that. If I was going to die before I was even able to carry out my plans, I should at least enjoy my final moments, right?"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""After all you've done, you stand here and threaten these two defenseless citizens!? Enough! I will not let you hurt anyone ever again. You are charged with murder. We will try you when the sun rises. Jailer, take away this monster!", Antonia snapped back. As she spoke these words, a mage on the right hand side of the room began an incantation. When I tried to at least put up a fight, it seemed that both me and Yesoda had been rooted to the spot. "I'll see you in the grey fields", I replied. I thought I was going to die, so I might as well say something flash before I went."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Sorry, but I can't let you escape", the jailer guard said. You're not sorry, so why say you are? Save me the falsehoods and make it quick. "Sorry, Yesoda. I'm sorry I let this happen to you.", I thought to myself in hope that through the link we share, Yesoda would hear me. Suddenly, I felt my body wracked with some kind of magical energies and I passed out."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"When I woke up, I was on a beach in Antonica feeling more ill than I ever have in my life. Before me stood a beige furred ratonga with brown spots who wore a red tinted monacle on his right eye. After I resummoned Yesoda by my side. I walked up to speak with the ratonga in front of me."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Lucky, lucky! You woke up just in time! I dulled your senses with a special poison so I could kill you easier. The good news is I'm not going to kill you anymore. The bad news is that it will take a long time before the effects wear off. A very long time.", the ratonga explained. That explains this awful ill feeling I have. At least me an' Yesoda wern't dead."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>"Why haven't you killed me yet, fiend?", I asked. Hey, he was thinking of killing me before, and hey, I was irritable at the time."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""Tsk, tsk... such harsh words for your rescuer. Before the jailer ... expired, he told us that you tried to assassinate the Queen of Qeynos. Qeynos rewarded your deed by imprisoning you, whereas Freeport considers you a hero. I'm interested to know what you would do if we let you live", he responded. I pondered this question for a minute. I wasn't in the best condition for a fight and I realised only a carefully constructed answer would get me out alive."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""I will find and kill the two who betrayed me!", I answered. Hey, I will....eventually...along with the rest of the filth in this world. Just not today, it wouldn't be wise to pursue THOSE two in my present state and before I've attained the power necessary to kill them at the same time as the others."</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""My mentor, Matthias, taught me that revenge is best served cold. He may take you on as a student and give you a home in Freeport. Then again, he might just kill you. I'll send a message to him. Seek him out in the Commonlands where he slaughters the Cutthroats who defy Freeport. Now go, before we change our minds about letting you live.", he responded. Thank goodness he accepted my answer!"</EM></DIV> <DIV><EM></EM> </DIV> <DIV><EM>""I'll seek him out then. Goodbye.", I replied before me and Yesoda set off for the D'Lere continent and the Commonlands."</EM></DIV><p>Message Edited by Astralmage on <span class=date_text>12-07-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:42 PM</span>