which housed the Domarian Republic but getting there was becoming a challenge for the trio.
The attack came swiftly, six armed men brandishing longswords and khopesh swords sprung
out from a rocky outcropping that lined the main road into the Marzana Expanse “Come
brigands meet your end!” roared Haldrith drawing his sword. The carnage that ensued was
nothing short of horrifying, Darius had seen the power on display in Demelden when Haldrith
had his holy symbol burning with light but this was just pure slaughter. Zurgad had deftly
dodged one brigand as his hand passed through the leather cuirass he was wearing and into
his chest ripping out his heart leaving a gaping wound where it once sat. Darius had an
overwhelming urge to fight and fight he did as three of the hapless wonders wildly swung
their swords in Darius direction, the air began to spark as several lightning bolts streaked
across the air and smashed into the brigands turning them into a smoking pile of gore as for
the other two they ran for their lives in utter terror “Half way decent chaps, I have not used
my blade in some time” he seemed proud, Zurgad wiped his blood soaked hand on the corpse
he had just made “Pity these cretins didn’t put up more of an effort, here is hoping for a better
opponent in the Domarian Republic” Zurgad smiled, to him there was no other pleasure than
ripping your enemies to bloody chunks then devouring their blood but even a walking talking
vampire like him was still hunted in some regions of the world so he curbed his tendencies
“Haldrith a question if you would allow?” Darius asked “Of course” he replied “Your
kingdom, how far afield are we from it?” Darius asked “It lies north east of the Domarian
Republic in a place where it is pure sunshine for seven months out of the year, whereas the
other months are lost in darkness but we have an amazing festival during that time and the
parties are exquisite or they used to be before the war, now we don’t celebrate the Coming of
the Sun it is mostly melancholic remembering our lost kin” Haldrith sighed “Forgive me, I
left my kingdom in capable hands and went to find a means of stopping Virtus and here we
here” he smiled “I will admit Haldrith for a templar you do fight well, do you also pray to a
sun god of some kind?” Zurgad asked “No, my power of faith is myself, in the Kingdom of
the Sun we use the Second Manifestation: Manifestation of Self but instead of healing we use
it as a shield and a weapon of faith to disperse denizens of darkness like Sin Gorgers and
Plakan Demons, but we also use the First Manifestation as well” it seemed to Darius that
training for such power would be dangerously hard and almost soul crushing “So in essence
the pure and utter belief in yourself results in power to harm?” Darius asked “Only those
considered monsters by the world are affected by the Manifestation whereas if I used it on
you Darius it would not work” simple explanation Darius thought as he stored the
information in his head.
A few days went by as they set up camp, the air was still but there was a figure approaching
them from the distance, Haldrith stood steadfast gripping his blade “Hello there stranger,
could we offer you a meal and something to drink?” Hospitality was one of the concepts
Haldrith was content with in his own kingdom but even in the wilderness diplomacy and
hospitality were those principals that always had a good first impression. The person was
now in view, they were veiled against the sun burning the sky, it was almost a hammer
striking the ground but the camp was nice and cool “Water please” it was a female, her eyes
were green like emeralds and it stirred something in Darius but he put whatever it was he felt
to the side and simply stayed quiet. She drank the water and thanked them “Where is it you
wanderers are going?” she asked “We venture to the Domarian Republic” Haldrith said “The
republic has been destroyed” she simply said “Or at least the most vital part of it, the slave
trade” there was something oddly familiar about her Darius thought to himself “By the way,
is your friend here going to just sit silent with his hood over his head or can I see his face?”
she sked , Darius removed his hood and she became visibly angry “DARIUS!?” she said
explosively “YOU BASTARD! YOU STILL LIVE!?” Darius was now disturbed “Please lower
your voice stranger, loud noises have a bad reaction with me” he said shifting how he was
sitting “You don’t recognize me? It’s Alys remember? We used to serve that donkey Virtus
before he decided to get rid of you” Darius gripped his head in pain then screamed as a
memory slammed into him like a lightning bolt
“Do you think its time we told Rigel?” Alys had a smile on her face “About what exactly?”
he asked her half grinning “About our new guest” she rubbed her stomach “Wouldn’t bother,
besides the guy is a ladies’ man and he probably has several women on the end of that hook
of his” he then look serious “We cannot tell Virtus, he has a hang up about children and
screaming” Darius sighed gazing at her emerald eyes then gripped her chin with his finger
and thumb “Once I get that stone my love, we will leave this damn place and live our lives
somewhere else far from this fucking place” but as life would have it that child was never
born. The door was shoved open and Virtus had Alys by her throat “Dear Ayls this was not
my intent at all, you see I can’t have this kind of thing in my kingdom, I do not like children or
crying babies now do be a good girl and… kill it” Darius had seen a side of his emperor that
most people would not envision but then he turned to Darius “Ah sweet loyal Darius” he
dropped Alys who gasped for breath “I have the information my lord, I move out today to
secure it” a ghastly smiled crept across Virtus’ face “Good, take Rigel and several raiders
and secure that stone for me, I will have your reward prepared” the memory faded and
Darius was again out cold.
Alys kicked Darius in the side of the stomach to wake him, he awoke with a start “Bastard!
You don’t come back and then I heard you died what the hell is wrong with you?” she said
furiously “I don’t remember past five years ago, sorry but I remembered you moments ago,
we were together weren’t we? What happened to the child?” his first concern was the child
she was carrying but Alys looked ashamed and saddened then turn to her side “I had it
terminated out of utter fear of Virtus, he told me you died while trying to get that bloody
stone and here I find you out in the open with a tin can and a albino snowman thing what
happened?” Alys asked, she was excited to see him enough to inflict harm on him but angry
that he was actually alive but somehow this was even worse than him not returning “I lost
everything” he spread his hands “I can’t remember anything beyond my awakening in the
Dragon Temple, this stone is a burden but I can’t get rid of it” she looked closer then gasped
“Virtus is still after this you realize and when he finds you he will rip your spine out and beat
you with your own spine” Alys was always blunt and to the point but she did resent Darius
and she hated him somewhat “Lady Alys” Haldrith said “What brings you out this way if I
may ask?” she looked at Haldrith with a sideways glance “Bit formal aren’t you?” she had a
puzzled look on her face “I was trying to find the Hidden Crater where the new empire was
brought into being but my search led me here, but now I’m not so sure” she gazed longingly
at Darius “Do you still feel anything towards me?” she asked him “I’m sorry, although I
remember you I don’t feel anything otherwise towards you” it was blunt and it struck her in
the heart “You feel absolutely nothing?” she asked clutching her chest “I’m sorry no” there
was a blank expression on his face “Pity, we had something once” a tear dropped from her
eye “Yes once, but I was a selfish and egotistical bastard who felt nothing for others, seems
the selfishness and ego centric behavior I had has gone but the feelings for others has since
remained” Darius said, he then looked at Alys “I still feel nothing for you as I did all those
years ago, whatever you think I felt was a ruse to create a seed but since Virtus had you kill
your own child that plan has since gone and burned itself, now if you don’t mind I do not
wish to continue this conversation about the past” he got up and left her there stunned. Darius
moved several yards from the main camp when Zurgad approached “Quite harsh your words
were to her” it wasn’t a question “I did not intend for it to come out that way but I will not
apologize for it she needs to understand that the man she thought I was is dead and this
broken shell is all that remains. If Alys intends on coming with us she needs to understand
the man I am now and not the past monster I was” there was a tone of finality to it and
Zurgad shrugged and dropped the subject, Alys knew but she wanted to confirm rumors
about him but as she went to ask Zurgad shook his head as if to say ‘Don’t bother’ and
whatever she was going to ask was left hanging in the air.
The Marzana Expanse was the type of place where craggy pointed rocks jutted out like ribs of
a long dead titan, the air was dry and almost suffocating but the group continued on with
Darius saying nothing making the others concerned but he had said once that he will not talk
if there is nothing to discuss. The hard packed earth and often deceptive sandy pit had its own
dangers as things always lurked beneath the sands but for whatever reason nothing emerged
to greet them attempt to take a bite, Haldrith thought it was to do with Alys’ presence about
the place as the only encounter they had experienced was the bandits some days ago but as
they proceeded deeper into the Expanse there was a sense of danger in the air and the ground
was rumbling like thunder. Zurgad placed his hand on the ground and took a deep breath and
let his will out centering on the rumble itself “A wagon train of sixty people and several
camels hauling cargo, judging by the terrain and time of day I’d say they are carrying a
massive load of water” he stood up, Darius was confused as to how he was able to do this
“Confused? Well, being what I am, I am aware of any creature or person within a certain
radius that contains blood. It’s a curse I am quite alright with it as I was born like this so the
stigma of being a vampire is ignored at least it is for me, I can’t really say that for my fellow
citizens of the Sanguine Court however” he smiled teeth “Do we approach and ask for
directions?” Alys asked “No, they will approach us and ask us why we are in their territory
and exchange glances at you young lady and probably ask if you are for sale” replied Zurgad
he was almost chuckling but kept it in “Why would they ask that?” she enquired “These
nomadic people have women as child bearers and silent wives so they may end up talking
with Haldrith and some of their warriors may end up trying to fight Darius for not paying
them respect” Zurgad replied “How does diplomacy out here work then?” Darius asked
“Leave it to Haldrith, he is familiar with the customs of most nomadic people” Zurgad
grinned again hoping this would turn into a bloodbath on which to gorge himself on. The
caravan of people approached a few hours later and Haldrith would not step upon their path
until the caravan had passed them by but the man on the lead camel was dressed in white with
a khanda sword at his side wearing a silver golden silken turban upon his head then Haldrith
stepped forward with his right hand raised “Nam’ste doste, din’n aapakodo kaise’do
badhaeedo detas hai’le?” (Greetings friend, how does the day find you?) which to the shock
of the others surprised even them. The man on the camel stopped and stared down at Haldrith
then simply smiled and replied “Din’n mujhe’ta bhutta acheta lagatas hai bhaee’ta
aapakee’te yaatra’yi kaiseedo chala raheedo haita? (The day finds me quite well brother,
how does your journey flow?) the spoken words were quick but there was a graceful
elegance to it all “I am pleased to see a man of the city knows our language, please do join
me when we make camp in my tent for afternoon tea and perhaps we can trade stories for
water?” the man asked, his face was on the darker shade but being in the desert a person’s
skin can change somewhat but these nomadic people had a certain grace which confused
those who lived safe behind the walls.
Darius saying nothing making the others concerned but he had said once that he will not talk
if there is nothing to discuss. The hard packed earth and often deceptive sandy pit had its own
dangers as things always lurked beneath the sands but for whatever reason nothing emerged
to greet them attempt to take a bite, Haldrith thought it was to do with Alys’ presence about
the place as the only encounter they had experienced was the bandits some days ago but as
they proceeded deeper into the Expanse there was a sense of danger in the air and the ground
was rumbling like thunder. Zurgad placed his hand on the ground and took a deep breath and
let his will out centering on the rumble itself “A wagon train of sixty people and several
camels hauling cargo, judging by the terrain and time of day I’d say they are carrying a
massive load of water” he stood up, Darius was confused as to how he was able to do this
“Confused? Well, being what I am, I am aware of any creature or person within a certain
radius that contains blood. It’s a curse I am quite alright with it as I was born like this so the
stigma of being a vampire is ignored at least it is for me, I can’t really say that for my fellow
citizens of the Sanguine Court however” he smiled teeth “Do we approach and ask for
directions?” Alys asked “No, they will approach us and ask us why we are in their territory
and exchange glances at you young lady and probably ask if you are for sale” replied Zurgad
he was almost chuckling but kept it in “Why would they ask that?” she enquired “These
nomadic people have women as child bearers and silent wives so they may end up talking
with Haldrith and some of their warriors may end up trying to fight Darius for not paying
them respect” Zurgad replied “How does diplomacy out here work then?” Darius asked
“Leave it to Haldrith, he is familiar with the customs of most nomadic people” Zurgad
grinned again hoping this would turn into a bloodbath on which to gorge himself on. The
caravan of people approached a few hours later and Haldrith would not step upon their path
until the caravan had passed them by but the man on the lead camel was dressed in white with
a khanda sword at his side wearing a silver golden silken turban upon his head then Haldrith
stepped forward with his right hand raised “Nam’ste doste, din’n aapakodo kaise’do
badhaeedo detas hai’le?” (Greetings friend, how does the day find you?) which to the shock
of the others surprised even them. The man on the camel stopped and stared down at Haldrith
then simply smiled and replied “Din’n mujhe’ta bhutta acheta lagatas hai bhaee’ta
aapakee’te yaatra’yi kaiseedo chala raheedo haita? (The day finds me quite well brother,
how does your journey flow?) the spoken words were quick but there was a graceful
elegance to it all “I am pleased to see a man of the city knows our language, please do join
me when we make camp in my tent for afternoon tea and perhaps we can trade stories for
water?” the man asked, his face was on the darker shade but being in the desert a person’s
skin can change somewhat but these nomadic people had a certain grace which confused
those who lived safe behind the walls.
Sometime later they approached what looked to be a massive oasis although it didn’t seem to
fit in with the surroundings, not quite desert and not quite barren wasteland. The caravan
people set up tents and in the middle was one colored silver to match the individual’s status
among his people. Alys was handed a saffron veil and was told promptly to cover herself as
she is in the company of men but outright refused such a thing “I care not if I am in the
company of men, I can easily best a man in single combat” it was a boast but she could back
her claims up but the women here did not take her boasting well and saw it as a sign of
weakness that diminishes her standing with the men she is with but a compromise was made
whereas if they veiled herself she could attend the tent with her companions as long as she
didn’t speak and kept her head down as a sign of humility and respect to which she finally
agreed on but the keeping the head down was going to be an issue for her as she was usually
upright and up front about everything. They sat at a semi long table filled with fruits and
water as well as some cheese and bread along with some simple cured meats and smoked
sausage, sitting down and only held up by the Bolster they were sitting against, the man in the
turban looked at Haldrith and spoke “Mitr’tir, kya’do aapakodo vistaar’la meinse itanee’vo
doorledo laata’tir Prasaar’tir?” (Friend, what brings you this far into the Expanse?)
fit in with the surroundings, not quite desert and not quite barren wasteland. The caravan
people set up tents and in the middle was one colored silver to match the individual’s status
among his people. Alys was handed a saffron veil and was told promptly to cover herself as
she is in the company of men but outright refused such a thing “I care not if I am in the
company of men, I can easily best a man in single combat” it was a boast but she could back
her claims up but the women here did not take her boasting well and saw it as a sign of
weakness that diminishes her standing with the men she is with but a compromise was made
whereas if they veiled herself she could attend the tent with her companions as long as she
didn’t speak and kept her head down as a sign of humility and respect to which she finally
agreed on but the keeping the head down was going to be an issue for her as she was usually
upright and up front about everything. They sat at a semi long table filled with fruits and
water as well as some cheese and bread along with some simple cured meats and smoked
sausage, sitting down and only held up by the Bolster they were sitting against, the man in the
turban looked at Haldrith and spoke “Mitr’tir, kya’do aapakodo vistaar’la meinse itanee’vo
doorledo laata’tir Prasaar’tir?” (Friend, what brings you this far into the Expanse?)
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