Dim/ToTChapter02
The Second Chapter of the saga of the Five Shining Lords, as written by Unbreakable Lotus.
We headed further north, into the southernmost reaches of Gan, where little but grass dwelt. We came upon a tiny village where we decided to spend the night. The most graphic evidence yet of war preperations was here; no man of able body was to be seen. That night, while we prepared for slumber, we noticed the Daiklaive, Melibone, began to glow softly in the moonlight. A full moon shone that night, and in its beams Melibone seemed to reflect and amplify Luna's light. We covered it quickly, as to not attract attention, all the while pondering just what we had taken from Aylott.
The next week was uneventful, except for one night where we looked again upon Melibone. There was no moon in the sky, and so the sworde shone ever so faintly. We looked closely, and noticed a series of strange runes painted on its surface; revealed only by starlight. Upon closer inspection, the ink contained starmetal powder. We wondered what the runes were as we slept.
The next day we found ourselves approached by a patrol from Gan. They were friendly if wary, and pointed out a small hoarde of barbarians coming to us from the south. We readied ourselves for battle, the Gan men nervous but willing to fight. Within minutes the army was upon us, fanning out in a wide half circle. The Gan men took one flank, while we Solars took the other. Koresh and I once again scored first blood, batting away combatants easily. The fight was over quickly, but not without the loss of the Gan men. We came to the leader who was still quite alive, and spoke with him.
Embarrasingly, he told us that he and his people were eager to worship us as their new gods. We appologized for our attack, and laid out plans to craft this man into our envoy to the peoples of Melibone. Forge worked for a day and night and, with great magics, Imbued the man with a fraction of the Sun's strength. He went south, to spread the word among the people of Melibone.
We push through Gan and Amil without incident, arriving quickly at Amil's capital. With sweet words we arranged a meeting with Amil himself, and we spoke about the troubles of the time. He was upset at the behaviour of Faunel and Gan; both seemed to be preparing for war without provocation at all. He claimed he had sent many messengers, but none had yet returned. We offered our services as messengers, eager to stop conflict. Amil accepted, and we made haste to Faunel, where both Faunel and Gan's forces were mustering. Much of Faunel is empty due to preparation for war, and thus we arrive at Faunel's capital with no incident. We wish to speak to Lord Faunel himself, but are informed that he was off on a hunting party. The butler asked commented on the extremely long duration of the trip. He also noted that no messengers from Amil had ever come, and Faunel's own messengers to Amil never returned. Our fears grew, and we raced to the Faunel hunting grounds a week's travel north.
Alas, our fears were confirmed. All signs of the hunting party, which included not only Lord Faunel but Lord Gan as well, ended in a deadly swamp. All about whispered little Fair Folk lights, and we bade them speak with us. Snake's status as an Eclipse was our saving grace. We inquired as to the whereabouts of the hunting party, and the Fae happily led us to their watery grave. With guarantees that they will not harm us, we quickly retrieve the signet rings of Faunel and Gan.
We asked why such a thing would be done, and it was quickly revealed that Brother Bright was behind it all. Bright, and his twin Smile, had been playing many of the cantrevs against one another in the past few years as proxies for their own hatreds. This was the latest of manuvers; Smile bet Bright that his brother could not start a war between the friends that were Faunel and Amil, and Bright lept at the challenge. With Faunel and Gan dead, Bright's many glamours could now be brought to bear behind the war machines that had been assembled.
With all speed we hastened back to Faunel, seeing the army gearing up to depart. We arranged an audience with the Regent-General, Talos-san. We recognized him as the mysterious traveller who we encountered so many months ago. Behind him, as before, Innocent stood. We staved our questions as to their involvement with the desicration of the charm, and instead spoke about the war.
We convinced Talos to stop the army when it was revealed one of his advisors had dissapeared without a trace. That, in conjunction with the desicrated charm, spoke loudly enough of curious goings on that he did not move the army from Faunel's capitol. We raced to Amil, desperate to stop their advance as well.
Alas, we were too late. Amil's army had departed, and was almost to the border. We raced past, desperate to gain a legitimate order from Amil himself. Fast words met with success as we raced back to the army. Woefully, as we had begun to suspect, a Fair Folk clad in glamours led it, and they refused interferance; firing on anyone who came close. Te tried to sneak in and expose the Fair One for what he truly was, but was met with failure. Rei tried her feminine charms upon him, but also met with rejection. Finally, I decided to face the army down. We would stop them with force, as subtle means were simply not working.
With our backs to the setting sun, we spread out and announced ourselves, presenting our animas. The leader advanced and traded a few words, but was unimpressed with our display, and ordered his army foreward. Our forces met, and a grand battle was had. My hammer felled many foes, and though many tried, few managed even glancing blows against me. Rei's anima and arrows combined to break many of the men's morale, while Snake took a more personal touch. Forge and his minions joined in the fray, and soon Amil's forces were either dead or scattered.
Weakened, we did not wish to fight the Fae lord, who shared our sentiments. He pledged an oath to never bother us, and left. We rested briefly, and set out for Faunel.
ST Edit- Lord Sword, the Fae Lord who was leading the army, actually swore to never again take from an unwilling human, and to tell Brother Bright what had happened. Serpent, on the other hand, promised not to harm him, or knowingly allow the Circle to harm him. DS
