The Depths of Darkness; A Blind Warrior’s Tale

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Rhalia
New Adventurer
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:56 pm

The Depths of Darkness; A Blind Warrior’s Tale

Postby Rhalia » Fri Dec 03, 2021 12:44 am

Prologue

In the dead of a cool spring eve, on the outskirts of Dundee, two clerics work feverishly amidst the deafening screams of the warrior. Her face is covered with a thick mixture of sweat and tears, and her hair is plastered to her face because of it. There is blood... a lot of blood.
For the past two-hundred and forty-eight marcs, the clerics have been tending to the laboring Katria, a noble warrior woman of renowned beauty and a capable protector of Valorn. After nine cycles, Katria's baby is finally coming.
The experienced warrior is most certainly no stranger to pain, but the delivery of her child is a pain she never expected. It has been a rough delivery, and something has gone wrong.
"Take over the healing for me, aye? I need to replenish my power.", one of the clerics, the man, says.
"Aye.", the female cleric replies simply as she extends her hand over the writhing Katria.
"AAAAARRRRRR.... AAAAHHHH...!!!", Katria screams as another wave of torment wracks her body.
"I see the head!", the female cleric exclaims excitedly.
The male cleric downs the rest of his potion and flings the empty vial into the corner, shattering it. He hurries over and resumes his place next to the female.
"Please resume the prayers to the gods.", he instructs the female cleric. "Katria, we're almost there. When I say, give one more BIG push."
Panting heavily, clearly exhausted and in anguish, Katria nods weakly.
"Miranda... Zeric... Kailani... Please bless this child who is about to take his first breath in Trinald... Look over him... protect him... may your light ever shine upon him...", the female cleric prays.
"On the count of three.", the male tells Katria. "One... Two... THREE...!!!"
"RRRAAAAHHH... AAARRRRAAAAHHH...!!!", Katria howls.
After a torturous few part-marcs of hellish pain, Katria finally feels her womb release it's cargo. The male cleric gingerly pulls the baby from her and holds it up.
There's no sound... no crying. Katria's face is a mask of pained fear far more anguished than the two-hundred and forty-eight marcs of labor she just endured. Her blue eyes are wide with panic, her breathing is ragged.
The two clerics hurriedly set the silent baby on a clean table and begin a frantic combination of healings, blessings and prayers. Though only part-marcs pass, it feels as though it is taking years.
"aaaAAAHHH... WWWAAAHHH...", the baby finally cries out.
Katria begins to weep in relieved joy.
After a few more part-marcs, the male cleric finally approaches Katria, presenting her baby to her.
She tenderly cradles her baby boy in her arms. She is exhausted, but nothing in Trinald could keep her from this moment.
"We did all we could Katria. I know not the cause of the trouble, but something happened. He is alive... but I am afraid... the complication seems to have rendered him sightless..."
Katria regards the cleric, a confused and unbelieving look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry m'lady...", the female adds as she approaches. "By Ben and Cory, we did everything we could."
Katria looks at her briefly, then her eyes settle back to her newborn who is still whimpering. Looking at him for a long part-marc, she finally speaks, her hoarse voice cracking with the strain of her previous screaming.
"No matter... He's alive, and that is well enough for me. If this be the will of the gods, then so be it. They have their reasons."
"Aye...", the male cleric agrees simply, not knowing what else to say.
"He IS a beautiful baby boy.", the female cleric contributes, clearly weary herself, but also invigorated by the experience of bringing a new life into the world. "What shall you name him?"
Katria looks into her baby's face, he finally calming into a troubled slumber. Tears fall from Katria's eyes as she beholds her miracle.
"His name will be Rhalia."

Rhalia
New Adventurer
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:56 pm

The Depths of Darkness

Postby Rhalia » Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:59 am

Chapter 1

8 Cycles Later

The winter air is still in the Verthedge Forest, bitter cold and biting any exposed skin as Katria trudges through a fresh blanket of snow. She sends up a silent prayer, thanking the gods for the lack of wind and asking them to keep Rhalia warm and safe. She had done her best to ensure his comfort, swaddling the infant in a wolf’s pelt and tucking him snugly in the carrier she had fashioned from her old yeti hide cloak. Between the two furs, Katria placed a jar containing one of the fire elementals she had captured along the way. Her own jar was slung around her neck and settled between her shoulder blades with the hope that some of it’s heat would transfer through the layers of insulation separating her from the baby on her back. The jar provided enough warmth under her own covering to make the sub-zero temperature just bearable, though she took greater pains for Rhalia than herself. Fortunately, it seems to have been enough. He has not made a sound since leaving Strom's camp, presumably sleeping soundly in his cocoon.
Katria glances over her shoulder to the mass of furs containing her child and smiles fondly. Not even a year old yet, and tougher than most men. The past eight cycles has not been easy for either of them, though undoubtedly no mother finds raising an infant by herself easy. Some might call her reckless for bringing a child so young this far into the wilderness, and normally, they would be right. However, Katria is a more than capable warrior... and extremely protective of Rhalia. It's not like she had any alternatives anyway.
Besides, she wanted Strom to meet her boy. Her hope was that her old friend might offer some guidance on how to raise Rhalia in this increasingly dangerous world.
A buzzing breaks Katria from her reverie. Looking up, she sees the enormous hive of the giant bees that frequently flit about the forest in warmer weather. One of those bees typically grows to be about the size of a man's head, so their hives are understandably sizable. The one she is looking at now seems to be roughly the size of Dundee Inn. It hangs from a thick branch of one of the thousands of giant oak trees that make up the Verthedge.
As she plods along, Katria's thoughts return to Strom and their meeting. He is a friend from times long past, he being the one to perform the bonding ceremony between her and Rhallus. Strom was also responsible for turning her to the path of Devorah Jane. While her faith may not be as substantial as Strom's, Katria is firmly devoted to the gods. Her words on the day of Rhalia's birth have become somewhat of a mantra for her. "They have their reasons."
Strom gladly sat and talked with Katria about how she might handle bringing Rhalia up. For his part, rhalia took an immediate liking to Strom, and the reverse was certainly true. Katria smiled as Strom bounced little Rhalia upon his knee, the infant giggling emphatically.
"He is a lovely boy my dear. He certainly looks like his father."
"Thank you Strom. and yes, he does.", Katria replied with a smile.
"I am sure that by now you have heard of the increasing number of reports of the undead raiding life monuments.", the old cleric said, his gaze still upon the baby on his knee.
"I have.", Katria said simply, her smile faltering.
Strom fixed his eyes on Katria and continued. "Rumor has it a powerful necromancer is behind the attacks, though no motive has been determined of yet."
Katria nodded, her eyes fixed on the cleric's face. "Aye, I have heard similarly."
"There is no telling how things will turn out at this point. Any information I have managed to gather is vague. All I know is that, for whatever reason, subjugated zombies are systematically attacking the life monuments. That aside, Trinald is fraught with danger as it is."
Again, Katria nodded, her gaze locked intently on Strom's face.
"My dear...", Strom continued after a split-marc, "I am afraid there is no easy course of action for you, or rhalia. You will have to fight... and so will he."
Katria's eyes widened at those words. Of course she would fight, she had been fighting her entire life. But Rhalia?
"I know what you must be thinking Katria, but trust in the gods. I can see a fine warrior in this boy. There is more to the world than what you can see, and I am being told that this will be his path."
For the entirety of their friendship, Katria had never known Strom to be wrong in his predictions, or to take such matters lightly, and it was this fact that drove a spike of anxiety through her core.
"I know this is difficult for you Katria, and the troubles will only become greater, but you MUST prepare him... and yourself for what is to come.", Strom admonished, a stern expression on his face.
Strom looked at Rhalia once again and then back to Katria, his countenance softening.
"Through everything Katria... be sure he knows his mother's love, and the love of the gods."
The meeting dwindled after those last words. Katria packed her child up and departed shortly afterward.
Her breath comes out in thick clouds of vapor against the cold air as she treks through the forest towards the canyons that will take her back to the eastern mountain range. She plays the conversation over and over inn her head. How is she supposed to prepare Rhalia for such dangers? For herself, it was just a matter of training like she always did, though it had been quite a long time since she had been to a trainer. But her blind son?
Just then, Katria is snapped out of herself once again. However, it is not the buzzing of gigantic bees, but growling. There, towering before her is a giant Ebon wolf. It's golden eyes regard her hungrily, and it's large fangs drip with it's saliva.
Katria pauses in her tracks, not making any sudden movements while she surreptitiously scans around herself. Her knowledge of the forest and it's inhabitants telling her that wolves never hunt alone. Sure enough, out of the corner of her eye, she spots a second wolf circling around to block off any retreat.
Narrowing her eyes, she slowly brings her hand to the hilt of her sword. The wolf in front of her takes a tentative step forward, and the wolf behind her emits a low and guttural growl.
When her hand finally touches the pommel of her weapon, she draws it in a flash of blinding light. The wolves whine in pain as the light of Katria's blade washes over them. After a few split-marcs of the dazzling luminescence, the two Ebon Wolves scamper off to find easier prey.
Katria smirks to herself as she sheaths her sword. She glances over her shoulder to her infant again... not even a peep.
Katria begins walking once again,, her legs have begun to go numb from standing still in the cold for so long. as she walks, a thought hits her like a thunderbolt.
Her knowledge of the forest and it's inhabitants... She has travelled virtually all over Trinald, battling just about any creature imaginable. Her experience is paralleled by few. If anyone could teach Rhalia to survive, it was her. It HAD to be her.
This fact she had already more or less surmised, and the prospect terrified her. But the encounter with the wolves made the fact all the more clear.
Her eyes welling with tears, Katria drops to her knees and cries out.
"Gods... I am so afraid... I know what must be done, but I am so afraid.... Please, guide me... Help me to find the strength to raise my son in this world... Help me to teach him... To protect him... And please help me to protect Valorn..."
With this prayer, Katria suddenly feels a peace flow into her. Her anxiety abates and her head clears. She looks to the sky but sees nothing, save for the expected limbs of the giant oaks ladened with snow. However, Katria knows with no doubt that something divine has heard her supplication and is watching.
Inspired, Katria rises to her feet with renewed resolve and continues on her way home.

Rhalia
New Adventurer
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:56 pm

The Depths of Darkness

Postby Rhalia » Sun Dec 12, 2021 4:31 pm

Chapter 2

Katria


Twenty-seven years old and the daughter of many generations of warriors, Katria presents a strong and beautiful figure. Standing around 5’ 7”, on long and shapely legs, her deceptively slender body is well defined with tight and toned muscle.
Her long hair is the color of Sunrifter’s first rays as it broaches the eastern horizon, as though each strand were imbued with the incomprehensible beauty and splendor of the gods themselves. Large eyes, like two deep pools of sapphire, adorn Katria’s round and pretty face. Shining intelligently, they are set atop high cheekbones, a dainty nose and plump lips.

Brought up in the ways of the warrior from a very early age, Katria’s life has been marked by violence. Relentless training at the hands of her father, constant sparring, as well as the frequent tussles with local bandits and beasts have keenly honed her body and her wits. Though she may appear lithe, Katria possesses a monstrous strength that rivals any man. It is likely due to this that only twice has she been bested in a match; her father being one, and her bondmate Rhallus being the other.

As she sits at a low table grinding herbs for making salves, Katria watches little Rhalia with a smile on her face. The boy is seated on the floor in the middle of the small hut that they share. His broad grin and fits of giggles warming her heart. Though Rhalia had just recently received many toys for his first birthturn a few turns prior, he is more than content to sit and play with the small cat pelt that Katria brought back a half-cycle ago. Rhalia grins as his pudgy fingers trace the soft fur, bursting into boisterous laughter when he tosses the pelt into the air and it comes back down on top of his head. He repeats this over and over, seeming to never tire of his simple game. Katria beams and laughs softly as she watches her boy.

Four cycles have passed since her meeting with Strom. Winter’s cold and unrelenting grip has slowly been broken by the warmth of spring’s renewal. The plants and trees have regained much of their vigor, and buds are beginning to form among their foliage.
Returning her attention to the herbs, Katria’s smile falters as she is reminded of her conversation with the cleric. His words have reverberated through her mind every turn since their meeting. Upon their arrival home, Katria immediately set out to develop a plan to train her son. With much deliberation, Katria constructed a plan that she believed would work. It would be very difficult, for both she and Rhalia. Difficult and cruel. But no matter how she looked at it, she was convinced that it was the only way. Talking to her close friends and the clerics at the local temple, they offered their concerns relating to her plan, but none could offer any viable alternatives.
So, she began. The first step was to learn to walk and navigate without the use of her eyes. How could she expect to teach her blind son anything if she didn’t have at least some idea of what he went through every turn? Using a silk covering over her eyes and a long stick, with the aid of a knowledgeable cleric who was experienced in such matters, Katria commenced her training.
After about a quarter-cycle, she had learned enough that the help of the cleric was no longer necessary. She would practice walking around blindfolded for a few marcs each turn. Gradually, she increased the duration and frequency of her sessions, until two cycles had passed and she would walk around blindfolded more often than not. Her plan was to eventually remain blindfolded for turns on end. Then, the real training would begin.
Katria pauses in her grinding and looks at her son again, worry clutching at her heart. He has already begun to stand and take his first steps. Soon it would be time to move forward with the next phase. She figures she has six cycles at the most before then. She will not begin the next step until Rhalia has been fully weaned. She will do her best to make each turn as pleasant and memorable as possible, because when that time comes, the real difficulty will begin.

Rhalia
New Adventurer
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:56 pm

Re: The Depths of Darkness; A Blind Warrior’s Tale

Postby Rhalia » Fri Dec 31, 2021 2:10 am

Chapter 3

As the muted rays of Sunrifter struggle to pierce the gloom within the Dark Forest, a lone figure shrouded in a dark cloak plods along the forest path. The detritus cracks and snaps under foot as they make their way toward Milltown. The traveler moves with a cautious, yet confident gait.
A rustling in the underbrush nearby causes the cloaked figure to pause mid-stride. After a few split-marcs, a cute and adorable bunny dashes out of a nearby thicket. The traveler remains in their spot, their hand drifting to the hilt of their sword.
“How long do you intend to remain hidden? I believe you have me surrounded now, so why the hesitation?”, Katria’s voice issues forth from under the cowl of her cloak.
At that moment, a half dozen forest bandits appear in the trees around her, swiftly closing in and blocking off any possible routes of retreat. The cloaked figure of Katria heaves a noticeably audible and visible sigh.
“About time… Apparently, your mothers haven’t taught you to never keep a lady waiting.”, she says, a smirk evident in her voice. “But only six of you? You obviously don’t know who I am… or you severely overestimate yourselves.”

One of the bandits directly in front of her steps forward with a cocky grin on his face.
“It don’t matter who ya are little lady… What matters is yer purse n’ yer gear…”, the bandit captain says, his gruff voice dripping with faux geniality. “Now let’s just make things easier on yerself and save us all the time of having to take it all by force, aye?”
The bandit places a meaty hand upon Katria’s cloaked shoulder in mock companionship.
“This will be your one and only warning…”, Katria hisses from under her cowl, “You will remove your filthy hand from me and take your sorry excuse of a gang and go this instant, or you will severely regret the turn you were born…”
A cruel and malevolent smile spreads across the captain’s face.
“Heh heh heh… You hear that boys?”, he announces loudly to his companions. “She likes it rough…”
He takes a step toward Katria, the hand on her shoulder beginning to squeeze hard. Katria makes no reaction to the increasing pressure of his grip. The bandit leans his scruffy face nearer to the opening of her hood.
“I’ll let ya in on a little secret…”, he growls in a low tone, “We prefer it this way… we just wanted to see if ya would give us a little show…”
“You want a show…?, Katria asks, her voice growing harsh.
She brings a gauntleted hand up and grips the bandits wrist.
“I’ll give you a show…”
*SNAP*
“AAAAAAHHHHHH…!!!”, the bandit captain cries out in pain as his wrist is broken by a quick squeeze and jerk of Katria’s hand.
She releases his arm and he pulls it back, his hand hanging limply.
“YA MIRE HAG!!! GET ‘ER BOYS! SEND THIS WENCH TO BALTHAZAR’S CHAMBERS!”, he shouts in agony.
At once, the five remaining outlaws converge on Katria, drawing daggers and hatchets. The leader steps back, cradling his broken wrist in his other hand with a grimace.
Katria draws a wooden training sword and assumes a defensive posture. One of the thugs charges her from the front, raising a wood hatchet above his head. As he draws near, he brings the blade down in an arc. Katria parries the strike, catching the hatchet just under the blade with her wooden sword. The thug’s weapon is sent flying out of his hand, and he is sent flying backward as Katria rams her shoulder into his sternum.
Another of the ruffians rushes her from behind, dagger poised to pierce her between the shoulder blades. Quick as a bolt, Katria spins, her wooden sword catching the new assailant in the ribs. He cries out as a loud *CRACK* issues from the point of contact. The bandit crumples to the ground in agony.

The remaining three bandits form a triangle around her and circle warily. Katria remains still, her training sword at the ready.
At once, the three bandits charge her from their respective positions. Katria stoops low and swings her wooden blade around in a 360 degree arc. The maneuver catches two of the thugs in their knees, toppling them. The third however leaps over the blade and lands just in front of Katria. He swings his rapier down, but his strike is parried. She rises and catches him just under the jaw with a fist, laying him out.
A hand reaches out from behind her and grasps at her neck, but only comes away with her cloak as she twists in a blur.
“WAAAAHHH… WAAAAHHH…”, a baby’s wails cut through the ambience of the forest coupled with the groans of the fallen bandits.
Lightning fast, Katria lashes out and grabs the bandit captain by the throat, her cloak still clasped in his fist.
“Do you have any idea how long it took me to finally get him to sleep…?, Katria growls as she squeezes the bandit’s throat. “I was hoping to enjoy a peaceful walk to Milltown… but you and your idiot friends ruined that…”
The bandit captain looks down into her blindfolded face, his eyes filled with terror at the rage his dimming vision relays.
“I told you to leave me… I warned you…”
“AAAHHH… WAAAHHH…”, Rhalia wails.
“Shhhh… shhhh… it’s ok baby boy… it’s ok…”, Katria says sweetly, trying to soothe the crying baby that hangs from her chest in a makeshift carrier as she still firmly holds the lead thug by the throat.
“I am feeling particularly gracious this turn, and I now have a crying baby to tend to thanks to you and your pathetic band…”, Katria says, harshness returning to her voice as she addresses the captain, “So let this be your final warning. Take your goons and go. Never approach me again. Am I understood?”
The bandit nods his head as vigorously as he is able with her hand firmly around his throat.
“Then be gone!”, Katria hisses as she flings him away from her.
He lands on his behind with a thud, crying out in pain as his broken wrist is jostled in his fall. He quickly gets to his feet and rouses his beaten companions. They flee as quickly as their battered bodies can carry them.
Katria briefly listens as they hurriedly beat a retreat before turning her attention to the whimpering infant strapped to her chest.
“There there Rhalia… no more crying.”, Katria consoles her infant.
She lifts him from the carrier and begins to nurse him as she continues toward Milltown. Rhalia finally begins to settle as he feeds from his mother.
Katria exhales a weary sigh as she rounds a bend in the forest trail and makes the last leg of the trip to the gates of Milltown.


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