Chapter 11 ( Two Paladins in the Chapel of Light)

Old Thibideau looked down at the children and spoke softly,” Ok now children, go on down to the kitchen and have Cook whip you up a snack and meet me back here in Thirty minutes, I need to speak to your father’s real quickly. Run now.” The children got up and ran in a mass down to the kitchen scrambling to get old Cook to listen to what they wanted to eat. “ Wait now! One at the time! “ Each child said something different and the cook just signed..” Oh now! I am NOT gonna be cooking for an hour to get you all snacks . Time for a vote!” Who wants cookies and some fried chicken? Those are already made. I can have Dazzie go get some milk. “ Dazzie nodded and ran to the barn with a jug to get the milk and came back quickly. The coldness of the underground stream kept things quite cool on the backside of the barn.

” Here Tammy! He said as she pulled the tray of cookies down and placed them on the table. “ Eat now, and then go finish your story. Old Thibideau is a good man. He is a little busy with the elders but he loves to take time out for you all. You know he is so brave and strong. ”  she said with a long far off stary eyed look.

The children ate in silence as Tammy the cooks  fried chiken was the best anywhere around and her cookies were the best in all of Rage Gale. She even had her son selling them in the streets four days a week to make extra money. Finishing up about thirty minutes later, the children all ran back to the hearth and sat quietly . There Thibideau sat smoking his old antler bone pipe. The smell of cherry Cavendish tobacco mixed with cannabis permeated the air. Crossing his leg and propping it on his knee he placed the book on his lap and said.” Now , where were we? “ As he adjusted his monocle and began to read again.” YOU know I am getting blind in my old age soon one of your parents are going to have to continue the adventures in these tomes.” He said with a wink.

Meanwhile On the flipside….

Drow flanked by his wife and children, who refused to let her man out of her sight once she got him back after so many years boarded the Zeppelin to the Under Belly beneath Lorthamar’s ruins. Drow spoke quickly, “You did arrange for me to meet with this Sylvia?” He asked of his brother.” In a huff he responded,” Yes brother, I been doin’ your damn job for three years and you still don’t think I can handle a small thing like a little message.” Goareth said in clipped voice. The goblin heralded their landing at the Under belly and they all disembarked and walked towards the front gates of Lorthramar.

The ruins lay all around their feet as they passed by broken statues and wells, stone benches lay scattered in broken bits. As they rounded the corner to enter into the covered part of the city a mournful, soulful, beautiful sound could be heard coming from the throne room. There standing in the center of the star in the center of the throne room was Rayne Straithairn singing and dancing in circles to the dark Goddess. Keening her pain and begging the Goddess for peace. It brought tears to all of their eyes as she pleaded for release. Lucifer had caused this woman so much pain. She’d just only maybe a year or so ago found her elfish body again and transformed back from the Human ranger she was imprisoned within.

 Turning at the end of her song there were Drow and his entourage standing in mystified rapture in her presence. “Excuse me Milady, I am Drow of the Blackwell this is my family. I have come to discuss what must be done about Lucifer.” Rage filled Rayne's body and she shook from head to toe.

” My good Drow, You no doubt have my full support from the putrified armies at my disposal. Lucifer must be stopped. You say there is a truce between the Blackwell and Human alliances?” Drow nodded silently and bowed elegantly before the woman.” The queen beckoned to his wife and family,” Come follow me below and come see the apothecaries and vendors.

All Blackwell cities and peoples are welcome here for trade as of this moment.” They followed her down a hallway and into an elevator that sped downwards and opened into a beautiful underbelly of the city. Great arches and stone work of exquisite beauty etched the whole of the city. A large river of green ooze ran through what used to be the sewers of the city above. Great beasts stood guard that emanated a slightly putrid smell. Drows’s twins Trookie and Moawth’s noses shriveled up at the smell. The almost three year olds grabbed hold of each of their father’s hands. 

His young son looked up at him and said proudly,” I’m gonna be like you one day daddy.” Smiling down at his son and replied,” You have just only met me my son how could you know that you would want to be like me?” Stopping in his tracks and looking up at his father seriously,” Mother says you have honor and truth and are very strong for an orcish shaman. She says you are a great king with int...integer something.

I want to be a shaman like you father.” The great Orc’s eyes misted over, never before had he felt so humbled or loved in all his years. Looking down at his daughter and asked,” So shall you be as your mother young one?” Trookie looked up at her father and shook her head in a matter of fact way. “No father, I want to be a rogue and sneak up on the enemy to protect you so you won’t ever have to go away again.” Smiling at his wife ,“well I guess their paths are set my love.” Moving to a vendor he bought his daughter her first set of daggers and his son his first mace. looking further down the row he saw someone vending something that smelled amazing. The smell of hamburgers and bacon on the air. He went over to the burger stand and ordered the largest burger they had and the children little burgers. sitting down with his fmaily he shared the huge burger with Meesha. They were a family again, Drow was content and happy for the first time in a very long time even thought the world was on the brink of war.

Meanwhile back at the Chapel of Light….

Early morning dawned on the Chapel of light and the twin suns shone in beautiful beams of light through the stained glass windows. Sounds of a burgeoning battle came from outside as the great paladin came and nudged Daz with his boot slightly. “Wake up Palid, Time to go kill some scourgeus zombies riddled with nanobots.” Miralania woke and lifted her head off her forearms as she lay on the pew behind Daz. Her delicate hooves flexed slightly and her legs twitched underneath her leg plates. Her silken pale purple thighs were struck with gentle beams of light that streamed through the windows. 

“ Battle? Oh for the love of Light! It’s too early in the morning!” she growled. Sitting up she put her chest plate back on and pulled on her gauntlets and summoned her ghoulish little crazy man who carried what she told him to do.

Forging stood back a moment to allow the ghoul to pass thinking somehow it looked a bit familiar but shook it off. As they reached the door ,the battle was well underway when Mordred came into view, Paladins swarmed everywhere and Miralania wondered where they came from. Taking up her swords she began fighting alongside her ghoul and Daz. Looks of bewilderment dawned on some of the Paladins faces as they began to remember who they once were. Thibideu Forging had cast a consecration spell upon the holy ground on which they stood and it began to fight off the darkness that had been handed to the knights. Suddenly! They all stopped fighting and looked at each other as Daz looked up and yelled to the former commander,” It’s Over Darius! They have turned against Lucifer! They have found a way to fight the curse that wracks their bodies.”

Miralania stepped forward, tail swishing and drew her blades and stood in a battle stance awaiting Mordred’s next move. Forging yelled to her, “Bring them here to me!” Turning to the troops she once commanded and yelled,” Come with me now!” They all turned and followed their commander walking to Forging. Two hundred knights turned and followed her to the great paladin. Mordred yelled at her,” What? What is this? Have you learned nothing yet?” 

Suddenly from behind him, Daz disarmed Mordred from his sword and tossed it to Forging and spoke quickly,” I do believe from what I can remember, this belongs to you.” Reaching his hand out the mighty Paladin caught the sword by its hilt just as if it knew who its real wielder was all along and strove to come back to him. Then holding his long lost friend high above his head he stomped the ground fiercely yelling “ The Power of Mother fucking Shit Cunts Compells you!!!” 

Which released the strongest purification spell he’d ever seen to cleanse his weapon. But in doing so he also further cleansed the undead paladins within the realm of the purification’s blast. Both the elf and faun looked at each other in clearer light. Without a thought the question beckoned from Darius’s lips “What is this” with a look of wrath Forging stared down Mordred, “Have you learned Nothing child? The Devil sent you all here to die he knows what lies beneath this hallowed ground why do you think he was too much of a coward to come here himself.”

The brilliance of the light increased as if placed there by the gods themselves revealing to the world a fragment of Darius’s past “Father, I am ready I want to go to battle with you!” “No my son ,someday you will be strong and brave and a leader of men but now is not the time” “But father” “no buts Darius, someday I will no longer be with you and you will wield the Sword Of Light, but now is not the time.” The ground shook as a green portal opened and a shade Of Lucifer stepped through speaking “Touching ,if I had known it would be this Easy to draw the great Thibideau Forging out of hiding.” Darius in his rage, reached for the two swords on his belt and lunged at Lucifer “You deceived me, you deceived us all.” Just to have his assault blocked by Satan’s Sword Of Frost fire knocked him clear back to Forging. “Yes, I did send you all to die and I will send more, you mean nothing to me, You cannot kill me with mere mortal blades. I am imortal you little fucking whelps.” Lucifer replied looking at Forging, he roared “I’m going to deeply enjoy bending you to my will paladin” Thibideau, with deep rage and hatred replied,

 “This ends here Lucifer the light will tear you apart” as he launched himself clear off the ground and struck the devil clean and decisively knocking him to his knees, Satan rose and opened a new portal, Then Daz in his angered brilliance steps forward and again scream' The power of mother fucking shit cunts compells you. Fucker!” then turns to the crowd. “ This shit fucker pretends to be my friend, Kills my momma and tired to kill me and expects me not to whoop his shit cunt ass. Who's the fucking dick lick?” the crowd shouted back at Daz. “He's fucking dick lick.” Daz responds again. “ The Dazmiester facilitated the realtionship of Janice Pridewell who is hiding, mind you a child conceived of Lucifer.” 

Forging steps up and brandishes his sword. “ Daz, bide your time we will get that shit fucker soon enough.” “This is not over Forging!” Lucifer said and stepped though the portal disappearing from the hallowed grounds. Rage flowed through Thibideau as he ran towards the portal and yelled,” You are right Lucifer, this isn’t over yet! “Turning to the knight he continued, “Today I propose a new alliance, The Undead paladins and the Order of the Rose joining together in an alliance to be called the New Templar Order Crusade.”

“ Together! We will march into Gahenna, tear down the gates of his citadel, dismantle his scourge and make him pay for what he has done!” I have Letters for you to take to the kings of your factions allowing you access to their cities and amenities. Come forwards and receive them and enter the portals the battle mages will create for you.”

Amidst the din and aftermath of the battle Daz caught someone familiar out of the corner of his eye and turned to see the person more clearly as she stepped forward to receive her letter to the king. Stepping forward he brought his hand down stilling Forgings hand before he handed the letter to the woman before him.” Woman! Look up at me.” Daz said in a hoarse voice. Tentatively, the woman looked up at him and recognition flitted across her countenance. “I- I do not know who I am.” She said as she looked into Daz’s eyes.” I- I know you. Yes, yes I know you.” Daz completely at a loss for words swallowed hard for a few moments and rage flowed through him as he remembered every last detail of the battle that claimed her life. Ishellia reached up and touched his face and softly crooned a Hebrew lullaby “You are my mother, Ishellia. He said as he enveloped her into his strong arms.”

The woman stood transfixed on the spot unable to catch her breath as he continued,” You died here the same day I nearly died here trying to save your life. I only lived because I wield Excalibur, n- now you must go to the Blackwell and me to Rage Gale. Go straight to Drow he wont let anything happen to you and I am sure you will be able to reside in his castle.” 

Still unable to speak, tears rolled down her face as Thibideau spoke, “New Orleans is still neutral all you have to do is remember how to get there.” Recognition flashed on her face as she remembered the city and new hope arose in her heart. Looking up at her son with tears in her eyes she touched his face and spoke,” YOU are the salvation to come Valudaz, never forget that. He cannot hope to defeat your army and in a moment when you think all is lost, I will be there, you can trust that my son. I will be there.”

 With one last look at Forging she nodded and stepped through the portal to Blackwell’s outer city gates. Taking a deep breath and stood there not sure as what she should do next, not knowing this city she had no idea where the Drow would be. Well, she would just have to wing it. She went into a nearby stabel and tossed coin on the ground and saddled a steed. she stepped her heavy foot into the stirrup and threw a leg over and seated herself. Thinking to herself,” Gods’ I hate this plate! I so yearn for my silk.”

 Gathering the reins into her hands she spurred Goliath into a canter through the city gates. The Guards began to chase her around the corner screaming obscenities at her. Tears welled in her eyes, she was royalty, Heir to Lorthramar’s throne in Valudus’s place in the event of his death. This was more than she could bear, suddenly! A large brown minotaur knocked her off her steed and to the ground.

Flipping up nimbly, she stood her ground and spoke in a raspy voice,” I have a letter for the king, I intend to give it to him.” Stalking away from him, someone threw a rotting cabbage at her and it splattered on the back of her plate and bits caught in her hair making her choke back the vomit that threatened to come.

Turning down a dark alleyway she prayed she was going the right direction. Summoning her steed once again she mounted him and cantered her way around the bend when three trolls began running after with torches in hand.” Vermin! Scourge! Demon!” Tears threatened once more as they pelted her with rotten apples. Suddenly the alley opened up into a valley where the king’s keep stood in front of her. 

She stepped down from her mount and resolutely walked up the steps one by one looking down at her feet as she did. Anger arose in her at the distaste of being in a Blackwell city and appalled she had to troth to a Blackwell King. This king had better be worth it, and she needed to find Drow. As she stepped into the great hall guards flanked her as she made her way to the king. They shoved her down on her knees and crossed their lances in front of her as if that could really stop her. Then as she looked up at the throne, who sat there but one of her best friends, Drow. The very person she was told to find, Tears misted in her eyes as moments of recognition passed her mind’s eye. Tilting her head looking at him mournfully, Drow raised his hand and stilled the guards. Ishellia, tightened her grip upon the letter in her hand and took each step slowly to the foot of his throne and knelt there, letter outstretched.

 For a few moments Drows tears threatened to flow and he choked them back. Rage flowed in his soul for what Lucifer had done to this most powerful mage now kneeling before him in heavy plate. Clearing his throat his spoke,” Ishellia! Rise before me my friend, you alone may never have to bow before me if it were not for your kindness and friendship I could not have borne being jailed those three years. You alone.” He looked around his throne room and challenged any who would contest his word. Then Goareth exploded,” This wench! This wench was your captor! Kill her she is evil! She is an undead paladin!” Drow stood up and stepped quickly to his brother and grasped the neck of his shirt. “NEVER! Never speak of her in that manner in my presence do you understand me?! She left my cell doors open I had complete run of Dragon’s Keep, I could have left at any time. I was treated with respect and honor. The only reason I was locked in was those fetid beasts that overtook the keep. I was trying to stay alive they would rattle the bars slightly and when the doors didn't open they went their mindless way. ” 

Beckoning to his wife, “My love, take her to bathe and find her some more suitable attire then we will sit and talk awhile.” Meesha stepped forward and gently led Ishellia to the back hallway. Looking at Drow’s brother with disgust over her shoulder, she spoke harshly,” If I’d wanted to kill him , do you not think I would have dispatched him in the years he spent in the cell in my keep? Drow, he needs some manners.” She spoke as Meesha led her away.