The first point, the beginning of what we call time, happened when that which was coalesced, and became Something; or rather, two Somethings, for you cannot have something without being able to distinguish it from Something Else.
And thus, were Lady Order and Lord Chaos born. They developed, and together their progeny became those we know as the Titans. However, Lady Order and Lord Chaos, while fond - as parents are - of their offspring, had no interest in their activities. For once a day, or whatever length of time they call day, Lady Order and Lord Chaos would gather together for the Game.
Every day, they played chess.
"Shall we play together, Beloved Order?" asked his mate, holding his hands out, a pawn concealed in each hand. And each day, Lady Order chose a hand, to find out what color she would champion as they contested against each other.
Amazingly enough, she always chose the White Pawn; but then again, randomness is the nature of Chaos, and she would not ever willingly intrude on her mate's desmesnes.
As she always did, she sat at the board while Lord Chaos arranged the pieces - and while they always ended up in their starting positions, the order in which they were placed on the board was never the same way twice.
====================================
The Cathedral in Stormwind was a quiet place, full of peace and tranquility. A place of harmony and quiet contemplation.
Ordinarily.
Today, four fellows in mendicant robes descended the steps to the catecombs below. They did not pause in the small annex of forbidden books, but continued down and down again, deep within the sepulchure. One of them led, but none of the four made a sound. Finally, they found a small alcove, and could descend no more.
"Here will be sufficient" said the leader, Aurenox Silverlaine by name. Acting on his orders, the other three stripped off their mendicant robes, and donned the tabards of the Scarlet Crusade. Without speaking, they all gathered in a half-circle, and the three began a low chant in Demonic. The very weft and weave of space tore itself asunder in a small way, and a mystic portal formed.
Intent on their portal, they did not notice Aurenox begin a spell of his own, one crafted especially for this purpose. Eldrich power flowed from his hands and around their portal, reinforcing it as the first of their clients stepped through.
The first person throuhg ther portal was wearing a mendicant robe with a full hood, which concealed her face. From her slender shape and height, the warlocks, had they speculated, would have guessed that she was one of those Kaldorei from Darnassus.
Soundlessly she drew a pair of daggers that glowed with an engulfing darkness, and did not hesitate as she began a lethal dance. The edges trailed crackling darkness in their wake, and before they realized they were under threat, the three warlocks collapsed like abandoned puppets, their throats cut. Tendrils of shadow continued to make their way from the bodies to the blades, like an inky smoke.
The portal did not fade; Aurenox' magic would not have been sufficient to open it by himself, but he could - barely - maintain it while four more figures came through. All of them wore the same plain pilgrimage robes, but their hoods were down. These were the Sindorei, called by the Alliance the Blood Elves, and were accounted enemies. The first through - their commander - pulled her own head back. She was Forsaken, and whatever race she had originally been had been obliterated by her advanced state of decomposition.
They spoke together in Gutterspeak, all of them looking at Aurenox. He assumed they were weighing whether or not to slay him where he stood, or keep their bargain. He was counting on the value of his continued service to overcome their desire to cut down a loose end, and he was not disappointed when the leader handed him a pouch.
He took it, and nodded his thanks. Seconds later, his hearthstone transported him back to Shattrach, where he had a small apartment. He had committed treason, and perhaps for nothing; the bag was said to contain a small bone taken from the body of Keruptis Sa'Diablo himself. Several such "artifacts" had proven fraudulent; but this one came from the leader of the Forsaken, Sylvanus herself. In short, it had a better, albeit not certain, chance of being genuine.
The necromancer grinned. He would know soon enough.
==========================
Lord Chaos leaned over the board. "You may begin, Beloved. The board is set".
Lady Order leaned forward, and chose the pawn that rested in front of the White King. She advanced it two spaces forward, into hazard.
====================================
Griffonclaw took the steps of the Cathedral swiftly; he was late. This morning he had recieved a note from Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker, who sought information about the Inquisition that roamed the city; his note said that he had heard much, but sought some different perspectives, and asked if Griffonclaw could meet him. Griffonclaw had confirmed his willingness, and had sent an invitation of his own... but he had been delayed, and was - literally - running late.
He spied the lady to whom he had sent the invitation, and smiled. Lady Annaliese of the Scions of Darkness was, oddly enough, an old friend, whether the policies and politics of the guild to which she belonged changed, as they were wont to do with the shifting internal power alignments, as to whether Griffonclaw was to be considered friend or enemy. Griffonclaw had long admired Annaliese, and held for her a particular affection since the night she had visited him in Stormwind, asking for assistance against the necromancer Griffonclaw had known as Bastion. He had helped her and Knath against their enemy, and they had been friends ever since. He had asked her to come to his meeting with Lord Grayson, for surely her views on the Inquisition would be valuable to Lord Grayson's deliberations.
==========================
Lord Chaos selected his own pawn, and moved it to block any further advance of Lady Order's pawn.
====================================
Banshih was not nervous... not precisely. Sylvanus was paying her a great deal to spearhead this attack, and had paid Lord Ghalleon Caedes well for supplying her with five assassins to assist her in the mission - the assassination of Archbishop Benedictus.
Apparently there were political factions within the Cathedral that disagreed with his gentle rule, and had made certain overtures. It had been decided that even of the Alliance traitors did not honor their commitment, it mattered not; introducing a measure of chaos and disruption, instilling paranoia and distrust within the Cathedral was deemed worthy in and of itself - especially considering that she and her minions all wore tabards of the Scarlet Crusade beneath their pilgrim's robes.
So far, all had gone according to plan; they had chosen a day when the traffic in the Cathedral was low, and were positioning themselves so that when the Archbishop came from his office to lead afternoon prayers, they would be able to strike. Banshih was always suspicious when things went according to plan.
Her eyes narrowed when Griffonclaw and Annaliese came through the outer door, and were greeted by the sacristan. With a hand-signal, she assigned one of her minions to keep watch on the infamous paladin; she was greatly distrustful of wildcards.
==========================
Lady Order smiled as her consort's fingers left the piece - such a traditional opening, by both of them. She smiled at him as she selected her King's Knight, and brought him to the field.
====================================
Craft was slightly hung-over and slightly annoyed, although at no particular target. The warrior had been late at his cups with his companions in the Argent Exodus, discussing and brainstorming what new challenge they should undertake together, and there had been no shortage of ale. Naturally, Craft had succeeded in leading in his cups as he did on the battlefield, and had slept late.
Almost too late - his wife, Maia Ramsey, had risen early that day and gone to the Cathedral. She often spent time there, in quiet contemplation in the library, or helping instruct some of the noviates. There were always people who needed help and counsel, and she was as selfless with her aid as she was beautiful.
She had left him a note, telling him of her busy schedule today, and pleading with him to make an effort to meet him for luncheon, as her afternoon was likewise full with meetings and duties. He had barely had enough time to wash his face before throwing on his accountrements and striding swiftly through the busy Stormwind streets.
==========================
"Interesting..." Lord Chaos mumbled softly. He hated playing a defensive game, but the Knight threatened his pawn; he would support it. He nudged the Black Queen's Pawn forward to protect the other.
====================================
Lareth of House Caedes saw his house comrade follow the paladin, and moved slowly to a place where he could observe; all of them were new to the noble house, and this mission was something of a proving for all of them. He would support his new sworn comrades to the best of his ability, even if it meant the mission failed; the House and the safety of its scions came first.
He was unaware that another set of eyes, under a green weather-stained but well-made cloak followed his every movements.
==========================
Lady Order picked up the King's Bishop; she had already moved the Knight whose place was by it's side, and she didn't want it to feel lonely or ill-used.
====================================
Maia scanned the crowd as she left the library, where she had been examining the precedent of canon law. Archbishop Benedictus was concerned about the rise of the so-called Inquisition, and had asked her to research their standing from the perspective of Cathedral law. She had spent much of the morning with musty old tomes that had survived the sack of Stormwind only by the grace ofthe Light, and the fact that the Horde had no interest in such matters.
The books had no pictures, after all.
She saw her husband come through the door, and a huge smile illuminated her face as is she was the source of all Light and goodness embodied; while slightly heretical, her husband was her Light, and her own paladin, whether he could channel the Light himself or not
==========================
"Ahh... well, let us see what we can do about that..." Lord Chaos mused, taking his Queen's Bishop and moving it to threaten his consort's Knight.
====================================
Zamboozle was in familiar form, having assumed his guise for the mission. He had been asked to provide his unique brand of support to this endevour, in case of great need; he had identified the Horde group as they had come from the catecombs, their disguises meaningless to his senses. He had immediately identified the leader, a rogue named Banshih, of which he had heard but never met.
He had been told the others were expendable, if necessary. He hoped that he would be able to remain in the background, undisturbed; although he was being, even for him, very well paid, having to establish another identity if his "Bamboozle" guise was exposed would be a significant inconvenience.
He saw Maia come forth from the library and embrace her husband in a warm but mostly chaste greeting. He saw their lines of force and auras meld into a conflagration of restrained passion and power - truly, they were well-matched.
And he wished they were well-matched elsewhere - Craft and Maia Ramsey put the entire operation in jeopardy, and greatly increased the odds of him being inconvenienced.
==========================
Lady Order did her best not to smile - although she rarely concieved an affection for a chess piece, this one was special to her, even if he was under the command of her consort. Time for a distraction, lest Lord Chaos discern her plan.
She always had a plan. She was Lady Order, after all. The Queen's Knight leaped its line of protective Pawns, and entered the fray.
====================================
Theresa entered the main hall of the Cathedral, and smiled, as she always did. Slowly, and with respect, she made her way forward to the base of the steps that led up to the altar. Joras and Alyssa Richards had no duties for her, and Dalrick was somewhat distracted by his plans for his upcoming nuptials to the warlock Meerlinda; with no other pressing duties, she had decided to come early to the Cathedral, and offer prayers for the E.R.A.'s continued success against the dark places of the world... indeed, two worlds.
==========================
Lord Chaos watched his consort end her move, and considered. He could not yet pick out her strategy, but the board was filling fast. He selected another pawn, and moved it forward - protected by two others, it could either block or support, depending on what was needful in the coming conflict.
====================================
Lord Ghalleon of House Caedes watched from the shadows, his full green cloak concealing him well enough. He had come to Stormwind in disguise - the cloak clasp held a minor cantrip that encouraged people to look elsewhere - so that he could observe the performance of the four aspirants he had supplied. If they did well, they might be granted full member status in House Caedes. If not... well, there were many aspirants to the House, and only the finest would ever be allowed to join, for the greater glory.
==========================
Lady Order picked up her Knight, who had done so much good service in her name, and took the black pawn. She knew that in doing so, she opened a vunerability to her Queen. She hoped her consort would see the irresistable opportunity.
====================================
Craft kissed his wife in greeting, and a flash of movement caught his attention. Through the doorway, he spotted an old friend, Griffonclaw FitzSilver, in conversation with an unknown lady and Lord Grayson - and he also saw a hooded pilgrim furtively spying on them.
"Maia, excuse me for a second..." he murmured, kissing her hands and approaching the fellow, placing one hand on his sword-hilt. His armor made noise, and the spy turned, seeing him approach.
The spy moved a hand beneath his robes, seeking for a certain flask of blinding power, his other hand flipping open the knife he had concealed - a straight-edged barber's knife, its envenomed blade slightly green.
Craft had seen the motion, and rushed forward, knocking the vial from the would-be assassin's hand., his other drawing his longsword in one smooth motion. The fight lasted scant seconds; the basket hilt of Craft's sword rendered his opponent senseless.
==========================
Lord Chaos' eyes opened in suprise at the opportunity; his consort had left her Queen vunerable! He almost pounced on his Black Bishop, sending it through the newly-created hole in the White Defense. He took the Queen, and smiled - only the King himself would have been a more valuable target!
====================================
The flask of blinding powder tumbled high, and the scuffle just outside the Paladin Hall attracted all their attention, including Zamboozle's. He saw the flask, but did not know its purpose - but beyond its short flight, he saw her.
Annaliese. The woman who held his heart and soul in her hands.
Time took on new meaning for Zamboozle, and he moved forward, not caring what was in the flask; nothing was more important than getting nearer to his Beloved, lest the flask contain a toxin, or an explosive. He cared not what such a thing might do to him; he could - and had - withstood a great deal in the past, and would likely do so again in the future. Indeed, he cared not if whatever was in the flask had the power to end his existance, so long as she was unharmed. He noted with gratitude that the Tarnished Paladin was with Annaliese, and had put himself between him and the potential danger.
It landed and shattered, as it was designed to do. A blinding flash took the sight temporarily from all present, and Zamboozle took the opportunity to dask forward and then sideways behind a bookcase. Annaliese's surprised cry of fright rended his heart.
Seconds later, the priest named Niklos emerged, to help his Beloved recover her sight and lead her from this place. He would refund the fee - no price was worth putting Annaliese at risk.
==========================
Lady Order smiled. She had lost her Queen, but the Black Bishop was no longer in a position to oppose her. She grinned impishly as she moved her own Bishop forward into the fray, taking another pawn.
====================================
Banshih was not surprised when Craft had spotted her man, and taken action, but she was surprised at the actions of one of the other minions she had been granted. Without waiting for orders, he drew his own poisoned knife, and leaped for the Archbishop, dreams of salvaging the situation vying with delusions of glory should he succeed and survive. She mumbled something low in the Gutterspeak, and melded with the shadows, seeking a better vantage point.
Gone was the gentle priestess, and in her place stood Maia Ramsey, whose reflexes and instincts had been honed on a thousand battlefields. She saw her husband, and surmised he could deal with one lone foeman; rather than rush to his aid, her first instinct was to move closer to the Archbiship, who must be protected. Her caution and diligence was rewarded when another pilgrim began his charge, knife held high.
Her own hands came up, and her lips invoked without sound. The assassin became engulfed in holy fire, his robes incinerating in the conflagration. Although close to the Archbishop, only her target was harmed, for Maia had refined her abilities to precision a surgeon would envy, but she ran towards him anyway, in case there were yet more threats undisclosed.
==========================
Lord Chaos peered at the board with a frown. The White Bishop threatened his King, and there were no other pieces in place besides his King with which to defend. He had no chioce. He took the White Bishop with his King.
====================================
Banshih swore as she swing her club like a sap at the back of Maia's head, emerging from the shadows as she did so. If Maia reached the Archbishop's side, all was lost. She felt the impact, and watched, seemingly in slow motion, as Maia crashed to the floor, unconscious.
All eyes were on her now. The Archbishop himself was beginning a prayer. She leaped for him, hoping against hope that she would be able to reach him before... before...
Luck was not with her, and she rebounded from the Archbishop's bubble of Light.
==========================
Lady Order picked up her Knight, and crooked an eyebrow at her consort. He had no choice in his last move, but his defiance was futile. He smiled at her wryly, and tipped his King over in salute as she placed the White Knight where it had been.
====================================
Fury distorted Craft's face as he watched Maia fall. He cared not - not really - for the Archbishop, but fury and rage were his only possible response to someone striking Maia. He yelled something inarticulate as he charged forward, intent only on destroying the person who had dared strike his wife... but before he could reach her, she vanished in a puff os brimstone-laden smoke.
He did not notice that the person cloaked in green had likewise vanished, and two other pilgrims besides. His target vanished, he knelt by Maia's side. Her eyes fluttered, and as his face filled her vision, he smiled. Maia reached up and kissed him, murmuring "I don't care if we're alive or dead, my love... so long as we're together."
==========================
Banshih swore bitterly in Gutterspeak as she materialized in Silvermoon. Quickly, she assessed her situation; she had been teleported, along with one other - the green-cloaked stranger she had noted, but dismissed.
"Lady, allow me to apologize for my actions" Lord Ghalleon began. "When it seemed to me that the attempt had failed, I signalled my House warlocks to remove us - there is no sense in fighting a losing battle, is that not so?"
"Now... perhaps you might accept some wine, and the hospitality of House Caedes before you go?"
Banshih sighed. She hated failure, and worse - she hated owing anyone a favor.
No comments:
Post a Comment