Through Fire and Blood
The Shadowflames lingered in the pall of darkness summoned by Laelanyel. To Aef-Grimnir's great surprise, the Saih voiced her desire for revenge on the Gloomfen Hunters as a duardin grudge. His steely gaze halted approvingly on the aelf."Truly we are a Zharradumal, Lady Laelanyel. And our grudge will be settled". The Runefather paused, pondering. "But first, I am oathbound to assist you in securing the power to reclaim your palace".
"So be it, Son of Grimnir", replied Laelanyel. "We head back to the Temple of Khazla. I have unfinished business there".
The briny smell of the Aether Sea still clung to the glowing emberstone of the temple obelisk. Laelanyel drew out the scrimshawed bone and started intoning the charm that would have unlocked its powers, whatever they might be. On one side of the days, Aef-Grimnir and his trusted bodyguard stood guard. On the other, were the Kinless.
Suddenly, brutal war cries drawned the melodious chanting of the Mistweaver Saih. Blood drenched barbarians in the Murdefist colours called to Khorne, staking their lord's claim over the Piremoor.
The Caengans sprung into action, moving to prevent the humans from interfering with the ritual.
The Kinless fought bravely, but the Khornate champion leading the Murderfists was no match for them. Engrin made short work of the Bloodreaver that had stepped up to meet his charge.
A towering Slaughterpriest and his franzied followers closed upon Aef-Grimnir, the Runefather's blood pouring out of his blazing skin in response to a Khornate prayer.
A Bloodreaver lept onto the dais, shouting his hatred at the aelf magic user. Laelanyel dispatched him with a contemptous slash of her miststeel blade and resumed her incantation.
As Aef-Grimnir fell to the combined assault of the Bloodreavers and Slaughterpriest, the Murderfist chieftan charged Laelanyel. But his axe and hammer cut through mist only.
The Mistweaver Saih's voice rose high as she reached the climax of her ritual. In a swirl of flames, the scrimshawed bone unleashed a bow wave of energy that wrong footed the Khornate champion. Darkness closed around Laelanyel and she was gone, leaving the barbarian to scram in frustration.
Khorne vented his rage at that failure on the Slaughterpriest. Engrin seized the opportunity and launched himself on a rampage through the ranks of the Murderfists.
Just before the Hearthguard Berserker could be overwhelmed, Laelanyel stepped out of a pool of shadows far away from the dais, her shadeghiest darting to spirit away the Caengans.
The Murderfists turned their rage against the Temple stones, splintering the glowing obelisk with their blades.
They could have the Piremoor, thought Laelanyel. She now knew how to unlock the power of the scrimshawed bone and there was enough in it to restore the charms around her palace. It was time to return to Ulgu.
Awesome report as always, but this line is so good!
ReplyDelete"the scrimshawed bone unleashed a bow wave of energy that wrong footed the Khornate champion" 😍