Thread: Shadows in the Light: Prologue

Took me awhile, but I got around to getting the next chunk written! Nicolas groaned, stretching his legs out. It was really easy to lose time while doing this. In a way, he could see the risks in just that. A person could starve to death if they spent too much time in the blade, and with no real way to track time within, it would be all too easy. Still. he had what he needed. Deep Striders were not a common thing, and now that he knew what he was looking for, he should be able to track one. Blowing out a sigh, he stretched. Going after something this risky meant that he would need to be at his best. His absolute very best. And that meant an hour or so in preparation. Nicolas rested, getting a short power nap in to refresh himself. Once that was done, he ate his fill, and spent a period of time in meditation, clearing his mind. he'd need all of his wits about him for the tracking, and then for the fight. He kept himself away from Alexander. He didn't need to crowd himself with conflicting feelings. Once he was outside of the headquarters, he slipped deeper into the layers. This was going to be a tricky task. The site of the Banefire crater was largely unchanged. The new information he had though, he now knew how to look for the signs of the creature. Nicolas closed his eyes, concentrating, before he opened them again to See. It was hard to keep it all straight. He was looking three layers in, but doing so all at the same time. And now what he'd at first taken for random scuff marks were now complete tracks. He smiled. Now the hunt was on. Four hours, and miles later, Nicolas was standing outside of what he could only assume was the lair of the Deep Stalker. He was uncomfortable here, on the Fourth Layer. It was risky, but if this was where Sophia was, then he'd have to chance it. You didn't just leave a member of the Order to die. No matter what. Moving quietly, he started into the lair. It was scooped out of the ground, a sloping tunnel that was lined in scorched earth. Nicolas was starting to think that the whole thing hadn't been scooped out after all. It might have been burned out. He was going to have to be careful. The control displayed by this creature was incredible. He very calmly pulled his shirt off, and tucked it into his pocket. He had his blade in hand, but took no further action. Bringing his tattoo protections to the fore would likely alert his foe to his presence. And he didn't have time for that. The tunnel branched out, moving in several directions. Nicolas concentrated, doing his best to See everything around him. There was a faint sign on the trail, a glittering trail that was barely perceivable. It was the signs left behind by a blade from the order. He smiled. Sophia always had been a clever one. At least he hoped that Sophia had been clever, and left a way to follow her. The alternative was that he was walking straight into a trap. Nicolas ghosted into a poorly lit cavern. There were a few spars of crystal growing within, and they faintly glowed with trapped light. He let out a slow breath, letting his eyes adjust so that eh could pick out details. He saw what looked like a cage, made of twisted iron, and a bedraggled looking woman within. He picked his way very carefully around the perimeter of the room, until he was beside it. Not trusting to touch it, he tossed a small bit of dirt within. The woman started, and turn to look at him. After a moment she let out a slow breath. Nick? is that you? She asked quietly. Large as life and twice as ugly. He whispered back. She blinked a few times before nodding. Okay. No one but you ever says that. I'll believe you. She said while still nodding. Nicolas frowned. What are you- There's no time Nick. Get me out of here. We have to get out of here before she comes back. This was something that Nicolas could agree with. He looked at the cage, and found what looked like a crude lock. He fiddled with it for a few moments before the mechanism gave. Sophia didn't even hesitate, she pushed the door open and slipped out. She cast her gaze around briefly, before nodding and heading right for the exit. Nicolas was right behind her. Fire erupted before them, singing the ground and forcing them back int he rippling wave of heat. It was Banefire, which meant that they'd been made. Nicolas turned around, drawing his blade across his palm, and taking a cleansing breath, focusing himself. The tattoos on his body ignited, lighting up brightly. While it marked him as a target, it also let him get a better look around. Something large moved from nearby, and he paced off a distance from it to get a better look. He'd been told to expect a spider, but this resembled a spider the same way a Siberian Mastiff resembled a Chihuahua. The same idea, but the scale and features were vastly different. It towered over Nicolas, easily more than twelve feet high. Legs the size of tree trunks, and wrapped in a hard carapace skittered along the floor in a way that was filled with entirely too much grace for something that size. In the glow of his tattoos, the creature looked like it was a deep glossy purple. Placed high on it's head was a set of eyes. Six of hem were featureless orbs, glittering black. The last two were entirely more unnerving, seeming very human. Nicolas swallowed. He might well be in over his head at this point. Oh, more Binders, come to visit me in my den! This is such a delight! Welcome then Binder, do sit down. The Deep Strider said in a disturbingly attractive female voice. Nicolas just stared a moment. Whatever is the matter? Is it the appearance I wear? Um...lady- Nicolas managed before she cut him off. Allow me to change into something more comfortable then! As the creature spoke, the carapace began to melt and run, combining into a soldi shell, before it shrunk. Within a few moments, the spider was gone, and a tall woman stood in it's place, wearing a flowing silk robe of identical colour to the carapace. Her hair was long, and a vivid white colour, like well treated silk. In her hair were a number of stones woven into it. They matched the colour and number of the black eyes she'd had as a Strider. Nicolas only stared. This...this hadn't been in the briefing. Deep Striders had power to be certain, but they weren't shapeshifters. Unless... You're not just a Strider, are you? Nicolas asked. The woman smiled, and nodded, giving a half bow. Clever Binder! No, I am certainly not just a Strider. I am Queen Ara'chana'thul, one of the regents of the Deep Striders, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance. She gave a rather dazzling smile, and Nicolas felt more than just her inhuman beauty behind it. There was a subtle pull to it, something that seeped into nhis mind. She was trying to charm him. He kept walking in a circle around her, varying his pace, and not giving her a good target. The honour is mine highness. it is a rare honour to meet one such as you. Oh, and such manners! Though you might improve them further by ceasing to make a lady keep turning to face you. I apologise for the perception of being rude, but being honest highness, I have a healthy fear of Banfire. She nodded. So you are aware of what my people can do. Very much so. I am also aware that the Queens of your people are bound by honour. So we are! Do you ask an oath of me then? Swear to work no magicks against me, so long as we are within this place, and have made no formal declarations of hostility. Acceptable! And shall you swear to sheathe your blade, and work no violence against me so long as we are within this place, and have made no formal declarations of hostility? Accepted. Nicolas stopped walking, and spared a glance at Sophia who was lookin pale, and shivering slightly. He needed to get her out of here, but he also knew that if he left this place, the protection of the oath would be gone. Now then Binder. What shall we talk about? She asked, taking a few slow steps towards Nicolas. She put a lot of emphasis into her hips when she moved, the movements very clear, but not seeming crass or obvious. No longer able to try and charm him magically, she would have to rely on other means. I'd like to talk about getting my companion back to her home. Nicolas told her, keeping his voice neutral but not backing away from her approach. Oh, and why should I let her be? A gesture of goodwill between our two peoples. And in return, what do I receive? The release of one of the Stolen Queens perhaps? Hardly stolen. They were taken in fair combat when they attempted to lay siege to our realm. And if I were to say that this Binder was taken in simialr circumstances? I would accuse you of being false, as she may have come close to your territory, a tresspass is far from laying siege. The Queen inclined her head, acknowledging his point. The Binders have kept three of our sovreigns, my sisters, in captivity for centuries. I will take this Binder as recompense, adn consider the matter closed for now. Highness, you did not ask for recompense, you came and simply took one of our number. This is not the way to seek recompense, and you well know it. Our leaders would hav taken a meeting with you, and this could have been discussed. They would never agree! They would need to break one of their precious blades! Nicolas was quiet. It seemed the creatures in the Layers didn't know about Walking in the Iron anymore than he had. So you come to us. Take one of our people. Demand her life unless we meet a demand that you came here knowing that we could not meet. Where exactly does that leave us Highness? Nicolas asked. He wanted his blade in his hand, wanted to be ready, but the moment he drew on her, he was waving his protection. And frankly, all she'd have to do was stall a moment or two, and drop a blast of Banefire on him through time. He kept his breathing even. She cocked her head to the side, taking him in, weighing him, measuring him. He knew that she would have to be judging whether or not she could kill him without his being able to inflict a telling enough wound to Bind her. Well, it seems we are at an impasse. I'll not give her to you, and you will not leave without her, unless I miss my guess. She said with a smirk, her shoulders rolling to loosen them. Nicolas' mind raced. Her staying in hman form like this might be an advantage all it's own. It would help keep thigns even between them, or at least less overwhelmingly against him. You guess right lady. He told her, bowing his head in respect. And then burst forward at her.