Thread: Shadows in the Light: Prologue

The scene isn't quite complete, but it's enough for me to post it up. The rest of it should be coming soon, as well as the big coming clash! Until then... They taught you to do what now? Alexander asked, his face a mask of confusion. Walk within the Iron. Seriously Alex, you wouldn't believe what it's like. I can talk to anything that's been bound into the blade. Think of the knowledge we can gain! Nicolas said excitedly. Think of the risks you're taking! Nick, you know better than most exactly how dangerous this is! You're going to be trying to cut deals with spirits! From a position of strength. They don't have the strongest of bargaining positions. Really? You'd be coming to them for things remember. And if they don't, I think I can do more to make sure that they're considerably more miserable than they are currently. Alexander was quiet, and looked away. Nicolas made an intuitive leap. You knew about this. Didn't you? Waling in the Iron. Alexander sighed. Yes. Of course I knew about it. Most of the Inner Circle do. It's not something that we teach lightly. And especailly not to you. The older man admit. Because of the Heirloom Blade. Nicolas ventured. Damn it, they told you a lot, didn't they? Apparently. So. Where do we go from here? What do you mean? For fuck sakes Alex, you've been lying to me for Gods know how long! Shit, if I'd known this, I might not have bothered coming back here! Nick, just calm down a little, and we can- Get fucked Alex. I've got work to do. Sophia is still missing, so if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go see if I can find her now. Alex sighed, but nodded. he couldn't really blame Nicolas at this point. Secrets were a fact of life in the Order, but this one...this one seemed to cut deeper than usual. Nicolas sat in his chambers in the headquarters of the Order. He was in the same position, though much more comfortably, and considerably warmer than the last time he'd tried this. He ahd a name to see about. And if he was lucky, the sage would be bound within his blade. After a few moments, he felt himself falling, and smiled. The blade was unchanged, and the spirit that had been bound on his last job with Barry still railed and tried to reach for him. Nicolas looked at it, and wondered if this might be a good time to experiment with things. He extended a hand, and willed the cell to be smaller. The walls began to contract in on themselves, and the spirit froze, looking at the enclosing space. It placed its ahnds against them, and heaved, all of its supermatural strength behind it. The walls didnt even slow. He stopped after a few moments, and willed shackles to encircle the spirit. It happened in an instant, teh loud clack of closing steel. The spirit railed further, but there was nothing it could do. Nicolas smiled. This was going to be very interesting going forward. Taking a deep breath, Nicolas focused on his goal. Elmantrir. Elmantrir. Should you be present, come to me. He murmured. The was a rushing sound as cells rearragned themselves. A moment later, Nicolas was looking at a woman in her early thirties. He blinked, adn cocked his head. Binder. You look surprised. She quipped with a smile. Uh...yeah. I was expecting something else to b honest. Most are. But this is ho I choose to appear, when I was happiest. Now then. I imagine you are looking for some form of information. Yes, I am. I need to know what could use a Banefire blast that burnt at least ten layers. Besides a Hellfire Colossus. She nodded. Certainly. but for knowledge, you'll have to bargain with me. He sighed. And what is it you want? She smiled. Nothing extravagant Warden. I would like...books. And perhaps a slightly more comfortable living space. Nicolas just stared. You seem unsettled. She observed. More of...surprised. I expected more of a list of demands. He replied. That's understandable, but you must understand Warden, I know why I am here. And it is proper. So I ask for simple things to fill my time. Fair enough. How do I bring you things? She grinned now, looking thrilled. Books can be conjured Warden. From your memories. Any book you have read, the text resides within your mind, even if you don't remember them. Will such a thing into existance Warden. Nicolas held out a hand, adn thought back to teh latest bok he'd read. It had been a text book, on physics. He'd had a lot of time on his hands. The book took form, and he flipped it open, picking through it. Everything seemed to be accurate. He closed the book. Elmantrir held out ehr hand. Warden. May I? She asked, there was an air of hope, even longing in her voice. As soon as you furnish me with the information. Nicolas warned. Come now Warden, you could rescind the book from existence. Please. Let me hold it. I have missed the feel of a book so very much. The honesty in her voice moved Nicolas enough to hand the book to her. She siezed it, drawing it back through the bars. She placed the book under her nose, taking a deep whiff of the scent. It almost smells real. Practice will help Warden. Increase the reality of the items. But very good for your first attempt. And my information? Of course. But might I have a chair? This may take awhile, and I would like to sit. Nicolas raised a hand, adn a wooden stool appeared int he cell. She nodded. Acceptable compromise. She took a seat. Nicolas looked at the floor to his right, adn on an impulse riased his hand. A thickly cushioned easy chair rose from the floor. He sank into it. Elmantrir smiled. After several hours of conversation and information, Nicolas sighed. So there are dozens of things that could have done this. You've been good enough to narrow the list of things down to things that likely would do it, and even further to things that fit both of those categories that I might be able to do something about. So where does this leave me? He asked her. More learned than you were before. And also, you might keep in mind that only the Deep Strider is likely to take people. She pointed out. Right. So. A Deep Strider. What am I looking at? It usually resembles a great spider. Able to lift grown livestock without aid. Great.