Discovering new power, and perhaps a new way of life(closed)

[Neve]

The Patriarch's eyes opened. He had been thinking, thinking deeply, in fact. So deeply, his mind had wandered away from the shell men called his body. Whilst wandering in the world, Lord Solis felt the power. It was greater then usual for the individual using the power, but it was the power he knew that Anarane possessed. But unlocking the power in a meaningful way that was indefinite, now that would be a feat indeed.

She was struggling with the task, as the task she was completing was great. The movement of so many to such a far away place, and the Patriarch could feel the indecision of the spell. She had but a vague place in mind to move the people.

Lord Solis opened his eyes. He reached out with his mind, through the scrying pool he had used so often to view his young protégé. With great reserve, the Patriarch poured some of his power into the spell, lending it to Anarane, but changing her spell in a small way. The place to change the spell was the end, the location, because that was the weakest part.

The power flowed, and the spell changed, because now the Patriarch did not use reserve. What had been a trickle of control and a wellspring of power now turned into a trickle of power and an iron will. The building was going through, into the valley, yet the surroundings were shifting, and the building was materializing somewhere else.

The place was very similar, yet, it was not. The valley the building now materialized in was dark; the sky was a red haze. Red? Why, there were few clouds, it seemed only moisture… But, where were the clouds? This was surely not the sky they had just left.

There was grass, and the valley had trees, though they were a queer sort of tree, not like anything any had seen up to this point. And there was the castle. It was strange castle, more like an old manor then anything else, surrounded by a small, rusted iron fence. But Ana would know. They were underground, in the cavern of the Patriarch.

Welcome home, my child…

[Anarane1]

Anarane did not move for several minutes. It seemed like longer then that. She could feel the dampness in the air and her body trembled from the use of the power. Slowly she began to open her eyes. There was something wrong. There was a reddish haze in her vision. Had she done too much? Were her eyes damaged from doing the spell? Ana was not sure what had happened. She had never tried such a powerful spell before. Had it been more then her body could handle?

On trembling arms she raised her body to look out through the opening in the roof. As she looked around she didn’t recognize this as the valley to which she had meant for the building and people to be brought to. Though her body was not recovered from what she had done, she pulled herself up and made her way down the stairs that lead back down to the main hall. Ana’s legs shook with each step. She was uncertain that she would make it down without losing her footing.

As she made the landing at the bottom of the steps Anara and Jessel were at her side. She looked at them and smiled weakly. ”I don’t think the spell went as I had planned. It was a greater ward then I have ever tired before. I need something to drink before I venture outside. Please keep everyone inside the building until I have a chance to go out and look around.” They helped her to a place to sit and got her some fresh water.

Finishing the water she felt better but Ana was still weak. She had Anara get her the staff and she made her way out the door. Ana knew at once it was not the valley that she had seen or had used to which to move the building too. Looking up toward what should have been a blue sky was instead a red haze. There was no visible sunlight to give the color to the sky above her. Taking a few steps further from the building she found a road.

Following the road a few hundred feet she gasped as she saw a building that she knew. How could this be, she asked herself? This was the grand manor house of Lord Solis! Ana had never been to the place where He had moved His lands but there was no mistaken this house. Then she heard His voice. ” Welcome home, my child…” Ana gasped softly hearing His voice. Slowly she moved up to the gate in the rusted fence and waited to be allowed to enter and be taken to The Patriarch.

[Neve]

The gate swung slowly open, and Ana surely remembered the way. It was not as if the gate was meant as a barrier. No, there were far worse things roaming the grounds of this house. This place held so many memories, so many pleasures, and so many sacrifices. Who could forget their own beginnings?

But perhaps Anarane did not remember the way. Perhaps she had been gone far too long. Indeed, who could say what effect those new places had on her? With change comes growth, and perhaps she was finally ready to reach deeper into the darkness. Escape from oneself is much more difficult then Ana had considered. She had not truly run from her obligations and the Patriarch, no, she had been running from her own dark feelings.

That time was gone, and as time goes, there was no way to reclaim it. As Ana started up the path to the manor house the door opened and the familiar shape of Bathasar broke the faint light coming from the doorway. The large black robed figure had not changed. The hood was pulled up, hiding its face. For Ana would remember Bathasar with a shudder, the Patriarch’s personal servant had an eternally grinning face, that of a bleached white skull.

The towering figure had nothing to say as Anarane approached the house. Its thoughts reached out, however, to brush Ana’s mind. Welcome home. The remark held nothing, only the emptiness and malice of a soul long on this plane. Then Bathasar turned, heading down a hallway to the left of the door.

The entry way to the manor house of Lord Solis had not changed. In fact, it was exactly as Ana would remember, beautifully carpeted, with many halls leading in several different directions. There were paintings and a tapestry hanging in every hall, for every inch of the main manor house was decorated expensively and exquisitely.

Yet one mustn’t stray from where one is being led in the house of the Patriarch, for things change, and the way is not always the same. This hall sloped downward, and the decorations disappeared bit by bit as Bathasar led Anarane down a winding corridor and made several turns down different hallways until her sense of direction was surely confused. Yes, they were heading down to one of the workshops of the Patriarch…

[Anarane1]

Ana watched as the gate slowly opened in front of her silently, there should have been some noise with as rusty as it was but there was not a sound. Ana remember the warnings from when she had visited here before. Do not stray from the path. So many things were going through her mind as she approached the steps leading up to the door.

Remembering the feelings she had when she had worked in His lab. The sound of the screams as she cut the flesh of the girl as she lay on the table. The excitement that flowed through her body as she held the power over the girl. The power of raising of the dead with a thought. It has all been way too easy for her. It was something that was in her blood and now she knew it was true. It was who she was and where she belonged.

As she approached the door it opened to a familiar site standing in the doorway. Bathasar! There had always been something about him that sent a shudder through her. She was not sure if it was the thought of the power that was used to keep him alive, so to speak, or that infernal look that was always on his face. She felt more then heard the greeting he gave her and nodded.

The manor had not changed from what she could see. The lush beauty of the upper part of the house was as she remembered. She wasn’t sure but she felt like there was more here then was the last time she visited. That would not surprise her at all. The Patriarch had exquisite taste in the finer things in life. She smiled inwardly thinking it was time that she too learned to enjoy the finer things in life.

Ana followed Bathasar as he lead her deeper into the recesses of the manor. She could not help but wonder what the Patriarch had in mind for her. As she followed Bathasar she couldn’t help but notice the lack of noise as he moved. Was it that she couldn’t hear his footfalls or was it just being absorbed by the manor itself?

Ana didn’t know how long or how far down underground they had gone. She did know that they were nearing Lord Solis. She could feel His presents growing stronger with each step. Ana reached out with her mind carefully. ”I am home, M’Lord. I must say it is a good feeling to be here.” Falling once again silent as the continued to her first meeting with The Patriarch in many years.

[Neve]

Anarane used her mind to reach out to the Master of the house, and he responded, their proximity much closer then had been the case for so long. Indeed, you have come back, within the fold, through the use of your own power. It has pulled you to me as a moth is drawn to a flame, for your power is drawn to the darkness.

It was not only mind-speak that Anarane heard, but the Patriarch’s real voice, for as she was reaching out to touch Lord Solis mind, they had turned another corner and were now in a large room, on of the many that stretched below the manor. The room was more sparsely decorated, and looked to be one of the many small laboratories that were throughout the labyrinth of the manor proper. The walls were stone and there were no rich decorations or lavish tapestries.

There was only the Patriarch, seated in high backed chair, and a table. But no, those were not the occupants of the room. There were fragile looking tea cups as well as a silver platter with biscuits and a tea server on a small table near Lord Solis, as well as a rotting corpse. The corpse was clearly male, and looked to be in late stages of degeneration, its flesh rotting grotesquely, practically dripping from its bones, a dull look on a face missing a nose, ears, and one eye. Slobber dripped from an open mouth that possessed only a few rotten teeth.

The one eye, however, spun around wildly, as if a prisoner in the head it occupied. And then Ana heard it reach out with its own mind, an old, venerable mind still strong, but strangely broken and barely hanging on to sanity. Sanity? Was it still alive?


Help, you have got to help! I cannae push out from this shell!

The Patriarch’s low voice broke the silence in reality, shutting out the creature’s mind. Do be quiet, my protégé has more important matters to discuss then anything the likes of you have to share, at least, at this moment. Do excuse my guest, he is not quite used not being in control of his own faculties, and misses the luxury of being the voice of command. How the mighty do fall when they trifle with those more powerful then they. Leave us, now.

The corpse hesitated, then, as if controlled by a puppeteer, shambled from the room though another door to the Patriarch’s left. The Patriarch himself gestured to an open chair, across from him, and to the tea server

Sit, my child, tell me of your adventures...

[Anarane1]

Ana was taken by surprise when the Patriarch answered both in her mind and in voice at the same time. She nodded slowly as she looked up to see her Master seated in the room before her. It had been so long ago that she was taken from here. So many things had happened in that time.

Ana’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling to her to be freed. She looked at what was left of this once human like creature. It was hard to tell if it had been human or some other race but was noted that it was male. Lord Solis quickly silenced the creature and had it leave them. She watched as it left the room then turned her attention back to the Patriarch.

Anarane looked in the direction that He indicated and saw that He had been waiting for her arrival. There was tea and biscuits sat upon a silver tray with fine china cups. She moved to the chair He offered and sat as He asked her to tell of her adventures since she had left. She knew very well that He was aware of what had been happening to her over the years. Ana smiled a weak smile.

She related from the time He had taken one of her children for her freedom. The war that was fought because of what her brother had done to free her from Farene and placing her in the abyss. The death of his son during the war, that she had blamed herself for it happening. How close she had been to total insanity. How she had left the Tower and her family because her husband loved another. She had returned to her former home and had discoved that she was still with child with the twin of the one that He had taken as payment. How she and Kain had married and she had bore him a son, Noah. During her time with a clan she sent her son to be with him while she was warring. The years that had passed and she had not seen either of them. Carrying on with her life as best she could. Learning how to control the fire that flowed hotly within her veins. How Farene tried to kill her and was destroyed by Kain. Then, Kain telling her that he was leaving her for another and how she had lost control. He had taken their son and left saying that she would never see him again. Her involvement with the vampire Ivy Tamwood and another Elf named Nightstar. Then the coming of the ooze that destroyed Maxim. Lord Pyren coming to her aid and taking her and what was left of her family to where he had others waiting taking them to this new land. The building up of the town of Port Hope which she was sure was lost to the ooze. Her attempt at the spell that was to move them to a hidden valley and appearing instead here. As she finished her story she looked up to Lord Solis. There was still a flicker of fire in her emerald eyes and the look of strength on her face though she was weary and tired.

Sitting back in her chair she sipped on the tea finding it quite soothing. This was the first time in quite some time that she felt even the least bit relaxed. She wondered what was going through His mind. Sitting the cup down she looked toward Him placing her hands folded in her lap. As she did, for the first time since her return, she noticed the ever present staff that had always been at His side. For a moment she could have sworn that she saw it glow. Being as tired as she was from casting the spell she was uncertain of many things at the moment.

”And so those are the adventures of Anarane Tangwargul, M’Lord. If adventures are what you want to call them.”

[Neve]

An interesting time indeed, yet you find yourself again back where you began, when you came to me with something inside that wanted out. I am not speaking of the Daemon, child, but of the power you recently used. The strength you showed was most refreshing, and now you are here once more.

The Patriarch paused, silent for a moment. If she only knew the extents to which he had went to bring her back here, to this place. Why? He had been alive for so long, but one always yearned for legacy, for something to build, for even a destroyer and a taker wanted to be a builder. Yes, here was another project, where so many had been dead flesh, this was living.

There are many things you do not know, and many things I will not tell you, for you must discover them yourself. But know this, where you are now, where you have brought those people, is not all what it appears to be. You will learn, in time. Great magic is made, not learned. Learning provides what others have done, you make your own way once you have learned enough, yet learning is never complete, hence my long life.

Now, to business. What are your plans for your people and your new kingdom? I do have suggestions, but they are only suggestions. These are my lands, yet they are not populated by…. Your people, yet. There are trees here, animals, and the soil will grow things. The animals themselves rove in herds, and there are other things down here that your people should be weary of. Most will stay away, due to my influence. Now tell me, child, what will you do here? Shall I help you create a city?

[Anarane1]

Anarane listened quietly to what the Patriarch had to say. She was still confused as to how she had brought them here to Risetti instead of to the valley she had envisioned. Inwardly she smiled when He mentioned that the strength she had used to bring them here was refreshing. She didn’t allow the emotion to show outwardly. Over the last few weeks she had learned how to hide her feelings but she didn’t know if she could hide them from Him.

He told her there was a lot for her to learn and things He would not teach her as she had to learn them for herself. She wondered, just what were the things she would have to be learned on her on? In the short time she had been with Him before she had learned much more then she had realized. She had also done a lot of reading when she could. During the last few months her thoughts had kept going back to the dark arts so she had gotten her hands on all the tomes available bringing them with her.

While Pyren had gone to find Kain and the others she had spent a lot of time reading. That was where she had learned of the two spells she had used this day. She had not yet began experimenting with other spells and rituals as she had promised Pyren she would not use these people for what she needed to do. There was so much that she yearned to know. Ana had not been totally ready to learn when she had first come to Risetti. She was too emotional and in essence lost. She had chosen to seek what she needed in love but that had not been her fate. Having a husband and children seemed to be out of her grasp. Yes she had a son, but he had been taken from her while still a baby. Perhaps it has been the best thing for them both. She would never truly be sure of that.

Anarane suddenly came back to where she was hearing the Patriarch asking her what she wanted to do about the people she had brought with her. Her new kingdom, she had not thought of them as being her people or kingdom. She tilted her head as she looked up to the Patriarch. What were her plans now? That was a very good question. What was she going to do about these people that had been brought with her to Risetti? They had not been given a choice about coming here nor had that been her intention. At least it had not been a conscious decision to bring them here or her for that matter.

”M’Lord, I have not given any thought as to what is to be done with these people. It was not my intention to come here or bring them here. I know there are dangers in this land and they would have to be careful of where they went.” She paused for a few moments considering all that could happen. ”I would like to hear Your suggestions to take into consideration. I know that You will not make the choices for me. I don’t know if I should give them the choice as to whether they want to stay or leave this place.”

As she had talked and thought about what to do she hadn’t realized that she had been toying with the food that He had given her. When she looked down at the plate she had been using, she had crumpled the biscuits basically into the shape of a skull. He could see a startled look on her face as she realized what she had done.

[Neve]

You say you do not know, yet I daresay that you might have an idea, an inkling, perhaps, of what you might do with those people.

Yes, those people. Were they her people, or was someone else responsible for them? The Patriarch let the unspoken question hang in the air. Truly, what purpose did her trip here mean? Perhaps it was unconscious? Perhaps she was delivering herself and these “people” up for a darker purpose? The Patriarch vocalized a small part of what must be crawling through her head, just under the surface of her immediate concerns.

I shall suggest that you stay for a spell, await the thoughts that elude you. Do not fret, for as we speak those people are being taken care of. A Small town arises around them as they await your return. Unseen forces are building them a town, where all shall be provided. A town of pleasures, a town for them to forget or remember, I leave that to you.

Your thoughts shape their lives; I will provide a small basis for you to begin. When you leave here there will be a few buildings. There will be living quarters, a tavern to eat, drink, and be merry. Of course there will be gambling, gambling for many things. There is also pleasure house where some of your people can no doubt find entertainment. Your people will have basic needs met, and you will decide the rest. You are the Law, if you choose to be…

The Patriarch removed a small pendent with his crest, a white skull with a stylized red “R” on it’s brow, on a black background, clutched by a three fingered red claw. He placed it on the table, next to her biscuit Now the choices from now on are yours, my dear. Choose as you will

[Anarane1]

Those people He had said. Something felt different about those people. Ana was not sure what it was. What had happened during the transportation? Had she in some way do something wrong? There seemed to be soullessness about them. How could that be? Did it have something to do with the fact that they had not arrived where she had meant them too?

Ana came out of her thoughts as the Patriarch continued to speak. She was, at first, confused as He told her that a town was being built as they spoke. Well a few buildings were being constructed. He was saying it would be put to her what would become of those people and the town. She would be the ‘Master’ so to speak, of the town though He did not come right out and say such.

Anarane could feel her body tremble with anticipation but she wasn’t quite sure why. Was it her desire to return to Risetti that had brought them here? She wanted to once again learn what she held inside this she knew. What power it was that lay dormant for so long. She wanted to know, she wanted to feel the power, and she wanted the control. It was something she had never had over her world now she could have it.

Watching as He reached for a chest. It was one that she had seen before so many years ago. Her hand went to her neck as she recalled the pendant that she had once wore. The one that had been removed by Kain what seemed like a lifetime ago. Looking down beside her plate she saw once again the pendant. Her fingers curled into a fist as a feeling of excitement coursed through her body. Knowing that if she picked it up and put it on it would open the doors that had been closed.

Slowly reaching out Ana picked up the pendant holding it in her hand for a few minutes before looking up to Lord Solis. She rose from her chair and step over to Him. Her voice was soft but strong as she handed the pendant to Him kneeling before Him. . ”I will wear the pendant with pride, if You are the one that places it around my neck. I know the last time I was the one to do so and I allowed it to be removed. I know that if You place it there that it will not nor can it be removed again. I know that to remove it this time will mean my death. I know that there will be no life that can be exchanged for my own. You allowed this once; I know that You will not allow it again.” Bowing her head Anarane Tangwargul waited to feel the pendant place around her neck. It was her way of saying that she would serve and learn what He held to teach her.

[Neve]

The Patriarch’s response was not surprise. He knew she longed for the power, for the structure he provided. However, the way in which they would proceed from here was still in question. At least, perhaps, in Anarane’s mind. The Patriarch knew what would occur, for he had seen much.

No one knew the future, but one could manipulate situations to try and allow for a favorable outcome. The trick was for everything to turn out favorable, as there were always other factors, such as that pesky free-will. Free will made everything interesting, and allowed the game to be more enjoyable, though it was much more unpredictable.

Lord Solis reached down and touched Anarane on her head, resting his hand there for a moment. His touch was cold, chilling to the bone, yet there was a fire underneath the chill, something only someone who was of his house, his blood, would feel. It was the warmth of a father, a dark, unforgiving harsh taskmaster, but still, a father.

You choose wisely, child, and know that we forge a new House here, for the old is gone and dead. Welcome home….

With that the Patriarch placed her memories back around her neck, the focus the amulet granted sharpening Anarane’s mind immediately. The focus, the power, the darkness was visible again, and the voices, the dead, the undead, and the Deamons, whispered, yet they were afraid. For she was beginning to walk the dark path once again…

[Anarane1]

Ana could feel His eyes on her as she waited to see what He would do. Suddenly she felt His hand touch her head. A cold shiver ran through her body at the touch. Then slowly warmth ran through her but only for a moment. She knew in that instant that He had accepted her back, even before He spoke the words. The words were full of a hint of caring but even in that she knew that with each error she made there would be a price to pay.

Anarane closed her eyes as the feeling washed through her. Then she felt the pendant being lowered over her head and around her neck. Memories flooded her mind. They didn’t appear to be all her memories but other’s memories as well. She didn’t know who’s memories for sure but felt that some of them where perhaps His as well.

She could feel the creatures of the night, dead, undead and daemons alike. Ana could more then feel them she could see them in her mind. Where they backing away from her? Slowly she was feeling a power building within her. Something unlike anything she had ever felt before. She felt like she could do anything but she knew that she couldn’t. She knew it would be deadly to think like that. Thinking like that could get her killed.

Ana shook the thoughts from her mind. She needed to focus her mind. Slowly she rose from in front of Him. There was a look of pride on her face. It wasn’t over confidence but one of, what could only be described as happiness. She was home at last. Back in a place where she felt comfortable and accepted for whom she was. Her body was trembling with excitement that she knew she needed to bring under control.

Taking a deep breath she returned to her chair and lifted the cup of tea that was before her. There was a slight tremble in her hand as she raised it to her lips. Reaching up with her other hand she steadied the cup and drank the tea. She looked up from over the cup and took another deep breath. A sudden rush of fatigue swept over her.

”Thank You, Master. It is good to be home. I know that I have a lot to learn. For the first time in years I feel at peace. Does that make any sense? Right now I am not sure. I am exhausted, excited and I am not sure what else. I do know that I need to rest after casting those spells. They took more out of me then I realized. As much as I want to just lie down right now, I know that I must return to the people and make sure that they are fine. But I want to stay here as well. I don’t know what to do.”

Anarane looked up to Lord Solis with weary eyes. She thought once again about the people that were brought here with her. A puzzled looked crossed her face.

”Master, the people, I feel there is something different about them. That in some way they have been changed. Is that possible? Did I do something wrong when I did the spell? One of among those is my child by blood, but I am not able to sense her as I once did. She was conceived and born during a time when Farene was in control of my body and I am not aware of who her father is or exactly when she was born. This happened during the early days when she was first a part of me. I could not at that time control when she would come into control of my body. Can You explain what has happened during the casting of the spell?”

Her mind was all over the place and she could not keep it on one thing for more then a few moments. Anarane once again fell silent. She didn’t even realize that her hand rested on the pendant, holding it, no, clutching it in her hand. There was so much going on in her mind that she had no idea what to do next. All she wanted to do was sleep.

[Neve]

Peace… It is only a state of mind. The yearning remains for all time. Thirst for knowledge, and by associating, power is something that cannot be quenched. You are once again back on your chosen path, not that path that had been chosen for you. Perhaps that is the reason for your feelings.

The Patriarch was silent a moment. She would grow in power, but would she ever realize the truth? Could she feel the hand of Darkness tainting the noble purpose of her spell? Time would indeed tell, but one thing remained. Though she did not plan for the outcome of her spell, she did want it. The spell took hold of her due to her desires, not simply due to the will of the Patriarch. True, he could have forced the issue, and most likely had the same outcome. But why force something that was desired? It was a waste of power when force was not necessary.

My child, the spell has altered things and perhaps the people themselves. I suppose you will find that out in good time. Mixed desires and your inexperience has caused an outcome that you may have not planned for, but one that will help you as time passes. Do not fear, the silent portion of your mind, your desires guide you. You will achieve what you wish, though you may not know or realize to what extent those wishes will guide or influence you. Most likely you may not even guess your true motives and desires, simply because they frighten you and excite you at the same time. I will help you, but you will discover the answers to your questions in due time.

Now, however, is the time for rest and regeneration. You have woven a mighty spell, and I can feel your fatigue. Soon, perhaps, that may not be an issue for you. Of course, time will be measured differently as you learn the ways of Darkness. Go child, rest. Bathasar will guide you out and back to your people.

Remember, you guide them now. Simply call Bathasar’s name and he will be there. Through him what you will shall become reality. Through me, you shall learn about what your will and desires truly are.

[Anarane1]

Slowly Anarane rose from the chair readied herself to follow Bathasar back to the building where she had left her people. Her people… why was it she thought of them as hers? Turning toward Lord Solis for a moment words ready to fall from her lips but she didn’t know what they were. Her fingers lightly caressed the pendant that lay against her chest. Ana, slowly bowed her head to M’Lord, turned, following Bathasar out of the room and the house.

It had taken all her effort to leave the manor but she knew she had to return to the, now, main building at the center of what was becoming a small village. Smiling she went into the building to find Anara talking to Jessel. They both turned to face her bowing their heads slightly and waited for her to speak. They had never before acted in this manner toward her. Again thoughts of what she might have done wrong during the casting. Ana knew that right now was not the time to worry about that it was time to take care of the village and for her to get some rest.

”Anara, I need you and Jessel to see that the people here are settled in. I put a lot of effort into bring us here and need to rest. I know this was not what I had planned, for us to come here, but I am back home where I belong and where the people that I care about to be. I advise you to tell them not to venture outside the boundaries of this village. I know the borders will be expanding as the buildings go up but remind them not to go beyond the fences that move out as the village does. Now I must find a place to rest for a bit.”

As she turned to find a place to rest, she glanced out the window seeing a small manor house much like Lord Solis’ yet much smaller. Ana turned to ask them when it had been erected. But they had already gone to take care of the things she had told them to.

Walking out one of the doors Anarane walked up the short path to the manor house. Slowly climbing the steps to the porch and approached the door. As she raised her hand the door slowly opened before she could touch it. Stepping through the doorway she noticed that there was no one on the other side. The door had open because it was designed to respond to her presence.

In the main entry, on the wall facing the door, hung a tapestry that seem familiar. Anarane walked over to it slowly running her fingers over the silken material. On it was a blood red moon with two roses laying over it. One rose red, the other black. She knew she should know this emblem and something stirred in her telling her it belonged to her.

Smiling she moved through the manor house looking at each room then she came to a long winding hallway. It was not as long as the one she had passed through in her Master’s home but still much the same. Following it she too several turns as if by instinct. There were several passages that lead off the main one but she seemed to know which one she was to take.

After the last left turn she took, down a short passage, Ana come to a doorway. This one she knew would lead to her room. Entering the room she was taken back by the luxury of the room. There was a large bed with red silken bedding and large pillows fit for a queen. Again appeared the same symbols that had been on the one in the main entry this one was carved in the headboard of the bed. To the right and left were doors, one, she discovered, lead to a room with a large tub along the walls were bottles of scented oils and clothes for washing and drying after bathing. A small closet to one side held sleeping apparel.

Moving back to the main room Ana looked behind the other door to find a closet filled with gowns, everyday clothing, cloaks and robes. Never in her life had she seen such things in such splendor. She was beginning to wonder if she was dreaming it all but she had not yet laid to rest. Shaking her head she moved back into the room and walked once again to the bed. Not bothering to change she climbed in to the bed and fell asleep as her head touched the pillow.

Anarane had never been to this place after her Master had moved his city. Yet she seemed to feel right here. Not long after sleep had overtaken her she began to dream. Or was it dreams? There were things all too familiar that it was as if they were actually happening. She could feel her hands once again upon the tools she had used all those years ago in the underground as she had begun to learn the craft. Only this time it was not a strange girl she didn’t know laying on the table but one of the young girls of the village.

She found herself in conflict as she had made a promise to Pyren that these people would not be used to further her education, yet… there was something different about these people. They were not the same people she had known back on the island. They were different. They where changed. But how where they changed?

Anarane’s rest was restless for hours but not long before dawn the dreams finally stopped and she sleep deeply. Ana woke to the sound of a soft tapping at her door. Sitting up on the bed she looked toward the door blinking the sleep from her eyes before she answered. No one could have known how to find her room, no one but her Master or Bathasar. Clearing her throat she spoke softly.

”Come in.”

[Neve]

And the cloaked figure entered. The figure was indeed Bathasar, here to do his master’s bidding. But unlike most automations and dead things that had been animated, Bathasar held a will of a once powerful individual. Who that Individual was at one point had not been revealed to anyone.

Here Bathasar stood, holding a large bag. The bag held something equally large, and with ease Bathasar held it over his shoulder. It was roughly the size of a body. If one was to look closely, they might indeed see a small hint of shallow movement. An astute individual might draw the conclusion that the movement could suggest breathing.


You dream the dreams of one who wishes to explore the darker part of their soul. Yes, you do indeed have a soul. I could taste the wickedness hidden there. I could feel the sheer ecstasy you felt when you dreamed those wicked little things. Did your fantasy stir something primal, the taste of power and of the hunt?

You can tell me… We shall be spending time together, for I am an extension of my master, and I am now your advisor. I share your tastes, though not your power. You hold something I never had, the magic. I was simply wicked; you can create and change things. Does that stir up those feelings of fulfillment?


Bathasar did not speak aloud, he spoke only in Ana’s mind. This was the first time he had communicated so freely with anyone other then his master, and as his voice crawled through Anarane’s mind, his presence slide though with a hint of excitement, full of wicked knowledge of it’s own.

[Anarane1]

Ana was not surprised to see it was Bathasar entering the room. She looked curiously at the bag he carried over his shoulder discerning a slight movement but her thoughts were draw away from it as he began to speak to her mind. A slight shiver ran through her body as she felt his excitement and the hint of the power he himself held.

Her mind reeled as she thought about what he was saying to her. She indeed felt the primal urge. She felt the desire for power. Ana didn’t understand the desire to hunt as she had never felt it before. It had been Farene that had hunted but she was no longer a part of Anarane. Farene in fact no longer existed. Kain had destroyed her some years before. Farene had tried to kill Anarane and he had once again come to protect her even though he was leaving her for another. She had accepted that fact but deep inside the anger was still there. Ana still felt the loss of her son and her husband. He had been the only man she had ever loved or would ever love. As the thoughts ran through her mind she kept her eyes were fixed on him as he continued to speak to her.

”If you know what I felt then why ask? I am sure your Master told you of my reactions to his teachings. If you didn’t realize them yourself as I know you were near when I was in the laboratory.” Ana watched him cautiously wondering why Lord Solis had sent him instead of coming himself or sending for her to come to him. Had she done something to displease him? But this was not a question for Bathasar.

”Tell me, Bathasar, what is you are suppose to teach me? Are you to guild me or are you to spark what lies within me?” She tilted her head to one side then rose from her bed still clothed in the things she had arrived in. ”If you would Bathasar, wait for me in the sitting room. I need to freshen up and put on some clean clothes. Then you can answer my questions.”

Ana watched as he bowed slightly and left the room. She then went and took a quick bath. She dressed in a black robe that she tied at the waist with a silken rope. Ana let her long black hair tumble down her back instead of tying it back as she had done for so long. She slipped on a soft pair of black leather shoes lacing them up her calves. Inside the folds of her robes she sheathed her daggers.

After making sure she was ready Ana stepped out the room and made her way downstairs. At the foot of the stairs she stopped for a few minutes feeling everything around her. She could feel Bathasar in the next room. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking or if he was thinking at all. Walking in the room she motioned to a chair by the fireplace for him to sit. She took the chair across from him and waited for him to answer her questions.

[Bathasar]

The bag was gone for the moment, and the large, cloaked figure of Bathasar did not move toward the chair he was being offered. There was no disdain or malice; he simply was beyond such comforts. Comfort indeed, what was the word? He could not remember what it meant, having felt it so long ago. But even then he held disdain for such trivial things. There were much more important things to be had, things to be accomplished.

His cool voice crawled into her mind, leaving behind a trail of the disgust he felt for those around them. People were nothing, only objects. His Master manipulated, but he himself was a destroyer. The art of manipulation was something he had learned, yet he left those things to his Lord.

You feel it as your blade enters a body… There is no sweeter fruit then the pain that you inflict, the suffering, and the knowledge that whatever you decide to do from that point is not up to anyone. You hold the power, and that power is more delicious then any wine, better then any carnal desire you have or ever will play out. Those feelings are the ones I taste when you are around, feelings I have not felt in such a long while. It excites me, and I have not been excited for longer then I care to remember.

His voice slithered out into her mind again. The more Bathasar communicated, Ana slowly began to realize that they were not words she was hearing. Her mind was simply interpreting the feelings and images Bathasar transferred to her. And now she saw those images, along with his words. The images were of many battles, many different places, and the slaughters that followed.

The images were of burning villages, the taking of women, and the destruction of the wounded, young and old. It was but a moment of time, yet there was much more inside the man before her.

His voice rose above those images, those sensations, and even cut through those smells. But do not fret, I have much to share, as I am sure you will be kind enough to share with me....