Bells of the Sky

[sagefine]

Ding Dong Ding Dong

They say at the northern end of the Ularian Ridge there is a tower, a monestary. One that has never been seen along the jagged rocky edge of the mountains. Many have tried, by foot, by air. Yet none have found where the mysterious melodic tones, of the bells come from...

Ding Ding Ding Dong

A serenade to the sky itself. Rising their notes when the sun first rises each day, when the sun is at it's highest point, and when it sets over the horizen to sleep quietly in preperaton for a new day. Those that know what they are, claim they are the clearest in the world... a beautiful sound that decends from the skys above to saturate the Ularian Ridge in their music. The people there call them the Bells of the Sky. They say they each control one of the compass winds, and that the one who owns them is a powerful magician. Those who find the place... and defeat the man... will hold the power of the wind.




Sage moved throughout a small village of scattered houses and small stalls, selling essentials to travelers, such as bread and water skins. He smiled to one of the shopkeepers, she nodded to him with a smile. Two kids were playing ball nearby, they laughed and ran around. He smiled and picked up the small red ball when it rolled his way. He tossed it to them, they caught it and thanked him happily. Then returned to running around.

He ran a hand through his hair and walked into a small building on the out-skirts of the little village. It was a simple little building, wooden tables surrounded by chairs. A hooded man sat in the corner a glass of ale was in front of him. Sage walked up to the bar and sat down. "Water, please." The bartender nodded. Setting a glass of crystal clear water in front of him. "So what are you here for?" Sage smiled and gave a light laugh. "The Bells of the Sky."

Just as he said that, the midday ringing began,

Ding Dong Ding

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi sat at the bar and wiped the perspiration from his brow. He had been gone for a while and was ready to head home after a several week venture into the Ularian Ridge. He had found what he needed and would need time to figure out exactly how it could help him...if indeed it could at all.

He looked up when he heard the man down the bar mention the Bells. He noted the timing as the bells started to ring just after being mentioned. Good timing, Kerodi thought...probably better than if it had been planned. Somewhat ominous too.

Kerodi drained his ale and stared absentmindedly at the counter, rethinking the tale of the Bells. He knew it well, mainly because he had first spread the tale so many years ago. He smiled faintly. And in all that time, no one had managed to climb to the source and challenge him.

Not that it mattered Kerodi knew. Even if someone did manage to get there and DID manage to defeat him, it would be a surprise for them in the end. Kerodi finished his ale and ordered another, waiting to see if this young man was really going to undertake the challenge.

In the distance, the bells stopped ringing and the village went back to its endeavors.

[virgillius]

A black hooded was walking slowly trough the village, his breathing was heavy like he was choking. The villagers avoided him and the animals were afraid of him and snarled at him when he walked by.

When he walked into a tavern, the people that were inside stopped their conversasions and looked at him when he was walking towards a table.

The bartender walked towards to get his order. Evander dropped his hood and ordereda glass of red wine. The bartender nodded and walked awya and reappaered a few moments later with Evander's wine.

Evander took the glass and grabbed a small pouch from his coat with a red powder in it and he dropped a bit of the powder in the wine. The powder came from a herb that grew high in Ularian Ridge and he used it to keep his mortal form in good shape. when Evander drank a little from the wine his breathing became a little less heavier and he could start to relax... for a moment. His herb powder was almost gone and he needed new, so he had to make a trip to high in the ridge.

He revealed a map and started to talk in himself in an strange, ancient laguage that not even the most aged elfs know.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi turned with the rest of the bar patrons as the hooded stranger walked in and ordered. He seemed to be lost in himself, as most travelers to this part of the world were. He ordered and then proceeded to pull out something...it looked like a map from where Kerodi sat.

Kerodi nearly fell over when he heard the man muttering to himself...not for what he was saying, but for the WAY with which he said it. It was either gibberish, which Kerodi doubted, or an archaic language of some sort, which Kerodi was betting on.

Wordlessly, Kerodi swiveled back around and ordered some lunch from the bartender too. He might stay here a while and see who else might find their way to this hamlet today. As the food came, Kerodi nodded and started to eat, all the time his ears focused on the man behind him a few tables.

That language was somewhat lyrical, which would make it most likely of the Elven tongue. It was very impressive, especially that Kerodi, who studied the languages of Valear current and past, did not know it. He would have to find a way to meet this young traveler. Still thinking of how to do so, Kerodi continued to eat.

[virgillius]

Evander was looking at his map and sipping from his wine. He was planning to make a trip to the highest place of Ularian Ridge to get his herb. He was completly relaxed till he had the feeling he was being watched. Evander looked around and saw a young man keeping an eye on him. He smiled and decided to take a peak in the human's soul. The eyes of Evander became completly black and for him time seemed to be standing still.

"My, my. This mortal is bit more complex than the most he encountered. His vision went back to normal and he decided to start a conversation. He smiled at the man and greeted him. He focused a little and suddenly Evander was sitting in front of the young man. The other customers kept on going their conversations like nothing happened. "You dont mind if i join you, do you?"

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi watched as the young man behind him had his eyes go completely black. He felt the pulse on his soul and realized that his person could READ his soul. Kerodi quicly tried to rack his brain for the proper reference, but before he could determine it, the man smiled and was asking to join him.

Kerodi, with his mouth full, just nodded and continued chewing. Who was this guy? he wondered. What language was he speaking? How can he read souls...or was he doing something else? Kerodi finished chewing and took a long pull of his ale.

"You may indeed, sir. How are you today? What brings you to this little hamlet in the middle of nowhere?" Kerodi asked amicably, taking another pull from his mug.

[sagefine]

Sage picked up his glass of water again. He'd heard the ancient language. It was strange, only some of it sounded vaguely familiar to him. Like he'd... read it somewhere. Hmm. He decided to keep an ear on them. So he began having some light conversation with the bartender.

"Yes... I did some research on the bells... they seem like quite the artifact. I personally would like to see them."

The spirit of Efreet stirred within Sage's body.

"That man over there... who is he?"

This was curious, under any other circumstance Efreet was usually the hot headed one. Calling people names and things while inside Sage. Some made Sage laugh lightly in, others would get him hit by Aeolus... Efreet absolutely annoyed her to death.

"Don't know. I'm keeping an eye on him though... and his friend."

[virgillius]

Evander was sitting in front of the young man, slowly swirlling the wine in his glass. " A task... and something of great importance brings me here. I need to go high up in Ularian ridge, close to the northern edge. I could make the trip easily but i need a guide and you looked you were from these parts. Care to join me?"

Evander was about to take a sip from his wine till he felt his heart ache and he started to cough heavily. His mortal body hasn't recovered yet and he noticed the spell started to wane.

Behind Evander a cloaked man wielding a scythe appeared in the same position as himself. The man was nothing more than a shade but could be seen by people that were magic sensitive. His presence seemed to be absorbing the light and the life energys of those in the room. The inn shook on its foundations and wen the cloaked man started to gain a slight physical form Evander regained his grip and everything returned like nothing happened.

"Uhm, sorry, just a little thats all." Evander took a drink from his wine and felt his mortal body regenerating by the herbs powder effect. "So, what is your answer on my proposal?"

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi felt something darken within his chest and felt a slight pull on his soul, his desire to live, his fear of death...all those emotions one has when Death is nearby, coming for you and you wishing to run away.

Suddenly, the moment passed and the stranger in front of Kerodi regained his composure. Were the two linked in some way? Kerodi wondered. He was not sure, but a suspicion was beginning to percolate at the back of his mind.

"I have a cabin just outside of town," Kerodi said, taking another bite of his food before continuing. "I do a lot of traveling and hunting. I also do some prospecting in the hills. The northern edge, huh? That is quite a ways and it is said to be treacherous."

Kerodi bent close and whispered, "They say that those high peaks are the sanctuary of the ringer of the Bells of the Sky. None may pass without defeating him. Have you gone there before or are you just hoping like other fools to try and take him out?"

Kerodi sat back and took another pull of ale. "I could lead you as far as I know, which is quite a ways, but you would have to find the rest of the way yourself. Of course, I would need payment up front, because I doubt I would ever see you again."

[virgillius]

Evander looked at the young stranger with amused eyes. "Bells of the sky, huh? That story is more hilaric than a dwarf trying to convice you that he doenst drink alcohol. It is just a story of these villagers, a myth, a bedtime story for younglings. And even if they excist, i dont need them. I am not a man that search to increase his power just because my power is already to great. I look for something more valuable than some stupid bells. But ofcourse i understand about the payment."

Evander grabbed for a pouch in his coat, he opened it and revealed a diamond that seemed to radiates with pure white light. "This is an Angelic Blood Diamond. It is very rare and i doubt if you even heard about it. I have a whole pouch of these and it is yours if you guide me. I give you a small part when we leave and i give you the rest when you have brought me as far as you can." Evander laid the diamond on the table in front of the traveller. Evander was waiting for the man's answer till he heard a chair move and before he knew a knife was laid against Evander's throat.

"Well, well." said the ruffian. "What do we have here. Thats a nice jewel you have there, i bet you have some more in your coat. Hand them over before i cut your throat."

Evander didn't even flinch at the ruffians threat. Slowly he watched his surroundings. the whole inn was watching them.
then he smirked. "Well, what a dillema. I just could give you the diamonds and nobody should have to suffer but then i can't afford my guide. Or i just could kill you right here, keep the diamonds, pay my guide and i have what i need." Evander was scrathing the side of his head while thinking. "Hmm, i'll think i'll kill you." he said on a icy tone.

The bandit was starteld but then started to laugh nervously. "You kill me? If you move just an inch i'll kill YOU!

Evander raised an eyebrow. "Who said i needed to move?" He closed his eyes and said in his ancient language a word that could be heard on the tone that it was sinister and foul.

Suddenly a vortex appeared and a giant skeleton hand, two times the size of Evander, appeared from the ground. It snatched the ruffian and with great ease broke his spine and pulled the ruffian down with him.

The costumers off the inn were in great panic, rage and anger. Then Evander said another word in his language and suddnely everyone was back at his seats, like nothing happened, continuening their conversations. the whole time Evander hadnt moved a muscle and he focused back on the man in front of him. "Better forget about that. Well, what do you say about my offer?"

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi had watched the display from the young man and realized now what had eluded him before and confirmed his suspicions. This was the human form incarnate of Death in Valear.

Kerodi had heard the legend for a long time about how Death took human form at times and still retained some of the power. He had heard of the diamonds too, but had no need for them as they were really nothing more than pretty trinkets to those who could not command their power. Only angels and the like could do that...and Kerodi was not one of those.

"I know who you are," Kerodi whispered, dropping the act he had put forth earlier. "You do not need a guide to where you go. You have power, some which can save you, some which cannot. You have no need of me."

Kerodi finished his ale and looked at the young man. "As for the Bells of the Sky, legend and reality are often entangled in ways we cannot undo. Remember that when the time comes...even someone like you can still learn lessons." Kerodi stood, laying a coin on the counter for his meal and drink.

He turned to the young man once more. "If you want company on your trip, you should take someone that is planning on being foolhardy like yourself. Take him." Kerodi pointed to a man down the bar that had first mentioned the Bells. With that, Kerodi turned and left the bar.

[sagefine]

As soon as the diamond had appeared, Sage felt a twang of pain go through him. "Angelic Blood Diamonds... a bag full..." Desire, want, need, all these emotions mixed inside Sage, their power... he had a use for them. The good he could do with those... or the evil. He seemed to smirk.

"I would be more than willing to come with you, sir." He turned and gave the mysterious man a smile. Then watched as the other left, he wondered to where. But it mattered not. He came here to seek the bells... not wonder after strange men.

[virgillius]

Evander looked at the man that greeted him. He took a sip from his wine and started to think. "This man seems eager to join me... maybe a bit to eager." Evander kept looking at the man's face. He had the feeling that he had seen him before... a long time ago.

"You seem a bit... young and... uhm... unexpiernced to go with me. So tell me. Why should take you with me?" Evander smiled while he was questioning him. Then he putted away the diamond, back in the pouch, and took another sip from his wine. Slowly he felt his mortal body regenerating.

[sagefine]

Sage welcomed the challenge of a question, like a game of chess. He set his glass of water on the table.

"I am no fool of a traveler my good man. I've gone over almost every map of this area that I can come across. I want to see the Bells of the Sky actually. You just happened to be headed in the same direction... I thought a little company would be better than traveling alone."

He stated his point very matter-of-factly, giving a slight nod of the head and a smile. He lifted the glass again to his lips. Then a half smirk crossed his lips.

"Besides... you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover my friend."

[virgillius]

Evander looked at him coldly. "Bells Of the Sky? That's a laugh. If you want to see a bell than you should better go to a churchtower, its closer and you're sure it is there." Evander laughed at the idea of bells controlling the winds."But you're right about the book, most people first read it trough before they really start reading it."

Evander's eyes became black again while he was saying this. When he peeked into the man's soul, he knew he was right that he saw him before and he decided to put him on a little test.

He was swirling the wine in his glass." Also most books contain some secrets. Some hide one, two or..." he was looking the man right in the eye. "Or four." Evander gave a small smirk.

"Talking about books, this reminds me about a story from where i come from. Almost a century ago, there was a man who was seeking for power made a pact with Asatar, The death spirit of Valaer. Asatar made up with a deal, the mortal would gain his immense power if he would deliver the souls of his children, his wife and unborn son. The man blinded by greed accepted and killed his children but his wife escaped with his unborn son. The woman fled to a monastary where she died after giving birth to her son. the nurses and clerics taught him well and it seemed the life of the boy would be a happy one. Until on a day his father driven mad, stil seeking power, found his son in the monastary. When they clashed into battle the son casted a spell that was givin to the mortals as a gift by the high spirits of Valaer and it destroyed them both." Evander looked at the man sitting in front of him and noticed he became very quiet. "Ironic isn't it? The father was killed by the one he had to kill and by the power he seeked and the son tried to destroy his father and take revenge but ened up to destroy itself. Some people say the story has a meaning. Like "Qonquest for power only brings suffering" or "We are just pawns in the game set up by Asatar." Well, i think it has an other meaning." Evander started to smile and raised his glass like he was proposing a toast." I saythe treu meaning is: Never use ancient magic or you'll be blown to peaces." Than Evander drank the last bit of his wine.

"Well, enough of the chattering, don't you agree? I think you'll be a nice compagnion, when do you wan't to leave?"