Book 1 chap 3, now chapter 2



COTLOP chap 2


Voices, dreams and the waking fantasy.



The Price of wisdom is the loss of innocence's, the price of knowledge is the loss of freedom.: Lord of Power


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In a stucco lodge home under a thatched roof with the back drop of the castle is the doctors home where the emissary of light is resting,  the doctor is told by the guild masters to treat him as he sees fit then when he wakes they will decide what to do next. The Emissary stays in the doctors home for a couple of weeks with his left arm bandaged that's where the scar of the orb's of creation is burnt into his flesh. The doctor has put layers of magical imbued rune filled bandages upon it to stabilize it and heal it. Since the wound leaks out damaging energies that crack reality itself.


After a few days of rest and just before he could speak the Emissary  noticed the floating orbs scurrying about doing odd jobs like sweeping, moping carrying water and aid items for the nurses. "Ah my boy!" the Doctor says. "How are you feeling? Mmmmmmmm taken an interest in my "minions" have you? Ho ho ho. They are they are filled with servant sprits, sprits that gain pleasure from aiding others while they are witless creatures you can bind many commands to them. The more capable the creator the more powerful the minion so they say sadly the best I can do is have these guys help keep this place clean and barely organized."

The Emissary gazes at the minions and the sprits within them he sees the sprits and the inner works of the spell and learns that they have the ability to do simple work such as book and item categorization, cleaning and repair of the residence stronger minions can be produced but right now it cannot be understood how. When he regains his ability to speak they start with simple things like item identification such as apples, oranges, beer, cups, money and other simple terminology of the land. A brief history lesson talks about the darkness and its people and how they have come to spread death and destruction.


After a few more days of rest the Emissary wishes to see magic at the school and is taken to a children's class on magic Alucia leads him there while Lieutenant Drake is in toe.  They get there as the class starts as they sit down the old teacher begins. "Magic is the ability to bend the powers of creation to ones will. Via the use of chants, words and focused mental fortitude one can use magic. But what of elements one child asked, the elements ah yes the elements they flow through all magic thus all elements can be weaved into a word, a chant or a thought."



He picks 3 random students each weave their magic with either a word a chant or a movement of the hands and body, the Emissary of light eyes twinkle as they perform their spell set the magic is reflected in his eyes which vanish away once he blinks. Weak from fatigue from something unknown to him he shakes it off and watches on as the teacher says." Ah yes and let's not forget the greater elements like the stuffed fire dragon of the LT here. He pauses and then starts talking again. There are greater sprits whom on their whim will walk with us in our life time and aid us in fighting the darkness. The teacher then asks the Emissary. "Ah yes Emissary would you care to create a globe of magical energy this test, tests ones aptitude for magic, just hold onto this rod and focus your thoughts upon it. The Emissary stands slowly and slowly walks to the teacher and takes the rod from him.


He dose as told and creates a very large globe of energy with little effort and then as to show off he takes his other hand and picks the globe up to the amazement of the class he raises it above his hand above his head and makes it even bigger all the while gazing at it like it's a new part of himself. He then collapses the huge globe into white birds that dart outside the open windows that vanish as they fly to the horizon to the amusement of the children. The teacher says " Very impressive emissary and very nice finish, ok class settle down the teacher says."


Teacher, teacher another child asked tell us about the orbs again the old wise teacher pauses and says as he waves his hand a bright sphere shines high in the room and he says."High above them all beaming down life is the orb of light those who possess it are wise, those who possess it wave life and purge darkness." He waves his hand again and a blue sphere shines to the left as he says. "As to the lower right good springs froth with the icy resolve of nobility those that possess it are masters of water and ice and are known to be as venomness to their enemies as they are kind to their friends. And to goods right fire burns in the crimson heart of passion some say it's nothing but a path to villainy and while it is a bit self-centered and more commonly called the orb of evil nothing can match the fiery sprit of those who possess is, is that not true Lieutenant Drake?"


And lastly as he waves his hand a dark sphere appears absorbing in the glowing mist of the others faintly. The teacher says grimly. "This is the orb that is many times a misunderstood path but at others times it is as dreaded and mysterious as they say it is, it is a path of death and despair but is it despair for the dead or despair for the living that pushes their entropic march across creation …well…that is for you to decide" He says as he waves his hand again and the orbs disappear in a flash of color and lights. The teacher then says "And in final class is now over." The children amused again get their things read to leave.


Not feeling well the Emissary is brought back to the healing ward at the doctor's lodge and Drake crawls back to his assigned room still not recovered from his earlier fight. Alucia goes to report on the days occurrences.  A large creaky door opens up to a smoke filled office as Alucia enters the room waving her hand in front of her face and coughing a bit. She yells "SARG open a window already!" A snarl is heard in the dark as a widow is opened. He sighs then sits down as the smoke clears you can see his name on the desk, Sargent Vaz Steel. He sighs as he sits down "Ruin my smoke break eh? What is it now hot head?"


She ignores the comment and says "The Emissary seems to be magically adept and should be well enough for light duties, sir." He replies as he exhales smoke "Ok I will let them know he's ready for the parade." She replies. "Parade sir?" He replies. "He will be lead out and shown to the public for a bit. Oh ya. "He bellows." Captain Lawrence has assigned you to watch over the emissary and to find him a weapon not to mention get him some sparing in to see if he is battle ready, grab a couple brown coats and setup a ring or something." He puffs on his cigar as he waves his hand at her dismissively while he looks through some papers. She replies "Yes sir!" Holding her head outside the door looking left and right she notices the dimwit duo walking by she grabs their arms and says your coming with me. She leads them off to an old unused part of the Guilds court yard filled with broken chairs, carts and other trash strewn about. The duo look around and then look at her who's still in the middle of them firmly holding onto their arms and they shake their heads saying. "You want us to clean this up? US? That's real work (the other nods repetitively) for real men, we are not real men! The other starts shaking his head again." Gently crushing their arms a bit more she says I don't need it to be perfect just clean out a ring for training. She leans forward and let's go as they bump into each other almost tripping on each other. She starts to walk away and says. "Thanks guys!" "Ok so clear a space we got it." One says. The other starts to speak at the shock of the other. "Excuse me miss?" He says softly as she stops in her tracks. "On who orders are we doing this for? Just so we won't be stopped and be made to do something else?" "Captain Lawrence, you need anything else?" She says tapping her foot. The other one puts his hand on the others mouth and says. "No mam!"


As she leaves another brown coat with gold trim comes in and sits down on a box in the middle of the area one of the one of the bumbling duo asks her to move and the gold trim said "Work around me I have to calculate how much money will be needed to purchase weapons and if you hurry I can keep stuff lined up and organized, so get to work." They reply in a timid voice "Yes mam!" A moment passes and he replies. "HEY!!! I am a GUY!!! I might be a bit young but… "He is ignored as they work.


Note:Gap fill in or not


Today is alive with the hustle and bustle of a small festival, a few days before the Emissary came a group of merchants came in looking to head to a larger town for the local warrior festivals. It has been to long since they have had one here and the local guild of light decided to offer to buy all their wares after the festivities the merchants had left over if they stayed and set up shop. The news of a gift landing has everyone within 3 days travel or less come to the partially run down town. The local merchants and farmers have put everything they have to bear for travelers and each other for sale as well. Weapon, armor, equipment and food stalls line the paths to the Guild of lights local great hall. It is on this day the Emissary is taken out and paraded before the people for a short while before he is lead to find a weapon suited for his abilities, in a room he is dressed in slightly gaudy clothing and some basic Protector equipment, with a white coat.


At the great hall they gather Drake says as he looks out the window "Uuhhgggg.. There are a lot of people out there…" As he holds his head still not quite recovered from the events a few days ago. The Captain talks with the Emissary and Alucia explain what they are going to do, Alucia has been assigned as the Emissary's guard, guide and assist him in finding a weapon.



"DRAKE!!" the Captain yells sending a cold steel spike through his lieutenant's skull as he is reeling from a 4 day hangover, he almost falls over from the sound resonating in his skull he limps from the window in sight of the captain not 10 feet away with his hand covering his face and replies in a soft tone "Yes Captain me captain, what may I do for you…."  The Captain replies looking him up and down "Do try and stay out of the drink today, otherwise you are dismissed I believe the nurses' station has some more medicine for you." Drake feels the word medicine and turns green, for the past 4 days they have been making him drink a horrible brew of restorative gruel all you need is to keep a few sips down to survive a few days on nothing else.. But keeping a few drops down is quite a challenge even for the most hardiest of drinkers as it tends to want to come back up. The Captain smirks as Drake stagers off to the nurse's station to get his just rewards not knowing the Captain knows they have changed it to an easier to shallow potion to deal with the hangover.


A brown coat runs past Drake on his way to the purgatory wing known as the health and recovery wing and he stops to tell the Captain they are ready at the side doors to walk the Emissary down the side path where they will ride an open horse drawn carriage through main street and back up to the main entrance where most of the stalls are at the the festivities can begin in full swing.


As the parade starts Alucia rushes' from stall to stall looking for suitable weapons having one of each type sent to guild court yard. She goes from one gray and dull stall to another grain, spices, farming tools then a splash of color can be seen in the vegetable stall but still not what she is looking for, she sees spears down the road and runs over there close to the edges of the street as so she dose not fall into a muddy puddle.


The parade starts off with 6 horses and an old open white carriage with gold trim, standing in front is the emissary standing dazed and confused and waving at everyone. Drake is bent down on his knees peeking around at the public revived and refreshed from his last sip of restorative medicine while a bit sea sick he is more distraught at so many people being around than his medical woes. Captain Lawrence watches on from the back, leaning against one of the 4 gilded posts while reading a book in one head waving slightly with the other. He glances down and sees Alucia running about with a couple farm lads carrying weapons, she stops and points at the guild hall and they leave her to deliver them. She scratches her head and sees a stall of staffs far off and then runs off down the road.


Note: gap Alucia needs more weapons


Down the bumpy road not much has changed the Emissary stiffly waves at everyone on the sides of the road near the stalls and those taking the time to watch the parade from windows or sitting in chairs at table's in between the stalls. While Drake seems passed out and the Captain rubbing his head with one hand while thinking up what punishment his dear lieutenant is going to get for passing out again.





The parade begins its way back up with more fanfare as this is a better built part of town the road lacking pits and mud holes more people are out to see the Emissary than before. The Captain takes note of this and pauses for a moment to look at Drake to make sure he is still passed out.  Alucia is at the final stall she has found and is negotiating with the store owner over what to send to the guild hall.


She says "Look mister its easy whatever is sent will be paid for upon delivery do you want." He says. "That's not the point I don't have anything of worth but this one cursed staff of the changeling, besides money up front at time of sale or no sale." She smiles as her eyebrow twitches she then says "Ok how about this give me 2 hard staffs that separated staff I do not "see" and the cursed staff I will buy them myself." He replies with a smile "You will? Ok then take this thing away from me." "And the others?"  She asks, he replies. "Oh yes I almost forgot." Alucia is ready to scream as he grabs them and bundles them together in a with some cloth for ease of carrying and hands them to her she then places the cursed staff in there. Frustrated she then dashes off almost gliding along the ground back to the guild hall court yard.


A groan is heard in the wooden carriage as one of the wooden wheels breaks, everyone but Drake is braced for it and is tossed on his butt in front of the carriage, slowly he wakes up and notices something…people he then wakes up real fast gets up, bows and says he has pressing duties to attend to and runs off to the guild hall. Captain Lawrence says. "Come Emissary we shall have a refreshing walk back it's not too far." Alucia walks up carrying the last bit of weapons she can find in a snack on her shoulder, she asks. "May I accompany you dear cousin on this walk?" Perplexed and perturb at her for mocking him he replies "Why yes dear cousin you may". They take a step forward eyeing each other trying to be the one in front as they realize the Emissary is still back at the carriage waving at people. Alucia says "You don't think?"" That Drake is rubbing off on him?" Says Captain Lawrence.


At this time guards came down from the guild to help, asking the Captain what they can do. "He says. " Secure the carriage till it can be moved and move the townspeople back they are distraction to the Emissary." The captain and Alucia walk a few feet and ask the Emissary to come with them which kind of snaps him out of his automaton mode, together and focused they head off to the court yard Alucia has been sending weapons to.


As they enter the courtyard they can see the more run down side is cleaned up with weapons laid out all around leaning on the wooden fence. The gold trim brown coat salutes the Captain and says "So far we have 34 different weapon's covering all known guild weapon standards. Ah Alucia you have more?" She replies "Yes, 2 hard staffs, 1 separated staff and one cursed staff". He stops in his tracks and says "Did…did…did you say cursed?" Captain Lawrence replies. "Now now Leo there's nothing to be frightened of. What kind of curse cousin?" She holds it out and looks it over while Leo hides behind the Captain. I  think this is a consumption staff, you know an enchanted staff that takes so much will and energy to work they often call them cursed. She hands the short "cursed" staff to the Captain. He looks it over then with one hand has it  stretch to a full staff length takes 2 steps forward and then begin to swing it around in a fighting practice form he transforms the weapon into a spear then a pole arm and then back into a staff. While the Captain dances with the staff the Emissary watches and his eyes glowed a bit every bit of the knowledge there was of the weapon is now somewhere in the Emissary's mind.



The Captain stops and places his right his arm out to the right and shrinks the staff into something that's hand sized and then tossed it to Alucia saying. "It seems fine though I detect a hint of malice from it but other than it gorging on the users magic its ok save it for last." Captain Lawrence looks toward the Emissary and says "Well Emissary… Emissary?"  Dazed from the shock of analyzing the staff he mumbles with his fists up "I'm ready" before passing out as everything fades to white.


In the white void 2 old figures argue over who's move is it as they sit across a huge chess board that's multiplied across multiple colors upon one a random pawn shakes.


As the world fades back in Captain Lawrence then says." Drake... You've not let him drink anything strange have you?" While taking a sip of his medicine Drake replies "No Captain, not a drop 'hic'!" in an intoxicated tone.


The Captain then mumbles to himself "Lovely a boozer and an anemic this is becoming a wonderful day!" Alucia hearing it giggles and he looks at her with a "you just did not hear that look" that even startles her. All she can do is smile while shaking her head with her hands up in a surrender motion. The Emissary starts getting up as Drakes helps him up. The Emissary says "I think I have had it for the day". "And so have I dear Emissary." as the captain holding his head back replies in a rare trying to be funny moment.


As a cloud darkens the courtyard with the sun racing like a snail to early dusk Alucia claps her hands and says "Alright children it's time for bed. Brown coats!" Leo and the dimwit duo stand at attention she quickly says "Sorry not you Leo!" Out of nowhere one of the dimwit duo says "Umm you know miss we have names I'm Dewmer and he is Duwmer." She continues. " Alright Dewmer and Duwmer take the intoxicated pair to the Recovery ward they can rest there over night, when should we meet back Captain… Captain? "The captain stands there reading his book and says yes I heard you. He then shifts the book to one side and looks at Alucia and says. "Unlike most males I can do 2 things at once and not get confused. I suppose it would be best if we met back at noon just to ensure everyone is awake and able. I am heading back to report todays activities, Alucia,Leo your dismissed, Dumber and Duwmer  take Drake and the Emissary to the recovery ward then you are dismissed for the day." The Captain, Alucia and Leo then walk off, Dewmer and Duwmer each help Drake and the Emissary to the recovery ward the Emissary thanking them as he lays down Drake passed out halfway there. Dewmer then says " Duwmer, Ya know I think that's the first time someone has thanked us, Duwmer replies "I think you are right. Say, say we'er done here right?" The other nods "Let's go to the pub and drink the night away!" The other replies. "Sounds like a plan to me!"


While the brothers D'w drink the night away Drake dreams the same the Good Captain Starts a new book while Alucia and Leo sleep the Emissary is haunted by strange dreams that disappear in a foggy haze as the late morning light fills his eyes. Drake is awake and vigorously eating his breakfast, The Emissary groggily sits up and stares across the room notices its mix of 40's style medical equipment set in a castle room made of mostly stone. A nurse comes up to him and asks "How are you feeling?" he replies "Tired and sore... and hungry." The nurse thinks for a moment and says.


"Then let's try a simple restorative breakfast." Drake giggles while saying "Gurgle excellent!" She gives him a quick evil look then says "I see you are doing well this morning lieutenant You can go when you are done with your meal and you really should use more recovery herbs in your..er…potions you would not wind up in here nearly as much. " Two words he did not want to hear today leaves him a bit green faced at which time he stops eating his meal of which he has eaten almost all of. He then gets up slowly and then quietly says. "Thank you." and leaves and the Emissary waves at him.


The Emissary fluffs his pillow behind him as he tries to remain sitting as the nurse says "Be right back." The Emissary nods at her as she leaves. After a few minutes of dozing off she comes back with some porridge on a tray with some milk and honey. She then sits it on his lap he looks at it and sighs then takes up the spoon saying "When you stare into the void the void stares back ." He then pokes at the porridge some then notices the honey and just pours the whole thing into it. The nurse says with a funny look on her face "Are you sure you want to do that? " He replies. "I'd rather take it too sweet than too bitter." Then mixes up the porridge then takes a taste, nods to himself and starts eating it. Taking in sips of milk with every few bites he finishes his meal in a few minutes. The nurse then takes the tray off and he yawns wondering what time it is. He asks another nearby nurse and she says around 10. He then thinks for a moment and then asks. "Is it ok if I leave? I want get a head start on looking at the weapon selection." She stops to think then says "Wait a movement and let me ask." She then walks off to the nurse's desk and then comes back and says "It should be ok." He replies. "Ok er…could you get someone to show me the way?." She giggles and says. "You are horrible aren't you. I'm getting off shift in a bit I'll take you." The Emissary says "Ok thank you." She walks back to the nurse's desk.


After a short nap he wakes up yawns and looks around the nurse is holding a jacket in her hand asking "Are you ready?"  The Emissary replies "Yes." He gets up slowly out of the bed and stretches a bit. He says "Ok ready!" She says as they walk "My name is Kathrine." He stops for moment trying to remember his name and says. "I am….the Emissary; I don't really remember my name." They start walking again and she asks" A shame, do you not remember much?" He replies. "No not really I mean I know things but nothing much about me I guess. "Turn here." She then says. He continues "There is not much else to say." They stop and to the right the nurse points and the courtyard can be seen. The nurse looks at all the weapons and asks "You're going to try all of them?" He replies "Only those I have an affinity for. I think I can use any but only the ones I like I will bother to practice with." He then walks up to a row of weapons looking from left to right there are two or three of various two handed swords, curved swords, daggers , short swords, long swords, maces, axes, spears and pole arms, staffs, bows, cross bows.


He then says "I guess I will start here."  He picks up a large two handed sword. The nurse finds a place to sit and watch. He holds the 2 handed sword with one hand and says "MMmmmmm" he inhales before taking a stance he swings it around three times rather quickly switches hands and swings it a few more times. Then exhales and says. "Too heavy, next." He picks up the curved sword swings it around a few times Arabian style. "No not right, next." Picks up a dagger then a European short sword and compares the two then puts the dagger down as he spins around while swinging it. Stops and inhales then takes a stance swinging it around a few times jabbing then swinging it around a few more times spins back and uses the sword to lift up a roman style short sword into the air he grabs it and then spins around swinging both swords around competently then stops, exhales, before saying.


"Nice, much better than the last two not quite right but the best so far."  He walks over then picks up the scabbard to the roman short sword. Then sits the short swords down beside the two handed swords. He then walks over to the long swords picks up one and pulls it out and just stares at it……."Long" he mumbles to himself". In a thinking mode he tilts to the left then tilts to the right.  Thinking to himself of it getting caught on brush, trees, ceilings, doorways then says to himself. "Eeehhhh… eehhhh …. It gets caught on things." Sheaths it back into the sheath and puts it back down.


He then stares at the maces and then beams with an evil thought he picks up two like sized maces then hums Cuban Pete in his head as he dances around for a bit. As the nurse runs up to him asking ."Are you alright? "The others arrive catching some of the Emissary's strange dance. He then says. "I'm fine I fine I was dancing for a bit, being silly you know." Captain Lawrence raises an eye brow and asks. "That was dancing?"  The Emissary then says. "No not really. More like voluntary convulsions!" Drake interrupts and says. "I'll say!" Alucia replies to him. "Your one to talk!" Captain Lawrence then asks the Emissary "I see you you've started early made any progress?" The Emissary tries to stand at attention then replies. "Two handed swords, long swords and maces not my thing." As he tosses the maces back to where they were they land side by side heavy end down one tips over to lean back on the wall. Alucia and Leo walk over to the nurse and Alucia asks "Why are you here?" She said she helped him find his way here and is off work and then they walk off to sit down near each other Leo goes to stand near Alucia while Dewmer and Duwmer go to stand near the bows and cross bows.


The Emissary then continues "Short swords seem good I set them aside, If I am allowed I shall continue to check out the rest of the weapons. Oh where is that changeling staff? " Captain Lawrence replies. "I have it right here we'll test it last if that is ok with you. And what do you mean by seems to be good?" The Emissary replies." The short swords?" The captain nods as the Emissary continues. "I like them but there is something off, just minor issue of liking it is all." The Captain replies "Interesting and the staff?" the Emissary replies. "We can do it last." He then motions with both hands in a slight bow to the weapons and the Captain nods the Emissary then walks over to the axes there are three one handed and 2 two handed axes. He looks at them and imagines chopping a lot of wood and building a cabin in the woods then shudders while saying. "Next!"


He then looks over the spears and pole arms and touches one of the pole arms and shakes his head then he looks at the spears as Alucia thinks "HELL YA CHOOSE A SPEAR!" He then continues to look over the spears, then starts looking at the staffs and picks one to Alucia's dismay "Aawww HELL no!" The Emissary then says "There is not much difference in a staff and a spear albeit for the knife on the end of the spear." Before any one could say anything he kicks one of the staffs gently and it leans too him he catches it half way to the ground then flips it up in the air catches it then spins it around and strikes a stance with the staff in both hands swings it around with one hand then goes into a different two hand stance swings it around again then pounds it on the ground beside him and he says. "I like it!". He then walks over to where the short swords are and places the staff leaning against the wall by them.



Walking back the Captain applauses and the Emissary stops and takes a bow before walking to the cross bows and bows. Looks around for a target and sees one near a stone wall off to the side with no one near it the Emissary yells "Target practice time!" While picking up a bow and quiver then he turns quickly fires a couple arrows into the target that hit around the bulls eye. Dashes left and fires a couple more lines up 4 arrows at once then fires them they all hit the target taking the last arrow out he blows on it creating a flame on the tip. He then aims it and lets it go it hits the bull's eye creating a flash.


He then jumps backward a few times pulling on the string creating a magical arrow and fires it into the target he then kneels firing a couple more into the target quickly getting up and hands the quiver to Dewmer asking if him and Duwmer can go fetch the arrows.  While Dewmer and Duwmer run off to get the arrows the Emissary walks to where he placed the staff and places the bow by it.  Dewmer and Duwmer are collecting the arrows fired into the target. One touches one of the magical arrows and it turns into magical dust soon after the rest of the magical arrows turn into twinkling dust that soon vanishes.


Amazed for a moment they then quickly collect the rest and rush back to the Emissary. The Emissary then points to the bow and one of them runs off to place the quiver by it. Captain Lawrence walks up and says. "That was amazing." The Emissary replies "I'm not done yet." picking up the Cross bow and its quiver he turns around aims at the target and then load and cocks the cross bow nearly instantly by magical firing one bolt after another in steady repetition of one bolt every two to three seconds making a circle around the target then filling it in as a smiley face.  "Now I am done!" The Emissary says with a smile.


Captain Lawrence turns around and before he could get a word out Alucia runs up and yells "That was great!"  While Drake said "So you can fight after all." While Leo is counting arrows and bolts in the quiver amazed none are lost or damaged. Then Captain Lawrence coughs "Ahrm!" and the says "Excellent work Emissary, do you want to continue with the Changeling staff? " The Emissary replies. "Ya I am good let's get this over with." As he cracks his neck.


The Captain then tosses the compact 6 inch changeling staff to him and the Emissary grabs it then examines it. He mumbles "Mmmmmmm…" and he holds it out like a sword horizontally and passes his hand over it.  Then says "From what I can see there are 3 layers to this weapon." This peeks the Captains interest and he asks. "Oh really?" The Emissary replies "Yes the top layer is black that tangles into the rest of it, the next layer down seems to be the energy control layer while the deeper one is the control matrix holding all the information the staff needs to transform." He mumbles "Mmmmmmm…" again then turns it into a full staff and says "Yikes!" loudly then says. "This thing dose consume a lot of energy… "Mmmmmmm." He mumbles to himself and then says. "If I do this then THIS!" He starts releasing a lot of energy into the staff and it becomes white hot. As the area becomes warm the Captain holds his hand up before him and says "Emissary is this necessary?" Then the Emissary suddenly stops and says nothing just standing there with great heat coming off him and the staff. The Captain growing impatient runs up to him holding his hand in front of himself to keep the heat off his face and he yells "Emissary are you alright? Emissary?"


A moment goes past and just as everyone starts to really worry the Emissary says "Success!" as a great gust of wind comes from him cooling everything off as one knee falls to the ground the others come rushing up as he says. "I did it!" Captain Lawrence Says while holding onto the one of the Emissary's shoulders. "What did you do?" The Emissary responds with a silly grin "I burnt off the top layer, now it should be very easy to control." You did?" The captain says while taking hold of the Staff and turns it back into a compact 6 inch rod. Pauses for a moment saying "Amazing… But are you ok?" The Emissary replies. "I am fine just took more focus than I thought." The Captain then helps him to his feet. As the Emissary stretches and cracks his neck, back and hands.


The Emissary then says "Now with that out of the way we can start see what I can do with this little trinket." The Captain replies. "Are you sure you want to continue."  The Emissary replies. "Well what do you think? As you can see it takes little energy to use now. A little changing it into what I can imagine and a little of showing what I can do with it should not be a problem." The Captain ponders for a moment and then replies "You are right but please do not strain yourself anymore today." The Emissary replies as he holds out one hand for the rod. "As you wish dear captain with a slightly evil grin on his face." The captain rolls his eyes and hands him the changeling rod as the others return to where they were standing.


The Emissary goes into a staff stance and twirls and spins the staff around then extends the staff many times, then he turn it into a single short sword  spins around and slashes with it some then spins around. Then changes it into a bow then aims it at the target as a moment goes by he fires a couple magical arrows into it, then changes it into a crow bow and dose the same. He then changes it into one 9mm pistol and fires a few magical rounds into the target to the amazement of everyone. He then turns it back into a staff and pounds it beside him.


"Ah Captain?!" he says quickly before saying. "Let me spar with someone before we quit." The Captain ponders for a moment as he turns some pages in his book very well then. "Alucia!" She stands at attention for a moment then remembers who called for her. "Let's see how his staff skills par against your spear skills." Alucia nods then walks over to the spears and picks one out the shaft is as tall as she is with a diamond shaped doubled sided blade and a two foot long red vibrant ribbon that match's her vibrant hair. She then takes it goes into a stance and then jabs with it then switches to spinning it around switching hands then jabs with it again before doing a couple back flips landing near the Emissary. The Captain yawns then says "You may begin." as he reads his book.


While off in the in the vast nothingness of a white void the two old figures sit with a chess board between them both snoring quietly as they slumber two pawns lay on the board a clocked figure in gray and a white figure in white with a spear that has a little red ribbon upon it.


Alucia starts out jabbing at the Emissary as he parries each hit she becomes a bit annoyed then changes from jabs to spinning her spear around and around trying to confuse the Emissary in a quick fully of attacks. Unfazed the Emissary barely dodges the attacks then starts his attacking back. He starts with a wide sweep extending his staff some as he does this Alucia tries to get a hit in through his slow attack but the Emissary shrinks his staff and blocks her incoming attack.


Then she tries to overpower him and his short staff. He struggles a bit not thinking she would be so strong he manages to break lose and jump back. While still in the air Alucia jumps to hit him with the spear but he defects the attack then while still in the air turns as they land he extends the staff to normal length doing a quick ground sweep witch knocks her off her feet but she recovers by flipping backward in mid fall. While she is recovering she makes a vertical sweep with her spear as the ribbon glows red. While the Spear misses the Emissary the ribbon cuts his face a bit. Startled he jumps back a bit and touches his face then looks at her as she starts imbuing the spear with magical energies. While the Captain raises an eyebrow, at his book.


The Emissary then stands in an open stance tilting the staff diagonally while it's still in both hands as he closes his eyes. He starts imaging what to make the staff into then sees a person whom is not quite who he is now but who he shall become. He sees a wasteland afire with death and carnage strewn about.He sees along with the bodies chains, dark chains of dark power the dark purple color of the staff becomes darker almost black as Alucia tired of waiting. Grows more impatient and annoyed at not being able to land a hit starts up a magical fuel super dash lunging the spear forward as sparks fly around her she reaches the Emissary in two blinks of an eye.


Still standing very still the Emissary stands there while the Captain raising an eye brow wondering what punishment Alucia will get for sparing roughly again and preparers to move over in an instant if her blade dose not deviate a bit more than it already is. As Alucia's spear comes within an inch of the Emissary's staff he moves quickly to deflect it while she's in the air and then separates the staff into foot long sections connected by even darker color lengths of chain he then lashes out and grabs her with it spinning Alucia around before smashing her into the ground. He then pulls back on the separated staff turning it back into a whole staff he then drives into the ground with one hand. Chains start coming up from the ground around Alucia and some pop up near the others as she uses the spear to get up on one knee. She looks around to plan out her next move. The chains keep coming up wrapping around her as he pulls a chain up from the ground with a very evil look on his face. The Emissary starts breathing hard and sweating. The chain connects to those that are wrapped around her. He then tugs on it and it constricts some she yells out "OKAY I GIVE I GIVE!! DAMNIT!"


Ignoring her pleas he continues constrict the chains more and more. The Captain perplexed by the situation starts moving toward the Emissary as he falls to one knee then starts breathing harder falling on both knees holding himself up with his hands on the ground, the chains then disappear into black dust as the Captain stops mid-way looking at them both he feels their energy is strong if not erratic but nothing serious.


The staff then pops out of the ground returning to its dark purple color. Alucia is almost to her feet stagers a bit but uses the spear to stand up straight. The Emissary still on the ground starts to get back up the Captain then walks over and helps him up. And asks "What happened?" The emissary says "I had a vision of nothing but death and darkness. Wha.. what happened?" The captain replies." You managed to put the most stubborn'est spear user into a submission hold." The emissary replies "Is she ok?" As they look at her she's standing under her own power brushing herself off giving them an evil bone chilling glare. "She's fine if she can glare like that."



The Emissary checks himself and stretches, while a bit sore cannot find much wrong with his condition. Alucia checking herself over is bruised and very sore but none the worse for the wear. She throws the spear back to where it was nearly hitting one of the D'w brothers startling them both as it thuds into the ground. She then turns around and says "I need a drink I am done!" She heads back to her room to change. Captain Lawrence tries to say something but stops as she gives him a "don't mess with me" look.


The Captain then turns around and says "Ok we are done for the day!"  He walks over to Leo and says "Leo I need you to go to the weapons office and have them clean this mess up then you are dismissed. Dewmer, Duwmer you are dismissed." As Drake walks up to the Emissary. "Nice fight. Well until the end bit there. Want to come with me for a drink?" The Emissary says "Sure." As he picks up his staff out of the ground turning it into a short rod and placing it into his pocket before they walk off. The Captain sees them out of the corner of his eye. He stands there and ponders what to do as they leave out of sight and then looks around suspiciously. Then tip toes in their direction.


The tavern is as rowdy as ever. Dewmer and Duwmer are dancing arm in arm in circles with a pint of brothy drink in each hand. As a fiddler plays a simple melody the crowd claps in time. Alucia has been at the bar drinking and giving off such an evil aura that no one will sit beside her. Drinks one, two, three and four are sitting on the bar beside her as she nurses drink number five. While Drake and the Emissary walk in. They sit near the door as Drake does not want to get anywhere near Alucia tonight  as the last time she was this niffed they wound up in a fight that destroyed half the bar. A serving girl brings them two pints. Drake pays for the drinks and orders more.  Drake guzzles his down and the Emissary makes it to half then tries to figure out what the hell he just drank. Drake then slams his drink down and looks the room over paying close attention to the females. The Emissary looks around and notices the captain in the corner drinking some wine he's slightly rocking to the beat of the fiddle while he reads a book he stops and notices the Emissary looking at him then goes back to reading his book and slightly rocks with the music. After six more pints Drake is up and dancing like a fool with every other woman in the pub while the Emissary is still trying to figure out what he is drinking while on number three as the night fades away.


****New****


The light of early morning comes into the recovery ward where Drake and the Emissary wound up the night before. Drake has his pillow over his head and groans. The Emissary is wide awake staring at the ceiling unaffected by the night's activities. The captain is snoring at his desk with his feet up and his book securely on his chest you can even see a few hairs on his head out of place. Alucia is asleep on her bed with the covers kicked off drooling holding onto her pillow. Leo is awake doing his monthly accounting the night before he was walking around and found the Emissary trying to carry Drake walking around aimlessly and helped them to the recovery ward. Dewmer and Duwmer are passed out behind the bar in a cart.  As noon rolls around the Emissary is dozing off as Drake grumbles and sits up trying to remember what happened that night. Alucia is awake hectically rushing around to clean up her room and get dressed unfazed. Captain Lawrence is already awake he washes his face and fixes his hair.


Leo is done with his personal accounting and heads to the accounting office where he does his daily duties of paper work. Dewmer and Duwmer get woken up by the bar keep tossing a bucket of water on them. "Bloody hell!" One screams the other just sits up quickly blinking a few times then lays back down preventing the other from getting up. The other says "Get off I can't get up!" Then Duwmer sits up quickly again blinks looks around then yawns and stretches. Dewmer says "If you are done. Would kindly step off!"  Duwmer replies "Oh sorry and quickly gets off the cart."  Helping Dewmer get up. Both on their feet they stretch and yawn then give their thanks to the bar keep for another great night and walk off.


The sun is high in the afternoon sky as Captain Lawrence sends some brown coats out to find Drake the Emissary and Alucia. The captain has them sent to the courtyard where they were the day before. Captain Lawrence tells Drake and Alucia that they are going to the next town to pick up the captains shipment of new books. This is punishment for acting out of line. Alucia is expecting it and Drake just holds his head and stands there. The captain then says "Come now dear Lieutenant a brisk walk is the just the thing you need to clear your head."


Alucia and Drake get their backpacks ready. The backpacks are made from wood and leather they are durable if not a bit heavy. As they get ready the Emissary is brought to the captain. "Ah Emissary how are you feeling." The Captain asks. The Emissary replies "Fine, a bit gassy from the drink but no hangover." That's good to know the captain walking away from him over to where Drake and Alucia are. "Drake!" The captain yells with a smile. Drake stands at attention with his eye closed. The captain then says "Here take this short sword and this spear you might run into trouble." With that he sends them on their way he then turns around walks back to the Emissary and says." Walk with me if you will good Emissary we need to talk." The Emissary walks with the captain as the captain continues. "You as an Emissary of light automatically get a rank of General." The Emissary responds. "That sounds about right but am I not damaged goods?" Captain Lawrence replies. "Very perceptive, the council feels that you should be given the rank of captain instead. I wanted to know what you thought of this?" The Emissary replies. " I am the Emissary so I already have a special rank regardless of what I am given, I think it would be best if I am ranked on my ability rather than be given a rank I am not ready for, would you not agree?" The captain replies. "Most perceptive indeed not to mention humble." The Emissary replies before the captain can continue. "I know I am good enough to fight but… I do not think I am good enough to lead." The captain nods and they continue their walk.

Alucia and Drake are on the outskirts of the town of Lightstone walking faster and faster trying to outpace each other. Then they start dashing almost gliding along the ground. An hour goes by and they are still dashing along the ground. Drake is a bit slower than Alucia. Sure she is ahead of him she stops on a hill and starts walking again. Slowly Drake makes his way up the hill he spots her down the road. He stops and charges up his energies his red hair glows faintly and he power dashes down the road and past Alucia. Shocked she starts dashing along the ground they meet head to head as the other town, Stonehill, comes into sight.


They reach their goal all worn out as they enter the town they are barely walking arguing who's first. Two boys come up to them and ask them if they are from Captain Lawrence. They nod and are shown the way to where the books are.  At the rear of the store where carts are loaded and unloaded they sign for the books.


The captain knowing they would rush and be tired has had lunch waiting for them. Two baskets of sandwiches and a pitcher of warm tea. They eat their meal slowly glaring at each other while taking random sips of tea. They sit and rest after their meal with the clouds randomly shading them Alucia says "Hey Drake!" Drake almost asleep wakes up standing up saying "Huh wha YES MAM!... Oh it's you…"  He holds his head and says "Yes what is it Alucia?" As he sits back down. She continues. "What do you think of the Emissary."  I dunno he's alright. Through he's a bit non talkative." She replies . "Ya and you been passed out for most of the time he's been here so never mind." Drake then says. "No really he does not seem to talk much." True he seems the quite type. At least he can fight." She says as she rubs her arm. Drake says. "Ya I was surprised by that chain trick he did." She replies "I was going to jump but he over whelmed me before I could." Drake says "Ya was that your first loss?" She replies. "No I've been defeated in a dual by a few higher ranking opponents but no one on my rank or you'ers. " Alucia's evil aura starts acting up again as Drake tries to find something to change the subject with.

"The books." He whispers to himself. "So are these the books we are to take to our dear Captain?" he says with a smirk. She glares at Drake for a moment then starts staring at the books all stacked up covered in wax paper bound together with some rope. Her stare would burn through it then she thought they have wasted enough time here and says. "We've wasted enough time here we should get going." She stands up then grabs her pile of bound books and grunts "Uhg this is heavy!". Drake takes his backpack off grabs his pile of books and places them on his backpack and tires them into place using the leather straps on the backpack. Using the dock to hold the backpack up he slips it on and tries to walk with it. "Damn you are right this is heavy." He said as Alucia dose the same. They walk together a few paces apart to the edge of town. Walking faster and faster They start trying to run but are slowed down by the weight of the books, slowly they make their way back up the hill and can see the guild hall is very far off. Four hours later they are still walking at a fast pace making their way back to Lightstone.

The Captain shows the Emissary to his room, it's a single bunk, eight by eight room with a small circular window near the ceiling. "I have other duties to perform so rest here until someone calls for you." The Captain says as the Emissary nods his head and says. "Thank you." The Captain leaves and the Emissary laid down on his bed to rest.  The Captain then goes to his room and grabs a basket with his book in it and a bottle of wine.


Then the Captain goes to talk to Sargent Steel. As he opens the door the smell of smoke and cigars can be smelled but no smoke can be seen. The sergeant has his window open as he looks through paper work with a lit cigar in his mouth he mumbles "So the pretty boy has returned." and then says. "How's the wet nursing going for the new Emissary" No too bad… With some experience he would make a fine captain. " The Captain says to the former Colonel. Sargent Steel then says " I took a couple drops in rank to make sure things are done well on this end of the guild. Frankly I am unimpressed with this Emissary so far." Captain Lawrence replies.


"It's true he is unique and not the best of champions but I do feel he is capable." "Oh?" The sergeant grumbles." The Captain then replies "He wants to be a brown coat."  "Oh well that takes care of one problem!" The Sargent says sarcastically as he continues. "Now what to do with him…" The Captain ponders for a moment and says. "He finds where the orbs or darts of light on his arm went? That may well "fix" him if you will."


The sergeant says. "Mmmmmmm I'll let the guild council know and see what they want to do." The captain then says. "If there is nothing else needed of me I shall take my leave for the day I have to finish my punishment of Alucia and Drake for being out of line." "HA! Good luck with that their heads are harder than mine!" The sergeant says with a laugh. The Good captain takes his leave of the grumpy sergeant and walks to where the stables are getting his horse and carriage he had sent for earlier. As he leaves the stable area he heads for the market area. He looks for and finds a couple of delivery boys that deliver odds and ends to various merchants and asks one to get him a cheap bottle of wine and pays them for his trouble then asks them to accompany him as he has a shipment of books to deliver to the book merchant.


Alucia's starts outpacing Drake and as she gets into the lead she starts getting a bit faster. Drake has stopped and fallen to one knee as Alucia sees that she starts running a bit trying to balance the weight forward to improve her momentum. Drake is resting for moment charging up his energies for one last big dash. Drake releases his pent up energies as his red hair glows and dashes off the weight of the books are almost nullified as Alucia sees him getting close she slows down a bit and trips him up.


He tumbles around 3 or 4 times through mud and dirt and grass finally crashing into a stone wall. Alucia continues to dash forward until she can see the captain sitting on a small carriage awaiting their arrival with a book in hand and a wine glass in the other.

Alucia arrives first and other than sweaty she's clean compared to Drake who limps in behind her all dirty and muddy. The Captain says "I see Alucia is still plays dirty." Alucia glares back at him as Drake says "Please spare some wine for the poor." The captain then tosses him a bottle of some cheap wine he knows Drake likes and while Drake Imbibes Alucia says while unloading the backpack and all onto the back of the carriage.  Here's your books cousin, er Captain . What do I get for whining?  The captain looks at Drake as Drake just stands there drinking the whole bottle ignoring everything. Then stares down at Alucia."Ok I get nothing, ok ok…." She replies. The Captain then sighs and says "Your day's wages will go to Drake." Drake belches loudly furthering the wrinkles on the good Captains fore head. Alucia replies "Ok I can afford it , may I go now dear cousin I need a bath?" He looks at her shaking his head hopelessly. "Yes you may go cousin." She walks off as Drake and the good Captain watch her leave. I'll take half those wages so here take this. "He tosses Drake a rather bare coin purse.


Drake then limps over and unloads his backpack and all as the Captain gets down placing his book and wine cup near where he was sitting. He then walks around the carriage with couple boys from the market. He points to the dirty one they use some cloths the captain provided to cover it up and carry it off to the market merchant. While he gets on the carriage and secures the books down with a rope.


All the while Drake is waiting patiently for orders of dismissal and wonders why his books are going to the book store. The Captain looks at Drake and says "You may go now, be sure to clean up before you enter the barracks."  Drake turns then stops then turns around again and asks. "What are they doing with the books I brought?" The Captain says "Taking it to the book store my dear Lieutenant. I knew one set would be damaged so I doubled my order."  He stops and tries to think but cannot think of anything to say so he stares blankly at the captain for a moment then turns around and walks slowly to a nearby water troff and jumps into it. As the Captain takes the carriage back to the guild. Free of mud and dirt Drake climbs out of the troff as a few people stop and stare at him. Oblivious to them he stagers left and right as he walks to the guild with water dripping off him.


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Copyright Lee Jarvis/ZippyDSMlee