Post by Aeric Ecrai on Apr 8, 2008 21:09:20 GMT -5
~Shortly before the occurences at the Cheydinhal Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary...~
It was a brilliant day in the small port town of Aust, Jain decided. The sun was just peeking through the scraggly trees that bordered the town and the songbirds were beginning to sing. That morning feeling was in the air, the feeling of freshness, and dew was still on the grass. The residents were out and about, but they didn't seem to be going about their regular routine. Instead, they were gathered together in the pavillion, the sound of mingled chatter drifting onto Jain's ears.
He decided this was odd, for nothing exciting ever happened in the town of Aust. Well, besides that one stranger who had appeared a few years ago...
What had he said his name was? Oh yes...
Arbum. That was his name.
Well, anyways, the man had just shown up five years earlier, demanding a room at the inn and a lot of food to eat. He never really liked the light and hissed whenever someone was foolish enough to bring a lantern near him. Spitting curses, he threatened to kill them if they didn't put it out immediatley.
This strange behavior went on for some time: the man staying at the inn and not coming out much, staying away from the light...and then there were those strange noises at night. It sounded like bats, but bigger...
The man had left town a few days ago, apparently, and a few of the townspeople had gone missing. Jain assumed this was what the chatter was about, but curiousity got the best of him and he went over to hear the news.
"They're saying he's on his way! I hope we haven't done anything wrong..."
"Its all the fault of that cursed Arbum, I tell you. The man practiced black magic!!"
"Whatever it is, it can't be of that importance here. No one ever does anything in Aust..."
Becoming concerned, Jain asked Bault, the inn owner, what was wrong.
"I tell you, it's that Arbum!" He said in his husky voice, the result of his old age and service in the Imperial Legion. "There's apparently some kinda patrol or something coming this way, but not like any patrol I've heard of. One of the townsfolk - I think it was Marri - was out tending to the farther fields and she say three men walking down the road to our city."
Before he could finish, a stout woman - Marri - butted into the conversation to have her say.
"It was a man and two other people who I couldn't tell were man or woman," She said, the accent on her voice making her speech a little difficult to understand. She had come to Aust a year before Arbum, and had come from the Black Marsh.
"The man was glad in what looked like golden armor and brandished a large sword swung 'round his belt. The other two were in cloaks, odd for this time of the year. I mean, it's summer, and why would anyone wear such a large cloak. They were headed towards the city, alright, and we intend to see what they want."
"I've said it once and I'll say it again," Bault mumbled under his breath, "it's all because of that blasted Arbum..."
Jain heard the commotion grow louder and the shuffling of feet against the cold cobblestones of the road.
"Stand aside, townsfolk," Jain heard a voice proclaim, "and tell us where we can find this 'Arbum' of yours!"
Bault elbowed Jain sharply and hissed under his breath, "See lad, I told ye, it's all about Arbum!!"
"Enough, enough already!" Jain snapped, rubbing his ribs.
"You!" The crowd parted and two cloaked men stepped throught he throng. One was in a starry silver and navy blue cloak, the other in a more silver and grey cloak.
"My name is Astellos. Tell me what you know of the creature you call Arbum." He was looking at Bault, but Jain knew the comment was aimed at him. The two cloaked men had an air of command around them.
"Now, now Astellos, don't frighten the poor lad."
A man clad head to toe in golden armor stepped between the two cloaked men and rested his hand on Jain's shoulder.
"My name is Aeric. Not many know of me...but it would be best to tell me what you know of...'Arbum'."
Although his face was kind, his voice was cold and commanding, that of a world-weary person who had seen his share of conflicts in the past.
"Uh, um, y-yes...sir. Of course." Jain stuttered, petrified from head to toe.
"H-he was a man who showed up about five years ago from the coast...demanded f-food and a stay at the inn. He hated light...and had the voice of a noble. Strange n-noises like a bat came from his room at night...w-we were all terrified of him. A few days ago he up and vanished..."
Jain heard Aeric curse under his breath and say something about an island specta or something along those lines, then motion to the cloaked men.
"Take a mana scan of the area. I want to know if he survived."
"Yes, general." They said in unison, and each held up a hand glowing with light. Jain felt small pulses of...something...move through him. He didn't know what it was, but it gave him goosebumps.
"Sir, he was here an hour ago, but has left for the shoreline. We fear he is attempting to escape to the Isle Nex."
Aeric's hand slapped down onto the hilt of his blade and his face became more purposeful.
"Well, we'll just have to stop him, won't we? I'm not going to ask you two to stop him, I know you'll refuse. I'll take him on my own. Keep watch over the town. The darkblade must not be delivered."
"Yes sir." The two men said, their voices still in perfect unison.
"All of you, stay in the city. If he comes back, kill him. I don't think you can or will, but I'd appreciate it if you try."
A glowing circle appeared around the generals feet, something of which Jain had never seen before. Aeric drew his blade and turned his back on the villagers.
"Time for the first test of Empyrean..."
In a flash, he was gone.
This is where our story ends. For all of Aeric's activity, if unseen by any other, is held secret by the Observant sect. If you can piece together the evidence, you may know what has taken place in the small town known as Aust...
~End
