The Great Library of Palanthas

An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Dante.

A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)

Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a worn tome on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Dante' scribed in deep purple ink.


Author:            Dante
Date    Tue May 23 13:03:13 2006
Subject  Dante The Wolf Knight.

The screams that night were horrific. The young Dante, lay strapped to a table
covered in his own blood. He was undergoing an experimental operation, that if
succeeded would allow him to morph into a wolf at will.

Two mages, sat on either side of him magically fusing a pair of gauntlets to
his forearms. The pain was unbearable, his agonized screams filled the night
air. The gauntlets were Jet black, and had a gem on the top of either palm.

The gems were Diamonds, but now they were stained with his blood.

Dante saw a flash of light, and then was knocked out. He awoke the next day
laying on a small cot, with one the mages sitting in a chair beside him. "How
are you feeling young one?" Asked the mage in a soft voice.

"Like I was just landed on by a dragon." He replies, as he starts to sit up.
"What in the name of the abyss happen Old man?"

"The procedure was a success Dante!" The old mage said to him. "You are the
first." His words were cut off by a black gauntleted hand closing around his
neck.

"And the last." Dante finishes the mages sentence, before snapping the mages
neck with the twist of his hand. He gently lays the body in the cot and looks
around for his armor and belongings.

He quickly straps his light armor onto him and strides out the door.

With a smirk he focuses his will on the gauntlets and he shimmers, then
changes into a Black Wolf, with blood red streaks. He lifts his head proudly
and sniffs at the air, before trotting off into the trees, never looking back. 


Author:            Dante
Date    Mon Jun  5 22:06:30 2006
Subject  Bundesphar's waiting.

Standing on the Shores, I lift my head and sniff the air. I could smell them,
The ones We were to escort. "She is close,  Id better get them formed up." I
thought to my self.

"Anaru, tell the others to form up. The Baroness comes." I Say quietly to the
White wolf that stood beside me. As she informs the others, I slowly shift my
form, from wolf to man.

I stand a few feet in front of my men, my hand laying on the hilt of my sword.
I wait for her, and her men, not that we need them. Anaru, walks forward and
sits beside me, and we stand in waiting together She Lifts her head and howls,
and is joined by the other nine Wulfbunde. "Soon! Soon we shall have our fun."
Myself and the other nine Bundesphar lift out heads and howl.

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Jan 22 17:43:50 2007
Subject     Finding...

Dante lopes easily through the Trees, his paws making hardly no sound on
the leaf sewn ground, His eyes shown with a kind of wild fear.  The golden
Wolf Eshri fought to keep pace with him.  Eshri had just informed him that
his lifemate Arikaih, had fallen down a hole in the ground and he was
running for all he was worth to get to her fast.  He seemed to fly across
the ground, his strides long, his paws seeming to float on nothingness. 
Stopping momentarily atop a large pile of rocks, he lifts his head and
bellows a deep sorrowful howl, as he waits for Anaru to catch up with the
puppies.  Eshri pads over to him, nudging him gently, and growling softly to
him "Don't worry Beloved.  I am coming."  He says as if she could hear him. 
He lifts his head and sniffs at the air, searching for a scent.  A faint
scent blue in the wind, and he takes flight again, using his skill as a
hunter to use both his eyes and nose to find he trail.  Finally, reaching a
hole, he sniffs around, taking in the sliding marks and the scent that was
so strong, he could almost see a picture of what happen.  He lifts his head
again, Letting a howl lose to tell her he had come, and that he would get
her out.  Now..  All he had to do is figure out how.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed May  2 23:50:56 2007
Subject     The beast claims another.

A man runs fearfully through the darkness, tripping and stumbling over
unseen roots, fallen logs, shrubs.  He ran, hoping to outrun Death itself. 
A beast toyed with him, weaving in and out of the shadows, so the man would
only see glimpses of its glossy black fur.  It was as if the beast was
everywhere, all at once.  It drove him, like a slavemasters whip, toying
with him.  Finally, once the beast had enough fun, it jumps forward for the
kill.  Large sharp teeth sink into the man's left calf, slicing through
flesh, muscle and tendon.  With a violent twist, the beast rips the flesh
from the very bone.  The man cries out and topples forward, unable to run
anymore.  He screams in both pain and terror as death approaches him.  The
beast stood in a beam of moonlight, its glossy fur reflecting its pale glow.
It was a large wolf, its eyes glowing blood red.  Its muzzle was pulled back
into a vicious snarl, showing its long sharp fangs, covered and dripping
blood.  It stood on muscled legs and large powerful paws.  It circles the
terrified man, moving around his body, snapping at the man.  The man's eyes
meet the wolves, and he sees his death.  Knowing there is no escape and he
gives up.  He stops trying to crawl away and simply lies there, accepting
death.  The wolf puts its paw on the man's forehead, pushing his chin up and
slowly lowers his fangs to the man's neck.  It pauses when its fangs brush
against the man's neck, before viciously tarring the man's throat out.  The
wolf lifts his head and bellows a howl, before turning and loping back
toward the camp.  He enters the Green Dragon Army encampment and trots to a
tent that was guarded by two soldiers.  They snap to attention and nod. 
"Captain Dante."  One of them says as he pulls the tent flap open.  The wolf
nods and enters the tent with what looks like a grin on his face.  

"It was a nice little run, its good to run every now and then."   He thinks
to himself before vanishing inside the tent.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed May 16 02:45:56 2007
Subject     Cliff top...

Dante stood atop a small cliff.  His now long hair draped around his face
and shoulders.  His face was both thoughtful and full of anger at the same
time.  His eyes, blood red, shown bright against the darkness.  A figure sat
beside him.  It sat on sleek, powerful paws and legs.  A set of shackles and
a length of chain are attached to each paw.  Its fur is like the shadows
them self and its pitch black eyes were vicious and unmerciful.  

"Dante, She is well.  The Pack is well.  All is well."  The shadowy wolf
says quietly.  


Dante growls lowly.  "None is well, Brother.  She is not here.  They are not
here.  I am here.  Alone."  He says between clenched teeth.  "No longer will
I sit around.  I will find her and then we will see how things are."  


"But she does it alone.  Not only are we pack mates, we are life mates.  She
should not have gone alone."  

"I said Calm yourself!"  The wolf growls.  "You know her.  She will be fine.
She is strong Dante, you know that."  

Dante sighs and crouches.  "Aye, I know she is strong.  But she still should
not of put herself in that kind of danger."  

"Methinks, there is no more danger for her.  Now that the so called Baroness
has fled like the frightened child she is, all will be well."  

Dante laughs and shakes his head.  "The want to be knight and so called
voice of our Queen.  She was nothing to be feared then..  And even less to
be feared now.  She's only proved what I already knew.  She "is" nothing. 
Few of the knights that served that wench can even be called a knight."  He
says, before hearing movement behind him.  

Dante spins around and the wolf that once stood beside him vanishes.  Five
men stood at the tree line.  Three of which held spears, the other two
wielded swords.  All of them Knights of Takhisis.  The spear blade slides
deep into his left side, making Dante stumble back, toward the edge of the
cliff.  One of the swordsmen grabs the top of Dante's cuirass, pulling him
away from the edge.  He looks into Dante's red eyes and smirks.  "You made
your mistake when you betrayed the Knighthood."   Dante grins and grabs the
man's arms.  "You made yours when you let me get so close."  He says quietly
before jerking the man toward him and sinking his long, fang like canines
into the man's neck.  The man cries out, but his cries die into a gurgle as
Dante rips the man's throat out.  Chuckling he lets the dieing man fall to
the ground.  He turns to face the three other men and slowly backs up toward
the cliff.  He stands at the edge, laughing evilly.  "Come then, Oh knights!
Destroy me like you were ordered!  Come!  Come unto me!"  Dante continues to
laugh evilly, raising his arms out to either side of him.  The three men
advance on Dante, who starts to lean backward.  With his long black cloak
floating out behind him, he closes his eyes and falls backward.  He
disappears over the edge and into the darkness below, his laughs echoing
back to the top.  The men go and search the land below.  They find nothing
but the corpse of one of their own that had been kicked over the edge by
Dante.  After searching for hours, they give up.  They start back up the
trail that leads to the top of the cliff and as the walk a lone wolf's howl
echoes through the trees and off the rocks.  Slowly it fades away, into the
night.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Jul  3 23:11:18 2007
Subject     The Wolf falls..for now. (part one)

Dante stood in a small clearing.  He stood silent, unmoving and with his
eyes shut.  He stood there, armor less, weapon less, and shirtless.  Blood
covered his hairy chest, arms and hands, his face, and dripped from his chin
and fingers.  His forever gauntleted hands were heavy.  He fought to keep
standing.  A number of bodies littered the clearing and the scent of blood
and death filled the warm night air.  The world seemed to move in slow
motion to him as he looks around at the corpses.  They were dead Green
Dragonarmy soldiers, not bandits, or Knights.  He insulted one of them and
they ambushed him in retaliation.  At least that's what he thought.  He
didn't think Kailith would have him killed.  He killed them all, but not
without consequence.  He felt a strange feeling.  Warm blood gushed
unchecked from a deep wound in his side.  He felt pain, crippling pain, pain
that he hadn't felt since that night so long ago when he became what he is
now.  He closes his eyes once more and thinks back on the battle.  

========================Flash Back=========================

Rushing from the trees, ten soldiers surrounded him, weapons drawn.  "You
think we're scared of you, Wolf-boy?  Well guess what, we aint!"  Dante
stands there silently, his eyes on the arrogant sounding man who spoke to
him.  "You got anything to say before you die Mutt?"  The man says
brandishing a spear.  Dante continues to remain silent, his red eyes focused
as a battle calm comes over him.  "Guess not.  Get him boys!"  Ten armed
opponents against a single unarmed man, unless you count his clawed finger
gauntlets and teeth.  His only real advantage was his speed and skill. 
Soldier after soldier attack, in pairs of two or three and he dispatches
them quite easil Until a spear plunges deep into his side and he is grabbed
by men on either side of him and is forced to his knees.  "See, it bleeds. 
Its not so big and bad now that it has a spear in its side."  The man who
spoke before speaks again.  "You aint so big and bad now are you?"  He says
as he rips the spear out of Dante's side.  Wordlessly, Dante closes his eyes
then he grins, showing his bloody canine like teeth.  -Only three left.  -
He thinks to himself.  "What are you grinning bout mutt?"  The man says to
Dante, who remains silent but opens his eyes.  They're now completely black;
before he closed them they were red.  His muscles ripple as he flexes his
arms and shoulders.  "You know soldier-boy, you fucked with the wrong
fucking wolf!"  Dante says, his voice layered with his and that of his inner
wolf.  As he says that, he bursts upward to his feet, his arms breaking free
of the men who held him.  His clawed fingers wrap around the neck of the men
on either side of him before they can even react to his movement.  Chuckling
evilly, he holds either man by the throat in a death grip.  "You made a few
mistakes."  He says as he moves his hands to grip either mans neck.  With a
quick move, he rips out both of the men's throats.  With a wolfish grin, he
advances on the remaining man.  "First, you attacked me.  Second, you
gloated when you should have been killing me.  And lastly, this is the more
important one.  You should of brought more men, ten want-to-be solders? 
Fucking insulting."  The man fearfully thrusts his spear at Dante, who side
steps it and grabs the spears shaft.  He closes his fist around the shaft
breaking it, then throwing the spear blade away.  "What the fuck are you!?" 
The man yells fearfully at Dante.  "Your worst fucking nightmare."  Dante
says before grabbing the terrified man and sinking his canine like teeth
into his neck and ripping out his wind pipe.  He holds the gargling man up
for a second, then pushes him away, watching him fall to the ground dead.  

==================================================================


Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Jul  3 23:16:16 2007
Subject     The Wolf falls..for now. (part two)

Dante opens his eyes and takes a deep painful breath.  "You know, of
course, we'll die before we can get anywhere right?"  A shadowy wolf that
appears beside Dante asks.  "Aye Brother, I do."  He replies, sinking
painfully to a knee.   "Death comes for us Brother, I can almost feel her
sweet embrace."  "We fought well brother, But we've failed Her."  The wolf
says as he lies down.  "We have not failed Brother; Our Queen does but call
us to her."  Dante replies as he slides backward and leans against a tree. 
"It was good brother."  The wolf says as he lays his head on his paws.  "No
regrets?"  "Only one," Dante says quietly, as he shifts into a more
comfortable position.  His eyes are heavy, and his breath comes to him
shakily and shallow.  "Good bye Brother, Rest well."   The wolf says,
sighing heavily.  Dante takes a slow deep breath and closes his eyes.  He
could feel his hearts weak beat's within his chest, each beat came slower
and weaker than the last.  "My Captain."   A voice speaks in his mind.  "I
have a mission for you, My Great Captain.  But first you must sacrifice your
life to me.  Die for me, my Captain and you shall be reborn."  "Obedience
without question.  Loyalty until eternal death comes."   Dante says in a
hushed weak voice.  "Ah, my good and loyal Captain, rest now your time will
come again soon."  Then the voice is gone.  "Yes my Queen.  I will rest
now."  Dante says as he takes a final deep breath.  His heart beats a last
time and then..  Death.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Jul  3 23:52:48 2007
Subject     The Wolf falls..for now. (part one)

Dante stood in a small clearing.  He stood silent, unmoving and with his
eyes shut.  He stood there, armor less, weapon less, and shirtless.  Blood
covered his hairy chest, arms and hands, his face, and dripped from his chin
and fingers.  His forever gauntleted hands were heavy.  He fought to keep
standing.  A number of bodies littered the clearing and the scent of blood
and death filled the warm night air.  The world seemed to move in slow
motion to him as he looks around at the corpses.  They were dead Green
Dragonarmy soldiers, not bandits, or Knights.  He threatened one of them and
they ambushed him in retaliation.  At least that's what he thought.  He
didn't think Kailith would have him killed.  He killed them all, but not
without consequence.  He felt a strange feeling.  Warm blood gushed
unchecked from a deep wound in his side.  He felt pain, crippling pain, pain
that he hadn't felt since that night so long ago when he became what he is
now.  He closes his eyes once more and thinks back on the battle.  

=======================Flash Back========================

Rushing from the trees, ten soldiers surrounded him, weapons drawn.  "You
think we're scared of you, Wolf-boy?  Well guess what, we aint!"  Dante
stands there silently, his eyes on the arrogant sounding man who spoke to
him.  "You got anything to say before you die Mutt?"  The man says
brandishing a spear.  Dante continues to remain silent, his red eyes focused
as a battle calm comes over him.  "Guess not.  Get him boys!"  Ten armed
opponents against a single unarmed man, unless you count his clawed finger
gauntlets and teeth.  His only real advantage was his speed and skill. 
Soldier after soldier attack, in pairs of two or three and he dispatches
them quite easily.  Until a spear plunges deep into his side and he is
grabbed by men on either side of him and is forced to his knees.  "See, it
bleeds.  Its not so big and bad now that it has a spear in its side."  The
man who spoke before speaks again.  "You aint so mighty now are you?"  He
says as he rips the spear out of Dante's side.  Wordlessly, Dante closes his
eyes then he grins, showing his bloody canine like teeth.  -Only three left.
- He thinks to himself.  "What are you grinning bout mutt?"  The man says to
Dante, who remains silent but opens his eyes.  They're now completely black;
before he closed them they were red.  His muscles ripple as he flexes his
arms and shoulders.  "You know soldier-boy, you messed with the wrong
forsaken wolf!"  Dante says, his voice layered with his and that of his
inner wolf.  As he says that, he bursts upward to his feet, his arms
breaking free of the men who held him.  His clawed fingers wrap around the
neck of the men on either side of him before they can even react to his
movement.  Chuckling evilly, he holds either man by the throat in a death
grip.  "You made a few mistakes."  He says as he moves his hands to grip
either mans neck.  With a quick move, he rips out both of the men's throats.
With a wolfish grin, he advances on the remaining man.  "First, you attacked
me.  Second, you gloated when you should have been killing me.  And lastly,
this is the more important one.  You should of brought more men, ten
want-to-be solders?  Very Insulting."  "Your worst nightmare."  Dante says
before grabbing the terrified man.  "The abyss spit me out, your time is up
fool!"   Dante growls and sinks his canine like teeth into his neck and
ripping out his wind pipe.  He holds the gargling man up for a second, then
pushes him away, watching him fall to the ground dead.  
============================================================

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Jul 17 19:41:38 2007
Subject     The Wolf Returns.

A cloud of smoke-like darkness rolls across the ground, the smell of
death surrounding it.  No light is able to penetrate its darkness, no fire,
no moonlight, nothing.  It moves quickly, as if on a mission of some sort. 
The quiet sound of strong paws striking the ground in rapid secession and
the faint panting of a running wolf is heard from within the cloud.  The
cloud and the wolf hidden inside it move toward a large camp, full of
soldiers wearing Green uniforms.  The wolf growls with anticipation when he
sees the camp and pushes himself to go faster.  As the cloud approaches the
camp, startled cry's break out and orders are shouted.  The wolf and the
cloud burst out of the trees and into the camp, the wolf still hidden within
the cloud.  As they move, they leave a faint trail of smoky blackness behind
them.  Arrows are shot into the cloud and spears are thrown, but they simply
go straight through it and out the other side.  The cloud moves through the
camp at the wolf's direction, following the scent of the one he was
searching for.  The scent led him to a tent, guarded by a man on either side
holding a spear at ready.  The cloud surges, sending a shockwave that knocks
the guards away from the tent flap.  The cloud and wolf burst into the tent,
the wolf jumping forward out of the cloud and starts to shimmer, shifting
form in midair.  A man lands where the wolf once was, the smoky cloud slowly
vanishing.  He lands in a crouch, his long black hair dangling over his
face, hiding it.  But anyone who has seen him before knows exactly who it
is.  A smirk crosses his face as soldiers rush into the tent after him,
shouting and carrying on.  Slowly he stands, raising his arms out to his
sides.  "Oh Kailith..  I'm back.."  He says as chuckles evilly, his face
still hidden by his hair and by shadows.  It was Dante..  Risen from the
dead.  He looked different though.  His armor was different for one, and the
way he stood and moved were different also.  The main difference was, his
hands are bare, no longer covered by the gauntlet that once forever encased
his hands.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed Sep 19 07:04:50 2007
Subject     Blindness Part 1

A great black wolf lopes easily through the thick underbrush, a
mischievous look in his eyes.  A crowd of people chased after him carrying
torches and with weapons in hand.  The wolf's muzzle was covered in blood. 
Dante toyed with the people, running just fast enough for them to keep on
him, but fast enough so he wasn't too close to them.  He jumps up onto a
fallen small rocky crag and lifts his head, releasing a deep howl.  Leaping
off the crag, he lopes away, the fun of leading the people on a wild goose
chase had gone and he was getting bored with it.  So he decided he'd lose
them real quick and go find other entertainment.  He jumps onto a fallen
tree, his paws just barely touching it as he leaps off it, without looking
what was on the other side.  There was a gaping hole on the other side of
the log, twenty feet or so in diameter.  He shifts form as he falls at an
angle toward the wall of the hole.  He collides with the wall, his hands and
feet finding holds, but his head slams into the wall.  Blood splatters
against the wall and flows freely down his face into his eyes from a gash
above his right eye brow.  He fights to stay awake, shaking his head to try
and clear it.  He releases one of his hands and wipes the blood from his
eyes.  His vision starts to blur and his eyes become heavier and heavier. 
Slowly his vision fades and his grip releases and he falls.  He crashes into
ledge after ledge as he falls until he finally crashes down onto the floor
of the cavern.  He is battered and bruised and scratched up, but other than
his head wound there was nothing serious.  

Hours pass before he slowly starts to come to.  Groaning in pain he moves
his hands to his throbbing head before slowly blinking his eyes open.  At
first he thought he was blind and he very well could be, but he settles with
the idea that it was just pitch black in the cavern, a deep oppressing
darkness that wouldn't allow any light.  Slowly he climbs to his feet and
turns around in a circle.  It was useless, he couldn't see where he was
going, he could easily fall into a bottomless pit, or get lost down here
forever.  Growling, he shakes his head, "I have to stay calm.  If I start to
panic I'll never get out of here."  He mutters to him self as he shifts into
his wolf form.  He sniffs the air and catches a strangely fragrant scent of
food cooking.  Slowly he follows the scent, carefully laying a paw down out
in front of him as he walks, to help make sure he didn't fall into anything.
After a few minutes he can hear a voice and some commotion.  He wants
nothing more but to run toward the scent and the sounds, but restrains
himself because he still can't see anything.  He walks a few more steps then
stops, the fur on the back of his neck standing up on end.  

Someone or something was watching him.  His ears perk up and he sniffs at
the air but he cannot hear or smell anything.  His muscles tense up and he
stands completely still.  "Ho-Ho!  What do we have here?"  The voice of an
old man says loudly.  "A blind wolf?  No, no..  Its but a man disguised as a
wolf!"  The voice cackles shrilly, then from out of no where Dante is struck
by something.  The blow knocks Dante down and he quickly returns to his
feet, only instead of four paws he stood on two feet.  -What's this!?  Why
am I human again?  - He says to himself inside his head.  No one had ever
made him shift back into his human form before and just what was it that
could see him in this darkness?  Unless..  Grimly he realizes that he is
blind and there was never any darkness.  A sudden panic grips him, his heart
starts to pound and for the first time in his life he doubts himself.  He
rips his sword out of its scabbard and turns in a circle, holding the sword
out in front of him.  

But what use will his sword be?  How can he fight when he can not see?  

"Who's there?"   Dante says out loud in a doubt filled voice.  "Hehe I was
right..  You are blind!"  The voice giggles childishly.  "Awnser me!"  Dante
shouts, swinging his sword, which clashes against a wall.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed Sep 19 07:08:00 2007
Subject     Blindness part 2

"Useless blind Dante."   The voice giggles more.  "You are nothing now oh
"great" Captain.  What use is a blind man?  None!"  Doubt has set in and it
is stronger an enemy than any warrior or mage.  -He's right.  Im useless. 
No longer can I fight.  What can I do?  - -Brother!  Thou art not useless. 
Calm thyself Dante, thou hast other senses.  Use them in stead of thy sight!
- A familiar voice rings out in Dante's mind.  Dante could feel the presence
of the Large black wolf that was made up of shadows standing beside him and
he calmed noticeably but was still doubtful of his abilities.  -Brother,
Thou art a great warrior.  One of such greatness legends wilt be made from
thou.  Vision or not, Brother mine, Thou art still that great warrior.  Make
keen thy senses, Fight with them.  - Dante nods and takes a deep breath,
calming himself.  The panic leaves him and his confidence returns.  He
stands complete still and strains his ears for the slightest sound.  A
pebble is kicked by accident and Dante moves with trained speed.  He swings
his hand at the sound with lightning like speed.  His hand finds the neck of
the man who taunted Dante and closes around it in an iron grip.  "I wont ask
again old man.  Who are you?  And how did you do that?"   "Good work..  For
a blind man!  Hehe Im just a crazy hermit!"   The old man says before
disappearing from Dante's grip.  "Untill next time Dante!"  His voice rings
out.  "What was that about.."   Dante grumbles and closes his useless eyes
again, concentrating on his other senses.  -I can do this.  I refuse to give
up!  - He says to himself as he shifts into his wolf form.  Slowly he starts
to move again, finding his way with his senses of hearing, touch, and smell.

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Sep 25 22:13:24 2007
Subject     Memories and the way out(Part 1)

Time passes slowly to Dante as he wonders through the seemingly endless
cave.  He can do nothing but wonder aimlessly, sniffing the air and
straining his furry ears for any sound of hope.  His paws made little sound
on the stone floor, but his stomach growled hungrily.  Sullenly, he lets his
mind wonder, reminiscing about the past.  He sighs gently and continues
padding along.  His thought about the one thing that ever truly make him
happy, the one person he ever cared about.  He thought of Arikiah, his
lifemate.  He thought back to when they first met, she was a new thorn mage
and he had been ordered to guard the Baroness.  He remembered the first time
he saw her.  It was at that moment love entered his heart for the first
time.  He knew that she would be the one, that he would spend the rest of
his life with her.  They were together as much as they could be, often times
sneaking away from Storms Keep to swim together and then sit on the beach
laughing and having a good time.  He wasn't happy unless he was with her. 
Finally after weeks of being together, Takhisis found it fit for Arikaih to
join his pack, thus making their bond even stronger.  Soon after she became
apart of his back, they became lifemates.  Since that day, at least until
recently, He never left her side.  He watched with pride as she became a
powerful mage.  A splash makes him alert again and he pauses, listening
intently.  After a few moments he continues, allowing his mind to wonder
again.  Sadly, he remembers the day she delivered their still born child and
how hard she cried because she felt like she had failed to give him a child.
He of course, didn't think she did, it wasn't her fault.  She is the only
person he has ever loved and probably the only one he will ever love.  But
now look at what happened.  It was as if she hated him now.  She would
hardly talk to him anymore.  Of course, it was his fault.  If he had not
been careless and not let himself get killed, he would of never changed and
she would still love him.  "My Beloved Arikaih, I wish there was some way
for you to hear me."  He says aloud.  "I do still love you Arikaih and I
will love you for all eternity."  He shimmers into his human form and falls
onto his hands knees, a single tear rolling down his cheek.  The fact that
he would never see her again hurt worse then any thing he's ever felt.  He
would rip the world apart piece by piece, if only there was some way for her
to love him again.  A strange noise interrupts his thinking and he becomes
alert again.  He wipes his face with his hand and then concentrates,
focusing on listening.  The sound of many shrill voices speaking in an ugly
guttural language is heard.  Quietly he draws his sword and silently moves
toward the voices.  As he nears them, a foul odor fills the air.  "Goblins!"
He hissed, crouching down.  There was another scent also, the scent of the
forest, his way out.  Now all he had to do is get past the goblin.  He grins
and starts to clear his mind.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Sep 25 22:16:21 2007
Subject     Memories and the way out(Part 2)

Uttering a prayer, he starts to move again.  Startled cries echo in the
cave as one of them spots him.  He stood there, readying himself, focusing
on his senses.  He could hear their voices as they screeched, but he
listened more to the sound of their feet.  Silently he waits, his sword held
neglectly in his hand.  He would fight and he would win.  He had full
confidence in himself that he could.  The first goblin that reached him
leaps at him, screeching a battle cry.  With trained reflexes and speed, he
spins and swings his sword with massive force.  The blow hits the screeching
goblin just above the waist with such force the goblin is cut in half,
spraying its black blood everywhere.  The feel of the blood as it splatters
on his face and arms, fills him with a kind of battle high.  Dante starts to
laugh evilly and takes his sword in both hands, charging toward the goblin
attackers fearlessly.  His laugher echoes through the cave as the clash of
weapons grow more intense.  

To be continued.

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Oct  2 22:18:13 2007
Subject     The Ogre and Freedom.(Part 1)

The battle was intense.  Dante fought with such ferocity, the goblin
attackers flinched back.  Even though he was blind and out numbered, he
deftly fought and killed or injured at least half of the goblin's original
number, before the remainder turn and fled in terror.  He had received a few
injuries but nothing serious, a cut on his left arm bled fitfully however. 
Slightly winded, he sits down and pulls some cloth wrap from a pouch and
starts to wrap the cut on his arm.  Fighting blind like that was a
completely different experience than he had ever felt.  In that one fight,
he adapted his whole style of swordsmanship to fit to his blindness. 
Grinning he hums a soft tune as he ties a knot in the bandage.  The sounds
and smells of the forest calls to him, beckoning him to leave the cave and
he stands, turning toward the exit.  He was free, or so he thought.  The
heavy thud of two feet moving toward him and the brutish grunts and roars of
an Ogre stop him in his tracks.  Dante could feel the ogre running toward
him and a slight whistle informs him that the ogre carried a weapon, a big
one.  He draws his sword and the ogre jumps forward, swinging a over handed
blow at Dante.  He senses it and jumps out of the way, letting the weapon
swing harmlessly through the air then crash into the ground.  The impact
shook the ground and had to come from a war hammer of some sorts.  Cursing
Dante moves away to quickly plan a strategy, but his thought is interrupted
the ogre swings the hammer again.  Dante tries to block the hammer, but his
blade shatters and he is thrown to the ground.  He reaches into his boot and
draws a dirk as he rolls to his feet.  But as he comes to his feet, a hand
closes around his head and he is lifted off the ground.  The ogre laughs and
throws Dante across the cavern as easily as one might throw a doll.  He
slams into the wall of the cavern with such force his breath is expelled,
his dirk flies from his hand, and he falls to the ground, coughing up blood
and gasping for air.  A grim thought grips his mind as he kneeled there,
gasping painfully.  Ogres were hard to fight when he could see and now that
he was blind it would be ten times as hard.  This fight, he thought, would
be his last.  What chance did he have, blind and unarmed, against an ogre
this size?  None.  -Don't think!  Move!  - a voice rings in his mind and he
rolls quickly as the ogre's hammer lands where he just was.  Grunting
painfully he pushes himself to his feet and stands mockingly before the
ogre.  "If you are to be my death, then so be it!  I do gladly accept
death's call."  Dante says, dodging another swing.   "But you will find, I
will not just lay down and die."   -Brother!  On the ground three feet to
your right there is a pole arm.  - The voice tells him urgently.  He dives
to his right, evading another swing and his hands close around the shaft of
a halberd.  It has a spear tip, then an axe head and a pick at one end, the
other was a pointed butt piece.  He comes to his feet, swinging the halberd
skillfully around him, then moves into a stance, the blade of the halberd
held low behind him slightly.  The ogre roars in rages and charges Dante. 
He gives ground freely, staying just out of reach of the massive hammer. 
Then when an opening presents it self he thrusts the halberd, sending the
spear tip into the ogre's right thigh.  The wound enrages it more than hurts
it and it swings its hammer again, this time connecting solidly.  The blow
hits Dante full in the chest and he flies backward, an audible cry of pain
escaping him.  He lands, rolling a few times.  He lies there, gasping
painfully and clutching at his chest with one hand, as his other clutches
the halberd.  Ribs were not just broke, some were shattered and others broke
in multiple places.  Great tears of pain wail up into his eyes, as he coughs
up blood and gasps weakly for air.  -Strength Dante!  You must find
strength!  It is not yet your time!  - The voice says in his mind.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Oct  2 22:20:33 2007
Subject     The Ogre and Freedom(part 2)

At first the pain was so great he couldn't think coherently, but then the
image of Arikaih enters his mind and from some where deep inside him,
strength comes.  The very last of anything he could muster would have to be
enough.  The ogre stood at Dante's feet, chuckling.  It lifts its hammer for
the killing blow, and then swings the hammer with all its might.  Releasing
the strength all at once, Dante rolls to his feet and grips the halberd in
both hands.  Shouting something a battle cry of sorts, he swings the halberd
with all his might.  The blade slices through the ogres right arm then sinks
deep into its right thigh.  The ogre roars in pain and releases the hammer,
stumbling backward.  Dante jumps forward, spinning and he swings a great
blow to the ogre's right leg.  The blade cuts straight through the leg,
cutting it off as well.  The ogre bellows again in pain and falls to the
ground, its mouth agape.  Dante lifts the halberd over his head and swings
one last blow, beheading the ogre.  He had won, but at what cost?  Could he
hold on to his life as injured as he is?  Chuckling painfully, he stumbles
away, toward the cave entrance.  He could feel the change as he leaves the
cave, the breeze and the soft ground underneath his feet.  He staggers
forward, chuckling still.  He chuckled at the pain, not because he won.  He
falls to his knees and lifts his head and howls a painful cry for help.  He
pushes himself to his feet and staggers some more, before falling again. 
Painfully he lifts his head and howls again, and then falls backward.  He
lies there, his breath coming to him in weak, painful wheezes.  He lay
there, waiting for death's sweet embrace.  His right hand still clutches at
the halberd that he found and with his left he reaches up toward the sky.  

His consciousness fades and his hand drops.  

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Sun Dec  2 21:45:51 2007
Subject     To Sanction.

Dante limps through the trees, his black fur covered in blood. His
whimpers softly as he walks, blood flowing from various wounds. Hatred and a
deep sadness burned in his visionless eyes. He had lost everything he held
dear. His Wolfbound, dead. His Bondmate Anaru, dead. His once Lifemate,
gone. He was just a shell of his former self but he pressed on. It was not
his time to die so he would live on to further the Glory of Takhisis . Word
had reached him that Saige had called everyone back to Sanction for further
orders after a convoy had been attacked. Though he was not far, his wounds
made it hard for him. He crests a hill and looks upon Sanction, his
destination. He pauses a moment and lifts his head, releasing a sorrow
filled howl into the night air. As the howl dies away, he presses on into
Sanction. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Mar 17 21:46:25 2008
Subject     [FWD] A return.

[FWD Note] - [ 35] Dante: A return.
[FWD Date] - Mon Mar 17 21:44:38 2008
[FWD To  ] - all [Original to:] Dragonarmy
[FWD List] - story


The shadowy form of a large black wolf pads silently around a well lit
camp. The wolf approaches a man, who stood alone outside the fire light,
watching and waiting. The wolf stops before the man and sits on his
haunches.

"Gavin" The wolf says quietly, startling the man who was looking the other
way. The man turns and bows deeply to the wolf.

"Milord Dante. Welcome back." He says softly. "How was your venture?"

"It went better than expected, But we havent time for that. Make the
necessary preperations. You and the men march at dawn." Dante says, in a
tone of command.

"Aye Milord, it wll be as you say. Don't You march with us?"

"No, i must go talk with someone. But i will rejoin you at dawn in two
days." He stands and and looks around quietly.

"Where do we march Milord?" Gavin asks as he bows quietly.

"At dawn, a wolf will join you. Follow the wolf. " Dante says as he inclines
his head. "Make haste Gavin, Dawn is but a few hours away." With that Dante
lopes away into the darkness. Gavin turns and jogs back into the camp,
already bellowing orders. Dante had been away seeking a blind warrior who
could train him. He found this warrior and is again like he once was. 

Fearless. Merciless. Unstopable.

He goes now to seek Lord Saige, to seek his wisdom. It has been days since he slept and it would probably be a few more days since he could. But He was used to pushing himself.

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Fri Nov  7 01:50:44 2008
Subject     A Figure.

A figure stalks through the trees beneath Solace. He moved swiftly and
silently, but he was followed by an angry mob with torches and who were
armed to the teeth. The figure grins as he seems to disappear into the
brush. Things were a bit too hot here now, it was time for him to go back to
Neraka and report. He lays low as the crowd passes and then slips out of his
hiding spot and moves swiftly to his hidden encampment. He grabs what few
things he had and saddles his black horse. "Alright Skull, lets get back."
He says to his horse as he climbs up into the saddle and kicks the horse
into a gallop. They travel for days, stopping only to rest Skull for a few
hours. Soon they reached Neraka, their home. They had been gone for some
months scouting, you could say. He had learned few things, but he should
report never the less. He sighed gently as he rode up to an inn and
dismounted, handing the reins to a stable boy. "Watch him neighbor, he
bites." Dante says as he walks into the Inn. A few moments later he emerges
from the Inn and looks around. 

It was time to go report. He tosses his hood up over his head and walks down
the street. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Thu Dec 11 04:08:35 2008
Subject     Leaving in search of the Knife of Darcart

Dante bursts into his small room, his face aflame with rage. He jerks a
small pack off a table and empties the contents on the floor. He curses
angrily as he starts to stuff the pack full of things. He had heard of an
artifact as he was being drug from the common room. Luerk had said it was
something of great importance. All he had heard was Dracart. He would show
that arrogant fool of a highlord how wrong he was about Dante. He would find
this artifact and bring it back. His honor would be restored as would his
rank. He could see it now. Shaking his head, he throws the pack onto his
back and quickly leaves the room. He grabs a messenger who passes him and
smirks as the boy curses. "I Need you to do something for me boy." Dante
says as he looks into the boys eyes and the boy cowers away. "Wha..what?"
The boy says, his voice trembling. "Take a message to our allies. Tell them
to watch for Solamnic forces who might move to intercept an artifact of the
Dragonarmies." Dante says, his voice quiet. "Do this, or suffer my wrath.
Understand boy?" The trembling boy nods and Dante smirks, before handing him
a few coins. Without another word Dante leaves the Temple and soon Neraka.
He pauses outside the gate and whistles loudly. Soon a black wolf appears
from the brush and Dante grins. "Lets go old friend." With that, Dante and
the wolf vanish down the road. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Dec 22 21:10:49 2008
Subject     Knife of Dracart- Conscripting Informants.

It was late evening and Dante was stalking after a very odd couple, a
Minotaur and a Half-elf that had been asking questions about the knife. He
smirks as he sees the Minotaur enter an inn as the half-elf waits outside.
He thought about rushing the Half-elf now since he was alone but by the time
he had decided against it, the Half-elf had gone into the inn. He sighs as
he follows him into the inn. The Minotaur was interrogating another man
about information about the knife and Dante sat down, listening to what the
minotaur was saying to the man. He takes a sip of his drink and curses as
someone he knows walks in. It was Highmaster Luerk. What the hell was he
doing here? This complicates things. Glancing over at Luerk Dante slides
back into the shadows. 


By the time Dante turned his attention back to the Minotaur, it and the
Half-elf were sitting together now, talking quietly. He strained to hear
what they were saying but it was really no use. Suddenly the Half-elf jumps
up, drawing a sword and a dagger and closing the gap between himself and
Dante rather quickly. The Minotaur roars and rushes at Luerk. The half-elf
throws a dagger at Dante, who easily moves out of the way, and stands
drawing his long curved blade and kicking a table out of his way. 


The fight was short and interrupted by Luerk jumping on Dante as he was
reaching for the Half-elf who lay on the ground. Dante quickly rolls to his
feet, his face finally being revealed. He lowers his blade and glares at
Luerk. He exchanges a few words with the arrogant Highlord but doesn't
really pay attention. He loathes Luerk and his arm twitches wanting to
strike at the man. With a profound distaste he sheathes his sword and does
as the Highlord says. Pulling a length of rope from his pack he moves and
hogties the Minotaur who had been slept by a spell from Luerk. The beast
smelled awful, but he was soon tied enough so he couldn't move. Luerk took
the Half-elf into custody and had Dante wake the Minotaur and bring him
along. Dante curses inwardly as he wakes the beast and cuts his feet loose
so he can walk. He glares at Luerk as they disappear outside into the
streets of Sanction. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Dec 23 06:09:36 2008
Subject     A visit from Her.

Dante stands in a small clearing in the moon light, his chest bare
against the crisp night air. His spear was stuck into the ground not far
from him and his Katana was held loosely. He flexes his muscles and releases
them dropping to his knees and bowing his head. His mind wonders toward the
voice that called to him. It was the voice of a woman, the voice of a
temptress. Dante willingly strode toward the voice in the depths of his
mind. He let the voice take him and thus he stood before his Queen,
Takhisis. She flooded his mind with a great number of images. 


There were those of A great red dragon and some of a battle, no many
battles. He heard Her laughter before she pulled him close and breathes on
his neck. "Dante Sethhas long been dead. Lose that name, Be known now and
forever as Dante Devereux" She whispers to him but before he could answer,
Her presence was gone and he was awake again. "As you say, My Queen." He
says quietly as he stands and grips his Katana. He takes a few deep breaths
to calm his breathing and then starts a Kata. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Dec 23 07:10:32 2008
Subject     A visit.

Dante stands in a small clearing in the moon light, his chest bare
against the crisp night air. His spear was stuck into the ground not far
from him and his Katana was held loosely. He flexes his muscles and releases
them dropping to his knees and bowing his head. His mind wonders toward the
voice that called to him. It was the voice of a woman, the voice of a
temptress. Dante willingly strode toward the voice in the depths of his
mind. He let the voice take him and thus he stood before his Queen,
Takhisis. She flooded his mind with a great number of images. 


There were those of A great red dragon and some of a battle, no many
battles. Lastly there was one of a man who wore a green cloak and had black
hair. He heard Her laughter before she pulled him close and breathes on his
neck."Dante Sethhas long been dead. Lose that name; Be known now and forever
as Dante Delacroix" She whispers to him but before he could answer, Her
presence was gone and he was awake again."As you say, My Queen." He says
quietly as he stands and grips his Katana. He takes a few deep breaths to
calm his breathing and then starts a Kata. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed Dec 24 17:55:15 2008
Subject     Knife of Dracart -A new mission-

Dante takes steps two at a time, cursing Saige. -Damn him! Damn him to
the Abyss- He speaks within his mind and bursts through the door at the
bottom of the steps. Immediately he saw the two Sivak Draconians standing
next to horses. He strides toward them, his spear held low. "Rastar and
Viraas I presume?" He says but doesnt give them time to answer. "Lose the
horses and the heavy armor. We travel light, we travel fast. Meet me at the
docks in an hours time." One of the Sivaks start to say something but Dante
interrupts. "Know that I do not need, nor want you with me. Do say do I will
not hesitate to kill you my damned self. Understood?" He snarls as he speaks
and then turns to leave. 


"Like some soldier could.." one of the sivaks start but his words are cut
off as Dante sweeps its feet out from beneath him. The tip of the spear is
pressed against the Sivaks neck before he hits the ground. The other one
reaches for his sword but suddenly realizes there is a blade pressed against
his neck. "Do as I say or I will kill you both." He says before sheathing
his Katana and leaves the courtyard. He moves swiftly through Sanction,
toward where Luerk and his Greens were staying. He smirks as he enters the
inn unnoticed through a window and slowly draws his Katana, looking down at
the sleeping man. It was the Half-elf he fought not a day ago. He had
information and Dante needed it. He grins as he kicks the bed, waking the
Half-breed. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Sat Dec 27 10:15:35 2008
Subject     Knife of Dracart -Stealing a prisoner-

Dante kicked the bed, but of course the Half-elf wasnt in it. He crouched
in a corner sprouting a witty remark about kicking beds as a hobby. He
smirks to himself as he tells the half-elf to tell what he know about the
knife. He of course had to make things difficult and Dante gripped his
Katana tighter, keeping a rein on his anger. Finally the Half-elf cooperates
and tells him very little about how he knew what it looked like and
something else. That was honestly more than Dante knew so He ordered the
Half-elf to come with him to find it. After some witty banter He agreed and
moved to ready himself.


"What do you think youre doing with my prisoner?"


A very unpleasant voice says from the darkness. It was of course Luerk and
Dante was kind of taking his Prisoner. Words were exchanged, but Luerk
surprisingly let them go and even gave them supplies. Smirking Dante shakes
his head and follows after Valas out the window and then lead him to the
Docks where the Sivaks, Rastar and Viraas, waited. He spoke to a Captain of
a ship painted black and then beckoned the others onboard. Soon they were
underway and floated through the water, the moons bright over head. He
stands at the railing, looking out over the water. His vision darkens and He
starts to hear His Queens voice, whispering things to him. She calls him to
Her again and he willingly goes. Soon his Queen floats around him,
whispering to him, filling his mind once more with images. Again there was a
Great Red Dragon and the tall man with black hair and a green cloak. 


Then there was a single image of a monk and then one of a huge ogre in black
robes. "Find this monk, My hunter. He has information for you.." Takhisis
whispers to him and he bows his head. "Of course my Queen. It will be done."
He replies almost woodenly. His Queen Laughs mercilessly and sends him
rushing back to reality. He falls to his knees, gasping for air. He must of
held his breath the whole time. Shaking his head he looks up. He stands and
grins as he sees shore fast approaching. "Valas, Get the Draconians and get
ready to land." He says, his eyes glinting in the darkness. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Jan 12 00:09:20 2009
Subject     The morning after.

Dante woke suddenly, his head pounding. He groans as he sits up from the
hard dirt and looks around. Tachande lay about 10 feet away passed out on
the ground and the two sivaks sat talking quietly. He sits up, holding his
head tenderly in his hands. "What in the name of the abyss happened?" He
grumbles as he looks at the Sivaks. "You and that other one got drunk and
burned down the inn we were at." One of the Sivaks say before he snorts in
distaste. "Youre lucky we were there or you two probably would of burned to
death." Flash backs of the night before came somewhat to Dante and he groans
and shakes his head. "Well atleast we had fun." He says as he chuckles and
stands up off the ground before stretching and yawning greatly. He walks
over to Tachande and kicks him. "Tach, Wake up we need to get moving to
Solace." He says as he looks around. His head still pounded but memories
from last night were slowly coming back to him. Chuckling gently Dante
buckles his Katana across his back and tosses a piece of black lakrak root
into his mouth. "Im going to scout ahead, bring him as soon as hes up and
moving." He says to the Sivaks before disappearing into the wilderness. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Jan 13 02:38:45 2009
Subject     Taking a dive.

Dante stands alone looking out over the Straits of Schallsea. Night had
fallen some time ago and he stood waiting for the ship that would ferry him
and the others across to Abanasinia. Soon his thoughts drift toward the past
and his mind wonders through thoughts of Arikaih and he found himself
longing for her savage beauty. His heart ached for her but she was gone. The
sound of a horses hooves bring him back to reality. He turns and curses when
he sees five Solamnic Knights in full armor atop of massive war horses. 

"State your name." one of the knights asks Dante. "Who wants to know?" Dante
says arrogantly and the knight who asked clanks down to the ground and steps
toward Dante. "I am Sir Ric of the Order of the Crown and I order you to
state your name." He says in a stern voice with his hand on his sword. This
of course was a fight that even if Dante won, he would probably be injured.
He stays silent for a moment, trying to figure out what to do. But then, the
sound of his saviors arrival rung out. The shrill whistle signaled the ships
arrival and glancing over his shoulder, low and be hold there it was.
Grinning wickedly Dante pulls the knight close, drawing a dagger from his
belt in a blur of motion. "I am Dante Delacroix, The Dark Hunter!" He says
before slicing the knights throat and kicking his body away. He hurls the
dagger into the trees in the general direction of his small encampment,
hoping someone would find it and figure out what happened before he turns
and Launches himself off the 30 ft cliff and down into the water. The
sailors aboard the ship threw Him a line and pulled him aboard. Dante,
smirking as he looked back up at the cursing knights, waves gently as the
ship sets sail toward the Abanasinian coast. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Fri Jan 23 07:25:33 2009
Subject     Darkness

Darkness surrounds Dante and Tachande as they moved swiftly away from
Neraka. They had stopped for supplies and so Dante could talk to Ayasana but
other then that they left as soon as they could. They ran for awhile but
Dantes sensitive hearing picked up something and he came to a halt,
listening for the sound again. It sounded like hooves. But it was coming
toward them from the way they were going, not from Neraka. He sniffs at the
air and picks up four distinct odors. There was sweat, mixed with leather,
rusty metal and the faint stench of blood. He thinks for a moment and then
suddenly kicks Tachande in the chest. The two brawl for a few minutes and
then Dante ducks quickly behind a tree, hiding in the shadows. Tachande can
now here the hooves and draws his Scimitars. He stands out in the open,
waiting like a dumb ass. 

With a sigh, Dante grabs Tachande and pulls him out of the open and shoves
him behind a tree, putting a finger to his own lips. Nodding Tachande hides
against the tree and waits. Dante lets the first three pass but moves as the
last one starts to pass. His razor sharp Katana almost slices the rider in
half and his torso falls to one side, hanging my his spine and some flesh.
He jumps into another shadow before the others can turn and see him. They
stare in horror at their dead comrade. Tachande jumps out of the shadows and
casts a spell that kills one of them, his shrieks fill the night. 

The other two curse and look around but from the shadows, a knife zips
through the air and sinks into one of the two remaining mens throat. The man
gurgles and then falls from his saddle, dead. The last man Flees from the
Dante and Tachande, driving his horse into a dead run. Tachande searches the
bodies and finds a Signet ring from Nordmaar. "It looks like this is going
to be a challenge." Tachande says as he tosses the signet to Dante. "I
always like a challenge." Dante replies as he sits down with his back
against a tree. "Im going to get some rest. Get rid of the bodies and no
fire." He says as he falls into a light sleep. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Jan 26 22:32:05 2009
Subject     A lonely night on the Beach.

Dante walks alone on a moon lit beach on the eastern coast of Nordmaar.
Tachande sleep back in the trees after a long day of training, yet after
everything hes done lately, Dante couldnt sleep. Maybe it was the Lakrak but
he hadnt had any in a few days. He sighs gently and looks out at the rolling
waves of the Blood Sea of Istar. He shakes his head gently and continues his
walk. His foot hits something in the sand and he curses, falling back into
the sand. Grumbling he digs into the sand to find what he hit his foot on.
His hand touched something metallic and curiously he pulls the metallic
object out of the sand. 

He stands and walks over to the water and washes the sand off of it,
revealing a blacken horned battle crown that bore a Black Crescent between
the horns. He thinks for a moment, running his fingertips over the metal. He
runs a hand through his hair and finally slides the crown onto his brow. Hes
struck by a painful vision of what happened to its previous owner, who had
died at sea long ago. The visions drive him to his knees he screams
painfully. After a few minutes and a few more visions the pain subsides and
he falls back onto his back in the sand, panting heavily. He shakes his head
and rolls his hand falling on the other piece of the crown. He pulls it from
the sand and brushes it off 

It was a mask that connected with the crown and was designed to look like
something from the Abyss. He grins and tucks the mask away, before standing
up and brushing himself off. The mask and crown once was owned by a previous
Highlord of the Red Dragonarmy who died when his ship sank in the Blood Sea.
Now Dante had found it, imagine that. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Thu Feb  5 19:23:17 2009
Subject     Back to Neraka

Dante sits alone next to a small creek, his wet hair draped around his
downcast face. He just bathed in the cool water of the creek and now sat
nude on a rock, relaxing for a few moments. His body was scared from the
many wounds he had received in battle and his muscles rippled each time he
moved. He sighed gently and cups his hands in the water and gently splashes
his face with the clear water. The black metal band on his right finger
touches his temple and A vision explodes in his mind. He is walking through
the streets of Neraka and then he is kneeling before someone and receiving
something. 

He comes back to his senses and stands abruptly and quickly dresses. He
wasnt sure what the vision meant but he was for sure he needed to get back
to Neraka as quickly as possible. He turns and moves quickly back to the
camp. "Tachande, Mephiston! Get up. Break camp we need to move!" He says as
he starts to put on what little armor he wore. "Were needed in Neraka and we
were needed there a week ago. Lets move boys we have a lot of land to
cover." He says as he douses the fire, leaving his own small tent where it
was and waits for the others to wake and get dressed. Something was about to
happen and it worried Dante. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Wed Feb 11 01:23:29 2009
Subject     Leaving...again.

Dante curses loudly, standing in his cave like abode under a house in
Neraka. He had just received a message from Verminaard telling him to come
to Pax Tharkas. Of course! Growling he throws the scroll case against the
wall, shattering it. Dante curses loudly, standing in his cave like abode
under a house in Neraka. He had just received a message from Verminaard
telling him to come to Pax Tharkas. Of course! Growling he throws the scroll
case against the wall, shattering it. He moves up the stairs and goes out
the door, setting a poisonous needle trap before locking the door and moving
out into the street. He goes to find Tachande, a Sergent who was under his
command. He snorts as he hears that hes sleeping. He finds him in the
Sleeping Quarters of the Red Barracks, sitting up in his bed, sweating
profusely. After telling Dante of his slavery early on in his life, Tachande
stands up and dresses quickly. "Tachande. Im leaving for Pax Tharkas,
Verminaard has sent for me. Ill return in two moons time, until then I want
you to see to it that Mephiston and yourself are properly trained as
Soldiers." Dante says and leaves without another word. He moves quickly
through the streets of Neraka and out of the gates and into the Wilderness.
Once again the Hunter treks through the wilderness. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Fri Feb 27 22:49:21 2009
Subject     Arrival

Dante looks out at the looming fortress that is Pax Tharkas. He had been
traveling for weeks and now he was here, he was in a foul mood. He would be
going back to all the people, back to the order, back to everything he
hated. Whatever Verminaard wanted, it had better be good. With distasteful
sigh he starts toward Pax Tharkas. He left Neraka and went down to Sanction
where he booked passage to a lonely beach somewhere south of where Pax
Tharkas would be. From there he went over land to the imposing fortress.

After a few questions, Dante strides toward where he could find Lord
Verminaard and comes to a guarded door. "Go tell Verminaard that Dante
Delacroix has arrived." The guard shakes his head and smirks. "Lord
Verminaard is not to be disturbed." He says in an arrogant voice. Dante
grins wickedly and in a fast move, has the guard against the wall with a
knife at his neck. 

"You will tell him now or I'll slice yer throat and tell him my self.
Understood?" Dante says, the knife pressed against the mans neck so hard it
was drawing blood. After the guard nods, Dante releases him and then shoves
him through the door, smirking. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Mar  2 15:33:41 2009
Subject     A vision.

Dante watches as the guard comes back through the door, a small piece of
cloth held to his neck. "He'll see you, Milord Dante." With a smirk Dante
nods. "Of course he will." He mutters before walking into the room. He walks
toward a Tall man who wore night blue dragonscale armor trimmed in gold and
a hidious Dragon Highlord Helmet even though he was inside. "Verminaard, you
summoned me?" Dante says, without a bow or even a salute. Verminaard shifts
beneath his armor and looks at Dante. 

"Ah, Dante Seth, or should I say Delacroix?" Verminaard says as he turns on
his heel and walks back to his "Throne". "You've made it here in good time."
Dante smirks and nods gently. "Aye, I have business to attend too back at
Neraka. Now what do you want?" 

"Ahh, get to the point hmm?" Verminaard looks at Dante, noting the way the
man held himself in his presence, "I have a task for you." Pyros walked
through the door at Dante's back. Heeding Verminaard's unheard call. Looking
at the Human, Pyros didn't seem too impressed with the man. Summing up the
man, Pyros began to speak. " My Queen deems this Mortal worthy of
Highmaster? He seems less fit to be a Soldier. Either way, We have a task
for you Dante Delacroix." Pyros nods to Verminaard, who grunts in amusement,
"Yes the Dragon hunter's of Nordmaar. The Red Dragons have been weary of
their existence, yet they deem it underneath them to deal with. Perfect for
you." Dante grunts and nods. "Ive been there once before, gathered quite of
following." He says with a smirk. "You want me to Invade Nordmaar and wipe
out these Dragon hunters then?" 

Verminaard smirks beneath his grotesque Dragonhelm, "Yes." Turning his
helmed head to Pyros, "What say you to this, shall it appease your
squabbling kin and grant their allegiance to our war?" Pyros tipped his
head. "Yes it would, yet," eyeing Dante, "One such as this mortal may not
suffice, thus I shall send one of my kin with him, to assure that he not
fail in his quest." Dante snorts at Pyros comment. "You know little of what
im capable of." He glances down at the map and falls silent for a few
moments. "I will go back to Neraka and gather our Armies. Then Nordmaar will
fall beneath our might." 

"But before you depart, Dante, I have one question to ask you before your
departure,"  dismissing Pyros to convene with the Red dragon who shall aide
Dante, "What force do you plan to take to the Conquest of Nordmaar?" Dante
smirks and looks at Verminaard. "I have already conscripted A group of
Nordmaarian Barbarians, thanks to the Help Tachande. When i return, I will
send him to gather the Goblin's and then Myself and a minotaur i found in
Nordmaar will go to Mithas to get the Minotaurs to join us." Verminaard eyes
the man through the slits in his horned helm, "Quite a force,"  He says
walking back towards his throne he casts Dante one last glance. "You may
leave, Do not fail me, or our Queen, Dante, we need the Reds aid in our
Dante smirks. "I dont know what that word means Verminaard." He says as he
turns on his heel and leaves the room. 


Dante wakes on a cold stone floor, his head throbbing. He rolls over onto
his back, realizing that his hands are shackled and he wore rags instead of
his armor. He groans as he sits up and glances around, wondering where in
the abyss he was. A door opens and a man steps in, a whip coiled in his
hand. "Ah yer finally awake, huh slave?" 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Mon Mar  2 16:53:16 2009
Subject     Slavery sucks.

Dante growls at the man who pushes him forward. Obviously, he had been
caught off guard and taken as a slave, only he has no memory of it. They
said he was out for a number of days, and he sure felt like it too. He
didn't know for whom he was a slave for but in the week that he's been there
he has been told to mine and push carts. He'd killed two guards already, and
been harshly punished. His back was covered in whip marks but his will still
unbroken. He started planning the day he woke up in this hellhole, talking
to other slaves. All of then wanted out, but none of then could get out. 

There were at least a hundred others who would join him, if of course he
gave them a chance for freedom. He bides his time; there wasn't much else he
could do. The guard pushes him again and Dante roars and turns, flinging the
guard to the ground and jumping on top of him before he can react. He slams
the guard hard and then bends down, ripping the guards throat out with his
teeth. He grabs the guards dagger from his belt and pushes the tip into one
of the links in his shackles, before twisting the dagger. He bends open the
links of the badly made shackles fairly easy. With a wolfish grin he grabs
the guard's sword and darts down the hallway, toward a hidden niche that he
had found while working. He climbs up into the niche and sits back and
waits. They would search for him for a day or two, but soon, they'd give up.
He almost chuckles in amusement as he leans back against the wall of his
hiding place. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Thu Mar  5 04:01:33 2009
Subject     Vicktory!

Dante grins as he orders Tachande to take the bulk of the slaves and get
them armed and then out to the battle that was close at hand, while he
himself took the big Ergothian and the blond Highlander with him. With a nod
Dante and Tachande split apart. Dante, Raze, who was the Ergothian, and
Juko, the Highlander, ran through the passage ways. The other guards would
be ready for the slaves. Dante was going to do something foolish, but it
just might work. He was leading them up stairs to a passage that would lead
to a place above the courtyard. 

They were nearing their exit and Dante could already hear the sounds of
battle. Dante paused. "I want you to fight like the beasts you are. Tare
them Limb from limb!!" He roars, no howls before he turns and starts running
for the opening in the cliff face. The two others roar and follow after him.
They landed in the middle of guardsmen and were soon fighting like animals.
Dante and Tachande soon met in combat and soon after that they stood
victorious. Dante scanned the battle field. Thirteen slaves stood amongst
the dead or dying. 

Dante grins and raises his sword. "WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!" He bellows and the
cries of the thirteen join in, raising their weapons also. Dante looks over
at Tachande and smirks. "Good Job, Subcommander." He says and then walks
amongst the dead to join his thirteen warriors. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Thu Mar  5 23:18:43 2009
Subject     New Armor.

Dante walks through the streets of Neraka, Tachande and the thirteen
other warriors close behind him. They were all covered in blood and mud.
Dante stopped and looked around. "Subcommander Tachande, take these men to
the barracks and get them washed, fed and clothed. Ill be along shortly." He
says and watches as Tachande and the others walk away. He looks around again
and then walks down a small alley. He knocks on a door and after a moment a
large man in a blackened apron opens the door. "Orin, I need a new set of
armor." He says and the big man sighs. 

"What happened this time Dante? A dragon eat it?" He shakes his head and
steps aside, beckoning Dante inside. Dante steps inside the small smithy and
chuckles. "No my friend, I was hit by some slavers about a month ago, they
sold it." Orin grins. "The invincible Dante Delacroix got subdued and forced
into slavery? How amusing." He says winking at Dante, who chuckles and leans
against the wall. "Nothing fancy Orin, Just black enameled steel lamellar
laced together with red silk. I need it with in a week. Can you do it?" He
asks as he stands up, looking at Orin. "For you my friend, of course." Orin
says and Dante nods. 

"Thank you my friend." Dante says before nodding and quickly leaving. He
returns to his underground home to change his clothes and pick up "Wolfs
Embrace", the sword he left behind when he left. After strapping his sword
to his back, he leaves Neraka, again. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Mar 10 08:30:54 2009
Subject     The girl(part 1)

Tarrian kneels quietly, feeding twigs to a small fire. She makes sure
that she is mostly hiding the small fire from the view of anyone who might
be wandering nearby. Dante walks through the trees, almost leisurely. It had
been a long month and Dante couldnt relax in the city. He sighs and looks
around, sniffing at the air. Tarrian looks around for signs of company, then
continues to feed the small flame. Tachande grunted, travelling through the
trees seemed like a blessing compared to the tunnels of the mines, looking
over he dipped his head, indicating something north.

Dante catches an unfamilar scent in the air and, being curious he moves
silently to investigate.Tarrian kneels before the fire, pushing her dark
cloak to the ground behind her. "I am here. What are your wishes?" She
whispers, trying to be as quiet as possible.Dante spots the fire and ducks
behind a tree, his hand on his sword. There seemed to be a woman kneeling on
the otherside of the fire, muttering unheard words. Tarrian closes her eyes,
thinking herself a bit safe. She continues to whisper the words. Tachande
crept close to Dante, "Who is it?". He whispered.

Dante shrugs gently. "Dont know..but whoever she is, has some company." He
nods toward the woods behind here were five people crept up on her. Tarrian
continues to listen for signs of intruders. Hearing nothing, she spreads her
arms. "What would you have me do, Takhisis?" she said, a bit louder than a
whisper, but still hardly audible. Dante gasps suddenly, as if someone had
their hand around his throat. After just a moment he comes back to his
senses. "Protect her!" He half shouts before taking off at a dead run,
drawing "Wolf's Embrace." Tarrian hears the rustling in the leaves. She
quickly dumps grass and dirt on the fire and grabs her cloak. Like a
startled rabbit, she takes off into the underbrush. Tachande quickly follows
Dante, drawing his twin swords in the process. Focusing in on his Queen, the
urgency to help the lone girl overwhelmed him. So he quickened his pace.
Dante roars an unhumanlike roar as the people rush toward the girl. "Tach!
go get her!" He says before he swings his sword at the villager, slicing
almost clean through him.

He falls, dead and Dante, stands, looking at the others, brandishing his
bloody Sword. Tachande dashes past Dante, chasing the fleeing girl. The urge
growing, Tachande roared to her, "in the name of Takhisis, I command you to
Halt!" mixing in the power of his Queen with his voice. Tarrian hears the
roared words from behind her. Sensing the danger, she turns in her steps and
makes for a small hole in the nearby tree. Dante whips off his sword and
sheaths it before moving toward Tachande. He whaps him on the back of the
head shaking his his own. "You seem to of frightened her." He says as he
sniffs her out and looks into the hole for her. 

Tachande grunts, "Damnit, thought it would work." Shrugging, he sheathed his
swords and stood back watching Dante. Tarrian hears the movement nearby and
draws a dagger from her side. Dante says 'My Queen seems to think that
you're important. Dont worry, i wont hurt you.' Dante says as he crouches
down. Tarrian shakes her head. 'Not again...you won't hurt me again' Tarrian
has covered herself with her dark cloak, trying to completely disappear into
the darkness. In a quiet motion, she puts her dagger to her neck.

'Cmon now dearie, You were speaking to her before you ran. She told me to
protect you. I swear on her name i wont harm you.' Tarrian shakes fiercely,
the dagger cutting through the skin enough to JUST bring blood. I don't know
what you are talking about. I wasn't talking to anyone." 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Mar 10 08:51:04 2009
Subject     The girl(Part 2)

Tachande looks past Dante, focusing his eyes towards the girl with the
knife to her throat says 'I can see her aura swirl around you girl, you are
her follower, same as me and my friend here. Upon my soul, we will not hurt
you for you are have favor among Takhisis.' Tarrian startles when she hears
the name of Takhisis. The dagger seems to slowly slip out of her hand.
Tachande walks past Dante and extends his hand to the opening of the hole,
saying  'Take my hand, and feel the blessing of my Queen.' Tarrian curls up
in a tight ball as the dagger hits the ground. She mumbles, trying to put up
a protective shield around herself 

Tachande sighs as he senses the feeble shield begin to envelope the girl.
She had power it seems, looking past the darkness of the hole, he closes his
eyes and prays to Takhisis. Tachande extending his hand further into the
hole, a faint purple glow begins to build from his extended hand. Growing in
intensity, it begins to form a medallion of his Queen. Faintly glowing, the
medallion illuminates the darkness of the hole. Tarrian sobs as her shield
fails. She pushes herself tighter against the wall, pulling the cloak
tighter around her to "hide" herself.

Dante says 'My name is Dante Delacroix. I am Highmaster of the Red
Dragonarmy and more importantly, i am Takhisis' Hunter. This is my
Subcommander Tachande' Tachande says 'And I am her Paladin, take the
medallion in my hand child, and join us in the glory of our queen.' Tarrian
remains quiet. Tachande closes his eyes, he extends his hand inches from the
cowering girl and settles the medallion against her form. Tachande says 'My
Queen, the almighty Takhisis is with you. Shall you not make yourself known
to her servants, you face her wrath.' Tarrian pushes the cloak from her
face...looking at him. "Wrath I'm used to,"  she whispers.

Dante says 'Then feel her embrace and i shall protect you from any wraith,
human or other.' Tachande says 'yet wrath is not what is offered, my child.
Her holy blessing is. All you must do is wear the medallion upon your neck,
and feel her blessing.' Tarrian shakes her head 'They will hurt me if they
see it' Dante says 'I will kill any if they even dared.' Tachande says
'Believe me, young one, once you wear that medallion, my queen, her paladin,
and her hunter shall protect you against any and all harm.' Dante returns
her gaze, his eyes flashing gently. He ties his medallion back around his
neck and pats Tachande on the shoulder, tellin him to move. Once he did
Dante steps forward. "Whats your name?"


'Tarrian looks at Dante. "Tarrian" she says as she looks back down, hiding
her face in the cloak again. Her hand seems to grope around on the ground,
searching for her dagger. Dante smiles a wolfish smile at her. "Tarrian, you
may think that She doesnt know you but you are wrong. She..has chosen you
and put you under my protection and i will do so with my life if i must."

"My life is not worth Protection."

Dante smirks  'My Queen says differently.'He says as he reaches in and grabs
the dagger before she could find it. 'And so, your life is worth
Protection.' Tarrian looks at you again. "Why? I'm worthless." Dante says
'Maybe in the Eyes of those who would oppose Her. There is something special
about you. I can sense it.' 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Mar 10 08:58:15 2009
Subject     The girl(part 3)

Tarrian looks up at Dante. 'Why are you interested in someone like me?'

'Because She has marked you.'

Tarrian shakes her head. "I'm not marked in any way." Dante chuckles. "But
you are. You can not see it, But you are."

 'I don't understand'

Dante offers out his hand. "Come with me and in time, you will."

Tarrian reaches toward you, then draws her hand away. She shakes her head.
"They find me when I leave. They always do."

'I will take you to Neraka. The heart of Our Queens power. No one will find
you there.'

Tarrian shakes her head.  "I don't know you. How do I know you are not like
them?"

 'Pray to Her. She will tell you who i am.'

Tarrian shakes her head again. "She tells me nothing." Dante pulls put his
medallion again. "Do you know who this Medallion reprisents?"

Tarrian shakes her head, her eyes still downcast. 'It reprisents Takhisis.
All of her followers wear it.' Tarrian glances up for a moment, then returns
her eyes to the ground.

'Come with me and you'll never have to be afraid again.' Dante says as he
offers his hand out again.

Tarrian seems to pull back. She turns her head away.  "They will hurt me."
Dante shakes his head. "Not with me around no one will." Tarrian continues
to look down. "Can you promise me no one will ever hurt me again?" 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Fri Mar 20 04:50:52 2009
Subject     Abandonment.

Dante and his men sat around three small fires. Him, Tachande, Raze and
Jouko sat at the same fire, while the rest of the men spilt up between the
other two. The others talked quietly, but Dante was silent. His mind
wondered away from him, as if he was being called by someone. Something had
been nagging at him since he released Tachande. He shakes his head and looks
into the fire. He hears a familiar twang, and snaps his head up, watching as
an arrow sinks into one of his men. "Ambush! To arms!" He shouts, coming to
his feet and drawing his short sword and tossing it to Tachande. "Stay
back." He orders as he draws Wolfs Embrace and follows his men into combat.
The arrows stopped and now ten men charged toward Dante and his. Dante now
led his men, Wolfs Embrace held in two hands has he runs. 

The battle was short and violent and Dante stood over the dead, his hand
pressed to his side, blood running through his fingers. Six of his men died,
four by arrows, two by the fight. Sheathing his sword across his back, he
wipes the blood from his face and walks, with the aid of Raze back to the
fires. Tachande and Lyor walked toward them and suddenly Dante drops to his
knees, his Queen invading his mind. 

"Kill him, my hunter..he is unworthy." She whispers to him.

"But my Queen, he is one of my best.." He replies.

"Kill him..or suffer his fate." 

"I cant."

"KILL HIM!"

"NO!" He shouts as he tares her medallion from his chest and throws it against a tree, shattering it. He can feel his Queens pressence abandoning him as he falls to the ground, unconscious.

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Sun Mar 22 06:52:35 2009
Subject     Waking up Anew.

Dante wakes slowly; groaning and blinking his eyes open slowly. He tries
to sit up, but pain shoots through him and he lies back down. Cursing, he
glances around. He was in a tent and alone, but he could hear people outside
talking quietly and a fire crackling. Grunting, he sits up, his hand pressed
against his bandaged side. Slowly he stands and walks outside. Tachande,
Raze, and Jouko sat just outside his tent, talking quietly, while the rest
of the men were probably asleep. It was dark and the moons were bright in
the sky. 

"How long was I out?" Dante says, his voices quiet. The three look at him
with some surprise. "A few hours..You shouldn't be up walking around."
Tachande says, as he stands. "I'm fine." Dante replies before he smirks at
Tachande, but then his face grows serious. "She has left me too. Because I
wouldn't kill you." He pushes past Tachande and sits at the fire. Tachande
can say nothing, instead he goes back to his seat and stares into the fire.
"How you feelin Boss?" Raze says in his deep voice from across the fire.
Dante grins wirily. 

"Like ive been chewed up and spat out." He glances around and sighs gently.
"Raze, Jouko, I want you two to go find us some horses. I'm in no condition
to travel by foot." He says, his gaze falling down on the fire. "Takhisis
has Forsaken us, We are in danger the longer we stay here. We'll head west
for now. Go now, return by morning." He says as he looks back into his tent.
"There's a pouch with some coin in it in there. Take it all if you need." He
says and Raze and Jouku nod, before standing and leaving the fire. Dante
looks over at Tachande. "You're lucky I'd die for any one of my men." He
says before falling silent and looking back into the fire. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Sun Mar 29 06:35:13 2009
Subject     A venture to Icewall

Dante sits at a table in the Inn he was staying at, sipping a glass of
wine. It was early in the morning and none of his men were up yet. With a
sigh he watches as a woman dressed in white walks down the steps and to the
bar. He smirks and sets his glass down by his newly purchased mask and kicks
his feet up on the table. He yawns loudly and watches as the Bartender
points over at him. After a few moments, the woman walks over to him and
stands in front of his table. "Can I help you?" He asks, taking a sip of his
drink. "Im in need of some company on a long journey and the bartender said
you were the one to ask." She says, looking him over.


Dante is silent for a moment and finally sets his glass down next to his
mask. "What kind of venture?" He asks quietly. He didn't listen to most of
what she said after she said she was going to Icewall. His thoughts drifted
after that. He, Tachande, and their men were on the run from Dragonarmy
Agents and Icewall would be a perfect spot to hide for awhile. "And whats in
it for me and my men?" He asks as she finishes telling him about some quest
she had to go on.

"I can pay you and whatever you find while we are there you may keep." She
says and Dante leans back in his chair. "Give me a down payment so that I
can get supplies for us." He says as he stands and takes his mask from the
table, fixing it onto his face. She nods and hands him a pouch of coin.
"When will you be ready to go?" She asks. "Be outside at first light. Me and
my men will be waiting." He says, his voice muffled by the mask. He takes
the pouch of coins and leaves the Inn, in search of his men. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue May 19 03:13:24 2009
Subject     Return to Haven

Dante shakes the hand of his good friend High King Kaeptakus. He had
spent a week with him in the halls of Thorbardin and now it was time for him
to leave. He had come to Thorbardin seeking the aid of an old friend, only
to find him elevated to High King. It had been almost 15 years since they
parted ways and when they knew each other they were both Mercs fighting some
blood feud. How Kaeptakus has moved up in the world. 

With some what of a sad fairwell, Dante Turns his back to His friend and to
Thoarbardin and heads north through the wilderness. He had been gone almost
a month, First The Mage Lynx Had use of him and after that, Dante requested
to be transported to Thorbardin. With a sigh he shifts under his armor and
pulls his hood up over his head. It felt good to be on the move again, all
that sitting around was starting to wear on him. Soon he would be back in
Haven, and from there him and his men will continue on down to Icereach. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Sat Aug  1 01:48:02 2009
Subject     A talk between friends.

Dante sighs softly to himself. Was she worth sacrificing his men? A
single woman? He was willing to risk his own life, but why would they follow
him blindly into a battle that they would surely not come back from? He
shakes his head and looks at each of the few men that followed him for a
long moment. Each had risked his life more than once for him, but it was he
who gave them their lives back from the slavers. He sighs and runs his hand
through his braids. He stands up from the fire, and walks out into the
trees. He couldnt, no he wouldnt ask them to die for Her. He idly thinks
about leaving them while they slept.

He could out distance them by a long ways and leave no trail for them to
follow. But what kind of leader abandoned his men? That was out of the
question. "Your mind is troubled, brother. We can all tell." Tachande says
as he emerges from shadows. Dante nods and rests his hand on the hilt of his
sword as he leans against a tree. "I can not ask you or the others to give
your life for her. Perhaps its best if I leave you here and continue on my
own." Dante says softly.

"You can not leave us even if you truly wanted to my friend. We will follow
you to the gates of the Abyss and back. You are our leader and nothing but
death will make it any different." He says as he bows his head slightly.
Dante sighs and nods. "You are a good man. You, and the others honor me with
your loyalty. Tell the men to drop the trail but keep heading north, we need
a ship to take us to the lands of Solamnia." Tachande nods and goes back to
the camp. Dante runs his hand through the braids in his hair. It was a tough
choice, leaving the woman behind but he wouldnt risk his men on a slim hope
that shes even still alive. He returns to camp, to see him few men ready to
move. "Lets go." He says and together they disappear into the darkness. 

Author:    Dante          
Date:      Tue Aug  4 00:01:43 2009
Subject     Magick shop

Dante steps off the Gangplank onto a dock in the Lord City of Palanthas.
He looks at the hustle and bustle of the streets and snorts, already wanting
to be out of the city. He glances back to Tachande and his men walking down
the gangplank. "Tach, Take the men to the usual place by the south gate. I
have something I have to attend to." With a curt nod Tachande and the men
walk off down the street. He sighs gently and moves slowly down another
street, pulling his hood up. He moves slowly, his mind in a whirl. The only
two things that had ment anything to him were gone. One had abandoned him,
the other hunts him. Sooner or later they would find him, unless he wasnt
there to find. He runs his hand through his now unbraided hair and stops in
front of a strange smelling shop. He wrinkles his nose under his mask and
takes a deep breath, walking in. The shop was full of strange wonders and
there was a young man in a black robe behind the counter, reading a thick
spell book. Dante stands there silently, until the man looks up at him. "Can
I help you?" Dante reaches up and pushes back his hood, then removes his
mask, a wolfish grin on his face. "I need to see Tarones of the Black
robes." 

The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD

Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.


Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

Astinus sighs as he recants 'We saved 868 books from Ansalon from before the great Cataclysm through today.'
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