Slave to the Empire:
Ranger 4
It was quiet on the mountain. Aerick hung from the ropes on the side of
the peak, overlooking the main Aerie, his eyes taking the magnificent dragons as
they sunned themselves on the specialized rocks. A gust of wind threatened to
take his perch from him, and he looked up at the hovering dragon. It seemed to
stare right through him, before wheeling on a wing to rise further into the air
on the thermals. Aerick checked his harness before rappelling down the cliff
face to the small ledge that led to one of the balconies of the Fortress. With
a sigh he returned to the halls of the Fortress, his mind remembering the
stillness and beauty of the mountains. He was met at the juncture by a pair of
Dragon Riders, who escorted him to the main training hall. Syrena was
overseeing a training exercise between several Imperial Army regulars and their
Inquisitorial counterparts. Aerick had little interaction with any of the
regular army soldiers or the Inquisitors. He had heard many stories about the
Inquisitors, and their methods, and he did not relish meeting any under these
circumstances.
Syrena nodded as he approached, and motioned for him to take his place
beside her as she observed the training. The main training hall held several
thousand warriors, many of which were sparring one on one and company vs.
company. The very nature of the hall allowed this, created shortly after the
formation of the Empire a thousand years ago. It was a product of great magick.
"The time has come for all things to be revealed." She spoke. Beside
her was an ebon skinned elf with platinum hair that Aerick immediately
recognized as one of the Moon Elf Tribe. "This is Inquisitor Sharie, head of
the Inquisitors stationed here. The Inquisition also runs the Intelligence
service in the surrounding kingdoms."
She led him and the Inquisitor back to her office where she sat wearily.
"Well Inquisitor? What is it your Mistress's message."
The Moon Elf sat and relaxed. "There has been a great deal of
communication between Iceholme and the various Gilead Houses as of late. From
our last reports, that communication doubled within the last week. We do not
expect the armies of Gilead to mobilize, there is way too much friction between
the Houses and the Fae. Iceholme, on the other hand, has been mobilizing ever
since the survivors of the abortive rebellion in the south marches made it to
their destination. We estimate that they will attempt to invade the Empire."
"Is that even possible?" Aerick inquired.
"There is...a complication." Sharie spoke. "They have created an
artifact that could possibly render our forces ineffective against their forces.
That artifact must be destroyed."
"Hence my presence here." Aerick spoke.
"You will not be going in alone. There are three others that are
finishing their training as we speak. The four of you will destroy this
object."
"What is my part of this mission?"
"You will lead them to the Castile Torment. There you will assist the
one who is being trained to destroy the artifact." Syrena said.
"What is the nature of this object?"
"It is Psionic in nature. Beyond your ken." Sharie spoke. "The High
Inquisitor herself is overseeing his training."
"What of the Castile? What are its defenses?"
"The Castile is located near the Great Ice Wall. It is relatively
large, similar in scope to that of a Gilead fortress. There are, however,
extensive underground chambers and levels. The fortress used to belong to a
northern wizard that died during the Wars of Azoura the Mad. It was taken over
by then apprentice of Azoura, Makiri, then a mortal sorcerer. The defenses of
the Castile are standard for a fortress of its size; the main protections are
against hostile magicks. There are ways around the magicks that can be devised,
but it would take an army just to fight its way to the Castile so that those
defenses can be neutralized. It is relatively open to the Mental Disciplines of
the Inquisition, but the artifact therein prevents any such attempts to breech
the Castile."
"Are there any maps of the area?"
"They will be provided." Syrena spoke. "Right now I need you to make
out a list of equipment that you will need besides the standard campaign packs."
"That will be simple." Aerick replied. "How many will be going on this
mission?"
"Four, including yourself."
"Four? Is that not a bit small for a raid?"
"Your mission will require stealth instead of brute force. Your object
is to get in, destroy the artifact, then get out. Once the artifact is
destroyed, the northern army will disperse."
Aerick frowned. "When do I meet the rest of the team?"
"Soon. We have confirmation that the Lady Inquisitor Hallia will be
arriving within the week with her forces. The Lady Esmerelda and the Lady
Murelle should be arriving shortly after that."
"One thing we will definitely need will be mountaineering gear." Aerick
said, scribbling a list out for the Lady General. "Any fortress like you
describe will be looking for magickal support or activity of some kind.
Rappelling up the walls would be the safest bet."
"I'll have the gear added to the packs." Syrena spoke, accepting the
list. "The kitchens will be serving the evening meal soon so I will see to the
additions before then. I will see you then Sharie." The Moon Elf rose and
bowed gracefully, then left. Syrena leaned back into her chair and rubbed her
eyes.
"There are times I feel I am getting too old for this." She spoke, then
looked up at Aerick. "I want you to rest up as much as you can for this. I
want you back in one piece."
The days flowed one into the other, drawing down to the day when the
four would be gathered. Aerick trained hard, honing his skills for the mission
ahead. He knew the day had arrived when the entire dragon wing took flight and
the garrison went on high alert. Aerick took his place with the General as she
led him toward the gate hall. The hall was situated near the heart of the
fortress, designed and built to re-supply the fortress in times of war, not to
mention allow reinforcements to arrive in safety. Because of the function of
the hall, it was larger than the training hall by several hundred meters. He
had no idea that such a structure even existed in the fortress, even after all
this time. Great frescos of Dragons lined the hall, paintings of great battles
of a bygone era, as well as sculptures of great warriors. The general wore her
full armor to the hall. It was dragon hide armor, master crafted in a scale
armor pattern, and quiet enchanted. He could feel the magick radiating off it.
She handed her helm off to an aide and turned to him.
"The Lady Inquisitor is bringing the first wave of her forces through
the gate very soon. Accompanying her will be her pet. See to it he is kept out
of the way for the time being."
"Anything specific I should do?"
"Be yourself."
At the far end of the hall stood a vertical stone circle, marked with
runes and glyphs of warding and traveling. A small dot of incandescent energy
appeared at the heart of the circle, and began to pulse until it became a gate.
Syrena began to walk towards the gate just as a pair emerged from the gate and
began to walk down the steps. It was a Moon Elf that led them in full armor.
Behind her walked a human male dressed in similar armor. Syrena approached the
Moon Elf and embraced her warmly, then she stood before the human who knelt and
kissed her boots. More Inquisitors began to emerge from the gate, until the
hall was nearly full of troops, both Dragonriders and Inquisitors. The young
human was shuffled off to the side and looked a bit lost. Aerick made his way
from the wall where he had positioned himself. The young man seemed to be no
more than twenty years, but he wasn't sure. He reached out and took the human's
arm and pulled him to the side.
"You might want to stick over here for right now. It will be a while
before every one is settled in for the night."
"Thanks, I'm Kieron."
"Aerick." The half elf replied. "You have the appearance of a man who
has just been handed a handful of snakes."
"I have no idea what is going on. All I know is that Iceholme is
preparing to invade."
"Invade is a minor word for it." Aerick snorted. "This is shaping up
to be a fight to the death."
Kieron seemed nervous.
"Trust me kid. I've fought in wars all over this world. This fight is
going to be bloody."
Hallia appeared before them, followed by Syrena.
"Oh, good." Syrena spoke. "I'm glad you two have met. It will make
things easier." She looked at Aerick. "Commander Rochelle needs to pick your
brain on the southern holdings." She pulled him close, her hand squeezing his
ass. "And afterwards, my room." She released him and swatted him on the ass.
"Now scoot."
Hallia smiled at the exchange. "Pet, it is time for us to retire." She
kissed Syrena. "I bid you a good night sister. Let me know when it is time
for the others to meet."
Aerick nodded and disappeared into the crowd. He made his way to one of
the garrison command centers where he reported to the Commander in question. It
was a routine briefing, where he related everything that happened as he
commanded the Ghost Wood Mercenaries during their last campaign. He observed
the large map set into the floor of the command center, detailed down to the
last shrub, and the force markers of all armies involved. He left as soon as he
was able, returning to the living areas of the fortress. He was ushered into
the General's quarters without a word. Syrena sat at the desk that dominated
the left side of her quarters, going over paperwork. She waved him to take a
seat as she finished filing the reports. "Forgive me of the illusion earlier.
Hallia has a certain...ideas about the proper relationship between a Mistress
and her slave. I, on the other hand, have my own ideas."
"If you will forgive me for saying so, but this has been more like
advanced Ranger training than slavery."
"Perhaps. I have no desire to force an unwilling person. If I could
not have used you, I would have turned you over for sale to a more traditional
Mistress. I am a warrior first and foremost." She stood. "I admit, although,
that I do enjoy the pleasure of a young body on occasion."
"So what happens now?"
"Now?" Syrena tapped her finger against her chin. "An interesting
question that." She stood and crossed the space between them. With her hand,
she reached out and stroked his face. "Strip."
Aerick slowly disrobed, his eyes fixed upon hers. In her hands appeared
several coiled ropes. Without a second lost she bend one of the ropes into
equal halves and knots one end, making a small loop at the end. She sets the
knot behind his neck and pulls the twin ropes across his chest. Three knots
follow down the front, the last set just behind his testicles, looping the ropes
behind him and passing them through the loop at the back of his neck. She
paused as she completed a simple tortoise shell rope bondage and stepped back.
Taking a second rope, she bound his arms and legs, until he was as an immobile
statue. He wasn't surprised in the least when she hefted him over her shoulder
and carried him towards the end of the room. With the wave of her hand across a
jewel set in the wall, a chain silently descended. She set him on his feet and
attached the chain to the anchor point where his arms were bound behind him.
His feet brushed the floor as he was lifted into the air. Syrena pulled on a
pair of black gloves and adjusted them until they seemed a part of her hands.
Aerick jerked as the gloves made contact with his skin. There were points on
the palms and fingers of the gloves, and they poked and teased the sensitive
skin. He closed his eyes at the sensations, and pulled at the ropes as her
hands enclosed his genitals and pressed gently. His senses screamed at him as
she continued the sensual assault upon him, not letting him catch his breath as
she shifted tactics to a set of feathers.
The light touch under the head of his penis almost drove him over the
edge, but she was a master at the art of sensual teasing, and would stop just as
he approached the edge. His eyes opened to meet hers. She smiled at him and
brought his head down to meet hers. The kiss that followed was gentle, yet
forceful. She would have her pleasure from him, but at her pace and her need.
Her finger sought out his nipples and squeezed them lightly at first, then
harder. He felt the sharp points of the gloves dig into the nipple, and he
moaned into the kiss. She broke the kiss and smiled again, her hands roaming
down his chest and body until she gripped his ass. He felt his erection brush
her stomach as she squeezed and pulled him to her, and then she released him,
the gloves ending up on a heap in the floor. His feet touched the earth once
more as she undid the ropes that bound him. With a finger in the ring in his
collar she led him towards her bed.
"Undress me." She commanded, relinquishing her hold upon him.
Aerick obeyed, his hands working quickly to unfasten the leathers that
she wore and place them on the small chest at the foot of her bed. The boots
followed and he was pushed forcefully down on the bed. she straddled him and
pinned his arms to the bed. She shook her hair loose and kissed him again,
tasting him. Her feet and legs pinned his, and she slowly sank down on his
penis. A part of him mind recognized it as sort of a hero's sendoff, but he
brushed the thought aside as he felt the walls of her vagina clamp down on him.
It was just as slow and torturous as when she used the gloves and feather, and
he tried not to reach orgasm before she did. He worked his penis in and out
slowly, matching her pace for pace until he felt as if a clamp had been applied
to his genitals, albeit a warm and wet clamp. She made a growling sound as he
felt her reach orgasm."
"Come now!" She growled.
Aerick thrust deeply once more as he came, her fingernails digging into
his wrists. Both remained motionless for what seemed to be an hour before she
lifted herself off of him. She released him fully and rolled off the bed and
onto the floor. She padded across the room to a small table and poured a glass
of wine, sipping it as she returned to the bed. she offered the glass to his
lips and he drank slowly.
"Thank you." She spoke.
"You are welcome." He replied, moving to make room for her. She slid
back into the bed.
"I should have done his earlier, but the timing wasn't right." She
admitted. "You will take care of yourself while away, won't you? I would hate
to release your people without their commander."
"You will release them?"
"Yes." She set the glass on a small table beside the bed. "Now get
some rest. Tomorrow it begins."
Aerick woke in an empty bed. His armor and gear were laid out before
him, as well as a small meal for which to break his fast. He ate quickly and
pulled on his clothes and armor. With everything in place, he slipped out of
the room and to the hall where they were to assemble. He came into the hall as
the rest of the party arrived, and kept to the side as soon all four of them
were present. He kept well away from the vampire as she appeared, and
approached a fully armed and armored Syrena as she got everyone's attention.
"Now that we are all here," Syrena spoke. "We can get down to
business." Aerick stood behind her in his armor, a pack at his feet. He saw
that there were two other men along side the two newcomers.
"This is the mission that you have all been prepared for." Syrena looked
them over. "Successful completion of this mission will mean that the threat of
Iceholme will be neutralized for a long time. Failure will mean a long, drawn
out war. Each of you are masters of your chosen fields, and we have added to
your training the best we have been able. I know it will be difficult on you
all having to work together in this, but it has been for the best that you were
all trained separately. Aerick, former mercenary commander, will lead you to
your destination." She nodded at Aerick. "Kieron, former thief, yours it to
get the party into the heavily guarded Castile Torment. Savren, sorcerer born,
you are to provide magickal support. And finally, Sir Toril, Paladin of Sioban
Morning Star, to you will fall the harsh task of warrior to guard and protect
your fellows."
Hallia looked at the assembled four. "There is a crystal inside that
castle. It must be destroyed."
"What does it do?" Inquired Savren.
"It has the power to detect and render Inquisitors incapable of using
their gifts. Had such a crystal not been created, we would not have needed your
assistance in this matter."
Esmerelda leaned on her staff. "The castle is shielded from hostile
magicks. It is relatively open to the mental disciplines of the Inquisition. A
team of sorceresses, Inquisitors, and Assassins was sent in when we first
learned of the possible existence of the crystal, but they were killed. Their
deaths must be avenged."
Finally, Murelle turned her gaze on the four. "They were killed by
Cymra the Black, once Lady Cymra, second daughter of Empress Corrine IV. As per
Imperial law, the daughters of the Empress are to be trained in all of the main
houses. She was a brilliant student, but flawed with ambition and pride. She
sought to master skills and knowledge that had been forbidden since the first
Empress. She was exiled four hundred and seventy two years ago. She traveled
far, and learned much, including the dark rites of resurrection. She cannot be
killed by mortal means. She has aligned with the Lich King of Iceholme and
seeks to avenger herself upon us. She must be destroyed. She is an abomination
to everything we hold dear and sacred."
"Now you know." Syrena leaned on her spear. "You are to penetrate the
interior of Iceholme, steal into the Castle, destroy the Dark Crystal, and
escape. With the crystal destroyed, the Lich King will not support Cymra, and
we will be able to restore peace to the border. The appropriate gear has been
prepared for you all, and you will all leave immediately. Are there any
questions?"
Aerick looked around to the others. They kept their silence and waited.
"Remember," Syrena said in parting. "You have 'til the next full moon
to complete your task."
Aerick nodded to himself, then led the party up to the platform and
through the portal...and into the frozen north. He immediately knelt, drew his
bow and set an arrow to it, scanning the horizon. Kieron followed and also
looked about.
"Where are we?" Kieron whispered.
"Iceholme, far north territories." Aerick replied. "We need to find
some cover and someplace to take stock of our situation."
Kieron nodded and stood.
"Let's move out." Aerick ordered the party, and let the four down the
ice plains into the wilderness.
