@all- sorry for the absense. Great job with the story in the meantime. I'll throw a small curve, here. Take it how you will.
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Corellon hurled a fireball at them, but the gate was long gone before it exploded. Fuming, a thought appeared in his mind.
-You will suffer for this, arrogant mageling. You will suffer...-
He looked around, but no one was there.
Rail smiled, silent as a shadow as he watched the leader of the Cowled Fools angrily gather himself up and head back to the Council room. The brooding assassin, cloaked in invisibility, followed close behind the leader of those he despised so deeply, studying the various protective enchantments constantly surrounding the powerful mage. He knew it would be foolish to blindly attack one such as Corellon, though his heart ached for the kill.
The mage was clearly unnerved by his encounter with the magic-resistant drow, and by the telepathic thoughts left behind. He muttered several times to himself as he stormed the hallways, often stopping to shout orders to other Cowls or berate an underling who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rail even thought the usually controlled mage would even lash out magically at some of the servants who happened to be in his way, but he kept his magic to himself. Which was good. Who knew when he might need his magic, after all? And who knew when he might lose it in one thrust? The difference between the two was so slim.
After several minutes, the mage finally entered the Council Chambers, striding past the guards to stand before the Six. Rail slid carefully past some of the wards that had been replaced after their hasty departure from the quarters just moments before, and watched from the shadows.
Though Corellon remained outwardly calm, his voice held thr rage of a sandstorm. "The mage and his cohorts have temporarily eluded us, but mark my words, we will use all our resources to track him down. Give us three days time and he will be yours. The Cowled Wizards are not to be trifled with!"
The Council of Six rose from their gilded chairs as one. The Councilhead's gaze rested coldly on the Cowled Wizard. "See that their heads are on this table by the end of the week, Corellon. You are dismissed."
Corellon raised an eyebrow at the six Council members standing together, but nodded and departed before Rail could gauge how much the man knew.
He was always hard to read anyway, thought the assassin as he slowly crept around the side of the room to gain a better view of the Council members. He had been in the City far too long to think their action normal.
"Well done my servants!" Lazal stepped from the shadows within arm's reach of the startled assassin and walked toward the group at the table.
Rail breathed a sigh of relief as the mage seemed oblivious to his presence, at least for the moment. That sigh, however, quickly turned to a scowl as he realized the gravity of his situation. That mage had been able to detect him somewhat the day before. Now he was in an enclosed and heavily guarded room with Lazal and his allies, several stories up in the government district. He definitely knew one mistake would surely cost him his life here. He began warily to inch creep his way back to the door.
That was when he heard the voice again.
Lazal is an ambitous fool, Rail. You and I are a much better fit.
Rail's frown turned from caution to fear. If he was walking on quicksand before, he certainly walked on fire now. He thought carefully how he should respond this time, for to misspeak not would mean his life.
Why should I believe you? Lazal is far more powerful than I am. He is a better tool for you.
The voice laughed in Rail's mind even while the Six and Lazal talked on.
He is busy with his own visions of grandeur. He wants so many things more than what is important. You, however, are not like Lazal. You are more focused. More efficient.
Rail frowned.
So, I would make a better servant? You think I would live to do your will?
On the contrary, my child. Your will and my will are not that different. Think on the decisions in your life. You know I speak truth.
Rail looked on as Lazal dismissed the guards and continued his discussion with the Six. The assassin, for the first time in weeks really did think on the offer. Here he was at the mercy of another power. If he refused, he could be exposed and killed without much thought. After all, who was he against divine beings such as this and surrounded by their servants? Rail's flight instincts screamed deafeningly at him to run from the room as fast as he could, but the assassin stayed rooted to the spot, caution overcoming terror. He glanced back at Lazal, full of ambition and power, but morally empty. Rail shook his head and calmed his mind.
No, he thought, sounding more shaken than he liked.
We are not the same. You aid those I seek to destroy. My actions might be similar to yours, but our reasons differ greatly. I will not accept your offer. I do not serve you.
Without hesitation, Rail strode from the room, again sliding past the wards at the door. He had seen enough of Lazal and the "Council" to know what was going on. He had hoped to wet his blade forther on Cowled backs, but those thoughts were long gone now. Thankfully, Lazal never turned his direction. Never blanketed the area with spells. But even as the assassin rounded the corner, the voice echoed chillingly through his mind.
You will serve me, child. You will.Matti Il-Amin, Paladin, comedian, and expert adventurer. Proudly bearing the colors of the [url="http://www.svelmoe.dk/blade/index.htm"]Blades of the Banshee[/url]
