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Author Topic: Tha'Azail Neverborn  (Read 431 times)

Andrios

Tha'Azail Neverborn
« on: November 28, 2006, 09:03:45 pm »
The shield clanged loudly as it hit the rough cavern floor.  “Man those giants hit hard,” Iradril grunted, leaning against the rock wall.  Blood was pouring down his arm where the giant’s maul had smashed and splintered his shoulder.
   
     Tha’ nodded grimly.  Calling upon the healing power of Aeridin, he watched as Iradril’s splintered bones grew back together, and the flesh knitted itself until it had a normal healthy black sheen.
 
     A short time later, Tha’ was thinking the same thing.  These giants did hit hard.  A group had come into the mines behind them, and then rushed forward saying something about coming for vengeance.  

     Tha’, Iradril, and Owen had followed behind them, trying to ascertain if they needed help.  Very quickly it became apparent that they did as the group was overrun by a band of giants.   One of the group got slammed against the wall, and then came running back toward Tha’ and his friends.  Iradril and Owen charged forward to aid the other group.  Without thought Tha’ placed himself between the giant and the one who was fleeing back.  

    Tha’ intended to hold the giant off long enough for Iradril or Owen to provide relief, so that he could heal those who needed it.  He was surprised as one giant became two.  Tha’s mighty shield held the first blow back; his ‘hammer smashing the giants kneecap in return.  Tha’ felt the air as the second giant swung and attempted to duck behind his shield.  His shield was a little low, and Tha’ heard his helmet crunch and then everything went black.

    Tha’ awoke and gently began to feel his head, expecting to feel a mangled helmet.  His eyes sprung open when his hands came in contact not with his helmet, but with his hair.   As he looked around, Tha saw a barren, rocky landscape.  He was in a wide valley, all around the ground rose into blunt hills, and behind the hills at the horizon loomed sharp mountains.  Tha’ felt groggy as if he were moving underwater, everything seemed surreal.  That is when he felt the presence behind him.
 
    Looking behind him he saw a stocky woman garbed in black.  She seemed to be swiftly winding a golden string or cord as she fluidly tucked it deep within one of her wide sleeves.   She had her hood pulled up, disguising her features.   The woman straightened herself imperially and then raised one arm.   Slowly she extended a finger encased in a black lace glove, pointing towards the east.
 
     Tha’ looked in the direction she indicated and noticed a bright golden glow at the base of one of the hills.   Oddly enough the glow reminded him of his own Golden Leaf.   As if in response to the thought, his holy symbol began to glow.  Tha’ noticed then that he was missing not just his helmet, but all of his armor.  He was clad in a simple robe, much like the one he had worn for many years in his home temple.  At his side hung his ‘hammer.  On his finger was the ring he made from the gem that had marked him as a Lightbringer.   Tha’ was beginning to feel strangely at peace and turned to ask the stranger who she was and where he was.   She was nowhere to be seen.  The landscape suddenly seemed bleaker and more forbidding.   When he turned eastward however, Tha’ felt calmness return, and he felt drawn toward the glow.  With a half grin, he began walking toward the glow and what awaited him there.  

     Tha’ walked and walked.  On the second day it occurred to him that he had not eaten or drunk, nor did he feel hungry or thirsty.   At the beginning of the third day Tha’ could see his goal.  At the base of the hill was an enormous oak tree, even larger than the Great Oak.   Within the trunk of the tree was a large door, shaped like Aeridin’s Golden Leaf.   The door was ajar, and the golden light was spilling outward from within.

     Tha’ reached the door at what he thought of as noon, although there was no real light or sun in this land to confirm his feeling.  The only light that seemed real was coming from within the tree.  As he reached the tree the door slowly opened all the way, releasing the soft golden glow.  The glow made it impossible to see what lay within, but the feeling of comfort and serenity was not to be ignored.  Tha’ stepped toward the doorway, and then paused and looked back into the desolate wasteland.   Could he take this final step?   Was his work back there really done?

     In response to his unasked question the feeling of welcome and peace intensified from within the doorway.   Inside his head, Tha heard seemed to hear an ancient and wise voice.  “The cycle is in constant motion.   You have new lessons to learn.   You have done well, review what you have accomplished if you will, and then move forward into what awaits with confidence that it is the continuation of what has gone before.”    At once images began to flood into Tha’s consciousness.

      Once again he was a young priest unsure as he stepped out into the world.   He was standing before a great Golden Dragon and given a mission.  Tha’ recalled arriving in Hlint with a sense of purpose and those he met there destined to be his friends and companions.

    A flash of light and once again he was on the road with Iradril when he was blessed by a messenger of Lucinda and together with Owen they made the trip to Blackford Castle so that Iradril could give thanks and proclaim his devotion.

     Another flash and he could feel the deep oppressive gloom of Arindor’s crypt.  The shadows all around as Arindor taunted all that had come there to thwart his hold over Bidwick.   Tha’ was once again filled with Aeridin’s Light and strength and was able to overcome the oppressive fear imposed by Arindor.

     The blazing light from Tha’s Golden Leaf flared and once again he was with Owen, Iradril, Talan, Gulnyr and others as he met Rhizome.   Even then Rhizome was the high druid of Mistone.  He remembered the honor and pleasure he gained from the friendship he and “Aeridin’s Strongest” shared.
 
     The scene shifted slightly and Tha’ stood in the company of Talan, Lalaith, Rhizome, Plenarius, Brisbane, Owen and Iradril.   The group had been granted an audience with Ozlo where they were given clues and instructions to help return the metallic dragons to Layonara.   Ozlo’s gaze was intense, knocking Owen and Iradril to the ground.  Within the gaze Tha’ thought he recognized a familiar glint.  Tha’s hunch was proven many years later, when Ozlo appeared in draconic form in defense of the Great Oak.

     Once again Tha’ could smell the dust, dirt and mold that was present in almost every crypt he had ventured into.  He could recognize this crypt by its scent, however.   He was at the bottom of the crypt in Krandor, and once again he was calling forth Aeridin’s holy light upon the gem he had been given.  In a flash of light and pain Tha’Azail had become a Light Bringer of Aeridin.

     The next images that flashed through his mind included the Lost Souls, those poor children that had dedicated themselves to Shadison.  Tha’ recalled the small part he had played, chasing the books left behind and diminishing Shadison’s presence as well as redeeming Dougal, the fallen paladin.

     In his mind Tha’ was once again in Hlint being approached by Aeridin’s messenger.  He was being given his  ‘Hammer and congratulated on his work in Aeridin’s name.   Tha’ caressed the now worn handle of his ‘hammer and smiled in mixed pride and a sense of humility that he had been so honored.

     The ‘hammer reminded him of the day that he, Owen, and Iradril had stumbled upon Aeon outside of Storan’s crypt and the search of the crypt that lead to the very short confrontation with Eon.   He also remembered the many trips to the crypt to return its residents to the Great Cycle.

     That train of thought led him to think of his good friend Aralin, and the fateful day Aralin began forming the Vakhar.   Tha’ thought of the many good things the Vakhar had done.  He thought of the safe path they had created to Folian’s temple, and the way the Vakhar had helped the Wolfswood Rangers.   Tha’ thought of all the work they had done in the present darkness caused by the great clouds of dust and debris.  The Vakhar were working to preserve the trees and other plants and thus help sustain the cycle disrupted by the unnatural conditions.

     Thoughts of the Vakhar led full circle back to Rhizome and one of the most beautiful days of Tha’s life.  Tha’ remembered  how he had the great honor of seeing Rhizome ascend to the position of Heirophant, and witnessed him planting the Silver Vein.   The ceremony strengthened the Great Oak and helped ensure the defeat of Blood.  Tha’ had been honored and humbled when Plenarius had called upon him to add the blessings of Aeridin to the blessings of Katia over the momentous occasion.  

     That feeling of happiness echoed within him when he was traveling with his two best friends, Iradril and Owen. It was hard to think of Iradril without remembering the day he was once again blessed by Lucinda and in thanks for retrieving a blade of importance for her he was granted the knowledge to meld sword and shield with the weave to become a spell sword.   It was even harder to think of Owen without thinking of his great quest to meet and speak with the dragons, to record at least one of their stories and create a grand epic for the edification of all of Layonara.

     Thinking of friendships also caused him to think of Anna Lee.   He thought of the night on the docks when they had spoken of their pasts and their hopes for the future.  He thought about the contentment he had felt that night, a contentment he usually only felt in the presence of Aeridin.
 
     The presence of Aeridin…. Tha’ smiled and walked forward into the light, the door closing softly behind him.   For a brief moment the last rays of the sitting sun lit the doorway in amber fire, then after a final flare the wasteland was dark and desolate once more.  

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     As the first rays of the rising sun touched the altar of Aeridin’s temple in Ranger’s Vale a bent old man emerged from the trees.   With a stride belayed by his bent form he headed for the temple stopping just outside of it.  
At the edge of the temple he bent down and with gnarled hands he placed a young sapling into the dirt spending some time to ensure that it was properly planted and given advantages to encourage it to thrive.
At last he stood as much as his age and infirmity would allow.  He whispered quietly, “ This is planted in memory of Tha’Azail Neverborn.  Founding member of the Vakhar.  True and Loyal Friend.  Light Bringer.  Blessed of Aeridin.  Though you never knew me, I am proud of you, my son”
With the quiet benediction spoken the bent figure silently melted back into the woods.
 

 

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