Eternal
The next thing you say surprises all of the Eyes.
“Now there’s a caravan coming through the area north of here in the next few days that is carrying a lot of supplies for the military. Cyrus isn’t going to be able to resist attacking it even if he thinks it’s a set up. We’re going to intercept him when he attacks it and put an end to him once and for all.”
Several Eyes including Warrick look at each other and WANT to question why you’d scold them about a particular idea they’ve used and then you want to continue using it. Nobody dares say anything though.
“Good. Glad everyone waited for me to continue this time. You’re probably wondering why we’re going to continue to use a strategy after I just pointed out that it has failed so many times. Well, the strategy was a simple one and sometimes simple ones are best. The advantage you have now is that I am with you and I will be able to handle Cyrus and will not let him get away. Besides, you’ve failed so many times at stopping him that he’s bound to be a little cocky now and won’t be expecting any major surprises. Even if he does, he probably also thinks he’s the chosen one of his god and invincible. Time to show Cyrus that his false god cannot protect him.”
You finish by telling them all to get themselves prepared, as you will be moving out soon.
“Warrick you come over here. I want to talk with you.”
Warrick complies with your request probably with some concern to his well being.
“I want you to stick with me during this attack. I need you alive and your chances of survival will increase if you’re with me. While I don’t think there will be any problems, it will still be good to have a second just in case we need to chase after Cyrus. Any questions, now is the time to ask.”
“I have no questions sir.”
“Very well.”
You and the Eyes travel towards where the supply caravan is and maintain a respectable distance from it and keep out of sight. You travel along side it for miles and there are a couple of Eyes who start wondering if Cyrus is even going to attack it. You know he will though and of course you turn out to be right.
The caravan guard hold their own against the rebel bandits, but as soon as Cyrus decloaks he begins making short work of them. It is at this point Sightmaster Davison orders the Eyes to attack.
“Not you. As I said, you’re sticking with me.” You say to Warrick while grabbing his shoulder to hold him back.
As the skirmish between the Eyes and Cyrus unfolds, you begin to concentrate. You visualize water and then that water slowly solidifying into ice. The temperature around you begins to get very cold and soon so does the entire area.
It is at this point Cyrus notices you in the distance and realizes that he is outclassed this time. He panics like a true coward and calls for a retreat, but its too late, you utter the incantation and cover the surrounding area in ice. The caravan, the guards, the rebels and the Eyes are all covered in frost that causes most of them to be frozen on the spot.
“Now we get our traitor.” You say to Warrick and the pair of you run over to the caravan battle site.
You see several of the still living shivering profusely and moaning from the pain of frost burn. A few of the hardy have managed to endure the effects of the spell, though they are busily trying to free their feet from ice before frostbite sets in. Others lie dead and frozen, Cyrus is not among them though and Warrick catches sight of him slowly attempting to get away and heading towards a forest. His attempts to speed himself up make him only moderately faster due to the frost covering his body.
Wasting no time, Warrick grabs his bow and fires several arrows at Cyrus, a couple hit their mark. Cyrus stumbles and staggers, but doesn’t fall. He instead manages to turn invisible.
“Shit! But he’s wounded, I can track him if we hurry!” Warrick exclaims, but once again you stop him from proceeding.
“You’ve proven your worth Warrick, but your tracking skills won’t be necessary today.” You say and begin to concentrate in the direction Cyrus was heading. Instead of visualizing water, you now visualize fire and much like the small ice storm you created, you now create one of flame.
The forest that Cyrus was limping towards is suddenly set ablaze along with the fielded area near it. A burning figure once again decloaks and you hear the screams all the way from the caravan site which is starting to thaw due to the proximity of the heat.
Desperately Cyrus tries to make his way out of the inferno and back towards the caravan site, you calmly walk to him with Warrick following. By the time you reach him, Cyrus is crawling towards you half frozen, half burned, and death closely following him.
“You see what this path has brought you traitor. No so called freedom, no glory for your god, not even a heroic death. You’re an embarrassment to the name Eternal and you will not be remembered save as an example of what happens to all that would oppose the Emperor.”
Cyrus struggles to look up at you and it’s probably the first time you’ve been this close to each other since Mistress’ class. His face is nearly unrecognizable due to the severe burns. He attempts to speak, but only the utterance of distorted grunts from a scorched throat occurs. Doesn’t matter, he has nothing of value to say. Traitors never do.
You kneel down and with your dagger you end his life for good.
“What next?” Warrick suddenly asks.
“I report the death of this traitor to Jacob and I return to my place by the Emperor’s side where I wait for his further orders. As for you, I suggest you help what’s left of your group. I believe I saw your Sightmaster encased in ice, meaning he will no longer be able to carry out his duty. I can’t think of a more worthy replacement than you so I will make mention of it to Jacob.”
Warrick is surprised by your words. He looks back at the caravan site, which is still a mess from your previous ice spell, he then looks ahead and watches the flames consume the nearby forest.
“Better to kill a thousand innocent men than to let one traitor sew chaos. Better to lay waste to paradise than to let it continue to house enemies of the Empire.” You say, though Warrick certainly understands even if he has never truly been in such a situation until now where it was necessary.
Jacob’s response when you meet him again is a little less understanding when he finds out how you handled things…
“Of course its good that Cyrus is dead, but… was it absolutely necessary to burn down an entire forest and sacrifice nearly an entire platoon of Eyes along with the entire compliment of caravan guards?” Jacob asks.
“I saw it as the best way to be sure to put an end to Cyrus. And I would think you of all people would be happy for the matter to be handled given how worried you were about it before. The Emperor will also be happy and isn’t that what’s most important, that he can proceed with his war on the Felkans without further delay?”
Jacob pauses before addressing your statement.
“Yes and I really wish we weren’t doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Going to war with the Felkan Kingdom.”
“You don’t believe the Empire should crush its enemies?” you ask.
“I don’t believe we should waste the resources on a pointless war on a powerful nation that has never shown any signs of aggression.”
“Just because they don’t openly display it doesn’t mean they aren’t planning something.” You say.
“Yes, I’ve heard the speech about the duplicitous gnome masters several times. You can’t know how glad I was when I first found out that you managed to convince the Emperor to even postpone the war to take care of the shadows first. Can you imagine what might’ve happened had you not done that? I…look you know I serve the Empire and my loyalty will never be in question to it, but on this point I really don’t think this war is a good idea in the long run. Do you not believe that it wouldn’t be better if we conserved our resources and pursued other ways to enrich the Empire that don’t involve war? You convinced the Emperor once to postpone a potentially damaging war, could you not sway his thoughts on this matter any further?”
“Jacob, it is the Emperor’s will that the Felkan Kingdom must be destroyed. The plan has already been set in motion. No words of mine would ever convince him otherwise, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t because as I see it, the gnomes and by extension the Felkan Kingdom must pay for their continued insults towards the Emperor. And that insult is their mere existence. Their punishment will be death.”
Jacob realizes that he will have no luck in attempting to incorporate you into his desire to convince the Emperor to not go to war, so he drops the issue.
“I hope so for the sake of the Empire. Well, I suppose my next task will be to find a few more recruits to fill in the gaps for the latest fallen Eyes. Warrick will certainly make a good Sightmaster. Glad to hear that the pair of you worked so well together and he survived at least. I…nevermind.”
Jacob once again is starting act like he wants to address something more, but stops himself again, you urge him to continue.
“What is it Jacob?”
“Nothing. Just... I mean your actions in Delerg and also what you just recently did to put down one traitor…well I’m just saying that it’s good that you are so dedicated. Remember that Empire must survive no matter what the cost.”
“Of course. You don’t need to remind me of such a thing.”
“No. Of course I don’t.” Jacob says and bids you goodbye.
You don’t understand Jacob’s odd behavior, especially since it seemed a little contradictory. One moment he was nearly scolding you for your methods, the next he was praising you for them. When you tell the Emperor about you conversation with Jacob he doesn’t seem to be concerned, he’s too excited about finally going to war with the Felkans.
“Jacob is like an old woman sometimes. He worries too much, that’s what he does. The only thing we need to worry about is how to make sure none of those little gnome bastards escape this time! Ha ha!” the Emperor says.
“They won’t.” you reply with certainty.
“Now there’s a caravan coming through the area north of here in the next few days that is carrying a lot of supplies for the military. Cyrus isn’t going to be able to resist attacking it even if he thinks it’s a set up. We’re going to intercept him when he attacks it and put an end to him once and for all.”
Several Eyes including Warrick look at each other and WANT to question why you’d scold them about a particular idea they’ve used and then you want to continue using it. Nobody dares say anything though.
“Good. Glad everyone waited for me to continue this time. You’re probably wondering why we’re going to continue to use a strategy after I just pointed out that it has failed so many times. Well, the strategy was a simple one and sometimes simple ones are best. The advantage you have now is that I am with you and I will be able to handle Cyrus and will not let him get away. Besides, you’ve failed so many times at stopping him that he’s bound to be a little cocky now and won’t be expecting any major surprises. Even if he does, he probably also thinks he’s the chosen one of his god and invincible. Time to show Cyrus that his false god cannot protect him.”
You finish by telling them all to get themselves prepared, as you will be moving out soon.
“Warrick you come over here. I want to talk with you.”
Warrick complies with your request probably with some concern to his well being.
“I want you to stick with me during this attack. I need you alive and your chances of survival will increase if you’re with me. While I don’t think there will be any problems, it will still be good to have a second just in case we need to chase after Cyrus. Any questions, now is the time to ask.”
“I have no questions sir.”
“Very well.”
You and the Eyes travel towards where the supply caravan is and maintain a respectable distance from it and keep out of sight. You travel along side it for miles and there are a couple of Eyes who start wondering if Cyrus is even going to attack it. You know he will though and of course you turn out to be right.
The caravan guard hold their own against the rebel bandits, but as soon as Cyrus decloaks he begins making short work of them. It is at this point Sightmaster Davison orders the Eyes to attack.
“Not you. As I said, you’re sticking with me.” You say to Warrick while grabbing his shoulder to hold him back.
As the skirmish between the Eyes and Cyrus unfolds, you begin to concentrate. You visualize water and then that water slowly solidifying into ice. The temperature around you begins to get very cold and soon so does the entire area.
It is at this point Cyrus notices you in the distance and realizes that he is outclassed this time. He panics like a true coward and calls for a retreat, but its too late, you utter the incantation and cover the surrounding area in ice. The caravan, the guards, the rebels and the Eyes are all covered in frost that causes most of them to be frozen on the spot.
“Now we get our traitor.” You say to Warrick and the pair of you run over to the caravan battle site.
You see several of the still living shivering profusely and moaning from the pain of frost burn. A few of the hardy have managed to endure the effects of the spell, though they are busily trying to free their feet from ice before frostbite sets in. Others lie dead and frozen, Cyrus is not among them though and Warrick catches sight of him slowly attempting to get away and heading towards a forest. His attempts to speed himself up make him only moderately faster due to the frost covering his body.
Wasting no time, Warrick grabs his bow and fires several arrows at Cyrus, a couple hit their mark. Cyrus stumbles and staggers, but doesn’t fall. He instead manages to turn invisible.
“Shit! But he’s wounded, I can track him if we hurry!” Warrick exclaims, but once again you stop him from proceeding.
“You’ve proven your worth Warrick, but your tracking skills won’t be necessary today.” You say and begin to concentrate in the direction Cyrus was heading. Instead of visualizing water, you now visualize fire and much like the small ice storm you created, you now create one of flame.
The forest that Cyrus was limping towards is suddenly set ablaze along with the fielded area near it. A burning figure once again decloaks and you hear the screams all the way from the caravan site which is starting to thaw due to the proximity of the heat.
Desperately Cyrus tries to make his way out of the inferno and back towards the caravan site, you calmly walk to him with Warrick following. By the time you reach him, Cyrus is crawling towards you half frozen, half burned, and death closely following him.
“You see what this path has brought you traitor. No so called freedom, no glory for your god, not even a heroic death. You’re an embarrassment to the name Eternal and you will not be remembered save as an example of what happens to all that would oppose the Emperor.”
Cyrus struggles to look up at you and it’s probably the first time you’ve been this close to each other since Mistress’ class. His face is nearly unrecognizable due to the severe burns. He attempts to speak, but only the utterance of distorted grunts from a scorched throat occurs. Doesn’t matter, he has nothing of value to say. Traitors never do.
You kneel down and with your dagger you end his life for good.
“What next?” Warrick suddenly asks.
“I report the death of this traitor to Jacob and I return to my place by the Emperor’s side where I wait for his further orders. As for you, I suggest you help what’s left of your group. I believe I saw your Sightmaster encased in ice, meaning he will no longer be able to carry out his duty. I can’t think of a more worthy replacement than you so I will make mention of it to Jacob.”
Warrick is surprised by your words. He looks back at the caravan site, which is still a mess from your previous ice spell, he then looks ahead and watches the flames consume the nearby forest.
“Better to kill a thousand innocent men than to let one traitor sew chaos. Better to lay waste to paradise than to let it continue to house enemies of the Empire.” You say, though Warrick certainly understands even if he has never truly been in such a situation until now where it was necessary.
Jacob’s response when you meet him again is a little less understanding when he finds out how you handled things…
“Of course its good that Cyrus is dead, but… was it absolutely necessary to burn down an entire forest and sacrifice nearly an entire platoon of Eyes along with the entire compliment of caravan guards?” Jacob asks.
“I saw it as the best way to be sure to put an end to Cyrus. And I would think you of all people would be happy for the matter to be handled given how worried you were about it before. The Emperor will also be happy and isn’t that what’s most important, that he can proceed with his war on the Felkans without further delay?”
Jacob pauses before addressing your statement.
“Yes and I really wish we weren’t doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Going to war with the Felkan Kingdom.”
“You don’t believe the Empire should crush its enemies?” you ask.
“I don’t believe we should waste the resources on a pointless war on a powerful nation that has never shown any signs of aggression.”
“Just because they don’t openly display it doesn’t mean they aren’t planning something.” You say.
“Yes, I’ve heard the speech about the duplicitous gnome masters several times. You can’t know how glad I was when I first found out that you managed to convince the Emperor to even postpone the war to take care of the shadows first. Can you imagine what might’ve happened had you not done that? I…look you know I serve the Empire and my loyalty will never be in question to it, but on this point I really don’t think this war is a good idea in the long run. Do you not believe that it wouldn’t be better if we conserved our resources and pursued other ways to enrich the Empire that don’t involve war? You convinced the Emperor once to postpone a potentially damaging war, could you not sway his thoughts on this matter any further?”
“Jacob, it is the Emperor’s will that the Felkan Kingdom must be destroyed. The plan has already been set in motion. No words of mine would ever convince him otherwise, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t because as I see it, the gnomes and by extension the Felkan Kingdom must pay for their continued insults towards the Emperor. And that insult is their mere existence. Their punishment will be death.”
Jacob realizes that he will have no luck in attempting to incorporate you into his desire to convince the Emperor to not go to war, so he drops the issue.
“I hope so for the sake of the Empire. Well, I suppose my next task will be to find a few more recruits to fill in the gaps for the latest fallen Eyes. Warrick will certainly make a good Sightmaster. Glad to hear that the pair of you worked so well together and he survived at least. I…nevermind.”
Jacob once again is starting act like he wants to address something more, but stops himself again, you urge him to continue.
“What is it Jacob?”
“Nothing. Just... I mean your actions in Delerg and also what you just recently did to put down one traitor…well I’m just saying that it’s good that you are so dedicated. Remember that Empire must survive no matter what the cost.”
“Of course. You don’t need to remind me of such a thing.”
“No. Of course I don’t.” Jacob says and bids you goodbye.
You don’t understand Jacob’s odd behavior, especially since it seemed a little contradictory. One moment he was nearly scolding you for your methods, the next he was praising you for them. When you tell the Emperor about you conversation with Jacob he doesn’t seem to be concerned, he’s too excited about finally going to war with the Felkans.
“Jacob is like an old woman sometimes. He worries too much, that’s what he does. The only thing we need to worry about is how to make sure none of those little gnome bastards escape this time! Ha ha!” the Emperor says.
“They won’t.” you reply with certainty.