Eternal
Year 25
“Good work on destroying another shadow cell, the sooner we get them all, the sooner we can focus all our attention on the Felkan Kingdom.”
“I agree sir, especially since I would like to be involved in the conquest of the Felkans.”
“Heh, well I’m sure something will be found for you. I assume you’ll report to someone else after this is over though.” Mr. Mol says.
This bit of casual news surprises you a little; you can’t help but to question it.
“Sir, where are you going?”
“Me? Nowhere, but if you’re referring to reporting to someone else, what I mean is if you are transferred to serve in the Felkan war, I probably won’t be your superior anymore. You’d be a military matter as opposed to the unique situation you are now. Quite frankly if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be in charge of anyone. Even the new Eternal Project is in the hands of another now, has been for years.”
This seems like information that shouldn’t be freely shared with a subordinate, but once again Mr. Mol says it so casually its like he doesn’t care. He also notices that you’re wondering if you should inquire further, but he stops you.
“Don’t worry about it. I spoke of things you needn’t have known or have to concern yourself with. Let’s focus on the task at hand.”
“Very well sir.”
You and Mr. Mol get back to the business of eliminating the remaining shadow cells. In some ways it is hard to believe that this is almost over. By your estimate there are probably only about thirty shadows left at best, most of them were killed three years ago during the destruction of Fortress Gloom. You wish you could’ve been involved in that, but for whatever reason, the Empire’s allies took care of it by themselves. You never met or even saw these allies, but you heard that it was the Derro. You do know that Master Ebon and Brother Gray died in this assault, meaning someone else took control of the remaining shadows, and you know that had to be Cyrus.
Cyrus and the surviving shadows managed to incite the pathetic remains of dissidents the Empire hadn’t silenced yet, but nothing excessive thanks to the destruction of all those safe houses in advance. The only major cause of concern was very the minor orc revolt at a fort in Rask that was separate from shadow influence. It was lucky that Mr. Mol separated most of them with transfers and prevented the shadows from establishing any sort of presence there otherwise it might’ve been much worse.
In any event this whole thing probably would’ve been over by now if the Empire’s attention weren’t also focused on the war with the Felkan Kingdom. Fortunately that’s going well too due to their own internal strife going on with the crown.
“From what I can tell, they’ve pulled out of all the other provinces and mainly retreated to Delerg. Somewhat predictable, but I suppose it's the best place for them to hide out right now. I’ve tried to get more soldiers posted there to help, but again the Felkan war takes priority. I wish I could’ve even got one of your former classmates to help, but well, I’ve mentioned the problem with that.”
“No matter, I’ll handle it with what help I’ve got.”
“I know you can, but I’ve hired some extra hands anyway. I’ve got a dark elf mercenary attachment in Delerg I know they’re supposed to be helping with the barbarian tribes in Rask, but I’m paying for this out of my own pocket and they’ll go where the money goes. Besides I think this group is sick of the snow anyway.”
“If you think they’ll help, then they’ll be put to good use.” You remark.
“Their leader is called Tyren. Met him once and he’s a typical svelk, arrogant and condescending. His mercenary band is currently at the town Sinkhole. You’ll be meeting them there. Now I know you’ve worked with Empire soldiers and that’s worked out okay, but working with the svelk will be different…though I imagine that won’t be a problem for you. Just never turn your back on them and be on your guard.”
“I will as always, but now I must ask, will they be more of a liability than help.” You ask.
“No, I wouldn’t have bothered if I thought that. It’s just… well they’re svelk and all that goes with it. A lot of bullshit posturing by them that’s all. You’ll be fine, anyway I suppose you’ll want to get some rest before your trip to Delerg tomorrow. Carriage will pick you up tomorrow. That will be all.”
The next day you take the carriage to the Delerg province. It doesn’t take long, but it does give you time to yourself, which you use to briefly reflect on the past few years and your possible future, among other things.
When you get to Sinkhole it looks exactly like how the name describes it, half of the town in the swamp and the rest of looking like it’s about to collapse. Still, you’re not here to sight see, you’re here to hopefully put down the remainder of the shadows for good. Since you’re anxious to get this over with, you immediately head to the tavern where you’re guessing the svelk are hanging out. You anxious to get this over with too, granted you’ve only had a single experience with one of their kind, but that was enough even without Mr. Mol’s previous warnings.
You enter the tavern, which isn’t much better than the outside of it. The dark elven presence is unmistakable since they’re the only ones in the place since they’re the only ones in the place save for the poor bartender and the couple of waitresses. You’d guess that the svelk intimidated the usual patrons. You wonder why there aren’t any Empire soldiers taking care of this, but again you remember, there aren’t many stationed here and they’re all probably at an outpost or a fort in the area. They see you and three of them approach.
“Who let the monkey in? I thought their kind were content swinging in the trees in the jungles and swamps outside.” One of them says
“You must have some sort of balls walking into this place monkey. We thought we did a good job of scaring the rest away, except the bartender and his lovely wait staff of course.” another says.
“Lovely? If you like slumming I guess, but I suppose you males really will rut with anything won’t you? Monkey, I suggest you leave, before my comrade’s macho boasting is put into action.” A female svelk remarks.
You don’t have time for this, and these mercenary svelk scum only respect one thing anyway. You don’t like using it anymore, but you feel an impression must be made and you tap into your shadow magic.
In lightning speed you punch the female svelk in the nose and stab the bragging male svelk in the leg and trip him face first into the floor. The third svelk raises his crossbow, but you use your own armbow to shoot a bolt right through his hand.
The three svelk all lie on the ground nursing their wounds, meanwhile the rest of them haven’t even moved to help their fellows, though a dark elf with long black hair speaks from the table he’s sitting at.
“So, I’m guessing you’re our Empire contact. That traitor shadow we’ve heard so much about. I suppose your skills are impressive enough…for a monkey.”
“And you must be Tyren and don’t address me as monkey again, let alone as a traitor shadow. I did not betray the shadows, they betrayed the Empire! I am an Eternal and loyal only to the Empire and the Emperor!”
“Pity, you were more interesting as a traitor. Loyalty is overrated. Now…Eternal, if you’re done beating up my people, I have information where the shadows have been hiding out at.”
“You already know where they are?”
“Of course. We scoured most of this forsaken swampland as soon as that Mol guy hired us. Quite frankly it wasn’t hard to find them, they’re at some old temple dedicated to their god I think. Surprised the Empire with all it’s resources couldn’t do it, but then what do you expect from a government run by monkeys? Anyway, we’ve been waiting on you, Mol said that you’d want to take care of this personally. We’re just here for back up, so when you want to take them out, let us know, until then let us get back to our drinks.”
“Wait, so what have the shadows been doing all this time?”
“Hell if I know Eternal. They haven’t been stirring up trouble if that’s what you think though. As far as I can tell they’ve been doing their best to try to lay low, because they haven’t left that ruined temple of theirs in weeks. I mean I suppose it’s possible that some of them have been sneaking out to go elsewhere, but we’ve checked up on them a few times and the majority of them are still at the temple.”
“And you don’t think that they don’t know that you’ve been spying on them?” you ask.
“Hardly. Perhaps you humans clumsily stomp around when spying, but we svelk have been doing it for centuries! Even some religious fanatics with shadow magic aren’t going to detect us. Oh sure they probably know we’re in the area, but that’s about it. Trust me; we’re still going to catch them by surprise when we slip into their sad little temple.”
Not exactly the kind of thing to fill you with confidence that the svelk are on top of things like their leader claims. Still, if the shadows haven’t been causing any problems like Tyren claims, then striking against them now before they can do any sort of regrouping might be the way to go.
“Good work on destroying another shadow cell, the sooner we get them all, the sooner we can focus all our attention on the Felkan Kingdom.”
“I agree sir, especially since I would like to be involved in the conquest of the Felkans.”
“Heh, well I’m sure something will be found for you. I assume you’ll report to someone else after this is over though.” Mr. Mol says.
This bit of casual news surprises you a little; you can’t help but to question it.
“Sir, where are you going?”
“Me? Nowhere, but if you’re referring to reporting to someone else, what I mean is if you are transferred to serve in the Felkan war, I probably won’t be your superior anymore. You’d be a military matter as opposed to the unique situation you are now. Quite frankly if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be in charge of anyone. Even the new Eternal Project is in the hands of another now, has been for years.”
This seems like information that shouldn’t be freely shared with a subordinate, but once again Mr. Mol says it so casually its like he doesn’t care. He also notices that you’re wondering if you should inquire further, but he stops you.
“Don’t worry about it. I spoke of things you needn’t have known or have to concern yourself with. Let’s focus on the task at hand.”
“Very well sir.”
You and Mr. Mol get back to the business of eliminating the remaining shadow cells. In some ways it is hard to believe that this is almost over. By your estimate there are probably only about thirty shadows left at best, most of them were killed three years ago during the destruction of Fortress Gloom. You wish you could’ve been involved in that, but for whatever reason, the Empire’s allies took care of it by themselves. You never met or even saw these allies, but you heard that it was the Derro. You do know that Master Ebon and Brother Gray died in this assault, meaning someone else took control of the remaining shadows, and you know that had to be Cyrus.
Cyrus and the surviving shadows managed to incite the pathetic remains of dissidents the Empire hadn’t silenced yet, but nothing excessive thanks to the destruction of all those safe houses in advance. The only major cause of concern was very the minor orc revolt at a fort in Rask that was separate from shadow influence. It was lucky that Mr. Mol separated most of them with transfers and prevented the shadows from establishing any sort of presence there otherwise it might’ve been much worse.
In any event this whole thing probably would’ve been over by now if the Empire’s attention weren’t also focused on the war with the Felkan Kingdom. Fortunately that’s going well too due to their own internal strife going on with the crown.
“From what I can tell, they’ve pulled out of all the other provinces and mainly retreated to Delerg. Somewhat predictable, but I suppose it's the best place for them to hide out right now. I’ve tried to get more soldiers posted there to help, but again the Felkan war takes priority. I wish I could’ve even got one of your former classmates to help, but well, I’ve mentioned the problem with that.”
“No matter, I’ll handle it with what help I’ve got.”
“I know you can, but I’ve hired some extra hands anyway. I’ve got a dark elf mercenary attachment in Delerg I know they’re supposed to be helping with the barbarian tribes in Rask, but I’m paying for this out of my own pocket and they’ll go where the money goes. Besides I think this group is sick of the snow anyway.”
“If you think they’ll help, then they’ll be put to good use.” You remark.
“Their leader is called Tyren. Met him once and he’s a typical svelk, arrogant and condescending. His mercenary band is currently at the town Sinkhole. You’ll be meeting them there. Now I know you’ve worked with Empire soldiers and that’s worked out okay, but working with the svelk will be different…though I imagine that won’t be a problem for you. Just never turn your back on them and be on your guard.”
“I will as always, but now I must ask, will they be more of a liability than help.” You ask.
“No, I wouldn’t have bothered if I thought that. It’s just… well they’re svelk and all that goes with it. A lot of bullshit posturing by them that’s all. You’ll be fine, anyway I suppose you’ll want to get some rest before your trip to Delerg tomorrow. Carriage will pick you up tomorrow. That will be all.”
The next day you take the carriage to the Delerg province. It doesn’t take long, but it does give you time to yourself, which you use to briefly reflect on the past few years and your possible future, among other things.
When you get to Sinkhole it looks exactly like how the name describes it, half of the town in the swamp and the rest of looking like it’s about to collapse. Still, you’re not here to sight see, you’re here to hopefully put down the remainder of the shadows for good. Since you’re anxious to get this over with, you immediately head to the tavern where you’re guessing the svelk are hanging out. You anxious to get this over with too, granted you’ve only had a single experience with one of their kind, but that was enough even without Mr. Mol’s previous warnings.
You enter the tavern, which isn’t much better than the outside of it. The dark elven presence is unmistakable since they’re the only ones in the place since they’re the only ones in the place save for the poor bartender and the couple of waitresses. You’d guess that the svelk intimidated the usual patrons. You wonder why there aren’t any Empire soldiers taking care of this, but again you remember, there aren’t many stationed here and they’re all probably at an outpost or a fort in the area. They see you and three of them approach.
“Who let the monkey in? I thought their kind were content swinging in the trees in the jungles and swamps outside.” One of them says
“You must have some sort of balls walking into this place monkey. We thought we did a good job of scaring the rest away, except the bartender and his lovely wait staff of course.” another says.
“Lovely? If you like slumming I guess, but I suppose you males really will rut with anything won’t you? Monkey, I suggest you leave, before my comrade’s macho boasting is put into action.” A female svelk remarks.
You don’t have time for this, and these mercenary svelk scum only respect one thing anyway. You don’t like using it anymore, but you feel an impression must be made and you tap into your shadow magic.
In lightning speed you punch the female svelk in the nose and stab the bragging male svelk in the leg and trip him face first into the floor. The third svelk raises his crossbow, but you use your own armbow to shoot a bolt right through his hand.
The three svelk all lie on the ground nursing their wounds, meanwhile the rest of them haven’t even moved to help their fellows, though a dark elf with long black hair speaks from the table he’s sitting at.
“So, I’m guessing you’re our Empire contact. That traitor shadow we’ve heard so much about. I suppose your skills are impressive enough…for a monkey.”
“And you must be Tyren and don’t address me as monkey again, let alone as a traitor shadow. I did not betray the shadows, they betrayed the Empire! I am an Eternal and loyal only to the Empire and the Emperor!”
“Pity, you were more interesting as a traitor. Loyalty is overrated. Now…Eternal, if you’re done beating up my people, I have information where the shadows have been hiding out at.”
“You already know where they are?”
“Of course. We scoured most of this forsaken swampland as soon as that Mol guy hired us. Quite frankly it wasn’t hard to find them, they’re at some old temple dedicated to their god I think. Surprised the Empire with all it’s resources couldn’t do it, but then what do you expect from a government run by monkeys? Anyway, we’ve been waiting on you, Mol said that you’d want to take care of this personally. We’re just here for back up, so when you want to take them out, let us know, until then let us get back to our drinks.”
“Wait, so what have the shadows been doing all this time?”
“Hell if I know Eternal. They haven’t been stirring up trouble if that’s what you think though. As far as I can tell they’ve been doing their best to try to lay low, because they haven’t left that ruined temple of theirs in weeks. I mean I suppose it’s possible that some of them have been sneaking out to go elsewhere, but we’ve checked up on them a few times and the majority of them are still at the temple.”
“And you don’t think that they don’t know that you’ve been spying on them?” you ask.
“Hardly. Perhaps you humans clumsily stomp around when spying, but we svelk have been doing it for centuries! Even some religious fanatics with shadow magic aren’t going to detect us. Oh sure they probably know we’re in the area, but that’s about it. Trust me; we’re still going to catch them by surprise when we slip into their sad little temple.”
Not exactly the kind of thing to fill you with confidence that the svelk are on top of things like their leader claims. Still, if the shadows haven’t been causing any problems like Tyren claims, then striking against them now before they can do any sort of regrouping might be the way to go.