Eternal
It might be a bit a more complex than what you first envisioned, but it probably would be well worth it to try. You agree to Theo’s plan and put it in motion.
Theo says that the first thing he should do is to directly contact Sam Jowin, one of the major warlords in the area. He’s fairly sure that Sam will agree to help out the shadows especially if it means stomping out the remaining pathetic remnants of the Empire. Plus it’ll be one less warlord to worry about if he’s on the side of the shadows.
“Just like the old days eh?” you say.
“Yes, I suppose so.” Theo answers.
“I don’t see why we can’t still send our Blades in to cause some problems yet. I mean we know they can do it without being detected.” Cyrus remarks.
“We’ll get a chance, don’t worry. Just have to wait a bit longer for the right time.” You remark.
“Hm, I suppose so.” Cyrus answers.
You get the impression that Theo is more than a little excited about doing this and Cyrus is a little disappointed that he doesn’t get to do more at this time. Looks like it wasn’t just you getting bored with peace either after bringing this plan up. Though Yvette is looking a bit concerned mainly for her husband most likely, she really shouldn’t though given how skilled he is, let alone the fact that it’s part of his duty as a shadow anyway.
While you aren’t actually getting into any action, it still feels good to be planning something more than the daily prayers to Dendrin.
Year 50
“Ackerson’s men were seen at the edges of the Delerg borders again. Pretty sure they’re preparing for an attack this time.” Brother Gannon remarks.
“(Sigh) Call for the Blades to do double patrols.” You say rubbing your head.
“I told you we should’ve just assassinated him when we had the chance, now that bastard’s not only really entrenched, but he’s also gained ground in Quala! What the fuck is Theo DOING over there, we haven’t heard from him in months!” Cyrus exclaims.
“He’s serving Dendrin and the shadows as he always has! Thanks to him, we’ve gotten converts and making our ranks grow! And don’t you think I’m just as concerned about him not having reported in for a long time?!” Yvette snaps.
“Yes, I’m sure you are Yvette, but the converts we’ve gained haven’t really strengthened us to any great degree and in fact they may have been a hindrance as it just brought more attention to ourselves.” Talia remarks.
“And how would’ve Cyrus’ plan of assassinating everyone not called attention to us? You don’t think if leaders just started dropping dead people wouldn’t have suspected us? Everyone knew were located here in Delerg and could’ve attacked us eventually anyway. At least now we not only have a few extra human converts, but also one of the warlords on our side.” Yvette says.
Yevette’s “human” remark gets your attention, despite everyone else missing it. What is she getting at?
“For now. How the hell do we know this Sam nutter isn’t going to turn on us when he gets strong enough? Ever since he decimated Anu’s forces, he’s gotten into a position where he could attack us in force just as easily as Ackerson could, probably more so. Which brings me to the question of why the hell hasn’t he been pushing Ackerson a lot harder? I mean, he’s supposed to be our ally, move in man! Attack!” Cyrus shouts.
“Well from last reports months ago, Theo says Sam was having problems with the eastern front and to the south from Brenda.” Talia interjects, in an attempt to keep Cyrus calm, it doesn’t work.
“Oh that’s bullshit Talia and you know it! Those assholes in western Quala are so disorganized they’re barely a threat to each other, let alone Sam. And as for Brenda, I don’t think so. I’ve got some of my OWN people spying down in Nalin and they say the place is pretty damn peaceful apart from the raids that Sam sends down there. Even the kobolds are mostly contributing members of society now. Shit, if Brenda wasn’t on the wrong side I’d say she’d make a better ally than Sam would.
Now Cyrus’ remark gets your attention, in fact it gets EVERYONE’S attention.
“Cyrus who and WHEN did you send people to the Nalin province? I didn’t order such a thing!” you remark.
“I sent a few Blades last year and you’re right you didn’t tell me and if I’m in violation of the shadow code, then you by all means you’re well in your rights to have me executed…but I felt like we needed to know what the hell Brenda is up to! I mean she’s potentially the biggest threat to us military wise, not to mention she IS the last true remnant of the Empire.”
You shake your head not so much at what Cyrus did, but the fact that you didn’t catch it. You think back to when you first came up with this plan and now you wonder why you just didn’t leave well enough alone. You wanted to be free of boredom and now you’ve got it in abundance.
“What’s done is done now, but I’d like to know why the hell you didn’t at least report what you found immediately considering that you said you send them a year ago!” you remark.
“They were still gathering intel and I wanted to make sure if this was going to cost me my life, it was going to be worth it at least!”
“Cyrus, stop being so damn dramatic, nobody’s killing anyone here.” Talia says.
“Maybe they should though…” Yvette says.
Another statement that causes a pause in the arguing.
“What was that Yvette?” Cyrus says in a challenging way, Dravin who has been quiet the whole time now gets up and attempts to hold Cyrus back. Yvette is obviously upset about more than a few things, her husband’s disappearance being one of them, but she doesn’t back down from Cyrus despite she’d be no match for him.
“I said maybe you should be killed! You directly defied the Shadow Master AND Dendrin’s will! You know according to the ancient ways of the shadows, you would’ve been subjected to having your hands and feet cut off followed by your eyes ears and nose before your mouth was fused shut and you were dragged out to the swamp where the Sul Monkeys could feast on what was left!”
“In case you haven’t noticed sister, these aren’t the old days anymore.” Cyrus says almost daring her to attack.
“Yeah, don’t I know it.” Yvette says, looking at him, Talia, then you before storming off.
“Well if you’re going to have me killed, I’ll be in my room waiting for your decision seeing as I can’t break any rules there.” Cyrus remarks dryly and walks off as well. Draven follows in an attempt to calm him, giving you a few worried glances as he leaves.
You and Talia are left in the room by yourselves. Sometimes you wish it was always like that.
“You can’t seriously be considering executing Cyrus for this.” Talia says.
“Peobably not, but it’s really not a good sign of what he did. We’re supposed to be sneaking around against other people, not each other.”
“His intentions were for the good of the shadows.”
“Yeah and you know what they say about good intentions. Ugh, how the hell did I let that slip by me in the first place?”
“It slipped by all of us, Cyrus is skilled.”
“Yeah and that’s the problem. Call me paranoid, but in an order where everyone can cloak at will, dropping your guard for one moment could lead to a quick death if someone wanted to do it.”
“Now, you can’t start thinking like that! We’re all Dendrin’s faithful, we don’t hurt one another.”
“Forgotten about Brother Seminai and Sister Grace huh? Yes, I know that was a different situation, but the problem still stands. In fact it’s the same original problem with just a few minor differences.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you notice Yvette? It’s obvious that she doesn’t like our kind, meaning Eternals. I dunno if this is a new thing or if she’s always harbored these feelings. Besides getting the new ones under control, I was also hoping it would prevent any possible conflict we might have had between the pure human shadows and Eternal shadows, but apparently not.”
“Well what are we going to do about that?”
“Good question, I’m going to have to think on that and Cyrus’ recent behavior, because while he might not be deserving of execution, I can’t just have him going off and doing his own thing like that. Especially since it was only due to me showing him mercy and a hell of a lot of trust that I allowed him to live in the first place. Pulling a stunt like this is making me regret that decision.”
Talia leaves you alone at this point, she just gives you the usual if you find yourself lost, to seek Dendrin’s guidance. The funny thing is maybe you should’ve considering Dendrin warned you that Cyrus would still be a potential problem years ago.
You sit by yourself thinking and going back and forth on what to do about Cyrus and after an hour you’re still no closer to a solution. At this point you don’t even want to bother thinking about what to do about Yvette, though getting someone to seek out her husband would be a good start.
As you’re about to leave the council chamber, Draven appears in the doorway. He looks like he’s even more worried than when he left. He’s even shaking a bit.
“Uh…um Shadow Master. I…”
“What is it Draven? And why are you shaking?”
He doesn’t answer and just starts sniffling and trying not to cry. He looks like he’s going to have a complete breakdown and then suddenly he breathes deeply and exhales.
“Draven what happened? Where’s Cyrus and what’s he done?” you ask sensing that this is the cause of his behavior.
“Nothing. And I’m sorry.” Draven says and he suddenly speeds himself up and attempts to shoot you with his armbow!
Being more powerful in the ways of shadow magic now, you easily speed yourself up and dodge this attempt on your life. You react with a shadowfire bolt to his head, Draven falls back and drops dead instantly.
You briefly wonder why Draven would attempt such a thing, knowing that he couldn’t have won, but you don’t dwell on it too much since you figure that Cyrus was behind it in the first place.
“ASSASSIN! SHADOWS BLOCK THE ENTRANCES! LET NO ONE LEAVE!” you yell as loud hoping the whole temple heard it as you can and run out of the council room looking for Cyrus.
In the chaos, you continue bellowing orders to everyone while still looking for Cyrus and telling others to find him as well. Talia rushes to you asking what’s going on and you explain that Draven just tried to kill you.
“WHAT?!”
“Obviously Cyrus put him up to it. If this isn’t proof that he is not only disobedient to Dendrin’s laws, but also willing to betray them, I don’t know what is!” Yvette says overhearing the conversation.
Just as you’re about to tell some of the shadows to go scouring the swamp for Cyrus, he suddenly pops up running into the gathering hall directly towards you. Thinking that he’s trying to finish the job himself you immediately order him to be stopped and then create a small barrier around yourself. Several of the Blades, along with Talia gather around you as well. You’re glad that the Blades’ loyalty seems to be on your side, even if a couple of them did obey Cyrus’ orders to go into Nalin.
Cyrus is practically tackled to the floor though he’s confused to as why it’s happening.
“What the…why is everyone holding me down?! What is this? Where’s Draven?” he says.
“You know damn well where he is, you sent him to kill me not a few minutes ago!” you answer.
“WHAT?! I did no such thing! He was upset about went down in the council chambers and…wait where is he?”
“Where do you think? I’m still alive to confront you on your treachery aren’t I? I mean you had to have known that I’d easily dispatch Draven.”
This remark causes silence in Cyrus. He looks down, as you demand to know who else is involved in his little conspiracy. When he looks up again to address you, his face shows a mixture of anger and anguish.
“There is no conspiracy you paranoid fuck! Don’t you think if I had planned one some of these people would’ve been trying to kill you right now? I would’ve thought that you would’ve at least thought higher of me that I could’ve come up with a better plan, which I wasn’t doing in the first place! I mean if I had, I certainly wouldn’t have allowed myself to be caught like an idiot like this. I thought we settled all this years ago when you first became Shadow Master. I pledged my loyalty and I meant that! I see my words mean nothing after all though, so do what you want. I submit myself to Dendrin and your final judgement as I always have.”
Such in-fighting of the shadow leaders in a public display hasn’t probably been seen since Brother Shade tried to kill Master Ebon. Cyrus seems resigned to whatever fate you have in store for him, but you’re wondering if he’s trying to stall for time somehow. He claims that he doesn’t have others working for him, but for all you know they’re just staying quiet so that they can’t get into trouble and their courage to go through with your assassination has failed them completely.
Or perhaps they just want Cyrus himself out of the way so that they can take power at a later time.
Theo says that the first thing he should do is to directly contact Sam Jowin, one of the major warlords in the area. He’s fairly sure that Sam will agree to help out the shadows especially if it means stomping out the remaining pathetic remnants of the Empire. Plus it’ll be one less warlord to worry about if he’s on the side of the shadows.
“Just like the old days eh?” you say.
“Yes, I suppose so.” Theo answers.
“I don’t see why we can’t still send our Blades in to cause some problems yet. I mean we know they can do it without being detected.” Cyrus remarks.
“We’ll get a chance, don’t worry. Just have to wait a bit longer for the right time.” You remark.
“Hm, I suppose so.” Cyrus answers.
You get the impression that Theo is more than a little excited about doing this and Cyrus is a little disappointed that he doesn’t get to do more at this time. Looks like it wasn’t just you getting bored with peace either after bringing this plan up. Though Yvette is looking a bit concerned mainly for her husband most likely, she really shouldn’t though given how skilled he is, let alone the fact that it’s part of his duty as a shadow anyway.
While you aren’t actually getting into any action, it still feels good to be planning something more than the daily prayers to Dendrin.
Year 50
“Ackerson’s men were seen at the edges of the Delerg borders again. Pretty sure they’re preparing for an attack this time.” Brother Gannon remarks.
“(Sigh) Call for the Blades to do double patrols.” You say rubbing your head.
“I told you we should’ve just assassinated him when we had the chance, now that bastard’s not only really entrenched, but he’s also gained ground in Quala! What the fuck is Theo DOING over there, we haven’t heard from him in months!” Cyrus exclaims.
“He’s serving Dendrin and the shadows as he always has! Thanks to him, we’ve gotten converts and making our ranks grow! And don’t you think I’m just as concerned about him not having reported in for a long time?!” Yvette snaps.
“Yes, I’m sure you are Yvette, but the converts we’ve gained haven’t really strengthened us to any great degree and in fact they may have been a hindrance as it just brought more attention to ourselves.” Talia remarks.
“And how would’ve Cyrus’ plan of assassinating everyone not called attention to us? You don’t think if leaders just started dropping dead people wouldn’t have suspected us? Everyone knew were located here in Delerg and could’ve attacked us eventually anyway. At least now we not only have a few extra human converts, but also one of the warlords on our side.” Yvette says.
Yevette’s “human” remark gets your attention, despite everyone else missing it. What is she getting at?
“For now. How the hell do we know this Sam nutter isn’t going to turn on us when he gets strong enough? Ever since he decimated Anu’s forces, he’s gotten into a position where he could attack us in force just as easily as Ackerson could, probably more so. Which brings me to the question of why the hell hasn’t he been pushing Ackerson a lot harder? I mean, he’s supposed to be our ally, move in man! Attack!” Cyrus shouts.
“Well from last reports months ago, Theo says Sam was having problems with the eastern front and to the south from Brenda.” Talia interjects, in an attempt to keep Cyrus calm, it doesn’t work.
“Oh that’s bullshit Talia and you know it! Those assholes in western Quala are so disorganized they’re barely a threat to each other, let alone Sam. And as for Brenda, I don’t think so. I’ve got some of my OWN people spying down in Nalin and they say the place is pretty damn peaceful apart from the raids that Sam sends down there. Even the kobolds are mostly contributing members of society now. Shit, if Brenda wasn’t on the wrong side I’d say she’d make a better ally than Sam would.
Now Cyrus’ remark gets your attention, in fact it gets EVERYONE’S attention.
“Cyrus who and WHEN did you send people to the Nalin province? I didn’t order such a thing!” you remark.
“I sent a few Blades last year and you’re right you didn’t tell me and if I’m in violation of the shadow code, then you by all means you’re well in your rights to have me executed…but I felt like we needed to know what the hell Brenda is up to! I mean she’s potentially the biggest threat to us military wise, not to mention she IS the last true remnant of the Empire.”
You shake your head not so much at what Cyrus did, but the fact that you didn’t catch it. You think back to when you first came up with this plan and now you wonder why you just didn’t leave well enough alone. You wanted to be free of boredom and now you’ve got it in abundance.
“What’s done is done now, but I’d like to know why the hell you didn’t at least report what you found immediately considering that you said you send them a year ago!” you remark.
“They were still gathering intel and I wanted to make sure if this was going to cost me my life, it was going to be worth it at least!”
“Cyrus, stop being so damn dramatic, nobody’s killing anyone here.” Talia says.
“Maybe they should though…” Yvette says.
Another statement that causes a pause in the arguing.
“What was that Yvette?” Cyrus says in a challenging way, Dravin who has been quiet the whole time now gets up and attempts to hold Cyrus back. Yvette is obviously upset about more than a few things, her husband’s disappearance being one of them, but she doesn’t back down from Cyrus despite she’d be no match for him.
“I said maybe you should be killed! You directly defied the Shadow Master AND Dendrin’s will! You know according to the ancient ways of the shadows, you would’ve been subjected to having your hands and feet cut off followed by your eyes ears and nose before your mouth was fused shut and you were dragged out to the swamp where the Sul Monkeys could feast on what was left!”
“In case you haven’t noticed sister, these aren’t the old days anymore.” Cyrus says almost daring her to attack.
“Yeah, don’t I know it.” Yvette says, looking at him, Talia, then you before storming off.
“Well if you’re going to have me killed, I’ll be in my room waiting for your decision seeing as I can’t break any rules there.” Cyrus remarks dryly and walks off as well. Draven follows in an attempt to calm him, giving you a few worried glances as he leaves.
You and Talia are left in the room by yourselves. Sometimes you wish it was always like that.
“You can’t seriously be considering executing Cyrus for this.” Talia says.
“Peobably not, but it’s really not a good sign of what he did. We’re supposed to be sneaking around against other people, not each other.”
“His intentions were for the good of the shadows.”
“Yeah and you know what they say about good intentions. Ugh, how the hell did I let that slip by me in the first place?”
“It slipped by all of us, Cyrus is skilled.”
“Yeah and that’s the problem. Call me paranoid, but in an order where everyone can cloak at will, dropping your guard for one moment could lead to a quick death if someone wanted to do it.”
“Now, you can’t start thinking like that! We’re all Dendrin’s faithful, we don’t hurt one another.”
“Forgotten about Brother Seminai and Sister Grace huh? Yes, I know that was a different situation, but the problem still stands. In fact it’s the same original problem with just a few minor differences.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you notice Yvette? It’s obvious that she doesn’t like our kind, meaning Eternals. I dunno if this is a new thing or if she’s always harbored these feelings. Besides getting the new ones under control, I was also hoping it would prevent any possible conflict we might have had between the pure human shadows and Eternal shadows, but apparently not.”
“Well what are we going to do about that?”
“Good question, I’m going to have to think on that and Cyrus’ recent behavior, because while he might not be deserving of execution, I can’t just have him going off and doing his own thing like that. Especially since it was only due to me showing him mercy and a hell of a lot of trust that I allowed him to live in the first place. Pulling a stunt like this is making me regret that decision.”
Talia leaves you alone at this point, she just gives you the usual if you find yourself lost, to seek Dendrin’s guidance. The funny thing is maybe you should’ve considering Dendrin warned you that Cyrus would still be a potential problem years ago.
You sit by yourself thinking and going back and forth on what to do about Cyrus and after an hour you’re still no closer to a solution. At this point you don’t even want to bother thinking about what to do about Yvette, though getting someone to seek out her husband would be a good start.
As you’re about to leave the council chamber, Draven appears in the doorway. He looks like he’s even more worried than when he left. He’s even shaking a bit.
“Uh…um Shadow Master. I…”
“What is it Draven? And why are you shaking?”
He doesn’t answer and just starts sniffling and trying not to cry. He looks like he’s going to have a complete breakdown and then suddenly he breathes deeply and exhales.
“Draven what happened? Where’s Cyrus and what’s he done?” you ask sensing that this is the cause of his behavior.
“Nothing. And I’m sorry.” Draven says and he suddenly speeds himself up and attempts to shoot you with his armbow!
Being more powerful in the ways of shadow magic now, you easily speed yourself up and dodge this attempt on your life. You react with a shadowfire bolt to his head, Draven falls back and drops dead instantly.
You briefly wonder why Draven would attempt such a thing, knowing that he couldn’t have won, but you don’t dwell on it too much since you figure that Cyrus was behind it in the first place.
“ASSASSIN! SHADOWS BLOCK THE ENTRANCES! LET NO ONE LEAVE!” you yell as loud hoping the whole temple heard it as you can and run out of the council room looking for Cyrus.
In the chaos, you continue bellowing orders to everyone while still looking for Cyrus and telling others to find him as well. Talia rushes to you asking what’s going on and you explain that Draven just tried to kill you.
“WHAT?!”
“Obviously Cyrus put him up to it. If this isn’t proof that he is not only disobedient to Dendrin’s laws, but also willing to betray them, I don’t know what is!” Yvette says overhearing the conversation.
Just as you’re about to tell some of the shadows to go scouring the swamp for Cyrus, he suddenly pops up running into the gathering hall directly towards you. Thinking that he’s trying to finish the job himself you immediately order him to be stopped and then create a small barrier around yourself. Several of the Blades, along with Talia gather around you as well. You’re glad that the Blades’ loyalty seems to be on your side, even if a couple of them did obey Cyrus’ orders to go into Nalin.
Cyrus is practically tackled to the floor though he’s confused to as why it’s happening.
“What the…why is everyone holding me down?! What is this? Where’s Draven?” he says.
“You know damn well where he is, you sent him to kill me not a few minutes ago!” you answer.
“WHAT?! I did no such thing! He was upset about went down in the council chambers and…wait where is he?”
“Where do you think? I’m still alive to confront you on your treachery aren’t I? I mean you had to have known that I’d easily dispatch Draven.”
This remark causes silence in Cyrus. He looks down, as you demand to know who else is involved in his little conspiracy. When he looks up again to address you, his face shows a mixture of anger and anguish.
“There is no conspiracy you paranoid fuck! Don’t you think if I had planned one some of these people would’ve been trying to kill you right now? I would’ve thought that you would’ve at least thought higher of me that I could’ve come up with a better plan, which I wasn’t doing in the first place! I mean if I had, I certainly wouldn’t have allowed myself to be caught like an idiot like this. I thought we settled all this years ago when you first became Shadow Master. I pledged my loyalty and I meant that! I see my words mean nothing after all though, so do what you want. I submit myself to Dendrin and your final judgement as I always have.”
Such in-fighting of the shadow leaders in a public display hasn’t probably been seen since Brother Shade tried to kill Master Ebon. Cyrus seems resigned to whatever fate you have in store for him, but you’re wondering if he’s trying to stall for time somehow. He claims that he doesn’t have others working for him, but for all you know they’re just staying quiet so that they can’t get into trouble and their courage to go through with your assassination has failed them completely.
Or perhaps they just want Cyrus himself out of the way so that they can take power at a later time.