The Dark One (Avalon )

The following is a follow up to Sir Justin's Story. 1

It isn't long before the castle guards disarm the peasants and arrest Donash who had tried to start a riot in the castle court yard. Shortly, some of the castle staff come out to collect and return the previously misused farm implements scattered about . However, none of this holds much importance to the dark one whose only interest at the moment is Sir Justin. 2

While he waits in the shadows he ponders on how the body of the forest elf could have survived the powerful poison he had given him while he slept, or his spirit, once captured by the Lord of Darkness, Kryach, could possibly have escaped... This does not bode well for his God of Chaos, or himself for that matter, if he does not soon end this little unfortunate affair.3

Scowling in anger, he thinks, If only the Prince hadn't returned so soon... Avalon, for a long time, had ceased to be a problem. Until, the so called Good Prince came, installing his destructive kind of order over the natural chaos that had slowly begun to heal the scars left by his kind before. His interference has stopped us once again, at least for the moment, from ending the potential danger posed by Sir Justin's return.

His thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of the old knight, Sir Rowley. Listening carefully, he learns of the missing satchel of Sir Justin's and where he will be taken. 4

Having learned this much, he pulls from within his cloak a small pouch containing the rare, fairy made, Powder of Glamour. Taking a small pinch he sprinkles it over his head, then walks out into the courtyard unconcerned. Knowing, what they will see now, is just another peasant going about her duty, collecting tools. 5

Due to the horses keen senses he dare not enter the stables. He knew the Powder of Glamour could only allude the sense of sight and, to a lesser extent, that of sound. However, it had no power over the deeper emotional senses that animals used. He wished often, at these times, he did not carry the touch of Kryach or the scent of his dark domain. 6

Yet, it occurred to him that if the bags Sir Justin carried were of any importance, he would not have left them with his saddle anyway. So, instead of worrying about what might be in the stables, he made his slow and careful way toward the Knights Quarters. When suddenly, he hears a woman's scream coming from the storage shed where he'd left the body of the young man. 7

A wicked smile comes to his hardened face as he follows the other peasants running toward the sound, making very sure he is not the first to arrive. 8

A little chaos is good for the soul., he thinks. After all, he could always search Sir Justin's quarters later. Besides, he just might need to redirect their search for the nasty old man who did such a dreadful deed.

Inside he laughs at his own cruel joke. 9

Ahh the emotions are running high today. he thinks as he watches the scullery maid who found the body, shaking and gesturing quite nicely. Smiling inside, he listened to the babble of excited voices. 10

It’s not long before he realizes, he need not have been concerned about the need to redirect their search. It seemed, several of the house hold staff had seen the hapless lad leaving the court yard with a strange older man wearing a heavy cape and hood. 11

When the Sergeant of the Guard finally starts his investigation he will even find evidence of the man having been a regular in the tavern. Then, not finding any further evidence, he will have to conclude the man made good his escape from Avalon. he thinks fairly certain.12

Satisfied all was well, and seeing the Guards approaching, he backs away from the scene, shaking his head in mock sadness. 13

It was time to search Sir Justin's Room. 14

As he approaches The Knights Quarters he hears the guards Call of Alarm. The search was about to begin. It should create enough of a distraction for him to complete his own search undetected. Still, he would maintain his disguise. There was no need to take any unnecessary risks.15

So, disguised as an older woman of the house hold staff, one of the invisible people he had found, he went about the normal duty of cleaning the unoccupied rooms. Slowly and carefully making his way to Sir Justin's, mumbling out loud about how poorly the Knights kept their rooms, one of the little details that had helped him survive for so long. Being a little surprised when coming across Sir Rowley's room and seeing how neat it was. He knew elves were always neat. Yet experience had taught him that few humans were, and those that were you had better be careful of. 16

Just then, whistling tunelessly, Sir Rowley entered the knight’s quarters. He noted an old woman, who appeared to be cleaning the rooms and hall. Calling to her, he said, "There is no need to clean my room, good lady. I keep my own space clean, thank you."17

He strolled past her, his nose wrinkling for a moment. There was a strange smell about the old woman that disquieted him. Mentally shrugging his shoulders, he walked on, thinking, It might have been something the old crone ate, but it is not a smell that I like at all!18

Using his master key, he unlocked the door to Sir Justin's room and stood on the threshold surveying the scene. He was looking into a room as spotless as his own. Now that is the mark of a good Elf, he thought. 19

The Dark One, having grabbed a broom was sweeping the sandy hallway and using it to dust cob webs off the cold stone walls as he went along. It was always good to be through. he was thinking. When the last person he wanted to see right then, walked in. Causing an icy cold chill to go down his spine as Sir Rocker nonchalantly spoke to him in passing. 20

Forcing him self not to immediately grab for his dagger and plunge it into his heart. The dark elf bowed his head, replying simply, in the voice of an old crone. "Aye, that you do me Lord" raising it again only to give him a toothless grin.21

Watching him nonchalantly enter Sir Justin's room only added more to his already frustrated
Plans. 22

Sir Rowley stepped into the room, thinking its tidiness would aid his search for the missing saddlebags. After all, he mused, they are too big to remain hidden for long.23

He circled the bed, dropping to his knees to peer under it. Finding nothing there, not even a speck of dust, he rose to his feet and looked around again. All the while he was looking; part of his mind was trying to work out where he had come across the smell he had noticed on the old crone who was cleaning outside.24

Shortly, he spotted a large chest in the far corner of the room. Ah! What do we have here? Now this could be the place to put a set of saddlebags, he thought, as he made his way across the room to the chest. 25

Only for a moment more did the Dark One consider killing the knight and taking that which the good elf had considered important. I'll never understand how an elf that has learned to live his life in harmony with nature could be so blind as to not see what the humans were doing to the land. He mused. 26

Yet he dare not kill the knight. First, there would be a much more thorough search of which that damn cat would most likely be involved. How I hate that beast. It's the only reason I dared not enter the castle before. To bad he wouldn't eat that poisoned meat I tried to feed him. Damn finicky cats! he grumbled to himself.27

Second of course, there was the importance of his mission and for that he could not afford to make mistakes. If Chaos was to rule Avalon must fall! This he knew.28

Already he had spent too much time indecisively standing in the hall. It was time to either act, or leave. Giving a last angry glance at Sir Rowley in Sir Justin's room, he silently remarks before leaving, We shall meet again, Sir Rowley... and next time, you... will die.

No one pays much attention, as the Dark One, disguised as an old lady, bent and grumbling, scurries hastily away from the Knights Quarters. 29

Leaving the inner court yard he heads off for the shopping district. The sun will set soon and he dare not be inside the walls of Avalon after dark, unless absolutely necessary. As usual he will again mix with the throng of peasants and merchants that frequently visit and set up here. He must tell the drow of his difficulties. She will not be pleased. That little uprising lead by Donash had been planned for months and should not have failed. 30

Tomorrow he would return and re-search Sir Justin's room, perhaps then he would find something of interest the old knight had over looked. 31

Meantime, Sir Rowley opened the chest, which had no lock on it, and there, right on top, were the saddlebags he was seeking. Hefting them over his shoulder, he closed the chest without looking any further. I have found what I was seeking, he thought, I should not pry into Sir Justin's personal effects. I shall take these over to the infirmary at once. He walked to the open door, and after a quick look round to make sure he had not soiled the room in his search, stepped out, shutting and locking the door behind him. 32

Latter that night after leaving Avalon via the merchant caravan as usual, the Dark One snuck away to have a secret meeting with the Drow Priestess Lalan, who was his immediate superior and a true follower of Kryach, a meeting he dreaded. 33

It was just a couple of hours walking distance from Avalon, in a darkened and well camouflaged cave (the closest entrance to the underground city of Laftwelder), that the meeting was scheduled to take place. 34

There, amongst the comforting shadows, she stood, tall, slim and seductive, jet black skin glistening in the torch light, her long white hair cascading over bare black shoulders and back, accentuating each curve of her form. Even her bright red eyes sparkled with that inner power few but the chosen would ever see and live to tell. 35

Head bowed and nearly trembling I kneeled before her, two heavily armed drow warriors stood behind me. My life or death was in her hands. 36

With a smile more brilliant than the moons light, yet more deadly than a vipers bite, she greeted me. 37

"Welcome home my little spy. Now tell me, what news you have brought me of Avalon? I hope all is going according to plan?"38


Since the events at the castle he had been thinking furiously of how to make this report sound better than it was. In no way did he want to feel her deadly wrath. 39

So, head bowed in subjugation, he began. "My Holiness, Life bringer of our race, Receptacle of the true path, Mother of.." 40

"Enough! Get on with your report" she commanded, angrily interrupting his preamble. 41

Cringing a little, he continued. "There was an uprising in the court yard two days ago, while the Prince was gone, instigated by the human Donash. It seems he was hoping to rape one of the Ladies of the court. The one with the big cat." he continued for clarification. "Unfortunately, the Prince took that time to return and quickly ended the uprising before the woman and her cat were harmed." 42

Very much interested the Priestess asked “What do you believe was the reason so many followed him? Please answer fully. This may be of great importance to our cause." 43

Certainly not wanting to tell her that the forest elf, Sir Justin, was still alive after he had been told to kill him months before, (A situation he must rectify soon before she found out about his failure.) he continued his slight dissembling. 44

"It seems there has been too much peace in the land and the human youths are restless for some action.. Any action, so it would seem, so willing were they to join in." 45

Then with a sly smile he added, knowing how she would react. "There is little respect for woman in their society. The rape and subjugation of their child bearers is not uncommon and few, if any, hold true power over their men." Making his point he became silent, sensing her slow approach. 46

With a nail as sharp as any dagger she raised his head to look at her. "You have done well my little spy, though we are well aware of how humanity treats their woman. Still, you have brought me some good news. For this I shall reward you with my company for the night. Come, my little one, for tomorrow you must return to the surface." 47

This was much more than he could have expected. A Priestess of Kryach was highly trained in the art of making love and she was the one who trained them. Smiling warmly, he rose to her delicate but deadly touch, while breathing an internal sigh of relief. For now, his secrets would remain intact. 48

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