HammerFall

[b]Chapter 031: The Raven's Harbinger:[/b]

The cool wind caressed against his smooth face. His eyes were closed as he stepped out of the ruins of a stone circle. It was obvious that this stone circle had once been the foundations of a great fortress. He had not thought he would return so soon to Stratsovara; but that matter could not be helped.

He did not need to look behind himself to see that the disgusting witch was behind him. He resented being forced into using her as his aid in this mission. He had only one goal that mattered more to him then any other; even those of Ryan Schaller were not desiring of more priority then his own.

Mikael strode arrogantly down the hill with Lauriporra trailing much like a puppy behind him. His strode through the mountainous fields and villages without rest. He did not need it at the moment. He travelled in silence; despite Lauriporra's failed attempts at converstation with the silver haired warrior.

*****************

Anaal watched with a grim expression upon his face. He enjoyed the way he had his new pet looked at the moment. The tight ropes bound the hands of Kotipelli behind his back and at the same time held the handsome blond warrior suspended from the ground. His strong fingers tightly gripped onto Kotipelli's chin as the candles above him dripped their hot wax upon the warrior.

"You do not enjoy being my subordinate. I hope this shall help you rectify that opinnion." He told the one eyed man with lips razor close to each other. He pressed them down on Kotipelli. Anaal's hand left the other's chin to reach for a black wand he kept in his belt. The black wand pulsated slightly as he slammed it against the smooth, bare stomach of Kotipelli. Kotipelli let out a scream of pain as he felt it stinging even after the blow had left him.

"Such a beautiful voice. You shall have to sing for me sometime." He said as he gave another strike with the wand. This time he hit the blond's sexy ass. Red marks appeared on his bottom with the second hit. His body jumped in the ropes from the hitting.

Anaal smiled darkly as he enjoyed his game. "Next time when I give an order, perhaps you shall show more respect. You shall learn your place. Even if I have to kill you in the process. You must learn, that you belong to me now."

Anaal continued to beat upon the body of Kotipelli until the young blond coughed up blood. IT was then that he stopped and let the sore second in command spend the night suspended and hurt.

Anaal marched out of his personal chambers into Shadow Keep's main hall. It was here that Schaller's Commanding officer came. He looked to see that there was no one here. He supposed that he alone had not been given a mission. He was somewhat disappointed about that.

He smiled as he saw the entrance of Hensyr. The tall bodyguard was a personal amusement of both himself and Lord Schaller. The strong body of Hensyr turned him on as much as that of the young Kotipelli. But he knew that he was not allowed to touch Hensyr without Lord Schaller's permission. He turned away from the bodyguard.

Hensyr's strong voice called out, "Halt Lord Anaal. I have been given orders to inform you that Lord Schaller has a mission for you. You are to met up with Lord Schaller's army as they march for Stratsovara. It is there that the first battle is to take place."

Anaal simply nodded his head in silence, and walked back to his personal chambers. He planned to rest the night, and then head out in the morning.

****************

The chambers were filled with the most powerful Knights in all the West. Jasper did not recognize many of them. But he knew that only the most powerful would be used to escort such influence people as the Kings of the West. Jasper kept his eye on all of them; not sure if he could truly trust anyone in the room aside from Johan and his own King Elmgrim. He would not let anything go wrong this time. He was determined never to fail as he had with Rosenbrim.

King Elmgrim greeted his fellow monarchs with respect and dignity, and they returned the same gestures of respect.

Jasper looked towards Johan. They did not need words. They both knew what would need to be done if this meeting should go a wry.

"The Queen still has not been found?" Elmgrim whispered to the King of Stratsovara.

"So far, we have found no trace of her." He sadly whispered, hiding back his tears at the truth.

Once all the noise had become quiet the meeting began. It was merely a talk of strategy and plotting against the arrival of Iced Earth's armies from the East.

****************

Mikael had used Lauriporra's sorcery to arrive sooner then a normal person could. Castle Vara stood before them like a jewel to be torn from the hands of a beautiful woman and ravaged.

Mikael smiled darkly as he turned swiftly before Lauriporra could react. He had slashed her body in half.

"Your use is at an end, Lauriporra." He told her coldly. He then chopped off her head. He had betrayed the witch and Ryan Schaller. He had no interest in conquest, only bloodshed and fighting. He had his own objectives that differed from those Iced Earth. He had merely joined because he found them interesting at the time. Now he sought to fight in combat against this Aes'danan Morgan.

A flock of ravens descended upon the body of Lauriporra. A solitary raven did not join his flock. Instead this white raven landed upon the shoulder of Mikael. Mikael's hand raised up as if to strangle the bird; but instead his hand brushed along the top of the bird's head.

"It has been a long time. But it seems you have finally one me, White One." Mikael spoke to the albino raven.