HammerFall

Chapter 0047: Here I Go Again:


He had left them all behind. He had left no word. He knew that his knights and the other heads of HammerFall would come looking for him. He couldn't waste any more time. King Elmgrim charged his horse through the tall grasses and into the mountains that surrounded Stratsovara. There was no other choice for him. He knew where to find Rosenbrim; it was only a matter of finding this place known as Shadow Keep. Stephen had sworn to tear apart all of the Black East to find Magnus and now he would finally be able to start his quest.

The horse was growing tired from teh steepness of the tall grassed mountains. The King urged his mount onward. His sword slashed through the body of a lesser demon with such speed that it seemed that the monarch had never drawn his sword. The demon fell slashed and unaware that it was dead until it was to late. He found the large wolf like beasts charging at him now in a large group. His horse buckwards as she whinnied in fright.

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He was surrounded by darkness, and yet he could see out into the world at the same time. His body felt cold to him. He tried to stand up from the ground; but Kotipelli found himself unable to raise up from teh ground. He didn't understand what had happened. His body laid nude and exposed to the elements. He screamed but no voice came from his lips as he found himself laying in a large pool of his own blood. The bloodstained face of Anaal grinned down at him and he felt dread engulf his soul.

He heard Anaal speak but it was not directed at Kotipelli despite Anaal's gaze in his direction, "So Michel Stormblade, does the new body suit you."

A voice that was not his own spoke from his lips, "This inferior creature is the best you offer me, Anaal. I thought we were better acquainted then that."

Worse was that Kotipelli knew that voice. It was the Stormblade bastard. He wanted to cast the spirit of Michel out of his body; but it was useless. He was powerless in his own body.

He found himself sitting up as Michel had somehow gained control over his body. He loathed Michel. He had taken everything from him, and now the vile warlock had stolen his body. He cursed Michel Stormblade with every single part of his soul.

He heard Michel snarl, "That bastard Aes'Danaan. I know he is the one that resurrected Niklas Sundine. What is that one planning? And why would Schaller have me slain? I do not like this, Anaal. Perhaps Schaller has found us out."

Anaal raised up his hand, "Schaller knows nothing of our deals with the Emperor of the Black East."

"So Gorgoroth was successful." Michel stated. "It will be easier to deal with the Black East with only one head. Plus it should make our profits more lucrative if we can place the right man in power to oppose him."

"Silence! I do not trust your host body or these lesser demons. You are to bold at times, Michel." Anaal scolded the other.

Arrogance filled Michel's voice as he spoke through Kotipelli's lips, "You worry to much, Nathrak. Come. That Aes'Danaan must be dealt with. You do still want Elgard's Eye after all, do you not, my lord."

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Tokuro stripped off his clothing to reveal his nude, well muscled body. He dived into the chill waters of the ocean. Sabbath looked towards the cursed blades that were Tokuro's. But he had no desire to take them.

Before the sorcerer could so much as whisper a spell to get him away from the two mercenaries he found a dagger pressed tightly against his throat.

"I have no qualms about killing you, Sabbath. We want the Seven Keys as well. You will stay alive, and with us so long as it's convienent for us. Once you are of no use to Master Tokuro I shall personally take care of you." he hissed into Sabbath's ear as the dagger pressed tighter against the mage's throat.

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Stephen rested the horse. He had put a good distance between himself and Stratsovara. The place was thick with the stench of demons and other foul sorcery. He was not very proficient in the use of magic; but he had somehow been born with a natural instinct to detect it.

He lead the horse to a small stream. The water seemed clean enough. He knelt down and scooped out some of the water for his horse and himself. Stephen's throat felt a wave of coolness wash away the dirt and dryness in it. He took another cupped handful; unaware of the danger lurking beneath the waves. A hand reached up to grab onto his short white hair. Stephen felt his face jerked forward into the water as the horse backed nervously away.