Kerag grumbled, pulling Amaranth a few inches from the sheath, the wicked blade glowing black.
"This blade was once cursed, and still hungers. If I'm not careful, the sword will corrupt me. I must learn to master it. I'm thinking blood magic may help. What do you think Alec?"
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"No idea," Alec says frankly. "Though, I suppose, if the taint spreads in the blood..." He tries to look at Amaranth, then turns his head away. "I can feel the taint on that thing from here. How do you carry that? How can you carry that?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Kerag nodded his head, agreeing with Alec about the taint spreading through blood. The nightmares of his past were replaced with the phantom memories and experiences of generations of orc warriors, but sometimes, he dreamed beyond the battlefield, beyond the glory of the old war gods, wandering an ocean of blood, Amaranth in his hand, drinking from the red waters greedily, power intoxicating him. It felt so good
He looked at the blade, then to Alec and shrugged. "If I wasn't how I am physically I suspect it would have consumed me by now. Though I haven't exactly used it for any killing, so I think I have control for now. But I'm not a fool Alec, knowing who gave this to me, I doubt it will take long if I don't take measures to stop it."
Kerag motioned at his armor.
"Found this in the ruins. Kuren-Oktai. Got any books that might have the name?"
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"Kuren-Oktai.....I might, actually," Alec says, rolling over, getting feet under himself, and pushing to his feet. Padding over to a shelf, he starts reading off the titles to himself, then says "Ah, yes." Pulling a - relatively - thin, olive green tome off the shelf, he turns to Kerag. Flipping the book open, he starts turning pages, skimming them. Finally, "Ah, yes," once more, then turns the book in his hands, and presents it to Kerag. "Kuren-Oktai," he repeats, "or, in the common tongue, Warrior's-Return."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Kerag looked, lips curving upwards into a satisfied grin. The name suited the relic.
"Warriors-Return...it's perfect. Thank you Alec."
The orc smiled, mind wandering for a moment as he felt and passively watched phantom memories fly past. Glimpses of battle, emotions of fury and primal urges. Then another question came to mind.
"Well If there aren't any books on the subject here, I recall you mentioning those Empire knife-ears accepted all forms of magic in their society. Think their library might have something on the subject of Blood Magic?"
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"Don't call them that," Alec says icily. His eyes go a cold, matte shade of red. "Ever call them that again around me, and I will break you." He slams the book shut, never looking away from Kerag's eye. "Are we understood?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"I just don't tolerate racism," Alec says, turning and placing the book back on the shelf. "At all," he continues, declining the orc's hand. "But yes, the library at Vilveryn would have books on blood magic. That is, of course, if the library itself were intact, and the books in it weren't rotted bits of plant matter by now."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Pausing, Alec leans against the wall. "No." Flat. Toneless. "And it's not the knife ears," he spits this last, "comment, either. The chance of the books still being more than pulp is nearly nil."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
It was dusk when a shadow stole from the street and slid up to Alec's door. It remained concealed and knocked upon his door.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Fully expecting the orc to return with a handful of books that've got all of nothing to do with blood magic - botany, maybe, or a few cookbooks - Alec sighs and walks to the door. Pulling it open, he raises an eyebrow seeing no one. "Hello?" he calls.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Kiga stepped from his concealment and into the light on Alec's steps. He was wirey, youthful but exceptionally toned. The wonders of youth. His black eye gleamed in this light, studied Alec with some interest but he had no expression. He nodded, satisfied with his analysis.
I need information, if you'll invite me in.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Appraising the man that steps from the shadows, the edge of Alec's mouth curls, just barely. "Certainly. Please, come inside," he says, holding the door open and gesturing inside.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.