[Mkguild] Amaretto's First Story, "Ties to Past Enemies" Part 1

[John Foley]

Hi All, I have been a fan of the MK universe for some time now and decided
to take my first crack at writing my own story.
I consider this a first DRAFT. If I have stepped on any toes, paws, tails,
hooves or any other appendage please leave me some guidance on the subject
as this is my first story in this universe. I have read the entirety of the
archives and the most recent mailing list postings so I think I am up to
date on the story at large.

If there are any mechanical errors let me know. After I work a sentence then
copy paste in something from my notes then come back things aren't always
quite right but I think they are.

Without further stalling,

Ties to Past Enemies

699CR Outside of Metamor

    War fires burned brightly in the night. Hundreds of campfires seemed to
mirror the stars above. Homes set ablaze from the siege in the distance
added to the terrible brilliance. The sorcerers and witches watched from the
mountainside taking in the terrible sight of their handy work. A small
withered man walked with his weight supported by a long crooked mage staff.
The staff glowed and twitched with agony, its withered form an abomination
against nature cried out yet none listened. His instructions came with
terrible precision in a voice possessed by the darkest reaches of the soul.
In truth he mealy spoke as conduit for some other being. The three women
bowed from their kneeling position and remained facing the ground until he
had turned and walked away.
    The eldest sister encouraged her younger counterparts, "Do not falter
sisters. Victory is at hand."
    The other two nodded in agreement. Walking past tribes of lutins, squads
of human mercenaries and slaves of various forms the sorceresses commanded
both fear and respect. Their robes and staves marked them as senior officers
and field commanders. The lesser ranks quickly moved out of their way as
they took their places in the ranks for the dawn assault.
    The sun rose and the battle raged on the siege breaking through the
layered defenses. It was hard fought but the sisters had each met their
goals in turn. The sisters had completed the groundwork for a great spell
that was about to be cast down on them. Each sister carried a small charm
designed to protect her from the incoming spell. Hiding under cloaks and
charms moving away from the keep as fastest possible. The eldest and
youngest sibling did as they had planned. They had safely ridden away from
the spell. The middle sibling Millie however, did not. The keep's spirit had
trapped her and led her to a small chamber.
    The spirit challenged, "Why do you ally your self with him. He oppresses
all in his domain."
    Millie had heard this line before, the conquered always tried to bargain
and spoke back, "It is what all nobility does. For our actions my sisters
and I will be given titles and position." Millie's magic reached out feeling
the room for a way out.
    In a calm but powerful manner the spirit did not negotiate. Her voice
commanded respect, "Help us. He does not share power; you will only find
death with your current master. There is a better way."
    Millie turned her attentions to one who seemed to be hiding, "Tell me
old man." The spirit turned and looked as well, "Yes I can perceive your
avatar. I am not a hack of a field mage or some mercenary. Why should I
trade one tyrant for another?"
    The old man's illusion spoke in a slow and deliberate voice, "Only free
men in numbers this small could defend their homes for so long against
tyrants so mighty."
    "So spirit, is this tyrant here so different?"
    "I would not allow him into my domain if he was not."
    Millie conceded her heart weary of war and pillaging, "My parents
believed in the wisdom of things other than power," she paused for a moment.
    Conjuring small bits of energy Millie began weaving and resonating them
into larger and larger ripples. It moved like water through the amulet into
the spirit, "My older sister ignored these teaching to save us; trading
faith for safety. My younger sister was to young to be able to understand
their teachings. So it is up to me to save them. I cannot save you but I can
show you a way. If you can save your selves' then maybe you can save the
world."
    Her spell reached its climax imparting knowledge and energy to the old
man, spirit and counter spell. The amulet shattered as her spell took its
magic and focused it into the three targets. The curse slammed down onto the
keep with unimaginable force. Her spell intermingled with that of Posti's
changing the nature of the spell in subtle ways. Her addition to the counter
spell grounded all of the energies into the very fabric of reality. Without
the amulet to keep the spell at bay her other defensive spells flared and
burned out of existence destroying her clothing and staff.  She fell to her
knees in front of the spirit as the curse took hold. She struggled to funnel
more energy to the spirit and fight the curse at the same time.
    Her feminine form changed to that of a more masculine one. Slowly at
first as her spell held off the curse but it accelerated as she ran out of
magical energies to manipulate. She lost consciousness and fell into the
ashes of her clothing and staff. The transformation finished and the woman's
body was replaced with that of a man's. The spirit moved the man to a small
room and left him with the remainder of his supplies, a new set of clothes
and a sword.
    The battle ended the defenders had managed to save them selves. The
spirit had come back to check on the guest but knew that he had left
earlier. A note and a single gold coin on the desk remained, "Your fate is
in your hands. I will keep mine in my hands. For the executioner, have him
buy a good pair of boots."
    For the first time in his life he was alone. He tried to work several of
his spells but they did not come out right or with the precision that he had
before his transformation. Without and identity or means he wandered away.
    Two and a half years his magic did not return. Relying on his wits and
martial skills he made his way south then east. The wanderings eventually
lead him back to the cursed valley.
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