Marfa?s Abbey? Well, what was once Marfa?s Abbey.
?So it is time, Raven??
?Yes.. It is time. It seems all the players have assembled, and the Old Temple District has made for an incredible playing field. More so, it has made for the perfect distraction in regards to our preparations. So yes my dear, it is indeed time.?
?Mil?Raven, what of Jenai?s group? They have not been accounted for, and the Aven??
?Jenai has been more than accounted for, and Isuelt has that message in the palm of her hand. As to what will be left of this? Clandestine Order and their Paladin companions--- we will pick up the stray pieces.. Or perhaps someone else will. Either way, I will sever that head completely, and they will falter with no lead.?
?And the Avengers??
?Hmm? Oh you mean, what?s left of them? Quiet as well, are they.. A great deal quieter than we were. Of course you knew that, Henrietta. It seems the dear admiral, and his ilk were not up to the task at hand. Mind you I am hardly complaining. In any event, I am sure someone, somewhere will decide to get their act together. By then, it will be far too late. We will have acted by then, and the government will be in absolute chaos.. The Avengers will be far too busied to worry about us anymore, same as Isuelt?s ?sisters?.?
?I?chaos? Raven, what do you mean??
The eyes of Henrietta lifted to the one simply known as Raven. A somewhat puzzled expression took form on the death knight?s face, as she awaited the answer to her question.
The man once known as Brian Ravenlock, said nothing.. Instead, his eyes fell upon a pair of ebon knights that were stationed within the war room, near the pair.
?Leave us??
A salute offered, as the pair of ebon knights took their leave, closing the door as they did so. This left Raven, and Henrietta alone within the war room.
No words were offered, as Raven moved towards the large circular table in the center of the room.. A gloved hand lifted, as fingers traced the edge of said table, while eyes of blue panned over the various maps and notes that adorned the table proper.
The maps were varied indeed, but for the most part centered around the city of Rhy?din itself, and its surrounding areas.. The Old Temple District, Marketplace, and Port were all accounted for. WestEnd and Town Halls district as well. The gates to the city, the Northern woods and several others. Most notable of the others, were the Temple of Scathach and the newer Temple of Scathach in Rhy?din proper, that housed the C.o.S. and Order of Delphyne. There were others mind you, but we digress..
?Raven?? asked Henrietta in question, as she continued to watch the man, she had known for longer that she would honestly be able to admit.
?Hmmm?? was the soft reply, from the man who was seemingly absorbed by a map that was taken in hand? A map of the Old Temple district.
?You said the government would be in chaos--- why??
?Chaos--- yes I did say that, didn?t I? Actually, that was a bit of an understatement, Henrietta.?
?Raven, I?m confused. Why are you being so damned cryptic with me? This is me, you are talking to.?
?Hmmm, you?ve a point.. Tell me Henrietta, what do you see here?? The map of the Old Temple District was held out for the death knight to see.
?I see a map of the Temple area, of course.?
?Yes, but let?s have a closer look shall we?? answered Raven, as he set the map flat upon the table. Easily seen were many notes, and markings. Several areas circled, and some marked with the letter ?x?. Some areas carried more notes than others. Also seen were question marks as well, spread about the map.
?This Henrietta--- is chaos..?
To emphasize his point, a gloved hand spread across the map, as fingers traced some of the noted areas. A somewhat smile taking form, as he nodded to himself.. ?And more so, my dear.. A damned fine example of it as well.?
?We have one of the quieter areas of the city here, and now? It is bedlam! We have murders? Such savagery no less.. Robberies, property damage and more. But the murders? Yes--- now that is a somewhat pleasant surprise it is not? Granted, we were the first to act there? The explosions, and what not. But it seems these new players, or dare I say, possibly ?player?--- has taken it to the next level with such a vengeance. And now, the rest of the city is trying to play catch up??
Henrietta only listened intently. At this point, it was all she could really do, as she had no idea where the hell this man, she had followed from death and back, was going to go in regards to this.
So she offered a nod of reply.
?We see, Isuelt?s people here.. Running around, a day late and dollar short. It?s sad truth be told---- at least when we did what we did, we told everyone up front, and we did it.. But I am away from the point, my apologies.?
Tapping at the map once more, Raven continued.
?The watch, is there too.. Again a day late, and dollar short. Same as with Isuelt?s bunch.. And then there are the independents, also roaming about.?
?What of it?? asked Henrietta.
?It has set that part of the city upside down, and has shaken things to the very foundation. Also that is hardly discounting Renna, and her efforts and more so the efforts of those on her behalf. The work of the Queen of Shadows has been incredible to say the very least and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us all.
And the work of her, and so many others--- has given us a window to do as we would, and finally act.?
?Raven, I thought we had acted already. I thought, this was nearly fini---?
?Yes, we did act Henrietta. I said eight would be killed, and eight were killed? I told them, when and how and we did exactly that. I said another four would fall, and four more had fallen. The ?hand? had paid for their actions against the city. Even if it were far too quick for my liking, it still set the premise.?
?And here at the Abbey?? asked Henrietta.
?Revenge--- plain, and simple.. That is what.?
?Rav?Brian, this is not what we originally set out to do, I mean---?
?NO! You do NOT call me that name! NEVER call me THAT name again!!?
Such a glare was given to the death knight, as a fist came crash down, slamming into the table again, and again. Henrietta herself, recoiled as her eyes widened in reaction to the display of anger. Her attention was then to the door, as several ebon knights burst into the room, weapons to the ready, no less.
A quick recovery of composure, as Raven waved the men down. Weapons were sheathed, as he nodded to the responders. ?Stay where you are, I may need you.?
The knights stood at attention, some of them glancing between their commander, and his second as they did so.
?You!? called out Raven, as he pointed to a random knight.
?Milord!? came the reply.
?Who am I?? asked Raven, as his gaze bore down upon the ebon knight. The reply was with no thought what so ever, ?You are Raven, milord!?
Turning to face Henrietta more so, Raven answered--- ?So I am..?
?Let me illuminate you, Henrietta??
?Rave??
?No, you will listen now.. The ?hand??those traitorous bastards and their whorish wives. They sold out their own people, to Travanix?s forces, during ?scarred?, and each of them paid for it, with their lives! But that was just the beginning!?
Raven, continued on as he began to pace, a tad.. Back and forth.
?Pushing Jenai away--- turning on my own family, and friends. Siding with Renna once more! Fighting with the Isuelt, and her wenches, the Avengers, and Icer! Twisting Katt emotionally like some f*cking pretzel, she would bake! Working on several of the ?sisters?? Twisting Jadeth to the point that she will NEVER recover! Leaving bodies all over this damned city, and sacking this very abbey in brought day light, and more so telling them I was going to do it! As with everything else!
The stock piling, and financial diversion! Unleashing Pestilence on Bale and leaving it a diseased husk! Killing Haseem, and taking Kerri?s head! Killing Mother Iscariott herself, and letting them all know I did it! Need I go on!? Every single step, I have taken.. Every motion, every risk, every inch of blood and bone taken and lost has been calculated, and has taken us to this very moment! What I do now is solidify my statement to each and every one of them, when this began.. I-- no, WE will not be stopped, Henrietta! And it will in in such blood shed, that no one will ever be able to forget what we do.?
?Raven, what in the nine hells are you speaking of? This isn't---- NO, I did not sign up for this, R--- Brian, I did not sign--- I can't, I mean---- You said this abbey was the end! I mean, you respected the Yule, for gods sake! What about fighting with honor!? What about---?
Henrietta it seems, had not gotten any further... Mind you, there was a good reason.. Such as Raven, moving across the room faster than she would have ever believed, and more so literally knocking the hell out of her, sending her crashing into a far wall across the room. Before Henrietta could react he was upon her once more, lifting her by the throat, as the gloved hand flared to such life..
Runes of blood, and frost crackled with delight, as he threw her yet again..
The death knight could only cry out in sheer agony, as she crashed into a book shelf, sending book and debris in all directions. The end result was Henrietta, crumpled like some ragged doll... Books atop her, and a pool of blood forming at the base of her saddened sight of a form.
?I warned you.. Do not ever call me that name... Ever. Now bring her to me!?
A pair of ebon knights, scrambled across the room to comply. Books were kicked and tossed aside, as Henrietta was lifted by her arms, and dragged towards the center table once more. Raven's eyes bore down on his 'second', as a twisted grimace took form.
?You try me, Henrietta.. Do not forget, I own you... You are MINE. Your soul--- what is left, is MINE.. I brought you back, love.. I did! You--- are soft.. You cannot commit to this, can you? I swear if I did not take such lengths---?
?LIAR!? spat the death knight, as she eyed her 'master' with such a vile hatred..
?You lie Raven! You lie, and lie and LIE! Or should I call you by your other na--?
This time, Henrietta was stopped by one of the knights that held her, via an elbow to the chin. Her head hung low, as she muttered more so. ?You can't kill me...?
A low growl took form, as Raven watched his second.
?You're right, but you can rot with the other three... Since I can't end any of you for the moment, you can live in torment, as I ready my salvo against the puppets of Rhy'din, and their masters!?
?You won't win like this, you're insane!? spat Henrietta, with ever the defiant glare.
?I don't intend to win, bitch!! I never intend to win! My goal is much more than simply winning. You just became to soft.. You became attached to this idea of honor, and what not. Do you recall what I did to Darrowshire!?
To Bont!?
How about Lynneth's Sanctuary when Desire and I burned it to the ground!? I do not want to win! I want them all to suffer, and they will suffer greatly, when I sever the very head of the serpent that is Rhy'din, and more I will tell them again, when I intend to do, when I admit to the thirteen killings and ready them for the biggest one of all..?
Leaning to Henrietta, Raven's gloved hand lifted to cup the chin of the death knight.. His eyes her own, as he spoke softly..
?When I end the life the Governor of Rhy'din, and when I do it in front of her own people, and anyone else lucky enough to witness such an event... And to make it better, I will send word to that Fenner character, and grant an interview, explaining exactly how and why.?
Henrietta's eyes widened, ?You're sick! You'll--- NO, don't do this, we didn-- NO!?
?Oh yes, dear.. And they will know, as with the first thirteen-- that there is not a damned thing anyone can do to stop it!!?
A curt nod to the pair of knights from Raven, and Henrietta was carried off kicking and screaming.
With his second gone, Raven nodded to a nearby knight. ?Find me the scribe, and let's send word to Fenner. It's time for everyone to finally see what we have planned.?
Far down the halls the cries of Henrietta could be heard.. Moments later, they had ceased.
Looking to his maps once more, Raven nodded.. ?I said no one was walking from this, and I meant it..?
?Ashes, ashes and we all fall down...? he sang ever so softly, as Town Hall was circled upon a map..
?So it is time, Raven??
?Yes.. It is time. It seems all the players have assembled, and the Old Temple District has made for an incredible playing field. More so, it has made for the perfect distraction in regards to our preparations. So yes my dear, it is indeed time.?
?Mil?Raven, what of Jenai?s group? They have not been accounted for, and the Aven??
?Jenai has been more than accounted for, and Isuelt has that message in the palm of her hand. As to what will be left of this? Clandestine Order and their Paladin companions--- we will pick up the stray pieces.. Or perhaps someone else will. Either way, I will sever that head completely, and they will falter with no lead.?
?And the Avengers??
?Hmm? Oh you mean, what?s left of them? Quiet as well, are they.. A great deal quieter than we were. Of course you knew that, Henrietta. It seems the dear admiral, and his ilk were not up to the task at hand. Mind you I am hardly complaining. In any event, I am sure someone, somewhere will decide to get their act together. By then, it will be far too late. We will have acted by then, and the government will be in absolute chaos.. The Avengers will be far too busied to worry about us anymore, same as Isuelt?s ?sisters?.?
?I?chaos? Raven, what do you mean??
The eyes of Henrietta lifted to the one simply known as Raven. A somewhat puzzled expression took form on the death knight?s face, as she awaited the answer to her question.
The man once known as Brian Ravenlock, said nothing.. Instead, his eyes fell upon a pair of ebon knights that were stationed within the war room, near the pair.
?Leave us??
A salute offered, as the pair of ebon knights took their leave, closing the door as they did so. This left Raven, and Henrietta alone within the war room.
No words were offered, as Raven moved towards the large circular table in the center of the room.. A gloved hand lifted, as fingers traced the edge of said table, while eyes of blue panned over the various maps and notes that adorned the table proper.
The maps were varied indeed, but for the most part centered around the city of Rhy?din itself, and its surrounding areas.. The Old Temple District, Marketplace, and Port were all accounted for. WestEnd and Town Halls district as well. The gates to the city, the Northern woods and several others. Most notable of the others, were the Temple of Scathach and the newer Temple of Scathach in Rhy?din proper, that housed the C.o.S. and Order of Delphyne. There were others mind you, but we digress..
?Raven?? asked Henrietta in question, as she continued to watch the man, she had known for longer that she would honestly be able to admit.
?Hmmm?? was the soft reply, from the man who was seemingly absorbed by a map that was taken in hand? A map of the Old Temple district.
?You said the government would be in chaos--- why??
?Chaos--- yes I did say that, didn?t I? Actually, that was a bit of an understatement, Henrietta.?
?Raven, I?m confused. Why are you being so damned cryptic with me? This is me, you are talking to.?
?Hmmm, you?ve a point.. Tell me Henrietta, what do you see here?? The map of the Old Temple District was held out for the death knight to see.
?I see a map of the Temple area, of course.?
?Yes, but let?s have a closer look shall we?? answered Raven, as he set the map flat upon the table. Easily seen were many notes, and markings. Several areas circled, and some marked with the letter ?x?. Some areas carried more notes than others. Also seen were question marks as well, spread about the map.
?This Henrietta--- is chaos..?
To emphasize his point, a gloved hand spread across the map, as fingers traced some of the noted areas. A somewhat smile taking form, as he nodded to himself.. ?And more so, my dear.. A damned fine example of it as well.?
?We have one of the quieter areas of the city here, and now? It is bedlam! We have murders? Such savagery no less.. Robberies, property damage and more. But the murders? Yes--- now that is a somewhat pleasant surprise it is not? Granted, we were the first to act there? The explosions, and what not. But it seems these new players, or dare I say, possibly ?player?--- has taken it to the next level with such a vengeance. And now, the rest of the city is trying to play catch up??
Henrietta only listened intently. At this point, it was all she could really do, as she had no idea where the hell this man, she had followed from death and back, was going to go in regards to this.
So she offered a nod of reply.
?We see, Isuelt?s people here.. Running around, a day late and dollar short. It?s sad truth be told---- at least when we did what we did, we told everyone up front, and we did it.. But I am away from the point, my apologies.?
Tapping at the map once more, Raven continued.
?The watch, is there too.. Again a day late, and dollar short. Same as with Isuelt?s bunch.. And then there are the independents, also roaming about.?
?What of it?? asked Henrietta.
?It has set that part of the city upside down, and has shaken things to the very foundation. Also that is hardly discounting Renna, and her efforts and more so the efforts of those on her behalf. The work of the Queen of Shadows has been incredible to say the very least and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us all.
And the work of her, and so many others--- has given us a window to do as we would, and finally act.?
?Raven, I thought we had acted already. I thought, this was nearly fini---?
?Yes, we did act Henrietta. I said eight would be killed, and eight were killed? I told them, when and how and we did exactly that. I said another four would fall, and four more had fallen. The ?hand? had paid for their actions against the city. Even if it were far too quick for my liking, it still set the premise.?
?And here at the Abbey?? asked Henrietta.
?Revenge--- plain, and simple.. That is what.?
?Rav?Brian, this is not what we originally set out to do, I mean---?
?NO! You do NOT call me that name! NEVER call me THAT name again!!?
Such a glare was given to the death knight, as a fist came crash down, slamming into the table again, and again. Henrietta herself, recoiled as her eyes widened in reaction to the display of anger. Her attention was then to the door, as several ebon knights burst into the room, weapons to the ready, no less.
A quick recovery of composure, as Raven waved the men down. Weapons were sheathed, as he nodded to the responders. ?Stay where you are, I may need you.?
The knights stood at attention, some of them glancing between their commander, and his second as they did so.
?You!? called out Raven, as he pointed to a random knight.
?Milord!? came the reply.
?Who am I?? asked Raven, as his gaze bore down upon the ebon knight. The reply was with no thought what so ever, ?You are Raven, milord!?
Turning to face Henrietta more so, Raven answered--- ?So I am..?
?Let me illuminate you, Henrietta??
?Rave??
?No, you will listen now.. The ?hand??those traitorous bastards and their whorish wives. They sold out their own people, to Travanix?s forces, during ?scarred?, and each of them paid for it, with their lives! But that was just the beginning!?
Raven, continued on as he began to pace, a tad.. Back and forth.
?Pushing Jenai away--- turning on my own family, and friends. Siding with Renna once more! Fighting with the Isuelt, and her wenches, the Avengers, and Icer! Twisting Katt emotionally like some f*cking pretzel, she would bake! Working on several of the ?sisters?? Twisting Jadeth to the point that she will NEVER recover! Leaving bodies all over this damned city, and sacking this very abbey in brought day light, and more so telling them I was going to do it! As with everything else!
The stock piling, and financial diversion! Unleashing Pestilence on Bale and leaving it a diseased husk! Killing Haseem, and taking Kerri?s head! Killing Mother Iscariott herself, and letting them all know I did it! Need I go on!? Every single step, I have taken.. Every motion, every risk, every inch of blood and bone taken and lost has been calculated, and has taken us to this very moment! What I do now is solidify my statement to each and every one of them, when this began.. I-- no, WE will not be stopped, Henrietta! And it will in in such blood shed, that no one will ever be able to forget what we do.?
?Raven, what in the nine hells are you speaking of? This isn't---- NO, I did not sign up for this, R--- Brian, I did not sign--- I can't, I mean---- You said this abbey was the end! I mean, you respected the Yule, for gods sake! What about fighting with honor!? What about---?
Henrietta it seems, had not gotten any further... Mind you, there was a good reason.. Such as Raven, moving across the room faster than she would have ever believed, and more so literally knocking the hell out of her, sending her crashing into a far wall across the room. Before Henrietta could react he was upon her once more, lifting her by the throat, as the gloved hand flared to such life..
Runes of blood, and frost crackled with delight, as he threw her yet again..
The death knight could only cry out in sheer agony, as she crashed into a book shelf, sending book and debris in all directions. The end result was Henrietta, crumpled like some ragged doll... Books atop her, and a pool of blood forming at the base of her saddened sight of a form.
?I warned you.. Do not ever call me that name... Ever. Now bring her to me!?
A pair of ebon knights, scrambled across the room to comply. Books were kicked and tossed aside, as Henrietta was lifted by her arms, and dragged towards the center table once more. Raven's eyes bore down on his 'second', as a twisted grimace took form.
?You try me, Henrietta.. Do not forget, I own you... You are MINE. Your soul--- what is left, is MINE.. I brought you back, love.. I did! You--- are soft.. You cannot commit to this, can you? I swear if I did not take such lengths---?
?LIAR!? spat the death knight, as she eyed her 'master' with such a vile hatred..
?You lie Raven! You lie, and lie and LIE! Or should I call you by your other na--?
This time, Henrietta was stopped by one of the knights that held her, via an elbow to the chin. Her head hung low, as she muttered more so. ?You can't kill me...?
A low growl took form, as Raven watched his second.
?You're right, but you can rot with the other three... Since I can't end any of you for the moment, you can live in torment, as I ready my salvo against the puppets of Rhy'din, and their masters!?
?You won't win like this, you're insane!? spat Henrietta, with ever the defiant glare.
?I don't intend to win, bitch!! I never intend to win! My goal is much more than simply winning. You just became to soft.. You became attached to this idea of honor, and what not. Do you recall what I did to Darrowshire!?
To Bont!?
How about Lynneth's Sanctuary when Desire and I burned it to the ground!? I do not want to win! I want them all to suffer, and they will suffer greatly, when I sever the very head of the serpent that is Rhy'din, and more I will tell them again, when I intend to do, when I admit to the thirteen killings and ready them for the biggest one of all..?
Leaning to Henrietta, Raven's gloved hand lifted to cup the chin of the death knight.. His eyes her own, as he spoke softly..
?When I end the life the Governor of Rhy'din, and when I do it in front of her own people, and anyone else lucky enough to witness such an event... And to make it better, I will send word to that Fenner character, and grant an interview, explaining exactly how and why.?
Henrietta's eyes widened, ?You're sick! You'll--- NO, don't do this, we didn-- NO!?
?Oh yes, dear.. And they will know, as with the first thirteen-- that there is not a damned thing anyone can do to stop it!!?
A curt nod to the pair of knights from Raven, and Henrietta was carried off kicking and screaming.
With his second gone, Raven nodded to a nearby knight. ?Find me the scribe, and let's send word to Fenner. It's time for everyone to finally see what we have planned.?
Far down the halls the cries of Henrietta could be heard.. Moments later, they had ceased.
Looking to his maps once more, Raven nodded.. ?I said no one was walking from this, and I meant it..?
?Ashes, ashes and we all fall down...? he sang ever so softly, as Town Hall was circled upon a map..