?Tell me of your time at the Institute of Arcane Principle, Alphyon,? Raithmoore?s cool voice hung heavily in the cavernous chamber beneath the citadel. The Lich King sat in an iron throne atop a dais from which he viewed the long, dark hall that stretched out before him. The throne room itself resembled the main chamber of a cathedral designed by Gothic architects, with pointed archways over the dark windows and a ribbed vault ceiling overhead.
Though the world outside was a subterranean one a silvery-blue light spilled in from the round, ribbed windows built into those archways lending the throne room a cold glow that made Alphyon shiver when he first stepped in. To either side of him were stone depressions depicting various macabre sculptures, some with men whose faces contorted with a mixture of rage and agony, some with women in grotesque shapes of deformities?the eye sockets of those still claiming their heads were alight with a faint blue glow that seemed to flare up as he passed them by.
His path was laid out before him by a long, dark carpet trimmed in silver and devoid of the stains of Raithmoore?s many previous guests?the undead, prisoners and would-be heroes hoping to slay the Lich King in the name of good and for greater glory. Raithmoore toyed with such people to much amusement before obliterating them entirely and ensuring not a trace was left behind.
Alphyon had discarded the uniform of the Institute in favor of the voluminous dark robes he wore when serving as Raithmoore?s apprentice, moving swiftly and comfortably in the freer garments. He knelt before his master and bowed his head reverently, his gaze boring into the floor before him just as Raithmoore?s bore into his head as though piercing his mind to root out deceit?no doubt the Lich King was doing just that, liches were ever paranoid beings.
?It has been interesting, my lord. Some of the instructors I find to be infuriating and foolish, but others are truly knowledgeable of their crafts and have valuable information to impart. Smout?n, the necromancy master is one of these latter instructors. I believe I impressed him recently in a lesson about ghouls,? Alphyon?s voice echoed in the chamber as well, but it sounded weak and insignificant compared to the cool whisper of Raithmoore?s.
?Very good. Very good. Your sister, Alyithra? What of her?? the Lich King asked next.
?She?s become quite the social butterfly, my lord. Dipping her little fingers into a bit of everything?she?s quite up-to-date on the social aspects of the Institute, which has been useful in determining who to speak with and who to avoid. I think she?s enjoying it as well, it?s like a game to her.?
?What have the two of you accomplished so far, aside from Smout?n?s interest??
?Well, my lord, I believe I may have successfully infiltrated the White Tower. There is a girl who has become enamored with me. I do not think it wise to try and get much information out of her yet, but the more time I have with her the more easily manipulated she will become. There is also the matter of a student who has only been of the novice level for a short while and is already approaching her ascensions, she?s the talk of the school and many of our instructors have their eyes on her,? Alphyon paused to dare a glance up at Raithmoore. He had not seen his master since the day he left for the Institute and was curious as to how their time apart had affected the Lich King, if it had any effect at all.
?Continue,? Raithmoore?s voice rarely ever sounded above a whisper, but the weight of its command was undeniable to all but the most willful of beings.
?I haven?t spoken with her much yet, but am working on how to best get her under my thumb. If I can succeed with her where I have with Adina?the girl from the White Tower?then I should have help influencing other instructors. This brings about the subject of a girl named Bryn Barron,? Alphyon paused to wet his lips with the tip of his tongue as his gaze returned to the floor respectfully. ?She?s Smout?n?s favorite student, a necromancer of the apprentice level, I believe. She?s also approaching ascensions and has enlisted my aid. Winning her over will help give me influence with Smout?n, I believe playing as one of his favorites will be most invaluable.?
The Lich King chuckled at Alphyon?s words and leaned forward onto his knees to peer over his upraised and intertwined fingers to peer at him. ?And what exactly do you plan to do with this influence you keep mentioning, Alphyon? What plans do you have for the Institute and how do you intend on seeing them to fruition. Do you think to change the way it is operated? You have Arkon Daraul and Satariel Shah to contend with in that matter and neither of them are to be taken lightly. You have many, many years of training ahead of you if you wish to match either of them, let alone the powerful allies they have at their disposal.?
Alphyon stuttered for a moment to find a response; Raithmoore was perhaps the only person ever capable of completely rendering him speechless. ?I do not know, my lord. I had assumed that you sent Alyithra and I to the Institute for some greater plan of yours and thought that rallying those of influence to my side would help you see such a plan through, my lord. At the very least, it is good to have strong allies in so merciless a place.?
?Did it not occur to you, Alphyon that I sent you there to learn? It is a school of magic ran by powerful people who have much to offer someone like you?? the Lich King chuckled again and reclined comfortably in his throne. ?It is good that you and your sister are not simply being herded along by your instructors like sheep, but treat carefully. Dangerous forces lurk around every corner and your activities may earn you the interest of these powers, for better or worse.?
?I understand, my lord. I will deliver this information to Alyithra as well, forgive me for my mistake. I thought only to help.?
?You have made no mistake, Alphyon. Now go, I have other business to attend to. Tell Grelphyn that I must speak with him when you exit.?
?Grelphyn? Does that mean Thalumeur has returned as well?? Alphyon rose from his knelt position and hastily bowed his head. ?Forgive me, my lord. It is not my place to ask. I will instruct Grelphyn as you desire.?
?Good. Go.?
Alphyon bowed one last time and then smoothly twisted around on the heel of his foot to march down the carpeted path toward the obsidian doors of Raithmoore?s throne room. Outside he found a man who was as ugly as can be, a large brutish fellow with a wild black beard of tangled hair and a pair of pale eyes. Half of his nose was gone and several large scars cut over his leathery skin and his thick, tree-trunk arms. He wore a strip of fur from shoulder to waist and a simple skirt of leather and banded-iron plates, a pair of war-axes hanging from his belt at either hip within easy reach of his enormous hands.
Beside him stood a tall elven man with smooth black hair, amber eyes and fair skin. Alphyon smirked slightly at Riven, but his attention was taken by the roaring voice of Grelphyn as he hailed the young necromancer.
?Alph?!? Grelphyn?s voice had an echoing effect as well, but it was more likely to cause a landslide or an avalanche than it was to chill bones. ?That mean Lord Raithmoore?s done with yeh? Got some important information to deliver to him, if yeh take my meanin?,? Alphyon could smell the liquor on his breath and the sweat that still coated his skin from his journey, his lip curling in unspoken disgust.
?Don?t yeh sneer at me, boy. Is he ready or ain?t he??
?Lord Raithmoore wishes to speak with you now, yes,? Alphyon?s voice was cool and polite like his master?s at that moment, hinting only vaguely at his disdain for the hulking man. ?He asked for Grelphyn specifically?I think it is best if you remain out here until otherwise summoned, Riven.?
The elf nodded in a sharp, birdlike manner and crossed his wispy arms over his chest. ?I will do that then. I hear you and your sister started studying at some magical academy somewhere nearby, is that true??
?The Institute of Arcane Principle, why do you ask??
Riven?s smile always made Alphyon second guess himself?that elf was never up to any good. ?I have a letter of recommendation I intend to send to the Institute after my audience with Lord Raithmoore.?
?I see,? Alphyon?s anger flared internally but never disturbed the calm visage that Riven saw. ?I?m sure you?ll enjoy it there. Hopefully I will see you soon, I must get going. Classes and such.?
?Of course, Alphyon. Good luck in your lessons, tell your sister I said hello.?
Though the world outside was a subterranean one a silvery-blue light spilled in from the round, ribbed windows built into those archways lending the throne room a cold glow that made Alphyon shiver when he first stepped in. To either side of him were stone depressions depicting various macabre sculptures, some with men whose faces contorted with a mixture of rage and agony, some with women in grotesque shapes of deformities?the eye sockets of those still claiming their heads were alight with a faint blue glow that seemed to flare up as he passed them by.
His path was laid out before him by a long, dark carpet trimmed in silver and devoid of the stains of Raithmoore?s many previous guests?the undead, prisoners and would-be heroes hoping to slay the Lich King in the name of good and for greater glory. Raithmoore toyed with such people to much amusement before obliterating them entirely and ensuring not a trace was left behind.
Alphyon had discarded the uniform of the Institute in favor of the voluminous dark robes he wore when serving as Raithmoore?s apprentice, moving swiftly and comfortably in the freer garments. He knelt before his master and bowed his head reverently, his gaze boring into the floor before him just as Raithmoore?s bore into his head as though piercing his mind to root out deceit?no doubt the Lich King was doing just that, liches were ever paranoid beings.
?It has been interesting, my lord. Some of the instructors I find to be infuriating and foolish, but others are truly knowledgeable of their crafts and have valuable information to impart. Smout?n, the necromancy master is one of these latter instructors. I believe I impressed him recently in a lesson about ghouls,? Alphyon?s voice echoed in the chamber as well, but it sounded weak and insignificant compared to the cool whisper of Raithmoore?s.
?Very good. Very good. Your sister, Alyithra? What of her?? the Lich King asked next.
?She?s become quite the social butterfly, my lord. Dipping her little fingers into a bit of everything?she?s quite up-to-date on the social aspects of the Institute, which has been useful in determining who to speak with and who to avoid. I think she?s enjoying it as well, it?s like a game to her.?
?What have the two of you accomplished so far, aside from Smout?n?s interest??
?Well, my lord, I believe I may have successfully infiltrated the White Tower. There is a girl who has become enamored with me. I do not think it wise to try and get much information out of her yet, but the more time I have with her the more easily manipulated she will become. There is also the matter of a student who has only been of the novice level for a short while and is already approaching her ascensions, she?s the talk of the school and many of our instructors have their eyes on her,? Alphyon paused to dare a glance up at Raithmoore. He had not seen his master since the day he left for the Institute and was curious as to how their time apart had affected the Lich King, if it had any effect at all.
?Continue,? Raithmoore?s voice rarely ever sounded above a whisper, but the weight of its command was undeniable to all but the most willful of beings.
?I haven?t spoken with her much yet, but am working on how to best get her under my thumb. If I can succeed with her where I have with Adina?the girl from the White Tower?then I should have help influencing other instructors. This brings about the subject of a girl named Bryn Barron,? Alphyon paused to wet his lips with the tip of his tongue as his gaze returned to the floor respectfully. ?She?s Smout?n?s favorite student, a necromancer of the apprentice level, I believe. She?s also approaching ascensions and has enlisted my aid. Winning her over will help give me influence with Smout?n, I believe playing as one of his favorites will be most invaluable.?
The Lich King chuckled at Alphyon?s words and leaned forward onto his knees to peer over his upraised and intertwined fingers to peer at him. ?And what exactly do you plan to do with this influence you keep mentioning, Alphyon? What plans do you have for the Institute and how do you intend on seeing them to fruition. Do you think to change the way it is operated? You have Arkon Daraul and Satariel Shah to contend with in that matter and neither of them are to be taken lightly. You have many, many years of training ahead of you if you wish to match either of them, let alone the powerful allies they have at their disposal.?
Alphyon stuttered for a moment to find a response; Raithmoore was perhaps the only person ever capable of completely rendering him speechless. ?I do not know, my lord. I had assumed that you sent Alyithra and I to the Institute for some greater plan of yours and thought that rallying those of influence to my side would help you see such a plan through, my lord. At the very least, it is good to have strong allies in so merciless a place.?
?Did it not occur to you, Alphyon that I sent you there to learn? It is a school of magic ran by powerful people who have much to offer someone like you?? the Lich King chuckled again and reclined comfortably in his throne. ?It is good that you and your sister are not simply being herded along by your instructors like sheep, but treat carefully. Dangerous forces lurk around every corner and your activities may earn you the interest of these powers, for better or worse.?
?I understand, my lord. I will deliver this information to Alyithra as well, forgive me for my mistake. I thought only to help.?
?You have made no mistake, Alphyon. Now go, I have other business to attend to. Tell Grelphyn that I must speak with him when you exit.?
?Grelphyn? Does that mean Thalumeur has returned as well?? Alphyon rose from his knelt position and hastily bowed his head. ?Forgive me, my lord. It is not my place to ask. I will instruct Grelphyn as you desire.?
?Good. Go.?
Alphyon bowed one last time and then smoothly twisted around on the heel of his foot to march down the carpeted path toward the obsidian doors of Raithmoore?s throne room. Outside he found a man who was as ugly as can be, a large brutish fellow with a wild black beard of tangled hair and a pair of pale eyes. Half of his nose was gone and several large scars cut over his leathery skin and his thick, tree-trunk arms. He wore a strip of fur from shoulder to waist and a simple skirt of leather and banded-iron plates, a pair of war-axes hanging from his belt at either hip within easy reach of his enormous hands.
Beside him stood a tall elven man with smooth black hair, amber eyes and fair skin. Alphyon smirked slightly at Riven, but his attention was taken by the roaring voice of Grelphyn as he hailed the young necromancer.
?Alph?!? Grelphyn?s voice had an echoing effect as well, but it was more likely to cause a landslide or an avalanche than it was to chill bones. ?That mean Lord Raithmoore?s done with yeh? Got some important information to deliver to him, if yeh take my meanin?,? Alphyon could smell the liquor on his breath and the sweat that still coated his skin from his journey, his lip curling in unspoken disgust.
?Don?t yeh sneer at me, boy. Is he ready or ain?t he??
?Lord Raithmoore wishes to speak with you now, yes,? Alphyon?s voice was cool and polite like his master?s at that moment, hinting only vaguely at his disdain for the hulking man. ?He asked for Grelphyn specifically?I think it is best if you remain out here until otherwise summoned, Riven.?
The elf nodded in a sharp, birdlike manner and crossed his wispy arms over his chest. ?I will do that then. I hear you and your sister started studying at some magical academy somewhere nearby, is that true??
?The Institute of Arcane Principle, why do you ask??
Riven?s smile always made Alphyon second guess himself?that elf was never up to any good. ?I have a letter of recommendation I intend to send to the Institute after my audience with Lord Raithmoore.?
?I see,? Alphyon?s anger flared internally but never disturbed the calm visage that Riven saw. ?I?m sure you?ll enjoy it there. Hopefully I will see you soon, I must get going. Classes and such.?
?Of course, Alphyon. Good luck in your lessons, tell your sister I said hello.?