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The crescent moon outside Nexus' window hung low on its side, like a
thin walled basin waiting to be filled with starlight. The wind blew
quickly through the tops of the the tall, white alder trees and made
it's way far to the east into the long oncoming sunrise. With a flit
of movement, Nexus crow jumped out of the window and fell two stories
before landing squarely on his feet at the base of the tree. The
earth guardian walked calmly and silently down the windidng road and
into the forest from whence he cam until it veered off into a faint
aniaml path. After walking for some time, Nexus finally arrived in a
small clearing and stood motionless, peering up at the sky.
"I can feel you changing, mother", said Nexus softly looking at the
moon, now tinged with red. The season had changed, the trees had lost
their leaves and snow now blanketed the earth. And now, Nexus knew,it
would finally be time for the true change to happen. IT had only
occured once in his existance, when an army of monsters had united
under on great evil and had desecrated the land as it marched to
destroy the kingdoms. And now, with the power struggle between the
last reign and the new forces at work in the monarchy, it would
indeed happen again. Nexus knew that soon the lady of the earth would
change to the dark hag of the dieing days. The days when the
corrupted children of the first races would be purified by their own
blood, seeping down into the earth as payment for the destruction
they had caused.And there, to lead her will, would be himself. He had
never looked forward to these times. The days when the anger of the
mother coursed through his veins. SO much blood, spilled by his
hands, or rather by his words. A cruel joke, for Nexus knew that for
the task set before him, he could not kill. Thus was the life of an
immortal, only able to influence.
"I accept my task, Samat'a, lady of the green earth", Nexus said, his
hands digging deep into the earth. The forest around him stood in
silence, black and eternal. Slowly, the guardian sunk into the earth
until nothing was left but the garb of a simple bard. From deep
within the earth, a darkness stirred.
.....................
The lucky hound's bar was yet again full with entertainment. As
Deliaan, a bard from a local village had just finished a striking
rendition of The tale of Altemoornan the barroom fell in to silence
by the sound of a door slung off of its hinges. There, in the doorway
stood a dark figure. The only source of light was the pale face,
contrasting against the sable robes. On the side of the mans face was
an intricate design of swirling knots. His eyes, glared intense black
that sunk deep into their sockets. The man approached the clerk,
walking slowly so that his boots stomped against the wooden plank
floor.
"I'll need a room please". said the man, never looking up.
"I'm sorry, but we're full, now go away", The pub owner said quickly.
The man extended his hand out and garnished a large black onyx, then
slowly placed it in the barmans hand.
"Now how about that room?" said the dark man looking deeply into the
clerks eyes.
"right this way, sir, and welcome to the Lucky Hound!"
Nexus Crow smiled out of the corners of his mouth.
"Now to see of my success with my assailants"
He could hear a dog howling to the blood moon in the distance.
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