Posted by: Murtano Laorte, Lord of Tannisbury
             On:4/24/00 8:13am

Murtano emerged from his office, dark circles under his eyes and looking
wracked and worn. His latest research into the disturbance, as yet unknown to
others in the lands, had taken much time, effort, and life from the Lord of
Tannisbury.

He closed the heavy mahogony door behind him and slumped against it slightly.
Pinching his nose between index finger and thumb just between his eyes, he
tried to clear his head and rejuvenate some so that he could weave the
illusionary spell that would make him appear normal to those that viewed him.

Walking slowly, he let his mind wander by watching the patterns in the thick
runner of carpet laid in the hallway. He soon found himself entering the
great room, and spied many people sitting and chatting, eating, and reading.
Smiling briefly to himself he could only think of the love he felt for each
and every one of his family and friends. Noticing his beloved wife Felena,
sitting on a couch across from some people who had their backs to him, he
approached and eased down next to her. Tenderly kissing her on the forehead
and cheek, he smiled briefly at her. He took her hand in his, and leaning
forward to kiss it, he collapsed onto the small coffee table. His
concentration and magical power ceased, his visage and form returned to the
haggard shell that it was...

Posted by: Felena Laorte, Lady of Tannisbury
            On: 4/24/00 at 9:35pm

Felena's smile turned to a look of shock and horror as her husband fell
forward onto the small coffee table. All around sprang into action as one,
moving furniture and easing the castle lord gently to the carpeted floor.
Felena knelt beside him, settling into a healing trance as the sounds around
her faded into the background. Overwhelming fatigue and worry eminated from
him, though no sign of poison, disease or other ailment. For this she thanked
Tyr.

She placed a hand upon his chest, willing his breathing to deepen from the
deathly shallowness to a more even pattern one would see in a relaxed sleep.
She then cast another protective spell before moving back to allow her
husband to be moved to their rooms. Her squire, SilentSong was at her side
immediately asking what she could do to help.

Without missing a step, she answered, "Go to the healers' wing and bring my
personal bag. You will know it by the MacRorie crest adorning the clasp."
Song sprinted off to do as she was bidden as Felena entered the chambers she
shared with Murt. He was already upon the bed, tunic and boots removed.
Felena gave instructions for a page to add fuel to the banked embers in the
fireplace so that water could be warmed. Several others were given orders as
well, leaving immediately to carry them out.

She gazed down at her husband, brow furrowed in concern. How long had he been
hiding his fatigue with illusions? And why?!  Sitting beside him on the bed,
she gently took his hand in hers, bringing it to her cheek. She silently
chastised herself for not knowing, for not recognizing...

Posted by: ErdrickKE, Knight and Town Mayor of Tannisbury
            On:  4/25/00 at 1:35am

After helping Felena move Murt to their chambers, he heads off to Murt's
office at Fel's bidding to see what he could find as to the fatigue and
source of Murt's troubles.

Posted by:  SilentSong, Squire to Lady Felena
                 On: 4/26/00 at 12:32am

Running quickly to do my Lady's biding my mind was a whirl as thought was
overcome by action.

I reached the kitchen and poured the boiling water into the mug lady Felena
had given me.

Wincing as a little of the water splashed onto my fingers I did an about face
not stopping to catch my breath and bolted back up the stairs to my lady's
chambers.

I handed the mug to Felena than took several steps back. Leaning against the
door frame I caught my breath...then straightening watched intently and
prayed silently. I was ready to help in anyway I could.

Posted by: Lothar Kesh
                  On: 4/26/00 at 12:46am

The cool night breeze lightly touched the hilltop, causing the long
wild grass to stir in waves. Two huge oaks flanked either side of
the hill framing the full moon that swam in and out of the light
cloud cover. Two brown rabbits sat nibbling at the grass, pausing to
sniff the air and then returning to their feast. The breeze picked up
and brought with it a strange smell, one of decay and death. The
first rabbit bolted off causing the second one jump of shock and then
sniff the air. It was then the rabbit comprehended it's error. A
huge rotten hoof smashed down on the rabbit's soft little body
leaving nothing more than a red stain on the grass.

The hoof twisted once as if to grind in the mess that once was the
rabbit. From the hoof grew the bone legs of a huge undead war horse.
Black and dull red leather armor clung to the rib bones of the beast.
A black saddle wrapped around the middle of the rib cage seeming to
hold the bones together. Upon the saddle sat a foul creature. It wore
rusted platemail with huge still sharp spikes that sat aloft the
shoulders and elbows. Ancient ruins of protection, which long ago
lost any magical attributes, covered the chestplate. Crowning this
conglomeration of evil was a rusted helmet with one broken horn, the
faceplate long rusted away to reveal eyeless sockets that glowed ice
blue in the night. Lothar Kesh's undead gaze swepted over the
countryside with the unmolested forest and the clean pure river,
with the quite farm house near the edge of the forest and the silent
little village in the distance. A ghostly chuckle spilled forth from
the helmet.

As if the chuckle were a gesture, ten undead horsemen breeched the
hilltop. All clad in patchwork armor with decayed leather hung from
the rotten mounts. One rode forth to join Lothar. It held a huge
black banner that had rips in the outer edges. Lothar look towards
his elite personal guard and then motioned towards the farm
house......

As dawn spilled over the forest the father of the farm family
returned from the small village. The day before he took all of his
goods to the market to sell and now he approached home with a light
step and a song on his lips. Walking into the farm yard his song
left him at the sight he saw. His wife, three sons and daughter, or
what he thought were them, lay in bloodly pieces along the front
yard. The skin had been removed from their bodies and nailed to the
roof of the house. Apon the skin a message was carved, it read:
"Lothar Kesh returns". Anguish swept through the farmer as tears
filled his eyes. "What could have done this to my family." Was all
he could say.......
 

Posted by: Vilessa Shadowfyre
                    On:  4/26/00 at 10:17am

Shadowfyre floated on silent wing well above the unnatural fogbank that
moved below. Though the night sky stayed clear, none but the sharpest sight
would see her. She remained a darker spot against the horizon.

Her sharp gaze kept watch upon the Kesh. Nothing must go wrong
with their plans now. Since it was her help that lead to the undead
general's release, she would make certain he did as commanded.
No need to over-play their hand at this time.

As the horror unfolded below, Fyre held back the urge to join in the
slaughter and feast on innocent flesh. That was not part of the plan.
Mall better repay her well for such fortitude in the face of
temptation. What a waste to leave tender morsels untouched.

When the fog rolled back, only mutilated corpses remained to tell
the tale.

With the first step completed, Fyre changed course and flew swiftly
back to report that all went well tonight.