Snippet #2343901

Bandit Camp, Bardin Road

The group of strangers stood scattered across the camp. Bloodied, battered, and scarred with weapons hanging from their hands looked around at the death. Countless bandits lay dead soaked in their own blood, arrows protruded from throats and chests, and scorch marks dotted the landscape. Slowly the strangers wandered towards one another.

"I thank you friends, if not for your appearance I know not what would have befallen us" Erik said nodding in approval to the others. He and his sister Khalan carried some minor scrapes and cuts, but looked no worse for wear.

Elyssia smiled "Your welcome, we had seen the fires and hoped to simply put an end to their raids. Looks like we came at a most fortunate time"

"You both fight with skill and courage" Richard said, his armor held some minor scorch marks where Ambers fire had barely missed him "We could use blades like yours at our sides. That is if you are not already obligated elsewhere"

Khalan smiled "I kind gesture" she looked to her brother, then back at the companions "But we have duties of our own to follow. Our destiny guides us upon a different path"

"A shame then" Elyssia smiled "I would have enjoyed a new pair of faces. If your travels take you towards Tharlamor, we would be obliged to accompany you. From there we may split ways"

Erik noticed the markings upon the armor these companions wore, each with something resembling a wolf. Could it be. Tharalmor, a group of five companions. The Dread Wolf had given them instructions to join up under the banner of a new queen. But were these the companions he spoke of? Was this Elyssia to be his queen? He stepped forward "By chance where does your path take you after Tharlamor?"

"North" Eva said bringing the groups horses, which the companions quickly mounted

Erik took a gamble "To embrace me is to embrace eternity, to shun me...." he waited

Gaius, still cloaked in his dark armor gazed at the man, after a pause he spoke "Is to become my prey"

Erik and Khalan smiled "By the Dread Wolf. It appears that our paths take us to the same destiny" the two dug their blades into the earth and took a knee "We are at your command Lady Elyssia"

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Thornwrath, Temple City of the Dread Wolf

Sargon stood within the war hall of his most treasured city of the mortal world. Originally a mighty temple built to his honor, a massive fortress city had sprung up around it. It was from here that he would command his mortal forces, though small in numbers, their skills and prowess would prove their strength. As he overlooked the map, his generals entered the room and circled the table. As he watched the North, still shrouded from his brothers and sisters view by his own magic, remained hidden. This magic did not come without a price, it steadily drained him each day, not enough to affect his physical power but his magic was hampered. He smiled as the silver that represented the Dragonborn slowly grew, and the blue was still in strength.

"What news?" Sargon asked his mortal commanders

"The Order of the Wolf has brought the full force of its chapters my Lord" one spoke "They have reinforced all five temple cities"

"The Guardians make their way to the cities now, sparse raids upon orc tribes where they can" another spoke

"The Wolves remain watching as ordered my liege. No sign of Lord Revan or his foul followers" another said

Sargon nodded "Good. We need our forces ready, if Revan choses to follow his path" Sargon had not always seen eye to eye with Revan, especially after the death of his brother. Yet over the past few days the Lord of the Hunt had sought reason, chosing to see the world through Revans eyes and come to understand the Lord of Justice.

Brother, I know you and I have not always been upon the same side. Nor have we chosen to agree at any time. I have held hate for you since the death of my brother, this you know. But I cannot allow that hate to blind me with rage any longer. I do not seek your downfall brother, your death would do not but invite chaos and destruction into this world. I have opened my eyes to see that which you do, and there must be action taken to cleanse humanity. But please Revan, seek reason, there must be another way that we can shape mortality. Do not split our house......

His words were his own, yet they could echo within the realms of the gods. Sargon, Lord of the Hunt, the Dread Wolf who had once chosen any side that opposed the destruction of mortality.....was now neutral within this conflict of the gods.....to which side he fell was to his siblings fate.