Cali and Luman

“There is a shift in energy manifesting.” Luman said as he stroked his chin, two golden eyes focused on checkered board in front of him. He reached out, moving his the white form of one of his knights several spaces forward. “Yes, I’m very away, my love.” Cali said as she cornered her husband’s ivory king with a dark queen. “It’s a emptiness unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.” She looked up from the board, amusement flickering in her ebony colored eyes. “I believe I won this game.” Luman chuckled, running his fingers through his hair as leaned back in his throne. “I believe so, my dear. Your cleverness knows no bounds.” The Lady of Shadows smirked, rising from her obsidian seat and walking about the chessboard. She sat in her husband’s lap, draping her legs over his throne’s armrest. “Now,” she started. “We must prepare for this coming change, whatever it is. Regardless of whether it’s dark or light, something with this much energy is bound to knock everything out of balance.”

Luman nodded. “I know, that’s what I’m worried about. We’ve all come to such a good place. The nations are healthy, the Treaty goes unthreatened, and for a while, I thought we’d have actual harmony.” “Well, you know what they say.” Cali said. “A God’s work is never finished.” Luman smiled weakly and leaned over, kissing the goddess on her nose. “Why must you always be so insightful?” “It’s a blessing and a curse, to be quite frank.” Ebony smirked as she got up, her leathery wings lifting her several inches off the ground. “We should spread the word among the gods.” Luman nodded, standing up and walking over to the nearest window. A ball of light formed in his hand and he brought it to his lips. “Go give word to our brothers.” And it flew off into the realms of the other gods, where it would give the same message.

“Something is coming. Be prepared.”

Dolus Magnus

The crown was heavy on Dolus’ head. It’s golden halo and sparkling jewels filled the white of his hair with colored light. The tips of his elongated ears rubbed against the crown’s rim, causing their pointed ends to slightly redden with irritation. As the bastard prince looked into the mirror, he couldn’t bring himself to smile. The crown wasn’t meant to be worn by someone who looked like him. The dull silver in his eyes deepened with the slight pang of sadness he felt. He starred in the mirror for several moments, a look of concentration on his face, before his appearance began to subtly ripple and change.

The marks on his skin faded, his hair turned a warm brown, and his ears shortened and rounded out, not leaving a hint of their barbs. The sad metallics of his eyes filled with a sharp amber and for a moment, Dolus flickered with genuine satisfaction. This is what the people wanted. “Dolus? Are you ready?” Orion walked in, a mixture of sadness and anger covering his face when he saw his prince. “You aren’t trying this again.” A smile formed on Dolus’ lips as he turned around. It was mostly sincere, which became progressively more difficult for the prince as he coronation closened. “Oh, hush. This is a good idea. The people will be much more comfortable if I look like this.” Dolus gestured to his face. Orion rolled his eyes and shook his head. “They’ll love you. They’ll love you without your tricks and spells. Just as I do.” Dolus let out a laugh. “Many late nights have proven that you’re a big fan of my ‘tricks.’” A smile cracked on the bodyguard’s face.

A moment of silence passed between them. “Well,” Orion started. “We should be on our way. You have to discuss plans for the Harvest Festival.” He paused before continuing. “And, at the end of the day, it’s your coronation. It’s your decision how the Empire sees you. You’re the Emperor, so I won’t tell you how to live your life.” Dolus shook his head, the color draining from his hair and the marks slowly rising back onto his skin. “I’m not the Emperor yet. Let’s not get too dramatic.” He walked toward his guard and placed a hand on his cheek, the other man’s stubble pricking him slightly. “Thank you, Orion.” “It’s my pleasure, Prince Dolus.” The future emperor smiled. “Let’s not delay then. I feel like this festival will be a grand time, don’t you?” They began walking. “If you have a hand in it, this festival will be like none that anyone has ever seen before.”

Soaring above the slowly rolling clouds in the form of a black hawk, Lenwë lazily began to dive through the sea of white below him. It had been easy to slip away into the feeling that always came with flight. Complete freedom, and utter detachment from the whole world beneath. It was a wonder to him that Ninian Folte, the only living member of the Hawk-men, could always remain so on-task, so determined to fulfill her duties, and not get lost in flight. Suddenly pushing himself into a roll, folding his wings back, and angling steeply downward, Lenwë broke through the last of the clouds leaving a wispy spiral in his wake. Upon seeing the land he'd briefly left out of sight and mind, his thoughts snapped back to the issues most currently pushed onto the Avatar's platter.

The harvest-season was now here, many of the farmers in the central Commonwealth were already requesting aid in transportation of their goods, and some located nearer Nephyra's Nest sought escorts to deter harpy attacks. He pivoted his head to the right, and his hawk-eyes easily picked out, in fantastic detail, the derelict volcano that served as home to those meddling harpies. The Artabraic Bear, Cynwrig Caratacos, had proposed during the last meet of the Inner Circle that a hunting expedition take place and be directed there. He even wanted to lead it, but Lenwë and the majority of the Circle had opposed this plan. Every hunter knew it was folly to assault the Nest. And Cynwrig was growing too old, too anxious in his wait for a worthy death. In Winter perhaps, Lenwë had promised him in appeasement, we can go together to mince words with the Harpy Queen. How the old bear had laughed at that thought.

And then there was, of course, the coming of Fómhar Fola, The Blood Harvest. The time for the criminals of Slabhra to be released and be given a chance to prove their worthiness of freedom and redemption. This time of the year often drew much more than merchant vessels looking to broker deals for freshly reaped crops. Tourists always came in droves to see if any Men from the Pit made it off the Crescent Isles, and some even wished to participate in the hunt of those criminals. Naturally, all but Artabraic hunters were banned from the Crescent Isles during Fómhar Fola, but there were always the ones who thought they could buy their way on.

In addition, there was the need for a diplomatic mission down South to the United Shadonian Nations to discuss trade agreements and the proposal of a military alliance. With generally friendly relations with the Dryads just across the Southern border and the people of Makuulm across the frozen Northern border, this would set the Commonwealth on good terms with the entire Eastern coast of Pandeum.

All should have been well and good, these small issues mere trifles to be dealt with between hunts, but now Lenwë's mind was burdened by the words of Adharc'aon. "Something is coming." The Horned God had relayed Luman and Cali's message to his Avatar, "Be prepared." Lenwë had been in a trance state earlier that morning, mostly communing with the plants around him in the forest, trying to hone his skill in the use of Natural Magick, when his God strode through the brush, great antlers brushing against canopy some fifteen feet above.

"A cryptic warning." Adharc'aon's voice had boomed through the trees while Lenwë remained sitting cross-legged in the dirt. "Luman nor Cali elaborated, but likely this vague threat will tip scales." Although Lenwë, in his Elven form at the time, still had his eyes shut, he could see Adharc'aon shake his head in the aggravated manner of a stag. "The widespread neutrality and peacemaking of my kin, both old and new, may be thrown into chaos, Lenwë. A time may come to take a stand. Will my Hunters be prepared?"

Since then, Lenwë had been in hawk-form and in flight. Beneath, the harbor-city of Cathair-sa-Chuan came into view as he swooped down across a cliff face. The sights and sounds of the port outside the city walls assaulted his keen senses, but still he dove downward, aiming himself like an arrow at the doorway to a two-story house. The great stone walls and the earth below rushed up to meet him, and he extended his wings to full length, catching the air with them and near halting the descent. Four feet off the ground and about as far from the doorway to the house, Lenwë felt feathers give way to hair and skin, beak break down into teeth and then be covered by flesh, wings transform to arms and talons to toes.

His pallid grey skin was laid bare to the city, and his ears did not need to be of the keen Elven sort to pick up the surprised outbursts of those who saw him shift. He paid them no mind though and strode through the open doorway, shutting it after he passed through. Even if he hadn't telepathically known Elisedd Caratacos was already there, he could smell the sea-salt emanating from his long-time friend and fellow member of the Inner Circle before ever walking in. Casually walking down the entry-hall lined with trophy-skulls of various beasts and grabbing a dusty brown cloak from a wall hook, Lenwë started upstairs.

"Lenwë, it's about time!" Elisedd's voice was somewhat gruff and could easily be taken to be displeased, but the grey-skinned elf only smiled as he donned the cloak and covered himself.

"You and I both know that you only just got your land-legs back." He cleared the last few steps and came through the doorless entryway into his study. All was just as he'd left it, if a little more dusty than last time he'd been home, books and scrolls strewn haphazardly across the table in the center of the room, bookcases lining the right wall, and Elisedd comfortably sprawled on the cot against the left wall, beneath the sole window.

The black hair that easily reached the middle of his back still wet from the sea and carelessly laid about him, Elisedd let his normally scowling lips break into a smirk. "With how slow you fly, I knew I'd have time for a quick swim." He brushed the hair from his face while he sat up, then placed his elbows on his knees and let his hands dangle boredly from there. "Ninian was here, briefly. Said she'd be back."

Lenwë nodded. He'd already known, being linked to the members of the Inner Circle telepathically. "The others are on their way as well. But it will be evening before your father and Chief gul'Rask are here. Boadicea is away, and will not likely return until after Fómhar Fola." The Headhuntress always has business.

Getting up and stretching his back and arms to full length, showing himself to be taller and more heavily built than the 6'3" elf, Elisedd asked, "Well, what do we do until then?"

"I had thought of getting a few hours sleep, if you don't mind." Lenwë stifled a yawn. It had been at least two weeks since he'd last been home. "You can stay and greet the others as they arrive, if you please."

"Hey, it's your house." Elisedd shrugged casually.

"Wretched vermin." The God of Shadows forced his voice into yet another Mortal slaughtered by the Zhiszu, His eternal servants. A new arrival, a new addition. "You belong to me now, your horrors will become the only reality you know. There is no reprieve, there is no release." His voice slithered up the spine of the new one. "Your soul will be but a pale Reflection of itself, and at the peak of despair you will be consumed." The Mortal soul tried to scream, tried to thrash and find an escape, but Kaellarak's webs held it in submission and silence. It could only see what it's new master wished it to see, it's identity, accomplishments, failures, all meant nothing now, and never would again. When the soul was broken in entirety, it would be devoured by those above.

Kaellarak melded into the webs that composed all things in His realm, turning them from silky white to oozing black, and his presence moved on, leaving his new pet to its own torment. Upward the God went, reveling in the subdued screams and cries of the subjugated ones trapped in the Lower Reflection of this great pyramid, until he passed through the center and into the Upper Reflection. His devout, his puppets strung by strands of deception, gluttons whose appetite for those below would never be sated, fruits that would be picked when they were good and ripe. Weavers, monstrous spider-things spun webs from the Upper Reflection down to the souls below, connecting the devout to those who had been broken completely, thus allowing sporadic feeding frenzies.

Still upward Kaellarak went. It was not yet the time to pluck souls for the feast. Upward until he was outside of the massive pyramid that hung precariously over nothingness, upward until he could see the thing that had caused his webs to vibrate and tense, announcing that something was here. A ball of light, blemishing the ghastly scenery of Kaellarak's realm. It hovered in a clearing relatively free of entrapping webs, casting shadows in every direction. Kaellarak approached, moving through his webs as a black sludge, and stopped before the unwelcome thing. A messenger from his lesser kin.

The Spider Deity took on a more substantial form, with some semblance of a body, leg-like appendages jutting out and reaching for nothing in particular all around him, but he continued to shift, never settling on a single shape. "Your message?" He spoke slowly and with great deliberation, as if speaking to something other than an imprisoned soul took great effort and was bothersome.

"Something is coming. Be prepared." Luman. The blightful ball of light reeked of him, and reflected his voice with disgusting perfection.

Kaellarak sneered, revealing a horribly toothy mouth, his eyes took a surer shape and brightened so much as to cast a shadow behind the messenger. He waved a clawed hand dismissively, "Go," the word rasped from his mouth, then echoed throughout the dark and web-covered world. The messenger vanished, and only then did Kaellarak's sneer widen further into an unnatural smile. What could have been laughter croaked from his massive fanged mouth and, "Finally..." He said to himself, pleasure coursing through him. It is almost time...

Daedhelon, Prince of the Dominion
Gathod Elenath, in the palace

In the throne room of the Narthanuin Daeris, the great palace of the Drow-Zhiszu Dominion, Daedhelon stood tall and proud on the left side of the Daeris' throne. His three sisters stood opposite, on the right side of the throne, Bainthaurel leering covetously at the still empty throne, Goeoleth staring boredly at the great double doors at the end of the room, and Lymernil staring intently at her brother. He hadn't been united with his dear sisters for quite some time, having recently committed himself to a deeper study of neighboring countries. Cold Maakulm, liberated Commonwealth, enchanting Arro'ell, savage Outlands. He'd of rather continued his studies than see the three heiresses to the throne again. Lymernil was still staring at him, he realized, only now she was smiling and running her tongue over her teeth.

Fortunately, the Daeris walked in from behind the throne and glared at the sisters, halting Lymernil's gaze and preventing her from, Gods-forbid, engaging Daedhelon in conversation. He suppressed a shiver threatening to run up his spine. The desires of his eldest sister were nothing he cared to dwell on.

"Beloved daughters," Daeris Manedhes had a voice that rang with benevolence, which counteracted the disgusted look on her face as she gazed upon the three young women, "How beautiful you all are." She turned in a flourish of her extravagant gown, white hair whipping at her back, and now addressed Daedhelon, "And my son, looking ever so handsome!" Although her expression did soften when she faced him, her words were still a mask for the machinations at work in her mind. Daedhelon knew that fully well, none of these royal Drow females were to be trusted.

Daedhelon smiled graciously, flashing pearly white that contrasted his ebony skin, and made to speak but Goeoleth beat him to it, "We've been waiting an eternity," her voice was dull and flat, her eyes hadn't left the two massive doors that served as entrance to the throne room, "What is this all about?" No tact, no grace. Goeoleth would have been murdered if she were the eldest sister and first in line for the throne. By mother or sister. Daedhelon fought the urge to shake his head disappointedly.

He saw the rage flash across the Daeris' face, but it was gone in an instant as she gracefully seated herself on the crystal throne. "It just so happens, sweet Goeoleth, that the Drozhisz'ahk has called an audience of us." Daedhelon could imagine the burning spite hidden by his mothers' carefully composed demeanor.

"The Drozhisz'ahk? Here?" Bainthaurel openly expressed the surprise all the royal family felt. "Why?" To show that he is the true master of this Dominion, why else? Daedhelon thought, but kept his silence. He let no expression cross his regal face, only let his eyes flit from Bainthaurel to their queen mother.

Composure still perfect, she answered kindly, "We shall see shortly, my dear." Not a minute passed, but in the following silence it felt like an hour, before the massive double doors parted. And enter the Drozhisz'ahk. On his six thick legs, he strode head and shoulders above the royal guard that lined the throne room, moving almost casually, yet so quickly it could have been an attack. Six silvery irises stared ahead unblinking, unwavering, uninterested in all but the Daeris in her throne. They called it a hybrid, but the Drozhisz'ahk was something else entirely. It was a piece for Kaellarak to move around freely, something with no questions or hesitations, no past or future except for the God of Shadows.

"My Daeris," The voice of Drozhisz'ahk both rumbled and rasped through the great hall, the emphasis on his first word causing a shiver Daedhelon could not prevent this time. She belongs to him. We all do. "It has been too long since I've seen..."

Unnaturally quickly, the Drozhisz'ahk was already at the foot of the throne, looking down on the elevated Daeris. Despite his appearance and words, Manedhes was still perfectly composed, and stared back up at the Avatar of Kaellarak without flinching or hesitating. "Drozhisz'ahk, a pleasure as always." She smiled graciously, but did not stand from her seat. An uncomfortable silence siezed the room for a second, but the Daeris broke it before it could gain any precedent. "To what, do we owe the great privilege of this visit?"

The six black eyes blinked consecutively, deliberately, the bottom pair first and the top pair last, and then the Drozhisz'ahk lifted both his hands and extended his fingertips, as if to encompass all the world. "Kaellarak's will, my Daeris." Daedhelon, from his angle to the left of the throne, caught a glimpse of a venomous fang curled behind Drozhisz'ahk's cheek. He heard air rushing into the lung slits on the sides of the Avatar's rear segment, the abdominal tagmata of a spider, and even as he inhaled he continued speaking, "And this..." He tilted his head with a sudden twitch, "Visit... Will be an extended one. I will stay here, in your palace." He nodded self-assuredly, more to himself than anyone else. Many of the guardsmen were staring at the back of the Drozhisz'ahk. His proximity to the Daeris and the way he carried himself must have been making them nervous. "We have much to discuss, privately." His long legs suddenly carried him to the right of the throne, nearly trampling the three sisters had they not stumbled out of the way, "Tomorrow."

That was the last word he said before the sound of his scurrying legs vanished him into the palace. "All of you, go!" His mother commanded. Daedhelon knew her well enough to see that she had been unnerved, and that made her furious. His sisters all departed at once through a side passage, Lymernil giving her brother one last, long look, and the guardsmen filed out the great double doors. Daedhelon made to leave as well, but he knew she would stop him. "Not you, Dae." He bit his lip before turning to face the Daeris, and took a breath. Silently and obediently, he turned to look at her. "Come here."

Daeris Manedhes sat back in her throne, and slowly parted her legs while lifting her gown with one hand, the other gesturing for Daedhelon to fall to his knees. "Yes, my Daeris." Her fingernails dug into the back of his neck as he went about fulfilling her desires...

Queen of Beasts

Lamina sat in her throne of obsidian and bone. Her skeleton wings spread out to her sides, hanging loosely in boredom. She rested her chin in the palm of her clawed hand, the fiery glow of her eyes staring distastefully at the scene before her. Her commanders were arguing once more, discord filling the air like the drone of locust swarm. Irrelevant arguments and accusations were flung from monster to monster. The Northern Beasts thought the Southern Scavengers were cowards. The Black Pond Coven accused the Great Oak Coven of being weak willed and worn out. The Fallen Star were cross with the Dark Savages because their rotting flesh stunk up their camp when the Savages forced the Star to shelter them. Despite all the points each of them were trying to make, Lamina seriously doubted that even one of them had been heard and understood. “Shut up.” The Queen of the Nefai spoke, rising from her seat. The room went quiet. “I don’t care about your squabbles and feuds and trivial little fights. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what you do to each other. But-” She narrowed her eyes. “How can we protect the Black Forest and the Nefai from outside forces, when we’re too busy tearing out each other’s throats?” She walked forward until her thighs leaned against the stone table where her commanders sat. “I don’t need to tell you that the hunters that serve the Horned God have been more aggressive of late. They’re abandoning the natural order between hunter and beast and now, they are quickly losing their honor and quickly losing my respect.” Cassis, a large hideous beast, barked in agreement as he nodded his ugly head. “A whole tribe of Northern Beasts, slaughtered by those so-called hunters. Not even a big tribe. Not even a fierce tribe. They were shepherds.”

Atropos Eyesnatcher, a hooded hag with pale hair and red eyes, played with her metallic claws as she spoke. “They never showed any real interest in hags before, I suppose our heads aren’t very tasteful when they’re mounted on walls. However, I heard that the Artrabi burned half of a coven just because they could ” Belladonna, a hag with golden hair and skin like marble, looked at Atropos with distrust. “Did this coven practice any dark arts that harmed the Artrabi?” Atropos glared at her fellow hag. “Would it matter?” Lamina rolled her eyes and placed a finger to her lips, silencing the hags. “Regardless of what tribes or coven you represent, the Artrabi should be your biggest threat, not each other.” She walked back to her throne and sat back down. “I understand peace among all the Nefai is difficult. We’ve been fighting and struggling with each other since the days of the First Mother. But when she was taken by the Hunter, the Nefai banded together to show the children of the Horned God what real predators are like. Let us do so again, my brothers and sisters.” A sense of understanding came over the room, each of the commanders suddenly looking ashamed for their actions. Lamina sighed. “You may all leave, except for you, Belladonna. We need to discuss some important items.”

As the other left, the hag walked up to her queen and bowed. “How may I help you, my Grace?” Lamina smiled. “It stills feel strange, after all these years to hear you call me that, Witchmother.” Belladonna smiled. “And it’s strange for me, after all these years, to look at you and see a queen, not the little Oakborn that I raised.” The Queen laughed. “That’s actually what I wanted to speak with you about. The Oakborn from the spring, how do they fare? Are they grown?” Belladonna sighed. “They grow at different rates. Some will need many years to grow, like the humans and like you at one time. Others will be leaving the coven within a week. Others will need until the winter. Why?” Lamina took her former caretakers’ hand. “I need as many warriors as I can obtain if we are to protect ourselves.” Belladonna shook her head. “You have many great warriors. Even if these Oakborn were grown and strong, they are untrained and unseasoned. They’ve known nothing but the forest.” “Monsters don’t need much training, dear Witchmother. Hunting comes naturally to us.” “But war does not. Do not confuse the two, my queen.” Lamina sighed. “True.” She paused. “Would you mind reading some omens tonight? And also sending some spies to the Artrabi?” The hag bowed. “Of course, Queen of Beasts.”

Elisedd Caratacos
In the waters around the Crescent Isles

Today was the day. Free reign given to the devoted of Adharc'aon to hunt Men indiscriminantly. Fómhar Fola had begun. Killing the criminals of Slabhra Prison and making the Commonwealth a better place was a privilege to Elisedd. The filth were given this one chance to escape the Crescent Isles on this day, and it was a hunter's duty to deny them that chance. If a convict escapes, he is forgiven. If he does not, he dies. Such is the decree of Adharc'aon on the day of the Blood Harvest.

In the form of a fourteen foot mako, the thought excited Elisedd beyond imagining. He'd been purposely starving his mako form the past three days so that the savagery ahead would come that much more easily. The way the shark's mind tried to overpower the man's mind was fascinating, and thrilling to him. Adharc'aon's hunters were taught never to lose control over their beast form, never to give in completely to the primal desires of feasting, fighting, and breeding. But Elisedd was an expert at walking the fine line, at maintaining his human mind while giving over bodily control to the more apt animal mind. A man in beast form, even after lifelong practice, could never move as naturally as the beast itself. The trick to being a good shapeshifter was letting the animal within oneself take a measure of control.

These waters were Elisedd's true love, let his father and brother be clumsy and cumbersome on land. His joy was inexplicable, how fortunate he was that Adharc'aon had deemed him to have an affinity for the Circle of the Sea out of so many others. His gratitude and love for his God always peaked when he was in the water like this. He wove his way through thick kelp forests, his bestial senses in complete control, his human intelligence only providing moderate guidance. The mako was his favorite, Lenwë had even chosen the mako for his own sea form on his suggestion. As compared to others, the mako was smarter, it could learn patterns much more quickly than its' cousins. It also relied more on sight than other sharks, which was easy for the human mind to meld with. With his senses he could hear small crustaceans on the seafloor hidden behind thick kelp, feel the movements of fish fleeing from him. But he had no interest in small game today.

He contorted his body and swerved upward, speeding towards the surface, weaving between other shark-men crowding into the waters around and inbetween the Crescent Isles, then broke through the waves. He flew up into the air some twenty feet, taking in the scenery. Hunters were gathered all across the mainland-side shores of the Isles, readying their weapons or shifting into their beast forms. A horn resounded, echoing across the fin-filled water. Roars and howls followed, the excitement building in the same way amongst all the Hunters gathered. Men provided a different thrill than Beasts. Especially these Men, desperate for their freedom, their burning desire to escape feeding the fire of life in each of their hearts. Plus the apprehension, they knew what was coming just as well as the Hunters, as many of the prisoners had once been Hunters.

Elisedd fell back into the water, salty brine crashing back over his body. He dove beneath the crowd of ravenous shark-men, making his way towards the narrow and shallow channels of sea that broke the Crescent Isles apart. Slabhra prisoners would have to cross these channels to make it to one tip of the Isles or the other, and Elisedd would be waiting in the form of a hungry mako. At this time, rope ladders would be being dropped down into the Pit for the convicts to climb up. He still had a moment to take in the environment, to see where the best places for the runners to cross would be, and position himself to strike from below. For a mako, attacking from below was a common tactic, even when the prey was another shark, perhaps especially then.

Elisedd had gotten into position more quickly than most of the other shark-men, the mako's speed winning out against the others, but no prisoners had made it this far from the Pit yet anyway, of if they had then none had yet gotten brave enough to try and cross the water. The water was getting crowded now, he could hardly see the waning light of sunset through all the various breeds of shark swimming around. Three great whites cruised the surface, dorsal fins jutting up out of the sea. They were too large and clumsy in this cramped space to turn effectively though, and had to swim out of the channel then loop back around to go through it again, which was specifically why Elisedd had chosen the mako form over the white.

Finally, he heard the water break, and the awkward flailing of human limbs in it, followed shortly by a violent frenzy of shark-men ripping the poor fool apart. Several other splashes followed, and Elisedd slowly went towards the source of the sounds, staying close to the seafloor. These runners were made short work of, then suddenly all the world above broke into chaos. Limbs and faces were everywhere, some of them already bleeding, enticing his shark nostrils. Arrows were chasing the prisoners into the water, the claw-men and other hunters were already there above. Runners had no choice but to try their luck crossing the channels.

One of the great whites tore a man in half, turning all the water in his wide wake crimson. Elisedd's mako mind was trembling with excitement and fierce hunger. Now he saw his chance. Breaking into full speed at a second's notice, he charged towards the surface and closed his jaws on the midriff of one desperate runner. His velocity carried himself and the now screaming man out of the water at least ten feet, where Elisedd shook him violently, spraying blood about in arcs before detaching a huge chunk from between his targets hip and ribcage.

He fell back into the water and lost track of his mark, swallowing the piece he had taken whole and then snapping at an arm or leg that broke the water near his head, taking it off at the joint. The narrow channel was now nothing more than a flurry of white and red waters churning from the feeding frenzy taking place. The scent and taste of blood filled him entirely, maddened his shark mind and invigorated his human mind. He was bathing in death, all in the name of the Horned God, and it was delightful, just as it was every year. His eyes were basically useless now, except for in extremely close proximity. At this point runners would start getting through the channel, taking advantage of the discord and the lack of visibility in the murky red water.

His mako mind didn't want to give up what control it had gained, but now was the time. Elisedd swam down as low as he could, then spun about and stormed toward the surface again, knocking aside a smaller mako before flying through the air towards the shore of the northern Isle. His body contorted and compressed down from fourteen feet to six, his sleek, agile, streamlined form becoming gangly and awkward, skin turning from rough to fair and frail, and long black hair sprouting from his head and clinging to his still wet frame.

He drew the axe from his side, sliding it's handle smoothly from the ring that held it on his waist, then fell upon his next target. The criminal was haggard, soaked in crimson brine, unkempt beard and hair dripping from his recent crossing of the channel. He looked up in utter shock at Elisedd, plummeting down towards him with axe upraised, wet strands of hair flailing out behind him. The bearded man raised his arms to try and protect his face, but to no avail. Elisedd fell with such speed and ferocity that the axe cleaved clean through his wrist and into his forehead, ending the escapee abruptly. Elisedd pressed a bare foot against the man's head and dislodged his axe, and laughed merrily.

"Fómhar Fola!" The cry rose up amongst the Hunters on the Isles, nearly drowning out the sounds of the frenzy in the channels. Elisedd joined his voice to the cry, "Fómhar Fola!" Just as his cry ended, he felt something grasp his ankle, then pull his leg out from under him and his face met the sand. His axe was ripped out of his grip and the grunt of a man told him that his own axe was rushing in to kill it's owner. He rolled to the side just in time, then pushed against the beach with all his limbs and landed on his feet several yards from his would-be slayer, then smirked at the surprise. "It's you..."

---

Cian Kai

"... Cian Kai." He grinned at the sound of his own name from the lips of his old comrade, "What are the odds that I would run into you tonight?"

His grin widened and his teeth gleamed in moonlight. "Bad luck?" Cian Kai charged forward and threw himself into a spin, bringing Elisedd's handaxe towards the shark-man's neck. But Elisedd brought up his arm and moved himself forward, catching the handle of the axe in his hand and moving himself forward enough that the axe head was just behind him. Just as Cian had expected. Still moving with the full force of his spin, his fist connected to the side of Elisedd's face, sending Elisedd stumbling backward and grabbing his mouth. He came to a halt and spit blood. "Predictable, shark boy. You're not stopping me from getting off these damn isles tonight, Eli." Before giving Elisedd a chance to say or do anything else, Cian brought the axe back behind him and threw it with full force and deadly accuracy at his chest.

He didn't bother to watch the results of his efforts, but spun around and ran for the cover of the trees, sure to keep as far from the water as possible. He heard a body fall into the water behind him, but didn't presume so much as to think he had killed Elisedd. An arrow whizzed past him, embedding itself into a tree trunk, then Cian vanished into cover, in tow of a group of three other runners from Slabhra. They were now in a mad dash for the finish, their only chance for survival was to get to the northern tip of this island. None of them bothered saying a word to the others. They all knew the stakes and they all valued their own survival over anyone elses. Cian was content to let them lead the way, and so maintained pace a couple yards back.

This tact proved wise, as one of the runners triggered a spike-trap which spun around the wide trunk of a tree and impaled the man directly behind him, lifting him off his feet and leaving him hanging and gurgling helplessly. Then wolf howls rose up through the night air, and the crashing of brush and patter of padded feet built from the left. Cian picked up the pace, his long legs bringing him up just behind his two fellow runners, who were panting for breath. With a swift kick to back of ones' knee in midstride, he brought the man to the ground, rolling in a cloud of dust. The other man didn't protest as the wolves broke through the brush and came into sight. Two descended upon the fallen criminal and brought their teeth to his throat, the other two wolves were not fooled and charged on after the two runners.

Cian could see a break in the trees and the northern tip of the isle. There were four rowboats waiting on the beach. The other man had seen it too, and he tried to use a trick out of Cian's own arsenal, aiming for his knee to bring him down as a distraction, but instead Cian grabbed the man's ankle and spun him through the air like a ragdoll, bringing him around to collide him with a leaping wolf, then let go and wolf and man crashed into a tree trunk. The other wolf lunged, but Cian already knew the ways of a beast. He dropped below the creature, then gripped its' throat with fingers like an iron vise, brought it down to the ground and jumped on top of it, throwing a heavy fist down again and again into it's skull, until warm fluids and chunks of brain matter dribbled down on the fingers that held it by the throat. The other wolf and man were still fighting eachother, the wolf getting the better, but Cian paid their conflict no mind and broke back into a full sprint.

Leaves whirled through the air about him as he broke through the last of the trees. The boats were only twenty yards away now, he could taste the freedom. Shouting of men came from his right, and a group of four more runners emerged from the trees. They spotted him as well, but gave no acknowledgement beyond that. Nothing mattered right now except for getting to those boats, until then it was every man for himself. Cian kept running, finally getting winded now, and the group of four merged with him. Several arrows flew through the air, bringing down two of the men instantly and one finding its way into Cian's right shoulder. He grunted in disapproval at it, but otherwise didn't slow down a bit. One of the other runners got to a boat before he did, and pushed it out onto the water, but just as he made to jump into it a mako rose from the waves and shut its jaws around the mans' throat, sundering head from shoulders.

In a second or less, the mako was a man with his face covered in the blood of his last victim, whose head was now lolling lazily in the waves that lapped at the beach. His axe was in his hand, and with his other he flung his long black hair out of his face. Cian slowed his run to barely a jog, and the other runner collided in a grapple with Elisedd. The winded runner didn't last long though, before Elisedd had him on his knees holding his own crotch, then brought his axe down into the nape of his neck.

Ever an opportunist, Cian Kai barrelled forward and then jumped feet-first in a dropkick at Elisedd, which flung the shark-man back out into the waves. Cian regained his feet as quickly as he could, three more arrows flying over his head while he tried to stay low. He heard more fighting behind him, by the tree line, which was surely where the arrows had come from, but didn't look back. He gave the rowboat a final push out into the water and flipped himself inside it. Only then, as he grabbed the oars and sat in position to begin rowing, did he look back. Two more runners had made it to the beach, jumping over several bodies bleeding out in the sand with arrows stuck in their backs, screaming at him to stop and let them on.

He grinned to show his massive pearly whites at them, and picked up his pace, tendons rippling in his shoulders, an arrow still stuck in his right. One of them went down from an arrow in the spine, and the other stopped and stared like a fool for a moment at Cian, before that damn mako sprouted up from the water and ripped out his throat. Elisedd shifted back into a man and turned to face Cian, now several yards from shore, but made no move to pursue him any further. No other runners came out of the trees, only hunters and beasts shifting back into men, come to see the one that got away, Cian Kai. Cian's signature grin spread wide across his face. He finally stopped rowing and tore the arrow out of his shoulder, discarding it into the water, then picked the oars back up. Today was the day.

After having passed over a variety of landscapes, finally the two airborne Hunters were gliding swiftly over a plains region, a mountain range now visible to the South. Growing close enough for his hawk-eyes to pick it out, Lenwë saw the lone mountain that served as the heart of the USN's massive capital, Shadopolis. Although he could have simply soared over the walls, possibly at the risk of being shot down, the great black hawk with vibrantly glowing green eyes instead slowed his speed and fell into a gentle dive.
Ninian followed suit, requiring no guidance on how she ought to behave now that they were so near. Although Lenwë did not betray his thoughts to his companion, he was baffled at the sheer scope of the widespread city. Already the sounds of mass civilization buffeted his keen ears, he was sure Ninian would be experiencing the same feeling of being overwhelmed as he was now. Population centers on the scale of Shadopolis were unheard of in the Commonwealth, and while Lenwë had travelled and seen cities in his hundred and forty years, it had been quite some time since he had exposed himself to civilization outside of his forested homeland.
Two guards were in sight outside of the main gates of the castle, whom he suspected were there to meet and escort them to the First Trimonarch, Weilacca. Now only a few yards off of the ground, possibly moving a little too quickly for the comfort of the two guards, Lenwë allowed the shift back into his Elven form to begin. His wide nine foot wingspan shrunk and shed jet-black feathers, revealing his almost deathly grey skin tone. His talons receded into him as the bones gained density and length, changing into bare feet at the end of ankles that snapped into place. The rest of his feathers shed from his torso, and his beak crumpled down and back into his face, soft flesh moving to take its place and forming into lips. A dark grey, almost black cloak materialized as if from smoke and fell down over his otherwise nude body, his only article of clothing.
Ninian's transformation was similar, although she was more clothed than her Avatar. Tan leathers that had seen many a hunt and a dusty brown cloak covered her heavily tattooed body, and her dark brown hair flailed wildly for a moment as she fell all the way to the ground and the gusts of her now vanished wings receded. Lenwë stepped forward slowly, and greeted them in the common language, "I am Lenwë, Avatar of Adharc'aon, come from the Artabraic Commonwealth on a mission of diplomacy and trade talks. I do believe your master is expecting me?" He spoke as he did purely as a formality, he was sure they knew he was coming and had been waiting specifically for their arrival.
Even as the guards made reply, Lenwë had begun regrowing the signature bark-armor that he covered his feet, legs, and hands with. It was a rather slow process, but small shoots like roots were already stretching down his legs and working to cover his otherwise bare feet. While he was covered by the cloak he donned, his feet were slightly visible, especially when he moved or a breeze displaced the frayed bottom of his garment. Green and brown tendrils slowly were stretching down from his forearm as well, but he did not allow it to form armor proper, as that might be taken as an afront. This was only a diplomatic visit, afterall, and if he looked too on guard the Trimonarchs may interpret it in the wrong way.

Lenwë tried to hide the surprise he felt at the informality of the Shadonian Emperor, but a momentary lapse of his demeanor betrayed his emotions for no more than a second. Ninian suppressed a chuckle, and then tried to casually examine the Deity in the room. Unfortunately, her expertise at acting casual in social situations was extraordinarily low, so she was more staring at Montayzuomah than politely glancing. Lenwë delivered a quick mental jab to her, not conveying any words but it was good enough for her to get the message. She averted her gaze and scanned the room, quickly taking in the features of the two Trimonarchs present.
Lenwë had felt similar surprise at the presence of the God of Suffering quite simply and casually hovering next to where Weilacca had been sitting, but he had more control over himself than the young hawk-girl that had accompanied him. Lenwë smiled politely at the greeting of the Emperor and the single Elven word he had used.
"Of course, the common tongue is the one normally used in the Commonwealth as my people do not solely share one lineage." This would help to explain why the Avatar of the Hunt was an Elf, while Ninian was a pale human sharing features in common with many of the Frost-born much further to the North. "Unfortunately, my knowledge of your language is restricted to a bare minimum. I have only ever passed through your United Nations en route to the Black Forest."

Lenwë had heard tell of the strange differences of the Shadonian people from Hunters who had managed to get close enough to see the details of their deep red eyes and unnaturally shiny teeth, but this was the first time he had really seen up close for himself. Since Lenwë's glowing green eyes lacked any iris or pupils he could let his gaze drift where he pleased without others knowing for certain whether it was them he was looking at or not.
Ninian did not share in Lenwë's strange eye coloration, and so it was painfully obvious that she was blatantly staring at Weilacca's metallic smile. Lenwë threw another mental jab her way, simultaneously continuing with pleasantries with his hosts, "It is an honor to meet you both. In our flight I was baffled at the sheer size of your country, you must have half the total population of the Commonwealth in this city alone." Moving behind the seat designated by the Emperor, and beckoning for Ninian to follow suit, he introduced them before sitting down.
"I am Lenwë, Avatar of the Hunt, and my companion here is Ninian Folte, member of my countries governing body."
Ninian gave a short, sloppy curtsy, to the best of her ability, "Honored." She replied shortly with her face down-turned, then took her seat next to Lenwë. Speaking in the manners of civilized folk had always been bizarre to Lenwë, even with practice, and small talk came to him with great difficulty. He could only imagine at how much more difficult such things were for Ninian.
"As you are aware, I had requested this meet in order to solidify trading agreements between our nations. Our harvest was plentiful this year, and tradesmen in the Commonwealth are anxious to see Shadonian ships make port in Cathair-sa-Chuan. In addition, the recent warning," he glanced up at Montayzuomah, then back to the two trimonarchs, "has given me cause to seek out additional military alliances. The dryads between our nations only ever promise neutrality, and whatever this coming threat is, we need a Southern ally we can rely on."

"They aren't what I expected." came Ninian's projected thought into Lenwë's mind. She could have been reading his own unspoken words. He wasn't sure whether he was being insulted by the young Payemyndii noble or if it was just how these people commonly spoke. Chances were that Patraeko was trying to goad him into taking offence, as a means of weighing Lenwë's character. But he was determined to make these talks work out in the favor of the Artabraic people, if it meant taking insults even, he wouldn't act out against it.
He had expected Montayzuomah, for a split second, to strike down his young mortal lord. These Shadonians seemed full of surprises though. But then he felt a sense of relief, hearing that even the arrogant Lord Payemyndii saw merit in forming a military alliance.
"I am pleased that we see a military alliance as mutually beneficial, but I have reservations in regards to a land-based trade route." He shifted in his seat and leaned forward a bit, careful to maintain a composed demeanor and not to cause insult to the Payemyndii, "There are no safe, monitored, or regularly patrolled roads from here to the Commonwealth. Such a route would take merchants and goods along the borders of the Outlands and the Drow Dominion." The Outlands was full of brigands and cutthroats, such was common knowledge, and the Drow typically took unkindly to trespassers. He wasn't sure whether he should tell Patraeko and Weilacca about the increase in activity of the insect denizens of the Dominion near the borders. It was possible they already knew anyway.
"While I am a leader of my people, the Artabri do not function like yours. They are free to make their own decisions, that is the foundation of our ideology. I could not force them to establish outposts outside of Artabraic borders in order to safeguard this trading road." He let his words weigh on the room, expressing no further argument for the moment, waiting for a counter from either of the nobles across the triangular table.

Taking in stride the behavior of both the Payemyndii and the insult-cut-short of the now un-present Deity, Lenwë carried on as if neither thing had happened. "It is quite alright, we all have our beginnings." He gracefully lifted his hands as if wiping away Patraeko's outburst from memory. "Regardless of reasons, I do agree that war is the last thing needed in our lands at present. Whatever the danger on the horizon that has been foretold actually is, we should try and be prepared for it. War would be a distraction from this."
Finally sitting back and really relaxing for the first time since he arrived, Lenwë folded his hands in front of him on the table. While his manner appeared calm and relieved of worry, he was now brooding to himself while carrying on the conversation. "The Commonwealth has a variety of natural resources at our disposal; lumber, in abundance, crops of corn, wheat, and hops in plenty, among with several other choice harvests, but not in the same quantities." The interrupted comment of the God of Suffering troubled him, but he tried not to show any misgivings. "In addition, Artabraic Hunters never quit in their work, and we can provide all the animal products you could ask for. Leathers and furs for the coming winter would, naturally, be a prime example. Also, our mountain ranges and the cliff-sides of the Déithamach Peninsula are rich in iron ores and precious metals."
He shrugged more to himself than anyone else, carrying on, "Given our proposed military alliance and exchange of military forces, I'm sure that my merchants could be persuaded to provide yours with favorable bargains and priority considerations. In exchange we would be interested in higher quality weapons, as well as siege weaponry, just to be prepared for anything. Also, most of our cities and settlements are of crudely built and wooden quality. If you have stone building tools, and possibly also masons willing to travel to the Commonwealth, we would be interested in such things."
"An exchange of garrisons would be beneficial, I am certain that I can gather a substantial number of Artabri toward this cause. Once they have been decided, I will send word to you, followed shortly by the Hunters themselves. Do you have a specific post already in mind, or an idea of what they will most typically be faced against? Depending on the environment and potential enemies, I could recommend Artabri with different specialties."

---

Weilacca smiled with the offers, "Lumber and crops are exactly what we need, along with leathers and furs as well." He commented, followed by Patraeko's words;
"My people excel in weapons production, we can easily supply you with the general Shadonian weaponry which include cannons, muskets, and close combat weaponry like swords and spears. We also build trebuchets, catapults, warships and have a small prototype of a new weapon in production."
"As for your ores, I'm afraid that we aren't in need of these. Our own mines in the Metle and Skeel sectors have a great abundance in iron and copper ores." Weilacca added, "If you need masons and architects to assist in your buildings, we'd be happy to send some. Some of our trade ships can be loaded with eager workers seeking to immigrate into your lands. There, they can work and teach."
Patraeko finally commented on the garrison exchange, "Your garrisons would be thinly spread throughout the USN at first to show the integration of foreign military. We don't want any major threat or fear to reach the people so it's easier to slowly bring them in. After a good time of the garrison exchange programme, your garrisons would be gathered together for usual guard duty in some sectors, along with policing and training of rookies. Of course, we would contact you for permission on using your troops in war should one break out. We're happy to receive any specialty and also offer a range of specialties of our own guards. Wall marksmen, brutes, riders, line infantry, dragoons. The list goes on."

---

[center]Lenwë raised an eyebrow at Patraeko's mention of the prototype weapon, but held his silence on the matter, respecting that it was likely a guarded secret. If the time came, perhaps that information would find its' way to his Elven ears. "Your weapons would be gladly accepted. Cannons could be implemented to defend our city walls, as well as muskets. Unfortunately, your warships may be lost on us, as we have no conventional Navy." Lenwë considered Weilacca's words. It was unfortunate that the Shadonians would have no demand for their metal ores, but not too large an issue.
"Housing can be provided for immigration at short notice, our capital city is vast as well and capable of providing residence to large amounts of people. Your architects might be particularly interested in the Dwarven design of our capital. It is ancient, and some sections of it are in some state of disrepair, however we have been hesitant in tasking any workers to restore it for fear that they may cause more harm than good. Your workers would be well taken care of."
He replied now directly to Patraeko, "The workings of the exchange programme in the USN can be handled at the discretion of you Trimonarchs. A slow integration sounds practical, but I could immediately set to task several thousand Shadonian troops. Your garrisons would likely be placed on or near our border to the Dominion, and perhaps nearby our main population centers. My people tend to specialize in non-conventional warfare, with a heavy tendency for stealth and guerilla tactics, so your more standard soldiers would be a valuable asset to us if we ever had to hold the line against numerous forces. In addition, they would be perfect for policing and patrolling our border. In time, perhaps your officers could instruct the Artabri in conventional rank and file warfare, if my people see learning such tactics to be worthwhile."
"Not likely." Ninian sent her snide thought on the idea of standing in formation and taking barked orders to Lenwë, with a momentary cringing of her nose coming over her, as if something smelled foul. Lenwë quickly subdued her with a thought, then continued to address Weilacca, "If there is nothing further, perhaps we should finalize our agreements, and then I will set myself to task. Merchants and hunters will have to be informed of these good tidings, and the sooner I return to the Commonwealth, the sooner trade and military exchange can take place."

Lenwë pursed his lips and shook his head after a second of consideration. "I think not." Rising to his feet, and tucking the chair back in place, signaling for Ninian to follow suit. "I am pleased that we have been so easily able to negotiate on these issues, and I thank you, Emperor Vladaminsky and Lord Payemyndii, for the kind hospitality." Giving a gracious, swooping bow, and Ninian sloppily doing the same.