User:Salome/Deathbane/Prologue

Prologue
An arid wind blew through the twisted plains of the once fertile fields of Ascalon. It’s pockmarked vista marking the graveyard of an empire. The only sound to disturb the night was the woman’s slow steady breath and the soft tread of her footfalls as she ran through the once verdant valley. A desolate cry echoed from the tattered ruins of a deserted fishing village.

It was gaining on her.

Silently gliding through the battered landscape, she picked up her faltering pace yet again. In three days and nights of restless pursuit, she had felt nothing but the ever-present malice of her mysterious predator. In that time she had encountered no other life, even the cursed creatures which called this blasted terrain their home, sensed the evil and power of that which hunted her and she knew that for the first time in her life, she was truly terrified of a foe. A slow mournful sound emanated once again from behind her, this time far closer than that of the ruined shells of habitation in which she had last placed it. The lights of Fort Ranik shone tantalizingly ahead of her. The drawbridge lay open, beckoning to her, she was finally almost there. She thanked Melandru that the way appeared clear.

Tattered remnants of thought slipped through her consciousness as she ran, like butterfly wings in flame, for a moment tantalizing clear and bright and then just as quickly gone to ash. Over the course of her arduous flight for home and sanctuary, she had thought of her loved ones increasingly, the desire to see them again had been the only thing to keep her going these past days. Talin’s face, his gentle eyes and patient demeanour betraying the keen and ferocious warrior which lay beneath; Her sister Ignis, who had always been intrigued by all knowledge and had left in pursuit of a greater understanding of the world in which she lived; her lover Ardan, the young nobleman who had captivated her heart before she had any concept of war or strife, her best friends Keana and Regina; Keana, who’s compassionate and caring nature had carried through to adulthood despite the horrors of her past and Regina, her sister in everything but name, She still could not bare that memory, the pain was still too new; but she knew that one day she would make her pursuer pay in blood for Regina.

The moan echoed again, no longer in pursuit but now keeping pace. A deeper shadow detached itself from the undergrowth, slowly materializing into the form of a demonic black beast, and glided towards her. Refuge, so agonizingly close but yet out of reach, she knew she would not be able to outrun her assailant now. A sudden brightening of the deadened night behind her was all that warned her of the bolt of energy hurtling towards her back. Throwing herself to her side, she rolled coming up on her feet, barely breaking stride. Where she had stood before, a smoking crater now took its place, where the lightning strike had hit. Fishing two of her many hunting blades from her belt she whirled to meet her attacker, the blades releasing from her hands in unison and in one smooth motion. A moment’s hope bloomed in her heart as she saw the first blade bury itself deep into the demonic beast's chest. It crumpled to the ground, its form quickly turning to dust, leaving her blackened blade to rest where it had fallen.

A blue light shimmered as the second blade fell harmlessly to the floor a span from her attacker. Seamlessly drawing her bow she drew several arrows, sticking them in the dry ground at her feet. Drawing the taut bow string to her ear she let loose with her first volley, the second and third following while the first was still in flight. The blue shimmer of energy sparked again, the arrows falling uselessly to the ground.

Her assailant advanced upon her, no longer running, instead casually strolling towards her. He knew she intended to run no more. She took the time to weigh and measure her opponent. Tall and slim, he walked with an inhuman grace that gave him an sibilant quality. This impression being echoed again by his somewhat serpentine features, which his onyx coloured robes failed to conceal completely. It was however the twin bladed black sword the demon wielded which held her attention most firmly. She had heard of the vicious blades in legend alone, Shadow Blades; wielded by the demons of the dead.

A hollow voice emanated from the dark recesses of her attackers cowl

''“At last you have ceased with this most foolish affair. Did you really think I would allow you to reach sanctuary? You have obligingly led me to that which I was seeking, an isolated fort. My forces are in need of some recreation and the inhabitants will make fine additions to my army. You however shall have the honour of being the first of your kind to enter my service.”''

The very night itself seemed to have been given form within the deep obsidian intensity of his blade. A silver light crackled up its length. A fleeting thought of Regina was all she could hold on to and was all she needed to try one last tact.

The lightning strike flew from the tip of the blade. With all her strength she threw herself to one side. The impact of the strike sent her hurtling backwards. Her shoulder had caught the blow. Her left arm was broken and she felt her strength ebb. The pain pulled at her, calling her to oblivion, but she resolutely and stubbornly staggered to her feet.

Looking her nemesis in the face, she spat at him

''“Do you think I or any of my people would ever join you? We would rather die first!”''

''“That was exactly my intention, as the dead have no dominion for whom they serve, however it seems a waste to kill you so quickly, maybe I should make you scream before you die? I doubt you’ll sound as pretty as your friend did, while I gutted her, but it might be enjoyable none the less.”''

The answering surge of light took him by surprise. The smite spell was all that she had the strength left to try and she prayed to the gods that it would be enough.

Her vision blurred from the sudden light, she turned on her heel and ran. The yell of primal fury and frustration behind her disillusioned her of any hope that she had vanquished her foe.

“You will beg for death!”

A lance of flame shot by her to one side, followed shortly by a ball of lightning on the other side. She realized that the flash of her spell must have blinded him also, but she knew it wouldn’t last long.

Her strength ebbing and the pain of her shoulder, both threatened to bring darkness to her world. The swimming lights of the fort called to her and she could feel the warmth of them bathe her upturned face.

“Hail, for the love of Dwayna, Hail”

The guards answering cry heartened her

“Who goes there?”

“Salome Ri….”

A tremendous blast into her back sent her cart-wheeling forward, agony seared through her body, the night seemed to advance in on her and she felt herself slowly losing her tenuous grip on consciousness.

The supple form of Sable, her old companion, bounded out of the gates to meet her; she had regretted leaving him behind for this mission but was thankful that he had been spared these last days flight, the occasional glint of moonlight on his raven-black pelt comforted her.

The gatekeeper ran to her side…

“They… are coming…”

The answering look of incomprehension was the last thing she saw before darkness overtook her.