Hello dear friends
I'm back with the promised
comeback special, I've gone back and restart The Twilight War, a story that
start in obscurity three months ago. I've made it my goal to make it stand
alone, so you don't have to have read the first four stories that precede it.
Please take a look and tell me if it's working, if not well it's your loss
:)
Cilia
p.s. this is sent in HTML so I'm sorry if it's a bit
screwy...
The Twilight War
Cilia
Prologue: On Dark Wings He Comes
There was a gloom that hung over the dukedom of Larken, the darkness of the night seemed heavier and the days were grey and damp with rain coming in across the plains from the Trader?s Coast. Alone in her tower, sitting inher over stuffed chair and gently turning the pages of one of her ancient tomessat Willow Rosenberg, master mage, chairman of the alliance council and mother of a daughter she?d never seen. The years had flown from her when the threat of the on-coming war became apparent even to the ever-bickering noble houses. A thick woolen blanket was trapped over her thin white robes and her red and goldenhair glowed as the light from the fire burning in the hearth reflected of it.
Lending her mind wander back down and out, she found General Tark Dragon, leader of men and a fierce soldier for the cause of goodness and the Alliance. A dark elf, with a legendary reputation for obtaining victories and a sharp mind that knew few equals. The drow general that had lead the surface elf armiesat Necris, aided in the search for the Heart of Darkness, traveled to the Isleof Ages and perhaps most importantly of all had mentored the elf maiden Litni Speed in the arts of war. He was in his tent among the common soldiers, he was the man that much would hinge upon in the coming days, and it was this man Willow entrusted her wife?s safety too. She saw his sharp elfin features and glowing red eyes when he turned around to face her projected-self, so she took her leave. The man was perhaps a bit more than just a soldier, but Willow paused long enough to give the drow girl that stood outside his tent a gentle push inside. The girl was Tare, her hair shimmering blue in the moonlight and her dark blue eyes darting between the passing guards and the tent?s flap, she was tall for a drow, carried with her carefully concealed regal air and perhapsmore endowed than an elf had a right to be. She?d been a serving maiden at theRose?s Honor, but had taken up her bow in defense of her homeland. She had traveled in the search of the Heart and was perhaps more importantly, a friend of the now distant Litni Speed. Still what made her important to Tark was her connection with his lost love, Xare, a brave woman who had died at the battle of Necris and for whom Tark still secretly mourned, but although Willow would have loved to play matchmaker a little while longer, more important issues pressed upon her mind, so she hoped that her gentle nudge would be enough to set things in motion.
Again she let her mind wander this time across the great mountainsin the north and into the Valley of Sun, settling upon another important figure, her name was Litni Speed she was the Champion of the Elves and a sign of thingsto come, short and with hair that flowed like streams of pure gold, she was everything one would expect an elf to look like, with tilted, almond shaped, blue eyes that shone with aninner light and smooth features that made women envious and turned men?s heads.She traveled in the company of two young people of her age, Poet a young Shadow, the very race that now threatened peace in the Realms and Light his sister, both dark as the night sky, a flickering shadow or scorched wood. Poet had once been the enemy until Litni had saved him from the Heart?s influence and helpedhim find his true path, Light was an enigma to Willow, a young thief that showed great promise to the mage even at this great distance. The group of young heroes had found themselves in the house of Al?x Sun, tall and dark, an old friend that had founded his own kingdom in the faraway valley. Then Willow felt the presence of another mind on hers, it was strong, as strong as hers, it was Lady Joyce Sun, the avatar of Fire and perhaps the most feared being ever to walk the Realms. The touch lingered only for a moment before Joyce?s mind left herwith a smile. The Avatar had often consoled Willow in times of troubles and Willow suspected that the near immortal woman knew far more than she let on.
Opening her eyes once again Willow found herself in her overstuffed chair, but this time looking into the blue eyes of her companion and wife. The eyes still shone with that same energy she?d seen when they had meet on the steps of the school all those years ago and the blond brown hair was gathered in a perfect braid that hung over the woman?s shoulder. Elisabeth ?Buffy? Summers, General of the Roses or simply the Slayer, stood before her with a puzzled look on her fine features. While wearing only her dark uniform she made it look striking, but what concerned Willow most was that she was blocking the light from the hearth.
?Willow?? she asked.
?Yes,? Willow answered, with a lazy smile.
?Taking a trip?? she asked, as she sat herself down on the armrest of the chair and wrapped her strong arms around her wife.
?Just a short one,? Willow answered with a content sigh as she pulled the dark clad general onto her lap.
?We?re ready to move out,? Buffy said. ?I just came back from the meeting of the generals,? she explained. ?I could stay,? she stated as she looked deep into Willow?s eyes.
?No,? Willow said a little too harshly, so it made Buffy recoil.?No,?
she said again a little more softly. ?You are needed at Necris,? she explained.
?You and Tark are the only ones that can defend the city and win,? she said
firmly.
?But Stjar?a and Cordy?? Buffy said referring to the Drow Princess
Stjar?a and the Ranger Knight Cordelia Moondancer, friends of old that had
played an important role ten years ago at Necris. They were the strangest pair a
drow elf princess raised by moon elves their hated enemies and a human Ranger
Knight with all the powers of the ancients flowing through her veins. Theirlove
was strong though and had survived society?s frown and the strain of Cordelia?s
prolonged travels as a ranger.
?They will be there, but neither of them are military leaders, the city needs to be defended? at all costs? Willow explained.?It?s the birthplace of the Alliance and it must be held at all costs,? she stated firmly.
?I know, but I still don?t like leaving your side again,? Buffy said with a concern look. The memories of the battle for Necris still fresh in her memory, when she?d not been able to save her wife. Theimage of Willow?s tattered robes sticking from underneath the rubble of the collapsed dome of the royal palace of Necris flashed before her minds eye, but she pushed it back with all her strength.
?It won?t be for long,? Willow said with a smile, as she stood up with Buffy in her arms.
?This is new,? Buffy commented with a smile, as she looked down at the floor.
?Small spell,? Willow said with a silly grin that should
have been by all measures unfitting a woman of her standing, but somehow it
seemed right. ?Just before I carry you off, promise me that you won?t get
cocky?? she asked.
?Right now I?d promise to return with the Shadow Prince?s head,? Buffy
said with a smiled as she kissed the corners of her wife?s gold painted lips.
That ended that argument of course, but something deep inside Willow?s rational
mind tugged hard, some piece of the puzzle she?d forgotten, but Buffy?sgentle
touches quickly drew the thought away.
* * * * *
Deep inside the Tower, where the Heart of Darkness had once rested, a tall man rose from his throne. He was easily the height of a barbarian fromthe western mountains, but his frame was a thin and muscular, his white eyes glowed, but the glow wasn?t a warm one it was cold and menacing, his jet black hair fell back down his back and a thin golden crown adorned his head. His face was regal and kingly, handsome even, if not for the golden tattoos on his cheeks and forehead. He was the absolute ruler of his people now, the Shadow Prince, selected by the Council of Priests to lead them into glorious battle against the lesser races of the land. The war was coming and he intended to make his name known throughout the civilized lands, his first goal was clear, the city of Necris and its legendary defender General Elisabeth Summers, the Slayer. Spreading his wings, a gift from the gods, he looked out over his gathered generals. Crushing the pale human girl would prove most enjoyable indeed.
To Be Continued...
In the next chapter of Cilia's Twilight War: Litni has
a change of heart and June, you remember the time lost daugther of our favorite
couple don't you, well she gets lost
again.