Book 50 -- CI's Farewell Party
by Cy Borg

Guttering fires cast a crimson glow on acrid smoke hanging thick in the
air. Temple defenders lay scattered across the floor, their bleeding forms
furthering the illusion of the room awash in a sea of blood. In the middle
of it all, adding another notch to haft of his warhammer, stood Simon
Perdition organizer of this attack on a Kellen sanctuary. The mighty dwarf
did not stand alone, many had answered his call to arms.

Sabbat's Eve was there. As were some that had suffered defeat at the hands
of a Kellen worshippers while defending the temple of Canaar. Even a few
that could not resist the lure of a good fight. But they had one goal in
common. To honor the memory of a fallen comrade, friend and for some
Exemplar, Canaar's Inquisitor. Numbered amongst the later was Cy Borgg, a
former Kellen worshipper who now followed the path of Canaar. Looking out
at the battle's aftermath he stared at the sanctum turned charnel pit.

Incredibly destructive forces were needed and unleashed in the assault.
Spearwomen, Human Warriors, Mercenary Giant and Ivory Battle Statue warded
the Temple that day. But one by one they fell until, at the last, the
graceful Battle Statue was scorched and shattered. Nothing escaped a
measure of damage. Even the huge carving of Kellen towering behind the
altar was pockmarked by magical blasts. It was in this place that Cy first
received instruction into the way of the warrior. Now he stood, silently
contemplating the marred visage of his former god, as blood of temple
defenders dripped from his blade.

A softly voiced "Regrets?" and gentle caress rouses Cy from his thoughts.
Slowly his gaze was drawn to the compelling eyes of Kamara Bane, friend,
lover and newly chosen exemplar to his god Canaar. To his silence her tone
becomes more insistent, "Misgivings are unwarranted, this retribution is
well justified. Was our place of worship not sacked by one of these? We did
not begin this affair."

Involuntarily Cy's thoughts draw back to a very different battle. Inflamed
by the zealous crusading of a Kellen follower some 'good' warriors of Antar
marched against Canaar's Temple and put it to the torch. Neither his
efforts, nor any that took arms in defense gave pause to the foe. Not
excluding Canaar's champion and former Exemplar Canaar's Inquisitor. Even
now he could hear CI's fiery vows of vengeance echoing down charred halls
of their ruined Temple. Vows that seemed doomed, as it was her fate to die
soon afterward in a duel of honor.

"Some sadness, perhaps regret" came the response "In the clash of steel...
at times I hear Kellen's voice... calling...". Unwilling to bear the
intensity of Kymara's stare Cy returns to surveying the battle's aftermath,
"...but moreso my thoughts dwell on CI. The contest was fairly fought
between her and Zinda, but to loose our best in such manner is difficult to
accept.

I think she would smile at this honoring of her memory. Our retaliatory
raid exacts the retribution she promised. What colorful words would defeat
of these... Kellen Weenies, as she called them, have inspired?" Pausing for
a moment Cy again locks gazes with Kymara, "Tell me new Exemplar for Canaar
what word would you use to describe your predecessor?"

The answer came without hesitation, "Devout! Her dedication to Canaar was
irrefutable." Pondering for a moment Cy responds, "No, not devout". Smiling
while raising his hands in mock warding against the blistering retort
forming on Kymara's lips, "I do not gainsay her piety. Yet it was more than
that. The word I was thinking of was resolute. For most of us life is a
series of compromises. Bits and pieces of our passions and ideals are
bartered away for gold or favors or sadly because we lack the will to
defend them. CI's fortitude was unwavering in all matters. She went to the
grave with spirit undiminished. I wonder how many could claim that
distinction?"

The commanding voice of Simon cuts short further debate, "One thing
remains, a last tribute, then we take our leave of this place." Retrieving
paintbrushes from his pack he dips one in the blood of the fallen and
paints upon a wall 'CI's spirit lives on'. Others join in leaving messages
of their own devising.

Refusing a proffered brush Cy tears free a cloak from one of the fallen to
meticulously clean his gore-encrusted blade until it shines unsullied once
more. Then weapon and warrior move as one. The gleaming sword is raised
towards the heavens in salute before he bows low, first to Kellen's battle
scarred image, then to the wall bearing epitaphs to his former Exemplar.
Carefully placing his sword beneath the blood-inscribed messages Cy turns
and walks away without a backward glance.

The End

Back to The Library

 Create your own free wiki!Support CommunityPublic, not yet premium Privacy Policy RSS