To Save a Soul. 24

Late after the midnight hour four figures flew through the quiet night. There's was a mission to save a dead man. A man that had died long ago and committed much evil in his time. But that was a different time. And the soul they sought to save had spent century's being torture by his deeds. He never believed it, but it was true. There was no rest for the wicked. The soul was that of Baron Valkar. The first lord of the living dead. He was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, the beginning of a race with a very bloody and arrogant streak. The vampire thought they were to be the master race and everyone should serve them by right of power. This theory Baron Valkar instilled into them from the beginning. It was passed on to him by his master, the one that made him. He was told to go out and make the world hers. And he did as he was told. For years they hunted the innocents as they were hunted. They created the werewolves to serve them as slaves. And this went on until they had there own lands. Yadessa, home of the night walkers. Ruled by the Zlenka line. Baron Valkar ruled aggressively for hundreds of years by magic and blood. No man could come anywhere near Yadessa without being hunted by vampire or werewolves. His end came at the end of the Vampire/Werewolf war at the hands of the lead werewolf, his enemy. Azeal Tyr, a descendant of Jandar. Being the cruel man he was, Valkar started the war himself. He killed Azeal's son without a care like the boy was a bug in his way. That was the last insult for a slave race. No longer would they bow to oppressors or be used by them. Azeal gathered his people and fought back. They took the war to the vampires and for many years battled on. In the end Valkar was betrayed and trapped by Azeal. Bought back to the Castle were it all started. The Baron was put to death in a way that befitted his rank. The stake, the sword and fire. He was chained down with silver, then staked in the heart, beheaded and burned. That was the end of Baron Valkar Zlenka. Everyone thought the soul would burn in Hell for his evil, and they were right. Baron Valkar was sentenced to the fiery pits in the underworld where he was beaten, bitten and burned for centuries at night by his victims. He felt werewolves set him ablaze every night in his hell. He learned remorse the hard way. It wasn't sorrow for his lot. He generally was really sorry for his acts. He had been watching his descendant King Valkar, his namesake. What a good man he was. The Baron learned love from afar. He also saw the change come in his people and was glad they got to overcome his influence. Now he had a chance to do good himself, to help his great, great, great,great grandson against the same evil that corrupted him. Muerte and her evil. This time he wouldn't fail. With help he could save Valkar, his people and maybe his soul. But he had to be free to do it.
That's where Eheren came in. Eheren had to find a way to free him from her with only the Barons word to go on and his magic. The knowledge of who she was, was denied him. Eheren would have to learn what he could on his own.
As they flew Tanis was lost in thoughts. He had many questions he wanted to ask, but he didn't know how to broach the subject. Would the questions upset Eheren?
[Only if you don't ask them.] He heard in his head. He was startled that Eheren had heard him.[Your riding on my back.] Eheren told him... [ I cant help but hear. Ask your questions.]
"Why are you helping the most evil man in Yadessian history?"
[Yes, the Baron is thought of that way. But can't centuries of torture in his hell pay for his deeds? When is he to be put to rest? A thousand more years? I can see his pain and I feel its time to let it go. He wants redemption. Who has the right to deny him his peace? You? King Valkar?"
" But he killed thousands!" Tanis said.
" And how many has Balthazar killed? Hundreds?" Kalin Ka asked riding next to him on Denner's back. " Maybe more, and for what? Power just like the Baron."
Tanis's face went white in embarrassment. He had stood at his fathers stand and watched him kill. He felt the guilt burning in him.
[ Don't you think both Valkar feels that guilt too?] Eheren pointed out. [He deserves to rest and I know this will help both the Valkars and your people. So tell me to turn back and we will. What's it to be? You decide.]
Tanis sat back and thought about Eheren's words. He know if he could save just one of his fathers victims, he would. How could he deny the Baron the chance to make up for his sins. After all, isn't that his quest to?
" You have my support." He told the dragon under him. " No more stupid questions."
[The only stupid question, is the one not asked.] Eheren said. [Never be afraid to ask any of us a question. Were only glad to answer.]
" Then where are we off to?" He asked.
[As far as I know. there's only two ways to capture or free a soul.] Eheren told them.
" I know another." Kalin said. " Trade lives."
" What do you mean?" Tanis asked.
"It's a sacrifice." He said. " One gives his life for the other."
[That's a pretty drastic act.] Denner said. [I hope it doesn't come to that.]
[ So do I.] Eheren told them. [As a spirit, I was lucky Shine chose me.]
" You were a spirit?" Tanis asked. He was intrigued by their stories and wanted to hear more.
[ I've been through many changes in my life.] Eheren said.[But that's not why were here. Back to how we save the Baron. There are powerful spells that could free him and release his soul to move on.]
Flying next to Eheren in the guise of a great gryphon, Denner listened to their conversation. He know of some of Eherens life. Things that happened before Shine merged with Eheren. And he learned more from Rage and Jandar. He had trust in Eheren as he now called himself. He even saved Shines life once. Now he followed him on this mission, ready to help in anyway he could.[ What books?} Denner asked. [Is that what we're looking for?]
[ Yes.] He said. [As I said, there are spells that could help free the Baron. The other way is to find his grave as you said. Then call him from it and free him. But that takes a special kind of magic that I don't possess and don't want.]
[ Necromancy.] Denner said. He shudder at the memory of Polan the last necromancer and the things he did.
[ I don't blame you.] He said. [I hope we never see another one. Then we're looking for some magic book?]
[ Not just some book. The Arcane volume of Gannon.] He told them. [ A book of spells so powerful the gods hid them themselves out of fear.]
"Gods!' Tanis said. "Such foolishness."
[ You have no idea Tanis.] Denner said.
" What?"
[You don't believe? Theres so much you don't know or understand. Believe me when I say they're real and closer then you think.]
Tanis looked at the golden gryphon next to him. How could he believe in such things?
[ Because they're real.] Eheren told him. [ We have encounter such beings. You want evidence? Look at Jayce and then tell me you have doubt.]
"I've a lot to learn." He said.
[ Yeah, you do.] Denner told him. [ Just keep your eyes open and you'll see. I can guarantee you that.]
" So how do we find this book?" Tanis moved around a bit to make himself more comfortable. All this magic was beyond him and hard for him to understand.
[ The Baron will help us.] Eheren sent.
"I have something to tell you all." Kalin called out. His robes flapping in the wind as he rode behind Denners wings. Tanis looked over and Eheren and Denner listened. They all wondered what the revelation would be.
" I know a large amount about Gannon." He told them. "He's an ancestor of mine. My family still holds much of his notes and books."
[ Do you have the Tombs we seek?] Eheren asked.
" No." He said. "As you said they were taken when he died. This I know."
[ Then we're back where we started.] Denner sent to them all.
"Not quite." Kalin smiled. " I have clues to where they will be found."
[ Then we follow your lead Kalin.] Eheren said. He was glad they had a direction and an objection in sight.
[ Which way?]
"Head west. It won't be far reach the closest part."