The Path of Shadow-A new life

[Elftwin95]

Some choose a path in life, others are forced onto one, but what is it called when one does not have a choice but is neither forced? Fate?

Korith Deathbringer gazed out across the windswept eastern shore of the Blighted Isle, his face veiled by a half mask and a slender bow gripped tightly in his hands. The cold and clammy wind whipped up long strands of his golden hair and carried with it the scent of saltwater and seaweed. It had been many long nights and weeks he had keep guard over the small island that was but a few leagues from the village of Calumel.

Nothing had happend, all was peaceful, Korith snorted quietly,"As peaceful as the world could be with whispers of a war brewing in the New World" he thought to himself. Korith was shaken from his musings when his sharp eyes seemed to notice a large shadow gliding in a distant cloud of deep fog that had not been there a few minutes before. His spine was clawed by a strange chill, one he had felt many times in his long life, one that spoke of dark and powerful magic being used..

He snarled as he started to sprint lightly and deftly over the uneven ground, and as he looked behind his shoulder Korith saw a gigantic floating shape materialize, aBlack Arc and many similar shadows had silently drifted closer to the island under the cover of the sorcerous fog.

Isha preserve us Korith prayed as he made his way back to the mainland, wading through a shallow path, never minding the cold water dreching his leather boots. He passed quickly and was greeted with the sight of Tor Aendris, a warcamp that guarded the road to Adunei and the other smaller villages of Lacorith and lastly Calumel.

The Druchii are upon us, The Black Arcs are moving closer by the minute! He called out as loud as he could, and suddenly the sleepy camp exlpoded with activity, warriors in gleaming mail and armor came rushing out from their tents, and those who where not where soundly awoken by barked orders. Yet Korith did not stay to see this, for he rushed past all of the guards in the commotion and headed up the path that would take him to Calumel. Korith saw sudden shapes in the corner of his eyes and smiled beneth his mask, so his brethren had indeed followed him when he had left the Blighted Isle.

"Come my kin, Calumel must be warned of the Druchii's impending attack or surely it shall fall". he said.

His fellow Shadow Warriors merely nodded, they where elves after Korlith's own tast, not ones to waste time on idle talk.
Their swift journey was silent, safe for the sounds of nature, the gentle laugh of the falls in the Swale of Miralei and the rustling of the trees. At last the group came to Duskwatch and Korith gave a quiet sigh, Calumel was not far, the forest of Thanalorn all that separated them from their goal.

The Moonrise Tower came slowly into view, a slender needle of white stone, with gold filigree made the tower look as if it shone in the light of the twin moons. The Shadow Warriors entered a small courtyard yet there where no guards, a thing Korith hoped to change if he could relay his warning in time. The group wasted no time in entering the tower, down graceful stairs lit with soft lanterns and delicate chandeliers. They passed alcoves and some armories before finally coming to small room, almost a office. As the group drew nearer they could hear the echoing of two voicec, clearly in an argument:

We can not waste any more time Yaldaen, or have the time you spent in the court drinking and scheming dulled your mind more then I thougth!? they heard a deep and melodic voice thunder as a more nasal voice was about to answer when they finally entered How dare you- a slender and weaslike male elf began, Yaldaen Korith pressumed but he quickly stopped before looking at Korith's group and then found his bearing and said How dare you, filthy peasents come walking into a private meeting, have you no shame- His words where quelled when the other elf, this one dressed in the tunic and leathers of a scout or an archer with a quiver of arrows on his back with a bow, sent a glare of such force that Yaldaen paled and broke away his own gaze in favor of refilling his goblet.

Please forgive my..*Friend* for his disrespect..I am Lord Thadaes "The Swift" of House Fellbane, I am sure you have a urgent message for us to warrent such a..unexpected entrance..
Korith nodded in greeting to Lord Thaedaes and said "The Black Arcs have been sighted, the Druchii are invading
he said simply. "Where were they last seen?" Thadaes said curtly. By the eastern shore of the Blighted Isle, but they would be much closer now" answerd Korith, used to scout and relay information such as these.

Yaldaen splutters and choked on his wine, after coughing some he regained his voice and whined "W-what,here!? What shall we do?

Korith arced a slender eyebrow at him and said "Do? We defeat them of course"

And so it came to pass that the elves of Calumel started to prepare a desperate defence.