A Battle of Power

Standing near the tree Vareloc looked towards the small fortress. The moon glowed over the forest and highlighted the white tattoo skull over his face like a ghost looking out of the shadows. A figure appeared next to him and bowed his head "Sir the enemy forces appear small in numbers, but there archers may present a resistance, what are your orders?" The figure stepped away with caution as Vareloc looked upon him with his silver eyes that glowed by the moonlight. Those same eyes that sent shivers amongst his fellow soldiers and his enemies in times of battle.

He knew the archers would be an issue, for no soldier wants to be hit by the sharp bite of an enemies arrow. On the other hand there was two vital reasons this keep had to be taken. The first was by holding the fortress it would gain an upper hand on the enemy and they would be closer to wining this war in the North. The second held a secret that only Vareloc knew of by some ancient texts he studied before the battle. It was said that deep under the keep was a sanctuary that was once held by a powerful necromancer and all of his secrets were within.

He looked back to see his soldiers and found they had a look of bloodlust to them, those archers be damned! Raising his fist a roar pierced the sky and the soldiers advanced in a fierce battle cry. Vareloc charged with his men, and by mace and shield he crushed the barricades before them. The moon highlighted the courtyard like a gods ever open eye forever watching. The enemy soldiers advanced and the archers stood on the walkways firing arrows when the chance arrived.

Summoning an inner fire within Vareloc he was suddenly engulfed in magical fire that only harmed those that would attack him. Fearing for there lives most of the soldiers dodged out of the way. This made Vareloc smile under his helm as he made his way up the stone stairs of the walls to the archers. A arrow sank into Varelocs shield as he made his way to the walkway. Knowing the two options were face this fire plated warrior or jump off the side and hope for the best the archer brandished his sword. Steel clang against steel as the fire licked at the archer. This gave Vareloc the advantage and before the archer knew Vareloc's mace smashed into the gut of the archer dropping him to the stone. As the archer fell Vareloc put his shield up in time to just catch a arrow aimed at his face.

This was no ordinary soldier it was a elven archer a cousin to the dark elves of Vareloc's race. It was no matter to Vareloc as he advanced, another arrow then sunk deep into his shield as he hissed at the elf. As they closed the gap the elf showed he knew the art of the sword and would be a worthy opponet to which Varelock grinned for the opportunity. Again steel clanged against steel, but this time the fire did not have the same effect. The elf had the upper hand as he disarmed Vareloc though this did not stop him at the least as now his sheild became a weapon. Thinking the elf had won he was very surprised when the shield smashed right into his face. As relentless as Vareloc was he continued with a upper cut with his shield that knocked the elf off the wall. Looking below to the carnage blood now splattered on the snow like an artist throwing red paint on a naked canvas.

The enemy was routed and stood no chance to the onslaught. Vareloc made his way in to the keep where no resistance awaited him. He made his way into what looked to be a alchemists area and stopped to feel for the magic hidden in the room. The scout from the woods appeared in the behind Vareloc. His leathers were splashed with blood and the sword he held dripped with gore from the battle. "We are victorious sir and I will leave soon to bring word of our victory, it will be very good news on all ends." The scout left and Vareloc removed his helm with a wicked smile on his face he whispered to himself  "yes my friend very good news indeed."

The magic radiated to Vareloc and soon he found a hidden lever set within the wall. Releasing the lever the stone lifted and a thick cloud of dirt engulfed the opening. Grabbing a torch Vareloc made his way in the tunnel burning cobwebs as he went deeper in. A large spider web blocked his path which was put to the torch. A stroke of luck though as no creature made the web it's home. Vareloc soon came upon a door which by his eyes he could see a faint glow of purple magic. Placing his hand against the door and muttering some ancient words the glow disappeared with a pop.

Opening the door Vareloc found a skeleton in robes sitting in an old chair with a few tomes opened on the desk that was covered in dust and webs. Making his way to the desk a sound like lightning erupted in the room and Vareloc found himself caged in a ball of electricity. The skeleton in the robes came alive and slowly looked to Vareloc with dark blue fires that burned in his eyes. "What do you seek here dark elf?" 

Vareloc showing no sign of concern of the electric ball looked back to the skeleton and with a dark voice replied, "Why the power over the dead and the power you yourself hold if you would give it to one who is as worthy as myself." A moment passed with only the sound of the crackling electricity. "Well then by all means sit and you shall have what you seek for a price of course!" The skeleton laughed and the ball vanished. As Vareloc took the chair to sit in front of the skeleton the grinding of stone could be heard from afar and door sealed behind them....