The Epic Story

By: Patrick Berger aka Timeraider Chapter 3

The smell of bacon filled his nostrils. Graw tried standing up, only to find out both his hands as well as his feet were bound to a tree. He looked down. It was thick, woven rope made from animal hair and pelt, clearly a Norn rope. The two Norn! Graw looked around, but only saw empty grassland and something that looked like a deer in the distance. Since he knew his captors could not be far away, he started to scratch the ropes with his sharp claws. He heard the breaking of some branches, but did not pay a lot of attention to it. It took a long time, but eventually he succeeded in cutting through the rope. He shook off some leaves and pieces of string before taking a step. He could not walk far though, after a few paces he hit a magic wall, causing him to get a painful shock every time he touched it. Look, looks like the kitty wants to go outside, an armored Asura stepped out from under some tree's, into the open grassland. Told you the rope would never hold him back. Graw got furious. Listen, you little rat, you release me from here or I will personally rip your body apart. Mouse stepped closer to the lightning field. Calm down kitty, if you just tell us with what purpose you came to this place, we might let you reunite with your shaman friend. What did you do to him? , If the shield would not have been there, Graw surely would have jumped onto Mouse. Instead there was a bright flash and Graw got knocked to the ground. If any of you even touched him, I will hunt you down for the rest of your lives. Timeraider stepped forward. We did not harm your friend. He fled by himself, transforming himself to mist, Another step closer to Graw. I hoped the Charr would at least have a sense of pride, but he did not even look back for one second. But let us start with you, who might you be and what is a Charr doing near an Asura crypt?

Graw walked around for a while. If you did not use this trickery to keep me contained, I would shred all of you to pieces. Timeraider felt anger and an enormous urge to challenge the charr, but before he could lower the shield he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Mara. Do not let him distract you. I know you want to gather honor in battle, but we need to get some answers out of him. Mara came closer to Graw. Answer the question, Charr. What were you doing here?. Mara patiently looked at Graw. Have you perhaps come here for something valuable, let's say something that once belonged to Xenesh?. Graw's eyes opened wide. Have you thieves robbed Xenesh's crypt? Ah, so you came to look for Xenesh's artifact to? But I do wonder, what does a Charr need the artifact for? Mouse grinned. You must be in great trouble if you came all the way here, walking through both Human as well as Asura territory. Graw sat down. So Xenesh's artifact now if the hands of an Asura and two Norn? Guess I will have to kill you then. Mouse smiled. Do not worry, the artifact could not be found in the crypt. Even if it was you would not be able to retrieve it from us. At least neither of us has it then, Graw showed his sharp tiger-like teeth. Seems like we both cannot have what we want. Timeraider took out a piece of rope from his backpack. In fact, we do know where we can find it. That is why you will stay here, Timeraider took some more steps towards Graw. And it is better not to hurt your claws on this rope. It is magically imbued, so your claws will break before this rope does. Before Graw could react, Mara took out a trowing dart which she threw in Graw's shoulder. Graw looked around. Everything started to look blurry, and he fell to the ground. A couple of hours later, Graw awoke. Looking down, he noticed he was bound to the same tree again. In front of him were the two Norn and the Asura talking. Timeraider stepped forward. It has been done. That Charr will not be able to escape , Timeraider smiled. At least until the magic I imbued in the ropes wears off, which will be in about a month. Mouse took up his backpack. We will need to go to Lion's Arch, so let's get moving. Total silence. And why do we need to go to Lion's Arch? Mara said. What business do we have there?. Mouse sighed. it says right here in a letter to Daeron, apparently he received the location of Xenesh's Crypts from one of his relatives in Lion's Arch, Mouse looked at the two Norn. So I guess our best bet is to find that relative and see if he knows more about the whereabouts of the artifact. Graw looked up, but the group was gone already on their way to Lion's Arch.

Mouse, Mara and Timeraider had walked for more then six days before they reached the nearest settlement. Tired and hungry as they were, the searched for the nearest inn and sat down at one of the tables near the door. Looking around they noticed the inn was practically empty, the war with the Charr destroyed the life's of many farmers and other workers living in small villages. May I ...uhmmm...help you? A jittery man dressed in rags stepped towards their table. This is my inn. I would like to see you leave. Mara frowned. But why, dear man, we are just travelers in need of warm food and a bed. Why would you chase off customers in such harsh times?. The innkeeper quickly looked around. NO!..you cannot stay..you must leave! Mouse kept his eyes locked on the staircase behind the bar. Timeraider, don't look in his direction, but there is a cloaked man hiding under the staircase. Trying not to look suspicious, Timeraider quickly glanced at the stairs. The man was of average height, cloaked in black cloth and the tip of a dagger appeared from under his belt. The innkeeper panicked even more, even taking out a shovel from a chest to scare them away. You cannot stay, you will need to leave now! Mara stood up. Ok, we will leave. After we have talked with that man behind the stairs, see if he is willing to lend us some provisions. The cloaked man stood up. So, you noticed me. You should have ignored me, cause now I am forced to ask you to take out all your gold and trow it to me. Mouse laughed. As far as I can see, it is three against one. So step aside and forget about your plans. The man grabbed a dagger from under his cloak. Let us even up the numbers then. While the man stepped forward, five other cloaked figures entered the room. I am Thantar, Officer of the Order of the Decayed Rose. I have destroyed whole villages with a single command, the man grinned. So hand over your gold or hand over your life. Mara took an arrow from her quiver, meanwhile Mouse took up his shield. Timeraider finished an incantation, protecting the party from possible magic attacks. Timeraider smiled. We will give you what you need, Small lightning sparks started forming in his hand. We will give you absolution. Lightning jumped from Timeraider's hand towards Thantar, but as the lightning spear came closer to Thantar it changed direction in mid-air striking one of other thieves instead. Thantar chuckled. You think I would fall for such magic? I will show you real magic!. Covering himself within his cloak, he blended in with his surroundings, disappearing in thin air.

Timeraider looked at Mouse. Take out the others, I will try to make sure he does not get away. Protected by Mara and Mouse, Timeraider started mumbling incantations preventing living creatures from leaving the inn. Meanwhile the five remaining thieves charged towards them. Mouse bashed the first one, causing the thief to fly through the air before crashing into one of the tables. Mara made use of confusion caused by the heavily armored Asura and produced a fierce growling noise before laying another arrow on her bow. While Mouse was keeping one of the thieves busy, a ferocious growl filled the room. A snow leopard suddenly ran into the inn, his eyes assessing the threats nearby. Before anyone could act, it jumped against one of the thieves, pressing his claws deep inside the man's chest before letting his teeth sink into the unprotected neck. Mara noticed a cloaked shadow slowly walking towards the leopard. Quickly she loads up an arrow, pulls the string as hard as she can and releases the arrow with magnificent force. The sound of the bow snapping back into shape alerted the thief, but it was already to late. The cloaked assassin felt a sharp pain coming from the back of his head before collapsing onto the ground. Timeraider looked up. The wards were placed. Hearing the wooden floor crack behind him, he turned around and launched a gust of wind in the sound's direction. Screaming for help, one of the thieves became visible, swirling around in the merciless winds. While being swirled around in the tornado, his head hit one of the walls and everyone in the room could hear the loud crack of his neck. Mouse meanwhile called upon his holy powers to smite the enemies, thunder broke through the roof and turned the last thief into ash. Mouse, Mara and Timeraider came together and took a quick look through the inn, but there was no trace to be found of Thantar. You know what? We could ask one of his friends. Mouse ran back to the main room. I bashed this thief against the wall. He is unconscious, but alive. Mara went behind the bar and took out a bucket of water. After making sure the thief would not escape, she threw all of the water over him. Coughing up water and blood, the man awoke. Looking around, his fear grew. Seeing his comrades, lying in pools of blood, fed his horror. He looked up, only to see the silhouettes of the mysterious warriors bowing over him. Timeraider spoke first. What is the Order of the Decayed Rose and what is their purpose?. Speak and we will let you live.

The man started mumbling. The Order....we are an band of fighters from all over the world...we do not serve anyone except The Great...we only do this to regain power over the Charr, Please let me live...be merciful. Mouse came closer. Who are these Great you are talking about?. The thief shivered. They are the real masters of this world, they will free us from the grasp of the Charr and all other inferior races like you. You probably know them as Elder Dragons, but I know they aren't. They are Gods...and you will feel their wrath!. Before the man could react, a shield hit his nose, breaking it. Mouse looked the thief in the eyes. One more question, a thing my friend here probably wants to know. Your leader did not leave the inn, where is he hiding?. I do not know, I really don't!. He tried to slowly crawl away, but before he even got past the Asura, a big white claw blocked his way. Mara smiled. You really don't know. Guess you do not have any more use for us then, surely my leopard could find some use for parts of you though. Quickly crawling back into the corner, the man started to cry. Please, do not feed me to that animal. Thantar is downstairs. There is a secret basement under this inn, you can open it by pulling down the chandelier. Please don't hurt me. Stepping towards the chandelier, Timeraider sized up the assassin. We have everything we need, release him. Listen thief, you should now go to the leaders of you so-called Order and tell them the Elder Dragons will never have any power over this world, Never!. Knowing that staying would mean death, the man took up his cloak and ran out of the inn. Timeraider meanwhile pulled down the chandelier. A soft cracking noise filled the room. Some bricks behind the bar became transparent, showing a small staircase leading into a dark basement. Slowly, the party ventured into the darkness. Mara took a torch off the wall, enlightening the corridor ahead. Thantar was on his knees, in front of a statue. A recognizable statue. A statue of an Elder Dragon. He was bound to it with some sort of rope made from red light. Timeraider stepped forward, took out his scepter and a magnetic wave erupted from his body. The wave crossed the room until it hit Thantar, causing him to fall down. The red light flashed for a short time before breaking into tiny pieces. A dark shadow filled the room, the Order's officer slowly rose onto his feet. You have broken the line! I will crush you with my new gained powers! All three heroes braced themselves, but before they were ready an inhuman scream filled the room followed by a magic wall crushing into them and throwing them against the wall.

Mouse quickly stood up. Timeraider, get some shields up! Mara, tell your pet to sneak up on him!. Then he jumped forward. Covering his body with his shield, Mouse ran towards Thantar. Taking out a Tome of Wrath, he called upon the power of the gods to judge the enemies. A loud rumble could be heard, after that a flash and Thantar got lifted off his feet. Mumbling ancient prayers, Mouse called upon speed and might for his allies. Thantar meanwhile stood back up and walked towards Mouse, who was bound to his place by the magic of the Tome of Wrath. Taking out a large sword, he stood before the Asura and swung the blade. A moment of bloodthirst crossed his mind, but it was not followed by enjoyment. Instead it was followed by pain, caused by the teeth of an snow leopard. Being distracted from his goal made Thantar miss his target, only slashing into Mouse's shoulder before being partially deflected by the heavy armor. Mara meanwhile coated some arrows in explosive residue. Shooting those at quick rate burned away Thantar's flesh, but he kept walking. Now turning his attention to Mara, Thantar started yelling out ancient words, words that came to life before light even exsisted. Mara, I know a way to defeat him, but you will have to trust me!. Timeraider stood at a distance, forming a ball of light in his hand. Stand still, just do not move! Easier said then done. Thantar had finished his spell and a bolt of shadow rapidly came towards her. Its was less then an armlength away when she felt a huge shock, as if the bolt had hit a wall. Thantar laughed. You can not keep shields up forever, Elementalist. Timeraider still held on to his ball of light. That was not a shield spell, it was an absorption spell!. Releasing his spell, Timeraider called forth the bolt of shadow, sending it back to it's caster. Staring his mistake in the face, Thantar tried to defend himself, but the dark magic cut through his defenses and burned his inner soul. Falling to the ground, his body went up in flames. A large crack appeared in the statue of the Elder Dragon, the stone fell apart. Mara shook her head. We need to find a safe place to shelter. Let's find a place to bandage Mouse's shoulder and rest. Don't worry, I will be fine. I could even heal myself if I had some time. Mouse broke the effect of the Tome of Wrath. I am wondering though, was it just bad luck finding this inn ruined by an evil order or is there something that wants to get us out of the way?. Petting her leopard, Mara looked up. We must find a safe place, we will reorganize and rethink our moves once we found one.