Subj: [ffml] [MW] Decisions Date: 98-09-13 21:28:59 EDT From: uainss00@umail.ucsb.edu (Sky H Ainsworth) Reply-to: ffml@onelist.com To: ffml@onelist.com (ffml) From: Sky H AinsworthThe darkness of the cave matched the darkness in his heart. Bacca sat at the end of side tunnel in the shafts dug into the mountain. He had no candle light near him, nor had he need of one. Bacca cursed his night vision abilities then. He wanted darkness, he did not want to see anything. Closing his eyes brought the images of his fallen men and departing women. He felt as if the entire weight of the mountain rested on his shoulders. Bacca had to act, to do something. He had to get Lady back, and Schala and Kaitlin. It was bad enough that the woman he loved was gone, but two of the most powerful magic users were also gone. Lorinan was in a coma off in Vector. This meant that Bacca had to rely heavily on Schala and Kaitlin as his adjutants, his subordinates. They could be trusted with the complicated and difficult tasks required of the war. Now Bacca had only Siran, the half-hearted, lazy martial artist. Golden Melody, the proud, snobby steed of Lady Paladin. Scotts, who understood war and fighting as well, even better, then Bacca. And a few others who had done little recently. Golden Melody was a short ways away from Bacca, resting in the side tunnel. He could not navigate well in the cramp, dark tunnels and so stayed out of the way. Bacca heard Goldie's tail whisk in the air. Scotts walked down the tunnel and took a seat next to Bacca. He did not say anything for a while. "The tunnel to the top has been completed. It's dusk outside now and the tunnel came up near the edge of the tree line at the top of the mountain. We'll be able to move men out soon." Bacca did not respond. "I know she meant a lot to you, Bacca," said Scotts, looking at the gloomy corner which contained an equally gloomy general. "But you need to press on and focus. Your men need you now. We lost heavily at the fortress, but we did accomplish what you had planned." "Death," said Bacca. "Yes, death," said Scotts, his tone even. "We slaughtered the enemy in droves and severely depleted their numbers. They did the same to us, but at least we have weakened them. Your plan worked. They came to us, fought us, and we killed them. Now, we have to reorganize our forces and bring the battle back to them." Bacca lowered his head. "Very well," said the High Lord of All That Kicks Ass. "Signal the airships and start evacuating men to vector. Also, have them go in and harry the enemy; and pick up any of our men along the way." "Yes, sir." Scotts sat there a moment longer, but Bacca said nothing. The old general stood up and walked out of the tunnel. He stopped at the entrance and scratched the short grey stubble of his beard. He then made his way to the top of the mountain. Bacca stood up and walked to stand beside the paso fino stallion. "Golden Melody, I know your loss of Lady is as great as mine. But I have a plan to retrieve her. It is dangerous, though. Will you accept?" Sky H Ainsworth uainss00@umail.ucsb.edu Date: 98-09-14 05:03:31 EDT From: "Beth Davis" The Paso Fino steed stamped a hoof. "I will assist you in this endeavor. It is my duty to serve my Lady, and so I will. Danger means nothing to me. I am immune to the effects of Thanatos. "Before we leave, I must remind you of an item Lady Paladin left behind. I do not know what she intended of it, but I sense from it great power. Reach into the bag of holding beside the saddlebag." Bacca reached into the bag, and his fingers felt the smooth velvet binding of a book and the cold touch of a sheathed sword. His fingers grasped the sword's hilt, and he pulled it free of the bag. The sword was a shimmering masterpiece of hues of black and midnight blue, with a touch of violet. The colors seemed to writhe and twirl chaotically in the sheen of the metal. Bacca unsheathed it, and found the blade even more extraordinary. He gave a low whistle, and then slid the scabbard back on, as though the colors hurt his eyes. "A back-up sword always helps, though the one Lady gave me several months ago is my preference." Bacca smiled into the distance, and absently hooked the dark sword at his waist. Beth Davis, the Lady Paladin lady_paladin@geocities.com *** Lady Paladin's Home Page http://www.geocities.com/Area51/3458/ *** The Complete Prequel Character Resource http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/9070/ *** Of all the things I've lost, it's my mind I miss the most! ***