A bone-chilling breeze helped spread the feeling of dread that covered these great peaks. What had once been a safe haven for all beings had now been despoiled in decades past. Now strange and malevolent creature stalked the night. People would disappear without a trace and were never seen again. Those with any measure of common sense were now safely locked away inside their meager dwellings, waiting for the long night to end. None but the brave and foolish would venture out on a night like this.
In a flash of greenish energy, two costumed individuals appeared on a wide path that snaked its way through the Sky Reach Mountains. The larger of the two was a man in a dark blue and white costume with a dark green cape. Beside him was an attractive red-haired woman wearing a dark green outfit with a dark blue cloak.
Muskateer whirled around as if searching for something. His blade was in hand and ready to do battle. All he needed to do was find a foe. Thanks to the night sight goggles he was currently wearing, the darkness was not as concealing to his eyes. The blackness of night was easily pierced, however there was not a foe in sight.
The Sorceress also looked about trying to gather her bearings. The spell she had just cast had teleported her and Muskateer to whatever destination Lady Darkness had taken the Enchantress. The particulars of the trans-dimensional spell had been gleaned from traces of the spell used to teleport the villainess. It was a rare case of safely being able to teleport blind. In theory, at any rate.
"Where are they?", Muskateer demanded in an exasperated voice. He couldn't believe that he had come so far in his attempt to rescue his beloved only to lose her.
"I don't know," the Sorceress responded in a voice just above a whisper. "I am as puzzled as you are, my friend." The chill in the air caused goose pimples to rise on her limbs.
The two heroes scanned their surroundings in vain. They were all alone on this high mountain path. Below them the cliffs dropped away for what seemed to be miles, while the incredibly high peaks towered over them. The only sound was that of the cool breeze and the occasional cry of some unknown creature far off in the distance.
"I failed you, Steven," the Sorceress said after a time. "My spell did not bring us to where Gwen was taken. I must have misread the spell parameters. I am truly sorry."
Muskateer let out a scream of rage and sorrow that momentarily startled the Sorceress. She could almost sense the anguish in his cry, as if it was a tangible thing. Tanya's first thought was to comfort the swordsman, but she decided to let him work out his frustration first. Muskateer dropped to the ground and silently sat there.
Feeling uncomfortable, the Sorceress took several steps away. She tried to clear her thoughts and concentrate on the spell she had cast. Where had her incantation gone wrong? Were they even on the same world as Gwen had been taken to? For the moment, the Sorceress had no answers for these questions.
If only she had been as skilled as her best friend in the magical arts. While there was no doubt that Tanya Chamberlain was a sorceress, her arcane skills were still limited. Typically the Sorceress would use her magic to reinforce and amplify her natural abilities. The feat of transporting herself and one passenger to a different dimension was the uppermost limits of her powers.
Such a thing would have been simple for the Enchantress. Gwen was among the more powerful and versatile spellcasters that Tanya knew. Granted there were many others who possessed far more raw power, but were more limited than the Enchantress. There had to be some way to salvage this situation and rescue her best friend.
Finally, Tanya managed to clear her thoughts. To her great surprise she could sense magical energy all around her. She could almost taste the arcane power in the air. The revelation was nearly overpowering at first. Such a thing had never happened to her on Earth. But here on this unknown world, the power of magic was much stronger. The air itself was literally alive with mystical force.
Back on Earth, Tanya could only sense very powerful traces of magical energy. Traces such as those radiated from enchanted items or left behind from the casting of a spell. But here, the Sorceress could sense even the minutest trace of magical energy. It was almost intoxicating.
If this world was indeed magically rich, than Tanya's spells might be more powerful. Even her magic items might be stronger in this place. It was an exciting prospect. Just how powerful would the Sorceress be on this world?
The Sorceress turned back towards Muskateer. He was still seated upon the ground just as she had last seen him. The Avenger was quiet now, as if lost in contemplative thought.
"Steven, we are indeed on another world," the Sorceress explained. "A world where magic is far stronger than back on Earth. The very air itself is alive with magical energy. My magic may now be strong enough to attempt to locate Gwendolyn once more."
Surprisingly, Muskateer rose to his feet and chuckled slightly. "That will not be necessary. Don't ask me to explain it, but the link I share with Gwen is back. I can feel her presence! It's stronger than ever. It's almost like I'm touching her..."
The change in the swordsman was palatable to the Sorceress. Much of his rage had faded. Calmness had set in. It was something of a relief to Tanya.
"If the link you share with Gwendolyn is indeed magical in nature, then it too will be stronger, more intense on this world. A normal person would not be able to detect such a thing. Perhaps you've been touched by magic in a way you are not currently aware of?"
"Maybe," Muskateer admitted. "We'll figure that puzzle out after we rescue Gwen. I'm sensing her presence in that direction." Muskateer pointed further down the dark path that wound its way through the Sky Reach Mountains. "She seems to be many miles away."
"Then perhaps we are close enough for the telepathic link I share with Gwendolyn to function. I shall try to speak to her."
The Sorceress closed her eyes and appeared lost in concentration. Long minutes passed by while Tanya attempted to communicate with the missing Enchantress. Muskateer nervously paced while he waited. He absentmindedly sheathed his sword once more.
"I am not sensing her thoughts," the Sorceress finally said. Tanya opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "Either we are beyond the range of our rapport or Gwendolyn is choosing to not respond."
"Or is unable to respond," Muskateer added. "Let's get moving before they disappear on us again."
"Agreed, my friend," Tanya stated with a smile. "However, I believe that I will be able to provide a faster method of travel."
"Do it. We don't have any time to waste."
The Sorceress began to weave her spell and upon its completion touched Muskateer on the shoulder. "There. I have temporarily given you..."
"The ability to fly," Muskateer finished. "Yes, I know. Gwen did that to me once before. What you did seemed similar to the spell she used on me." (Editor's Note: Back in Muskateer #10)
"I am impressed," the Sorceress announced. "It appears my earlier observation holds true. You have been touched by magic. Come, let us complete our mission."
The Sorceress rose up into the air, borne by the magic of her Shadow Cloak. Muskateer leaped up and slipped the bonds of the Earth. He was unsteady at first, but quickly caught on to the ability to fly. With Muskateer in the lead, the heroes flew off into the dark night.
Gloomy terrain rolled past below the heroes as they flew through the night sky. The path they had appeared on wound and weaved its way through the mountains. For the most part it headed in the same direction as Muskateer and the Sorceress. Occasionally, the cry of some strange and unknown beast would reach their ears. Dark, fleeting shapes could be spotted on the ground below. However, none remained in sight long enough to be identified.
Thanks to the Sorceress' spell, the duo was making excellent progress. The miles passed by rapidly. The enchantment had saved them hours of walking and avoided encounters with the unpleasant things below.
With Muskateer in the lead, the pair continued onward. There was no conversation as Muskateer was concentrating fully upon his goal. With each passing mile he felt closer to Gwen. It was almost as if she was right here with him. He felt the same electricity that they did while in physical contact.
But as they flew along through the dark night, Muskateer began to sense something else. It was a familiar feeling, but one that he could not place. It wasn't the same feeling that he shared with Gwen, but still one that was almost as intense. Muskateer couldn't explain it, but he felt a peculiar kinship with something close by. The source of this feeling lay directly ahead and was much closer than Gwen.
"Tanya?", Muskateer called out. "Do you feel anything--? Anything unusual?"
"Indeed, I do my friend. I am sensing something evil and unnatural directly ahead of us. Magic has been used in some foul and perverse manner. I find it most disconcerting."
"That's not quite what I had in mind," Muskateer responded. "I'm feeling something else entirely. Something familiar to me, but I have no idea what it is. This is very frustrating."
"Since what we are sensing lies along our flight path, we could stop to discover what it is."
"Maybe we better," Muskateer agreed. "It might somehow be important."
Nestled high up in the Sky Reach Mountains, the village of Whispering Hollow had sat for centuries. For the most part, the villagers enjoyed a quiet and somewhat isolated existence. The valley that held the village was large, holding many acres of forest and farmland. A small lake formed near the middle of the valley. The village of Whispering Hollow had been founded on the shore of this body of water.
Whispering Hollow had known peace for most of its existence. Its close proximity to the Fortress of Tabia had provided the small community some measure of protection. The powerful sorceress who lived there defended the village when able. Aided by her consort, a powerful warrior in his own right, they were able to keep the peace.
However, the relative peace and calm of the valley was shattered over four decades past. The exact details were never uncovered, but rumors did run rampant. Tabia's Fortress had fallen in battle to a dire enemy. The forces of evil had moved in, plunging Whispering Hollow and all of the Sky Reach Mountains in terror.
Strange creatures and monsters would stalk the night where none had existed before. Villagers would simply vanish without a trace. The living dead would wander the night, looking to add those still living to their ranks. Peace and harmony was all but forgotten. Fear became a familiar and unwelcome friend.
With the threat of monster attacks, the caravans bypassed the small valley holding Whispering Hollow for safer destinations. Villagers began to leave in hopes of finding a better life. None could say if any of them actually managed to leave the Sky Reach Mountains alive.
Today, Whispering Hollow was a shadow of its former self. Numerous buildings now sat unused, collecting dust. Those buildings still inhabited were worn and beaten. Maintaining their homes was no longer a high priority to those who still lived in Whispering Hollow. Now days, all resources were used to fortify the wall surrounding the village in an attempt to keep out the horrors that stalk the night.
On this dark and chilly night, the village was in a state of full alert. Every able-bodied man had donned his fighting armor and was now on guard. Dozens of bon fires lit up the night. Warriors armed with swords and axes nervously awaited the battle to come. Archers placed arrows at the ready and made sure their bows were in perfect working order.
The watchers standing on top of their wooden watchtowers scanned the blackness beyond the village walls. They knew the enemy was coming, but not when they would arrive. Everyone was tense due to the excruciatingly long wait.
Lord Garmer paced among his troops inside the wall. The elderly man was still remarkably fit. He carried a large mace in his hand as he inspected the village's defenses. Lord Garmer's family had ruled Whispering Hollow for as long as any could remember. Come the dawn that might no longer be the case.
Up in one of the watchtowers, the Priestess Vestra scanned the inky darkness of night. Vestra was nearly as old as Lord Garmer, but the passing of years had not been as kind. She now appeared quite frail. However appearances could be deceiving. Vestra was still strong in her faith and like all who served the Goddess Azrella had been shaved bald.
In an adjacent tower, Mariam also was on watch. The young woman was very comely and the object of affection for many of the villagers. Her bright red hair was braided and pinned up. Well-worn dark green skins covered her body. Her eyes were bright green as well.
But like her late father, Mariam preferred the life of a woodsman to that of a comfortable village. In addition to her looks, Mariam was a crack shot with her bow. A small pile of enchanted arrows sat nearby. All Mariam needed was an enemy to fire upon.
Back down on the ground, the man known only as Max readied his troops. As was usual in times of battle, Max had donned his plate mail armor for better protection. A small collection of weapons were sheathed and stuffed into his belt. Max was the commander of the local militia and the master of many weapons of war. This night would be a stern test of his skills.
The sound of marching feet was the first sign to signify the enemy's arrival. The dull trudging as the soldiers marched along towards their destination echoed through the dark night. There were no light sources among the enemy, for none were needed. The solders of this army no longer had to worry about such inconveniences as needing light to see by.
At Mariam's command, her archers let loose with a volley of flaming arrows. The night sky was suddenly alight with fire as the missiles arced through the dark sky. The arrows harmlessly struck the ground outside of the wall. Their flames still burned however, allowing the villagers to pierce the dark of night. Many wished that they couldn't see the sight that suddenly greeted them.
A horde of armored soldiers was marching towards the front gate of the village of Whispering Hollow. The soldiers themselves were too far away to make out any significant details. The same could not be said for other members of the advancing army.
Among their ranks were nearly a dozen giants, beings nearly twenty-five feet in height. The sound of their footfalls could be plainly heard as the giants trudged forward. The giants carried gigantic axes. These weapons were so huge that it would take three men to lift.
But that was not the worst of it. The giants, like all the invading soldiers, were no longer among the living. Most of their flesh had fallen away, leaving only their skeletal structure underneath. Although covered by worn and tattered clothing and armor, the white bones of the undead giants could be seen through the holes. The skeletons no longer had eyes, but points of reddish light now emanated from where their eyes had once been.
A lone horn bellowed out among the villagers. The enemy had been spotted. The time for battle had come! A war between the living and dead was about to begin.
"Fire!", Mariam yelled at the top of her lungs.
All around her in the other watchtowers, the archers of Whispering Hollow fired their weapons. Mariam herself grabbed four of her enchanted arrows and fired them. All four of the shafts connected with her desired target: the closest of the advancing giants. Each of her arrows exploded in a ball of fire upon impact. The combined force of the explosions blew the skeletal giant apart.
Grabbing more arrows, Mariam fired at any target she could see. A single exploding arrow was sufficient to destroy the regular soldiers. The giants would take multiple strikes to down. Mariam continued to bombard the enemy with almost machine-like precision.
The night air was literally alive with flying arrows. Skeleton after skeleton was hit and destroyed. Three more of the giant skeletons fell from the arrow onslaught. It mattered not to the undead army. More skeletons swarmed forward, their numbers seemingly endless. The invaders had reached the walls of Whispering Hollow.
One of the remaining giants lumbered towards the watchtower holding the Priestess Vestra. The elder woman began to chant the words of power given to her by her goddess. The Goddess Azrella was generally a peaceful and benign deity. She was strongly associated with life and healing. Her priestesses were skilled midwives and healers. The only thing that would drive a follower of Azrella to violence was undead. The Goddess considered the necromantic art of animating dead corpses to be blasphemy against all those who live. Priestesses of Azrella put down such unnatural perversions of life and nature with extreme prejudice.
Vestra's chanting grew more intense as the energy of her Goddess gathered about her frail form. Sky blue energy formed about the elder priestess and then shot out towards the undead army at the sweep of her hands. The approaching giant skeleton was blown apart by the power of Azrella, his giant bones falling harmlessly to the ground. Every skeleton within fifty feet of Vestra was similarly destroyed.
For a moment there was an open space in the army; a field littered with now inanimate bones. But this would not last as more skeletons surged forward to fill the void, their bones clacking as they ran. Vestra began to chant once more. She was already beginning to tire, but had no choice. She must continue to invoke the power of her Goddess until the enemy has been destroyed or until she was no longer able.
Elsewhere, one of the giants struck the front gate to Whispering Hollow with his mighty battleaxe. The blow split the gate and killed three men on the other side. A follow up kick to what remained of the gate completely removed the obstacle. The giant continued on into Whispering Hollow with regular skeletal soldiers swarming in around it.
The defenders of Whispering Hollow rushed to engage the enemy. Hand to hand combat on a massive scale broke out. The sounds of weapons striking armor and shield, the grunts of pain and exertion, and the snap of bones breaking filled the air. The giant skeleton ambled about wherever it desired, stepping on friend and foe alike.
Lord Garmer led the defenders' charge. His battle mace rang out repeatedly, solidly striking the invaders. Bones were crushed and shattered under his onslaught. Close by was the warrior Max. He had chosen a battle staff as his weapon of choice. It allowed him excellent reach and could break apart the invading skeletons with ease. But for every enemy the men would put down, two more took its place. Slowly, the forces of Whispering Hollow were being pushed back.
The giant loose in the village continued to assault at will. Men were crushed under its enormous feet. Seeing that Lord Garmer was putting up a terrific struggle, the giant skeleton trudged towards the embattled mayor of Whispering Hollow. It raised its foot up in preparation of crushing this annoying enemy.
Before the giant could finish its attack, a blast of mystic energy streaked in from the lakeside of the village and struck the huge skeleton. The force of the blast shattered the giant skeleton, flinging parts of it away from the impact. What remained fell backwards, crushing those skeletons underneath it.
Startled by this unexpected rescue, Lord Garmer gazed back towards the source of the attack. Flying into Whispering Hollow was a beautiful woman with long reddish hair. A large dark blue cloak was wrapped around her form. Underneath the cloak she wore unusual attire of dark green. The residue of the magical force blast still played about her hands.
Accompanying her was man who was also oddly attired. He wore a dark green cape and an outfit in dark blue and white that completely covered his body. Completing his apparel was a white hat with a large dark green feather. The man bore a sword in his hand. The warrior hit the ground and ran to engage the enemy. Three of the invading skeleton soldiers were downed with a single swing of his mighty sword.
"The ancestors of Tabia and Leander have come to aid us in our hour of need!", Lord Garmer joyously cried out. "We have a chance!"
"What the hell is going on here?", Muskateer wondered aloud. "Is this Night of the Living Dead or what?" The Avenger continued to swing his weapon in a wide arc. These skeletons, while creepy to be behold, were pushovers. Three to four of them fell with each sweeping swing of Muskateer's blade.
The strange sensations had led both Muskateer and the Sorceress to the village of Whispering Hollow. What Tanya was sensing was the undead army itself. Dark magic had been used to animate the dead remains. What they had found was indeed evil and unnatural: a foul and perverse use of magic. Upon seeing the villagers being overrun by an army of animated cadavers, the heroes had joined the fray.
What Muskateer had been sensing was a bit more mysterious. As he drew closer to Whispering Hollow, he started to sense two separate targets. One was in, or rather, underneath the village itself. A second and the weaker of the two was somewhere out among the army of undead itself. Oddly enough, he still had the feeling of familiarity, of kinship to both signals.
Behind the last line of defenders and still hovering in the air was the Sorceress. Tanya had been correct in her earlier assessment. She was far more powerful on this world than back on Earth. The mystic heroine had rarely used such mystical blasts back home due to their ineffectiveness against supervillains.
Casting a new spell, the Sorceress unleashed another magical force blast. This one was wider in scale and specifically calculated to damage only the undead skeletons. Another blast of magical energy leaped from Tanya's hands upon the completion of her spell. Every skeleton in an area nearly forty feet across was destroyed in the blast, but left the human soldiers unharmed.
Cries of joy and appreciation filled the air as the weary defenders of Whispering Hollow realized that powerful new allies had joined them in the desperate battle. In spite of their exhaustion, the men redoubled their efforts, taking the battle to the undead enemy.
By now Mariam had nearly exhausted her supply of exploding arrows. Her rate of fire had decreased, as the woods-woman was determined to make every remaining shot count. Only three of the giant skeletons now remained. Several arrow strikes later and that was no longer the case. Now only two of the behemoths remained.
Priestess Vestra could no long stand. The strain of invoking Azrella's power had taken its toll on the elderly woman. She had destroyed hundreds of the enemy with her powers, but now she was exhausted. Vestra slumped to the floor of her watchtower and watched helplessly. The skeletons were literally climbing over and on top of each other forming a crude ramp. The other warriors in the watchtower batted away skeletons as soon as they would reach the tower. They kept coming and coming, seemingly without end.
High in the sky, the Sorceress continued to rain destruction down on the invading skeletons. Seeing that the towers below were in danger of being overrun, Tanya unleashed another magical barrage. In a blast of greenish energy the impromptu ramp created from the skeletons themselves was blown apart. Hundreds of bones came crashing to the ground and the besieged soldiers in the tower were given a bit of rest.
Down in the throng of humans and skeletons, Muskateer continued to cut a path through the enemy. He had lost count of the number of skeletons he had hacked apart. The Avenger had never been in a conflict like this before. This was more like a battle fought in medieval times where strength of arms would win the day. Even the weaponry being used harkened back to more primitive times. Swords, bows and arrows, and other primitive weapons were the norm. Other the conspicuous presence of magic, it seemed like 15th century Earth.
At first Muskateer used the conflict to shed himself of his inner aggravations. The strain of his quest to find Gwen and his frustrations with those around him was beginning to take its toll. The chance for him to fully cut loose was almost therapeutic. Since the enemy was already dead, there was no reason to hold back at all. Muskateer didn't bother with any of the fancy attacks built into his sword. He simply hacked apart the enemy. It was immensely satisfying.
The battle raged on and in spite of the massive loses, the skeletal army continued to advance. Fresh troops continued to pour into the village only to be put down by the village defenders. Acting together, the remaining two skeletal giants stepped inside the village, crushing men and normal skeletons in their path.
"Now I know how David felt," Muskateer muttered to himself as he eyed the undead monsters.
Undaunted, Muskateer rushed forward. The closest giant slammed its massive battleaxe down in a powerful overhead stroke but struck only the ground. Muskateer had leaped and tumbled to safety just in the nick of time. While the giant attempted to pull his weapon free, the Avenger closed in. He struck at one of the legs with a powerful two-hand slice.
The leg bone shattered under the assault and the giant struggled to maintain its balance. The behemoth tittered for a moment and then fell to the ground with a tremendous crash. Those unfortunate to be underneath the falling giant were crushed.
"The bigger they are, blah, blah, blah," Muskateer commented as he eyed his handiwork.
However, Muskateer's victory was short lived. The fallen giant swept his bony arm out and slapped Muskateer in the side. The swordsman was sent flying some fifteen feet in the air before landing roughly on a pile of skeletons and men. All were driven to the ground. The strength of this giant was incredible!
"I think the quote should be 'the bigger they are, the harder they hit'." Wearily, Muskateer pulled himself up from the pile. "Goliath here doesn't know his own strength!"
Thinking his foe had been dispatched; the colossal skeleton sat up and attempted to reclaim his battleaxe. On the second try, the giant weapon pulled it from where it had bit deep into the earth. It held the axe overhead while deciding where to strike next.
With another powerful slash of his sword, Muskateer made the skeleton's decision for him. The Avenger's blade severed the monster's arm just above the elbow. The forearm and the giant weapon it was bearing came crashing down. The falling battleaxe severed the skeleton's left leg just below the knee as it impacted into the ground once more.
The giant was momentarily startled by the sudden turn of events. Before it fully comprehended what had transpired, Muskateer struck again. This time his sword neatly sliced through the beasts' spine. Without any means of support, the head, ribcage, and the remaining arm of the skeleton collapsed earthward.
Incredibly, the dissected giant continued to move. It turned its massive head and seemed to glare at Muskateer. The swordsman could almost feel the hate emanating from the red glow that served as eyes for the undead construct.
"Oh, come on! Die already!"
Out of nowhere, a battle staff slammed into the skeleton's head. The force of the blow cracked the skull into dozens of peaces. Finally, the giant skeleton ceased moving and fully collapsed onto the ground in numerous pieces. The hellish red light faded from its eye sockets.
Standing on the other side of the destroyed skeleton, Muskateer could see a man in plate armor wielding the battle staff. For a moment, he thought the warrior reminded him of someone. Just who that someone was currently eluded him however.
"Well met, fellow warrior," the armored man boomed. "Your arrival may have very well turned the tide of battle. For that we are most grateful." While he spoke, the armored man swung his staff in a downward strike, smashing the skull of a regular skeleton soldier that had wandered too close.
"We were in the neighborhood," Muskateer responded. Three chattering skeletons rushed the Avenger. The swordsman swept his sword towards them in a wide arc. Without even looking to see the results of his attack, Muskateer sliced through the skeletons' necks. All three fell down in a heap. "You know how it is. Wouldn't want to miss out on a fight against all odds."
"Indeed I do. I am Max, Captain of the Militia of Whispering Hollow. A pleasure to fight by your side."
More skeletons rushed in and Max circled around the remains of the giant skeleton, placing himself in a more defensible position. In just a few strides he was beside Muskateer. Once more his staff lashed out. He lunged the weapon forward, catching a skeleton in its breastbone. With a grunt, Max pushed the skeleton backwards, sending it into a collision with others of its kind.
"I'm Muskateer," the swordsman stated. "I've got lots of questions I want to ask." The Avenger sidestepped to his left, allowing a spear-wielding skeleton to stumble harmlessly past. Muskateer swung his sword out in an arc behind him, causing the blade to smash into the skull of the skeleton he had just let past. "Unfortunately, I don't have the time with this party of yours in full swing."
"Skeletons are mindless undead. They were commanded to attack and will do so until destroyed or no enemy remains to fight." Max blocked a mace strike aimed at his head with his staff. With a flick of his wrist, he spun the battle staff and sent the mace flying harmlessly away. With another swing he destroyed his attacker.
"Sounds like some people I've seen at buffets," the Avenger quipped in response. "Still someone must be pulling these munchkins strings." Muskateer tried to step away from a skeleton with a sword, but wasn't fast enough. The blade slammed painfully into his side. Fortunately, the micro-armor he wore underneath his costume was strong enough to prevent the sword from penetrating flesh.
"Hey, watch it there, creepy!" Muskateer slammed his forearm into the skeleton's forehead, causing the undead warrior to stumble backwards. While disorientated, Muskateer finished the construct off with his sword. "I'm the one who does the sword work around here!"
"Most likely there is someone or something controlling the army. Probably watching the battle from behind the enemy's lines. If he could be destroyed or driven off, the army could be broken and victory had."
"Kind of like the quarterback hiding behind the offensive line," Muskateer reasoned. "As fun as this all is, I've got more important things to do. So looks like I'm going to have to sack this quarterback and bring this game to a quick end."
Muskateer stabbed a skeleton with a thrust to the ribcage. His sword became stuck in its bony target. Vainly, the skeleton tried to strike at the Avenger with its short sword, but was out of reach. Undaunted, Muskateer simply lifted the skeleton up using his sword and slammed him hard into another skeletal warrior. The force of the collision freed Muskateer's sword and smashed both skeletons in the process.
With no enemy in the immediate area, Muskateer took the time to look around. The skeletons continued to flood into the village through the destroyed front gate. That route could be used as a path to reach the skeleton quarterback, but it would be through the heart of the enemy. No, there had to be a faster way.
Tanya, the Sorceress, was too far away and to involved in the battle to be of any help to Muskateer. The mage of the Superior Six continued to float overhead, liberally raining down destruction on the undead army. Surprisingly, she seemed to be enjoying herself.
Perhaps it had something to do with what Tanya was saying earlier; that this world was magically rich. That notion did fit in with what Lady Darkness mentioned when she attempted to dominate the Ravager and failed. Darkness' powers would be 'unparalleled' back home. (Editor's Note: As part of the video Muskateer saw in Muskateer #23)
No matter. While it was an intriguing notion, it wasn't getting Muskateer any closer to rescuing his beloved from that vile woman's clutches. Nor was wasting his time with this siege of undead. There didn't seem to be enough hours in the day any more.
Finally, Muskateer's eyes settled upon the watchtowers built into the stone wall that protected the village. The towers near the front gate were under heavy enemy attack. Those further away weren't so active. That would be Muskateer's path to reach the enemy commander.
The swordsman broke into a sprint. A few skeletons crossed his path and were destroyed for their efforts. The micro-armor Muskateer wore underneath his costume was tough enough to withstand their weapon strikes without yielding. He had little to fear from their primitive weapons, other than the bruises he was going have next morning. They were a small price to pay when it came to rescuing Gwen.
Muskateer reached the base of the small tower and entered inside. The ground level chamber of the tower, some ten feet in diameter, was currently empty. A crudely constructed ladder of wooden branches tied off with small lengths of rope was the sole feature. The ladder led up to a trapdoor in the ceiling fifteen feet overhead. Muskateer began to climb.
The Avenger emerged at the top of the watchtower. Four archers were currently busy attacking the invaders. They fired off shaft after shaft out into the night. The defenders of Whispering Hollow didn't notice the new arrival in their midst.
As Muskateer had hoped, this particular tower wasn't seeing heavy enemy attack. For the most part it had been left alone while the main force of the army stuck the main gate and those towers adjacent to it. It was also where the Sorceress was concentrating her efforts.
Sheathing his sword, Muskateer vaulted over the short battlement and fell to the ground below. Fifteen feet below, Muskateer landed on his feet and tumbled to absorb the impact. He was back on his feet instantly, ready for action. Drawing his sword once more, Muskateer took in his new surroundings.
The skeletal army continued to advance in spite of the incredible amount of losses it had suffered. The last giant had been put down while Muskateer was trying to circumvent the attack force. The fading light from flaming arrows provided some measure of illumination out here. The night sight goggles he wore easily penetrated those shadows that still did exist.
Near the rear of the invading army was something that drew Muskateer's attention. Seated on a sickly looking stallion was a figure in menacing looking armor. The rider wore a helmet for protection. The front of the helmet was open but it was too dark to make out anything underneath. Only the glow of reddish eyes could be seen.
The dark armor the rider wore had seen many battles. It had been cleaned and polished, but bore many signs of past conflicts. It no longer had the luster of newly forged armor. A tattered dark red cape fluttered in the breeze behind the rider.
"And here's the man in charge," Muskateer thought to himself. "Time to do my LT imitation and sack myself a quarterback!"
Muskateer stalked forward once more and then unexpectedly came to a stop. In his single mindedness, he had been ignoring what his senses had been trying to tell him. One of the strange feelings that had led Muskateer to the village of Whispering Hollow was the dark rider himself!
"Why am I not surprised?", the swordsman muttered to himself. "Everything else has been screwy lately, why not this? Cool armor, though."
How could Muskateer be feeling kinship with the commander of the undead army? It didn't make any sense. Did that mean that the other source he was detecting was also undead? Maybe someone buried underneath the village? What did it all mean?
Muskateer tried not to dwell on it. He continued forward with purpose. The dark rider needed to be brought down to stop the invading army. Then Muskateer could ask his questions and find out if any of this was related to his mission of recovering the Enchantress.
Taking a roundabout path towards his target, Muskateer quickly moved through the shadows. The flickering flaming arrows provided some illumination, but not much. He was within thirty feet of his target without being noticed. This was going to be easier than the Avenger had first suspected.
Almost. The dark rider unexpectedly turned in Muskateer's direction. His gazed locked in on the advancing hero.
"Welcome, brother!", the dark rider intoned in a hollow sounding voice. "I had never expected to meet a new member of the club again."
"I'm an only child," Muskateer countered. "I'm not your brother." The Avenger held his weapon at the ready. Obviously the army commander had more personality than did his soldiers.
"Nonsense, my boy." The dark rider turned and dismounted his undead mount. His armor clanged loudly upon impact with the ground. Fearlessly, he strode towards Muskateer. "You must feel the kinship between us. Even I, in my present condition, can feel it. We are brothers in a fraternal sense. I claim no blood relation to you."
"Whatever. The fact that I'm alive and you're dead says it all to me. End of story. As for what I'm feeling, I'll sort that out later." With that, Muskateer moved to attack.
The dark rider unsheathed his sword and effortlessly blocked Muskateer's strike. "The finale of this story has yet to be written, whelp. You may be my brother, but you do not have my skill with the blade. Test me if you must, but you will fall before your master."
"I've heard that noise before and I'm still around."
The sound of swords clashing filled the immediate area. For every attack Muskateer launched, the mysterious dark rider was there to block it with his own blade. Likewise, any attack launched by the dark rider was easily blocked. However, none of the rider's attacks seemed to be calculated to harm Muskateer. He was only testing him; gauging the skill of the Avenger.
The two combatants danced back and forth across the landscape. Thrust, parry, slash, and dodge. Muskateer continued to mount an offense, but had yet to score any serious damage against the dark rider. It quickly became obvious that the mystery man was not boasting in his claims of being a master of the blade.
"You're toying with me," Muskateer accused. "Not even trying to attack."
"The wise warrior gauges the strength of his foe before moving in for the kill. But yes, my brother, you are correct. You have talent and show promise, but mine is the skill that comes from a lifetime of combat."
To demonstrate his point, the rider's sword whipped out and struck Muskateer's sword hand. Pain flashed through his extremity and his sword went flying away. It landed some ten feet away. Muskateer couldn't help but be astonished that he had been disarmed so easily.
The dark rider didn't attack again. Instead, he leveled his sword towards his foe and seemed content to stare at him.
"You came with a sorceress," the dark rider stated matter of factually. "But she is not your sorceress. I do not sense her presence. Where is she?"
"How could you--?"
"How could I know such a thing? As I said, we are brothers in a very special fraternity. I too had a sorceress when I was in my prime. She was kind and beautiful and words failed to do justice to what we shared. I do miss her so."
There was almost remorse in the dark rider's voice as he spoke. Muskateer knew exactly what his enemy was saying for it mirrored his own relationship with the Enchantress. But how was that possible?
"There is much I wish to know, my brother," the dark rider continued. "We all thought that the power died with Sumner and Thera forty-some winters past. Where have you been hiding all this time? Why have you not attempted to reach Tabia's fortress? How could you let your brothers and sisters suffer?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"No matter," the dark rider continued. "I serve a different master now. One who demands your death, my brother, so that you too may serve. I am truly sorry for what I must do."
"I bet."
Unexpectedly, Muskateer leaped backwards, performing several back flips to put distance between himself and the strange dark rider. Once a suitable distance away, Muskateer dropped into a crouch. He reached around behind his back and pulled out Mechassassin's pistol. He had borrowed the weapon from the mercenary and was still carrying it behind his back in his belt.
"You delay the inevitable, brother. You are courageous, but ultimately you will fall."
"Try this on for size." Muskateer squeezed the trigger and fired. The weapon's taser attack streaked forward and struck the dark rider square in the chest. The energy played about the armored figure and then faded.
The dark rider continued forward, unabated. "A most peculiar device. A wand of some type? You cannot defeat me with such primitive magicks."
Muskateer cursed and looked down at Mechassassin's' gun. It had seemed much more powerful than this before. "Just my luck. Battery must be dead or something."
With that, Muskateer hurtled the pistol at the advancing dark rider. The rider actually paused and stepped back in surprise. The pistol harmlessly bounced off his armored chest plate and fell to the grass. Even after that, the dark rider continued to stare at the weapon, as if unsure what had just happened.
Using the distraction to his advantage, Muskateer scampered off and retrieved this fallen sword. He turned back just in time to block an overhand strike by the dark rider. For a moment, the two struggled, their weapons locked together. The rider's strength was formidable, but Muskateer forced him back by sheer will power alone.
"You surprise me, brother. You possess the power I once had, and yet you do not use it. You have the potential to be the greatest warrior in these lands, and yet you struggle to mount an effective offense against me. Could it be that you are new to the brotherhood? That you are unaware of your powers?"
"If you're trying to confuse me with gibberish, you're doing a great job," Muskateer countered. "Now just shut up and fight!"
"To the death," the dark rider added malevolently.
"Judging by your breath, you're already dead. Do I win?"
The dark rider exploded into action. His blade lashed out repeatedly, moving almost faster than the human eye could follow. Muskateer gave ground and concentrated solely on defense. The Avenger blocked the first few powerful strikes, but more and more attacks began to get through. Muskateer's micro-armor saved him from serious injury several times, but even with its protection he was getting cut. Several wounds were opened on Muskateer's arms and chest. Blood flowed freely from them.
Wearily, Muskateer blocked another powerful strike with his own sword and the weapons locked. The two men wrestled back and forth, neither relinquishing his hold on the other's sword. Unexpectedly, the dark rider leaned closer and leered at the Avenger.
"Reach out and use your power!", the dark rider demanded. "I can feel it seething inside you like it once rested within me. Use it! Channel it!"
"Get out of my face!" Reaching deep down inside, Muskateer found the strength to hurtle his foe away. But instead of moving the dark rider back several feet, the undead warrior was hurtled nearly twenty feet through the air. The dark rider landed with a loud clang and struggled to rise back up to his feet.
Stunned at what he had done, Muskateer looked down at his hands for a moment. There was a residue of some unknown energy playing about them. It faded after a few seconds. "How the hell did I do that?"
"Finally, you're beginning to tap into your powers," the dark rider cried out in approval. "Let the energy flow through you, revitalize you."
"You don't know the power of the dark side," Muskateer muttered under his breath. "So who are you supposed to be? Darth Vader?"
The dark rider glided forward, ignoring Muskateer's query. "Now perhaps you'll be more of a challenge to me, whelp. Show me what you can do with your talents!"
Once more the dark rider went on the offensive. It was all Muskateer could do to block the incoming attacks. The momentary energy he had manifested was gone. Between the ferocity and speed of the attacks, Muskateer didn't have time to think about what was going on. He was solely operating on instinct now.
As the two warriors battled, a very strange thing occurred. Time seemed to slow down around the Avenger. The dark rider's incredibly fast movements slowed down and continued to move slower. The world around him seemed to fall away. There was only Muskateer and the undead warrior he was fighting.
The sudden change caught Muskateer completely off guard. For a brief moment he lowered his defenses in surprise. This was the exact same thing that happened when he was with Gwen at the Madigan's charity ball! It was just as surreal. (Editor's Note: the charity ball was back in Muskateer #14)
The dark rider was moving so slowly now that Muskateer was able to recover before his lapse could be taken advantage of. With incredible ease, Muskateer blocked the attack, sending the rider's sword away with a loud clang. The following attack was repelled with equal ease. It was almost as if Muskateer knew what was coming.
Now it was Muskateer's turn to go on the offensive. In between blocking incoming attacks, Muskateer launched his own. He was moving too fast for the dark rider to defend against. Now it was the dark rider who gave ground. Muskateer's blade penetrated the rider's armor with ease.
Muskateer's sword lashed out and stuck the dark rider's bony wrist. The undead warrior's blade went flying from his grasp and flew through the night. It landed point down in the grass some twelve feet away. Not finished, Muskateer landed a kick to the chest of the dark rider, sending him to the ground as well. He stood over the undead warrior, his sword ready to land the killing strike.
"So did I pass your test?"
"You have done well, my brother," the dark rider rasped. "You've given me the strength to momentarily break the witch's spell on me. If you're going to save me- save all of us, you must do exactly as I say!"
"What are you talking about?"
Reaching up, the dark rider removed his helmet and tossed it away. The sight underneath was even worse than Muskateer was expecting. Most of the man's face was still there as opposed to being only an animated skeleton. The face was horrifically wrinkled. There were many cuts and gashes. Some were bone deep.
Drawing Muskateer's attention away from this horrific visage was a small golden circlet resting on the dark rider's head. Held in a setting in the front of the circlet was a walnut sized purplish gem that glowed with energy.
"Talk about a face full of ugly!"
"Destroy the gem and her control over me will be gone," the dark rider demanded. "Destroy it! Please! I beg you! For all our sakes!"
Gritting his teeth, Muskateer swung his blade at the gem, smashing it. An explosion of purplish energy followed and Muskateer was vaguely aware that he was flying through the air. Then darkness claimed him.
Light began to filter into the darkness. The light was soft at first, but grew more powerful in intensity as the seconds passed. Muskateer awoke with a start. He gazed about in confusion and was momentarily blinded by the intense illumination.
Slowly his eyes adjusted to the brightness. Sitting up, Muskateer found himself lying in a comfortable bed. It was bright white like everything in this strange room. It was almost glowing. He felt refreshed and invigorated. The bruises and cuts he had accumulated in his quest to rescue Gwen were now just a memory.
Then Muskateer realized that he was not alone. He felt Gwen's presence somewhere close by. His heart soared with that revelation but there was no one else in sight.
"Gwennie?," Muskateer called out. His voice echoed about the chamber before fading into nothingness.
As if in response to his call, a woman appeared in the room. She resembled Gwen, but was completely white in color and transparent. She wore a flowing diaphanous white gown. It didn't seem like Gwen, but Muskateer's senses were telling him that it was indeed she. The apparition sat down beside a confused Muskateer.
"We are not entirely who you think we are," the ghostly Gwen stated. She gently reached out and took Muskateer's hand in her own. In spite of being transparent, Steven felt a solid hand touching him. The touch was electrifying.
"You're not Gwen? But you look like her... sorta.
"We are a manifestation of the others who bore the power she now holds. Her form is how you perceive us."
"I don't understand..."
"We know that now. We helped to bring you here, but we did not know the seriousness of your quest. While we healed your body, we took in your memories and experiences. There is much for you to learn about your and Gwen's inheritance."
"The strange link we share..."
"That is one manifestation of your inheritance. The link is shared by us all. You who currently serve and those whose time has passed. That is what you have been sensing. You heard us calling you, but were unable to understand while awake."
Muskateer lay there for a few moments, completely dumbfounded. He didn't know what to think about what this familiar white woman was telling him. It did seem to echo what the commander of the undead army was going on about as well. Just what had he fallen into here on this strange world? And where was his Gwen now?
Suddenly, a concerned look came over the ethereal Gwen's face. "Our acts have been discovered by she who imprisons us. Our time is fleeting. Travel to Tabia's fortress and free us! You must! Then we can help you with your quest! Speak to Kester! You have restored his free will. Hurry!"
The apparition quickly faded away. Her pleading face looking exactly like Gwen's haunted Steven. The whiteness that filled the chamber began to fade as well. Steven fell back into darkness.
Muskateer woke up with a start. He sat up and blinked his eyes several times. "Gwennie", he again called out, but received no reply. Steven found himself lying in an uncomfortable bed in a small and dank chamber. The sole source of illumination was a candle on an adjacent table. Also folded on the table was his Muskateer costume and armor.
Just like in his dream, Muskateer felt fresh and invigorated. His wounds from the siege had been repaired. The fatigue and strain he felt from his separation from Gwen was also gone. He threw off the covers and got up. He quickly began to dress.
Muskateer's enhanced senses continued to perceive three separate things. The most powerful was his attraction to Gwen. Or was it really Gwen? The woman in white had claimed that Gwen was only the current woman to possess her magical powers. Possibly he was sensing this apparition, or a combination of this apparition and Gwen. The feeling he sensed of Gwen seemed to be centered nearby. But she was nowhere to be found. Nothing was very clear all of a sudden.
The notion paralleled what the undead warrior said. That Steven currently possessed powers and fighting abilities that the warrior once possessed. Was it somehow possible that here on this world, the link he shared with Gwen was one that had been passed down by others?
That didn't make any sense. He and Gwen were both born on a different world in a different dimension. How could these powers and abilities cross the gap between worlds? Wild possibilities ran through Muskateer's mind, none of which made much sense.
In spite of the illogic of the situation, Muskateer couldn't deny the evidence before him. On this world he could sense the link he shared with Gwen where on Earth he could not. Through this link he could apparently sense others who were part of this unique fraternity as well.
The Avenger came to the same conclusion that he had when this whole affair had started. He needed more information and answers to his questions. He could still sense whatever it was drawing him from underneath the village and the undead warrior he had battled. Perhaps either one of those would provide some useful information. He had little idea where to proceed from here on his own. But time was fleeting.
The Avenger was nearly completely dressed when the door to the small room swung open. Standing in the doorway was the Sorceress. Tanya was clad in her usual costume.
"Steven, you're awake. We had been most worried. You've been asleep for nearly twelve hours."
"What happened?"
"Unexpectedly, the skeletons stopped fighting and walked away," the Sorceress explained. "It was most peculiar, but no one wished to question their good fortune. In an instant, the battle was over. I did sense the destruction of an enchanted item near where we found you. Even stranger, the commander of the undead army was still there. He surrendered without a fight."
"Strange and peculiar seems par for the course on this world," Muskateer commented as he replaced his mask. The hat and gloves were next, followed by his sword belt.
"They call this world Terra Nova. We've arrived in an isolated village in a great mountain range. They have little contact with the outside world, but I am told that a great empire of evil led by an 'Empress of Darkness' controls much of this continent."
"That sounds familiar," Muskateer muttered. "Guess we won't have any trouble finding LD on this world. Let's get moving. Lots to do."
Upon finishing putting on his costume, Muskateer made his way to the exit. Beyond was the main chamber of this particular dwelling. It was as rundown as the bedroom Muskateer had woken up in. Spotting the way out, Muskateer continued onward.
"There's much more I wish to tell you, Steven," the Sorceress called out as she tried keep pace. "The villagers are under the impression that we are the ancestors of someone called Tabia and Leander. They are treating us like honored guests."
Upon hearing the name Tabia, Muskateer stopped dead in his tracks. It was the name the woman in white had said in his dreams. Maybe they weren't dreams after all, but perhaps some kind of communication with his subconscious. She did say that she was unable to make herself understood while Muskateer was awake.
Muskateer turned and faced the approaching Sorceress. "What's this about Tabia?"
"From what I've been able to gather, she was a powerful sorceress who had a warrior consort. Supposedly they lived in a fortress further along in the mountains along the same general direction we had been traveling."
"It's where I was detecting Gwen and where she said she was being held captive." Muskateer considered this implication for a moment. "'We are not entirely who you think we are'." Perhaps he had been detecting this woman all along.
The Sorceress looked at Muskateer, a concerned look on her face. Could the strain of what he was going through have finally pushed him over the edge? Tanya could not be sure. "Are you all right, my friend?"
"There are a lot of things going on that I can't explain, Tanya. You'll just have to bear with me."
"As you wish, Steven. What is our next course of action?"
"You said that undead commander surrendered. Where is he now?"
"They are holding him prisoner over here." The Sorceress gestured off into the distance and began the led the way. "The villagers are very leery of him and seek his destruction. It is only my wishes that have kept him alive this far. He claimed to have vital information for you."
"They can do whatever they want to him after I'm through with him."
With the Sorceress in the lead, the pair made their way across the village of Whispering Hollow. The villagers were still cleaning up from the night before. Huge bonfires were roaring in several locations. The villagers were picking up bones and tossing them onto the fires to be destroyed. Judging by the sheer number of skeletal remains dotting the landscape it was a task that was going to take several days to complete.
As they walked along, the villagers all stopped to say hello and many expressed their gratitude for repelling the undead army. The villagers wore clothing several centuries old by Earthly standards. They were poor fitting garments covering unclean bodies. Tanya graciously accepted the accolades, while Muskateer was curter.
Finally, Muskateer could see that their destination was a primitive stone building. In spite of its crude construction, it was stronger and sturdier than the buildings surrounding it. Standing before the door were two men, both wearing armor. Muskateer recognized one of them as Max, the warrior he spoke with briefly the night before.
"Ah, very good," the man beside Max said. "The savior of Whispering Hollow has recovered from his wounds."
Followed by the Captain of the Militia, Lord Garmer went to greet the arriving heroes. He was an older man, but was still quite fit in appearance. He continued to speak as he drew closer. "I am Lord Garmer, leader of this village. You have our gratitude and thanks, warrior," Lord Garmer continued. "We would have surely fallen without your assistance and that of your charming consort. It had been ages since we last had such a powerful sorceress in our midst."
"Milord is too kind," Tanya humbly responded.
"Not since the days of Sumner and Thera," Max added. As with the night before, there was something vaguely familiar about Max, but Muskateer couldn't place his finger on just what that was. "My mother would tell me tales of their exploits. It was Sumner's bravery that led me to becoming a warrior myself."
"Glad to be of service," Muskateer said in a subdued voice. "I understand that you are holding the enemy commander prisoner? I wish to speak to him."
"Of course," Lord Garmer responded in a booming voice. "We are at your disposal, warrior. Max will show you to the prisoner."
"Follow me."
"We'll be right with you," Muskateer answered. "I need to confer with my companion first."
Following Muskateer's lead, the Sorceress took several steps away from Lord Garmer and Max to an empty area. "What is the matter, Steven?"
"I want to ask this guy some questions and want to know if he's telling the truth. Can you tell if he's lying or not?"
"A simple enchantment," Tanya answered with a smile. "What sort of information are you seeking?"
"I'm not really sure myself."
The undead commander looked up as the door to his crude cell was opened. He was currently seated on a wooden bench. Thick manacles imprisoned his wrists and ankles. A smile creeped across his craggy features as Muskateer and the Sorceress stepped inside the cell.
"It does my heart good to see you well, my brother," the undead man stated. "Provided I still actually had a heart of course, but no matter. You are safe. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't formally introduce myself to your most charming sorceress. I am simply known as Kester and I am at your service milady."
"Uhm, nice to meet you," the Sorceress managed to answer. It was the first time she had ever been introduced to someone who was dead!
"I want some straight answers from you for a change," Muskateer interrupted.
"But of course, brother. Always a pleasure to serve. You destroyed the control gem, restoring my free will. I will assist you any way I can to help rescue our other brothers and sisters."
"You kept talking about this fraternity that we both belong to. I keep hearing names like Tabia and Leander. Sumner and Thera. I've was also told your name by someone who looked like Gwen while I spoke. What does it all mean?"
"It is as I have said," Kester answered. "You now possess the warrior skills that I once had. You came here with a sorceress, but she is not your sorceress. My guess is that you are seeking your sorceress."
"How can he know about Gwendolyne?", Tanya wondered aloud.
"Because a warrior always has a sorceress by his side. It is the way our society works. It is the way it has always been."
"Why?"
Kester considered Muskateer's question for a moment. "As I suspect, you are ignorant of the true nature of your heritage. My beloved Idelia could explain better than I, but I shall make the attempt, my brother."
"I'm listening."
"It all begins with Tabia. Many centuries ago she was a powerful sorceress and a powerful force for good in the world. Always by her side was the warrior Leander. He was considered by many to be the finest warrior of his era. Together, they fought a never-ending battle against the forces of evil. They worked to stem the tide of the Empire of Darkness, with varying degrees of success."
"The pair were lovers at first and then later married," Kester continued. "Tabia forged enchantments between the two of them. They could locate each other by merely concentrating. She raised a fortress close by in these very same mountains. The locals called it Tabia's Fortress, for obvious reasons."
"Tabia and Leander sired many children, but none of them seemed to inherit their mother's talent for sorcery, nor their father's skill with the blade. Without a worthy descendent all that Tabia and Leander worked for would have been for naught. She could not accept that."
"In her elder years, Tabia worked desperately to find a solution to her dilemma. To this end, she conceived a powerful enchantment that would transfer her skill with magic and Leander's warrior skills into others the spell deemed worthy. Tabia cast her grand enchantment, using herself and Leander's life force to power the spell."
"The spell was sent out into the world to find a suitable candidate to continue the legacy of Tabia and Leander. Those chosen had to meet with very specific criteria. It was always a young couple, close in years that would share a natural attraction anyway. They needed to be strongly attuned to the forces of good in the world. It sometimes took many years to find two suitable candidates to receive Tabia's legacy."
"Two centuries past, Idelia and I received the inheritance. We were both naturally drawn to Tabia's Fortress where the spirits of those who have served before us reside. Through their guidance, we learned how to use our inheritance and strove to make the world around us a better place."
"To the outside world we were simply the descendants of Tabia and Leander. It was far simpler to say that than to attempt to explain the truth. The link that Tabia forged with Leander was handed down as well, but now extends to all who have shared in this special fraternity. That is how we can sense each other."
"Idelia did say that her portion of the link was stronger than mine. While I knew where she was, she knew my physical condition and my emotional state. Should I foolishly get into trouble, she would come and rescue me. Ah, my brother, those were the days. What I wouldn't give to live them again."
"What happened after that," Muskateer inquired. "Where did it all go wrong?"
"Idelia's and my time passed and the inheritance moved on. Idelia's spirit joined with those who had also possessed her powers upon her death. Her sorority, if you will. I died as well and was consecrated in the fortress tomb like all before us."
"While not as sensitive to the link as our female counterparts, my spirit was aware of some of the things that happened after I died. Sumner and Thera were the last to receive Tabia's Legacy. They were slain in a vicious battle by the Empress of Darkness some 45 winters past. Tabia's Legacy was cast out into the world once more to seek a new worthy pair. The sorceress could sense the legacy searching and then one day it simply vanished. All they could tell was that it had been somehow pulled out of our world and was gone. All contact was lost and we feared that the legacy was gone forever."
"Perhaps it somehow was sent to my world," Muskateer wondered aloud. "Where it eventually chose Gwen and I."
"A logical deduction based on the known facts, my brother," Kester agreed. "After the fall of Tabia's Fortress, the Empress assigned a vile Ectolian to guard over us. She was a necromancer by the name of Nysa. The spirits of our female counterparts were bound with black magic, while the men were reanimated using the necromantic arts to serve Nysa. She's an evil and vile wench fully deserving to be impaled on my blade for her crimes. It was Nysa was animated the skeletons and unleashed the strange creatures that stalk these mountains. She needs victims to conduct her ghoulish experiments. The inhabitants of Whispering Hollow had reached such a low number that Nysa deemed them conquerable. I was dispatched to capture the village and return with the survivors in chains. A plan that you ruined quite spectacularly."
"Everybody needs a hobby," Muskateer quipped.
"Now that the village has been saved, we must join forces and attempt to take back Tabia's Fortress, free the spirits of the sorceress', and slay the vile bitch who has tormented us for so long."
The Muskateer considered Kester's words for a few moments. What he had heard was outlandish and quite farfetched. And yet, there was just enough of the truth to make it all seem feasible. The way Kester spoke of Idelia certainly mirrored the way he felt about Gwen. And there was no way to deny the strange sensations he was feeling.
"Well?", Muskateer inquired of the Sorceress.
Tanya had quietly been listening to Kester's tale and had no idea what to make of it. Muskateer's query drew her attention away from her own troubled thoughts. "He speaks the truth. Or what he considers the truth to be."
"I have no reason to be deceitful any longer," Kester countered. "You've freed me and now I want to take my vengeance. Join with me brother, and our sisters will be freed!"
Instead of answering, Muskateer countered with another question. "What's the second target that I'm sensing underneath the village?"
"It is a cache of magical weapons that the once belonged to Leander. They too were passed down from generation to generation. Tabia cast an enchantment on them that causes them to reappear here in Whispering Hollow when the current possessor is killed. Since this village lies along the road to Tabia's fortress, a new member of our fraternity always found the weapons and claimed them. The time has come for you to claim them as your own and take your rightful place among us."
Muskateer drew his own sword and unexpectedly swung at the manacles imprisoning Kester. The shackles snapped under the assault. Kester disposed of what remained and rose to his feet.
"I knew you wouldn't fail me, brother."
"Are you sure this is a wise course of action?", the Sorceress asked in a concerned voice. "Can you trust this man?"
"Don't know," Muskateer admitted. "But we've got ourselves a fortress to liberate and he knows the way."
