To the Fortress

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

Riding through his native Kandor Alliveer De'govrine road with a permanent scowl. All throughout his head ran ideals, and thoughts of glory to come. The thoughts stayed with him, all the way from the start of his travels from Four Kings.

 

Four Kings was where a dreadlord, tested him to see if he could wield the power enough to benefit the shadow. The strange man never gave a name he just expected silent obedience. That was one thing Alliveer hated, deferring, he wanted all the power, and he wanted people to obey him. Yet he still held a little bit of contempt, when he surprised this dreadlord, by the fact that the ability to channel manifested it's self on its own, in Alliveer. The ride was quite leaving Alliveer to his dark contemplations on how he was going to make his birth nation moan in agony.

 

Alliveer hated anyone and anyplace he had had ties to before turning to the shadow.  Time seemed to move slower weighted by anticipation for his new life. The day seemed to pass slower the longer they rode, and the longer they rode the less distance they seemed to cover, until they stopped outside the walls of Chachin.

[Kura]

Arcon was bored, hating this duty with a passion. He was sent out as a messenger boy to pick up another initiate. True, it allowed him first chance to snatch up new blood into his merry band of dreadlords, but it also took him away from his schemes, and tightening his hold on those already ensnared by his elaborate web. From the Fade-delivered message he received, he recognized Alliveer immediately.

 

He let the man enter the city, tailing him until he found a moment that he could speak to the boy alone. Seeing this chance as the future acolyte turned a corner into an alleyway, Arcon closed the distance. "Hello, Alliveer. I am Dreadlord Arcon Dadread, and I will be escorting you to your new home."  The other man dwarfed Arcon's short, Carhenian body, but he had him beaten in scares. A long, smooth scare cut from his forehead, stretching to a boy hidden from view by his garments, that same eye covered by a black silk eye patch, from a different wound ironically. The tone he used however, was another story. He spoke with a tone only used by those who were certain of their ability, their gifts.

 

Arcon knew that he was a spider, capable of weaving a web to ensnare countries and the shadow both, pulling himself forward upon those wrapped in his thin silk threads... Though that was not the reason for his tone. He had been told of this man's insolence, his lust for power. If he was smart, he'd know that the way to come into power was to attach yourself to those who had it... Already he was trying to bring this man to his side, though his future performance would decide if he cut him loose.

 

"Follow me, if you will." Arcon seized Saidin, inverting the weave on the off chance that this man could already see weaves, and wove a gateway of pure spirit. Arcon stepped through, not looking back to check if he was followed. On the other side of the gateway, they stood in the main foyer of the Fortress. Dressed stone surrounded them, large double gates of solid oak, bound with Thakan'dari steel were at their backs. "Welcome to the Fortress, Acolyte Alliveer De'govrine. This is where we will teach you to wield your power..."

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

"I will be escorting to your new home." The man had the gaul to sound like he as doing, Alliveer a favor. There was one thing stopping Alliveer from fighting this man on the spot, well two things actually. The first was he had power, and If there was one thing Alliveer wanted was any connection he could manage for power. This man would have to do for now, and the second thing was if he could open a doorway what else could he do with the power, not knowing at at Alliveer like a bad infection.

 

The man opened a doorway, a portal of sorts to a large foyer, of some castle, or fortress or something. Gently stepping through Alliveer didn't trust this doorway and he wanted to be as careful of it as he could. "Welcome to the Fortress, Acolyte Alliveer De'govrine. This is where we will teach you to wield your power..." That was more than the man said on their whole journey. Alliveer started to tell the man rite then what he could do with his teaching, but he decided to wait and test out the waters, and currents of this Fortress. He wanted to make shore he was allied with power before he took rash gambles.

 

"As you say master Dadread, I am ready to learn, and be of all the assistance I can be to the Great Lord."

[Kura]

Arcon turned on the youth, eying him with a sideways smile. "Yes, we all serve the Great Lord of the Dark, don't we Alliveer?" This one would have to be watched carefully. He was arrogant, and desperately wanted power... but he was clever enough to hide it as well as he could. It hardly mattered; he doubt this one would ever be a threat to him. "Follow me."

 

Arcon led him around the Fortress; the main parts anyways. He had been here for an excruciatingly long time and every time he decided to go exploring... he found a new twist or corner. He half suspected the proximity to Shayol-Ghul to be to blame... "There are some things you will need to know. First of all, you are currently an Acolyte. The lowest ranking member within the Fortress."

 

They had approached the messhall, and Arcon led the acolyte through the process of getting fed, remembering how much of a mess it had been for him, when he had walked the halls as an acolyte... "This essentially means that you will be watched like a hawk, lest you kill yourself or a classmate with the one power. Which brings me to the next point."

 

He floated over an end of bread, nodding to the baker, and tossed it to Alliveer. "The peace of the shadow is in place. Which essentially means if you kill someone, the retribution will be swift, and severe. Eyes are everywhere, my young friend. Do take care to watch yourself." Arcon led them back into the ever twisting halls of the Fortress. "The next rank up is Adept, they are allowed some freedom to study, and mostly study by themselves or in one on one sessions with dreadlords. Finally," turning a corner, he brought the young Kandorian to the dormitories, "You have dreadlords, fully ranked channelers of the shadow. We go mostly unsupervised, and do what we will. I suggest you address us with respect." He turned a cold, calculated smile upon his companion. "We can do... terrible things, that leave you fully capable of continuing your training."

 

Taking him back out to the courtyard. "If you have any private lessons with me, there is a good chance they will be here. Now, any questions?" Arcon turned on his booted heel to face Alliveer, his face passive, tightly controlled. With his hands clasped behind his back he made his mere five feet six inches to their fullest, managing to turn his air of authority into intimidation. Yes, he was lording his power over the new acolyte... but it would push him to close the gap, and Arcon needed to know quickly if he could use Alliveer...

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

"We can do... terrible things, that leave you fully capable of continuing your training." This man must be very simple indeed to think that a little intimidation would affect, him, Alliveer De'govrine. Yet there was something about him. Alliveer truly believed he could trust him. He actually felt safe, well as safe as you could feel, in the shadow of Shayol Ghul. "Master Dadread, if that is ok to address you as such. You seem to be a very intelligent and powerful man. I would'nt doubt it has came to your notice that the stronger people are the more the Great Lord of the Dark will reward them. I would like you to teach me to be strong."

 

Alliveer didn't want to give away to much of his plan just yet. Surely this man couldn't grasp his double meaning behind wanting to be strong. Alliveer desperately sought to be stronger than this man and to bay him back for his indignation. Yet there was a kinship with the man. Something in his eyes told Alliveer that they wanted the same goal.

 

Te dice had been cast there was not much Alliveer could do know yet it as it was he almost knew what the man's decision would be. He seemed to be Cairhenian to the bones, and scheming and plotting ran in their veins as sure as blood did.

 

 

 

[Kura]

Arcon actually let a chuckle roll off his tongue. The boy thinks to play me? He'll learn... "Teach you to be strong? I can teach you something akin to that my young friend." Teach you to be a strong, valuable tool... Yes, he'd use Alliveer like he used the others, well, and perhaps there were few exceptions... namely Shad and Terra. "Though in truth, the power you seek will have to be found within you... Though there are techniques to help you along. Perhaps I'll lend you a few."

 

Arcon kept a stretched smile over his skeletal features, a rather unnerving impression, made ever more so by those whom Arcon allowed a glance into his scheming mind. "Now, however, is not the time for such things. You must be quite exhausted, having traveled so far... and seen so much today. Retire to your rooms, maybe grab a bite to eat. Meet me at first light back here. your training begins then.

 

---

 

The next day Arcon was again standing in the courtyard, his ebony silks pressed to perfection, his entire look a model for gentlemen perfection. The only things marring his appears was those gruesome scars... though some have been known to comment that it rather added to the darkly handsome look he pulled off... Some, indeed even he thought so in his early days, that these were unimportant facts. They were wrong... and he would teach this as well as Saidin this day.

 

Of course, all of this was masked. As Arcon chose to show Alliveer a trick or two that he would one day be able to accomplish... assuming he'd grow into any competency. And so, he waited, hiding behind a wall of folded light, quite invisible to the naked eye. On the off chance that Alliveer could see flows... they were inverted and tied off, Arcon having let go of Saidin. And so lay the spider, waiting for his chosen prey to fall into his web...

 

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

That was the most blatant dismissal Alliveer had ever received in his life. Just the blatant disrespect from this man, this...this Arcon turned the blood in Aliveer's veins to fire. The fire rolled through his body as he stormed down the hallway. This man would pay, no one direspected Alliveer, no one. Walking up to the sleek, dark wood hanging in the doorway of Alliveer's dormitory.

 

Alliveer chuckled silently to himself. First he had to put up with an over pompous Dread lord, now he had to live in a room a little better than a shack. Ohh this pless might not be the Pit of Doomh, it's self but it shore came close. Hard as he tried Alliveer could not get Arcon out of his mind. Hate it as he may to admit but Alliveer, felt a little not quit fear of him. More of a wariness and respect. However, Alliveer never let that thought impede his search for power. If I have to I'll clean his boots, anything to get power. With That last thought Alliveer drifted into a dreamless sleep.

 

-----------------

 

Alliveer woke up and not wanting to waste time rushed to the courtyard. Well he rushed to a few yards before it and he began a slow confident sauntering walk into the courtyard where he awaited his teacher.

[Kura]

Arcon was impressed; his student showed up exactly on time. A feat not often enough replicated. Stepping through his inverted weave, the dreadlord presented himself in all his grim glory. "Welcome Alliveer, to your first lesson upon Saidin, the male half of the One Power, the True Source, and the greatest gift you can offer to the Great Lord of the Dark." And me, he added within his scheming Carhienen head.

 

"Let us get right into it, shall we?" Arcon again seized Saidin, taking a moment to appreciate the ease of which he rode those molten currents of ice, of how he himself was free of the taint that coated the male half. Thinking back to the first time he had channeled, all those years ago... The thought rose up the need to suppress a smile, his slight sadism sated by what he was about to introduce to the Acolyte.

 

"Just to make sure you know every proper step of seizing Saidin, we will start with the very first lesson, and that is that of Ko'Di, the Oneness, or more commonly known as, the Flame and the Void." Arcon wove a small fire over his open, upturned palm. "Imagine a flame in your mind, it doesn't really matter the size, or the color, any flame will do." To further the demonstration, he wove all five elements, with a dominance towards spirit. Illusion. He formed a sort of white haze around the flame, the mist occasionally sending ghastly images of people into the flame. Arcon's own memories... One stood out above the others, of a short, blond haired girl in a servant's dress... But she too was quickly fed into the flame.

 

"Feed your memories, all of them, into this flame." He began to alternate the color of the mist. "Your emotions, all of it into the flame." The mist gradually disappeared, until there was nothing left of it. Arcon dropped both weaves, and wove another illusion; that of a perfect black sphere with a small prick of light in the center. "And then the void should envelop you... Try it, as many times as you need. We can not continue until you master this step."

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

The Ko'Di what was this man talking about Alliveer thought. He watched his display and tried to mimic Arcon's feat in his head. Instantly a sickly blue flame flared into Alliveer's head. He began to push his memories into it, almost throwing them in. His emotions were a little harder. Hard as he might try his contempt for Arcon shattered the void.

 

Again Alliveer tried and again the void collapsed. Ill never gain power, I will never lead those pathetic souls fighting for the shadow. Giving it one last try Alliveer Fed his memories into that pale blue flame and then he pushed his emotions one by one. First hatred burned in the flame, followed by greed, fear, and finally contempt for the man standing in front of him. As it burned in the flame Alliveer had a sensation of awareness.

 

He could feel every his body yet it was distant, he himself was distant.

 

"It is done Master Arcon. I have did as you asked." Alliveer said in a biting metallic voice.

[Kura]

Arcon nodded. Well, he doesn't appear to be completely helpless. "This next step is a bit trickier. Inside the void, there should be a light, a bit of a sickly light, but you can tell its radiance all the same." Arcon held back a smile. There, he had warned the child of the taint. Whatever happened next would be done of his own initiative.

 

"This is Saidin, the male half of the True Source. What you need to do is extend your consciousness towards it, and seize hold of it for all your worth. I will warn you now. Women surrender to Saidar, and let it flow through them. That is not the case with us men... It will fight you, and if it wins, you will die or be burned out, never to channel again." Arcon chuckled, "And I believe your usefulness will drop a good bit if that happens."

 

For his own part, Arcon wove a powerful shield, readying it to slam into place on his young student. He himself had needed to be shielded on his first attempt, not that he would admit it to anyone. "Begin Alliveer."

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

Arcon's words of condescending threatened to shatter the precarious hold Alliveer had on the void. Yet as soon as the man said there would be a light, it seemed to jump into his consciousness. A pallid sickly yellow light pulsated and throbbed and seemed to draw Alliveer into it. However strong Alliveer felt the pull the light seemed to be glowing from some corner in his mind, Alliveer could not discern where it came from.

 

Alliveer extended his consciousness towards the light, and felt a sudden mental jerk as he came across some sort of layer of what had to be filth. Yet across the layer of putrid muck Alliveer could see a molten ocean of what appeared to be lava with ice bergs scattered through it, yet everything seemed obscured. Alliveer pushed through the vile substance and immediately felt that he would sick up on the spot, or maybe double over and feint.

 

Once Alliveer's head was clear he had just enough time to react to the ocean of molten substance. Sailing and navigating through it while dodging the icebergs took all of his capacity, both mental and phiysical. Yet he found the fight go his way, and everything became sharper, from the colors of the courtyard, to Alliveer's hearing.

O lets see how useful this man thought he was now, Thought Alliveer bitterly. He wanted to spit or even curse at the indignation the man caused him, but he felt an unbelievable joy at that moment. Whether it be from gaining this new perception, and holding saidin, or thinking he gained Arcon's approval. The first thought was the most favorable and the second made Alliveer want to curse his own name.

 

 

[Kura]

Arcon's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Let me tell you something, Alliveer. Learn to control that temper of yours." Arcon slammed the shield in place, cutting off the younger man from the source. "Or you will expose yourself to one of two things. You will goad those who hold power over you to act against you, or you will be goaded into giving up your own power."

 

As if it never happened, the relaxed smile slipped back into place on his well groomed, if skeletal, features. "Now," the dreadlord dropped the shield, "Seize Saidin again. Standard procedure is for you to seize and release until you do it at will, and never fail. Quite frankly I don't have time for that." He had experimented once like this, and despite his misgivings towards this power hungry whelp, he had a good feeling that he could push this one as well.

 

"So we are going to skip a step or two, and push you straight into channeling. Try not to kill yourself, it is a good bit of paperwork if you die under my watch." Arcon widened his grin, again goading Alliveer. "Now, you've been holding Saidin long enough, you should be able to tell that it has several tributaries feeding that molten chill you are experiencing. These are the five elements. All I want you to do, is focus on one, grab hold of it, and extend it outwards. Don't try to do anything with it, just pull it out from the main current."

 

Arcon wove a series of cutting weaves, as well as another shield; he had been attacked before. "The elements are fire, air, water, earth, and spirit. Try to tell me which each one is, and which are easier to draw. We won't stop until you've correctly identified all five. Begin."

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

"Let me tell you something, Alliveer. Learn to control that temper of yours." This man wasn't going to stop, yet Alliveer must learn, and he knew that, and Arcon knew that, which gave Arcon the upper hand. "As you say Master  Arcon, it will be done." said Alliveer in his best attempt at subdued meekness.

 

The tumultuous storm that was Saidin beckoned to Alliveer once he again achieved the void. Alliveer was prepared for the taint, well as prepared as anyone could be who dared touch where the shadow had its fingers in. The taint seized at his stomach while Saidin raged a war with his mind and spirit yet Alliveer fought and one against it once more.

 

Fire was the element he chose to pull at first. Yes, fire would suit his mood and rage just perfect. The only thing was how to get it out. Alliveer drew on it mentally from the molten river, beckoned to the heat of the storm and found himself holding onto what appeared to be a wire, or thread of Saidin.

 

"Master Arcon, I think I have drawn on fire."

 

He let the thread go after a nod from his teacher, and felt around on the monster glaciers in the see of molten debris. He began to pull at the ice, and pull until he could feel something like water.

 

"Master Arcon here is water." As soon as the words were out of Alliveer's mouth the thread seemed to writhe and twist as if it were alive. It snaked and forked and fell out of Alliveer's control. The thread seemed to be split, and Alliveer knew that Arcon had something to do with it and he felt gratitude towards the man. But Alliveer knew this man would except nothing less than perfection. Alliveer pulled at the water in the glaciers, and he could feel the strain of pulling yet it seemed to be more subdued. Only waiting for Arcon's nod Alliveer let the thread go and moved on to the next.

 

Pulling at something that churned along side the threads of fire in the molten mass, Alliveer thought that this must be earth. He pulled and found it to come to him with ease. Alliveer waited for some mishap to occur but none did. "Master Arcon I have drew on earth." After receiving a quick nod Alliveer moved on.

 

Searching through the chaotic mass, Alliveer found what could possibly be either air or spirit. Alliveer leaned more to the idea of air because of its qualities. Pulling on it as he did before, he found it slip away from him as he tried to draw it in. This wouldn't be acceptable, Alliveer thought, he must get this. Pulling with all of his will, Alliveer managed to pull on it. The thread was shakey at best. "Master Arcon, this is air." Said Alliveer with a slight question in his voice and as soon as He recieved a nod from his teacher he let the thread go.

 

Pulling at the last element Alliveer knew that this was spirit. Alliveer called to it and pulled at it with his mind. The thread came into being easy enough. "Master Arcon this is spirit." His teacher gave the fifth nod but Alliveer could not let the thread go. Instead it moved on its own and formed some intricate looking web, a moment later Alliveer could not see the threads of spirit, and he could not feel saidin he had been cut off from the source.

 

 

 

[Kura]

Arcon had shielded Alliveer again. Why? A few reasons. The increased pace of their class meant that the boy was not getting the practice time at seizing Saidin that most required, this was a way of helping to correct that issue. Secondly, he deeply enjoyed cutting this pompous rat off from the source, his reactions were priceless. Which led into the third reasons; he'd need to learn control if he was to become useful.

 

"Very good Alliveer. You've correctly identified every element, with only minimal assistance from me." Arcon released the shield from the man. "Seize Saidin, one more lesson and I'll be done with you for the day. Basic weaving. I don't think I'll be teaching you any actual weaves, just practice ones that are hard to make something explode with when you mess up." Arcon's grin came back into play, again probing the man for a reaction.

 

"Take any two elements, and simply twist them together as so." He demonstrated, selecting air and fire, and spinning them together into a string of Saidin. It did absolutely nothing. "Weave as many of these as you can, alternating elements, and even throwing in more after you get the hang of it. I'll be watching to make sure you don't accidentally stumble upon something you could hurt yourself with." Again a chuckle. He was babying Alliveer, at least compared to the lessons he had given Shadar. He pushed that one every time, knowing he would take it simply because the dreadlord willed him to succeed.

 

It was perfect, he had a literal cannon of Saidin, ready to wait in the shadows and do his bidding, and he even genuinely liked the man. His almost eerie silence, and desperate battles with his emotions appealing to the Carhien. He found himself gladly accepting the almost paternal bond they shared... Arcon snapped himself back to the present, giving little to no outward sign that his attention had shifted. "Well, begin already."

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

"Seize Saidin, one more lesson and I'll be done with you for the day. Basic weaving. I don't think I'll be teaching you any actual weaves, just practice ones that are hard to make something explode with when you mess up." This man actually intended for Alliveer to fail, yet he wanted to prove this man wrong, and he wanted him to acept him, power was no longer an issue with Arcon for Alliveer had come to realize this man wanted control, so Alliveer would maintain the facade of obedience and do his own things in the shadows. Alliveer let a sneer roll across his face just to give the man the thought that he had broken him.

 

"Take any two elements, and simply twist them together as so." It looked very simple and Alliveer assumed the void feeding his greed, and content into it. When the void was assumed Alliveer beckoned to the shadow touched saidin and began to fight the battle against it. Alliveer chose to pull on fire and earth for they were the easiest to handle. Alliveer could not control them at first, watching the threads go in opposite directions then what he wanted. This weaving was difficult work. Alliveer let the threads go and pulled on them again, he would do this. He pulled and threaded the weaves and once he began it became rather easy, and the elements meshed into a tangled column of fire and earth.

 

Next he chose to use air and fire just as his teacher. Again the thread of fire did just as Alliveer wanted, yet the air was being difficult. Alliveer pushed the fire to the back of his mind and concentrated on air while he absent-mindedly continued his weaving of fire. Eventually the thread of air did as commanded. Alliveer pulled on earth and meshed it into the weaving of air and fire and let them climb.

 

As the earth was added Alliveer, thoght he could manage to add water. It was hard to pull on it yet just maybe he could do it and throw it into the chaotic tangle. Alliveer pulled it and it winded and it didn't want to be wielded, yet Alliveer would not accept defeat. He pulled and pulled and used every once of his will power and then the thread of water did as it was told Alliveer almost threw it into the insane twist of the power it blended itself but the weave started to change.

 

Saidin rushed and throbbed in Alliveer and he was almost overwhelmed by it. The weave twisted and laced itself in a tangled mess. The weave suddenly burst, Alliveer had created an affective weave, and lightning burst from it scorching his arm. Alliveer doubled over in pain and the next thing he saw was Arcon standing over him in the courtyard.

[Kura]

Arcon watched carefully as Alliveer bundled the elements into the tight, useless spirals. The man's weaving was clumsy; very clumsy. Arcon nodded all the same, at the very least, he was getting the job done. As the new acolyte continued to weave, a sense of dread filled him as he continued to weave. That last spiral was degrading in odd ways as Arcon's student continued to over extend himself.

 

It was forming a lightning weave.

 

The dreadlord slashed the weave after it fell apart, seemingly shorted out by the addition of water to the already unstable base, and almost certainly saved his student's life. Though a spark had managed to strike down Alliveer, rendering him unconscious. Amused, Arcon stood over Alliveer until he woke up, shielding him. "You over-extended yourself. Let it be a lesson for you. Never strive further than your abilities can carry you. Now, give me your arm."

 

The dreadlord took the proffered arm, and wove a light healing into the scarred flesh. If he extended himself, he might have been able to completely erase the wound, but Arcon Dadread chose not too. He'd let the man carry the mark, to show him his place, a constant reminder of his failure. Just as Arcon bore two such scars, the pair meeting at the empty socket of his left eye.

 

"Return to your rooms. This lesson is over. I will be sending other students of mine to teach you." Arcon gave Alliveer a cold smile, "Until we meet again, Acolyte." His job done, the dreadlord returned to his rooms. Terra had recently reached the rank of dreadlord... his plans were coming together.

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

Arcon had saved Alliveer true and for that he owed the man something, yet at that thought his stomach churned with acid. Alliveer was actually beginning to like the man, and that made the acid burn harder. The scar on his arm throbbed yet it would have to suffice. Alliveer burned with wanting to know who his teacher was and if he could trust him, use him, or both.

 

The walk to Alliveer's room was a long one, and the tiredness from being healed seemed to sink into his bones. He opened the shabby door and climbed into his hard narrow bed, and waited for sleep to overtake him. When it did it was fitful and filled with nightmares. This place was taxing, and Alliveer had a knowing it was going to get worse before better.