Hunting The Bloodmoon

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

The man stood upon a rise, surveying the area before him. He was an intmidating being, standing seven feet tall and adorned in black platemail armor with gold fluting and something that resembled a celtic cross etched into the breastplate. Violet eyes gazed out from behind a golden faceplate that was shaped in the grim countenance of a skull, the rest of the helm was as black as the armor he wore. Those eyes studied the road that lay before him, a road that cut its way through rolling prairie lands.

He couldn't recall the name of the land he was in, some minor kingdom of little importance. The only thing this man knew was that the one he was hunting would be passing through here. He knew this because a higher power was leading him in this quest, a dark power from his homelands.

"Should we not be moving on, Drathius?" a masculine voice bringing forth the question from behind the tall one.

The tall one, Drathius, shifted slightly to glance in the other man's direction. His helm hid the look of annoyance that flickered across his face but his tone of voice was cold as he responded, "No, we ready ourselves and wait here. Our prey will be along in due time, Hector."

Hector nodded and glanced away from Drathius till the violet eyes turned away from him. Hector stood a full seven inches shorter than Drathius but was adorned in similar armor save for no golden fluting.

Two more figures, adorned in the same armor as Hector, tended four heavy warhorses not too far away from Drathius. Of the four beasts being tended one stood out for it was near the size of a large draft horse with a sleek black coat and eyes that seemed to burn with an inner fire. This one was Drathius' mount and was, perhaps, not quite what it seemed or at least gave off that feeling.

Drathius met the gaze of his mount briefly before turning his attention back to the nearby road, watching, waiting. Determined words passed through his lips, "Seth, your time runs short... Ozmosis' will be done. You shall pay for breaking your oath and I shall revel in the glory of bringing you down."

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Hours had passed with Drathius watching the road in silence as Hector and the other dark knights had gone about setting up their small camp. Now night was drawing near and there was no apparent sign of Seth passing through these parts.

Hector grumbled quietly to himself as he tugged his helm off his head, setting it on top of his other gear. The human dragged fingers through his shoulder length, dark brown hair to get rid of that 'helmet hair' look. His brown eyes strayed towards Drathius' tall form, still standing where he had been. A slight sneer tugged at Hector's lips before he turned his attention to freeing himself of the rest of his armor, one could not get comfortable in plate mail after all.

The other knights were also freeing themselves of the burden of their armor. One of the two was revealed to be a six foot tall human female with a mane of lustrous black hair that tumbled to about her mid-back and light blue eyes. A slight smirk played at her lips as she took note of Hector's annoyance with the situation.

The remaining knight was revealed to be another human male that stood about six foot two inches tall with close cropped, blonde hair and steely grey eyes. He cast his gaze towards Drathius for a moment as he piled his armor carefully.

Drathius finally turned and made his way towards the nearby campsite, grimly silent. As he entered the area he removed his own helm. Long, golden hair fell to his mid-back, freed of the helm's confines. His violet gaze swept over those that traveled with him, elven features set in a cold manner. Each of his companions turned their attention to him as he spoke, "No fires tonight," his words straightforward.

Hector narrowed his eyes slightly, this ment cold rations and he highly disliked such, "Why the hell can't we have a fi..."

Drathius shot Hector a cold glare to cut the man's words off. "Do you have a problem with my orders?" one hand straying meaningfully to the hilt of his bastardsword as he asked the question.

Hector looked away, bowing his head ever so slightly. He remained silent for several moments before responding, "No sir."

The female knight glanced towards Hector, lofting a dark brow in amusement. Hector shot a glare at her, "Keep your smart-assed comments to yourself, Livia!" snarling out the words. Livia merely smirked slightly and moved to retrieve some rations from her pack, she knew better than to question Drathius' commands or complain about them.

The other male knight merely nodded to Drathius, saying nothing as well and not bothering to cast a glance in Hector's direction. He too, moved to retrieve rations from his own pack.

Drathius, with orders given, moved to make himself comfortable for the time being. He knew Seth would not move through this area for awhile yet. However, one could not be a hundred percent correct and he did not want the traitor to see the firelight of their camp. If Hector whined about the matter further this eve, he would end up with steel in his belly. Drathius had little tolerance for fools in his presence and Hector, at the least, was an expendable fool.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

A day and a half had passed since the dark knights made their camp. One amongst them was growing restless, wanted to move on, wanted the comfort an inn would offer. One would perhaps call this particular knight a whiner.

Hector grumbled under his breath as the others went about their buisness, brown eyes following Drathius for a moment. Why wouldn't the bastard let them move on? Hector wanted a good drink, warm food in his belly and perhaps a warm wench to share a bed with. His gaze shifted to Livia with the thought of a warm wench... she, unfortunately, was not an option.

Livia stretched, her light blue eyes following Drathius as well. She too, would prefer a warm inn but it was merely a preferance. She knew that success in this quest would bring her greater glory and perhaps the attention of her dark god.

The grey eyed, blonde haired knight, Kelendar was at home in these kinds of conditions and he preferred such. He quietly watched Hector, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly. He disliked the man, it was like traveling with a snot nosed little brat. With a quiet snort he turned his attention back to tending his mount.

Hector rose to his feet, "Perhaps our prey is not coming through this way? We should move on," voicing his opinion in a disgruntled voice.

Livia shook her head, glancing to Hector out of the corner of her eyes, "Impatient aren't we, hmmmm? Or is it just that you're pampered arse can't handle roughing it?" her tone of voice taunting.

This brought a quiet chuckle from Kelendar, who bit back his own comment on the matter for it would have been far more harsh. Hector glared at Livia, were Drathius not here he would have drawn his blade and put the woman in her place.

Drathius didn't even spare hector a look, folding his arms across his chest as he gazed off into the distance. He did however respond with cold, calm words, "Are you questioning the knowledge Ozmosis has given me? Or perhaps he has spoken with you and told you that the traitor won't be passing this place?"

Hector bit back a retort but curled his fists in frustration. He made no response and simpley went to tend his own mount. Livia also held her silence, taunting the man further would possibly earn her Drathius' wrath despite the fact she had been given no warning. Kelendar merely smirked to himself and went about his buisness.

Drathius nodded once when there was no comment made, "Then it is settled, we wait here till I say otherwise," of course he had no intention of moving on even if Hector had some snide answer.

Thus the waiting game continued... the moment for violence would have to wait as another night came to pass without the sound of clashing steel.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Another day had come and gone with the usual complaints from Hector about their situation. Still there was no sign of Seth but this did little to bother Drathius, that bastard Hector was far more annoying.

Now the new day had dawned and Drathius stood overlooking the nearby road. He could feel it in the air... today there would be glorious battle. Today he would take that oathbreaker's head and return to Ilaria and present it to his god. That feeling is why he had awoken early and donned his armor. That feeling was why he let the others remain sleeping... the glory was his the others be damned... This was his quest and they were merely so much fodder.

He savored the anticiation, one gauntleted hand resting on the hilt of his bastard sword. Violet eyes gazed out from the skull-like visage of his helm's faceplate and these eyes spotted a tall form enshrouded in a midnight blue cloak now making its way along the road. He had come... Seth of the Clan Bloodmoon had finally arrived in these parts as Drathius' god and lord, Ozmosis, had foretold.

With a vicious snarl Drathius drew his blade, the blade of which was pitch black in color and wickedly serrated. Then he charged down the hill towards the road, towards Seth. He gave no warcry as he charged and he moved rather swiftly for a man wearing platemail armor or at least normal platemail.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seth had left Myrken several days ago, yet again embarking on a journey with no particular destination in mind. A part of him had been slightly dissappointed that he had missed the apparent riot that had shaken Myrken, craved to have been a part of the action. However, the greater part of him had been relieved to have not been there when the riot broke out... what if he had made the wrong decision in the midst of it all?

Now he traveled down a road that wound its way through a small kingdom in a distant land, brooding. Even in good health he was of little use to anyone these days. Brilliant blue eyes gazed out from the depths of his cloak's hood as a deep frown tugged at his lips. Perhaps he should become a hermit? The thought dancing through his mind quite randomly.

Then he was tugged from his thoughts by a distant sound that seemed to be drawing ever closer... It reminded him of the sound of an heavily armored warrior charging... Thus his attention turned towards the source of the sound as his right hand slipped beneath the folds of his cloak to grasp Twilight Heart, just in case.

Blue eyes widened as he caught sight of the warrior charging right for him. His eyes then narrowed as he noted the armor that tall warrior wore. That black plate mail armor with a large, celtic cross-like symbol etched into the breastplate. It was a knight from the order he had abandoned and it had to be Drathius Volar.

Seth's left hand rose swiftly to undo the clasp that held his cloak shut. Then, in a fluid motion he tugged his traveler's cloak off and drew Twilight Heart. Long, silver hair whipped about then fell over his shoulders from the sudden motion. Blue eyes flickered with steely resolve as he prepared to whip his cloak at the charging foe.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

It was as if all had gone silent... as if time had slowed down. Drathius stormed straight for Seth, now on level ground, cutting a swath through the high grass. Seth's left arm arched back then snapped forward, hand releasing the grip it had on his cloak. The midnight blue cloak sailed through the air towards Drathius. Drathius' blade sliced through the air, tearing through Seth's cloak.

The cloak failed to hinder Drathius. Now cut into two halves the cloak simply fell to either side of the dark knight. Seth, however, was right behind the cloak and was now bringing Twilight Heart down in a vicious slash towards Drathius' helmed head.

Drathius reacted in an instant, halting his charge and bringing up his own blade to block the attack. Steel met steel as intense violet eyes met brilliant blue eyes. Each man took a step back, still glaring at one another with their swords held ready to react to whatever the other may try.

"Time to pay for your betrayal, fool!" the words filled with utter hatred as they passed through Drathius' lips, a flicker of rage flashing in his violet eyes.

"You're nothing but a mindless pawn, Drathius," Seth snarled in response before launching a furious assault of slashes and stabs at his opponent.

Drathius countered each attack, locking blades with Seth for a moment before both parted, neither gaining an advantage over the other. Then Drathius launched his own onslaught, driving Seth back onto the road, more angered words spoken with each swing of his sword. "You were the champion of a god and you threw it all away! You were Ozmosis' favorite! You betrayed him and for what? Look at you now, you have no place to call your home! You are nothing now!"

Seth countered each attack, eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, "I was the champion of dark acts! How could I continue to champion the cause of a power mongering god who ordered the deaths of so many innocents? If you had a conscience you would leave his service as well!" As he spoke the last word he launched into a counterattack, driving Drathius back, trying to find an opening.

Drathius spoke no more, his only response a snarl as he blocked Seth's attacks. Thus the two went back and forth, neither one gaining the upper hand as of yet but mistakes were bound to be made it was merely a matter of who would make the first one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of swords crashing awoke Hector, Livia and Kelendar. Hector was the first one to his feet and in a rush he ran to the hilltop, gazing down upon the fight taking place near the road below. Livia and Kelendar were soon standing beside him, gazing down upon the spectacle taking place below.

Seth and Drathius moved with grace, despite the ferocity of their fight. Each attack and counter came together in fluid motion, only broken by the occaisional moment when their swords locked together. Livia and Kelendar watched in admiration, it was like watching a dance... only this one was a dance of death.

Hector growled under his breath then whipped about, running to retrieve his sword before untethering his mount, "That bastard is trying to steal all the glory for himself!" shouting in anger. He took a moment to saddle his horse but he did not take the time to don his armor, "I will not be denied my chance at gaining Ozmosis' favor!" growling the angered words as he swung himself up onto the saddle.

Once mounted he unsheathed his sword and flung the sheath to the ground. Slapping the flat of his blade against his mount's hindquarters sent the horse into motion and soon he was charging over the hill past Kelendar and Livia and towards the fight down below, brown eyes flickering in anticipation of victory.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Neither Seth or Drathius heard the charging horse that thundered down the hill and straight for them. The two warriors blocking and countering as they danced with death, each craving to end the other's life.

On the hilltop Kelendar cursed in a rather vehement manner as he watched Hector charging down towards Drathius and Seth, "That gods be damned fool! What the in the Nine Hells is he thinking!?" anger flashing in steely grey eyes glancing to Livia, "Ready yourself, Drathius may end up needing our help if that bastard Hector screws something up with his stupidity," growling the command in a rather angry tone.

Livia simply nodded and turned, jogging to their small camp to ready herself with Kelendar right behind her, cursing Hector's very existance. Both would arm themselves with their swords and a crossbow then move to saddle their horses, hoping that things would no go horribly wrong in the mean time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seth's eyes flashed as he found an opening in one of Drathius' onslaughts. Acting upon this, he spun to the side of slash aimed for his sword arm, the blade of Drathius' sword slashing open the material of his sleeve but missing flesh. Seth thrust Twilight Heart towards a vulnerable spot in Drathius' armor but the man reacted swiftly, twisting his body out of the way of Seth's stab.

With a growl Drathius spun about bringing his bastard sword about, aiming for Seth's neck as the man recovered from his missed stab. The aim was true and Seth's reaction was slow in the coming for he had overextended himself in the failed attack. Drathius' violet eyes flickered in anticipatip of ending this fight in victory.

Again time seemed to slow down as Drathius' black bladed weapon drew ever closer to Seth's neck. Perhaps fate was on Seth's side or perhaps it was mere dumb luck for that blade never found its mark. Hector had charged his mount straight into Drathius, sending him crashing to the ground.

Hector just barely avoided trampling Drathius, granted he was rather tempted to do so. He took advantage of Seth's surprise at the sudden arrival of a mounted warrior, taking a wild swing with his bared blade.

Seth winced in pain as steel shredded through the front of his tunic and grazed his chest, a thin line of blood welling up to mark the blade's passage. That would be the only blow Hector would land upon him though, for Seth's attention was now focused upon him. Blue eyes flickered in anger and his sword sailed through the air.

Hector's eyes widened, he did not have the time to react, not after his wild swing... he had thought for sure he would score a telling blow. Twilight Heart bit deeply into the man and a spray of blood filled the air as Hector's sword arm went flying away from his body, sword still gripped tightly.

Hector cried out in agony as he fell from his saddleand crashed to the ground. Seth's attention was quickly drawn to the pounding of hooves and he spotted Kelendar and Livia charging towards the fray. Then his eyes flew to Drathius who was just now beginning to push himself back to his feet. How badly he wanted to kill the knight and here was his chance, he could take it but it may cost him his own life.

"This is not over, Drathius..." growling under his breath. He grasped the reigns of Hector's horse and swung himself up into the saddle before the beast could make a break for it. It reared once but Seth smacked it on the rump with the flat of his sword and soon he was fleeing the scene, silver hair trailing out behind him. He hated fleeing... gods how he hated it but he knew not who else had accompanied Drathius and he did not wish to die foolishly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both Kelendar and Livia leveled their crossbows as they drew their horses to a stop, taking aim at the retreating form of Seth. Two bolts were released, cutting through the air.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One bolt found its mark, slamming into Seth's left shoulder. He grunted in pain but managed to stay in the saddle, slapping his horses rump with the the flat of Twilight Heart's blade, driving the beast harder. He rode hard and fast, the cut in his chest stung but it was minor. The bolt now embedded in his shoulder might be a different story but he had no time to stop and take care of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drathius found his feet just in time to watch the bolt slam into Seth's shoulder. Then with a howl of rage he ripped off his helm and threw it to the ground. Long golden hair fell wildly about his shoulders as he turned rage filled, violet eyes upon the writhing form of Hector, ignoring his other comrades.

Elven features twisted in a mask of pure rage as Drathius bent to pick up his fallen sword, then he stalked towards Hector's maimed form. Once he reached the injured man he leaned over and grasped him by the neck, jerking him up off the ground.

Hector's pain filled eyes widened in terror and he tried to speak as Drathius' violet eyes bored into his own. Drathius cut him off, "You incompitent bastard! You damned idiot! You are the reason that traitor is now getting away! You are not worthy of the order! You are not worthy of life!" screaming the words in Hector's face. In the next instant Drathius slammed his sword through Hector's gut, the serrated blade wreaked havoc upon the man's innards, shredding them before exploding out his back.

Hector's scream came out as nothing more than a wet gurgling sound, blood bubbling up out of his mouth. Drathius twidsted the cruel blade viciously, staring into Hector's eyes, "Die!" snarling the word as the man's eyes began to glaze over, his body twitching for a moment before going still.

Drathius jerked his sword out of Hector's body then tossed him to the ground uncerimoniously. He spit on the corpse and turned to face Kelendar and Livia, "We break camp and we ride. We will hunt the oathbreaker down and slay him, until then we do not return home."

Livia glanced to Hector's body, "Hector's corpse?" wondering if they should bury it or dispose of it in some other manner, brow lofting in a questioning manner.

Drathius retrieved his helmet and began to walk back towards their camp, "Leave it," his voice as cold as a winter's night.

Livia frowned slightly, glancing towards the dead body for a moment before turning her horse about and riding back towards the camp.

Kelendar frowned to, he did not care for Hector and believed Hector deserved to die for his stupidity... but did he deserve to be left here to feed the carrion birds and worms? He did not question Drathius' orders though and thus he turned his mount as well and headed back to camp.