FAMILY REUNION

[Daru]

This is a short story about two of my BA characters who are cousins, running into each other and doing a little quest. Mainly this is for one of my characters, Orama, to become more powerful which you can read in the last chapter.




THE PLAGUE

Orama looked to the sky. "Wow! What a perfect day! The sun is brilliant!"
She closed her beautiful blue eyes and soaked up some sun into her face. Not only does
that feel good for her, but it helps keep her magic to the maximum. At that moment she
was riding south to a small village called Amberville that was said to have come down
with a plague. She was on a beautiful wild white steed. She just saved that horse from
a forest fire a couple weeks ago, and to show its thanks, the steed has allowed Orama to
ride it for some time. Occasionally a large shadow passes overhead. Its Maru her giant
white eagle. She figured on such a brilliant day, why not let him fly free?

All the sudden she heard the beats of many hooves. She turned to see what it
was. Six knights of whatever kingdom that area belonged to. Orama sensed no evil, but
readied her staff just in case. "Come on boy! Lets show them what your made of!" Orama
started picking up speed, her cloak flying in the wind behind her. The hood worked its
way down which let all the beautiful blond hair fall out. The white horse and robes were
enough to blind you during that sunny day.

"WAIT MY LADY! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!" yelled the guard closest
to Orama.

"ITS TRUE WE HAVE WORD FROM OUR KING!" yelled another.

Orama leaned down to the horse's ear "Thank you my friend. Now be off and
live free for many great years!" with that she gave the white steed a farewell kiss and
jumped into the air. The horse took a turn into a forest and road off until you could see it
no more. Orama was left sitting on a branch of a great tree overlooking the road. Just then
the six knights on horses road up and came to a halt.

The one with the golden breastplate spoke "Good after noon my lady. We are
knights of the kingdom Aura, and we were sent to collect the best wizards, mages, and
sorcerers in our kingdom and bring them to an important meeting with our king. We
heard word of a powerful healer in these parts and came to check things out."

"Well sirs, I am no healer, I’m a mage of the light, but I’m afraid I cannot help
your king. I am not from this kingdom, I only come to aid those in need. As I’m sure you
know, the village of Amberville has come over a terrible plague."

"Well mage of the light, if what you say is true, then you will want to come
with us. Amberville is not our first village to come down with one. In the last few months
six other villages, some bigger, some smaller, have also befallen a plague. This all is not by
chance. There is evil at work here my lady, and you can help stop it! War is upon our
kingdom and ...-"

" SIR, pardon the intrusion but the day grows old we need to head back! We
need a decision!"

Orama looked to the sky; its true, the sun is getting lower. "Ok, I will help. As
long as you tell your king to send medical aid to Amberville right away."

"So be it! Hop on my lady. We still have quite a few hours of riding to get
back to the castle."

With that Orama leaped from the branch onto the captain's horse. She landed
behind him and without a second to spare they were off into the opposite direction. She
rubbed her ring and chanted something in ancient tongue. Now her eagle, Maru, was back
with her waiting to be summoned again.

[Daru]

Assassination

From a tall dark tree Meteora could clearly see into the window of his next victim. The man was a thief, but not just an ordinary street thief. He is a knight of the castle Aura. Meteora took this job because it pays really well, and he hates nothing more than dirty lawmen. He watched into the castle window as the man pulled out a giant red ruby.

“Yep, that’s my guy.” Meteora whispered as he readied his bow. The guy stopped looking at the precious rock and turned to the window. Meteora froze. It was pitch black outside with the new moon, so with his black clothing Meteora was pretty much undetectable. Plus, the man would never guess someone was in that tall dark tree. Meteora didn’t move, he just stared at the man while holding his breath. Finally the man turned to his room. Meteora let out a sigh of relief. This needs to be a perfect and quiet assassination, it was in the job description and meteora didn’t want trouble with all the guards of castle. He knew he didn’t stand a chance.

Now was the perfect time. He drew his bow, the black arrow invisible in the night. One last deep breath then WHISH! The man dropped to his knees and reached for the ruby on the table. It was just out of reach. Then he fell face first to the floor with a black arrow sticking straight up from his neck. Meteora jumped from his branch to a branch closer to the window then did a diving roll through the castle window. He walked to the door a locked it. Then the assassin stood there listening for a moment to make sure no one was around the outside of the door. All clear. Meteora walked over to the table grabbed the ruby and put it in a pouch at his side. Then he looked over at the dead man, “Thank you, knight.”

With that Meteora went back to the window when outside he heard the sound of many horses. He started getting the sinking feeling that he messed up somewhere in his plans and now the guards knew. He peered out the window and started to smile. “Of course I didn’t mess up, I’m Meteora! Those are just some knights coming into the castle they aren’t lookin for anyone! Haha” However, the smile quickly faded because sitting behind a knight he seen a girl, a beautiful blond mage. “IT…it cant be!………Orama?”

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! “Sir? You ok in there? Hurry up or you will be late for the meeting!”

Enough thinking, Meteora jumped from the window and caught a branch. Just then he heard the door to the room break open. He started swinging and jumping and flipping all the way down the tree. At the bottom awaited his black horse with his black hooded cloak. Meteora put on the cloak and pulled up the hood. “Come on boy! We have to go FAST!” He kicked the horse’s sides and they were off. From the high window in the distance he heard someone yell “GUARDSSSS!!!!!!!!!” The assassin was already smiling because he knew he successful completed another mission.

He road up to a small shed behind a house in the town surrounding the castle. Meteora knocked twice, then waited then knocked once more. From inside the shed the same pattern knocked. Meteora took the ruby from his pouch and gave it one last look then slid it through an opening under the door. A few seconds later a small pouch of gold slid back from the other side. Meteora tossed it up and down in his hands to make sure it was all there. Then mounted his horse once again, and turned for the castle. “I have to know if that was Orama, I have to.”

[Daru]

The Meeting

Two huge wooden doors opened when Orama and the 6 knights stood in front of them. They walk into the room. It was a grand dinning room with rows and rows of tables. Balconies lined both sides filled with knights and townsfolk. At the end of the hall was a stage with a giant golden thrown for the king. In front of the thrown was a long table constructed from marble.

“That my lady is where you will sit.” Said the captain.

“Thank you for the ride knight.” Orama replied while making her way to the table.

When she sat in the first open seat that she seen she started to look around. The table had at least fifteen other wizards, mages, and sorcerers. She has never seen so many people capable using magic in one area. Just imagine the power. There was food and wine set at all the tables. Everyone was eating and talking about some evil force. Orama was very confused. Finally the room went quiet and all eyes were on the stage. The king entered. He was a giant of a man, not only tall but strong, and round. Just big all together.

“People of Aura, EVIL is upon us! We have gathered these people of magic to ask them to help us! We will pay you well and be forever grateful! We cannot do this alone!” The king yelled out for his entry speech. All were silent until someone broke out into laugh.

“HAHAHAHA this is pathetic! Asking the magic users to do you work! Haha you cant do this alone you say? Have you tried? Haha” Everyone started looking around and whispering to one another.

“WHAT?! Who dares mock me? SHOW YOURSELF!” The king yelled while his face turned beat red.

“It was I great king.” Meteora said while stepping out of the shadows onto the edge of a balcony above the stage. He pulled his hood down and stared at Orama with a smile. Then he flipped off the balcony and landed on the stage right nest to the king.

“ Who..who are you? And why do you mock us in this time of need?” Said the king.

“Well great king, I would apologize if I was sorry. But I’m not and its true, you guys have not even attempted to fight off this big “evil”. Which by the way is nothing more then an army of corrupted men. Your army is twice as big and twice as fierce. You are just afraid of the evil sorcerer that leads them. As you should be, he is powerful, and oh, he sworn to kill you before he dies right?….haha I’m looking at a giant coward!” As soon as Meteora finished his sentence a guard behind him drew his sword.

“Ah ah ah …..my friend lets not be too hasty.” Meteora said with his dagger to the throat of the guard, who obviously wasn’t prepared for such speed.

“Now wait! I already had one guard murdered this night, I need no more! Men sheath your swords, this is no more than a debate.”

Meteora let go of the guard and smiled. If only he knew who killed his guard earlier. Then he looked down at Orama who was smiling back at him.

“You,…you have made your point. I cannot lie to my people its, true I fear this sorcerer. That is the only reason why I need these mages and wizards to take care of him for me. I’m ..I’m sorry…..” Said the king bowing his head.

After that the whole room started talking and yelling nasty things at the king. The table of magic started to get more and more empty until only Orama remained. She climbed up on top of the table. She couldn’t even think straight with all the yelling. So she brought her arm back and started to throw a punch “STUNNING LIGHT” she yelled. CRACK!!! A bright light filled the room and all fell silent. After everyone could see again they looked at the mage.

“ Tell me great king, these plagues, they are caused by this evil sorcerer?” Orama asked while standing on the table.

“Y…ye…yes they are why?” The king looked up with hope.

“I will take care of this sorcerer if you regroup your troops and take down his army!” She said proudly.

“ Orama NO!” Meteora yelled.

“Sorry cousin, that’s that and I leave at first light tomorrow, by midday this castle will be at war. By sundown the sorcerer will fall.” Orama said as she climbed off the table and started for the door. The whole room started to cheer. People yelling there thanks and all.

“We are forever in you debt great white mage! After he is dead come claim your reward! THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!” Yelled the king almost crying as Orama walked out the doors.

[Daru]

THE INN


Orama was walking down a dark street, in the town surrounding the castle, looking for an INN when she stopped.

“Haha hello Meteora. How long has it been?” Meteora stepped out from the shadows.

“I will never understand how you always know I’m there Orama. Too long! That’s how long its been! And now I finally see you again and you think you are going off to fight some sorcerer?”

“I don’t think cousin, I am going to fight him. He has been the cause of one to many deaths. And needs to be stopped!”

“Haha so have I and you don’t try to stop me!” Meteora said, proud of himself for making a joke.

“First of all Meteora, that’s not funny second of all, I’m going whether you like it or not! Now come here!” Orama said while throwing her arms around Meteora and squeezing as hard as she could. “I’ve missed you so much! You never contact me, and when I try to contact you all I get is “he died awhile ago” or “who? No such person exists!” I never know if you are alive or dead or where you are at! We only meet by chance!”


“Ok , ok, well I will be dead if you keep squeezing! Listen, with my lifestyle it is hard for me to keep in touch……..HEY, I’ll tell you what,
tomarrow I will go with you! I don’t have any jobs right now so I’m free!”

“Yea I could use some company! Plus if he is as powerful as they say he is, then I may need some help. You seem to know a lot about this stuff.” Said Orama looking at him with a puzzled face.

“Well I pick up a lot of information through my job, and I often know more then kings do about there own kingdoms,…..such as this one. But hey if we are really going to get up at first light then I think we should go get a room at the INN right now. There is only a few hours of night left.” Said Meteora while putting his arm around his cousin and leading her to the INN. The two got a room at the HOME SWEET HOME INN and tried to sleep for the hours they had left.

Light started to shine through the window and right in the face of Orama. Her bed was next to the window while Meteora’s was next to the door. She opened her eyes and her mouth to let out a big yawn. Then she sat up and opened the window. A cool breeze blew through her hair and she could hear the singing of the morning birds. She sat with her legs folded and took in the sun. She then heard foot steps behind her.

“Morning Meteora. I thought I would have to wake you up.” She said with her eyes closed still taking in the sunlight.

“Morning darling I hope you slept well BECAUSE NOW YOU DIahhrgahhhh” A man said while Meteora pulled his dagger from the man’s back.

Orama spun around to see the man fall to the ground and Meteora cleaning the blood form his blade.

“You must be careful cousin. These places are no longer safe with that sorcerer screwing up everything. This is one of his spies, I guess sent to kill the one who was said to be hunting him down. You.” Meteora said while sheathing his dagger.

“I’m sorry, I mean thank you, I mean ..wow, I seriously had no idea! This evil must be affecting me. Come on lets end this!” Orama said while her cousin took some money from the dead man and put it in his own pocket.

“RIGHT!”

[Daru]

The Flight


They started their journey on the main road heading right towards where the dark sorcerer lived.

“Orama, you do realize that we both can’t simply walk up this road to his tower and kill him without any problems right? There will be a war today. His armies are most likely marching our way down this road a we speak! So listen, I think we should split up until the tower. I will go by foot off to the side of the road in the forest. You ride Maru. You will beat me to the tower so be careful! I will see you then, in a few hours.” Meteora said while running to the woods.

“ Umm. . . OK! Be careful! I’ll see you…..” She gave up, realizing that her cousin could no longer hear her words.

The mage rubbed her ring and whispered something in the wind. A loud screech came from above while Maru, the great white eagle, glided in a circular motion downwards to his master.

“Good boy. Now lets fly to this tower!” She said, while mounting the beautiful bird.

The eagle flew very high as not to be seen by the enemy. Above the clouds the sun shined brightly . The warmth from the sun’s rays felt refreshing as they charged Orama’s magic. She was thinking that destroying this evil sorcerer was just the boost she needed to become a high arc mage of the light. The institution of light mages told her that she has studied and learned all there was for a mage of the light, and that she needed to test her magic against true evil. Orama has been testing her magic against evil for sometime now, and still, nothing. She has even studied a little, the magic of a water mage. There was just no more room for expansion. The mage has a very good feeling about this one though. This could be the evil that expands her mind.

Maru started to fly under the clouds because the tower was getting closer. Suddenly it came into view. A tall dark tower, who’s shadow seemed to stretch forever. The view sent a chill down Orama’s spine. Maru landed on the top of the tower while Orama jumped off and looked around to make sure nobody seen them.

“Thanks boy. You did a great job. Sorry, but I have to go now.” The mage told the eagle while she rubbed her ring.

She turned around and faced a door, Maru vanishing behind her. The mage took a deep breath.

“Here we go.”

[Daru]

By Foot


Meteora ran through the forest as fast as he could. He knew that his cousin was to face the sorcerer on her own and he didn’t want her to be alone for too long. Staying in the shadows of the tall trees, he kept a watchful eye on the road. Suddenly the sound of war drums filled the air. The assassin hid behind a large rock, peering over the top at the road. Soldiers in black armor went marching by in perfect order; hundreds of them. The seemed to walk with the beat of the drums. All of the corrupted men had either a sad face or a mad one.

There seemed to be no end to the lines, and Meteora knew he couldn’t waste anymore time. He stood back up, staying in the shadows, and made for the castle. The great black tower slowly came into view. The assassin ran around to the back side to avoid the guards at the front gate.

Looking up, the half-elf spotted an open window. Voices came from around the corner.

“So after the army gets back I say we take a deserved break. I mean we can only kill so many innocent people before we grow tired right?” A soldier asked another, who only laughed.

“Hey! Hey you! You shouldn’t be here!!!” The first soldier yelled, charging him with a sword. The soldier slashed Meteora right across the chest, causing him to disappear. “It was a clone!” Yelled the other while taking a black arrow to the head. The first soldier traced the arrow up to the window. There stood the assassin, readying another arrow. Before the soldier could say a word, he too took an arrow to the head and fell to the earth.

“Now to find Orama.” The half-elf said to himself while hopping into the tower.

[Daru]

The Great Battle


The door made an annoying creaking sound as the light mage slowly pushed it open. There was a dark spiral staircase leading downwards into the tower. Orama created a small ball of light at the end of her staff. Now the cold stone walls were visible as she crept her way down. Some parts of the walls were colder than others and sometimes Orama thought she could here the voices of trapped spirits within the black walls. The staircase finally came to an end into a small room. There were two tall wooden double doors, and another staircase leading downwards, most likely to the front gate. Orama grabbed her stomach a bent over. Ahhh. He is definitely in there. I can feel him. I can feel his pain. Shaking off the sickness Orama lifted her staff and blasted open the doors with a great ball of light.

The evil sorcerer stood there waiting. He too, could feel the presence of the mage.

“Well, well, well. Hello there Orama. My spies have told me a great deal about how this great white mage of the light was coming to end my life.” He laughed. “Now that I’m looking at you, I realize my informants have made a grave mistake. One that will cost them there useless lives. You see, Orama, I am a sorcerer. I too, started as a mage when I was younger, but I quickly learned the ways of dark magic and worked my way up the ranks until I received the title of sorcerer.” He said with fire in his eyes.

“I do not wish to converse with you dark one. I only wish to end you. Your evil magics have ended too many lives. Your magic strengths and your past are of no concern to me. Goodbye dark one.” Orama exclaimed while throwing her fist in the air, yelling stunning light. Thunder roared through the tower and a bright light filled the room. When the sorcerer opened his eyes just in time to take a massive ball of light to his chest, causing him to fly into the wall. A large painting of the tower which hung there, fell on top the dark one. Orama charged another ball of light.

Laughing came from under the painting. “So you do mean to end me?” He laughed harder. “Well, you will have to do better than that!” Yell roared as the painting flew across the room, and the sorcerer rose to his feet. Orama released the light orb. The evil man released an orb of his own of equal size. The balls met each other in the middle and started changing colors. A high pitched noise rang out as the now one orb grew and shrunk. Finally, it exploded, sending the sorcerer and the mage flying backwards.

“What?! You are only a mage right? How do you hold so much power?” His scared face left while a smile grew. “ Well, no worries. You are strong, but only as a high mage of some sort. No sorcerer!” He finished, hurling another dark sphere at the half-elf. Orama dodged and fired back. The two battled with light and dark magic around the room like this for some time.

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

Meteora landed on a spiral staircase leading upwards. Just like Orama’s it was dark and cool. Without wasting anymore time he ran up to the room that led to the sorcerer’s quarters. The whole way up he could hear the sound of magic exploding, and hitting walls. When he reached the room, he saw the dark sorcerer standing above his cousin.

“You fought well mage, but not good enough to match my power!” He exclaimed while charging a massive dark orb above Orama.

The dark one was just about to let the dark orb fall to end the mage’s life when a black arrow, covered in flames, struck him in the back causing the sorcerer to loose the focus of the orb, and more painfully, to catch fire. Meteora held his hand towards the dark sorcerer, making the flames grow larger and hotter. Some where in the fire the sorcerer looked up at Meteora and smiled. Dark magic doused the flames and a ball of shadow went hurling at the assassin, sending him into the room before the quarters. The sorcerer’s body and face where pitch black due to the flames with one eye melted shut. The dark one turned back to where Orama was laying, but she was gone. When looked back at Meteora he seen that the light mage was there, healing her cousin. Meteora stood to his feet smiling at Orama.

“Thank you cousin.” Meteora said to Orama.

“What goes around comes around Meteora.” The mage winked at her cousin who was realizing the importance of love and friendship.

“Now lets end this pathetic sorcerer’s life!” The assassin said while drawing his katana.

Dodging more dark balls, Meteora and Orama ran at the dark one, who was starting to feel weak from all the damage he took. Orama jumped into the air, flipping over the sorcerer and landing behind him. She then proceeded to press her hand to the sides of the evil man’s head. Using the touch of grace, Orama made the sorcerer fall to his knees, while the dark magic started to leave his body. While he was on his knees Meteora pierced his chest with the katana, sending through to the other side. The evil one let out a gasp and a groan while Orama stood above him, raising her staff into the air. She brought her white staff down through the mouth of the sorcerer, into his throat. The mage created an enormous blast of light energy within his body. First the sorcerer’s body started to crack and fall apart revealing brightly shining light. Then he exploded into thousands of pieces, causing Orama and Meteora to fly into a nearby pile of rubble.

[Daru]

AND LASTLY.......


Getting what’s Deserved

Meteora climbed out of the pile of debris and held out a hand for his cousin. After helping Orama to her feet, the two stood there looking around, then they looked back at each other. Orama smiled, as did Meteora, and then the two started laughing.

“You did it! Congratulations Orama!” The assassin said with a big smile.

“I couldn’t have done it without you cousin. Thank you so much.” Orama said while wrapping her arms around him. Meteora smiled and patted her on the head while hugging her back.

“Well, with the sorcerer dead I’m sure his army will fall by the end of tonight. And now, my beautiful cousin, I must take my leave and hope to cross paths with you another day. Goodbye.” Meteora said while releasing the grip of his hug and turning to the stairs.

“Good bye Meteora. You be careful ok? I like these random meetings and if you get yourself killed then there are no more! Haha.” Orama laughed as she watched her cousin disappear into the shadows of the staircase.

She sighed and headed to the stairs leading upwards. With one last glance at the destroyed room she too, disappeared into the shadows of the staircase. She opened the door to the top of the tower and walk outside. Looking over the edge she could see Meteora walking down a road that led to the opposite direction from the town.

She held her golden ring, getting ready to summon Maru, when suddenly a bright white ball covered her body. A warm feeling rushed over her skin, and when the ball dissipated she was no longer on top of a castle. She was in a bright white hall, standing before the elder council of the high arc mages. A high arc mage is the highest rank a mage can be, before becoming a sorceress. Which takes years, and is almost impossible unless your magic is just amazing.

“Well done Orama of the light! You managed to take care of a rather large thorn in our sides.” The eldest of the council spoke. “We have been talking, and we decided that the time has come for you to become a high arc mage. You have done an excellent job, and your magic has been tested in all different circumstances. Your brain and magic have much room for expansion. So a high arc mage you shall be!” The other council members on the left and right of the eldest began to clap. They stopped. “However, Orama. You must choose. You must choose to continue as a high arc mage of the light, or a high arc mage of water. Right now, it seem as thought your magical energies are split between the two correct? Well you must choose, and when you are ready, go back to the institution and train with our best. You make us proud Orama. Congratulations!” The eldest said while the room started to fade.

Before the mage knew it, she was alone, standing on top of the dark tower once again. A huge smile grew on her face as she summoned her great eagle. Maru landed next to her, and she mounted him.

“Ok boy, take me to the institution!” She told the eagle while holding back an excited laugh. Orama has worked so hard to get where she is going, and she was still having trouble believing it. However, the mage has to decide before arriving whether she wants to be a high arc mage of the light or water, because there is no room for her to do both. Or else her power will be split and she will only be a mage forever. Choosing one, and becoming a high arc mage will make her incredibly more powerful.