Lord Soth
Nov 17th, 2002, 08:55:58 PM
Deleonous crept forward out sight, then he turned slightly without looking back as he held up one of his hand's, motioning it in a silent gesture to halt a small garrison of men that followed close behind him. As the Strike Unit crouched behind boulders and dead stumps of what was once a grove or forrest long ago, it became strangely apparent that death had left it's loathsome imprint here, a wasteland barren of all life as far as the eye could see.
Before them, floating on the dark horizon was the great citadel of Saurron. It's always changing location was know only to a few that happened upon it by accident, stray outlander's that rarely lived to tell the story that it even existed at all. A foreboding backdrop of boiling clouds loomed about it as wicked blue tendril's of lightning slashed across the crimson sky, giving a momentary glimpse of it's entirety. How such a great structure hewn from living rock could levitate on it's own accord was a mystery within itself. Perhaps it was a propulsion system of some kind, or even the witchery of ancient Sith magic it's self that kept the mammoth Keep afloat. Nevertheless, it would take some long forethought to enter it's constantly moving trajectory. For at the base of the great citadel to the rocky terrain below; from Deleonous's vantage point, it was at least seventy to one hundred meters high.
"My lord,...The transport's are secure." Came a low voice behind Deleonous. "What are your instructions from here?" Deleonous turned slowly, narrowing his eye's as he glared at Parthos.
"What would be your move captain?" Snapped Deleonous, His word's were lethal and tipped with a poisonous tone that the commander felt.
The muscle's in Parthos jaw tightened a bit before he answered the man in black garb, finding it somewhat difficult to force out his word's of respect. "Then we will await your further command my lord." Bowing his head slightly, Parthos diverted his eye's, his tone was subdued as he finished. Parthos was known among his men as a great tactical ground advisor and a fearsome warrior to match, but this man in black was not one to be taken lightly...Parthos knew better then to challenge Deleonous authority. He had seen first hand men killed for lesser infraction's. Deleonous's volatile behavior could be most deadly if crossed, let alone questioned...__
Deleonous slowly returned his thoughtful gaze back to the ominous stone citadel. The Sith Lord pondered long and hard over this moment that now presented it's self to him. Months had gone into this under taking as teams of minds went over and over it's intricate strategy. Deleonous knew this to be the only way of strike, a Sith strike! A secret fracture within the Sith Empire had brought disruption and unrest to the higher dictatorship and the Coven was to blame in Deleonous mind. The Sith Lord went to great length's in persuading the ruling conclave to act upon the outrage that was eventually seen to many as nothing less then treason. And now the Coven stood in contempt of it's judgment...To the to the Dark Lord, his motive was simple...Revenge! Even the Jedi would think this a bold move, nevertheless, at this point it was to be strictly a covert operation to observe. The next wave would absolve the Coven and its leadership once and for all...
After an awkward moment of silence, Deleonous in his crouched position turned to face Parthos once more. The fierce eye's were devoid of any emotion as was his ensuing word's..."I will go alone..."
"My lord is this wise" retorted Parthos in protest. Deleonous sneered at the premature remark, his eye's blazed with an inner heat as they bore through Parthos like Sith dagger's.
"You dare question me Parthos?" Deleonous's teeth clinched, making the last of his words more like a hiss as he finished his sentence. Parthos quickly looked to the ground so as not to meet the heated gaze of Deleonous's.
"No, my lord" came Parthos reply in a feeble tone.
"Good,...I will return at the designated time we have agreed upon!...Have the ship's and the men assembled when I arrive...Don't let me down captain!" snapped Deleonous, his commanding word's carried steel with them as he pointed his black leathered glove at Parthos. At that, Deleonous called to the Dark Side force and moved quickly from sight to a closer vantage point in circumference to the Citadel.
Deleonous sat for long moments tucked behind fallen timbers and rocks that were strewn about the landscape. He studied the probable access points about the Coven with his powered binoculars. There seemed to be an access area, but he would have to call upon the force to achieve the difficult task. Tucking his binoculars in his side satchel, Deleonous was about to maneuver to a closer location when a deep dreaded cold gripped him. The coolness of the air was mingled with a putrid odor of decaying rose's. Deleonous bones ached in that very moment, his limbs cramped and seemed to freeze in place as the unholy cold about the area washed over his form in subzero waves. With lighting speed, the Sith wasted no time in snatching the metallic cylinder from it's belt loop at his side. Turning, Deleonous managed to ignite his saber, and face that which was behind him...
"No need for that, Mortal!..." came a cold hollow voice from a shadowed alcove of fallen tree's. It was the dreaded Death Knight old!...Soth, the infamous enforcer for the Coven hierarchy. Deleonous knew the encounter with Soth would be unavoidable and was more then prepared to meet the challenge. He was well acquainted with Death Knight's legend and the brutality he was famous for.
"Saurron's dog on a chain has come to pry," Deleonous retorted, his word's were mocking as he took a defensive stance only feet for the Death Knight that stood motionless, his armored arm's crossed in front on his chest.
"No,...I have come to snack,...And my hunger is unquenchable...Sith." Soth's methodical word's came slow and cold, his orange eye's blazed from behind the ancient tooled helm that he wore. Deleonous's mind raced as he anticipated Soth's probable form of attack in the tight area were movement was limited. Deleonous would use the surrounding terrain to his advantage...
"What would be your move captain?" came Soth in cryptic tone's as he recited the very word's Deleonous had spoken to Parthos before he had left the strike unit behind him. Deleonous recoiled in shock at the Death Knight's subtle remark. "Could he have know our plans all along? He thought inwardly, keeping his eye's transfixed on Soth's every move. Then the answer came to Deleonous mind through the Force.
"You are now in our realm...Outlander. Your plan's of deception have been exposed, uncovered before you even set foot on this planet..." The Death Knight word's echoed throughout Deleonous mind like the periodic thunder clap's overhead.
"Did you really think your pathetic ruse would ever succeed fool?" Deleonous fought back in his mind to shield the Death Knights suggestion's of defeat. He knew that different tactics would have to be used against one so cunning he thought.
"I have come to seek an audience with Saurron himself" replied Deleonous coolly, trying to sound confident as he relaxed his stance. The Death Knight let out a sinister laugh, his eye's burning to a searing point as he eye'd the Sith.
"You dare trifle with me mortal!...You are a spy and a traitor to your own kind...Your insignificant band of hirelings are no threat here." Hissed the Death Knight, his stance remained stoic and unwavering.
"Indeed Soth,...Protection is a must...As you have figured out, my escort is nothing more then that," came Deleonous's bold reply as the roster of power's he could use on Soth ran through his mind.
"Come and see what protection you have Sith...As we speak your band of criminals are feast to my minion..." the Death Knight retorted, the coldness around Deleonous seemed to drop even more as Soth continued.
"...They have paid with their lives for this insurrection as you will with yours!" Again Deleonous quickly called to the Dark Side; tiny pinpoint's of fire began to well and gravitate around his left hand in a circular motion...But before Deleonous could release the powerful fireball at Soth, an icy, ethereal hand shot forth from the Death Knights already outstretched hand. The disembodied ghostly hand gripped Deleonous's heart through his chest, quelling the powerful fireball's heat as it hit the Sith full force in cold wave's. Soth had beat the Sith Lord to the punch. Deleonous flailed backwards from the tremendous unseen wave of force that hit him mid chest, dropping his saber to the ground as the unbearable pain seized him. His mind flashed with scenes from the past, his inner most thoughts laid open like a book before Soth and himself. Deleonous blood at that moment ran icy cold his veins as he rolled and crashed against the broken timber's to the ground.
Deleonous form writhed in agony as he clutched at his chest in vain, trying to relieve the cold burning pain that tugged at his heart...
I beseech you Soth...I...I am Sith...Like yourself! " Deleonous managed to release the broken word's of his sentence as he cried out in a desperate gasp.
"Indeed you are fateful one." Sneered Soth, his hollow voice was devoid of any empathy for the downed man before him. Then as soon as it had all begun, Deleonous's pain abruptly stopped. However, when Deleonous tried to move, his body would not respond to the most simple command's. He lay in a frozen like state, only his mind seemed to work as he lay there on the cold moist ground. He could feel the Death Knight near him and come to stand over him. Then suddenly, a powerful hand snatched him by the collar of his robes, tearing him from the ground from the place he once lay. Deleonous could feel himself being dragged into the folds of darkness to another point, another place...Then everything around him faded to black...
Time and space seemed to be lost when the groggy Sith came out of the lethargic state he was in. Deleonous found that he could move his body somewhat as his eye's adjusted to the shadowy landscape around him. With great effort, he strained franticly to get his frigid body to respond, cursing under his breath as he concentrated it's movement. Then finally, his chilled limb's slowly gave way to the command's given them. Rolling slowly to his side, the Sith was greeted by a dreadful fear and horror that gripped him. Deleonous mouth slightly parted in astonishment when his eyes fell on the scene before him. His troops, along with Parthos now laid in bloody heaps about the ground. Ghastly, silhouetted figures now stood hunched over the stricken bodies of the dead, their eye's glowing with an unholy red in their socket's as they gnawed on the flesh men...
"Only now do you fully understand Deleonous..." The Death Knight's sepulchral voice made Deleonous stiffen as he addressed him.
"For you see foolish one,...Your pitiful band of brigand's are nothing more then food for the worms," came Soth in a jesting voice of mockery. Deleonous's soul tugged at him, his plan had been thwarted. Somehow in that moment it became clear to him...Soth had known all alone..."But how was it possible?" Deleonous thought to himself, feebly glancing to were Death Knight stood. The highly orchestrated assault was kept under tight wrap's. Security was at it's highest regarding the military strike, not to mention it's top secret knowledge was also limited to a privileged few until the order was given at the last possible moment of attack.
"Damn you Soth!...There will be other's that will come in my place...I can promise you that!" Deleonous hissed as he thought of a way to buy himself some more time. His body still uncooperative and sluggish.
"You seek an audience with Saurron you say Sith?", the Death Knight asked, his tone was cool, almost giving the Sith the impression that it might still be possible to negotiate on his term's. Deleonous said nothing as he let his eye's trail back over to the lifeless body of Parthos.
"Then you will have it!" Without warning, Soth motioned to his dark minion with a snap of his gloved hand. Immediately the dark figures pounced on Deleonous in a vicious fever, shredding him to pieces as the Death Knight watched in satisfaction. An evil smile etched it's way across his face as he stood with his armored arm's crossed at the mayhem only feet from him. And the very last word's that Deleonous heard in his mind were that of the Death Knight...
"Your head will I give to Saurron,...Indeed,...I will send him your regards."
Chronicles of Soth.
Before them, floating on the dark horizon was the great citadel of Saurron. It's always changing location was know only to a few that happened upon it by accident, stray outlander's that rarely lived to tell the story that it even existed at all. A foreboding backdrop of boiling clouds loomed about it as wicked blue tendril's of lightning slashed across the crimson sky, giving a momentary glimpse of it's entirety. How such a great structure hewn from living rock could levitate on it's own accord was a mystery within itself. Perhaps it was a propulsion system of some kind, or even the witchery of ancient Sith magic it's self that kept the mammoth Keep afloat. Nevertheless, it would take some long forethought to enter it's constantly moving trajectory. For at the base of the great citadel to the rocky terrain below; from Deleonous's vantage point, it was at least seventy to one hundred meters high.
"My lord,...The transport's are secure." Came a low voice behind Deleonous. "What are your instructions from here?" Deleonous turned slowly, narrowing his eye's as he glared at Parthos.
"What would be your move captain?" Snapped Deleonous, His word's were lethal and tipped with a poisonous tone that the commander felt.
The muscle's in Parthos jaw tightened a bit before he answered the man in black garb, finding it somewhat difficult to force out his word's of respect. "Then we will await your further command my lord." Bowing his head slightly, Parthos diverted his eye's, his tone was subdued as he finished. Parthos was known among his men as a great tactical ground advisor and a fearsome warrior to match, but this man in black was not one to be taken lightly...Parthos knew better then to challenge Deleonous authority. He had seen first hand men killed for lesser infraction's. Deleonous's volatile behavior could be most deadly if crossed, let alone questioned...__
Deleonous slowly returned his thoughtful gaze back to the ominous stone citadel. The Sith Lord pondered long and hard over this moment that now presented it's self to him. Months had gone into this under taking as teams of minds went over and over it's intricate strategy. Deleonous knew this to be the only way of strike, a Sith strike! A secret fracture within the Sith Empire had brought disruption and unrest to the higher dictatorship and the Coven was to blame in Deleonous mind. The Sith Lord went to great length's in persuading the ruling conclave to act upon the outrage that was eventually seen to many as nothing less then treason. And now the Coven stood in contempt of it's judgment...To the to the Dark Lord, his motive was simple...Revenge! Even the Jedi would think this a bold move, nevertheless, at this point it was to be strictly a covert operation to observe. The next wave would absolve the Coven and its leadership once and for all...
After an awkward moment of silence, Deleonous in his crouched position turned to face Parthos once more. The fierce eye's were devoid of any emotion as was his ensuing word's..."I will go alone..."
"My lord is this wise" retorted Parthos in protest. Deleonous sneered at the premature remark, his eye's blazed with an inner heat as they bore through Parthos like Sith dagger's.
"You dare question me Parthos?" Deleonous's teeth clinched, making the last of his words more like a hiss as he finished his sentence. Parthos quickly looked to the ground so as not to meet the heated gaze of Deleonous's.
"No, my lord" came Parthos reply in a feeble tone.
"Good,...I will return at the designated time we have agreed upon!...Have the ship's and the men assembled when I arrive...Don't let me down captain!" snapped Deleonous, his commanding word's carried steel with them as he pointed his black leathered glove at Parthos. At that, Deleonous called to the Dark Side force and moved quickly from sight to a closer vantage point in circumference to the Citadel.
Deleonous sat for long moments tucked behind fallen timbers and rocks that were strewn about the landscape. He studied the probable access points about the Coven with his powered binoculars. There seemed to be an access area, but he would have to call upon the force to achieve the difficult task. Tucking his binoculars in his side satchel, Deleonous was about to maneuver to a closer location when a deep dreaded cold gripped him. The coolness of the air was mingled with a putrid odor of decaying rose's. Deleonous bones ached in that very moment, his limbs cramped and seemed to freeze in place as the unholy cold about the area washed over his form in subzero waves. With lighting speed, the Sith wasted no time in snatching the metallic cylinder from it's belt loop at his side. Turning, Deleonous managed to ignite his saber, and face that which was behind him...
"No need for that, Mortal!..." came a cold hollow voice from a shadowed alcove of fallen tree's. It was the dreaded Death Knight old!...Soth, the infamous enforcer for the Coven hierarchy. Deleonous knew the encounter with Soth would be unavoidable and was more then prepared to meet the challenge. He was well acquainted with Death Knight's legend and the brutality he was famous for.
"Saurron's dog on a chain has come to pry," Deleonous retorted, his word's were mocking as he took a defensive stance only feet for the Death Knight that stood motionless, his armored arm's crossed in front on his chest.
"No,...I have come to snack,...And my hunger is unquenchable...Sith." Soth's methodical word's came slow and cold, his orange eye's blazed from behind the ancient tooled helm that he wore. Deleonous's mind raced as he anticipated Soth's probable form of attack in the tight area were movement was limited. Deleonous would use the surrounding terrain to his advantage...
"What would be your move captain?" came Soth in cryptic tone's as he recited the very word's Deleonous had spoken to Parthos before he had left the strike unit behind him. Deleonous recoiled in shock at the Death Knight's subtle remark. "Could he have know our plans all along? He thought inwardly, keeping his eye's transfixed on Soth's every move. Then the answer came to Deleonous mind through the Force.
"You are now in our realm...Outlander. Your plan's of deception have been exposed, uncovered before you even set foot on this planet..." The Death Knight word's echoed throughout Deleonous mind like the periodic thunder clap's overhead.
"Did you really think your pathetic ruse would ever succeed fool?" Deleonous fought back in his mind to shield the Death Knights suggestion's of defeat. He knew that different tactics would have to be used against one so cunning he thought.
"I have come to seek an audience with Saurron himself" replied Deleonous coolly, trying to sound confident as he relaxed his stance. The Death Knight let out a sinister laugh, his eye's burning to a searing point as he eye'd the Sith.
"You dare trifle with me mortal!...You are a spy and a traitor to your own kind...Your insignificant band of hirelings are no threat here." Hissed the Death Knight, his stance remained stoic and unwavering.
"Indeed Soth,...Protection is a must...As you have figured out, my escort is nothing more then that," came Deleonous's bold reply as the roster of power's he could use on Soth ran through his mind.
"Come and see what protection you have Sith...As we speak your band of criminals are feast to my minion..." the Death Knight retorted, the coldness around Deleonous seemed to drop even more as Soth continued.
"...They have paid with their lives for this insurrection as you will with yours!" Again Deleonous quickly called to the Dark Side; tiny pinpoint's of fire began to well and gravitate around his left hand in a circular motion...But before Deleonous could release the powerful fireball at Soth, an icy, ethereal hand shot forth from the Death Knights already outstretched hand. The disembodied ghostly hand gripped Deleonous's heart through his chest, quelling the powerful fireball's heat as it hit the Sith full force in cold wave's. Soth had beat the Sith Lord to the punch. Deleonous flailed backwards from the tremendous unseen wave of force that hit him mid chest, dropping his saber to the ground as the unbearable pain seized him. His mind flashed with scenes from the past, his inner most thoughts laid open like a book before Soth and himself. Deleonous blood at that moment ran icy cold his veins as he rolled and crashed against the broken timber's to the ground.
Deleonous form writhed in agony as he clutched at his chest in vain, trying to relieve the cold burning pain that tugged at his heart...
I beseech you Soth...I...I am Sith...Like yourself! " Deleonous managed to release the broken word's of his sentence as he cried out in a desperate gasp.
"Indeed you are fateful one." Sneered Soth, his hollow voice was devoid of any empathy for the downed man before him. Then as soon as it had all begun, Deleonous's pain abruptly stopped. However, when Deleonous tried to move, his body would not respond to the most simple command's. He lay in a frozen like state, only his mind seemed to work as he lay there on the cold moist ground. He could feel the Death Knight near him and come to stand over him. Then suddenly, a powerful hand snatched him by the collar of his robes, tearing him from the ground from the place he once lay. Deleonous could feel himself being dragged into the folds of darkness to another point, another place...Then everything around him faded to black...
Time and space seemed to be lost when the groggy Sith came out of the lethargic state he was in. Deleonous found that he could move his body somewhat as his eye's adjusted to the shadowy landscape around him. With great effort, he strained franticly to get his frigid body to respond, cursing under his breath as he concentrated it's movement. Then finally, his chilled limb's slowly gave way to the command's given them. Rolling slowly to his side, the Sith was greeted by a dreadful fear and horror that gripped him. Deleonous mouth slightly parted in astonishment when his eyes fell on the scene before him. His troops, along with Parthos now laid in bloody heaps about the ground. Ghastly, silhouetted figures now stood hunched over the stricken bodies of the dead, their eye's glowing with an unholy red in their socket's as they gnawed on the flesh men...
"Only now do you fully understand Deleonous..." The Death Knight's sepulchral voice made Deleonous stiffen as he addressed him.
"For you see foolish one,...Your pitiful band of brigand's are nothing more then food for the worms," came Soth in a jesting voice of mockery. Deleonous's soul tugged at him, his plan had been thwarted. Somehow in that moment it became clear to him...Soth had known all alone..."But how was it possible?" Deleonous thought to himself, feebly glancing to were Death Knight stood. The highly orchestrated assault was kept under tight wrap's. Security was at it's highest regarding the military strike, not to mention it's top secret knowledge was also limited to a privileged few until the order was given at the last possible moment of attack.
"Damn you Soth!...There will be other's that will come in my place...I can promise you that!" Deleonous hissed as he thought of a way to buy himself some more time. His body still uncooperative and sluggish.
"You seek an audience with Saurron you say Sith?", the Death Knight asked, his tone was cool, almost giving the Sith the impression that it might still be possible to negotiate on his term's. Deleonous said nothing as he let his eye's trail back over to the lifeless body of Parthos.
"Then you will have it!" Without warning, Soth motioned to his dark minion with a snap of his gloved hand. Immediately the dark figures pounced on Deleonous in a vicious fever, shredding him to pieces as the Death Knight watched in satisfaction. An evil smile etched it's way across his face as he stood with his armored arm's crossed at the mayhem only feet from him. And the very last word's that Deleonous heard in his mind were that of the Death Knight...
"Your head will I give to Saurron,...Indeed,...I will send him your regards."
Chronicles of Soth.