Raxaferhan Nights: The first night

Parting my cloak, the familiar scent of the Black Room filled my nostrils. Taking in a deep breath, i opened my eyes and exhaled a sigh of relief...

Home Sweet Home

The thought had barely crossed my mind when suddenly i sensed the silent ruffle of feathers and heard a whisper in my mind...

I missed you, my lord

The silky voice of Kiavana, the house ghost, filled my mind. Kiavana had once been a beautiful maiden in a time long before the Eptesil was constructed. What existed before was a network of caves that spanned the entire Eastern continent, infested by thieves and brigands who used the tunnels as a base of operations. Within the tunnels, warring factions of rival bosses fought over control of the tunnels and the territory above it.

Kiavana was once a maiden, who had lost her way in the wilderness. After days of wandering, she found herself the quarry of a hungry pack of wolves and in the course of running fell into a vertical cave. Injured and alone in darkness, she cried out for help...little did she know that she had not escaped the beasts that hungered for her flesh. From a distance she saw the light of torches approaching in the darkness and heard the voices of men...she tried to call out, but only a hoarse croak escaped her parched lips...had someone come to save her? As they closed in, and they saw her, she knew that they meant to harm her...The beasts ravaged her again and again until she lay motionless, in too much pain to move. Her vision dimmed and she died. However her soul could not rest, not now, not ever until her vengeance was complete. In her fury, Kiavana's will allowed her to bend shadows and manipulate them. Using the darkness of the caverns and tunnels, she tormented her rapists, hunting them down and exacting the price of their cruelty. From cave to cave, tunnel to tunnel, Kiavana killed all who dared to step into her domain until it was empty of all life and remaind thus for centuries to come.

That is, until my grandfather found his way in. He walked into the face of what would have been certain death, with nothing but his dagger, the cloak that i am wearing and a purity of light so bright that it kept him safe from Kiavana. Kiavana's centuries in isolation and darkness had hardened her, but the hatred that had blinded her was lifted when she saw the light in my grandfather's heart. He constructed Eptesil, the guild hall, with his hands and magic. Eptesil, quite literally a house underground, carved from the very stones of the largest cave, it was more a mansion then a house. To complete it, Kiavana made it so that all shadows led those with pure hearts into the Black Room, and doomed the blackhearted to an eternity of wandering alone in the cold depths. She became the guardian of Eptesil, safekeeping the halls and it's inhabitants.

Lord, you have to go so soon? She asked, reading my mind...i felt delicate fingers massage my neck and she materialized from the shadows behind me. Kiavana was a indeed a lovely being, her pale skin and bright blue eyes were framed in the loveliest black hair i've ever seen. Gently she took off my cloak and commanded the shadows to carry it to my chambers. I kissed her forehead and opened the Black Room's doors leading into the greater hall. Walking hastily past various guildmembers, i greeted them and carried speedily on towards the Vault of Ereberon.

"Hail Lord Shikaze!" said Colfen, the crippled vaultkeeper.
"Hail Uncle, how do you fare tonight?"
Colfen:"Swimmingly, what brings you here?"
"I'm going on a trip Colfen...it's time to check up on the Western Talos branch"
"The Western Talos? Have they been late with their report?"
"Yes they have, so i'm going to need a firebreather, 2 grappling lines and hooks, and a dozen throwing knives while you're at it"

Colfen looked me in the eye, "Just a check up?" smiling i winked and he got me the items i requested.

"Since you're going for a visit, i think you might prefer our new firebreather, bigger boom, brighter flash, hotter flames...try not to use it in close quarters, or you'll be sent flying." Taking hold of the ornate wand, i looked at the business end of the wand carved into the shape of a dragon's maw. "Lovely" i whispered, before tucking the firebreather into one of my hidden pockets.

"Kiana, let Calyn know that i want her to get me a ship to the western kingdom, leaving tomorrow morning." addressing the ghost behind me, "oh and draw my bath too, i'll be there shortly". Picking up my things, i thanked Colfen and turned to leave

"Do you remember what your name means?" asked Colfen suddenly. The question had sparked memories i kept in the back of my mind, out of view.

"It means Death Wind, Uncle, from the old thieves' tongue" i replied, leaving the Vault but my mind had already shifted to the true meaning...the real name my father gave me.

"Boy, do you know what I named you?" he asked me. I was but a child of 6 years looking at his father who knew everything. I replied with what i knew"Shikaze means Death Wind, in serpentspeak, father". "Yes, that's what Shikaze means in serpentspeak, but do you know what i named you?" he replied, i looked at him in confusion. "Your name is actually Elven, and it means Brightest Light...I want you to have the foresight to see the truth, what is right...and the courage to fight for it no matter how dark the world seems."

I lay awake in my bed, thinking about the trip ahead. The bath was soothing, but my mind was still restless. As i lay naked in bed, i suddenly felt Kiavana's arms around my body, trying to relax me. First her hands, then her lips kissed me gently...i wouldn't sleep tonight.