The Wind in the Trees

[bumper15]

No, I've had debate tournaments these last two weeks and was unable to get around to this, I should have the next part up this weekend. (I then have another tournament the next weekend so we'll see how it works out.)

[The Grim Reaper's Friend]

Originally Posted by bumper15

No, I've had debate tournaments these last two weeks and was unable to get around to this, I should have the next part up this weekend. (I then have another tournament the next weekend so we'll see how it works out.)

Uh, "debate tournaments"? What is that? or are you a lawyer.

[Majora's Incarnation]

Originally Posted by The Grim Reaper's Friend

Uh, "debate tournaments"? What is that? or are you a lawyer.

I think he means like debate team.

[bumper15]

Originally Posted by Majora's Incarnation

I think he means like debate team.

Yep PHSSL Debate is da bomb!!!

[The Grim Reaper's Friend]

Originally Posted by Majora's Incarnation

I think he means like debate team.

... you guys are losing me here...

[bumper15]

Originally Posted by The Grim Reaper's Friend

... you guys are losing me here...

I don't want to clutter this too much, but look up "PHSSL policy debate" or "PHSSL cross-examination debate" and you'll probably find something.

[bumper15]

Finally, the next part is up. Please enjoy!

Chapter 9

The fighting was finally dying down. All that remained of the Wood Sprites invincible army were small pockets of resistance scattered throughout the battlefield. The Necromancer made a quick calculation and estimated about thirty Sprites still survived. Those thirty still posed a great threat to the Necromancer's plans. Looking across the battlefield, the Necromancer guessed each Wood Sprite had taken down fifty undead. The Necromancer had used up all his excess energy to build his army of thirty thousand and he had had almost a third torn away. He had no energy left to revive anyone that had been dead longer than five minutes.
He had relied on the fact that he would have been able reanimate the Wood Sprites, and use their formidable prowess to make up the losses, but something was taking them from him. It would be difficult for his army to conquer the world now.
He also continued to wonder at the fact that their chieftain had abandoned his people in their last hour. A hunt would have to be sent out. The Wood Sprites were good at hiding, but when twenty thousand people are determined to find you, there is nowhere to hide.
The Necromancer continued to watch the dying battle. Suddenly a piercing light tore through the clearing. The Necromancer staggered back several steps, blinded.

The Nightmare was fast, but Aryan was faster. Aryan was strong, but the Nightmare was stronger. Their death dance continued as the sounds of battle slowly died away. The Nightmare had had thousands of years to train and was the most feared being in the wastelands. He had won a thousand battles and had no intention of losing now.
Aryan suddenly noticed a warmth behind her back and realized that not far behind her were the dying embers of Mother Tree. She swung her sword at the Nightmare's head, angling down at the last second. The Nightmare immediately lowered his sword and managed to block the blow. He was too late to stop it completely however and the sword pierced his side.
The Nightmare staggered backwards, black blood dripping from his side.
He looked up and stared at Aryan. "Well done!" he hissed from behind his helmet, "You managed to wound me." He charged at Aryan, forcing her back with a series of well calculated moves, learned from centuries of practice.
Aryan suddenly found herself on top of the mound. standing on the ashes of Mother Tree. She looked back up in time to see the Nightmare's wicked sword come crashing towards her. She managed to raise her broadsword to block the blow, but the Nightmare's relentlessness was so great that that final strike was too much for her sword and it shattered.
The Nightmare grabbed her by the hair and forced her to her knees. "Be honored child," the Nightmare hissed quietly, "You have been the best of all that I have defeated. For that, your head will be my trophy." He raised his sword to her neck and began to slowly press in, giving her the slow death he had promised her. Aryan didn't make a sound as drops of her blood trickled on the ground above the lifeless root system of Mother Tree, in a clearing desecrated by these monsters. she closed her eyes, knowing that she would have rather died here than all other places in the world.
Suddenly a profound calm overcame her and she slowly opened her eyes. She was in a dank cavern, the clearing no longer present. She suddenly noticed that the Nightmare wasn't there either. She turned around and noticed a female being behind her. Aryan stared in awe at the being, her robes told Aryan everything she needed to know. She was dressed similar to the paintings in the cavern. Quickly, Aryan stood up and bowed her head in reverence. "Thank you for saving me, Moon Goddess."

The Nightmare glanced around, all that he saw were golden particles, scattering where the Sprite was a second before. What had happened? he thought to himself. Just then, a light erupted from the spot where Mother Tree had stood in all her majesty. The Nightmare stumbled backwards and fell on his backside. There was a dull thud and the Nightmare managed to see outlined against the blinding light an arrow.

Orin swore to himself. He had no idea what that light was, but, whatever it was for, it had made him miss his shot. He had arrived at the clearing just in time to see the Nightmare disarm and kill his sister, he was determined for revenge. He unstrung and stowed his bow in his quiver, drew his rapier, and charged out to end the Nightmare.

[The Grim Reaper's Friend]

oh, boy. This is getting good. Really good. I can't wait for the next installment.

[sir william the bold]

CLIFF HANGER!! write again soon, thats an order.

[bumper15]

Ask and ye shall receive

Chapter 10

Mother Tree was no more. The last ember of the once symbol of life had faded. The night was still repelled, however, by the beam of light now erupting from where the tree once stood. It had died down from the blinding blast had been and instead steadily gave off enough light to illuminate the entire clearing in a soft glow.
Orin now raced towards this beacon with a vengeance, cutting down all in his path. Staring at the beacon was the Nightmare, his black, curved sword in his hand. He knelt on the ground and reached his hand into the light. He pulled his hand out with a scream, smoke smoldering off his arm.
Orin reached the top of the mound and gazed in alarm. The burns on his arm, along with the gash in his side, were healing themselves. "No good to fight an enemy wounded," the Nightmare hissed to Orin, his back to him. "I don't believe we have met before," The Nightmare stated simply, turning to face him, "I am the Nightmare. Ruler of Jalag in the Wastelands and Commander of the Necromancer's armies. Who are you pitiful Sprite?"
"I am Orin Falafell," Orin replied lifting his rapier, "Former Lieutenant to the armies of Mero and present chieftain of the Wood Sprites."
The Nightmare inclined his head slightly, "My master wishes to meet you. He will give me great rewards for bringing you to him." The Nightmare lunged at Orin, but Orin had been raised in the woods, where a slow reaction time was a fatal flaw to anyone wandering them. He dodged to the side and readied himself to attack. He had to be careful, his flimsy rapier would easily break to the Nightmare's sword. Much more easily than Aryan's.
Orin had to force Aryan out of his mind, thinking of her would only get him killed now. The Nightmare quickly recovered and proceeded to hammer Orin with a staggering flurry of blows. Orin parried what he could and dodged the rest. The Nightmare lunged again and Orin somersaulted backwards, out of harm's way.
Orin rushed the Nightmare, his sword aimed for his heart. The Nightmare easily caught Orin's wrist and twisted his arm behind his back. Orin was forced to drop his rapier and turn away from the Nightmare to avoid breaking his arm.
"I expected a little more from you chieftain. The girl put up a better fight."
"Aryan always did enjoy putting a little more show into her fights," Orin grimaced, the pressure on his arm further injuring his bad shoulder. "I just get the job done."
Orin jabbed backwards with his left hand and the Nightmare staggered back, releasing his grip. Orin turned and watched as the Nightmare fell backwards, a knife between his ribs.
"Nice work child," the Nightmare managed, "but how does it feel to be the last of your kind?" Orin glanced around and noticed that the fighting had stopped around them, all the undead had been watching their fight. A roar broke out from the hordes and they charged the mound. "Although I think you have about a minute before that changes."
Orin quickly picked up his rapier and stabbed the Nightmare in the throat, severing his windpipe. The Nightmare collapsed, a gurgling sound coming from his throat.
Orin knelt down, "That was for my sister." He pulled the knife from the Nightmare's body, quickly cleaned it, and put it back in his boot. He had pulled it when he had somersaulted away from the Nightmare, he had just needed to get close enough to use it. His rapier wasn't strong enough to penetrate the Nightmare's plate armor. Chainmail yes, but full plate mail would have shattered his sword.
"Always carry a knife I always say." Orin turned and faced the light. Within it he saw what had captured the Nightmare's attention. A round stone, the size of his fist rested in the center of the beam of light. Forgetting the Nightmare's mistake for a moment, Orin reached into the light and found that not only did it not burn him, it revitalized him. He felt the wound on his shoulder close. He reached down and picked up the stone.
Suddenly Orin remembered the hordes of undead charging up the slopes of the hill around him. He had to escape. He pulled the stone out of the light and turned to find an escape route.
As if the stone had sustained it, the light behind him winked out. Orin's eyes quickly adjusted to the dark, faster than any normal human's could. He thanked the goddess for this tremendous stroke of luck. The darkness was all he needed to escape.
The undead made it to the top of the hill and found that there was no one there. They glanced about, shocked. Suddenly they heard a laugh echo out from the woods. Heard but not seen, just like the wind in the trees.

"Halt!"
Slink's army had been wandering around the woods for hours. They had heard the sounds of battle, but whenever they thought they neared the clearing, they ended up deeper in the woods.
Slink's commander came up to speak with him. "We have been going in circlessss. Where is that blasssted ssssprite, I thought you ssssaid he would lead ussss there."
"Patience," Slink responded calmly, "Orin isssn't sssomeone to go back on hisss word."
"How do you know? You met the child only twice, and briefly at that. I sssay we ssshould turn around. The battle isss sssurely over by now anyway."
Slink looked down resignedly, "Alright. Ssssignal our return."
The commander turned around to shout orders when suddenly an arrow from behind struck him in the throat.
Slink turned, the soldiers he led with him needed no command, they quickly formed up into positions and prepared to react to the ensuing fight.
Slink whispered to himself in shock, "Orin has betrayed us to the Necromancer."

The Necromancer glanced up at the noise below. He had set up camp on the hill where the infernal tree had once stood. The cavern below had been turned into a grave for the Nightmare. The Necromancer was silently thankful for the death of the Nightmare, he had been a gifted commander, but followed the Necromancer for sheer enjoyment. The Necromancer knew that the day would have come when the Nightmare would have challenged his authority, and he didn't need that.
One of his soldiers, what used to be a dwarf, ran up to him and saluted. "What do you have to report?" the Necromancer growled.
"One of the patrols has stumbled upon an army of Naga in the woods sir."
The Necromancer swore. Immediately after the Wood Sprite's escape he had sent patrols out to find him. Instead of finding the Sprite he had found an army of trained Naga. "Send word to all the patrols to move towards where the Naga are," he ordered to his attendents, "We need to destroy them quickly."
The Necromancer took a quick glance around, for as far as he could see into the woods, the trees were all black with death and decay. Minus the army now knocking on his door, all of his plans were coming together.

[The Grim Reaper's Friend]

This is great! Your sections are longer than mine, probably a good thing. it gives you more time to develop the next part. Very cool!

I'm on the edge of my seat. I have been for a while now, too. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

[bumper15]

The next chapter is up. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 11

More undead poured in every second. The Naga were hard pressed, but were managing to hold their own. Naga in all shapes and sizes fought against the hordes streaming through the forest.
Slink himself sat in the middle of the raging fight in his favorite form, a Killer King Snake, A 300 ft. long snake with deadly venom streaming from two 5 ft. long fangs. Diamond hard scales protected itself from anyone stupid enough to get close.
However, Slink could see that they were fighting a losing battle. More and more Naga were falling and disintegrating into a fine golden dust. Slink was deeply concerned at what that implied. The Naga weren't just dying, however the Necromancer wasn't reanimating them.
Slink crushed five of the undead with his massive body. Suddenly he felt a sting from his left. He turned and saw that one of them had managed to penetrate his armor. He went to kill the pathetic being when he felt two more stings on the other side. He was slowly being surrounded and he noticed that only a few of the Naga remained. He let out a long side and proceeded to transform back to his natural form. He slowly held out his hands in surrender.
Slink and the remaining Naga were chained together and led through the forest. Suddenly, they approached a wide clearing and Slink stared in shock. He had obviously entered the clearing of the Wood Sprites, but where was the tree?
Slink stopped in horror, the hill in the center of the clearing was covered in ash. What had that monster done? the trees around the clearing were black with death, already life was draining from the world.
A shove from behind set him moving again. Maybe Orin had had no choice but to betray them. They undead brought them to the foot of the hill where Slink was met with a frightening vision. In front of him stood what could only be the Necromancer. His black armor covered his entire body except for his face, which Slink was too frightened to look into. "Kill them!" was all he heard as one of the soldiers went to the line and slit the throat of the Naga on the end. The Naga turned to gold dust as he died.
The Necromancer roared, "Them too? Kill the rest!" The proceeded down the line killing each Naga. "Save him!" the Necromancer ordered when the got to Slink, "I want to talk with this one."
The soldier undid Slink's chains, and then continued down the line of Naga. "Come with me to my tent," the Necromancer ordered simply. He took two undead with him and escorted Slink to his tent on the other side of the hill. Not one of the Naga made a sound as they died.

Orin sat in a tree somewhere on the west side of the forest. He felt terribly weak, the orb had givin him a boost but it was still not what he needed. What he needed was a drink of Mother Tree's nectar, but Slink's betrothed, Keisha, had used the last of his to help fix his shoulder.
He pulled the orb out and studied it. It was a whitish pink color and it reminded Orin of the leaves that had once adorned Mother Tree.
Orin didn't have much time left, but he had to end what had started. The Necromancer's patrols had abandoned their search for some reason, there would be no better time than now.
He dropped from the tree and sprinted back to the clearing. After about half an hour, the clearing suddenly came into view. He looked at the foot of the hill and saw a massive, black tent staring back at him.
He ran to the tent and listened at the door. After five minutes he decided that it was deserted. A realization suddenly hit him, the entire clearing was deserted. If they weren't here and they weren't hunting for him, where were they?
He pushed the thought aside and entered the tent. He drew his rapier and went to stand at the side of the entrance in the shadows.
After ten minutes Orin heard a rustling outside the tent, he readied himself and watched as the tent flaps parted. With a quick motion he stabbed at the figure entering the tent.

Slink stared down at the sword sticking in his stomach. Orin's look of rage turned to shock as he recognized the figure in entrance. A silent "No," escaped his lips.
The Necromancer simply chuckled, "I thought you would try a trick like that. Guards, seize him." The two undead grabbed Orin and disarmed him of all his weapons. Orin hung his head in shame. The realization of why the woods had been deserted hitting him. The realization of his mistake regarding Slink's people hitting him harder.
Slink's last breath was spent hearing Orin say tearfully, "I am sorry my friend, for everything."

For clarification: Slink and Orin entered the clearing at roughly the same time, however they entered at different ends of the clearing with the hill in between them. The rest of the army had resumed its search for Orin and so only the few soldiers that escorted the Naga had returned to the clearing, which is why Orin thought it was empty and had no idea that Slink was there.