The Archmagus

Ever since Alva was full, you’ve noticed your power has waned. The townsfolk were up in arms daily, knocking at the gates, yelling. You’ve tried placating them with gold and food, but to no avail. You were afraid this would happen of course, that one day the Heart would be stolen away. You shake your head. If only the priest accepted your offer, perhaps it would still be safe. But the Church had been destroyed, leaving a gaping hole in the heart of Dylath’leen.

    You walk to the balcony and step into the night air. From here, you could survey the city, and with your hands on the railing, you lean over it, and spy the gathering crowd at the gates. With your preternatural hearing you could make out a slogan being chanted, something about the priests of Nath being missing.

    Shipments have slowed, the city is dying. With the peasants unwilling to work, the city’s infrastructure has ground to a halt. You needed to think of a solution, but it was hard to think through the headache. Just then you receive a message.

    “Sir, something has broken through the barrier!”

    There are not many who could do that, and so you compose yourself at the desk in the room, decorated by baubles gathered long ago.

    You didn’t have to wait for long, as a nimble elf lands on the balcony railing and jumps into the room. There was no mistaking it. This was the man who stole the Heart, this was the man who killed Dylath’leen. Funny, it was an elven name after all, it’s only right that an elf would be the one to kill it. You think back to those plucky adventurers you spied in the mountains, hunting your automatons’ fate. Perhaps they were working for him.

    The figure smiles and strides forward, just short of the desk. He offers his hand. It is black, as well as his garb, also black. You look past his shoulder to see the sword, it gleams dark blue in the soft light that illuminates the room. His garments are designed for battle.

    “Delian Nath’shora, it has been so long.”

    “Not long enough,” you say as you ignore his hand, which he retracts.

    “Well, I have come to take this city off your hands, you need not supervise its continued annexation.”

    “That’s gracious of you to say, but what makes you think I’ll go willingly?”

    He shrugs and turns away from you, as he makes his way to the balcony he says, “It would be a shame if there was bloodshed, so many have died already. Exile is not so bad, just ask my brother. Look, you know you are hopelessly outmatched, with Nath out of the picture, you cannot win this battle.” He turns around to face you, his hands behind him, gripping the railing. “I’m surprised you can even speak,” he says, every word dripping with malice. 

    He was wrong about that. The heart was only stolen, not destroyed, you still felt a connection to the heart, to Nath, if he believes otherwise….

    “So, you came to retake the city that once belonged to you, are you sure Ulthar will abide your presence?”

    “If he decides to battle over my rightful ownership I welcome him to try, though he will likely fail. He knows this, and won’t risk a counterpunch, won’t risk the loss of life.”

    “What will you do with the prisoners? Release them?”

    He smiles.

    As you were talking you had been searching underneath the desk for the button. If he is allowed to free the prisoners…

    “I have been thinking about that subject...though I don’t think I’ll share with you my plans on that front.”

    “So, are you trying to make a home above ground for the Drow? Are you trying to legitimize your presence among the other races?”

    He shrugs. “It doesn’t matter to me, the only thing that matters is that my ancestral homeland is retaken, and since the usurper Nath is gone, I couldn’t ignore the opportunity. Your sick arrangement with Kagnak is over. Though Celephais’s continued existence is a mockery of Lumea, it must continue to persist...for now.”

    “Well, it seems I must vacate the premises then. I also desire Celephais to fall into the sea,” you offer a hand, keeping the other under the desk. He nods his head and clasps it with his.

    You press the button. By the time he realizes your plan, it is too late. You summon the last bit of strength to hold him there.

    Pure white fills your vision, as everything around you disintegrates, the last thing you see is his insufferable smile.