SoO 3 - Chapter 3

Swords of Orlandia 3: The Khaz'Radan Prophecy
Chapter 3 - "One for Many"

She paused for a moment at the intersection of two great hallways and thought to herself being an elf makes this far too easy. Of course elf or not she had always had an inclination for moving effortlessly and without detection which is precisely why she had been chosen for this mission. The most important mission thus far and critical to any success the Anarchs dreamed for. It had been only a week ago that Aurelion had asked her to sneak inside the very walls of Orlandia's central keep and steal a wooden staff. "A stick" she had questioned to which Aurelion replied "Oh, much more than that dear girl" and explained that the very staff that the Emperor had carried while disguised as the Sage now stood enshrined in the town's central courtyard as a mocking reminder to all of who now ruled their lives. That alone was painful enough for many citizens to bear but had they known the entire truth it would have driven then mad. For you see that unassuming accessory was also in fact one of the Sacred Ten artifacts needed to summon Khaz'radan though not one of the masses suspected this. That he could display it out in the open was a secret satisfaction to the Emperor as the rod that could lead them all to freedom was one he used daily to symbolically beat submission into them.

A passing guard shook her from her memories and her eyes focused once more on the prize not ten paces from where she stood hidden in the shadows. The time was now. She bolted and back flipped over the low barrier surrounding the staff and just that fast it was in her hands. Of course as soon as her fingers gripped it an alarm went up as if by magic. Stupid she thought to herself, of course there would be enchantments to protect something so valuable. As the din continued royal guardsmen flooded in from every corridor making escape seem nigh impossible. Still the young girl didn't panic. This was going to be fun she thought as she flung herself with reckless abandon at the throng of men between her and her escape route. Leaping a flitting about, over and under, around and over again. Nothing stood in her way and nothing made her feel more alive than celebrating her wildness in the face of such crushing oppression. Guards cried out and steel blades brandished in angry hands struck at her from every angle and yet, still as graceful as a doe, she dodged every blow. And kept moving the staff closer to the hands of the rebellion with each fairy footfall. One last courtyard and one last gate stood between her and victory. She drew quick but even breaths as she continued to evade all attempts at capture easily sliding tween the legs of one particularly sluggish brute. And with a delicate roll she was on her feet again and now turned to bid her would be captors adieu with a coy wink.

A wink and a smile which very slowly and strangely left her face as she tried to make sense of the odd sensation she now felt in her chest. A horde of guardsmen panting heavily from the pursuit came into the courtyard but made no attempts to apprehend her. The reason why became painfully apparent when she moved to speak and nothing but a croak came from her lips. And she looked down at where all those around her were looking and saw what they saw, the tip of a jagged arrow protruding from her bosom, a small vibrant band of blood just now beginning to flow from the wound. She looked skyward and marveled that it was an unusually clear and beautiful day. The suns shone even brighter and moved even faster than normal. It now began to hurt, to throb as awareness rushed in and cradled her like a vice. What hurt more she thought was that she had failed and with her failure she had doomed her beloved Orlandia. No dear child, you have made the greatest difference this day said a voice in her head. Oh, I'm certainly near death now as even the heavens appear to be dancing and my mind plays tricks on me she thought. But it wasn't the suns moving at all and it was certainly no trick. The bright light that so entranced her began to take the shape of a bird and soon everyone saw it and realised it was the Phoenix that had been sighted so often as of late. The fiery creature let out a cry as several bowmen released a barrage of arrows that all found their mark. The young girl crumpled to her knees pierced by the multitude. Tears now welled in her eyes as the Phoenix drew down on the courtyard and swept in low on the end farthest from where she had fallen. Strength child she heard as she met the birds gaze and trembling stood upright once more lifting the staff with great effort above her head. It was everything she had to give and it was just enough. The Phoenix grasped the staff in it's claws as it swept past and fled sharply skyward though it spared one final glance back. Just in time to see the young girl fall for the last time.
When news of the days events reached the Emperor he grew enraged to a degree none had ever seen. A piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. The Anarchs knew the secret and were now closer than ever to releasing it. He spat and cursed and screamed the name "Khaz'radan!"