Best Laid Plans

Dante sat up still surprised by the lack of pain. He expected it not to hurt after healing but the cut was so clean that it did not hurt even before healing. It may have helped that Alan had completely incopasitated him before he took his arm off. Shaking his head, he realized that Vadellya and himself were only still alive becuase they remained inportant pieces to Whatever Alan's game was. His plan was the best he had so far, and he honestly felt he got close to defeating Alan this time than ever before. He was also was rash and impulsive, like there was so much energy and purpose wrapped up and constrained his is body fighting to get out. His mind sometimes seemed unable to process and chanel that purpose and resolve.

Inspired by his companions and motivated by his previous failures he thought this plan out. At exactly noon he would be alone and call out to Alan like he had before. When Alan attacked, Dante would trigger the antimagic device vadellya gave him. The rest of his allies were to be scrying in and teleport as close as they could when the magic shield blocked the scry. Then they would trap Alan in armed combat. He rehearsed the plan over and over again.

He had decided it went wrong before it even happenned. He was reviewing the plan with everyone when Greyson mentioned, "If he could see you then couldn't he see you now." Everyone agreed that he must be scrying in some fashion and called the plan off. Everyon dispearsed except He and vadellya. Then Alan showed up, the perfect moment as if he meant more to mock than to hurt him. Regardless, Dante triggered the device which left Vadellya helpless. Alan grabbed her and with a sword to her through demanded Dante surrender. Of course I didn't. Charging surpised Alan but still gave him the time to cut her throat and spill her blood on the marble floor. They traded blow after blow from their swords as they spun around in a whirling dance of death. He knew he had Alan he knew it. I HAD HIM. He pressed hard and agressive and Alan sat back calculated one strike and ran the sword straight through his heart.

According to Greyson who arrived what must have only been moments later Vadellya and him looked dead with their right forearms severed at the elbow. The master priest and healers of hte temple of Zues extended the Great Father's grace to them saving their lives and regrowing their arms, but the message was clear. Alan considered himself the superior and delighted insulting injury. He had even left a letter with a message for Dante and that letter was the basis for his next plan.

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General Galan had Vahn and Morgan accompany him to speak with Lord Raquel. As a General it seemed common place to be summoned to his audience chamber. Most people had only heard of the legend and he had the privilage to know and work with him. I have never known a greater man. General Galan thought as guards let him and his assistance in. In addition to his usually group of assistance, Raquel was speaking to a group of 7 who appeared to be from the Crystal Empire. Shiny elaborare and ornate armor that only elves would construct to be both servicable and artisticly stunning. One was from their IMperial Mage core, fur common fighters though their rank suggested they had seen a fight or two, one well dressed with quick eyes maybe a paper pusher or someone for logistics and the Capatain. Being so close allies with the Empire reuired all Genevan officers to memorize the Imperial rank structure and customs. The Captain held her ornate helm under her left arm as she spoke smooth elvish skin and rich shiny brown hair. The long imperial red cape stopped only a half inch from the floor. General Galan bowed to Lord Raquel.

"Galan," It felt good to hear him say his first name, let Galan know that Raquel knows and cares for him individually, "This is Captian Falconhnd. Commander of forward forces and Recon of the Darkwood." Turning to her, "Captain,this is General Galan. He is the commander of our Army of the South and one of the strongest fighters I have ever met. He would be very interested in your story. He and his companions maybe the world's experts."

I'm interested. Galan thought as Captain Falconhand turned and began dictating a reheared briefing even before Galan could finish his thought or acknowledge his Lord's comments. "As you know the southern most provience of the Empire is the Dark wood. A Terriroty nearly the size of all the Territory of Geneva. However our control is little more than name only. That wood is dark and cursed. Any variation from the marked path causes one to be transported and lost in another part of the forest. The Empress, may she live forever, has set up a series of fortresses to ensure that nothing of danger to the civilized portion of the Empire escape. Recently many of our outposts of been attacked. The woods seem to be emitting waves of zombies. These are not normal zombies, they move at great speed and exhibit superhuman strength. They also infect others at a much higher rate and with much greater speed than other zombies. I have been commissioned by Commander Silvermoon and the Empress, may she live forever, to find the source of this recent activity and eliminate it before the threat esculates further. The Empress, may she live forever, also requested we inform the Isle stating both previous experience with these types of creatures and your desire to fight evil wherever it maybe."

The pause she takes must mean that she's done. "Sounds like the zombies, Veritas created last time, my Lord."

"Who is Veritas?"

Lookign to Lord Raquel for permission and receiving a nod he continues, "Veritas is an escaped independent piece of the demiplane of Dread. A parasite that lives off the evil of others. He seeks out evil and fosters it in other so as to feed off of it. The recent zombie outbreak in Tradecity just before the Two fronts war was his doing. When he has removed all the evil and presumably the soul of a creature, that creature becomes one of those super zombies. At least thats how it starts. He was captured and his remnants eliminated. However," Galan says with a heavy sigh and rubbing his tempels. "It's possible he escaped somehow. We encountered evidence of his presence and some of my men even came face to face with him as recent as a week ago."

"These attacks have been active for just a little over a week as well. It sounds as if they are connected."

"Possible. However as in Ravenloft last time we encountered him he simply wanted to establish a domain and was locked to one location. Being in two spots would indicate it is not him. We last stopped him by trapping him in a Demon stone."

"Demon stone?"

Her mage speaks up, "A Demon stone is an artifact of maybe half a dozen in existence, that can be used to hold or trap..." She raises her hand, "I was speaking to the general." The Empire was all about formality and respect. Galan was honestly surprised to see the mage speak as if this was open forum.

"Your mage is correct. It is a magical device typically used to house or contain powerful demons."

Lord Raquel spoke, "Lady Falconhand you must excuse me. Many pressing affairs of state. General Galan will assist you to the best of his knowledge and ability. You the empire and the Empress, May she live forever, area blessing to the light. May the light save you all."

General Galan, Captain Falconhand and the rest moved their meeting to his office. Slightly crowded but built to entertain and impress dignitaries.

"What is your plan then Captain?"

"As i have said, the Empress, may she live forever, has ordered me to investigate and eliminate the threat. You have provided me valuable information on what we potentially face. My next move is to go into the Darkwood and see the conditions there. Confirm what we are dealing with and confront it."

"May the Light bless you in your endevour."

She hesitates to leave for just a moment and Galan realizes she is expecting something more. "Were you hoping for something else Captain?"

"Not at all sir, you have your orders and I have mine."

General Galan sits back in his chair and massages the sides of his head and rubs his eyes. He hada full plate. Tatyana, Alan, rebuilding the Army of the South, finding Lanfur, Arvan, to name a few. He did not have days to spend marching through the Darkwood, nor did he particularly want to. We fight the fights that need fighting. "Meet me tomorrow in the common room of the Journey's End Inn. Its in downtown Atlanta. I'll have a team assembled to assist you. The concerns of the Empire and Empress, may she live forever, are the concerns of the Isle." That phrase was used whenever the Isle considered a cause just enough to send aid. Though aid was always sent to small countries or struggling kingdoms the Empire could take care of itself. Morgan must have read his mind as she visibly sighed. Or perhaps she was just irritated in realizing the group of close companions he had that included her would be the team he sent.

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Dante fingered the letter in his cloak pocket with out thinking. Alan had offered a peace and forgiveness if Dante would simply kill Galan. He claimed that it was still possible to save Merideth though she was dead. While reason may suggest that is foolish, Dante himself had died before and made a deal with the god of death to extend his life. That tugged at the back of his mind, never knowing when some undisclosed favor would be asked of him.

He knocked on the door to General Galan's office. Vahn was no where around, unussual he was always with in 12 steps of the General. Of course Dante did not intend to turn Galan over. But it was bait. He could use Galan to bring Alan into the perfect trap that was now laid. Alan would be his this time.

Dante had heard rumors that General Galan was meeting with the Crystal Empire. He ignored all of that. It did not matter. The only thing that concerned him was stopping Alan everythign else was a step in that direction or an annoyance-- Some both. Morgan called him obsessed and she was right.

"Come." It was the General's voice several moments after he had knocked. No guards either. Dante was slightly embaressed to remember he was suppose to assign the guard routine to the General's office and had forgotten. This close to getting Alan something like that can not concern me. He stepped into the General's office

"Sir I need you to come with me NOW no questions asked."

The General looked up from some parchments he was reviewing maps of something Dante did not care. He sat back taking in a deep breath and raising his right hand to rub his tempels. "What's the problem, captain." Dante thought the use of his rank maybe an attempt to remind him who was incharge. Dante ignored it. "We are close, just please. Alan wants you and I'm going to take you to him. But i have everything set up. We shouldn't talk about it."

The General finishes reviewing some parchement as if he has all the time in the world. As if Alan was not minutes from Dante's grasp, then stands. "Very well Captain lead away." Victory.

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General Galan rode beside his Captain not saying a word. Anxious about this plan Captian Dante has dreamt up this time. He could not really blame Dante, he was given an officer job as a means to train and instruct him. He had no formal training in leadership and stradegy, good with a blade but too impulsive to make a calm leader. It was Galan's job to teach Dante, and for that reason he was here in a farm field outside Atlanta just sitting on his horse.

After 15 minutes of Captain Dante rocking back and forth on his horse and nearly crawling out of his skin he todl the General, "I will go now. Take no fear."

Galan just nodded, "We'll discuss your tactics and stradegy at a later time."

Galan watched Dante leave and tried to stay alert for the doom he was sure was coming.

The Doom came in the form of a little boy. Atlantian by the dress of him. "Are you Galan?"

"Yes son."

"Alan says you are suppose to go to Arkan's house alone. He gave me a gold to tell you."

The little boy just runs off. General Galan breathes in and scanns around. I assume that is Arvan. He says to himself as he teleports to Arvan's ruined fortress. He realized that completely destroyes Dante's plan but is convinced it would not have worked anyway.

Evening cast an illuminating light on the once great Fortress. It seemed to emphasize how this place and Arvan rested between worlds. Though it was not Arvan he was here to see but Alan.

He did not need to look for long before the green cloaked man with black tiger striped hair stood before him. With no introductions he started, "I believe you care for Meriedeth. I know that she loved you. She kept saying and believing that as soon as we got to you everything would be ok. It most likely would have been had not for Dante's incompetence. Lanfur has Meredith's soul. Its alive. All she asks before she gives it to me is that you die. You have the chance to save her. Only you can. You can give your life to save another's what greater purpose is there?"

Galan stiffled down his excitement of the possibility that she was alive as it was most likely a lie even if Alan believed it. Lanfur was called the spider for good reason. Her webs were thick and ensaring. She saw the world in two parts: those who play the game and those who control the game. Alan was playing the game with his strings being pulled.

"I would give all I have even my life if it would save her. However, you must know she is lieing. I know her. Take it from someone who spent a lot of time in her web. When she has no use for you, you'll be disgarded if your lucky and destroyed most likely. Do you even have proof? SHe hates me like you hate Dante and is not above lieing and manipulating you to her ends."

"You make this too complicated. She has her and you can voluntarily give your life to save her."

"If you play her game everyone loses. She'll even lose if she has to just to destroy everyone else."

"If you will not give it willingly, then it will be taken."

Galan draws his Holy sword knowing it will deflect any harmful magic but Alan just vanishes. Galan remembers his blind training excercise and focuses on every detail around him. What he notices is not Alan but a large troop of armored skeletons marching towards him from the ruin. He sheathes his sword. Lord Arvan and him have a shaky understanding no need to jeopardize that just now. Not when there is still a hope to redeem all of these people.

As they approached and surrounded him, Galan had to believe they could be saved. The possibility of himself becoming a Death Knight haunted his dreams. He had largely accepted the outcome as a matter of fact. If he failed in his mission to protect the Cotext in side of him and let it fall to the dark forces he would surely be cursed. THe forsake new he had it and instead of transfering the mantle Lord Atrayu and decided to use him to bait out the hidden forsaken. A mighty gamble of a plan, especially considering that Galan's soul was the one on the table.

A voice of Wind scraping dried leaves across sand, "Lord Arvan demands your presence. Hand over your holy blade." Galan blinked only once and decided a demonstration of trust was what as called for. He drew his blade again and handed it to the closest skeleton. When it touched the cursed soul armor and bone alike turned to dust and blew toward the valley carried on the strong mountain breeze. Galan drew back, "Perhaps I should just hold onto it." The soliders respond, "Lord Arvon summons you unarmed so if we can't carry it you drop it and leave it here." Galan takes a moment to calculate the odds of killing all 12 of them, with and with out his sword. How Arvan would react, I still need to save him - if I will save him then someone will save me. He goes to lay his blade down. No matter I could destroy them all simply will it to be. An ocean of power rested just on the otherside of a bed curtain. He could hear it singing to him.

He shook off the impulse knowing its source. How long could he fight the urges? They were getting stronger everyday. The evil had to be contained and he would fight it as long as he could.

Waiting just with in the fortress was Lord Arvan. Anger and rage barely contained with in his corrupt armor. He even glowed with his rage as it boiled over.

"YOU HAVE BETRAYED ME. ALAN HAS TOLD ME THAT THE LETTERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED."

"My Lord, the woman you gave me and commanded to accompany us stole the letters and destroyed them. Though I believe the mes..."

Blue flame erupts in a torent whirlwind engulfing the entire room as Arvan drives his massive blade through the marble floor. Before the flames and rumbling of the ground stop, Arvan had stood and leveled the blade at Galan.

"THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS WILL NOT TOLERATE EXCUSES. A COMMANDER STANDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THOSE UNDER HIS COMMAND. REGARDLESS OF REASON YOU HAVE FAILED. IT MY LIFE FAILURE HAS ONLY BROUGHT ONE RESULT-DESTRUCTION. THE SUMMONER AND HIS ALLIES HAVE WANTED TO BRING DOWN THE ISLE. UNTIL THIS MOMENT I HAVE STAID THEIR HAND NO MORE. THE iSLE WILL FALL AND ALL YOU CONSIDER TO BE GREEN AND GOOD WILL FADE AWAY. YOU ALONE CAN ESCAPE THIS HOLOCOST BY BRINGING TATYANA TO ME. DO NOT DELAY AND DO NOT FAIL ME AGAIN. GO...GO...GO!!!!" The ground and whole mountain seemed to shake with his furry and storms of lightning gathered over head to punctuate his speech.

Galan teleported directly to Atlanta. He needed to find a plan.