Post by mcian on Mar 11, 2024 14:08:39 GMT -5
It had been ages since Scar had spoken to, much less seen, his "father." Damien was not his real father, but an ancient relative; the only real father-figure he had ever known. Thence the title. Damien was not even his actual name, but a new one, a chosen anagram, when the vampire had escaped the hellish appearance and limitations of lichdom to become drow, an unhappy and unforeseen result of the intricate process apparently invented by the drow.
Scar detested nearly everything about his kinsman; they lived in opposite worlds. Even though Scar had his dark thoughts and moments, he was nowhere steeped in the evil that lay deep within Damien. And though they were kin, there remained a persistent, unalterable, wide, gulf between them.
Entering the Crystal Palace, Damien's fortress, for that is what it was designed to be, Scar walked past the guardians, all of whom knew him well and bowed their heads respectfully. Even the gazer that guarded the main hall lowered its eyes at his passing.
Damien, seated on his gilt, plush, throne motioned him forward. Scar halted a few steps in front of him but he did not bow or salute. "Long time, father. What is it you want?" he impassively inquired.
Damien sighed. "Can we not dispense with the ill will, just for a moment, my son?"
Scar took a deep breath. "I did not come to argue. We both know where we stand on many things - worlds apart. But I do not wish to resurrect old grievances so overlook my tone."
"That is better," Damien replied, smiling briefly, taking a moment to observe his progeny. "My, you are both handsome and strong. Life has been good to you. This makes me happy."
"I am very happy. I have someone who loves me for who and what I am. I have friends who would die for me. I wish you could say the same. You have missed much in life, and it is a pity."
Damien fell silent briefly. "So it is and so it may always be."
"What is it you need of me?"
"When Lord Thraxas had me imprisoned under that waterfall, he had the run of my estate. He carefully avoided my queen, Vira'ni, and that was wise even for him. However, before he vacated it he took many of my things, valuable things, things dear to me. I discovered a man who had one of them in his possession. Thraxas used him and gave it to him as a gift, to coerce their opponents. Now that device is in the hands of one of your friends. My spies have informed me and assure me of this."
Scar thought for a moment, stroking his goatee as he was wont to do. "Ah... the scepter! Itannar and Jace both told me about it. Itannar has it and will use it as evidence at the trial of the owner, a vain and stupid ex-monk of Empath Abbey named Kerridan who fancied himself as the "Grand Inquisitor."
Damien nodded. "This I know. Help me get it back and I will owe you a great favor."
"Get it back yourself. You have the means, don't you?"
"If I did, why would I ask you to help me?"
"Let me think... perhaps to avoid harming my friends in the process?"
"You know better than that."
Scar nodded. "Let it not come to that."
"It will not have to if you assist me. I assure you I cannot retrieve it without violence. My powers are not unlimited, but my patience and desire are. The relic is mine! I will have it back."
"Just how am I to go about this... 'Oh, Captain Itannar, do you mind if I have the scepter after you all are finished with it?'"
"Why not? He is your friend, isn't he?"
Scar frowned. "First, tell me what it does."
"It is a relic the Dark One gave me when I sought him out to empower my device: the Orb of Soul Seeking. It permitted me to influence those who opposed me. It uses the four words and those must not be spoken by any who do not know their meaning or power. It must not rest in the hands of inferior mortals."
"They will surely seek its destruction, father."
"They will fail."
"Then they will hide it away, toss it in the ocean, or lock it in some impenetrable vault."
Damien laughed. "Son, surely you are wiser than this? Don't you know I have means to locate it?"
"Then just wait until they do that, why not? I will not ask for it. They would think me insane, or worse, in league with evil."
Again Damien paused. "Very well. I sought the simple, harmless, path and it did me no good. What happens hereafter is not my fault. It is my property. It is my right to have it returned. For once your precious virtue is on my side."
Scar shook his head. "You would use it for evil. Virtue never serves evil, but I will not debate this now. What if I tell Itannar of our conversation?"
"I expect you to. It does not matter to me either way."
As Scar turned to leave, his back to Damien, he paused and turned his head halfway to his left. "Goodbye father," he solemnly, wistfully, stated, then proceeded to the entrance.
"Goodbye my son," Damien whispered.
Scar detested nearly everything about his kinsman; they lived in opposite worlds. Even though Scar had his dark thoughts and moments, he was nowhere steeped in the evil that lay deep within Damien. And though they were kin, there remained a persistent, unalterable, wide, gulf between them.
Entering the Crystal Palace, Damien's fortress, for that is what it was designed to be, Scar walked past the guardians, all of whom knew him well and bowed their heads respectfully. Even the gazer that guarded the main hall lowered its eyes at his passing.
Damien, seated on his gilt, plush, throne motioned him forward. Scar halted a few steps in front of him but he did not bow or salute. "Long time, father. What is it you want?" he impassively inquired.
Damien sighed. "Can we not dispense with the ill will, just for a moment, my son?"
Scar took a deep breath. "I did not come to argue. We both know where we stand on many things - worlds apart. But I do not wish to resurrect old grievances so overlook my tone."
"That is better," Damien replied, smiling briefly, taking a moment to observe his progeny. "My, you are both handsome and strong. Life has been good to you. This makes me happy."
"I am very happy. I have someone who loves me for who and what I am. I have friends who would die for me. I wish you could say the same. You have missed much in life, and it is a pity."
Damien fell silent briefly. "So it is and so it may always be."
"What is it you need of me?"
"When Lord Thraxas had me imprisoned under that waterfall, he had the run of my estate. He carefully avoided my queen, Vira'ni, and that was wise even for him. However, before he vacated it he took many of my things, valuable things, things dear to me. I discovered a man who had one of them in his possession. Thraxas used him and gave it to him as a gift, to coerce their opponents. Now that device is in the hands of one of your friends. My spies have informed me and assure me of this."
Scar thought for a moment, stroking his goatee as he was wont to do. "Ah... the scepter! Itannar and Jace both told me about it. Itannar has it and will use it as evidence at the trial of the owner, a vain and stupid ex-monk of Empath Abbey named Kerridan who fancied himself as the "Grand Inquisitor."
Damien nodded. "This I know. Help me get it back and I will owe you a great favor."
"Get it back yourself. You have the means, don't you?"
"If I did, why would I ask you to help me?"
"Let me think... perhaps to avoid harming my friends in the process?"
"You know better than that."
Scar nodded. "Let it not come to that."
"It will not have to if you assist me. I assure you I cannot retrieve it without violence. My powers are not unlimited, but my patience and desire are. The relic is mine! I will have it back."
"Just how am I to go about this... 'Oh, Captain Itannar, do you mind if I have the scepter after you all are finished with it?'"
"Why not? He is your friend, isn't he?"
Scar frowned. "First, tell me what it does."
"It is a relic the Dark One gave me when I sought him out to empower my device: the Orb of Soul Seeking. It permitted me to influence those who opposed me. It uses the four words and those must not be spoken by any who do not know their meaning or power. It must not rest in the hands of inferior mortals."
"They will surely seek its destruction, father."
"They will fail."
"Then they will hide it away, toss it in the ocean, or lock it in some impenetrable vault."
Damien laughed. "Son, surely you are wiser than this? Don't you know I have means to locate it?"
"Then just wait until they do that, why not? I will not ask for it. They would think me insane, or worse, in league with evil."
Again Damien paused. "Very well. I sought the simple, harmless, path and it did me no good. What happens hereafter is not my fault. It is my property. It is my right to have it returned. For once your precious virtue is on my side."
Scar shook his head. "You would use it for evil. Virtue never serves evil, but I will not debate this now. What if I tell Itannar of our conversation?"
"I expect you to. It does not matter to me either way."
As Scar turned to leave, his back to Damien, he paused and turned his head halfway to his left. "Goodbye father," he solemnly, wistfully, stated, then proceeded to the entrance.
"Goodbye my son," Damien whispered.