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He was up and attacking in a sudden burst of speed. His strikes were coming in after the other with blinding swiftness, his blades creating arcs of gleaming flashes. He was using his smaller size on the Muk-Anolis to dodge the lizard man’s thrusts and delivering quick ones of his own. Still in all, the Muk-Anolis parried his scimitars with ease taking away the advantage Jarrael would have used. Every angle seemed covered by the slashing blades from the Muk-Anolis pole. Jarrael was getting frustrated and desperation was setting him. This fight is just keeping him away from getting to the baron. Each moment he is kept here trying to stay alive the baron gets further away from him.
The distraction from his thoughts was all it seems the Muk-Anolis needed. As four strikes from the lizard man’s blades hit him with successive quickness. Striking his chest shoulder and back. His armor blunted the edges of the strikes but the force behind them knocked him from off his feet and inducing serious pains. Before he could recover, he felt a huge fist hit him in the jaw. The blow was so hard that he reeled from the impact, his eyes clouding over and a salty taste filled his mouth. He spat out blood, taking groggy steps, he got to his feet unsteadily but still holding his blades. Looking at the reptilian face, he could have swore that the frozen predatory look seem to be looking at him with scorn.

Jarrael couldn’t respond as just then the largest of the Muk-Anolis attacked him. The swirl of the bladed ends of the pole was loud in his ears as he moved out of the way of the attacks. This wasn’t the Muk-Anolis he fought before, so he will have to adopt new strategy as this one appears bigger and faster than the one he fought earlier . Quickly Jarrael deflected two strikes that were aimed at his him. Both of his hands trembled because of the amount of strength the Muk-Anolis put behind the attacks . Still he got the scimitars up just in time to knock off two fast strikes at him. With a deft side roll, he pull off from a kick that was aimed at him. The Muk-Anolis tail flashed at Jarrael just as he moved off but a fast swing from a fist smashed him in the chest. He was knocked off his feet and thrown hard to the stone floor. He saw a blur coming close at him, rolling quickly to the opposite side, he slashed at it and the edge of his scimitar connected. The blur was the leg of the Muk-Anolis and his attack had cut at the leg. The leg would have been sliced cleanly off by Jarrael’s blade if not for the silver colored greave that protected the leg of the creature. Still the greave fell of the leg it protected.
The Lizard man hissed loudly as it pulled off from Jarrael, stepping awkwardly on that leg that Jarrael felt the creature may have been injured. A quick look showed him that a thin line of dark colored blood dripping down the leg. Jarrael knew he is fighting a different Muk-Anolis this time, which is bigger and faster. He will have to change his tactics if he intend to survive.

Khaufir looked at Jarrael and all the others with him, his eyes finally resting on the acolyte, he spoke softly in a foreign language to the Muk-Anolis. His eyes flashed suddenly with amber brightness and raw golden color energy blazed on his hands as he spoke arcane words of power. The Muk-Anolis pulled out their weapons and charged Jarrael and those with him. While Khaufir brought out a black colored stone with polished surface. He wrapped his palm around it, spoke some silent words and threw the stone on the ground. It smashed into hundreds of tiny bits with a tiny flash releasing a gray colored energy that spread from the point of impact like a concentric ripples, like when the face of a steady pool was disturbed and the energy vanished as it appeared.
“Now this interesting. “ Thrace said as he watched what just happened.
“And how is that interesting? “ Jarrael asked the acolyte as he prepared to face the coming Muk-Anolis.
“I think this whole building have been cut off from the rest of the compound. “ The acolyte spoke as he expanded his consciousness and met passive resistance just beyond the walls of the tower. “That stone he threw on the ground released very powerful shield that had for all intent and purpose encased this tower in a powerful shield that will keep us all in and stop others from coming in. “

While still speaking, Meera already had two arrows affixed to the arrow rest and her hand holding them both down easily on the grip side of the bow. She released the bow string and both arrows flew unerring aimed at the baron. Again the Muk-Anolis swings the sword in a blurring arc that took out both arrows. Jarrael followed with throwing of the three knives, all were knocked off the air before they got to the baron. Just then the baron and those with him were past the door.
Blind rage and frustration clouded Jarrael’s face as his saw the way of pursuit to the baron blocked by Khaufir and the three Muk-Anolis all determined to stop him. He heard Meera cursed loudly as the same impotent fury burned through her.
“Thrace why couldn’t you do anything to stop them from escaping? “ She screamed looking for the perfect object to vent her frustration and settling for the acolyte.
“That won’t be smart. “ Thrace replied calmly. “If all Jarrael had told me about this Nemphis priest is right, he is a powerful person and any attempt I make to stop the baron escaping would have left me wide open to his attack. “

The priest called Onam nodded and hastened the others to get ready. The fear that had covered the face of the baron with the sudden appearance of the intruders disappeared to be replaced with a sneer and scorn turned to give Jarrael a full view. As Jarrael watched, the baron prepared to go out already surrounded by his guards all in the clothing of senior disciples but their armors and arms packed in bags carried by each o them.
Khaufir was standing before Jarrael and his group with the Muk-Anolis at both of his sides showing their intents to prevent the intruders from the baron’s escape. As the baron took a side entrance to get out, a sharp twang sounded and the air whistled as an arrow was let fly by Meera. Before the arrow could get to its intended target, the baron, one of the Muk-Anolis moved too fast for the eyes to follow, with a quick swing of its crescent shaped sword, it cut the arrow into half and both parts fall on the ground way short off its target.
Jarrael held both swords with one hand and pulled out three small throwing knives. “Let’s not allow the baron to escape, if he goes off now, we might not be able to have another chance to get him. “

From the little Jarrael could see, the armors were like those worn by the baron Tarikh’s personal guards. Taking careful look, he noticed Tarikh himself changing into a clothing with the colors of senior disciples. Something else pulled his attention, among the people, one of them appeared to be a Nemphis priest putting on the black robe. At first, Jarrael thought that may be the one he tangled with in Aram but two things dispel that assumption. First, this priest is much shorter than the one he faced and secondly, when the priest turned to face the intruders, his face wasn’t as heavily tattooed. Before Jarrael could say anything another person came into the place from the back entrance in the company of the three Muk-Anolis, and the person was in a priestly garb. As he watched , the new comer was familiar. Jarrael will never forget the disquieting feeling the fully tattooed face inspired in him the first time he had a look at it in Aram.
“Baron Tarikh my master command that you leave immediately and returned to your city . He will have further use of you later. “ Khaufir turned to the shorter priest. “Onam make sure you lead them safely through the streets and outside the gate. “

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

“What we are looking for is just this way. “ Thrace said as they approach another closed door having just two black clad uniform soldiers. “Oh we have pests standing on our part. “ The guards were shocked to see the group just appearing all of a sudden. They hurriedly reached for their weapons but Thrace waved his hand casually a strong invisible force hit the two guards, knocked them back to slam on the heavy door loudly then dropped down heavily and didn’t get up again. “Pests dealt with. “
With a slight touch to the door, Thrace made the heavy wooden door parted in the middle and opened . What the group saw in the place the door led to surprised them. The door opened into a wide room that appeared to be empty except for what is inside. Jarrael and his group’s coming suddenly seem to surprised the people in the room. They met some people about a score of them half way through changing their clothes. Their armored coverings lay discarded on the ground.

Sorry guys, been a bit busy. But I have pen down some updates. I'm at the last scenes of this story, so I want to see if I can complete the it before uploading.

Whiydhee:
K lets keep reading so as to know who is the most powerful among the three i.e. Mibazar, Ruel and the Acolyte

Lol, aren't you forgetting a new player in the game, Achron the supreme Arc priest.

Two mighty pillars stand by either sides of the statue on which are carved images of dragons and words of runes in a language even the priests of Nemphis cannot speak. Below the statue is the throne of power on which sat the Arc priest, placed on a dais with twelve steps of marble leading to the floor. On both sides of the throne are lined ten pillars arranged in straight lines leading to the entrance of the chamber. Before each pillar are smaller seats which are the official sitting position of all twenty high priests during a conclave. The long walls of the chamber all have brightly burning torches giving the place full illumination.
Mibazar stepped in through the twin heavy iron doors of the chamber, his feet making tiny sounds on the polished marble floor. As he got half way into the chamber he bowed deeply and offered the official salutation.
“Supreme Arc priest, the most favored of all who worship our great god, long may you reign and prosper “
“Spare me your hypocritical accolade, Mibazar, come stand before me and answer for your crimes. “

Now, Achron thinks it’s time to call Mibazar to order and question him about his activities. A new rumor just came to the ears of the Arc priest, that should generate real concern if it is found to be true.
Just then Achron realized that Mibazar should have been here long ago after the summon he sent to him. The Arc priest had been in deep thoughts that he didn’t realize that the time had really gone. Will Mibazar attempt to taunt him openly now by not attending immediately to his order? Surely he should know there will be dire consequences for that.
Just then a shadowy image appeared before the door which turned out to be the high priest. The throne of power is in the council chamber, where the high priests and the Arc priest do hold deliberations. The chamber is a wide circular room, with very high ceiling that is about the height of fifteen men. The ceiling had to be made that way to accommodate the huge towering statue of Nemphis kept behind the throne. The statue’s head almost touches the ceiling. An image of the god, both beautiful and terrifying. The statue of Nemphis here was made to put on a full armor, the likes of which have not been seen in Ghemmaria in thousands of years, it is a replication of the armor believed to have been worn by him during the pantheon war. An open face helm covered his head but allowing the extremely handsome and perfectly polished face exposed for all to see. The statue’s two hands rests on the guard and grip of a great sword with the point touching the ground and the pommel reaching the image’s chest.

Mibazar had performed a very potent magic that had reverberated through the temple, an act of sorcery so strong that every priest within the temple has felt it. None has openly complained about it because everyone of them was suspicious of each other and none wanted to show signs of weakness so he won’t be taken advantage of. Achron definitely knew the source of the disturbance but decided to be quiet and watch. Still his discreet investigations into it had revealed very little. Again few days ago, another powerful spell was performed, though not as potent as the previous one but still powerful enough to generate concern.
The Arc priest may have allowed it to end at that but unusual activities have began to take place in the black tower which Mibazar appeared to be the one responsible for. He had brought in strangers and outsiders into the temple, cloaked and hidden. With these strangers had come along a very powerful item that the Arc priest have no idea what it is but he could feel the powerful emanations from it. Still just today another set of strangers came in again, these ones seems to be on the heels of the previous strangers, probably going after the magical item Mibazar had smuggled into the temple. These new strangers had breached the secured defenses of the black tower. There was an alarm when that had happened but Achron had told the defenders to stand down and allow the strangers to go on unmolested because he really wants to understand what games Mibazar plays under his nose.

The mind behind the burning eyes of Achron was alight with lots of conflicting thoughts foremost of which is about the slithery high priest, Mibazar. The Arc priest had always harbored the feelings that among the present crop of high priests, Mibazar is the only one that has shown the slightest bit of being able to challenge his seat as an Arc priest. That had brought him to the attention of Achron and the Arc priest had put him under careful watch.
From the results of his investigations and careful watch of that high priest, had had noticed several things, that Mibazar had tried to hide very well. One of them is that Mibazar is very ambitious but he is not stupid, if he was, he would have foolishly challenged Achron and would have died for it. But he kept his fierce ambition cleverly hidden and under control. He also has an insatiable quest for power, though that, the Arc priest noted, is a general character in almost all priests of Nemphis. Still, Mibazar seem to have gone beyond the priesthood and all it stands for to acquire power. He had lowered himself to such level of dismalness that no self respecting Nemphis priest will subject himself to.
Achron suspected that Mibazar had been dabbling into very dangerous Ventures. He had been going on secret trips outside the black tower, sending his servant priest, Khaufir, on lots of concealed errands. How Mibazar was able to get Khaufir to be so loyal to him is beyond the comprehension of even the Arc priest. Achron could have confronted the erring Mibazar at anytime in the past but decided to wait and watch. Since Mibazar may feel his secrets are hidden, he may not be too worried and that will leave him more open to Achron’s probing. The game has gone on for very long without Achron been able to get specific details of the hidden agenda of Mibazar until recently.

The power throne has a high back, on which, above the head of the Arc priest resting his back on it is a huge circular jewel called the god stone. It is affixed to the throne as if it is one with it, but it is not. The actual color of the god stone is not known because it gives out light in various colors. Careful studies in the past had shown that the total number of colors it emits are nine, always changing and replacing each other every heart beats unlike the rainbow.
Unfortunately the god stone is an item that contains great power, arguably the most powerful magical object in all of this world. It’s unfortunate because the power it contains is totally useless to anyone, nobody has been able to harness its power, not even Achron in all his knowledge. It is said that the god stone was created and fixed on the throne by Nemphis himself at the end of the pantheon war, hence its name. The story said that the god transferred his divine power and essence into this stone and sealed it up so none can use it. Personally, Achron feels the story may somewhat have been exaggerated. But with several failures of his attempts to unlock and harness the power locked within the god stone, have proved one thing to him, exaggerated or not, some of the stories are true, no one has been able to unlock the god stone, its use for now is just the ceremonial symbol of the rights of any reigning Arc priest to rule absolutely.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
The Arc priest Achron, Supreme of the Nemphis priesthood sat on the throne of power brooding. He was a man that has the look of having witnessed fifty changes of seasons but it is a well known secret that through mastery of clerical power and dark arts, he has seen more than a century and half of years. His hair was dark black and silky, though wispy thin. His fore head was unusually long under which are high eyebrows that sits above eyes burning like flames. His nose is a crow beaks curve, lips very light surrounded by well shaped short beard. He was putting on the customary black garb of the priesthood but over laid with purple and gold vestments. Around his neck was a wide silver circlet holding an emerald glowing jewel.
Leaning on the armrest of the throne of power is a golden staff with a sardonyx gemstone at its crown, the symbol of his rank and authority. The throne of power was a seat hewn from a slab of black crystal giving off low lights in colors of amethyst and dark sapphire. All surface of the throne is of polished black stone, no soft pad was added to any part of it. It was a throne that gives constant discomfort to any who sits on it. That is quite appropriate in that it makes any present occupier of the position of an Arc priest aware that the post is transient, opened to constant challenges and can be taken away from the holder by any priest powerful enough to challenge and defeat him. Achron has held this seat for five decades without any opposition or challenge because the last challenge to his rule as the supreme ended that period. None has seen it fit to challenge him again in all that time.

When the door opened, a priest in a black robe but with the extra purple and gold colored regalia of an aide to the Arc priest Achron, supreme ruler of the order of the priesthood of Nemphis and all of black tower city.
“Your eminence, first among the favored ones of Nemphis, please accept the humble salutation of one who is of low status. “ the Arc priest’s aide said formerly as he bowed. The priest was an old man with full long gray hair and same color for his beard that should be getting to his stomach.
“Come in Dhandry, you are among the few people in this city that had never earned my irk. “ Mibazar beckoned. Dhandry is the oldest priest of Nemphis in record, though very powerful in his own way, has never challenged any priest to a duel or challenge any of the Arc priest for the position as his right might have been. He had always acted courteously and polite to everyone he had dealings with. It's even a surprise, he had grown to be a priest, though it had taken him a much longer time than most. That is why despite the number of years he had spent as a priest, he hadn’t gone beyond the position of a priest. His calm and peaceful disposition were serious disadvantages to his career, like it is always rumored in secret, Dhandry lacks the ruthlessness of a priest.
“To what do I owe this honored visit from the aide of the Supreme Achron? “ the aide continued standing despite a chair available for him to sit down.
“The Supreme Arc priest Achron request your presence immediately. “ the elderly priest simply replied.
“Then I will attend. Please inform him I’m on my way. “ Mibazar said as his brow furrowed in deep thought on what this immediate summon portends.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

As much as it is important to know the identity of his elusive enemy, he will devote much time later to unveil his identity but for now the intruders have to be stopped so their interference doesn’t expose all he had worked so hard to conceal.
“Khaufir we have intruders here coming to steal my latest acquisition. You’ve already met one of them. “ If the priest was surprised at the revelation from his master, it didn’t show on his face.
Mibazar continued. “I want you to go, take the Muk-Anolis with you. Prevent the intruders by all means from getting to the relics. They don’t pose any real threat except the young mage who I’m confident you can defeat easily. Be discreet and draw as little attention to yourself as possible. “
“Yes master. “ the priest replied quietly, bowed and went out of the room.
Well Khaufir has shown himself to be loyal, competent and reliable. He can take care off things for him and if the secret get exposed, Khaufir can take the blame for it all while he stay away from all inquiries and suspicions. He hadn’t been directly involved in any of these, Khaufir had always been his front man so he will take all the blame if anything goes wrong.
Just then a persistent knock sounded at the door. “Enter. “ Mibazar simply said though mildly surprised since he had no prior appointment with anyone so he wasn’t expecting any. His relationship with other high priests of his order was cold and aloof at best, so who could be at the door?

Still the enemy had refuse to reveal his play directly, always hiding in the shadows , shrouding his works in obscurity. He must have been the one who made it possible for these group of outsiders to perpetrate the defenses of the black tower. But how could they have known the secrets of the black tower’s defenses? Could the secret enemy be another Nemphis priest, a high priest or could it be Achron, the Arc priest himself? He will have to watch where he tread, and tread carefully.
For just ordinary humans and a young mage, his enemies have been very formidable. When his Muk-Anolis took the relics, even at their speed, they wouldn’t have been able to escape. Their weakness of only been able to move in the night time was slowing them down. He had to have prepared another powerful spell which he pronounced on them to overcome their weakness of daylight. They were able to move both at night and day nonstop. That was the advantage his Muk-Anolis had over those that were chasing them. It was worth it in the end though, the human he had sacrificed to perform such a potent spell was just a minor spell caster that won’t really be missed.

What made all these worse is that this whole venture was his alone. He wanted all the benefit to himself. If not that he can’t be everywhere at once, he wouldn’t have enlisted the services of Khaufir. Though his priest underling is totally loyal, Mibazar has ensured that in a secret way that the priest Is not even aware of. Secrecy and keeping his intentions totally hidden is a prime factor to his plans succeeding. So he can’t raise any alarm about the intruders, if he does that the consequent investigations will expose that he also has strangers and outsiders hidden somewhere in this tower too which will forcefully expose most of his clandestine activities. Achron, the Arc priest, who rules supreme over the priesthood order will become aware of all his secret actions, Mibazar doesn’t even want to consider what that will result to.
Though dealing with Achron was in his plans for later, but not now, he is not powerful enough to face the Arc priest now. So he will have to keep quiet about the intrusion and deal with it in his own way, quietly. Khaufir can handle that. Still something bothered him, what is giving these people the boldness to trespass the dangerous land of the black tower? Like he had suspected much earlier before now, someone had been indirectly opposing him from the very beginning when he started putting his plans to actions. The person haven’t taken any personal overt action, who ever he is have been acting in secret, using others as tools to accomplishing his own goals. Try as he may, even using sorcery to search, he couldn’t get the identity of his secret rival. But this goes to show that the one standing against him is very powerful, at least possessing power that is strong enough to challenge him.

Ultimategeneral:
a small purse to hide all those equipment haha

Lol, yes. Wizards are sometimes know to have something like that, a purse or bag where they can keep anything. It is a kind of pocket dimension were the space inside the bag is far more bigger than the bag it self.

All his plans had worked perfectly, with the power stone, he can augment his power and perform the spell that he couldn’t have been able to do on his own. With the knowledge from the rune scroll, he can pierce the veil of illusion and see where it is hidden. All of these would have worked perfectly if not for the tiny bit of annoyance that has accompanied it all. The people he took the relics from are persistent, they had refused to accept failure and followed the relics to this place, even if they know there is no way they can possibly get the items back.
Now this is where he started getting worried. No man will ever dared come into the black tower for any reason. But these ones are proving that wrong. Oh of course there is a mage among the group, even at that no mage, not even the magus of the scarlet citadel dared step foot within the black tower. But these ones have done so. They had breached its defense by stealth, not just that, they got into the temple and are even in this particular tower where he has kept the relics. No doubt that is what they are coming for.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠
Mibazar should have felt fulfilled, at least in part he did. The relics were already in his possession. The little glace he had of the pages of the rune scroll had really shown him the wealth that tome contains. The knowledge in its pages is worth all the risks he had taken.
He was sitting down on a high backed golden chair, with soft cushion over laid in burgundy colored satin wool. A long wooden table was before him in the middle of which is a huge silver lamp stand holding a huge candle burning brightly. Few other lamp stands were in different part of the room, holding candles that gave up precious illumination. The room was surrounded with floor to ceiling shelves on which are neatly arrange books of varying sizes and volumes. Another part of the shelves were dedicated to parchments and scrolls.
Khaufir stood at the end of the table, silent and unmoving, behind him, the thick door leading to the private room of the high priest was locked and fastened with heavy wooden beans. On the tables were the remains of a half finished meals in white colored ceramic plates. Broken bones from chewed meat, crumbs from bread and an empty golden cup of wine filled his front. He took the jug of wine before him and filled the empty cup with its crimson liquid. He turned the cup to his lips and drank deep from the wine. It was a good wine, from a rare vintage.

Matrycx:
nice update, boss thrace was sayin somtin abt d statue before d distraction, pls am eager to know

Those statues are images of Nemphis. First dressed in priestly regalia, then as a warrior also as riding a dragon. In legends and folklore, it was said that Nemphis always rides on a dragon, he even had one as a pet.
If you go to my map, you will notice two places one of them is the dragon eye lake. There is a story about that too, which I won't reveal in this story.

This Memoirs of blood and steel is a well thought out story. I have a story for every single land marks in the map, right from Krager's fist to the the peace walls in the south. To the earth wall mountains in the north and the shattered steps. All have stories that led to them. Just stay tuned.

“Thus they were killed by their own magic. “ Thrace said as he looked around. Already the two other bodies have been removed from where they had dropped, the blood stain wiped clean. Already Gamba was picking up the recently deceased disciples and taking them to a hiding place.
“Alright I think the disguise has served it’s purpose. Let’s pull it off. “ Jarrael turned to Thrace. “Get us our tools. “
“Right away Jarrael. “ Thrace said as he dug his hand into a small purse hung on his waist and pulled out Gamba’s twin axes, Jarrael’s scimitars and Khen’s curved blade. “The advantage of having a dimension and space folding bag for holding and hiding a lot more things bigger than it in size. “
“I wonder how many things you can cram into that small purse before it gets filled up. “ Jarrael said as he strapped on his wide belt holding his throwing knives and slung his scimitars on his back after pulling off the heavy raiment.
“Well anything from a horse, to a boat even a full house if you can carry it and put it in the purse. “ Thrace responded as he once again put on his acolyte robe.
“Having that was fortunate for us as there was no way our weapons could have been hidden among our wares that they wouldn’t have been discovered by the strict scrutiny of the guards. “
“Yes Jarrael, the purse is always handy to help one out of a tight spot. “ The acolyte said as he petted his side where the purse was hung.
“ I already had my weapons before you all. “ Meera said as she walked out from behind the pillar she was hiding . Already the raiment was off her body, her quiver on her back and the bow on her hand. She quickly took her rapier from Thrace that he extended to her. “Finally, glad to be off all these heavy clothing. “ she breathed with relief.
“Where next, Thrace? “
“This way, “ he said moving towards one of the arched portal leading out of the hall.

♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠

The other remaining disciples reacted quickly, with quick magical words and fingers pointed at the group, purple and black energy shot from their fingers and flashed towards them. But the magical energy beam struck a solid barrier before Thrace and died. The disciples were first surprised then got angry to note that a magical shield had been erected around the group. Still again, they uttered spells which released another rounds of dark purple energy blasts. Again the blasts hit the solid wall of protective shied Thrace had around the group but this time instead of the blasts to go off, they sustained, hitting the shield continuously. Thrace took the time and stretched his hand forward, palms opened. Just then the energy blasts flew directory to the opened palm and the acolyte closed it trapping the blasts in his fist.
“Very nice display of your abilities but I’m not impressed. “ Thrace voice sounded hollow as it bounced within the face mask before coming it. “Maybe you will be impressed if I send it back to you. “
Thrace open his palm and the twin energy blasts returned to their sources, hitting the disciples and knocking them off their feet. They didn’t get up again.

Immediately Khen slipped away from the group and hid himself behind one of the pillars around there. Meera collected something that was passed to here by Thrace and slowly she walked to another pillar, found one and stood behind it. The hall was illuminated by several torches burning brightly hung on the pillars. Just then soft footsteps sounded coming from one of the arched portal. Behind the sounds came in four people, one of them was putting the red raiment of the a senior disciples and the other three of normal disciples.
“Hey what are you people doing here? You are all supposed to be at the initiation chamber. “ The senior disciple who stood at the head of the group said.
“We are where we want to be, filthy mongrel. “ Thrace replied.
“How dare you, senior disciple or not, you have no… wait, you all are not… “ was the last words the senior disciple will ever say as an arrow struck his throat, with the arrow head sticking out the other end. The senior disciple clawed fruitlessly at the protruding end of the arrow and dropped heavily on the ground. Before the others could react, Khen dove out of his hidden place, grabbed the head of the closest disciple to him with one hand and the older hand holding firmly to the jaw. With a savage wrench, Khen twisted the head. A loud crack sounded as the disciple toppled and fell.

Getting into the tower, they meet a wide circular hall having several high arches which are portals leading to several parts of the tower. By the sides of the arches are very tall images made from black marble which are a surprise to the group since all the parts of the city appeared spartan with little or no images anywhere. The images were gigantic statues about the height of five full grown men. The first statue they saw was in the form of a man in a full priestly vestments. The next statue was also of a priest but this time in full regalia and the cowl brought up to cover the head. The other images were of warriors in full war armor with shield and sword. Two others were armed with war axe and a crescent sword. Then there is an image of a dragon. Then the final image was of a warrior astride a charging dragon with wings spread high as if flying.
One curious thing about the human statues is that both the ones in priest clothing and warrior armor, the faces of all the statues are identical. Thrace went close to one of the statue to check the words carved on the pedestal the image was placed on.
“From what is written here, these images are representation of Nemphis. “ Thrace said as he turned back to the group. With a sudden startled look he said "Someone is coming. “

“Isn’t that a bit excessive little mage? “ Meera asked as they passed the portcullis.
“Well if I must imitate a Nemphis priest or a senior disciple, I just have to do it perfectly. “ While still speaking, the acolyte smiled under the mask. “What you just witnessed is a common way the priests deal with those who are not so blessed by their god with magical abilities. “
“And what about your magical display just now? “ Meera asked again. “Won’t that alert anyone watching about our presence here? “
“No fear of that happening. That magic display was a mimicry of the clerical power used by the priests, so we are in the clear. “
“I’m a bit curious though, Thrace, how you came to know so much about the priests of Nemphis. “ Jarrael asked the acolyte as he walked behind him.
“On that, there is a general believe among the mages that the priests of Nemphis are a potential enemy that they might face in the future, so we are taught everything that is to be known about them in the citadel at the sacred hill.” Taping the book with him he continued. “Besides this book is a wealth of information, the book was what showed me how to mimic Nemphis priests clerical magic. “

sleemoon:
*Stranded - royver

*Werewolf series - Solomonbrown

* Memoirs of blood and steel - Apollux

*Marvel's chronicle - Apollux

Both my stories are still on going. The marvel Chronicles is actually finished. The 2nd part is on hold for now till I complete Memoirs of blood and steel, which will soon be finished .

Ok let me slip in as much information as i can outside the story.
Several things u should note...
1. The black tower as a whole exists on one of the most inhospitable area of the Amirian desert.
2. The place is so remote that strangers hardly visit there( besides the attitude of the Nemphis worshippers doesn't help too.)
3. The black tower already have very formidable physical security that is tough to crack. Physically speaking, the black tower is almost impossible to breach by frontal assault or siege.
4. Also thee place has magical protection to detect and guard against hostile magic. Thrace have been very careful with his magic probes so as not to raise alarm. As of the last part when he displayed a potent magic, the answer is already on my next update which will come out later today.
5. We haven't met a lot of the priests of Nemphis, but from the display of Thrace (mimicking a senior disciple) that should give us an idea how arrogant and proud they are. But as for the priests not being at security posts, they see it as menial jobs below their status. You will never see a priest on patrol duties. Although there are magic users who do patrol and stand guards at times, these are in some cases, students of the priesthood school, disciples and senior disciples. But note that on this night, an initiation ceremony was going on so disciples and other senior disciples will be at the initiation, a very important ceremony when selected and qualified senior disciples are ordained as full priests (Ruel planned it in such a way that Jarrael and his group will get there on the night when the black tower is very vulnerable ).
Well that is all I can say for now. I know lots of things needs explanation in the story, but like I have said before, this is a spill over story from a bigger one. Also I had toyed with the idea of making a tour guide to the world of Ghemmaria. I still plan on doing that. Also let me slip a secret here, I have a plan of doing short adventures for some of the characters here(Gamba and Thrace already are foremost).
You will notice at a point in the story I quoted from an ancient Ghemmarian text... Here it is



"... though Rhammon started life as an acolyte of Nimrod, he manifested the prophetic gift later in life. But due to his ability to retain information in his mind and recall long events with accuracy (what in modern time we will call photographic memory), he was made a scribe and chronicler of the mad prophet, Nimrod. So he was able to accurately document most of Nimrod's prophecies.
"Rhammon’s prophetic abilities manifested close to the end of Nimrod's life and a lot of superstitious followers of Nimrod claimed that it was the spirit of Nimrod that now possess Rhammon. Well, Rhammon took advantage of that, being a brilliant person, he took over the prophetic college headed by Nimrod, with lots of followers behind him and some of them great military leaders, he set out to conquer some of the surrounding lands and built the kingdom of Ankara. He became its first king and also changed his title from a prophet to a priest, intending to call men back to acknowledging the forgotten gods of Ghemmaria. So he was the first priest-king in a successive line of rulers in the ancient Kingdom of Ankara. "
- from the annotations of Physillus III, the seer and chronicler. Scroll DXVII vol. IV. page 217

There is a full volume of this document, hopefully if I ever do the tour guide I might introduce us to some of this ancient sources /documents.

Well thanks guys for being there always for the stories

“Will you unlearned unlettered sniveling slime take upon your self to instruct me in the ways of the priesthood? “ Thrace made his voice to sound insulted and irritated. “I think a lesson is in order to teach your wretched unworthy soul the error of presuming to instruct a-soon-to-be-priest of our great god, the sacred dark path. “
The soldier who had spoken suddenly fell silent as fear gripped his face, his other three colleagues took slow cautious steps away from him. Thrace simply lifted his hand, with palm open wide, a purple and black colored tendril shot out of the palm and wrap itself on the soldier. The tendril constrict the soldier so tight that the pops and cracks of broken joints and bones was loud around him. As the soldier prepared to scream, the tendril extended to his neck, squeezing the throat and cutting off the wind, crushing the larynx and cutting off any intended sound. In few heart beats, the tendril withdrew back into Thrace palm and the soldier’s lifeless body crumpled on the floor. The other three soldiers stood rigid, watching the display stoically, a thing that is commonly rumored to happen in the black tower to any lesser person that question a priest. Though this is the first time in their lives they have witnessed such awesome display of a priest’s power personally.
“Our god is always glorified when an unworthy one is sacrificed. “ The mask over his face gave Thrace voice a menacing undertone. “Might and glory to Nemphis. “
“Our lives and souls are for his praise and honor. “ was the automatic response from the three soldiers.
“See that none is aware of our visit and that none disturbs us. “ Thrace told the soldiers as they walked passed the portcullis, through the heavy door into the tower. The soldiers slowly nodded their faces ashen with fear.

“We should go this way I think. “ Thrace pointed at one of the roads that leads to the tallest tower in the compound with three pointed spires at the top. “That was the direction I felt the relics from when I did the initial probe. Will try another one when we get close enough. “
“This clothing stinks. When do we get to pull them off? “ Meera growled.
“Maybe just after we get inside the temple. “ Jarrael said pointing at the entrance of the tower ahead of them, “I can see few number of guards at the door. “
As they got close to the entrance, they noticed an arch attached to a short fence of about the height of three men before the entrance having a portcullis of iron grating over the arched top. The portcullis was lifted halfway up, high enough for someone to pass through but having four armed soldiers guarding it.
“Halt honorable senior disciples. “ one of the soldiers said, his voice stern and firm but with respect. “You seem to have missed your way. The place of initiation is not here. “
“We didn’t miss our way unworthy one. “ Thrace replied, allowing the slur of insults, he has heard the Nemphis priests use in addressing non-priests to be evidenced in his speech. “We have an audience with a high priest in this place. “
“My pardon your honored ones, I meant no disrespect. “ The soldier who had spoken bowed a bit as he apologized. “But this is highly unusual. I have learnt that disciples are forbidden to meet with any priest privately during the night of initiation. “