Malk al'Toreth falls

Malk has arrived from the north.
Malk hugs you.

Center Square
The Center Square serves as a hub for the rest of the city. All sections of
the city can be reached by the square, from which roads leave in all
directions. The gates of the city can also be reached going north, east,
and west. The square is as much for socializing as it is to allow movement
along trade routes to and from Andor, and many people pass through here
each day. A banner stands here showing the layout of the city. You can
watch people leave and enter the gates from here.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
West: A drunken fool staggers in no particular direction.
Some elaborate figurines spew fresh water into a broad basin here.
Malk Al'Toreth is standing here.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.
Weary and coated in dust, a merchant stands here.


em gives you a cute little smile.
Malk says 'Well, let me see you then, lass.'
Malk steps back and looks you up and down.
Your cheeks are burning.
Malk says 'Beautiful, as always.'
You hug him.
Malk ruffles your hair playfully.
You say 'I've missed you, as always.'
Malk says 'What's this? open emotion?'
Malk grins wolfishly.

em looks down at the ground
You say 'well...'
You shrug.
Malk says 'Well?..'
You say 'Do you mind?'
Malk says 'Not at all.'
You say 'I can miss you all I want now, can't I?'
Malk says 'In fact, I find myself rather pleased.'
You say 'oh?'
Malk says 'indeed.'
You say 'what you been drinking?'

look Malk
Malk is in excellent condition.
Malk's eyes are clear, unmuddled.
Malk says 'Perfectly sober.'
You say 'It might be refreashing'
em tries to hide a smile
Malk grins at you.
Malk says 'Actually, my head is throbbing.'
You say 'sorry, i'm just teasing'

[look ]
Center Square
The Center Square serves as...
Some elaborate figurines spew fresh water into a broad basin here.
A raven is here, watching.
Kiipii the Gold Eagle is standing here, riding a warhorse.
Malk Al'Toreth is standing here.
A warhorse is here, stamping his feet impatiently, being ridden by you.

Kiipii says 'she teases everyone.'
Malk says 'But I've recieved some troublesome reports since I asked you to join me.'
Kiipii says 'with her adorable ways!'
Malk nods at Kiipii.
You say 'following me are you Eagle?'
Kiipii says 'you left your mule!'
Malk says 'Kiip, how're ya?'
Kiipii says 'i was just going to tell you that.'
Kiipii shrugs helplessly.
Kiipii says 'heartbroken!'
Malk looks at Kiipii.
You say 'You came all the way here with a mule?'
Kiipii looks around slowly, as if something is hidden in the room.
Kiipii says 'i seem to have lost him.'
Kiipii blinks his eyes innocently.
Malk says 'Uh-oh...Another one of Ewi's victims?'
Kiipii nods in agreement.
Kiipii sniffs sadly.
You pat Kiipii on his head.

Kiipii says 'i can't bear her touch!'
Kiipii panics, and attempts to flee!
Kiipii leaves east riding a warhorse.
You say 'Don't worry, I'll find him on the way back'
You say 'I only said "hi" to him'
em pouts a little
Malk grins at you.
Malk says 'he's an old friend'
You say 'He is no victim'
Malk bellows 'Kiip, you crusty old bastard. *grin*'
Malk bellows 'hiding in the dark places, mate?'

wher
Players in your Zone
--------------------
Malk - Center Square
Ewiene - Center Square

Malk says 'or maybe he really left.'
Malk smiles bitterly.
You say 'Well, what can you expect'
Malk says 'As I was saying, Ewi, I'm glad you came - the timing could just have been a bit better.'
You say 'You're scary.'
Malk smiles sardonically.
You say 'Possible.'
You say 'But I'm in no hurry.'
Malk says 'Definate.'
Malk says 'Follow me, we'll go to the Tavern. I have much to tell you.'


The Domani Wench's Kiss
Clean, tidy and dustless, The Domani Wench's Kiss serves as the main inn of
Lugard. Being that it catches most of the travellers that enter Lugard, it is
able to sustain itself and make the necessary repairs to the inn, unlike many
of the other buildings here in town. A small hallway leads into the back of the
inn where the bulk of resident rooms are. The exit of the inn is to the north.
[ obvious exits: N ]
The Human RP Board is mounted on a wall here.
Malk Al'Toreth is standing here.
A rich-looking merchant counts his earnings.
An innkeeper makes his rounds of the room, tending to guests.
A warhorse has arrived from the north.

Malk says 'Ironic.'
You say 'Then again'
You say 'Then again, that's a small problem'
Malk says 'What is? Convincing them?'
You say 'Sword and Hand are coming, as are Eagles and Hand and the Children'
You say 'It could just turn out to the single largest border-battle in history'
You shrug.
Malk says 'No one will dare raise a hand.'
Malk says 'Trust me.'
You say 'As long as all fighting is after the wedding'
Malk says 'At my son's wedding, three Lion Wardens attended.'
You nod in agreement.

Malk says 'Look, about the wedding.'
You say 'yes?'
You say 'About my wedding...?'
Malk says 'if something happens to me between now and then...I want you to know that Ryvan..
he's a good man. I want you to know I think that.'
You say 'He is. I'm glad you see it too'
Malk rubs his neck, eyes strangely distant.
Malk says 'Yes, I do see it. He's a good lad.'

em's eyes becomes a little distant
Malk coughs gruffly.
em shakes her head a little
You say 'yes, well.'
Malk says 'We both..we both know what isn't being said,'
Malk says 'But I'll get to the point.'
em tilts her head a little at that and studies you.
You nod in agreement.
You say 'do'
Malk says 'I brought you here because I have it on good authority that before this week is out,
I will be dead.'

You sit down.
You sheath a blackened steel kris into a wide leather wristband.
You say 'what?'
Malk says 'My entire system of contacts has collapsed quicker than I had thought possible.'
Malk says 'There was a leak, someone at the highest level.'
Malk says 'Someone I must've trusted with my life.'
You say 'But, why.. I mean.. how...'
Malk says 'And unfortunately, he is still within my network.'
You say 'They can't get to you'
Malk says 'I don't bloody know.'
Malk says 'yes. They can.'
Malk says 'It must've been one of the three who knows me.'

You stand up.
Malk says 'All of which have gone into hiding.'
You say 'Then leave?'
Malk shakes his head.
You say 'Run again.'
You say 'You've done it before.'
Malk says 'I'm as safe here as I can be.'
Malk says 'I've gathered what men I still have loyal to me here.'

You nod in agreement.
[draw ]
You try to quietly draw a blackened steel kris from a wide leather wristband.
Malk gestures around the tavern. You notice familiar bulges, and some faces look vaguely like
men you've seen in back alleys.
You say 'Let's hope they are'
Malk says 'YOU are not to get involved.'
Malk says 'You have other responsibilities.'
em studies the people around her with paranoia flaring up in her eyes

Malk says 'You are a Child and a soldier.'
You say 'Yes.'
Malk says 'These men in this tavern are what remains of my private army.'
You say 'Children and Soldiers stand up and fight for their friends and close ones'
Malk says 'no. they do what is right.'
Malk says 'For all I know, it's the Children who've flushed me out.'
em gives you a stern look

You shake your head.
You say 'I should know'
Malk says 'You're known to associate with me.'
You say 'True'
Malk says 'If old Pedron finally found an excuse, he would compartmentalize.'
You arch an eyebrow.
Malk says 'Man's no fool, no fool at all.'
You say 'The Lord Captain Commander needs no excauses for his actions'
Malk says 'In his day, he was a damn fine general.'
Malk says 'And yes, he needs an excuse to kill a friend.'
You say 'He does what's right openly before the Creator'
Malk says 'Once upon a time, Pedron and I were friends.'
em stares at you

Malk says 'Circumstances were what drove me, not a hatred of that man.'
Malk says 'And besides, he knows about me.'
You say 'Probably yes.'
Malk says 'No, he does.'
em nods slowly.
Malk says 'I tried to recruit him once, back when he was a measly Captain.'
Malk says 'He swore an oath not to betray me, but ever since he's searched for someone
else who knows..So he didnt have to break his oath.'
You say 'There is nothing that will ever turn that man from his Path'
Malk nods in agreement.
Malk says 'And he knows he needs me dead.'
Malk says 'It's an unfortunate necessity.'
You say 'If Pedron gives me the order, I would follow it.'
Malk says 'Since the Shar'Sorei have been contacting me frequently, asking me to reform them.'
You say 'You do realise that?'
Malk says 'Yes'
You say 'Just so we are clear on that point'
Malk says 'But I don't THINK it's him, all of that said.'

Malk slowly shakes his head as a loud birdcall echoes into the tavern.
em looks back over her shoulder, something nervous about it
Malk gestures to three men sitting at a table and they leap to their feet, vanishing out the door.
You say 'My head is throbbing'
Malk says 'Have a drink.'
Malk says 'Thats an opening skirmish.'
You shake your head.
You say 'I want my head clear, I'm on duty later tonight.'

wher
Players in your Zone
--------------------
Jin - Center Square
Ewiene - The Domani Wench's Kiss
Malk - The Domani Wench's Kiss

whois Jin
Jin Al'Toreth, The Ranger of the Trees |Forrester| is a human.
A man stands here against the base of a tree, his once black hair now hangs to his shoulders
in the color of silver gray, his eyes take you in, he looks at the sky and as he begins to fade
back into the forest he says "They are coming."


Malk says 'Those three men are dead. The force coming has to number over a hundred.'
Jin has arrived from the north.
Malk says 'Jin!'
Jin places his gloved fist to his heart in greetings to everyone.
Malk hugs Jin.
Jin hugs Malk.
You incline your head in greeting to Jin.
Malk says 'Light and I'm glad to have family here.'
Malk says 'here's the situation, mate.'
em smiles slightly

Malk says 'Someone flushed me out. They know what I am.'
[em patiently twiddles her dagger]
Ok.
Jin sighs loudly.
Jin draws a dagger of green jade from a forest green cloak with ivy embroidery with a flash of
steel.
Jin says 'They have to go threw me first.'
em nods to herself
Malk says 'That someone - the traitor - has turned my organization against me.'
Malk says 'The men in this tavern are all that I have left.'
Malk gestures around.
Jin nods, having known some of the men by name.
Malk says 'I just got the signal that the bastard's coming with a full company. They probably
outnumber us two to one.'

You say 'You'be beaten such before...!'
Jin says 'They won't survive.'
Malk says 'I have, aye, but these are men that know me.'
Malk says 'And some of them are as experienced as I am.'
A hardened man has arrived from the north.
Malk says 'Oh, and Jin..the traitor was Jecko'
Jin growls menacingly.
> frown
What's bothering you?
Malk nods in agreement.

Malk says 'Hurts when it's a friend.'
Jin unlimbers the bow from his belt and nocks an arrow.
Jin gets a stout longbow from a backpack.
Jin grabs a stout longbow.
em turns her dagger over in her hand once more
Malk says 'so here's what we're going to do.'
Jin says 'He will be the first to fall.'
Malk says 'We're playing it defensively.'
You nod in agreement.

Malk says 'Jin, I want you at that window.'
Malk says 'Ewiene, backroom.'
em glances towards the door
Malk says 'The boys and I are the shock infantry.'
You nod in agreement.
Malk says 'And Ewiene?'
Malk turns to face Ewiene.
You say 'Yes?'
Malk says 'STAY IN THAT ROOM.'
Jin walks to the window and takes stance.
Malk says 'STAY THERE.'
You say 'Is that an order, Sir?'
em gives you a hard look.
Malk says 'Yes, for the Light's sake.'
Malk says 'I can't afford a distraction.'
em turns and moves towards the backdoor

Malk says 'Good girl.'
Malk says 'Oh, Ewiene. One thing.'
em turns around
You say 'yes?'
em tilts her head a little
Malk wraps Ewiene in a tight hug.
em smiles slightly.
em gives Malk a hard hug
Malk whispers to you, '{for my ears only}'
Malk coughs slightly, clears his throat.
Malk says 'Now get in that room.'
Malk says 'Alright boys, break out the beer!'
em walks away, with very large surprised eyes, thinking of something else


Malk catches a bottle of whiskey tossed to him, with his own mark on it.
Malk pulls the cork free and drains it at a go.
Jin checks his bow, and growls to himself about those who would betray there own men.
A hardened man leaves north.
Malk says 'You boys ready?'
em slowly studies the walls of the back room, while nervously listening to every sound
from the tavern.
Malk's voice is hearty, his eyes glinting with a remembered joy. Underneath his cloak is
well-polished armor that hasn't been worn in too long.
Malk says 'Today, maybe we die. But we die as men with honor.'
Malk says 'Jin, take a look. Anyone coming?'
Jin says 'Men, it's been a very long time since we've faught together, and I fear some of
us won't live to see the dawn.'
Jin glances out into the street and ducks in as four arrows shoot threw where his head just was.
Jin says 'Yea, I would think so'

Malk howls in triumph.
Malk says 'Boys, remember Bloody Ridge!'
Malk says 'Remember Shankar Valley'
Malk says 'Remember that damn Altaran plains battle'
em listens to the sound of Malk's voice from the frontroom and shivers slightly

Malk cheers along with the men, draws his axe, and steps to the door as the first man comes through.
Jin draws fletching to cheek and lets it fly into one of the men in the street, the growls
loudly "Learn how to shoot, before you try it out on a Forrester!
Malk's axe hacks the man almost in half, doubling him over and sending him flying with a sharp kick.
Malk explodes with whistles and cheers.
Malk's axe snaps the next man's head like a log, but two more come in behind him, and the battle is joined.
em turns around when the noise reaches her and takes two steps towards the door, before stopping,
hestitating.

Jin draws anouther arrows and fires out into the street once more.
Malk falls back to his men, who are easily holding their ground in the semblance of a shield line.
Malk bellows 'Remember Bloody Bay, boys!'
Jin sets down his bow and quiver.
Jin says 'Time for the dance to begin.'
Malk's axe buries itself in the leg of a man, and sticks. He whips a dagger out from a hidden
sheath and cuts the man's throat, kicking his axe free.
Jin draws a long thin slightly curving sword from his back.

Malk drops the dagger to the ground.
Malk looks towards the door, where a knot of ten men are hustling through, all in battle armor.
Malk says 'Jin! Eyes doorway!'
Jin whirls suddenly and joins Malk, his sword darting in and out defending and attacking,
the blade already covered with blood.
Jin steps up in front of the fully armored men just entering and mutters "You know, armor only slows you down." dances among them his sword a buzzing blade of death.
Malk rushes to join Jin, while all around him his men battle to the death.
em looks towards the backdoor, then she makes up her mind and begins pulling things in front of
the door.
Malk slams full-length into the first soldier, sending him sprawling backwards. A moment later,
Malk's axe caves in his head.
Malk kicks out, knocking another over, moving through the men, searching for Jekko.

em pulls the last chair in fron of the backdoor, blocking it completely
Malk bellows 'Jekko! You bastard! Face me!'
Jin glances over his shoulder, just in time to see Yernia go down.
em mutters Lets hope I won't need to use this one...
Jin says 'No!, You bastards!'

Malk grunts as a blade slides through his shoulder-blade., and kills the man who put it there.
Malk says 'Jin! Check on Yernia!'
Jin keeps the man in sight who took him down and walks to him, cleanly slicing off his head in
one swift movement before rejoining the fray.
Malk's axe severs another man's head, sending it spinning across the room.
Malk says 'Dead?'
Malk frowns as the last of the armored men dies, with still no sign of Jekko.
Jin says 'I had trained that man from the beginning, he was one of the best of my command of
mercenaries.'
Malk says 'Aye...I've killed three men that I promoted to Sergeant today.'
Malk says 'And Yernia was both of our friends.'

Jin bellows 'Is that all you can bring!'
Malk looks around, the battle dying down. Many friends are dead, but the enemy's thrust has
been beaten.
Malk says 'We won..'
Jin glances around at the empty room.
Malk says 'Strange.'
Malk says 'Alright, boys. Tend to the wounded.'
em hears Malk's voice and mutters something about men as she walks towards the front room.
Malk walks among the wounded, lending aid where he can, ignoring the traitors.
Jin says 'And someone secure the bloody door this time!'
Malk calls out 'Ewiene..It's safe.'
em shoots Malk a long glance
Malk's eyes snap towards the door as the sound of hooves beat against the cobblestone.
Malk says 'Uh-oh.'
em looks at Malk's shoulder with worries eyes
Jin cleans his blade on a traitors cloak and then sheaths it and begins helping with the wounded.


Malk exchanges grim glances with Jin.
Malk says 'This was just a starter, then.'
Jin says 'The black Guardsman has arrived.'
Jin says 'Thought they had disbanded long ago.'
Malk says 'Alright, boys. All of you who can stand, stay. Those of you who can't.. Ewiene, help move the ones who can't stand out of the room.'
Malk nods at Jin.
Malk says 'They did.'
You say 'I will'
Malk says 'But they never liked how I cut down on their activities.'
Jin says 'The elitest of Horsemen ever found, but they can't fight on horseback in here.'

em begins helping the closest man up, fighting with his weight.
Malk says 'No, but by the sounds of it, there's a bloody hundred of em.'
Malk helps move the men into the back room, quickly.
Malk grins as more and more men plead scratches, regardless of the wound. No one here is a coward.
em urges the wounded men to move out
You say 'Those who can't hold a sword, back down'
You say 'Those who can, stand up and fight'
Jin draws his sword slowly.
em gets something very professional about her for the first time tonight.

Malk says 'Ok, Jin. Here's how it's going to play out.'
Malk says 'Remember Shankar Valley?'
Jin says 'Yes.'
Malk says 'Same deal.'
Malk says 'I want half the men to play dead, near the door.'
Malk says 'You with them.'
Malk says 'The other half with me. We'll hit em from both ends.'
em takes another two steps forward

Jin quickly points out half the men and motions them to the door.
Malk says 'And for the Light's sake..DON'T MOVE TILL THE BATTLE'S STARTED!'
Malk says 'Remember how close we came to disaster there.'
Jin sits down his face and body going limp.
Malk listens to the sounds of men shouting outside as the Black Guardsmen organize themselves.
Malk says 'Ewi? Backroom?'
You say 'No'
Malk says 'What do you mean, no?'
You say 'I can still hold a weapon'
Jin takes a small vial from his belt and lights the tip.
You say 'So I fight. Very simple.'
Malk says 'I don't have time for this, Ewi.'
You say 'So stop arguing then'
Jin says 'This is for Yernia'
Malk sighs loudly.
Malk says 'With me, then.'
Jin tosses the vial out into the street and sudden a long bang is heard.
em moves over towards Malk.

Malk grins at Jin.
Malk says 'Sourmash whiskey, eh?'
Malk drinks a second bottle of whiskey, his stance straighter.
Jin says 'A little concoction of my own, and alittle bit of yours.'
Malk nods in agreement.
Malk says 'here they come boys.'
You say 'We'll you'll need it'
Malk says 'Steady..'
Malk grins defiantly as thirty swordsmen, the first wave, enter the room. They all wear black
cloaks.
Malk nods in an almost friendly fashion.
Malk says 'Hello, Jamison.'
Malk says 'Jecko hired you out for the bloodwork, eh?'
em twiddles her dagger nervously.
Malk grins at you.
Malk's voice is light, though his men appear to be outnumbered.
em sends a smile towards the men in the door


Malk says 'Well, come on then. Let's get this over with. Never were one for converdsation, mate.'
You say 'Black indeed...'
You say 'Suitable.'
Malk howls defiance along with his men as the swordsmen rush the line.
Malk says 'STEADY...STEADY...NOW!!'
Jin jumps up his sword already a blur and charges the backranks of the guard.
Malk's line leaps into the battle, exploding amongst their enemies with swinging blades,
catching them by surprise.
Malk howls triumphantly.
em hurls her dagger towards the man in black, placing it neatly in his chest
Malk hacks his way through the enemy line. Outnumbered and ambushed, the men falter,
and slowly fall.

Malk says 'Good. An easy start.'
Malk says 'Losses?'
Jin says 'Hey Jamison, To bad your on the end that will die tonight, I had fun fighting
beside you.'
Malk looks anxiously for Ewiene, relaxing when he sees her unharmed.
Malk says 'well, light losses. Only ten.'
Jin walks up the Jamison's nearly lifeless body laying on the floor.
Malk finishes off the last soldier, leaving Jamison to bleed.
Malk says 'We've got twenty-five now.'
Jin says 'To bad you had to choose this way to die.'
Malk shakes his head, his voice low as he whispers to Ewiene.
em steps carefully around the bodies studying the blood spots on her white cloak
Jin slides the tip of his sword across Jamison's now lifeless corpse and steps back.
Malk says 'It's over. We took too many losses.'
em frowns slightly


Malk raises his voice, the hearty call of a true leader, grinning. 'Cmon lads, back into line.
Let's do it again!'
Jin whirls around again and kneels beside Jamison's body, and then rips a small medallion from
his neck.
Jin says 'Told you I'd get this back one day.'
Malk says 'That was supposed to be yours, Jin.'
Jin looks at the star medallion and growls.
em looks at it.
You say 'What is that?'
Jin says 'This just proves he was the one that killed Menala'
Malk says 'That's a medal for courage.'
Malk says 'My second in command once, Menala, was supposed to give it to Jin.'
Malk says 'He was murdered in the night.'
You say 'Oh, around the head of a Darkfriend'

Malk says 'Jamison's no darkfriend...just a mercenary.'
You nod in agreement.
You say 'He attacked me, now didn't he?'
You smirk.
Malk smiles sardonically.
Malk says 'Anyone that does that isn't a darkfriend, love..they're blind.'
Malk suddenly blushes, and shuts up.
You say 'The world is so simple some days'
Malk says 'Right, then.'
em looks at Malk
Malk says 'They're not coming in, Jin.'
You say 'and so complicated other times'
Malk says 'So we have to go out.'


Jin places the medalion behind his belt and steps forward.
em steps in closer to Malk
Malk says 'Here's how we do it.'
Malk looks around at the small circle of men.
Jin says 'Men, this might be our last stand.'
Malk says 'We'll hit em HARD, and make a break for it.'
Malk nods at Jin.
Malk says 'Odds aren't good boys.'
Malk says 'I won't lie.'
Jin says 'When we get into the street form the ranks of the seventh star.'
Malk nods in agreement.
Malk says 'You know where I'll be, boys.'

Malk says 'Same oath i always swore to ye.'
Jin says 'We trained you never to use it unless you knew you would die, it will cause heavy
losses but, our odds will be shot to hell.'
Malk says 'First on, last off, and NO WOUNDED WILL BE LEFT.'
em nods to that.

Malk says 'It has been an honor and a priveledge serving with each and every one of you.'
Malk says 'I want the men that were in my headquarters company to step forward.'
Jin walks up to Malk and claps arms with him.
Malk grins at three men, their clothes covered in other people's blood, as they join Jin.
Malk says 'Boys, with the exception of Jin, you're my point.'
Malk says 'Jin, you've got command of the main group.'
Malk says 'say Alright.'
You nod in agreement.
Malk says 'Everyone, Follow Me.'
Jin says 'Alright.'
Malk says 'Ewiene, stay RIGHT BESIDE ME.'
You say 'Yes Sir.'
Jin motions for the others to step beside him.
Malk says 'And I mean on my ass. Scuze the language.'
Jin says 'Remember your training boys, and we might live threw this.'
You say 'YES SIR!'
em almost begin smiling, remembering something...

Malk's voice is suddenly hard as the steel he carries.
Malk says 'Shar'Sorei!! Ten HUT!'
em snaps to attention
Malk grins mirthlessly as the men snap to attention.
em mutters something about being deaf again for a week
Malk says 'Shar'Sorei will advance at a doubletime. Forward..Harch!'
Jin remembers the past, and him not being able to be a Shar'Sorei.
Malk doubletimes through the door, back straight, the men stringing along behind him.
Malk leaves north.
You follow someone.

Before the Inn...

Malk bellows 'Shar'Sorei will form 7th Star!'
em stands very straightbacked, her eyes taking in her surrounding and the men
Jin walks into the street, the group behind him the ranks of the seventh star, his own sword resting point down.
Malk takes the tip of the star closest to the cavalry, who remain motionless.


Jin says 'Now for raith.'
Jin says 'Now for ruin.'
Malk says 'Now for Past'
Malk says 'Now for blood.'
Malk's voice rises in the battlesong.
em murmurs silently to herself. "For the Light..."
Malk says 'Now for Honor, now for courage'
Malk says 'Now for battles long ago'
Malk says 'FORWARD MEN!'

Jin draws a green jade dagger from his belt and lets it fly, straight into one of the horsemen.
Malk breaks into a charge, crashing into the organized ranks of cavalry, his axe hacking at horse
legs, ignoring the riders.
em draws her dagger and steps in closer to Malk covering his back and trying to keep out of
reach.

Malk's squad sticks with him, slamming through the hole he makes.
Jin runs calmly into the line of men, his blade slicing hands legs chests, anything it touches
reddening with blood.
Malk howls with the freedom battle brings, laying about him recklessly, ignoring the blows
others land on him.
You say 'Bloody...'
Malk sings suddenly, and the men pick it up.
Jin jumps up onto the back end of one of the horses and begins jumping to one to the other
slicing the necks and backs of there riders.
em begins fighting the closest man, trying to give Malk some breathing space.

Malk says 'Oh there's some delight in ale and wine, and some delight in ankles fine,
but my delight, oh always mine, is to dance with Jak o'The Shadows..'
Malk fights his way towards the bannerman of the cavalry, determined to find Jecko.
Jin jumps suddenly flipping his blade a spinning whirl and slices threw a man to land
softly beside Malk.
em shoot Malk a glance of horror and the lost concentration almost render her a sword in the
stomach


Malk says 'Not good, Jin.'
Jin says 'Where the bloody hell is he.'
Malk's axe swings around, slicing the man who nearly killed Ewiene almost in half.
Malk says 'Behind the banner. See him?'
Malk says 'Ewiene, BE CAREFUL.'
Jin looks around him to see the last of the main group go down.
You say 'I AM!"!!!'
Malk says 'Alright, lad.'
Malk says 'You and I, Jin.'
Malk says 'Ewiene, lead the squad back to the tavern.'
You say 'no'
Malk says 'Yes, Dammit.'
Jin stares straight at the banner.
Jin says 'That thing will fall.'
Malk says 'yes it will.'
em look at you at you with undecideful eyes
Malk clasps hands with Jin.
Malk says 'Al'Toreth.'
em shakes her head to herself.

Malk says 'Fine, Ewiene, fine. Come along.'
Jin claps arms with Malk.
Malk says 'You might as well.'
Malk says 'We're all dead anyhow.'
You say 'I'm not dying today'
You say 'And neither are you'
Malk smirks.
Malk says 'Sure thing, beautiful.'
Malk says 'But before we go in there..'
You say 'That's a god damn bloody ORDER!'

Malk says 'Before I die, I am GOING to do this.'
em looks you with wondering eyes
You say 'Do what?'
Malk siezes Ewiene by the shoulder, in the middle of a losing battlefield, and kisses her.
em begins protesting.
Malk releases her.
Malk says 'Alright.'
em looks straight at Malk with angry eyes.
You mutter in disgust.
Malk says 'Hush.'

Malk says 'Jin? Ready?'
Jin says 'Save it for later Ewiene, we have a battle to end.'
Malk nods at Jin.
Malk mutters 'and a life'.
Jin raises the blood covered blade.
em gives Jin a hard glance.
Jin says 'Always.'
You say 'Yes.'

Malk says 'For Shar'Sorei and Al'Toreth'
Malk says 'For love and honor and truth.'
Malk says 'FORWARD!'
Malk's axe slices the air, and the tiny remnant of his band charges across the street towards
the banner party.

Malk reaches the enemy banner first, his axe sweeping the leg from under a horse.
Jin whirls his blade and jumps straight into a horseman, his neck and left arm now useless.
Malk buries his axe into a man's skull.
em drives her dagger deep into the first man to meet her, pulls it out and turn to face the next one.
Jin grabs a man by the throat and slides his sword into his heart.
Malk hacks his way through, screaming for Jecko. Out of the swordsmen, a man rides forward.
Malk says 'Alright, you bastard.'
Malk smiles sardonically.
Malk says 'Dismount and fight me like a man. let's pretend you're not a bloody yellow woman.'
Malk says 'I win, my men go free.'
Malk says 'them that live.'
em steps back for a moment.
Jin growls as a sword pierces his hauberk into his right shoulder.
Malk says 'You win, I'm not in a position to argue.'
Malk nods as Jecko bellows for his men to cease fighting.
Malk says 'So you have SOME honor left.'
Jin rips the sword out of his shoulder and slices the mans neck as he backs away.
Jin smirks.
Malk says 'Tsk, tsk.'
Malk grins at Jin.

Malk steps towards Jecko as his enemy raises a long, narrow blade, with what appears to be a
heron on it.
Malk says 'Still got the heron sword, mate?'
Malk says 'Never figured you for having earned it.'
Jin watches Malk and Jecko fight man to man.
Jin says 'He diden't he stole it!'
Malk stands his ground as Jecko rushes forward, eyes serene.
em studies Jecko with hatred.
em murmurs softly "If you don't die tonight, I'll remember your face and come looking for you"
Malk ducks under the man's cunning swing, and swipes his axe in a vicious blow. Jecko leaps
over Malk's axe, landing behind him.

Jin cleans his own blade and sheaths it, already knowing this battle is over, Jecko is no match
for Malk.
Malk grunts softly as Jecko buries his sword in Malk's back, swinging around, his axe glinting as
it buries itself in Jecko's skull.
em keeps one eye on the figt and one on the men, not trusting them to stay out.
Malk leans down, ignoring the blood running from his back, and lifts Jecko's corpse high.
Jin growls as Malk is hit.
Malk says 'He's dead!'
Malk hurls the corpse down in disgust.
em takes one step forward, worry and panic all over her face.
Jin says 'The Blackguardsmen will now disband for good!'
Malk stumbles suddenly, nearly falling.
Malk looks at Ewiene with a quizzical expression.
Malk says 'The bugger skewered me.'
Jin rushes over to Malk to examine his wounds, his eyes turning away from the now disbanding
horsemen.

Malk laughs slightly, blood foaming from his lips.
em kneels next to Malk and examine his wound.
Malk lowers himself to the ground.
You say 'Oh, this is not funny'
Malk says 'Jin..whiskey.'
Jin says 'My skill as a Woodsman cannot heal this.'
Malk forces a grin at the familiar command.
em tries to stop the blood flow from Malk's back
Malk says 'I know, mate.'
Jin unhooks a large flask from his belt and hands it to Malk.
Malk says 'Not much could.'

Malk drains the flask slowly, wiping his mouth with relish.
Maiel has arrived from the south.
em looks around in a frenzy at the men.
Maiel looks at Jin merrily.
Maiel says 'What's going on my kinsman...'
Jin says 'The Shar'sorei will live on Malk, I promise you that.'
Maiel loses the color from her face.
You say 'Anyone know anything about how to treat wounds?'
Maiel says 'what happened to him?!'
Malk says 'Aye, lad. Of course they will.'
Maiel falls to her knees beside Malk.

Maiel says 'papa...'
Malk says 'Is that my daughter I hear?'
Maiel rummages in her belt for some salves.
Maiel says 'its me papa'
Malk's eyes, still good-humored, turn to Maiel.
Malk says 'Don't bother with the salve, lass.'
Maiel takes Malk's head in her hands.
Malk says 'Hit a lung.'
Maiel says 'It's not possible'
Maiel says 'I can heal anything'
Malk says 'Jecko was the traitor, lass.'
Malk says 'But I killed him.'
Maiel trembles for a moment, her hands tugging at the armor.
Malk smiles bitterly.
Maiel says 'papa...'
em gives Maiel a long pleeding look.
Maiel looks up at Jin.
Malk says 'Ewi...hand me my axe.'

Maiel says 'help me get this bloody armor off!'
Maiel says 'no papa!'
Maiel looks at Malk, her eyes flashing with fear.
em takes the axe and bring it to Malk.


Malk says 'hush, girl.'
Jin touches Maiel's hands softly.
Jin says 'It is to late.'
Maiel says 'no...'
Maiel shakes her head violently.
Maiel says 'NO!'
Malk says 'Jin, help me up. I want to be sitting.'
Jin brings Malk to a sitting position.
Maiel begins to tremble, her raven hair falling around her shoulders.
Malk nods in agreement.
Maiel says 'papa...you can't die'
Malk touches Maiel's cheek gently.
Malk says 'Sure I can.'
em looks at Malk with tears in her eyes, but remain silent.

Maiel begins to chew on some Dogwort.
Maiel says 'no papa!'
Maiel pulls the dogwort leaves out of her mouth.
Malk says 'Hush, girl.'
Maiel says 'like you taught me...'
Malk begins to hum a soft tune, an old traveling tune.
Maiel begins to cry, vainly trying to apply the salve to the wound.
Maiel says 'no papa...'
Malk says 'Sure, lass. You turned out fine, ye did.'

Malk says 'Ewi, c'mere.'
Maiel shakes her head.
Maiel says 'I'm not grown papa...'
Maiel says 'don't leave me'
Malk says 'Sure ya are, lass. I got nothing more to teach you.'
Maiel looks up at Jin, her eyes filled with tears.
Maiel says 'you can't leave me papa...'
Jin looks at Maiel, his own eyes filled with tears also.
Maiel trembles, her hands clutching her father's armor, still on his body.
Malk says 'Can't very well stay, sweetheart. Now gimme a minute with Ewi, eh? I don't have many
of those left.'

The sun falls slowly behind the walls of the city.
Maiel says 'you can't..'
Maiel begins to cry.
Malk's face is pale, but his eyes are clear.
Maiel moves to Jin, wrapping her arms around him.
Jin stands up and slowly brings Maiel up also and walks a few feet away with her.
em look at Malk her eyes very soft and filled up with tears.

Maiel buries her face in Jin's shoulder muttering 'I can save him...I know I can...'
Malk says 'Sit next to me, Ewi.'
Jin hugs Maiel close and begins to cry himself.
em gently sits down next to Malk
Jin says 'It will be ok.'

You say 'So... This the day you've been waiting for?'
Malk says 'I remind myself of the first time I saw you. Remember? a green as grass recruit?'
Malk says 'Could barely hold that dagger?'
Malk chuckles deep in his throat.
em smiles a little through tears.
Malk says 'Remember Tanatloc, that jackass?'
Malk says 'Near to got us killed.'
You say 'Oh, he saved our asses'
Maiel whispers to Jin, 'He's not going to die...right?'
Malk says 'Way I remember it, we all fought our way out. But you know my viewpoint.'
Malk coughs slightly.
You nod in agreement.

Malk says 'Look at you now.'
Jin holds Maiel closer and whispers 'He is leaving this world.'
Malk says 'So bloody beautiful.
em gently takes Malk's hand.
Maiel bites her fist, shaking her head.
Malk smiles bitterly.
You sigh.
Malk says 'First time another man got there first, gotta say.'
Maiel trembles like a frightened child.
em can't help but smile.
Maiel whispers to Jin, 'He can't die...He just CANT'
You say 'he deserves it...'
Malk chuckles merrily, but the cough that follows is deep and blood-filled.
Malk says 'Sure he does.'
Maiel goes to reach for Malk, Jin holding her back.
Malk says 'But before a man dies, doesn't he deserve at least one kiss?'
Malk grins roguishly.
Malk says 'Forget I asked, then.'
em leans down and very gently places a kiss on Malk's lips, putting all her love in it.
Malk barely manages to wrap an arm around her, and the kiss is short.

Malk says 'Bring my daughter over here, and Jin.'
Maiel shivers.
Malk says 'Got something to tell Jin, I do.'
Malk smiles with something like the old sparkle in his eyes.
Maiel makes her way to her father's side, kneeling beside him.
Malk says 'You'll be fine out there, lass.'
Jin walks slow to Malk's side and kneels down.
Maiel bites her lip, fighting back the tears that wont stay supressed.
Maiel shakes her head adamantly.
Malk says 'Watch out for your brother, eh?'
Maiel says 'no papa...'
em looks up and meets Maiel's eyes.

Maiel says 'I can't do it without you'
Malk says 'Sure you can.'
Maiel says 'I can't be a Rho'Darynn...not without you'
Malk says 'You've got Janarc.'
Maiel says 'who will help me..'
Maiel buries her head in her father's shoulder.
Malk says 'He will. He's no fool.'
Maiel says 'papa...please don't leave me'
Malk weakly pats Maiel's back.
Malk says 'Can't bloody help it.'
Malk smiles bitterly.
Maiel says 'I can't papa...You CAN!'
Malk says 'Now be a Al'Toreth and be strong for me.'
Maiel says 'I won't let you die'
em murmurs softly "not like this, it's not supposed to be like this."

Malk says 'Don't bloody well want to drown to death.'
Malk grins cheekily at Jin.
Maiel takes a deep breath, her emerald eyes clearer than before.
Maiel chokes out a laugh.
Maiel says 'we can't have that can we papa?'
Jin chuckles softly, but all the lightness in it is gone.
Malk says 'WHat a fight, eh, Jin?'
Maiel wipes the tears from her cheek.
Malk says 'What a bloody fight.'
Jin says 'One to be remembered for all time.'
Malk says 'Right out of Shankar Valley'
Maiel says 'I'll never let them forget papa...'
Malk says 'Remember how close we came, then?'
Jin says 'One that WILL be remembered for all time.'
Maiel strokes Malk's cheek comfortingly.
Jin nods slowly.

Maiel pulls a small black vial from her belt.
Malk says 'Look, Jin, I've got something for you.'
Maiel fingers it for a moment.
Malk says 'In the pouch.'
Malk says 'it's all that's in there.'
Malk closes his eyes.
Maiel shakes her head for a moment.

Jin takes the pouch from Malk and opens it.
Malk says 'One of those is for Ewiene. The other's for you.'
Jin takes out two seven pointed star medals.
Maiel whispers 'Light carry you papa...'
Malk nods at Maiel.
Malk says 'Maiel...this is for you.'
Maiel presses her forehead against her father's cheek.
Malk grins at Maiel.
Maiel swallows hard.
Jin places the first around Ewienes neck.
Malk pulls from behind his belt a tiny flask, with M imprinted on it.
em nods slowly at Jin but without any joy.

Malk says 'And this.'
Maiel smiles softly, her emerald eyes sparkling.
Jin fingers his a moment before placing it around his neck.
Malk slides the single ring he wears off his finger..Gold, with an amethyst setting.
em places her hand over the medal and looks at Malk.

Malk says 'Before I die, Jin, tell them the story. I'll just listen.'
Malk closes his eyes , but is breathing is still steady.
Maiel takes a sip of the dark vial, it seems to smell like bourbon.
Maiel kisses Malk's forehead gently.
Malk says 'Hurry up, mate. I ain't got all day.'
Malk smiles sardonically.
Jin says 'These medals, are the highest order of heroism in our old mercenary group,
these were meant for Malk and Quin.'
Jin says 'They earned them at Shankar Valley, where their commander died.'
Malk grins tightly, his face almost like a skull.
Malk says 'Thought it was appropriate.'
Maiel brushes a dark raven curl from her face.

The sun starts to rise above the walls of the city.

Maiel brushes the tears from her face, Malk's blood on her fingertips.
Malk says 'Well, folks, I suppose this is goodbye. I'm kind of tired..think I'll rest now.'
Malk grins from one face to the other, his eyes slowly closing. A moment later, his breathing stops.
Maiel stands up, looking like a Wisdom, and not the mere daughter of a mercenary.
You say 'May the Light and the Creator guide you home'
Jin lays Malk's body down and closes his eyes.
Maiel kneels at her father's head, and takes it in her hands.
Jin says 'May you shelter in the palm of Creators hand.'
Maiel says 'until the last battle Malk Al'Toreth, you will be respun, to fulfil the destiny the
light has shown.'
Maiel says 'Light bless you, and follow you until you return to this world'
Maiel presses a kiss onto her father's forehead.

em is still kneeling.
Jin narrates 'The light has lost one of its greatest fighters ever born, Malk Al'Toreth has fallen.'
em places her hand in the blood and then the hand upon her cloak making a mark.
Risia narrates 'Jin, did you say Malk?'
Maiel narrates 'Aye, my father has gone into the Last embrace'
Risia narrates 'Please don't tell me Malk is dead.'
You narrate 'Malk died a hero, the Light Illuminate his soul.'
Maiel lets the tears fall down her face.

Wheel of Time Role Playing