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An ordinary town to an unfocused eye A particular district close to its core Where good going folk stay at night time indoor Where guards of the kingdom walk always in threes In one tavern corner, were meeting two thieves Noticing Lark, when he came in Alec greeted him hastily and flashed him a grin "Sit down, relax and have a good drink, I have a proposal to offer, so think..." "A proposal of what?" Lark curious asked "A raid on lost treasure, a very light task, No guards, no patrols so no need for fighting, So to some of us it will not be exciting..." "You know well enough, that I avoid a fight" "A thief with a conscience." He nodded "Yeah, right But your reputation with traps is exquisite So I figured out, I'd pay you a visit." "I would have guessed this just wasn't a chat." "So very true, Lark. You're right about that." "Lets get to the point then. Where and when?" "As soon as were ready, assembled and then, We'll set out to hike through the woods for a bit." "So this lost treasure, where lies it?" "Oh in some temple ruins, in earth buried it lies, So taking some torches with us would be wise" "You're robbing a temple? You know that's a sin." "But you have not seen of the treasures within Enough to buy cities! Armies or kings! There's gold, silver, jewels and magical things Besides, don't be worried. The temple is lost Forgotten, abandoned, not known of by most" Lark narrowed his eyes, adjusted his cloak And out of his hood he quietly spoke "I will consider a part in this dance But I need more knowledge than that in advance, Tell me how far, and which way we will go The answer to that is the least that you owe" "Alright" Alec said and placidly smiled, "The temple lies east, quite deep in the wild, Well travel through rivers, through forests for days The path will be devious, dozens of sways But then we will enter a city of lost Old ruins in forest covered by frost The temple lies there, unguarded, unlocked." And so for an hour or two they have talked Alec concluded "We can't go alone, we need three or more" When Lark replied asking "Three people? What for?" "The more of us there, the softer our task, Another good thief is not much to ask, But they must be good at disarming traps" Lark thought, and then nodded "Perhaps, I know of two more who belong to my guild I know them as friends, and thieves they are skilled" "All then, is well. We could use their aid" With one of his hands Alec called for the maid He ordered more ale and they drank to a toast For they would be weary but richer than most
Who also agreed that he would be in When Lark had asked Quinn of a thief good with traps Quinn thought and then said "I know a few chaps." So later that night they contacted Flick His skill was impressive. With ropes, he was slick With four thieves assembled they were complete They bought arrows, torches and things they would eat With daggers and lock picks they filled their sleeves The packs contained everything needed by thieves So after they've finished sorting supplies They have agreed to leave at sunrise And once sun had risen they left on their hike Each filled with suspicion and eager alike They crossed two deep rivers and entered the woods The day left them tired, unchanged in their moods They set our their tents to rest for the night And gathered some firewood and set it alight Quinn took out his pipe and filled it with weed Alec considered and followed his lead A few moments later Lark finally asked "Finding this temple with which we are tasked, How do you know it? You've been there before?" So Alec replied "I like to explore, And one day I've found some ruins far by With my reputation of a curious guy I went there and looked, found nothing at first But then there was a temple in earth, So I took a torch and went down deep And found too much treasure for me to keep, Went back to the city and then looked for you In your skill with theft are blessed only a few, But there's so much treasure that two aren't enough, So more people were needed to carry the stuff." Alec stood up and finished "Alright, I'll take the watch for the rest of the night. For the rest it would pay to sleep for a while For tomorrow we walk. And many a mile." He put out the fire, Lark packed up the food The rest had agreed that sleep would be good. They slept until woken, later that day With everything packed they went on their way Lark, Quinn and Flick grew worn out and then Alec told them to stop and pointed to them "You see that formation of rocks near the pine? That is the city. All broken, forgotten and covered in vine." So cautiously further the group had progressed But Alec ran onward ignoring the rest He shouted back "What are you? Afraid?" Still going deeper in ruins of jade. Flick shouted to him "Wait up, we will come." Quinn looked around. For a while he stood numb. "This city is old. I doubt the King even knows of this place..." Again Alec shouted "Pick up your pace! The temple lies eastward a mile or two! We'd be there now if it wasn't for you!" "Yeah well be there, we are just tired..." So the thieves stood, and ruins admired.
Moon had now risen, the air grew cold They entered the temple, and lit their torches Sat, talked for a while to make their choices Quinn paired with Lark, and went down the halls Where strange inscriptions covered the walls Alec and Flick wend down one floor, To check passes for traps and to explore. After two hours, Quinn and Lark have returned With both of them tired and nothing learned They set up a fire and decided to wait For Alec and Flick both seemed to be late More time has passed, and neither came back Quinn figured out that they have lost track "Come on, we should see if they need a hand, I don't think it'll hurt us to slightly descend." "Alright well go down one level, by the same stair, Take one look around to see if they're there, If we don't find them, we'll reset our camp, With snow above level, this place will grow damp." Once they were there, they looked around And Alec or Flick they still haven't found They set their camp, took their bows and some flares "If we're separated head back to the stairs. Keep at my back Quinn, and don't make a sound, Even if they are dead I still want them found." "Sure, no worries, whatever you say" Quinn notched an arrow and said "Lead the way" They kept going further and further along Quinn suddenly said "We should have stayed, where we belong In nobleman's mansions, not on this search! I've always been taught, never steal from a church..." "This is a temple! I've told you, stay silent! There may be things here, and they might be violent." Of Alec and Flick they have found no trace. "I think they have lost themselves in this maze" One moment later Lark motioned to hold "I wonder what lies inside of that vault..." But once they moved closer and opened the doors They stopped in amazement. Gold littered the floors In chest fulls, in piles. Tons of the stuff. They dropped their bows and started to laugh Both running closer they dropped on their knees "Just think what we'll do with a pile of these!" Quinn took a handful from one of the piles His voice full of laughter, his face full of smiles. When suddenly Flick came running like mad Lark shouted "Quinn! Pick up your bow! This looks bad!" Flick was covered in blood, his cloak torn to shreds And still coming closer, collapsed in few steps His voice sounded harsh, his face full of fear, He screamed "We have to leave! Get out of here!" Lark gave his some herbs that helped ease his pain Yet even then Flick was talking with strain "I think I have lost them, they're down below, They know we are here! So we have to go!" Lark quickly replied "What have you seen!?" Flick suddenly said "This will sound obscene... But down below, is filled with undead! And they have not two, but six arms instead! Carrying shields, spears and swords, There are hundreds of them! Several hordes." "What about Alec? Has he been killed?" "No. He's hiding below. He's there. He's skilled." Flick grew more frantic, and even more scared Quinn stood above them, in silence he stared Lark quickly stood up and picked up his bow "This level is clear. So I'll go below. Quinn, take Flick to camp, and give him some aid. I'll try to find Alec, if it isn't too late."
"No. If Alec is dead I am coming right back" "If you're not back in an hour, Flick and I leave To go down there you're a fool I believe, Our gear will still be where it is But if you intend to come back please take this" Quinn gave him some flares, a lamp oil flask And so Lark set out to start on his task On the third level, he found the undead Walking the corridors where Flick bled Avoiding them, he took the trail of blood Two arrows notched and in darkness clad Careful and silent in checking each room And after a while he found a tomb He sneaked inside, took one look around At first he saw nothing, but heard a strange sound From behind a pillar he threw out a flare It quickly lit up, six zombies stood there He noticed Alec on an altar behind Covered in runes and with rope confined Alec's breathing was slow, but he was alive He let off an arrow, the zombies were five Lark skipped between shadows, to take better aim He dropped two more zombies, but more of them came Quite soon the horde started closing the gap And at this point Lark made the grab He slung Alec's body over his shoulder The flare winked out and the air grew colder Using his memory, in darkness he ran Once out of the tomb he came up with a plan He set Alec's body down beside Whispering softly "It's time you all fried" To one of his arrows a flare he attached The flask of oil from his belt he snatched He threw it in force just above the roof's arc Unleashing the arrow he lit up the dark The oil was splattered all over the horde They lit up in flame, Lark took out his sword Picking up Alec he left the fray Cutting past anything that stood in his way The undead still followed but Lark lost them fast He smiled when he found the stairs at last He ran past the treasure and mountains of gold Until he reached where Quinn taken hold He saw that Flick now was on his feet And once he saw Lark he hurried to greet "I didn't think that you could have survived, But by dark, I am glad that you have arrived" "That feeling is mutual, the undead are quite tough And from the numbers below, I've seen enough" "What's wrong with Alec? And is he well?" "Oh he's alive, that much I can tell, I'd say he needs help, and he needs it quite fast Without a healer I don't think he'll last Maybe their weapons were poison laced But in any case we better have haste" "We have already packed. Just waiting for you" "Then our time to leave is long overdue" Flick helped Lark carry Alec as he was told Without delay they stepped out into the cold Once outside they headed back west But Lark looked back often, still at unrest "Quinn, you're the best runner so listen close" Quinn ran up to him, nodded and froze "I want you to stray behind a bit And cover our trail as you see fit. Anything strange, you confirm and head back Do your best to ensure that we leave no track" "That might be hard since we're walking through snow, I will lag behind, but you have to go" Quinn turned over his cloak, with its white side out And took the direction that he would scout With his cloak as white as the snow under their feet He disappeared, his illusion complete Lark turned to Flick "Are you ok?" Flick nodded once "Lets get on the way" Alec still breathed but his temperature rose Even though Lark, nearly froze And so they have walked, ahead for a while But three hours later they saw Quinn's profile Both Flick and Lark saw that his face was in shock So they slowed their pace, down to a walk He caught up with them outside City's Gate Running as fast as he could, shouting "Wait! The dead six armed army is coming this way! And they'll reach the city in roughly a day!"
The watch guard was low. Due to affairs of state, Most of Kings army campaigned in the North And all able bodied, all men who came forth Were fighting some nation for political reasons. And have been away for almost two seasons. The City wouldn't sand an army undead Once they were inside, Lark turned and said "Ok, Quinn and Flick this is what you must do The fate of the City depends now on you. Get all other thieves, all that you can find! And I do mean all, even if they are blind! Go to the guilds, and by dark make them hear, That an army of dead is approaching near! Get all their archers and those best with blades In surrounding farms, set up blockades Alert city's watch to be on their guard, And since we are thieves that will not be hard. We'll need holy water so I'll head to a Priest With our situation he won't mind the least I'll tell him the problem, he'll give us a hand Alright go, if we hurry the City might stand Once in the Church I'll leave Alec there There aren't many places he'll receive better care." Flick and Quinn nodded and did as they're asked Picking up Alec, Lark went on his task Once he found the Church and spoke to a Priest The worry inside him still had not ceased After Lark told the story just as it was The entire account he gave without pause The Priest paid attention to each single word "What you are saying does not sound absurd, I have two sets of news, the second one's worse It seems that your friend, is under a curse He is possessed and within him is hate We have two more days, but then its too late To save him we need to find his soul You see his body, is under control Of someone dead, an ancient mage. Right now he is weak, he is gathering rage But when he wakes up and sees light of day There will be no hope even if we all pray." "And what can you tell me about the dead?" "They're after Alec, by him they are led. You said they had six arms instead of just two Then what you have said indeed may be true A long while back they were an ancient race But humans have wiped them from our land's face Here's what I think they wish to achieve, They're out for vengeance, is what I believe. When their King is resurrected, when Alec's possessed Their army won't stop, by vengeance obsessed And if we are to stop them, we have to move now" "Sure, good idea, but please tell me how." "You said on an Altar, was where Alec lay I have to see it, to be there today" "Fine, I will take you. But once we are there?" "That level must be, the dead Mage's lair I'll do all I can to make sure it’s blessed And when I'm done their dead will find rest" "But how will the City hold while we walk?" The Priest simply smiled and continued to talk "Once we're outside I will bless all the snow It wont stop the dead, but they will be slow. But if our task is not soon fulfilled Your friend Alec here, will have to be killed The Mage that's inside him must not be set free!" After a while Lark said "I agree..." "To get Alec back, his soul we must find Expel the possessor and let his soul bind" "Fine, pack up your gear we have to leave fast" "I have all I need. In my faith I trust!" Picking up Alec again, they left the Church soon The only light now was the white of the moon Lark found Quinn & Flick, and told the Priests tale Quinn replied "I can not allow, you two to fail, Everything's ready and perfectly set The Army of dead had not shown up yet. As for the Army of Thieves, Well... our story, it now believes. Their best runners have seen the dead horde Twelve thieves with same story cannot be ignored The Guilds are now gathered and ready to stand They know that the City is theirs to defend. I'll go with you, carry Alec at least It will be hard for just you and the Priest" "Very well, there's not much more that we can do And three able people are better than two Flick, you stay here and take thieves command You are still wounded. Can barely stand" "Alright, you take care and the dark help you all For if you don't make it, the City will fall" They left the City as soon as they could They went around the undead and entered the wood It took them most of the night but they made it through For where the ruins lay, Quin and Lark knew.
Killing all in their way, without remorse The thieves backed away, but as slow as they could Against the undead close, a small chance thieves stood The best of their archers unleashed arrows like rain The undead kept on coming, knowing no pain But thieves gave ground slowly, more came to their aid The Watch joined in, however afraid So thieves and King's Soldiers fought side by side Flick held his bow and loudly he cried "Aim you slack bastards! Draw! Fire! Repeat! This is our City! There'll be no retreat! They can not be allowed to get through the wall! If they get in, it's the end of us all!" The undead persisted in their assault Through fire, holy water, refusing to halt They climbed City walls using two of their hands Using the other, four for defence The thieves kept on firing from turrets up high They would not give up until strength ran dry
Arrived at the temple and entered within The hallways were empty so their pace was fast They entered the tomb with the altar at last The Priest looked around, as Lark set Alec down He quickly grew tense, his face took a frown "This is exactly, as I have earlier said The evil within controls the undead If this place is blessed, they'll fall where they stand So I will get started, Quinn give me a hand" Not long after, Alec started to moan Priest chanted prayers in a language unknown Lark turned to Quinn "This does not look good" Quinn nodded slowly adjusting his hood "Priest! Hurry up and get this place blessed" "Give me more time! I am doing my best!" The Priest kept on chanting words of no sense And each passing moment Lark grew more tense Soon priest exclaimed "The cleansing is done! The undead should rest! We did it we won! Now we just have to take care of your friend" "Yeah, cleanse his soul. We understand. He will wake soon, so we do it quite fast." "Yes his possessor is strong, his power is vast. I feel power within him, starting to rise." And at those words, Alec opened his eyes The Priest stepped back, his face taken by shock His lips moving hastily as he tried to talk "Quick knock him out! Or it will be to late! I'll be overpowered soon at this rate!" Lark couldn't stop him from what Alec did Alec stood up. His eyes red, lid to lid Putting forward a hand he screamed out a curse And without warning the Priest's body burst Where he once the Priest stood, a fire now raged Quinn needlessly screamed "He's possessed! He's a mage!" Lark let off an arrow and jumped to the side Alec now wounded, again enraged cried 'Good' Lark now thought 'He still mortal at least, For I would not wish to end like the Priest' The pillar above Lark, erupted in flame Covered by rubble the chamber became Lark hid again, saw where Alec stood He then noticed Quinn and it didn't look good Alec laughed aloud, took the stairs and walked off Quinn was covered by rubble. There was blood in his cough Lark moved towards him, when Alec had gone He saw Quinn was bleeding and had broken a bone Lark took out a bandage. Quinn said "There's no need. Just give me a pipe and fill it with weed. My wounds may look bad, but I will be fine. You must find Alec, you don't have much time. You must remember what the Priest said. If he gains his strength, he'll bring back the undead." Lark did as was asked and gave Quinn a pipe Left him some herbs and a long bandage stripe All of Quinn's arrows were covered by stone He couldn't lift them and left it alone Lark then moved up and ran outside He noticed his own wounds, but picked up his stride The cold bit him hard, sharp snow cut his face But after a while he found Alec's trace For hours he followed, blood and crushed snow He caught Alec's sight in a valley below He looked in his quiver, saw three arrows there So he did something else, to make the stalk fair He turned over his cloak like Quinn had before With it's white side up he sank to snow floor He saw Alec's limp when he crawled close His thigh was wounded and blood on it froze Still crawling closer he caught up quite soon Alec's shape stood out clearly in the light of the moon Lark lay still, pulled an arrow, took aim And that very second Alec's hands lit in flame He spun around and cast fire from his hand Lark shot the arrow but not where he planned He dashed to the side and lay down without sound Hoping that covered by snow, he would not be found Alec still searched, burning trees in his path His magician possessor unleashing his wrath Again Lark took out an arrow and aimed for the heart But be fore he could shoot a tree burst apart It's splinters and fragments drove into his arm But his scream of pain did him more harm Alec found his target and came forth again Determined to finish Lark there and then Lark now bleeding was easy to spot He took aim. But once more, he missed the shot Alec came closer, his flames danced around But Lark was determined and still held his ground He took his last arrow and aimed it once more His ribs covered in blood and his hand still sore He held his breath as he narrowed his eyes Alec kept coming fixed on his prize Lark whispered quietly "I'm sorry old friend, I don't have a choice. This has to end." Lark did not miss. The arrow shot straight It took Alec's throat and unbalanced his weight In his dying rage Alec let the flames go They left his arms, melting the snow Ripping trees and the ground in their way Filling the forest with red, brown and grey The flame raged for a while, but came to a stop Lark lay on his back, but he could not get up He lay there bleeding with his open eyes And the last thing he saw was that morning's sunrise Snow fell on his body and covered his face The site is now hidden by long winter days
Flick's tales of Lark, Quinn & Priest, no one believes Just those who have fought at the City's defence The rest of Flick's tale they said makes no sense Years later, back to the temple Flick went He found the treasure upon his descent With diamonds and gold Flick filled his sack He found Quinn's body and made his way back He made sure he was buried right by the Kings With the rest of the treasure he did other things He enquired until, King's stonemasons were found And with all his money he set into the ground A monument high with three figures upon It's set on a hill, seen clearly each dawn "To Lark, Quinn and the Priest" in gold letters it reads "For they saved the City by their deeds" But that inscription, is quite seldom read Long years have passed and Flick is now dead Few thieves of the City know the true story Of Lark, Quinn and the Priest, and their untold glory |
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