Talibah - The Egyptian
Chapter 10 - Page 1
Light and Shadow

In the darkness, in the shadows of a thick forest, deep in the northern borders of Briton, were beings shattered, left in pain and the sting of memories in defeat. Memories of battles and blood and rich energies they had once feasted upon much as the ravens and crows that gluttoned themselves on the dead and dieing. Feasting brought to an end wherein these beings had also been banished, their own energies finally crippled by the pervasive power and ritual of the Bards. Had only Briton won and destroyed the Bardic strongholds; to continue and encourage fear, struggle and bloodshed; to continue humanity's downward spiral to eventual extinction. That had been the hope, the vision given these beings. The eventual eradication of the human species no matter what souls might occupy their physical form. Perhaps, then, a new world might be born, quiet and graceful, nature undisturbed by the malformation of such disquieting creatures. Then perhaps, in this newfound beauty, the Eldritch, the kin and brethren of these lorn and shattered shadow beings, would realize their folly and open their arms once more and open the gates between the worlds where these forsaken ones might regain their former essence and beauty. And should that forgiveness not be forthcoming, then these beings would do battle, battle with their own brothers and sisters of the Eldritch, until the Realm of Light Itself was subdued. So had they been promised and had come to truly believe was even possible, so great was the magick and charisma of their former leader.

But these beings had been duped in the end, and though they had continued to fight even at their leader's demise, hope still instilled by the pursuit of Briton's King for Cymru's defeat; in the end the Bards had won. The Bards had maintained Cymru's freedom because Eldritch souls occupied the Bardic Council Seat and that Council Seat had made certain the magick wielded against Cymru would suffer dearly in its defeat.

Broken, confused, in continual pain; these beings, these shadows wreathed and twisted in this abandoned hold, hiding their existence lest the Bards at some point decide to seek them out and finish in the destruction. But it was not the Bards who found them out. It was as if a strange, foreign energy had located them, covered them, soothed them, sang to them. A hum that mended them, strengthened them, straightened them, letting them rise and releasing their chains. Thoughts moved through them, speaking that instructed, though no words were spoken. Knowledge, understanding; a new hope, a new way, much greater power and help. Power that was coming, power on its way, power that knew just how to crush the Bards and the Bards¹ plans to protect and insulate the Earth from any outside energies, that humans might not only rule, but be left to claim the destiny and direction of the Earth¹s future without interference.

Strengthened, the pain gone, the chains broken and severed, the beings of shadow were grateful, willing, listening, agreeing. A new plan was formed, a new strategy; and this time it seemed assured that the power that would oppose itself to all that the Bards hoped and planned was something far greater, more far reaching and more final than supposed or dreamed. It was what was believed, anyway, for what else could have severed their bonds so easily and completely. Agreements were made; new plans formed and soon there would be the strength to venture forth to put these plans in motion.

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