A Dark Path - Prt 07

Ursa Blacksong - 103rd of Autumn YSTR 112

“ Evil often enough, makes itself known to all who have sense enough to take notice.”

…

There was some disappointment perhaps in the fact that it hadn’t taken her long at all to find the place she sought.

Here unlike some places she had chanced to visit in the past, the signs pointing the way to the danger were quite numerous and impossible to ignore. The battered bodies and broken bones of both the recently slain coupled with the remains of the undead were scattered about the snow covered earth in no particular order. The clear signs of fighting and death reaching outward a fair distance from the broken coverstone that marked the ancient entrance to the tomb that contained the artifact that had drawn her here.

Ursa frowned her annoyance, feeling the powerful magics that hung heavy in the air of the place like some late autumn mist. Her gaze drifting this way and that seeking out some hidden danger before her gaze settled on her boots as she kicked away the broken bones and ruined weapons that littered the ground as she made her way to the entrance.

The magic that lingered heavy in the air was clearly ancient but of a kind she couldn’t quite place in her memory. Not that she was so well versed in the schools of magic that she could tell one type from another but she knew enough that she was certain that what she felt was not of the schools of Necromancy nor Enchantments magics and didn’t quite have the favor of the school of Evocation either.

Reaching the broken coverstone she peered through the opening catching sight of the ancient stairway that led downward into an all consuming darkness her senses telling her that what had drawn her to this place lay deep in the earth within a chamber of ancient rock and stone that she had little doubt lay at the bottom.

“Why is it that I am not surprised to find you here young Autumn?” A voice announced from behind her causing her to spin around on her heel as she drew her blade from its sheath.

“High Priest.” Ursa noted as her eyes fixed upon the man standing a fair distance away.” You’ll forgive me thinking that you were dead already.”

“Do you really think so little of my ability?” The Priest questioned in annoyance.

“ No, not really.” Ursa stated plainly. “ But if it makes you feel any better. I’ve never really put much faith in the abilities of any of the priests of the temple to be honest.”

The man frowned as his gaze lingering on her attire briefly. “ Something tells me that your mother would hardly approve of either your mouth nor the scandalous attire you're wearing.”

Ursa couldn’t help but shrug in agreement. “ I have no doubt you're right about that. Though I don’t think she would be too cross with me in this instance.”

The High Priest’s frown deepened as he took notice of the sword she held. Ursa feeling the soft push of arcane magic as he cast a passive detection spell followed quickly after by another more powerful one.

A frown took shape on her lips. “ Speaking of a lack of approval, I don’t believe the White Order approves of the use of the arcane magics by the faithful? ”

“ No I don’t believe they do but that said I don't believe they approve of witches either.” The priest smiled a cruel smile nodding his agreement. “ You’ll forgive me if I ask what brings you here young Autumn or whatever your name might be?”

“The same thing that brought you here I would wager.” Ursa offered softly. “ I don’t suppose you’d take my advice when I tell you that you’d be better served just walking away from all this?”

The High Priest started to laugh before his laugh twisted into the words of spell. “ Mors gratis !!! “

…