Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Bloodsword: 10 - What's in a Name

Purah learned much about the Scarlet Crusade over the next days, spying on them with the eye of Acherous, acting as messenger, fighting them for the glory of the Scourge. It was as he was returning to the fortress that Instructor Razuvious pulled him aside.

"You've done well, Purah Lightsword. Your determination is commendable. I've also gotten news that you continue to only improve on your sword skills and that no other Death Knight of your class can match your weapon work. Truly Impressive."
"Thank you, Instructor. I endevour only to serve."
"I think it is time you spoke with Lord Thorval. While you could learn a great many things from the Lady Alistra and Amal'thazad, I think it is Thorval's teachings that you will find the most interesting. You'll find him in the Blood wing, below us. Go, seek him out."

Purah nodded and saluted the Instructor, turning away to take the transporter to the lower level. He had been down only once before to get his initial orders from the Hight Lord and had not explored. As he emerged from the faint red light to the lower level, he looked out over the room. The center of this level was occupied by the High Lord Darion Morgraine himself, along with his advisors and information and reports. The three walls of the fortress to his left and right, and across from the transporter each held instructors in the three schools of Death Knight disciplines: Blood, Unholy, and Frost.

You could almost always recognize students of each at a glance. Those Knights who followed the school of Frost actually lowered the temperature of the air around them, and their armor often carried a very thin coat of ice. Those that followed the Unholy school were masters of the ghouls, and had one with them at all times. The undead under their control were often more intelligent, relatively speaking, and they could summon gargoyals to aid them, if needed.

All those that were left were of the Blood school, and it is there that Purah headed. Lord Thorval was an imposing Human, covered head to toe in black and blood-red armor, dead eyes filled with fury. His black hair was long and matted, pulled back into a tail. Ash-grey, tribal tattoos covered his eyes from forehead to cheek. His students were masters of the runeblade.

He sized Purah up the moment he stepped forward to ask for instruction. Before the elf could even open his mouth to speak, Thorval struck with a gauntlet-encased fist. Purah, surprised, but not unprepared, twisted and dodged, almost fast enough to escape the Lord's attack. Almost, but not quite, as the dead Human's blow glanced off his armor. Thorval chuckled, pointing to Purah, then speaking to his students who were watching the entire thing take place. "You see? That was excellent reflex. He was not expecting attack, but adapted and turned, ready to fight back." He then turned to Purah and asked, "What is your name, Death Knight?"

"Purah Lightsword, Lord Thorval. I was told to seek you out by Instructor Razuvious."
Thorval nodded. "He did well, sending you to me. We will spar, Death Knight Lightsword, and I will see what I can teach you."

They pulled their weapons, facing off against one another, as Thorval had done with countless others he deemed worthy to teach. "You will use disease to weaken your opponents, perhaps even a ghoul to distract them, but, in the end, it is your blade that will finish the job and earn you victory. Unlike our brothers and sisters of the other schools, we don't rely on magic or our ability to raise the dead to win our battles." He turned back to Purah. "Now, fight!"

Thorval was good. Very good, especially for a Human. Purah used every trick he knew, every twist, every dodge, every attack, but Thorval would not be defeated. Purah actually felt himself tiring, something he did not think was possible anymore. Thorval was slowly backing him into a corner, and even with his skills, he wasn't sure he'd be able to escape the bad position. In the end, though, it didn't matter. Right before Thorval would have landed a killing blow, he pulled back, laughing.

"By Ner'zhul, you're good! I haven't had a workout like that in some time, elf." He stepped back and sheathed his sword as the students clapped politely. Purah followed suit, bowing to the Lord as he put his own weapon away. "Very well. There isn't much with a sword I could teach you that you don't already know. Instead, I'll be teaching you how to use our unique skills in conjunction with your weapon to win against any foe. There is much about runes for you to learn, Purah... well, now, your name doesn't really fit you, does it? 'Lightsword' is foolish. I'm surprised our Master hasn't demanded you change it already, or done away with you like he did with Harmony."

Purah looked confused, and asked, "But, my Lord Thorval, what else would I be called? My name is all I have."
"Wrong. You have the Scourge. And your skills. Still, we wouldn't want to confuse that pretty head of yours. You'll be known as Purah Bloodsword, now. Yes, Bloodsword should suit you quite well."
Memories stirred in the back of his mind, of a human lying in a growing pool of blood, a silver blade in his hand dripping red... He pushed them away.
"Thank you, my Lord. I am honored."

Purah Bloodsword. You are summoned to Death's Breach. There are Scarlet Crusaders to deal with. Bloodsword, serve me and obey.

"Greatly honored."

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