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Treason	By : Dagian Category: +G through L > Lineage 2 Views: 832 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing, NCSoft regrettably does, I make no profit off of this story that is based on Lineage2.

Chapter List
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Kattath winced and cried out in pain as she yanked the arrow out of her upper thigh. With a muffled hiss, she pressed a makeshift bandage against the wound before wrapping the length of fabric she’d torn from her own robes around her leg to secure the bandage. Slowly she stood up and chanced a peek at the castles inner gates and swore softly. They were closed. Cursing violently she ducked back inside the tower as Asadar’s forces began pouring through the battered gates.

            Her options were few and none of them were promising. Already Asadar’s men were making their way up the battlements to secure them. Again she peeked around the corner and a small grin split her face despite the pain. The small group of orcs that Nathavin had sent to Aden to infiltrate Asadar’s armies had just come into sight.

            A plan formulated in her mind. Tensely she watched the goings on below. When she felt it was safe enough, she quickly cast a weak spell at the nearest orc.

            The orc grunted in mild discomfort as she felt a stinging sensation on the back of her neck. Turning around she gazed at the area directly behind her. Seeing nothing, she shrugged to herself and faced the castle again.

            Kattath inwardly groaned. She had never liked orcs. This time she summoned a reddened bone and flung it at the orc while simultaneously chanting a swift incantation. The bone splintered with a resounding crack against the heavy axe.

            This time the orc spun around quickly, sure that someone was attacking her now. Her eyes scanned the area in a constant back and forth motion for a few minutes before looking up at the battlements. She was startled to see Kattath peering at her from one of the towers. What was the dark elven woman doing outside the castle’s inner keep? Grunting at her companions, she began to make her way to the spell howler. She saw a group of human mages making their way to that tower to secure it and she stood in front of them and simply stared them down. After a tense stand-off they finally decided that she apparently couldn’t understand them and simply moved to the next tower rather than waste time arguing with her.

            “What happened?” The orc curtly asked Kattath when she was close enough.

            “Archer clipped my thigh and I was unable to run inside with the others.” Kattath replied equally as curt.

            Nodding the orc muttered. “You will assist us then when we betray Asadar and his men.”

            Kattath gave the orc a hard look. “Do not forget that you are in service to the dark elves. I will be giving the orders.” The two stared at one another tensely for a few moments before Kattath growled a low warning. “I might be injured, orc, but it will only take a simple spell to kill you.”

            The orc grunted as she backed away. “Be glad that it is not me who decides your fate.” She let the axe-head fall to the stone floor heavily, watching the dark elven woman’s face as the axe left its mark in the solid stone.

            “You should remember, orc, it is Nathavin who decides all of our fates.” Kattath whispered harshly.

            Not knowing how to respond to that the orc fell silent.

*****

            “Nathavin we need to go look for her!” Caellia insisted as she followed him through the castle.

            “No!” He growled back at her from over his shoulder. “Kattath can handle herself well enough.” At least he prayed she could. “If we go outside now we will be caught and captured!”

            “But Nathavin she’s my friend and I…” Caellia pulled up short to keep from colliding into his chest as he swung around swiftly to face her.

            “She’s my friend too Caellia!” Gripping her chin tightly in one hand he forced her to listen to him. “I’m as worried about her as you are, but we cannot go looking for her. Right now we are needed in here. Both of us.” His voice softened somewhat. “Our people need us to guide them through this Caellia.”

            Andraos watched them closely for a moment before speaking up lowly. “Queen Caellia, Lord Nathavin is correct. You are both needed here.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm, indicating everyone gathered tensely inside the castle’s main keep. “They are all looking to both of you for guidance. If either of you appears to be panicking in the slightest, they will panic and all will be lost.”

            Caellia growled in worried frustration, knowing in her heart that they were both right. “Fine. But I’m going to go look for her at the earliest opportunity.”

            Nathavin’s gaze narrowed angrily before growling at her. “You will do no such thing.” Shillien he didn’t need her arguing with him now!

            Andraos cast a worried glance around them as people began to notice the argument that was taking place. A nervous tension had begun to sweep through the assembled forces below. “Nathavin, end this. Now!” He whispered urgently.

            Understanding immediately what Andraos had noticed, Nathavin snarled at her. “Your life is not yours to risk Caellia! Your life belongs to me and the baby! As your Lord and husband, and the father of your child, I’m ordering you to stay inside this castle at all times!”

            Caellia’s mouth slammed shut in anger as his words registered. She might be Queen, but he still reigned over her, in all ways. Seething in anger she replied tightly, “As you command, my Lord.”

            “You are right about that Caellia.” He growled at her. “I am your Lord and I command your obedience in this matter.” When she remained silent he knew he had successfully reminded her of her place. It hurt him deeply however that he’d had to do so at all, and in such a cruel fashion. However he couldn’t allow her to risk her own life foolishly on such a risky endeavor. He meant what he said; her life was no longer hers to risk.

*****

            Asadar glared at the wooden gates guarding the castles inner keep. “Take them down.” He ordered the nearest general impatiently. “I don’t care how you do it. We’ve wasted enough time.” A low growl from the panther at his side caused him to glance sharply at what had grabbed the cats’ attention. His eyes narrowed in irritation as he spotted the mage’s summon. It was a rather prissy looking white cat that he’d heard the mage often refer to as ‘Queen’. What a ridiculously stupid name for a cat, even a female one. “And for the love of Einhasad, get rid of that abomination you mistakenly call a ‘cat’.”

            The mage looked at him, taking care to mask his anger as he replied tersely. “As you wish.” With a flick of his wrist, the magical creature vanished back into the nothingness from which it had come. Hatred flowed through him as he stalked away.

            Ardista sidled up to Asadar cautiously. “About the castle,” She began slowly, intending on bringing up the possibility of Asadar keeping Goddard for himself and giving Aden to the Kamaels, however she never got the chance.

            “Incoming!” Several people shouted at once.

            Asadar swung around and cursed. “Where are they coming from?!” He got his answer soon enough as five large battalions converged on them from several different directions at once. An enraged roar ripped from his throat as he recognized the banners of Giran and Dion. “So King Therus and Queen Aldana have decided to throw their lot in with the dark elves have they?! Fine! They will lose their castles as well once I’ve removed and killed Nathavin!”

            The orcs looked to one another and nodded to one another. Signaling to the orc female in the tower with Kattath, they placed themselves carefully. The leader of the group cautioned the others. “Be careful who you attack. We do not want to mistakenly kill the allied humans. Also, remember to choose your targets wisely and kill quickly. Take out the bishops and cardinals first, sorcerers and any butcher with a dagger next.”

            He fell silent for a moment. “On second thought, kill anyone holding a dagger first, and then kill the bishops and cardinals.” He looked around at the orcs and then changed his orders for a third time, grinning widely and with a slightly crazed look. “Forget order, let’s have a bloodbath!” The gathered orcs laughed uproariously and turned their attention to the business of killing.

*****

            The Shillien Templar listened quietly as the sounds of battle reached him. “They are engaged within the walls. It’s time.” Looking around at the others, he reminded them harshly. “Remember, no one survives if they are not allied with us.” As he ran off leading the charge, he muttered darkly to himself. “We can burn their bodies as a sacrifice to Shillien afterwards.”

            They came upon the poorly defended base camps and carnage ensued. “Pitiful!” He raged angrily, looking around at the bodies that now lay strewn about, the result of his and the orcs handiwork. “Only healers and a few sorcerers?!” Glaring balefully at the flagpole that proudly held Aden’s banners, he swung his sword at it furiously, intent on destroying it. “Come out here you spineless cowards!” Dark curses and insults spewed from his mouth as he continued to hack away at the flag.

            “They are coming.” The nearest orc said with a laugh as he flexed his sword arm in readiness.

            The templar snorted as he stopped attacking the flag. As he saw the sheer number that was now pouring out from the castle’s courtyard he grinned widely. Asadar was an absolute fool. “Engage them here for a short time and then slowly drag them into the foothills. The more time we can give Nathavin the better. Kill as many as you can before we drag them away.” He ordered firmly. “Do not let any of them go back to the castle.”

*****

            Ardista hissed in stunned disbelief as she watched Asadar order almost half his entire invading force to defend the base camps. “Have you lost your mind?!” She asked him angrily. “Let the camps go! We have the courtyard!”

            Asadar ignored her in favor of yelling at the mages charged with the task of destroying the inner gates.

            Whirling around in anger, Ardista stormed away to help the orcs. She didn’t get far before she came across her brother’s mangled body. Sinking to her knees, she stared at him through her tears. “Yaran…” Her saddened gaze took in the blood that was splattered across his chest. The wounds there were deep. Too deep. No human or elf could have made such deep lacerations. They didn’t have that kind of strength. And his wing, his poor beautiful wing had suffered the worst damage. It was nearly sheared off at the point where it connected to his shoulder blade. Her gaze narrowed as she turned her attention to the orcs.

            “Asadar!” She yelled in warning.

            “No you don’t.” Kattath whispered softly. The spell was swift and accurate, knocking the winged woman to the ground, but it didn’t kill her. Kattath sent another whirlwind of air at the woman as she attempted to stand. When she was close enough for the woman to hear her, she asked in a deceptively soft voice. “Who are you?” This woman’s aura bothered her immensely.

            Ardista turned and glared at the dark elven woman. “I’m your murderer.” Her hand rose as she prepared to fire her crossbow.

            “I think not.” Kattath replied as she calmly sent another spell at the woman, watching closely as the dark energies flared brilliantly.

            Ardista smiled wickedly through the pain and fired the crossbow. The bolt flew true and slammed into the elf’s upper arm. However the smiled died on her lips as she felt her own life force being sucked away from her as the spell howler cast another spell.

            Kattath stared at the other woman for a brief moment as the spell healed the minor injury to her arm before stating in a frosty voice. “Angels are the only beings that should ever be adorned with wings.” Her voice turned absolutely cold, the darkest spells she knew flying from her lips as her eyes changed color, becoming bright silver, almost white.

            Ardista’s scream filled the air briefly as she saw a swirling vortex of dark energy form around her. Before she had time to react, she felt a massive force of energy hit her solidly in the stomach and propel her inside the dark vortex before it closed.

            A lone feather floated slowly to the ground as Kattath stared at the otherwise empty space where the winged woman had once been.

            The sound of the castles inner gates splintering and giving way drew her attention. A muffled curse escaped her.

*****

            “Nathavin! Where are you?!” Asadar roared above the din.

            Caellia looked nervously at Nathavin, noticing the way his face was tight and his teeth clenched in fury.

            “Caellia, stay close to me. Zarvynaar,” he turned his attention to the blade dancer, “if we become separated, take Caellia away from here, take her to our homelands. Use whatever means necessary to ensure her cooperation.” He caught the bladedancers eyes, “Remember, she may be your Queen, but I’m still your Lord and my orders supersede hers. Understood?”

            Zarvynaar nodded firmly. “Understood.”

            Nathavin nodded absently, his gaze refocused on the battle below, watching as Asadar’s forces clashed with the elven forces. From his vantage point here, the battle looked to be progressing in their favor. Asadar’s forces looked to have been cut in half. He’d heard from some of the lookouts that Asadar had sent some of his army to protect the base camps and that the orcs had so far been successful in reducing the number of those that remained inside the castle.

            Watching quietly, Caellia stood motionless beside him. She was angry at Nathavin for ensuring that Zarvynaar would disobey any order she might choose to give him, but she was not going to anger Nathavin again. That line had been clearly drawn and she dared not cross it this time.

            “NATHAVIN!” Asadar roared, the sound echoing throughout the massive room.

            Nathavin snorted, “If he wants to face me, so be it.” He withdrew an arrow from his quiver, took aim, and fired.

            The arrow screamed through the air, gaining the attention of all before slamming into Asadar’s shield with a resounding clang.

            Asadar looked up at the balcony above and smiled viciously. “So that’s where you’ve been hiding.” His gaze slid to Caellia. “I see you’re keeping her close. Afraid to let her stray too far away?”

            Nathavin glared at him silently, assessing him.

            Paying no mind to the silence, Asadar looked over the group arranged on the balcony and the grin widened even further. “Andraos, Hontas, it’s so good to see that our paths have crossed again.” The grin vanished. “Too bad your paths will end with my sword through your gullets.”

            Andraos replied stonily. “You never were able to defeat me in a fair fight Asadar. You always had to have your cat to help you.” Andraos looked around the room uneasily. Where was the infernal creature come to think of it? It was always by Asadar’s side.

            “Why don’t you come down here then? Let’s have ourselves a real duel then.” Replied Asadar with a wide grin. “We could even place bets. You remember how we used to do that, don’t you?”

            Andraos stared silently, not rising to the bait. Inwardly he fumed. Those ‘bets’ had never been pleasant for anyone.

            Laughing at the telling silence, Asadar finally turned his attention to Caellia. “Caellia, you are still as beautiful as you were the day Goryn died. Tell me that the rumors are not true. Tell me that you have not truly gone and wed that vile, evil, dark elf beside you and have forsaken me.”

            Surprising everyone, Caellia growled out in fierce anger. “You have no right to speak of Goryn, you sadistic spawn of Antharas.” Her voice trembled in rage. “Do not ever speak his name again. Ever.”

            “Caellia? You wound me with these insults…” Asadar began in a falsely hurt voice, mocking her.

            “I’m not finished, you worthless sack of stakato droppings.” Caellia snarled vindictively, cutting him off mid-sentence.

            Nathavin was slightly shocked at the change in Caellia. The depth of anger in her voice was unparalleled.

            Asadar narrowed his gaze at her. “Be careful, light elf. I will only tolerate your insults for so long.”

            A derisive laugh filled the air. “You will only take insults for so long?” Caellia laughed disbelievingly for a moment. “Asadar, you are a…”

            “Enough Caellia.” Nathavin spoke quietly and with authority. When she looked as if she was going to ignore him, he spoke sharply. “Quiet!” Speaking in a voice so low that only her ears were capable of hearing, he reminded her. “Remember, your life is not yours to risk.”

            Caellia tossed him an angry look but heeded the warning and stayed silent.

            “No it’s alright Nathavin, let her say what she wanted to say. I’m dying to hear it.” Asadar goaded.

            Turning to face Asadar, Nathavin glared at him. “You will be, soon.”

            Asadar’s face colored as his words were turned back on him. “NO! It will be you who dies!” Yelling angrily to those of his forces that were still alive, “KILL THEM! TAKE THE CASTLE!”

            The battle began again in earnest. Nathavin strung his bow and fired relentlessly at Asadar as the human began battling his way up the stairs to the balcony. Worriedly, he watched the human’s slow but steady progress up the steps. Speaking swiftly to Shi’nryne and Zarvynaar in dark elvish, he ordered them to take Caellia further into the castle and begin preparations to leave with her.

            As soon as she felt the two bladedancers pulling her away Caellia screamed loudly in protest. “NO!

            Asadar momentarily stopped and watched the struggle intently, using his shield to deflect Nathavin’s arrows.

            Giving a violent pull, Caellia wrenched free of the two bladedancers, losing her balance in the process and stumbled forward a few steps before falling heavily to the ground.

            Asadar’s eyes widened at the acrobatic little twist she managed to pull off. She had landed painfully; her entire weight had come down on her right shoulder. He’d be surprised if it wasn’t dislocated. But if she hadn’t twisted herself in mid-fall, she would’ve landed on her stomach and it would’ve been far less painful. He smiled slowly. There was only one reason for her to have sacrificed her arm like that to protect her stomach.

            “So it’s true then!” He roared victoriously. “You are pregnant!”
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Treason