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--In his time as the elemental grand master of the Sarian clan, Raieh issued dozens of challenges to other grand-masters, after winning every single challenge, subduing everyone to his will, he finally found himself against a wall he couldn't overcome. If Raieh hadn't lost to Sorakin would it have been different, would Raieh have been so merciful? Would Raieh be able to extend his hand towards him? Would they have been the ones to stop the bloodshed between clans and unite them all, bringing peace among them? Raieh had very different intentions when he challenged Sorakin to a duel. He wished to end his life along with the kaspera clan. But their fight taught him his own mortality; he was not the absolute elemental master as he thought. Before him stood someone that couldn't be defeated; a demi-god. In his eyes Raieh found much more than his match in battle. He realized his mistakes, he returned to his clan not a victor as he hoped but still wiser. This fight was the last challenge he ever issued to another clan master, not because he feared defeat, but realizing the futility of such a victory. (From the personal library of grand master Hen)--
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Bakuha picked up his pack, two days ration should be enough, since he would have no time for hunting during his trip. He passed by the mirror, taking a look at himself for a moment before he started readying the horse. He looked all too different from when he was taking part on the elven wars, he was less bulky back then, his eyes were bright, now he saw the grimness that ambition brings to your eyes over the years, he shut himself too long on his shell pretending to be someone he was not, his eyes reflected that. He noticed his hair which fell short drawn back behind his neck, even now he wondered, was he a warrior or a politician? But he was not going as a warrior there but as a representative of his clan. He looked young still despite his years, an elemental user had always some extra vitality within him, and he was strong he knew he could keep up the young characteristics for decades to come. He passed by not lingering any longer, he needed to be presentable but that was not what worried him; should he fail to travel there and back in time, his accomplices would be exposed and he won't be able to do anything about it.
The stables were on the far west corner of his villa's establishment. He saw movement inside, the two elders had their back turned to him when he entered, they seemed to have been waiting for him patiently, next to them was a man he recognized to be Younal, a member of the branch clan. He was considered fair and soon to represent his branch family on the council. ''bakuha, you seem to be ready, the council has deemed necessary for some help on your mission, Younal will be of valuable assistance, he understands Terien clan very well'', he looked at the elders calculatedly they wouldn't take no for an answer, this was Dero's decision.
''I respect the council wishes I am sure he will be a fine addition'', turning to Younal he added ''we have no time to waste, we will be meeting in front of the gate within the hour, I would also like to send a message of our arrival, add yourself in the list''. whilst at the same time handing a closed envelope to Younal. The elder's looked surprised at the interaction but with approval. They did not expect Bakuha would respond so quickly. Bakuha anticipated the council to pull a trick like that, they never trusted him. That only made him bitterer; it took all if his restrain not to show it. The elders discussed the details of the mission and when they felt pleased, their meeting reached an end letting Bakuha return to his own preparations.
His final preparations were in order, the horses were saddled and they were feeling the excitement, Bakuha approached his stallion put his head against his and whispered ''we are about to venture into a journey that will change my fate, stick with me my old friend'' the stallion snorted in acknowledgement. Younal waited for him in the wall's gate, he grabbed his horse's reigns and kicked his horse into a gallop, Younal did not seem flustered by the lack of greeting, and he followed immediately, keeping the same rhythm of galloping. Bakuha looked back at his clan's settlement, the estates on top of the hill were seen clearly from the valley, his proud estate was left in the care of his friends, their mission might even be harder than his own, forging a blade to turn against another is easy, but to keep that blade in its sheath till the moment comes requires plenty of self-discipline.
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Darhan moved silently with the help of the night that has fallen above the headquarters. He checked to all directions, he needed to make sure the meeting place was completely secured. ''Stay within the garden, our meeting area is quite exposed'' Faran said. Darhan almost jumped from surprise, he could never feel his presence.
They were back to where they were this morning. The circular building with its 3 meters long walkways surrounded the small garden. Soft leaved trees were planted along the small cobblestoned paths. Footsteps alerted the two men. Faran waved the plump, old man over to the walkway were he stood. Darhan was hiding behind a tree trunk waiting to see the result of this meeting.
''Councilor vieroy, good evening'', the councilor nervously acknowledged the greeting and looked around conspicuously.
'' I shouldn't be here really'' he stuttered.
''You are the one who called the meeting councilor'' Faran said calmly. ''So why do you wish to pull away now at the most critical moment?''
''I didn't really want to be a part of that, Master Bakuha had a leverage on me, he made me agree to a traitorous plan, but nothing is worth that, betraying my own clan and he is not even here'' he stopped to sweep his brow from the sweat. ''I… shouldn't have, I assure you I won't say anything, I will just leave the encampment''.
''And how do you think that would look councilor; you leaving everything behind out of nowhere?'' Faran bowed forward near the councilor's face in intimate distance ''you will follow through master vieroy''.
The councilor backed away slightly feeling daunted, ''or else what?'' he said finding some vigor.
''Nothing, there is nothing we can do about it'' and stepped away from the councilor with his hands on the air.
''That's right, now you better leave me alone, I hope I never…'' Councilor was stopped midsentence; his head flew a meter away landing on top of a patch of grass. His speed and accuracy was second to none, Darhan seethed his black sword and looked at the decapitated body. The horror of a swift, yet unexpected death did not move either of the individuals that now stood above the body.
''We have to move him fast'' Faran said with apathy.
''Too late'' Darhan whispered and disappeared.
Faran went ahead to move the body. But first he stretched his hands and moved them in a circle creating an illusion in which he could move in undetected. He pulled the plumb headless body to the side and looked for the shovel he left near the entrance to the square, expecting that there will be trouble. He started digging effortlessly at first, but after a few minutes sweat was dropping down on the shallow hole he made already. He dragged the body to the edge of the pit and dropped it with a shove from his foot. He turned around and went to take the head and saw Darhan playing around throwing it up and catching it by the hair. The last expression that the councilor's face had was one of anger and fear mixed in an ugly mask. He probably didn't even realize he was dead, till the moment that the sword sliced cleanly through his neck.
''What are you doing Darhan?'' he asked coldly.
''He escaped, it was someone among the illusionists, he covered his image and I lost his scent eventually''.
''Did he see you going after him?''
''I am not certain, but I made sure to stay hidden as best as I could while chasing, does this mean the plan is done for?'' he said unapologetically. He knew that it was his fault that they were on this predicament but his lack of responsibility annoyed Darhan.
That is just like him Faran thought to himself. ''No, it's not, you have me after all''.
They threw the head inside the shallow grave and covered him with some dirt.
''That seems too obvious'' Darhan observed.
''Once again you shouldn't worry about mere images, but as much as it pains me it seems we have more work to do. Come Darhan I will show you the might of a true illusionist''. Darhan followed along while they were walking away from their buried victim, a smile formed on Darhan's mouth, he was feeling rather entertained.
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Bakuha reigned in his horse; he stopped to the edge of the pathway. After a certain amount of a civilized path, the ground of the valley before them was bumpy and uneven, making for a slow journey. He dismounted his horse and took the reins leading it through the valley before him. Younal followed along mimicking Bakuha. They walked side by side silently as they were throughout their travel so far. That did not seem to bother Younal one bit who had surmised so far the displeasure of Bakuha having him to tag alone, despite his best efforts to ignore the fact that he had one more problem to deal before he put his plan in motion.
Rainy as it was moments ago, the mud stack to Bakuha's boots thickening with each step at a time. It was unbecoming of him yet he was feeling anxious. He had the reigns in his hands unable to ride his horse in this terrible road with fear of injuring his only swift escape in case of trouble. Younal still trailing behind him, it was already a day of travel, despite that he did not ask for a break and Bakuha wouldn't give him one. The split road ahead called for a small pause. He hadn't traveled through this roads in a long time, though this split road signified a decision to be made. He had the chance to take a detour, a risky one. On his right was the road to Terien's clan encampment, on his left was the temple of akasha. He knew though it wasn't time yet, he glanced back at Younal who was waiting patiently for him, Bakuha stepped around the fencing behind the crossroad and continued on his path towards the Terien.